bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salient object detection via reciprocal function filter
Authors: Chen Wenbing , Dahal Keshav , Huang Shuxian
Published: April 2019

Salient object detection (SOD) has been attracting a lot of interest, and recently many computational models have been developed. Here, the authors formulate a SOD model, in which saliency map is computed as a combination of the colour, its distribution‐based saliency and orientation saliency. Similar to traditional SODs, the proposed method is based on super‐pixel segmentation and super‐pixel utilises both colour and its distribution‐based saliency to generate a coarse saliency map. However, distinct from traditional SODs, authors further use orientation contrast to optimise the coarse saliency map to obtain an improved saliency map. Authors’ contributions are twofold. First, the authors combine colour uniqueness and its distribution with local orientation information (LOI) used in Itti's model to effectively improve profiles of salient regions. Second, a reciprocal function is defined to substitute the Gabor function used in LOI, and the authors have proved that the substitution could detect relatively homogeneous and uniform regions at the boundary of salient object, whereas it is what the traditional models lack. Authors’ approach significantly outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods on four benchmark datasets, while the authors demonstrate that the proposed method runs as fast as most existing algorithms.
Review of the application of machine learning to the automatic semantic annotation of images
Authors: Olaode Abass , Naghdy Golshah
Published: April 2019

The massive amount of digital content generated daily in the modern world has created the need for an image retrieval system built on image analysis via image processing and machine learning, therefore this study explains the role of machine learning in bridging the semantic gap in content‐based image retrieval, proposes an automatic image annotation framework, in which training images are obtained from social media, and semantic indexing is achieved using a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning. Furthermore, the study also highlights the need for continuous vocabulary improvement for optimum system performance and recommends hardware implementation of machine learning algorithms to ensure high overall speed of image retrieval systems.
Improved hierarchical quantisation parameter setting method for screen content coding in high efficiency video coding
Authors: Tang Tong , Li Ling , Li Jun
Published: April 2019

Screen content video (SCV) is generated by computers, including texts, animation, and graphics. Unlike conventional camera‐captured video, screen contents are often discontinuous, as some regions may remain static for successive frames. Therefore, the traditional hierarchical quantisation parameter (QP) setting scheme for conventional video may be not efficient enough for SCV. In this study, an improved hierarchical QP setting method is proposed for screen content coding. Based on the default hierarchical QP setting in high efficiency video coding (HEVC), the proposed method adjusts QP values at the coding tree unit level according to block matching and content complexity. Smaller QP is assigned to the static region and the translational region to reduce quality refinement, and bigger QP is assigned to the complex and limited quality propagated region to save bits. Experimental results show that compared with the default QP setting method in HEVC, the proposed method reduces up to 15.7% bitrate and 6.3% bitrate on average, and decreases the encoding time by 9.2% averagely.
ACFT: adversarial correlation filter for robust tracking
Authors: Huang Hanqiao , Zha Yufei , Zheng Meiyun , Zhang Peng
Published: April 2019

Tracking based on correlation filters has demonstrated outstanding performance in recent visual object tracking studies and competitions. However, the performance is limited since the boundary effects are introduced by the intrinsic circular structure. In this study, a tracker, called adversarial correlation filter tracker (ACFT), is proposed to solve the above problem through Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) that is specifically strong at producing realistic‐looking data from noise circumstances. Especially, a mask is generated by the GANs to assist the conventional correlation filter for the spatial regularisation. By overcoming the feature independence of current regularisation in another tracker, the GANs’ mask can be effectively used to identify the robust features for the target variations representation in the temporal domain. Also in the spatial domain, the background features can be substantially suppressed to obtain the optimisation filter for more reliable matching and updating. In verification, the authors evaluate the proposed tracker on the standard tracking benchmarks, and the experimental results show that their tracker outperforms favourably against other state‐of‐the‐art trackers in the measurements of accuracy and robustness.
Testing massive star evolution, star formation history, and feedback at low metallicity
Authors: Ramachandran V. , Hamann W.-R. , Oskinova L. M. , Gallagher J. S. , Hainich R. , Shenar T. , Sander A. A. C. , Todt H. , Fulmer L.
Published: April 2019

Stars that start their lives with spectral types O and early B are the progenitors of core-collapse supernovae, long gamma-ray bursts, neutron stars, and black holes. These massive stars are the primary sources of stellar feedback in star-forming galaxies. At low metallicities, the properties of massive stars and their evolution are not yet fully explored. Here we report a spectroscopic study of 320 massive stars of spectral types O (23 stars) and B (297 stars) in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The spectra, which we obtained with the ESO Very Large Telescope, were analyzed using state-of-the-art stellar atmosphere models, and the stellar parameters were determined. We find that the stellar winds of our sample stars are generally much weaker than theoretically expected. The stellar rotation rates show broad, tentatively bimodal distributions. The upper Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (HRD) is well populated by the stars of our sample from a specific field in the SMC Wing. A few very luminous O stars are found close to the main sequence, while all other, slightly evolved stars obey a strict luminosity limit. Considering additional massive stars in evolved stages, with published parameters and located all over the SMC, essentially confirms this picture. The comparison with single-star evolutionary tracks suggests a dichotomy in the fate of massive stars in the SMC. Only stars with an initial mass below ∼30 M⊙ seem to evolve from the main sequence to the cool side of the HRD to become a red supergiant and to explode as type II-P supernova. In contrast, stars with initially more than ∼30 M⊙ appear to stay always hot and might evolve quasi chemically homogeneously, finally collapsing to relatively massive black holes. However, we find no indication that chemical mixing is correlated with rapid rotation. We measured the key parameters of stellar feedback and established the links between the rates of star formation and supernovae. Our study demonstrates that in metal-poor environments stellar feedback is dominated by core-collapse supernovae in combination with winds and ionizing radiation supplied by a few of the most massive stars. We found indications of the stochastic mode of massive star formation, where the resulting stellar population is fully capable of producing large-scale structures such as the supergiant shell SMC-SGS 1 in the Wing. The low level of feedback in metal-poor stellar populations allows star formation episodes to persist over long timescales.
Homöopathie und intellektuelle Redlichkeit – Eine Stellungnahme
Authors: Matthiessen Peter F.
Published: April 2019

Angesichts fehlender Plausibilität zu den Wirkprinzipien der Homöopathie ist es Mode geworden, deren therapeutische Wirksamkeit in Abrede zu stellen, obwohl die hierzu publizierte Evidenz für eine Wirksamkeit spricht. Dennoch werden als Ausdruck von Ignoranz oder einer bewussten Stimmungsmache gegen die Homöopathie wissenschaftliche Fehlinformationen lanciert. Die vorliegende Publikation zeigt an drei ausgewählten Beispielen aus jüngster Zeit unter Berücksichtigung der tatsächlichen Beleglage die fehlende Seriosität dieser Aktivitäten auf.

Im Namen des Dialogforum Pluralismus in der Medizin (DPM) und weiterer etablierter und repräsentativer Ärzteorganisationen wird das Erfordernis einer evidenzbasierten Integrativen Medizin sowie seine zunehmende Bedeutung an führenden medizinischen Fakultäten in den USA ebenso wie in Deutschland dargelegt. Es wird aufgezeigt, dass eine vollorchestrierte Gesundheitsversorgung, die den individuell unterschiedlichen Bedürfnissen und Präferenzen der Bevölkerung zu entsprechen sucht, eine Integrative Medizin als ein zwar kritisches, aber unvoreingenommenes Kooperationsgefüge zwischen Mainstreammedizin und ausgewählten komplementärmedizinischen Ansätzen zu seiner Grundlage bedarf.

In diesem Zusammenhang wird auf einen von allen Mitgliedern des Dialogforum verfassten Grundsatzartikel zur Professionalität verwiesen, demzufolge sowohl für die konventionelle Medizin als auch für die Komplementärmedizin gleichermaßen eine Verpflichtung zur Wissenschaftlichkeit besteht. Bereits Ludwig Fleck und Thomas Kuhn haben aufgezeigt, dass die Anhänger eines bestimmten Paradigmas bestrebt sind, das je eigene Paradigma durch den Staat zu privilegieren. Der vorliegende Artikel verweist jedoch darauf, dass dem Staat nach § 5 Abs. 3 des Grundgesetzes ein Wissenschaftsrichtertum im Sinne der Parteiergreifung für ein bestimmtes Paradigma grundsätzlich untersagt ist. Darüber hinaus wird darauf verwiesen, dass die Monopolisierung eines einzigen Paradigmas mit der Ausbildung totalitärer Denkstrukturen einhergeht. In einem abschließenden Votum verwahren sich die Unterzeichner, die neben etablierten Ärzteorganisationen aus einer Vielzahl ausgewiesener Ärzte und Wissenschaftler bestehen, gegen die Verfolgung totalitärer, mit dem Grundgesetz kollidierender Denkfiguren in unserem Gesundheitswesen.
Einer für alle, alle für einen
Authors: Kirchner Helga
Published: April 2019

Motivierte und erfolgreiche Teams sind kein Zufall. Lesen Sie, unter welchen
Voraussetzungen die Entwicklung einer Gruppe Mitarbeiter zu einem Dream-Team
gelingen kann.
Gemeinsam stark
Authors: Goller Ina , Bronnsack Tanja
Published: April 2019

Weil Behandlungsprozesse immer straffer und interdisziplinäre Bereiche verstärkt
ausgebaut werden, müssen Pflegende noch mehr zusammenarbeiten – untereinander
und mit anderen Berufsgruppen. Doch wie wird man gemeinsam stark?
Management von Urethralsteinen beim Hund mittels
pneumatischer und laserenergetischer Lithotripsie
Authors: Pantke Peter
Published: April 2019

Gegenstand und Ziel Beschreibung der klinischen Erfahrungen mit zwei
verschiedenen Lithotripsieverfahren zur Behandlung von Harnröhrensteinen beim
Hund.

Material und Methoden Retrospektive Auswertung (Oktober 2016 bis November
2017) klinischer Daten von Hunden mit Harnröhrensteinen, bei denen eine
transurethrale pneumatische oder laserenergetische Lithotripsie erfolgte.

Ergebnisse Im genannten Zeitraum wurde bei 28 Rüden und 5 Hündinnen mit
Harnröhrensteinen eine pneumatische (39 %) oder eine laserenergetische (61 %)
Lithotripsie durchgeführt. In der Harnröhre konnten mit beiden Verfahren
Steinfreiheitsraten von 100 % bei Hündinnen und von 85 % bei Rüden erreicht
werden. Bei 3 der 28 Rüden (11 %) zeigte sich das endoskopische Bild einer
hochgradigen polypoiden Urethritis, die das Urethralumen trotz
Konkremententfernung weiter einengte und die Anlage einer Urethralfistel
erforderte. Bei 8 der 28 Rüden (29 %) und bei 1 der 5 Hündinnen (20 %) wurde
zusätzlich eine Zystolithotomie notwendig, um eine vollständige Steinfreiheit im
unteren Harntrakt zu erreichen.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Eine transurethrale Lithotripsie
von Harnröhrensteinen lässt sich beim Hund mit relativ hoher Erfolgsquote sowohl
pneumatisch als auch laserenergetisch durchführen. Bei gravierenden
Gewebeveränderungen der Harnröhrenschleimhaut können zusätzliche chirurgische
oder interventionelle Maßnahmen zur Wiederherstellung der Harnröhrenfunktion
erforderlich werden.
Das frühe Wochenbett–Physiologie und Pathologie
Authors: Abou-Dakn Michael
Published: April 2019

Unmittelbar nach der Geburt passt sich der Körper an die veränderten physiologischen Abläufe an, u. a. durch Uterusrückbildung und Hormonumstellungen. Ein frühzeitiges Erkennen von Abweichungen durch die Hebamme ist dabei essenziell. Der Autor hat das Wichtigste zu postpartalem Fieber und hämatologischen Komplikationen zusammengefasst.
Ernährung und Lebensstil vor und während der Schwangerschaft – Zusammenfassung aktualisierte Handlungsempfehlungen
Authors: Koletzko Berthold , Cremer Monika , Flothkötter Maria , Graf Christine , Hauner Hans , Hellmers Claudia , Kersting Mathilde , Krawinkel Michael , Przyrembel Hildegard , Röbl-Mathieu Marianne , Schiffner Ulrich , Vetter Klaus , Weißenborn Anke , Wöckel Achim
Published: April 2019

2012 hatte das Netzwerk Gesund ins Leben erstmalig Empfehlungen herausgegeben, die sich mit der Ernährung und dem Lebensstil in der Schwangerschaft befassen. Behandelt werden unter anderem Themen wie Körpergewicht, Nährstoffbedarf, Supplemente und körperliche Aktivität. Diese Empfehlungen wurden nun aktualisiert und um das Thema präkonzeptioneller Lebensstil ergänzt. Eine Zusammenfassung von Katharina Kerlen-Petri.
Total and Regional Body Composition of NCAA Division I Collegiate Baseball Athletes
Authors: Czeck Madeline A. , Raymond-Pope Christiana J. , Bosch Tyler A. , Bach Christopher W. , Oliver Jonathan M. , Carbuhn Aaron , Stanforth Philip R. , Dengel Donald R.
Published: April 2019

This study’s purpose was to evaluate total, regional, and throwing versus non-throwing arm body composition measurements between various positions of NCAA Division I male baseball players using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Two hundred and one collegiate baseball athletes were measured using DXA. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), total and regional fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Athletes were separated into: pitchers (n=92), catchers (n=25), outfielders (n=43), and infielders (n=41). ANOVA and Tukey’s honest significant difference assessed total and regional differences between positions. Infielders had significantly (p<0.05) lower total LM than pitchers and outfielders. Additionally, outfielders had significantly lower total FM compared to pitchers and catchers. No significant differences between positions were observed for total BMD and VAT. Pitchers’ and infielders’ throwing arm demonstrated significantly greater total mass, FM, LM, and BMD compared to the non-throwing arm. Further, outfielders’ throwing arm total mass, LM, and BMD were significantly higher vs. the non-throwing arm. Significant differences were observed in total and regional body composition measurements across position, in addition to differences in throwing arm vs. non-throwing arm composition. These measurement values are important to coaches and trainers as normative positional DXA data for collegiate baseball players.
Factor XIII Prevents Pulmonary Emboli in Mice by Stabilizing Deep Vein Thrombi
Authors: Shaya Shana A. , Gani Dhulfiha Muzafar , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Kim Paul Y. , Gross Peter L.
Published: April 2019

Background Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), but the mechanisms responsible for this progression are unknown. Previously, we showed that inhibition of thrombin-mediated activation of factor (F) XIII promotes venous thrombus stability in a murine model.

Aim In this study, we investigate the consequence of attenuating fibrinolysis, using FXIII, α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP) or ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) supplementation, on clot lysis and venous thrombus stability using the same mouse model.

Methods In vitro plasma clot lysis assay shows that EACA and α2-AP but not FXIII, inhibit fibrinolysis. Ferric chloride induced thrombi in the femoral vein of mice. After thrombus formation, mice received saline, EACA, α2-AP or FXIII, with or without dalteparin or dabigatran. Thrombus sizes and embolization over 2 hours were visualized using intravital videomicroscopy. Lungs were sectioned to quantify emboli presence via histology.

Results The change in thrombus size over time was significantly greater after EACA treatment, but not FXIII or α2-AP supplementation, compared with saline. α2-AP-supplementation did not alter thrombus stability. Thrombi were more stable following EACA treatment and FXIII supplementation as evidenced by less embolic events and PE burden, even when they were anticoagulated with either dalteparin or dabigatran.

Conclusion FXIII supplementation stabilized venous thrombi, even in the presence of anticoagulants, and did not alter thrombus size. Supplemental FXIII may be useful to stabilize DVT and be an alternative adjunctive treatment to minimize PE, even when anticoagulants are used.
Comparison of Two Thrombin Generation Methods, CAT and ST-Genesia, in Liver Transplant Patients
Authors: Roullet Stéphanie , Labrouche Sylvie , Freyburger Geneviève
Published: April 2019

Background During liver transplantation (LT), thrombin generation (TG) is altered. The most frequently used assay for TG is the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT). It is designed for series of plasmas and is semi-automated. Complete automation has led to a new device, the ST-Genesia, enabling quantitative standardized TG evaluation.

Objective The aim of this observational study was to compare the TG results of the CAT and the ST-Genesia on frozen-thawed plasma samples prepared from the blood of LT patients.

Patients and Methods Poor platelet plasma aliquots were prepared from blood samples from six LT patients selected to get the whole range of TG and were assessed with CAT (recombinant human tissue factor [TF] concentration 5 pm) and with ST-Genesia Bleedscreen assay (BS, using ‘low’ recombinant human TF concentration) and Thromboscreen assay (TS, using ‘medium’ recombinant human TF concentration). The TG parameters studied were: lag time, peak, time to peak, endogenous thrombin potential, velocity index and start tail.

Results BS and TS did not differ significantly from each other whatever the parameter studied, whereas most of the CAT parameters were significantly different from those obtained with BS and TS. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the different parameters of TG showed three homogeneous groups. One cluster gathered TG quantitative parameters from ST-Genesia. A second cluster gathered all the kinetic parameters. The last cluster isolated the quantitative parameters of CAT.

Conclusion In patients undergoing LT, TG performed with CAT and with ST-Genesia provided different results, for unknown reasons.
Malaria Infection as a Leading Cause of Febrile Seizures among Children with Seizures in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Authors: Oke Oluwasola Julius , Ajite Adebukola , Oluwayemi Oluwadare Isaac , Olatunya Oladele Simeon , Ogundare Ezra Olatunde , Abdulraheem Fadlulai Olaoluwa
Published: April 2019

Febrile seizure (FS) is among the leading cause of pediatric admissions in developing countries. The etiologic patterns of FS among children attending Pediatric Emergency of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti were studied. A prospective study of children who had FS was carried out. A prevalence of 2.9% was found and malaria was the leading cause of FS in 111 (85.4%) patients. Seventy-eight (60%) of the 130 patients with FS had their seizure occurring within the first 24 hours of onset of fever. Malaria was the most common cause of fever precipitating FS in the index study. Prevention of malaria and prompt management of fever will reduce the prevalence and improve the outcome of FS. The overall prevalence of FS is similar to developed countries and the etiology is similar to other studies from Nigeria.
Phenotypic Variation between Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins with Coffin–Siris Syndrome
Authors: LaBrecque Brett , Contreras Marioxy , Giordano Jessica , Parravicini Elvira
Published: April 2019

The first known documented case of monochorionic–diamniotic twins with Coffin–Siris syndrome is described in this study. This case is notable because of the phenotypic differences between infants despite having identical genomes and causative variants. Also unique to this case is the clinical influence of early diagnosis using precision medicine techniques.
Excessive Seizure Clusters in an Otherwise Well-Controlled Epilepsy as a Possible Hallmark of Untreated Vitamin B6-Responsive Epilepsy due to a Homozygous PLPBP Missense Variant
Authors: Johannsen Jessika , Bierhals Tatjana , Deindl Philipp , Hecher Laura , Hermann Katharina , Hempel Maja , Kloth Katja , Denecke Jonas
Published: April 2019

Recently, mutations in the PLPBP gene were described as a novel cause for vitamin B6-responsive epilepsy. We report the outcome in case of a male adolescent with a novel homozygous missense variant in PLPBP who was never treated with pyridoxine until the age of 16 years. He presented with only mild cognitive impairment and an early-onset, well-controlled epilepsy. In our patient, excessive seizure clusters and anxiety states occurred intermittently, suggesting that the combination might be a hallmark in untreated patients. Thus, mutations in PLPBP should be addressed even in adolescent patients with only mild learning disabilities and relatively good seizure control over the years.
ROPES: Setting standards for better solar forecasting
Authors: Frank Jodi Ackerman
Published: April 2019

A new benchmarking platform tests the credibility of solar forecasting research.
New mechanism reveals the aerodynamics of flapping insect wings
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: April 2019

A tornado-like force that keeps flying insects afloat may be partially stabilized by a torque arising from velocity gradients.
Transportation or sharing of stress signals among interconnected ramets improves systemic resistance of clonal networks to water stress
Authors: Wei Qing , Li Qian , Jin Yu , Wu Shulan , Fan Lihua , Lei Ningfei , Chen Jinsong
Published: April 2019

Previous studies have elucidated the mechanisms, ecological implications and constraints on transportation or sharing of defence signals among interconnected ramets of clonal plants suffering from localised herbivore damage. To our knowledge, few studies have been conducted to provide insights into the ecological implications on transportation or sharing of stress signals for clonal plants subjected to water stress. As a chemical elicitor, ABA can induce resistance response in plants suffering from water stress. A pot experiment was conducted to explore transportation or sharing of stress signals among interconnected ramets by using clonal fragments of Centella asiaticas (L.) Urban with four successive ramets (oldest, old, mature and young) subjected to low water availability (20% soil moisture contents). Compared with control, foliar oxidative stress of the old, mature and young ramets significantly decreased, and antioxidant capacity was increased when exogenous ABA was applied to the oldest ramets. Meanwhile, foliar PSII activity and chlorophyll content of the old, mature and young ramets significantly increased. Compared with control, biomass accumulation and ratio of below-ground/aboveground biomass of whole clonal fragments were significantly increased by ABA application to the oldest ramets. However, similar patterns were not observed when exogenous ABA was applied to the young ramets. Our results show that transportation or sharing of stress signals among interconnected ramets improves systemic resistance of clonal networks to water stress, which is dependent on directionality of vascular flows. Compared with the old or mature ramets, the young ramets displayed stronger resistance response (such as higher antioxidant enzymes activities and proline content, lower O2•− production rate and malondialdehyde content) to water stress as well as higher PSII activity and chlorophyll content when exogenous ABA was applied to the oldest ramets. Thus, transportation or sharing of stress signals may favour young ramets that are most valuable for growth and fitness of clonal plant subjected to environmental stress. It is suggested that transportation or sharing of stress signals among interconnected ramets may confer clonal plants with considerable benefits in adapting to spatio-temporal heterogeneous habitats.
Signatures of slip in dewetting polymer films
Authors: Peschka Dirk , Haefner Sabrina , Marquant Ludovic , Jacobs Karin , Münch Andreas , Wagner Barbara
Published: April 2019

Significance

Dewetting is the hydrodynamic process where a uniform layer of liquid destabilizes and decays into distinct patterns of stationary droplets by virtue of interfacial and intermolecular energies. These patterns can now be predicted theoretically, and their evolution can be followed numerically in striking similarity to experimental results. The droplet arrays observed during the quasistatic evolution are generated by two distinct types of instabilities: droplet shedding of moving liquid rims and satellite droplet pinch-off during the decay of stationary ridges. The mechanism causing the emergence of different droplet patterns is the dissipation at the liquid–solid interface modeled by an effective Navier slip.
Component of splicing factor SF3b plays a key role in translational control of polyribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Ueno Tomonori , Taga Yuki , Yoshimoto Rei , Mayeda Akila , Hattori Shunji , Ogawa-Goto Kiyoko
Published: April 2019

Significance

p180/
RRBP1
is an essential factor for high-rate protein synthesis on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in terminally differentiated secretory cells. A unique system for selectively enhanced translation has been proposed for p180-associated polyribosomes. Here we provide evidence that SF3b4, an RNA-binding protein in the splicing factor, plays a key and unexpected role in translation control as a cofactor for p180. It appears that abundant expression of both SF3b4 and p180 is critical for increased ER mRNA targeting, and consequently leads to the heavy polyribosome assembly. This discovery could shed light on the pathogenesis of Nager syndrome caused by
SF3B4
mutation, as such mutations may result in abnormal collagen biosynthesis, potentially affecting bone morphogenesis in patients with this disease.
The East India Company’s Farmān, 1622‒1747
Authors: Good Peter
Published: April 2019

The East India Company’s presence and ongoing trade in Persia was reliant on the privileges outlined in the Farmān, granted after the capture of Hormuz in 1622. The relationship between these two powers was cemented in the rights enshrined in the Farmān, which was used by both to regulate their varying needs and expectations over the course of 125 years. This article explores the Company’s records of the Farmān and how changes to its terms were viewed from both sides. As a Persian document, the Farmān gives a clear view of the attitudes of native officials and rulers to the Company and how these terms were used as a means of control.
A mutation in CaV2.1 linked to a severe neurodevelopmental disorder impairs channel gating
Authors: Tyagi Sidharth , Bendrick Tyler R. , Filipova Dilyana , Papadopoulos Symeon , Bannister Roger A.
Published: April 2019

Ca2+ flux into axon terminals via P-/Q-type CaV2.1 channels is the trigger for neurotransmitter vesicle release at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and many central synapses. Recently, an arginine to proline substitution (R1673P) in the S4 voltage-sensing helix of the fourth membrane-bound repeat of CaV2.1 was linked to a severe neurological disorder characterized by generalized hypotonia, ataxia, cerebellar atrophy, and global developmental delay. The R1673P mutation was proposed to cause a gain of function in CaV2.1 leading to neuronal Ca2+ toxicity based on the ability of the mutant channel to rescue the photoreceptor response in CaV2.1-deficient Drosophila cacophony larvae. Here, we show that the corresponding mutation in rat CaV2.1 (R1624P) causes a profound loss of channel function; voltage-clamp analysis of tsA-201 cells expressing this mutant channel revealed an ∼25-mV depolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation. This alteration in activation implies that a significant fraction of CaV2.1 channels resident in presynaptic terminals are unlikely to open in response to an action potential, thereby increasing the probability of synaptic failure at both NMJs and central synapses. Indeed, the mutant channel supported only minimal Ca2+ flux in response to an action potential–like waveform. Application of GV-58, a compound previously shown to stabilize the open state of wild-type CaV2.1 channels, partially restored Ca2+ current by shifting mutant activation to more hyperpolarizing potentials and slowing deactivation. Consequently, GV-58 also rescued a portion of Ca2+ flux during action potential–like stimuli. Thus, our data raise the possibility that therapeutic agents that increase channel open probability or prolong action potential duration may be effective in combatting this and other severe neurodevelopmental disorders caused by loss-of-function mutations in CaV2.1.
Our Everyday Aesthetic Evaluations of Architecture
Authors: Franco Abel B
Published: April 2019

I argue that our everyday evaluations of architecture are primarily evaluations of spaces and, in particular, of their inhabitability— that is, whether they serve or can serve to the realization of our individual ideal of life. Inhabitability is not only a functional criterion but an aesthetic one as well. It is aesthetic insofar as the evaluations about inhabitability include evaluations about the quality of the experience of actually doing something in —or simply occupying—a particular space. This aesthetic aspect of our everyday evaluations explains, on one hand, the distinctive features of our everyday preferences for some architectonic spaces over others—namely, (a) their very personal nature; (b) their noticeable value in our daily lives; (c) their inseparability from the activities we plan to realize in those spaces; and (d) the importance of the spaces which are contiguous to the one we are evaluating. And on the other, it both reveals architecture’s significance for the quality of our daily life and serves as a guide for us to choose spaces that improve that quality.
Optimal Target Blood Pressure and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Low-Risk Younger Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Kwon Chang Hee , Kang Jeonggyu , Cho Ara , Chang Yoosoo , Ryu Seungho , Sung Ki-Chul
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine longitudinal associations between blood pressure (BP) categories and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in treated hypertensive patients without CVD.

METHODS

A cohort study was performed in Korean adults who underwent a comprehensive health examination from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016 and was followed for incident CVD via linkage to the Health Insurance and Review Agency database until the end of 2016, with a median follow-up of 4.3 years.

RESULTS

Among 263,532 participants, 8,418 treated hypertensive patients free of CVD at baseline were included. The incident CVD end point was defined as new hospitalization for CVD, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. During 32,975.6 person-years of follow-up, 200 participants developed new-onset CVD (incidence rate of 60.6 per 104 person-years). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence intervals [CI]) for CVD according to systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels (comparing SBP < 110, SBP = 120–129, SBP = 130–139, SBP = 140–149, SBP = 150–159, and SBP ≥160 to SBP 110–119 mm Hg [reference]) were 0.83 (0.53–1.30), 1.31 (0.91–1.89), 1.18 (0.74–1.87), 1.46 (0.79–2.72), 3.19 (1.25–8.12), and 5.60 (2.00–15.70), respectively. In multivariable analysis for CVD according to diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, HR (95% CI) of DBP < 60, DBP = 70–79, DBP = 80–89, DBP = 90–99, and DBP ≥100 compared to DBP = 60–69 mm Hg [reference]) were 0.51 (0.12–2.14), 1.13 (0.76–1.67), 1.26 (0.83–1.92), 1.62 (0.89–2.97), and 1.68 (0.51–5.55), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of middle-aged treated hypertensive patients, SBP < 120 mm Hg and/or DBP < 70 mm Hg were acceptable and showed a trend of protection of incident CVD.
Convergence to the tiniest detail: vocal sac structure in torrent-dwelling frogs
Authors: Elias-Costa Agustín J , Faivovich Julián
Published: April 2019

Cascades and fast-flowing streams impose severe restrictions on acoustic communication, with loud broadband background noise hampering signal detection and recognition. In this context, diverse behavioural features, such as ultrasound production and visual displays, have arisen in the evolutionary history of torrent-dwelling amphibians. The importance of the vocal sac in multimodal communication is being increasingly recognized, and recently a new vocal sac visual display has been discovered: unilateral inflation of paired vocal sacs. In the diurnal stream-breeding Hylodidae from the Atlantic forest, where it was first described, this behaviour is likely to be enabled by a unique anatomical configuration of the vocal sacs. To assess whether other taxa share this exceptional structure, we surveyed torrent-dwelling species with paired vocal sacs across the anuran tree of life and examined the vocal sac anatomy of exemplar species across 18 families. We found striking anatomical convergence among hylodids and species of the distantly related basal ranid genera Staurois, Huia, Meristogenys and Amolops. Ancestral character state reconstruction identified three new synapomorphies for Ranidae. Furthermore, we surveyed the vocal sac configuration of other anuran species that perform visual displays and report observations on what appears to be unilateral inflation of paired vocal sacs, in Staurois guttatus – an extremely rare behaviour in anurans.
Sulforaphane ameliorates high-fat diet-induced spermatogenic deficiency in mice†
Authors: Mu Yang , Yin Tai-lang , Huang Xiao-xuan , Hu Xue , Yin Lu , Yang Jing
Published: April 2019

Sulforaphane (SFN), a dietary isothiocyanate that is mainly found in cruciferous vegetables, possesses anti-oxidative and anticancer activity and modulates inflammation. However, little is known about the role of SFN in obesity-related male reproductive defects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of SFN on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced male spermatogenic impairment and further clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. In this study, 8-week-old mice were randomly divided into four groups. Mice were fed a normal diet or an HFD with or without SFN supplementation. Sulforaphane was subcutaneously injected at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg 5 days/week for 4 weeks beginning 8 weeks after initiation of the HFD. The results demonstrated that SFN could protect against HFD-induced reproductive dysfunction in male mice. Moreover, SFN also improved reproductive ability, as demonstrated by an increased pregnancy rate and decreased embryo resorption rate in comparison to the corresponding HFD group. We also observed a decrease in apoptosis and an attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress after SFN treatment. In vitro studies of mouse and human sperm samples also revealed that SFN protects against the palmitic acid-induced reduction in sperm viability and motility by inhibiting ER stress in an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent manner. AMPK-dependent ER stress attenuation by SFN was further confirmed using AMPK knockout mice. Taken together, these data show that SFN protects against HFD-induced male reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting ER stress and apoptosis. These findings may be helpful for identifying new therapeutic methods to treat male infertility.
Research-based versus clinical serum creatinine measurements and the association of acute kidney injury with subsequent kidney function: findings from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study
Authors: Hsu Raymond K , Hsu Chi-yuan , McCulloch Charles E , Yang Jingrong , Anderson Amanda H , Chen Jing , Feldman Harold I , He Jiang , Liu Kathleen D , Navaneethan Sankar D , Porter Anna C , Rahman Mahboob , Tan Thida C , Wilson F Perry , Xie Dawei , Zhang Xiaoming , Go Alan S ,   Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study Investigators, Appel Lawrence J , Kusek John W , Lash James P , Rao Panduranga S , Townsend Raymond R
Published: April 2019

Background

Observational studies relying on clinically obtained data have shown that acute kidney injury (AKI) is linked to accelerated chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, prior reports lacked uniform collection of important confounders such as proteinuria and pre-AKI kidney function trajectory, and may be susceptible to ascertainment bias, as patients may be more likely to undergo kidney function testing after AKI.

Methods

We studied 444 adults with CKD who participated in the prospective Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study and were concurrent members of a large integrated healthcare delivery system. We estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) trajectories using serum creatinine measurements from (i) the CRIC research protocol (yearly) and (ii) routine clinical care. We used linear mixed effects models to evaluate the associations of AKI with acute absolute change in eGFR and post-AKI eGFR slope, and explored whether these varied by source of creatinine results. Models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, diabetes status and albuminuria.

Results

During median follow-up of 8.5 years, mean rate of eGFR loss was −0.31 mL/min/1.73 m2/year overall, and 73 individuals experienced AKI (55% Stage 1). A significant interaction existed between AKI and source of serum creatinine for acute absolute change in eGFR level after discharge; in contrast, AKI was independently associated with a faster rate of eGFR decline (mean additional loss of −0.67 mL/min/1.73 m2/year), which was not impacted by source of serum creatinine.

Conclusions

AKI is independently associated with subsequent steeper eGFR decline regardless of the serum creatinine source used, but the strength of association is smaller than observed in prior studies after taking into account key confounders such as pre-AKI eGFR slope and albuminuria.
Psychological Distress in Bullied Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents
Authors: Cheng An-Wen , Chou Yu-Ching , Lin Fu-Gong
Published: April 2019

Bullying victimization at school is an important concern in terms of mental health, in particular, for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) adolescents who may be more vulnerable than hearing peers. This study determined the prevalence of bullying victimization among DHH adolescents in Taiwan and ascertained the relation of bullying victimization experiences and family and school variables with their psychological well-being. Data were collected from the 2011 Special Needs Education Longitudinal Study database. Multivariate regression analysis was performed on variables comprising seven items measuring psychological distress; four types of bullying victimizations; and family-, school-, and peer-related factors. Approximately 65% of DHH adolescents experienced at least one type of bullying victimization. Factors such as exclusion bullying, female gender, delayed bedtime, conflicts with parents, unfavorable relationship with parents, inability to get along with friends, dislike for school, and bullying victimization experiences increased psychological distress in the DHH adolescents. Bullying victimization of DHH adolescents is a risk factor for poor mental health. However, a good relationship of these adolescents with their parents and peers could be protective for their psychological well-being. Therefore, parents and teachers should understand the needs of DHH adolescents and establish antibullying strategies to diminish their mental health problems.
Pioneering International Women’s Rights? The US National Woman’s Party and the 1933 Montevideo Equal Rights Treaties
Authors: Amorosa Paolo
Published: April 2019

Histories of equal rights for women in international law normally begin with post-World War II initiatives. Such an approach leaves out two treaties signed at the 1933 Montevideo Pan-American Conference, the Equal Nationality Treaty and the Equal Rights Treaty, which remain forgotten among international lawyers. By reconstructing their inception and intellectual background, this article aims to raise awareness about debates on international law among feminist activists in the interwar years. In turn, the focus on activist work allows for the recovery of the contribution of women to the development of the discipline in that seminal period, a contribution usually obfuscated by men’s predominance in diplomatic and academic roles. By outlining the contribution of two key promoters of the Montevideo treaties – Doris Stevens and Alice Paul of the National Woman’s Party – the article takes a step towards the re-inclusion of women’s rights activists within the shared heritage of international law and its history.
Why Do the Affluent Find Inequality Increasingly Unjust? Changing Inequality and Justice Perceptions in Germany, 1994–2014
Authors: Sachweh Patrick , Sthamer Evelyn
Published: April 2019

In the wake of rising inequality in Germany during the last 20 years, we document a corresponding increase in perceptions of injustice among the population. Based on data from the cumulated German General Social Survey (ALLBUS), we show that this increase in perceived injustice is driven mainly by a rising share of affluent respondents who find society unjust, resulting in a convergence across income groups towards more critical attitudes. We try to explain this puzzling development based on outcome-related justice assessments and perceptions of procedural justice. We find that outcome-related justice assessments cannot explain the trend over time, but affect the overall level of injustice perceptions. The influence of perceptions of procedural justice, however, is more pronounced among affluent respondents and partly explains the increase in injustice perceptions within this group. These results are robust for different operationalizations as well as model specifications and are not due to compositional effects. Since we cannot account entirely for the rise in injustice perceptions among the affluent, explanatory factors not covered by our data are likely to exist. We conclude with a discussion of potential explanations that future research should address.
Surgical obesity treatment and the risk of heart failure
Authors: Jamaly Shabbar , Carlsson Lena , Peltonen Markku , Jacobson Peter , Karason Kristjan
Published: April 2019

Aims

Obesity is associated with increased risk for heart failure. We analysed data from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study, a prospective matched cohort study, to investigate whether bariatric surgery reduces this risk.

Methods and results

From the total SOS population (n = 4047), we identified 4033 obese individuals with no history of heart failure at baseline, of whom 2003 underwent bariatric surgery (surgery group) and 2030 received usual care (control group). First-time principal diagnoses of heart failure were identified by crosschecking the SOS database with the Swedish National Patient Register and the Swedish Cause of Death Register using diagnosis codes. During a median follow-up of 22 years, first-time heart failure occurred in 188 of the participants treated with surgery and in 266 of those receiving usual care. The risk of developing heart failure was lower in the surgery group than in the control group [sub-hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.79; P < 0.001]. After pooling data from the two study groups, the quartile of subjects with the largest weight loss after 1 year (mean −41 kg) displayed the greatest risk reduction (sub-hazard ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.30–0.70; P < 0.001). This association remained statistically significant after adjustment for surgical intervention and potential baseline confounders (sub-hazard ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.36–0.97; P = 0.038).

Conclusion

Compared with usual care, bariatric surgery was associated with reduced risk of heart failure among persons being treated for obesity. The risk of heart failure appeared to decline in parallel with a greater degree of weight loss.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT01479452.
The endometrial immune environment of women with endometriosis
Authors: Vallvé-Juanico Júlia , Houshdaran Sahar , Giudice Linda C
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis, a common oestrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder in women of reproductive age, is characterized by endometrial-like tissue outside its normal location in the uterus, which causes pelvic scarring, pain and infertility. While its pathogenesis is poorly understood, the immune system (systemically and locally in endometrium, pelvic endometriotic lesions and peritoneal fluid) is believed to play a central role in its aetiology, pathophysiology and associated morbidities of pain, infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes. However, immune cell populations within the endometrium of women with the disease have had incomplete phenotyping, thereby limiting insight into their roles in this disorder.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The objective herein was to determine reproducible and consistent findings regarding specific immune cell populations and their abundance, steroid hormone responsiveness, functionality, activation states, and markers, locally and systemically in women with and without endometriosis.

SEARCH METHODS

A comprehensive English language PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar search was conducted with key search terms that included endometriosis, inflammation, human eutopic/ectopic endometrium, immune cells, immune population, immune system, macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), natural killer cells, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, B cells and T cells.

OUTCOMES

In women with endometriosis compared to those without endometriosis, some endometrial immune cells display similar cycle-phase variation, whereas macrophages (Mø), immature DC and regulatory T cells behave differently. A pro-inflammatory Mø1 phenotype versus anti-inflammatory Mø2 phenotype predominates and natural killer cells display abnormal activity in endometrium of women with the disease. Conflicting data largely derive from small studies, variably defined hormonal milieu and different experimental approaches and technologies.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Phenotyping immune cell subtypes is essential to determine the role of the endometrial immune niche in pregnancy and endometrial homeostasis normally and in women with poor reproductive history and can facilitate development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics for associated symptoms and compromised reproductive outcomes.