bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereotypical and Actual Associations of Breast Size with Mating-Relevant Traits
Authors: Kościński Krzysztof , Makarewicz Rafał , Bartoszewicz Zbigniew
Published: September 2019

Breast size varies substantially among women and influences perception of the woman by other people with regard to her attractiveness and other characteristics that are important in social contexts, including mating. The theory of sexual selection predicts that physical criteria of partner selection should be markers of the candidate’s desirable properties, mainly biological quality. Few studies, however, have examined whether breast size really signals biological quality or its components and whether observers accurately interpret these signals. Our first study encompassed 163 young women and aimed to establish actual correlates of breast size. The aim of the second study was to determine preferences and stereotypes related to breast size: 252–265 women and men evaluated female digital figures varying in, among other characteristics, breast size. Breast size (breast circumference minus chest circumference) was negatively associated with body asymmetry and positively associated with infections of the respiratory system, but did not correlate with infections of the digestive system, openness to casual sex, and testosterone and estradiol level. Women and men perceived breasts in a similar way to each other: the bigger the breasts the higher the reproductive efficiency, lactational efficiency, sexual desire, and promiscuity attributed to the woman. Nevertheless, large breasts were not regarded more attractive than average ones, though small breasts were the least attractive. In addition, big-breasted women were perceived as less faithful and less intelligent than women with average or small breasts. We discuss our results from the perspectives of evolutionary psychology, perceptual biases, and social stereotypes.
Nestin Null Mice Show Improved Reversal Place Learning
Authors: Wilhelmsson Ulrika , Kalm Marie , Pekna Marcela , Pekny Milos
Published: September 2019

The intermediate filament protein nestin is expressed by neural stem cells, but also by some astrocytes in the neurogenic niche of the hippocampus in the adult rodent brain. We recently reported that nestin-deficient (Nes−/−) mice showed increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis, reduced Notch signaling from Nes−/− astrocytes to the neural stem cells, and impaired long-term memory. Here we assessed learning and memory of Nes−/− mice in a home cage set up using the IntelliCage system, in which the mice learn in which cage corner a nose poke earns access to drinking water. Nes−/− and wildtype mice showed comparable place learning assessed as the incorrect corner visit ratio and the incorrect nose poke ratio. However, during reversal place learning, a more challenging task, Nes−/− mice, compared to wildtype mice, showed improved learning over time demonstrated by the incorrect visit ratio and improved memory extinction over time assessed as nose pokes per visit to the previous drinking corner. In addition, Nes−/− mice showed increased explorative activity as judged by the increased total numbers of corner visits and nose pokes. We conclude that Nes−/− mice exhibit improved reversal place learning and memory extinction, a finding which together with the previous results supports the concept of the dual role of hippocampal neurogenesis in cognitive functions.
Shadowing is Generic on Various One-Dimensional Continua with a Special Geometric Structure
Authors: Kościelniak Piotr , Mazur Marcin , Oprocha Piotr , Kubica Łukasz
Published: September 2019

In the paper we use a special geometric structure of selected one-dimensional continua to prove that some stronger versions of the shadowing property are generic (or at least dense) for continuous maps acting on these spaces. Specifically, we prove that (i) the periodic$$\mathscr {T}_{S}$$TS-bi-shadowing property, where$$\mathscr {T}_{S}$$TSmeans some class of continuous methods, is generic as well as the s-limit shadowing property is dense in the space of all continuous maps (and all continuous surjective maps) of any topological graph; (ii) the$$\mathscr {T}_{S}$$TS-bi-shadowing property is generic as well as the s-limit shadowing property is dense in the space of all continuous maps of any dendrite; (iii) the$$\mathscr {T}_{S}$$TS-bi-shadowing property is generic in the space of all continuous maps of chainable continuum that can by approximated by arcs from the inside. The results of the paper extend ones obtained over the last few decades by various authors (see, e.g., Kościelniak in J Math Anal Appl 310:188–196, 2005; Kościelniak and Mazur in J Differ Equ Appl 16:667–674, 2010; Kościelniak et al. in Discret Contin Dyn Syst 34:3591–3609, 2014; Mazur and Oprocha in J Math Anal Appl 408:465–475, 2013; Mizera in Generic Properties of One-Dimensional Dynamical Systems, Ergodic Theory and Related Topics, III, Springer, Berlin, 1992; Odani in Proc Am Math Soc 110:281–284, 1990; Pilyugin and Plamenevskaya in Topol Appl 97:253–266, 1999; and Yano in J Fac Sci Univ Tokyo Sect IA Math 34:51–55, 1987) for both homeomorphisms and continuous maps of compact manifolds, including (in particular) an interval and a circle, which are the simplest examples of one-dimensional continua. Moreover, from a technical point of view our considerations are a continuation of those carried out in the earlier work by Mazur and Oprocha in J. Math. Anal. Appl. 408:465–475, 2013.
Nonmuscle invasive urothelial cancer— Bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillation or checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy?
Authors: Brönimann Stephan , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Hassler Melanie R.
Published: September 2019

To date, intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the standard adjuvant treatment for most intermediate- and all high-risk bladder nonmuscle invasive urothelial carcinomas (NMIBC) after complete transurethral resection. Although BCG immunotherapy successfully reduces both recurrence and progression rates in affected patients, there are certain limitations associated with its application. Major issues are the relatively high failure rate in up to 40% of patients, the adverse effects of the instillations, and the shortage in BCG supply, requiring concerted alternative strategies. Furthermore, radical cystectomy, the currently suggested salvage treatment for patients failing BCG therapy, is often an overtreatment for a significant proportion of patients. Checkpoint inhibitor (CKI) immunotherapy has proven to be highly effective in a subset of advanced bladder cancer patients and is currently tested in various clinical scenarios alone and in combination with BCG in the adjuvant setting. CKIs’ mechanism is to a large part similar to that reported for BCG—that is, activation of the immune system and elimination of cancer cells in the bladder. Furthermore, CKIs could synergistically enhance the effect of the immune system attracted by BCG and are generally associated with acceptable rates of adverse reactions. Thus, they may represent an ideal alternative to or partner for BCG immunotherapy in NMIBC. In case the recent encouraging results of currently ongoing trials translate into tangible improved outcomes, the combination of CKI and BCG immunotherapy can be expected to represent a valid treatment strategy for well-selected nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer patients in the future.
Spinning the lens on physician power: narratives of humanism and healing
Authors: Chan Mercedes , Nimmon Laura
Published: September 2019

Divisive, disabling and dangerous power has featured heavily in health professions literature, social media and medical education. Negative accounts of the wielding of power have discoloured the lens through which the public sees medicine and distorted the view of a profession long associated with healing, humanism and heart. What has been buried in the midst of this discourse are positive accounts of power where the yielding of power is encouraging, empathetic and empowering. This article offers three personal vignettes illustrating the ability of power to positively affect lives in the practice of medicine, for patients and doctors alike. More of these stories are needed to uplift and rebalance the conversation on physician power and how it can be used for good. It is necessary to provide a narrative framework of what it looks like to be a healer and a humanistic doctor to satisfy the general public through a commitment to cultivate multidimensional future healthcare providers.
Early identification of struggling learners: using prematriculation and early academic performance data
Authors: Bennion Layne D. , Torre Dario , Durning Steven J. , Mears David , Schreiber-Gregory Deanna , Servey Jessica T , Cruess David F. , Yoon Michelle , Dong Ting
Published: September 2019

Introduction A perennial difficultly for remediation programmes in medical school is early identification of struggling learners so that resources and assistance can be applied as quickly as is practical. Our study investigated if early academic performance has predictive validity above and beyond pre-matriculation variables.

Methods Using three cohorts of medical students, we used logistic regression modelling and negative binomial regression modelling to assess the strength of the relationships between measures of early academic performance and outcomes—later referral to the academic review and performance committee and total module score.

Results We found performance on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exams at approximately 5 months into the pre-clerkship curriculum was predictive of any referral as well as the total number of referrals to an academic review and performance committee during medical school (MS)1, MS2, MS3 and/or MS4 years.

Discussion NBME exams early in the curriculum may be an additional tool for early identification of struggling learners.
The causal set approach to quantum gravity
Authors: Surya Sumati
Published: September 2019

The causal set theory (CST) approach to quantum gravity postulates that at the most fundamental level, spacetime is discrete, with the spacetime continuum replaced by locally finite posets or “causal sets”. The partial order on a causal set represents a proto-causality relation while local finiteness encodes an intrinsic discreteness. In the continuum approximation the former corresponds to the spacetime causality relation and the latter to a fundamental spacetime atomicity, so that finite volume regions in the continuum contain only a finite number of causal set elements. CST is deeply rooted in the Lorentzian character of spacetime, where a primary role is played by the causal structure poset. Importantly, the assumption of a fundamental discreteness in CST does not violate local Lorentz invariance in the continuum approximation. On the other hand, the combination of discreteness and Lorentz invariance gives rise to a characteristic non-locality which distinguishes CST from most other approaches to quantum gravity. In this review we give a broad, semi-pedagogical introduction to CST, highlighting key results as well as some of the key open questions. This review is intended both for the beginner student in quantum gravity as well as more seasoned researchers in the field.
Vertical variation in Vibrio community composition in Sansha Yongle Blue Hole and its ability to degrade macromolecules
Authors: Li Bei , Liu Jiwen , Zhou Shun , Fu Liang , Yao Peng , Chen Lin , Yang Zuosheng , Wang Xiaolei , Zhang Xiao-Hua
Published: September 2019

With the advantages of wide distribution, fast growth, and broad metabolic spectrum to organic carbon compounds,Vibriomay play an important role in organic carbon cycling. However, the ecological roles ofVibrioin many marine environments have not been explored. Here, the world’s deepest ‘blue hole’, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole (SYBH) in the South China Sea, which is a geographically semi-enclosed environment featuring unique chemical characters, was investigated. The abundance, diversity and carbon source utilization capability ofVibriowere studied by quantification and high-throughput sequencing ofVibriospecific 16S rRNA genes and cultivation methods. The abundance ofVibrioin water column of the SYBH ranged from 3.78 × 104to 7.35 × 10616S rRNA gene copies L−1. Free-livingVibriowas more abundant than particle-associatedVibrio(~ 1.20 × 106versus~ 2.68 × 105gene copies L−1), indicating thatVibrioprefers a free-living life style. TheVibrioassemblages showed clear vertical stratification and could be divided into three groups: aerobic-transition, middle anaerobic and bottom anaerobic zones. Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH and salinity were the main environmental factors affecting the abundance and community composition. CultivatedVibriodemonstrated a degrading capability to various macromolecular substrates, including starch, Tween 20/40/80, DNA, gelatin, alginate, casein, chitin, lecithin, κ-carrageenan, mannan, xylan and hyaluronic acid. This suggests thatVibriocould produce a variety of highly active extracellular enzymes. Our study provides new insights into the distribution pattern and possible role in carbon cycle ofVibrioin the unique environment of a ‘blue hole’.
Bony lesions in early tetrapods and the evolution of mineralized tissue repair
Authors: Herbst Eva C. , Doube Michael , Smithson Timothy R. , Clack Jennifer A. , Hutchinson John R.
Published: September 2019

Bone healing is an important survival mechanism, allowing vertebrates to recover from injury and disease. Here we describe newly recognized paleopathologies in the hindlimbs of the early tetrapodsCrassigyrinus scoticusandEoherpeton watsonifrom the early Carboniferous of Cowdenbeath, Scotland. These pathologies are among the oldest known instances of bone healing in tetrapod limb bones in the fossil record (about 325 Ma). X-ray microtomographic imaging of the internal bone structure of these lesions shows that they are characterized by a mass of trabecular bone separated from the shaft's trabeculae by a layer of cortical bone. We frame these paleopathologies in an evolutionary context, including additional data on bone healing and its pathways across extinct and extant sarcopterygians. These data allowed us to synthesize information on cell-mediated repair of bone and other mineralized tissues in all vertebrates, to reconstruct the evolutionary history of skeletal tissue repair mechanisms. We conclude that bone healing is ancestral for sarcopterygians. Furthermore, other mineralized tissues (aspidin and dentine) were also capable of healing and remodeling early in vertebrate evolution, suggesting that these repair mechanisms are synapomorphies of vertebrate mineralized tissues. The evidence for remodeling and healing in all of these tissues appears concurrently, so in addition to healing, these early vertebrates had the capacity to restore structure and strength by remodeling their skeletons. Healing appears to be an inherent property of these mineralized tissues, and its linkage to their remodeling capacity has previously been underappreciated.
At the Borders of Identity: Identity Construction and Racial Bloc Voting
Authors: Harris Adam S.
Published: September 2019

Why are some voters less likely to align with their group when group-based voting is both the norm and advantageous? I argue that the answer to this question can be found in the extent to which individuals are apparently consistent with the prototypical individual in their group. I develop a concept of racial distance, which improves upon the in-group out-group focus of the race and ethnic politics literature. Empirically, I investigate this relationship in South Africa using an original panel survey, which brackets the 2014 national elections. I find that those who are not readily identified as members of their group are less likely to vote with their group and more likely to change their vote due to an election campaign. Analyzing data from the South Africa 2016 the US 2012 elections suggests that this relationship holds for racial majorities but only minorities with a relatively weak sense of solidarity.
Did Alexander the Great Discover America? Debating Space and Time in Renaissance Istanbul
Authors: Casale Giancarlo
Published: September 2019

Following the first European voyages of exploration to the New World, several Ottoman authors debated whether Alexander the Great may have already known of the American continent in classical antiquity. By exploring the contours of this previously unstudied intra-Ottoman debate, the present article challenges the prevailing scholarly view that sixteenth-century Ottoman writings about the Americas were at best frivolous and at worst incoherent. Instead, these texts engaged with many of the same questions provoked by the discoveries in contemporary Europe, while at the same time intersecting with the most profound and contested concerns of Ottoman statecraft.
Annotating theGolden Legendin Early Modern England
Authors: Ring Morgan
Published: September 2019

This article discusses annotations to some eighty surviving copies of William Caxton's “Golden Legend.” It assesses reactions from male and female readers across the religious spectrum, exploring the varied ways in which early modern readers engaged with a book that quickly became—and has remained—a shorthand for medieval religion. It seeks to contribute to the history of the “Legend” itself, to historical understanding of annotation, and to the history of reading during the Reformation.
Soil drenching with entomopathogenic fungi for control of the soil-dwelling life stages and adults of the same generation ofSpodoptera littoralis(Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Garrido-Jurado I. , Resquín-Romero G. , Yousef-Naef M. , Ríos-Moreno A. , Quesada-Moraga E.
Published: September 2019

FourBeauveria bassianaand threeMetarhizium brunneumisolates were evaluated, as soil drenches, againstSpodoptera littoralisprepupae. Treatment efficacy was determined by assessing total mortality during development from prepupae through to pupae and adults; mortality and sub-lethal effects on reproduction were also quantified for adults emerging from surviving prepupae/pupae. All isolates were pathogenic but overall mortality varied between 31.7 and 83.3% (0% for control); average survival time was 7.5–10.5 days (14.0 days for control). From 1.7–15.0% of adults emerging from surviving prepupae/pupae were deformed (0% in control). Contact with fungal suspensions as prepupae/pupae caused a significant reduction in fecundity of emerging adult females (15–58.9%), and a significant reduction in egg viability (6.8–28.4%) compared with controls. Two isolates were selected for virulence evaluation againstS. littoralisprepupae. The LC50s were 1.7 × 107and 1.8 × 107conidia ml−1and the median survival times were 7 and 6 days for isolates EAMa 01/58-Su and EAMb 09/01-Su, respectively. Destruxin A was present in pupae developing from prepupae treated with isolates EAMa 01/58-Su (0.010 ± 0.002 µg pupae−1) and EAMb 09/01-Su (0.015 ± 0.003 µg pupae−1). The use of entomopathogenic fungi as soil drenches could be a key component ofS. littoralisIPM strategies due to direct reductions in the number of soil-dwelling life stages and, also, the significant reduction in reproductive potential of surviving adults.
The role ofLathyrus sativusflower surface wax in short-range attraction and stimulant for nymph laying by an adult viviparous aphid
Authors: Mitra Paroma , Mobarak Syed Husne , Debnath Rahul , Barik Anandamay
Published: September 2019

Aphis craccivoraKoch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an important pest ofLathyrus sativusL. plants, and causes retarded plant growth and loss of seed production. The insect sucks cell sap from flowers and lays nymphs on flowers. Hence, an attempt has been made to observe whether flower surface wax compounds (alkanes and free fatty acids) from two cultivars (BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1) ofL. sativuscould act as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. Then-hexane extracts of flower surface waxes were analyzed by TLC, GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. Twenty one and 22n-alkanes betweenn-C12andn-C36were detected in BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively; whereas 12 free fatty acids between C12:0 and C22:0 were identified in both cultivars. Pentadecane and tridecanoic acid were predominantn-alkane and free fatty acid, respectively. One flower equivalent surface wax of both cultivars served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying through Y-tube choice experiments and I-tube viviparity assays, respectively, by adult viviparous females. A synthetic blend of nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid, and a synthetic blend of tetradecane, pentadecane, nonacosane, tridecanoic acid and linoleic acid resembling in amounts as present in one flower equivalent surface wax of BIO L 212 Ratan and Nirmal B-1, respectively, served as short-range attractant and stimulant for nymph laying by adult viviparous females. This study suggests that both these blends could be used in lures in the development of baited traps in pest management programmes.
QUANTUM INCREASING SEQUENCES GENERATE QUANTUM PERMUTATION GROUPS
Authors: JÓZIAK PAWEŁ
Published: September 2019

We answer a question of Skalski and Sołan (2016) about inner faithfulness of the Curran’s map of extending a quantum increasing sequence to a quantum permutation. Roughly speaking, we find a inductive setting in which the inner faithfulness of Curran’s map can be boiled down to inner faithfulness of similar map for smaller algebras and then rely on inductive generation result for quantum permutation groups of Brannan, Chirvasitu and Freslon (2018).
Relation between temporal bone pneumatisation and middle-ear barotrauma in aircrew members
Authors: Hussein A , Abdel Tawab H M , Lotfi W T , Fayad N , Elsisy N
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study aimed to assess the potential role of pneumatisation of the mastoid and its communicating air cells in the development of middle-ear barotrauma in aircrew members.

Methods

Seventy-nine aircrew members (158 ears) underwent temporal computed tomography. All were assessed before flying by clinical examination and audiology evaluation, followed by post-flight examination to detect barotrauma.

Results

Aircrew members’ ears were divided into 3 groups based on barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation: 33 ears with barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation of 71 cm3or greater (group A); 12 ears with barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation of 11.2 cm3or lower (group B); and 113 ears with no barotrauma (group C). Mean pneumatisation volumes were 91.05 cm3, 5.45 cm3and 28.01 cm3in groups A, B and C, respectively. A direct relationship was observed between volume of temporal bone pneumatisation of 71 cm3or greater and barotrauma grade.

Conclusion

Pneumatisation volume of the mastoid and its communicating air cells that ranges from 11.3 cm3to 70.4 cm3serves as a reliable predictor of the avoidance of middle-ear barotrauma associated with flying in aircrew members who have normal resting middle-ear pressure and good Eustachian tube function.
A Human-Guided Vision-Based Measurement System for Multi-Station Robotic Motion Platform Based on V-Rep
Authors: Ding Yabin , Guo Wei , Liu Xianping , Luo Zhenjun
Published: September 2019

In the manufacturing process of sophisticated and individualized large components, classical solutions to build large machine tools cannot meet the demand. A hybrid robot, which is made up of a 3 degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) parallel manipulator and a 2-DOF serial manipulator, has been developed as a plug-and-play robotized module that can be rapidly located in multi-stations where machining operations can be performed in situ. However, processing towards high absolute accuracy has become a huge challenge due to the movement of robot platform. In this paper, a human-guided vision system is proposed and integrated in the robot system to improve the accuracy of the end-effector of a robot. A handheld manipulator is utilized as a tool for human–robot interaction in the large-scale unstructured circumstances without intelligence. With 6-DOF, humans are able to manipulate the robot (end-effector) so as to guide the camera to see target markers mounted on the machining datum. Simulation is operated on the virtual control platform V-Rep, showing a high robust and real-time performance on mapping human manipulation to the end-effector of robot. And then, a vision-based pose estimation method on a target marker is proposed to define the position and orientation of machining datum, and a compensation method is applied to reduce pose errors on the entire machining trajectory. The algorithms are tested on V-Rep, and the results show that the absolute pose error reduces greatly with the proposed methods, and the system is immune to the motion deviation of the robot platform.
Gastrointestinal infections caused by consumption of raw drinking milk in England & Wales, 1992–2017
Authors: Adams N. , Byrne L. , Edge J. , Hoban A. , Jenkins C. , Larkin L.
Published: September 2019

Systematic, national surveillance of outbreaks of intestinal infectious disease has been undertaken by Public Health England (PHE) since 1992. Between 1992 and 2002, there were 19 outbreaks linked to raw drinking milk (RDM) or products made using raw milk, involving 229 people; 36 of these were hospitalised. There followed an eleven-year period (2003–2013) where no outbreaks linked to RDM were reported. However, since 2014 seven outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (n = 3) or Campylobacter jejuni (n = 4) caused by contaminated RDM were investigated and reported. Between 2014 and 2017, there were 114 cases, five reported hospitalisations and one death. The data presented within this review indicated that the risk of RDM has increased since 2014. Despite the labelling requirements and recommendations that children should not consume RDM, almost a third of outbreak cases were children. In addition, there has been an increase in consumer popularity and in registered RDM producers in the UK. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) continue to provide advice on RDM to consumers and have recently made additional recommendations to enhance existing controls around registration and hygiene of RDM producers.
Red meat and processed red meat consumption behaviour of healthcare professionals: do they participate in the World Health Organization’s view of red meat carcasses and red meat carcinogens?
Authors: Saygın Alparslan Özge , Demirbaş Nevin
Published: September 2019

Objective:

This study investigated the consumption behaviours of healthcare professionals in relation to red meat and processed red meat products.

Design:

This study included a questionnaire conducted through face-to-face interviews with 149 health professionals. The purpose of the questionnaire was to determine the extent to which health professionals agreed with the WHO classification of red meat and processed red meat on their list of carcinogenic products.

Setting:

This research was carried out in İzmir, which is Turkey’s third largest city. The survey was conducted in 2016 by holding face to face interviews with forty-three specialist doctors, sixteen doctors, twelve dentists, sixty-four nurses and fourteen pharmacists.

Subjects:

Nationally representative sample of healthcare professionals in Turkey.

Results:

People educated in healthcare are especially cautious about the consumption of processed red meat products. The results of the research revealed the importance of processing and cooking patterns in red meat consumption preferences.

Conclusions:

The consequences of the research, in terms of breaking down prejudices and overcoming the anxieties of those with health concerns who do not consume red meat, are important. In fact, the results show that healthcare professionals consume red meat, but they are more careful in their consumption of processed red meat products. This result is in line with the WHO report.
G. K. Chesterton and Islam
Authors: Villis Tom
Published: September 2019

G. K. Chesterton's anti-Semitism has attracted much scholarly attention, but his views on Islam have largely passed without comment. This article situates Chesterton's writings in relation to historical views of Islam in Britain and the political, cultural and religious context of the early twentieth century. Chesterton's complex and contradictory opinions fail to support easy conclusions about the immutability of prejudice across time. His views of Islam are at times orientalist and at other times critical of imperialism and elitism. As well as drawing on medieval Catholic ideas about the “heresy” of Islam, Chesterton also links Islam with Protestant Christianity. From another perspective, his views of Islam draw on liberal traditions of humanitarian interventionism and democratic patriotism. Finally, he also used Islam as a symbol of a corroding modernity. This study suggests the need for a historically sensitive genealogy of the evolution of anti-Muslim prejudice which is not predetermined by the politics of the early twenty-first century.
Understanding the barriers and exploring the possibilities of the organic livestock sector in dehesa agroforestry systems: a multi-actor approach for effective diagnosis
Authors: Horrillo Andrés , Gaspar Paula , Mesías Francisco J. , Elghannam Ahmed , Escribano Miguel
Published: September 2019

The dehesa agroforestry system is classified as one of the most singular ecosystems in the European Union. In the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, it spreads over an area of approximately 6.7 million hectares, contributing major environmental, cultural, aesthetic and economic value to the region. The main agricultural activity that is developed in this ecosystem is the extensive farming of cattle, sheep and Iberian pigs with low stocking density and few inputs. Sustainable management of these ecosystems' existing production farms is essential in order to secure their continuity, as they face a difficult situation on account of their low profitability. One of the strategies that could be employed to attain a sustainable situation is the proposition of an organic production model. In order to explore this option, a participatory research process has been proposed and developed in the Spanish region called Extremadura (Spain). The aim of this process is to investigate the potential of extensive farming systems in moving toward a sustainable organic production model, identifying the main barriers preventing livestock farmers from converting to the organic model and seeking specific improvement measures that would reduce such barriers. For that purpose, four focus group sessions were run with a total of 33 participating stakeholders. For the analysis of these focus groups, Atlas.ti qualitative software was used to categorize and quantify the main ideas proposed during the sessions. The findings revealed that the main barriers can be classified into three groups: barriers that are inherent to the production processes and the structure of the specific sector, barriers associated with administration and management issues and lastly, barriers relating to education and training of the various actors involved. We consider this paper may contribute to policy makers' decisions to focus on specific actions for improvement that are customized for the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the region.
The Age, Origin, and Emplacement of the Tsiknias Ophiolite, Tinos, Greece
Authors: Lamont Thomas N. , Roberts Nick M.W. , Searle Michael P. , Gopon Phillip , Waters David J. , Millar Ian
Published: September 2019

The Tsiknias Ophiolite, exposed at the highest structural levels of Tinos, Greece, represents a thrust sheet of Tethyan oceanic crust and upper mantle emplaced onto the Attic‐Cycladic Massif. We present new field observations and a new geological map of Tinos, integrated with petrology, THERMOCALC phase diagram modeling, U–Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry, resulting in a tectonothermal model that describes the formation and emplacement of the Tsiknias Ophiolite and newly identified underlying metamorphic sole. The ophiolite comprises a succession of partially dismembered and structurally repeated ultramafic and gabbroic rocks that represent the Moho Transition Zone. A plagiogranite dated by U‐Pb zircon at 161.9 ± 2.8 Ma, reveals that the Tsiknias Ophiolite formed in a suprasubduction zone setting, comparable to the “East‐Vardar Ophiolites,” and was intruded by gabbros at 144.4 ± 5.6 Ma. Strongly sheared metamorphic sole rocks show a condensed and inverted metamorphic gradient, from partially anatectic amphibolites at P‐T conditions of ~8.5 kbar 850–600 °C, downstructural section to greenschist‐facies oceanic metasediments over ~250 m. Leucosomes generated by partial melting of the uppermost sole amphibolite, yielded a U‐Pb zircon protolith age of ~190 Ma and a high‐grade metamorphic‐anatectic age of 74.0 ± 3.5 Ma associated with ophiolite emplacement. The Tsiknias Ophiolite was therefore obducted ~90 Myr after it formed during initiation of a NE dipping intraoceanic subduction zone to the northeast of the Cyclades that coincides with Africa's plate motion changing from transcurrent to convergent. Continued subduction resulted in high‐pressure metamorphism of the Cycladic continental margin ~25 Myr later.
RBX1 prompts degradation of EXO1 to limit the homologous recombination pathway of DNA double-strand break repair in G1 phase
Authors: Xie Ying , Liu Yi-Ke , Guo Zong-Pei , Guan Hua , Liu Xiao-Dan , Xie Da-Fei , Jiang Yi-Guo , Ma Teng , Zhou Ping-Kun
Published: September 2019

End resection of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to form 3′ single-strand DNA (ssDNA) is critical to initiate the homologous recombination (HR) pathway of DSB repair. HR pathway is strictly limited in the G1-phase cells because of lack of homologous DNA as the templates. Exonuclease 1 (EXO1) is the key molecule responsible for 3′ ssDNA formation of DSB end resection. We revealed that EXO1 is inactivated in G1-phase cells via ubiquitination-mediated degradation, resulting from an elevated expression level of RING-box protein 1 (RBX1) in G1 phase. The increased RBX1 significantly prompted the neddylation of Cullin1 and contributed to the G1 phase-specific degradation of EXO1. Knockdown of RBX1 remarkedly attenuated the degradation of EXO1 and increased the end resection and HR activity in γ-irradiated G1-phase cells, as demonstrated by the increased formation of RPA32, BrdU, and RAD51 foci. And EXO1 depletion mitigated DNA repair defects due to RBX1 reduction. Moreover, increased autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at S2056 was found to be responsible for the higher expression level of the RBX1 in the G1 phase. Inactivation of DNA-PKcs decreased RBX1 expression, and simultaneously increased EXO1 expression and DSB end resection in G1-phase cells. This study demonstrates a new mechanism for restraining the HR pathway of DNA DSB repair in G1 phase via RBX1-prompted inactivation of EXO1.
12 new susceptibility loci for prostate cancer identified by genome-wide association study in Japanese population
Authors: Takata Ryo , Takahashi Atsushi , Fujita Masashi , Momozawa Yukihide , Saunders Edward J. , Yamada Hiroki , Maejima Kazuhiro , Nakano Kaoru , Nishida Yuichiro , Hishida Asahi , Matsuo Keitaro , Wakai Kenji , Yamaji Taiki , Sawada Norie , Iwasaki Motoki , Tsugane Shoichiro , Sasaki Makoto , Shimizu Atsushi , Tanno Kozo , Minegishi Naoko , Suzuki Kichiya , Matsuda Koichi , Kubo Michiaki , Inazawa Johji , Egawa Shin , Haiman Christopher A. , Ogawa Osamu , Obara Wataru , Kamatani Yoichiro , Akamatsu Shusuke , Nakagawa Hidewaki
Published: September 2019

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified ~170 genetic loci associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk, but most of them were identified in European populations. We here performed a GWAS and replication study using a large Japanese cohort (9,906 cases and 83,943 male controls) to identify novel susceptibility loci associated with PCa risk. We found 12 novel loci for PCa including rs1125927 (TMEM17, P = 3.95 × 10−16), rs73862213 (GATA2, P = 5.87 × 10−23), rs77911174 (ZMIZ1, P = 5.28 × 10−20), and rs138708 (SUN2, P = 1.13 × 10−15), seven of which had crucially low minor allele frequency in European population. Furthermore, we stratified the polygenic risk for Japanese PCa patients by using 82 SNPs, which were significantly associated with Japanese PCa risk in our study, and found that early onset cases and cases with family history of PCa were enriched in the genetically high-risk population. Our study provides important insight into genetic mechanisms of PCa and facilitates PCa risk stratification in Japanese population.
Characterizing rare and low-frequency height-associated variants in the Japanese population
Authors: Akiyama Masato , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Sakaue Saori , Momozawa Yukihide , Horikoshi Momoko , Hirata Makoto , Matsuda Koichi , Ikegawa Shiro , Takahashi Atsushi , Kanai Masahiro , Suzuki Sadao , Matsui Daisuke , Naito Mariko , Yamaji Taiki , Iwasaki Motoki , Sawada Norie , Tanno Kozo , Sasaki Makoto , Hozawa Atsushi , Minegishi Naoko , Wakai Kenji , Tsugane Shoichiro , Shimizu Atsushi , Yamamoto Masayuki , Okada Yukinori , Murakami Yoshinori , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Yoichiro
Published: September 2019

Human height is a representative phenotype to elucidate genetic architecture. However, the majority of large studies have been performed in European population. To investigate the rare and low-frequency variants associated with height, we construct a reference panel (N = 3,541) for genotype imputation by integrating the whole-genome sequence data from 1,037 Japanese with that of the 1000 Genomes Project, and perform a genome-wide association study in 191,787 Japanese. We report 573 height-associated variants, including 22 rare and 42 low-frequency variants. These 64 variants explain 1.7% of the phenotypic variance. Furthermore, a gene-based analysis identifies two genes with multiple height-increasing rare and low-frequency nonsynonymous variants (SLC27A3 and CYP26B1; PSKAT-O < 2.5 × 10−6). Our analysis shows a general tendency of the effect sizes of rare variants towards increasing height, which is contrary to findings among Europeans, suggesting that height-associated rare variants are under different selection pressure in Japanese and European populations.
microRNA arm-imbalance in part from complementary targets mediated decay promotes gastric cancer progression
Authors: Zhang Zhengyi , Pi Jingnan , Zou Dongling , Wang Xiaoshuang , Xu Jiayue , Yu Shan , Zhang Ting , Li Feng , Zhang Xianxie , Zhao Hualu , Wang Fang , Wang Dong , Ma Yanni , Yu Jia
Published: September 2019

Strand-selection is the final step of microRNA biogenesis in which functional mature miRNAs are generated from one or both arms of precursor. The preference of strand-selection is diverse during development and tissue formation, however, its pathological effect is still unknown. Here we find that two miRNA arms from the same precursor, miR-574-5p and miR-574-3p, are inversely expressed and play exactly opposite roles in gastric cancer progression. Higher-5p with lower-3p expression pattern is significantly correlated with higher TNM stages and poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The increase of miR-574-5p/-3p ratio, named miR-574 arm-imbalance is partially due to the dynamic expression of their highly complementary targets in gastric carcinogenesis, moreover, the arm-imbalance of miR-574 is in turn involved and further promotes gastric cancer progression. Our results indicate that miR-574 arm-imbalance contribute to gastric cancer progression and re-modification of the miR-574-targets homeostasis may represent a promising strategy for gastric cancer therapy.
Non-enzymatic roles of human RAD51 at stalled replication forks
Authors: Mason Jennifer M. , Chan Yuen-Ling , Weichselbaum Ralph W. , Bishop Douglas K.
Published: September 2019

The central recombination enzyme RAD51 has been implicated in replication fork processing and restart in response to replication stress. Here, we use a separation-of-function allele of RAD51 that retains DNA binding, but not D-loop activity, to reveal mechanistic aspects of RAD51’s roles in the response to replication stress. Here, we find that cells lacking RAD51’s enzymatic activity protect replication forks from MRE11-dependent degradation, as expected from previous studies. Unexpectedly, we find that RAD51’s strand exchange activity is not required to convert stalled forks to a form that can be degraded by DNA2. Such conversion was shown previously to require replication fork regression, supporting a model in which fork regression depends on a non-enzymatic function of RAD51. We also show RAD51 promotes replication restart by both strand exchange-dependent and strand exchange-independent mechanisms.
Homozygous receptors for insulin and not IGF-1 accelerate intimal hyperplasia in insulin resistance and diabetes
Authors: Li Qian , Fu Jialin , Xia Yu , Qi Weier , Ishikado Atsushi , Park Kyoungmin , Yokomizo Hisashi , Huang Qian , Cai Weikang , Rask-Madsen Christian , Kahn C. Ronald , King George L.
Published: September 2019

Insulin and IGF-1 actions in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are associated with accelerated arterial intima hyperplasia and restenosis after angioplasty, especially in diabetes. To distinguish their relative roles, we delete insulin receptor (SMIRKO) or IGF-1 receptor (SMIGF1RKO) in VSMC and in mice. Here we report that intima hyperplasia is attenuated in SMIRKO mice, but not in SMIGF1RKO mice. In VSMC, deleting IGF1R increases homodimers of IR, enhances insulin binding, stimulates p-Akt and proliferation, but deleting IR decreases responses to insulin and IGF-1. Studies using chimeras of IR(extracellular domain)/IGF1R(intracellular-domain) or IGF1R(extracellular domain)/IR(intracellular-domain) demonstrate homodimer IRα enhances insulin binding and signaling which is inhibited by IGF1Rα. RNA-seq identifies hyaluronan synthase2 as a target of homo-IR, with its expression increases by IR activation in SMIGF1RKO mice and decreases in SMIRKO mice. Enhanced intima hyperplasia in diabetes is mainly due to insulin signaling via homo-IR, associated with increased Has2 expression.
Manipulating energy migration within single lanthanide activator for switchable upconversion emissions towards bidirectional photoactivation
Authors: Mei Qingsong , Bansal Akshaya , Jayakumar Muthu Kumara Gnanasammandhan , Zhang Zhiming , Zhang Jing , Huang Hua , Yu Dejie , Ramachandra Chrishan J. A. , Hausenloy Derek J. , Soong Tuck Wah , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2019

Reliance on low tissue penetrating UV or visible light limits clinical applicability of phototherapy, necessitating use of deep tissue penetrating near-infrared (NIR) to visible light transducers like upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). While typical UCNPs produce multiple simultaneous emissions for unidirectional control of biological processes, programmable control requires orthogonal non-overlapping light emissions. These can be obtained through doping nanocrystals with multiple activator ions. However, this requires tedious synthesis and produces complicated multi-shell nanoparticles with a lack of control over emission profiles due to activator crosstalk. Herein, we explore cross-relaxation (CR), a non-radiative recombination pathway typically perceived as deleterious, to manipulate energy migration within the same lanthanide activator ion (Er3+) towards orthogonal red and green emissions, simply by adjusting excitation wavelength from 980 to 808 nm. These UCNPs allow programmable activation of two synergistic light-gated ion channels VChR1 and Jaws in the same cell to manipulate membrane polarization, demonstrated here for cardiac pacing.
Solid-state polymer electrolytes for high-performance lithium metal batteries
Authors: Choudhury Snehashis , Stalin Sanjuna , Vu Duylinh , Warren Alexander , Deng Yue , Biswal Prayag , Archer Lynden A.
Published: September 2019

Electrochemical cells based on alkali metal anodes are receiving intensive scientific interest as potentially transformative technology platforms for electrical energy storage. Chemical, morphological, mechanical and hydrodynamic instabilities at the metal anode produce uneven metal electrodeposition and poor anode reversibility, which, are among the many known challenges that limit progress. Here, we report that solid-state electrolytes based on crosslinked polymer networks can address all of these challenges in cells based on lithium metal anodes. By means of transport and electrochemical analyses, we show that manipulating thermodynamic interactions between polymer segments covalently anchored in the network and “free” segments belonging to an oligomeric electrolyte hosted in the network pores, one can facilely create hybrid electrolytes that simultaneously exhibit liquid-like barriers to ion transport and solid-like resistance to morphological and hydrodynamic instability.
Trophic networks improve the performance of microbial anodes treating wastewater
Authors: Koch Christin , Huber Katharina J. , Bunk Boyke , Overmann Jörg , Harnisch Falk
Published: September 2019

Microbial anodes represent a distinct ecological niche that is characterized mainly by the terminal electron acceptor, i.e., the anode potential, and the substrate, i.e., the electron source. Here, we determine the performance and the biofilm community of anode microbiomes while using substrates of increasing complexity (organic acids or organic acids and sugar or real domestic wastewater) to mimic different, practically relevant, trophic levels. α-Diversity values increased with substrate complexity. In addition, the higher abundance value of Deltaproteobacteria in the biofilms corresponds to higher reactor performance (i.e., COD removal, current density, and Coulombic efficiency). In reactors exploiting real wastewater, the diversity of the planktonic microorganisms was only little affected. Microbiome network analysis revealed two important clusters for reactor performance as well as performance-independent pathogen-containing clusters. Interestingly, Geobacter was not found to be integrated in the network underlining its outstanding individual ecological role in line with its importance for the efficiency of the electron harvest for all reactors. The microbiome analysis of different trophic levels and their temporal development from initial colonization to stable treatment demonstrate important principles for the implementation of microbial anodes for wastewater treatment.
A three-dimensional finite element analysis of mechanical function for 4 removable partial denture designs with 3 framework materials: CoCr, Ti-6Al-4V alloy and PEEK
Authors: Chen Xin , Mao Bochun , Zhu Zhuoli , Yu Jiayi , Lu Yuqing , Zhang Qianqian , Yue Li , Yu Haiyang
Published: September 2019

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a new material used for the frameworks of removable partial dentures (RPD). The questions whether the PEEK framework has similar stress distribution on oral tissue and displacement under masticatory forces as titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) or cobalt-chromium alloy (CoCr) remain unclear and worth exploring. A patient’s intraoral data were obtained via CBCT and master model scan. Four RPDs were designed by 3Shape dental system, and the models were processed by three-dimensional finite element analysis. Among three materials tested, PEEK has the lowest maximum von Mises stress (VMS) on periodontal ligament (PDL), the greatest maximum VMS on mucosa, the maximum displacement on free-end of framework, and the lowest maximum VMS on framework. Results suggested that PEEK framework has a good protective effect on PDL, suggesting applications for patients with poor periodontal conditions. However, the maximum displacement of the free-end under masticatory force is not conducive for denture stability, along with large stress on the mucosa indicate that PEEK is unsuitable for patients with more loss of posterior teeth with free-end edentulism.
Detection of triclabendazole and three metabolites in bovine muscle samples with a gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay
Authors: Wang Zhongxing , Wu Xiaoling , Xu Liguang , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai
Published: September 2019

A highly sensitive mAb against TCD was produced by using a novel hapten, and basing on this mAb, a lateral flow immunoassay was developed for the rapid screening of TCD and its metabolites in foodstuff.