bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with increased gut‐to‐blood penetration of short‐chain fatty acids: A new, non‐invasive marker of a functional intestinal lesion
Authors: Jaworska Kinga , Konop Marek , Bielinska Klaudia , Hutsch Tomasz , Dziekiewicz Marcin , Banaszkiewicz Aleksandra , Ufnal Marcin
Published: June 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

‘Leaky gut’ has been found in intestinal and extra‐intestinal diseases. However, functional evaluation of intestinal permeability is not widely used as a diagnostic marker, possibly owing to significant limitations of currently used permeability assays. There is an unmet need for development of a new, non‐invasive test to assess intestinal function.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We show that an increased blood‐to‐stool ratio of the concentration of gut bacteria‐produced short‐chain fatty acids may be used as a marker of gut permeability. Our findings lay the groundwork for establishing a new, non‐invasive, risk‐free diagnostic tool in diseases associated with intestinal barrier malfunction, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are characterized by an impaired gut–blood barrier commonly referred to as ‘leaky gut’. Therefore, functional evaluation of the gut–blood barrier is a promising diagnostic marker. We hypothesized that short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut bacteria might serve as a marker in IBD. Animal experiments were performed on male Sprague–Dawley rats with acetic acid‐induced colitis and in sham control animals. The gut–blood barrier permeability was determined by assessing the ratios of the following: (i) portal blood concentration of SCFAs (Cp) to faecal concentration of SCFAs (Cf); (ii) systemic blood concentration of SCFAs (Cs) to faecal concentration of SCFAs (Cf); and (iii) Cp and Cs of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)–dextran administered into the colon. As a clinical study, we evaluated Cs, Cf and the Cs/Cf ratio of SCFAs in six paediatric patients with IBD, assessed as mild/moderate/severe by the Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) and the Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) at the time of sample collection, and nine age‐matched healthy control subjects. Rats with histologically confirmed IBD had significantly increased ratios of Cp/Cf and Cs/Cf for SCFAs. This was positively correlated with the plasma FITC–dextran concentration. Likewise, IBD patients showed a significantly higher Cs/Cf ratio for SCFAs, including acetic, valeric, isocaproic, caproic and propionic acids, in comparison to control subjects. In conclusion, in the rats and in paediatric patients with IBD we found an increased blood‐to‐stool ratio of SCFAs, suggesting an increased gut‐to‐blood penetration of SCFAs. These findings pave the way for a new, non‐invasive diagnostic tool in IBD and other diseases accompanied by intestinal barrier malfunction.
La colectividad como resistencia en la cuenca alta del río Chicamocha
Authors: Estupiñán Laura López
Published: June 2019

Sistematizar las experiencias colectivas y generar reflexiones en torno a la resistencia de comunidades locales frente a los proyectos extractivos en Boyacá es el aporte de este artículo. Se recurre a las experiencias colectivas exitosas que han favorecido la defensa y la protección del agua en la cuenca alta del río Chicamocha de 2010 a 2018, principalmente en la provincia de Sugamuxi, en Colombia. Mediante un trabajo interdisciplinar de las artes, la antropología, la ecología, el derecho, las licenciaturas, las ingenierías y los saberes locales, se garantizó la revisión de los estudios de impacto ambiental y planes de manejo, la traducción de los lenguajes técnicos a cotidianos, la participación activa en los mecanismos de participación ciudadana y el acompañamiento a las comunidades afectadas por los trabajos de exploración sísmica de dos proyectos de hidrocarburos en cercanías del lago de Tota. El artículo permite repensar los conceptos clásicos de familia, comunidad y movimiento social desde la acción colectiva de protección y defensa del agua, liderada por los habitantes de la provincia de Sugamuxi, quienes estudiaron los documentos entregados por las empresas y evidenciaron las afectaciones e irregularidades en audiencias públicas y procesos de seguimiento ambiental. La dinámica permitió el reconocimiento de un territorio, la generación de metodologías propias que vincularon la comunicación alternativa, la acción política y la argumentación técnica con incidencia en el licenciamiento ambiental de dos proyectos de hidrocarburos en la cuenca alta del río Chicamocha.
The Enhancement of Spray Cooling Performance in Nucleate and Transition Boiling Regimes by Using Saline Water Containing Dissolved Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Das Lily , Munshi B. , Mohapatra S. S.
Published: June 2019

In the current work, by using various additives, the spray cooling in the transition boiling regime is significantly augmented due to the vapor film instability enhancing, which helps to overcome the disadvantages reported in the open literature for the attainment of high heat flux in the aforesaid boiling regime. Saline water containing dissolved carbon dioxide produces two favorable conditions for high heat transfer rate: (1) controlled vapor bubble nucleation and (2) low entrapped vapor bubbles coalescence rate. These phenomena are the parameters defining the step-up in the heat transfer rate. Systematic spray cooling (from 900 °C) experiments were conducted on a 6-mm thick AISI 304 steel plate (100 mm × 100 mm). The heat transfer analysis indicates that the heat removal rate in case of soda added water depicts an increasing trend with the rising of the soda concentration up to 40% in water, and further increment in soda water concentration declines the heat removal rate due to the formation of the uncontrolled vapor bubbles undergoing early coalescence. In case of salt added carbonated water spray cooling, the quenching performance indicates step-up in critical heat flux up to 1.7 MW/m2. In addition to the above, the spray cooling performance of the above-stated coolant is compared with other potential coolants such as soda–surfactant–water, soda–alcohol–water and soda–salt–surfactant–water mixtures.
Young Athletes’ Perceptions of Coach-Athlete Sexual Relationships: Engaging With Competing Ethics
Authors: Stefansen Kari , Solstad Gerd Marie , Strandbu Åse , Hansen Maria
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we use data from focus group interviews with young athletes to explore their thinking about coach-athlete sexual relationships (CASRs). Our aim is to further the understanding of the ambivalence surrounding CASRs in the sports field, which are simultaneously viewed as ethically problematic and acceptable—at least when they involve high-profile adult athletes. Inspired by Swidler’s toolkit approach to culture, we analyze how athletes understand and justify CASRs. We found that three different ethics were activated in the interviews: the safeguarding, love, and athletic-performance ethics. We discuss how these ethics are linked to different underlying “imaginaries,” or cultural frames, about the meaning of sport in society and offer thoughts on how the results can inform sporting organizations’ future prevention efforts.
The cold Leidenfrost regime
Authors: Bourrianne Philippe , Lv Cunjing , Quéré David
Published: June 2019

Leidenfrost drops, known to levitate on very hot solids, exhibit a “cold” regime on superhydrophobic solids.
Releasing the brake on eating
Authors: Borgland Stephanie L.
Published: June 2019

Obesity alters neuronal gene expression and activity that may influence overeating
Effects of Delayed Antibiotic Therapy on Outcomes in Children with
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Sepsis
Authors: Li Qinyuan , Cheng Jie , Wu Yi , Wang Zhili , Luo Siying , Li Yuanyuan , Tian Xiaoyin , Zhang Guangli , Chen Dapeng , Luo Zhengxiu
Published: June 2019

Delayed antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor outcomes in sepsis, but the optimal antibiotic administration time remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of the time of antimicrobial administration on outcomes and evaluate an optimal empirical antibiotic administration time window for children with
Streptococcus pneumoniae
sepsis.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Clinical and Environmental Mycobacterium chimaera Isolates
Authors: Mok Simone , Hannan Margaret M. , Nölke Lars , Stapleton Patrick , O’Sullivan Niamh , Murphy Philip , McLaughlin Anne Marie , McNamara Eleanor , Fitzgibbon Margaret M. , Rogers Thomas R.
Published: June 2019

Mycobacterium chimaera
is a slow-growing nontuberculous
Mycobacterium
species belonging to the
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC). It has been identified globally as the cause of a large outbreak of cardiovascular infections following open heart surgery, but it can also cause respiratory infections in individuals with underlying structural pulmonary disease. Invasive
M. chimaera
infections are associated with poor clinical responses, and the optimal antibiotic treatment regimen for these infections is not known.
The Pseudomonas stutzeri-Specific Regulatory Noncoding RNA NfiS Targets
katB
mRNA Encoding a Catalase Essential for Optimal Oxidative Resistance and Nitrogenase Activity
Authors: Zhang Hongyang , Zhan Yuhua , Yan Yongliang , Liu Yichao , Hu Guihua , Wang Shanshan , Yang Hua , Qiu Xuemeng , Liu Yaqun , Li Jiang , Lu Wei , Elmerich Claudine , Lin Min
Published: June 2019

Protection against oxygen damage is crucial for survival of nitrogen-fixing bacteria due to the extreme oxygen sensitivity of nitrogenase. This work exemplifies how the small ncRNA NfiS coordinates oxidative stress response and nitrogen fixation via base pairing with
katB
mRNA and
nifK
mRNA. Hence, NfiS acts as a molecular link to coordinate the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response and nitrogen fixation. Our study provides the first insight into the biological functions of NfiS in oxidative stress regulation and adds a new regulation level to the mechanisms that contribute to the oxygen protection of the MoFe nitrogenase.
HLA-F on Autologous HIV-Infected Cells Activates Primary NK Cells Expressing the Activating Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor KIR3DS1
Authors: Kiani Zahra , Bruneau Julie , Geraghty Daniel E. , Bernard Nicole F.
Published: June 2019

This study investigated a mechanism that may underly epidemiological studies showing that carriage of theKIR3DS1homozygous genotype is more frequent among HIV-exposed seronegative subjects than among HIV-susceptible individuals. Carriage of this genotype is associated with a reduced risk of HIV infection. The protective mechanism involves the interaction of HLA-F on CD4+cells infected with replication-competent HIV with the activating NK receptor, KIR3DS1. This interaction leads to the activation of KIR3DS1+NK cells for secretion of cytokines and chemokines with anti-HIV activity. Among these is CCL4, which binds and blocks CCR5, the coreceptor for HIV entry of HIV into new target cells. In the setting of an exposure to HIV, incoming HIV-infected cells expressing HLA-F rapidly activate KIR3DS1+NK cells to elicit anti-HIV activity. Exclusive gating strategies and blocking experiments support the notion that the HLA-F/KIR3DS1 interaction is sufficient to activate NK cell functions.
Relating irritability and suicidal ideation using mood and anxiety
Authors: Malhi Gin , Bell Erica , Das Pritha , Outhred Tim
Published: June 2019

Background

Suicide is common in the context of depression and bipolar disorders, but there remains a lack of understanding as to how suicide ideation, a common symptom of mood disorders, progresses to suicidal behaviour. Irritability, a feature of some types of depression, is thought to contribute to the development of suicidal behaviour, but these associations are not well established.

Objective

To examine the relationship between irritability and suicide ideation according to the subtype of depression expressed in patients with mood disorder.

Methods

75 patients with mood disorders seen at the CADE (Clinical Assessment Diagnostic Evaluation) Clinic underwent clinical assessment forsuicidal ideation(Paykel Suicide Scale),symptom severity(Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) (anxious depression), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (melancholic depression)) andirritability(item 5 of the YMRS).

Findings

Interestingly, irritability correlated with mania (r=0.734, p<0.001 (YMRS)) and depressive symptom scores (r=0.369, p<0.001 (MADRS); r=0.477, p<0.001 (HAM-D)), which in turn correlated with suicide ideation scores (r=0.364, p<0.01 (MADRS); r=0.275, p=0.017 (HAM-D)). However, despite this indirect association, there was no direct correlation between irritability and suicide ideation (r=0.050, p>0.05).

Conclusions

The nature of the relationship between irritability and suicidal ideation is determined by the emotional context within which irritability operates.

Clinical implications

Findings suggest that rather than examining irritability alone, consideration of the subtype of depression, especially that of anxious depression, should be paramount in assessing suicide risk.
Journal Impact Factor: A Bumpy Ride in an Open Space
Authors: Kaldas Mirit , Michael Stephen , Hanna Jessica , Yousef George M
Published: June 2019

The journal impact factor (IF) is the leading method of scholarly assessment in today's research world. An important question is whether or not this is still a constructive method. For a specific journal, the IF is the number of citations for publications over the previous 2 years divided by the number of total citable publications in these years (the citation window). Although this simplicity works to an advantage of this method, complications arise when answers to questions such as ‘What is included in the citation window’ or ‘What makes a good journal impact factor’ contain ambiguity. In this review, we discuss whether or not the IF should still be considered the gold standard of scholarly assessment in view of the many recent changes and the emergence of new publication models. We will outline its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the IF include promoting the author meanwhile giving the readers a visualization of the magnitude of review. On the other hand, its disadvantages include reflecting the journal's quality more than the author's work, the fact that it cannot be compared across different research disciplines, and the struggles it faces in the world of open access. Recently, alternatives to the IF have been emerging, such as the SCImago Journal & Country Rank, the Source Normalized Impact per Paper and the Eigenfactor Score, among others. However, all alternatives proposed thus far are associated with their own limitations as well. In conclusion, although IF contains its cons, until there are better proposed alternative methods, IF remains one of the most effective methods for assessing scholarly activity.
Cigarette prices in a complex cigarette tax system: empirical evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Prasetyo Bagus Wahyu , Adrison Vid
Published: June 2019

Background

The complex cigarette tax system in Indonesia has created the opportunity for cigarette producers to avoid tax, which results in affordable cigarette prices. In addition to increasing cigarette tax every year, the government has adopted several policies to increase cigarette prices, such as reducing the number of tiers and applying cigarette tax based on the combined production of affiliated companies (ie, firms with a minimum 10% ownership of another cigarette company, sharing the same boards of commissioners or using input from other tobacco companies, in which a firm has at least 10% ownership).

Objective

To investigate the effect of cigarette tax, affiliated company rules and changes in the number of tiers on cigarette prices produced in Indonesia.

Method

Using brand level data from 2005 to 2017, we model cigarette prices as a function of cigarette tax, affiliated company rules, number of tiers, cigarette types and cigarette tax system using random effect and fixed effect estimations.

Finding

We find that a percentage increase in cigarette tax increases cigarette prices by less than 1% for all cigarette types. The implementation of affiliated company rules is effective in increasing cigarette prices for both affiliated and non-affiliated firms. We also find that a fewer number of tiers are associated with a higher cigarette price. Our results suggest that a reduction in the number of tiers will increase the effectiveness of a specific tax system in making cigarettes less affordable.
Evidence that an intervention weakens the relationship between adolescent electronic cigarette use and tobacco smoking: a 24-month prospective study
Authors: Conner Mark , Grogan Sarah , Simms-Ellis Ruth , Flett Keira , Sykes-Muskett Bianca , Cowap Lisa , Lawton Rebecca , Armitage Christopher , Meads David , Schmitt Laetitia , Torgerson Carole , West Robert , Siddiqi Kamran
Published: June 2019

Background

The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use to subsequent smoking relationship in adolescents has received much attention. Whether an intervention to reduce smoking initiation attenuated this relationship was assessed.

Method

Data were from 3994 adolescent never smokers (aged 13–14 years at baseline) as part of a cluster randomised controlled trial. Self-report measures of smoking, e-cigarette use and covariates were assessed and used to predict ever smoked cigarettes, any recent tobacco smoking and regularly smoked cigarettes at 24-month follow-up.

Results

Baseline ever use of e-cigarettes was associated with ever smoked cigarettes (OR=4.03, 95% CI 3.33 to 4.88; controlling for covariates, OR=2.78, 95% CI 2.20 to 3.51), any recent tobacco smoking (OR=3.38, 95% CI 2.72 to 4.21; controlling for covariates, OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.76 to 2.69) and regularly smoked cigarettes (OR=3.60, 95% CI 2.35 to 5.51; controlling for covariates, OR=1.27, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.39) at follow-up. For ever smoked cigarettes only, the impact of e-cigarette use was attenuated in the intervention (OR=1.83) compared with control (OR=4.53) condition. For ever smoked cigarettes and any recent tobacco smoking, the impact of e-cigarette use was attenuated among those with friends who smoked (OR=2.05 (ever smoked); 1·53 (any tobacco use)) compared with those without friends who smoked (OR=3.32 (ever smoked); 2·17 (any tobacco use)).

Conclusions

This is one of the first studies to show that e-cigarette use was robustly associated with measures of smoking over 24 months and the first to show an intervention to attenuate the relationship. Further research with a broader age range of adolescents is required.
Creep and consolidation of a stiff clay under saturated and unsaturated conditions
Authors: Rezania Mohammad , Bagheri Meghdad , Mousavi Nezhad Mohaddeseh
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the one-dimensional (1D) time-dependent behaviour of natural and reconstituted London Clay samples under saturated and unsaturated conditions is studied. For this purpose, a set of 1D consolidation tests including multi-staged loading (MSL) oedometer tests and single-staged loading (SSL) long-term oedometer creep tests were carried out on saturated and unsaturated specimens. Conventional oedometer cells were used for tests on saturated specimens, whereas a newly designed unsaturated oedometer cell, equipped with two high-capacity tensiometers (HCTs) for suction measurements, was used for unsaturated tests. The tests results revealed stress dependency and suction dependency of primary and secondary consolidation responses of the soil samples. Furthermore, counter to formerly acknowledged suggestions of independency of the slope of normal consolidation line to suction changes, it was observed that an increase in suction results in a decrease of the slope of compression curve (Cc) and the creep index (Cαe) values and an increase in yield vertical net stress (σp). Moreover, the Cαe/Ccratio for London Clay was found to be stress- and suction-dependent, unlike the previously suggested hypotheses.
Symmetries of the space of connections on a principal G-bundle and related symplectic structures
Authors: Jakimowicz Grzegorz , Odzijewicz Anatol , Sliżewska Aneta
Published: June 2019

There are two groups which act in a natural way on the bundle [Formula: see text] tangent to the total space [Formula: see text] of a principal [Formula: see text]-bundle [Formula: see text]: the group [Formula: see text] of automorphisms of [Formula: see text] covering the identity map of [Formula: see text] and the group [Formula: see text] tangent to the structural group [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the subgroup of those automorphisms which commute with the action of [Formula: see text]. In the paper, we investigate [Formula: see text]-invariant symplectic structures on the cotangent bundle [Formula: see text] which are in a one-to-one correspondence with elements of [Formula: see text]. Since, as it is shown here, the connections on [Formula: see text] are in a one-to-one correspondence with elements of the normal subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], so the symplectic structures related to them are also investigated. The Marsden–Weinstein reduction procedure for these symplectic structures is discussed.
Axially magnetized dark energy cosmological model
Authors: Mishra B. , Ray Pratik P. , Tripathy S. K. , Bamba Kazuharu
Published: June 2019

We investigate the behavior of the skewness parameters for an anisotropic universe in the framework of General Relativity. Non-interacting dark energy is considered in presence of electromagnetic field. A time-varying deceleration parameter simulated by a hybrid scale factor is considered. The dynamics of the universe is investigated in presence and absence of magnetic field. The equation of state parameter of dark energy evolves within the range predicted by the observations. Magnetic field is observed to have a substantial effect on the cosmic dynamics and the skewness parameters. The models discussed here end in a big rip and become isotropic at finite time.
Adinkra height yielding matrix numbers: Eigenvalue equivalence classes for minimal four-color adinkras
Authors: Gates S. James , Hu Yangrui , Stiffler Kory
Published: June 2019

An adinkra is a graph-theoretic representation of space–time supersymmetry. Minimal four-color valise adinkras have been extensively studied due to their relations to minimal 4D, [Formula: see text] supermultiplets. Valise adinkras, although an important subclass, do not encode all the information present when a 4D supermultiplet is reduced to 1D. Eigenvalue equivalence classes for valise adinkra matrices exist, known as [Formula: see text] equivalence classes, where valise adinkras within the same [Formula: see text] equivalence class are isomorphic in the sense that adinkras within a [Formula: see text]-equivalence class can be transformed into each other via field redefinitions of the nodes. We extend this to non-valise adinkras, via Python code, providing a complete eigenvalue classification of “node-lifting” for all 36,864 valise adinkras associated with the Coxeter group [Formula: see text]. We term the eigenvalues associated with these node-lifted adinkras Height Yielding Matrix Numbers (HYMNs) and introduce HYMN equivalence classes. These findings have been summarized in a Mathematica notebook that can be found at the HEPTHools Data Repository on GitHub.
Effect of hyperon coupling constants on the properties of the massive neutron star PSR J0348+0432
Authors: Zhao Xian-Feng
Published: June 2019

The relativistic mean field (RMF) theory is used to examine the effect of the meson-[Formula: see text] coupling constants on the properties of the neutron star (NS) PSR J0348+0432 when the hyperon potential of [Formula: see text] is fixed. It is found that the greater the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the stronger the repulsive interaction. The potential field strengths of mesons [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and the chemical potentials of neutron n and electron e increase, whereas the potential field strengths of mesons [Formula: see text] decrease with the increase of the meson-[Formula: see text] coupling constants. It is also found that the relative particle number density of neutron [Formula: see text] and hyperon [Formula: see text] in the NS PSR J0348+0432 increase, whereas that of hyperon [Formula: see text] decrease as the meson-[Formula: see text] coupling constants increase. In our calculations, hyperon [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] all do not appear. Our results show that the meson-[Formula: see text] coupling constants cannot be uniquely determined as the hyperon-potential of [Formula: see text] is determined. Therefore, the related properties of NS cannot be uniquely determined only by the determined hyperon potential of [Formula: see text].
Rational synthesis of graphitic porous carbon with high content nitrogen doping via ultra-fast pyrolysis of ZIF-8 for electrochemical capacitor with enhanced performance
Authors: Gao Tie , Li Haibo
Published: June 2019

In this work, we proposed an effective strategy to prepare nitrogen-doped popcorn-like porous carbons (NPPCs) via ultra-fast carbonization of zeolitic immidazolate frameworks (ZIFs-8), where the ZIFs-8 acted as carbon precursor as well as the template. The obtained NPPCs possess popcorn-like morphology with large specific surface area of 1243[Formula: see text]m2/g, total pore volume of 1.48[Formula: see text]cm3/g and high nitrogen content. Remarkably, the average pore diameter of NPPCs was 4.72[Formula: see text]nm, indicating the presence of amount substantial mesopores. As the electrode of supercapacitor, the NPPCs revealed a relatively high specific capacitance of 610.4[Formula: see text]F/g in KOH (6[Formula: see text]mol/L) at 5[Formula: see text]mV/s. Even the scan rate was increased to 50[Formula: see text]mV/s, an impressive capacity of 424.8[Formula: see text]F/g can be achieved, suggesting good rate capability. Besides, it exhibited outstanding cycling stability with 93% of specific capacitance retention after 10,000 GCD cycles. Moreover, the NPPCs electrode demonstrated high electrochemical performance and stability by designing the coin-type and flexible supercapacitor. The large specific surface area, abundant accessible mesoporosity and novel nanostructure are account for the superior performance.
Decompositions of some regular graphs into unicyclic graphs of order five
Authors: Paulraja P. , Sivakaran T.
Published: June 2019

For a graph [Formula: see text] and a subgraph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-decomposition of [Formula: see text] is a partition of the edge set of [Formula: see text] into subsets [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] such that each [Formula: see text] induces a graph isomorphic to [Formula: see text] It is proved that the necessary conditions are sufficient for the existence of an [Formula: see text]-decomposition of the graph [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is any simple connected unicyclic graph of order five, × denotes the tensor product of graphs and [Formula: see text] denotes the multiplicity of the edges. In fact, using the above characterization, a necessary and sufficient condition for the graph [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] to admit an [Formula: see text]-decomposition is obtained. Similar results for the complete graphs and complete multipartite graphs are proved in: [J.-C. Bermond et al. [Formula: see text]-decomposition of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] has four vertices or less, Discrete Math. 19 (1977) 113–120, J.-C. Bermond et al. Decomposition of complete graphs into isomorphic subgraphs with five verices, Ars Combin. 10 (1980) 211–254, M. H. Huang, Decomposing complete equipartite graphs into connected unicyclic graphs of size five, Util. Math. 97 (2015) 109–117].
Development and application of hyperelastic model for diaphragm considering the influence of temperature
Authors: Wang Lidong , Peng Xiongqi , Liu Mingrui
Published: June 2019

The basic mechanical properties of a diaphragm under various temperatures in hot diaphragm preforming of composites are obtained by uniaxial tensile tests. A constitutive model considering the influence of temperature is accordingly developed to characterize its large deformation behavior. Model parameters are obtained by nonlinear fitting experiment data. The constitutive model is implemented in ABAQUS through the user material subroutine UHYPER. The developed constitutive model is verified by simulating the covering deformation of the diaphragm over a C-type mold. Finally, as an application of the developed hyperelastic model, an optimal design of a support bar in the hot diaphragm preforming process is implemented. The constitutive model lays a solid foundation for the finite element simulation and process optimization of the hot diaphragm forming (HDF) of carbon composites.
Schizophrenia and design
Authors: Lindberg Susanne
Published: June 2019

In this forum we celebrate research that helps to successfully bring the benefits of computing technologies to children, older adults, people with disabilities, and other populations that are often ignored in the design of mass-marketed products.
--- Juan Pablo Hourcade, Editor
Learning user interface design and the development of mobile applications in middle school
Authors: Ferreira Miriam Nathalie F. , von Wangenheim Christiane Gresse , Filho Raul Missfeldt , Pinheiro Fernando da Cruz , Hauck Jean C. R.
Published: June 2019

HCI education reflects the continual evolution of HCI, embracing the changing landscapes of technology, infrastructure, and technology use. This forum aims to provide a platform for HCI educators, practitioners, researchers, and students to share their perspectives, reflections, and experiences related to HCI education.
--- Sukeshini Grandhi, Editor
Perceived clinical relevance and retention of basic sciences across the medical education continuum
Authors: Malau-Aduli Bunmi S. , Alele Faith O. , Heggarty Paula , Teague Peta-Ann , Sen Gupta Tarun , Hays Richard
Published: June 2019

Medical programs are under pressure to maintain currency with scientific and technical advances, as well as prepare graduates for clinical work and a wide range of postgraduate careers. The value of the basic sciences in primary medical education was assessed by exploring the perceived clinical relevance and test performance trends among medical students, interns, residents, and experienced clinicians. A pilot study conducted in 2014 involved administration of a voluntary 60-item multiple-choice question test to 225 medical students and 4 interns. These participants and 26 teaching clinicians rated the items for clinical relevance. In 2016, a similarly constructed test (main study) was made a mandatory formative assessment, attempted by 563 students in years 2, 4, and 6 and by 120 commencing general practice residents. Test scores, performance trends, clinical relevance ratings, and correlations were assessed using relevant parametric and nonparametric tests. Rank order and pass-fail decisions were also reviewed. The mean test scores were 57% (SD 7.1) and 52% (SD 6.1) for the pilot and main studies, respectively. Highest scores were observed in pathology and social sciences. Overall performance increased with increasing year of study. Test scores were positively correlated with perceived relevance. There were moderate correlations ( r = 0.50–0.63; P < 0.001) between participants’ scores in the basic science and summative exams. Assessments may be key to fostering relevance and integration of the basic sciences. Benchmarking knowledge retention and result comparisons across topics are useful in program evaluation.
Raking Effects on Aggregate Densification and Channelling in Thickening
Authors: Zhou Xu , Wang Hong-jiang , Jiao Hua-zhe , Yang Liu-hua
Published: June 2019

Thickening performance is greatly influenced by aggregate densification and channelling development; however, the microstructures of aggregates and channelling are unable to directly observe because of high turbidity mud bed during thickening. Computed tomography scan imaging technique has been introduced to investigate the effects of aggregate densification and channelling in the mud bed samples during unclassified tailings thickening. The samples were prepared through deep-freezing and freeze-drying techniques, immediately after sampling from the operation of a pilot thickener. Based on the information of void ratio, pore-size distribution, and permeability, obtained from 3D reconstruction images of the aggregates structure, aggregate densification and channelling development have been characterized. Channelling patterns have been classified by the size and shape of the connection throat of the pore between aggregates. As the aggregate structure broke and densified, the void ratio and pore size of the mud bed were decreased. Thickening performance enhancement was predicted based on solid flux and permeability of mud bed, and the result indicated raking on aggregate densification and channelling apparently improves the unclassified tailings dewatering extent.
Applying Least Squares Support Vector Machines to Mean‐Variance Portfolio Analysis
Authors: Wang Jian , Kim Junseok
Published: June 2019

Portfolio selection problem introduced by Markowitz has been one of the most important research fields in modern finance. In this paper, we propose a model (least squares support vector machines (LSSVM)‐mean‐variance) for the portfolio management based on LSSVM. To verify the reliability of LSSVM‐mean‐variance model, we conduct an empirical research and design an algorithm to illustrate the performance of the model by using the historical data from Shanghai stock exchange. The numerical results show that the proposed model is useful when compared with the traditional Markowitz model. Comparing the efficient frontier and total wealth of both models, our model can provide a more measurable standard of judgment when investors do their investment.
The Propagation Behavior of Hydraulic Fracture in Rock Mass with Cemented Joints
Authors: Zheng Yongxiang , Liu Jianjun , Lei Yun
Published: June 2019

The formation of the fracture network in shale hydraulic fracturing is the key to the successful development of shale gas. In order to analyze the mechanism of hydraulic fracturing fracture propagation in cemented fractured formations, a numerical simulation about fracture behavior in cemented joints was conducted based firstly on the block discrete element. And the critical pressure of three fracture propagation modes under the intersection of hydraulic fracturing fracture and closed natural fracture is derived, and the parameter analysis is carried out by univariate analysis and the response surface method (RSM). The results show that at a low intersecting angle, hydraulic fractures will turn and move forward at the same time, forming intersecting fractures. At medium angles, the cracks only turn. At high angles, the crack will expand directly forward without turning. In conclusion, low-angle intersecting fractures are more likely to form complex fracture networks, followed by medium-angle intersecting fractures, and high-angle intersecting fractures have more difficulty in forming fracture networks. The research results have important theoretical guiding significance for the hydraulic fracturing design.
Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of the Fibrin-Binding Cyclic Peptide 18F-iCREKA: Comparison with Its Contrasted Linear Peptide
Authors: Zhang Yin , Wang Lijuan , Yu Sirui , Hu Kongzhen , Huang Shun , Li Youcai , Wu Hubing , Li Hongsheng , Wang Quanshi
Published: June 2019

Purpose. Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala (CREKA) is a pentapeptide which can target fibrin-fibronectin complexes. Our previous study has built a probe called iCREKA which was based on CREKA and has proved the feasibility and specificity of iCREKA by the fluorescence experiment. The purpose of this study is to achieve the 18F-labeled iCREKA and make preclinical evaluation of the 18F-iCREKA with comparison of its contrasted linear peptide (LP). Methods. CREKA, LP, and iCREKA were labeled by the Al18F labeling method, respectively. These 18F-labeled peptides were evaluated by the radiochemistry, binding affinity, in vitro stability, in vivo stability, micro-PET imaging, and biodistribution tests. Results. 18F-NOTA-iCREKA was stable both in vitro and in vivo. However, 18F-NOTA-CREKA and 18F-NOTA-LP were both unstable. The FITC or 18F-labeled iCREKA could be abundantly discovered only in matrix metalloproteinases- (MMPs-) 2/9 highly expressed U87MG cells, while the FITC or 18F-labeled LP could also be abundantly discovered in MMP-2/9 lowly expressed Caov3 cells. Biodistribution and micropositron emission tomography (PET) imaging revealed that the U87MG xenografts showed a higher uptake of 18F-NOTA-iCREKA than 18F-NOTA-LP while the Caov3 xenografts showed very low uptake of both 18F-NOTA-iCREKA and 18F-NOTA-LP. The tumor-to-muscle (T/M) ratio of 18F-NOTA-iCREKA (9.93 ± 0.42) was obviously higher than 18F-NOTA-LP (2.69 ± 0.35) in U87MG xenografts. Conclusions. The novel CREKA-based probe 18F-NOTA-iCREKA could get a high uptake in U87MG cells and high T/M ratio in U87MG mice. It was more stable and specific than the 18F-NOTA-LP.
Prediction of Heat Transfer Characteristics of the Carbonized Layer of Resin-Based Ablative Material Based on the Finite Element Method
Authors: Gao Junjie , Yu Jijun , Han Haitao , Deng Daiying
Published: June 2019

The microstructure of the carbonized layer of the low-density resin-based ablative thermal insulation material is observed, and multiscale unit cell models are established for the residual carbon deposition mode of a carbonization process, and then the thermal conductivity coefficient is predicted using the finite element method. The heat transfer characteristics of a carbonized material are discussed and studied. The results show that among the several models established, the thermal conductivity coefficient obtained by the cross-linked model of matrix carbonization is more accurate, and the deviation compared with the experimental results is within 20%, which is more consistent with the actual heat transfer mechanism. At the same time, the finite element random model is used to predict the thermal conductivity coefficient. The results show that the deviation between the numerical results and the experimentally measured thermal conductivity coefficient of the carbonized layer is within 10%, showing that the accuracy of the finite element random model is significantly higher than that of the dual-scale unit cell model. The carbon deposition model can accurately predict the heat transfer characteristics of the carbonized layer.
Multiperiod‐Ahead Wind Speed Forecasting Using Deep Neural Architecture and Ensemble Learning
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Zhijun , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2019

Accurate forecasting of wind speed plays a fundamental role in enabling reliable operation and planning for large‐scale integration of wind turbines. It is difficult to obtain the accurate wind speed forecasting (WSF) due to the intermittent and random nature of wind energy. In this paper, a multiperiod‐ahead WSF model based on the analysis of variance, stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE), and ensemble learning is proposed. The analysis of variance classifies the training samples into different categories. The stacked denoising autoencoder as a deep learning architecture is later built for unsupervised feature learning in each category. The ensemble of extreme learning machine (ELM) is applied to fine‐tune the SDAE for multiperiod‐ahead wind speed forecasting. Experimental results are made to demonstrate that the proposed model has the best performance compared with the classic WSF methods including the single SDAE‐ELM, ELMAN, and adaptive neuron‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS).
Cell-Cycle–Dependent Phosphorylation of PRPS1 Fuels Nucleotide Synthesis and Promotes Tumorigenesis
Authors: Jing Xiaoqian , Wang Xiong-jun , Zhang Tao , Zhu Wencheng , Fang Yi , Wu Haoxuan , Liu Xinyu , Ma Ding , Ji Xiaopin , Jiang Yimei , Liu Kun , Chen Xianze , Shi Yi , Zhang Yaqi , Shi Minmin , Qiu Weihua , Zhao Ren
Published: June 2019

Nucleotide supply is essential for DNA replication in proliferating cells, including cancer cells. Ribose-phosphate diphosphokinase 1 (PRPS1) is a key enzyme to produce the consensus precursor of nucleotide synthesis. PRPS1 participates in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) by catalyzing the phosphoribosylation of D-ribose 5-phosphate (R-5P) to 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. Therefore, PRPS1 not only controls purine biosynthesis and supplies precursors for DNA and RNA biosynthesis but also regulates PPP through a feedback loop of the PRPS1 substrate R-5P. However, it is still elusive whether PRPS1 enhances nucleotide synthesis during cell-cycle progression. In this study, we explore the role and activation mechanism of PRPS1 in cell-cycle progression of colorectal cancer, and observed a peak in its enzymatic activity during S phase. CDK1 contributes to upregulation of PRPS1 activity by phosphorylating PRPS1 at S103; loss of phosphorylation at S103 delayed the cell cycle and decreased cell proliferation. PRPS1 activity in colorectal cancer samples is higher than in adjacent tissue, and the use of an antibody that specifically detects PRPS1 phosphorylation at S103 showed consistent results in 184 colorectal cancer tissues. In conclusion, compared with upregulation of PRPS1 expression levels, increased PRPS1 activity, which is marked by S103 phosphorylation, is more important in promoting tumorigenesis and is a promising diagnostic indicator for colorectal cancer.

Significance:

These findings show that the enzymatic activity of PRPS1 is crucial for cell-cycle regulation and suggest PRPS1 phosphorylation at S103 as a direct therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.
Monomer Preference of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Influences the Synergistic Efficacy of Combination Therapy with Cetuximab
Authors: Oashi Ayano , Yasuda Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Keigo , Tani Tetsuo , Hamamoto Junko , Masuzawa Keita , Manabe Tadashi , Terai Hideki , Ikemura Shinnosuke , Kawada Ichiro , Naoki Katsuhiko , Soejima Kenzo
Published: June 2019

EGFR-mutated lung cancer is a significant subgroup of non–small cell lung cancer. To inhibit EGFR-mediated signals, multiple EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) have been developed; however, approximately one third of patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer do not respond to EGFR-TKIs. More effective inhibition of EGFR-mediated signals is therefore necessary. For cancers expressing mutated EGFR, including EGFR T790M, which confers resistance to first- (gefitinib and erlotinib) and second- (afatinib) generation EGFR-TKIs, the synergistic efficacy of afatinib and cetuximab combination therapy has been reported in preclinical and clinical studies; however, the mechanisms underlying this effect remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effects of multiple EGFR-TKIs on the EGFR monomer–dimer equilibrium by inducing dimerization-impairing mutations in cells expressing EGFR. Interestingly, we found that afatinib and dacomitinib exhibit a monomer preference: cells expressing dimerization-impaired EGFR mutants exhibited increased sensitivity to afatinib and dacomitinib relative to those with dimerization-competent EGFR mutants. Although EGFR-TKIs themselves induce dimerization of EGFR, the inhibition of dimerization by cetuximab overcame EGFR-TKI–induced dimerization. By shifting the monomer–dimer equilibrium toward monomer dominance using cetuximab, the effectiveness of afatinib and dacomitinib improved significantly. We report a novel and clinically relevant phenomenon, the monomer preference of EGFR-TKIs, which can explain the mechanism underlying the synergism observed in afatinib and cetuximab combination therapy. In addition, we propose the novel concept that monomer–dimer equilibrium is an important factor in determining EGFR-TKI efficacy. These findings provide novel insights into treatment strategies for EGFR-TKI–refractory non–small cell lung cancer.
Regulation of health professions in Ontario: self-regulation with statutory- based public accountability
Authors: Lemmens Trudo , Ghimire Kanksha Mahadevia
Published: June 2019

The paper explores the model of regulation of health professionals in Ontario, Canada; a self-regulation model built around a detailed statutory scheme. The core of the paper consists of a discussion of Ontario’s Regulated Health Professions Act and of the key components of 26 specific health profession acts that have been enacted under its umbrella. The paper explores the role of the regulatory colleges, the role of the Ministry of Health in determining scope of practice and other components of medical practice, and the disciplinary and appeal procedures. Some other specific issues are also briefly touched upon, such as the integration into the profession of internationally trained physicians, and the government’s role in ensuring access to specialists across the province. A final section looks at the challenges and the limitations of the Ontario model, through a number of health professions-related controversies that reveal gaps in self-regulation, including: failure to set and enforce proper educational and practice standards in specific areas; failure to conduct timely investigations into potential misconduct by professionals; and failure to question professionals in a position of power. The paper also discusses briefly the implications of recognizing through legal regulation some alternative and complementary medical practices, and the challenge of regulating indigenous health care practitioners. It concludes that the primary limitations of the regulatory model arise on account of professional self-interest and power-relations impacting procedural issues, and the complexity of the regulatory model that may potentially undermine quality control.
Saúde não é mercadoria
Authors: Dallari Sueli Gandolfi
Published: June 2019

Exatamente porque saúde não é mercadoria, a regulação sanitária ganha relevo no mundo capitalista. O atual escândalo conhecido como Implant Files é suficiente para demonstrar que o apetite das empresas atuantes nessa área é insaciável e que, sem adequada regulação e atenta vigilância sobre elas, serão altamente prejudicados não só os pacientes (no caso, com sequelas provocadas por produtos de baixa qualidade e inadequados à necessidade), mas também os sistemas de saúde, que além de arcarem com os custos decorrentes da compra dos implantes, devem suportar os encargos de cuidar das sequelas e de eventual indenização.
The Rise of Opportunity Markets: How Did It Happen & What Can We Do?
Authors: Grusky David B. , Hall Peter A. , Markus Hazel Rose
Published: June 2019

We describe the rise of “opportunity markets” that allow well-off parents to buy opportunity for their children. Although parents cannot directly buy a middle-class outcome for their children, they can buy opportunity indirectly through advantaged access to the schools, neighborhoods, and information that create merit and raise the probability of a middle-class outcome. The rise of opportunity markets happened so gradually that the country has seemingly forgotten that opportunity was not always sold on the market. If the United States were to recommit to equalizing opportunities, this could be pursued by dismantling opportunity markets, by providing low-income parents with the means to participate in them, or by allocating educational opportunities via separate competitions among parents of similar means. The latter approach, which we focus upon here, would not require mobilizing support for a massive redistributive project.