bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of non-pecuniary job quality using linked employer–employee data
Authors: Bryson Alex , Erhel Christine , Salibekyan Zinaida
Published: November 2019

We use linked employer–employee data to examine the relationship between non-pecuniary job quality and workplace characteristics in Britain and France: countries with very different employment regimes. Job quality is measured through eight dimensions which are summarized in a synthetic index. We show that firm size is negatively associated with non-pecuniary job quality in both countries, but in France, the association is confined to only the largest firms. Internal labour markets are associated with higher job quality in France along numerous dimensions but do not improve job quality in Britain except on one dimension: they reduce the adverse effects of work on one’s private life.
δ18O-inferred salinity from Littorina littorea (L.) gastropods in a Danish shell midden at the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition
Authors: Lewis Jonathan P , Lamb Angela L , Ryves David B , Rasmussen Peter , Leng Melanie J , Andersen Søren Henning
Published: November 2019

Norsminde Fjord has received extensive geoarchaeological investigation, hosting one of the classic Stone Age shell midden sites in Denmark, and one of the best examples of the widespread oyster decline at the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition. Here, intra-shell δ18O (and δ13C) analyses from the common periwinkle Littorina littorea (L.) are used to infer inter-annual environmental changes at the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition (four from each period). This study utilises a modern δ18O L. littorea-salinity training set previously developed for the Limfjord, Denmark to quantify winter salinity. δ18O values range between +1.6% and +4.0% in the late Mesolithic and ‒6.3% to +2.0% in the early Neolithic. Using maximum δ18O values, winter salinity at the known temperature of growth cessation in L. littorea (i.e. +3.7 ± 1°C) for the first annual cycle of each shell ranges between 25.5 and 26.8 psu (standard deviation (SD): 0.56) for the late Mesolithic, with an average salinity of 26.1 psu. Early-Neolithic shells range between 19.4 and 28.2 psu (SD: 4.59) with an average salinity of 23.7 psu. No statistically significant change in salinity occurs between the late Mesolithic and early Neolithic. This result supports recent diatom/mollusc-based inferences that salinity was not the sole cause of the oyster decline, although some evidence is presented here for more variable seasonal salinity conditions in the early Neolithic, which (along sedimentary change and temperature deterioration) might have increased stress on oyster populations in some years. It is recommended here that for robust palaeoenvironmental inferences, where possible, multiple specimens should be used from the same time period in conjunction with multiproxy data.
An in vitro model to mimic the thrombotic occlusion of small vessels in catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS)
Authors: Pontara E , Cheng C , Cattini M G , Bison E , Pelloso M , Denas G , Pengo V
Published: November 2019

Platelet activation and decrease in platelet count characterize the development of the most feared form of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), i.e. catastrophic APS (CAPS). We aimed to assess if immuno-affinity purified anti-β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) antibodies enhance platelet activation inducing a significant flow obstruction in a platelet function analyzer (PFA). Affinity purified aβ2GPI antibodies were obtained from 13 triple positive patients with a strong lupus anticoagulant (LA) and high titers of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and IgG aβ2GPI. Platelet activation stimulated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the presence or absence of aβ2GPI was measured by the expression of P-selectin on platelet surface using flow cytometry. P-selectin expression remained close to baseline when normal whole blood was incubated with aβ2GPI alone. When stimulated using aβ2GPI combined with ADP, P-selectin expression (28.42 ± 5.15% vs. 20.98 ± 3.94%, p = 0.0076) was significantly higher than ADP alone. Closure time of normal whole blood passed through the PFA was significantly shorter using affinity purified aβ2GPI than control IgG both in Col/ADP (160.1 ± 62.1 s vs. 218.6 ± 43.8 s; p = 0.021) and Col/EPI cartridges (149.5 ± 26.7 s vs. 186.9 ± 45.5 s; p = 0.030). Thus, platelet activation is enhanced by aβ2GPI antibodies with a consequent premature closure in a PFA, possibly resembling that in microcirculation in patients with CAPS.
Attitudes towards risk-stratified breast cancer screening among women in England: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ghanouni Alex , Sanderson Saskia C , Pashayan Nora , Renzi Cristina , von Wagner Christian , Waller Jo
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Risk stratification may improve the benefit/harm ratio of breast screening. Research on acceptability among potential invitees is necessary to guide implementation. We assessed women’s attitudes towards and willingness to undergo risk assessment and stratified screening.

Methods

Women in England aged 40–70 received summary information about the topic, and completed face-to-face computer-assisted interviews. Questions assessed willingness to undergo multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment, more frequent breast screening (if at very high risk), or less frequent or no screening (if at very low risk), and preferences for delivery of assessment results.

Results

Among 933 women, 85% considered breast cancer risk assessment a good idea, and 74% were willing to have it. Among 125 women unwilling to have risk assessment, reasons commonly related to ‘worry’ (14%) and ‘preferring not to know’ (14%). Among those willing to have risk assessment ( n = 689), letters/emails were generally preferred (42%) for results about very low-risk status. Face-to-face communication was most commonly preferred for results of very high-risk status (78%). General practitioners were most commonly preferred sources of assessment results (≈40%). Breast cancer specialists were often preferred for results of very high-risk status (38%). Risk-stratified breast screening was considered a good idea by 70% and 89% were willing to have more frequent screening. Fewer would accept less (51%) or no screening (37%) if at very low risk.

Conclusions

Women were generally in favour of multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment and risk-stratified screening. Some were unwilling to accept less or no screening if at very low risk.
Consumer Confidence and Lasting Effect of Demonetisation
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Bappaditya
Published: November 2019

On 8 November 2016, the Government of India scrapped 86 per cent of the currency in circulation. Although there were reasons put by the government in support of this move, 2 years later, there is little evidence that those goals were met. More importantly, the economy lost approximately 2 per cent of GDP. While there is a widespread belief that India has absorbed the shock, in this article, we study the possible long-term effects of demonetisation. We use the consumer confidence survey (CCS) data conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 6 cities—Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai and for the period March 2015 to May 2018, covering 97,102 responses. We find that from a net optimistic outlook pre demonetisation, post demonetisation has led to a net pessimistic outlook. Demonetisation has also affected the relationship between the respondents’ perception of current status and future outlook, implying a higher uncertainty for the future. Finally, we find that the timing was inappropriate. Demonetisation came when the economy was recovering.

JEL Classification: E65, E66
Influence of Preoperative Tibiotalar Alignment in the Coronal Plane on the Survival of Total Ankle Replacement: A Systematic Review
Authors: de Keijzer Dave R. , Joling Boudijn S. H. , Sierevelt Inger N. , Hoornenborg Daniël , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J. , Haverkamp Daniël
Published: November 2019

Background:

It remains controversial whether significant preoperative tibiotalar varus and valgus deformity should be contraindications for total ankle replacement (TAR). The primary aim of this systematic review was to analyze the influence of preoperative tibiotalar varus and valgus alignment on the survival of TAR.

Methods:

The databases MEDLINE and Embase were searched from onset through September 2018. Two authors performed study selection and data extraction using a predefined data extraction tool. Implant survival in the alignment groups was reported as “revisions per 100 component years.” Additional procedures, complications, and revisions were also reported. Assessment of the methodological quality was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results:

In total, 17 studies were considered eligible, in which a total of 1692 TARs were included from 1627 patients. The weighted mean follow-up was 52.4 (range, 1-147) months. The neutral alignment group included 711 TARs, the varus group included 545 TARs, and the valgus group included 332 TARs. Total revisions were 52, 37, and 36 in the preoperative tibiotalar neutral, varus, and valgus alignment groups, respectively. Revisions per 100 observed component years were 1.6, 1.7, and 2.5 in the preoperative tibiotalar neutral, varus, and valgus alignment groups, respectively. A total of 129 complications and 447 additional procedures were reported in 601 TARs.

Conclusion:

There was a strong indication that preoperative varus alignment in the coronal plane had a comparable implant survival to neutral alignment. Preoperative valgus alignment demonstrated a more negative influence on implant survival.

Level of evidence:

Level III, systematic review.
Intermedin1-53 Ameliorates Homocysteine-Promoted Atherosclerotic Calcification by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Ren Jin-Ling , Hou Yue-Long , Ni Xian-Qiang , Zhu Qing , Chen Yao , Zhang Lin-Shuang , Liu Xin , Xue Chang-Ding , Wu Ning , Yu Yan-Rong , Tang Chao-Shu , Ning Zhong-Ping , Chai San-Bao , Qi Yong-Fen
Published: November 2019

Aim:

Vascular calcification (VC) is thought to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Intermedin1-53 (IMD) is a cardiovascular protective peptide and can inhibit vascular medial calcification in rats. In this study, we investigated the effect of IMD on atherosclerotic calcification induced by a high-fat diet plus homocysteine (Hcy) and the potential mechanisms.

Methods:

ApoE−/− mice were fed a high-fat diet with Hcy in drinking water to induce atherosclerotic calcification.

Results:

As compared to the high-fat diet alone, Hcy treatment significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion areas and the number of calcified nodules in aortic roots and was reduced by IMD infusion or 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) treatment. In vitro, as compared to calcifying medium alone, Hcy treatment further increased alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium content, and calcium nodule number in human aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs), all blocked by IMD or PBA pretreatment. Mechanistically, IMD or PBA significantly alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) activation compared with Hcy treatment. In parallel, IMD or PBA attenuated the messenger RNA levels of osteogenic markers and inflammatory cytokines in aortas and their protein levels in lesions of aortic roots. In vitro, Hcy treatment significantly increased the protein levels of osteoblast-like cell markers in primary rat VSMCs and inflammation markers in mouse peritoneal macrophages, all decreased with IMD or PBA pretreatment. Intermedin1-53 pretreatment also markedly reduced the protein levels of ERS markers in rat VSMCs and mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Conclusions:

Intermedin1-53 protects against Hcy-promoted atherosclerotic calcification in ApoE−/− mice by inhibiting ERS.
A new delivery system based on apple pomace–pectin gels to encourage the viability of antimicrobial strains
Authors: Juodeikiene Grazina , Zadeike Daiva , Bartkiene Elena , Lėlė Vita , Bernatoniene Jurga , Jakštas Valdas
Published: November 2019

This work was aimed to investigate the concept of the valorization of apple processing by-products to produce a new preservation system based on apple pomace gels to encourage the viability of antimicrobial Lactobacillus strains. A high frequency (850 kHz) low power (1.3 W/cm2) ultrasound-stimulated cavitation was used for the structure modulating of gels under low-temperature (50 ℃) conditions. Medium esterified apple pectin was added to apple pomace to improve its texture properties and stability. The monitoring of the process of gelation was performed by using acoustic technique and method, based on the measurement of the distance (parameter h, mm) traveled by a free-falling module. The obtained data were then compared to gel texture measurements. The results suggest that low power ultrasound leads to a reduced jelly mass stickiness and increased gel hardness, compared to the thermally treated sample. The immobilization of probiotic cells in low pectin apple pomace gels did not sufficiently protect the microorganisms. The higher viability of immobilized Lactobacillus paracasei (54–77%) compared to L. plantarum (43–59%) was recorded after incubation at acidic conditions (pH 2.0). The most suitable system for preserving bacterial cells during storage can be the apple pomace–pectin gel containing up to 53% pectin as a stabilizer retaining 84% of viable cells after one-month storage at 4 ℃. The apple pomace–pectin hydrogels with gelation rate ( dh/ dt) of 0.03–0.05 mm/s can be used for the preservation of bacterial cells as a suitable functional ingredient for food.
A Cultural Creativity Framework for the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Authors: Tan Siow-Kian , Lim Hui-Hui , Tan Siow-Hooi , Kok Yon-Sin
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to understand the elements of creativity, as well as to what extent and how creativity serves as a tool in preserving the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) at World Heritage Sites (WHSs). A WHS will lose its uniqueness if the ICH disappears. Hence, it is important to determine how creativity may sustain the ICH. In-depth interviews, and participant and nonparticipant observations were conducted, and a 5As—actor, audience, affordance, artifact, and apprentice—cultural creativity interaction model was constructed. These elements of cultural creativity may serve as a guideline for different stakeholders in sustaining the status of a WHS.
A planning guide for temporary disaster shelters focusing on habitability
Authors: Choi Yu Ra , Kim Eun Jeong , Kim Mi Kyung
Published: November 2019

This study aims to develop the temporary shelter planning guide on the basis of taking their habitability for disaster victims into account in South Korea. Based on the results of the critical review, this research proposed an analytic framework emphasizing habitability which is closely related to the quality of temporary shelter environment in terms of safety, healthy living and cultural issues. The planning guide is composed of four dimensions: safety, health, sociality and comfort. Compared to the existing studies on temporary shelter, habitability is more heavily emphasized, including detailed interviews with disaster victims, volunteers and government officials to gain the broadest possible perspective on issues involved. Based on a three-step study, 46 planning guides for temporary shelters were developed to suit the specific needs of disaster stakeholders. The results suggest that ensuring habitability is essential for victims' living in the confusing situation. However, planning guides would differently apply to each disaster situation depending on the unpredictable conditions in the field of disaster. This paper should provide for significant emphasis on the practical use of the guidelines and the priority of their application.
The liminality of Palestinian refugees: betwixt and between global politics and international law
Authors: Mason Victoria
Published: November 2019

Numbering over 5 million people, Palestinians comprise one of the longest-standing refugee populations in modern history. This article argues that the ongoing dispossession of Palestinian refugees is the result of the liminality they have been accorded within international law and global politics. This liminality includes Palestinians being the only refugee cohort not explicitly protected by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mandate; and their right to return to their homeland – one of the most widely recognised basic rights under refugee law – occluded and reframed as a matter for political negotiation with Israel. The liminality of Palestinian refugees, this article demonstrates, results from the dominant narrative concerning the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland in 1947–8; the role this narrative plays in the hegemonic discourse shaping Israeli-Palestinian relations more widely; and how this narrative and wider discourse are mutually reproducing, resulting in significant intergenerational injustice for Palestinian refugees.
An instantaneous frequency analysis method of stay cables
Authors: Zhong Rumian , Pai P Frank
Published: November 2019

This paper presents and evaluates in detail a conjugate-pair decomposition method for tracking the instantaneous frequency of a vibration signal by processing only three (or more) most recent data points, and Probability Box theory was employed to obtain the uncertain probability distribution of instantaneous frequency. A composite cable-stayed bridge with large span, named as Guanhe Bridge, was selected as the engineering background; the proposed conjugate-pair decomposition method is verified and compared with Hilbert–Huang transform method using the measured dynamical data of structural health monitoring system. Moreover, the uncertain probability distribution of instantaneous frequency was discussed; the Probability Box also can be obtained. Results show that the identify results are close to each other using conjugate-pair decomposition and Hilbert–Huang transform, respectively; but the variance of conjugate-pair decomposition is less than Hilbert–Huang transform, and conjugate-pair decomposition requires only a few data points for sliding-window fitting to extract the instantaneous frequency, and the Probability Box of instantaneous frequency will be useful to evaluate safety and potential fatigue problems in the bridge cables.
Low-load expander deactivation studies for a light-duty single-shaft piston-compounded engine
Authors: Andruskiewicz Peter , Durrett Russell , Najt Paul
Published: November 2019

A single-shaft, piston-compounded engine has shown great potential for improvements in efficiency over current state-of-the-art light-duty engines through the use of an efficient second expansion process to more fully recover energy still present in the exhaust gasses. This process inherently works well at mid to high loads where the displacement ratio of the piston expander can be maximized and fully utilized, but the positive-displacement nature of piston compounding creates a liability in efficiency and exhaust gas temperature at low loads. This study examined the trade-offs in efficiency, exhaust temperature, and engine design for various methods of mitigating the low-load deficiencies of the piston-compounded design. An optimum solution was identified, and these results were then used to guide the design of an experimental piston-compounded engine.
Roy Rogers and Gene Autry Do Not Endorse This Project: Actors, Advertising, and Feature Films on Early Television
Authors: Porst Jennifer
Published: November 2019

Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were two hugely successful stars in the mid-twentieth century who moved between the mediums of radio, television, and film. Their attempts to build multimedia empires, and, in particular, their lawsuits against Republic Studios in order to prevent their older feature films from appearing on television, were seminal in the history of the relationship between film and television. A closer look at their lawsuits helps illuminate that important period in media history and even overturns some long-held beliefs about that time. It shows how all periods of disruption are influenced by many persons with a wide range of diverse interests, and how amidst that tangled web of agendas, two actors from B-westerns could hold the film and television industries in suspense for years.
The effects of measurement error and testing frequency on the fitness-fatigue model applied to resistance training: A simulation approach
Authors: Stephens Hemingway Benedict H , Burgess Katherine E , Elyan Eyad , Swinton Paul A
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the effects of measurement error and testing frequency on prediction accuracy of the standard fitness-fatigue model. A simulation-based approach was used to systematically assess measurement error and frequency inputs commonly used when monitoring the training of athletes. Two hypothetical athletes (intermediate and advanced) were developed and realistic training loads and daily ‘true’ power values were generated using the fitness-fatigue model across 16 weeks. Simulations were then completed by adding Gaussian measurement errors to true values with mean 0 and set standard deviations to recreate more and less reliable measurement practices used in real-world settings. Errors were added to the model training phase (weeks 1–8) and sampling of data was used to recreate different testing frequencies (every day to once per week) when obtaining parameter estimates. In total, 210 sets of simulations (N = 104 iterations) were completed using an iterative hill-climbing optimisation technique. Parameter estimates were then combined with training loads in the model testing phase (weeks 9–16) to quantify prediction errors. Regression analyses identified positive associations between prediction errors and the linear combination of measurement error and testing frequency ([Formula: see text]=0.87–0.94). Significant model improvements (P < 0.001) were obtained across all scenarios by including an interaction term demonstrating greater deleterious effects of measurement error at low testing frequencies.The findings of this simulation study represent a lower-bound case and indicate that in real-world settings, where a fitness-fatigue model is used to predict training response, measurement practices that generate coefficients of variation greater than [Formula: see text]4% will not provide satisfactory results.
A framework for analysing antagonistic narrative strategies: A Russian tale of Swedish decline
Authors: Wagnsson Charlotte , Barzanje Costan
Published: November 2019

New information technologies and media consumption patterns have enabled aggressive practices that are qualitatively different from old-style propaganda. Actors no longer rely on secrecy, but can openly make use of social media and media outlets in foreign languages to destabilize other states and societies from within. Strategic narratives have become a key means in this endeavour. To expose the discursive (harmful) capacity of strategic narratives, the article suggests detailed analysis based on a narrative ontology. The analytical framework is applied in an exploratory case study of the Russian state-sponsored broadcasting company Sputnik’s strategic narrative about Sweden from 2014 to 2018. In addition to unmasking Sputnik’s strategic narrative, the article fills a gap in previous research in particular by exposing three antagonistic narrative strategies labelled ‘suppression’, ‘destruction’ and ‘direction’. These strategies reflect general driving forces in the security sphere and can inspire and structure future research into antagonistic strategic narration.
Clinical factors affecting semen improvement after microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy: which subfertile patients benefit from surgery?
Authors: Palmisano Franco , Moreno-Mendoza Daniel , Ievoli Riccardo , Veber-Moisés-Da Silva Gabriel , Gasanz-Serrano Carlos , Villegas-Osorio Juan Fernando , Peraza-Godoy Maria Fernanda , Vives Álvaro , Bassas Lluís , Montanari Emanuele , Ruiz-Castañé Eduard , Sarquella-Geli Joaquim , Sánchez-Curbelo Josvany
Published: November 2019

Background:

The exact mechanism of varicocele-related infertility is still elusive, therefore, the current challenges for its management lie in determining which patients stand to benefit most from surgical correction. The authors aimed to assess the clinical factors affecting semen improvement after left microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) in relation to patient age, ultrasound varicocele grading (USVG), and presence of a right subclinical varicocele (RSV).

Methods:

From 2010 to 2017 a total of 228 infertile patients underwent left MSV for clinical varicocele. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort and verify the surgical benefit in terms of semen improvement, in addition, subsets of patients were selected according to clinical covariates. Logistic regression modeling was applied to evaluate the presence of RSV, operative time, age, and USVG as explanatory variables.

Results:

Sperm concentration (SC), progressive sperm motility (PSM), and normal sperm morphology (NSM) increased significantly after surgery ( p = 0.002; p = 0.011; p = 0.024; respectively). Mean SC improved after MSV in ⩾35 year-old patients and the grade 3 USVG group ( p = 0.01; p = 0.02; respectively). Logistic regression modeling showed a that the probability of SC improvement was 76% lower in subjects presenting RSV ( p = 0.011). In addition, patients with a grade 3 USVG presented a three-times greater probability of SC improvement compared with patients with a lower USVG ( p = 0.035). In addition, older patients showed a greater probability of SC improvement after MSV ( p = 0.041).

Conclusions:

MSV is an effective varicocele-related infertility treatment that should also be offered to older patients. In addition, patients with a higher USVG benefit from surgery. In infertile men with an RSV in association with a left clinical disease, a bilateral varicocele repair should be considered.
Aortopulmonary Window With Pulmonary Atresia and Interrupted Aortic Arch: A Very Rare Triad
Authors: Shahbah Doaa A. , Herrick Nicole L. , El-Said Howaida , Lamberti John , Murthy Raghav
Published: November 2019

Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare lesion, accounting for 0.2% to 0.6% of all congenital heart diseases. We report a rare case of an infant with APW, interrupted aortic arch, and pulmonary atresia with intact interventricular septum and right ventricle–dependent coronary circulation. This report describes the anatomy of this lesion set, the complex surgical palliation that was required, and the management of postoperative complications.
Tetralogy of Fallot With Interatrial Communication of the Inferior Sinus Venosus Type: A Rare Association Causing Post-Operative Desaturation
Authors: Agrawal Gaurav , Das Anupam
Published: November 2019

This case report describes a rare association of tetralogy of Fallot with interatrial communication of the inferior sinus venosus type (inferior sinus venosus defect). The patient underwent intracardiac repair for tetralogy of Fallot at 8 months of age. His postoperative course was complicated by desaturation. On reexploration, interatrial communication of the inferior sinus venosus type was revealed which went unnoticed on transthoracic echocardiogram as well as on computerized tomogram.
Intermediate Outcomes of Staged Tetralogy of Fallot Repair
Authors: Mahajan Poonam , Ebenroth Eric S. , Borsheim Kirsten , Husain Sabena , Bo Na , Herrmann Jeremy L. , Rodefeld Mark D. , Turrentine Mark W. , Brown John W. , Patel Jyoti K.
Published: November 2019

Background:

The optimal surgical strategy for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair in neonates and young infants requiring early surgical intervention remains controversial. Our surgical center follows the uniform strategy of a staged approach with initial systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt the majority of time when early surgical intervention is required. We characterized a contemporary cohort of patients with TOF with pulmonary stenosis (PS) undergoing staged repair in order to determine the rate of pulmonary valve-sparing repair (PVSR), growth of the pulmonary valve annulus and pulmonary arteries, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and need for reintervention.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied patients with TOF/PS who underwent staged repair from 2000 to 2017. Surgical details, postoperative course, and reinterventions were noted. Echocardiographic measurements and Z-score values of pulmonary valve annulus, main pulmonary artery (MPA), right pulmonary artery (RPA), and left pulmonary artery (LPA) diameters were evaluated.

Results:

Of the 59 patients with staged TOF/PS, PVSR was performed in 25 (42%). There was a 5% incidence of postoperative arrhythmia. The Z-scores of MPA, RPA, and LPA were significantly higher before complete repair when compared to before palliative shunt. The 5 and 10-year survival rates were both 93%, and the probability of freedom from reoperation at 5 and 10 years was 87% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Staged repair of TOF in young symptomatic infants results in 42% receiving PVSR, pulmonary artery growth, low incidence of postoperative arrhythmia, and relatively low rate of reoperations.
Functional Capacity Is Affected by Younger Age of Repair in Tetralogy of Fallot Patients But Not by Era of Repair
Authors: Powell Adam W. , Mays Wayne A. , Chin Clifford
Published: November 2019

Background:

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is widely used to assess functional capacity in patients with tetralogy of Fallot after surgical repair. Little is known regarding the impact of age at the time of primary complete repair and surgical era effect on exercise capacity.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-center chart review was done from 1976 to 2016 on pediatric patients with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with cycle ergometry utilizing the James protocol and were then sorted by repair before/after 1990 and by age of complete repair before/after one year. Exclusion criteria included submaximal tests, incomplete data, previous pulmonary valve replacement, and surgery prior to complete repair (ie, Blalock-Taussig shunt placement).

Results:

When comparing the groups who underwent primary complete repair before (N = 39) and after (N = 26) one year of age, the younger group demonstrated a higher percentage of predicted peak oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text] o 2peak; 83.1% ± 11.8% vs 73.1% ± 16.1%; P = .005) despite having worse pulmonary insufficiency at the time of exercise testing. There were no differences in heart rate and blood pressure response. Age of repair was independently associated with [Formula: see text] o 2peak. Data were statistically similar to the study eras (repair before 1990, N = 23; repair after 1990, N = 65): percentage of predicted [Formula: see text] o2peak (81.4% ± 13.6% vs 79.1% ± 14.4%, P = .5), maximal systolic blood pressure (155.1 ± 22.4 mm Hg vs 153.9 ± 17 mm Hg, P = .8), and percentage of predicted maximal heart rate (89.8% ± 9% vs 92% ± 7.1%, P = .3).

Conclusions:

Older age at primary repair appears to negatively impact [Formula: see text] o2peak; however, era effect does not appear to influence cardiopulmonary exercise testing outcomes.
The Ozaki Procedure With CardioCel Patch for Children and Young Adults With Aortic Valve Disease: Preliminary Experience – a Word of Caution
Authors: Chivers Sian C. , Pavy Carine , Vaja Ricky , Quarto Cesare , Ghez Olivier , Daubeney Piers E. F.
Published: November 2019

Background:

The Ozaki procedure is a surgical technique for patients with significant aortic stenosis or regurgitation or both where valve repair cannot be performed. Individual cusps are cut from glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium or bovine pericardium and implanted into the aortic valve position. Encouraging results have been reported within the adult population. There are limited published data on success of this procedure in younger patients.

Methods:

We present a series of five children and young adults who underwent the Ozaki procedure with neoaortic valve cusps made from CardioCel, a decellularized bovine pericardial patch treated with a monomeric glutaraldehyde.

Results:

There were no complications in the initial postoperative period and short inpatient stay. At a mean follow-up of 29.6 months (range: 22-36 months), 4 patients had no evidence of stenosis and 3 patients had trivial or no regurgitation from the neoaortic valve. Overall, two patients had complications related to the valve and underwent reintervention during the follow-up period with a Ross procedure. One of these patients who was not taking long-term anticoagulation experienced a transient ischemic attack.

Conclusions:

Our experience demonstrates that the Ozaki procedure with CardioCel in pediatric and young adult patients should be approached with caution. Further research with larger groups of pediatric patients, comparison of different graft materials, and longer follow-up is required to ascertain long-term success in children.
Does Financial Liberalization Affect Bank Risk-Taking in China?
Authors: Wang Rui , Luo Hang (Robin)
Published: November 2019

This article examines the effect of financial liberalization on bank risk-taking, using bank-level data of 169 Chinese banks from 2000-2014. Empirical results show that bank stability increases with the development of financial liberalization. We also provide evidence indicating that banks with larger size, longer operating periods, and state ownership are more salient with the development of financial liberalization. However, such positive effects of financial liberalization on bank stability may be weakened by worse macroenvironment gauged by low economic growth, poor law enforcement, and instable political conditions.
Neorealism and the Organization of American States (OAS): An Examination of CARICOM Rationality Toward Venezuela and the United States
Authors: Johnson Stephen
Published: November 2019

Since 2017, CARICOM member states have been divided in the positions they take on Organization of American States (OAS) resolutions addressing political instability in Venezuela. This article uses a neorealism framework to determine whether or not the provision of energy investments by Venezuela and the United States to CARICOM member countries is an attempt on their part to skew the OAS voting mechanism in their national interests. The article also examines the extent to which CARICOM member states’ response to Venezuela’s and United States’ interest in the OAS demonstrates a pattern of rationality. The findings suggest that though the OAS provides a medium for states to negotiate mutually beneficial solutions, states are rational actors and even where they do corporate, dominant states may try to manifest their self-interest.
The vascular effect of glibenclamide: A systematic review
Authors: Al-Karagholi Mohammad Al-Mahdi , Sode Michael , Gozalov Aydin , Ashina Messoud
Published: November 2019

Objective:

To systematically review the vascular effects of glibenclamide.

Background:

Infusion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener (KCO) levcromakalim dilates cranial arteries and induces headache and migraine attacks. Recent data show that levcromakalim-induced vasodilation is associated with headache. Glibenclamide is a KATP channel blocker that may alter the vascular tone and thus has an impact on headache or migraine prevention.

Methods:

A search through PubMed was undertaken for studies investigating the vascular effects of glibenclamide in vitro as well as in vivo published until July 2019.

Results:

We identified 58 articles; 31 in vitro studies, 24 in vivo studies and 3 studies with both. The main findings were that glibenclamide inhibited levcromakalim-induced and other KCOs-induced vasodilation, while the basal vascular tone remained unchanged.

Conclusion:

Glibenclamide could inhibit vasodilation by KCOs, and further studies are needed to clarify the vascular effect of glibenclamide on human cranial arteries.
Wood identification of Japanese Shinto deity statues in Matsunoo-taisha Shrine in Kyoto by synchrotron X-ray microtomography and conventional microscopy methods
Authors: Tazuru Suyako , Sugiyama Junji
Published: November 2019

Research on the wood species of Japanese Buddhist statues has an over 60 years’ history and recently many Buddhist “Ichiboku” statues carved out of a single bole made from the Nara to Heian periods were scientifically revealed to be made of Torreya nucifera. Shinto deity statues in Japan, however, have not yet been investigated scientifically. Because many Shinto deity statues are enshrined behind closed doors, there are fewer opportunities to investigate them. To examine the differences and similarities in wood selection between Buddhist and Shinto deity statues, wood identification was conducted on the 11 Shinto deity statues of Matsunoo-taisha Shrine, Kyoto, Japan, using synchrotron X-ray microtomography and conventional microscopy methods. The results indicated two female deity statues with the ink inscriptions indicating the production year of 1143 were of Torreya nucifera, one female deity statue of Zelkova serrata, and the other eight statues, i.e., two female deity statues, four male deity statues and two priestly attire deity statues of Prunus s.l. spp.
Cancer Cell Membrane Decorated Silica Nanoparticle Loaded with miR495 and Doxorubicin to Overcome Drug Resistance for Effective Lung Cancer Therapy
Authors: He Jinyuan , Gong Chulian , Qin Jie , Li Mingan , Huang Shaohong
Published: November 2019

Current cancer therapy usually succumbs to many extracellular and intracellular barriers, among which untargeted distribution and multidrug resistance (MDR) are two important difficulties responsible for poor outcome of many drug delivery systems (DDS). Here, in our study, the dilemma was addressed by developing a cancer cell membrane (CCM)-coated silica (SLI) nanoparticles to co-deliver miR495 with doxorubicin (DOX) for effective therapy of lung cancer (CCM/SLI/R-D). The homologous CCM from MDR lung cancer cells (A549/DOX) was supposed to increase the tumor-homing property of the DDS to bypass the extracellular barriers. Moreover, the MDR of cancer cells were conquered through downregulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression using miR495. It was proved that miR495 could significantly decrease the expression of P-gp which elevated intracellular drug accumulation in A549/DOX. The in vitro and in vivo results exhibited that CCM/SLI/R-D showed a greatly enhanced therapeutic effect on A549/DOX, which was superior than applying miR495 or DOX alone. The preferable effect of CCM/SLI/R-D on conquering the MDR in lung cancer provides a novel alternative for effective chemotherapy of MDR cancers.
Dorsal penile frenulum a rare congenital abnormality
Authors: Mukendi A. M. , Doherty S. W.
Published: November 2019

Background

Dorsal penile frenulum is noted to be an extremely rare congenital penile abnormality. Only two cases have been reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a pelvic fracture and a scrotal laceration which was the main reason for urology consult. Genital examination revealed a circumcised penis, the presence of two frenula and a right scrotal laceration. Scrotal laceration was cleaned and closed. Orthopaedic surgeon took over the patient for the pelvic fracture.

Conclusion

This is the third reported case of a dorsal penile frenulum incidentally found in a circumcised male and completely asymptomatic. A brief review of relevant embryology and anatomy is herein discussed.
Recommendations for performance optimizations when using GATK3.8 and GATK4
Authors: Heldenbrand Jacob R , Baheti Saurabh , Bockol Matthew A , Drucker Travis M , Hart Steven N , Hudson Matthew E , Iyer Ravishankar K , Kalmbach Michael T , Kendig Katherine I , Klee Eric W , Mattson Nathan R , Wieben Eric D , Wiepert Mathieu , Wildman Derek E , Mainzer Liudmila S
Published: November 2019

Background

Use of the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) continues to be the standard practice in genomic variant calling in both research and the clinic. Recently the toolkit has been rapidly evolving. Significant computational performance improvements have been introduced in GATK3.8 through collaboration with Intel in 2017. The first release of GATK4 in early 2018 revealed rewrites in the code base, as the stepping stone toward a Spark implementation. As the software continues to be a moving target for optimal deployment in highly productive environments, we present a detailed analysis of these improvements, to help the community stay abreast with changes in performance.

Results

We re-evaluated multiple options, such as threading, parallel garbage collection, I/O options and data-level parallelization. Additionally, we considered the trade-offs of using GATK3.8 and GATK4. We found optimized parameter values that reduce the time of executing the best practices variant calling procedure by 29.3% for GATK3.8 and 16.9% for GATK4. Further speedups can be accomplished by splitting data for parallel analysis, resulting in run time of only a few hours on whole human genome sequenced to the depth of 20X, for both versions of GATK. Nonetheless, GATK4 is already much more cost-effective than GATK3.8. Thanks to significant rewrites of the algorithms, the same analysis can be run largely in a single-threaded fashion, allowing users to process multiple samples on the same CPU.

Conclusions

In time-sensitive situations, when a patient has a critical or rapidly developing condition, it is useful to minimize the time to process a single sample. In such cases we recommend using GATK3.8 by splitting the sample into chunks and computing across multiple nodes. The resultant walltime will be nnn.4 hours at the cost of $41.60 on 4 c5.18xlarge instances of Amazon Cloud. For cost-effectiveness of routine analyses or for large population studies, it is useful to maximize the number of samples processed per unit time. Thus we recommend GATK4, running multiple samples on one node. The total walltime will be ∼34.1 hours on 40 samples, with 1.18 samples processed per hour at the cost of $2.60 per sample on c5.18xlarge instance of Amazon Cloud.
Template-switching artifacts resemble alternative polyadenylation
Authors: Balázs Zsolt , Tombácz Dóra , Csabai Zsolt , Moldován Norbert , Snyder Michael , Boldogkői Zsolt
Published: November 2019

Background

Alternative polyadenylation is commonly examined using cDNA sequencing, which is known to be affected by template-switching artifacts. However, the effects of such template-switching artifacts on alternative polyadenylation are generally disregarded, while alternative polyadenylation artifacts are attributed to internal priming.

Results

Here, we analyzed both long-read cDNA sequencing and direct RNA sequencing data of two organisms, generated by different sequencing platforms. We developed a filtering algorithm which takes into consideration that template-switching can be a source of artifactual polyadenylation when filtering out spurious polyadenylation sites. The algorithm outperformed the conventional internal priming filters based on comparison to direct RNA sequencing data. We also showed that the polyadenylation artifacts arise in cDNA sequencing at consecutive stretches of as few as three adenines. There was no substantial difference between the lengths of poly(A) tails at the artifactual and the true transcriptional end sites even though it is expected that internal priming artifacts have shorter poly(A) tails than genuine polyadenylated reads.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that template switching plays an important role in the generation of spurious polyadenylation and support the need for more rigorous filtering of artifactual polyadenylation sites in cDNA data, or that alternative polyadenylation should be annotated using native RNA sequencing.
Cloning and functional analysis of the FAD2 gene family from desert shrub Artemisia sphaerocephala
Authors: Miao Xiumei , Zhang Lijing , Hu Xiaowei , Nan Shuzhen , Chen Xiaolong , Fu Hua
Published: November 2019

Background

Linoleic acid is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for all eukaryotes. Microsomal delta-12 (Δ12) oleate desaturase (FAD2) is a key enzyme for linoleic acid biosynthesis. Desert shrub Artemisia sphaerocephala is rich in linoleic acid, it has a large FAD2 gene family with twenty-six members. The aim of this work is to unveil the difference and potentially functionality of AsFAD2 family members.

Results

Full-length cDNAs of twenty-one AsFAD2 genes were obtained from A. sphaerocephala. The putative polypeptides encoded by AsFAD2 family genes showed a high level of sequence similarity and were relatively conserved during evolution. The motif composition was also relatively conservative. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the AsFAD2–1 gene was strongly expressed in developing seeds, which may be closely associated with the high accumulating ability of linoleic acid in A. sphaerocephala seeds. Although different AsFAD2 family members showed diverse response to salt stress, the overall mRNA levels of the AsFAD2 family genes was stable. Transient expression of AsFAD2 genes in the Nicotiana benthamiana leaves revealed that the encoded proteins were all located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggested that only three AsFAD2 enzymes, AsFAD2–1, − 10, and − 23, were Δ12 oleate desaturases, which could convert oleic acid to linoleic acid, whereas AsFAD2–1 and AsFAD2–10 could also produce palmitolinoleic acid.

Conclusions

This research reported the cloning, expression studies, subcellular localization and functional identification of the large AsFAD2 gene family. These results should be helpful in understanding fatty acid biosynthesis in A. sphaerocephala, and has the potential to be applied in the study of plant fatty acids traits.
Structural development and physicochemical properties of starch in caryopsis of super rice with different types of panicle
Authors: Chen Xinyu , Chen Mingxin , Lin Guoqiang , Yang Yang , Yu Xurun , Wu Yunfei , Xiong Fei
Published: November 2019

Background

Starch is the main storage substance in rice caryopsis and its properties will determine the quality of rice. Super rice has been extensively studied due to its high-yield characteristics, but the knowledge of amyloplast development and starch quality in caryopsis of super rice especially with large panicle is limited.

Results

To address this, large panicle typed and normal panicle typed super rice cultivar Yongyou2640 (YY2640) and Nangeng9108 (NG9108) were investigated in this study. The development of amyloplast in YY2640 caryopsis was better than NG9108, showing faster degradation rate of pericarp amyloplast and better filling degree of endosperm amyloplast. Meanwhile, the starch granule of YY2640 presented as polyhedral shape with smooth surface and the granule size was slightly larger than NG9108. The starch of YY2640 exhibited the lower amylose content, ratio of amylose to amylopectin and the higher level of amylopectin short and long branch-chains compared with NG9108, but there was no significant difference in amylopectin branching degree between them. Two rice starches both showed the characteristics of A-type crystal, and the relative crystallinity and external ordered degree of YY2640 starch were higher than those of NG9108. Furthermore, YY2640 starch showed better pasting properties with lower pasting temperature, shorter pasting time, higher peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown value and lower setback value because of lower apparent amylose content.

Conclusions

Overall, the development and filling of amyloplast in YY2640 caryopsis were better than those of NG9108, thus leading to better starch quality of YY2640.