bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ICI effects on user mobility with different FR schemes in a multi‐cell cellular network
Authors: Borah Janmoni , Hussain Md. Anwar , Bora Joyatri
Published: October 2019

Inter‐cell interference (ICI) occurs largely due to allocation or utilisation of the same spectrum in the adjacent or nearby cells has been a root of user throughput degradation in cellular networks. Additionally, limited spectrum and wide augment in the cellular terminals has been a factor for ICI effects. This study proposed a new frequency reuse (FR) scheme ‘FR‐9’ and addresses new planning patterns for available FR schemes with 19‐macrocells (MCs) network. The work also discusses the effect of ICI on the user, during stationary and mobility to adjacent cells/sectors with different FR schemes. The different scenarios are examined with regular and rearrangement of frequency bands among the network with sectorisation of MCs. The intended user performances such as received signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) and throughput are compared for presented scenarios and FR schemes. The simulated result depicts that for 19‐MCs network, 120° sectorisation with proposed regular FR‐9 (RegFR‐9) pattern results in receiving of good SINR by the user compared to other FR schemes. The results show that FR‐3 planning outperforms compared to other presented schemes during stationary and mobility of the user to MC3. The planning of FR‐1 among MCs shows better throughput when the user moves within MC1. RegFR‐3 seems better when the user moves to MC4.
Inverse synthetic aperture ladar imaging algorithm for space spinning targets
Authors: Lv Yakun , Wu Yanhong , Wang Hongyan , Qiu Lei
Published: October 2019

Due to the limitation of laser modulation technology, the azimuth Doppler ambiguity problem exists in the process of inverse synthetic aperture ladar (ISAL) imaging for spinning targets. The traditional azimuth imaging method will not be used to obtain a good two‐dimensional image. Therefore, we consider using the target's spinning information for imaging. The spatial geometric model of the spinning target ISAL imaging is established, and the characteristics of the echo signal are analysed. An ISAL imaging algorithm based on the backward projection transform is proposed. First, the spinning angular velocity of the target is obtained by the generalised autocorrelation method, and then the envelope and phase of the distance and the slow time domain are transformed into a backward projection to achieve coherent accumulation, and the two‐dimensional high‐resolution image of the spinning target is finally obtained. Due to the use of echo phase information, the sidelobe effect is low and the resolution is high. The simulation results show that the algorithm can still get well‐focused images under low SNR and Doppler ambiguity.
Maximum likelihood distance estimation algorithm for multi‐carrier radar system
Authors: Chen Yue , Xu Dazhuan , Luo Hao , Xu Shengkai , Chen Yueshuai
Published: October 2019

In this study, a maximum likelihood distance estimation algorithm is proposed for a multi‐carrier radar system to estimate the time delay of non‐integer sampling intervals. Particularly, the equivalent relationship between time domain delay and frequency domain phase shift and the relationship between target delay and channel impulse response is used. The idea of maximum likelihood estimation is to find the estimation value that maximises the likelihood function. Therefore, the core idea of this algorithm is the peak search. First, channel estimation is performed on the sampled signal in frequency domain to obtain the channel impulse response. Second, phase compensation and peak search is done to estimate the target delay. Finally, for multiple estimation results, the authors statistic the probability density distribution of the target. In addition, they deduce the Cramer–Rao bound (CRB) of the variance of time delay estimation. The measurement accuracy of the algorithm that they proposed approaches the CRB in the high signal‐to‐noise regime.
Simplified LLR algorithm for m‐QAM demodulation
Authors: Cao Xianle , Liu Yi , Hu Dongfang
Published: October 2019

Here, a simplified algorithm to calculate log‐likelihood ratio (LLR) for m‐QAM demodulation is proposed. Traditional method calculating LLR for m‐QAM demodulation is supposed to do distance computing between any two constellation points so that the high complexity of the hardware implementation is not acceptable. This simplified method is different from the traditional ways that the distance calculation between any two points in a plane can be omitted, indicating that there is an advantage in the amount of computation in this simplified method. Finally, the simplified method is compared with traditional methods from the perspective of complexity and system performance. The simulation results show that the simplified method can greatly reduce the amount of calculation and have little effect on the performance of the system.
30 Jahre Mauerfall – 31. Tagung des DKPM in Gießen vom 9. bis 11. November 1989
Authors: Brähler Elmar
Published: October 2019

Psychosomatik muss neue Wege gehen – Über 1000 Teilnehmer bei der Tagung des Kollegiums für Psychosomatische Medizin

Ende der 80-er Jahre nahte der Abschied von Horst-Eberhard Richter aus der Psychosomatischen Klinik in Gießen. Mitarbeiter von Horst-Eberhard Richter planten aus diesem Anlass, erstmals eine Tagung des DKPM in Gießen durchzuführen 1. Vor allem Michael Wirsching, damals im Vorstand des DKPM, engagierte sich sehr in der Vorbereitung der Tagung. Ich selbst war zu dieser Zeit Pressesprecher des DKPM und koordinierte die Pressearbeit, so dass ich über den Ablauf dieser interessanten Tagung einen sehr umfangreichen Pressespiegel erstellt hatte, der mit bei der Rückerinnerung an die Veranstaltung sehr zu Nutze ist.
Die Berechnung des menschlichen Auges – zur Evolution der Biometrie in der Kataraktchirurgie
Authors: Scholtz Sibylle Katharina , Langenbucher Achim
Published: October 2019

Zweck Die optische Biometrie gilt heute als Standarddiagnostik und stellt die wesentliche Grundlage für die IOL-Berechnung vor der Kataraktoperation dar. Unser Artikel gibt einen kurzen Überblick über die historische Entwicklung der Biometrie des menschlichen Auges und die zur IOL-Berechnung verwendeten Formeln.

Material und Methoden Selektive Literaturrecherche in Büchern und Artikeln via PubMed, Google Scholar und Google, zusätzliche enge Zusammenarbeit mit IOLCon, Institut für Experimentelle Ophthalmologie, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar.

Ergebnisse Für erste Messungen des Auges wurde Ultraschall invasiv angewendet. Ultraschall ist heutzutage meist auf Fälle beschränkt, in denen die optische Biometrie aufgrund trüber optischer Medien nicht durchgeführt werden kann. Heute arbeiten die meisten modernen Biometer nicht invasiv mithilfe der OCT, und durch intelligente Scanstrategien sind nahezu alle Augen messbar. Neben dieser technischen Entwicklung wurden zahlreiche Formeln entwickelt, um die optische Leistung der jeweiligen IOL zu berechnen. Intraokularlinsen können mit unterschiedlichen Strategien berechnet werden: Mit empirischen Formeln wird die IOL-Leistung aus einer Reihe biometrischer Daten ohne anatomischen oder physikalischen Hintergrund abgeleitet. Bei den heute am häufigsten verwendeten theoretisch-optischen Formeln wird die IOL-Leistung einem paraxialen optischen Modell entnommen, das das Auge im Sinne der linearen Gaußʼschen Optik vereinfacht. Beim modernen Raytracing wird das Snellʼsche
Gesetz auf jede Refraktionsfläche im Auge angewendet und die beste Fokusposition mit der Position der Fovea verglichen.

Zusammenfassung Heutzutage muss sich eine wachsende Anzahl von Augen, die sich zuvor einer refraktiven Operation unterzogen hatte, einer Katarakt-OP unterziehen. Noch wichtiger als eine angemessene Biometrie des menschlichen Auges ist die Verwendung geeigneter Berechnungsschemata, die dazu beitragen, die Vorhersagbarkeit des refraktiven Ergebnisses nach der Katarakt-OP zu verbessern.
Comparison of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with Tc-99m-DTPA and tubular extraction rate (TER) with Tc-99m-MAG3 in potential living kidney donors: Feasibility of a one-day protocol
Authors: Rogasch Julian M. M. , Bamm Marita , Bäder Michael , Jaeschke Erika , Brenner Winfried , van der Giet Markus , Amthauer Holger , Schatka Imke
Published: October 2019

Aim Sufficient glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is mandatory in living kidney donors (LKD) before renal transplantation (RT). Guidelines recommend exogenous GFR (e. g. Tc-99m-DTPA) besides estimated GFR by plasma creatinine (eGFR). Tc-99m-MAG3 determines split function and tubular extraction rate (TER). This study evaluated a time-efficient one-day protocol for DTPA and MAG3 in potential LKD.

Methods Retrospective analysis of 82 consecutive potential LKD (female, 52; age, 54 [19–73] a). DTPA GFR (Fleming formula) with blood sampling 169 (147–205) min post injection of 27 (18–59) MBq Tc-99m-DTPA. 199 (181–219) min after DTPA injection, same-day renal scintigraphy with 105 (65–150) MBq MAG3 followed (TER according to Bubeck). Sufficient GFR for RT was defined age- and sex-dependent based on British guidelines, normal TER at 70 % of age-dependent average. In 15 separate potential LKD, a blank blood sample before MAG3 injection allowed estimation of remaining DTPA counts and resulting TER error.

Results Remaining Tc-99m-DTPA blood counts during sampling for MAG3 led to median TER underestimation by 12 (IQR, 8–15) ml/min/1.73 m2. Before blood count correction, 16/82 patients had reduced TER despite sufficient GFRFleming in 13/16 patients. After correction, TER remained reduced in 9/82 patients who all had sufficient GFRFleming. 10/82 patients had insufficient eGFR (CKD-EPI) but sufficient GFRFleming. Correlation coefficient for TER and GFRFleming was ρ = 0.76, for eGFR and GFRFleming ρ = 0.61, and for TER and eGFR ρ = 0.55.

Conclusion A one-day protocol for Tc-99m-DTPA GFR and MAG3 dynamic imaging is feasible. If TER is calculated, the proposed method for blood count correction may be applied. However, relevance of the TER remains questionable due to frequent discordance to GFR.
Perforated Dallenbach microwave absorber based on dielectric polyaniline – phenolic resin composite for X-band applications
Authors: Mahanta Utpal Jyoti , Bhattacharyya Nidhi Saxena , Gogoi Jyoti Prasad
Published: October 2019

Design optimization to achieve broadband microwave absorption of a metal backed single layer microwave absorber in Dallenbach form is investigated by perforated designing of polyaniline (PA) reinforced novolac phenolic resin (NPR) composites in the frequency ranges of 8.2-12.4 GHz. The effect of triangular lattice pattern circularly perforated design is studied through effective complex permittivity and impedance matching condition between air-absorber interfaces. A comparative analysis of broadband absorption efficiency of perforated and non-perforated PA/NPR composite is carried out in terms of impedance matching to support the tailoring of microwave properties. The study shows a -15dB whole X band absorption bandwidth for PA3 perforated sample of thickness 3mm with a maximum absorption peak of ∼-35dB at 12.4 GHz.
Consumers continue to be confused about electric vehicles: comparing awareness among Canadian new car buyers in 2013 and 2017
Authors: Long Zoe , Axsen Jonn , Kormos Christine
Published: October 2019

Despite policy support and technological progress, consumer adoption of electric vehicles remains limited globally. One important barrier to electric vehicle adoption may be limited consumer awareness. We investigate trends in consumer awareness, familiarity, and experience with electric vehicles by comparing cross-sectional survey responses from two representative samples of Canadian new vehicle-buyers collected in 2013 (n = 2922) and in 2017 (n = 1808). While a significantly higher proportion of 2017 respondents have ‘heard of’ key electric vehicle models, stated familiarity and experience are low for both samples. Further, about three-quarters of respondents in both samples are confused about the basic notion of how to refuel (or recharge) electric vehicles—and how these vehicles differ from hybrids. Conversely, over half of 2017 respondents report having seen at least one electric vehicle charger in public, which is more than double the proportion reported in the 2013 sample. These trends hold in analyses of three Canadian provinces, including two that have engaged in significant consumer outreach activities over this time frame. Overall, in contrast to expectations, our results suggest that consumer awareness remains low and stagnant, which may hinder market growth and inhibit the climate mitigation potential of electric vehicles.
Atomistic mechanisms of seeding promoter-controlled growth of molybdenum disulphide
Authors: Ko Hayoung , Kim Han Seul , Ramzan Muhammad Sufyan , Byeon Seongjae , Choi Soo Ho , Kim Ki Kang , Kim Yong-Hoon , Kim Soo Min
Published: October 2019

Seeding promoters facilitate the nucleation and growth of transition metal dichalcogenides in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). However, sophisticated roles of seeding promoter remain unclear. Here, adopting triangular-shaped crystal violet (CV) consisting of nonpolar and polar parts as the seeding promoter, we study the role of seeding promoter for the growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). We systematically control the geometrical configuration of CV on SiO2/Si substrate by changing the solvent polarity and find that it strongly affects the growth of monolayer or multilayer MoS2 domains via CVD. Monolayer MoS2 domains were predominantly grown on randomly lying-down CV configurations on SiO2/Si substrate, whereas multilayer MoS2 domains are synthesized at concentrated polar parts in CV micelle on the substrate. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the initial nucleation step for the MoS2 growth is the adsorption of S on CV and the most favourable S adsorption site is the polar part in CV. Furthermore, it is found that the CV adsorption to SiO2 is mediated by the polar CV part and additionally strengthened in the lying-down CV configuration. Enhancing the thermal stability as well as hindering the re-aggregation of CV at high temperature, the lying down CV configuration allows the predominant growth of monolayer MoS2. This work provides a general framework to understand the growth of MoS2 from aromatic seeding promoters.
Fold-LTR-TCP: protein fold recognition based on triadic closure principle
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhu Yulin , Yan Ke
Published: October 2019

As an important task in protein structure and function studies, protein fold recognition has attracted more and more attention. The existing computational predictors in this field treat this task as a multi-classification problem, ignoring the relationship among proteins in the dataset. However, previous studies showed that their relationship is critical for protein homology analysis. In this study, the protein fold recognition is treated as an information retrieval task. The Learning to Rank model (LTR) was employed to retrieve the query protein against the template proteins to find the template proteins in the same fold with the query protein in a supervised manner. The triadic closure principle (TCP) was performed on the ranking list generated by the LTR to improve its accuracy by considering the relationship among the query protein and the template proteins in the ranking list. Finally, a predictor called Fold-LTR-TCP was proposed. The rigorous test on the LE benchmark dataset showed that the Fold-LTR-TCP predictor achieved an accuracy of 73.2%, outperforming all the other competing methods.
Stability of the Cohomology of the Space of Complex Irreducible Polynomials in Several Variables
Authors: Chen Weiyan
Published: October 2019

We prove that the space of complex irreducible polynomials of degree $d$ in $n$ variables satisfies two forms of homological stability: first, its cohomology stabilizes as $d\to \infty $, and second, its compactly supported cohomology stabilizes as $n\to \infty $. Our topological results are inspired by counting results over finite fields due to Carlitz and Hyde.
rs73185306 C/T Is Not a Predisposing Risk Factor for Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6A/B
Authors: Mouammine Annabelle , Gravel Annie , Dubuc Isabelle , Feroz Zada Yassamin , Provost Sylvie , Busseuil David , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dubé Marie-Pierre , Flamand Louis
Published: October 2019

Approximately 1% of people worldwide carry a copy of the human herpesvirus 6A or 6B (HHV-6A/B) in every cell of their body. This condition is referred to as inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6A/B (iciHHV-6A/B). The mechanisms leading to iciHHV-6A/B chromosomal integration are yet to be identified. A recent report suggested that the rs73185306 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) represents a favorable predisposing factor leading to HHV-6A/B integration. After genotype analysis of an independent cohort (N = 11 967), we report no association between the rs73185306 C/T SNP and HHV-6A/B chromosomal integration (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval, .54–1.51]; P = .69).
Perspectives on the Overdiagnosis of Breast Cancer Associated with Mammographic Screening
Authors: Helvie Mark A
Published: October 2019

Overdiagnosis of breast cancer refers to the screen detection and diagnosis of breast cancer that would not have progressed to symptomatic cancer during a woman’s lifetime. Screening mammography, like all screening tests, will result in some overdiagnosis that is attributable to competing causes of death occurring during the lead time (the time period between asymptomatic screen detection and clinical detection) and detection of very indolent cancer. The primary harm of overdiagnosis relates to subsequent (unnecessary) treatment. Importantly, overdiagnosis concerns must be balanced with the lifesaving and morbidity benefits of screening mammography and the prevention of some invasive cancer by detection and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ. Reasonable estimates of overdiagnosis of women aged 40–80 years are in the order of 1%–10%, with lower values when overdiagnosis is restricted to invasive cancer and among younger women. Prospective identification of an overdiagnosed invasive cancer is not currently possible. Delaying screening until age 50 years or screening biennially rather than annually will not substantially reduce the amount of overdiagnosis of invasive cancer. The clinical significance of overdiagnosis will continue to be minimized as advances in personalized medicine further reduce treatment-associated morbidity.
Who decides if there is a conflict between Implementing Regulations and Articles of the European Patent Convention?
Authors: Hüttermann Aloys
Published: October 2019

In case T1063/18, the EPO Board 3.3.04 declared Rule 28(2) of the European Patent Convention (EPC) non-applicable due to a conflict with the interpretation of Art. 53 b) by the Enlarged Board of Appeal, referring for that to Art. 164(2) EPC. Whether the Board had the competence do to so is discussed in this paper. We suggest that probably the Board has the competence to declare the non-applicability of Rule 28(2) inter partes, whereas the declaration of inadmissibility erga omnes is the privilege of the Enlarged Board of Appeal, whose involvement in this case would have been the legally more appropriate way to proceed.
A Semi-Synthetic Diet and the Potential Important Chemicals for Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Jia Jingwei , Sun Shao-Lei , Kuang Wenqing , Tang Rui , Zhang Zhan-Feng , Song Chunman , Liu Tong-Xian , Jing Xiangfeng
Published: October 2019

Armyworm feeding in large, destructive groups is hugely difficult to control and the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walk), is one such pest. In this study, we reported a semisynthetic artificial diet for the oriental armyworm. This diet is based on Ritter’s diet, a formula developed for Heliothis zea. The survival of M. separata was extremely low and only around 2% insects can reach the adult stage on Ritter’s diet. But, it can reach up to 100% if corn leaf powder (CLP) was mixed, and insects grew faster and gained more mass. After testing a set of mixtures of Ritter’s diet and CLP, we found that 14.3% was the optimal proportion of CLP for making the artificial diet. We then used chloroform to extract CLP. Insect performance was still much better on Ch-extracted CLP diets than that on Ritter’s diet, but it was poorer than that on the diets containing unprocessed CLP, suggesting that the essential factor(s) was only partially extracted from corn leaf. We then used methanol and dichloromethane, two solvents differing in their polarity, to process the extractions and analyzed the extracted chemicals using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Insects had a better performance on dichloromethane-extracted CLP diet in comparison to methanol-extracted one, indicating that the important factor(s) is more prone to methanol extraction. The reported recipe here is useful for the research on M. separata and possibly other grain-crop eating armyworms. The functions of the chemicals extracted from corn leaf tissue can be investigated in the future studies.
On the linear and non-linear evolution of the relativistic MHD Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in a magnetically polarized fluid
Authors: Pimentel Oscar M , Lora-Clavijo Fabio D
Published: October 2019

The origin and strength of the magnetic field in some systems like active galactic nuclei or gamma-ray bursts is still an open question in astrophysics. A possible mechanism to explain the magnetic field amplification is the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, since it is able to transform the kinetic energy in a shear flow into magnetic energy. Through this work, we investigate the linear and non-linear effects produced by the magnetic susceptibility in the development of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in a relativistic plasma. The system under study consists of a plane interface separating two uniform fluids that move with opposite velocities. The magnetic field in the system is parallel to the flows and the susceptibility is assumed to be homogeneous, constant in time, and equal in both fluids. In particular, we analyse the instability in three different cases, when the fluids are diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and when the susceptibility is zero. We compute the dispersion relation in the linear regime and found that the interface between diamagnetic fluids is more stable than between paramagnetic ones. We check the analytical results with numerical simulations, and explore the effect of the magnetic polarization in the non-linear regime. We find that the magnetic field is more amplified in paramagnetic fluids than in diamagnetic ones. Surprisingly, the effect of the susceptibility in the amplification is stronger when the magnetization parameter is smaller. The results of our work make this instability a more efficient and effective amplification mechanism of seed magnetic fields when considering the susceptibility of matter.
The 50–100 pc scale parent stellar populations of Type II supernovae and limitations of single star evolution models
Authors: Schady P , Eldridge J J , Anderson J , Chen T-W , Galbany L , Kuncarayakti H , Xiao L
Published: October 2019

There is observational evidence of a dearth in core-collapse supernova (ccSN) explosions from stars with zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass M0 ≈ 17–30M⊙, referred to as the ‘red supergiant problem’. However, simulations now predict that above 20 M⊙ we should indeed only expect stars within certain pockets of M0 to produce a visible SN explosion. Validating these predictions requires large numbers of ccSNe of different types with measured M0, which is challenging. In this paper, we explore the reliability of using host galaxy emission lines and the H α equivalent width to constrain the age, and thus the M0 of ccSNe progenitors. We use Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis models to infer a stellar population age from MUSE observations of the ionized gas properties and H α EW at the location of eleven ccSNe with reliable M0 measurements. Comparing our results to published M0 values, we find that models that do not consider binary systems yield stellar ages that are systematically too young (thus M0 too large), whereas accounting for binary system interactions typically overpredict the stellar age (thus underpredict M0). Taking into account the effects of photon leakage bring our M0 estimates in much closer agreement with expectations. These results highlight the need for careful modelling of diffuse environments, such as are present in the vicinity of Type II SNe, before ionized emission line spectra can be used as reliable tracers of progenitor stellar age.
The Pristine Dwarf-Galaxy survey – II. In-depth observational study of the faint Milky Way satellite Sagittarius II
Authors: Longeard Nicolas , Martin Nicolas , Starkenburg Else , Ibata Rodrigo A , Collins Michelle L M , Laevens Benjamin P M , Mackey Dougal , Rich R Michael , Aguado David S , Arentsen Anke , Jablonka Pascale , González Hernández Jonay I , Navarro Julio F , Sánchez-Janssen Rubén
Published: October 2019

We present an extensive study of the Sagittarius II (Sgr II) stellar system using MegaCam g and i photometry, narrow-band, metallicity-sensitive calcium H&K doublet photometry and Keck II/DEIMOS multiobject spectroscopy. We derive and refine the Sgr II structural and stellar properties inferred at the time of its discovery. The colour–magnitude diagram implies Sgr II is old (12.0 ± 0.5 Gyr) and metal poor. The CaHK photometry confirms the metal-poor nature of the satellite ([Fe/H] CaHK = −2.32 ± 0.04 dex) and suggests that Sgr II hosts more than one single stellar population ($\sigma _\mathrm{[FeH]}^\mathrm{CaHK} = 0.11^{+0.05}_{-0.03}$ dex). Using the Ca infrared triplet measured from our highest signal-to-noise spectra, we confirm the metallicity and dispersion inferred from the Pristine photometric metallicities ([Fe/H]spectro = −2.23 ± 0.05 dex, $\sigma _\mathrm{[Fe/H]}^\mathrm{spectro} = 0.10 ^{+0.06}_{-0.04}$ dex). The velocity dispersion of the system is found to be $\sigma _{v} = 2.7^{+1.3}_{-1.0} {\rm \, km \,\, s^{-1}}$ after excluding two potential binary stars. Sgr II’s metallicity and absolute magnitude (MV = −5.7 ± 0.1 mag) place the system on the luminosity–metallicity relation of the Milky Way dwarf galaxies despite its small size. The low but resolved metallicity and velocity dispersions paint the picture of a slightly dark-matter-dominated satellite ($M/L = 23.0^{+32.8}_{-23.0}$ M⊙ L$^{-1}_{\odot }$). Furthermore, using the Gaia Data Release 2, we constrain the orbit of the satellite and find an apocentre of $118.4 ^{+28.4}_{-23.7} {\rm \, kpc}$ and a pericentre of $54.8 ^{+3.3}_{-6.1} {\rm \, kpc}$. The orbit of Sgr II is consistent with the trailing arm of the Sgr stream and indicates that it is possibly a satellite of the Sgr dSph that was tidally stripped from the dwarf’s influence.
HER3-targeted protein chimera forms endosomolytic capsomeres and self-assembles into stealth nucleocapsids for systemic tumor homing of RNA interference in vivo
Authors: Alonso-Valenteen Felix , Pacheco Sayuri , Srinivas Dustin , Rentsendorj Altan , Chu David , Lubow Jay , Sims Jessica , Miao Tianxin , Mikhael Simoun , Hwang Jae Youn , Abrol Ravinder , Medina Kauwe Lali K
Published: October 2019

RNA interference represents a potent intervention for cancer treatment but requires a robust delivery agent for transporting gene-modulating molecules, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Although numerous molecular approaches for siRNA delivery are adequate in vitro, delivery to therapeutic targets in vivo is limited by payload integrity, cell targeting, efficient cell uptake, and membrane penetration. We constructed nonviral biomaterials to transport small nucleic acids to cell targets, including tumor cells, on the basis of the self-assembling and cell-penetrating activities of the adenovirus capsid penton base. Our recombinant penton base chimera contains polypeptide domains designed for noncovalent assembly with anionic molecules and tumor homing. Here, structural modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and functional assays suggest that it forms pentameric units resembling viral capsomeres that assemble into larger capsid-like structures when combined with siRNA cargo. Pentamerization forms a barrel lined with charged residues mediating pH-responsive dissociation and exposing masked domains, providing insight on the endosomolytic mechanism. The therapeutic impact was examined on tumors expressing high levels of HER3/ErbB3 that are resistant to clinical inhibitors. Our findings suggest that our construct may utilize ligand mimicry to avoid host attack and target the siRNA to HER3+ tumors by forming multivalent capsid-like structures.
T-psi-C: user friendly database of tRNA sequences and structures
Authors: Sajek Marcin Piotr , Woźniak Tomasz , Sprinzl Mathias , Jaruzelska Jadwiga , Barciszewski Jan
Published: October 2019

tRNAs have been widely studied for their role as genetic code decoders in the ribosome during translation, but have recently received new attention due to the discovery of novel roles beyond decoding, often in connection with human diseases. Yet, existing tRNA databases have not been updated for more than a decade, so they do not contain this new functional information and have not kept pace with the rate of discovery in this field. Therefore, a regularly updated database that contains information about newly discovered characteristics of tRNA molecules and can be regularly updated is strongly needed. Here, we report the creation of the T-psi-C database (http://tpsic.igcz.poznan.pl), an up-to-date collection of tRNA sequences that contains data obtained from high-throughput tRNA sequencing, e.g. all isoacceptors and isodecoders for human HEK293 cells. This database also contains 3D tRNA structures obtained from Protein Data Bank and generated using homology modeling. The T-psi-C database can be continuously updated by any member of the scientific community, and contains its own application programming interface (API), which allows users to retrieve or upload data in JSON format. Altogether, T-psi-C is user-friendly, easy to develop and an up-to-date source of knowledge about tRNAs.
Pornography
Authors: Mikkola Mari
Published: October 2019

Everyday and philosophical debates concerning pornography are fraught with many difficult questions. These include: What is pornography? What does pornography do (if anything at all)? Is the consumption of pornography a harmless private matter, or does pornography violate women’s civil rights? What, if anything, should legally be done about pornography? Can there be feminist pornography? Answering these questions is complicated by confusion over the conceptual and political commitments of different anti- and pro-pornography positions, and whether these positions are even in tension with one another: different people understand the concept of pornography differently and easily end up talking past one another. This book provides an opinionated and accessible introduction to contemporary philosophical debates on pornography, which will be conducted from a feminist perspective. The book’s starting point is morally neutral, and it provides a comprehensive discussion of various philosophical positions on pornography that are found in ethics, aesthetics, feminist philosophy, political philosophy, epistemology, and social ontology. Topics include: whether pornography subordinates and silences women; free speech versus hate speech; whether pornography produces a distinct kind of knowledge; whether it objectifies and if so, in what sense; how should we think about the aesthetics of pornography; what difference do nonheteronormative, female-friendly and/or queer pornography make to philosophical debates. The book clarifies different stances in the debate, thus helping readers to understand what is at stake in philosophical examinations of pornography. In so doing, it also offers readers important methodological insights about doing philosophical work on something so this-worldly as pornography.
E Pluribus Unum
Authors: Nelson William E.
Published: October 2019

This book examines the role of the common law in the life and politics of Great Britain’s North American colonies from the founding of Virginia in 1607 to the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775–76. The main theme of the book is that when the different colonies were initially founded, they followed very different law—typically not the common law of England. But over the course of the seventeenth century and first half of the eighteenth century, the colonies all received the common law, with the result that by the 1750s the common law constituted the foundation of every colony’s law and every colony’s political system. Some of the colonies adopted the common law because of pressure from the Crown to do so, but others turned to the common law because of socioeconomic pressures on the ground. During the more than century-long process of reception, the common law gradually changed, and thus, what was on the ground in 1776 was not identical to the common law of England. Rather, it was a body of rules that would constitute a foundation for an Americanized version of the common law.
Supervised Exercise Therapy for Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Souza Débora Úrsula Fernandes , Monteiro Débora Pantuso , Pinto Rafael Zambelli , Pereira Danielle Aparecida Gomes
Published: October 2019

 Highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions—medication, surgery, education, nutrition, and exercise—and the evidence for and against the use of diagnostic tests for specific conditions. Cochrane reviews are designed to facilitate the decisions of clinicians, patients, and others in health care by providing a careful review and interpretation of research studies published in the scientific literature. Each article in this Physical Therapy (PTJ) series will summarize a Cochrane review or other scientific evidence resource on a single topic and will present clinical scenarios based on real patients to illustrate how the results of the review can be used to directly inform clinical decisions. This article focuses on the effectiveness of supervised exercise therapy for intermittent claudication. Can supervised exercise therapy help a person with intermittent claudication?
Uncertainty and Economic Activity: A Multicountry Perspective
Authors: Cesa-Bianchi Ambrogio , Pesaran M Hashem , Rebucci Alessandro
Published: October 2019

We develop an asset pricing model with heterogeneous exposure to a persistent world growth factor to identify global growth and financial shocks in a multicountry panel VAR in volatility and output growth. The econometric estimates yield three sets of empirical results about (1) the importance of global growth for the interpretation of the correlation between volatility and growth over the business cycle and the possible presence of omitted variable bias in single-country VAR studies, (2) the extent to which output shocks drive volatility, and (3) the transmission of volatility shocks to output growth.

Authors have furnished data, code, and an Internet Appendix, which are available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
A review of the relationship between eating behavior, obesity and functional brain network organization
Authors: Donofry Shannon D , Stillman Chelsea M , Erickson Kirk I
Published: October 2019

Obesity is a major public health issue affecting nearly 40% of American adults and is associated with increased mortality and elevated risk for a number of physical and psychological illnesses. Obesity is associated with impairments in executive functions such as decision making and inhibitory control, as well as in reward valuation, which is thought to contribute to difficulty sustaining healthy lifestyle behaviors, including adhering to a healthy diet. Growing evidence indicates that these impairments are accompanied by disruptions in functional brain networks, particularly those that support self-regulation, reward valuation, self-directed thinking and homeostatic control. Weight-related differences in task-evoked and resting-state connectivity have most frequently been noted in the executive control network (ECN), salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN), with obesity generally being associated with weakened connectivity in the ECN and enhanced connectivity in the SN and DMN. Similar disruptions have been observed in the much smaller literature examining the relationship between diet and disordered eating behaviors on functional network organization. The purpose of this narrative review was to summarize what is currently known about how obesity and eating behavior relate to functional brain networks, describe common patterns and provide recommendations for future research based on the identified gaps in knowledge.
Resistance to Thiophanate-Methyl in Botrytis cinerea Isolates From Californian Vineyards and Pistachio and Pomegranate Orchards
Authors: Avenot Hervé F. , Morgan David P. , Quattrini Joel , Michailides Themis J.
Published: October 2019

In this study, a mycelial growth assay was used to evaluate the sensitivity to thiophanate-methyl of 144 Botrytis cinerea isolates (collection A) from Californian vineyards and pistachio and pomegranate orchards. Based on the effective concentration that inhibits 50% of growth (EC50) values for mycelial growth inhibition on fungicide-amended media, 3, 28, 10, and 58% of the isolates showed sensitivity (SS; EC50 < 1 µg/ml), low resistance (LR; 1 < EC50 < 10 µg/ml), weak resistance (WR; 10 < EC50 < 50 µg/ml), and high resistance (HR; EC50 > 100 µg/ml) toward thiophanate-methyl, respectively. The LR and HR phenotypes were observed in pistachio and pomegranate orchards, even though pomegranate was not sprayed with thiophanate-methyl. Sensitivity to thiophanate-methyl of a historical collection of 257 B. cinerea isolates (collection B) isolated from pistachio orchards in 1992, 2005, and 2006 was assessed on potato dextrose agar amended with thiophanate-methyl at the discriminatory concentration of 10 µg/ml. Average percentages of thiophanate-methyl–resistant isolates were 50, 72, and 64% in the orchards in 1992, 2005, and 2006, respectively. A study of fitness components of selected thiophanate-methyl–resistant (LR, WR, and HR) and –sensitive (SS) isolates from collection A did not reveal any significant difference between them with respect to mycelial growth on fungicide-free media and pathogenicity on cultivar Crimson Seedless berries. Comparison of β-tubulin sequences from resistant and sensitive phenotypes revealed that a glutamic acid at position 198 was changed to alanine in all HR isolates and three LR isolates. The occurrence of thiophanate-methyl resistance in B. cinerea populations should be considered when designing spray programs against blossom and shoot blight of pistachio and gray mold of grape.
Copper Supplementation in Watering Solution Reaches the Xylem But Does Not Protect Tobacco Plants Against Xylella fastidiosa Infection
Authors: Ge Qing , Cobine Paul A. , De La Fuente Leonardo
Published: October 2019

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited plant pathogenic bacterium that causes disease in many crops worldwide. Copper (Cu) is an antimicrobial agent widely used on X. fastidiosa hosts to control other diseases. Although the effects of Cu for control of foliar pathogens are well known, it is less studied on xylem-colonizing pathogens. Previous results from our group showed that low concentrations of CuSO4 increased biofilm formation, whereas high concentrations inhibited biofilm formation and growth in vitro. In this study, we conducted in planta experiments to determine the influence of Cu in X. fastidiosa infection using tobacco as a model. X. fastidiosa-infected and noninfected plants were watered with tap water or with water supplemented with 4 mM or 8 mM of CuSO4. Symptom progression was assessed, and sap and leaf ionome analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectroscopy. Cu uptake was confirmed by increased concentrations of Cu in the sap of plants treated with CuSO4-amended water. Leaf scorch symptoms in Cu-supplemented plants showed a trend toward more severe at later time points. Quantification of total and viable X. fastidiosa in planta indicated that CuSO4-amended treatments did not inhibit but slightly increased the growth of X. fastidiosa. Cu in sap was in the range of concentrations that promote X. fastidiosa biofilm formation according to our previous in vitro study. Based on these results, we proposed that the plant Cu homeostasis machinery controls the level of Cu in the xylem, preventing it from becoming elevated to a level that would lead to bacterial inhibition.
How Culture Is Understood in Faculty Development in the Health Professions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lewis Lerona Dana , Steinert Yvonne
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To examine the ways in which culture is conceptualized in faculty development (FD) in the health professions.

Method

The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, ERIC, and CINAHL, as well as the reference lists of identified publications, for articles on culture and FD published between 2006 and 2018. Based on inclusion criteria developed iteratively, they screened all articles. A total of 955 articles were identified, 100 were included in the full-text screen, and 70 met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive and thematic analyses of data extracted from the included articles were conducted.

Results

The articles emanated from 20 countries; primarily focused on teaching and learning, cultural competence, and career development; and frequently included multidisciplinary groups of health professionals. Only 1 article evaluated the cultural relevance of an FD program. The thematic analysis yielded 3 main themes: culture was frequently mentioned but not explicated; culture centered on issues of diversity, aiming to promote institutional change; and cultural consideration was not routinely described in international FD.

Conclusions

Culture was frequently mentioned but rarely defined in the FD literature. In programs focused on cultural competence and career development, addressing culture was understood as a way of accounting for racial and socioeconomic disparities. In international FD programs, accommodations for cultural differences were infrequently described, despite authors acknowledging the importance of national norms, values, beliefs, and practices. In a time of increasing international collaboration, an awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural contexts is needed.
What Is New in Abortion Care?
Authors: Allen Rebecca H.
Published: October 2019

This month we focus on current research in abortion care. Dr. Allen discusses five recent publications, which are concluded with a “bottom line” that is the take-home message. A complete reference for each can be found on Box 1 on this page along with direct links to the abstracts.
Pulmonary Hypertension and Pregnancy
Authors: Martin Stephanie R. , Edwards Alexandra
Published: October 2019

Pulmonary hypertension is a term used to describe a complex multifactorial group of conditions diagnosed by an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure of 20 mm Hg or higher on right heart catheterization. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy is important, as it is associated with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality, even with modern management. Diagnostic testing is important for establishing the diagnosis, type, and severity of pulmonary hypertension, which in turn, dictates treatment options. Echocardiographic assessment is the first step in diagnosis and the gold standard for monitoring right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Supportive therapy for pulmonary hypertension includes monitored exercise, vaccination, and avoidance of certain activities. Therapies for pulmonary hypertension are considered conventional or targeted. Conventional therapy includes preventative care, anticoagulation, and calcium channel blockers for appropriate patients. Targeted therapy is usually reserved for patients with World Health Organization group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (including idiopathic, heritable, drug-induced or associated with congenital heart disease) and involves different types of direct pulmonary vasodilators. Right heart failure is the end result of pulmonary hypertension and the options for management include medical optimization, support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and combined heart–lung transplantation. With pregnancy, management must be individualized, and patients should be cared for as part of an experienced multidisciplinary team. There are few studies addressing, timing and mode of delivery, including anesthetic considerations. In this review, the natural history of pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy and outcomes are summarized and current evidence-based management is discussed.
One year in review: Kawasaki disease
Authors: Tirelli Francesca , Marrani Edoardo , Giani Teresa , Cimaz Rolando
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review

Kawasaki disease is a childhood vasculitis of unknown origin, whose major complication is the development of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on the most recent evidence on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment options of Kawasaki disease summarizing the most relevant studies published in the last year.

Recent findings

Several genetic polymorphisms leading to Kawasaki disease susceptibility have been identified, mostly related to immune system regulation; potential external triggers are being investigated by environmental epidemiology studies. A new diagnostic test based on trascriptomics has been tested with promising preliminary results. With regards to first-line treatments, the real effectiveness of high-dose aspirin remains a matter of debate. For refractory cases, the ones at the highest risk for developing CAA, promising results come from the use of biologic agents, especially TNF and IL-1 blockers.

Recent literature has provided interesting insights on the various factors involved in the complex scenario behind the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease, especially genetic ones. Novel diagnostic tests and new evidence on the use of biologic agents in Kawasaki disease are emerging, but further evidence is needed to permit early diagnosis and effective treatment of this condition.
Inset Guide for the Osteocutaneous Fibula Flap with Endosseous Implants in Oncologic Jaw Reconstruction
Authors: Rosen Evan B. , Allen Robert J. , Nelson Jonas , Matros Evan
Published: October 2019

Reconstruction of segmental maxillary or mandibular defects with osteocutaneous free flaps can be reliably accomplished; however, buccal or lingual rotation of the fibula during rigid fixation can render immediate endosseous implant position unusable for functional dental rehabilitation. To address this issue, a custom inset guide is introduced which utilizes surface topography of the immediately placed dental implant abutments and the patient’s dentition to orient the fibula segments during inset. Use of this technique facilitates successful endosseous implant position to optimize postoperative functional rehabilitation.