bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel topological design of 3D Kagome structure for additive manufacturing
Authors: Wang Rong , Shang Jianzhong , Li Xin , Wang Zhuo , Luo Zirong
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a new topology method in designing the lightweight and complex structures for 3D printing.

Design/methodology/approach

Computer-aided design (CAD) and topology design are the two main approaches for 3D truss lattices designing in 3D printing. Though these two ways have their own advantages and have been used by the researchers in different engineering situations, these two methods seem to be incompatible. A novel topology method is presented in this paper which can combine the merits of both CAD and topology design. It is generally based on adding materials to insufficient parts in a given structure so the resulting topology evolves toward an optimum.

Findings

By using the topology method, an optimized-Kagome structure is designed and both 3D original-Kagome structure and 3D optimized-Kagome structure are manufactured by fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer with ABS and the compression tests results show that the 3D optimized-Kagome has a higher specific stiffness and strength than the original one.

Originality/value

The presented topology method is the first work that using the original structure-based topology algorithm other than a boundary condition-based topology algorithm for 3D printing lattice and it can be considered as general way to optimize a commonly used light-weight lattice structure in strength and stiffness.
The influence of a soldering manner on thermal properties of LED modules
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof , Dziurdzia Barbara , Ptak Przemyslaw
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of the influence of a manner of soldering light emitting diodes (LEDs) to the metal core printed circuit board on thermal parameters of the module LED containing these diodes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the authors’ elaborated measuring method and the dedicated measurement set-up, transient thermal impedances of LED modules, mounted using different soldering processes and mounted to the heat-sink with different values of the moment of force, are measured. The obtained results of measurements are discussed.

Findings

It was shown experimentally that the manner of soldering could strongly influence efficiency of dissipation of heat generated in the module. The best thermal properties were obtained for soldering using vapour phase technology with vacuum and paste LFS-216LT. It was also proved that the moment of force used while mounting the considered modules on the heat-sink can result in a change of the value of thermal resistance of this module exceeding even 12 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

The investigations were performed for five LED modules operating at one, arbitrarily selected value of power dissipated in these modules mounted on the heat-sink of arbitrarily selected dimensions.

Practical implications

The obtained results of measurements could be usable for designers of mounting processes of power LED modules.

Originality/value

This paper presents the results of investigations of thermal properties of LED modules, in which different techniques of soldering are used. It was shown experimentally that the manner of soldering could strongly influence efficiency of dissipation of heat generated in the module. It was also proved that the moment of force used while mounting the considered modules on the heat-sink is important.
Sustainability enhancement of corporate governance regime in India
Authors: Kansil Ruchi , Singh Archana
Published: February 2018

Purpose

There is lack of research on key governance issues (KGIs) to expedite the sustainability of corporate governance reforms in the Indian context. The purpose of this paper is to formulate a list of KGIs that would help in sustainability enhancement of corporate governance regime in India vis-à-visother global counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

First, governance issues have been identified after a thorough literature review and after taking opinion and suggestions of experts. Second, data have been collected through the questionnaire survey. Lastly, a model based on fuzzy set theory has been designed to identify the KGIs for the sustainability enhancement of corporate governance regime in the Indian context.

Findings

Five KGIs have been identified in this study based on fuzzy set theory, namely, ownership structure of the companies, code of best practices of corporate governance, regulatory framework including monitoring institutions of the country, untrue independence of independent directors in decision-making and judiciary system of the country.

Research limitations/implications

The KGIs identified for the Indian economy in this study can be a useful reference for the regulators and policymakers to fill the present quality gap and devise measures to curb noncompliance and or implementation of laws on the ground level.

Practical implications

The KGIs identified for the Indian economy in this study can be a useful reference for the regulators and policymakers to fill the present quality gap and devise measures to curb noncompliance and/or implementation of laws on the ground level.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study stems from the fact that very few studies have assessed the perception of stakeholder’s about the current corporate regime in India. No study has identified KGIs.
Efficacy of low‐dose 5‐fluorouracil/cisplatin therapy for invasive extramammary Paget's disease
Authors: Kato Hiroshi , Watanabe Shoichi , Kariya Kiyonori , NAKAMURA Motoki , Morita Akimichi
Published: February 2018

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is one of the cutaneous adenocarcinomas. The effective chemotherapy for advanced EMPD has not been established. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of combination 5‐fluorouracil (500 mg/body, 7 days/week) and cisplatin (5 mg/body 5 days/week) for invasive EMPD. Seventeen EMPD patients with multiple metastases who visited our dermatology clinic between October 2004 and May 2016 (mean age, 76.9 years; 10 men, seven women) were retrospectively analyzed. Eight EMPD patients underwent low‐dose 5‐fluorouracil/cisplatin therapy and nine patients chose best supportive care. The average number of treatment cycles was 12.3. All patients had a confirmed response, four (50%) showed a partial response, two (25%) stable disease and two progressive disease. The median times to progression‐free and overall survival were 25.0 and 77.4 weeks, respectively. There was no severe (grade 3 and 4) adverse event. Although not significant, the survival of the patients treated with low‐dose 5‐fluorouracil/cisplatin therapy showed a trend toward improved survival as compared with best supportive care (P = 0.08, log–rank test). This regimen had low risk and relatively high disease control rate, suggesting that this regimen be recommended as one of the treatment options for advanced EMPD.
Simulating Variation in Families’ Spending across Marketplace Plans
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Baik Seo Hyon , Zuvekas Samuel H.
Published: February 2018

Objective

To examine variations in premium and cost‐sharing across marketplace plans available to eligible families.

Data Sources

2011–2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), 2014 health plan data from healthcare.gov, and the 2011 Medicare Part D public formulary file.

Study Design

We identified a nationally representative cohort of individuals in the MEPS who would have been eligible for marketplace coverage. For each family, we simulated the total out‐of‐pocket payment (premium plus cost‐sharing) under each available plan in their county of residence, assuming their premarketplace use.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Confidential state and county of residence identifiers were merged onto MEPS public use files and used to match MEPS families to the plans available in their county as reported in the publicly available data from healthcare.gov.

Principal Findings

We found substantial variation in total family health care spending, especially premium component, across marketplace plans. This is true even within a plan tier of the same minimum actuarial value, and for families eligible for subsidies. Variation among families with income below 250 percent of the FPL is larger than variation among families with higher income.

Conclusions

Our simulations show substantial variations in net premium and out‐of‐pocket payments across marketplace plans, even within a plan tier.
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Its Effects on Nutrition in CF
Authors: HEYMANS H. S. A.
Published: February 2018

Prevention of malnutrition, a consequence of elevated energy requirements, increased losses and low caloric intake, is one of the main goals in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Caloric stool losses, catch‐up growth and an elevated energy expenditure, even in the absence of overt lung disease and malabsorption, have led to recommendations for a caloric intake of 120–150 % of the recommended daily allowances. A high energy intake with a fat content of at least 40 calorie % and adequate pancreatic supplementation has shown to improve growth and median age of survival. As a rational treatment of the fundamental disturbance in cystic fibrosis, a decrease In chloride permeability across epithelia, is not yet available, treatment should be concentrated on adequate nutritional support in combination with optimal correction of those gastrointestinal abnormalities including faecal bile add loss, small intestinal abnormalities, pancreatic insufficiency, hormonal abnormalities and disturbances in gastro‐intestinal motility, which may aggravate nuddigestion and malabsorption.
Impact of controlled attenuation parameter on detecting fibrosis using liver stiffness measurement
Authors: Karlas T. , Petroff D. , Sasso M. , Fan J.‐G. , Mi Y.‐Q. , de Lédinghen V. , Kumar M. , Lupsor‐Platon M. , Han K.‐H. , Cardoso A. C. , Ferraioli G. , Chan W.‐K. , Wong V. W.‐S. , Myers R. P. , Chayama K. , Friedrich‐Rust M. , Beaugrand M. , Shen F. , Hiriart J.‐B. , Sarin S. K. , Badea R. , Lee H. W. , Marcellin P. , Filice C. , Mahadeva S. , Wong G. L.‐H. , Crotty P. , Masaki K. , Bojunga J. , Bedossa P. , Keim V. , Wiegand J.
Published: February 2018

Background

Liver fibrosis is often accompanied by steatosis, particularly in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and its non‐invasive characterisation is of utmost importance. Vibration‐controlled transient elastography is the non‐invasive method of choice; however, recent research suggests that steatosis may influence its diagnostic performance. Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) added to transient elastography enables simultaneous assessment of steatosis and fibrosis.

Aim

To determine how to use CAP in interpreting liver stiffness measurements.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from an individual patient data meta‐analysis on CAP. The main exclusion criteria for the current analysis were unknown aetiology, unreliable elastography measurement and data already used for the same research question. Aetiology‐specific liver stiffness measurement cut‐offs were determined and used to estimate positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) with logistic regression as functions of CAP.

Results

Two thousand and fifty eight patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (37% women, 18% NAFLD/NASH, 42% HBV, 40% HCV, 51% significant fibrosis ≥ F2). Youden optimised cut‐offs were only sufficient for ruling out cirrhosis (NPV of 98%). With sensitivity and specificity‐optimised cut‐offs, NPV for ruling out significant fibrosis was moderate (70%) and could be improved slightly through consideration of CAP. PPV for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 68% and 55% respectively, despite specificity‐optimised cut‐offs for cirrhosis.

Conclusions

Liver stiffness measurement values below aetiology‐specific cut‐offs are very useful for ruling out cirrhosis, and to a lesser extent for ruling out significant fibrosis. In the case of the latter, Controlled Attenuation Parameter can improve interpretation slightly. Even if cut‐offs are very high, liver stiffness measurements are not very reliable for ruling in fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Integrins promote axonal regeneration after injury of the nervous system
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Bart , Haenzi Barbara , Andrews Melissa R. , Verhaagen Joost , Fawcett James W.
Published: February 2018

Integrins are cell surface receptors that form the link between extracellular matrix molecules of the cell environment and internal cell signalling and the cytoskeleton. They are involved in several processes, e.g. adhesion and migration during development and repair. This review focuses on the role of integrins in axonal regeneration. Integrins participate in spontaneous axonal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system through binding to various ligands that either inhibit or enhance their activation and signalling. Integrin biology is more complex in the central nervous system. Integrins receptors are transported into growing axons during development, but selective polarised transport of integrins limits the regenerative response in adult neurons. Manipulation of integrins and related molecules to control their activation state and localisation within axons is a promising route towards stimulating effective regeneration in the central nervous system.
Habitat Maintenance and Local Economic Ethics in Rural Atlantic Canada
Authors: Foster Karen
Published: February 2018

Inspired by Jane Jacobs's writing on “habitat maintenance,” this paper seeks to identify the ethics that sometimes compel rural residents to act in ways that preserve their communities in the long run, despite short‐term incentives to do otherwise. Data from focus groups in four rural Atlantic Canadian communities suggest shared ethics around entrepreneurship, market competition, buying local, and subsistence, some of which underlie the rural practices and perspectives that appear, to some outsiders, as irrational and “backwards.” Understanding these ethics and the practices they incite as components of habitat maintenance—and judging them by their situated pragmatism rather than their fit with the placeless ideologies of growth‐centric global capitalism and competitiveness—highlights their rationality and utility. Findings could help direct discussions of rural economic development toward notions of prosperity, sustainability, and economy that fit better with rural realities.
Overexpression of interleukin‐35 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a prognostic indicator after curative resection
Authors: Zhang Mei‐xia , Gan Wei , Jing Chu‐yu , Zheng Su‐su , Zhang Juan , Shen Hu‐jia , Xu Xin , Lin Jia‐jia , Zhang Bo‐heng , Qiu Shuang‐jian
Published: February 2018

Interleukin‐35 (IL‐35) is implicated in tumorigenesis, but its exact impact on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not clear. The aim of the present study was to explore the specific effect of IL‐35 on patient prognosis. Additionally, we formulated an effective prognostic nomogram for ICC patients after curative resection. Immunohistochemistry was applied to explore IL‐35 expression as well as IL‐35 receptor (IL‐35R) in 102 ICC patients. Results showed that IL‐35 was highly expressed in ICC tumor tissues and was positively associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM), TNM stage and vascular invasion and was an independent prognostic factor for patients' overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS). High expression of IL‐35R (gp130 and IL‐12Rβ2) was also observed in ICC cancer tissues, but only gp130 was an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS and was indispensable in IL‐35‐mediated ICC clinical prognosis. The nomogram comprising carcinoembryonic antigen, LNM, IL‐35 and gp130 expression achieved better predictive accuracy compared with TNM stage for OS. Our data support that high IL‐35 expression correlates with ICC aggressiveness and emerges as a valuable biomarker for evaluating ICC progression and prognosis in clinical work.
Development of Children's Use of External Reminders for Hard‐to‐Remember Intentions
Authors: Redshaw Jonathan , Vandersee Johanna , Bulley Adam , Gilbert Sam J.
Published: February 2018

This study explored under what conditions young children would set reminders to aid their memory for delayed intentions. A computerized task requiring participants to carry out delayed intentions under varying levels of cognitive load was presented to 63 children (aged between 6.9 and 13.0 years old). Children of all ages demonstrated metacognitive predictions of their performance that were congruent with task difficulty. Only older children, however, set more reminders when they expected their future memory performance to be poorer. These results suggest that most primary school‐aged children possess metacognitive knowledge about their prospective memory limits, but that only older children may be able to exercise the metacognitive control required to translate this knowledge into strategic reminder setting.
Targeted surgical parathyroidectomy in end‐stage renal disease patients and long‐term metabolic control: A single‐center experience in the current era
Authors: Fülöp Tibor , Koch Christian A. , Farah Musa Abdeen R. , Clark Christopher M. , Gharaibeh Kamel A. , Lengvársky Zsolt , Hamrahian Mehrdad , Pitman Karen T. , Dixit Mehul P.
Published: February 2018

Background: The long‐term results of surgical parathyroidectomy (PTX) in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are less well known in the modern era of newer activated vitamin‐D analogs, calcimimetics and intraoperative monitoring of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all ESRD patients undergoing PTX at the University of Mississippi Medical Center between January 2005 and August 2011, with follow‐up data as available up to 4 years. All PTXs were performed with intraoperative second‐generation PTH monitoring and targeted gland size reduction.

Results: The cohort (N = 37) was relatively young with a mean (±SD) age of 48.4 ± 13.9. 94.6% of the subjects were African American and 59.5% female. Preoperatively, 45.9% received cinacalcet (CNC) at a mean dose of 63.5 ± 20.9 mg. The size of the largest removed glands measured 1.7 ± 0.8 cm and almost all (94.6%) glands had hyperplasia on histology. The mean length of inpatient stay was 5.5 ± 2.4 days. Preoperative calcium/phosphorus measured 9.6 ± 1.2/6.6 ± 1.7 mg/dL with PTH concentrations of 1589 ± 827 pg/mL. Postoperative PTH values measured 145.4 ± 119.2 pg/mL. Preoperative PTH strongly correlated (P < 0.0001) with both alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (r: 0.596) and the number of inpatient days (r: 0.545), but not with CNC administration. Independent predictors for the duration of hospitalization were preoperative ALP (beta 0.469; P = 0.001) and age (beta −0.401; P = 0.005) (R2 0.45); for postoperative hypocalcemia, age (beta: −0.321; P = 0.006) and preoperative PTH (beta: 0.431; P = 0.036) were significant in linear regression models with stepwise selection.

Conclusion: Gland‐sparing PTX achieved acceptable control of ESRD‐associated hyperparathyroidism in most patients from a socioeconomically challenged, underserved population of the United States.
Uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A expression as an independent prognosticator in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract
Authors: Izumi Koji , Inoue Satoshi , Ide Hiroki , Fujita Kazutoshi , Mizushima Taichi , Jiang Guiyang , Yamaguchi Seiji , Fushimi Hiroaki , Nonomura Norio , Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: February 2018

Objective

To determine the expression status of uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A, a major phase II drug metabolism enzyme, in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma, as well as to assess its prognostic significance.

Methods

We immunohistochemically stained for uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A in tissue microarray consisting of 99 upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma samples and paired non‐neoplastic urothelial tissues. We also assessed the effect of uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A knockdown on urothelial cancer cell growth.

Results

Uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A was positive in 92.9% (27.3% weak [1+], 37.4% moderate [2+], 28.3% strong [3+]) of tumors, which was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than in benign urothelial tissues (98.8%; 3.5% 1+, 18.8% 2+, 76.4% 3+). All 37 (100%) non‐muscle‐invasive versus 55 (88.7%) of 62 muscle‐invasive tumors (P = 0.043) were immunoreactive for uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A. The rates of moderate‐to‐strong uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A expression and its positivity were also strongly associated with the absence of concomitant carcinoma in situ (P = 0.034) and lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.016), respectively. However, there were no statistically significant associations between uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A expression and tumor grade or pN/M status. Uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A loss in M0 tumors was strongly associated with lower progression‐free survival (P < 0.001) and cancer‐specific survival (P < 0.001) rates. Multivariate analysis further identified a strong correlation of uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A positivity with reduced cancer‐specific mortality (hazard ratio 0.28, P = 0.018). Meanwhile, uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A knockdown in urothelial cancer cells resulted in significant increases in their viability and migration.

Conclusions

These results suggest a preventive role of uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A signals in the development and progression of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. Loss of uridine 5'diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A expression might serve as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.
Annual estimates of the burden of seasonal influenza in the United States: A tool for strengthening influenza surveillance and preparedness
Authors: Rolfes Melissa A. , Foppa Ivo M. , Garg Shikha , Flannery Brendan , Brammer Lynnette , Singleton James A. , Burns Erin , Jernigan Daniel , Olsen Sonja J. , Bresee Joseph , Reed Carrie
Published: February 2018

Background

Estimates of influenza disease burden are broadly useful for public health, helping national and local authorities monitor epidemiologic trends, plan and allocate resources, and promote influenza vaccination. Historically, estimates of the burden of seasonal influenza in the United States, focused mainly on influenza‐related mortality and hospitalization, were generated every few years. Since the 2010‐2011 influenza season, annual US influenza burden estimates have been generated and expanded to include estimates of influenza‐related outpatient medical visits and symptomatic illness in the community.

Methods

We used routinely collected surveillance data, outbreak field investigations, and proportions of people seeking health care from survey results to estimate the number of illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to influenza during six influenza seasons (2010‐2011 through 2015‐2016).

Results

We estimate that the number of influenza‐related illnesses that have occurred during influenza season has ranged from 9.2 million to 35.6 million, including 140 000 to 710 000 influenza‐related hospitalizations.

Discussion

These annual efforts have strengthened public health communications products and supported timely assessment of the impact of vaccination through estimates of illness and hospitalizations averted. Additionally, annual estimates of influenza burden have highlighted areas where disease surveillance needs improvement to better support public health decision making for seasonal influenza epidemics as well as future pandemics.
Behavioural plasticity under a changing climate; how an experimental local climate affects the nest construction of the zebra finchTaeniopygia guttata
Authors: Campbell Bridget L. , Hurley Laura L. , Griffith Simon C.
Published: February 2018

Successful reproduction in most avian species is dependent on the construction of a nest that provides protection and a suitable microclimate for the eggs and developing nestlings. Observational studies suggest that climatic variation may affect the structure of the nest, but to date there have been no attempts to experimentally determine the role that local climate plays in the construction of a suitable nest. Using a within‐individual counter balanced design we investigated how nest composition and construction differ in zebra finches breeding in ambient conditions of 18°C and 30°C. We found that at 18°C birds built nests that were over 20% heavier, and with significantly more thread and less grass than those built at 30°C. Our results highlight the degree of plasticity in nest building behaviour in relation to local ambient conditions. These results suggest that nest building behaviour is one route through which birds can respond to a changing climate and modify the microclimate of their nest in line with projected changes in ambient conditions.
Anne Finch in the twenty‐first century: Finding the artist in history
Authors: Keith Jennifer
Published: February 2018

Much twenty‐first century scholarship on the work of Anne Finch shows that scholars increasingly see her artistry, proto‐feminism, and Jacobitism as creating a complex whole. Attending to the interrelations of these topics in Finch's work, scholars have found still more evidence for, and complications of, their claims by analyzing the archival record, particularly as it reveals her canny participation in manuscript and print publishing. Finch scholars find that her work fosters enquiries that also extend beyond her oeuvre, including revision of the contours of literary history and value as well as reassessment of women writers' level of engagement in their contemporary literary and sociopolitical contexts. That this much has been achieved in Finch studies without a scholarly edition of her work is remarkable, but many gaps persist because scholars have lacked access to critically established texts that have been placed in their archival and cultural contexts. Such gaps are widened by the fact that many of her works are still understudied, with some entirely ignored. This attention to a small portion of Finch's oeuvre cannot provide an accurate view of the extent of her literary innovations; the nuances of her political and social views; or even an outline of the literary, social, and political relations that guided her uses of manuscript and print publishing. The close of the essay proposes future directions for Finch studies when scholars will have in hand The Cambridge edition of the works of Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea.
Uncontrolled blood pressure affects atrial remodeling and adverse clinical outcome in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kamioka Masashi , Hijioka Naoko , Matsumoto Yoshiyuki , Nodera Minoru , Kaneshiro Takashi , Suzuki Hitoshi , Takeishi Yasuchika
Published: February 2018

Background

To investigate the impact of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) on left atrial (LA) remodeling and clinical outcome after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

One hundred and one symptomatic paroxysmal AF patients (85 males, 62.2 ± 8.4‐year‐old) who underwent successful PVI were classified as follows: group 1 (n = 46), no hypertension (HTN); group 2 (n = 36), HTN with controlled BP; and group 3 (n = 19), HTN with uncontrolled BP. Uncontrolled BP was defined as BP > 140/90 mm Hg. LA dimension was measured by echocardiography before and 6 months after PVI. LA wall thickness along the ablation line was measured using computed tomography prior to PVI. Cox regression analysis was performed for the prediction of recurrence.

Results

LA wall thickness in groups 2 and 3 was greater than that of group 1, except for the anterior right superior pulmonary vein (PV) and posterior left inferior PV. Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed a significantly higher recurrence in group 3 (52.6%). LA dimension only increased in group 3 (38.2 ± 5.6 mm to 41.3 ± 6.2 mm, P = 0.022). At the second procedure, all group 3 recurrent patients showed substrate degradation (low voltage area and/or dense scar formation) and required substrate modification. Uncontrolled BP was an independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio: 2.350, P = 0.033).

Conclusions

HTN induced heterogeneous LA hypertrophy regardless of whether HTN was controlled. Uncontrolled BP promoted atrial remodeling, and is therefore a strong predictor for recurrence of AF after PVI.
Orobanche cernua Loefling Attenuates Ultraviolet B‐mediated Photoaging in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Gao Wei , Wang Yu‐shuai , Qu Zheng‐yi , Hwang Eunson , Ngo Hien T. T. , Wang Ying‐ping , Bae Jahyun , Yi Tae‐hoo
Published: February 2018

UV radiation is the primary cause of skin photoaging, which results in an increase in matrix metalloproteinases and degradation of collagen. Developing new natural antioxidant as photoprotective agents has become a popular area of research. Orobanche cernua Loefling is a parasitic plant that is rich in phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs). This study investigated the photoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of Orobanche cernua Loefling (OC) and its principal component acteoside on UVB‐induced photoaging as well as their underlying molecular mechanisms in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). Biological testing demonstrated that OC and acteoside possessed significant photoprotective activities, reducing MMP and IL‐6 levels while improving type‐I procollagen synthesis in UVB‐irradiated NHDFs. Further study showed that the protective mechanisms were the improvement of transcription factor Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defensive system, suppression of MAPK/AP‐1 and activation of the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. Together, our results suggested that OC might be a promising antiphotoaging agent against UV radiation‐induced skin damage.
A Semiempirical Approach to the Determination of Daily Erythemal Doses
Authors: Silva Abel A. , Yamamoto Ana L. C. , Corrêa Marcelo P.
Published: February 2018

The maintenance of ground‐based instruments to measure the incidence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the Sun demands strict and well‐developed procedures. A piece of equipment can be out of service for a couple of weeks or months for calibration, repair or even the improvement of the facilities where it has been set up. However, the replacement of an instrument in such circumstances can be logistically and financially prohibitive. On the other hand, the lack of data can jeopardize a long‐term experiment. In this study, we introduce a semiempirical approach to the determination of the theoretical daily erythemal dose (DEDt) for periods of instrumental absence in a tropical site. The approach is based on 5 years of ground‐based measurements of daily erythemal dose (DED) linearly correlated with parameters of total ozone column (TOC) and reflectivity (RPC) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and the cosine of solar zenith angle at noon (SZAn). Seventeen months of missing ground‐based data were replaced with DEDt, leading to a complete 5‐year series of data. The lowest and the highest values of typical DED were 2411 ± 322 J m−2 (1σ) (winter) and 5263 ± 997 J m−2 (summer). The monthly integrated erythemal dose (mED) varied from 59 kJ m−2 (winter) to 162 kJ m−2 (summer). Both of them depended mainly on cos(SZAn) and RPC. The 12‐month integrated erythemal dose (12‐ED) ranged from 1350 kJ m−2 to 1546 kJ m−2, but it can depend significantly on other atmospheric parameter (maybe aerosols) not explicitly considered here.
The Effect of Pyrazolyl Substituents on the Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of Pyrazine Derivatives
Authors: Pizarro Nancy , Prado Gaspar , Saldías Marianela , Sandoval‐Altamirano Catalina , Vega Andrés
Published: February 2018

The reaction of 2,5‐dibromopyrazine with N‐Lithium pyrazolate in a 1:2 ratio leads to a mixture of 2‐bromo‐5‐(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyrazine (I) and 2,5‐di(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyrazine (II). The structures of I and II are highly planar. Two absorption bands can be observed for the compounds in the UV‐Vis region, having ε in the order of 104 m−1 cm−1. TD‐DFT computed results support the nature of the lower energy absorptions as πpyrazine→π*pyrazine transitions, including an additional intraligand charge transfer transition for I (πpyrazol→π*pyrazine). Upon excitation at 280 or 320 nm, the emission of both compounds is almost not affected by solvent polarity or oxygen presence, showing two bands for I and one for II in the 350–450 nm region. Emission of II follows a mono‐exponential decay, while I decays following a bi‐exponential law, hypothesized from πpyrazine→π*pyrazine and πpyrazol→π*pyrazine transitions. Photodegradation of I and II follows a first‐order kinetic with constants of 1.18 × 10−2 min−1 and 0.13 × 10−2 min−1, respectively. Results suggest that photodegradation of I starts with the loose of bromide followed by intermolecular pyrazolyl subtraction and ring opening. This path is not available for II, which is reflected in its enhanced photostability.
Knowing in the “Executive Way”: Knowing How, Rules, Methods, Principles and Criteria
Authors: Waights Hickman N.
Published: February 2018

I advance a variety of intellectualism about knowing‐how that is, paradoxically, suggested by Ryle's positive discussions of that phenomenon. I discuss the roots of the view in Ryle's work, its affinity with John Hyman's (2015) view of factual knowledge, and important points of contrast with Stanley and Williamson's (2001) proposal. Drawing on work by Cath (2015) and Wiggins (2012) I also discuss conditions on knowing practically, in ‘the executive way’, as an alternative to appealing to practical modes of presentation.
OsPIN2, which encodes a member of the auxin efflux carrier proteins, is involved in root elongation growth and lateral root formation patterns via the regulation of auxin distribution in rice
Authors: Inahashi Hiroki , Shelley Israt J. , Yamauchi Takaki , Nishiuchi Shunsaku , Takahashi‐Nosaka Misuzu , Matsunami Maya , Ogawa Atsushi , Noda Yusaku , Inukai Yoshiaki
Published: February 2018

Auxin flow is important for different root developmental processes such as root formation, emergence, elongation and gravitropism. However, the detailed information about the mechanisms regulating the auxin flow is less well understood in rice. We characterized the auxin transport‐related mutants, Ospin‐formed2‐1 (Ospin2‐1) and Ospin2‐2, which exhibited curly root phenotypes and altered lateral root formation patterns in rice. The OsPIN2 gene encodes a member of the auxin efflux carrier proteins that possibly regulates the basipetal auxin flow from the root tip toward the root elongation zone. According to DR5‐driven GUS expression, there is an asymmetric auxin distribution in the mutants that corresponded with the asymmetric cell elongation pattern in the mutant root tip. Auxin transport inhibitor, N‐1‐naphthylphthalamic acid and Ospin2‐1 Osiaa13 double mutant rescued the curly root phenotype indicating that this phenotype results from a defect in proper auxin distribution. The typical curly root phenotype was not observed when Ospin2‐1 was grown in distilled water as an alternative to tap water, although higher auxin levels were found at the root tip region of the mutant than that of the wild‐type. Therefore, the lateral root formation zone in the mutant was shifted basipetally compared with the wild‐type. These results reflect that an altered auxin flow in the root tip region is responsible for root elongation growth and lateral root formation patterns in rice.
Potential for Porphyry Copper Mineralization Below the Kasuga Lithocap, Nansatsu District, Japan
Authors: Izawa Eiji , Hayashi Toshihiko
Published: February 2018

Lithocaps consist of vuggy residual quartz and advanced argillic alteration formed at shallow depths and potentially related to porphyry copper‐bearing intrusions at depth, meaning that, conceptually, porphyry copper deposits may exist beneath the lithocap‐hosted Nansatsu‐type gold deposits. The Kasuga lithocap extends for about 5 km NE–SW by 2 km width; beyond the northeastern edge of this lithocap, there are contemporaneous epithermal gold‐quartz veins. A 1200‐m hole was drilled in 1999 beneath the main orebody at Kasuga but did not intersect porphyry copper mineralization. On the basis of detailed examination of the alteration pattern and paleothermal environment of the Kasuga area, a paleo high‐temperature zone appears to lie in a NE‐ward direction from the deep drilling site.
The Shelf Life of a Disaster: Post‐Fukushima Policy Change in The United States And Germany
Authors: Hoffman Steve G. , Durlak Paul
Published: February 2018

How can large‐scale disasters prompt policy change beyond the local environment in which they occurred? Working at the intersection of political sociology, disaster studies, and cultural sociology, we introduce the concept of the shelf life of a disaster to analyze the short and limited impact of Fukushima Daiichi on U.S. nuclear energy policy and its vitality within Germany. American media, nuclear industry representatives, regulators, and policy makers contributed to a tepid political environment for policy change by expanding symbolic distance from Fukushima, focusing on U.S. superiority to Japanese infrastructures. While this technicist orientation was evident in Germany as well, its distancing effects were offset by a conjunction of mechanisms that packaged Fukushima as a precursor to an inevitable German nuclear catastrophe.
Extracorporeal photopheresis as second‐line therapy for patients with acute graft‐versus‐host disease: does the number of cells treated matter?
Authors: Worel Nina , Lehner Elisabeth , Führer Harald , Kalhs Peter , Rabitsch Werner , Mitterbauer Margit , Hopfinger Georg , Greinix Hildegard T.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has demonstrated efficacy as second‐line treatment for steroid‐refractory (SR) acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD). The aim of our study was to analyze whether the amount of ECP‐treated cells in patients with SR, aGVHD has an impact on response at 1 month.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data on white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, mononuclear cells, and neutrophils, including absolute counts and counts per kilogram of body weight in ECP products from patients with aGVHD, were collected. For each cell population, the median dose per single ECP and the cumulative doses collected during the first week and the first month of treatment were compared with the response to ECP.

RESULTS

In total, 99 patients underwent 1215 ECP procedures. Overall response was defined as a complete response if all signs of aGVHD resolved or a partial response if greater than 50% resolution was reached without other, additional immunosuppression. An overall response was obtained by 75% of patients, including 53% complete responses. Univariate analysis showed a correlation of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells/kg body weight for a single procedure and overall response. In logistic regression analysis, no tested variable had an influence on response. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, cutoffs of 8.4 × 106/kg body weight lymphocytes and 13.9 × 106/kg body weight mononuclear cells were associated with an overall response to ECP at 1 month with 75% sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Our results in patients with steroid‐refractory aGVHD confirm that response rates to ECP are high and that certain cutoff values for lymphocytes and mononuclear cells/kg body weight in each individual procedure can predict an overall response to ECP at 1 month.
A method for red blood cell biotinylation in a closed system
Authors: de Back Djuna Z. , Vlaar Richard , Beuger Boukje , Daal Brunette , Lagerberg Johan , Vlaar Alexander P.J. , de Korte Dirk , van Kraaij Marian , van Bruggen Robin
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Several circumstances require the accurate measurement of red blood cell (RBC) survival and clearance, such as determination of posttransfusion recovery of stored RBCs to investigate the effect of new additive solutions. To this end, biotin as a marker of RBCs to track donor RBCs in the blood of the recipient has been used in many studies. However, so far only experimental, nonvalidated, biotin‐labeled red cell concentrates (RCCs) are transfused. The goal of this study was to produce a standardized biotin‐labeled RCC product in a fast, simple, and sterile manner that can be used for clinical research and for the evaluation of new blood products according to Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) for blood establishments.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

RCC fractions were labeled with two different concentrations of biotinylation reagent in a closed system, to prevent bacterial contamination of the end product. Using flow cytometry, the reproducibility and robustness of the biotin labeling was assessed, as well as the stability of the biotin label on the (un‐)irradiated RCC fraction. Additionally, parameters such as phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, sodium (Na), potassium (K), free hemoglobin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), pH, and morphology were determined prior to and after biotin labeling to rule out detrimental effects of the labeling procedure on the RCC.

RESULTS

Our data show that RCCs can be labeled under sterile conditions in a closed system with two different biotinylation reagent concentrations, without affecting the biological activity.

CONCLUSION

An easy, rapid (<2 hr), and robust method was developed to manufacture biotin‐labeled RCCs for clinical research compliant to GPG.
Multiple scattering and scattering cross sections
Authors: Martin P. A.
Published: February 2018

The scattering cross section for a cluster of scatterers can be calculated using various methods, either exactly or by invoking various approximations. Of special interest are methods in which the scattering properties of individual members of the cluster are used. The underlying question is: Can the contribution to the cluster's cross section from any one member of the cluster be identified? Except for situations in which all effects of multiple scattering are ignored, no such method of identification has been found.
Reflections on the Maturing Research Literature of Self-Talk in Sport: Contextualizing the Special Issue
Authors: Hardy James , Comoutos Nikos , Hatzigeorgiadis Antonis
Published: February 2018

Over the last 20 years research investigating self-talk in the context of sport has expanded rapidly enhancing our understanding of the construct. In the present article, we provide a brief historical review of the sports-oriented self-talk literature. In so doing we identify landmark investigations and review conceptual, research, and measurement themes present within the literature. We review this empirically based literature, distinguishing between three time periods: (1) the early foundations of self-talk research, up to the end of the 1990s; (2) the developmental years of systematic self-talk research during the 2000s; and (3) the modern day maturation of self-talk research, post-2011.
Remnants of Eoarchean continental crust derived from a subducted proto-arc
Authors: Ge Rongfeng , Zhu Wenbin , Wilde Simon A. , Wu Hailin
Published: February 2018

Newly discovered remnants of Earth’s oldest continental crust are linked to plate tectonics 3.7 billion years ago.
Winter color polymorphisms identify global hot spots for evolutionary rescue from climate change
Authors: Mills L. Scott , Bragina Eugenia V. , Kumar Alexander V. , Zimova Marketa , Lafferty Diana J. R. , Feltner Jennifer , Davis Brandon M. , Hackländer Klaus , Alves Paulo C. , Good Jeffrey M. , Melo-Ferreira José , Dietz Andreas , Abramov Alexei V. , Lopatina Natalia , Fay Kairsten
Published: February 2018

Changing coats with the season

Many species of mammals and birds molt from summer brown to winter white coats to facilitate camouflage. Millset al.mapped global patterns of seasonal coat color change across eight species including hares, weasels, and foxes. They found regions where individuals molt to white, brown, and both white and brown winter coats. Greater proportions of the populations molted to white in higher latitudes. Regions where seasonal coat changes are the most variable (molting to both brown and white) may provide resilience against the warming climate.

Science, this issue p.1033
Rewritable multi-event analog recording in bacterial and mammalian cells
Authors: Tang Weixin , Liu David R.
Published: February 2018

Writing a cell's history in its DNA

Recording cellular events could advance our understanding of cellular history and responses to stimuli. The construction of intracellular memory devices, however, is challenging. Tang and Liu used Cas9 nucleases and base editors to record amplitude, duration, and order of stimuli as stable changes in both genomic and extrachromosomal DNA content (see the Perspective by Ho and Bennett). The recording of multiple stimuli—including exposure to antibiotics, nutrients, viruses, and light, as well as Wnt signaling—was achieved in living bacterial and human cells. Recorded memories could be erased and re-recorded over multiple cycles.

Science
, this issue p.
eaap8992
; see also p.
150
Promoter Variation and Gene Expression of
mcr-1
-Harboring Plasmids in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Chinese Hospital
Authors: Huang Bin , He Yuting , Ma Xingyan , Cai Renxin , Zeng Jianming , Lu Yang , Zhang Weizheng , Lan Kai , E Sunmei , Tang Yi-Wei , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Chen Cha , Chen Liang
Published: February 2018

Next-generation sequencing of 6
mcr-1
-harboring
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates collected from a tertiary care hospital in China revealed significant sequence variations in the regions flanking the
mcr-1
gene. While sequence variations significantly affected the expression and promoter activity of
mcr-1
, the
mcr-1
gene expression levels did not correlate with the
in vitro
colistin resistance levels, which warrants further in-depth investigations.
PGI2 Is a Novel SGI1-Relative Multidrug-Resistant Genomic Island Characterized in Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Lei Chang-Wei , Chen Yan-Peng , Kong Ling-Han , Zeng Jin-Xin , Wang Yong-Xiang , Zhang An-Yun , Wang Hong-Ning
Published: February 2018

A novel 61,578-bp genomic island named
Proteus
genomic island 2 (PGI2) was characterized in
Proteus mirabilis
of swine origin in China. The 23.85-kb backbone of PGI2 is related to those of
Salmonella
genomic island 1 and
Acinetobacter
genomic island 1. The multidrug resistance (MDR) region of PGI2 is a complex class 1 integron containing 14 different resistance genes. PGI2 was conjugally mobilized in
trans
to
Escherichia coli
in the presence of a conjugative IncC helper plasmid.