bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensive Statin Treatment in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Patients with Intracranial Atherosclerosis: a High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging study (STAMINA-MRI Study)
Authors: Chung Jong-Won , Cha Jihoon , Lee Mi Ji , Yu In-Wu , Park Moo-Seok , Seo Woo-Keun , Kim Sung Tae , Bang Oh Young
Published: August 2019

Objective

Intracranial atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischaemic stroke worldwide. A number of studies have shown the effects of statin treatment on coronary and carotid artery plaques, but there is little evidence on the effects of statin treatment on intracranial atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods

The Intensive Statin Treatment in Acute Ischaemic Stroke Patients with Intracranial Atherosclerosis - High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (STAMINA-MRI) Trial is a single-arm, prospective, observational study monitoring imaging and clinical outcomes of high-dose statin treatment among statin-naive patients with acute ischaemic stroke caused by symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. The primary outcome was the change in vascular remodelling and plaque characteristics before and after 6 months (median: 179 days, IQR 163–189 days) of statin treatment measured by high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI).

Results

A total of 77 patients (mean age: 62.6±13.7 years, 61.0% women) were included in this study. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (mg/dL) at initial and follow-up assessments were 125.81±35.69 and 60.95±19.28, respectively. Overall, statin treatment significantly decreased enhancement of plaque volume (mm3, 32.07±39.15 vs 17.06±34.53, p=0.013), the wall area index (7.50±4.28 vs 5.86±4.05, p=0.016) and stenosis degree (%, 76.47±20.23 vs 64.05±21.29, p<0.001), but not the remodelling index (p=0.195). However, 35% patients showed no change or increased enhancement volume and stenosis degree after statin treatment. Higher reduction of LDL-C and longer duration of statin treatment were associated with decreased enhancement volume after statin treatment.

Conclusions

High-dose statin treatment effectively stabilised symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic plaques as documented by HR-MRI. Further study is needed to determine laboratory and genetic factors associated with poor response to statins and alternative therapeutic options, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors, for these patients.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02458755.
Disrupted breath, songlines of breathlessness: an interdisciplinary response
Authors: Malpass Alice , Dodd James , Feder Gene , Macnaughton Jane , Rose Arthur , Walker Oriana , Williams Tina , Carel Havi
Published: August 2019

Health research is often bounded by disciplinary expertise. While cross-disciplinary collaborations are often forged, the analysis of data which draws on more than one discipline at the same time is underexplored. Life of Breath, a 5-year project funded by the Wellcome Trust to understand the clinical, historical and cultural phenomenology of the breath and breathlessness, brings together an interdisciplinary team, including medical humanities scholars, respiratory clinicians, medical anthropologists, medical historians, cultural theorists, artists and philosophers. While individual members of the Life of Breath team come together to share ongoing work, collaborate and learn from each other’s approach, we also had the ambition to explore the feasibility of integrating our approaches in a shared response to the same piece of textual data. In this article, we present our pluralistic, interdisciplinary analysis of an excerpt from a single cognitive interview transcript with a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We discuss the variation in the responses and interpretations of the data, why research into breathlessness may particularly benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, and the wider implications of the findings for interdisciplinary research within health and medicine.
Psychological and utility-based quality of life impact of screening test results for anal precancerous lesions in gay and bisexual men: baseline findings from the Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer
Authors: Cvejic Erin , Poynten Isobel Mary , Kelly Patrick J , Jin Fengyi , Howard Kirsten , Grulich Andrew E , Templeton David J , Hillman Richard J , Law Carmella , Roberts Jennifer M , McCaffery Kirsten
Published: August 2019

Objective

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), particularly HIV-positive GBMSM, are at increased anal cancer risk compared with the general population. This study examined the psychological and quality of life (QoL) impact of receiving abnormal anal cancer screening results during the baseline visit of the Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC).

Methods

SPANC was a prospective cohort study of the natural history of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) and associated abnormalities in GBM aged 35 years and over. Participants completed questionnaires including aspects of health-related QoL (HR-QoL) and psychosocial functioning at baseline. Participants underwent procedures including an anal swab for cytology, and high-resolution anoscopy with biopsy of any possibly HPV-related abnormality. Questionnaires were readministered 2 weeks and 3 months after participants were given cytology and histology results. Perceived test result served as the study factor.

Results

Participants with perceived abnormal results (n=232) reported poorer HR-QoL (mean difference=1.8; p=0.004) and lower utility-based QoL (mean difference=0.02; p=0.018) 2 weeks after screening than individuals with perceived normal results (n=268). These differences did not persist at 3-month follow-up. A greater proportion of participants who perceived their results as abnormal reported feeling worse than usual about their anal health and anal cancer fear (p’s<0.001), experienced more intrusive thoughts about their results (p’s≤0.006) and felt more likely to develop cancer than other gay men their age (p’s≤0.025) at both time points than those with perceived normal results.

Conclusions

Providing abnormal results may cause psychological distress and impact HR-QoL, with sustained intrusive thoughts, increased cancer worry and perceived cancer risk. The potential for psychological harm needs to be considered when implementing anal cancer screening programmes.
Incidence of syphilis among HIV-infected men in Singapore, 2006–2017: temporal trends and associated risk factors
Authors: Ang Li Wei , Wong Chen Seong , Ng Oon Tek , Leo Yee Sin
Published: August 2019

Objective

There have been recent reports globally on substantial increase in syphilis diagnoses particularly among high-risk men. The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends of incident syphilis and associated risk factors among HIV-infected men in Singapore.

Methods

We conducted retrospective cohort analysis using the clinical database maintained by the Clinical HIV Programme at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore. HIV-infected men with a negative syphilis result at baseline who had undergone at least one subsequent test in 2006–2017 were included. Factors associated with incident syphilis were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Results

A total of 1069 HIV-infected men were tested for syphilis at least once following their negative baseline test during the 12-year period, and they contributed 4284 person-years of follow-up (PYFU). There were 266 cases of incident syphilis, giving an overall incidence of 6.21 per 100 PYFU (95% CI 5.49–7.00). The incidence of syphilis per 100 PYFU increased from 1.21 (95% CI 0.33 to 3.10) in 2010 to 26.04 (95% CI 19.97 to 33.40) in 2017. In the multivariable model, risk factors for syphilis seroconversion were: age 15–24 years at HIV diagnosis (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.64, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.56) versus ≥45 years, being Chinese (aHR 1.82, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.29) versus Indian and other minority ethnic groups, men having sex with men (MSM) (aHR 3.29, 95% CI 2.22 to 4.87) versus heterosexuals, and HIV diagnosis in later periods of 2009–2011 (aHR 1.96, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.74), 2012–2014 (aHR 3.96, 95% CI 2.68 to 5.83) and 2015–2017 (aHR 7.94, 95% CI 4.52 to 13.95) versus 2006–2008.

Conclusion

The annual incidence rate of syphilis in HIV-infected men was on the rise, and it was consistently higher among MSM than in heterosexual men. The findings supported regular screening for syphilis and enhanced behavioural interventions in Singapore.
Role of lysophosphatidic acid in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Liu Yingying , Chen Feng , Ji Lei , Zhang Lingrui , Xu Yan-Jun , Dhalla Naranjan S.
Published: August 2019

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important lipid molecule for signal transduction in cell proliferation. Although the effects of LPA on vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell growth have been reported previously, the underlying mechanisms of its action are not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of some inhibitors of different protein kinases and other molecular targets on LPA-induced DNA synthesis as well as gene expression in the aortic VSM cells. The DNA synthesis was studied by the [3H]thymidine incorporation method and the gene expression was investigated by the real-time PCR technique. It was observed that the LPA-induced DNA synthesis was attenuated by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) (staurosporine, calphostin C, and bisindolylmaleimide), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) (wortmannin and LY294002), and ribosomal p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) (rapamycin). The inhibitors of guanine protein coupled receptors (GPCR) (pertussis toxin), phospholipase C (PLC) (U73122 and D609), and sodium–hydrogen exchanger (NHE) (amiloride and dimethyl amiloride) were also shown to depress the LPA-induced DNA synthesis. Furthermore, gene expressions for PLC β1 isoform, PKC δ and ε isoforms, casein kinase II β isoform, and endothelin-1A receptors were elevated by LPA. These results suggest that the LPA-induced proliferation of VSM cells is mediated through the activation of GPCR and multiple protein kinases as well as gene expressions of some of their specific isoforms.
A Semi-Supervised Regression Algorithm for Grade Prediction of Students in Distance Learning Courses
Authors: Kostopoulos Georgios , Kotsiantis Sotiris , Fazakis Nikos , Koutsonikos Giannis , Pierrakeas Christos
Published: August 2019

Applying data mining methods in the educational field has gained a lot of attention among researchers in recent years. Educational Data Mining has turned into an effective tool for uncovering hidden relationships in educational data and predicting students’ learning outcomes. Several supervised methods have been successfully applied with the purpose of identifying students at risk of failing or of predicting their academic performance. Recently, the implementation of Semi-Supervised Learning (SSL) methods in the educational process indicated their superiority over the supervised ones. SSL is an emerging subfield of machine learning seeking to effectively exploit a small pool of labeled examples together with a large pool of unlabeled ones. On this basis, a small number of students’ data from previous years may be used as the training set of a learning model to predict future outcomes of current students. A number of rewarding studies deal with the implementation of classification methods in the educational field in contrast to regression, which is deemed to be a slightly touched task. In this paper, a novel semi-supervised regression (SSR) algorithm is presented for predicting the final grade of undergraduate students in a distance online course. To the best of our knowledge there is no study dealing with the implementation of SSR methods in the educational field. A plethora of attributes related to students’ characteristics, academic performance and interaction within the course online platform form the training set, while several experiments were carried out confirming the superiority of the proposed algorithm over familiar regression methods. The experiment results show that the predictive performance of the proposed algorithm is increasing significantly over time, achieving a MAE value of less than 1.2358 before the middle of the academic year, which provides the advantage of early warnings and interventions.
Automatic Understanding and Formalization of Plane Geometry Proving Problems in Natural Language: A Supervised Approach
Authors: Gan Wenbin , Yu Xinguo , Wang Mingshu
Published: August 2019

Automatically understanding natural language problems is a long-standing challenging research problem in automatic solving. This paper models the understanding of geometry problems as a problem of relation extraction, instead of as the problem of semantic understanding of natural language. Then it further proposes a supervised machine learning method to extract geometric relations, targeting to produce a group of relations to represent the given geometry problem. This method identifies the actual geometric relations from the relation candidates using a classifier trained from the labelled examples. The formalized geometric relations can then be transformed into the target system-native representations for manipulation in various tasks. Experiments conducted on the test problem dataset show that the proposed method can extract geometric relations at high F1 scores. The comparisons also demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve good performance against the baseline methods. Integrating the automatic understanding method with different geometry systems will greatly enhance the efficiency and intelligence in geometry tutoring.
Artificial Neural Networks as a Decision Support Tool in Curriculum Development
Authors: Kaya Irem Ersöz
Published: August 2019

In the context of learning analytics, machine learning techniques have been commonly used in order to shed a light on solving educational problems. The studies can be associated with the curriculum design, mostly at course level, which target to improve the learning and teaching processes. In this study, the relationship between the courses was analyzed via artificial neural network (ANN) to provide a support for curriculum development process at a program level. Extracting the dependence among courses within a program plays a key role in placing them coherently to ensure the success of curriculum. For this purpose, it was investigated if the performance of students in a subsequent course is influenced from the performance in some previous basic courses. The results demonstrated that the performance relations could be used to describe information for prioritization and sequencing of courses within a program. In addition, ANN can successfully predict the student performances leading to find out the relationships between these courses. The application of the multilayer feedforward neural network resulted in an achievement of a prospering prediction performance based on the grades of prerequisite courses with 87% accuracy rate without sacrificing a significant sensitivity.
Changes in Lipase and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities during Processing of Cantonese Sausage with D-Sodium Erythorbate
Authors: Shang Xiaolan , Qiao Jie , Chen Zhanxiong
Published: August 2019

Pork was used as raw material to produce Cantonese sausage, with additions of 0.05% or 0.1% D-sodium erythorbate. The oxidation indices (peroxide value, TBARS value, carbonyl value, and conjugated dienes value) and enzyme activity (total phospholipase, acid lipase, neutral lipase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) were measured in the sausages at different processing periods. The results showed slowed lipid oxidation in the presence of D-sodium erythorbate, inhibition of total phospholipase, acid lipase, and neutral lipase activities, and increased superoxide dismutase activity, with little change in glutathione peroxidase activities. When increasing D-sodium erythorbate, the superoxide dismutase activity was negatively correlated with the peroxide value at 5 h (P<0.01), the neutral lipase activity was positively correlated with the conjugated dienes value at 15 h (P<0.01), and the total phospholipase activity was positively correlated with the peroxide value at 30 h (P<0.01). This study explored the antioxidant effect of D-sodium erythorbate and provides a theoretical foundation to improve the quality of Cantonese sausage.
Assessment of Microbiological Safety and Quality of Minced Meat and Meat Contact Surfaces in Selected Butcher Shops of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Zerabruk Kibrom , Retta Negussie , Muleta Diriba , Tefera Anteneh T.
Published: August 2019

Food-borne pathogens are one of the leading causes of illness and death particularly in developing countries. This study was aimed at analyzing the hygiene indicator microorganisms and pathogens of minced meat and contact surface materials in butcher shops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, a checklist was applied to evaluate the hygiene condition of the establishments, and a questionnaire/checklist was used to assess food safety knowledge of the food handlers. This study has indicated that the mean microbial counts (total aerobic mesophilic, staphylococci,Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, aerobic spores and yeasts/molds) of the minced meat and contact surface materials in butcher shops ranged between 2.35 and 6.50 log·cfu/g and between 1.80 and 6.30 log·cfu/cm2, respectively. The mean microbial counts of minced meat samples taken in the morning and afternoon showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). The prevalence ofE. coli,Salmonella, andS. aureusin minced meat and contact surface samples was exhibited as 43.75 and 29.17%, 6.25 and 4.17%, and 37.50 and 37.50% in that order. The study has indicated that minced meat samples and contact surface materials had higher microbial load with poor personal and work area sanitation. Low knowledge of food handlers in the butcher shops and broken cold chain have also been found as major contributing factors for the contamination of beef.
Evaluation of the Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) Definition for Radiation Treatment Planning (RTP) of Inoperable High Grade Gliomas (HGGs)
Authors: Sager Omer , Dincoglan Ferrat , Demiral Selcuk , Gamsiz Hakan , Uysal Bora , Ozcan Fatih , Colak Onurhan , Dirican Bahar , Beyzadeoglu Murat
Published: August 2019

Aim and Background. Inoperable high-grade gliomas (HGGs) comprise a specific group of brain tumors portending a very poor prognosis. In the absence of surgical management, radiation therapy (RT) offers the primary local treatment modality for inoperable HGGs. Optimal target definition for radiation treatment planning (RTP) of HGGs is a difficult task given the diffusely infiltrative nature of the disease. In this context, detailed multimodality imaging information may add to the accuracy of target definition in HGGs. We evaluated the impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) definition for RTP of inoperable HGGs in this study. Materials and Methods. Twenty-five inoperable patients with a clinical diagnosis of HGG were included in the study. GTV definition was based on Computed Tomography- (CT-) simulation images only or both CT-simulation and MR images, and a comparative assessment was performed to investigate the incorporation of MRI into RTP of HGGs. Results. Median volume of GTV acquired by using CT-simulation images only and by use of CT and MR images was 65.3 (39.6-94.3) cc and 76.1 (46.8-108.9) cc, respectively. Incorporation of MRI into GTV definition has resulted in a median increase of 12.61% (6%-19%) in the volume of GTV defined by using the CT-simulation images only, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Incorporation of MRI into RTP of inoperable HGGs may improve GTV definition and may have implications for dose escalation/intensification strategies despite the need for further supporting evidence.
Surfaces Modelling Using Isotropic Fractional-Rational Curves
Authors: Andrianov Igor V. , Ausheva Nataliia M. , Olevska Yuliia B. , Olevskyi Viktor I.
Published: August 2019

The problem of building a smooth surface containing given points or curves is actual due to development of industry and computer technology. Previously used for those purposes, shells of zero Gaussian curvature and minimal surfaces based on isotropic analytic curves are restricted in their consumer properties. To expand the possibilities regarding the shaping of surfaces we propose the method of constructing surfaces based on isotropic fractional-rational curves. The surfaces are built using flat isothermal and orthogonal grids and on the basis of the Weierstrass method. In the latter case, the surfaces are minimal. Examples of surfaces that were built according to the proposed method are given.
One-Pot Synthesis of W-TiO2/SiO2 Catalysts for the Photodegradation of p-Nitrophenol
Authors: Sánchez Ulises Arellano , Chen Lifang , Wang Jin An , Noreña Luis Enrique , Asomoza Maximiliano , Solis Silvia , Zhou Xiaolong , Song Yueqin , Liu Jing
Published: August 2019

Double modifications of TiO2 by doping with WO3 and by dispersing on a SiO2 support were made by the one-pot sol-gel method. Doping with W shifts the TiO2 band gap energy from 3.2 eV to around 3.06 eV. The surface area of the supported W-TiO2/SiO2 material was significantly increased, by approximately 3 times, in comparison to the bare TiO2. The photocatalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated in the degradation reaction of p-nitrophenol in aqueous solution and basic medium. After 240 min of photodegradation, more than approximately 99% p-nitrophenol could be mineralized with the most active W-TiO2/SiO2 catalyst. Under UV irradiation, p-nitrophenol was initially photodegraded into hydroquinone and benzosemiquinone intermediates, which were further degraded into smaller fragments such as organic carboxylic acids and finally completely mineralized. A proposed photoreaction mechanism was presented based on the key roles of the surface hydroxyl species and superoxide radicals such as O2- and ⋅OH, together with W6+/W5+ couples and e-/h+ pairs in the catalysts in the p-nitrophenol photodegradation. The one-pot sol-gel synthesis method was proven to be effective to obtain W-TiO2/SiO2 catalyst with large surface area and high photocatalytic activity, and it can be also used for the preparation of other heterogeneous catalysts.
Global Behavior of a Discrete Anticompetitive System in the Plane
Authors: Hu Lin-Xia
Published: August 2019

The main goal of this paper is to investigate the global asymptotic behavior of the difference systemxn+1=γ1yn/A1+xn,  yn+1=β2xn/B2+yn,  n=0,1,2,….withγ1,β2,A1,B2∈(0,∞)and the initial condition(x0,y0)∈[0,∞)×[0,∞). We obtain some global attractivity results of this system for different values of the parameters, which answer the open problem proposed in “Rational systems in the plane, J. Difference Equ. Appl. 15 (2009), 303-323”.
Studying Ni(II) Adsorption of Magnetite/Graphene Oxide/Chitosan Nanocomposite
Authors: Tran Luyen T. , Tran Hoang V. , Le Thu D. , Bach Giang L. , Tran Lam D.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, Fe3O4/graphene oxide/chitosan (FGC) nanocomposite was synthesized using coprecipitation method for application to removal of nickel ion (Ni(II)) from aqueous solution by adsorption process. To determine residue Ni(II) ions concentration in aqueous solution after adsorption process, we have used UV-Vis spectrophotometric method, which is an effective and exact method for Ni(II) monitoring at low level by using dimethylglyoxime (DMG) as a complex reagent with Ni(II), which has a specific adsorption peak at the wavelength of 550 nm on UV-Vis spectra. A number of factors that influence Ni(II) ions adsorption capacity of FGC nanocomposite such as contact time, adsorption temperature, and adsorbent dosage were investigated. Results showed that the adsorption equilibrium is established after 70 minutes with the adsorbent dosage of 0.01 g.mL−1 at 30°C (the room temperature). The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of this adsorption including free enthalpy change (∆G0), enthalpy change (∆H0), entropy change (∆S0), and reaction order with respect to Ni(II) ions were also determined. The Ni(II) ions adsorption equilibrium data are fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm and the maximum monolayer capacity (qmax) is 12.24 mg.g−1. Moreover, the FGC adsorbent can be recovered by an external magnet; in addition, it can be regenerated. The reusability of FGC was tested and results showed that 83.08% of removal efficiency was obtained after 3 cycles. The synthesized FGC nanocomposite with many advantages is a promising material for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution to clean up the environment.
Projective Synchronization of Nonidentical Fractional-Order Memristive Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Chong , Ding Zhixia
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates projective synchronization of nonidentical fractional-order memristive neural networks (NFMNN) via sliding mode controller. Firstly, based on the sliding mode control theory, a new fractional-order integral sliding mode controller is designed to ensure the occurrence of sliding motion. Furthermore, according to fractional-order differential inequalities and fractional-order Lyapunov direct method, the trajectories of the system converge to the sliding mode surface to carry out sliding mode motion, and some sufficient criteria are obtained to achieve global projective synchronization of NFMNN. In addition, the conclusions extend and improve some previous works on the synchronization of fractional-order memristive neural networks (FMNN). Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness and correctness of the obtained results.
PD-L1 Expression and Clinical Outcomes to Cabozantinib, Everolimus, and Sunitinib in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Analysis of the Randomized Clinical Trials METEOR and CABOSUN
Authors: Flaifel Abdallah , Xie Wanling , Braun David A. , Ficial Miriam , Bakouny Ziad , Nassar Amin H. , Jennings Rebecca B. , Escudier Bernard , George Daniel J. , Motzer Robert J. , Morris Michael J. , Powles Thomas , Wang Evelyn , Huang Ying , Freeman Gordon J. , Choueiri Toni K. , Signoretti Sabina
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status by IHC is prognostic in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and its role as a potential predictive biomarker is under investigation. Using tumor tissue from the METEOR (NCT01865747) and CABOSUN (NCT01835158) clinical trials, we explored whether PD-L1 expression and the extent of the immune cell infiltrate can serve as prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers for cabozantinib and other targeted agents.

Experimental Design:

IHC double staining for PD-L1 and CD45/CD163 (immune cell markers) was performed on tumor tissue from METEOR (n = 306) and CABOSUN (n = 110) clinical trials. Immune cell density and MET expression levels were also analyzed. Our primary aim was to correlate progression-free survival (PFS) by independent central review with PD-L1 status in patients treated with cabozantinib, everolimus (METEOR), or sunitinib (CABOSUN). Overall survival (OS) was also interrogated.

Results:

Tumor cell (TC) PD-L1 expression (≥1% cutoff) was detected in 29% and 23% of tumors from patients in the METEOR and CABOSUN trials, respectively. On univariate analysis, patients with PD-L1–positive TC had poorer PFS and OS than patients with PD-L1–negative TC on both trials, independent of therapy. On multivariable analysis and when combining the two trials, the association between TC PD-L1 expression and OS was statistically significant for all patients (P = 0.034) and for patients treated with cabozantinib only (P = 0.038). Cabozantinib was associated with improved PFS (HR < 0.70) and OS (HR < 0.85) compared with everolimus and sunitinib irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

Conclusions:

Higher PD-L1 expression results in worse clinical outcomes in mRCC treated with targeted therapy. Furthermore, PD-L1 expression is not predictive of response to cabozantinib therapy.
Preferential Incorporation of Administered Eicosapentaenoic Acid Into Thin-Cap Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Sato Tomohito , Horikawa Makoto , Takei Shiro , Yamazaki Fumiyoshi , Ito Takashi K. , Kondo Takeshi , Sakurai Takanobu , Kahyo Tomoaki , Ikegami Koji , Sato Shumpei , Sato Ryota , Jinno Yasutaka , Kawano Hiroyuki , Naoe Satoko , Arita Makoto , Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: August 2019

Objective:

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Although specific salutary actions have been reported, the detailed distribution of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plaque and their relevance in disease progression are unclear. Our aim was to assess the pharmacodynamics of EPA and DHA and their metabolites in atherosclerotic plaques.

Approach and Results:

Apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe
−/−
) mice were fed a Western diet supplemented with EPA (1%, w/w) or DHA (1%, w/w) for 3 weeks. Imaging mass spectrometry analyses were performed in the aortic root and arch of the Apoe
−/−
mice to evaluate the distribution of EPA, DHA, their metabolites and the lipids containing EPA or DHA in the plaques. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and histological analysis were also performed. The intima-media thickness of atherosclerotic plaque decreased in plaques containing free EPA and EPAs attached with several lipids. EPA was distributed more densely in the thin-cap plaques than in the thick-cap plaques, while DHA was more evenly distributed. In the aortic root, the distribution of total EPA level and cholesteryl esters containing EPA followed a concentration gradient from the vascular endothelium to the media. In the aortic arch, free EPA and 12-hydroxy-EPA colocalized with M2 macrophage.

Conclusions:

Administered EPA tends to be incorporated from the vascular lumen side and preferentially taken into the thin-cap plaque.
Age and growth of the commercial spiny lobsters Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) and Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817) (Decapoda, Palinuridae) in Northeast Brazil: a review
Authors: Salazar Ivo S. Orellana , Cruz Raúl
Published: August 2019

The two spiny lobster fisheries targeting Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) and Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817) have made an important marine resource in Northeast Brazil since 1955. The Von Bertalanffy age and growth parameters of the spiny lobster started being studied in 1960 and the last assessment was performed over 20 years ago. The objective of this review is to analyse the type of input data and the methods historically used to assess age and growth of the spiny lobster stock in Northeast Brazil.

Our study reviews and updates the research on the subject and proposes relative values for the Von Bertalanffy growth parameters for P. argus and P. laevicauda as provisional reference. We recommend further age and growth research on spiny lobsters to create a new and updated growth function for commercial lobsters in Northeast Brazil.
A new record of the copepod Xanthocalanus agilis Giesbrecht, 1893 (Calanoida, Phaennidae) from the South China Sea
Authors: Feng Y. Z. , Liu Z. S.
Published: August 2019

The genus Xanthocalanus inhabits the intermediate and deep waters of the world ocean. The present study records and describes the first female individual of Xanthocalanus agilis Giesbrecht, 1893, collected in the South China Sea (13°0.21′N 113°0.21′E) at depths of 500-800 m. This species was identified by the following morphological characteristics: (i) rostrum with 2 slender filaments; (ii) posterolateral corners of fifth thoracic somite protuberant and triangular, reaching the posterior margin of genital somite; (iii) first segment of fifth pereiopod (P5) with a list of inner marginal spinules, distal segment short with 3 robust terminal spines. This finding expands the known global and vertical distribution of X. agilis.
Somānanda on the Meaningfulness of Language
Authors: Nemec John
Published: August 2019

The present article examines Somānanda’s understanding of the denotative capacity of speech (śabda) as presented in his Śivadṛṣṭi, āhnika four. Somānanda argues that this denotative capacity is innate in words because based in a real sāmānya or universal; that a permanent connection links śabda and its object (artha), not convention (saṃketa); and that the referent of speech is an object innately imbued with linguistic capacity in the form of an ever-present, innate sāmānya. Each of these positions is also supported by the Mīmāṃsā, and Somānanda, citing both Śabara and Kumārila, assents to their positions on these points on the understanding that they may only be accepted as philosophically sound if one presumes the existence of a Śaiva non-duality of all as Śiva-as-consciousness. These positions, in turn, are all deployed as arguments against those of the Buddhist Pramāṇa Theorists, whose views in each of these three areas Somānanda contests.
Securities and Capital Markets Regulation in South Africa
Authors: Chanetsa C. King
Published: August 2019

An effective securities and capital markets industry has existed in South Africa for over 120 years. The regulatory authorities have been alive to globally competitive pressures for inward investment and have endeavoured to implement a conducive environment therefore in compliance with international standards. As recently as 2015, South Africa was considered the best regulator of securities in the world. The effects of the global financial crisis (GFC) were keenly observed. The fall out from the GFC contained lessons for all markets, but not to the same extent. Commentators may therefore regard aspects of the South African reform agenda as replicative of initiatives in other jurisdictions and, consequently, uncritical in parts. In light of the fall to forty sixth place in the world in securities regulation ranking and some uncertainty in respect of the extent and shape of the reform process, this opus reviews activities in South Africa along the busy securities and capital markets value chain, and considers the continuing and emerging regulatory and supervisory framework.
Emended description and resurrection of Sciaphila tosaensis and S. megastyla (Triuridaceae)
Authors: SUETSUGU KENJI , KINOSHITA AKIHIKO , HSU TIAN-CHUAN
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of Sciaphila tosaensis and S. megastyla (Triuridaceae) distributed in Japan and Taiwan. Based on the detailed morphological data, we concluded that these two species should both be treated as distinct species rather than synonyms of S. secundiflora. Sciaphila tosaensis differs from S. secundiflora and S. megastyla in having very narrow male perianth segments and female perianth segments distinctly shorter than male perianth segments. Sciaphila megastyla differs from the other two species in having very conspicuous style and stigma that is ca. 1.5 times as long as ovary in the flowering stage. Furthermore, a lectotype is designated of S. megastyla because its holotype has been lost. Molecular data also showed that there is considerable genetic divergence between S. tosaensis and S. megastyla, supporting that the morphological differences are mirrored by their genetic distances.
Strobilanthes tricostata, a new species of Acanthaceae from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: THOMAS SINJUMOL , MANI BINCE , BRITTO SUSAI JOHN , KRISHNA PILLAI PRADEEP ANNAVI VEETTIL
Published: August 2019

Strobilanthes tricostata, a new species with semelparous life history strategy, is described from the Megamalai hills, Tamil Nadu. Pollen morphology, phenology, distribution, conservation status and notes on allied taxa are provided along with illustrations.
Ecological Water Stress under Projected Climate Change across Hydroclimate Gradients in the North-Central United States
Authors: Adhikari Arjun , Hansen Andrew J. , Rangwala Imtiaz
Published: August 2019

Water balance influences the distribution, abundance, and diversity of plant species across Earth’s terrestrial system. In this study, we examine changes in the water balance and, consequently, the dryland extent across eight ecoregions of the north-central United States by quantifying changes in the growing season (May–September) moisture index (MI) by 2071–99, relative to 1980–2005, under three high-resolution (~4 km) downscaled climate projections (CNRM-CM5, CCSM4, and IPSL-CM5A-MR) of high-emission scenarios (RCP8.5). We find that all ecoregions are projected to become drier as based on significant decreases in MI, except four ecoregions under CNRM-CM5, which projects relatively more moderate warming and much greater increases in precipitation relative to the other two projections. The mean projected MI across the entire study area changes by from +4% to −33%. The proportion of dryland (MI < 0.65) is projected to increase under all projections, but more significantly under the warmer and drier projections represented by CCSM4 and IPSL-CM5A-MR; these two projections also show the largest spatial increases in the arid (33%–53%) and hyperarid (135%–180%) dryland classes and the greatest decrease in the dry subhumid (from −56% to −88%) dryland class. Among the ecoregions, those in the semiarid class have the highest increase in potential evapotranspiration, those in the nondryland and dry subhumid class have the largest decrease in MI, and those in the dry subhumid class have the greatest increase in dryland extent. These changes are expected to have important implications for agriculture, ecological function, biodiversity, vegetation dynamics, and hydrological budget.
Effect of Teleconnected Land–Atmosphere Coupling on Northeast China Persistent Drought in Spring–Summer of 2017
Authors: Zeng Dingwen , Yuan Xing , Roundy Joshua K.
Published: August 2019

Northeast China (NEC) suffered a severe drought that persisted from March to July of 2017 with profound impacts on agriculture and society, raising an urgent need to understand the mechanism for persistent droughts over midlatitudes. Previous drought mechanism studies focused on either large-scale teleconnections or local land–atmosphere coupling, while less attention was paid to their synergistic effects on drought persistence. Here we show that the 2017 NEC drought was triggered by a strong positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation in March, and maintained by the anticyclone over the area south to Lake Baikal (ASLB) through a quasi-stationary Rossby wave in April–July, accompanied by sinking motion and north wind anomaly. By using a land–atmosphere coupling index based on the persistence of positive feedbacks between the boundary layer and land surface, we find that the coupling states over NEC and ASLB shifted from a wet coupling in March to a persistently strengthened dry coupling in April–July. Over ASLB, the dry coupling and sinking motion increased surface sensible heat, decreased cloud cover, and weakened longwave absorption, resulting in a diabatic heating anomaly in the lower atmosphere and a diabatic cooling anomaly in the upper atmosphere. This anomalous vertical heating profile led to a negative anomaly of potential vorticity at low levels, indicating that the land–atmosphere coupling had a phase-lock effect on the Rossby wave train originating from upstream areas, and therefore maintained the NEC drought over downstream regions. Our study suggests that an upstream quasi-stationary wave pattern strengthened by land–atmosphere coupling should be considered in diagnosing persistent droughts, especially over northern midlatitudes.
Sea Ice–Ocean Feedbacks in the Antarctic Shelf Seas
Authors: Frew R. C. , Feltham D. L. , Holland P. R. , Petty A. A.
Published: August 2019

Observed changes in Antarctic sea ice are poorly understood, in part due to the complexity of its interactions with the atmosphere and ocean. A highly simplified, coupled sea ice–ocean mixed layer model has been developed to investigate the importance of sea ice–ocean feedbacks on the evolution of sea ice and the ocean mixed layer in two contrasting regions of the Antarctic continental shelf ocean: the Amundsen Sea, which has warm shelf waters, and the Weddell Sea, which has cold and saline shelf waters. Modeling studies where we deny the feedback response to surface air temperature perturbations show the importance of feedbacks on the mixed layer and ice cover in the Weddell Sea to be smaller than the sensitivity to surface atmospheric conditions. In the Amundsen Sea the effect of surface air temperature perturbations on the sea ice are opposed by changes in the entrainment of warm deep waters into the mixed layer. The net impact depends on the relative balance between changes in sea ice growth driven by surface perturbations and basal-driven melting. The changes in the entrainment of warm water in the Amundsen Sea were found to have a much larger impact on the ice volume than perturbations in the surface energy budget. This creates a net negative ice albedo feedback in the Amundsen Sea, reversing the sign of this typically positive feedback mechanism.
Method for Classification of Snowflakes Based on Images by a Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Hicks A. , Notaroš B. M.
Published: August 2019

Taking advantage of the recent developments in machine learning, we propose an approach to automatic winter hydrometeor classification based on utilization of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a method and tool for classification of snowflakes based on geometric characteristics and riming degree, respectively, obtained using CNNs from high-resolution images by a Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera (MASC). These networks are optimal for image classification of winter precipitation particles due to their high accuracy, computational efficiency, automatic feature extraction, and application versatility. They require little initial preparation, enable the use of smaller training sets through transfer learning techniques, come with large supporting communities and a wealth of resources available, and can be applied and operated by nonexperts. We illustrate both the ease of implementation and the usefulness of operation the CNN architecture offers as a tool for researchers and practitioners utilizing in situ optical observational devices. A training dataset containing 1450 MASC images is developed primarily from two storm events in December 2014 and February 2015 in Greeley, Colorado, by visual inspection of recognizable snowflake geometries. Defined geometric classes are aggregate, columnar crystal, planar crystal, small particle, and graupel. The CNN trained on this dataset achieves a mean accuracy of 93.4% and displays excellent generalization (ability to classify new data). In addition, a separate training dataset is developed by sorting snowflakes into three classes and showcasing distinct degrees of riming. The CNN riming degree estimator yields promising initial results but would benefit from larger training sets.
On the Evaluation of Probabilistic Thunderstorm Forecasts and the Automated Generation of Thunderstorm Threat Areas during Environment Canada Pan Am Science Showcase
Authors: Brunet Dominique , Sills David , Driedger Norbert
Published: August 2019

An object-based forecasting, nowcasting, and alerting system prototype was demonstrated during the summer 2015 Environment Canada Pan Am Science Showcase (ECPASS) in Toronto. Part of this demonstration involved the generation of experimental thunderstorm threat areas by both automated NWP postprocessing algorithms and by a pair of human forecasters. This paper first develops a rigorous verification methodology for the intercomparison of continuous as well as categorical probabilistic thunderstorm forecasts. The methodology is then applied to the intercomparison of thunderstorm forecasts made during ECPASS. Statistical postprocessing of forecasts by smoothing with optimal bandwidth followed by recalibration is found to improve the skill scores of all thunderstorm forecasts studied at all lead times between 6 and 48 h. In addition, the calibrated ensemble mean forecasts are found to be better than the calibrated deterministic thunderstorm forecasts for all lead times considered, though postprocessing of the convective rain-rate forecast gives results that are statistically comparable with the ensemble mean forecast. Thunderstorm threat areas that were automatically generated by thresholding the output of NWP-based postprocessed algorithms have better scores than those generated by human forecasters for most lead times beyond 9 h, indicating that they could be integrated as an automated tool for providing high-quality “first-guess” thunderstorm threat areas in an object-based forecasting, nowcasting, and alerting system. A unique contribution of this paper is a novel verification methodology for the fair comparison between continuous and categorical probabilistic forecasts, a methodology that could be used for other experiments involving human- and automatically generated object-based forecasts derived from probabilistic forecasts.
Bearing the Weight of Imprisonment: The Relationship Between Prison Climate and Well-Being
Authors: van Ginneken Esther F. J. C. , Palmen Hanneke , Bosma Anouk Q. , Sentse Miranda
Published: August 2019

Little is known about the relative influence of shared and individual perceptions of prison climate on adjustment to incarceration. This study investigated the relationship between prison climate and well-being among a sample of 4,538 adults incarcerated in the Netherlands. Prison climate dimensions were considered both as prison unit-level variables and as individual-level perceptions. Multilevel analysis results showed that most variance for well-being is found at the individual rather than the unit level. This implies that it does not make much of a difference for well-being in which prison unit someone resides. Positive effects of prison climate on well-being were primarily found for individual perceptions of prison climate, rather than for the aggregate unit measures. More research is needed to determine whether this finding holds true in other countries. The findings confirm the importance of disentangling the contribution of prison climate at the individual and group level.
Physiologic predictors of collateral circulation and infarct growth during anesthesia – Detailed analyses of the GOLIATH trial
Authors: Raychev Radoslav , Liebeskind David S , Yoo Albert J , Rasmussen Mads , Arnaudov Dimiter , Brown Scott , Saver Jeffrey , Simonsen Claus Z
Published: August 2019

Collateral circulation plays a pivotal role in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) and may be affected by multiple variables during sedation for endovascular therapy (EVT). We conducted detailed analyses of the GOLIATH trial to identify predictors of collateral circulation grade and infarct growth. We also modified the ASITN collateral grading scale and sought to determine its impact on clinical outcome and infarct growth. Multivariable analysis was used to identify predictors of collaterals and infarct growth. Ordinal analysis demonstrated nominal, but non-significant association between modified ASITN scale and infarct growth. Among all analyzed baseline clinical and procedural variables, the most significant predictors of infarct growth at 24 h were phenylephrine dose (estimate 6.78; p = 0.014) and baseline infarct volume (estimate 0.93; p = 0.03). The most significant predictors of worse collateral grade were mean arterial pressure (MAP) <70 mmHg (OR 0.35; p = 0.048) and baseline infarct volume (OR 0.96; p = 0.003). Hypotension during sedation for EVT for LVO negatively impacts collateral circulation, while higher pressor dose is a strong predictor of infarct growth. Avoidance of anesthesia-induced hypotension and consequent need for pressor therapy may prevent collateral failure and minimize infarct growth.