bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue regeneration and the epididymal stem cell
Authors: Pinel L. , Mandon M. , Cyr D. G.
Published: April 2019

Background

In most pseudostratified epithelia, basal cells represent a multipotent adult stem cell population. These cells generally remain in a quiescent state, until they are stimulated to respond to tissue damage by initiating epithelial regeneration. In the epididymis, cell proliferation occurs at a relatively slow rate under normal physiological conditions. Epididymal basal cells have been shown to share common properties with multipotent adult stem cells. The development of organoids from stem cells represents a novel approach for understanding cellular differentiation and characterization of stem cells.

Objective

To review the literature on tissue regeneration in the epididymis and demonstrate the presence of an epididymal stem cell population.

Methods

PubMed database was searched for studies reporting on cell proliferation, regeneration, and stem cells in the epididymis. Three‐dimensional cell culture of epididymal cells was used to determine whether these can develop into organoids in a similar fashion to stem cells from other tissues.

Results

The epididymal epithelium can rapidly regenerate following orchidectomy or efferent duct ligation, in order to maintain epithelial integrity. Studies have isolated a highly purified fraction of rat epididymal basal cells and reported that these cells displayed properties similar to those of multipotent adult stem cells. In two‐dimensional cell culture conditions, these cells differentiated into cells which expressed connexin 26, a marker of columnar cells, and cytokeratin 8. Furthermore, three‐dimensional cell culture of epididymal cells resulted in the formation of organoids, a phenomenon associated with the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells in vitro.

Conclusions

The rapid proliferation and tissue regeneration of the epididymal epithelium to preserve its integrity following tissue damage as well as the ability of cells to differentiate into organoids in vitro support the notion of a resident progenitor/stem cell population in the adult epididymis.
Exploring the Role and Importance of Human Capital in Resilient High Performing Organisations: Evidence from Business Clusters
Authors: Pereira Vijay , Temouri Yama , Patel Charmi
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates and explores the link between the resilience of organisations, its human capital and firm performance. We base our analysis on the resource‐based view of the firm, cluster strategy, and conservation of resources theories. Our contribution is contextualised by comparing the performance of business clusters across two observational periods, namely pre‐recession (2005–2007) and recession (2008–2009) period. We identify six relevant indicators from the extant literature that capture economic dynamism, human capital, and financial viability of firms in order to capture the performance across clusters and capture resilience to the global financial crisis. We contribute by identifying organisations in business clusters that perform better due to being more resilient, particularly during challenging times. Through triangulation we find overwhelming evidence of the overarching role and importance of human capital (people) in driving more successful organisations in business clusters as they possess greater resilience during challenging times such as the recent global financial crises. We show that strong clusters not only improve regional employment and turnover growth over time, but improve resilience of regional economies to downturns through resource gain and crossover processes. We further illustrate that understanding the impact of resource reservoirs, resource passageways and crossover provides a framework for further research and intervention to promote resilience in organisations.
Blending practice worlds: Impact assessment as a transdisciplinary practice
Authors: Ormiston Jarrod
Published: April 2019

Organisations with explicit social missions such as social enterprises, impact investors, nonprofits, and foundations are under increasing pressure to illustrate their impact on the social problems they claim to be addressing. These trends have resulted in an increasing sophistication of attempts to measure and report social impact across sectors. Despite the emerging literature on impact assessment, there is little research on how the growing emphasis on, and drive for, impact assessment is experienced in everyday organisational activities. This paper draws on practice theory to understand the purposes of impact assessment and how it influences, and is enacted in, everyday organisational activities. A multiple case design studies the purpose of impact assessment through qualitative interviews with over 90 practitioners within the Australian and United Kingdom impact investment ecosystems. The findings suggest that impact assessment should be understood as a transdisciplinary practice evolving from, and blending together with, multiple practice worlds such as strategy, accounting, marketing, and organisational learning. The main contributions of the paper are the development of the concept of impact assessment as a transdisciplinary practice and an empirical understanding of how impact assessment links to, and blends with, diverse practice worlds.
Inhibition of PI3K/mTOR increased the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin via interference with mitochondrial‐lysosomal crosstalk
Authors: Sheng Jiyao , Shen Luyan , Sun Liankun , Zhang Xuewen , Cui Ranji , Wang Lizhong
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The genotoxicity of cisplatin towards nuclear DNA is not sufficient to explain the cisplatin resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells; cisplatin interacts with many organelles, which can influence the sensitivity. Here, we explored the role of mitochondrial‐lysosomal crosstalk in the cisplatin resistance of HCC cells.

Materials and methods

Huh7 and HepG2 cells were subjected to different treatments. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial mass, lysosomal function, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis. Western blotting was performed to evaluate protein levels. The oxygen consumption rate was measured to evaluate mitochondrial function.

Results

Cisplatin activated mitophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, resulting in crosstalk between mitochondria and lysosomes and cisplatin resistance in HCC cells. Furthermore, a combination of cisplatin with the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) inhibitor PKI‐402 induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization. This effect changed the role of the lysosome from a protective one to that of a cell death promoter, completely destroying the mitochondrial‐lysosomal crosstalk and significantly enhancing the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin.

Conclusions

This is the first evidence of the importance of mitochondrial‐lysosomal crosstalk in the cisplatin resistance of HCC cells and of the destruction of this crosstalk by a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor to increase the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin. This mechanism could be developed as a novel target for treatment of HCC in the future.
Dermoscopic similarity is an independent predictor of BRAF mutational concordance in multiple melanomas
Authors: Moscarella Elvira , Pellegrini Cristina , Pampena Riccardo , Argenziano Giuseppe , Manfredini Marco , Martorelli Claudia , Ciarrocchi Alessia , Dika Emi , Peris Ketty , Antonini Ambra , Cipolloni Gianluca , Alfano Roberto , Longo Caterina , Fargnoli Maria Concetta
Published: April 2019

Background

The association of clinical and dermoscopic features with BRAF mutational status has been poorly analysed in multiple primary melanomas (MPM).

Objective

To investigate whether concordance of BRAF mutational status is associated with dermoscopic similarity in multiple melanomas of the same patient.

Methods

Dermoscopic images and corresponding tissue sections of 124 melanomas from 62 patients with MPM were selected at four Italian Dermatology Departments. Similarity of dermoscopic appearance between multiple melanomas was evaluated according to the presence of the same prevalent dermoscopic feature. The BRAFV600 mutational status was analysed with allele‐specific TaqManTM assays or pyrosequencing. Spearman's correlation and univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results

A similar dermoscopic appearance was identified in 38.7% (24/62) of patients with MPM and was correlated with older age at first diagnosis (rho: 0.26; P: 0.042) and occurrence on sun‐damaged skin (rho: 0.27; P: 0.037). The BRAFV600 mutation was detected in 39.5% (49/124) of the tumors and a concordant BRAF mutational status between melanomas in 33/62 (53.2%) MPM patients. Dermoscopically similar melanomas showed 5.7‐fold higher odds to be concordant for BRAF mutational status compared to dissimilar lesions (OR: 5.7; 95% CI 1.7‐19.5; P: 0.005).

Conclusion

Dermoscopic similarity of multiple melanomas represents an independent clinical predictor of a concordant BRAF mutational status in MPM patients.
Fatigue performance of hybrid overlap friction stir welding and adhesive bonding of an Al‐Mg‐Cu alloy
Authors: Braga Daniel F.O. , Maciel Ricardo , Bergmann Luciano , da Silva Lucas F.M. , Infante Virginia , dos Santos Jorge F. , Moreira Pedro M.G.P.
Published: April 2019

The need for weight reduction and leaner manufacturing and assembly processes in aircraft construction has led to the pursuit of welding technologies. One such technology that has been considered for this application is friction stir welding (FSW). Since it is a solid‐state joining method, it creates high performing joints in a wide range of materials while avoiding overlap lengths and added weight from fasteners, crack stoppers, doublers, etc. However, the adoption of this technology to the assembly of large fuselage shell components is challenging, due to geometric tolerance management requirements. In this paper, a hybrid joining method is proposed for such application, involving FSW and adhesive bonding. Fatigue performance of single lap joints of AA2024‐T3 Al‐Mg‐Cu alloy was assessed and benchmarked against FSW overlap and adhesive bonded joints. Significant strength and ductility increase was achieved through the hybridization of the overlap FSW joints. Fatigue strength of the hybrid joints was also higher than FSW overlap joints, although not as high as adhesive bonded joints.
Effects of porosity and pore distribution on static strength properties of porous zirconia
Authors: Bade Rojina , Miyazaki Natsumi , Hoshide Toshihiko
Published: April 2019

Bulk porosity, along with size and spatial distribution of pores, play key roles in strength of porous ceramics, as reported in a study on porous alumina. Hence, a fracture mechanics procedure was proposed to evaluate their strength by presuming that behavior of pore distribution is equivalent to that of crack distribution, and each pore is surrounded by virtual crack. In contrast to alumina, zirconia has distinct spherical‐shaped pores. Moreover, its strength properties vary with stabilizing additives. In this research, strength properties of yttria‐stabilized zirconia ceramics were studied to verify applicability of the procedure proposed for simulating strength of porous ceramics. The effect of pore characteristics on static strength properties was determined experimentally and confirmed by Monte‐Carlo simulations. It was revealed that simulated strength coincided with experimental results within a narrow scatter band, ie, factor of 21/2. Therefore, the proposed procedure was found to be appropriate for estimating strength of porous zirconia.
Anthropocene, Capitalocene, … Plantationocene?: A Manifesto for Ecological Justice in an Age of Global Crises
Authors: Davis Janae , Moulton Alex A. , Van Sant Levi , Williams Brian
Published: April 2019

The “Plantationocene” has gained traction in the environmental humanities as a way of conceptualizing the current era otherwise nominated as the Anthropocene, Capitalocene, or the Chthulucene. For Donna Haraway, Anna Tsing, and their interlocutors, the concept suggests that our current ecological crisis is rooted in logics of environmental modernization, homogeneity, and control, which were developed on historical plantations. This paper argues that, while there is indeed a need to analyze the ways in which the plantation past shapes the present, current discussions of the Plantationocene have several crucial limitations. Here, we focus on two: first, the current multispecies framing conceptualizes the plantation largely as a system of human control over nature, obscuring the centrality of racial politics; and second, the emerging Plantationocene discussion has yet to meaningfully engage with the wide variety of existing critiques of the plantation mode of development. Thus, we draw on a deep well of Black geographic and ecological work that provides a powerful challenge to the ongoing colonial–racial legacies of the plantation, prompting consideration of white supremacy, capitalist development, and (mis)characterizations of what it means to be human. These approaches not only reveal a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of the role of the plantation in current global crises but also highlight ongoing struggles and the possibilities of ecological justice in the future.
The changing face of immune tolerance induction in haemophilia A with the advent of emicizumab
Authors: Carcao Manuel , Escuriola‐Ettingshausen Carmen , Santagostino Elena , Oldenburg Johannes , Liesner Ri , Nolan Beatrice , Bátorová Angelika , Haya Saturnino , Young Guy ,   Future of Immunotolerance Treatment Group
Published: April 2019

Introduction

As a result of the new treatment paradigm that the haemophilia community will face with the availability of novel (non‐factor) therapies, an updated consensus on ITI recommendations and inhibitor management strategies is needed.

Aim

The Future of Immunotolerance Treatment (FIT) group was established to contemplate, determine and recommend the best management options for patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors.

Discussion and Conclusions

Despite the considerable success of emicizumab in the management of inhibitor patients, the FIT group still sees the importance of eradicating inhibitors. However, the availability of emicizumab and other non‐factor therapies in the future might impact greatly on how ITI is undertaken. Theoretically, concomitant use of emicizumab and FVIII might allow emicizumab to effectively prevent bleeding with lower dose ITI regimens. This might allow for the greater adoption of low‐dose/low‐frequency FVIII ITI regimens, which may result in a reduced need for central venous access devices while still maintaining a reasonable likelihood of ITI success. The FIT group proposes a new management algorithm for current ITI (without emicizumab) and a hypothetical new approach with the availability of emicizumab. As there are no published data regarding the concomitant use of emicizumab and FVIII for ITI, the FIT Expert group encourages the undertaking of properly conducted prospective studies to explore these approaches further.
The most influential articles in Helicobacter pylori research: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bang Chang Seok , Lee Jae Jun , Baik Gwang Ho
Published: April 2019

Objective

The number of articles that researchers must be familiar with is increasing, along with the importance of selective searching and summarization. This study aimed to assess and characterize the most influential articles in Helicobacter pylori research.

Methods

We performed a search of the top‐100 cited articles using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Google Scholar from their inception to 2018. The top‐100 Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) articles based on online media mentions were also searched using the term H pylori. Each article was evaluated for the following characteristics: citation number, title, journal, publication year, and authorship.

Results

The citation number for the top‐100 WoSCC articles ranged from 44 to 367. Gut published the largest number of articles (11%). In the top‐100 Google Scholar articles, Lancet had the largest number of articles (13%); however, among the top‐1000 cited articles published after 2012, Helicobacter published the largest number (46%). The largest number of top‐100 AAS articles was published by PLOS Pathogens (6%). PubMed Central articles' citations in WoSCC or Google Scholar showed significant correlation with those from each metric; however, AAS showed no correlation. The proportion of basic research was 36%‐37% in top‐cited articles; but, 52% in the top‐100 AAS articles. No time trend in the number of publications or citations of basic/clinical research in the top‐100 bibliometrics was found. "Meta‐analysis/systematic review," "gastric cancer," "eradication," and "association" were the most influential title words.

Conclusion

This study presents a detailed list of top‐100 articles, journals, authors, and topic title words.
Political Activism and Research Ethics
Authors: Jones Ben
Published: April 2019

Those who care about and engage in politics frequently fall victim to cognitive bias. Concerns that such bias impacts scholarship recently have prompted debates – notably, in philosophy and psychology – on the proper relationship between research and politics. One proposal emerging from these debates is that researchers studying politics have a professional duty to avoid political activism because it risks biasing their work. While sympathetic to the motivations behind this proposal, I suggest several reasons to reject a blanket duty to avoid activism: (1) even if it reduced bias, this duty would make unreasonable demands on researchers; (2) this duty could hinder research by limiting viewpoint diversity; (3) this duty wrongly implies that academia offers a relative haven from bias compared to politics; and (4) not all forms of political activism pose an equal risk of bias. None of these points suggest that researchers should ignore the risk of bias. Rather, researchers should focus on stronger evidence‐based strategies for reducing bias than a blanket recommendation to avoid politics.
Optimization of process conditions for vacuum microwave drying of lemon peel by response surface methodology: Quality characteristics and volatile compounds
Authors: Tekgül Yeliz , Baysal Taner
Published: April 2019

This study evaluated for to optimization of dried lemon peel production conditions in vacuum microwave dryer as a novel drying technique by using response surface methodology (RSM) and to observation of its effects on the quality and volatile compounds. The optimum vacuum power (584 watt) and temperature (50 °C) according to the highest b* value and limonene content while the minimum drying time occurs were estimated using RSM. The volatile constituents of fresh and dried lemon peels were investigated by headspace‐solid phase micro extraction‐gas chromatography mass spectrometry, as a result, 32 and 34 compounds were identified, respectively. Furthermore, quality characteristics of the optimally developed lemon powder were studied. Dried peels had higher conservation of total phenolic compounds than fresh samples. Drying significantly affected the volatile compounds, antioxidant activity, total carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents of lemon peel powders.

Practical applications

Drying is an important food preservation method. However, the effets of drying methods and conditions on foods quality are not clear. This study presents optimum conditions for drying lemon peels in vacuum microwave dryer and appreciates effect of drying system on some quality characteristics and volatile compounds. The data of present study will give information to food industry for installing industrial scale drying systems for aromatic products. It will be contributed to the improvement of firms' conditions that already in production.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and family history in severe acne vulgaris
Authors: Sorour Neveen E. , Mustafa Amany I. , Alhusseni Naglaa F. , Fawzy Eman , Amer Aml G.
Published: April 2019

Background

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder with a profound heterogenous aetio‐pathophysiology. ACE gene I/D polymorphism affects angiotensin‐converting enzyme activities that play a role in inflammation. However, there are no molecular genetic studies investigating the contribution of ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in the genetic background of acne vulgaris.

Aims

The aim of this work was to reveal the relation between the ACE gene I/D polymorphism and acne vulgaris development among a sample of patients.

Patients and Methods

This study included 100 acne vulgaris patients in addition to 120 matched control subjects. The ACE gene I/D polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The distribution of DD, ID genotypes, and D allele showed higher frequency in AV patients than in controls (P < 0.001 for all). Moreover, positive family history and ACEI/D gene polymorphism (DD + ID genotypes) were considered as independent predictors for severe acne grades (P ≤ 0.001 and 0.046, respectively) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The current study results suggest that the D allele of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism might confer risk to AV among the studied patients. Moreover, ACE I/D gene polymorphism and positive family history were considered as independent predictors of severe AV.
Daytime melatonin and light independently affect human alertness and body temperature
Authors: Lok Renske , van Koningsveld Minke J. , Gordijn Marijke C. M. , Beersma Domien G. M. , Hut Roelof A.
Published: April 2019

Light significantly improves alertness during the night (Cajochen, Sleep Med Rev, 11, 2007 and 453; Ruger et al., AJP Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 290, 2005 and R1413), but results are less conclusive at daytime (Lok et al., J Biol Rhythms, 33, 2018 and 589). Melatonin and core body temperature levels at those times of day may contribute to differences in alerting effects of light. In this experiment, the combined effect of daytime exogenous melatonin administration and light intensity on alertness, body temperature, and skin temperature was studied. The goal was to assess whether (a) alerting effects of light are melatonin dependent, (b) soporific effects of melatonin are mediated via the thermoregulatory system, and (c) light can improve alertness after melatonin‐induced sleepiness during daytime. 10 subjects (5 females, 5 males) received melatonin (5 mg) in dim (10 lux) and, on a separate occasion, in bright polychromatic white light (2000 lux). In addition, they received placebo both under dim and bright light conditions. Subjects participated in all four conditions in a balanced order, yielding a balanced within‐subject design, lasting from noon to 04:00 pm. Alertness and performance were assessed half hourly, while body temperature and skin temperature were measured continuously. Saliva samples to detect melatonin concentrations were collected half hourly. Melatonin administration increased melatonin concentrations in all subjects. Subjective sleepiness and distal skin temperature increased after melatonin ingestion. Bright light exposure after melatonin administration did not change subjective alertness scores, but body temperature and proximal skin temperature increased, while distal skin temperature decreased. Light exposure did not significantly affect these parameters in the placebo condition. These results indicate that (a) exogenous melatonin administration during daytime increases subjective sleepiness, confirming a role for melatonin in sleepiness regulation, (b) bright light exposure after melatonin ingestion significantly affected thermoregulatory parameters without altering subjective sleepiness, therefore temperature changes seem nonessential for melatonin‐induced sleepiness, (c) subjective sleepiness was increased by melatonin ingestion, but bright light administration was not able to improve melatonin‐induced sleepiness feelings nor performance. Other (physiological) factors may therefore contribute to differences in alerting effects of light during daytime and nighttime.
Vibration‐based structural state identification by a 1‐dimensional convolutional neural network
Authors: Zhang Youqi , Miyamori Yasunori , Mikami Shuichi , Saito Takehiko
Published: April 2019

Deep learning has ushered in many breakthroughs in vision‐based detection via convolutional neural networks (CNNs), but the vibration‐based structural damage detection by CNN remains being refined. Thus, this study proposes a simple one‐dimensional CNN that detects tiny local structural stiffness and mass changes, and validates the proposed CNN on actual structures. Three independent acceleration databases are established based on a T‐shaped steel beam, a short steel girder bridge (in test field), and a long steel girder bridge (in service). The raw acceleration data are not pre‐processed and are directly used as the training and validation data. The well‐trained CNN almost perfectly identifies the locations of small local changes in the structural mass and stiffness, demonstrating the high sensitivity of the proposed simple CNN to tiny structural state changes in actual structures. The convolutional kernels and outputs of the convolutional and max pooling layers are visualized and discussed as well.
Non‐involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICH) with postnatal atypical growth: A case series
Authors: Cossio María L. , Dubois Josée , McCuaig Catherine C. , Coulombe Jérôme , Hatami Afshin , Marcoux Danielle , Ondrejchak Sandra , Powell Julie
Published: April 2019

Background

Non‐involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICH) are fully formed vascular tumors at birth, with a distinctive clinical, radiologic, and histopathological profile, and classically lack expansion or involution over time. We describe a series of NICH cases with atypical postnatal growth.

Methods

The authors retrospectively analyzed all NICH cases diagnosed from 2007 to 2017. We reviewed charts and photographic databases from our Vascular Anomalies Clinic. We included in the study all NICH with an atypical postnatal growth. Clinical data, imaging, and histopathology were analyzed.

Results

Eighty cases of NICH were identified. Nine presented with atypical postnatal growth after a stable period, at ages from 2 to 10 years (mean: 5.3 years). Two patients had associated pain; 5 patients showed new red papules on the surface of the lesion; 2 reported bleeding from the papules; and 1 developed a pyogenic granuloma. All patients had Doppler ultrasound and/or MRI compatible with NICH, and a confirmatory biopsy was performed in 4 cases. In treatment, 2 patients received endovascular embolization, and one required further surgery.

Conclusions

Non‐involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICH) may develop significant postnatal growth over time (10% in our series), requiring closer follow‐up for longer periods. The development of red papules, pyogenic granulomas, and superficial bleeding may be observed. Since this is a small series, we were not able to establish risk factors for NICH with postnatal growth.
Socioeconomic and Gender Health Disparities in Diabetes: The Lower Middle Income Case of Ghana
Authors: Dagadu Helena E.
Published: April 2019

While literature theorizing the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and health outcomes is robust in high‐income countries, there is less scholarship examining how SES affects men and women in lower middle income countries (LMICs). Focusing on the LMIC case of Ghana, I use Wave 1 of the World Health Organization Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (SAGE) to examine the relationship between SES and diabetes among Ghanaian women and men. Specifically, I examine how key SES measures such as educational attainment, employment status, and income singly and collectively predict the odds of diabetes for Ghanaian men and women. I also examine the explanatory value of the reversal hypothesis, which posits that those of high SES experience higher rates of non‐communicable diseases. Overall, I find that while Ghanaian men experience increased odds of diabetes with increased education, Ghanaian women have higher odds of diabetes compared to men regardless of educational attainment. Understanding health patterns in LMICs like Ghana is important for sociological inquiry on health disparities seeking to incorporate more global perspectives.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: April 2019

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 7, Number 5Angela Lee, UNC Pembroke, USACagla Atmaca, Pamukkale University, TurkeyCarmen Pérez-Sabater, Universitat Poltècnica de València, SpainFatma Ozudogru, Usak University, TurkeyFroilan D. Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippineGianpiero Greco, University of Study of Bari, ItalyGuilherme Tucher, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazilİbrahim Yaşar Kazu, Firat University, TurkeyIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaIoannis Syrmpas, University of Thessaly, GreeceJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJon S. Turner, Missouri State University, USAKun-Hsi Liao, Taiwan Shoufu University, TaiwanLaura Bruno, The College of New Jersey, USALorna T. Enerva, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesMatt Varacallo, University of Kentucky, USAMehmet Inan, Marmara University, TurkeyMeral Seker, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, TurkeyMichael Wall, Independent Researcher in Music and Music Education, USANiveen M. Zayed, MENA College of Management, JordanRichard Penny, University of Washington Bothell, USASadia Batool, Preston University Islamabad, PakistanSandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USASayim Aktay, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, TurkeySemiyu Adejare Aderibigbe, American University in the Emirates, United Arab Emirates (UAE)Senem Seda Şahenk Erkan, Marmara University, TurkeyShu-wen Lin, Sojo University, JapanVjacheslav Ivanovich Babich, Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, UkraineRobert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
The genus-one global mirror theorem for the quintic -fold
Authors: Guo Shuai , Ross Dustin
Published: April 2019

We prove the genus-one restriction of the all-genus Landau–Ginzburg/Calabi–Yau conjecture of Chiodo and Ruan, stated in terms of the geometric quantization of an explicit symplectomorphism determined by genus-zero invariants. This gives the first evidence supporting the higher-genus Landau–Ginzburg/Calabi–Yau correspondence for the quintic

$3$

-fold, and exhibits the first instance of the ‘genus zero controls higher genus’ principle, in the sense of Givental’s quantization formalism, for non-semisimple cohomological field theories.
Land for agriculture? Conflicts and synergies between land use in two parts of Scandinavia
Authors: Slätmo Elin
Published: April 2019

When space is limited, there is often conflict over land use such as agriculture, nature conservation, housing, business and commercial enterprise. More knowledge is needed about the substance of such conflicts and the way the various uses are handled and spatially organised. Using empirical material collected in Hållnäs, Sweden, and Sandnes, Norway, between 2009 and 2012, this paper addresses the potential conflicts and synergies between the different uses of land, with agriculture as a reference point. In combining and comparing the results from Hållnäs and Sandnes, the way in which relations differ between them are also scrutinised. Through planning documents, interviews with officials in public authorities, active farmers, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and field visits, case-specific land uses are identified in the two areas. The conflicting and synergetic relations between agriculture and other ways the land is used are identified and illustrated by schematic models. The results indicate that agriculture is both in synergy and in conflict with other land uses. In the cases investigated in this study, the primary areas of conflict are between agriculture and biodiversity, between agriculture and cultural heritage, and between agriculture and climate-smart initiatives in terms of dense building structures.
Mapping the 'gray area' – commentary to Tulumello
Authors: Häkli Jouni
Published: April 2019

As a response to Simone Tulumello’s essay ‘Generalization, epistemology and concrete: what can social sciences learn from the common sense of engineers’, in this commentary I reflect on some of the issues that I consider key elements in his provocative original text. I mainly pay attention to the question of balancing between ideal-typical simplification and nuance in Tulumello’s argumentation, pointing at the risks involved in a writing strategy that seeks not only to engage and inspire but also persuade and convince.
Governing a just future: what and how to govern? – commentary to Jones
Authors: Bäcklund Pia
Published: April 2019

In dealing with the topic of “governing the future”, it is fundamental to understand how different practices define justice in content as well as in processual sense. Premises of justification can be seen as essential indicators of the future direction of societal decision-making in governance networks, as well as in determining whose realities play a part when defining future imaginaries. We are dealing with a complex entity and we need to ask whether a future as such can be distinguished from how it is produced in different governing practices? I would also like to emphasize that the concept of ‘governance’ needs to be taken under careful scrutiny. Governance has not replaced government, as most often both of these management logics are present simultaneously. This is creating tensions within the public sector. My comments to the issues presented in Rhys Jones’ article (in this issue) are grounded in planning theory and my ongoing research concerning justification of new spatial planning practices in the Nordic countries.
Open policies, open practices – open attitudes?
Authors: Kallio Kirsi Pauliina , Riding James
Published: April 2019

N/A
Enhanced uniformity of III-nitride nanowire arrays on bulk metallic glass and nanocrystalline substrates
Authors: May Brelon J. , Hettiaratchy Elline C. , Selcu Camelia , Wang Binbin , Esser Bryan D. , McComb David W. , Myers Roberto C.
Published: April 2019

Nanowires possess unique strain relieving properties making them compatible with a wide variety of substrates ranging from single crystalline semiconductors, amorphous ceramics, and polycrystalline metals. Flexible metallic foils are particularly interesting substrates for nanowires for both flexible optoelectronics and high throughput manufacturing techniques. However, nanowires grown on polycrystalline metals exhibit grain-dependent morphologies. As an alternative route, the authors demonstrate the growth of highly uniform III-Nitride nanowires on bulk metallic glass (amorphous metal) and nanocrystalline Pt metal films using molecular beam epitaxy. Nanowire arrays on metallic glass substrates show uniformity over length scales >100 μm. The quality of these nanowires is explored by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The electrical characteristics of individual nanowires are measured via conductive atomic force microscopy, and mesoscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are fabricated. Nanowires grown on nanocrystalline Pt films showed an increase in output power by a factor of up to 32, and an increase in the overall LED efficiency by up to 13× compared with simultaneously grown nanowire LEDs on bare Si.
Hierarchical prosody modeling for Mandarin spontaneous speech
Authors: Lin Cheng-Hsien , You Chung-Long , Chiang Chen-Yu , Wang Yih-Ru , Chen Sin-Horng
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a hierarchical prosody model (HPM)-based method for Mandarin spontaneous speech is proposed. First, an HPM is designed for describing relations among acoustic features of utterances, linguistic features of texts, and prosodic tags representing the underlying hierarchical prosodic structures of utterances. Subsequently, a sequential optimization algorithm is employed to train the HPM based on a large conversational speech corpus, the Mandarin Conversational Dialogue Corpus (MCDC), which features orthographic transcriptions and prosodic event annotations. In this unsupervised training method, all utterances of the MCDC are labeled with two types of prosodic tags, namely, break and prosodic states, automatically and simultaneously. After training, the HPM parameters are examined to identify critical prosodic properties of Mandarin spontaneous speech, which are then compared with their counterparts in the read-speech HPM. The prosodic tags on the studied utterances enable mapping of various prosodic events onto the hierarchical prosodic structures of the utterances. Prosodic analyses of some disfluent events are conducted using the prosodic tags affixed to the MCDC. Finally, an application of the HPM to assist in Mandarin spontaneous-speech recognition is discussed. Significant relative error rate reductions of 9.0%, 9.2%, 15.6%, and 7.3% are obtained for base-syllable, character, tone, and word recognition, respectively.
Loss of MCU prevents mitochondrial fusion in G
1
-S phase and blocks cell cycle progression and proliferation
Authors: Koval Olha M. , Nguyen Emily K. , Santhana Velarchana , Fidler Trevor P. , Sebag Sara C. , Rasmussen Tyler P. , Mittauer Dylan J. , Strack Stefan , Goswami Prabhat C. , Abel E. Dale , Grumbach Isabella M.
Published: April 2019

The mitochondrial Ca
2+
uniporter enables ATP production to match energy demands during the cell cycle.
Antibiotics Enhance Prevention and Eradication Efficacy of Cathodic-Voltage-Controlled Electrical Stimulation against Titanium-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Canty Mary K. , Hansen Lisa A. , Tobias Menachem , Spencer Sandy , Henry Terry , Luke-Marshall Nicole R. , Campagnari Anthony A. , Ehrensberger Mark T.
Published: April 2019

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) develop clinically in the presence of antibiotic therapies and are responsible for increased patient morbidity and rising health care costs. Many of these infections involve bacterial biofilm formation on orthopedic hardware, and it has been well established that these biofilms are refractory to most antibiotic treatments. Recent studies have focused on novel methods to prevent and eradicate infection. Cathodic-voltage-controlled electrical stimulation (CVCES) has previously been shown to be effective as a method for prevention and eradication of Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections. The present study revealed that the utility of CVCES for prevention and eradication of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is enhanced in the presence of clinically relevant antibiotics. The synergistic effects of CVCES and antibiotics are effective in a magnitude-dependent manner. The results of this study indicate a promising alternative method to current PJI mitigation techniques.
A Tripartite, Hierarchical Sigma Factor Cascade Promotes Hormogonium Development in the Filamentous Cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme
Authors: Gonzalez Alfonso , Riley Kelsey W. , Harwood Thomas V. , Zuniga Esthefani G. , Risser Douglas D.
Published: April 2019

Cyanobacteria are integral to global carbon and nitrogen cycles, and their metabolic capacity coupled with their ease of genetic manipulation make them attractive platforms for applications such as biomaterial and biofertilizer production. Achieving these goals will likely require a detailed understanding and precise rewiring of these organisms’ GRNs. The complex phenotypic plasticity of filamentous cyanobacteria has also made them valuable models of prokaryotic development. However, current research has been limited by focusing primarily on a handful of model strains which fail to reflect the phenotypes of field counterparts, potentially limiting biotechnological advances and a more comprehensive understanding of developmental complexity. Here, using
Nostoc punctiforme
, a model filamentous cyanobacterium that retains the developmental range of wild isolates, we define previously unknown definitive roles for a trio of sigma factors during hormogonium development. These findings substantially advance our understanding of cyanobacterial development and gene regulation and could be leveraged for future applications.
Sensory neuronopathy associated with cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed 6 years after symptom onset
Authors: Rossor Alexander M , Blake Julian , Pissanou Theodora , Reilly Mary M
Published: April 2019

A pure sensory neuronopathy (also referred to as a sensory ganglionopathy) is one of a handful of classical neurological paraneoplastic syndromes. Current guidelines recommend that in cases of sensory neuronopathy, a search for an underlying malignancy be pursued for up to 4 years. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with a sensory neuronopathy who was eventually diagnosed with a cholangiocarcinoma 6 years after the onset of her disease. A CT fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan performed 18 and 24 months after disease onset failed to identify an underlying neoplasm. Immunomodulatory treatment with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins and plasma exchange were ineffective. Investigations for Sjogren’s disease were negative. A third FDG-PET performed 6 years after symptom onset identified a cholangiocarcinoma, which was confirmed histologically following open resection. Since the tumour was removed, our patient’s condition has not progressed, but there has been no improvement and she remains severely disabled.
’Carcinoma en cuirasse' in the neck: extremely unusual initial presentation of gastric cancer
Authors: Rajeshwari Madhu , Sakthivel Pirabu , Sikka Kapil , Jain Deepali
Published: April 2019

Cutaneous metastasis from visceral malignancy is a relatively rare phenomenon. It is even rarer to have cutaneous lesions as the first mode of clinical presentation in such malignancies. The lesions are usually nodular, although they can have varied appearances. Common sites of primaries include breast, lung, colorectum, kidney, ovary, and headandneck. We report an unusual form of cutaneous metastasis in the neck, known as ‘carcinoma en cuirasse’, in an elderly man that subsequently led to the diagnosis of an occult gastric cancer. Our case highlights the importance of recognising cutaneous metastatic lesions early, as they may herald the diagnosis of an occult internal malignancy.
Signet ring cell carcinoma of the rectum: atypical metastatic presentation
Authors: Morales-Cruz Mariana , Salgado-Nesme Noel , Trolle-Silva Alicia Maybi , Rodríguez-Quintero Jorge Humberto
Published: April 2019

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and the fourth most common cause of death related to cancer. Signet ring cell carcinoma represents an uncommon histological type for rectal cancer with less than 1% of all rectal neoplasms. It usually behaves aggressively and has an inferior prognosis. We present the case of a young man diagnosed with signet ring cell rectal carcinoma. He underwent neoadjuvant therapy with partial response, had surgery with curative intent and showed local recurrence after only 3 months. Disease progression happened only weeks after recurrence with metastasis to vertebrae, extraocular muscles, bone marrow and skin. He is currently receiving palliative chemotherapy.
Takayasu arteritis with multiple coronary involvement and early graft relapse
Authors: Macedo Leonardo Miranda , Lima Neiberg de Alcantara , de Castro Junior Ricardo Lessa , Bannon Susan Faragher
Published: April 2019

Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to Takayasu arteritis (TA) is rare. This article reports a case of severe involvement of multiple coronary arteries in a young woman. She was treated with coronary artery bypass grafting and had an early venous graft stenosis despite immunosuppressants. She became asymptomatic one year after a drug-eluting stent placement. This report shows the complexity of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to TA with complex CAD.
Patient-reported outcomes in the RELIGHT clinical trial of ranibizumab in diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Chakravarthy Usha , Pearce Ian , Banerjee Sanjiv , Burton Benjamin J L , Downey Louise , Gale Richard , Patel Jignesh , Patra Sudeshna , Sivaprasad Sobha , Stevenson Michael , Lupton Susanne
Published: April 2019

Background/aims

The RELIGHT clinical trial used an individualised treatment regimen of ranibizumab to treat diabetic macular oedema (DMO). We report findings from two patient-reported outcome instruments.

Methods

The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) was administered before starting treatment (M0) and at M6, 12 and 18. The Macular Disease Society Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (MacTSQ) was administered 1 month after treatment start (M1) and at M6, 12 and 18. Relationships between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the study eye (SE) and the status of the eye at baseline (as better or worse eye by BCVA) and the two instrument measures were investigated.

Results

BCVA in the SE correlated strongly with the NEI-VFQ composite scores and the majority of the subscales but not with the MacTSQ subscales. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the majority of the subscales of the NEI-VFQ at M6, 12 and 18. For the MacTSQ, improvements between baseline M6, 12 and 18 were seen for subscale 1 but only reached statistical significance at M12. In subscale 2, the changes in mean scores were statistically significant at all timepoints.

Conclusions

Although ranibizumab treatment in DMO over an 18-month period resulted in improvements in visual functioning and patient satisfaction, no correlation was found between the instruments used to measure these outcomes. Our finding of a lack of correlation between BCVA and the MacTSQ suggests the presence of psychophysical factors not measured by traditional means.