bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrahepatic hepatitis B virus large surface antigen induces hepatocyte hyperploidy via failure of cytokinesis
Authors: Li Tian‐Neng , Wu Yi‐Ju , Tsai Hung‐Wen , Sun Cheng‐Pu , Wu Yi‐Hsuan , Wu Hui‐Lin , Pei Yi‐Ning , Lu Kuan‐Ying , Yen Tim Ting‐Chung , Chang Chien‐Wen , Chan Hong‐Lin , Tao Mi‐Hua , Liou Jun‐Yang , Chang Margaret Dah‐Tsyr , Su Ih‐Jen , Wang Lily Hui‐Ching
Published: June 2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an aetiological factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite current antiviral therapies that successfully reduce the viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis B, persistent hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) remains a risk factor for HCC. To explore whether intrahepatic viral antigens contribute directly to hepatocarcinogenesis, we monitored the mitotic progression of HBV‐positive cells. Cytokinesis failure was increased in HBV‐positive HepG2.2.15 and 1.3ES2 cells, as well as in HuH‐7 cells transfected with a wild‐type or X‐deficient HBV construct, but not in cells transfected with an HBsAg‐deficient construct. We show that expression of viral large surface antigen (LHBS) was sufficient to induce cytokinesis failure of immortalized hepatocytes. Premitotic defects with DNA damage and G2/M checkpoint attenuation preceded cytokinesis in LHBS‐positive cells, and ultimately resulted in hyperploidy. Inhibition of polo‐like kinase‐1 (Plk1) not only restored the G2/M checkpoint in these cells, but also suppressed LHBS‐mediated in vivo tumourigenesis. Finally, a positive correlation between intrahepatic LHBS expression and hepatocyte hyperploidy was detected in >70% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. We conclude that HBV LHBS provokes hyperploidy by inducing DNA damage and upregulation of Plk1; the former results in atypical chromatin structures, and the latter attenuates the function of the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint. Our data uncover a mechanism by which genomic integrity of hepatocytes is disrupted by viral LHBS. These findings highlight the role of intrahepatic surface antigen as an oncogenic risk factor in the development of HCC. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The third ventricle of the human fetal brain: Normative data and pathologic correlation. A 3D transvaginal neurosonography study
Authors: Birnbaum Roee , Parodi Stefano , Donarini Gloria , Meccariello Gabriella , Fulcheri Ezio , Paladini Dario
Published: June 2018

Objective

The objective of the study are to describe (a) the technical aspects and (b) the anatomical boundaries of the fetal third ventricle (3V) on the midsagittal sonographic view and to assess (c) different biometric parameters in normal and abnormal fetuses and (d) and their reproducibility.

Methods

This study included 67 normal and 50 CNS anomalies fetuses which include (1) obstructive severe ventriculomegaly (SVM; atrial width ≥ 15 mm), (2) moderate ventriculomegaly (10‐14.9 mm), and (3) corpus callosum agenesis (ACC). All underwent transvaginal 3D neurosonography of the midsagittal view of the 3V. The following parameters were measured: area, perimeter, craniocaudal and anteroposterior (AP) diameters, interthalamic adhesion diameter (ITAD), wedge angle, and the ratio between the last 2 variables (ITAD/WA). Repeatability was also assessed.

Results

The ITAD and the ITAD/WA are significantly different between normal fetuses and the SVM (P ≤ .001). Interthalamic adhesion diameter of ≤7.1 mm is able to identify SVM with 98.6% accuracy (CI: 0.92‐0.99). In ACC cases, the AP diameter is significantly shorter than both normal fetuses and ventriculomegaly. Intraobserver/interobserver reliability was good for most variables.

Conclusions

Transvaginal neurosonography enables visualization of the normal and abnormal fetal third ventricle. An ITAD <7.1 identifies aqueductal stenosis as the likely etiology of severe ventriculomegaly with an accuracy of 98.6%.
Exploring knowledge and perceptions of palliative care to inform integration of palliative care education into cystic fibrosis care
Authors: Dellon Elisabeth P. , Helms Sarah W. , Hailey Claire E. , Shay Rosemary , Carney Scott D. , Schmidt Howard Joel , Brown David E. , Prieur Mary G.
Published: June 2018

Background

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) face the challenges of managing a chronic, progressive disease. While palliative care is a standard of care in serious illnesses, there are no guidelines for its incorporation into CF care. Patients with CF, caregivers, and CF care providers may lack knowledge about palliative care and perceive barriers to integrated care.

Objectives

To: 1) explore knowledge and perceptions of palliative care among patients with CF, caregivers, and CF care providers; 2) solicit opinions about incorporating palliative care into routine CF care; and 3) solicit recommendations for CF‐specific palliative care education for patients and caregivers.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with adult patients with CF, parents of adolescents with CF, and CF care providers to assess knowledge and perceptions of palliative care. Discussion included suggestions for palliative care education and integration into CF care. The sample was characterized using summary statistics. Key themes were identified using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Ten patients with CF, ten parents, and eight CF care providers participated. Many had minimal knowledge of palliative care and endorsed the association with end of life as a barrier to palliative care, but after learning more about palliative care, thought it could be helpful, and should be introduced earlier.

Conclusions

In this single center study, many patients with CF, caregivers, and providers lacked knowledge about palliative care. These findings warrant replication in a larger, multisite study to inform palliative care educational interventions as a step toward consistent integration of palliative care into routine CF care.
Inflammation and asthma control in children with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Rogers Valerie E. , Bollinger Mary E. , Tulapurkar Mohan E. , Zhu Shijun , Hasday Jeffrey D. , Pereira Kevin D. , Scharf Steven M.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

A bi‐directional relationship exists between asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in which presence of one is associated with increased prevalence and severity of the other. Our objective was to determine whether OSA accounted for differences in airway and systemic inflammation in asthmatic children and whether inflammation was associated with asthma control. We hypothesized that greater severity of SDB would correlate with increased upper airway and systemic inflammation and result in reduced asthma control.

Methods

Non‐obese children aged 4‐12 years with persistent asthma, with or without OSA were recruited. Asthma control was measured with the Childhood Asthma Control Test. Children underwent polysomnography and blood sampling, and children with OSA underwent clinically indicated adenotonsillectomy. Tonsils and sera were analyzed for 11 cytokines.

Results

Twenty‐seven children (20 with OSA, seven without OSA) participated, mean age 7.9 years, 55.6% female, 92.6% African American. Levels did not differ for any cytokine between children with and without OSA. Lower nadir oxygen saturation was associated with higher levels of tonsil TNF‐α (P < 0.001) and IL‐10 (P < 0.05). Higher REM‐related apnea‐hypopnea index was associated with higher levels of tonsil TNF‐α (P < 0.05). Children with uncontrolled asthma had significantly higher levels of serum IL‐10, IL‐13, and TNF‐α, and tonsil TNF‐α (all P < 0.05) than well‐controlled asthmatic children. There was no association between OSA, or any polysomnography variable, and asthma control.

Conclusions

Despite the presence of OSA‐associated airway inflammation, and asthma control‐associated airway and systemic inflammation, OSA was not related to level of asthma control in this non‐obese, largely minority, low income sample.
The shaping of selection: Secondary migration, scale, and changing immigrant geographies
Authors: Goodwin‐White Jamie
Published: June 2018

The internal migration and settlement patterns of immigrants have long been of interest in assessing immigrant outcomes. Here, I use U.S. census microdata from 1940, 1970, and 2000 to analyse the changing relationships between secondary migration, immigrant concentration, and earnings outcomes. By simultaneous estimation of models for those who undertake internal migration and those who do not, the endogenous switching regressions employed here relate individual and place characteristics to earnings outcomes through the mechanism of selective migration. Investigating how these relationships change over time and between generations, as well as the differing relevance of overall mobility versus intercounty migration, contributes to theoretical perspectives on spatial assimilation and secondary migration. The critical finding is that immigrant concentration at destination is positively associated with wage outcomes for movers, although remaining in immigrant concentrations can have negative effects. Effects are more significant for those undertaking larger scale moves and more consistent over time. Women and less educated individuals who move show diminished earnings disadvantages. These findings suggest that it is useful to think about migration as a strategy through which immigrants respond to vulnerability and that the advantages or disadvantages of immigrant context are related to selective migration. Additionally, the characteristics experienced by a previous immigrant generation in situ suggest that the salience of immigrant geography emerges over time, as metros with high immigrant wages and educational levels continue to attract immigrants and their offspring decades later.
A systematic study on the generation of multimetallic lanthanide fullerene ions by laser ablation mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yiyun , Ma LiFu , Mu Lei , Ren Juan , Kong Xianglei
Published: June 2018

Rationale

Laser ablation masss spectromety has been previously proved to be a powerful tool for studying endohedro metallofullerene (EMF) ions. Our previous study showed the possiblity of forming multi‐metallofullerene ions containg more than six metal atoms for La, Y and Lu. Thus, it is important to conduct a systematic study on the generation of multi‐metallofullerenes and their distribuitons for all lanthanide elements.

Methods

Experiments were performed on a 7.0 T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer. Laser ablation mass spectra were obtained by laser irradiation on mixtures of graphene and MCl3 on a stainless steel plate, applying a 355 nm Nd:YAG laser with a typical energy of 2.5 mJ/pulse. Reaction test experiments were performed by introducing O2 into the FTICR cell with a pulse valve.

Results

Multi‐metallofullerene ions
,
,
,
,
,
,
were observed in the mass spectra. For the metals Sm and Eu, no multi‐metallofullerene ion was observed. No reaction with O2 was observed in the reaction experiments, verifying that these species had endohedral structures. For the observed series of multi‐metallofullerene ions, tri‐metallofullerene ions dominated their mass spectra. The results were further compared with previously generated EMF ions for La, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu.

Conclusions

Endohedral lanthanide metallofullerene ions were generated by laser ablation of graphene and the corresponding metal salts MCl3 (M = Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) and studied with a FTICR mass spectrometer. Typically, multi‐metallofullerene ions of
and
were observed. The results show that the formation of multi‐EMF ions containing lanthanides that have +3 and + 4 oxidation states is easier than those containing +2 oxidation states in the process of laser ablation.
Mechanical model for punching shear capacity of rectangular slab‐column connections
Authors: Farzam Masood , Sadaghian Hamed
Published: June 2018

This paper investigates the punching behavior of reinforced concrete flat slabs supported on rectangular columns under concentric loading. Based on the critical shear crack theory, a new model is proposed to determine the punching shear strength of slabs. In this model, a rectangular slab is replaced with an elliptical surface with the same area. The efficiency of the model is validated through comparisons made with experimental studies in the literature. Furthermore, results are compared with three different codes, namely, ACI, Eurocode 2, and FIB Model Code 2010. Finally, an alternative approach is introduced to facilitate the calculation of the punching shear capacity of slabs with column rectangularity considerations. For the experimental tests available in the literature, good shear strength predictions were obtained by the two proposed models.
Metal Salts of 3,3′‐Diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole in Pyrotechnic Compositions
Authors: Glück Johann , Gospodinov Ivan , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: June 2018

The synthesis of alkali and alkaline earth salts of 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (H2ANAT) is reported. The fast and convenient three steps reaction toward the target compounds does not require any organic solvents. In addition to an intensive characterization of all synthesized metal salts, the focus was on developing chlorine and nitrate‐free red‐light‐generating pyrotechnical formulations. Strontium 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bitriazolate hexahydrate served as colorant and oxidizer in one molecule. The energetic properties of all developed pyrotechnical formulations assure safe handling and manufacturing.
Serendipity in dark photon searches
Authors: Ilten Philip , Soreq Yotam , Williams Mike , Xue Wei
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Searches for dark photons provide serendipitous discovery potential for other types of vector particles. We develop a framework for recasting dark photon searches to obtain constraints on more general theories, which includes a data-driven method for determining hadronic decay rates. We demonstrate our approach by deriving constraints on a vector that couples to the B-L current, a leptophobicBboson that couples directly to baryon number and to leptons viaB-γkinetic mixing, and on a vector that mediates a protophobic force. Our approach can easily be generalized to any massive gauge boson with vector couplings to the Standard Model fermions, and software to perform any such recasting is provided athttps://gitlab.com/philten/darkcast.
A new duality between $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 8 superconformal field theories in three dimensions
Authors: Agmon Nathan B. , Chester Shai M. , Pufu Silviu S.
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We propose a new duality between two 3d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 8 superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories: the U(3)1 × U(3)−1 ABJM theory and a theory consisting of the product between the (SU(2)3 × SU(2)− 3)/ℤ2 BLG theory and a free

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 8 theory of eight real scalars and eight Majorana fermions. As evidence supporting this duality, we show that the moduli spaces, superconformal indices, S
3 partition functions, and certain OPE coefficients of BPS operators in the two theories agree.
Functional determinants of radial operators in AdS2
Authors: Aguilera-Damia Jeremías , Faraggi Alberto , Zayas Leopoldo Pando , Rathee Vimal , Silva Guillermo A.
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We study the zeta-function regularization of functional determinants of Laplace and Dirac-type operators in two-dimensional Euclidean AdS
2 space. More specifically, we consider the ratio of determinants between an operator in the presence of background fields with circular symmetry and the free operator in which the background fields are absent. By Fourier-transforming the angular dependence, one obtains an infinite number of one-dimensional radial operators, the determinants of which are easy to compute. The summation over modes is then treated with care so as to guarantee that the result coincides with the two-dimensional zeta-function formalism. The method relies on some well-known techniques to compute functional determinants using contour integrals and the construction of the Jost function from scattering theory. Our work generalizes some known results in flat space. The extension to conformal AdS
2 geometries is also considered. We provide two examples, one bosonic and one fermionic, borrowed from the spectrum of fluctuations of the holographic

$$ \frac{1}{4} $$

1
4

-BPS latitude Wilson loop.
F-theory and AdS3/CFT2 (2, 0)
Authors: Couzens Christopher , Martelli Dario , Schäfer-Nameki Sakura
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We continue to develop the program initiated in [1] of studying supersymmetric AdS3 backgrounds of F-theory and their holographic dual 2d superconformal field theories, which are dimensional reductions of theories with varying coupling. Imposing 2d

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(0,2\right) $$

N
=

0
2

supersymmetry,wederivethegeneralconditionsonthegeometryforTypeIIB AdS3 solutions with varying axio-dilaton and five-form flux. Locally the compact part of spacetime takes the form of a circle fibration over an eight-fold

$$ {\mathcal{Y}}_8^{\tau } $$

Y
8
τ

, which is elliptically fibered over a base

$$ {\tilde{\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}}_6 $$

ℳ
˜

6

. We construct two classes of solutions given in terms of a product ansatz

$$ \tilde{{\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_6}=\varSigma \times {\mathrm{M}}_4 $$

ℳ
6

˜

=
Σ
×

M
4

, where Σ is a complex curve and

$$ {\tilde{\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}}_4 $$

ℳ
˜

4

is locally a Kähler surface. In the first class

$$ {\tilde{\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}}_4 $$

ℳ
˜

4

is globally a Kähler surface and we take the elliptic fibration to vary non-trivially over either of these two factors, where in both cases the metrics on the total space of the elliptic fibrations are not Ricci-flat. In the second class the metric on the total space of the elliptic fibration over either curve or surface are Ricci-flat. This results in solutions of the type AdS3 × K3 × ℳ
5

τ

, dual to 2d (0, 2) SCFTs, and AdS3 × S
3/Γ × CY
3, dual to 2d (0, 4) SCFTs, respectively. In all cases we compute the charges for the dual field theories with varying coupling and find agreement with the holographic results. We also show that solutions with enhanced 2d

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(2,2\right) $$

N
=

2
2

supersymmetry must have constant axio-dilaton. Allowing the internal geometry to be non-compact leads to the most general class of Type IIB AdS5 solutions with varying axio-dilaton, i.e. F-theoretic solutions, that are dual to 4d

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

SCFTs.
Clockwork/linear dilaton: structure and phenomenology
Authors: Giudice Gian F. , Kats Yevgeny , McCullough Matthew , Torre Riccardo , Urbano Alfredo
Published: June 2018

Abstract

The linear dilaton geometry in five dimensions, rediscovered recently in the continuum limit of the clockwork model, may offer a solution to the hierarchy problem which is qualitatively different from other extra-dimensional scenarios and leads to distinctive signatures at the LHC. We discuss the structure of the theory, in particular aspects of naturalness and UV completion, and then explore its phenomenology, suggesting novel strategies for experimental searches. In particular, we propose to analyze the diphoton and dilepton invariant mass spectra in Fourier space in order to identify an approximately periodic structure of resonant peaks. Among other signals, we highlight displaced decays from resonantly-produced long-lived states and high-multiplicity final states from cascade decays of excited gravitons.
An infinite swampland of U(1) charge spectra in 6D supergravity theories
Authors: Taylor Washington , Turner Andrew P.
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We analyze the anomaly constraints on 6D supergravity theories with a single abelian U(1) gauge factor. For theories with charges restricted to q = ±1, ±2 and no tensor multiplets, anomaly-free models match those models that can be realized from F-theory compactifications almost perfectly. For theories with tensor multiplets or with larger charges, the F-theory constraints are less well understood. We show, however, that there is an infinite class of distinct massless charge spectra in the “swampland” of theories that satisfy all known quantum consistency conditions but do not admit a realization through F-theory or any other known approach to string compactification. We also compare the spectra of charged matter in abelian theories with those that can be realized from breaking nonabelian SU(2) and higher rank gauge symmetries.
Climate warming shortens flowering duration: a comprehensive assessment of plant phenological responses based on gene expression analyses and mathematical modeling
Authors: Nagahama Ai , Kubota Yasuhiro , Satake Akiko
Published: June 2018

There is an increasing potential to incorporate recent advances in our understanding of molecular‐genetic pathways of flowering‐time regulation to forecast shifts in flowering phenology in response to rising temperature. Recent studies developed models that integrate temperature and photoperiod signals into the network of floral regulatory genes, and predicted the shortening of flowering duration under warming based on the expression dynamics of major flowering‐time genes in the perennial herb Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera. Nevertheless, empirical testing of the model prediction is still lacking. We performed temperature manipulation experiments and common garden experiments to test the model predictions using plants from two distant populations of A. halleri. We also quantified expression levels of two major flowering‐time genes and compared the observed and predicted gene expression patterns. Our experiments in the laboratory and the field demonstrated that flowering duration of A. halleri was significantly shortened under warming conditions. Our results also revealed that the end of flowering was more sensitive to the climate warming than the onset of flowering in A. halleri. The observed gene expression dynamics in the warming condition were predicted well by the gene regulatory model. The transplant experiment of plants from Hokkaido, the northernmost island, to the subtropical field site in Okinawa, Japan, showed that plants flowered without significant activation of FLOWERING LOCUS T, a floral integrator crucial for the accelerated flowering in long days. The study suggested that the redundancy of flowering gene regulatory network could be beneficial to the persistence of flowering ability under extreme climatic conditions.
Frequentist Model Averaging in Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Jin Shaobo , Ankargren Sebastian
Published: June 2018

Model selection from a set of candidate models plays an important role in many structural equation modelling applications. However, traditional model selection methods introduce extra randomness that is not accounted for by post-model selection inference. In the current study, we propose a model averaging technique within the frequentist statistical framework. Instead of selecting an optimal model, the contributions of all candidate models are acknowledged. Valid confidence intervals and a <mml:math xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:mnf="http://cambridge.org/core/manifest" xmlns:cup="http://contentservices.cambridge.org" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:m="http://cambridge.org/core/metadata" xmlns:core="http://cambridge.org/core" xmlns:c="http://cambridge.org/core/content">χ2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\chi ^2$$\end{document} test statistic are proposed. A simulation study shows that the proposed method is able to produce a robust mean-squared error, a better coverage probability, and a better goodness-of-fit test compared to model selection. It is an interesting compromise between model selection and the full model.
An Epidemiologic Perspective on Scaphoid Fracture Treatment and Frequency of Nonunion Surgery in the USA
Authors: Dy Christopher J. , Kazmers Nikolas H. , Baty Jack , Bommarito Kerry , Osei Daniel A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Scaphoid fractures treated non-operatively and operatively may be complicated by nonunion.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to test the primary hypothesis that the incidence density of scaphoid fracture treatment is higher than previously estimated, to determine the frequency and risk factors for nonunion treatment, and to determine whether the frequency of surgical treatment increased over time.

Methods

The MarketScan® database was queried for all records of treatment (casting and surgery) for closed scaphoid fractures over a 6-year period. We examined subsequent claims to determine frequency of additional procedures for nonunion treatment (revision fixation or vascularized grafting occurring 28 days or more after initial treatment). Trend analyses were used to determine whether changes in frequency of surgical treatment or revision procedure occurred.

Results

The estimated incidence density of scaphoid fracture is 10.6 per 100, 000 person-years in a commercially insured population of less than 65 years of age. Of 8923 closed scaphoid fractures, 29 and 71% were treated with surgery and casting, respectively. The frequency of surgical treatment rose significantly, from 22.1% in 2006 to 34.1% in 2012. The frequency of nonunion treatment was 10.8% after surgery and 3% after casting; neither changed over time. Younger age, male sex, and surgical treatment are associated with a higher risk of nonunion treatment.

Conclusions

Our estimated incidence of scaphoid fracture is higher than previously reported. The increased enthusiasm in the USA to surgically treat scaphoid fractures is reflected by our trend analysis. The frequency of surgical treatment for presumed nonunion after initial surgical management for closed scaphoid fractures exceeded 10%. Given the increased utilization of surgery, surgeons and patients should be aware of the frequency of nonunion treatment to inform treatment decisions.
Identity development in people with mild intellectual disability: A short-term longitudinal study
Authors: Rękosiewicz Małgorzata
Published: June 2018

The objective of the study was to diagnose changes in the identity of individuals with mild intellectual disability (ID) in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, comparing them to their non-disabled peers. The dual-cycle model of identity formation of Luyckx et al. was employed (Developmental Psychology, 42, 366–380, 2006). The study included 127 participants living in Poland. Three waves were performed at half-year intervals. TheDimensions of Identity Development Scalein its modified version for people with ID was used (DIDS/PL-1; RękosiewiczStudia Psychologiczne, 53, 19–31, 2015). People from the four study groups (A - late adolescents with ID, B - emerging adults with ID, C - late adolescents within the intellectual norm, D - emerging adults within the intellectual norm) in the main did not differ from one another in respect of the dimensions of identity formation. Over time, there was an increase in commitment making and identification with commitment, but only among adolescents with ID. None of the groups demonstrated significant changes in exploration in breadth, in depth, nor in ruminative exploration. It was successfully demonstrated that people with mild ID are not distinct on all dimensions of identity formation when compared to their peers within the intellectual norm. Minor changes in identity may indicate a longer period of identity formation, or dynamic changes coming earlier – during early adolescence or later – in early adulthood.
Personality, school, and family: What is their role in adolescents' subjective well‐being
Authors: Lampropoulou Aikaterini
Published: June 2018

This article presents a multidimensional approach to subjective well‐being in adolescence. Multiple factors regarding personality, family, and school are examined in relation to Greek adolescents' subjective well‐being. The participants of the study were 714 adolescents and their parents (302 boys and 412 girls) attending Junior High School (average age = 14.6, SD = .05) and High School (average age = 17.4, SD = .07). The results showed that specific personality, family, and school factors can be used as predictors of subjective well‐being. This study is largely explorative in an effort to enrich a limited database regarding adolescents' subjective well‐being and as an impetus to research in‐depth the specific domain. The findings are significant since not only do they provide an insight into adolescents' subjective well‐being but they also have potential implications for the better practice of school psychologists.
Gut microbiome and magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis may support the membrane hypothesis
Authors: He Ying , Kosciolek Tomasz , Tang Jinsong , Zhou Yao , Li Zongchang , Ma Xiaoqian , Zhu Qiyun , Yuan Ning , Yuan Liu , Li Chunwang , Jin Ke , Knight Rob , Tsuang Ming T. , Chen Xiaogang
Published: June 2018

Background:

The microbiota-gut-brain axis and membrane dysfunction in the brain has attracted increasing attention in the field of psychiatric research. However, the possible interactive role of gut microbiota and brain function in the prodromal stage of schizophrenia has not been studied yet.

Methods:

To explore this, we collected fecal samples and performed Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) scans in 81 high risk (HR) subjects, 19 ultra-high risk (UHR) subjects and 69 health controls (HC). Then we analyzed the differences in gut microbiota and choline concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Results:

Presences of the orders Clostridiales, Lactobacillales and Bacteroidales were observed at increase levels in fecal samples of UHR subjects compared to the other two groups. The composition changes of gut microbiota indicate the increased production of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), which could activate microglia and then disrupt membrane metabolism. Furthermore, this was confirmed by an increase of choline levels, a brain imaging marker of membrane dysfunction, which is also significantly elevated in UHR subjects compared to the HR and HC groups.

Conclusion:

Both gut microbiome and imaging studies of UHR subjects suggest the membrane dysfunction in the brain and hence might support the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Prognostic predictive value of TLR4 polymorphisms in Han Chinese population with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Han Ke , Li Yan‐Ping
Published: June 2018

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiac disease and is an important cause of sudden death in patients of all ages. The aim of this study was to find out whether Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) polymorphism is associated with HCM. To explore the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and HCM, 486 HCM patients and 214 healthy controls were enrolled in a case–control study of Chinese Han population. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of TLR4 gene, −728G > C (rs11536865) and −2081G > A (rs10983755), were genotyped by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). The associations between TLR4 SNPs and overall survival (OS) of HCM patients were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier estimation method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Serum TLR4 level was determined by ELISA. Our results showed that the C allelic frequency of −728G > C and A allelic frequency of −2081G > A were higher in HCM patients than those in controls (P < 0.001). The ratios of genotype frequencies for both SNPs were associated with HCM susceptibility under three genetic models (P < 0.01). Two SNPs were also associated with the OS in HCM patients (P < 0.001). The CC genotype of −728G > C and AA genotype of −2081G > A were associated with poor prognosis of HCM (P < 0.001). Moreover, HCM patients had a higher serum TLR4 level compared with the controls (242.6 pg/ml versus 135.7 pg/ml, P = 0.027). In addition, significant associations were observed between CC genotype of −728G > C or AA genotype of −2081G > A and plasma TLR4 level (P < 0.01). The results of this study indicated that TLR4 polymorphisms may be a genetic susceptibility factor for HCM in the Han Chinese population.
Laryngotracheal stenosis in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation
Authors: Koshkareva Yekaterina A. , Hughes William B. , Soliman Ahmed M.S.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To identify the incidence of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation at a regional academic burn center.

Methods

A retrospective review of all burn patients requiring endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy for airway management between 2003 and 2009 was performed. A group of trauma patients requiring similar airway instrumentation during the same period of time was used as a control.

Results

None of the trauma patients and 2 of the burn patients developed LTS. Both presented with stridor and were diagnosed within 2–5 weeks after extubation. One patient underwent successful carbon dioxide laser radial incision and dilation and continues to do well. The other patient failed endoscopic treatment and required T‐tube placement. The incidence of LTS in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation was 2.98% overall and 4.76% among those with inhalational injury.

Conclusions

Patients become symptomatic within weeks of the initial injury. Treatment is challenging and multiple surgical procedures are often required. A larger study is necessary to determine if the incidence is higher among burn patients.
Spatially localized multi-scale energy transfer in turbulent premixed combustion
Authors: Kim J. , Bassenne M. , Towery C. A. Z. , Hamlington P. E. , Poludnenko A. Y. , Urzay J.
Published: June 2018

A three-dimensional wavelet multi-resolution analysis of direct numerical simulations of a turbulent premixed flame is performed in order to investigate the spatially localized spectral transfer of kinetic energy across scales in the vicinity of the flame front. A formulation is developed that addresses the compressible spectral dynamics of the kinetic energy in wavelet space. The wavelet basis enables the examination of local energy spectra, along with inter-scale and subfilter-scale (SFS) cumulative energy fluxes across a scale cutoff, all quantities being available either unconditioned or conditioned on the local instantaneous value of the progress variable across the flame brush. The results include the quantification of mean spectral values and associated spatial variabilities. The energy spectra undergo, in most locations in the flame brush, a precipitous drop that starts at scales of the same order as the characteristic flame scale and continues to smaller scales, even though the corresponding decrease of the mean spectra is much more gradual. The mean convective inter-scale flux indicates that convection increases the energy of small scales, although it does so in a non-conservative manner due to the high aspect ratio of the grid, which limits the maximum scale level that can be used in the wavelet transform, and to the non-periodic boundary conditions, which exchange energy through surface forces, as explicitly elucidated by the formulation. The mean pressure-gradient inter-scale flux extracts energy from intermediate scales of the same order as the characteristic flame scale, and injects energy in the smaller and larger scales. The local SFS-cumulative contribution of the convective and pressure-gradient mechanisms of energy transfer across a given cutoff scale imposed by a wavelet filter is analysed. The local SFS-cumulative energy flux is such that the subfilter scales upstream from the flame always receive energy on average. Conversely, within the flame brush, energy is drained on average from the subfilter scales by convective and pressure-gradient effects most intensely when the filter cutoff is larger than the characteristic flame scale.
The trends in total energy, macronutrients and sodium intake among Japanese: findings from the 1995–2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Saito Aki , Imai Shino , Htun Nay Chi , Okada Emiko , Yoshita Katsushi , Yoshiike Nobuo , Takimoto Hidemi
Published: June 2018

Monitoring nutritional status of the population is essential in the development and evaluation of national or local health policies. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate analysis on the trends in dietary intake of energy and macronutrients, as well as Na, in Japanese population using the data of series of cross-sectional national surveys – the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) and the National Health Nutrition Survey (NHNS) – during the period from 1995 to 2016. The NNS and NHNS participants aged 20–79 years were included in the analysis. Dietary intake was estimated using 1-d household-based dietary record. The trend in total energy intake, energy intake from macronutrients (fat and protein), Na intake and energy-adjusted Na intake were analysed using regression models adjusted to 2010 age distribution and anthropometry status. A total of 94 270 men and 107 890 women were included the analysis. Total energy intake showed a decreasing trend in both men and women. Similarly, energy intake from protein decreased, but energy intake (%) from fat increased in both sexes. Energy-adjusted Na intake showed a decreasing trend in both men and women. This study identified the decrease in total energy intake and energy intake from protein, whereas there were inverse trends in energy intake from fat among Japanese adults. Continued monitoring of trends in dietary intake will be needed, and there should be efforts to increase the accuracy of current survey procedures.
Early breast cancer: why does obesity affect prognosis?
Authors: Heetun A. , Cutress R. I. , Copson E. R.
Published: June 2018

High BMI is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women but poorer outcomes in all age groups. The underlying mechanism is likely to be multi-factorial. Patients with a high BMI may present later due to body habitus. Some studies have also indicated an increased incidence of biologically adverse features, including a higher frequency of oestrogen receptor (ER negative) tumours, in obese patients. Obese patients have a higher frequency of surgical complications, potentially delaying systemic therapies, and reports suggest that chemotherapy and endocrine therapy are less effective in patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2.

High BMI is generally interpreted as excess adiposity and a World Cancer Research Fund report judged that the associations between BMI and incidence of breast cancer were due to body fatness. However, BMI cannot distinguish lean mass from fat mass, or characterise body fat distribution. Most chemotherapy drugs are dosed according to calculated body surface area (BSA). Patients with a similar BSA or BMI may have wide variations in their distribution of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle (body composition); however, few studies have looked at the effect of this on chemotherapy tolerance or effectiveness. Finally, adjuvant treatments for breast cancer can themselves result in body composition changes.

Research is required to fully understand the biological mechanisms by which obesity influences cancer behaviour and the impact of obesity on treatment effectiveness and tolerance so that specific management strategies can be developed to improve the prognosis of this patient group.
Biomarker-based subtyping of depression and anxiety disorders using Latent Class Analysis. A NESDA study
Authors: Beijers Lian , Wardenaar Klaas J. , Bosker Fokko J. , Lamers Femke , van Grootheest Gerard , de Boer Marrit K. , Penninx Brenda W.J.H. , Schoevers Robert A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Etiological research of depression and anxiety disorders has been hampered by diagnostic heterogeneity. In order to address this, researchers have tried to identify more homogeneous patient subgroups. This work has predominantly focused on explaining interpersonal heterogeneity based on clinical features (i.e. symptom profiles). However, to explain interpersonal variations in underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, it might be more effective to take biological heterogeneity as the point of departure when trying to identify subgroups. Therefore, this study aimed to identify data-driven subgroups of patients based on biomarker profiles.

Methods

Data of patients with a current depressive and/or anxiety disorder came from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, a large, multi-site naturalistic cohort study (n= 1460). Thirty-six biomarkers (e.g. leptin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tryptophan) were measured, as well as sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Latent class analysis of the discretized (lower 10%, middle, upper 10%) biomarkers were used to identify different patient clusters.

Results

The analyses resulted in three classes, which were primarily characterized by different levels of metabolic health: ‘lean’ (21.6%), ‘average’ (62.2%) and ‘overweight’ (16.2%). Inspection of the classes’ clinical features showed the highest levels of psychopathology, severity and medication use in the overweight class.

Conclusions

The identified classes were strongly tied to general (metabolic) health, and did not reflect any natural cutoffs along the lines of the traditional diagnostic classifications. Our analyses suggested that especially poor metabolic health could be seen as a distal marker for depression and anxiety, suggesting a relationship between the ‘overweight’ subtype and internalizing psychopathology.
The Politics of Personnel Redundancy: The Non-leading Cadre System in the Chinese Bureaucracy
Authors: Chan Hon S. , Gao Jie
Published: June 2018

This study provides an overview of the origin, importance and strength of the non-leading cadre system and argues that the system plays a key role in building resilience in China's bureaucracy. The non-leading cadre system is administratively and politically important because it makes the party-state bureaucracy more adaptable and fosters cohesion among the elite cadre workforce. Although the system may appear to have institutionalized redundancy, this study argues that this redundancy has the benefit of making movement between leading and non-leading cadre status possible. In other words, the non-leading cadre system provides the various levels of the party-state bureaucracy with the leverage to develop their own measures for resolving their own problems. Putting aside the deficiencies in implementation, the non-leading cadre system is likely to remain durable and will help to develop an agile and resilient personnel management system, at least in the short to medium term.
Monitoring the Vela Pulsar with a Phased Array Feed (PAF) Receiver
Authors: Sarkissian John M. , Reynolds John E. , Hobbs George , Harvey-Smith Lisa
Published: June 2018

We have observed the Vela pulsar for 1 year using a Phased Array Feed (PAF) receiver on the 12-m antenna of the Parkes Test-Bed Facility (PTF). These observations have allowed us to investigate the stability of the PAF beam weights over time, to demonstrate that pulsars can be timed over long periods using PAF technology and to detect and study the most recent glitch event that occurred on 12 December 2016. The beam weights are shown to be stable to 1% on time scales on the order of three weeks.
Analysis and discussion of a sample of 25 gigahertz-peaked spectra pulsars
Authors: Kijak Jarosław , Lewandowski Wojciech , Rożko Karolina
Published: June 2018

We identified gigahertz-peaked spectra behavior from our radio interferometric observations at low frequencies using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. We modeled the turnover spectra based on thermal free-free absorption in the interstellar medium. The free-free absorption is believed to be responsible for the inverted spectrum. Using the model, we were able to put some observational constrains on the physical parameters of the absorbing matter, which allows us to distinguish between the possible sources of absorption.
How to estimate distance and velocity from parallax and proper motion
Authors: Igoshev Andrei P. , Verbunt Frank , Cator Eric
Published: June 2018

If the observed parallax ϖ′ has a gaussian measurement error σ, there is a 68% probability that the actual parallax ϖ is in the range ϖ′ − σ < ϖ < ϖ′ + σ (the frequentist approach). The probability distribution within this range is not known from ϖ′ and σ alone, and in particular, we cannot state that the most probable distance D is given by D = 1/ϖ′. To obtain a probability distribution, we need to know or assume a distribution of pulsar distances. Similar assumptions are also required to estimate the velocity distribution of radio pulsars.
Braking indices and spin evolution: something is loose inside neutron stars
Authors: Espinoza Cristóbal M.
Published: June 2018

Braking indices are used to describe the evolution of pulsars rotation, and can offer insights into the braking mechanism that dominates the slow down. Here we discuss the main difficulties associated with measuring braking indices and the complexity of interpreting these measurements. Considering recent braking index measurements on pulsars with large and regular glitches, we comment on the significant effects that the loosely coupled superfluid inside pulsars might have on their spin evolution.
A multi-wavelength pipeline for pulsar observations
Authors: Pilia Maura , Trois Alessio , Bachetti Matteo , Pellizzoni Alberto , Egron Elise , Iacolina Maria Noemi , Loru Sara
Published: June 2018

The Astronomical Observatory in Cagliari (OAC) is a growing facility with a group devoted to pulsar studies across the electromagnetic spectrum. Taking advantage of this expertise we have worked to provide a suite of multi-wavelength software and databases for the observations of pulsars and compact Galactic objects at the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT, Bolli et al. 2015, Prandoni et al. 2017).
Correlated emission and spin-down variability in radio pulsars
Authors: Shaw Benjamin , Stappers Benjamin W. , Brook Paul R. , Karastergiou Aris , Lyne Andrew G. , Weltevrede P.
Published: June 2018

The recent revelation that there are correlated period derivative and pulse shape changes in pulsars has dramatically changed our understanding of timing noise as well as the relationship between the radio emission and the properties of the magnetosphere as a whole. Using Gaussian processes we are able to model timing and emission variability using a regression technique that imposes no functional form on the data. We revisit the pulsars first studied by Lyne et al. (2010). We not only confirm the emission and rotational transitions revealed therein, but reveal further transitions and periodicities in 8 years of extended monitoring. We also show that in many of these objects the pulse profile transitions between two well-defined shapes, coincident with changes to the period derivative. With a view to the SKA and other telescopes capable of higher cadence we also study the detection limitations of period derivative changes.
First interferometric detections of Fast Radio Bursts
Authors: Caleb M. , Flynn C. , Bailes M. , Barr E. D. , Bateman T. , Bhandari S. , Campbell-Wilson D. , Farah W. , Green A. J. , Hunstead R. W. , Jameson A. , Jankowski F. , Keane E. F. , Parthasarathy A. , Ravi V. , Rosado P. A. , van Straten W. , Krishnan V. Venkatraman
Published: June 2018

The class of radio transients called Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) encompasses enigmatic single pulses, each unique in its own way, hindering a consensus for their origin. The key to demystifying FRBs lies in discovering many of them in order to identity commonalities – and in real time, in order to find potential counterparts at other wavelengths. The recently upgraded UTMOST in Australia, is undergoing a backend transformation to rise as a fast transient detection machine. The first interferometric detections of FRBs with UTMOST, place their origin beyond the near-field region of the telescope thus ruling out local sources of interference as a possible origin. We have localised these bursts to much better than the ones discovered at the Parkes radio telescope and have plans to upgrade UTMOST to be capable of much better localisation still.