bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High performance aliphatic polyurea films reinforced using nonfunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chin Daniel Chee Ho , Palaniandy Khanisya , Hia Iee Lee , Pasbakhsh Pooria
Published: November 2019

Polyurea nanocomposites appear to be a recent advanced elastomer with high robustness. This study shows that without chemical surface functionalization, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can significantly increase the tensile strength of aliphatic polyurea nanocomposites which are cured at room temperature. This is achieved via ultrasonic dispersion techniques which prevent agglomeration and the role of MWCNTs as physical crosslink sites, encouraging the formation of hydrogen bonds, thus entangling the polymer chains in the polyurea matrix and restricting chain movement. The incorporation of MWCNT drastically increases the tensile strength of the nanocomposite by 1000%, from 2.16 ± 0.24 MPa to 21.7 ± 4.4 MPa. The thermal and chemical properties of samples are investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and acetone swelling tests. In this study, we showed that polyurea films reinforced with MWCNTs have high swelling resistance compared to the pure polyurea films. Aliphatic polyurea is also known to have high UV stability. The tensile properties achieved by the nanocomposite in this study are comparable to the aliphatic and aromatic polyurea products in the market and can make these films suitable products for rolling and coating applications.
Nanomaterials in the Environment Acquire an “Eco‐Corona” Impacting their Toxicity to Daphnia Magna—a Call for Updating Toxicity Testing Policies
Authors: Nasser Fatima , Constantinou Julia , Lynch Iseult
Published: November 2019

Nanomaterials (NMs) are particles with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nm and a large surface area to volume ratio, providing them with exceptional qualities that are exploited in a variety of industrial fields. Deposition of NMs into environmental waters during or after use leads to the adsorption of an ecological (eco‐) corona, whereby a layer of natural biomolecules coats the NM changing its stability, identity and ultimately toxicity. The eco‐corona is not currently incorporated into ecotoxicity tests, although it has been shown to alter the interactions of NMs with organisms such as Daphnia magna (D. magna). Here, the literature on environmental biomolecule interactions with NMs is synthesized and a framework for understanding the eco‐corona composition and its role in modulating NMs ecotoxicity is presented, utilizing D. magna as a model. The importance of including biomolecules as part of the current international efforts to update the standard testing protocols for NMs, is highlighted. Facilitating the formation of an eco‐corona prior to NMs ecotoxicity testing will ensure that signaling pathways perturbed by the NMs are real rather than being associated with the damage arising from reactive NM surfaces “acquiring” a corona by pulling biomolecules from the organism's surface.
Mutation of doublesex in Hyphantria cunea results in sex‐specific sterility
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Liu Qun , Liu Huihui , Bi Honglun , Wang Yaohui , Chen Xien , Wu Ningning , Xu Jun , Zhang Zhen , Huang Yongping , Chen Hui
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

The gene doublesex (dsx) plays pivotal roles in sex determination and controls sexually dimorphic development in certain insects. Importantly, it also displays a potential candidate target for pest management due to its sex‐specific splicing. Therefore, we used CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene disruption to investigate the function of dsx in Hyphantria cunea, an invasive forest pest.

RESULT

In the present study, we identified the dsx gene from H. cunea which showed a sex‐biased expression pattern that was different from other lepidopteran insects. Referring to sex‐specific functional analyses in Bombyx mori, we performed a site‐specific knockout of the Hcdsx gene by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, which induced severe abnormalities in external genitalia and some incomplete sex reversal phenotypes, which in turn led to reduced sex‐specific fecundity. An alternative splicing pattern of Hcdsx was altered by CRISPR/Cas9‐induced mutation, and alterations in splicing affected expression of downstream genes encoding pheromone binding protein 1, vg1 and vg2 (encoding vitellogenin), which contributed to the sex‐specific sterility phenotypes in the Hcdsx mutants.

CONCLUSION

The Hcdsx gene plays important roles in sexual differentiation in H. cunea. Disruption of Hcdsx induced sex‐specific sterility, demonstrating a potential application in control of this pest. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of QT Liability for PF‐05251749 in the Presence of Potential Circadian Rhythm Modification
Authors: Huh Yeamin , Chen Danny , Riley Steve , Chang Cheng , Nicholas Timothy
Published: November 2019

PF‐05251749 is a dual inhibitor of casein kinase 1 δ/ε, key regulators of circadian rhythm. As a result of its mechanism of action, PF‐05251749 may also change the heart rate corrected QT (QTc) circadian rhythm, which may confound detection of drug‐induced QTc prolongation. In this analysis, a nonlinear mixed effect model including a multioscillator function was developed in addition to fitting the prespecified linear mixed effect concentration‐QTc model, to identify QTc liability of PF‐05251749 in the presence of potential circadian rhythm change. The modeling results suggested lack of clinically meaningful QTc prolongation (upper bound of 90% confidence interval for ∆∆QTc < 10 milliseconds) and that the drug‐induced QTc circadian rhythm change was not present. However, simulation results indicated that inference of drug‐induced QTc prolongation could be misleading if the drug effect on QTc circadian rhythm is not properly addressed. The modeling and simulation results suggest that prespecification of the concentration‐QTc model should be reconsidered for drugs with circadian rhythm modulation potential.
Dielectric Properties and Electrical Percolation in MnFe2O4/Epoxy Resin Composites
Authors: Meisak Darya , Macutkevic Jan , Selskis Algirdas , Banys Juras , Kuzhir Polina
Published: November 2019

Broadband dielectric properties of epoxy composites containing the different additions of manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) with two spherical particle sizes (28 and 60 nm) are studied in the wide temperature range from 150 to 500 K. The percolation thresholds in such systems are 30 and 29.3 vol% for small and large MnFe2O4 particles, respectively. The small difference in the percolation threshold value is related to a better distribution of larger nanoparticles. Composites above the percolation threshold are appropriate candidates for electromagnetic shielding applications. Above 380 K, the electrical conductivity is typical for all composites, both below and above the percolation thresholds due to the electrical transport in the polymer matrix. The activation energy strongly decreases with MnFe2O4 concentration indicating that the electrical transport occurs simultaneously in both MnFe2O4 and epoxy matrix subsystems.
Study of GaP Nucleation Layers Grown on Si by Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Gudovskikh Alexander S. , Uvarov Alexander. V. , Morozov Ivan A. , Bukatin Anton S. , Baranov Artem I. , Kudryashov Dmitry A. , Kalyuzhnyy Nikolay A. , Mintairov Sergey A. , Zubkov Vasily I. , Yakovlev George E. , Kleider Jean-Paul
Published: November 2019

The capability of plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE‐ALD) for the formation of GaP nucleation layers on Si substrates for further epitaxial growth is explored. The possibility of epitaxial growth of GaP by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on templates prepared by PE‐ALD GaP/Si is demonstrated. The structural and electronic properties of the interfaces between the GaP nucleation layer and the Si substrate as well as their thermal stability are studied. Initially, the GaP/Si structures obtained by PE‐ALD without additional hydrogen plasma exhibit better photoelectric properties compared with that fabricated with high H2 plasma power that induces the formation of defects in the silicon subsurface layer. Annealing at temperatures of 550–600 °C leads to a decrease in the defect concentration created by the hydrogen plasma. Thus, after annealing, the GaP/Si interfaces fabricated by both types of PE‐ALD processes exhibit similar quality. Thermal treatment of the GaP/Si structures at temperatures of 725–750 °C leads to the diffusion of phosphorus from GaP into Si and to the formation of an isotype n‐GaP/n–p‐Si heterojunction with improved photoelectric properties. High‐temperature stability of the GaP/Si interface fabricated by PE‐ALD is essential for its prospective use for GaP/Si templates.
On designing an efficient control chart to monitor fraction nonconforming
Authors: Abbas Zameer , Nazir Hafiz Zafar , Akhtar Noureen , Abid Muhammad , Riaz Muhammad
Published: November 2019

Process control measures are mostly applied in production and manufacturing industries. The most important tool used in these disciplines is control chart. In manufacturing and production processes, when the quality characteristic of interest cannot be directly measured, it becomes essential to apply attribute control charts. To monitor fraction nonconforming of the output, quality practitioners mostly prefer p‐chart. In this article, a new progressive mean (PM) control chart is being proposed for monitoring drift in proportion of nonconforming products. The design evaluations of the proposed chart are made and compared through different properties of run length distribution, such as average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (SDRL), and some percentile points. The performance of the proposed chart is assessed under zero‐state and steady‐state scenarios. The proposed PM chart is compared with p‐chart, moving average (MA) chart, optimal CUSUM chart, modified exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart, and runs rules p‐charts for monitoring fraction nonconforming. The proposed chart spots efficiently sustained disturbances in the process as compared with their existing counterparts. Two illustrative examples are also provided; one from real‐life application of nonconforming bearing and seal assemblies data and the other from simulated data for the implementation of PM chart.
Using historical and political understanding to design for equity in science education
Authors: Shea Molly V. , Sandoval Jose
Published: November 2019

In this article we studied how community educators’ designed for equity in an after school science program. Building from discussions of equity in out‐of‐school‐time (OST) science, this case study offers insight into the role of pedagogy in organizing for dignity and belonging in an after school program. This case study focused on the practices of nine Latinx community educators as they supported science practices in an after school program. Grounded in an understanding of place and the specific cultural, political, and historical densities of life in an agricultural town, the study found that educators created a space of affirmation and care that supported alternative paths to deep engagement in science. The findings add dimensionality to current discourses of equity in OST science and engineering education by examining how historical and political understanding of marginalization informed educators’ pedagogical strategies. These strategies include offering: moment‐to‐moment affirmations of young people's ideas, material and cultural generosity in the Studio, connections to political belonging through science, and extensions from community activities into the after school science inquiries. Together educators created a space of belonging that used science and engineering as entry points for creation, political expression, and intellectual expansion.
Energetic Disorder and Activation Energy in Efficient Ternary Organic Solar Cells with Nonfullerene Acceptor Eh‐IDTBR as the Third Component
Authors: Lv Jie , Feng Yu , Fu Jiehao , Gao Jie , Singh Ranbir , Kumar Manish , Kim Min , Tang Hua , Lu Shirong , Zhang Weimin , McCulloch Iain , Li Jianfeng , Kan Zhipeng
Published: November 2019

Solution‐processed ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) contain a third component in the active layer in addition to the donor/acceptor materials. Two main avenues are considered to fabricate ternary OSCs: 1) to improve the short‐circuit current density by the selected third component that broadens and/or enhances the absorption of the host films and 2) to increase the fill factor by adding materials with diverse crystallinity to tune the film morphology. However, little work is reported for the improvement of open‐circuit voltage (VOC), energetic disorder, charge transfer state energy (ECT), and activation energy in ternary OSCs. Herein, ternary OSCs with active layer composed of PCE10:F8IC:Eh‐IDTBR as the model to examine these parameters in addition to the morphology are used. In the ternary device, the additional Eh‐IDTBR improves the crystallinity of the acceptor phase in the ternary mixture; the VOC is 58 mV higher than that of the reference caused by the reduced energetic disorder; due to the good miscibility of Eh‐IDTBR with both PCE10 and F8IC, only 50 meV in ECT is observed; and the zero‐field activation energy is lower than that for the reference. The findings provide an alternative way to understand the complex ternary OSC structural–electrical properties’ correlations.
Origin and evolution of Atriplex (Amaranthaceae s.l.) in the Americas: Unexpected insights from South American species
Authors: Brignone Nicolás F. , Pozner Raúl E. , Denham Silvia S.
Published: November 2019

With ca. 300 species of herbs, shrubs and subshrubs adapted to saline or alkaline soils, the evolution of the genus Atriplex is key to understand the development of semi‐arid environments worldwide. Previous phylogenetic analyses of Atriplex, including only a few species from South America, especially in comparison with North American species represented, proposed a North American origin for the South American Atriplex, through more than one dispersal event. Since South America is one of the four centres of Atriplex diversity, with a high number of endemic species, a wider and more representative sampling of this region is essential to understand the origin and evolution of the genus Atriplex in the Americas. We performed a phylogenetic analysis with estimated clade ages and an ancestral range estimation focused on the American species of Atriplex, to identify South American lineages, their relationships with other lineages of the genus (and particularly with North American ones), and to unravel their biogeographical history in the Americas. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted with sequence data from ITS, ETS and atpB‐rbcL spacer markers, using maximum parsimony, Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood approaches. The DEC+J model implemented in BioGeoBEARS was applied in order to infer ancestral ranges. The Americas were colonized by Atriplex in two independent dispersal events: (1) the C4 Atriplex from Eurasia or Australia, and (2) the C3 Atriplex (represented only by the extant A. chilensis) from Eurasia. The C4 American lineage of Atriplex originated roughly 10.4 Ma (95% HPD = 13.31–7.62 Myr) in South America, where two lineages underwent in situ diversification and evolved sympatrically. North America was colonized by Atriplex from South America; later, one lineage moved from North America to South America. Most of the extant species have arisen in the last 3–4 Myr, in Pliocene–Pleistocene. We detected some South American taxa differing in position between both nuclear and atpB‐rbcL spacer partitions, which could be explained by chloroplast capture.
Facebook’s Handbook of Content Removal
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

Due to the recent crises, Facebook is restructuring to restore the company’s reputation, which is, according to Zuckerberg, a three-year process. On April 24, 2018, Facebook published its updated internal guidelines for enforcement of the company’s community standards. It was the first time the public gained direct, “official” insight into this comprehensive hidden policing inside the company. The only glimpses behind the curtain provided before then came from confidential documents leaked to Gawker magazine in 2012, to S/Z in 2016—and in 2017, when The Guardian published “The Facebook Files”. They included comprehensive removal guidelines featuring a mixture of parameters, decision trees and rules of thumb—illustrated by many concrete examples of content to be removed, most likely taken from real ousted material of the time. As a contrast to this, the 2018 document is much more sparse, orderly and void of examples, and it is tempting to think that this is a combed-down version aimed for publication. Still, the document gives unique insight into the detailed principles for the company’s content removal—albeit not the enforcement procedure itself. One can only guess as to whether this surprising move away from secrecy can be attributed to the increasing media storm throughout 2017, culminating in the Cambridge Analytica revelation of March 2018 and the congressional hearings in April of the same year. The document contains six chapters: (1) “Violence and Criminal Behavior”, (2) “Safety”, (3) “Objectionable Content”, (4) “Integrity and Authenticity”, (5) “Respecting Intellectual Property” and (6) “Content Related Requests”.
Facebook and Google as Offices of Censorship
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

On May 15, 2018, Facebook continued its springtime campaign to restore its reputation in the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. A “Transparency” report was published, which included statistics on the extent of content removal, organized by category. Let’s look at for instance the category “Graphic Violence”: “In Q1 2018, we took action on a total of 3.4 million pieces of content, an increase from 1.2 million pieces of content in Q4 2017. This increase is mostly due to improvements in our detection technology, including using photo-matching to cover with warnings photos that matched ones we previously marked as disturbing. These actions were responsible for around 70% of the increase in Q1”. The numbers may seem high, but they only tell half the story. Another graph in the report shows that 71.56% of the 1.2 million users were tracked by Facebook itself, until user complaints started flooding in; in the first quarter of 2018, this figure rose to 85.6%. The fact that the number of removals tripled means that content removed because of user complaints rose from 341,000 to almost 500,000, in absolute figures, despite the decrease in percentage. So, the increase can be attributed not only to better tracking equipment, but also to more complaints favored. These numbers are a testimony to content removal on a disproportionately large scale, also known as censorship.
A Digital Hangover
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

In 1964, media theorist Marshall McLuhan noted: “The electric technology is within the gates, and we are numb, deaf, blind, and mute about its encounter with the Gutenberg technology.” Today, this problem is even more urgent with the rapid development of digital media. We are witnessing a radical shift of paradigms. For a long time, we have been blind to the consequences of digital intoxication. We have turned a blind eye to the fact that we are being reprogrammed by the new digital life. Slowly, sneakily and unnoticed, tech giants have been able to change our behavior, our emotions, our thoughts, our world views and our relationships with other people. The curse of our times is this blindness and dizziness. It is time to wake up.
A New Golden Age of Enlightenment?
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

For a long time during the 1990s and 2000s, positive stories about the Internet prevailed. A growing number of people with online access, first in the Western world, then gradually across the globe, would start a new era of Enlightenment with freedom of information and freedom of expression in a new radical sense. An unprecedented number of individuals would gain easy access to the large amounts of information uploaded by many different players, from individuals to media outlets, to organizations and government authorities. As a growing number of free search engines came about, it became easier to seek out information. There is no doubt that much of the elementary optimism was actually correct: the world has become a significantly more enlightened place thanks to the Internet, in the basic sense of “enlightenment” as the increased dissemination of information and knowledge—but also in the sense of Enlightenment as empowerment of the individual.
Tech Giants as Ad Brokers
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik , Lauritzen Anne Mette
Published: November 2019

In 2017, The Australian published a confidential document leaked from Facebook. It revealed how the company had offered advertisers the opportunity to target ads to 6.4 million Facebook users as young as 14 who were going through psychologically vulnerable phases of their lives. In these phases, the teenagers felt “worthless”, “insecure”, “stressed” or “anxious”, among other things. To track these emotional downturns, Facebook had monitored the messages, images, interactions and activity of their users on the Internet.
Why Publish a Systematic Review: An Editor’s and Reader’s Perspective
Authors: Dowd Alicia C. , Johnson Royel M.
Published: November 2019

Systematic reviews provide more than just a summary of the research literature related to a particular topic or question--rather they offer clear and compelling answers to questions related to the ”who,” "why," and "when" of studies. In this chapter, the authors draw on their experiences with systematic reviews—one as an editor of a highly regarded educational research journal, the other as a researcher and review author—to trace the growing popularity of systematic reviews in education literature and to pose a series of challenges to aspiring review authors to motivate and enliven their work. In particular, the authors stress the importance of melding scientific and rigorous review procedures with ’stylish’ academic writing that engages its audience through effective storytelling, attention to context (the people, places, policies, and practices represented in the studies under review), and clear implications for research and practice.
Conceptualizations and Measures of Student Engagement: A Worked Example of Systematic Review
Authors: Tai Joanna , Ajjawi Rola , Bearman Margaret , Wiseman Paul
Published: November 2019

This chapter provides a commentary on the potential choices, processes, and decisions involved in undertaking a systematic review. It does this through using an illustrative case example, which draws on the application of systematic review principles at each stage as it actually happened. The chapter firstly introduces the topic of ‘student engagement’ and explains why a review was decided appropriate for this topic. The chapter then provides an exploration of the methodological choices and methods we used within the review. Next, the issues of results management and presentation are discussed. Reflections on the process, and key recommendations for undertaking systematic reviews on education topics are made, on the basis of this review, as well as the authors’ prior experiences as researchers and authors of review papers.
Systematic Reviews on Flipped Learning in Various Education Contexts
Authors: Lo Chung Kwan
Published: November 2019

This chapter shares the author’s experiences of and reflections on conducting systematic reviews of flipped classroom research. The author first discusses the rationale for conducting systematic reviews and how the reviews contribute to the flipped learning field. After that, he lighlights some possible strategies, regarding literature search, article selection, and research synthesis, to improve the quality of systematic reviews.
The Role of Social Goals in Academic Success: Recounting the Process of Conducting a Systematic Review
Authors: Goagoses Naska , Koglin Ute
Published: November 2019

This chapter provides a reflective description of the steps taken in conducting a systematic review about the role of social goals in academic success. Through methodological reflections and explicit descriptions, we hope to provide guidance and inspiration to researchers who wish to conduct a systematic review in educational research. In our example, we illustrate the process of keyword selection, setting selection criteria, conducting the study selection and data extraction.
High-resolution single-camera photogrammetry: incorporation of refraction at a fluid interface
Authors: González-Vera A. S. , Wilting T. J. S. , Holten A. P. C. , van Heijst G. J. F. , Duran-Matute M.
Published: November 2019

Photogrammetry uses images of a three-dimensional structure to derive information about its shape and position. In this work, a photogrammetric technique is implemented with a single camera and a digital projector to measure changes in an underwater sediment bed. This implementation incorporates refraction at an interface allowing for measurements through a deformed or changing water surface. The digital projector provides flexibility in choosing projected patterns and has a high frame rate, which allows to easily increase the spatial and temporal resolution of the measurements. The technique requires first for both the camera and the projector to be calibrated using triangulation. With the calibration, we construct lines in three-dimensional space that originate from the projector and the camera, and intersect on the surface to be measured. To correctly incorporate refraction due to a change of medium, each line in space is recalculated from its intersection with the interface using Snell’s law. This has the benefit that only one calibration for measurements is needed if the location and shape of the interface are known. The technique is validated by measuring a submerged undulated surface, plastic objects and a sediment bed. In particular, the undulated plate is reconstructed under a flat and a parabolic water surface. Finally, the technique is used in combination with particle image velocimetry to dynamically measure a changing sediment bed under an oscillating flow and the flow velocity at the free surface.

Graphic abstract
X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome in mainland China: review of clinical, genetic, and immunological characteristic
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhao Qin , Li Wenyan , Chen Xuemei , Xue Xiuhong , Chen Zhi , Du Xiao , Bai Xiaoming , Zhao Qian , Zhou Lina , Tang Xuemei , Yang Xi , Kanegane Hirokazu , Zhao Xiaodong
Published: November 2019

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease that can be divided into two types: SAP deficiency (XLP1) and XIAP deficiency (XLP2), caused by mutations in the SH2D1A and XIAP genes, respectively. Few cases of XLP (particularly XIAP deficiency) have been reported in mainland China; hence, little is known about the characteristics of Chinese patients with XLP. We identified 13 and 7 patients with SAP and XIAP deficiency, respectively, in our center. Of our 20 patients, 19/20 (95%) presented with disease symptoms at a very early age: six in infancy and 13 in childhood. One XIAP- and three SAP-deficient patients died, while 3/7(42.9%) and 4/13(30.8%), respectively, developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was significantly more common in SAP-deficient 10/13 (76.9%) than XIAP-deficient 2/7 (28.6%) patients, as was hypogammaglobulinemia (10/13 (76.9%) vs. 1/7 (14.3%)). None of the seven XIAP-deficient patients had colitis or lymphoma. Nine SAP-deficient patients and five XIAP-deficient patients showed markedly deficient SAP and XIAP expression, respectively, in lymphocytes. Significantly reduced levels of switched memory B cells were observed in six SAP-deficient patients with persistent hypogammaglobulinemia. One of 13 (7.7%) SAP-deficient patients and 1 of 7 (12.3%) XIAP-deficient patients have received HSCT treatment and are now alive and well; the other alive patients were waiting for HSCT. We also summarized clinical, genetic, and immunological characteristics of all 55 patients (including our 20 patients) reported in the literature in mainland China today.

Conclusion: The overall characteristics of SAP deficiency in mainland China were consistent with those in previous reports, whereas manifestations of XIAP deficiency varied significantly. None of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported among XIAP-deficient patients in our center; however, whether Chinese XIAP-deficient patients will develop colitis in the future warrants further investigation. HSCT is the only curative therapy for XLP and this therapy should be urgently considered.What is Known:• SAP and XIAP deficiencies share common clinical feature, HLH, whereas they also have their own specific manifestations.• IBD affects 25–30% of XIAP-deficient patients, which has been reported in other countries especially in European country and Japan.What is New:• This is the largest patient cohort study of XLP in China.• We firstly summarized the clinical features and outcomes of Chinese XIAP-deficient patients and found only 1 in 22 patients developed IBD and diet background may contribute to it; Asian SAP-deficient patients carrying SH2D1A R55X mutation were more prone to HLH.
High gamma-glutamyl hydrolase and low folylpolyglutamate synthetase expression as prognostic biomarkers in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who were administrated postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1
Authors: Maezawa Yukio , Sakamaki Kentaro , Oue Naohide , Kimura Yayoi , Hashimoto Itaru , Hara Kentaro , Kano Kazuki , Aoyama Toru , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Yamada Takanobu , Yamamoto Naoto , Ogata Takashi , Ito Hiroyuki , Cho Haruhiko , Shiozawa Manabu , Yoshikawa Takaki , Morinaga Soichiro , Rino Yasushi , Yasui Wataru , Masuda Munetaka , Miyagi Yohei , Oshima Takashi
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The enzymes gamma-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) and folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) regulate intracellular folate concentrations needed for cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and repair. High GGH expression affects 5-FU thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibition and is a risk factor for various malignancies. Here, the clinical significance of GGH and FPGS expression was investigated in Stage II/III gastric cancer patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1.

Methods

Surgical specimens of cancer tissue and adjacent normal mucosa, obtained from 253 patients with previously untreated gastric cancer, were examined. GGH and FPGS mRNA expression was measured by qPCR to evaluate their clinicopathological significance in gastric cancer patients after curative resection.

Results

While FPGS expression showed no significant differences between the cancerous and normal samples, GGH expression was higher in cancer tissue than in adjacent normal mucosa. High GGH expression was correlated with age, histological type, and vascular invasion. Overall survival (OS) of patients with high GGH mRNA expression was significantly poorer than of patients with low GGH expression. Multivariate analysis showed that high GGH expression was an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR: 2.58, 95% CI 1.29–5.16). Patients who received S-1 adjuvant treatment showed a significantly poor OS between high GGH/low FPGS and low GGH/high FPGS. Patients without adjuvant treatment showed no significant difference.

Conclusion

GGH expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissue than in adjacent normal mucosa. High GGH and low FPGS expression is a useful independent predictor of poor outcomes in stage II/III gastric cancer patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1.
Robot assisted versus laparoscopic suturing learning curve in a simulated setting
Authors: Leijte Erik , de Blaauw Ivo , Van Workum Frans , Rosman Camiel , Botden Sanne
Published: November 2019

Background

Compared to conventional laparoscopy, robot assisted surgery is expected to have most potential in difficult areas and demanding technical skills like minimally invasive suturing. This study was performed to identify the differences in the learning curves of laparoscopic versus robot assisted suturing.

Method

Novice participants performed three suturing tasks on the EoSim laparoscopic augmented reality simulator or the RobotiX robot assisted virtual reality simulator. Each participant performed an intracorporeal suturing task, a tilted plane needle transfer task and an anastomosis needle transfer task. To complete the learning curve, all tasks were repeated up to twenty repetitions or until a time plateau was reached. Clinically relevant and comparable parameters regarding time, movements and safety were recorded. Intracorporeal suturing time and cumulative sum analysis was used to compare the learning curves and phases.

Results

Seventeen participants completed the learning curve laparoscopically and 30 robot assisted. Median first knot suturing time was 611 s (s) for laparoscopic versus 251 s for robot assisted (p < 0.001), and this was 324 s versus 165 (sixth knot, p < 0.001) and 257 s and 149 s (eleventh knot, p < 0.001) respectively on base of the found learning phases. The percentage of ‘adequate surgical knots’ was higher in the laparoscopic than in the robot assisted group. First knot: 71% versus 60%, sixth knot: 100% versus 83%, and eleventh knot: 100% versus 73%. When assessing the ‘instrument out of view’ parameter, the robot assisted group scored a median of 0% after repetition four. In the laparoscopic group, the instrument out of view increased from 3.1 to 3.9% (left) and from 3.0 to 4.1% (right) between the first and eleventh knot (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The learning curve of minimally invasive suturing shows a shorter task time curve using robotic assistance compared to the laparoscopic curve. However, laparoscopic outcomes show good end results with rapid outcome improvement.
The Shelf Life of Official Sub-National Population Forecasts in England
Authors: Simpson Ludi , Wilson Tom , Shalley Fiona
Published: November 2019

We measure the empirical distribution of the accuracy of projected population in sub-national areas of England, developing the concept of ‘shelf life’: the furthest horizon for which the subsequent best estimate of population is within 10% of the forecast, for at least 80% of areas projected. Since local government reorganisation in 1974, the official statistics agency has projected the population of each local government area in England: for 108 areas in nine forecasts up to the 1993-based, and for over 300 areas in 10 forecasts from the 1996-based to the 2014-based forecasts. By comparing the published forecast (we use this term rather than projection) with the post-census population estimates, the empirical distribution of errors has been described. It is particularly dependent on the forecast horizon and the type of local authority. For 10-year forecasts the median absolute percentage error has been 7% for London Boroughs and 3% for Shire Districts. Users of forecasts tend to have in mind a horizon and a required accuracy that is of relevance to their application. A shelf life of 10 years is not sufficient if the user required that accuracy of a forecast 15 years ahead. The relevant effective shelf life deducts the user’s horizon. We explore the empirical performance of official sub-national forecasts in this light. A five-year forecast for London Boroughs requiring 10% accuracy is already beyond its effective shelf life by the time it is published. Collaboration between forecasters and users of forecasts can develop information on uncertainty that is useful to planning.
Formulae in noncommutative Hodge theory
Authors: Sheridan Nick
Published: November 2019

We prove that the cyclic homology of a saturated$$A_\infty $$A∞category admits the structure of a ‘polarized variation of Hodge structures’, building heavily on the work of many authors: the main point of the paper is to present complete proofs, and also explicit formulae for all of the relevant structures. This forms part of a project of Ganatra, Perutz and the author, to prove that homological mirror symmetry implies enumerative mirror symmetry.
Globalization and the erosion of geo-ethnic checkpoints: evolving signal-boundary systems at the edge of chaos
Authors: Girard Chris
Published: November 2019

Spatial boundaries, thermodynamic–economic specialization, and signal processing are at the core of evolution’s major transitions. Centered on these three dimensions, a proposed evolutionary informatics model roots ethnic and racial cleavages in zero-sum contests over rivalrous resources within geophysical sites. As the geophysical boundaries and signal-processing complexity of social systems coevolved, zero-sum contests centered on metropoles extracting resources from hinterlands. In this colonial extraction process, racialization arose from non-market spatial segregation of populations tagged with hinterland lineage. Subsequent post-industrial erosion—and greater permeability—of racial and ethnic boundaries has been enabled by the progressive uncoupling of more highly evolved complex adaptive systems from geophysical location (non-territorial adaptation). Signal and physical topologies are becoming more distinct. This uncoupling from physical location is driven by cybernetic parallelism in complex adaptive systems: diverse and independent agents learning from their mutual exchange of signals. Cybernetic parallelism has generated epistemic and geopolitical challenges to formal apartheid and racializing immigration policies, but not without friction or reversals.
New Performance Index “Attractiveness Factor” for Evaluating Websites via Obtaining Transition of Users’ Interests
Authors: Yoshida Akihiro , Higurashi Tatsuru , Maruishi Masaki , Tateiwa Nariaki , Hata Nozomi , Tanaka Akira , Wakamatsu Takashi , Nagamatsu Kenichi , Tajima Akira , Fujisawa Katsuki
Published: November 2019

The studies of browsing behavior have gained increasing attention in web analysis for providing better service. Most of the conventional approaches focus on simple indices such as average dwell time and conversion rate. These indices make similar evaluations to websites even if their features are significantly different. Moreover, such statistical indices are not sensitive to the dynamics of users’ interests. In this paper, we propose a new framework for measuring a website’s attractiveness that takes into account both the distribution and dynamics of users’ interests. Within the framework, we define a new index for the website, called Attractiveness Factor, which evaluates the degree of users’ attention. It consists of three procedures: First, we capture the transition of users’ interests during browsing by solving a nonnegative matrix factorization and constrained network flow problems. To accommodate multiple types of interests of a user, we applied a soft clustering as opposed to a hard clustering to model attributes of users and websites. Second, for each website, the feature of each cluster is obtained by fitting the dwell time distribution with Weibull distribution. Finally, we calculate Attractiveness Factor of a website by applying the results of clustering and fitting. Attractiveness Factor depends on the distribution of the dwell time of users interested in the website, which reflects the change of interest of users. Numerical experiments with real web access data of Yahoo Japan News are conducted by solving extremely large-scale optimization problems. They show that Attractiveness Factor captures more exceptional information about browsing behavior more effectively than well-used indices. Attractive factors give low ratings to category pages; however, it can assign high ratings to websites that attract many people, such as hot topic news about the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Japan’s new imperial era’ REIWA,’ and North Korea—the United States Hanoi Summit. Moreover, we demonstrate that Attractiveness Factor can detect the tendency of users’ attention to each website at a given time interval of the day.
Attachment and Crying in Patients with Medically Unexplained Somatic Symptoms
Authors: Jansman R. , Riem M. M. E. , Broekhuizen-Dijksman S. , Veth C. , Beijer E. , Vingerhoets A. J. J. M.
Published: November 2019

Mentalization deficits and disturbances in emotional functioning may contribute to somatization in patients with medically unexplained somatic symptoms (MUSS). The present study aimed to increase understanding the psychological factors that contribute to somatization by examining associations between attachment, crying attitudes and behavior, and somatic symptoms in these patients. Attachment security was measured with the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire in sixty-eight outpatients diagnosed with MUSS. Somatic symptom severity was measured with the RAND-36, crying frequency, and attitudes with the Adult Crying Inventory. Patients were asked to evaluate photographs of crying individuals in order to assess the perception of crying and empathic responses to crying. Attachment anxiety was significantly related to somatic symptom severity and negative attitudes toward crying. In addition, somatic symptom severity was related to a more negative attitude toward crying and less awareness of the interpersonal impact of crying on others. The association between attachment anxiety and somatic symptoms was, however, not mediated by crying or negative attitude toward crying. Neither were there significant associations between attachment, somatic symptoms, and empathic responses to crying. Altered attitudes to crying may stem from a history of insecure attachment experiences and may reflect maladaptive emotion strategies in MUSS patients.
The Consortium for the early identification of Alzheimer's disease–Quebec (CIMA‐Q)
Authors: Belleville Sylvie , LeBlanc Andréa C. , Kergoat Marie‐Jeanne , Calon Frédéric , Gaudreau Pierrette , Hébert Sébastien S. , Hudon Carol , Leclerc Nicole , Mechawar Naguib , Duchesne Simon , Gauthier Serge ,   Consortium for the Early Identification of Alzheimer's disease‐Quebec (CIMA‐Q), Bellec Pierre , Belleville Sylvie , Bocti Christian , Calon Frédéric , Chertkow Howard , Collins Louis , Cunnane Stephen , Duchesne Simon , Gaudreau Pierrette , Gauthier Serge , Hébert Sébastien S. , Marie‐Jeanne‐Kergoat Carol Hudon , LeBlanc Andréa C. , Leclerc Nicole , Mechawar Naguib , Philips Natalie , Soucy Jean‐Paul , Dang Vu Thien Thanh , Verret Louis , Villalpando Juan Manuel
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The Consortium for the early identification of Alzheimer's disease–Quebec (CIMA‐Q) created a research infrastructure to recruit, characterize, and track disease progression in individuals at risk of dementia.

Methods

CIMA‐Q established standardized clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, blood (plasma, serum, RNA, genomic DNA), cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and cerebrospinal fluid collection protocols. These data and biological materials are available to the research community.

Results

In phase 1, 115 persons with subjective cognitive decline, 88 with mild cognitive impairment, 31 with early probable Alzheimer's disease, and 56 older adults with no worries nor impairments received detailed clinical and cognitive evaluations as well as blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells collections. Among them, 142 underwent magnetic resonance imaging, 29 a 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and 60 a lumbar puncture.

Discussion

CIMA‐Q provides procedures and resources to identify early biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets, and holds promise for detecting cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
A rare cause of neonatal intussusception. Considering it might reduce the mortality. A case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Akkary Rezkalla , Diab Nabil
Published: November 2019

Full-term neonatal intussusception is rare. Cecal duplication as a lead point for intussusception is very rare. We report a case of full-term neonate with ileo-cecal intussusception due to cecal duplication. Although cecal duplication represents rarely a surgical emergency, intussusception always needs immediate attention. The awareness of this entity is essential for diagnosis and management.
Apolipoprotein E genotype and the association between C‐reactive protein and postoperative delirium: Importance of gene‐protein interactions
Authors: Vasunilashorn Sarinnapha M. , Ngo Long H. , Inouye Sharon K. , Fong Tamara G. , Jones Richard N. , Dillon Simon T. , Libermann Towia A. , O'Connor Margaret , Arnold Steven E. , Xie Zhongcong , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) status may modify the risk of postoperative delirium conferred by inflammation.

Methods

We tested whether APOE modifies the established association between C‐reactive protein (CRP) and delirium incidence, severity, and duration in 553 noncardiac surgical patients aged 70 and older. High postoperative plasma CRP (≥234.12 mg/L) was defined by the highest sample‐based quartile. Delirium was determined using the Confusion Assessment Method and chart review, and severity was determined by the Confusion Assessment Method—Severity score.

Results

APOE ε4 carrier prevalence was 19%, and postoperative delirium occurred in 24%. The relationship between CRP and delirium incidence, severity, and duration differed by ε4 status. Among ε4 carriers, there was a strong relationship between high CRP (vs. low CRP) and delirium incidence (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 3.0 [1.4–6.7]); however, no significant association was observed among non‐ε4 carriers (relative risk [95% CI], 1.2 [0.8–1.7]).

Discussion

Our findings raise the possibility that APOE ε4 carrier status may modify the relationship between postoperative day 2 CRP levels and postoperative delirium.
Relationship Between Masturbation and Partnered Sex in Women: Does the Former Facilitate, Inhibit, or Not Affect the Latter?
Authors: Rowland David L. , Hevesi Krisztina , Conway Gabrielle R. , Kolba Tiffany N.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The relationship between masturbation activities and their effect on partnered sex is understudied.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the alignment of activities between masturbation and partnered sex, and to determine whether different levels of alignment affect orgasmic parameters during partnered sex.

Methods

2,215 women completed an online survey about activities during masturbation and reasons for orgasmic difficulty during masturbation, and these were compared with activities and reasons for orgasmic difficulty during partnered sex.

Main Outcome Measure

Degree of alignment between masturbation activities and partnered sex activities was used to predict sexual arousal difficulty, orgasmic probability, orgasmic pleasure, orgasmic latency, and orgasmic difficulty during partnered sex.

Results

Women showed only moderate alignment regarding masturbation and partnered sex activities, as well as reasons for masturbation orgasmic difficulty and reasons for partnered sex orgasmic difficulty. However, those that showed greater alignment of activities showed better orgasmic response during partnered sex and were more likely to prefer partnered sex over masturbation.

Clinical Implications

Women tend to use less conventional techniques for arousal during masturbation compared with partnered sex. Increasing alignment between masturbation and partnered sexual activities may lead to better arousal and orgasmic response, and lower orgasmic difficulty.

Strength & Limitations

The study was well-powered and drew from a multinational population, providing perspective on a long-standing unanswered question. Major limitations were the younger age and self-selection of the sample.

Conclusion

Women that align masturbation stimulation activities with partnered sex activities are more likely to experience orgasm and enhanced orgasmic pleasure, with sexual relationship satisfaction playing an important role in this process.