bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful treatment of refractory red cell aplasia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with daratumumab
Authors: Salas Maria Queralt , Alahmari Ali , Lipton Jeffrey Howard
Published: November 2019

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is an uncommon complication secondary to ABO mismatched allogeneic stem‐cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). The best approach for PRCA after allo‐HSCT remains unclear. We aim to report a single case with refractory PRCA post‐ABO mismatched allo‐HSCT resolved with daratumumab. A 34‐year‐old male diagnosed with aplastic anemia in March 2014 received a peripheral blood reduced‐intensity allo‐HSCT from an HLA‐matched related donor in July 2016. Donor and recipient blood groups were AB positive and 0 positive, respectively, indicating a major ABO incompatibility. The patient was diagnosed with PRCA 2 months after allo‐HSCT. After failing multiple standard lines of treatment, compassionate treatment with daratumumab was requested. After receiving six doses of daratumumab, the patient had a marked reticulocyte response and consecutively become transfusion independent. In conclusion, Daratumumab is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody targeting CD38 and is used to treat multiple myeloma. The use of anti‐CD38 therapy with daratumumab to target residual host plasma cells is safe and effective, and it can be considered in refractory recipients with PRCA after allo‐HSCT secondary to ABO incompatibility.
Association of plasma C‐reactive protein with ischaemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang X. , Wang A. , Zhang J. , Singh M. , Liu D. , Zuo Y. , Wu L. , Song M. , Wang W. , Feigin V. , Wang Y. , Zheng D.
Published: November 2019

Background and purpose

Elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke (IS). However, the causality of this association is uncertain. The aim is to investigate whether genetically raised plasma CRP concentration levels are associated with IS on the basis of the Mendelian randomization method.

Methods

Based on the National Center for Biotechnology Information single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) database, the Chinese online genetic database as well as previously published studies, four CRP‐associated SNP alleles (rs1130864, rs1205, rs876537 and rs3093059) with minor allele frequency ≥0.15 were selected and the concentration levels of CRP were measured in 378 first‐ever IS patients and 613 healthy controls.

Results

Three SNPs were chosen and used as instrumental variables. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] of IS per addition of the modelled allele were 1.07 (0.79–1.45) for rs876537, 0.99 (0.73–1.35) for rs1205 and 1.08 (0.71–1.65) for rs3093059. The OR (95% CI) of IS for plasma CRP ≥2.0 mg/l was 2.19 (1.06–4.53) compared with <2.0 mg/l. The adjusted OR (95% CI) of IS per genetically predicted 10% higher CRP concentration, based on the three SNPs as the instruments, was 1.02 (0.94–1.11). Furthermore, similar results were obtained with adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.00 (0.88–1.13) and 1.04 (0.93–1.16), respectively, for large‐artery atherosclerosis and small‐artery occlusion per genetically predicted 10% higher CRP concentration.

Conclusions

This Mendelian randomization study provides no clear support that elevated CRP concentration is causally associated with the risk of IS.
Learning to see the invisible: A data‐driven approach to finding the underlying patterns of abnormality in visually normal brain magnetic resonance images in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Bennett Oscar F. , Kanber Baris , Hoskote Chandrashekar , Cardoso M. Jorge , Ourselin Sebastien , Duncan John S. , Winston Gavin P.
Published: November 2019

Objective

To find the covert patterns of abnormality in patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and visually normal brain magnetic resonance images (MRI‐negative), comparing them to those with visible abnormalities (MRI‐positive).

Methods

We used multimodal brain MRI from patients with unilateral TLE and employed contemporary machine learning methods to predict the known laterality of seizure onset in 104 subjects (82 MRI‐positive, 22 MRI‐negative). A visualization approach entitled "Importance Maps" was developed to highlight image features predictive of seizure laterality in both the MRI‐positive and MRI‐negative cases.

Results

Seizure laterality could be predicted with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.981 (95% confidence interval [CI] =0.974‐0.989) in MRI‐positive and 0.842 (95% CI = 0.736‐0.949) in MRI‐negative cases. The known image features arising from the hippocampus were the leading predictors of seizure laterality in the MRI‐positive cases, whereas widespread temporal lobe abnormalities were revealed in the MRI‐negative cases.

Significance

Covert abnormalities not discerned on visual reading were detected in MRI‐negative TLE, with a spatial pattern involving the whole temporal lobe, rather than just the hippocampus. This suggests that MRI‐negative TLE may be associated with subtle but widespread temporal lobe abnormalities. These abnormalities merit close inspection and postacquisition processing if there is no overt lesion.
A pharmaceutical model for the molecular evolution of microbial natural products
Authors: Fewer David P. , Metsä‐Ketelä Mikko
Published: November 2019

Microbes are talented chemists with the ability to generate tremendously complex and diverse natural products which harbor potent biological activities. Natural products are produced using sets of specialized biosynthetic enzymes encoded by secondary metabolism pathways. Here, we present a two‐step evolutionary model to explain the diversification of biosynthetic pathways that account for the proliferation of these molecules. We argue that the appearance of natural product families has been a slow and infrequent process. The first step led to the original emergence of bioactive molecules and different classes of natural products. However, much of the chemical diversity observed today has resulted from the endless modification of the ancestral biosynthetic pathways. The second step rapidly modulates the pre‐existing biological activities to increase their potency and to adapt to changing environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of enzyme promiscuity in this process, as it facilitates both the incorporation of horizontally transferred genes into secondary metabolic pathways and the functional differentiation of proteins to catalyze novel chemistry. We provide examples where single point mutations or recombination events have been sufficient for new enzymatic activities to emerge. A unique feature in the evolution of microbial secondary metabolism is that gene duplication is not essential but offers opportunities to synthesize more complex metabolites. Microbial natural products are highly important for the pharmaceutical industry due to their unique bioactivities. Therefore, understanding the natural mechanisms leading to the formation of diverse metabolic pathways is vital for future attempts to utilize synthetic biology for the generation of novel molecules.
Creatinine‐to‐bodyweight ratio is a predictor of incident non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Okamura Takuro , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Hamaguchi Masahide , Obora Akihiro , Kojima Takao , Fukui Michiaki
Published: November 2019

Aim

Serum creatinine (Cre) is used as a surrogate marker of muscle mass. We investigated the impact of the Cre‐to‐bodyweight (BW) ratio (Cre/BW) on incident non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

Fatty liver disease was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. In this historical cohort study of 13 728 participants (6397 men and 7331 women), we divided the participants into two groups by sex and into quartiles according to Cre (mg/dL)/BW (kg; Q1–4). We carried out Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for age, alanine aminotransferase, fasting plasma glucose, systolic blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and exercise.

Results

During the 5.1‐year follow up for men and 6.0‐year follow up for women, 2497 participants (1696 men, 801 women) developed NAFLD. The 4000‐days cumulative incidence rates of FLD for men and women were 29.6% and 16.6% in Q1, 28.2% and 10.6% in Q2, 25.5% and 8.8% in Q3, and 22.7% and 7.7% in Q4, respectively. The hazard ratios of incident NAFLD in Q1 (Cre/BW [×100]: men <1.28; women <1.17) were 1.89 (95% confidence interval 1.64–2.17, P < 0.001) in men and 2.96 (2.42–3.62, P < 0.001) in women, compared with Q4 (Cre/BW [×100]: men ≥1.61; women ≥1.51).

Conclusions

A low Cre/BW is associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. Screening Cre/BW can be used to identify individuals who are at high risk of NAFLD.
Morphological spectrum of immune check‐point inhibitor therapy‐associated gastritis
Authors: Johncilla Melanie , Grover Shilpa , Zhang Xuchen , Jain Dhanpat , Srivastava Amitabh
Published: November 2019

Aims

Immune check‐point inhibitors are frequently used in the treatment of a variety of solid tumours. The mechanism of action of these drugs involves up‐regulation of cytotoxic T cells, which can lead to a lack of self‐tolerance and immune‐related adverse events, including those involving the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to characterise the histological features of immune check‐point inhibitor therapy‐associated gastritis.

Methods and results

Gastric biopsies from patients on immune check‐point inhibitor therapy with clinical suspicion of drug‐associated gastrointestinal injury were identified. The predominant histological pattern of injury, distribution of injury, degree of tissue eosinophilia and prominence of apoptosis were recorded. Presenting symptoms, treatment and follow‐up data were obtained by medical chart review. The 12 patients included in the study group were treated with ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab for a variety of tumours. Symptoms at presentation included nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Chronic active gastritis with intra‐epithelial lymphocytosis and prominent apoptosis was seen in eight of 12 patients, and was the most useful combination for the diagnosis of drug‐induced gastritis in these patients. Four patients showed focal enhancing gastritis with a lymphohistiocytic cuff around inflamed glands reminiscent of Crohn's disease. One of those four patients was homozygous for the ATG16L1 Crohn's disease‐associated gene variant, but had no history of inflammatory bowel disease. Ten patients responded to medication withdrawal and steroid therapy, while two required treatment with infliximab.

Conclusions

Awareness of the morphological spectrum of immune check‐point inhibitor therapy‐associated gastritis is important for the accurate diagnosis and prompt management of these patients.
Understanding the morphological and genetic distinctiveness of the Spanish pouter pigeons: the Marchenero Pouter as a case study
Authors: Cobo-Simón Irene , Márquez‐Rodríguez Joaquín , Méndez‐Cea Belén , Gallego Francisco J. , Pérez‐Fernández María
Published: November 2019

Domestic species are excellent examples of the great adaptive potential of animal species under strong selective pressure. Among them, domestic pigeons (Columba liviavardomestica) represent one of the first domesticated bird species. Artificial selection through centuries, together with the multipurpose use of this species, has led to an extraordinary phenotypic diversity among breeds. Here, the morphometric and genetic diversity of Marchenero Pouter, one of the oldest and most representative pouter breeds in Spain, was analysed and compared with other Spanish pouter breeds. Nine morphometric variables were measured in four breeds, for which we detected significant differences in the weight, wing length and tail length in the Marchenero Pouter. Genetic analyses were conducted using 10 microsatellite loci. The statistically significant genetic differences found in Marchenero Pouter in comparison with other Spanish pouter breeds in this study provide sufficient evidence to recognize it as an independent pouter breed. In addition, Marchenero Pouter showed low genetic diversity compared with other pigeon breeds from this and previous studies. Our results provide valuable information about the current status of Marchenero Pouter, which could be used to preserve this unique breed.
Application of multiple sensory evaluations to produce fermented beverages made from sole whey using Kluyveromyces marxianus
Authors: Yamahata Naoki , Toyotake Yosuke , Kunieda Satomi , Wakayama Mamoru
Published: November 2019

Various fermented whey‐based beverages have been developed to reduce waste. However, approaches to increase the preference of whey‐based beverages are required because of the low sensory acceptability of whey. Here, we identified the better starting material (whey type), between raw whey (RW) and demineralised whey (DMW), and determined the optimal initial concentration using multiple sensory evaluations to develop acceptable fermented beverages made from sole whey with pure cultured Kluyveromyces marxianus (i.e. without additional ingredients and processing methods). Acceptance tests showed that fermented beverages made from DMW were superior to RW as the starting material. The amounts of ethanol produced were 5.0%, 7.6% and 9.5% v/v from the different initial DMW concentrations of 10%, 15% and 20% w/v, respectively. We observed a significant positive correlation (rs = 0.32, P < 0.05) between the assessment attributes, strength of taste as alcohol beverage and overall acceptability, indicating that higher concentrations of DMW yielded a more desirable product.
Small‐molecule inhibitors of ubiquitin‐specific protease 7 enhance type‐I interferon antiviral efficacy by destabilizing SOCS1
Authors: Yuan Yukang , Miao Ying , Zeng Chenhua , Liu Jin , Chen Xiangjie , Qian Liping , Wang Xiaofang , Qian Feng , Yu Zhengyuan , Wang Jun , Qian Guanghui , Fu Qian , Lv Haitao , Zheng Hui
Published: November 2019

Type‐I interferons (IFN‐I) are used as common antiviral drugs for a range of viral diseases in clinic. However, the antiviral efficacy of IFN‐I is largely restricted by negative regulators of IFN‐I signaling in cells. Therefore, identification of intracellular inhibitors of IFN‐I signaling is important for developing novel targets to improve IFN‐I antiviral therapy. In this study, we report that the deubiquitinase ubiquitin‐specific protease 7 (USP7) negatively regulates IFN‐I‐mediated antiviral activity. USP7 physically interacts with suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and enhances SOCS1 protein stability by deubiquitination effects, which in turn restricts IFN‐I‐induced activation of Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling. Interestingly, viral infection up‐regulates USP7 and therefore facilitates viral immune evasion. Importantly, the USP7 small‐molecule inhibitors P5091 and P22077 inhibit SOCS1 expression and enhance IFN‐I antiviral efficacy. Our findings identify a novel regulator of IFN‐I antiviral activity and reveal that USP7 inhibitors could be potential enhancement agents for improving IFN‐I antiviral therapy.
Long‐term outcome after totally thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Vos Lara M. , Bentala Mohamed , Geuzebroek Guillaume SC. , Molhoek Sander G. , van Putte Bart P.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Totally thoracoscopic ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to drug or catheter based therapy is indicated as a Class 2A recommendation according to latest guidelines. Evidence for long‐term rhythm control and stroke reduction is limited. The aim of this study was to report on long‐term outcome after totally thoracoscopic ablation.

Methods and Results

In total 82 consecutive patients were included that underwent totally thoracoscopic ablation including left appendage closure (2012‐2013). The primary outcome was freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Secondary outcomes were survival, freedom from cerebrovascular events, freedom from reablation and definite pacemaker implantation. The mean age was 59.9 ± 8.6 years and 71% were male. The mean CHA2DS2‐VASc score was 1.2 ± 1.0. The overall freedom from atrial arrhythmia was 60% after a mean follow up of 4.0 ± 0.6 years. Freedom from cerebrovascular events was 98.8% after mean follow‐up of 4.4 ± 0.3 years and overall survival was 98.8%, with one noncardiac related death. The observed rate of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack was 0.3 per 100 patient‐years.

Conclusions

Totally thoracoscopic ablation is an effective sustainable rhythm control therapy for AF with a reasonable recurrence rate and low stroke rate when performed in dedicated AF centers.
Spondin 2 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Lu Haoming , Feng Ying , Hu Yilin , Guo Yibing , Liu Yifei , Mao Qinsheng , Xue Wanjiang
Published: November 2019

Spondin 2 (SPON2), a member of the Mindin F‐Spondin family, identifies pathogens, activates congenital immunity and promotes the growth and adhesion of neurons as well as binding to their receptors, but its role in promoting or inhibiting tumour metastasis is controversial. Here, we investigated its expression levels and mechanism of action in gastric cancer (GC). Western blotting and GC tissue arrays were used to determine the expression levels of SPON2. ELISAs were performed to measure the serum levels of SPON2 in patients with GC. Two GC cell lines expressing low levels of SPON2 were used to analyse the effects of regulating SPON2 expression on proliferation, migration, invasion, the cell cycle and apoptosis. The results revealed that SPON2 was highly expressed in GC tissues from patients with relapse or metastasis. The levels of SPON2 in sera of patients with GC were significantly higher compared with those of healthy individuals and patients with atrophic gastritis. Knockdown of SPON2 expression significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Down‐regulation of SPON2 arrested the cell cycle in G1/S, accelerated apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and inhibited the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by blocking activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. In summary, this study suggests that SPON2 acts as an oncogene in the development of GC and may serve as a marker for the diagnosing GC as well as a new therapeutic target for GC.
Image scanning difference microscopy
Authors: CHEN YUCHEN , LIU SHAOCONG , ZHANG CHENGFENG , ZHANG ZHIMIN , KUANG CUIFANG , HAO XIANG , LIU XU
Published: November 2019

Here, we propose a novel imaging method, which is called image scanning difference microscopy (ISDM), for superresolution imaging. In ISDM, we implement a detector array composed of 19 avalanche photodiodes (APD) rather than single‐point detector in standard confocal microscopy for reconstructing superresolved images with higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Combining with our former proposed fluorescence emission difference (FED) method, we have achieved a lateral resolution of 111 nm (∼λ/6) without the damage of image quality, the highest FED resolution to the best of our knowledge. With its simple setup and remarkable performance, we believe that ISDM can become a versatile observation tool in biology and other fundamental studies.

Lay Description

Fluorescence emission difference (FED) microscopy is a really simple and generalisable superresolved fluorescence microscopy method based on PSF engineering and difference algorithm recently. Compared to stimulated‐emission‐depletion fluorescence microscopy (STED), FED don't need complicated system or precise alignment and polarisation, available for wide variety of dyes and has low photobleaching and phototoxicity for living cells. However, the distortion caused by negative value is one of the biggest obstacles to the further development of FED.

In light of this, we propose a novel superresolution imaging method based on the FED method with parallel detection system, which is called image scanning difference microscopy (ISDM). Our method has achieved a significant breakthrough in FED, increasing the resolution further while reducing artefacts generated by negative values, which cannot be accomplished through combining other methods. In addition, ISDM does not require complex setup and optical alignment, long time imaging and imposing no constraint on dyes. Importantly, we realised a transverse resolution of ∼λ/6 (triple diffraction limit) with single wavelength, single incident path and low light intensity, which has never been achieved in any other far‐field superresolution microscopy.
The mental artery: anatomical study and literature review
Authors: Kikuta Shogo , Iwanaga Joe , Kusukawa Jingo , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: November 2019

The mental artery is a terminal branch of the inferior alveolar artery arising from the maxillary artery. It often communicates with the submental and inferior labial arteries branching off the facial artery. To our knowledge, few reports have described its anatomy and clinical significance in detail. The aim of this paper was to clarify the anatomy of the mental artery. Ten sides from five embalmed Caucasian cadaveric heads were used. The facial artery was identified at the point passing through a notch for the facial vessels and was traced medially. The mental artery and its anastomoses with other arteries were observed in detail. It was detected on all sides. Fourteen anastomoses were found, eight with the inferior labial artery and six with the submental artery. On one side, the mental artery directly supplied the lower lip with no anastomosis. The inferior labial artery tended to anastomose with the mental artery superior to the mental foramen and was likely to anastomose with the submental artery anterior to the mental foramen. We clarified the detailed anatomy of the mental artery. Our results could provide dentists with information that will help them to make oral surgery safer and more successful.
Partner Politics: How Partners Are Relevant to Voting
Authors: Daenekindt Stijn , de Koster Willem , van der Waal Jeroen
Published: November 2019

Objective

The authors study how partners are relevant to voting.

Background

Previous studies have assessed whether having a partner influences political participation. The authors focus on how having a partner may affect political participation in different ways. The authors theorize and analytically disentangle three mechanisms through which partners relate to voting.

Method

The authors analyze the most recent wave of the European Social Survey and limit the analyses to people in a heterosexual relationship who cohabit with their partner (n = 23,373). In contrast to previous studies, the authors use Diagonal Reference Models, which allow them to disentangle the different ways in which partners affect voting.

Results

The authors find that both the educational level of the respondents and that of their partners positively affect voting. In addition, the relative position of a person in an educationally heterogamous relationship proves to be related to voting: Citizens whose level of education is lower than that of their partner are less likely to vote than people who have the same level of education but who are in an educationally homogamous relationship.

Conclusion

The authors argue that the lowest educated partner in a heterogamous relationship experiences a lower sense of entitlement to participate politically. This study increases the understanding of voting and underlines the political relevance of the family.
Tied and Troubled: Revisiting Tied Migration and Subsequent Employment
Authors: Krieger Magdalena
Published: November 2019

Objective

This article looks at couples' migration decision making processes and their gender‐specific employment consequences after migration to Germany.

Background

International migration has evolved into a common experience for couples around the globe. Previous research has focused on the internal migration of couples and families. This article is the first to consider couples' international migration decisions drawing on the theoretical concepts of Mincer's tied migration theory and gender role beliefs.

Method

Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel Survey, this study explores the labor market integration of tied, lead, and equal immigrants. Labor market integration is measured in terms of the probability to be employed and the time to first employment in Germany. The author investigates these outcomes via differences‐in‐differences and survival analysis regression techniques.

Results

Male tied, relative to lead and equal immigrants, are significantly less likely to be employed shortly after migration as well as in the long run. By contrast, no significant differences in the employment probability showed between female tied migrants and their reference groups after migration. Yet, lead migrants of both genders enter the German labor market earlier than tied as well as equal movers.

Conclusion

This study provides the first evidence on the significance of circumstances in couples' migration decisions making for (gender‐specific) returns to migration and in that highlights key aspects of international couple migration.
SUITer: An Automated Method for Improving Segmentation of Infratentorial Structures at Ultra‐High‐Field MRI
Authors: El Mendili Mohamed Mounir , Petracca Maria , Podranski Kornelius , Fleysher Lazar , Cocozza Sirio , Inglese Matilde
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The advent of high and ultra‐high‐field MRI has significantly improved the investigation of infratentorial structures by providing high‐resolution images. However, none of the publicly available methods for cerebellar image analysis has been optimized for high‐resolution images yet.

METHODS

We present the implementation of an automated algorithm—SUITer (spatially unbiased infratentorial for enhanced resolution) method for cerebellar lobules parcellation on high‐resolution MR images acquired at both 3 and 7T MRI. SUITer was validated on five manually segmented data and compared with SUIT, FreeSurfer, and convolutional neural networks (CNN). SUITer was then applied to 3 and 7T MR images from 10 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 10 healthy controls (HCs).

RESULTS

The difference in volumes estimation for the cerebellar grey matter (GM), between the manual segmentation (ground truth), SUIT, CNN, and SUITer was reduced when computed by SUITer compared to SUIT (5.56 vs. 29.23 mL) and CNN (5.56 vs. 9.43 mL). FreeSurfer showed low volumes difference (3.56 mL). SUITer segmentations showed a high correlation (R2 = .91) and a high overlap with manual segmentations for cerebellar GM (83.46%). SUITer also showed low volumes difference (7.29 mL), high correlation (R2 = .99), and a high overlap (87.44%) for cerebellar GM segmentations across magnetic fields. SUITer showed similar cerebellar GM volume differences between MS patients and HC at both 3T and 7T (7.69 and 7.76 mL, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SUITer provides accurate segmentations of infratentorial structures across different resolutions and MR fields.
Teacher Burnout and Contextual and Compositional Elements of School Environment
Authors: Shackleton Nichola , Bonell Chris , Jamal Farah , Allen Elizabeth , Mathiot Anne , Elbourne Diana , Viner Russell
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Teachers report higher levels of stress than most occupational groups. Burnout is a specific psychological condition that results from chronic job stress characterized by emotional exhaustion, low personal accomplishment, and depersonalization. This study considers associations between aspects of the school environment and teacher burnout.

METHODS

Exploratory analysis of baseline data from a cluster randomized controlled trial of 40 schools and 2278 teachers in the United Kingdom. Multilevel methods were used to consider the associations between different compositional and contextual aspects of the school environment and teacher burnout.

RESULTS

There was evidence for school effects on teacher burnout, evidenced by ICCs and likelihood ratio tests, supporting the association between school environment and teacher burnout. The factors most consistently associated with teacher burnout in our study were teachers' perceptions of the school's safety and support and student attitudes to learning.

CONCLUSIONS

The school environment does influence teacher burnout. More research is needed to develop and test causal pathways between the school environment and teacher burnout, and to understand ecological and individual predictors of teacher burnout and the interaction between the two.
Filtering approaches for online train motion estimation with onboard power measurements
Authors: Sessa Pier Giuseppe , De Martinis Valerio , Corman Francesco
Published: November 2019

Future railway systems will need the support of more precise and reliable information on train motion during operation, to fully exploit the potential of new technologies. Train motion information are here intended as time series of train state characteristics, that is, position, speed, and acceleration. This paper investigates the use of two different filtering formulations for better online estimations of train state along the track. Specifically, extended Kalman filters (EKFs) and particle filters (PFs) are used to fuse kinematic measurements collected by means of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) with information collected by the trains on the used tractive power. The EKFs need linearity assumptions and are based on statistical evaluations of the train state, the PFs are instead conceived for nonlinear models and they are based on probability functions related to train state measurements and estimates. A set of experiments with real data of trains operating on a Swiss line is presented to analyze the capabilities of these two filters when applied to rail operation in non‐urban environments. We discuss the extent by which the proposed filtering approaches match the latest technical requirements for implementation. We expect such an enhanced train motion estimation to enable reliable and continuous positioning, available at train level and at the traffic control center, while trackside equipment will be gradually reduced.
BactMAP: An R package for integrating, analyzing and visualizing bacterial microscopy data
Authors: van Raaphorst Renske , Kjos Morten , Veening Jan‐Willem
Published: November 2019

High‐throughput analyses of single‐cell microscopy data are a critical tool within the field of bacterial cell biology. Several programs have been developed to specifically segment bacterial cells from phase‐contrast images. Together with spot and object detection algorithms, these programs offer powerful approaches to quantify observations from microscopy data, ranging from cell‐to‐cell genealogy to localization and movement of proteins. Most segmentation programs contain specific post‐processing and plotting options, but these options vary between programs and possibilities to optimize or alter the outputs are often limited. Therefore, we developed BactMAP (Bacterial toolbox for Microscopy Analysis & Plotting), a command‐line based R package that allows researchers to transform cell segmentation and spot detection data generated by different programs into various plots. Furthermore, BactMAP makes it possible to perform custom analyses and change the layout of the output. Because BactMAP works independently of segmentation and detection programs, inputs from different sources can be compared within the same analysis pipeline. BactMAP complies with standard practice in R which enables the use of advanced statistical analysis tools, and its graphic output is compatible with ggplot2, enabling adjustable plot graphics in every operating system. User feedback will be used to create a fully automated Graphical User Interface version of BactMAP in the future. Using BactMAP, we visualize key cell cycle parameters in Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and demonstrate that the DNA replication forks in Streptococcus pneumoniae dissociate and associate before splitting of the cell, after the Z‐ring is formed at the new quarter positions. BactMAP is available from https://veeninglab.com/bactmap.
Are we close enough? Comparing prairie reconstruction chronosequences to remnants following two site preparation methods in Missouri, U.S.A.
Authors: Newbold Chris , Knapp Benjamin O. , Pile Lauren S.
Published: November 2019

Prairie reconstruction has become a common method for reestablishing tallgrass prairie communities in the central United States. With the objective of creating plant communities that approximate remnant (reference) prairies, managers are interested in identifying: (1) best methods for reconstructing reference community conditions; (2) the rate of change in plant communities through time following reconstruction; and (3) species present in remnant communities but missing from reconstructed communities. This information is important in the development of adaptive management strategies during active reconstruction. We used a chronosequence approach to assess the success of two reconstruction methods in emulating local, reference remnant prairie plant communities. We compared broadcast dormant seeding following two types of site preparation, agricultural cropping (Crop) or herbicide control in existing grass assemblages (Grass), and remnant communities. The Crop site preparation method resulted in a rapid increase in richness shortly following seeding. Although more similar to remnant assemblages initially, the Grass method took longer for mean coefficient of conservatism and floristic quality index to approach conditions of the reference communities. However, neither method resulted in plant community compositions that converged with the reference through time. Further, indicator species analysis identified a diverse assemblage of species lacking from the reconstructed prairies. These results suggest the need to develop management strategies for establishing the “missing” species during reconstruction and provide further support for protection and conservation of existing remnant prairies.
Review and Evaluation of the J100‐10 Risk and Resilience Management Standard for Water and Wastewater Systems
Authors: Chen Thomas Ying‐Jeh , Washington Valerie Nicole , Aven Terje , Guikema Seth David
Published: November 2019

Risk analysis standards are often employed to protect critical infrastructures, which are vital to a nation's security, economy, and safety of its citizens. We present an analysis framework for evaluating such standards and apply it to the J100‐10 risk analysis standard for water and wastewater systems. In doing so, we identify gaps between practices recommended in the standard and the state of the art. While individual processes found within infrastructure risk analysis standards have been evaluated in the past, we present a foundational review and focus specifically on water systems. By highlighting both the conceptual shortcomings and practical limitations, we aim to prioritize the shortcomings needed to be addressed. Key findings from this study include (1) risk definitions fail to address notions of uncertainty, (2) the sole use of “worst reasonable case” assumptions can lead to mischaracterizations of risk, (3) analysis of risk and resilience at the threat‐asset resolution ignores dependencies within the system, and (4) stakeholder values need to be assessed when balancing the tradeoffs between risk reduction and resilience enhancement.
Stories for Interdisciplinary Disaster Research Collaboration
Authors: Moezzi Mithra , Peek Lori
Published: November 2019

What if we used the stories that researchers and practitioners tell each other as tools to advance interdisciplinary disaster research? This article hypothesizes that doing so could foster a new mode of collaborative learning and discovery. People, including researchers, regularly tell stories to relate “what happened” based on their experience, often in ways that augment or contradict existing understandings. These stories provide naturalistic descriptions of context, complexity, and dynamic relationships in ways that formal theories, static data, and interpretations of findings can miss. They often do so memorably and engagingly, which makes them beneficial to researchers across disciplines and allows them to be integrated into their own work. Seeking out, actively inviting, sharing, and discussing these stories in interdisciplinary teams that have developed a strong sense of trust can therefore provide partial escape from discipline‐specific reasoning and frameworks that are so often unconsciously employed. To develop and test this possibility, this article argues that the diverse and rapidly growing hazards and disaster field needs to incorporate a basic theoretical understanding of stories, building from folkloristics and other sources. It would also need strategies to draw out and build from stories in suitable interdisciplinary research forums and, in turn, to find ways to incorporate the discussions that emanate from stories into ongoing analyses, interpretations, and future lines of interdisciplinary inquiry.
Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and return‐to‐work intervention for patients on sick leave due to stress‐related disorders: Results from a randomized trial
Authors: Salomonsson Sigrid , Santoft Fredrik , Lindsäter Elin , Ejeby Kersti , Ingvar Martin , Ljótsson Brjánn , Öst Lars‐Göran , Lekander Mats , Hedman‐Lagerlöf Erik
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate specific effects for patients with adjustment or exhaustion disorder, the Stress subgroup (n = 152), regarding symptom severity and sick leave after CBT, a return‐to‐work intervention (RTW‐I), and a combination of them (COMBO), using data from a randomized trial. In the original study, primary care patients on sick leave (N = 211) were randomized to CBT (n = 64), RTW‐I (n = 67), or COMBO (n = 80). Blinded Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) of symptoms and sick leave registry data were primary outcomes. Subgroup analyses showed that for the Stress subgroup, CBT led to greater reduction of symptoms than RTW‐I posttreatment, but COMBO did not differ from CBT or RTW‐I. Regarding sick leave, there was no difference between treatments in the Stress subgroup. An exploratory analysis of the treatment effects in a subgroup of patients with depression, anxiety or insomnia indicates that RTW‐I reduced sick leave faster than CBT. We conclude that CBT may be promising as an effective treatment of stress and exhaustion disorder.
Reaching Those at Highest Risk for Suicide: Development of a Model Using Machine Learning Methods for use With Native American Communities
Authors: Haroz Emily E. , Walsh Colin G. , Goklish Novalene , Cwik Mary F. , O’Keefe Victoria , Barlow Allison
Published: November 2019

Objective

Suicide prevention is a major priority in Native American communities. We used machine learning with community‐based suicide surveillance data to better identify those most at risk.

Method

This study leverages data from the Celebrating Life program operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona and in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. We examined N = 2,390 individuals with a validated suicide‐related event between 2006 and 2017. Predictors included 73 variables (e.g., demographics, educational history, past mental health, and substance use). The outcome was suicide attempt 6, 12, and 24 months after an initial event. We tested four algorithmic approaches using cross‐validation.

Results

Area under the curves ranged from AUC = 0.81 (95% CI ± 0.08) for the decision tree classifiers to AUC = 0.87 (95% CI ± 0.04) for the ridge regression, results that were considerably higher than a past suicide attempt (AUC = 0.57; 95% CI ± 0.08). Selecting a cutoff value based on risk concentration plots yielded 0.88 sensitivity, 0.72 specificity, and a positive predictive value of 0.12 for detecting an attempt 24 months postindex event.

Conclusion

These models substantially improved our ability to determine who was most at risk in this community. Further work is needed including developing clinical guidance and external validation.
What you say, and how you say it: Preschoolers' growth in vocabulary and communication skills differentially predict kindergarten academic achievement and self‐regulation
Authors: Ramsook K. Ashana , Welsh Janet A. , Bierman Karen L.
Published: November 2019

The idea that language skills support school readiness, predicting later self‐regulation and academic success, is widely accepted. Although vocabulary is often emphasized in the developmental literature, the ability to use language appropriately in the classroom, or social communication skills, may also be critical. This article examined longitudinal contributions of children's vocabulary and social communication skills, from preschool to kindergarten, to kindergarten academic achievement (reading and math) and self‐regulation (executive functions and learning behaviors). Participants were 164 children (14% Latinx, 30% Black, 56% White; 57% girls) enrolled in Head Start programs. Results revealed that initial levels and growth in vocabulary and communication skills predicted better academic achievement. Social communication skills uniquely predicted self‐regulation, after accounting for vocabulary. We discuss potential mechanisms for these links and recommend that strategies to build social communication skills be incorporated in preschool interventions promoting school readiness.
Hypothesis Testing in the Bayesian Framework
Authors: Shikano Susumu
Published: November 2019

While the Bayesian parameter estimation has gained a wider acknowledgement among political scientists, they seem to have less discussed the Bayesian version of hypothesis testing. This paper introduces two Bayesian approaches to hypothesis testing: one based on estimated posterior distributions and the other based on Bayes factors. By using an example based on a linear regression model, I demonstrate similarities and differences not only between the null‐hypothesis significance tests and Bayesian hypothesis tests, but also those among two different Bayesian approaches, which are also critically discussed.
Introduction: German Studies Go Global
Authors: Coleman Nicole , Hock Lisabeth
Published: November 2019

This introduction to the special issue of Die Unterrichtspraxis, “Teaching German Studies in a Global Context,” discusses the origins and concept of this issue, which came out of an AATG‐sponsored seminar at the 2018 Annual Convention of the German Studies Association. It outlines both the questions with which seminar participants engaged over the course of three days and the loose definition of Global German Studies that arose out of the seminar. From there, it breaks down the issue into its areas of focus: looking back at the past, intercultural competence, globalizing German Studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels, decoupling language instruction from its traditional pairing with high culture, the engagement of high school teachers and university program directors with global German Studies, challenges faced by small programs, and rethinking how we engage with graduate students.
How to Explain Behavior?
Authors: Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: November 2019

Unlike behaviorism, cognitive psychology relies on mental concepts to explain behavior. Yet mental processes are not directly observable and multiple explanations are possible, which poses a challenge for finding a useful framework. In this article, I distinguish three new frameworks for explanations that emerged after the cognitive revolution. The first is calledtools‐to‐theories: Psychologists' new tools for data analysis, such as computers and statistics, are turned into theories of mind. The second proposesas‐iftheories: Expected utility theory and Bayesian statistics are turned into theories of mind, describing an optimal solution of a problem but not its psychological process. The third studies theadaptive toolbox(formal models of heuristics) that describes mental processes in situations of uncertainty where an optimal solution is unknown. Depending on which framework researchers choose, they will model behavior in either situations of risk or of uncertainty, and construct models of cognitive processes or not. The frameworks also determine what questions are asked and what kind of data are generated. What all three frameworks have in common, however, is a clear preference for formal models rather than explanations by general dichotomies or mere verbal concepts. The frameworks have considerable potential to inform each other and to generate points of integration.
Decellularized pig pulmonary heart valves—Depletion of nucleic acids measured by proviral PERV pol
Authors: Godehardt Antonia W. , Ramm Robert , Gulich Barbara , Tönjes Ralf R. , Hilfiker Andres
Published: November 2019

Background

Decellularized human pulmonary heart valve (dhHV) scaffolds have been shown to be the gold standard especially for younger, adolescent patients. However, human heart valves are limited in availability. Xenogeneic decellularized pig heart valves (dpHV) may serve as alternative.

Methods

The efficacy of DNA reduction processes upon decellularization of heart valves from German Landrace pigs was analyzed by measurements of remaining nucleic acids including proviral porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) sequences. Porcine pulmonary heart valves (pPHV) were decellularized by three different protocols and further treated with DNaseI or Benzonase, at varying incubation times. DNA isolated from valve associated muscle (m), valve cusp (c), and pulmonary artery (pa) was monitored by PCR and qRT‐PCR using GAPDH and the PERV polymerase (pol) for read‐out.

Results

Decellularization of pPHV led to a significant reduction of DNA (>99%) which could be further significantly increased for (m) and (pa) by nuclease treatment, reducing proviral PERV pol from approximately 5 × 107 to 5 × 103 copies/mg in nuclease treated tissues.

Conclusions

Both nucleases demonstrated comparable activities. But DNaseI revealed to be less consistent for PERV, especially at muscular tissue. Noteworthy, remaining proviral sequences are still detectable by PCR; however, due to the absence of the cellular replication machinery the production of infectious particles is not expected. Decellularization and nuclease treatment of pPHV is an efficient procedure to reduce the DNA content including PERV, thus represents a valuable option to increase virus safety independently from the source animal background.
Product Sustainable Design: A Review From the Environmental, Economic, and Social Aspects
Authors: He Bin , Li Fangfang , Cao Xiaoyang , Li Tengyu
Published: November 2019

As a global concern, the sustainability of a product is the responsibility for manufacturing. Product design has become one of the sources and core drivers for manufacturing competition, and the international competitiveness of products would mostly depend on product design capabilities. The product design has essential and profound impacts on the manufacturing, and thus, many researchers focus on product design and make varies of contributions in this area. Product sustainable design is a design process for a product with the consideration of environmental, economic, and social sustainability during the product entire life cycle. The result of product sustainable design is the creation of products with high sustainability of environmental, economic, and social aspects. This paper reviews the state of the art in the product sustainable design methodologies and tools from the perspective of environmental, economic, and social aspects. For the environmental perspective, design for environment methodologies and tools would enable products in a more environmentally friendly manner in the manufacturing. For the economic perspective, this paper introduces the design methodologies for the economic sustainability with cost, assembly, manufacture, and supply chain. For the social perspective, this paper introduces sustainable social design and social responsibility design for social sustainability and social sustainability through social intervention and social innovation. In addition, it encourages future works.