bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lycopene Alleviates Obesity‐Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance by Regulating M1/M2 Status of Macrophages
Authors: Chen Guanliang , Ni Yinhua , Nagata Naoto , Zhuge Fen , Xu Liang , Nagashimada Mayumi , Yamamoto Sayo , Ushida Yusuke , Fuke Nobuo , Suganuma Hiroyuki , Kaneko Shuichi , Ota Tsuguhito
Published: August 2019

Scope

Adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) recruitment and polarization are pivotal in the development of insulin resistance. However, treatment modalities targeting ATMs remain limited. The effects of lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid compound, on adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in high fat (HF)‐diet‐induced obese mice are examined.

Methods and results

C57BL/6J mice are fed an HF diet or an HF diet containing lycopene (HF+LY) for 8 weeks. Lycopene attenuates HF‐diet‐induced glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. Compared with HF mice, HF+LY mice exhibit attenuated adipocyte hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Flow cytometry analysis of ATMs demonstrates that lycopene attenuated the increased number of ATMs in HF diet‐fed mice. In addition, HF+LY mice have 23% fewer M1‐polarized ATMs and 60% more M2‐polarized ATMs than HF mice, resulting in the predominance of M2 over M1 in the ATM population. M2‐dominant polarization is also seen in hepatic macrophages in HF+LY mice. Moreover, lycopene promotes IL‐4‐induced M2 polarization by increasing the phosphorylation levels of STAT6 and Akt in Raw 264.7 macrophages.

Conclusions

Lycopene facilitates M2‐dominant polarization in ATM, thereby attenuating HF diet‐induced inflammation and insulin resistance in eWAT and the liver.
The Effect of an Iron Supplement on Lycopene Metabolism and Absorption During Digestion in Healthy Humans
Authors: Kopec Rachel E. , Caris‐Veyrat Catherine , Nowicki Marion , Bernard Jean‐Paul , Morange Sophie , Chitchumroonchokchai Chureeporn , Gleize Béatrice , Borel Patrick
Published: August 2019

Scope

To investigate the formation and absorption of lycopene (LYC) metabolites in the human upper gastrointestinal lumen, in the absence and presence of iron.

Methods

Healthy males (n = 7) consumed test meals that deliver ≈22 mg LYC + ≈0.3 mg apo‐lycopenals from oleoresin without (‐FeSO4) and with ferrous sulfate (160 mg, +FeSO4). Subjects were intubated with a naso‐gastric/naso‐duodenal tube. Digesta, blood plasma, and the triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions of plasma were analyzed using LC–MS/MS, to measure LYC and apo‐lycopenoids.

Results

Digesta LYC concentrations increased with time (p = 1.2 × 10−7), decrease with time × iron (p = 1.1 × 10−5), and remain ≈200× higher than apo‐lycopenals/lycopenone. Digesta apo‐8′‐, ‐10′‐, ‐12′‐, ‐14′‐, ‐15‐lycopenal, and apo‐13‐lycopenone concentrations increased with time (p < 0.01), apo‐12′‐, ‐14′‐, ‐15‐lycopenal, apo‐13‐lycopenone increase with iron (p < 0.05), and time × iron decrease apo‐8′‐, ‐10′‐, ‐12′‐, ‐14′‐, ‐15‐lycopenal, apo‐13‐lycopenone concentrations (p < 0.01). A 1.9‐fold decrease in LYC TRL area‐under‐the‐time‐concentration‐curve is observed after the test meal +FeSO4 versus the test meal –FeSO4 (p = 0.02). Apo‐lycopenals were detected in later TRL fractions, and no apo‐lycopenols or apo‐lycopenoic acids were observed in any samples.

Conclusions

FeSO4 reduces LYC absorption. Apo‐lycopenals appear to be absorbed from foods, and not made in significant quantities during digestion.
A new iterative algorithm for ring artifact reduction in CT using ring total variation
Authors: Salehjahromi Morteza , Wang Qian , Zhang Yanbo , Gjesteby Lars A , Harrison Dan , Wang Ge , Edic Peter M. , Yu Hengyong
Published: August 2019

Purpose

In computed tomography (CT), miscalibrated or imperfect detector elements produce stripe artifacts in the sinogram. The stripe artifacts in Radon space are responsible for concentric ring artifacts in the reconstructed images. In this work, a novel optimization model is proposed to remove the ring artifacts in an iterative reconstruction procedure.

Method

In the proposed optimization model, a novel ring total variation (RTV) regularization is developed to penalize the ring artifacts in the image domain. Moreover, to correct the sinogram, a new correcting vector is proposed to compensate for malfunctioning of detectors in the projection domain. The optimization problem is solved by using the alternating minimization scheme (AMS). In each iteration, the fidelity term along with the RTV regularization is solved using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to find the image, and then the correcting coefficient vector is updated for certain detectors according to the obtained image. Because the sinogram and the image are simultaneously updated, the proposed method basically performs in both image and sinogram domains.

Results

The proposed method is evaluated using both simulated and physical phantom datasets containing different ring artifact patterns. In the simulated datasets, the Shepp–Logan phantom, a real chest scan image and a noisy low‐contrast phantom are considered for the performance evaluation of our method. We compare the quantitative root mean square error (RMSE) and structural similarity (SSIM) results of our algorithm with wavelet‐Fourier sinogram filtering method by Munch et al., the ring artifact reduction method by Brun et al., and the TV‐based ring correction method by Paleo and Mirone. Our proposed method is also evaluated using a physical phantom dataset where strong ring artifacts are manifest due to the miscalibration of a large number of detectors. Our proposed method outperforms the competing methods in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation results.

Conclusion

The experimental results in both simulated and physical phantom datasets show that the proposed method achieves the state‐of‐the‐art ring artifact reduction performance in terms of RMSE, SSIM, and subjective visual quality.
Side Reactions in Aqueous Phase Polymerization of N‐Vinyl‐Pyrrolidone as Possible Source for Fouling
Authors: Deglmann Peter , Hellmund Mario , Hungenberg Klaus‐Dieter , Nieken Ulrich , Schwede Christian , Zander Christian
Published: August 2019

An improved kinetic model for the radical polymerization of N‐vinyl‐pyrrolidone (NVP) in aqueous medium is developed. Quantum chemical simulations reveal that the transfer to polymer is of minor importance whereas the transfer to monomer by hydrogen abstraction in 3‐position of the pyrrolidone ring leads to a radical with a double bond which initiates a new chain bearing a terminal double bond (TDB). The resulting dead chains with one, two, or more TDB are the main source for a strong increase of molar mass in batch reactors at high conversion due to long chain branching and crosslinking. This can be a source for gel formation and fouling in continuous reactors.
What is Normal? Neuromuscular junction reinnervation after nerve injury
Authors: Vannucci Bianca , Santosa Katherine B. , Keane Alexandra M. , Jablonka‐Shariff Albina , Lu Chuieng‐Yi , Yan Ying , MacEwan Matthew , Snyder‐Warwick Alison K.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

In this study we present a reproducible technique to assess motor recovery after nerve injury via neuromuscular junction (NMJ) immunostaining and electrodiagnostic testing.

Methods

Wild‐type mice underwent sciatic nerve transection with repair. Hindlimb muscles were collected for microscopy up to 30 weeks after injury. Immunostaining was used to assess axons (NF200), Schwann cells (S100), and motor endplates (α‐bungarotoxin). Compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitude was used to assess tibialis anterior (TA) function.

Results

One week after injury, nearly all (98.0%) endplates were denervated. At 8 weeks, endplates were either partially (28.3%) or fully (71.7%) reinnervated. At 16 weeks, NMJ reinnervation reached 87.3%. CMAP amplitude was 83% of naive mice at 16 weeks and correlated with percentage of fully reinnervated NMJs. Morphological differences were noted between injured and noninjured NMJs.

Discussion

We present a reproducible method for evaluating NMJ reinnervation. Electrodiagnostic data summarize NMJ recovery. Characterization of wild‐type reinnervation provides important data for consideration in experimental design and interpretation.
Validity evaluation of the genetics and genomics in nursing practice survey
Authors: Plavskin Alexandra , Samuels William E. , Calzone Kathleen A.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To psychometrically test the Genetics and Genomics Nursing Practice Survey (GGNPS) for evidence of content, face and construct validity.

Design

This study was a secondary data analysis.

Method

Data collected from the Method for Introducing a New Competency into Nursing Practice (MINC) study were used to evaluate the GGNPS for evidence of construct validity via structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis. Face validity was evaluated via feedback from practicing RNs without specific experience with or knowledge of genetics/genomics. Content validity was evaluated via content expert feedback and assessment of a content validity index.

Results

The thresholds for evidence of content and face validity were met. However, we found less evidence for construct validity of the GGNPS; an exploratory factor analysis, conducted to gain additional insight into the theorized latent constructs, determined that the variables were more interrelated that previously predicted.
Neuroanatomical abnormalities related to dexamethasone exposure in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Phillips Nicholas S. , Cheung Yin Ting , Glass John O. , Scoggins Matthew A. , Liu Wei , Ogg Robert J. , Mulrooney Daniel A. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Robison Leslie L. , Reddick Wilburn E. , Hudson Melissa M. , Krull Kevin R.
Published: August 2019

Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with chemotherapy only are at risk for neurocognitive impairment. Regions of interest were identified a priori based on glucocorticoid receptor distribution, and sex‐stratified multivariable linear regression models were used to test associations between brain MRI morphology and total number of intrathecal injections, and serum concentration of dexamethasone and methotrexate. Compared with controls, ALL survivors have persistently smaller volumes in the bilateral cerebellum (P < 0.005), hippocampal subregions (P < 0.03), temporal lobe regions (P < 0.03), frontal lobe regions (P < 0.04), and parietal lobe regions (precuneus; P < 0.002). Long‐term problems with learning may be related to residual posttreatment brain differences.
Processing and characterization analysis of pyrolyzed oil rubber (from waste tires)‐epoxy polymer blend composite for lightweight structures and coatings applications
Authors: Verma Akarsh , Budiyal Laxmi , Sanjay M.R. , Siengchin Suchart
Published: August 2019

In this experimental investigation, the authors have fabricated and characterized composites made from pyrolysis oil rubber and epoxy resin. As the dumping of waste scrap tires poses a serious environmental threat, the pyrolysis oil rubber was extracted from these waste tires only. The prepared blend having pyrolysis oil with various weight percentages (wt%) was examined on the basis of various physical, microstructural, mechanical, and thermal tests. The microstructural tests (scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction) analysis complemented with the mechanical tests (tensile, compression, flexural, hardness, and impact) results and confirmed that the 4.4 wt% of pyrolysis oil in epoxy resin sample exhibited the best results in toughening of the polymer network. Furthermore, the thermal analysis (differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis), electrical conductivity, density, water absorption, gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared tests for the composites were also performed. Low density and high tensile strength than neat epoxy resin makes this composite a potential candidate for fabricating lightweight structures and in polymer coatings for automotive industries. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2041–2051, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
The wide‐ranging life outcome correlates of a general psychopathology factor in adolescent psychopathology
Authors: Laceulle Odilia M. , Chung Joanne M. , Vollebergh Wilma A.M. , Ormel Johan
Published: August 2019

Background

The structure of psychopathology has been much debated within the research literature. This study extends previous work by providing comparisons of the links between psychopathology and several life outcomes (temperamental, economic, social, psychological and health) using a three‐correlated‐factors model, a bifactor model, a revised‐bifactor model and a higher‐order model.

Methods

Data from a sample of Dutch adolescents were used (n = 2 230), and psychopathology factors were modelled using self‐reported and parent‐reported longitudinal data from youth across four assessments during adolescence, from ages 11 to 19. Outcome variables were assessed at age 22 using adolescent‐reports and parent‐reports and more objective measures (e.g. body mass index).

Results

While no measurement model was clearly superior, we found modest associations between the psychopathology factors and life outcomes. Importantly, after taking into account a general factor, the associations with life outcomes decreased for the residual parts of thought problems (across all domains) and internalizing problems (for temperamental and psychological outcomes), but not for externalizing problems, compared with the traditional three‐correlated‐factors model. Patterns were similar for adolescent‐reported and parent‐reported data.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that a general factor is related to psychopathology and life outcomes in a meaningful way. Results are discussed in terms of individual differences in propensity to psychopathology and more broadly in light of recent developments concerning the structure of psychopathology. © 2019 The Authors Personality and Mental Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Adverse Event Profiles of High Dose Botulinum Toxin Injections for Spasticity
Authors: Kirshblum Steven , Solinsky Ryan , Jasey Neil , Hampton Stephen , Didesch Michelle , Seidel Benjamin , Botticello Amanda
Published: August 2019

Background

Botulinum toxin injections are effective in relieving focal spasticity resulting from upper motor neuron injuries. Doses approved in the United States for onabotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA are up to 400 units, yet higher doses are often used.

Objective

To determine differences in risk of adverse events when using higher (>600 units) as compared to lower doses within clinically applicable categories; the difference in adverse events between types of botulinum toxin‐A, and any association of the injection of cervical muscles with increased risk for adverse events.

Design and Setting

Retrospective analysis of injections performed over a 3‐year period at a freestanding rehabilitation hospital network.

Participants

Persons with spasticity or dystonia undergoing ona‐ and/or incobotulinumtoxinA injections.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Adverse events for injections were divided into the three dose ranges (≤400 units, 401‐600 units, or > 600 units).

Results

889 injections in 342 patients met inclusion criteria with 65% ≤400 units, 21% 401‐600 units, and 14% >600 units. Adverse events were not significantly increased in doses of 401‐600 units relative to ≤400 units (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.31, 2.98). Doses of toxin over 600 units were associated with significantly increased relative risk of adverse events (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.12, 8.13). There were no significant differences between adverse event rates for onabotulinumtoxinA or incobotulinumtoxinA (P >.99). Inclusion of cervical muscles in isolation did significantly increase the risk of adverse events (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.15, 15.46).

Conclusion

Risk for adverse events were not significantly increased in doses of ona‐ and/or incobotulinumtoxinA up to 600 units, suggesting that the current 400 units upper bound of approved dose may need to be reexamined. Doses above 600 units were found to increase the rate of adverse effects and clinical benefit versus risk should be taken into account.

Level of Evidence

III.
Naturally Derived Melanin Nanoparticle Composites with High Electrical Conductivity and Biodegradability
Authors: Eom Taesik , Jeon Jisoo , Lee Seunghyeon , Woo Kyungbae , Heo Jae Eun , Martin David C. , Wie Jeong Jae , Shim Bong Sup
Published: August 2019

The development of electronic devices from naturally derived materials is of enormous scientific interest. Melanin, a dark protective pigment ubiquitous in living creatures, may be particularly valuable because of its ability to conduct charges both electronically and ionically. However, device applications are severely hindered by its relatively poor electrical properties. Here, the facile preparation of conductive melanin composites is reported in which melanin nanoparticles (MNPs), directly extracted from squid inks, form electrically continuous junctions by tight clustering in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. Prepared as freestanding films and patterned microstructures by a series of precipitation, dry casting, and post‐thermal annealing steps, the percolated composites show electrical conductivities as high as 1.17 ± 0.13 S cm−1 at room temperature, which is the best performance yet obtained with biologically‐derived nanoparticles. Furthermore, the biodegradability of the MNP/PVA composites is confirmed through appetitive ingestion by Zophobas morios larvae (superworms). This discovery for preparing versatile biocomposites suggests new opportunities in functional material selections for the emerging applications of implantable, edible, green bioelectronics.
Evaluation of template‐based modeling in CASP13
Authors: Croll Tristan I. , Sammito Massimo D. , Kryshtafovych Andriy , Read Randy J.
Published: August 2019

Performance in the template‐based modeling (TBM) category of CASP13 is assessed here, using a variety of metrics. Performance of the predictor groups that participated is ranked using the primary ranking score that was developed by the assessors for CASP12. This reveals that the best results are obtained by groups that include contact predictions or inter‐residue distance predictions derived from deep multiple sequence alignments. In cases where there is a good homolog in the wwPDB (TBM‐easy category), the best results are obtained by modifying a template. However, for cases with poorer homologs (TBM‐hard), very good results can be obtained without using an explicit template, by deep learning algorithms trained on the wwPDB. Alternative metrics are introduced, to allow testing of aspects of structural models that are not addressed by traditional CASP metrics. These include comparisons to the main‐chain and side‐chain torsion angles of the target, and the utility of models for solving crystal structures by the molecular replacement method. The alternative metrics are poorly correlated with the traditional metrics, and it is proposed that modeling has reached a sufficient level of maturity that the best models should be expected to satisfy this wider range of criteria.
First‐Principles Studies of Ti‐Related Defects in Diamond
Authors: Tan Xin , Chen Luhua , Liu Xuejie , Ren Yuan , Sun Shiyang , Liu Zhiyu , Liu Zhixin , Wei Xueyuan
Published: August 2019

The transition metal‐related centers of diamond exhibit good properties. Herein, a first‐principles method based on density functional theory (DFT) is used to study single‐doped Ti‐related point defect structures and codoped structures of Ti and B or N, which possibly exist in diamond; the electronic structure and formation energy are also calculated. The results from structural calculations show that Ti is more likely to be located adjacent to a vacancy to form a TiV structure, which is more stable than other configurations. Ti doping introduces impurity levels into the pure diamond band gap, and the possible energy level transitions are determined. The results from the calculations of the codoped system show that the incorporation of N or B atoms is beneficial for the formation of defect structures and that the incorporation of N optimizes the energy band structure of the defects. When a substitutional Ti atom is located adjacent to a B atom and forms a Ti–B structure, and when four N atoms replace the corresponding neighboring C atoms around TiV to form a TiV–4N structure (which is similar to the NE8 configuration), the structure shows a better energy band structure, which presents new color centers.
Control charts for simultaneously monitoring of process mean and coefficient of variation with and without auxiliary information
Authors: Noor‐ul‐Amin Muhammad , Tariq Saadia , Hanif Muhammad
Published: August 2019

A control chart is very useful to control assignable causes which detect the shifted process parameters (eg, mean and dispersion). Simultaneous monitoring of the process parameters is a well‐known approach utilized for the bilateral processes. In the current study, we proposed the blended control chart that monitors the process mean and process coefficient of variation simultaneously. Further, the sensitivity of control chart is enhanced by incorporating an auxiliary variable. We have utilized the concept of EWMA chart and also the log transformation to transform the distribution of sample coefficient of variation to the normal distribution for structuring a joint monitoring control chart. The performance comparison among proposed control charts is presented. On the basis of ARLs and SDRLs, several advantages of the proposed control charts are diagnosed. The empirical evidence is also provided to support proposed control chart with a real‐life dataset.
Haemoptysis and bronchial congestion due to pulmonary vein stenosis after maze procedure
Authors: Nakaizumi Takayuki , Nakamura Kei , Nakamura Kentaro , Ishigaki Masanobu , Taniguchi Haruki , Kajiura Koichiro
Published: August 2019

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare disease that can cause haemoptysis. Acquired PVS is indicated as a complication associated with cardiac catheter intervention; however, the maze procedure has not been reported to induce PVS. Here, we describe the diagnosis and treatment strategy for the first case of PVS with haemoptysis due to the maze procedure. A 56‐year‐old man who underwent the maze procedure seven years previously was referred for repeated haemoptysis. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed complete occlusion of the left superior pulmonary vein. Bronchoscopy revealed localized bronchial congestion and varices. He was diagnosed with PVS due to the maze procedure, and he underwent catheter‐balloon angioplasty. After treatment, haemoptysis disappeared and bronchial congestion and varices improved. History of cardiac ablation (surgical or catheter intervention) and localized bronchial congestion findings might facilitate the accurate diagnosis of PVS with haemoptysis. Catheter‐balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive treatment for PVS.
Data‐driven–based attitude control of combined spacecraft with noncooperative target
Authors: Jiang Huaiyuan , Zhou Bin , Li Dongxu , Duan Guangren
Published: August 2019

In this paper, the attitude control of combined spacecraft with noncooperative target is studied. For the linearized system of the attitude control system, which possesses uncertainties on both its control and system matrices caused by the noncooperative target, this paper proposes an approximated iteration method to obtain the optimal controller such that the closed‐loop system possesses a prescribed convergence rate. An explicit stabilizing gain is established to initiate the iteration method. Based on the proposed iteration method and the initial stabilizing gain, a data‐driven algorithm is proposed to obtain the optimal controller for the attitude control system without using the system parameter information. A simulation is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Settings, Quantification, and Statistical Analyses beyond p‐Values for Arabidopsis Ethylene Responses
Authors: Lu Jian , Wen Chi‐Kuang
Published: August 2019

Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone and plays various roles in plant growth and development. Studies on ethylene‐induced responses have advanced the knowledge about ethylene signaling and effects of its interactions with other plant hormones and with biotic and abiotic cues. Degrees of the ethylene response can be quantified on the basis of the “seedling triple‐response assay” that primarily measures the hypocotyl and/or root lengths of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. Different laboratories perform the assay differently, possibly with various degrees of arbitrariness, and experimental results across independent studies can hardly be shared and compared. An optimal and standardized protocol for the setting of ethylene treatment may facilitate data sharing, reproducing, and new findings. Data collected from experiments are quantified and analyzed statistically to support scientific inference. On the other hand, erroneous statistical practices are criticized for muddling scientific inference, leading to poor reproducibility and false results. Grasping the basic concepts of statistics may avoid erroneous practices and inference. Different settings for ethylene treatment prevalently adapted in the field are compared in this study, analyzed statistically to explain how the settings may affect the outcome, and a standardized conduct for the seedling triple‐response assay is proposed.
Imaging of Unstained DNA Origami Triangles with Electron Microscopy
Authors: Londono‐Calderon Alejandra , Hossen Md Mir , Palo Pierre E. , Bendickson Lee , Vergara Sandra , Nilsen‐Hamilton Marit , Hillier Andrew C. , Prozorov Tanya
Published: August 2019

Imaging of scaffolded DNA and DNA origami nanostructures has been dominated by atomic force microscopy of samples immobilized on bulk substrates. Less commonly used are electron microscopy techniques, typically carried out after negative staining of DNA structures or by using cryo‐transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here, direct imaging of unstained DNA origami on common electron‐transparent substrates with utilizing high angular annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) is reported. This approach establishes a method for depositing and imaging intact DNA triangles with mass‐thickness contrast sufficient to measure the scaffold‐to‐scaffold distances and the length of the triangle's seam. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of the DNA supported on amorphous carbon as a function of the carbon thickness is measured on three types of commercially available TEM grids. This allows for edge detection of ≈1 nm height DNA triangles on carbon substrates as thick as ≈25 nm. Observations on the effect on SNR with the imaging modes are discussed. The effect of cation concentration used for pretreating the grid on the image resolution is also explored. This work presents proof‐of‐concept results demonstrating that electron microscopy can be used to resolve key elements of the DNA origami triangle without the use of staining protocols.
Understanding and leveraging cell metabolism to enhance mesenchymal stem cell transplantation survival in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications
Authors: Salazar-Noratto Giuliana E. , Luo Guotian , Denoeud Cyprien , Padrona Mathilde , Moya Adrien , Bensidhoum Morad , Bizios Rena , Potier Esther , Logeart-Avramoglou Delphine , Petite Hervé
Published: August 2019

In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, stem cell—specifically, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs)—therapies have fallen short of their initial promise and hype. The observed marginal, to no benefit, success in several applications has been attributed primarily to poor cell survival and engraftment at transplantation sites. MSCs have a metabolism that is flexible enough to enable them to fulfill their various cellular functions and remarkably sensitive to different cellular and environmental cues. At the transplantation sites, MSCs experience hostile environments devoid or, at the very least, severely depleted of oxygen and nutrients. The impact of this particular setting on MSC metabolism ultimately affects their survival and function. In order to develop the next generation of cell-delivery materials and methods, scientists must have a better understanding of the metabolic switches MSCs experience upon transplantation. By designing treatment strategies with cell metabolism in mind, scientists may improve survival and the overall therapeutic potential of MSCs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of plausible metabolic switches in response to implantation and of the various strategies currently used to leverage MSC metabolism to improve stem cell-based therapeutics.
Corporate governance and returns to emerging economy firm acquisitions in tax havens: An empirical test on Indian firms
Authors: Chari Murali D. R. , Dixit Jaya
Published: August 2019

Cross‐border acquisitions (CBAs) by emerging economy firms are known to yield positive stockholder returns. A nontrivial fraction of CBAs by emerging economy firms are in tax havens. We argue because of weak corporate governance in emerging economies and the secrecy afforded by tax havens, emerging economy firm CBAs in tax havens yield lower stockholder returns than their CBAs in nontax havens. We also argue the negative effect of tax haven destinations is greater for firms with greater business group ownership and for firms with greater foreign insider ownership. Furthermore, we argue the negative effect of tax haven destinations is mitigated for firms whose stock is actively traded in the market. Empirical tests in a sample of nearly 800 CBAs by Indian firms from 2002 to 2011 support our hypotheses. Our study contributes to a better understanding of stockholder returns to CBAs by emerging economy firms and the influence of corporate governance on these returns.
Diagnosis of fetal non‐chromosomal abnormalities on routine ultrasound examination at 11–13 weeks' gestation
Authors: Syngelaki A. , Hammami A. , Bower S. , Zidere V. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To examine the performance of the routine 11–13‐week scan in detecting fetal non‐chromosomal abnormalities.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 100 997 singleton pregnancies attending for a routine ultrasound examination of fetal anatomy, performed according to a standardized protocol, at 11–13 weeks' gestation. All continuing pregnancies had an additional scan at 18–24 weeks and 71 754 had a scan at either 30–34 or 35–37 weeks. The final diagnosis of fetal abnormality was based on the results of postnatal examination in cases of live birth and on the findings of the last ultrasound examination in cases of pregnancy termination, miscarriage or stillbirth. The performance of the 11–13‐week scan in the detection of fetal abnormalities was determined.

Results

The study population contained 1720 (1.7%) pregnancies with a fetal abnormality, including 474 (27.6%) detected on the first‐trimester scan, 926 (53.8%) detected on the second‐trimester scan and 320 (18.6%) detected in the third trimester or postnatally. At 11–13 weeks' gestation, we diagnosed all cases of acrania, alobar holoprosencephaly, encephalocele, tricuspid or pulmonary atresia, pentalogy of Cantrell, ectopia cordis, exomphalos, gastroschisis and body‐stalk anomaly and > 50% of cases of open spina bifida, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrioventricular septal defect, complex heart defect, left atrial isomerism (interrupted inferior vena cava with normal intracardiac anatomy), lower urinary tract obstruction, absence of extremities, fetal akinesia deformation sequence and lethal skeletal dysplasia. Common abnormalities that were detected in < 10% of cases at 11–13 weeks included ventriculomegaly, agenesis of the corpus callosum, isolated cleft lip, congenital pulmonary airway malformation, ventricular septal defect, abdominal cysts, unilateral renal agenesis or multicystic kidney, hydronephrosis, duplex kidney, hypospadias and talipes.

Conclusions

A routine 11–13‐week scan, carried out according to a standardized protocol, can identify many severe non‐chromosomal fetal abnormalities. A summary statistic of the performance of the first‐trimester scan is futile because some abnormalities are always detectable, whereas others are either non‐detectable or sometimes detectable. To maximize prenatal detection of abnormalities, additional scans in both the second and third trimesters are necessary. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fusion transcripts: Unexploited vulnerabilities in cancer?
Authors: Neckles Carla , Sundara Rajan Soumya , Caplen Natasha J.
Published: August 2019

Gene fusions are an important class of mutations in several cancer types and include genomic rearrangements that fuse regulatory or coding elements from two different genes. Analysis of the genetics of cancers harboring fusion oncogenes and the proteins they encode have enhanced cancer diagnosis and in some cases patient treatment. However, the effect of the complex structure of fusion genes on the biogenesis of the resulting chimeric transcripts they express is not well studied. There are two potential RNA‐related vulnerabilities inherent to fusion‐driven cancers: (a) the processing of the fusion precursor messenger RNA (pre‐mRNA) to the mature mRNA and (b) the mature mRNA. In this study, we discuss the effects that the genetic organization of fusion oncogenes has on the generation of translatable mature RNAs and the diversity of fusion transcripts expressed in different cancer subtypes, which can fundamentally influence both tumorigenesis and treatment. We also discuss functional genomic approaches that can be utilized to identify proteins that mediate the processing of fusion pre‐mRNAs. Furthermore, we assert that an enhanced understanding of fusion transcript biogenesis and the diversity of the chimeric RNAs present in fusion‐driven cancers will increase the likelihood of successful application of RNA‐based therapies in this class of tumors.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Connectivity Technologies for IoT
Authors: Cheruvu Sunil , Kumar Anil , Smith Ned , Wheeler David M.
Published: August 2019

Internet of Things (IoT) is a set of technologies that are enabling new use cases and delivering services across a wide variety of markets and applications. When people think of IoT, they often think of home or personal IoT. However, IoT will play a role in many commercial applications such as smart manufacturing, smart cities, autonomous cars, building automation, and healthcare. How will an IoT-enabled device communicate what it knows to the Internet? Suitable connectivity solutions range from a multitude of wired connectivity technologies such as Ethernet to wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and even 5G cellular. Many solutions need a combination of multiple communication technologies. For example, a smart car system playing video or using GPS navigation might need 4G LTE in order to communicate with the outside world and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to communicate with devices like phones and rear seat entertainment (RSE) used by the passengers. In this chapter, we will take a look at a selected set of connectivity technologies that enable these applications.
Interconceptualizing Europe and Peace: Identity Building Under the European Heritage Label
Authors: Mäkinen Katja
Published: August 2019

This chapter investigates how peace is used in attempts to build a collective identity for the European Union in the context of the European Heritage Label (EHL), a central instrument in the EU’s cultural heritage policy. The official EHL documents and the websites of the EHL sites are analysed using a conceptual approach that particularly focuses on the interconceptualizations between peace and Europe. The ways peace is discussed can be divided into four thematic categories: treaties, institutions, practices, and symbols related to peace. The chapter concludes that heritage related to peace is mainly discussed in a non-contradictory manner, with little space for dissonance.
Bodies Making Spaces: Understanding the Airport as a Site of Dissonance
Authors: Trakilović Milica
Published: August 2019

Trakilović theorizes the airport as a site where cultural/European notions of belonging are negotiated and controlled. Focusing on Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, the chapter approaches both the airport itself as well as its nearby detention center as one complex cultural phenomenon, from which Schiphol emerges as a site of heritage dissonance. Taking a phenomenological approach, the chapter explores what it means to be an embodied subject at the airport, taking the narrative of a Syrian newcomer who is relocated to the detention center as well as the author’s own experience of the airport as its analytical starting points. The selective processes of in- and exclusion at the airport are thereby seen as emblematic of larger exclusionary practices towards the Other in Europe.
The Enrichment of Belgian Secondary School Mathematics with Elements of the Dutch Model of Realistic Mathematics Education Since the 1980s
Authors: De Bock Dirk , Deprez Johan , Janssens Dirk
Published: August 2019

In search for alternatives for the failed New Math movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Belgian mathematics educators looked with great interest to the Dutch model of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), developed by Hans Freudenthal (1905–1990) and his team at the University of Utrecht. In this chapter, we primarily focus on how, from the mid 1980s until the mid 1990s, valuable elements of that model were integrated in Belgian secondary school mathematics. At that time, the influence of Dutch mathematics education on Belgian curricula was quite substantial, but some form of collaboration between the communities of mathematics teachers in both countries already existed since the early 1950s. However, from the 1950s until the 1970s, school mathematics in both countries evolved largely independent of each other. In Belgium, the structural New Math approach, with Georges Papy (1920–2011) as the main figurehead, became dominant in school mathematics, while the modernisation of school mathematics in the Netherlands was strongly inspired by Freudenthal’s RME model emphasising the role of applications and modelling.
Echoes and Influences of Realistic Mathematics Education in Portugal
Authors: da Ponte João Pedro , Brocardo Joana
Published: August 2019

This chapter traces the connections between Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) and Portuguese developments in mathematics education in terms of research studies and curriculum development. The basis for this work is a literature review of papers and other documents, with special attention to the period 2005–2015, and research studies organised by mathematical topic. Although there is no research group in Portugal that is perfectly aligned with RME principles and curriculum materials, noticeable influences may be seen in the frequent references made in some research groups to key RME ideas, notably the importance of students working from tasks in meaningful contexts, the role of representations and models to support students’ thinking, and the levels of students’ mathematical activity. This is most noticeable in conceptual frameworks for developmental research studies in the area of number and in the use of realistic contexts in task design, and it is also apparent in the official 2007 Portuguese curriculum document.
Reinventing Realistic Mathematics Education at Berkeley—Emergence and Development of a Course for Pre-service Teachers
Authors: Abrahamson Dor , Zolkower Betina , Stone Elisa
Published: August 2019

A central principle of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) is that learners experience guided opportunities to reconstruct cultural practices and artefacts in the course of attempting to solve engaging problems using emerging resources as structuring tools. The same principle plays out at the meta level, across ages, geography, and functions, where instructors experience opportunities to reinvent RME as they adapt its principles to satisfy specific design constraints and local needs. This chapter recounts a collaborative effort to create at the Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley, graduate and undergraduate courses for pre-service mathematics teachers that incorporates tenets of RME, while accommodating to prescribed and emerging constraints of local contexts, such as stipulation of federal funding, as well as the collective histories and prior schooling experiences of pre-service teachers, most of whom are encountering this didactical approach for the first time.
Two Decades of Realistic Mathematics Education in Indonesia
Authors: Zulkardi Zulkardi , Putri Ratu Ilma Indra , Wijaya Aryadi
Published: August 2019

In this chapter, we report on the process of adapting Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), a didactic approach founded by Freudenthal in the Netherlands, to the Indonesian context. In Indonesia, RME is called ‘Pendidikan Matematika Realistik Indonesia’ (PMRI). The chapter starts with describing how RME came to Indonesia. It was Sembiring from the Institut Teknologi Bandung who saw Jan de Lange, the director of the Freudenthal Institute of Utrecht University, presenting a keynote at the ICMI conference in Shanghai in 1994. Then the story continues with the decision of the Indonesian government to send six doctoral candidates to the Netherlands to learn about RME. The chapter also explains the process and results from the development and implementation of RME through a Dutch-Indonesian project Dissemination of PMRI (Do-PMRI). Moreover, the chapter describes examples of implementation strategies such as developing a master’s program on RME, designing learning materials using RME theory and the development of a national contest of mathematical literacy using context-based mathematics tasks similar to those employed in the PISA test. The chapter ends with a discussion of two new initiatives at Sriwijaya University in Palembang, namely the development of a Centre of Excellence of PMRI and the establishment of a doctoral programme on PMRI.
Reflections on Realistic Mathematics Education from a South African Perspective
Authors: Julie Cyril , Gierdien Faaiz
Published: August 2019

The project Realistic Mathematics Education in South Africa (REMESA) was introduced in South Africa during a period when curriculum changes were introduced to fit the educational ideals of the ‘new’ South Africa. In this project, modules based on Realistic Mathematics Education were developed by a team comprising staff from the Freudenthal Institute and the Mathematics Education sector of the University of the Western Cape. The modules were implemented in classrooms. In our chapter, we reflect upon the appropriation by practicing teachers of two modules. Teachers viewed the module Vision Geometry with scepticism whilst the module Global Graphs was more readily accepted. The appropriation was thus differential. In current school mathematics policy documents and learning materials, the major ideas of the module Vision Geometry are virtually invisible. The ideas from the module Global Graphs are more visible. This can be ascribed to the prominence of graphical representations in South African school mathematics curricula. The two instances point in the direction that the proximity of innovative approaches to the operative curriculum plays an important role with respect to teachers’ adoption of the resources for their practice.
Graphing Linear Equations—A Comparison of the Opportunity-to-Learn in Textbooks Using the Singapore and the Dutch Approaches to Teaching Equations
Authors: Kaur Berinderjeet , Wong Lai Fong , Govindani Simmi Naresh
Published: August 2019

This chapter examines the opportunity-to-learn afforded by two textbooks, one using the Singapore approach and the other the Dutch approach for graphing linear equations. Both textbooks provide opportunities for students to connect mathematical concepts to meaningful real-life situations, practice questions for self-assessment, and reflect on their learning. However, the approaches presented in the two textbooks are different. The Dutch approach textbook has the same context for all the interconnected activities while in the Singapore approach textbook the activities are self-contained and can be carried out independently of each other. In addition, classroom activities, practice questions and prompts for reflection in the Dutch approach textbook provide students with more scope for reasoning and communication. From the reflections of two lead teachers using the Singapore approach textbook it is apparent that they see merit in the Dutch approach textbook, but feel that to adopt the Dutch approach they would need a paradigm shift and adequate support in terms of resources.
Perturbative post-quench overlaps in quantum field theory
Authors: Hódsági Kristóf , Kormos Márton , Takács Gábor
Published: August 2019

Abstract

In analytic descriptions of quantum quenches, the overlaps between the initial pre-quench state and the eigenstates of the time evolving Hamiltonian are crucial ingredients. We construct perturbative expansions of these overlaps in quantum field theories where either the pre-quench or the post-quench Hamiltonian is integrable. Using the E
8 Ising field theory for concrete computations, we give explicit expressions for the overlaps up to second order in the quench size, and verify our results against numerical results obtained using the Truncated Conformal Space Approach. We demonstrate that the expansion using the post-quench basis is very effective, but find some serious limitations for the alternative approach using the pre-quench basis.
SO(8) supergravity and the magic of machine learning
Authors: Comsa Iulia M. , Firsching Moritz , Fischbacher Thomas
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Using de Wit-Nicolai D = 4

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 8 SO(8) supergravity as an example, we show how modern Machine Learning software libraries such as Google’s TensorFlow can be employed to greatly simplify the analysis of high-dimensional scalar sectors of some M-Theory compactifications. We provide detailed information on the location, symmetries, and particle spectra and charges of 192 critical points on the scalar manifold of SO(8) supergravity, including one newly discovered

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 vacuum with SO(3) residual symmetry, one new potentially stabilizable non-supersymmetric solution, and examples for “Galois conjugate pairs” of solutions, i.e. solution-pairs that share the same gauge group embedding into SO(8) and minimal polynomials for the cosmological constant. Where feasible, we give analytic expressions for solution coordinates and cosmological constants.

As the authors’ aspiration is to present the discussion in a form that is accessible to both the Machine Learning and String Theory communities and allows adopting our methods towards the study of other models, we provide an introductory overview over the relevant Physics as well as Machine Learning concepts. This includes short pedagogical code examples. In particular, we show how to formulate a requirement for residual Supersymmetry as a Machine Learning loss function and effectively guide the numerical search towards supersymmetric critical points. Numerical investigations suggest that there are no further supersymmetric vacua beyond this newly discovered fifth solution.