bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedded discourse spaces in narrative reports
Authors: Wieczorek Anna Ewa
Published: December 2019

This article aims to discuss conceptual levels of narrative representations of utterances based on reported speech frames employed in presidential speeches. It adopts some assumptions from Chilton’s Deictic Space Theory and Cap’s Proximisation Theory, both primarily used to indicate exclusive reference, a clash of interests and threat-oriented conceptualisation of events. This article, however, extends their scope to include strategies for inclusion and positive image construction and makes a distinction between primary, secondary and tertiary embedding as discursive means that contribute to presentation of self and legitimisation. Data for this research comprise a corpus of 125 presidential speeches (25 per tenure) divided into three subcorpora: JKC – John Kennedy Corpus, BCC – Bill Clinton Corpus, and BOC – Barrack Obama Corpus. A total of 1251 instances of narrative reports have been analysed to investigate primary and multilevel embedding, which constitute the basis for this study.
Awesome women and bad feminists: the role of online social networks and peer support for feminist practice in academia
Authors: Bayfield Hannah , Colebrooke Laura , Pitt Hannah , Pugh Rhiannon , Stutter Natalia
Published: December 2019

In her book, ‘Bad Feminist’, Roxane Gay claims this label shamelessly, embracing the contradictory aspects of enacting feminist practice while fundamentally being ‘flawed human[s]’. This article tells a story inspired by and enacting Roxane Gay’s approach in academia, written by five cis-gendered women geographers. It is the story of a proactive, everyday feminist initiative to survive as women in an academic precariat fuelled by globalised, neoliberalised higher education. We reflect on what it means to be (bad) feminists in that context, and how we respond as academics. We share experiences of an online space used to support one another through post-doctoral life, a simple message thread, which has established an important role in our development as academics and feminists. This article, written through online collaboration, mirrors and enacts processes fundamental to our online network, demonstrating the significance and potential of safe digital spaces for peer support. Excerpts from the chat reflect critically on struggles and solutions we have co-developed. Through this, we celebrate and validate a strategy we know that we and others like us find invaluable for our wellbeing and survival. Finally, we reflect on the inherent limitations of exclusive online networks as tools for feminist resistance.
How Does Mode of Qualitative Data Collection Affect Data and Cost? Findings from a Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Namey Emily , Guest Greg , O’Regan Amy , Godwin Christine L. , Taylor Jamilah , Martinez Andres
Published: December 2019

Internet-based platforms are increasingly used to collect qualitative data. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to explore whether data collection mode affects data content and data collection costs. Participants ( N = 171) were assigned systematically to one of four modes—(1) in-person (control), (2) online video–based, (3) online chat–based, (4) online e-mail/message board-based—and randomized to individual interview (IDI) or focus group (FG). We conducted 48 IDIs and 24 FGs about medical risk during pregnancy with women in the southeast United States. We found audiovisual (in-person and online video) modes generated significantly greater volumes of data than online text–based modes. However, there were no significant differences in the thematic content among modes, for IDIs or FGs. Online data collection generally cost more per event without travel; in-person IDIs/FGs were more expensive if including travel. Findings offer empirical data for considerations of online versus in-person qualitative data collection.
Variation of ApoL1 Testing Practices for Living Kidney Donors
Authors: McIntosh Tristan , Mohan Sumit , Sawinski Deirdre , Iltis Ana , DuBois James M.
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Tests exist for ApoL1 genetic variants to determine whether a potential donor’s kidneys are at increased risk of kidney failure. Variants of the ApoL1 gene associated with increased risk are primarily found in people with West African ancestry. Given uncertainty about clinical implications of ApoL1 test results for living kidney donors and recipients and the lack of uniform guidelines for ApoL1 testing, transplant centers across the United States vary in ApoL1 testing practices.

Research Questions:

(1) What approach do transplant centers take to determine whether prospective donors are of West African ancestry? (2)How do transplant centers engage potential donors during the ApoL1 testing process? (3) What do transplant centers identify as concerns and barriers to ApoL1 testing? and (4) What actions do transplant centers take when a potential donor has 2 ApoL1 risk variants?

Design:

We explored the current practices of transplant centers by surveying nephrologists and transplant surgeons at transplant centers evaluating the majority of black living donors in the United States.

Results:

About half of these transplant centers offered ApoL1 testing. Of those who offered ApoL1 testing, only half involved the donor in decision-making about donation when the donor has 2 risk variants.

Discussion:

Unaddressed differences in the priorities of transplant centers and black living donors may stigmatize black donors and undermine trust in the health-care and organ donation systems. Variation in transplant center testing practices points to the critical need for further research and community engagement to inform the development of guidelines for ApoL1 testing.
A Qualitative Assessment of the Living Donor Navigator Program to Identify Core Competencies and Promising Practices for Implementation
Authors: Reed Rhiannon D. , Hites Lisle , Mustian Margaux N. , Shelton Brittany A. , Hendricks Daagye , Berry Beverly , MacLennan Paul A. , Blackburn Justin , Wingate Martha S. , Yates Clayton , Hannon Lonnie , Kilgore Meredith L. , Locke Jayme E.
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

The best strategy to increase awareness of and access to living kidney donation remains unknown. To build upon the existing strategies, we developed the Living Donor Navigator program, combining advocacy training of patient advocates with enhanced health-care systems training of patient navigators to address potential living donor concerns during the evaluation process. Herein, we describe a systematic assessment of the delivery and content of the program through focus group discussion.

Methods:

We conducted focus groups with 9 advocate participants in the Living Donor Navigator program to identify knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for both advocates and navigators. We focused on 2 organizational levels: (1) the participant level or the advocacy training of the advocates and (2) the programmatic level or the support role provided by the navigators and administration of the program.

Findings:

From 4 common themes (communication, education, support, and commitment), we identified several core competencies and promising practices, at both the participant and programmatic levels. These themes highlighted the potential for several improvements of program content and delivery, the importance of cultural sensitivity among the Living Donor navigators, and the opportunity for informal caregiver support and accountability provided by the program.

Discussion:

These competencies and promising practices represent actionable strategies for content refinement, optimal training of advocates, and engagement of potential living donors through the Living Donor Navigator program. These findings may also assist with program implementation at other transplant centers in the future.
Electoral Vulnerability, Party Affiliation, and Dyadic Constituency Responsiveness in U.S. Legislatures
Authors: Giger Nathalie , Klüver Heike , Witko Christopher
Published: December 2019

It is often argued that electoral vulnerability is critical to constituency responsiveness. We investigate this possibility using different measures of vulnerability, but argue that in the United States the Republican Party may be less responsive than the Democratic Party due to its core constituency and view of representation. We test our hypotheses relying on an innovative research design that exploits referenda in U.S. states to compare legislator voting behavior with voter preferences on exactly the same policy proposal, allowing us to overcome the measurement problems of much previous research. Based on a newly compiled data set of more than 3,000 voting decisions for 818 legislators on 27 referenda, we find high levels of congruence, but that congruence with the median voter is higher for legislators who are running for reelection. We also find that Democrats are more responsive after a close election but that Republicans are not sensitive to electoral margins.
The Complexity of Diabetic Foot Management: From Common Care to Best Practice. The Italian Expert Opinion by Delphi Survey
Authors: Salutini Elisabetta , Brocco Enrico , Da Ros Roberto , Monge Luca , Uccioli Luigi , Anichini Roberto
Published: December 2019

Diabetic foot is a major public health issue, driven by diabetes complications (neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot deformity, and abnormal leucocyte function), which may lead to leg amputation, thus resulting in severe disability, reduced quality of life, and high health costs. The prevention of diabetes complications and the early detection and proper management of diabetic foot wounds are the milestones to avoid major amputations. Unfortunately, in many areas, the prevention of diabetic foot lesions is inadequate and wounds may proceed toward infection and chronicity, with limb- and life-threatening results. Using the Delphi method, we conducted a survey on diabetic foot among Italian experts, selected across different Italian clinical centers. This method was used to achieve a consensus on current opinion and clinical leanings on the diagnosis and management of diabetic foot ulcers. Specifically, the aim of the survey was to evaluate the current management of the diabetic foot syndrome; highlight the differences in the approach among a group of experts; evaluate the role of wound bed preparation and antisepsis; and discuss any areas of disagreement in which evidences are sparse and the clinical judgment plays a crucial role in the decision-making process.
Biomimetic functional surface of reducing soil adhesion on 65Mn steel
Authors: Li Junwei , Tong Jin , Hu Bin , Ma Yunhai
Published: December 2019

The phenomenon of soil adhesion occurs when soil-tillage implements interact with soil, which often increases the working resistance and energy consumption. It was found that the membranous leaf sheath of rhizoma imperatae can shuttle in soil, owing to not only its own growth force, but also the anti-adhesion function due to the hydrophobicity and special surface texture. In this article, the microstructure and surface wettability of membranous leaf sheath were studied to reveal its anti-adhesion property by testing. The anti-adhesion mechanism of the hydrophobic surface for the static and dynamic state was analyzed. The biomimetic specimens were designed and fabricated using 65Mn steel inspired by membrane leaf sheaths. The hydrophobic surface was obtained on 65Mn steel by the low free energy modification with myristic acid ethanol solution. For comparison, a 65Mn steel sample without modification was also prepared. A linear soil bin filled with clayey soil with the compaction and gravimetric moisture content of 24.5% dry base was constructed to test the soil anti-adhesion properties of biomimetic specimens. In fixed compacted soil with 24.5% moisture content, the weight of adhesive soil on the modified biomimetic surface measured 50% less than that of the control specimens flat plate surface with modification and NO. 10.
Design and verification of model predictive control for micro-turboshaft engine
Authors: Zhang Mengwei , Lin Zhixiang , Huang Haiyang , Zhang Tianhong
Published: December 2019

In this article, a nonlinear model predictive control algorithm for a micro-turboshaft engine is designed. The control effect is verified by a bench test. First, a micro-turboshaft engine test bench is built, and the open-loop control experiment was carried out on it. Based on experiment data, a linear parameter varying prediction model is established. Then, by online rolling optimization based on multistep output prediction, together with feedback correction, a nonlinear model predictive control algorithm is obtained. The influence of algorithm parameters on the control effect is studied, and reasonable prediction period M, control period N, and control coefficient R are designed. Finally, the application of nonlinear model predictive control in micro-turboshaft engine is verified by bench test. The results show that with the changing of pitch angle, nonlinear model predictive control algorithm has a faster adjustment speed and smaller overshoot, compared with the conventional cascade proportional–integral control with feedforward. It is proofed that nonlinear model predictive control can be applied to a real turboshaft engine and has a better control effect.
Comparing prognostic values of the 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system for gastric cancer
Authors: Zhu Ming-hua , Zhang Ke-cheng , Yang Ze-long , Qiao Zhi , Chen Lin
Published: December 2019

Background and Aim:

Our aim was to compare the prognostic value of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th and 8th editions staging systems for patients with gastric cancer in China.

Methods:

A total of 1326 gastric cancer patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2012 were included. The discriminative ability of the AJCC 8th and 7th editions was compared using the Harrell’s concordance index (C-index).

Results:

There are two main modifications in the 8th edition. (i) pN3 staging was divided into pN3a and pN3b. The gastric cancer patients with pN3a experienced significantly better overall survival compared with those with pN3b (5-year overall survival: 34.5% vs. 15.6%, P < 0.001) (stratified by pT: pT3: 5-year overall survival: 33.9% vs. 13.2%, P < 0.001; pT4a: 32.8% vs. 16.9%, P = 0.056; pT4b: 17.0% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.048). (ii) Subgroup staging adjustments. The subgroup staging adjustments (T3N3bM0 (IIIB→IIIC), T4aN3aM0 (IIIC→IIIB), T4bN0M0 (IIIB→IIIA), and T4bN2M0 (IIIC→IIIB)) resulted in more gastric cancer patients being accurately staged. Furthermore, the C-index value of the 8th edition tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system was significantly higher than that of the AJCC 7th TNM staging system to predict the survival of gastric cancer patients (0.701 vs. 0.685, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The 8th edition of the TNM staging system is superior to the 7th edition staging system for prediction of survival of gastric cancer patients in China.
Altered relationship between anandamide and glutamate in circulation after 30 min of arm cycling: A comparison of chronic pain subject with healthy controls
Authors: Stensson Niclas , Grimby-Ekman Anna
Published: December 2019

The insufficient knowledge of biochemical mechanisms behind the emergence and maintenance of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions constrains the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for clinical use. However, physical activity and exercise may improve pain severity and physical function during chronic pain conditions. Nevertheless, the biochemical consequences of physical activity and exercise in chronic pain need to be elucidated to increase the precision of this therapeutic tool in chronic pain treatment. The endocannabinoid system has been suggested to play an important role in exercise-induced reward and pain inhibition. Moreover, glutamatergic signalling has been suggested as an important factor for sensation and transmission of pain. In addition, a link has been established between the endocannabinoid system and glutamatergic pathways. This study examines the effect of dynamic load arm cycling (30 min) on levels of lipid mediators related to the endocannabinoid system and glutamate in plasma of chronic pain subjects and pain-free controls. Pain assessments and plasma levels of arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide), 2-aracidonoylglycerol, oleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide, stearoylethanolamide and glutamate from 21 subjects with chronic neck pain (chronic pain group) and 11 healthy controls were analysed pre and post intervention of dynamic load arm cycling. Pain intensity was significantly different between groups pre and post exercise. Post exercise, anandamide levels were significantly decreased in health controls but not in the chronic pain group. A strong positive correlation existed between anandamide and glutamate in the control group post exercise but not in the chronic pain group. Moreover, the glutamate/anandamide ratio increased significantly in the control group and differed significantly with the chronic pain group post exercise. The altered relationship between anandamide and glutamate after the intervention in the chronic pain group might reflect alterations in the endocannabinoid-glutamate mechanistic links in the chronic pain group compared to the pain-free control group.
Negotiating national identities in conflict situations: The discursive reproduction of the Sino-US trade war in China’s news reports
Authors: Wang Hong , Ge Yunfeng
Published: December 2019

The force of globalization has greatly challenged people’s conceptualization of national identity. The traditional definition of national identity as being distinct, stable and generated by such internal factors as ethnic, religion, citizenship and so on, has been replaced by the understanding that national identity is invested with more dynamic and complex features and is actually constructed differently in different situations. By following Van Dijk’s socio-cognitive perspective in critical discourse analysis (CDA) and drawing on the 47 news reports collected on the websites of People’ s Daily Online and Xinhuanet, this study explores how China’s national identities are negotiated in its news reports of the Sino-US trade war. It is found that China’s news reports have constructed three types of Sino-US relations, namely, antagonistic, negotiatory and cooperative relations. Out of these relations, China has been constructed as victim of the trade war, defender of free trade, driver for negotiations and beneficiary of mutual cooperation. The construction of these identities and relations is realized through constructive, destructive, justification and transformation strategies. It is further found that the diversity of both China’s national identities and Sino-US relations in China’s news reports is the result of the political, social and economic differences between the two countries.
Hormonal treatment combined with targeted therapies in endocrine-responsive and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Montagna Emilia , Colleoni Marco
Published: December 2019

Approximately 50% of HER2 positive breast cancer cases are also estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Data supports a role for close cross-talk between the ER and HER2 signaling pathways as an important contributor to the development of de novo or acquired resistance to hormone therapies. Therefore a strategy that simultaneously blocks both signaling pathways is a reasonable approach to prevent or overcome either endocrine or anti-HER2 therapy resistance. Moreover, preclinical data support the idea that PI3K inhibitors and CDK4/6 could be an attractive target that functions downstream of both ER and HER2 pathways. We conducted a literature review of the results of phase II and III studies testing targeted therapies in metastatic breast cancer with HER2-positive and hormonal-receptor-positive disease. The analyses included efficacy and toxicity data from earlier studies with a single anti-HER2 drug combined with hormonal therapy up to more recent studies testing new molecules targeting these signaling pathways. The aims of this review are to summarize current knowledge and to discuss research development including the possibility to spare chemotherapy in this subgroup of HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
Screening of Azaphilone Derivatives From Monascus pilosus-Fermented Rice (Red Yeast Rice) and Their Evaluation as Nonsteroidal Androgen Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Wu Ming-Der , Cheng Ming-Jen , Chen Yen-Lin , Liu Tai-Wei D. , Chen Kai-Ping
Published: December 2019

Monascus pilosus BCRC 38093 is a mutant strain of M. pilosus BCRC 38072. The 95% ethanol extract of red yeast rice fermented by M. pilosus BCRC 38093 showed 4 major signals on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) examination. The extraction of metabolites and chromatography of the ethyl acetate crude extract on silica gel yielded 2 azaphilone derivatives, monascin (1) and monascinol (2), and 2 monacolin-type derivatives, acid-form monacolin K (3) and lactone-form monacolin K (4). Their structural characterization was elucidated by spectroscopic techniques ultraviolet-visible (UV), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and two dimensional-nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) and mass spectrometry. These compounds were assayed for their anti-androgen activity; monascinol (2) exhibited strong activity.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Functional Treatment and Lumbar Stabilization Treatment on Pain and Movement Control in Patients With Low Back Pain
Authors: Khodadad Behrouz , Letafatkar Amir , Hadadnezhad Malihe , Shojaedin Sadredin
Published: December 2019

Background:

The treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP) should target both behavioral variables and physical performance factors.

Hypothesis:

Cognitive functional treatment (CFT) and lumbar stabilization treatment (LST) will result in positive changes in pain and lumbar movement control (LMC) in patients with LBP.

Study Design:

Pretest-posttest intervention.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

After screening, 52 participants (mean age, 44.3 ± 2.46 years) with chronic LBP were allocated into CFT (n = 17), LST (n = 17), or control (n = 18) groups. Pain and LMC were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of intervention with visual analog scale (VAS) and Luomajoki LMC battery tests, respectively.

Results:

Compared with baseline, pain and LMC were reduced and improved significantly in both groups after 8 weeks. However, the changes in both variables were not significantly different between groups. Percent change for pain between pretest and posttest values in the LST group was a decrease of 45% ( P = 0.003), compared with a decrease of 40% ( P = 0.003) in the CFT group. Change in LMC in the LST group was a decrease of 100% ( P = 0.026), compared with a decrease of 200% ( P = 0.018) in the CFT group. There as no change for both variables in the control group.

Conclusion:

Both CFT and LST groups improved LMC scores and reduced pain intensity. However, there was no difference between the 2 experimental groups on pain and LMC test results.

Clinical Relevance:

In this study, intended to construct an intervention for people with chronic LBP, the primary aims were to help individuals “make sense of their pain,” develop effective pain control strategies via body relaxation and extinction of safety behaviors, and adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors to affect cognitive factors known to affect pain sensitivity and disability. These primary aims were achieved through an emphasis on factors such as development of positive beliefs, reduced fear, increased awareness, enhanced understanding and control of pain, adaptive coping, enhanced self-efficacy, confidence, and improved mood through the class-based intervention.
Imaging features and classification of peritumoral edema in vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Giordano Mario , Gerganov Venelin , Metwali Hussam , Gallieni Massimo , Samii Madjid , Samii Amir
Published: December 2019

Background

Peritumoral edema (PTE) is rarely present in patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS). We studied the correlation between radiological tumor characteristics and the presence of edema, describe its magnetic resonance imaging features and classify the different edema patterns.

Methods

We analysed 605 consecutive patients treated for VS at our Institute. PTE was found in 30 patients, studied on fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences and categorised as involving the brachium pontis, cerebellum and/or brainstem. Tumor volume, shape, surface, internal structure and axis of growth were evaluated and compared to a matched series of 30 patients without PTE.

Results

In our population of patients, 5% showed PTE. Edema involved the brachium pontis in 22 cases (88%), cerebellum in 15 (60%) and brainstem in 3 (12%). PTE was classified as mild (one region involved), moderate (two regions) and severe (three regions). Edema was present not only perpendicular to the major tumor growth axis but also parallel to it (91%). The difference between the two groups in regards to tumor shape and surface was not significant. We found no correlation between tumor and edema volumes.

Conclusions

VS can cause PTE, but its incidence is less frequent than in skull base meningiomas. PTE involves most frequently the brachium pontis, followed by the cerebellum and brainstem. Its occurrence correlates with tumor size but not with other radiological VS features. PTE is not always located perpendicular to the major axis of tumor growth, which indicated that the compressive theory proposed for meningiomas is not plausible explanation for its manifestation.
Gloss and Speed Judgments Yield Different Fine Tuning of Saccadic Sampling in Dynamic Scenes
Authors: Toscani Matteo , Yücel Ezgi I. , Doerschner Katja
Published: December 2019

Image motion contains potential cues about the material properties of objects. In earlier work, we proposed motion cues that could predict whether a moving object would be perceived as shiny or matte. However, whether the visual system uses these cues is still uncertain. Herein, we use the tracking of eye movements as a tool to understand what visual information observers use when engaged in material perception. Observers judged either the gloss or the speed of moving blobby shapes in an eye tracking experiment. Results indicate that during glossiness judgments, participants tend to look at gloss-diagnostic dynamic features more than during speed judgments. This suggests a fine tuning of the visual system to properties of moving stimuli: Task relevant information is actively singled out and processed in a dynamically changing environment.
Challenging algorithmic profiling: The limits of data protection and anti-discrimination in responding to emergent discrimination
Authors: Mann Monique , Matzner Tobias
Published: December 2019

The potential for biases being built into algorithms has been known for some time (e.g., Friedman and Nissenbaum, 1996), yet literature has only recently demonstrated the ways algorithmic profiling can result in social sorting and harm marginalised groups (e.g., Browne, 2015; Eubanks, 2018; Noble, 2018). We contend that with increased algorithmic complexity, biases will become more sophisticated and difficult to identify, control for, or contest. Our argument has four steps: first, we show how harnessing algorithms means that data gathered at a particular place and time relating to specific persons, can be used to build group models applied in different contexts to different persons. Thus, privacy and data protection rights, with their focus on individuals (Coll, 2014; Parsons, 2015), do not protect from the discriminatory potential of algorithmic profiling. Second, we explore the idea that anti-discrimination regulation may be more promising, but acknowledge limitations. Third, we argue that in order to harness anti-discrimination regulation, it needs to confront emergent forms of discrimination or risk creating new invisibilities, including invisibility from existing safeguards. Finally, we outline suggestions to address emergent forms of discrimination and exclusionary invisibilities via intersectional and post-colonial analysis.
Lipid Droplet Motility and Organelle Contacts
Authors: Kilwein Marcus D. , Welte Michael A.
Published: December 2019

Lipid droplets (LDs) are fat storage organelles integral to energy homeostasis and a wide range of cellular processes. LDs physically and functionally interact with many partner organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. Recent findings suggest that the dynamics of LD interorganelle contacts is in part controlled by LD intracellular motility. LDs can be transported directly by motor proteins along either actin filaments or microtubules, via Kinesin-1, Cytoplasmic Dynein, and type V Myosins. LDs can also be propelled indirectly, by hitchhiking on other organelles, cytoplasmic flows, and potentially actin polymerization. Although the anchors that attach motors to LDs remain elusive, other regulators of LD motility have been identified, ranging from modification of the tracks to motor cofactors to members of the perilipin family of LD proteins. Manipulating these regulatory pathways provides a tool to probe whether altered motility affects organelle contacts and has revealed that LD motility can promote interactions with numerous partners, with profound consequences for metabolism. LD motility can cause dramatic redistribution of LDs between a clustered and a dispersed state, resulting in altered organelle contacts and LD turnover. We propose that LD motility can thus promote switches in the metabolic state of a cell. Finally, LD motility is also important for LD allocation during cell division. In a number of animal embryos, uneven allocation results in a large difference in LD content in distinct daughter cells, suggesting cell-type specific LD needs.
On improving flame retardant and smoke suppression efficiency of epoxy resin doped with aluminum tri-hydroxide
Authors: Chai Guoqiang , Zhu Guoqing , Gao Shuai , Zhou Jinju , Gao Yunji , Wang Yang
Published: December 2019

Aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH) was selected as a retardant doped into epoxy resin (EP), and smoke suppression and flame retardancy of ATH/EP were investigated. The results showed that ATH-doped EP has superior performance resisting the flame development and smoke release to EP. Peak heat release rate of EP doped with 15-wt% ATH decreased by 28.49% in comparison with EP; total smoke release of it decreased by 17.65%; production rate of carbon monoxide decreased by 30.24%. The activation energy of it was much smaller than EP due to the decomposition of ATH, but it was 30–40 kJ mol−1 higher than EP in the second stage. Based on analysis of the residual carbon, it was confirmed that ATH can attract lots of heat to produce aluminum oxide (Al2O3) films and H2O at high temperature. H2O decreases the production of flammable gas to inhibit combustion, and Al2O3 films adhered to the residue carbon can insulate air to reduce combustion and smoke release.
Promoting Self-Advocacy Through Persuasive Writing for English Learners With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Jozwik Sara , Cuenca-Carlino Yojanna
Published: December 2019

Constructing written text in English can be a challenging endeavor for all students, but it holds particular challenges for English Language Learners (ELLs) with learning disabilities (LD). For this reason, effective instruction needs to recognize the gifts of emergent bilingualism and respond to the challenges that ELLs with LD bring to the task of writing. In this article, we explore the benefits of using self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) writing instruction and establish its relevance for supporting the diverse strengths and needs of ELLs with LD in rural settings. First, we highlight the benefits of SRSD instruction. Then, we offer three main connections between the SRSD framework and research-based practices for teaching ELLs in general. Subsequently, we describe ways to individualize SRSD instruction to meet the needs of ELLs with LD. Finally, we walk through an instructional sequence (including lesson plans and scaffolds) to demonstrate how SRSD persuasive writing instruction can be used to promote self-advocacy skills in rural classrooms that include ELLs with LD.
Ivosidenib induces deep durable remissions in patients with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Roboz Gail J. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Stein Eytan M. , de Botton Stéphane , Mims Alice S. , Prince Gabrielle T. , Altman Jessica K. , Arellano Martha L. , Donnellan Will , Erba Harry P. , Mannis Gabriel N. , Pollyea Daniel A. , Stein Anthony S. , Uy Geoffrey L. , Watts Justin M. , Fathi Amir T. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Tallman Martin S. , Choe Sung , Dai David , Fan Bin , Wang Hongfang , Zhang Vickie , Yen Katharine E. , Kapsalis Stephanie M. , Hickman Denice , Liu Hua , Agresta Samuel V. , Wu Bin , Attar Eyal C. , Stone Richard M.
Published: December 2019

Ivosidenib (AG-120) is an oral, targeted agent that suppresses production of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate via inhibition of the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1; mIDH1) enzyme. From a phase 1 study of 258 patients with IDH1-mutant hematologic malignancies, we report results for 34 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ineligible for standard therapy who received 500 mg ivosidenib daily. Median age was 76.5 years, 26 patients (76%) had secondary AML, and 16 (47%) had received ≥1 hypomethylating agent for an antecedent hematologic disorder. The most common all-grade adverse events were diarrhea (n = 18; 53%), fatigue (n = 16; 47%), nausea (n = 13; 38%), and decreased appetite (n = 12; 35%). Differentiation syndrome was reported in 6 patients (18%) (grade ≥3 in 3 [9%]) and did not require treatment discontinuation. Complete remission (CR) plus CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) rate was 42.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.5% to 60.8%); CR 30.3% (95% CI, 15.6% to 48.7%). Median durations of CR+CRh and CR were not reached, with 95% CI lower bounds of 4.6 and 4.2 months, respectively; 61.5% and 77.8% of patients remained in remission at 1 year. With median follow-up of 23.5 months (range, 0.6-40.9 months), median overall survival was 12.6 months (95% CI, 4.5-25.7). Of 21 transfusion-dependent patients (63.6%) at baseline, 9 (42.9%) became transfusion independent. IDH1 mutation clearance was seen in 9/14 patients achieving CR+CRh (5/10 CR; 4/4 CRh). Ivosidenib monotherapy was well-tolerated and induced durable remissions and transfusion independence in patients with newly diagnosed AML. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02074839.
Tumour growth rate as a tool for response evaluation during PD-1 treatment for non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis
Authors: ten Berge Deirdre M.H.J. , Hurkmans Daniel P. , den Besten Ilse , Kloover Jeroen S. , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Debets Reno , Smit Egbert F. , Aerts Joachim G.J.V.
Published: December 2019

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a standard of care treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To get insight into variations in tumour growth kinetics and their potential predictive values for outcome, we evaluated tumour growth rate (TGR) in patients receiving programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitors.

Patients and methods

Differences in TGR before and after the start of treatment were calculated by entering the sum of the longest diameters from computer tomography scans before and after the initiation of therapy into a formula that assumes volumetric exponential tumour growth. TGR variations, possible predictors for TGR changes and its relationship to overall survival (OS) were studied. For comparison, tumour response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) version 1.1.

Results

Among the 58 evaluable patients, 37 patients (64%) showed deceleration of TGR and 16 patients (27%) showed an acceleration of TGR after initiation of therapy, with a significant difference in median OS of 18.0 monthsversus6.0 months (hazard ratio 0.35, 95% CI 0.18–0.71) between these groups. Four patients (7%) were defined as having hyperprogressive disease. In five patients (9%), tumour growth remained stable. These TGR categories were not significantly different according to age, sex, histology, smoking or previous radiotherapy. Of the patients defined as having progressive disease by RECIST version 1.1 at first follow-up, 40% showed response to checkpoint inhibitors by a decrease in TGR.

Conclusion

Tumour growth kinetics can be used as a clinically relevant predictor for OS in anti-PD-1-treated patients with NSCLC, and may provide additional information to RECIST measurements.
The role of diagnostic hysteroscopy in diagnosis of incomplete uterine septum in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss in the era of transvaginal 3D ultrasound scan
Authors: Abuzeid O. , LaChance J. , Hebert J. , Abuzeid M. I. , Welch R.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To determine the accuracy of transvaginal 3D ultrasound scan (TV 3D US) in detecting partial septate uterus (PSU) in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Methods

This retrospective study included 113 patients with an initial diagnosis of unexplained RPL, who were subsequently found to have PSU on diagnostic hysteroscopy and who had TV 3D US prior to surgery. The diagnosis of PSU was made at the time of a diagnostic hysteroscopy based on ESHRE-ESGE classification of Müllerian anomalies. Based on hysteroscopic findings, patients were divided into two groups: those with PSU and a central point of indentation at an acute angle < 90° (PSUAA) [30.1%], and those who had PSU and a central point of indentation at an obtuse angle (PSUOA) [69.9%]. We compared the mean internal indentation length at the fundal midline (IILFM) in millimeters on TV 3D US and on diagnostic hysteroscopy. For the purpose of this study, a diagnosis of PSU on hysteroscopy was made if IILFM measured ≥ 10 mm.

Results

The mean IILFM (mm) on hysteroscopy was significantly higher than the mean IILFM (mm) measured on TV 3D US in patients with PSUAA (18.5 ± 6.5 vs 4.9 ± 4.4; P < 0.001), in patients with PSUOA (14.1 ± 3.8 vs 4.3 ± 3.4; P < 0.001), and in the overall population (15.3 ± 5.1 vs 4.1 ± 4.4; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The data suggest that mean IILFM in patients with RPL and PSU can be underestimated on TV 3D US. Therefore, its diagnostic accuracy in such patients may need further evaluation.
Heating Efficiency of Triple Vortex State Cylindrical Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Wong De Wei , Gan Wei Liang , Teo Yuan Kai , Lew Wen Siang
Published: December 2019

A well-established method for treating cancerous tumors is magnetic hyperthermia, which uses localized heat generated by the relaxation mechanism of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. In this work, we investigate the heating efficiency of cylindrical NiFe MNPs, fabricated by template-assisted pulsed electrodeposition combined with differential chemical etching. The cylindrical geometry of the MNP enables the formation of the triple vortex state, which increases the heat generation efficiency by four times. Using time-dependent calorimetric measurements, the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the MNPs was determined and compared with the numerical calculations from micromagnetic simulations and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. The magnetization reversal of high aspect ratios MNPs showed higher remanent magnetization and low-field susceptibility leading to higher hysteresis losses, which was reflected in higher experimental and theoretical SAR values. The SAR dependence on magnetic field strength exhibited small SAR values at low magnetic fields and saturates at high magnetic fields, which is correlated to the coercive field of the MNPs and a characteristic feature of ferromagnetic MNPs. The optimization of cylindrical NiFe MNPs will play a pivotal role in producing high heating performance and biocompatible magnetic hyperthermia agents.
Protective Effects of Carbon Dots Derived from Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex Carbonisata against Deinagkistrodon acutus Venom-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Zhang Meiling , Cheng Jinjun , Sun Ziwei , Kong Hui , Zhang Yue , Wang Suna , Wang Xiaoke , Zhao Yan , Qu Huihua
Published: December 2019

Background

As an emerging nanomaterial, carbon dots (CDs) have been the focus of tremendous attention for biomedical applications. However, little information is available on their bioactivity of inhibiting acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by snake venom.

Methods

This study reports the development of a green, one-step pyrolysis process to synthesize CDs using Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC) as the sole precursor, and their potential application as a protectant against Deinagkistrodon acutus (D. acutus) venom-induced AKI was investigated for the first time. The AKI model was established by injecting D. acutus venom into the abdominal cavity of mice and the potential protective effects of PCC Carbonisata-CDs (PCCC-CDs) on renal abnormalities including dysfunction, inflammatory reactions, tissue damage, and thrombocytopenia at six time points (1, 3, and 12 h, and 1, 2, and 5 days) were investigated.

Results

These results demonstrated that PCCC-CDs significantly inhibited the kidney dysfunction (reduced serum creatinine (SCR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary total protein (UTP), and microalbuminuria (MALB) concentrations) and the production of chemoattractant (monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1)), proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β), and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in response to intraperitoneal injection of D. acutus venom. The beneficial effect of PCCC-CDs on the envenomed mice was similar to that on the change in renal histology and thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated the remarkable protective effects of PCCC-CDs against AKI induced by D. acutus venom, which would not only broaden the biomedical applications of CDs but also provide a potential target for the development of new therapeutic drugs for AKI induced by D. acutus snakebite envenomation.
Ferumoxytol Attenuates the Function of MDSCs to Ameliorate LPS-Induced Immunosuppression in Sepsis
Authors: Xue Yaxian , Xu Yujun , Liu Xinghan , Sun Zhiheng , Pan Yuchen , Lu Xia , Liang Huaping , Dou Huan , Hou Yayi
Published: December 2019

Sepsis-induced immunosuppression is recognized as one of the main features responsible for therapeutic failures. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are mainly characterized by their suppressive properties, have been reported to be expanded in sepsis. Ferumoxytol (FMT), an FDA-approved iron supplement, has been shown to possess immune-modulatory properties in tumors. However, it is unclear whether FMT alters the functions of MDSCs to reduce late-sepsis immunosuppression. Here, we showed an immunomodulatory effect of FMT on MDSCs to ameliorate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced immunosuppression in the late stage of sepsis. Separation of cells with internalized FMT and detection of the intracellular iron content showed that MDSCs could uptake FMT. Low doses of FMT had no effects on the cell viability of MDSCs, but FMT inhibited the expansion of MDSCs in vitro. Moreover, FMT significantly downregulated the expression levels of Arg-1, S100A8, S100A9, and p47phox as well as ROS production in MDSCs. FMT decreased the percentage of granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) and promoted the differentiation of MDSCs into macrophages. Furthermore, FMT reduced white blood cell recruitment and alveolar wall thickening in the lungs and areas of necrosis in the liver as well as some biochemical markers of liver dysfunction. FMT decreased the percentage of G-MDSCs and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in the spleens of LPS-induced septic mice. Of note, FMT reduced the T cell immunosuppressive functions of both G-MDSCs and M-MDSCs. Expectedly, FMT also significantly reduced Arg-1 and p47phox gene expression in splenic CD11b+Gr-1+cells isolated from LPS-challenged mice. These data indicate that FMT decreased the immunosuppressive functions of MDSCs by decreasing Arg-1 and ROS production, suggesting that FMT may reduce long-term immunosuppression in the late stage of sepsis.
Relation extraction between bacteria and biotopes from biomedical texts with attention mechanisms and domain-specific contextual representations
Authors: Jettakul Amarin , Wichadakul Duangdao , Vateekul Peerapon
Published: December 2019

Background

The Bacteria Biotope (BB) task is a biomedical relation extraction (RE) that aims to study the interaction between bacteria and their locations. This task is considered to pertain to fundamental knowledge in applied microbiology. Some previous investigations conducted the study by applying feature-based models; others have presented deep-learning-based models such as convolutional and recurrent neural networks used with the shortest dependency paths (SDPs). Although SDPs contain valuable and concise information, some parts of crucial information that is required to define bacterial location relationships are often neglected. Moreover, the traditional word-embedding used in previous studies may suffer from word ambiguation across linguistic contexts.

Results

Here, we present a deep learning model for biomedical RE. The model incorporates feature combinations of SDPs and full sentences with various attention mechanisms. We also used pre-trained contextual representations based on domain-specific vocabularies. To assess the model’s robustness, we introduced a mean F1 score on many models using different random seeds. The experiments were conducted on the standard BB corpus in BioNLP-ST’16. Our experimental results revealed that the model performed better (in terms of both maximum and average F1 scores; 60.77% and 57.63%, respectively) compared with other existing models.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that our proposed contributions to this task can be used to extract rich lexical, syntactic, and semantic features that effectively boost the model’s performance. Moreover, we analyzed the trade-off between precision and recall to choose the proper cut-off to use in real-world applications.
Low adaptive potential for tolerance to ethynylestradiol, but also low toxicity, in a grayling population (Thymallus thymallus)
Authors: Marques da Cunha Lucas , Maitre Diane , Wedekind Claus
Published: December 2019

Background

The presence of a novel pollutant can induce rapid evolution if there is additive genetic variance for the tolerance to the stressor. Continuous selection over some generations can then reduce the toxicity of the pollutant but also deplete the additive genetic variance for the tolerance and thereby slow down adaptation. One common pollutant that has been ecologically relevant for some time is 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic compound of oral contraceptives since their market launch in the 1960s. EE2 is typically found in higher concentrations in rivers than in lakes. Recent experimental work revealed significant genetic variance for the tolerance to EE2 in two lake-spawning salmonid species but no such variance in river-spawning brown trout. We used another river-spawning salmonid, the European graylingThymallus thymallus, to study the toxicity of an ecologically relevant concentration of EE2. We also used a full-factorial in vitro breeding design and singly rearing of 1555 embryos and larvae of 40 sib groups to test whether there is additive genetic variance for the tolerance to this pollutant.

Results

We found that exposure to EE2 reduced larval growth after hatching, but contrary to what has been found in the other salmonids, there were no significant effects of EE2 on embryo growth and survival. We found additive genetic variance for embryo viability, i.e. heritability for fitness. However, there was no significant additive variance for the tolerance to EE2.

Conclusions

Our findings support the hypothesis that continuous selection has reduced the toxicity of EE2 and depleted genetic variance for tolerance to this synthetic stressor.