bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs alleviate severity of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis by inhibiting inflammation and reducing apoptosis
Authors: Geng Chong , Li Xiao , Li Yanni , Song Shuailing , Wang Chunhui
Published: February 2020

Background and Aim

The prophylactic effect of nonselective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on post‐ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) pancreatitis has been observed for a long time. However, whether the selective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs possess similar abilities and the mechanisms by which nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs work remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine the protective effects of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on post‐ERCP pancreatitis in a rat model and examine underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Thirty‐two female rats were equally and randomly divided into four groups: the sham group, post‐ERCP pancreatitis model group, indomethacin‐pretreated group, and parecoxib‐pretreated group. Indomethacin or parecoxib was delivered 30 min prior to surgery; 24 h after post‐ERCP pancreatitis establishment, the rats were sacrificed. Serum amylase and lipase activities, inflammatory cytokine release, pancreatic histopathological scores, neutrophil infiltration, and the expression pattern cyclooxygenase at the protein level and pancreatic apoptosis were quantified and analyzed.

Results

Both indomethacin and parecoxib inhibited the activities of serum amylase and lipase and reduced the severity of pancreatic histopathology. Mechanistically, both drugs decreased the expression level of cyclooxygenase 2; however, they had no influence on the cyclooxygenase 1 protein level. Moreover, they reduced inflammatory cytokine release, neutrophil infiltration into the pancreas, and NF‐κB p65 activation. Notably, we found that apoptotic cells in the pancreas were remarkably diminished after the administration of both nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.

Conclusions

Both selective and nonselective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs exert protective effects against post‐ERCP pancreatitis by restraining inflammation and reducing acinar cell apoptosis through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2.
Deintensification of Diabetes Medications among Veterans at the End of Life in VA Nursing Homes
Authors: Niznik Joshua D. , Hunnicutt Jacob N. , Zhao Xinhua , Mor Maria K. , Sileanu Florentina , Aspinall Sherrie L. , Springer Sydney P. , Ersek Mary J. , Gellad Walid F. , Schleiden Loren J. , Hanlon Joseph T. , Thorpe Joshua M. , Thorpe Carolyn T.
Published: February 2020

OBJECTIVES

Many older adults with limited life expectancy and/or advanced dementia (LLE/AD) are potentially overtreated for diabetes and may benefit from deintensification. Our aim was to examine the incidence and predictors of diabetes medication deintensification in older Veterans with LLE/AD who were potentially overtreated at admission to Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes (community living centers [CLCs]).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using linked VA and Medicare clinical/administrative data and Minimum Data Set assessments.

SETTING

VA CLCs.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6960 Veterans with diabetes and LLE/AD admitted to VA CLCs in fiscal years 2009 to 2015 with hemoglobin (Hb)A1c measured within 90 days of admission.

MEASUREMENTS

We evaluated treatment deintensification (discontinuation or dose reduction for a consecutive 7‐day period) among residents who were potentially overtreated (HbA1c ≤7.5% and receiving hypoglycemic medications). Competing risk models assessed 90‐day cumulative incidence of deintensification.

RESULTS

More than 40% (n = 3056) of Veteran CLC residents with diabetes were potentially overtreated. The cumulative incidence of deintensification at 90 days was 45.5%. Higher baseline HbA1c values were associated with a lower likelihood of deintensification (e.g., HbA1c 7.0‐7.5% vs <6.0%; adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = .57; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .50‐.66). Compared with non‐sulfonylurea oral agents (e.g., metformin), other treatment regimens were more likely to be deintensified (aRR = 1.31‐1.88), except for basal insulin (aRR = .59; 95% CI = .52‐.66). The only resident factor associated with increased likelihood of deintensification was documented end‐of‐life status (aRR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.01‐1.25). Admission from home/assisted living (aRR = .85; 95% CI = .75‐.96), obesity (aRR = .88; 95% CI = .78‐.99), and peripheral vascular disease (aRR = .90; 95% CI = .81‐.99) were associated with decreased likelihood of deintensification.

CONCLUSION

Deintensification of treatment regimens occurred in less than one‐half of potentially overtreated Veterans and was more strongly associated with low HbA1c values and use of medications with high risk for hypoglycemia, rather than other resident characteristics. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:736–745, 2020
Antropología política de las emociones: las movilizaciones de víctimas en América Latina
Authors: Zenobi Diego
Published: February 2020

En nuestras sociedades latinoamericanas contemporáneas existen numerosas causas públicas impulsadas por personas victimizadas. Con frecuencia, las emociones son tratadas como variables que explican el compromiso con esos movimientos. Por el contrario, en este trabajo propongo tomar por objeto los procesos conflictivos a través de los cuales ciertas conductas son clasificadas (o no) como emocionales y se ponen en juego en contextos contenciosos. Así, el análisis se orienta desde las “emociones que movilizan” a las “emociones que son movilizadas”. Apoyo mis argumentos con materiales aportados por diversas etnografías latinoamericanas y por mi propio trabajo de campo realizado entre las víctimas de un incendio ocurrido en Buenos Aires en 2004. Finalmente, planteo la discusión sobre el estatus analítico que podríamos dar al registro afectivo y sobre las consecuencias políticas que ello podría implicar para nuestras investigaciones. El artículo pretende realizar un aporte a la comprensión de los cruces entre política y emociones en las sociedades latinoamericanas actuales.
THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGICAL FAILURE: PATTERNS OF BIASED TECHNICAL CHANGE IN SOCIALIST EUROPE
Authors: Kukić Leonard
Published: February 2020

The existing studies usually find that technical change was very important in causing the growth slowdown of socialist economies in Europe during the postwar period. While these studies have been reasonably successful in quantifying the extent of technical change, they have been less successful in quantifying its nature. This paper analyzes the patterns of biased technical change in socialist Europe – Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia. I find that socialist economies have achieved strong increases in labor efficiency, and strong decreases in capital efficiency. This suggests that the source of their technical malaise lies primarily in capital inefficiency. I argue that labor scarcity is a major factor that debilitated capital efficiency.
Induction of p53 in keratinocyte cultures treated with Behçet's patient sera
Authors: Houacine Sihem , Kang Angray , Parkinson Eric Kenneth , Wan Hong , Fortune Farida
Published: February 2020

Background

Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare, multisystem vasculitis disease characterized by recurrent orogenital ulcerations with its etiology remained unclear. The transcription factor p53 has been reported to be upregulated in some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and psoriasis. However, little is known about its alteration in BD.

Methods

Keratinocyte cultures of both skin and oral origins were treated sera of 18 Behcet patients for 24 hours and analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence for p53 expression. The specificity of p53 expression was confirmed by siRNA‐mediated p53 knockdown and the serum IgG removal studies. The expression of p53 levels was quantitatively analyzed with ImageJ.

Results

It was shown that the expression of p53 is increased in skin and oral keratinocyte cell lines, in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells treated with patient sera compared to controls. Either p53 knockdown or IgG removal results in a reduction of p53 levels relative to cells treated with patient sera without p53 knockdown or IgG depletion.

Conclusions

This in vitro study provides the first evidence that BD sera can induce the p53 expression in keratinocytes that may have implications in Behcet pathogenesis.
Clinical characteristics of dogs with food‐responsive protein‐losing enteropathy
Authors: Nagata Noriyuki , Ohta Hiroshi , Yokoyama Nozomu , Teoh Yong Bin , Nisa Khoirun , Sasaki Noboru , Osuga Tatsuyuki , Morishita Keitaro , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: February 2020

Background

In dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE), data on the clinical characteristics of food‐responsive PLE (FR‐PLE) remain scarce.

Objective

To determine the clinical characteristics of FR‐PLE in dogs responsive to ultralow‐fat diet (ULFD) management.

Animals

Thirty‐three dogs diagnosed with PLE based on standard diagnostic criteria.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records. Clinical findings were compared between dogs with FR‐PLE (FR‐PLE group) and those with immunosuppressant‐responsive PLE (IR‐PLE) or nonresponsive PLE (NR‐PLE) (IR/NR‐PLE group). The area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the ability of factors to differentiate the FR‐PLE and IR/NR‐PLE groups. Survival time was compared between the FR‐PLE and IR/NR‐PLE groups.

Results

Twenty‐three dogs responded to ULFD management and were diagnosed with FR‐PLE. The canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI) was significantly lower in the FR‐PLE group than in the IR/NR‐PLE group (P < .001). The AUC of CCECAI for differentiating the FR‐PLE group was 0.935 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.845‐1.000) with an optimal cutoff value of 8 (sensitivity, 0.826; specificity, 0.889). Survival times were significantly longer in the FR‐PLE group (median, not reached) than in the IR/NR‐PLE group (median, 432 days; P < .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs that respond to ULFD management and are diagnosed with FR‐PLE are expected to have a favorable prognosis. Clinical scores, specifically the CCECAI, could be useful for differentiating FR‐PLE from IR‐PLE or NR‐PLE.
Early sexual dimorphism in the developing gut microbiome of northern elephant seals
Authors: Stoffel Martin A. , Acevedo‐Whitehouse Karina , Morales‐Durán Nami , Grosser Stefanie , Chakarov Nayden , Krüger Oliver , Nichols Hazel J. , Elorriaga‐Verplancken Fernando R. , Hoffman Joseph I.
Published: February 2020

The gut microbiome is an integral part of a species' ecology, but we know little about how host characteristics impact its development in wild populations. Here, we explored the role of such intrinsic factors in shaping the gut microbiome of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) during a critical developmental window of 6 weeks after weaning, when the pups stay ashore without feeding. We found substantial sex differences in the early‐life gut microbiome, even though males and females could not yet be distinguished morphologically. Sex and age both explained around 15% of the variation in gut microbial beta diversity, while microbial communities sampled from the same individual showed high levels of similarity across time, explaining another 40% of the variation. Only a small proportion of the variation in beta diversity was explained by health status, assessed by full blood counts, but clinically healthy individuals had a greater microbial alpha diversity than their clinically abnormal peers. Across the post‐weaning period, the northern elephant seal gut microbiome was highly dynamic. We found evidence for several colonization and extinction events as well as a decline in Bacteroides and an increase in Prevotella, a pattern that has previously been associated with the transition from nursing to solid food. Lastly, we show that genetic relatedness was correlated with gut microbiome similarity in males but not females, again reflecting early sex differences. Our study represents a naturally diet‐controlled and longitudinal investigation of how intrinsic factors shape the early gut microbiome in a species with extreme sex differences in morphology and life history.
Doing statistics, enacting the nation: The performative powers of categories
Authors: Grommé Francisca , Scheel Stephan
Published: February 2020

It has been widely acknowledged in debates about nationalism and ethnicity that identity categories used for classifying people along the lines of culture, race, and ethnicity help to enact, that is, bring into being, the collective identities they name. However, we know little about how categories acquire their performative powers. The contribution of this paper is twofold: first, it proposes a conceptual framework based on concepts and insights from science and technology studies for investigating the performative powers of statistical identity categories and possibly also other domains. Second, it demonstrates, through an empirical study of two examples from Estonian and Dutch official population statistics, that statistical identity categories enact more than the groups to which they refer. We argue that they also enact national identities and notions of national belonging of majoritarian groups in the host countries. Therefore, statistical identity categories can be used as analytical lenses to study nationalism and processes of nation‐building.
Autonomic function in gastroparesis and chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting: Relationship with etiology, gastric emptying, and symptom severity
Authors: Nguyen Linda , Wilson Laura A. , Miriel Laura , Pasricha Pankaj J. , Kuo Braden , Hasler William L. , McCallum Richard W. , Sarosiek Irene , Koch Kenneth L. , Snape William J. , Farrugia Gianrico , Grover Madhusudan , Clarke John , Parkman Henry P. , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Abell Thomas L. ,   For the NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium (GpCRC)
Published: February 2020

Background

Autonomic dysfunction can be present in patients with idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis. The role of autonomic dysfunction relating to gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with gastroparesis and chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting (CUNV) remains unclear. The aim of our study is to evaluate autonomic function in patients with gastroparesis and CUNV with respect to etiology, gastric emptying and symptom severity.

Methods

We studied 242 patients with chronic gastroparetic symptoms recruited at eight centers. All patients had a gastric emptying scintigraphy within 6 months of the study. Symptom severity was assessed using the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index. Autonomic function testing was performed at baseline enrollment using the ANX 3.0 autonomic monitoring system which measures heart rate variability and respiratory activity measurements.

Key Results

Low sympathetic response to challenge (Valsalva or standing) was the most common abnormality seen impacting 89% diabetic and 74% idiopathic patients. Diabetics compared to idiopathics, exhibited greater global hypofunction with sympathetic (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.2‐10.3; P < .001) and parasympathetic (OR = 7.2, 95% CI 3.4‐15.0; P < .001) dysfunction. Patients with delayed gastric emptying were more likely to have paradoxic parasympathetic excessive during sympathetic challenge [(Valsalva or standing) 40% vs. 26%, P = .05]. Patients with more severe symptoms exhibited greater parasympathetic dysfunction compared to those with mild‐moderate symptoms: resting sympathovagal balance [LFa/RFa 1.8 (1.0‐3.1) vs. 1.2 (0.6‐2.3), P = .006)] and standing parasympathetic activity [0.4 (0.1‐0.8) vs. 0.6 (0.2‐1.7); P = .03].

Conclusions

Autonomic dysfunction was common in patients with gastroparesis and CUNV. Parasympathetic dysfunction was associated with delayed gastric emptying and more severe upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Conversely, sympathetic hypofunction was associated with milder symptoms.

Inferences

Gastroparesis and CUNV may be a manifestation of GI autonomic dysfunction or imbalance, such that sympathetic dysfunction occurs early on in the manifestation of chronic upper GI symptoms, while parasympathetic dysfunction results in more severe symptoms and delayed gastric emptying.
Discovery and characterization of tannase genes in plants: roles in hydrolysis of tannins
Authors: Dai Xinlong , Liu Yajun , Zhuang Juhua , Yao Shengbo , Liu Li , Jiang Xiaolan , Zhou Kang , Wang Yunsheng , Xie Deyu , Bennetzen Jeffrey L. , Gao Liping , Xia Tao
Published: February 2020

Plant tannins, including condensed tannins (CTs) and hydrolyzable tannins (HTs), are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. To date, tannase (TA) – is a type of tannin acyl‐hydrolase hydrolyzing HTs, CT monomer gallates and depsides – has been reported in microbes only. Whether plants express TA remains unknown.

Herein, we report plant TA genes. A native Camellia sinensis TA (CsTA) is identified from leaves. Six TAs are cloned from tea, strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, Fa) and four other crops. Biochemical analysis shows that the native CsTA and six recombinant TAs hydrolyze tannin compounds, depsides and phenolic glycosides.

Transcriptional and metabolic analyses reveal that the expression of CsTA is oppositely associated with the accumulation of galloylated catechins. Moreover, the transient overexpression and RNA interference of FaTA are positively associated with the accumulation of ellagitannins in strawberry fruit. Phylogenetic analysis across different kingdoms shows that 29 plant TA homologs are clustered as a plant‐specific TA clade in class I carboxylesterases. Further analysis across the angiosperms reveals that these TA genes are dispersed in tannin‐rich plants, which share a single phylogenetic origin c. 120 million yr ago.

Plant TA is discovered for the first time in the plant kingdom and is shown to be valuable to improve tannin compositions in plants.
Plant responses to rising vapor pressure deficit
Authors: Grossiord Charlotte , Buckley Thomas N. , Cernusak Lucas A. , Novick Kimberly A. , Poulter Benjamin , Siegwolf Rolf T. W. , Sperry John S. , McDowell Nate G.
Published: February 2020

Recent decades have been characterized by increasing temperatures worldwide, resulting in an exponential climb in vapor pressure deficit (VPD). VPD has been identified as an increasingly important driver of plant functioning in terrestrial biomes and has been established as a major contributor in recent drought‐induced plant mortality independent of other drivers associated with climate change. Despite this, few studies have isolated the physiological response of plant functioning to high VPD, thus limiting our understanding and ability to predict future impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. An abundance of evidence suggests that stomatal conductance declines under high VPD and transpiration increases in most species up until a given VPD threshold, leading to a cascade of subsequent impacts including reduced photosynthesis and growth, and higher risks of carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. Incorporation of photosynthetic and hydraulic traits in ‘next‐generation’ land‐surface models has the greatest potential for improved prediction of VPD responses at the plant‐ and global‐scale, and will yield more mechanistic simulations of plant responses to a changing climate. By providing a fully integrated framework and evaluation of the impacts of high VPD on plant function, improvements in forecasting and long‐term projections of climate impacts can be made.
Efficacy of chlorhexidine patches on central line‐associated bloodstream infections in children
Authors: Jitrungruengnij Nattapong , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Rattananupong Thanapoom , Prinyawat Mayuree , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Wacharachaisurapol Noppadol , Chatsuwan Tanittha , Janewongwirot Pakpoom , Suchartlikitwong Pintip , Tawan Monta , Kanchanabutr Phavinee , Pancharoen Chitsanu , Puthanakit Thanyawee
Published: February 2020

Background

Central line‐associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are important hospital‐acquired infections. Chlorhexidine‐impregnated dressings (also known as chlorhexidine patches, CHG patches) are reported to decrease CLABSIs in adults. This study aims to determine the efficacy of CHG patches in reducing CLABSIs in children.

Methods

An open‐label randomized controlled trial was conducted in children aged 2 months to 18 years, requiring a short‐term catheter. Patients were randomized into two groups, allocated to receive CHG patches or standard transparent dressings. Care of the catheter was in accordance with Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) recommendations. Central‐line‐associated bloodstream infections were defined using National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance criteria.

Results

From April 2017 to April 2018, 192 children were enrolled. There were 108 CHG patch catheters and 101 standard dressing catheters, contributing to 3,113 catheter days. The median duration of catheter dwelling was 13 days, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 8–20 days. Half were placed at the jugular vein and 22% at the femoral vein. There were 23 CLABSI events. Incidence rates for CHG patches and standard dressings were 7.98 (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.25–13.65) and 6.74 (95% CI, 3.23–12.39) per 1,000 catheter days, respectively (incidence rate ratio 1.18; 95% CI, 0.52–2.70). The CLABSI pathogens were 15 Gram‐negative bacteria, six Gram‐positive bacteria, and two Candida organisms. Catheter colonization of CHG patches and standard dressings were 2.02 (95% CI, 0.42–5.91) and 3.07 (95% CI, 1.00–7.16) per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Only local adverse effects occurred in 6.8% of the participants.

Conclusions

In our setting, there was no difference in CLABSI rates when the chlorhexidine patch dressings were compared with the standard transparent dressings. Strengthening of CLABSI prevention bundles is mandatory.
Trained assistance dogs for people with dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Marks Genée , McVilly Keith
Published: February 2020

This systematic review investigated evidence for the effectiveness of trained assistance dogs as an intervention and support for people with dementia. Peer‐reviewed articles were retrieved from multiple databases (SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Reference lists of the articles retrieved were also screened to identify key authors for inclusion. Articles were subject to a quality review, and the results synthesised to address the research questions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were reported. There was evidence of the potential positive effects of dog‐assisted interventions in relation to mood, prosocial behaviours, activities of daily living and/or quality of life, cognitive impairment and symptoms specific to dementia, and existential functions. However, the form and quality of the studies varied considerably. It was concluded that further research is needed, particularly for those with younger onset dementia (YOD), for whom there were no specific studies available. Attention needs to be given to establishing adequate‐sized samples and designs incorporating control groups. Research would benefit from employing mixed‐methods, allowing for the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data. For deteriorating conditions such as the dementias, studies need to be conducted over time. Furthermore, given the important place family members play in the lives of those with dementia, the effects of dog‐assisted interventions on the wider family should also be considered.
The Influence of Parent Expectations and Parent‐Child Relationships on Mental Health in Asian American and White American Families
Authors: Warikoo Natasha , Chin Mark , Zillmer Nicole , Luthar Suniya
Published: February 2020

Previous studies have suggested that Asian parents’ high academic expectations can lead to negative mental health outcomes among Asian American youth. We explore this hypothesis by analyzing data collected in an affluent, suburban high school with a large Asian American population. We examine the relationships between parent expectations, students’ relationships with their parents, and mental health outcomes among Asian American (predominantly Indian American and Chinese American) and white youth. We find that the quality of parent‐child relationships is associated with mental health outcomes and that the association between parent expectations and mental health outcomes is insignificant after controlling for these relationships. We discuss significant differences by race and gender. The findings presented expand our understanding of the influence of Asian parents. They suggest that focusing on improving parent‐child relationships, as opposed to altering parents’ expectations, might lead to improved mental health outcomes for Asian American youth, particularly for those in affluent communities.
Are children from different countries exposed to diverse emotions in storybooks? Comparative study between Chile and the United States
Authors: Farkas Chamarrita , Gerber Denise , Mata Cecil , Santelices María Pía
Published: February 2020

Children's storybooks are relevant resources for references to different emotions, both positive and negative, and provide an excellent opportunity for adults and children to discuss them, thereby promoting children's comprehension of their own and others' inner worlds. However, we know little about the emotions present in children's stories and their frequency. This study investigated references to emotions in children's storybooks for preschoolers in Chile and the United States to analyze their characteristics and the similarities and differences between the two countries. References to specific emotions in the texts of 80 children's storybooks (40 for each country) were coded according to the categories of positive, negative powerless, and negative powerful emotions, and the specific emotions considered. The results revealed more references to positive and negative powerless emotions than to negative powerful emotions in storybooks from both countries, and happiness, fear, sadness, and anger were the predominant specific emotions referenced. For both countries, similar frequencies of references to specific emotions were observed, except for surprise, disappointment, and anger, which appeared more frequently in the Chilean storybooks than in the U.S. storybooks. These results are discussed considering the emotions to which young children are exposed and the implications of such exposure for children's socioemotional development.
Who Voted in 2016? Using Fuzzy Forests to Understand Voter Turnout
Authors: Kim Seo‐young Silvia , Alvarez R. Michael , Ramirez Christina M.
Published: February 2020

Objective

What can machine learning tell us about who voted in 2016? There are numerous competing voter turnout theories, and a large number of covariates are required to assess which theory best explains turnout. This article is a proof of concept that machine learning can help overcome this curse of dimensionality and reveal important insights in studies of political phenomena.

Methods

We use fuzzy forests, an extension of random forests, to screen variables for a parsimonious but accurate prediction. Fuzzy forests achieve accurate variable importance measures in the face of high‐dimensional and highly correlated data. The data that we use are from the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study.

Results

Fuzzy forests chose only a small number of covariates as major correlates of 2016 turnout and still boasted high predictive performance.

Conclusion

Our analysis provides three important conclusions about turnout in 2016: registration and voting procedures were important, political issues were important (especially Obamacare, climate change, and fiscal policy), but few demographic variables other than age were strongly associated with turnout. We conclude that fuzzy forests is an important methodology for studying overdetermined questions in social sciences.
Does Government Partisanship Influence Multinational Corporations’ Tax Payments in the United States?
Authors: Shin Mi Jeong
Published: February 2020

Objective

Scholars have made conflicting predictions as to whether partisan politics influences taxes paid by multinational corporations (MNCs). The current study tests this question by examining the relationship between the partisan composition of government and tax rates that MNCs paid to their home country, the United States, using firm‐level data on financial information from the U.S. Fortune 1000 for the period 1986–2010.

Methods

I employ a multilevel regression model allowing for varying intercepts across firms and years as a way to model unobserved heterogeneity.

Results

I find no relationship between the partisan orientation of governing parties and the level of corporate taxes MNCs pay. Internationally mobile firms have lower effective tax rates than domestically operating firms.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the effect of partisan politics on corporate tax policy does not extend to the taxation of MNCs in the United States.
The evanescence and persistence of RBC alloantibodies in blood donors
Authors: Hauser Ronald G. , Esserman Denise , Karafin Matthew S. , Tan Sylvia , Balbuena‐Merle Raisa , Spencer Bryan R. , Roubinian Nareg H. , Wu Yanyun , Triulzi Darrell J. , Kleinman Steve , Gottschall Jerome L. , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Tormey Christopher A. ,   (for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III))
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Blood donors represent a healthy population, whose red blood cell (RBC) alloantibody persistence or evanescence kinetics may differ from those of immunocompromised patients. A better understanding of the biologic factors impacting antibody persistence is warranted, as the presence of alloantibodies may impact donor health and the fate of the donated blood product.

METHODS

Donor/donation data collected from four US blood centers from 2012 to 2016 as part of the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III) were analyzed. Clinically significant antibodies from blood donors with more than one donation who underwent at least one follow‐up antibody screen after the initial antibody identification were included. Of 632,378 blood donors, 481 (128 males and 353 females) fit inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Antibody screens detected 562 alloantibodies, with 368 of 562 (65%) of antibodies being persistently detected and with 194 of 562 (35%) becoming evanescent. Factors associated with antibody persistence included antibody specificity, detection at the first donation, reported history of transfusion, and detection of multiple antibodies concurrently. Anti‐D, C, and Fya were most likely to persist, while anti‐M, Jka, and S were most frequently evanescent.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide insight into variables impacting the duration of antibody detection, and they may also influence blood donor center policies regarding donor recruitment/acceptance.
Inhibition of copper chaperones sensitizes human and canine osteosarcoma cells to carboplatin chemotherapy
Authors: Inkol Jordon M. , Poon Andrew C. , Mutsaers Anthony J.
Published: February 2020

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone cancer in children, adolescents and dogs. Current combination surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments have increased survival. However, in recurrent or metastatic disease settings, the prognosis significantly decreases, representing an urgent need for better second‐line and novel chemotherapeutics. The current gold standard for combination chemotherapy in OSA often includes a platinum agent, for example, cisplatin or carboplatin. These platinum agents are shuttled within the cell via copper transporters. Recent interest in targeting copper transport has been directed towards antioxidant protein 1 (Atox1) and copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1 (CCS), with Atox1 demonstrating the ability to aggregate platinum agents, preventing them from forming DNA adducts. DC_AC50 is a small molecule inhibitor of both Atox1 and CCS. To assess the impact of targeting these pathways on chemotherapy response, two human and two canine OSA cell lines were utilized. After treatment with single agent or combination drugs, cell viability was evaluated and pharmacological synergism calculated using the combination index method. Apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, clonogenic survival and migration were also evaluated. DC_AC50 synergised with carboplatin in combination treatment of human and canine OSA cells to reduce cancer cell viability. DC_AC50‐treated cells were significantly less mitotically active, as demonstrated by decreased expression of phospho‐histone H3 and cell cycle analysis. DC_AC50 also potentiated carboplatin‐induced apoptosis in OSA cells and decreased clonogenic survival. Finally, DC_AC50 reduced the migratory ability of OSA cells. These results justify further investigation into inhibiting intracellular copper chaperones as a means of reducing/preventing acquired chemotherapy resistance.
Newly recognizedAnaplasmasp. in erythrocytes from Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)
Authors: Raskin Rose E. , Crosby Francy L. , Jacobson Elliott R.
Published: February 2020

Background

In 2015, a previously unrecognized intracytoplasmic erythrocytic inclusion was discovered in anemic wild‐caught adult gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Subsequently, molecular diagnostics revealed this inclusion to be a novelAnaplasmasp.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to morphologically characterize these erythrocytic inclusions by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Methods

Blood samples were taken from two car‐injured wild‐caught gopher tortoises for the preparation of Wright‐Giemsa stained smears and TEM specimens. CBC data were serially performed and morphologically examined during treatment periods.

Results

Studies revealed a moderate to severe anemia with moderate regeneration as indicated by polychromasia and the presence of immature erythroid precursors. In addition, on light microscopy, one to two variably‐sized round basophilic stippled paracentral erythrocytic inclusions were present per cell in both animals and involved 10%‐25% of erythrocytes. TEM identified the intraerythrocytic inclusions as discrete membrane‐bound cytoplasmic vacuoles (morulae) containing membrane‐bound bacterial subunits that were of variable size, shape, and electron density. Serial hematologic data indicated complete remission of the infection in response to a single long‐term course of doxycycline.

Conclusions

The presence of a regenerative anemia in gopher tortoises from Florida revealed a newly recognized bacterial species that has morphologic characteristics similar to members of the genusAnaplasma.
Screening for the human neutrophil antigen‐2 deficiency by a multiplex one‐tube polymerase chain reaction assay
Authors: Gong Jiwu , Rao Meiying , Jia Zhonghua , Ma Na , Sun Lifang , Yu Xiaonan , Chen Feng , Xie Jue , Gong Hongwei , Fu Qiang , Cao Chen , Chen Fangfang , Zhao Tongmao
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a rapid method for human neutrophil antigen‐2 (HNA‐2) genotyping and use it for fast screening for the HNA‐2 deficiency phenotype in the Chinese population.

Background

HNA‐2 is encoded by the CD177 gene, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at cDNA position 787 (CD177*787 A > T) creates a stop codon, which is responsible for the HNA‐2 deficiency phenotype. Recently, the SNP c.787A > T has been demonstrated to be the primary genetic mechanism for HNA‐2 deficiency.

Methods

This study focused on determination of CD177 SNP c.787A > T. We designed a set of allele‐ and sequence‐specific primers (SSP), which were used to develop a one‐tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for HNA‐2 genotyping. The HNA‐2 genotype of a total of 2185 Chinese blood donors was determined.

Results

The validation of this HNA‐2 genotyping assay was confirmed by sequencing analysis. The HNA‐2 two alleles, CD177*787A and 787T, can be simultaneously determined in a single tube PCR. Thirteen individuals with the CD177*787AT genotype were detected in this study. The CD177*787TT homozygous genotype was absent, suggesting that HNA‐2 deficiency is rare in the Chinese population.

Conclusions

The validated assay described in this study is a rapid and reliable method for HNA‐2 genotyping, which may be used for fast screening for HNA‐2 deficiency.
Integration of mitochondrial energetics in heart with mathematical modelling
Authors: Takeuchi Ayako , Matsuoka Satoshi
Published: February 2020

It has been an unsolved question how cardiac mitochondrial energetics is regulated during working transition. Mathematical modelling is a powerful tool for exploring the complicated networks of mitochondrial metabolism. We summarize the recent progress and remaining questions about mitochondrial energetics in heart, especially focusing on approaches utilizing mathematical modelling. Feedback activation by ADP and/or inorganic phosphate is an old but still attractive hypothesis for explaining the regulation mechanisms of cardiac mitochondrial energetics. However, this hypothesis has not been fully validated by experiments because rises of ADP and/or inorganic phosphate concentrations during cardiac workload increase have not been detected in many experiments. The hypothesis of intracellular energetic units is an extended version of feedback activation, which has a similar problem. The each‐step activation hypothesis beautifully reproduces metabolite constancy, although such master regulators have not been identified yet. Ca2+ has been the most plausible candidate because some of the mitochondrial dehydrogenases are activated by it. Recent experimental and simulation studies, however, throw doubt on its physiological relevance. Finally, we discuss issues to be solved to obtain a better view of cardiac mitochondrial energetics.

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Impaired Driver Assistance Control With Gain-Scheduling Composite Nonlinear Feedback for Vehicle Trajectory Tracking
Authors: Chen Yimin , Hu Chuan , Wang Junmin
Published: February 2020

Impaired drivers have deteriorated driving performances that may greatly endanger the road safety. It is challenging to design assistance controllers for the impaired drivers because the impaired driver behaviors are difficult to be modeled and considered in the controller design. To this end, this paper proposes a gain-scheduling composite nonlinear feedback (GCNF) controller to assist the impaired drivers. A driver-vehicle system containing the impaired driver model is developed. The steering behaviors of the impaired drivers are described by deteriorating the driver model parameters and including the driver uncertainties. Based on the driver-vehicle system, a GCNF controller integrating the gain-scheduling technique, the weighted H∞ performance, and the composite nonlinear feedback algorithm is designed to handle the declined driving performances and improve the transient performances. The designed GCNF controller is validated in the carsim simulations. The simulation results show that the GCNF controller can effectively assist the impaired drivers of different impaired levels to reduce the trajectory tracking errors and improve the driving performances.
Study on Effects of Novel Cross Sections of Microchannel Heat Sink on Thermohydraulic Performance
Authors: Tilak Abhilash K. , Patil Ranjit S.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, three-dimensional simulations to study the performance of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with rectangular, hexagonal, semicircular and various novel cross section (such as barrel, fan shaped, L shaped, inverted T shaped, inverted T shaped with semicircular ends at base (ITSCEB)) were carried out using de-ionized water. Numerical results were validated with the published experimental data and further simulations were performed on various novel cross section at a constant heat flux of 50 W/cm2 with Reynolds number varying in the range of 300–1500. The comparative analysis of various novel MCHS having the same cross-sectional area was carried out to figure out the suitable cross section capable of better cooling performance. This work shows that the novel ITSCEB cross section was giving the highest pressure drop, however considerable improvement was noted in the heat transfer coefficient around 21% more than conventional rectangular and around 11–55% more than other proposed cross section in this study.
Postextrusion Heating in Three-Dimensional Printing
Authors: Edwards David A. , Mackay Michael E.
Published: February 2020

Stresses result when polymer feed stock is extruded through the nozzle of a three-dimensional (3D) printer, causing undesirable surface roughness called “sharkskin,” which hinders effective bonding to the substrate. A promising method to remove the sharkskin is to reheat the polymer after extrusion. However, questions remain about the appropriate design parameters to guarantee success. A mathematical model is presented for this system, and both amorphous and crystalline polymers are examined. The former is a heat transfer problem; the latter a Stefan problem. Several effectiveness conditions are considered, including exit temperature and a duration condition related to the polymer relaxation time. Our results provide guidance on designing effective postextrusion heaters.
Structural Optimization and Heat Transfer Performance Analysis of a Cone-Column Combined Heat Sink
Authors: Wei Zheng , Jianjun Sun , Tao Niu , Chenbo Ma , Qiuping Yu , Yuyan Zhang
Published: February 2020

To address the impact of temperature on the normal operation and service life of high-power electronic components, a circular microchannel heat sink with cones has been designed. The cones are evenly arranged inside circular microchannels, which can change the flow state of the cooling medium in the microchannels and enhance the heat transfer performance. The experimental scheme of the heat transfer performance of microchannel heat sink was designed by an orthogonal test method, and the numerical simulation was carried out by ansys thermal-fluid–solid coupling. Within the test parameters, the inlet pore size, the split outer diameter, and the number of cone columns have effect the temperature of the heat sink base. Further, the inlet pore size and the number of cone columns have a heightened effect on the test results: the base temperature of the heat sink decreases rapidly with the increase in the inlet pore size and the number of cone columns. According to the orthogonal test analysis, the structural parameters of the heat sink were optimized. Under the condition that the other boundary conditions are the same, the temperature of the heat sink substrate obtained by the new factor levels combination is 27.87 °C.
Exact Solutions to the Thermal Entry Problem for Laminar Flow Through Annular Ducts
Authors: Bennett T. D.
Published: February 2020

The thermal entrance region for laminar-forced convection of a Newtonian fluid in an annular tube is solved by separation of variables using as many eigenvalues and eigenfunctions as needed to report exact results for a specified range of Graetz numbers. Results for the local and average Nusselt numbers are calculated for a wide range of inner to outer wall radius ratios and for convection to either the inner or outer wall, when the opposing wall is adiabatic. The present benchmark results are utilized to critically examine the accuracy of previous extended Lévêque series solutions that are convergent for short axial distances, and Graetz series solutions that are convergent for long axial distances, and to examine the performance of a new correlation for convection in annular tubes.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Studies on Unstable Oscillatory Direct Contact Condensation of Subsonic Steam Jets in Water Cross-Flow
Authors: Narayanan Jayachandran K. , Roy Arnab , Ghosh Parthasarathi
Published: February 2020

In the last decade, researchers working on direct contact condensation (DCC) have focused their attention on studying the effect of liquid cross-flow, in contrast to the conventional stagnant liquid pool condensers. Currently, the major applications of DCC in liquid cross-flow include the sterilization process of milk and the mixing of oxygen-rich turbine drive gas with liquid oxygen (LOX) at the booster turbopump exit of a typical staged combustion cycle-based rocket engine. In this work, attempt has been made to develop and validate a two-fluid two-phase model for predicting the complex phenomena of steam injection into a cross-flow of subcooled water. A correlation for interaction length scale has been developed for DCC cases. The correlation includes the effect of all the critical operating parameters such as liquid subcooling, steam mass flux, and liquid velocity, which hitherto has not been available in the literature. The unstable nature of steam plumes has been investigated, and critical Weber numbers for predicting stable to unstable transition in a DCC cycle have been computed. The associated pressure and temperature oscillations due to unstable nature of plume have been studied. The critical design parameters for direct contact condenser such as the heat transfer coefficients and dimensionless vapor penetration lengths have been quantified and analyzed.
High Reliability Microgrid for a Nuclear Facility Emergency Power Supply
Authors: Lekhema Gerard R. , Cronje Willem A. , Korir Ian
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates the use of a high reliability microgrid to supply emergency electrical power to a nuclear facility following loss of offsite power accident. Majority of the nuclear facilities around the world utilize diesel generators (DGs) and battery banks as emergency power to back up the grid power supply. This power supply configuration represents the concept of the microgrid system. The research work proposes reliability improvement of the emergency power supply by introducing distributed energy sources and large-scale energy storage systems. The proposed system was modeled with reliability block diagrams (RBDs) and analyzed with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to evaluate the system's reliability in terms of loss of power supply probability (LPSP). The analysis takes into consideration the failure probability of the components combined with the power unavailability due to the intermittent energy sources. The results show that the proposed system reduces the LPSP.
Investigation and Characterization of Gamma Radiation Shielding Capacity of Heavy Minerals-Based Composite Materials
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad Asaduzzaman , Shuvho Md. Bengir Ahmed , Islam Md Azizul , Uddin Muhammad Borhan , Khan Ruhul Amin
Published: February 2020

Radiation shielding is an indispensable ingredient in the design of an integrated system to attenuate the effects of radiation during various operations such as space, aircraft, and nuclear plant. Discerning and exploiting the properties of composite materials compatible for radiation shielding in those applications are therefore primary obligation. In this study, we present here the results of control, ilmenite-, and garnet-based composites radiation shielding capabilities. The gamma radiation shielding competency of control, ilmenite-, and garnet-based composite materials has been examined by using linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), tenth value layer (TVL), and half value layer (HVL). A comparison among those composite materials has been studied to find out the best one for radiation shielding material. Factors influencing the radiation shielding capabilities such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, density, surface morphology, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis have been studied in comparative investigations. In this work, we show that garnet-based composite material has viable radiation shielding performances as compared to the control and ilmenite-based composites. Garnet-based composite exhibits lower impact energy to withstand against gamma radiation as compared to the other tested shielding materials.