bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential phosphorylation regulates the shear stress‐induced polar activity of Rho‐specific guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor α
Authors: Xie Fei , Shao Shuai , Zhang Baohong , Deng Sha , Ur Rehman Aziz Aziz , Liao Xiaoling , Liu Bo
Published: January 2020

The activity of Rho‐specific guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor α (RhoGDIα) is regulated by its own phosphorylation at different amino acid sites. These phosphorylation sites may have a crucial role in local Rho GTPases activation during cell migration. This paper is designed to explore the influence of phosphorylation on shear stress‐induced spatial RhoGDIα activation. Based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer biosensor sl‐RhoGDIα, which was constructed to test the RhoGDIα activity in living cells, new RhoGDIα phosphomimetic mutation (sl‐S101E/S174E, sl‐Y156E, sl‐S101E, sl‐S174E) and phosphorylation‐deficient mutation (sl‐S101A/S174A, sl‐Y156A, sl‐S101A, sl‐S174A) biosensors were designed to test their effects on RhoGDIα activation upon shear stress application in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results showed lower RhoGDIα activity at the downstream of HUVECs (the region from the edge of the nucleus to the edge of the cell along with the flow). The overall decrease in RhoGDIα activity was inhibited by Y156A‐mutant, whereas the polarized RhoGDIα and Rac1 activity were blocked by S101A/S174A mutant. It is concluded that the Tyr156 phosphorylation mainly mediates shear stress‐induced overall RhoGDIα activity, while Ser101/Ser174 phosphorylation mediates its polarization. This study demonstrates that differential phosphorylation of RhoGDIα regulates shear stress‐induced spatial RhoGDIα activation, which could be a potential target to control cell migration.
Relationship Between Middle Managers' Transformational Leadership and Effective Followership Behaviors in Organizations
Authors: Alegbeleye Ibukun D. , Kaufman Eric K.
Published: January 2020

In the current study, four hypotheses that predicted positive relationships between transformational leadership behaviors and effective followership behaviors were proposed. Data were collected from 100 middle managers across the United States. Multiple regression results showed significant positive relationships between transformational leadership behaviors and effective followership behaviors, after controlling for age, sex, race, educational level, tenure with current organization, and tenure with current supervisor. However, the transformational leadership behavior of Idealized Influence was not significantly related to the effective followership behavior of Building Trust, after controlling for demographics. The findings have important implications for leaders, followers, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers.
Structures related to pheromone storage in alar androconia and the female abdominal scent gland of Heliconius erato phyllis, Heliconius ethilla narcaea, and Heliconius besckei (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae)
Authors: de Oliveira Borges Eliane , Bonfantti Dayana , de Oliveira Ribeiro Ciro A. , Zarbin Paulo H. G.
Published: January 2020

We describe the morphology of alar androconia and the female abdominal scent gland of Heliconius erato phyllis, Heliconius ethilla narcaea, and Heliconius besckei. Androconial scales of Heliconius, which are arranged in overlapping wing bands, release pheromones during courtship, probably through vibratory movements of male wings over the female to induce her to mate. An antiaphrodisiac is produced by glands located in the valves of the male and is transferred during copulation to the yellow dorsal abdominal sac present in the virgin female, causing this sac to emit a scent that reduces the attractiveness of the female for courtship with other males. Stereomicroscopy, SEM, and TEM analyses were conducted to describe the morphology of the internal and external scales and the external abdominal scent sac. The findings revealed different sizes of external androconial scales and an internal group of porous structural vesicles that are probably related to the preservation of internal space, reception and storage of secretions, and elimination of volatiles when the male is actively involved in courtship. Translucent projections on the female abdominal scent sac create open reservoirs for the reception, storage, and emission of antiaphrodisiac volatiles along with stink clubs. Male valve denticles vary in form and probably attach securely to the female sac during mating, thus ensuring secretion transfer. These features are discussed in the context of a comparative analysis.
Multiaxial movements at the minke whale temporomandibular joint
Authors: Werth Alexander J. , Ito Haruka , Ueda Keiichi
Published: January 2020

Mandibular mobility accompanying gape change in Northern and Antarctic minke whales was investigated by manipulating jaws of carcasses, recording jaw movements via digital instruments (inclinometers, accelerometers, and goniometers), and examining osteological and soft tissue movements via computed tomography (CT)‐scans. We investigated longitudinal (α) rotation of the mandible and mediolateral displacement at the symphysis (Ω1) and temporomandibular joint (Ω2) as the mouth opened (Δ). Results indicated three phases of jaw opening. In the first phase, as gape increased from zero to 8°, there was slight (<1°) α and Ω rotation. As gape increased between 20 and 30°, the mandibles rotated slightly laterally (Mean 3°), the posterior condyles were slightly medially displaced (Mean 4°), and the anterior ends at the symphysis were laterally displaced (Mean 3°). In the third phase of jaw opening, from 30° to full (≥90°) gape, these motions reversed: mandibles rotated medially (Mean 29°), condyles were laterally displaced (Mean 14°), and symphyseal ends were medially displaced (Mean 1°). Movements were observed during jaw manipulation and analyzed with CT‐images that confirmed quantitative inclinometer/accelerometer data, including the unstable intermediate (Phase 2) position. Together these shifting movements maintain a constant distance for adductor muscles stretched between the skull's temporal fossa and mandible's coronoid process. Mandibular rotation enlarges the buccal cavity's volume as much as 36%, likely to improve prey capture in rorqual lunge feeding; it may strengthen and stabilize jaw opening or closure, perhaps via a simple locking or unlocking mechanism. Rotated lips may brace baleen racks during filtration. Mandibular movements may serve a proprioceptive mechanosensory function, perhaps via the symphyseal organ, to guide prey engulfment and water expulsion for filtration.
Texture analysis of cone‐beam computed tomography images assists the detection of furcal lesion
Authors: Gonçalves Bianca C. , de Araújo Elaine C. , Nussi Amanda D. , Bechara Naira , Sarmento Dmitry , Oliveira Marcia S. , Santamaria Mauro P. , Costa Andre Luiz F. , Lopes Sérgio
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to apply texture analysis (TA) to cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of patients with grade C periodontitis for detection of non‐visible changes in the image.

Methods

TA was performed on CBCT scans of 34 patients with grade C periodontitis. Axial sections of CBCT were divided into three groups as follows: Group L (lesion) in which there is a furcal lesion with periodontal bone loss; Group I (intermediate) in which the border of the furcal lesion has normal characteristics; and Group C (control) in which the area is healthy. Eleven texture parameters were extracted from the region of interest. Mann‐WhitneyUtest was used to assess the differences in the texture between the three groups as follows: L versus I; L versus C, and I versus C.

Results

Statistically significant differences (P <0.05) were observed in almost all parameters in the intergroup analyses (i.e., L versus I and L versus C). However, statistical differences were smaller in groups I versus C in which only entropy of sum, entropy of difference, mean of sum, and variance of difference were statistically different (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

TA can potentially provide prognostic information to improve the diagnostic accuracy in the grading of the tissue around the furcal lesion, thus potentially accelerating the treatment decision‐making process.
Evaluation of pharmacist‐based interventions to optimise utilisation of parenteral paracetamol in a teaching hospital in Iran
Authors: Laali Elahe , Ghorbani Azim , Najafi Sheyda , Sarayani Amir , Ghafari Somayeh , Makarem Jalil , Khorasani Ghasemali , Gholami Kheirollah , Jahangard‐Rafsanjani Zahra
Published: January 2020

This study clarified the effect of pharmacist‐led interventions to decrease the cost and inappropriate prescribing of parenteral paracetamol (PP). The prescribing pattern of PP was assessed at baseline and after pharmacist‐led interventions (educational and protocol interventions) in a teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. Comparison of appropriate dosage form between baseline and postintervention assessments indicated a significant difference (55.6% vs 77.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). Educational intervention significantly improved the appropriate duration of PP administration from baseline to postintervention (29% vs 41.7%, respectively; p = 0.006), but had no significant effect on the appropriateness of dosing. The mean monthly number of vials used decreased considerably following the educational and protocol interventions (25% (p = 0.002) and 59% (p < 0.001) reductions, respectively). Thus, incorporating educational and protocol interventions could promote the appropriate prescription and rational use of PP and aid in reducing its financial burden.
Exploration of change in persistence patterns of opioid use among patients with non‐cancer and cancer pain over a 3‐year follow‐up period
Authors: Sani Asween R. , Zin Che S. , Mohamed Abdul H. , Izat Munira , Tan Hung L. , Ng Kim S. , Nissen Lisa
Published: January 2020

Background

Little is known about the different patterns of persistent opioid use and whether the patterns of clinical opioid use remain the same throughout long‐term opioid therapy.

Aim

This study explored the different patterns of persistent opioid use and changes in these patterns over time in patients with non‐cancer and cancer pain.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study included patients with non‐cancer and cancer pain receiving opioid prescriptions during 2013–15 at outpatient tertiary hospital settings in Malaysia. A three‐dimensional (3D) persistence measure consisting of treatment intensity, frequency and distribution was used to define persistent opioid users as ‘wide’ (use opioids most of the days in a year), ‘intermediate’ (use opioids daily) or ‘strict’ (use opioids continuously to achieve a therapeutic concentration) users. The number of patients in each persistence group and changes in persistence patterns over time were recorded.

Results

Most persistent opioid users in the non‐cancer and cancer groups were defined as wide users (9.3% and 4.8%, respectively), followed by intermediate (3.1% and 0.5%, respectively) and strict (1.8% and 0.9%, respectively) users. Over the 3‐year study period, a change to a less stringent persistence definition was observed in the non‐cancer group, whereas no discernible pattern of change was observed in the cancer group.

Conclusion

Changes in the patterns of clinical opioid use over time were detected among persistent opioid users in both the non‐cancer and cancer groups using a 3D persistence measure. This measure, which is sensitive to changes in the clinical use of opioids over time, could affect future research and practices for better pain management involving opioids.
Bacterial growth dynamics and corresponding metabolite levels in the extraction area of an Austrian sugar beet factory using antimicrobial treatment
Authors: Kohout Cordula K , Ukowitz Christina , Reiter Dominik , Zitz Ulrike , Moder Karl , Emerstorfer Florian , Hein Walter , Kneifel Wolfgang , Domig Konrad J
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

During the manufacture of sucrose from sugar beet, different microorganisms originating from the plant material as well as from the soil enter the process. Due to the formation of polysaccharide‐based slimes, these contaminants may induce several adverse effects such as filtration problems during juice purification. Certain microorganisms also metabolize sucrose, leading to product losses with financial consequences. To better understand and to prevent these negative effects, the aim of the study was to investigate the evolution of relevant bacterial groups, including their metabolites appearing during the extraction process. For this purpose, one production cycle was monitored to identify the major contamination steps and to clarify how they relate to the processing conditions. Traditionally, different antimicrobial agents such as formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorine dioxide have been added to inhibit microbial growth. In the present study, a rosin‐based product derived from pine trees was applied as an alternative to those substances.

RESULTS

Press water, raw juice, and mid‐tower juice were identified as being highly contaminated with bacteria, and processing conditions such as time, temperature and pH level significantly influenced bacterial levels and the corresponding metabolites. Among the contaminants identified, lactic acid bacteria, and mesophilic and thermophilic aerobic bacteria played a dominant role, whereas lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and ethanol were identified as typical metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Bacterial growth during production could be reduced by shock dosing of the rosin‐based material in the extraction area. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of soy protein composition in recombined soy‐based cream on the stability and physical properties of whipping cream
Authors: Fu Liwei , He Zhiyong , Zeng Maomao , Qin Fang , Chen Jie
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Recombinant plant‐based whipping cream (RSWC) has been widely studied in recent years. The present study investigated the effects of soybean protein and its hydrolysates on the stability and physical properties of the RSWC. The RSWC was made with 28% soybean oil bodies and 4% additional soy proteins or its hydrolysates. The proteins used were soy protein isolate, 7S, 11S, oil body protein, soybean proteins isolate hydrolyzed by pepsin (SPHPe) and soybean protein isolate hydrolyzed by papain (SPHPa).

RESULTS

RSWC made with SPHPa containing a large amount of small‐molecule polypeptide had the lowest apparent viscosity, shortest whipping time, best overrun and worst whipping stability, whereas RSWC made with SPHPe containing the α, β subunit and small‐molecule polypeptides exhibited the second highest overrun and best whipping stability. The partial coalescence of fat and confocal micrographs of cream emulsions suggested that oil body protein was displaced by the small peptides from the interface, which led to partial destabilization and sufficient coalescence of fat globules after aging and whipping.

CONCLUSION

Selectively hydrolyzed soy protein, such as SPHPe, can be used for the production of RSWC with sufficient overrun and whipping stability. This research is of great significance and opens a route to production of the recombinant plant‐based cream in the future. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Physicochemical changes and chilling injury disorders in ‘Tango’ mandarins stored at low temperatures
Authors: Morales Julia , Bermejo Almudena , Besada Cristina , Navarro Pilar , Gil Rebeca , Hernando Isabel , Salvador Alejandra
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

The susceptibility to chilling injury and quality changes of ‘Tango’ mandarins stored at different temperatures was evaluated in fruit grown at two locations in Andalusia (Spain) and grafted on Carrizo Citrange or FA5 rootstock. The peel disorders were also characterized by a microstructural study.

RESULTS

Fruit developed chilling injuries, manifested as pitting lesions affecting the equatorial area of the fruit stored at 1 °C or 5 °C; fruit growing on FA5 rootstock showed a slightly lower incidence. The microstructural study revealed that only the upper layers of flavedo were affected in the damaged fruit, the epidermal and hypodermal tissues being dramatically collapsed. Although the fruit was prone to accumulate ethanol, especially after the shelf life that followed the different periods of cold storage, the ethanol did not compromise the overall flavor.

CONCLUSIONS

Storage of ‘Tango’ fruit was limited by chilling injuries when stored at 1 °C or 5 °C for more than 20 days. Moreover, at these temperatures, the fruit was prone to accumulate ethanol and develop off flavors. At 9° C, the fruit could be stored for 30 days without compromising external or internal quality. Growing location and rootstock influenced some quality attributes at harvest but not during storage. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Sign‐changing solutions for a nonhomogeneous Paneitz‐type problem
Authors: Alarcón Salomón , Varela Nicolás
Published: January 2020

We consider the problemwhere Ω is a bounded smooth domain in , , that exhibits certain symmetries and contains the origin, , , , and is a small parameter. By using the Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction method and topological degree theory, for each sufficiently large , we construct sign‐changing solutions to exhibitingknegative spikes at the vertices of a regular polygon and a single positive spike at the origin.
Rural and minority populations face barriers in accessing school‐based support
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: January 2020

High school students, particularly those of color or living in rural communities, report difficulty in gaining access to basic mental health services, according to a report released last month. Among the promising interventions suggested in the report to address this problem, authors cite closer partnerships between local school districts and area nonprofit mental health providers.
Prediction of radiation‐induced malfunction for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs)
Authors: Matsubara Hiroaki , Ezura Takatomo , Hashimoto Yaichiro , Karasawa Kumiko , Nishio Teiji , Tsuneda Masato
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) were believed to possess a tolerance dose to malfunction during radiotherapy. Although recent studies have qualitatively suggested neutrons as a cause of malfunction, numerical understanding has not been reached. The purpose of this work is to quantitatively clarify the contribution of secondary neutrons from out‐of‐field irradiation to the malfunction of CIEDs as well as to deduce the frequency of malfunctions until completion of prostate cancer treatment as a typical case.

Materials and Methods

Measured data were gathered from the literature and were re‐analyzed. Firstly, linear relationship for a number of malfunctions to the neutron dose was suggested by theoretical consideration. Secondly, the accumulated number of malfunctions of CIEDs gathered from the literature was compared with the prescribed dose, scattered photon dose, and secondary neutron dose for analysis of their correlation. Thirdly, the number of malfunctions during a course of prostate treatment with high‐energy X‐ray, passive proton, and passive carbon‐ion beams was calculated while assuming the same response to malfunctions, where X‐rays consisted of 6‐MV, 10‐MV, 15‐MV, and 18‐MV beams. Monte Carlo simulation assuming simple geometry was performed for the distribution of neutron dose from X‐ray beams, where normalization factors were applied to the distribution so as to reproduce the empirical values.

Results

Linearity between risk and neutron dose was clearly found from the measured data, as suggested by theoretical consideration. The predicted number of malfunctions until treatment completion was 0, 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.08, 0.65 ± 0.17, 0.88 ± 0.50, and 0.14 ± 0.04 when 6‐MV, 10‐MV, 15‐MV, 18‐MV, passive proton, and passive carbon‐ion beams, respectively, were employed, where the single model response to a malfunction of 8.6 ± 2.1 Sv−1 was applied.

Conclusions

Numerical understanding of the malfunction of CIEDs has been attained for the first time. It has been clarified that neutron dose is a good scale for the risk of CIEDs in radiotherapy. Prediction of the frequency of malfunction as well as discussion of the risk to CIEDs in radiotherapy among the multiple modalities have become possible. Because the present study quantitatively clarifies the neutron contribution to malfunction, revision of clinical guidelines is suggested.
Mammalian egg coat modifications and the block to polyspermy
Authors: Fahrenkamp Eileen , Algarra Blanca , Jovine Luca
Published: January 2020

Fertilization by more than one sperm causes polyploidy, a condition that is generally lethal to the embryo in the majority of animal species. To prevent this occurrence, eggs have developed a series of mechanisms that block polyspermy at the level of the plasma membrane or their extracellular coat. In this review, we first introduce the mammalian egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP), and summarize what is currently known about its composition, structure, and biological functions. We then describe how this specialized extracellular matrix is modified by the contents of cortical granules (CG), secretory organelles that are exocytosed by the egg after gamete fusion. This process releases proteases, glycosidases, lectins and zinc onto the ZP, resulting in a series of changes in the properties of the egg coat that are collectively referred to as hardening. By drawing parallels with comparable modifications of the vitelline envelope of nonmammalian eggs, we discuss how CG‐dependent modifications of the ZP are thought to contribute to the block to polyspermy. Moreover, we argue for the importance of obtaining more information on the architecture of the ZP, as well as systematically investigating the many facets of ZP hardening.
Use of real‐world evidence in regulatory decisions for rare diseases in the United States—Current status and future directions
Authors: Wu Jasmanda , Wang Cunlin , Toh Sengwee , Pisa Federica Edith , Bauer Larry
Published: January 2020

Following the release of the framework for the Real‐World Evidence (RWE) Program, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively evaluating and exploring ways to optimize the utility of real‐world data (RWD) and RWE to support regulatory decision making. For rare conditions, conducting traditional randomized clinical trials may not always be feasible, and RWD and RWE have played and will continue to play an important role. We use three case examples—cerliponase alfa, asfotase alfa, and uridine triacetate—to illustrate how RWD from disease registries, medical records with chart review, and literature, respectively, have been used to generate RWE to support regulatory decisions for selected rare diseases. These examples highlight the need for improving data reliability and quality in existing data to expand use of RWD and RWE beyond “hard endpoints” and standardizing data collection for outcome measures in patient registries to expand its utility. We also discuss a recent FDA guidance for using RWE in supporting rare disease drug development, including its recommendations about using natural history studies as external control groups for single‐arm interventional trials. The external control group needs to be comparable with the treated group. Selection bias and confounding are major concerns because of lack of randomization and unrecognized baseline differences. Use of valid epidemiological approaches can reduce these biases. Lastly, we discuss future directions to expand the use of RWD and RWE to support orphan drug approvals, including the need for including patient experience data as an important source of RWD.
GaN/InGaN Blue Light‐Emitting Diodes on Polycrystalline Molybdenum Metal Foils by Ion Beam‐Assisted Deposition
Authors: Tarief Elshafiey Abdelrahman , DaVico Kenneth M. , Rishinaramangalam Ashwin K. , Rashidi Arman , Aragon Andrew , Feezell Daniel , Gunning Brendan P. , Sheehan Christopher , Matias Vladimir
Published: January 2020

Light‐emitting diode (LED) arrays fabricated on a polycrystalline metal substrate are demonstrated using a novel technique that enables the growth of epitaxial metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) GaN layers on non‐single‐crystal substrates. Epitaxial GaN is deposited directly on metal foil using an intermediate ion beam‐assisted deposition (IBAD) aligned layer. For a single 170 μm‐diameter LED on the metal foil, electroluminescence (EL) spectrum shows a peak wavelength of ≈452 nm and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ≈24 nm. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics show a turn‐on voltage of 3.7 V, a series resistance of 10 Ω. LEDs on metal show a relative external quantum efficiency (EQE) that is roughly 3× lower than that of similar LEDs fabricated on a sapphire substrate. InGaN LEDs on large‐area non‐single‐crystal substrates such as metal foils enable large‐area manufacturing, reducing production cost, and opening the door for new applications in lighting and displays.
The influence of deep jets on Jupiter's weather layer in a 1.5‐layer shallow‐water model
Authors: Thomson Stephen I.
Published: January 2020

The depth of the jet streams seen in Jupiter's outer weather layer has long been debated, with alternative suggestions of confinement to the weather layer and extensions deep into the planet being considered. Interpretation of measurements from NASA's Juno probe have suggested that weather‐layer jets do extend deep into the planet, down to depths of (3,000 km). However, this relies on the assumption that the jet profile does not change its spatial structure with depth, which may not be the case. In this work, we consider a simple 1.5‐layer shallow‐water model of Jupiter‐like jet streams, with prescribed deep jets in the lower layer, and look at the parameters affecting the strength of the coupling between the layers. We find the value of the Rossby deformation scale, L
D, to be particularly important, not just in setting the magnitude of variations in layer depth, but also in dictating the effectiveness of radiative damping. We also find the radiative damping timescales, the energy injection rate, and the spacing of deep jets to be important. We combine these findings into our best‐guess simulations of the real Jupiter and find that low latitudes are relatively uncoupled between the layers, with high latitudes being more tightly coupled. These effects can be tied to the smallness of Jupiter's L
D
and the effectiveness of radiative damping as a coupling mechanism. These simulations do, however, produce equatorial subrotation and eddy‐momentum fluxes unlike those on the real planet. It may be, therefore, that spatially varying forcing and very long radiative damping timescales are required for this model to be more Jupiter‐like.
Generalized inverted exponential distribution under constant stress accelerated life test: Different estimation methods with application
Authors: Dey Sanku , Nassar Mazen
Published: January 2020

Estimation of the parameters of generalized inverted exponential distribution is considered under constant stress accelerated life test. Besides the maximum likelihood method, nine different frequentist methods of estimation are used to estimate the unknown parameters. Moreover, the reliability function is estimated under use conditions based on different methods of estimation. We perform extensive simulation experiments to see the performance of the proposed estimators. As an illustration, a real data set is analyzed to demonstrate how the proposed methods may work in practice.
Book Introductions: Exploring the Why, How, and What
Authors: Morgan Denise N. , Williams Jeffery L. , Bates Celeste C.
Published: January 2020

A book introduction during small‐group instruction may seem like a simple task, but it actually involves multiple layers of decision making. The authors examine the why, how, and what of book introductions as a means of supporting students’ growth as readers.
Measurement of length distribution of beta-lactoglobulin fibrils by multiwavelength analytical ultracentrifugation
Authors: Uttinger Maximilian J. , Heyn Timon R. , Jandt Uwe , Wawra Simon E. , Winzer Bettina , Keppler Julia K. , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: January 2020

The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin is the building block of amyloid fibrils which exhibit a great potential in various applications. These include stabilization of gels or emulsions. During biotechnological processing, high shear forces lead to fragmentation of fibrils and therefore to smaller fibril lengths. To provide insight into such processes, pure straight amyloid fibril dispersions (prepared at pH 2) were produced and sheared using the rotor stator setup of an Ultra Turrax. In the first part of this work, the sedimentation properties of fragmented amyloid fibrils sheared at different stress levels were analyzed with mulitwavelength analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC). Sedimentation data analysis was carried out with the boundary condition that fragmented fibrils were of cylindrical shape, for which frictional properties are known. These results were compared with complementary atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. We demonstrate how the sedimentation coefficient distribution from AUC experiments is influenced by the underlying length and diameter distribution of amyloid fibrils.

In the second part of this work, we show how to correlate the fibril size reduction kinetics with the applied rotor revolution and the resulting energy density, respectively, using modal values of the sedimentation coefficients obtained from AUC. Remarkably, the determined scaling laws for the size reduction are in agreement with the results for other material systems, such as emulsification processes or the size reduction of graphene oxide sheets.
Fast and reliable molecular methods to detect fungal pathogens in woody plants
Authors: Luchi Nicola , Ioos Renaud , Santini Alberto
Published: January 2020

Plant diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms represent a serious threat to plant productivity, food security, and natural ecosystems. An effective framework for early warning and rapid response is a crucial element to mitigate or prevent the impacts of biological invasions of plant pathogens. For these reasons, detection tools play an important role in monitoring plant health, surveillance, and quantitative pathogen risk assessment, thus improving best practices to mitigate and prevent microbial threats. The need to reduce the time of diagnosis has prompted plant pathologists to move towards more sensitive and rapid methods such as molecular techniques. Considering prevention to be the best strategy to protect plants from diseases, this review focuses on fast and reliable molecular methods to detect the presence of woody plant pathogens at early stage of disease development before symptoms occur in the host. A harmonized pool of novel technical, methodological, and conceptual solutions is needed to prevent entry and establishment of new diseases in a country and mitigate the impact of both invasive and indigenous organisms to agricultural and forest ecosystem biodiversity and productivity.
Upper Esophageal Sphincter Motility and Thoracic Pressure are Determinants of Pressurized Waves in Achalasia Subtypes According to the Chicago Classification
Authors: Anefalos Alexandre , Herbella Fernando A. M. , Patti Marco G.
Published: January 2020

Background

Phenotypes of achalasia are based on esophageal body pressurization during swallow. The reasons that lead to pressurized waves are still unclear. This study aims to evaluate manometric parameters that may determine pressurized waves in patients with achalasia.

Methods

A total of 100 achalasia high‐resolution manometry tests were reviewed. We measured before each swallow: upper esophageal sphincter (UES) basal pressure, esophageal length, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure, LES length, gastric and thoracic pressure, transdiaphragmatic pressure gradient and the LES retention pressure (LES basal pressure‐TPG); during swallow: UES pressure, UES residual pressure, UES recovery time, LES relaxation pressure, gastric and thoracic pressure, transdiaphragmatic pressure gradient and after swallow: esophageal length, LES length, wave pressure, gastric and thoracic pressure and transdiaphragmatic gradient pressure.

Results

Univariate analysis showed in pressurized waves before swallow: higher thoracic, UES and LES basal pressure, longer LES length and decrease in LES retention pressure; during swallow: higher thoracic, gastric and UES pressure, higher UES and LES relaxation pressure and after swallow: higher thoracic and gastric pressure. Multivariate analysis in pressurized waves showed as significant before swallow: thoracic and UES basal pressure; during swallow: thoracic, gastric and UES pressure, UES residual pressure and UES recovery time and after swallow: thoracic pressure.

Conclusions

Basal esophageal pressurization and the UES are independent variables that may be associated with pressurized waves.
Seltene Tumoren als Leitsymptom hereditärer Tumorsyndrome
Authors: Perne Claudia , Steinke-Lange Verena , Aretz Stefan , Spier Isabel
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund

Monogen erbliche Tumorsyndrome bzw. Tumordispositionssyndrome (TDS) beruhen auf Keimbahn-/konstitutionellen Mutationen in Schlüsselgenen der Karzinogenese. Ein frühes Erkrankungsalter und eine Häufung von Tumoren eines typischen Spektrums in der Eigen- und/oder Familienanamnese sind Hinweise für das Vorliegen einer hereditären Form. Insbesondere seltene spezifische Tumoren treten relativ häufig im Rahmen eines TDS auf.

Methode

Der vorliegende Artikel stellt basierend auf einer Literaturrecherche dar, welche TDS bei Vorliegen eines seltenen Tumors als Differentialdiagnose (DD) bedacht werden sollten.

Ergebnisse

Die Identifizierung einer ursächlichen Keimbahnmutation bei einer erkrankten Person der Familie dient der DD, Ermittlung des Wiederholungsrisikos und der prädiktiven Testung asymptomatischer Risikopersonen. Bei TDS mit autosomal-dominantem Erbgang lassen sich oft mehrere Hochrisikopersonen in den betroffenen Familien identifizieren.

Schlussfolgerung

Die frühe Erkennung und korrekte Einordnung ist von hoher klinischer Relevanz, da den Erkrankten und Risikopersonen häufig effektive präventive Maßnahmen (Früherkennungs-Untersuchungen, prophylaktische Operationen) angeboten werden können und z. T. spezielle therapeutische Optionen bestehen. TDS stehen paradigmatisch für ein äußerst erfolgreiches Konzept der präventiven Onkologie und personalisierten Medizin. Die Einführung neuer Methoden der Hochdurchsatz-Sequenzierung (Next-Generation-Sequencing) ermöglicht eine effektivere genetische Diagnostik, stellt aber auch eine Herausforderung für die Befundinterpretation und Beratung dar. Für die Betreuung der Familien ist die Anbindung an multidisziplinäre Expertenzentren sinnvoll.
De-Europeanisation of UK regulatory governance and the future UK–EU trade relationship
Authors: Cygan Adam
Published: January 2020

With the exception of obligations during the transition period until the 31 December 2020, the UK will leave the EU Single Market and will need to negotiate a new regulatory framework for its future trade relationship with EU. The primary issue for the UK will be how much market access it will want to secure and what regulatory obligations will it be required to comply with in return for this. During EU membership, integration led to the UK’s regulatory framework becoming Europeanised which ensured the removal of trade barriers and provided for a level playing field of regulatory governance through harmonisation of technical standards and public policy objectives such as environmental standards or employment protection. As part of the future UK-EU trade relationship, the EU will be likely to insist on continuity of high levels of regulatory alignment, but the UK has indicated that it wishes to diverge from EU rules, leaving significant challenges for the UK-EU trade negotiations. This article considers the opportunity for the UK to de-Europeanise its regulatory governance after Brexit and whether and to what extent this will be compatible with negotiating a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU.
SEOM clinical guideline for secondary prevention (2019)
Authors: Santaballa A. , Pinto Á. , Balanyà R. P. , Ramírez Merino N. , Martín I. R. , Grau S. S. , Fombella J. P. B. , Cano J. M. , González C. H. , Bayo J.
Published: January 2020

Cancer is one of the major public health problems in our society. It is estimated that more than 18 million new cases are diagnosed worldwide every year; 280,000 in Spain. Incidence in following a growing trend. This epidemic could be controlled with research into new treatments and, above all, with adequate prevention. Primary prevention could prevent avoid up to half of all cases. For many others, secondary prevention is essential, as it make diagnosis possible in the stages of the disease when it is easily curable. These guidelines present the scientific evidence regarding secondary prevention in tumors in which its use is well-accepted: breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, lung, ovarian, melanoma, and gastric cancer.
Determining the domain of in situ stress around Marun Oil Field’s failed wells, SW Iran
Authors: Farsimadan Meisam , Dehghan Ali Naghi , Khodaei Meysam
Published: January 2020

Accurate determination of the in situ stress domain in oil fields is of paramount importance in drilling, completion, and maintenance of wells and in petroleum geomechanics. Determination of the magnitude and direction of stresses induced by drilling around the wellbores is the first step in geomechanical studies and wellbore stability analyses. Regarding the importance of casing collapse problems in Marun Oil Field, as the first step of this investigation, geomechanical studies were conducted to determine the in situ stress domain in the failed wellbores. Using density measurements, the vertical stress (SV) was estimated to be within the range of 85–90 MPa for all wellbores. To estimate maximum-horizontal-stress (SHmax) domain, Anderson’s faulting theory and stress polygon were employed, and a value close to SV was achieved. Also, minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) was estimated using different approaches and was found to have the minimum in situ stress. Finally, the faulting regime of the areas was found to be normal/strike slip, where the stress values are close to each other due to salt lithology and high pore pressures in the Gachsaran Formation and thereby could be assumed as hydrostatic stresses.
Operationalization of a frailty index among older adults in the InCHIANTI study: predictive ability for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality
Authors: Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Stenholm Sari , Ferrucci Luigi , Bandinelli Stefania , Inzitari Marco , Cesari Matteo
Published: January 2020

Background

The frailty index (FI) is a sensitive instrument to measure the degree of frailty in older adults, and is increasingly used in cohort studies on aging.

Aims

To operationalize an FI among older adults in the “Invecchiare in Chianti” (InCHIANTI) study, and to validate its predictive capacity for mortality.

Methods

Longitudinal data were used from 1129 InCHIANTI participants aged ≥ 65 years. A 42-item FI was operationalized following a standard procedure using baseline data (1998/2000). Associations of the FI with 3- and 6-year all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality were studied using Cox regression. Predictive accuracy was estimated by the area under the ROC curve (AUC), for a continuous FI score and for different cut-points.

Results

The median FI was 0.13 (IQR 0.08–0.21). Scores were higher in women, and at advanced age. The FI was associated with 3- and 6-year all-cause and CVD mortality (HR range per 0.01 FI increase = 1.03–1.07, all p < 0.001). The continuous FI score predicted the mortality outcomes with moderate-to-good accuracy (AUC range 0.72–0.83). When applying FI cut-offs between 0.15 and 0.35, the accuracy of this FI for predicting mortality was moderate (AUC range 0.61–0.76). Overall, the predictive accuracy of the FI was higher in women than in men.

Conclusions

The FI operationalized in the InCHIANTI study is a good instrument to grade the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. More measurement properties, such as the responsiveness of this FI when used as outcome measure, should be investigated in future research.
On the excavation-induced stress drop in damaged coal considering a coupled yield and failure criterion
Authors: Xue Dongjie , Zhou Jie , Liu Yintong , Gao Lie
Published: January 2020

Investigating the stress drop of abutment pressure is the key to a deep quantitative analysis of the discontinuous stress redistribution under mining. In the present study, uniaxial and triaxial compression tests are carried out separately to determine the bulk and shear moduli, the cohesion, and the internal friction angle of the coal samples. By extending the meaning of Mohr’s circle referring to yield stress instead of the maximum principal stress, a yield line is introduced to illustrate the stress drop of Mohr’s circle referring to yield stress instead of the maximum principal stress at the elastoplastic boundary. Furthermore, a theoretical solution of the stress drop as a function of the damage is proposed to investigate how the abutment pressure differs considering the yield line and failure line. In addition, applying the stress drop at the yield line in non-pillar mining, top coal mining, and protective coal mining shows that the damage has a nonlinearly positive influence on the stress drop. The results shows that the bulk modulus and internal friction angle have a more sensitive influence on the stress drop than do the shear modulus and cohesion. Finally, the stress drop is divided into a discontinuous stress drop at the yield line and a structural stress drop at the failure line. The stress drop is effective in describing the discontinuous stress redistribution and shows a clear difference in the movement direction of Mohr’s circle considering the unloading pressure.
The Impact of Sample Homogeneity, Crucible Material, and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Crystallization of Fe-Rich Oxidic Slag in CLSM Experiments
Authors: Schupsky Jan Peter , Guo Muxing , Blanpain Bart , Müller Michael
Published: January 2020

Crystallization tendency and the state of oxidic slags are important influencing factors for slag viscosity and therefore slag tapping. During the gasification process slag is constantly produced and flows down the gasifier walls until it is intercepted and stored for further treatment or a possible valorisation. The kinds of fuel used for gasification lead to different kinds of slag composition likewise. Slag viscosity is strongly influenced by the composition of the slag and the temperature. However, the process of crystallization represents another major influencing factor. Slag crystallization is also affected by several parameters, whose effects need to be considered in experimental studies. This study investigated the impact of the sample state, the chosen crucible material, and the oxygen partial pressure on the crystallization of a Fe-rich oxidic slag in the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) experiment. Using sample powder may lead to heterogeneous nucleation and crystallization during heating due to heterogeneous melting of the compounds. The selection of crucible material is crucial to prevent alloy formation of Fe-species with Pt-crucibles under reducing atmosphere. Finally, the partial pressure of oxygen influences the crystallization tendency as well as the morphology of the crystallized phases. These parameters impede the reproducibility of results as well as the comparison with results deriving from other experiments like sample quenching. This contribution provides an enhanced understanding of the stated parameter effects on the experimental investigation of oxidic slags using the CLSM setup and yields advice to prevent experimental influence on the results.
The Impact of Price Bundling on the Evaluation of Bundled Products: Does It Matter How You Frame It?
Authors: Hähnchen Anjulie , Baumgartner Bernhard
Published: January 2020

Companies often sell their products in a price bundle at a discount. These discounts can be presented to consumers in various ways.

Past studies have predominantly focused on the short-term effects of various price reduction frames within bundle offers. The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate the post-promotion effects of presenting a product within differently framed price bundles on consumers’ assessment of this product.

A choice-based conjoint design is applied to investigate purchase probability and willingness to pay. The results of the study indicate, among other findings, that the evaluation of a product can deteriorate if this product is presented in a price bundle and that this effect depends on the framing of price discounts in the bundle.
The impact of remittances on economic growth in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Authors: Sutradhar Soma Rani
Published: January 2020

This paper investigates the impact of workers’ remittances on economic growth of four South Asian emerging countries by employing balanced panel data from 1977 to 2016. Pooled OLS, fixed effects, random effects and dummy variable interaction models are used to estimate the impact of remittances. The empirical regression analysis confirms a negative effect of remittances on economic growth in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Conversely, remittances have a positive impact on economic growth in India. This study also indicates a joint significant and negative relationship between remittances and economic growth in four countries.
Discrimination, language brokering efficacy, and academic competence among adolescent language brokers
Authors: Chen Shanting , Hou Yang , Benner Aprile , Kim Su Yeong
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Discrimination is detrimental for the development of ethnic minority adolescents' academic competence. To combat the negative effects of discrimination and promote academic success, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying the association between discrimination and academic competence. Guided by the integrative model of ethnic minority children's development and the adapting cultural systems framework, this study examined whether a culture‐specific factor, language brokering efficacy, mediated the relation between adolescents' perceived discrimination and their academic competence.

Method

Data were drawn form a two‐wave longitudinal study of 604 Mexican American adolescent language brokers residing in and around a metropolitan city in central Texas, USA (54% female; Mage = 12.5; SD = 1.0; 75% born in the U.S.). Path analyses were conducted to answer the research questions.

Results

The study revealed that the link between discrimination and academic competence was mediated by language brokering efficacy when translating for fathers and mothers, although the path from language brokering efficacy to academic competence was stronger when brokering for mothers.

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of incorporating ethnic minority children's adapting cultural experiences in linking the contextual influence with their developmental competence. Implications for interventions aiming to reduce the negative impacts of discrimination are also discussed.