bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The functions of imitative behaviour in humans
Authors: Farmer Harry , Ciaunica Anna , Hamilton Antonia F. de C.
Published: May 2018

This article focuses on the question of the function of imitation and whether current accounts of imitative function are consistent with our knowledge about imitation's origins. We first review theories of imitative origin concluding that empirical evidence suggests that imitation arises from domain‐general learning mechanisms. Next, we lay out a selective account of function that allows normative functions to be ascribed to learned behaviours. We then describe and review four accounts of the function of imitation before evaluating the relationship between the claim that imitation arises out of domain‐general learning mechanisms and theories of the function of imitation.
A qualitative investigation of hospital visitors’ experiences using the analytic lens of liminality: Informing nursing practice and policy
Authors: Underwood Janet , Rhodes Christine
Published: May 2018

This research aimed to inform nursing practice and policy by identifying satisfying and problematic experiences of hospital visitors during the hospitalisation episode of a significant other. An extensive contextual review revealed that healthcare systems in advanced economies face multiple pressures and that in England, the government leaves the determination of hospital visiting rules to individual trusts. The analytic lens of liminality provides rich interpretations of visitors’ accounts and demonstrates the importance to visitors of structure (hospital rules and systems) and communitas (social bonding among liminal personae). Supportive hospital structures reduce the challenges of liminality and increase satisfaction. The data further suggest an extension to current understandings of liminality. Strong structure and successful communitas permit a safe exit from liminality after the hospitalisation episode for visitors with a close emotional bond with the patient.
Implementation of Reach Up early childhood parenting program: acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility in Brazil and Zimbabwe
Authors: Smith Joanne A. , Baker‐Henningham Helen , Brentani Alexandra , Mugweni Rose , Walker Susan P.
Published: May 2018

Young children need nurturing care, which includes responsive caregiver–child interactions and opportunities to learn. However, there are few extant large‐scale programs that build parents’ abilities to provide this. We have developed an early childhood parenting training package, called Reach Up, with the aim of providing an evidence‐based, adaptable program that is feasible for low‐resource settings. Implementation of Reach Up was evaluated in Brazil and Zimbabwe to inform modifications needed and identify challenges that implementers and delivery agents encountered. Interview guides were developed to collect information on the program's appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility from mothers, home visitors, and supervisors. Information on adaptation was obtained from country program leads and Reach Up team logs, as well as quality of visits from observations conducted by supervisors. The program was well accepted by mothers and visitors, who perceived benefits for the children; training was viewed as appropriate, and visitors felt well‐prepared to conduct visits. A need for expansion of supervisor training was identified and the program was feasible to implement, although challenges were identified, including staff turnover; implementation was less feasible for staff with other work commitments (in Brazil). However, most aspects of visit quality were high. We conclude that the Reach Up program can expand capacity for parenting programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Practical considerations for transitioning early childhood interventions to scale: lessons from the Saving Brains portfolio
Authors: Radner James M. , Ferrer Marvin J.S. , McMahon Dominique , Black Caroline F.D. , Shankar Anuraj H. , Silver Karlee L.
Published: May 2018

Small pilot studies of young children have frequently shown promise, but very few have been successfully scaled to the regional or national levels. How can we ensure that these promising approaches move from a suite of pilots to full‐scale implementation that can deliver sustainable impact for hundreds of millions of children? To elucidate concrete lessons learned and suggestions on accelerating the transition to impact at scale, we reviewed the Saving Brains portfolio to better understand three points: (1) the extent to which useful signals of impact could be extracted from data at the seed phase, (2) the ways in which innovators (project leaders) were approaching human resource challenges critical for scaling, and (3) the multisector diversity of the portfolio and the way innovators entered partnerships. The findings suggest key considerations for transitioning early childhood development interventions to scale and sustainability: strong entrepreneurial leadership, rigorous measurement and active use of data in support of adaptive learning, and champions acting at subnational levels. Together, these can enable flexible, iterative learning that can make the scaling process an opportunity to increase the level of benefit each child receives from an intervention.
State of the science on implementation research in early child development and future directions
Authors: Aboud Frances E. , Yousafzai Aisha K. , Nores Milagros
Published: May 2018

We summarize the state of the field of implementation research and practice for early child development and propose recommendations. First, conclusions are drawn regarding what is generally known about the implementation of early childhood development programs, based on papers and discussions leading to a published series on the topic. Second, recommendations for short‐term activities emphasize the use of newly published guidelines for reporting data collection methods and results for implementation processes; knowledge of the guidelines and a menu of measures allows for planning ahead. Additional recommendations include careful documentation of early‐stage implementation, such as adapting a program to a different context and assessing feasibility, as well as the process of sustaining and scaling up a program. Using existing implementation information by building on and improving past programs and translating them into policy are recommended. Longer term goals are to identify implementation characteristics of effective programs and determinants of these characteristics.
Left ventricular aneurysms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with midventricular obstruction: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Elsheshtawy Moustafa O. , Mahmoud Ahmed N. , Abdelghany Mahmoud , Suen Ida H. , Sadiq Adnan , Shani Jacob
Published: May 2018

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with or without left ventricular apical aneurysm (LVA) had been studied in the past. Midventricular obstruction associated with HCM and LVA is a unique entity that has not been distinguished previously as a separate phenotypic disease in HCM patients.

Methods

A systematic review of Pubmed and Google Scholar was conducted from inception until September 2017 for all observational studies conducted on HCM with midventricular obstruction and LVA.

Results

A total of 94 patients from 39 studies were included in our analysis. The mean age of the patients was 58.05 ± 11.76 years with 59.6% being males. The most common electrocardiographic finding was T wave inversion occurring in 13.8% of the cases followed by ST elevation (9.5%). Maximal left ventricle (LV) wall thickness was reported 18.89 ± 5.19 mm on transthoracic echocardiography and paradoxical jet flow was detected in 29.8% of patients. Beta‐blockers (58.5%) were the most common drug therapy at baseline and amiodarone (10.6%) was the most common antiarrhythmic used for ventricular tachycardia (VT). The most common complication, VT, occurred in 39.3% of cases and the incidence of all‐cause mortality was 13.8 % over 16 ± 20.1 months follow‐up. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was used in 37.2% of patients; 25.7% of patients with ICD received appropriate shock therapy.

Conclusion

HCM with LVA and midventricular obstruction is a unique entity that appears to be associated with high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Thus, early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is recommended for management of this condition.
A standard protocol for documenting modern and fossil ichnological data
Authors: Falkingham Peter L. , Bates Karl T. , Avanzini Marco , Bennett Matthew , Bordy Emese M. , Breithaupt Brent H. , Castanera Diego , Citton Paolo , Díaz‐Martínez Ignacio , Farlow Jim O. , Fiorillo Anthony R. , Gatesy Stephen M. , Getty Patrick , Hatala Kevin G. , Hornung Jahn J. , Hyatt James A. , Klein Hendrik , Lallensack Jens N. , Martin Anthony J. , Marty Daniel , Matthews Neffra A. , Meyer Christian A. , Milàn Jesper , Minter Nicholas J. , Razzolini Novella L. , Romilio Anthony , Salisbury Steven W. , Sciscio Lara , Tanaka Ikuko , Wiseman Ashleigh L. A. , Xing L. D. , Belvedere Matteo
Published: May 2018

The collection and dissemination of vertebrate ichnological data is struggling to keep up with techniques that are becoming commonplace in the wider palaeontological field. A standard protocol is required to ensure that data is recorded, presented and archived in a manner that will be useful both to contemporary researchers, and to future generations. Primarily, our aim is to make the 3D capture of ichnological data standard practice, and to provide guidance on how such 3D data can be communicated effectively (both via the literature and other means) and archived openly and in perpetuity. We recommend capture of 3D data, and the presentation of said data in the form of photographs, false‐colour images, and interpretive drawings. Raw data (3D models of traces) should always be provided in a form usable by other researchers (i.e. in an open format). If adopted by the field as a whole, the result will be a more robust and uniform literature, supplemented by unparalleled availability of datasets for future workers.
A CIPK protein kinase targets sucrose transporter MdSUT2.2 at Ser254 for phosphorylation to enhance salt tolerance
Authors: Ma Qi‐Jun , Sun Mei‐Hong , Kang Hui , Lu Jing , You Chun‐Xiang , Hao Yu‐Jin
Published: May 2018

Soil salinity is one of the major abiotic stressors that negatively affect crop growth and yield. Salt stress can regulate antioxidants and the accumulation of osmoprotectants. In the study, a sucrose transporter MdSUT2.2 was identified in apple. Overexpression of MdSUT2.2 gene increased salt tolerance in the transgenic apple, compared with the WT control “Gala.” In addition, it was found that protein MdSUT2.2 was phosphorylated at Ser254 site in response to salt. A DUAL membrane yeast hybridization system through an apple cDNA library demonstrated that a protein kinase MdCIPK13 interacted with MdSUT2.2. A series of transgenic analysis in apple calli showed that MdCIPK13 was required for the salt‐induced phosphorylation of MdSUT2.2 protein and enhanced its stability and transport activity. Finally, it was found that MdCIPK13 improved salt resistance in an MdSUT2.2‐dependent manner. These findings had enriched our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress.
Fairness, severe intellectual disability, and the special case of transplantation
Authors: Wightman Aaron , Goldberg Aviva , Diekema Douglas
Published: May 2018

Children with severe intellectual disability have historically been excluded from solid organ transplantation. The purpose of this article was to review the arguments for excluding this population, including claims of poorer recipient and graft survival, a lower QoL as pediatric recipients become adults, and poorer outcomes for other, more deserving pediatric transplant candidates, and make the case that these arguments are no longer persuasive. We will argue that pediatric transplant centers for reasons of social justice, value of relationships, power differential, and fairness should generally not consider intellectual ability or disability as a criterion when making decisions regarding organ transplant eligibility.
Smartphone‐based close‐range photogrammetric assessment of spherical objects
Authors: Barbero‐García Innes , Cabrelles Miriam , Lerma José Luis , Marqués‐Mateu Ángel
Published: May 2018

Smartphones have widened the possibilities for low‐cost close‐range image acquisition for three‐dimensional (3D) modelling. They allow the rapid acquisition of large amounts of data for a wide range of applications. However, the accuracy of the models and the automation possibilities depend on the image acquisition conditions and application requirements. In this study, the accuracy and reliability of the derived photogrammetric 3D models are evaluated on a spherical set‐up for close‐range applications (c.30 cm). Different numbers of images, network configurations, targets, devices and camera calibration methodologies are tested and evaluated. Results show that for this close‐range application high accuracy (0·2 mm) and reliability can be achieved. The number of images did not significantly affect the accuracy but was vital for tie‐point detection and image orientation. The use of artificial targets was found to be the key factor in increasing the final accuracy. In contrast, the image calibration strategy and the characteristics of the imaging device did not have a great impact on the results.
Disease progression of a lethal decline caused by the 16SrIV‐D phytoplasma in Florida palms
Authors: Bahder B. W. , Helmick E. E. , Chakrabarti S. , Osorio S. , Soto N. , Chouvenc T. , Harrison N. A.
Published: May 2018

Recently, a new phytoplasma was discovered in Hillsborough County in the state of Florida, USA. This phytoplasma belongs to the 16SrIV taxonomic group and is classified as subgroup D. It is the causal agent of lethal bronzing disease (LBD) of palm. Since the discovery of LBD in 2006, the disease has spread throughout much of the state. In 2014 and 2015, stands of cabbage palm and queen palms that had been present at the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, FL began showing symptoms of LBD. After confirming the presence of the LBD phytoplasma in initially infected palms by nested PCR and RFLP analysis, all palms were systematically sampled over the period of 1 year to monitor and quantify disease spread. A total of 30 cabbage palms were tested monthly by qPCR, with five testing positive on the first sample date. By the end of the study period, 16 cabbage palms had died from the infection. A total of 16 queen palms were surveyed, with three palms initially testing positive. By the end of the study, four queen palms had tested positive and died from the infection. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to document and quantify spread of palm‐infecting phytoplasmas. This data provides important insights into the ecology of palm‐infecting phytoplasmas and highlights the impact that the movement of infective insects can pose to established stands of palms.
Pineapple heart rot isolates from Ecuador reveal a new genotype of Phytophthora nicotianae
Authors: Ratti M. F. , Ascunce M. S. , Landivar J. J. , Goss E. M.
Published: May 2018

Pineapple heart rot disease, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae (syn. P. parasitica), is responsible for significant annual reductions in crop yield due to plant mortality. In Ecuador, new infections arise during the rainy season and increase production costs due to the need for biocontrol and fungicide applications. Studies of P. nicotianae population structure suggest that certain genetic groups are associated with host genera; however, it is not clear how many host‐specific lineages of the pathogen exist or how they are related. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of genetic variation in the P. nicotianae population causing heart rot disease of pineapple in Ecuador and compare the genotypes found on pineapple to those previously reported from citrus, tobacco and ornamentals. Thirty P. nicotianae isolates collected from infected pineapple leaves from four farms were genotyped using nine simple sequence repeat loci. In addition, the DNA sequences of mitochondrial loci cox2 + spacer and trnG‐rns were analysed. Together, these loci supported a single clonal lineage with two multilocus genotypes differing in a single allele and low mitochondrial diversity. This lineage was distinct but closely related to isolates collected from vegetables and ornamentals in Italy. The results support the hypothesis of host specialization of P. nicotianae in intensive cropping systems and contribute to the understanding of population structure of this important pathogen.
Friends and family, fruit and fish: the gift in Quattrocento Farnese cultural politics
Authors: Luiten Loek
Published: May 2018

The production and exchange of fish and fruit by baronial families during the Quattrocento has so far defied thorough analysis. Less conspicuous than the exchange of cloth or gilded objects and less evidently linked to noble status than hunting dogs or thoroughbred racehorses, they nevertheless speak of a distinctly noble practice and culture. The modes of production of fruit and fish were intrinsically tied to the possession of extensive estates as well as noble fishing privileges. This article therefore traces both their production and dissemination by members of the Farnese family, their kin, and political relations. It shows how, through their continuous production and dissemination fruit and fish as gifts incorporated a phatic function that continued a cycle of communication, obligation and affection. Through this exchange the Farnese were able to negotiate their status with some of the most important power brokers on the Italian peninsula, strengthening the ties of their political network that spanned much of the peninsula.
Characterizing the tissue dielectric constant of skin basal cell cancer lesions
Authors: Mayrovitz H. N. , Gildenberg S. R. , Spagna P. , Killpack L. , Altman D. A.
Published: May 2018

Background

Measuring tissue dielectric constant (TDC) of cancer tissues to distinguish them from normal or non‐cancerous tissues has been an active area of research that has targeted several different cancer types usually using in vitro specimens. The goal of this study was to determine if and to what extent TDC values measured in vivo at 300 MHz using a simple hand‐held measuring device might differentiate between skin cancer lesions and non‐cancerous skin.

Materials and Methods

Triplicate TDC measurements were made in 32 patients who were subsequently diagnosed with skin basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and in 14 patients subsequently diagnosed as having non‐cancerous lesions. Lesion TDC values were compared to contralateral unaffected skin and between lesion types.

Results

A significantly lower TDC value (mean ± SD) of BCC lesions (TDCL) vs TDC values of contralateral non‐affected skin (TDCC) was found (22.4 ± 16.2 vs 38.1 ± 15.2, P < .00001). A similar pattern was found for non‐cancerous lesions with lesion TDC values less than non‐affected skin (14.5 ± 9.0 vs 29.1 ± 9.0, P < .0001). However, TDC values were not statistically different between BCC lesions and non‐cancerous lesions (22.4 ± 16.2 vs 14.5 ± 9.0, P = .096) and calculated TDCL/TDCC ratios between BCC lesions and non‐cancerous lesions also were not significantly different (0.596 ± 0.345 vs 0.501 ± 0.261, P = .364).

Conclusions

(1) Main results do not support using TDC measurements to differentiate in vivo skin cancer lesions from non‐cancerous lesions. (2) TDC values strongly suggest reduced water content of both cancerous and non‐cancerous lesions. (3) Lesion TDC measurements provide reference values for future studies.
First identification of the MHC‐DPB2 alleles in the rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Yao Y. F. , Zhou Y. Y. , Xu H. L.
Published: May 2018

We report here the identification of three MHC‐DPB2 alleles in the rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
On the measurement of investment types: Heterogeneity in corporate tax elasticities
Authors: Jungmann Hendrik , Loretz Simon
Published: May 2018

This paper contributes to debates about the appropriate characterisation of heterogeneous investment types and to what extent different investment motives affect the responsiveness to corporate taxation. In particular, we employ and refine a methodology to better evaluate the tax elasticity of investment types. Using a combination of both firm‐specific information and sector‐specific information from input–output tables, we discuss how to classify investment as non‐related, horizontal, vertical and complex types. First, we point out to what extent the resulting classification depends on assumptions made by the researcher. Second, we employ an ample set of classifications and find that non‐related investment reacts stronger to corporate taxation, whereas horizontal investment is less responsive, though, significant negative tax semi‐elasticities turn out for the subset of manufacturing industries. To address inherent characteristics of vertical and complex investment, we extend the methodology and find that, by and large, stronger business motives reduce the tax responsiveness of investment to a larger extent. Given the current debates about substantial corporate tax reforms, it is all the more important to recognise that corporate tax effects can vary fundamentally between countries, driven by country‐specific differences in their composition of industries and investment types.
Organizational models for health actions in the field of blood and blood products in Brazilian and Spanish regional contexts
Authors: Souza M. K. B.
Published: May 2018

Background and objectives

This article aims to characterize some elements that define the organizational models of healthcare actions in the field of blood and blood products.

Materials and methods

This exploratory and qualitative study was carried out based on a documentary survey complemented by interviews with key informants of hemotherapy services from three regional territories in Spain and Brazil.

Results

It was evidenced demographic, territorial and organizational characteristics, as well as on instruments, resources and individuals involved in the planning, organization and implementation of services and actions in the area.

Discussion

The demographic characteristics and the territorial distribution showed a direct relation with the variation in the blood supply system, in the service structure and in the involvement of different individuals. The predominance of hospital services was a common feature in the territories studied, especially for transfusion services. Regionalization, centralization and concentration strategies were aimed at implementing the organization models of such services and actions in the territories. The use of planning and information technologies presents variation in the territories studied.

Conclusion

The limits of organizational models are determined by the context and restriction of its constituent elements – structure, resources, financing, individuals involved – which compromise to some degree the objectives/purposes of the policy.
Computed tomographic and radiographic bronchial collapse may be a normal characteristic of forced expiration in dogs
Authors: Kim Hyunryung , Kim Young Joo , Lee Hanbin , An Taegeon , Yu Jin , Yoon Hyounglok , An Gayeon , Jung Jaihyun , Chang Jinhwa , Chang Dongwoo
Published: May 2018

Tracheobronchomalacia has been diagnosed using radiography or bronchoscopy to confirm bronchial changes in luminal diameter during the respiratory cycle. However, studies in healthy humans suggest that some degree of bronchial collapse may be observed during the normal respiratory cycle. In this analytical study, the luminal diameter of the bronchus to each of the six pulmonary lobes and the mean percentage of expiratory collapse from end inspiratory, end expiratory, and two forced expiratory phases (10 and 15 ml/kg) were determined via computed tomography (CT) and radiography in 22 healthy Beagle dogs. The bronchial collapsibility was significantly greater during the forced expiration than the end expiration (P < 0.001); the same results were observed in dorsal and sagittal CT images and radiographs (P < 0.001). Median collapsibility values associated with 15 ml/kg forced expiratory collapse determined via cross‐sectional CT images were measured as 16.6–45.5% and differed according to the pulmonary lobe. Median collapsibilities on radiography with 15 ml/kg forced expiration were 57.8% and 62.1% in the right cranial lobe and right caudal lobe, respectively. In conclusion, bronchial diameter may change during the respiratory cycle, and some degree of reduction in bronchial diameter may be an incidental finding in healthy dogs. More rigorous criteria are needed with regards to bronchial collapsibility during normal respiration for the diagnosis of bronchomalacia in order to avoid false‐positive diagnoses.
ATP triggers a robust intracellular [Ca2+]‐mediated signalling pathway in human synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Kondo C. , Clark R. B. , Kim T. Y. , Belke D. , Banderali U. , Szerencsei R. T. , Jalloul A. H. , Schnetkamp P. P. M. , Spitzer K. W. , Giles W. R.
Published: May 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the main [Ca2+]i signalling pathways activated by ATP in human synovial fibroblasts?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In human synovial fibroblasts ATP acts through a linked G‐protein (Gq) and phospholipase C signalling mechanism to produce IP3, which then markedly enhances release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum. These results provide new information for the detection of early pathophysiology of arthritis.

In human articular joints, synovial fibroblasts (HSFs) have essential physiological functions that include synthesis and secretion of components of the extracellular matrix and essential articular joint lubricants, as well as release of paracrine substances such as ATP. Although the molecular and cellular processes that lead to a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotype are not fully understood, HSF cells exhibit significant changes during this disease progression. The effects of ATP on HSFs were studied by monitoring changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), and measuring electrophysiological properties. ATP application to HSF cell populations that had been enzymatically released from 2‐D cell culture revealed that ATP (10–100 μm), or its analogues UTP or ADP, consistently produced a large transient increase in [Ca2+]i. These changes (i) were initiated by activation of the P2Y purinergic receptor family, (ii) required Gq‐mediated signal transduction, (iii) did not involve a transmembrane Ca2+ influx, but instead (iv) arose almost entirely from activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐localized inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptors that triggered Ca2+ release from the ER. Corresponding single cell electrophysiological studies revealed that these ATP effects (i) were insensitive to [Ca2+]o removal, (ii) involved an IP3‐mediated intracellular Ca2+ release process, and (iii) strongly turned on Ca2+‐activated K+ current(s) that significantly hyperpolarized these cells. Application of histamine produced very similar effects in these HSF cells. Since ATP is a known paracrine agonist and histamine is released early in the inflammatory response, these findings may contribute to identification of early steps/defects in the initiation and progression of RA.
The role of miRNA regulation in fetal cardiomyocytes, cardiac maturation and the risk of heart disease in adults
Authors: Lock Mitchell C. , Tellam Ross L. , Botting Kimberley J. , Wang Kimberley C. W. , Selvanayagam Joseph B. , Brooks Doug A. , Seed Mike , Morrison Janna L.
Published: May 2018

Myocardial infarction is a primary contributor towards the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Rather than repairing the existing damage of myocardial infarction, current treatments only address the symptoms of the disease and reducing the risk of a secondary infarction. Cardiac regenerative capacity is dependent on cardiomyocyte proliferation, which concludes soon after birth in humans and precocial species such as sheep. Human fetal cardiac tissue has some ability to repair following tissue damage, whereas a fully matured human heart has minimal capacity for cellular regeneration. This is in contrast to neonatal mice and adult zebrafish hearts, which retain the ability to undergo cardiomyocyte proliferation and can regenerate cardiac tissue after birth. In mice and zebrafish models, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in cardiac cell cycle progression and regeneration. However, the significance of miRNA regulation in cardiomyocyte proliferation for humans and other large mammals, where the timing of heart development in relation to birth is similar, remains unclear. miRNAs may be valuable targets for therapies that promote cardiac repair after injury. Therefore, elucidating the role of specific miRNAs in large animals, where heart development closely resembles that of humans, remains vitally important for identifying therapeutic targets that may be translated into clinical practice focused on tissue repair.
Does Analogical Distance Affect Performance of Ideation?
Authors: Srinivasan V. , Song Binyang , Luo Jianxi , Subburaj Karupppasamy , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Blessing Lucienne , Wood Kristin
Published: May 2018

Identifying relevant stimuli that help generate solutions of desired novelty and quality is challenging in analogical design. To quell this challenge, the multifaceted effects of using stimuli which are located at various analogical distances to the design problem on the novelty and quality of concepts generated using the stimuli are studied in this research. Data from a design project involving 105 student designers, individually generating 226 concepts of spherical rolling robots, are collected. From these data, 138 concepts generated with patents as stimuli and the patents used are analyzed. Analogical distance of a patent is measured in terms of knowledge similarity between technology classes constituting the patent and design problem domain of spherical rolling robots. The key observations are (a) technology classes in closer than farther distances from the design problem are used more frequently to generate concepts, (b) as analogical distance increases the novelty of concepts increases, and (c) as analogical distance decreases the quality of concepts increases.
Glimpsing speech interrupted by speech-modulated noise
Authors: Miller Rachel E. , Gibbs Bobby E. , Fogerty Daniel
Published: May 2018

Everyday environments frequently present speech in modulated noise backgrounds, such as from a competing talker. Under such conditions, temporal glimpses of speech may be preserved at favorable signal-to-noise ratios during the amplitude dips of the masker. Speech recognition is determined, in part, by these speech glimpses. However, properties of the noise when it dominates the speech may also be important. This study interrupted speech to provide either high-intensity or low-intensity speech glimpses derived from measurements of speech-on-speech masking. These interrupted intervals were deleted and subsequently filled by steady-state noise or one of four different types of noise amplitude modulated by the same or different sentence. Noise was presented at two different levels. Interruption by silence was also examined. Speech recognition was best with high-intensity glimpses and improved when the noise was modulated by missing high-intensity segments. Additional noise conditions detailed significant interactions between the noise level and glimpsed speech level. Overall, high-intensity speech segments, and the amplitude modulation (AM) of the segments, are crucial for speech recognition. Speech recognition is further influenced by the properties of the competing noise (i.e., level and AM) which interact with the glimpsed speech level. Acoustic properties of both speech-dominated and noise-dominated intervals of speech-noise mixtures determine speech recognition.
A flexible high directivity beamformer with spherical microphone arrays
Authors: Huang Gongping , Chen Jingdong , Benesty Jacob
Published: May 2018

The maximum directivity (MD) beamformer with spherical microphone arrays has many salient features in processing broadband acoustic and speech signals while suppressing noise and reverberation; but it is sensitive to sensors' self-noise and mismatch among these sensors. One effective way to deal with this sensitivity is by increasing the number of microphones, thereby improving the so-called white noise gain (WNG), but this increase may lead to many other design issues in terms of cost, array aperture, and possibly other performance degradation. This paper is tackling this sensitivity problem and presents a flexible high directivity (HD) beamforming algorithm. By approximating the ideal directivity pattern and the beamformer's beampattern with spherical harmonic series, the relationship between the two is obtained. This relationship is subsequently used to deduce a flexible HD beamformer, which can improve the WNG while achieving a directivity factor (DF) between the DF of an Nth-order MD beamformer and that of an (N−1)th-order MD one. Also derived is the analytical link between the DF and a tuning parameter and the link between the WNG and this parameter. Based on these links, one can easily determine the optimal value of the tuning parameter once the value of the DF or the WNG is specified.
College Student Athletes and Social Media: The Psychological Impacts of Twitter Use
Authors: David Jessica L. , Powless Matthew D. , Hyman Jacqueline E. , Purnell DeJon M. , Steinfeldt Jesse A. , Fisher Shelbi
Published: May 2018

Twitter, the popular social-media platform, is a staple in intercollegiate athletics. Although it is often regarded merely as a pastime, Twitter boasts advantages and disadvantages to college student athletes and their programs. This is primarily due to the nature of interactions and exchanges that take place between student athletes and the general public, be they fans, critics, or somewhere in between. Using a semistructured protocol, the researchers conducted a 75-min focus-group interview with 7 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I student athletes to examine the psychological impacts of Twitter use. A modified version of consensual qualitative research was used for data analysis. Results indicated that student athletes were heavily influenced and affected by Twitter use across various domains in their lives. Participants reflected on both advantages (e.g., avenue for advocacy and moral support and promoting team cohesion) and disadvantages (e.g., receipt of critical tweets and detrimental performance implications) of using the microblogging platform, thereby corroborating extant literature and providing a more balanced perspective of Twitter’s resulting impact. The researchers explicated practical implications including improved social-media training and the development of best practices to support student athletes in their responsible use of Twitter. Further research is necessary to better understand the differences in experiences of student athletes competing in revenue-generating sports compared with those competing in non-revenue-generating sports.
Poststroke delivery of MANF promotes functional recovery in rats
Authors: Mätlik Kert , Anttila Jenni E. , Kuan-Yin Tseng , Smolander Olli-Pekka , Pakarinen Emmi , Lehtonen Leevi , Abo-Ramadan Usama , Lindholm Päivi , Zheng Congjun , Harvey Brandon , Arumäe Urmas , Lindahl Maria , Airavaara Mikko
Published: May 2018

Delayed delivery of MANF to rat brain after ischemic stroke promotes functional recovery and recruits phagocytic immune cells.
Evolutionary divergence in competitive mating success through female mating bias for good genes
Authors: Dugand Robert J. , Kennington W. Jason , Tomkins Joseph L.
Published: May 2018

Evolutionary divergence in competitive male mating success correlates with the load of deleterious recessive mutations.
Rapid, noninvasive detection of Zika virus in
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes by near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Fernandes Jill N. , dos Santos Lílha M. B. , Chouin-Carneiro Thaís , Pavan Márcio G. , Garcia Gabriela A. , David Mariana R. , Beier John C. , Dowell Floyd E. , Maciel-de-Freitas Rafael , Sikulu-Lord Maggy T.
Published: May 2018

We report the first use of near-infrared spectroscopy for rapid, low-cost, noninvasive detection of Zika virus in
Aedes aegypti
.
Plasmodium
gametocytes display homing and vascular transmigration in the host bone marrow
Authors: De Niz Mariana , Meibalan Elamaran , Mejia Pedro , Ma Siyuan , Brancucci Nicolas M. B. , Agop-Nersesian Carolina , Mandt Rebecca , Ngotho Priscilla , Hughes Katie R. , Waters Andrew P. , Huttenhower Curtis , Mitchell James R. , Martinelli Roberta , Frischknecht Friedrich , Seydel Karl B. , Taylor Terrie , Milner Danny , Heussler Volker T. , Marti Matthias
Published: May 2018

In vivo visualization of
Plasmodium
parasites reveals sublocalization, deformability, and mobility of gametocytes in the bone marrow.
Cancer metabolism gets physical
Authors: DelNero Peter , Hopkins Benjamin D. , Cantley Lewis C. , Fischbach Claudia
Published: May 2018

The physical microenvironment regulates cancer cell metabolism, and engineered culture systems need to reflect physical properties of tumors.
A fatty link between heart disease and autoimmunity
Authors: Zeng Hu
Published: May 2018

Atherogenic hyperlipidemia drives IL-27 production by dendritic cells to support follicular T cell differentiation and systemic autoimmune disorders in mice.
Heterologous Expression of Mycobacterium Alkene Monooxygenases in Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacterial Hosts
Authors: McCarl Victoria , Somerville Mark V. , Ly Mai-Anh , Henry Rebecca , Liew Elissa F. , Wilson Neil L. , Holmes Andrew J. , Coleman Nicholas V.
Published: May 2018

Alkene MOs are of interest for their potential roles in industrial biocatalysis, most notably for the stereoselective synthesis of epoxides. Wild-type bacteria that grow on alkenes have high activities for alkene oxidation but are problematic for biocatalysis, since they tend to consume the epoxide products. Using recombinant biocatalysts is the obvious alternative, but a major bottleneck is the low activities of recombinant alkene MOs. Here, we provide new high-activity recombinant biocatalysts for alkene oxidation, and we provide insights into how to further improve these systems.
Genome Sequence of
Geothermobacter
sp. Strain HR-1, an Iron Reducer from the Lō‘ihi Seamount, Hawai’i
Authors: Smith Hillary , Abuyen Karla , Tremblay Jason , Savalia Pratixaben , Pérez-Rodríguez Ileana , Emerson David , Tully Benjamin , Amend Jan
Published: May 2018

Geothermobacter
sp. strain HR-1 was isolated from the Lō‘ihi Seamount vent system in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 1,000 m. Reported here is its 3.84-Mb genome sequence.
Draft Genome Sequences of Enterococcus mundtii Strains Isolated from Beef Slaughterhouses in Kenya
Authors: Wambui Joseph , Stevens Marc , Njage Patrick Murigu Kamau , Wüthrich Daniel , Egli Adrian , Stephan Roger , Tasara Taurai
Published: May 2018

We present here draft genome sequences of
Enterococcus mundtii
strains K7-EM, P2-EM, C11-EM, and H18-EM, which were isolated from slaughterhouse equipment, carcasses, and personnel of small- and medium-sized beef slaughterhouses in Kenya.
Genome Variation and Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Pathovariants
Authors: Branchu Priscilla , Bawn Matt , Kingsley Robert A.
Published: May 2018

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is one of approximately 2,500 distinct serovars of the genus
Salmonella
but is exceptional in its wide distribution in the environment, livestock, and wild animals.
S
.
Identification of the Thioredoxin Partner of Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase in Mycobacterial Disulfide Bond Formation
Authors: Ke Na , Landeta Cristina , Wang Xiaoyun , Boyd Dana , Eser Markus , Beckwith Jon
Published: May 2018

Disulfide bond formation has a great impact on bacterial pathogenicity. Thus, disulfide-bond-forming proteins represent new targets for the development of antibacterials, since the inhibition of disulfide bond formation would result in the simultaneous loss of the activity of several classes of virulence factors. Here, we identified five candidate proteins encoded by the
M. tuberculosis
genome as possible substrates of the
M. tuberculosis
VKOR protein involved in disulfide bond formation. We then reconstituted the mycobacterial disulfide bond formation pathway in
E. coli
and showed that of the five candidates, only
M. tuberculosis
DsbA is efficiently oxidized by VKOR in
E. coli
. We also present evidence for the involvement of VKOR in DsbA oxidation in
M. smegmatis
.
Nsp1α of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Strain BB0907 Impairs the Function of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells via the Release of Soluble CD83
Authors: Chen Xi , Bai Juan , Liu Xuewei , Song Zhongbao , Zhang Qiaoya , Wang Xianwei , Jiang Ping
Published: May 2018

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a virulent pathogen of swine, suppresses the innate immune response and induces persistent infection. One mechanism used by viruses to evade the immune system is to cripple the antigen-processing machinery in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). In this study, we show that MoDCs infected by PRRSV express lower levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide complex proteins TAP1 and ERp57 and are impaired in their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation and increase their production of CD83. Neutralization of sCD83 removes the inhibitory effects of PRRSV on MoDCs. When MoDCs are incubated with exogenously added sCD83 protein, TAP1 and ERp57 expression decreases and T lymphocyte activation is impaired. PRRSV nonstructural protein 1α (Nsp1α) enhances CD83 promoter activity. Mutations in the ZF domain of Nsp1α abolish its ability to activate the CD83 promoter. We generated recombinant PRRSVs with mutations in Nsp1α and the corresponding repaired PRRSVs. Viruses with Nsp1α mutations did not decrease levels of TAP1 and ERp57, impair the ability of MoDCs to stimulate T cell proliferation, or increase levels of sCD83. We show that the ZF domain of Nsp1α stimulates the secretion of CD83, which in turn inhibits MoDC function. Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms of immune suppression by PRRSV.

IMPORTANCE
PRRSV has a severe impact on the swine industry throughout the world. Understanding the mechanisms by which PRRSV infection suppresses the immune system is essential for a robust and sustainable swine industry. Here, we demonstrated that PRRSV infection manipulates MoDCs by interfering with their ability to produce proteins in the MHC-peptide complex. The virus also impairs the ability of MoDCs to stimulate cell proliferation, due in large part to the enhanced release of soluble CD83 from PRRSV-infected MoDCs. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1) is responsible for upregulating CD83 promoter activity. Amino acids in the ZF domain of Nsp1α (L5-2A, rG45A, G48A, and L61-6A) are essential for CD83 promoter activation. Viruses with mutations at these sites no longer inhibit MoDC-mediated T cell proliferation. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism by which the adaptive immune response is suppressed during PRRSV infection.
Kynurenine pathway is altered in patients with SLE and associated with severe fatigue
Authors: Åkesson Karolina , Pettersson Susanne , Ståhl Sara , Surowiec Izabella , Hedenström Mattias , Eketjäll Susanna , Trygg Johan , Jakobsson Per-Johan , Gunnarsson Iva , Svenungsson Elisabet , Idborg Helena
Published: May 2018

Objective

Fatigue has been reported as the most disturbing symptom in a majority of patients with SLE. Depression is common and often severe. Together these symptoms cause significant morbidity and affect patients with otherwise relatively mild disease. Tryptophan and its metabolites in the kynurenine pathway are known to be important in several psychiatric conditions, for example, depression, which are often also associated with fatigue. We therefore investigated the kynurenine pathway in patients with SLE and controls.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design plasma samples from 132 well-characterised patients with SLE and 30 age-matched and gender-matched population-based controls were analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to measure the levels of tryptophan and its metabolites kynurenine and quinolinic acid. Fatigue was measured with Fatigue Severity Scale and depression with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. SLE disease activity was assessed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).

Results

The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, as a measure of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity, was increased in patients with SLE. Patients with active disease (SLEDAI ≥6) showed lower tryptophan levels compared with controls (54 µM, SD=19 vs 62 µM, SD=14, p=0.03), although patients with SLE overall did not differ compared with controls. Patients with SLE had higher levels of tryptophan metabolites kynurenine (966 nM, SD=530) and quinolinic acid (546 nM, SD=480) compared with controls (kynurenine: 712 nM, SD=230, p=0.0001; quinolinic acid: 380 nM, SD=150, p=0.001). Kynurenine, quinolinic acid and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio correlated weakly with severe fatigue (rs=0.34,rs=0.28 andrs=0.24, respectively) but not with depression.

Conclusions

Metabolites in the kynurenine pathway are altered in patients with SLE compared with controls. Interestingly, fatigue correlated weakly with measures of enhanced tryptophan metabolism, while depression did not. Drugs targeting enzymes in the kynurenine pathway, for example, IDO inhibitors or niacin (B12) supplementation, which suppresses IDO activity, merit further investigation as treatments in SLE.
Erythrocyte-bound C4d in combination with complement and autoantibody status for the monitoring of SLE
Authors: Merrill Joan T , Petri Michelle A , Buyon Jill , Ramsey-Goldman Rosalind , Kalunian Kenneth , Putterman Chaim , Conklin John , Furie Richard A , Dervieux Thierry
Published: May 2018

Background

We examined the usefulness of erythrocyte-bound C4d (EC4d) to monitor disease activity in SLE.

Methods

Data and blood samples were collected from three different studies, each of which included longitudinal evaluations using the Physicians Global Assessment (PGA) of disease activity and the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), which was assessed without anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and low complement C3/C4 (clinical SELENA-SLEDAI). EC4d levels were determined using flow cytometry; other laboratory measures included antibodies to dsDNA, C3 and C4 proteins. Relationships between clinical SELENA-SLEDAI, PGA and the laboratory measures were analysed using linear mixed effect models.

Results

The three studies combined enrolled 124 patients with SLE (mean age 42 years, 97% women, 31% Caucasians and 34% African-Americans) followed for an average of 5 consecutive visits (range 2–13 visits). EC4d levels and low C3/C4 status were significantly associated the clinical SELENA-SLEDAI or PGA in each of the three study groups (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that EC4d levels (estimate=0.94±0.28) and low complement C3/C4 (estimate=1.24±0.43) were both independently and significantly associated with the clinical SELENA-SLEDAI (p<0.01) and PGA. EC4d levels were also associated with the clinical SELENA-SLEDAI (estimate: 1.20±0.29) and PGA (estimate=0.19±0.04) among patients with chronically low or normal C3/C4 (p<0.01). Anti-dsDNA titres were generally associated with disease activity.

Conclusion

These data support the association of EC4d with disease activity regardless of complement C3/C4 status and its usefulness in monitoring SLE disease. Additional studies will be required to support these validation data.