bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban air quality evaluation over Kut city using field survey and Geomatic techniques
Authors: Mohammed Zainab , Ziboon Abdulrazzak. , Kamal Ali , Alfaraj Mahdi
Published: May 2018

Air pollution is caused by various sources such as cars exhaust, energy sources, petrol stations, industrial activities, and other sources. The aim of this study was to measure some air pollutants gases, representing the results by Arc GIS maps over AL-Kut city and finding the ways for reducing them. Twenty samples have been taken using Global Positioning System (GPS) for measuring the main air pollutants (sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), total suspended particle (TSP), and particulate matters (PMs). The measurements were carried out by several specialized portable equipment at afive months starting from November 2015 to March 2016. The distribution maps resulted from ArcGIS 10.2, display that the highest concentrations of air pollutants were in the center and north of the study area. The highest concentrations of pollutants were in November and March, whereas lower concentrations observed during January period. The average monthly concentrations of (TSP) measured during the study period was (504.4 μg/m3, 359.5 μg/m3, 32.2 μg/m3, 324.8 μg/m3, and 392.45 μg/m3) from November 2015 to March 2016, these results were significantly higher than the permissible allowable limits of the Iraqi national (350 μg/m3) and international allowable limits (150 μg/m3), except for January is founded (32.2 μg/m3) within the acceptable limits due to heavy rainfall. the averages monthly concentrations of (CO), (6.567, 5.165, 4.08, 5.454 and 7.25 ppm) were lower than standards limits for five months, comparing with the Iraqi National limits (35 ppm) and WHO Limits (9 ppm). Pollutant concentrations such as (O3), were within acceptable limits of Iraqi and WHO limits at all period of study, while other air pollution gasses such as (SO2 and NO2), their concentrations over the study area were within the Iraqi national limits but slightly over the WHO limits.
Iraqi architecture in mogul period
Authors: Hasan Shatha , Rasheed Yasameen
Published: May 2018

Iraqi architecture have many periods passed through it until now, each on from these periods have it is architectural style, also through time these styles interacted among us, to creating kind of space forming, space relationships, and architectural elements (detailed treatments), the research problem being from the multi interacted architectural styles causing some of confused of general characteristic to every style, that we could distinguish by it. Research tries to study architecture style through Mogul Conquest to Baghdad. Aim of research follow main characteristic for this architectural style in the Mogul periods on the level of form, elements, and treatments. Research depending on descriptive and analytical all buildings belong to this period, so from analyzing there style by, general form for building, architectural elements, and it architectural treatment, therefore; repeating this procedures to every building we get some similarities, from these similarities we can making conclusion about pure characteristic of the style of these period. Other side, we also discover some Dissimilar in the building periods, these will lead research to make what interacting among styles in this period, after all that we can drew clearly main characteristic of Architectural Style for Mogul Conquest in Baghdad
Leistungssensible Suchttherapie: Vorstellung und Wirksamkeitsprüfung einer neuen Kurzintervention
Authors: Fleckenstein Martin , Heer Marlis , Leiberg Susanne , Gex-Fabry Jenny , Lüddeckens Thomas
Published: May 2018

Ziel der Studie Abstinenz bei einer Abhängigkeitserkrankung ist nicht selbstverständlich, sondern eine zu erbringende Leistung. Die vorgestellte Intervention, „Leistungssensible Suchttherapie“ (LST), hat zum Ziel, eine solche leistungssensible, von Stolz und Ehrlichkeit geprägte Haltung gegenüber der eigenen Erkrankung zu fördern und damit Rückfällen vorzubeugen.

Methodik 55 von 140 Patienten mit einer Abhängigkeitserkrankung nahmen zusätzlich zum regulären Therapieprogramm an der LST teil. Rückfallhäufigkeit während des Klinikaufenthalts, Veränderungen hinsichtlich Scham- und Schuldgefühlen, Lebenszufriedenheit und emotionalen Kompetenzen sowie psychische Belastung wurden erhoben.

Ergebnisse Die Interventionsgruppe wies während der Behandlungsdauer eine signifikant tiefere Rückfallhäufigkeit auf als die Kontrollgruppe. Beide Gruppen berichteten bessere Lebensqualität, emotionale Kompetenzen und weniger psychische Belastung und Scham- und Schuldgefühle.

Schlussfolgerung Die LST ist eine wirksame Behandlung zur Rückfallprävention.
Response to Agomelatine Treatment is Independent of Smoking Status and Dosage: Results From the AGOPSYCH Study
Authors: Englisch Susanne , Jung Hanna , Lewien Antje , Becker Anna , Nowak Ulrike , Braun Hanna , Eisenacher Sarah , Thiem Jascha , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Zink Mathias
Published: May 2018

Introduction Cigarette smoking influences response to antidepressant treatment. It accelerates the metabolism of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) subtypes, including CYP1A2, and therefore bears the risk of pharmacokinetic interactions with psychotropic drugs using that pathway. Agomelatine is a substrate of CYP1A2; the association between nicotine use and agomelatine dosage, however, has never been studied before.

Methods Smoking habits were correlated with agomelatine doses and treatment outcomes in a sample of 27 patients with lifetime diagnoses within the schizophrenia spectrum who received agomelatine treatment in addition to their stable antipsychotic treatment regimen because of depressive symptoms.

Results No interactions were found between smoking status and agomelatine dosage, and treatment outcomes did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers.

Discussion Agomelatine efficacy appears to be independent of dosage and smoking status, pointing toward mechanisms beyond mere dose-response relationships. Further research will be necessary to validate these findings.
Diastereoselectivity in the Aza-Michael Reaction of Chiral α-Methylbenzylamines with α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Kour M. , Gupta R. , Saini R. , Bansal R.
Published: May 2018

The aza-Michael reaction of (S)-(–)- and (R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamines with trans-cinnamaldehyde and other α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds occurs with 52–98% diastereoselectivity (de); however, in the reaction with crotonaldehyde, the de is lower (20–38%). In the products obtained from the reaction with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, the de could be determined on the basis of the relative intensities of the aldehydic protons of the two diastereomers. Theoretical investigations of the reaction of (S)-(–)-α-methylbenzylamine with trans-cinnamaldehyde at the DFT (B3LYP/6-31+G*) level reveal that the diastereomer formed from the attack of the amine on the Re face is thermodynamically more stable. The calculations also show that the aldehydic proton of this diastereomer is expected to be more deshielded, which on the basis of the 1H NMR spectrum is the major product.
Minimally Invasive Treatment Strategies for Tracheoesophageal Fistulae
Authors: Mullan Damian , Shepherd David , Li Alan , Laasch Hans-Ulrich , Najran Pavan
Published: May 2018

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) is a serious consequence of invasive malignancy or iatrogenic injury. TOF can result in aspiration, infection, and sepsis causing significant morbidly and mortality. Management of TOF is challenging and deciding an appropriate strategy requires a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical management has limited application with associated risks and is not an option for a large portion of patients. Minimally invasive methods such as endoscopic repair and stent insertion are favorable. Radiological insertion of metallic stents allows accurate stent placement with the aid of fluoroscopic mapping. This review describes the various methods of managing TOF by a multidisciplinary team.
Anastomotic Strictures after Esophageal Atresia Repair: Timing of Dilatation during the First Two Postoperative Years
Authors: Salö Martin , Stenström Pernilla , Anderberg Magnus , Arnbjörnsson Einar
Published: May 2018

Background We determined time frames for dilatation of anastomotic strictures (ASs) occurring during the first 2 years after esophageal atresia (EA) repair.

Methods A retrospective study was conducted on children with EA (Gross type C) who underwent direct repair between January 2008 and March 2015 at a single tertiary center of pediatric surgery. Endoscopic signs of stricture were indications for dilatation because the endoscopy provides more reliable information than X-ray imagining methods.

Results Among our cohort of 49 children with EA, 19 (39%) required at least one esophageal dilatation. All children required initial dilatation within the first year of life and none was older than 1 year during initial dilatation (p < 0.01). A median of three dilatations (range: 1–13) took place per patient, with 87% performed during the first postoperative year. The timing of initial dilatation in the first year (< 6 months, 14/19 [74%] vs. 6–12 months, 5/19 [26%]) was predictive of the need for dilatation beyond the first year (9/14 [64%] vs. 0/5 [0%]; p = 0.03) but not of more numerous dilatations (median, 3 vs. 1; p = 0.07).

Conclusion The need for dilatation within 6 months postoperatively predicts the need for dilatation after 1 year, but it does not indicate the number of dilatations that will be needed.
Female Physicians in Maternal–Fetal Medicine: A 32-Year Perspective
Authors: Will Vanessa , Rayburn William , Blackstone Jacquelyn
Published: May 2018

Objective To examine trends of female physicians either pursuing fellowships or in active practice in maternal–fetal medicine (MFM).

Methods This observational study examined complete sets of MFM fellows and active members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) between 1985 and 2016. Databases from SMFM, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were used. Analysis of covariance testing was used to assess interactions over time between groups.

Results The proportion of female MFM fellows increased steadily from 17.1% in 1985 to 72.5% in 2016. The proportion of females grew more rapidly among the MFM fellows than obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) residents (2.1 vs. 1.4% per year; p = 0.001) and among those who were active SMFM members than ACOG Fellows (1.4 vs. 1.2% per year; p = 0.013). Slightly more than half (52.4%) of all SMFM members are now female and will approach two-thirds (64.4%) by 2025 (compared with 53.4% in 2016 and 65.3% in 2025 of ACOG fellows).

Conclusion The rising proportion of female MFM fellows is directly related to the high number of female ob-gyn residents. Females comprise slightly more than half of all active SMFM members now and projected to approach two-thirds by 2025.
Is It Necessary to Measure Thyroid Hormone Levels in Children Receiving Antiepileptic Drugs?
Authors: Abdel Aziz Reem A. , Abu ELela Mostafa A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose This article evaluates the effect of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on thyroid function tests in children with epilepsy.

Methodology One hundred twenty children were studied, with 40 patients taking older generation AEDs Na valproate (N = 20) and carbamazepine (N = 20), 40 patients taking newer generation AEDs levetiracetam (N = 20) and oxcarbazepine (N = 20), and 40 healthy children as controls. Serum T3, T4, FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured.

Results Patients taking Na valproate had lower T3, T4, and a higher TSH level than controls. Patients taking carbamazepine had the lowest T3, T4, and FT4 serum levels among patients receiving AEDs.

Conclusion The thyroid function tests were affected by the use of Na valproate and carbamazepine compared to both the control group and the group taking newer AEDs oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam. In addition, there was no effect of levetiracetam on thyroid function test results.
Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in alcoholic, non-alcoholic and autoimmune pancreatitis
Authors: Hirth Michael , Weiss Christel , Weidner Philip , Antoni Christoph , Thomann Anne , Reindl Wolfgang , Ebert Matthias P. , Pfützer Roland H. , Schneider Alexander
Published: May 2018

Objectives Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently reveal features of pancreatic inflammation. However, the prevalence of IBD in patients with alcoholic pancreatitis (AP) and nonalcoholic pancreatitis (NAP) has not yet been determined, and the prevalence of IBD in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AiP) from Germany is unknown.

Aims Thus, we aimed, first, to determine the prevalence of IBD in AP, NAP, and AiP from a tertiary center in Germany and, second, to characterize patients with AiP and IBD.

Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of IBD in patients with different forms of pancreatitis presenting to our clinic.

Results Compared to the general population and to a control group with viral hepatitis from our clinic, we observed the most significant increase of IBD in patients with AiP (n = 3/28; p < 0.0001 vs. general population, binomial proportion test; p = 0.0112 vs. hepatitis group, Fisher’s exact test), followed by a significant increase in subjects with NAP (n = 11/278; p < 0.0001 vs. general population, binomial proportion test; p = 0.0338 vs. hepatitis group, Fisher’s exact test). A review of previous studies on the prevalence of IBD among patients with AiP revealed a combined prevalence of 12 % (n = 43/355). Type 2 AiP is significantly more often associated with IBD than type 1 AiP (n = 28/48, 58 % vs. n = 7/129, 5 %; combined patient cohort, p < 10E − 12; Fisher’s exact test).

Conclusions Immune-mediated mechanisms related to IBD may participate in the development of AiP, especially AiP type 2, and may also increase the risk for the development of other forms of pancreatic inflammation.
Large deviation theory for the kinetics and energetics of turnover of enzyme catalysis in a chemiostatic flow
Authors: Das Biswajit , Gangopadhyay Gautam
Published: May 2018

In the framework of large deviation theory, we have characterized nonequilibrium turnover statistics of enzyme catalysis in a chemiostatic flow with externally controllable parameters, like substrate injection rate and mechanical force. In the kinetics of the process, we have shown the fluctuation theorems in terms of the symmetry of the scaled cumulant generating function (SCGF) in the transient and steady state regime and a similar symmetry rule is reflected in a large deviation rate function (LDRF) as a property of the dissipation rate through boundaries. Large deviation theory also gives the thermodynamic force of a nonequilibrium steady state, as is usually recorded experimentally by a single molecule technique, which plays a key role responsible for the dynamical symmetry of the SCGF and LDRF. Using some special properties of the Legendre transformation, here, we have provided a relation between the fluctuations of fluxes and dissipation rates, and among them, the fluctuation of the turnover rate is routinely estimated but the fluctuation in the dissipation rate is yet to be characterized for small systems. Such an enzymatic reaction flow system can be a very good testing ground to systematically understand the rare events from the large deviation theory which is beyond fluctuation theorem and central limit theorem.
Finite water depth effects on the performance of a wave farm
Authors: Loukogeorgaki Eva
Published: May 2018

The present paper focuses on the numerical investigation and the assessment of finite water depth effects on the performance (hydrodynamic behavior and energy absorption) of a wave farm. The farm consists of nine, free floating, mutually interacting, heaving Wave Energy Converters (WECs), arranged in a 3 × 3 rectilinear grid. The WECs' Power Taking Off (PTO) mechanism, actuated from their heave motion, is modelled as a linear damping system. Linear frequency domain analysis is implemented under the action of head regular and irregular waves, while three different installation depths are examined. For defining the PTO's damping coefficient, the water depth effect on the heave radiation damping coefficient is considered. Moreover, in the case of irregular waves, an incident wave spectrum with finite depth spectral formulation (TMA spectrum) is deployed for taking into account limited water depth conditions. Constructive and destructive interactions among the WECs in terms of power absorption are appropriately quantified, and the water depth effects on the existence and the extent of these interactions are assessed. The results of the present study illustrate that water depth effects are pronounced in the case of irregular waves, where the water depth's decrease leads to a significant decrease in the WECs' response and the farm's absorbed power, especially for the smallest examined installation depth. However, the comparison of absorbed power losses with power resource losses demonstrates that although the farm's installation at smaller water depth results in significant power resource losses, the farm's capture efficiency is not so intensively reduced.
Dual-mode ferromagnetic resonance in an FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB synthetic antiferromagnet with uniaxial anisotropy
Authors: Wang Cuiling , Zhang Shouheng , Qiao Shizhu , Du Honglei , Liu Xiaomin , Sun Ruicong , Chu Xian-Ming , Miao Guo-Xing , Dai Youyong , Kang Shishou , Yan Shishen , Li Shandong
Published: May 2018

Dual-mode ferromagnetic resonance is observed in FeCoB/Ru/FeCoB trilayer synthetic antiferromagnets with uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The optical mode is present in the (0–108 Oe) magnetic field range, where the top and bottom layer magnetizations are aligned in opposite directions. The strong acoustic mode appears, when the magnetic field exceeds the 300 Oe value, which corresponds to the flop transition in the trilayer. Magnetic field and angular dependences of resonant frequencies are studied for both optical (low-field) and acoustic (high field) modes. The low-field mode is found to be anisotropic but insensitive to the magnetic field value. In contrast, the high field mode is quasi-isotropic, but its resonant frequency is tunable by the value of the magnetic field. The coexistence of two modes of ferromagnetic resonance as well as switching between them with the increase in the magnetic field originates from the difference in the sign of interlayer coupling energy at the parallel and antiparallel configurations of the synthetic antiferromagnet. The dual-mode resonance in the studied trilayer structures provides greater flexibility in the design and functionalization of micro-inductors in monolithic microwave integrated circuits.
Several reverse-time integrable nonlocal nonlinear equations: Rogue-wave solutions
Authors: Yang Bo , Chen Yong
Published: May 2018

A study of rogue-wave solutions in the reverse-time nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) and nonlocal Davey-Stewartson (DS) equations is presented. By using Darboux transformation (DT) method, several types of rogue-wave solutions are constructed. Dynamics of these rogue-wave solutions are further explored. It is shown that the (1 + 1)-dimensional fundamental rogue-wave solutions in the reverse-time NLS equation can be globally bounded or have finite-time blowing-ups. It is also shown that the (2 + 1)-dimensional line rogue waves in the reverse-time nonlocal DS equations can be bounded for all space and time or develop singularities in critical time. In addition, the multi- and higher-order rogue waves exhibit richer structures, most of which have no counterparts in the corresponding local nonlinear equations.
Antiferromagnetic resonance in crystalline PrFe3(BO3)4
Authors: Bludov A. N. , Pashchenko V. A. , Kobets M. I. , Bedarev V. A. , Merenkov D. N. , Gnatchenko S. L. , Gudim I. A.
Published: May 2018

Experimental AFMR studies of crystalline PrFe3(BO3)4 over a wide frequency range of 10–143 GHz at a temperature of 4.2 K have been carried out. The high-frequency properties of praseodymium ferroborate are well described in terms of a model of a two-sublattice antiferromagnet with an “easy axis” anisotropy. An energy gap of 134.3 ± 0.5 GHz is determined and the magnitude of the effective magnetic anisotropy field is estimated to be 1.9 ± 0.1 kOe. An analysis indicates that the spin-orientational phase transition in this compound is a first order transition.
Analysis of wall-embedded Langmuir probe signals in different conditions on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable
Authors: Février O. , Theiler C. , De Oliveira H. , Labit B. , Fedorczak N. , Baillod A.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents the current wall-embedded Langmuir probe system installed on the Tokamak à Configuration Variable (TCV), as well as the analysis tool chain used to interpret the current-voltage characteristic obtained when the probes are operated in swept-bias conditions. The analysis is based on a four-parameter fit combined with a minimum temperature approach. In order to reduce the effect of plasma fluctuations and measurement noise, several current-voltage characteristics are usually averaged before proceeding to the fitting. The impact of this procedure on the results is investigated, as well as the possible role of finite resistances in the circuitry, which could lead to an overestimation of the temperature. We study the application of the procedure in a specific regime, the plasma detachment, where results from other diagnostics indicate that the electron temperature derived from the Langmuir probes might be overestimated. To address this issue, we explore other fitting models and, in particular, an extension of the asymmetric double probe fit, which features effects of sheath expansion. We show that these models yield lower temperatures (up to approximately 60%) than the standard analysis in detached conditions, particularly for a temperature peak observed near the plasma strike point, but a discrepancy with other measurements remains. We explore a possible explanation for this observation, the presence of a fast electron population, and assess how robust the different methods are in such conditions.
Perspective: Engineering noise in biological systems towards predictive
stochastic design
Authors: Dar Roy D. , Weiss Ron
Published: May 2018

Significant progress has been made towards engineering both single-cell and multi-cellular systems through a combination of synthetic and systems biology, nanobiotechnology, pharmaceutical science, and computational approaches. However, our ability to engineer systems that begin to approach the complexity of natural pathways is severely limited by important challenges, e.g. due to noise, or the fluctuations in gene expression and molecular species at multiple scales (e.g. both intra- and inter-cellular fluctuations). This barrier to engineering requires that biological noise be recognized as a design element with fundamentals that can be actively controlled. Here we highlight studies of an emerging discipline that collectively strives to engineer noise towards predictive stochastic design using interdisciplinary approaches at multiple-scales in diverse living systems.
Multichannel tunable omnidirectional photonic band gaps of 1D ternary photonic crystal containing magnetized cold plasma
Authors: Awasthi Suneet Kumar , Panda Ranjita , Chauhan Prashant Kumar , Shiveshwari Laxmi
Published: May 2018

By using the transfer matrix method, theoretical investigations have been carried out in the microwave region to study the reflection properties of multichannel tunable omnidirectional photonic bandgaps (OPBGs) based on the magneto-optic Faraday effect. The proposed one dimensional ternary plasma photonic crystal consists of alternate layers of quartz, magnetized cold plasma (MCP), and air. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the proposed structure possesses two OPBGs induced by Bragg scattering and is strongly dependent on the incident angle, the polarization of the incident light, and the lattice constant unlike to the single-negative gap and zero-n¯ gap. Next, the reflection properties of OPBGs have been made tunable by the application of external magnetic field under right hand and left hand polarization configurations. The results of this manuscript may be utilized for the development of a new kind of tunable omnidirectional band stop filter with ability to completely stop single to multiple bands (called channels) of microwave frequencies in the presence of external static magnetic field under left-hand polarization and right-hand polarization configurations, respectively. Moreover, outcomes of this study open a promising way to design tunable magneto-optical devices, omnidirectional total reflectors, and planar waveguides of high Q microcavities as a result of evanescent fields in the MCP layer to allow propagation of light.
Intensity-dependent resonant transmission of x-rays in solid-density aluminum plasma
Authors: Cho M. S. , Chung H.-K. , Cho B. I.
Published: May 2018

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) provide unique opportunities to generate and investigate dense plasmas. The absorption and transmission properties of x-ray photons in dense plasmas are important in characterizing the state of the plasmas. Experimental evidence shows that the transmission of x-ray photons through dense plasmas depends greatly on the incident XFEL intensity. Here, we present a detailed analysis of intensity-dependent x-ray transmission in solid-density aluminum using collisional-radiative population kinetics calculations. Reverse saturable absorption (RSA), i.e., an increase in x-ray absorption with intensity has been observed for photon energies below the K-absorption edge and in the intensity range of 1016–1017 W/cm2 for XFEL photons with 1487 eV. At higher intensities, a transition from RSA to saturable absorption (SA) is predicted; thus, the x-ray absorption decreases with intensity above a threshold value. For XFEL photon energies of 1501 eV and 1515 eV, the transition from RSA to SA occurs at XFEL intensities between 1017–1018 W/cm2. Electron temperatures are predicted to be in the range of 30–50 eV for the given experimental conditions. Detailed population kinetics of the charge states explains the intensity-dependent absorption of x-ray photons and the fast modulation of XFEL pulses for both RSA and SA.
The influence of the level of ewe gestation nutrition and lamb finishing diet on long-chain polyunsaturated fat concentration, antioxidant and mineral status, and colour stability of meat
Authors: Ponnampalam E. N. , Behrendt R. , Kerr M. G. , Raeside M. C. , McDonagh M. B.
Published: May 2018

The influence of ewe gestation nutrition (EGN) and lamb finishing diet (LFD) on muscle essential fatty acid, antioxidant and mineral status and retail colour of meat in F1 progeny lambs were investigated. First-cross Border Leicester × Merino and Maternal–Coopworth Composite ewes (n = 938) were artificially inseminated to nine terminal sires. From this flock, 648 pregnant ewes were selected between Day 41 and Day 49 of pregnancy, producing 72 pregnant ewes from each sire for distribution across six condition-score (CS) groups. Each CS group was balanced for three sires of high, medium and low lean meat yield and ewe breed. Variation in EGN was achieved through pasture allocations and supplementation, to meet three CS (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5) targets at lambing. At lambing, management of EGN ceased and ewes and lambs were given access to similar pasture allocations. Lambs were weaned at 12 weeks of age and backgrounded on pasture before the random allocation from within each block of sire by CS treatment combination, to the following three different finishing diets: high energy–high protein (HEHP); high energy–moderate protein (HEMP) and moderate energy–high protein (MEHP). Moderate EGN (CS 3.0) increased (P < 0.02) muscle C22:6n-3 and decreased (P < 0.04) C20:4n-6 concentrations compared with CS 2.5 and CS 3.5 EGN groups respectively. Redness of meat over the display period was greater (P = 0.005) for CS 3.0 and CS 3.5 EGN regimes than for the CS 2.5 regime. The MEHP diet reduced (P < 0.01) muscle C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6 and total n-6 fatty acid and increased antioxidant (vitamin E, P < 0.01) concentrations compared with HEHP and HEMP diets, but iron concentration was not affected. Differences in dietary vitamin E concentration between MEHP diet and HEHP or HEMP diets are likely to have contributed to increases in muscle antioxidant status. The energy and protein concentration of LFD had no effect on the health claimable n-3 fatty acid concentration in meat.
Modeling combination therapy for breast cancer with BET and immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Lai Xiulan , Stiff Andrew , Duggan Megan , Wesolowski Robert , Carson William E. , Friedman Avner
Published: May 2018

Significance

The Bromo- and Extra-Terminal (BET) family proteins regulate transcription of several oncogenes. For this reason, targeting BET protein may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti–CTLA-4, sustain cytotoxic T cells in their anticancer activity. This paper develops a mathematical model to determine the efficacy of combination therapy with BET and CTLA-4 inhibitors. Simulations of the model are in agreement with experimental results. It is shown that the two drugs are positively correlated in reducing the tumor volume. The model also shows, under different combinations of doses that lead to the same tumor volume reduction, in what proportion to choose the two drugs to minimize the increased level of the proinflammatory TNF-

α

.
Cotranslocational processing of the protein substrate calmodulin by an AAA+ unfoldase occurs via unfolding and refolding intermediates
Authors: Augustyniak Rafal , Kay Lewis E.
Published: May 2018

Significance

In the cell, proteins are continuously synthesized and degraded. Degradation as well as unraveling of aggregated proteins depends on the activity of a family of ATP-driven ring-shaped unfoldases that catalyze unfolding of protein substrates by threading them through central ring channels. Here we follow the unfolding, translocation, and refolding of a substrate as it passes through the central pore of VAT, an archetypal unfoldase, using a method based on chemical cross-linking and methyl transverse relaxation-optimized NMR spectroscopy. The approach yields insights about how molecular machines are able to unfold protein targets, showing that for multidomain proteins unfolding can proceed in a series of steps that vary depending on whether the substrate is unfolded from its N or C terminus.
Developing a molecular dynamics force field for both folded and disordered protein states
Authors: Robustelli Paul , Piana Stefano , Shaw David E.
Published: May 2018

Significance

Many proteins that perform important biological functions are completely or partially disordered under physiological conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations could be a powerful tool for the structural characterization of such proteins, but it has been unclear whether the physical models (force fields) used in simulations are sufficiently accurate. Here, we systematically compare the accuracy of a number of different force fields in simulations of both ordered and disordered proteins, finding that each force field has strengths and limitations. We then describe a force field that substantially improves on the state-of-the-art accuracy for simulations of disordered proteins without sacrificing accuracy for folded proteins, thus broadening the range of biological systems amenable to molecular dynamics simulations.
Suppressor mutation analysis combined with 3D modeling explains cohesin’s capacity to hold and release DNA
Authors: Xu Xingya , Kanai Ryuta , Nakazawa Norihiko , Wang Li , Toyoshima Chikashi , Yanagida Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2018

Significance

The heterodimeric cohesin SMC complex embraces duplex DNA and is associated with Rad21, which is cleaved in mitotic anaphase by a protease called separase/Cut1. Upon Rad21 cleavage, chromosomal DNAs are released from cohesin and segregated. We identified extragenic suppressors for separase and cohesin temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants using whole-genome sequencing and made the surprising discovery that cleavage of Rad21 is largely dispensable if suppressor causes physical disorders of cohesin interfaces among essential subunits. The predicted disorders provide insights into a DNA “hold-and-release” model in which hinge and head of SMC subunits are proximal to form arched coiled coils that close or open by their orientation. The model is distinct from the “ring” model and may promote further study.
Molecular dynamics simulations of liquid silica crystallization
Authors: Niu Haiyang , Piaggi Pablo M. , Invernizzi Michele , Parrinello Michele
Published: May 2018

Significance

Silica is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth’s crust and since the dawn of civilization its use has accompanied mankind’s technological evolution. Understanding crystallization is crucial in many industrial processes as well as in geology. Although experiments and simulations are difficult, we are able to perform an atomistic simulation of the

β

-cristobalite crystallization using an enhanced sampling method that uses as input only the intensity of the highest X-ray diffraction peak of

β

-cristobalite.
Discursive strategies in corporate image building of Monsanto
Authors: Koca-Helvacı Zeynep Cihan
Published: May 2018

Since the public’s awareness and interest in the usage of biotechnology in agriculture has increased drastically, this study seeks to discover the macro and micro discursive strategies in corporate image building by Monsanto, which is not only the leader but also happens to be the most criticized company of the agribusiness market (Mitchell, 2014). By means of triangulating the Socio-Cognitive Approach (van Dijk, 1995), Legitimation Theory (van Leeuwen, 2007) and Corpus Linguistic techniques, discourse topics, group schemata and legitimation strategies were investigated to understand how Monsanto presents its self-image through the sustainability reports of 2014 and 2015. It is seen that Monsanto’s self-presentation is heavily built upon scientific expertise, authority figures, dynamism and altruism with the claim of providing safe and affordable food for everyone. One of the most striking findings is the agribusiness giant’s frequent use of the negative mental imagery associated with climate change and population growth to justify the need for its genetically engineered products for a sustainable world.
Validating extremism
Authors: Winkler Carol , el-Damanhoury Kareem , Lemieux Anthony F.
Published: May 2018

Daesh’s centralized media operations provide a steady stream of media products to citizens living in and around its controlled territories, with the result that several nations occupied or adjacent to the group have emerged as many of the most fruitful recruiting grounds for new members. To better understand the argumentation strategies targeting such audiences, this study examines the 119 infographics in the first 50 issues of Daesh’s official weekly Arabic newsletter,al-Naba’. The findings suggest that through a patterned application of statistical, historical, religious, and scientific arguments from authority to predictable topical areas, the infographics in al-Naba’ reinforce Daesh as a key source of information for the citizenry of the proclaimed caliphate.
Language structure and principles of information organization
Authors: Tomita Naoko
Published: May 2018

The empirical study investigates how native speakers of Japanese, native speakers of German and advanced German learners of Japanese organise information for establishing coherence when retelling a film story. There are differences found between the two L1 groups: (a) The speakers of German employ various lexical items (e.g., dann ‘then’) for organization of a text-intrinsic shift in the temporal domain, whereas the verbal aspect in Japanese suffices for this purpose. (b) The speakers of Japanese often take the protagonist’s point of view for description of the situation which the protagonist perceives at his now in the narrative world, whereas the speakers of German adhere to their own perspective. (c) This is connected with the different ways for establishing causal coherence. Moreover, the analysis of the L2 retellings suggests that the principles of information organization in the target language are not evident to the adult learners mind and eye. These results are discussed in respect of the relationship between the typological features of the L1/L2 ([+/− verbal aspect, +/− subjectivity-prominent]) and the principles of information organization. In particular, the study focuses on the role of the grammaticised notions STATE, EVENT, and POINT OF VIEW in L1/L2 production.
Ways of expressing action in multimodal narrations – the semiotic complexity of character viewpoint depictions
Authors: Bressem Jana , Ladewig Silva H. , Müller Cornelia
Published: May 2018

Based on an analysis accounting for the whole body as a possible articulator in the depiction of actions, this chapter argues for an expansion of the notion of ‘character viewpoint gestures’ to a notion of ‘multimodal action depiction from a character viewpoint’. Our study shows that speakers may deploy only single articulators, providing a semantically reduced depiction of the action, or they may deploy more bodily articulators and give a semantically rich picture of the event narrated. Our findings suggest a continuum of semiotic complexity, capturing the range of bodily involvement from less pantomimic (single articulators involved) to pantomimic depictions (more articulators involved) of actions. The paper closes by discussing our observations with respect to the notion of ‘constructed action’ and ‘role shift’ in sign languages and by giving some general remarks on the multimodal analysis of narrations.
An analysis of Arabic metaphorical and/or metonymical compounds
Authors: Zibin Aseel , Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman Mitib Salim
Published: May 2018

This study provides an analysis of Arabic metaphorical and/or metonymical compounds, extracted from a 20,000-word corpus, based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Conceptual Blending Theory. The analysis focuses on the semantic transparency of these compounds, on the one hand, and their linguistic creativity, on the other. In line with Benczes (2006,2010), we suggest that the comprehension of Arabic metaphorical and/or metonymical compounds is possibly one of degree depending on which element is affected by metaphor and metonymy. Here, it is proposed that there are compounds which are more creative than others. We argue that in addition to the degree of semantic transparency and linguistic creativity of Arabic metaphorical and/or metonymical compounds, there are other factors that can influence the comprehension of these compounds; namely, the frequency of the compound, the conventionality of the metaphors involved in the compound and whether conceptual metonymy acts on the compound. Our proposal is supported by the judgments of 12 native-speaker informants, who were asked to provide the meaning of 35 Arabic metaphorical and/or metonymical compounds. The study concludes with recommendations for further research.
Diglossia
Authors: Daniëls Helge
Published: May 2018

Diglossia is, as far as the Arabic language is concerned, a concept that has been taken for granted, as much as it has been criticized. First, based on Ferguson’s article on diglossia and subsequent interpretations and ramifications of the concept and with a special focus on how language variability is discursively deployed and how it is perceived in the Arab speech community, I will argue that diglossia does not so much describe actual language use, but rather how language variability is ‘read’ in the Arab world. In the second part of the article, an analysis of labeling in a 19th century debate will show how the dichotomy betweenfuṣḥāand non-fuṣḥāvarieties (ʿāmmīya),1which is the basis of diglossia, was already taken for granted long before the concept and the term existed, and even beforefuṣḥāandʿāmmīyawere used as independent lexical items. The analysis in both parts of the article shows how much diglossia is taken for granted by most native speakers of Arabic, even if it defies linguistic descriptions of actual language use. It is exactly this ‘common-sense-ness’ that suggests that diglossia is a useful tool to describe language ideological attitudes.
Refusals in Early Modern English drama texts
Authors: Reichl Isabella
Published: May 2018

Due to their largely non-routinized forms and their not being retrievable in computerised corpus searches, refusals have hitherto not been examined from a diachronic perspective. The present paper presents an inventory of refusal strategies in Early Modern English drama texts. Five comedies from two periods (1560–1599 and 1720–1760), respectively, taken from the Corpus of English Dialogues 1560–1760 (Kytö and Culpeper 2006) were examined manually and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The analysis lead to an alternative classification of refusals which differs considerably from the frequently used taxonomy by Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Weltz (1990). The proposed classification takes into account three levels of analysis: the propositional content of the utterance, the functional super-strategy, and the speaker’s stance. The development of refusal within the period under investigation partially matches findings regarding related speech acts that show a development towards increased indirectness (Culpeper and Demmen 2011, Pakkala-Weckström 2008, Del Lungo Camiciotti 2008).
HITS-CLIP reveals sex-differential RNA binding and alterative splicing regulation of SRm160 in Drosophila
Authors: Qiu Chen , Zhang Yu , Fan Yu-Jie , Pang Ting-Lin , Su Yan , Zhan Shuai , Xu Yong-Zhen
Published: May 2018

Serine/arginine (SR)-rich proteins are critical for the regulation of alternative splicing (AS), which generates multiple mRNA isoforms from one gene and provides protein diversity for cell differentiation and tissue development. Genetic evidence suggests that Drosophila genital-specific overexpression of SR-related nuclear matrix protein of 160 kDa (SRm160), an SR protein with a PWI RNA-binding motif, causes defective development only in male flies and results in abnormal male genital structures and abnormal testis. However, the molecular characterization of SRm160 is limited. Using the high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) method in two sex-specific embryonic cell lines, S2 from the male and Kc from the female, we first identified the genome-wide RNA-binding characteristics of SRm160, which preferred binding to the exonic tri-nucleotide repeats GCA and AAC. We then validated this binding through both in vitro gel-shift assay and in vivo splicing of minigenes and found that SRm160 level affects AS of many transcripts. Furthermore, we identified 492 differential binding sites (DBS) of SRm160 varying between the two sex-specific cell lines. Among these DBS-containing genes, splicing factors were highly enriched, including transformer, a key regulator in the sex determination cascade. Analyses of fly mutants demonstrated that the SRm160 level affects AS isoforms of transformer. These findings shed crucial light on SRm160’s RNA-binding specificity and regulation of AS in Drosophila sex determination and development.
PTSD Symptoms and Acute Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Lillis Teresa A. , Burns John , Aranda Frances , Purim-Shem-Tov Yanina A. , Bruehl Stephen , Beckham Jean C. , Hobfoll Stevan E.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Given high levels of traumatic stress for low-income, inner-city women, investigating the link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain is especially important.

Purpose:

Using the conservation of resources theory, we investigated direct and indirect relationships of PTSD symptoms, vulnerability factors (ie, resource loss, depressive symptoms, and social undermining), and resilience factors (ie, optimism, engagement, and social support) to acute pain reports in a sample of low-income, inner-city women.

Methods:

Participants (N=341; mean age=28 y; 58.0% African American) were recruited from an inner-city Emergency Department following presentation with acute pain. Study data were gathered from psychosocial questionnaires completed at a baseline interview.

Results:

Structural equation modeling examined direct and indirect relationships among PTSD symptoms, vulnerability factors, and resilience factors on self-reported pain intensity and pain interference. PTSD symptoms were directly related to higher pain intensity and pain interference and indirectly related through positive associations with vulnerability factors (allPs<0.05). Pathways through resilience factors were not supported.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that presence of PTSD symptoms is associated with elevated acute pain responses both indirectly via psychosocial vulnerability factors and directly, independent of the psychosocial factors assessed. Resilience factors did not play a significant role in determining acute pain responses. Consistent with conservation of resources theory, the negative effects of vulnerability factors outweighed the positive effects of resilience factors.
Osteoarthritis of the knee refractory to standard care: comparison of intraarticular hylan G-F 20 with triamcinolone acetonide. A real life study in a developing country
Authors: Razzaque Md. Abdur , Islam Md. Nazrul , Devnath Nandita , Ferdous Nira , Nazrul Fahid Bin , Rasker Johannes J.
Published: May 2018

Background:

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of intraarticular Hylan G-F 20 and triamcinolone acetonide 80 mg (TA) in primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) refractory to standard care in a developing country.

Methods:

After injection of either Hylan or TA, patients were seen at 12 and 26 wk. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, pain, stiffness (100 mm visual analogue score), and European Quality of Life (EQ) score were measured as well as radiographic joint space change and joint severity grade.

Results:

The 26-week study was completed by 24 patients receiving Hylan (45 knees) and 21 receiving TA (38 knees). The primary outcome (improvement ≥40% of total WOMAC scores) at 12 wk in the Hylan group was 30 (66.7%) and in the TA group 5 (13.2%) (P<0.00) and at 26 wk, 35 (77.8%) and 10 (26.3%), respectively, (P<0.001). All secondary end points (pain, stiffness quality of life) improved significantly after 12 and 26 wk in both groups) but more in the Hylan group. The Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic grade improved more in the Hylan group than the TA group. The joint space improved at 12 wk in the Hylan and TA groups (0.4±0.8 and 0.1±0.5, respectively, P=0.044), and at 26 wk (0.6±1.1 and 0.0±0.5, respectively, P=0.003). No remarkable side effects were observed.

Conclusions:

In primary knee OA refractory to standard care, pain improved significantly more with Hylan G-F 20 than with TA after 12 and 26 wk as regards function and quality of life. Further studies are needed to assess longer time effects.