bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient QoS-Aware Intelligent Hybrid Clustered Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Singh Parvinder , Singh Rajeshwar
Published: December 2019

A wireless sensor network consists of numerous low-power microsensor devices that can be deployed in a geographical area for remote sensing, surveillance, control, and monitoring applications. The advancements of wireless devices in terms of user-friendly interface, size, and deployment cost have given rise to many smart applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, certain issues like energy efficiency, long lifetime, and communication reliability restrict their large scale utilization. In WSNs, the cluster-based routing protocols assist nodes to collect, aggregate, and forward sensed data from event regions towards the sink node through minimum cost links. A clustering method helps to improve data transmission efficiency by dividing the sensor nodes into small groups. However, improper cluster head (CH) selection may affect the network lifetime, average network energy, and other quality of service (QoS) parameters. In this paper, a multiobjective clustering strategy is proposed to optimize the energy consumption, network lifetime, network throughput, and network delay. A fitness function has been formulated for heterogenous and homogenous wireless sensor networks. This fitness function is utilized to select an optimum CH for energy minimization and load balancing of cluster heads. A new hybrid clustered routing protocol is proposed based on fitness function. The simulation results conclude that the proposed protocol achieves better efficiency in increasing the network lifetime by 63%, 26%, and 10% compared with three well-known heterogeneous protocols: DEEC, EDDEEC, and ATEER, respectively. The proposed strategy also attains better network stability than a homogenous LEACH protocol.
A Particle Swarm Optimization‐Based Method for Numerically Solving Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Zhong Xian-Ci , Chen Jia-Ye , Fan Zhou-Yang
Published: December 2019

The Euler method is a typical one for numerically solving initial value problems of ordinary differential equations. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an efficient algorithm for obtaining the optimal solution of a nonlinear optimization problem. In this study, a PSO‐based Euler‐type method is proposed to solve the initial value problem of ordinary differential equations. In the typical Euler method, the equidistant grid points are always used to obtain the approximate solution. The existing shortcoming is that when the iteration number is increasing, the approximate solution could be greatly away from the exact one. Here, it is considered that the distribution of the grid nodes could affect the approximate solution of differential equations on the discrete points. The adopted grid points are assumed to be free and nonequidistant. An optimization problem is constructed and solved by particle swarm optimization (PSO) to determine the distribution of grid points. Through numerical computations, some comparisons are offered to reveal that the proposed method has great advantages and can overcome the existing shortcoming of the typical Euler formulae.
GO Loss: A Gaussian Distribution‐Based Orthogonal Decomposition Loss for Classification
Authors: Liu Mengxin , Tao Wenyuan , Zhang Xiao , Chen Yi , Li Jie , Own Chung-Ming
Published: December 2019

We present a novel loss function, namely, GO loss, for classification. Most of the existing methods, such as center loss and contrastive loss, dynamically determine the convergence direction of the sample features during the training process. By contrast, GO loss decomposes the convergence direction into two mutually orthogonal components, namely, tangential and radial directions, and conducts optimization on them separately. The two components theoretically affect the interclass separation and the intraclass compactness of the distribution of the sample features, respectively. Thus, separately minimizing losses on them can avoid the effects of their optimization. Accordingly, a stable convergence center can be obtained for each of them. Moreover, we assume that the two components follow Gaussian distribution, which is proved as an effective way to accurately model training features for improving the classification effects. Experiments on multiple classification benchmarks, such as MNIST, CIFAR, and ImageNet, demonstrate the effectiveness of GO loss.
Mechanisms of “Cough-Trick” for Pain Relief during Venipuncture: An Experimental Crossover Investigation in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Usichenko Taras I. , Janner Henriette , Gagarine Maria , Pavlovic Dragan , Lang Eric , Hahnenkamp Klaus
Published: December 2019

Objectives. The easily performed “cough-trick” (CT) reduces pain during venipuncture (VP), although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim was to investigate the pain-reducing effect of CT during VP in comparison with two distraction methods, as well as under the influence of naloxone.Methods. 54 healthy male volunteers participated in 3 investigations. Pain during standardized VP with CT was compared to a “weak” distraction (squeezing a rubber ball; investigation 1;n=20) and to a “strong” distraction (inflating a tourniquet to a given pressure; investigation 2;n=21). In investigation 3 (n=13), pain at a VP without intervention was compared to pain at VP with CT under naloxone; pressure pain thresholds before and after naloxone administration were also measured. Pain was assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Data were compared within each sample using Student’st-test for paired samples.Results. Pain intensity at VP with CT was lower than under “weak” distraction (mean difference 5 mm; 95% CI: 0.5 to 9.6;P=0.03). Pain levels under CT and “strong” distraction were comparable. There was no difference between pain under CT after naloxone infusion and pain without intervention. Pressure pain threshold decreased (mean difference 1 mm; 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.0 mm;P=0.02) after naloxone administration.Conclusion. Pain-reducing effect of CT during VP is superior to that of simple motor distraction and equivalent to a complex distraction method. This might be due to the activation of segmental pain inhibitory pathways during coughing indicated through the lack of pain reduction due to CT under opioid antagonist blockage.
On Travelling Wave Modes of Axially Moving String and Beam
Authors: Lu Lei , Yang Xiao-Dong , Zhang Wei , Lai Siu-Kai
Published: December 2019

The traditional vibrational standing‐wave modes of beams and strings show static overall contour with finite number of fixed nodes. The travelling wave modes are investigated in this study of axially moving string and beam although the solutions have been obtained in the literature. The travelling wave modes show time‐varying contour instead of static contour. In the model of an axially moving string, only backward travelling wave modes are found and verified by experiments. Although there are n − 1 fixed nodes in the nth order mode, similar to the vibration of traditional static strings, the presence of travelling wave phenomenon is still spotted between any two adjacent nodes. In contrast to the stationary nodes of string modes, the occurrence of galloping nodes of axially moving beams is discovered: the nodes oscillate periodically during modal motions. Both forward and backward travelling wave phenomena are detected for the axially moving beam case. It is found that the ranges of forward travelling wave modes increase with the axially moving speed. It is also concluded that backward travelling wave modes can transform to the forward travelling wave modes as the transport speed surpasses the buckling critical speed.
Functional Genomics Identifies Hepatitis-Induced STAT3–TYRO3–STAT3 Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Target of Hepatoma
Authors: Tsai Chia-Liang , Chang Jeng-Shou , Yu Ming-Chin , Lee Chern-Horng , Chen Tse-Ching , Chuang Wen-Yu , Kuo Wei-Liang , Lin Chen-Chun , Lin Shi-Ming , Hsieh Sen-Yung
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Hepatitis promotes the development and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) play critical roles in the development of many cancers. We explored the potential roles of RTKs in hepatitis-related liver cancers.

Experimental Design:

We conducted loss-of-function screening to elucidate the roles of RTKs in the development of HCC in vitro and in vivo.

Results:

Many RTKs were coexpressed in HCC and were involved in tumor development and growth. Of these, TYRO3 promoted tumor growth and was clinically associated with hepatitis activity and poor prognosis. In mice, chemical-induced hepatitis transcriptionally activated Tyro3 expression via IL-6/IL6R–STAT3 signaling. Moreover, hepatitis-associated apoptotic cells facilitated the presentation of GAS6, a TYRO3 ligand, to further activate TYRO3-mediated signaling. Furthermore, TYRO3 activation elicited intracellular SRC- and STAT3 signaling. In mice, hepatitis and Tyro3 synergistically promoted HCC development. Silencing TYRO3 expression or inhibiting its kinase activity suppressed xenograft HCC growth in nude mice.

Conclusions:

Many RTKs are simultaneously involved in HCC development. Hepatitis exerts dual effects on the activation of TYRO3-mediated signaling in HCC cells, which further elicits the “TYRO3–STAT3–TYRO3” signaling loop to facilitate tumor growth. Our findings unveil a previously unrecognized link between RTKs and hepatitis-associated HCC and suggest TYRO3 as a marker and therapeutic target for the HCCs with higher hepatitis activity.
Harmonic Motion Imaging of Pancreatic Tumor Stiffness Indicates Disease State and Treatment Response
Authors: Payen Thomas , Oberstein Paul E. , Saharkhiz Niloufar , Palermo Carmine F. , Sastra Stephen A. , Han Yang , Nabavizadeh Alireza , Sagalovskiy Irina R. , Orelli Barbara , Rosario Vilma , Desrouilleres Deborah , Remotti Helen , Kluger Michael D. , Schrope Beth A. , Chabot John A. , Iuga Alina C. , Konofagou Elisa E. , Olive Kenneth P.
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a common, deadly cancer that is challenging both to diagnose and to manage. Its hallmark is an expansive, desmoplastic stroma characterized by high mechanical stiffness. In this study, we sought to leverage this feature of PDA for two purposes: differential diagnosis and monitoring of response to treatment.

Experimental Design:

Harmonic motion imaging (HMI) is a functional ultrasound technique that yields a quantitative relative measurement of stiffness suitable for comparisons between individuals and over time. We used HMI to quantify pancreatic stiffness in mouse models of pancreatitis and PDA as well as in a series of freshly resected human pancreatic cancer specimens.

Results:

In mice, we learned that stiffness increased during progression from preneoplasia to adenocarcinoma and also effectively distinguished PDA from several forms of pancreatitis. In human specimens, the distinction of tumors versus adjacent pancreatitis or normal pancreas tissue was even more stark. Moreover, in both mice and humans, stiffness increased in proportion to tumor size, indicating that tuning of mechanical stiffness is an ongoing process during tumor progression. Finally, using a brca2–mutant mouse model of PDA that is sensitive to cisplatin, we found that tissue stiffness decreases when tumors respond successfully to chemotherapy. Consistent with this observation, we found that tumor tissues from patients who had undergone neoadjuvant therapy were less stiff than those of untreated patients.

Conclusions:

These findings support further development of HMI for clinical applications in disease staging and treatment response assessment in PDA.
A Phase Ib Study of Preoperative, Locoregional IRX-2 Cytokine Immunotherapy to Prime Immune Responses in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Page David B. , Pucilowska Joanna , Sanchez Katherine G. , Conrad Valerie K. , Conlin Alison K. , Acheson Anupama K. , Perlewitz Kelly S. , Imatani James H. , Aliabadi-Wahle Shaghayegh , Moxon Nicole , Mellinger Staci L. , Seino Amanda Y. , Martel Martiza , Wu Yaping , Sun Zhaoyu , Redmond William L. , Rajamanickam Venkatesh , Waddell Dottie , Laxague Deborah , Shah Monil , Chang Shu-Ching , Urba Walter J.
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of preoperative locoregional cytokine therapy (IRX-2 regimen) in early-stage breast cancer, and to evaluate for intratumoral and peripheral immunomodulatory activity.

Patients and Methods:

Sixteen patients with stage I–III early-stage breast cancer (any histology type) indicated for surgical lumpectomy or mastectomy were enrolled to receive preoperative locoregional immunotherapy with the IRX-2 cytokine biological (2 mL subcutaneous × 10 days to periareolar skin). The regimen also included single-dose cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2) on day 1 to deplete T-regulatory cells and oral indomethacin to modulate suppressive myeloid subpopulations. The primary objective was to evaluate feasibility (i.e., receipt of therapy without surgical delays or grade 3/4 treatment–related adverse events). The secondary objective was to evaluate changes in stromal tumor–infiltrating lymphocyte score. The exploratory objective was to identify candidate pharmacodynamic changes for future study using a variety of assays, including flow cytometry, RNA and T-cell receptor DNA sequencing, and multispectral immunofluorescence.

Results:

Preoperative locoregional cytokine administration was feasible in 100% (n = 16/16) of subjects and associated with increases in stromal tumor–infiltrating lymphocytes (P < 0.001). Programmed death ligand 1 (CD274) was upregulated at the RNA (P < 0.01) and protein level [by Ventana PD-L1 (SP142) and immunofluorescence]. Other immunomodulatory effects included upregulation of RNA signatures of T-cell activation and recruitment and cyclophosphamide-related peripheral T-regulatory cell depletion.

Conclusions:

IRX-2 is safe in early-stage breast cancer. Potentially favorable immunomodulatory changes were observed, supporting further study of IRX-2 in early-stage breast cancer and other malignancies.
Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel SHIP1 Phosphatase Activator for Inhibition of PI3K Signaling in Malignant B Cells
Authors: Lemm Elizabeth A. , Valle-Argos Beatriz , Smith Lindsay D. , Richter Johanna , Gebreselassie Yohannes , Carter Matthew J. , Karolova Jana , Svaton Michael , Helman Karel , Weston-Bell Nicola J. , Karydis Laura , Williamson Chris T. , Lenz Georg , Pettigrew Jeremy , Harwig Curtis , Stevenson Freda K. , Cragg Mark , Forconi Francesco , Steele Andrew J. , Cross Jennifer , Mackenzie Lloyd , Klener Pavel , Packham Graham
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

PI3K signaling is a common feature of B-cell neoplasms, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and PI3K inhibitors have been introduced into the clinic. However, there remains a clear need to develop new strategies to target PI3K signaling. PI3K activity is countered by Src homology domain 2-containing inositol-5′-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) and, here, we have characterized the activity of a novel SHIP1 activator, AQX-435, in preclinical models of B-cell malignancies.

Experimental Design:

In vitro activity of AQX-435 was evaluated using primary CLL cells and DLBCL-derived cell lines. In vivo activity of AQX-435, alone or in combination with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib, was assessed using DLBCL cell line and patient-derived xenograft models.

Results:

Pharmacologic activation of SHIP1 using AQX-435 was sufficient to inhibit anti–IgM-induced PI3K-mediated signaling, including induction of AKT phosphorylation and MYC expression, without effects on upstream SYK phosphorylation. AQX-435 also cooperated with the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib to enhance inhibition of anti–IgM-induced AKT phosphorylation. AQX-435 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of CLL cells preferentially as compared with normal B cells, and overcame in vitro survival-promoting effects of microenvironmental stimuli. Finally, AQX-435 reduced AKT phosphorylation and growth of DLBCL in vivo and cooperated with ibrutinib for tumor growth inhibition.

Conclusions:

Our results using AQX-435 demonstrate that SHIP1 activation may be an effective novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of B-cell neoplasms, alone or in combination with ibrutinib.
A Subset of Colorectal Cancers with Cross-Sensitivity to Olaparib and Oxaliplatin
Authors: Arena Sabrina , Corti Giorgio , Durinikova Erika , Montone Monica , Reilly Nicole M. , Russo Mariangela , Lorenzato Annalisa , Arcella Pamela , Lazzari Luca , Rospo Giuseppe , Pagani Massimiliano , Cancelliere Carlotta , Negrino Carola , Isella Claudio , Bartolini Alice , Cassingena Andrea , Amatu Alessio , Mauri Gianluca , Sartore-Bianchi Andrea , Mittica Gloria , Medico Enzo , Marsoni Silvia , Linnebacher Michael , Abrignani Sergio , Siena Salvatore , Di Nicolantonio Federica , Bardelli Alberto
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Defects in the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway are of clinical interest due to sensitivity of HR-deficient cells to PARP inhibitors. We were interested in defining PARP vulnerability in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) carrying KRAS and BRAF mutations who display poor prognosis, have limited therapeutic options, and represent an unmet clinical need.

Experimental Design:

We tested colorectal cancer cell lines, patient-derived organoids (PDO), and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) enriched for KRAS and BRAF mutations for sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor olaparib, and the chemotherapeutic agents oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Genomic profiles and DNA repair proficiency of colorectal cancer models were compared with pharmacologic response.

Results:

Thirteen of 99 (around 13%) colorectal cancer cell lines were highly sensitive to clinically active concentrations of olaparib and displayed functional deficiency in HR. Response to PARP blockade was positively correlated with sensitivity to oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cell lines as well as patient-derived organoids. Treatment of PDXs with olaparib impaired tumor growth and maintenance therapy with PARP blockade after initial oxaliplatin response delayed disease progression in mice.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that a colorectal cancer subset characterized by poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options is vulnerable to PARP inhibition and suggest that PDO-based drug-screening assays can be used to identify patients with colorectal cancer likely to benefit from olaparib. As patients with mCRC almost invariably receive therapies based on oxaliplatin, “maintenance” treatment with PARP inhibitors warrants further clinical investigation.
Triple Covered Metal Stent Deployment Using Side-by-Side Technique for Hemobilia due to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (with Video)
Authors: Ogura Takeshi , Yamada Tadahiro , Yamada Masanori , Ueno Saori , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: December 2019

A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rarely expands into the biliary tract. In this situation, because of its hypervascular nature, cholangitis or hemobilia may sometimes occur. Surgery is one of the options in this situation. However, patients with HCC and bile duct invasion are sometimes in a poor general condition, as in the case presented in this report. For such patients, surgical treatment may need to be invasive. Thus, here we report technical tips for triple covered metal stent deployment using side-by-side technique for hemobilia due to HCC. After guidewire deployments at the left, anterior, and posterior bile ducts, 6-mm covered self-expandable metal stents were placed at each bile duct. This may be useful for high-grade hepatic hilar obstruction due to HCC because drainage and hemostasis effects are obtained.
Novel Plaque Enriched Long Noncoding RNA in Atherosclerotic Macrophage Regulation (PELATON)
Authors: Hung John , Scanlon Jessica P. , Mahmoud Amira D. , Rodor Julie , Ballantyne Margaret , Fontaine Margaux A.C. , Temmerman Lieve , Kaczynski Jakub , Connor Katie L. , Bhushan Raghu , Biessen Erik A.L. , Newby David E. , Sluimer Judith C. , Baker Andrew H.
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emergent class of molecules with diverse functional roles, widely expressed in human physiology and disease. Although some lncRNAs have been identified in cardiovascular disease, their potential as novel targets in the prevention of atherosclerosis is unknown. We set out to discover important lncRNAs in unstable plaque and gain insight into their functional relevance.

Approach and Results:

Analysis of RNA sequencing previously performed on stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaque identified a panel of 47 differentially regulated lncRNAs. We focused on LINC01272, a lncRNA upregulated in unstable plaque previously detected in inflammatory bowel disease, which we termed PELATON (plaque enriched lncRNA in atherosclerotic and inflammatory bowel macrophage regulation). Here, we demonstrate that PELATON is highly monocyte- and macrophage-specific across vascular cell types, and almost entirely nuclear by cellular fractionation (90%–98%). In situ hybridization confirmed enrichment of PELATON in areas of plaque inflammation, colocalizing with macrophages around the shoulders and necrotic core of human plaque sections. Consistent with its nuclear localization, and despite containing a predicted open reading frame, PELATON did not demonstrate any protein-coding potential in vitro. Functionally, knockdown of PELATON significantly reduced phagocytosis, lipid uptake and reactive oxygen species production in high-content analysis, with a significant reduction in phagocytosis independently validated. Furthermore, CD36, a key mediator of phagocytic oxLDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) uptake was significantly reduced with PELATON knockdown.

Conclusions:

PELATON is a nuclear expressed, monocyte- and macrophage-specific lncRNA, upregulated in unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Knockdown of PELATON affects cellular functions associated with plaque progression.
Interference With ESAM (Endothelial Cell-Selective Adhesion Molecule) Plus Vascular Endothelial-Cadherin Causes Immediate Lethality and Lung-Specific Blood Coagulation
Authors: Duong Cao Nguyen , Nottebaum Astrid F. , Butz Stefan , Volkery Stefan , Zeuschner Dagmar , Stehling Martin , Vestweber Dietmar
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is of dominant importance for the formation and stability of endothelial junctions, yet induced gene inactivation enhances vascular permeability in the lung but does not cause junction rupture. This study aims at identifying the junctional adhesion molecule, which is responsible for preventing endothelial junction rupture in the pulmonary vasculature in the absence of VE-cadherin.

Approach and Results:

We have compared the relevance of ESAM (endothelial cell-selective adhesion molecule), JAM (junctional adhesion molecule)-A, PECAM (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule)-1, and VE-cadherin for vascular barrier integrity in various mouse tissues. Gene inactivation of ESAM enhanced vascular permeability in the lung but not in the heart, skin, and brain. In contrast, deletion of JAM-A or PECAM-1 did not affect barrier integrity in any of these organs. Blocking VE-cadherin with antibodies caused lethality in ESAM
−/−
mice within 30 minutes but had no such effect in JAM-A
−/−
, PECAM-1
−/−
or wild-type mice. Likewise, induced gene inactivation of VE-cadherin caused rapid lethality only in the absence of ESAM. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that only combined interference with VE-cadherin and ESAM disrupted endothelial junctions and caused massive blood coagulation in the lung. Mechanistically, we could exclude a role of platelet ESAM in coagulation, changes in the expression of other junctional proteins or a contribution of cytoplasmic signaling domains of ESAM.

Conclusions:

Despite well-documented roles of JAM-A and PECAM-1 for the regulation of endothelial junctions, only for ESAM, we detected an essential role for endothelial barrier integrity in a tissue-specific way. In addition, we found that it is ESAM which prevents endothelial junction rupture in the lung when VE-cadherin is absent.
Hemodynamics and Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis in Low-Risk Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Khan Jaffar M. , Rogers Toby , Waksman Ron , Torguson Rebecca , Weissman Gaby , Medvedofsky Diego , Craig Paige E. , Zhang Cheng , Gordon Paul , Ehsan Afshin , Wilson Sean R. , Goncalves John , Levitt Robert , Hahn Chiwon , Parikh Puja , Bilfinger Thomas , Butzel David , Buchanan Scott , Hanna Nicholas , Garrett Robert , Shults Christian , Garcia-Garcia Hector M. , Kolm Paul , Satler Lowell F. , Buchbinder Maurice , Ben-Dor Itsik , Asch Federico M.
Published: December 2019

Background:

This analysis evaluated echocardiographic predictors of hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) in low-risk patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement and assessed 1-year clinical and hemodynamic consequences. HALT by computed tomography may be associated with early valve degeneration and increased neurological events.

Methods:

Echocardiograms were performed at baseline, discharge, 30 days, and 1 year post-procedure. Four-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography assessed HALT at 30 days. Independent core laboratories analyzed images. Doppler hemodynamic parameters were tested in a univariable regression model to identify HALT predictors. One-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes were compared between HALT (+) and (−) patients.

Results:

Analysis included 170 patients with Sapien 3 valves and diagnostic 30-day computed tomographies, of whom 27 (16%) had HALT. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. After transcatheter aortic valve replacement, aortic flow was nonsignificantly reduced in patients who developed HALT. Regression analysis did not show significant association between baseline or discharge valve hemodynamics and development of HALT at 30 days. Patients with HALT had smaller aortic valve areas (1.4±0.4 versus 1.7±0.5 cm
2
;
P
=0.018) and Doppler velocity index (0.4±0.1 versus 0.5±0.1;
P
=0.003) than those without HALT at 30 days but not at 1 year. There was no difference in aortic mean gradient at 30 days. There was no difference between the groups in New York Heart Association class, 6-minute walk distance, and mortality at 1 year.

Conclusions:

There were no early hemodynamic predictors of HALT. At 30 days, patients with HALT had worse valve hemodynamics than those without HALT, but hemodynamic and clinical outcomes at 1 year were similar.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02628899.
Important Food Sources of Fructose‐Containing Sugars and Incident Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose‐Response Meta‐Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Liu Qi , Ayoub‐Charette Sabrina , Khan Tauseef Ahmad , Au‐Yeung Fei , Blanco Mejia Sonia , de Souza Russell J. , Wolever Thomas M.S. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Kendall Cyril W.C. , Sievenpiper John L.
Published: December 2019

Background

Sugar‐sweetened beverages are associated with hypertension. We assessed the relation of important food sources of fructose‐containing sugars with incident hypertension using a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Methods and Results

We searchedMEDLINE,EMBASE,and Cochrane (through December week 2, 2018) for eligible studies. For each food source, natural log‐transformed risk ratios (RRs) for incident hypertension were pooled using pair‐wise meta‐analysis and linear and nonlinear dose‐response meta‐analyses. Certainty in our evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. We identified 26 reports, including 15 prospective cohorts (930 677 participants; 363 459 cases). Sugar‐sweetened beverages showed harmful (RRper‐355‐mL, 1.10 [95%CI, 1.08, 1.12]) whereas fruit (RRper‐240‐g, 0.94 [95%CI, 0.96, 0.99]) and yogurt showed protective associations (RRper‐125‐g, 0.95 [95%CI, 0.94, 0.97]) with incident hypertension throughout the dose range. One hundred percent fruit juice showed a protective association only at moderate doses (RRat‐100‐mL, 0.97 [95%CI, 0.94, 0.99]). The pair‐wise protective association of dairy desserts was not supported by linear dose‐response analysis. Fruit drinks or sweet snacks were not associated with hypertension. Certainty of the evidence was “low” for sugar‐sweetened beverages, 100% fruit juice, fruit, and yogurt and “very low” for fruit drinks, sweet snacks, and dairy desserts.

Conclusions

The harmful association between sugar‐sweetened beverages and hypertension does not extend to other important food sources of fructose‐containing sugars. Further research is needed to improve our estimates and better understand the dose‐response relationship between food sources of fructose‐containing sugars and hypertension.

Registration

URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier:NCT02702375.
Aortic Stiffness and Age With Cognitive Performance Decline in the ELSA‐Brasil Cohort
Authors: Menezes Sara T. , Giatti Luana , Colosimo Enrico A. , Ribeiro Antônio L. P. , Brant Luisa C. C. , Viana Maria C. , Cunha Roberto S. , Mill José G. , Barreto Sandhi Maria
Published: December 2019

Background

Increased aortic stiffness has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia, but the results are inconsistent. This study investigated the longitudinal association of aortic stiffness and age with decreased cognitive performance in 3 cognitive tests.

Methods and Results

This study included 6927 participants, with a mean age of 58.8 years at baseline (2008–2010), who participated in the second wave (2012–2014) of the
ELSA
‐Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health) (interval between visits ranging from 2–6 years). Cognitive performance was evaluated by Memory, Phonemic, and Semantic Verbal Fluency and Trail B Tests, applied at both cohort visits. Associations with the carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity and age at baseline were investigated using linear models with mixed effects after adjusting for confounders. After all the adjustments, including for systolic blood pressure, the interaction term carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity×time proved to be statistically significant for Memory and Verbal Fluency Tests, indicating that the higher carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity at baseline was associated with a faster decline in cognitive performance in these tests between waves. The interaction term age×time was statistically significant for all cognitive tests, suggesting that increasing age at baseline was also associated with a faster decline in cognitive performance between waves.

Conclusions

In this relatively young cohort, and after a relatively short interval, an increased aortic stiffness at baseline was associated with a sharper decline in cognitive performances in memory and verbal fluency, regardless of systolic blood pressure levels. This study also showed that the decline in cognitive performance was faster among older individuals than among younger ones at baseline.
Bexarotene Enhances Macrophage Erythrophagocytosis and Hematoma Clearance in Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Chang Che-Feng , Massey Jordan , Osherov Artem , Angenendt da Costa Luís Henrique , Sansing Lauren H.
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

Enhancement of erythrophagocytosis by macrophages in a timely manner can limit the toxic effects of erythrocyte metabolites and promote brain recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of retinoid X receptor agonist, bexarotene, in facilitating erythrophagocytosis and neurobehavioral recovery in 2 mouse models of ICH.

Methods—

Bone marrow-derived macrophages and fluorescently labeled erythrocytes were used to study erythrophagocytosis in vitro with phenotypic changes quantified by gene expression. ICH was modeled in vivo using intrastriatal autologous blood and collagenase injection in mice with and without bexarotene treatment beginning 3 hours after ICH. In vivo phagocytosis, ability and hematoma clearance were evaluated by erythrophagocytosis assays, flow cytometry, and histological analysis. Neurological deficits and functional recovery were also quantified.

Results—

Bexarotene increased macrophage expression of phagocytosis receptors and erythrophagocytosis and reduced macrophage TNF (tumor necrosis factor) production in vitro. In vivo, bexarotene treatment enhanced erythrophagocytosis, reduced hematoma volume, and ultimately improved neurological recovery after ICH in 2 distinct models of ICH.

Conclusions—

Bexarotene administration is beneficial for recovery after ICH by enhancing hemorrhage phagocytosis, modulating macrophage phenotype, and improving functional recovery.
Deep Contextualized Self-training for Low Resource Dependency Parsing
Authors: Rotman Guy , Reichart Roi
Published: December 2019

Neural dependency parsing has proven very effective, achieving state-of-the-art results on numerous domains and languages. Unfortunately, it requires large amounts of labeled data, which is costly and laborious to create. In this paper we propose a self-training algorithm that alleviates this annotation bottleneck by training a parser on its own output. Our Deep Contextualized Self-training (DCST) algorithm utilizes representation models trained on sequence labeling tasks that are derived from the parser’s output when applied to unlabeled data, and integrates these models with the base parser through a gating mechanism. We conduct experiments across multiple languages, both in low resource in-domain and in cross-domain setups, and demonstrate that DCST substantially outperforms traditional self-training as well as recent semi-supervised training methods. 1
The Guise of the Beautiful: Symposium 204d ff.
Authors: Fine Jonathan
Published: December 2019

A crux of Plato’s Symposium is how beauty (to kalon) relates to the good. Diotima distinguishes beauty from the good, I show, to explain how erotic pursuits are characteristically ambivalent and opaque. Human beings pursue beauty without knowing why or thinking it good; yet they are rational, if aiming at happiness. Central to this reconstruction is a passage widely taken to show that beauty either coincides with the good or demands disinterested admiration. It shows rather that what one loves as beautiful does not appear good, a proposal with ramifications for ethical psychology.
Theory and Praxis in Theology ‘after’ Karl Barth: Eberhard Jüngel and Helmut Gollwitzer on Socialism and Solidarity
Authors: McMaken W. Travis
Published: December 2019

Some important thinkers have treated Liberation Theology and “Barthian” Theology as incompatible, understanding the latter as an impediment to self-consciously contextual theological approaches. But some proponents of Barth’s theology argue that it is contextual in important ways, and therefore a helpful resource for doing public theology. One way to redescribe the common complaint at the core of all these criticisms, and a way that relates those criticisms to liberation theology more generally, is by saying that they all pertain to the relationship between theory and praxis. The purpose of this article then is to address the relation between theory and praxis in the theologies of two significant practitioners of theology ‘after’ Karl Barth—Helmut Gollwitzer and Eberhard Jüngel—in part by examining their understanding of the relationship between Christianity and socialism.
#MeToo Jesus: Naming Jesus as a Victim of Sexual Abuse
Authors: Reaves Jayme R. , Tombs David
Published: December 2019

The #MeToo hashtag and campaign raises important questions for Christian public theology. In 2017, a church sign at Gustavus Adolphus church in New York City connected Jesus with #MeToo through Jesus’ words ‘You did this to me too’ (Matthew 25:40). This church sign offers appropriate recognition of the theological solidarity of Jesus with #MeToo at a metaphorical level, but this article argues a more direct historical connection should also be made. It examines work by Tombs (1999), Heath (2011), Gafney (2013), and Trainor (2014) that go beyond theological solidarity to identify Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse in a more historical and literal sense. It concludes that naming Jesus as victim of sexual abuse is not just a matter of correcting the historical record but can also help churches to address the damage caused by victim blaming or shaming.
Emerging African American Pentecostal Sources in Public Theology
Authors: Harris Antipas L.
Published: December 2019

Theological authority is of paramount importance for the future of African American Pentecostal public theology. Largely ignored as authoritative sources by white Pentecostals in the years following the Azusa Street Revival, black Pentecostals were often snubbed by black denominations as well. Consequently, at the traditional table of theological discourse, black Pentecostal pastors have been notably absent. The question of theological authority in black Pentecostalism can be answered, in part, by examining its historically relevant contributions to theology in general, and to black liberation theology in particular. Early social prophetic theologians left a treasure trove of leadership hermeneutics and models for public engagement. This article highlights four pastors who left legacies built on their roles as pioneers in the black Pentecostal movement. The biographic profiles reveal sources of i) historical authority within the broad contours of the black Pentecostal tradition, and, ii). innovative hermeneutics as valid models for engaging public theology.
A Politics of Connected Flesh: Public Theology, Ecology, and Merleau-Ponty
Authors: Harvie Timothy
Published: December 2019

After critically reviewing the ongoing development of various publics in public theology, this article attempts to develop an additional public in nonanthropocentric terms in order to ground adequately public theology’s approach to the current climate crisis. Seeking a path between an account of Earth as a commons, with its emphasis on similarity and the diffractive method’s emphasis on the separateness of biodiverse lives, it argues that Merleau-Ponty’s articulation of the flesh of the world provides material for a politically engaged public theology. In emphasizing the separateness of embodied selves in the perceptual fields of embodied flesh, it develops an account of the ecosphere as an ontologically grounding public to correct the limitations of various ‘publics’ as human-centered institutions. In doing so, the transcendence of Earth’s embodied inhabitants is emphasized that conceives of public in terms of the connective tissues of more-than-human bodies.
Towards a Post-colonial Reflection on Shaman and Shamanism as Conceptual Tools in Biblical Studies
Authors: Craffert Pieter F.
Published: December 2019

The almost complete absence of any reference to the terms shaman and shamanism in Biblical Studies has its roots in the historical prejudice in Western scholarship against them, and originated from colonial ethnocentrism and Christian notions of superiority. However, the shaman, defined as a practitioner who based on the alteration of ordinary consciousness serves a community with particular functions, represents a recognisable pattern in numerous cultural settings while the growth in the multidisciplinary study of shamanism in recent decades shows a growth in one of the oldest patterns of religious activities in human history. The study of shamanism does not only provide a body of comparative research but analytical models for explaining the most extraordinary and anomalous aspects found also in biblical texts, namely, prophesy, divination, healing and exorcism as well as heavenly journeys and spirit possession.
Choosing Teams
Authors: Wagner Lauren B.
Published: December 2019

The future of diaspora goes together with the future of diversity, and the different ways in which states and nations can reconfigure how their mobile, multifaceted members are accepted as belonging. The 2018 FIFA World Cup, like many international sporting events, crystallised some of debates about citizenship and belonging as applied to specific players and, notably for this event, to the ‘foreign-born’ men playing for the Moroccan team. Though public debates often focus on evaluating the ‘belonging’ of individuals who are chosen for elite events to represent the nation, that lens did not seem to be applied to the Moroccan team. By exploring how diversity and diaspora were debated in relation to players for European teams in this same tournament, I explore here how the Moroccan example represents perhaps a new direction for diaspora: one which connects descendants across multiple nations and states without character judgments about who can belong.
Migrants, Mobile Worlding and City-Making
Authors: Beeckmans Luce
Published: December 2019

In this article I introduce the concept of ‘mobile worlding’ in relation to African diaspora’s urban world-making practices. Conceptualising ‘mobile worlding’ is an endeavour in bringing the trans-urban circulation and interconnectedness of migrants’ urban world-making practices to the fore. ‘Mobile worlding’ has the potential to enhance our understanding, not only of (the interconnectedness of) migrants’ contributions to contemporary city-making, but also of the contemporary diasporic experience, i.e. as something which is highly mobile as African diaspora both online and offline incessantly move in polycentric urban networks along which also their urban world-making practices circulate in multidirectional ways. I illustrate this by highlighting my own empirical research on African diaspora’s religious place-making in European cities, as well as by foregrounding other scholarship in which instances of diasporic ‘mobile worlding’ are brought to the fore, for instance through hip hop and fashion, but without being conceptualised as such.
Afropolitan Genealogies
Authors: Ede Amatoritsero
Published: December 2019

Afropolitanism’s first enunciation in public discourse can be traced to Taiye Selasi’s 2005 online article, Bye-Bye Babar. This idea of a new subjective experience of African diasporic self-identity then migrated into academic contemplation initially through Achille Mbembe, Wawrzinek and Makokha, Simon Gikandi, and Chielozona Eze’s scholarly and philosophical deepening of Afropolitanism, which has since been variously expanded by many Africanist critics. This keyword think-piece maps the disciplinary beginning and trajectory of Afropolitan ontology and scholarship. It considers the cultural materialialist and phenomenological aspects of the term and its relationship to the concept of Pan-Africanism and concludes with a projection of its possible future critical development.
“Si Geena” (Brat): Un-Social Digital Juveniles’ Episodic Resistance in Singapore
Authors: Liew Kai Khiun , Abidin Crystal
Published: December 2019

This paper explores episodes of provocative online articulations and the accompanying angry public reactions as part of the cultural politics of juvenile online resistance in contemporary Singapore. Rather than viewing such delinquency as ‘youth deficits’, this paper seeks a literary-culturalist standpoint in exploring the uninhibited audacity of these public online displays. We perceive such performances as reflecting the critical and socially unrestrained emotional subjectivities of ‘youth mirroring deficits’ of the ‘Emperor’s new clothes’. The authors propose to appropriate the colloquial Singaporean Chinese Hokkien term of Si Geena (brat), a label commonly used to describe these offending personalities, to frame the dynamics of youth resistance, and new media in Singapore. Si Geena are often un-social digital juvenile provocateurs baiting moral outrage and public indignation. In turn, societal responses to the Si Geena’s episodic resistance reveal the contradictions, insecurities, and volatility of Singapore’s reactive public.
Introduction
Authors: van Trigt Paul
Published: December 2019

This introduction to a special issue about the United Nations’ observances (days, weeks, years, decades) explores how scholarly engagement with UN observances may provide fresh perspectives on diplomatic history. The introduction discusses the origins of these observances and the limited historiographical attention they have received. It argues that observances need to be conceptualized and historicized as “diplomatic scripts.” This approach helps to understand how the UN has functioned as a diplomatic platform and how the UN, especially since the 1970s, has been used by a broad range of diplomats in different locations and with different agendas. It highlights the diversity of diplomatic activity beyond the state-to-state model and uncovers actors and processes that have stood in the shadow of well-known diplomatic events and developments. The last part of the introduction provides a short overview of this special issue.
unhcr’s Shifting Frames in the Social Construction of Disabled Refugees: Two Case Studies on the Organization’s Work During the World Refugee Year (1959–1960) and the International Year of Disabled Persons (1981)
Authors: Flegar Veronika
Published: December 2019

This article analyzes unhcr’s understanding of disabled refugees during the 1959–1960 World Refugee Year (wry) and the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons (iydp) and, specifically, how this understanding is intertwined with the international-protection activities that were undertaken on their behalf during both years. This analysis is based on archival material on the two years from the unhcr archives in Geneva. The article finds that unhcr’s engagement with disabled refugees during the two UN observances is characterized by the economic rationale of self-sufficiency and the humanitarian rationale of vulnerability – depending on what was perceived as the best-selling frame in light of the political climate at the time. Both cases therefore highlight the political nature of classifications and frames for the international protection of disabled refugees and expose how the international protection of disabled refugees is not static but, instead, remains repeatedly reconstructed.
From Tehran to Helsinki: the International Year of Human Rights 1968 and State Socialist Eastern Europe
Authors: Richardson-Little Ned
Published: December 2019

When the United Nations proclaimed 1968 to be the International Year of Human Rights, the official goal was to promote the adoption of the recently created human rights Covenants around the world. Instead of compelling the Eastern Bloc to accept liberal democratic conceptions of rights, however, it acted as a catalyst for the genesis of state socialist conceptions of human rights. Eastern Bloc elites claimed these rights were superior to those in the West, which they argued was beset by imperialism and racism. Although some within Eastern Europe used the Year as an opportunity to challenge state socialist regimes from within, the UN commemoration gave socialist elites a new language to legitimize the status quo in Eastern Europe and to call for radical anti-imperialism abroad. While dissent in the name of human rights in 1968 was limited, the state socialist embrace of human rights politics provided a crucial step towards the Helsinki Accords of 1975 and the subsequent rise of human rights activism behind the Iron Curtain.