bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interfacial fracture toughness of self‐adhesive and conventional flowable composites to dentin using different dentin pretreatments
Authors: Keshvad Mohammad A. , Hooshmand Tabassom , Behroozibakhsh Marjan , Davaei Sotoodeh
Published: April 2019

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different dentin pretreatments on the interfacial fracture toughness of a self‐adhesive flowable composite to dentin compared with that of a conventional flowable composite.

Methods

Caries‐free human molars were sectioned to expose the underlying dentin and were randomly divided into seven groups (N = 12) of dentin pretreatments bonded to a self‐adhesive flowable composite (Vetise Flow, VF) or a conventional flowable composite (Clearfil Magesty Flow, CM). For VF; Control group (group C‐VF), there was no pretreatment, self‐etching primer (SP), oxalate dentin desensitizer (OX), and chlorhexidine gluconate (CH) were used. For CM; SP (group SP‐CM), OX followed by SP (OX‐CM), and CH followed by SP (CH‐CM) were used. The interfacial fracture toughness was measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed by Kruskal‐Wallis test and analysis of variance.

Results

For VF, the fracture toughness of SP‐VF was significantly higher than that of other groups. For CM, a significantly higher fracture toughness for SP‐CM than that of OX‐CM was found. For all dentin pretreatments, the fracture toughness values were significantly higher for CM compared with the VF.

Conclusions

The self‐adhesive flowable composite had reduced bonding efficacy to dentin compared with that of the conventional flowable composite, regardless of the type of dentin pretreatment.
Testing the fidelity of thermometers at ultrahigh temperatures
Authors: Clark Chris , Taylor Richard J. M. , Johnson Tim E. , Harley Simon L. , Fitzsimons Ian C. W. , Oliver Liam
Published: April 2019

A highly residual granulite facies rock (sample RG07‐21) from Lunnyj Island in the Rauer Group, East Antarctica, presents an opportunity to compare different approaches to constraining peak temperature in high‐grade metamorphic rocks. Sample RG07‐21 is a coarse‐grained pelitic migmatite composed of abundant garnet and orthopyroxene along with quartz, biotite, cordierite, and plagioclase with accessory rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite. The inferred sequence of mineral growth is consistent with a clockwise pressure–temperature (P–T) evolution when compared with a forward model (P–T pseudosection) for the whole‐rock chemical composition. Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated at 9 ± 0.5 kbar and 910 ± 50°C based on conventional Al‐in‐orthopyroxene thermobarometry, Zr‐in‐rutile thermometry, and calculated compositional isopleths. U–Pb ages from zircon rims and neocrystallized monazite grains yield ages of c. 514 Ma, suggesting that crystallization of both minerals occurred towards the end of the youngest pervasive metamorphic episode in the region known as the Prydz Tectonic Event. The rare earth element compositions of zircon and garnet are consistent with equilibrium growth of these minerals in the presence of melt. When comparing the thermometry methods used in this study, it is apparent that the Al‐in‐orthopyroxene thermobarometer provides the most reliable estimate of peak conditions. There is a strong textural correlation between the temperatures obtained using the Zr‐in‐rutile thermometer––maximum temperatures are recorded by a single rutile grain included within orthopyroxene, whereas other grains included in garnet, orthopyroxene, quartz, and biotite yield a range of temperatures down to 820°C. Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry returns significantly lower temperature estimates of 678–841°C. Estimates at the upper end of this range are consistent with growth of zircon from crystallizing melt at temperatures close to the elevated (H2O undersaturated) solidus. Those estimates, significantly lower than the calculated temperature of this residual solidus, may reflect isolation of rutile from the effective equilibration volume leading to an activity of TiO2 that is lower than the assumed value of unity.
Ovarian serous carcinoma in synthetic mesh: A rare case report and review of the literature
Authors: Grin Leonti , Namazov Ahmet , Gemer Ofer
Published: April 2019

Epithelial ovarian cancer relapse is a devastating condition with a poor prognosis. Synthetic mesh carcinogenicity is an entity scarcely reported in the literature. We present a rare case of an ovarian serous tumor relapsed in a polypropylene mesh previously inserted for pelvic organ prolapse correction and a review of the available literature. Our case report point to a possible association between synthetic mesh and ovarian cancer relapse.
Aggressive adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary without a FOXL2 mutation: A case report
Authors: Watanabe Koichi , Abiko Kaoru , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Maeda Hirona , Murakami Ryusuke , Kitamura Sachiko , Horie Akihito , Mandai Masaki
Published: April 2019

We report a case of aggressive adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) of the ovary. On presentation, the tumor was localized in the right ovary; a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and partial omentectomy were performed. While some areas of the tumor represented typical AGCT, other areas showed enlarged and hyperchromatic nuclei with numerous mitoses (>10/high‐power field) with marked necrosis. The results of immunohistochemical analysis were compatible with AGCT, except that, in the necrotic portion, p53 was strongly positive, and the Ki‐67 index was high. Four months after laparotomy, recurrent tumors developed in the bones, liver, lungs and dura mater. The patient responded well to chemotherapy consisting of five cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin, but later, the tumors rapidly proliferated, and the patient died of disease 11 months after laparotomy. FOXL2 examination demonstrated that both portions of the primary tumor did not have a point mutation (402C→G) specific to AGCT.
What Characteristics Influence Whether Rural Beneficiaries Receiving Care From Urban Hospitals Return Home for Skilled Nursing Care?
Authors: Hoffman Abby F. , Pink George H. , Kirk Denise A. , Randolph Randy K. , Holmes George M.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Skilled nursing care (SNC) provides Medicare beneficiaries short‐term rehabilitation from an acute event. The purpose of this study is to assess beneficiary, market, and hospital factors associated with beneficiaries receiving care near home.

Methods

The population includes Medicare beneficiaries who live in a rural area and received acute care from an urban facility in 2013. “Near home” was defined 3 different ways based on distances from the beneficiary's home to the nearest source of SNC. Results include unadjusted means and odds ratios from logistic regression.

Findings

About 69% of rural beneficiaries receiving acute care in an urban location returned near home for SNC. Beneficiaries returning home were white (odds ratio [OR] black: 0.69; other race: 0.79); male (OR: 1.07); older (OR age 85+ [vs 65‐69]: 1.14); farther from SNC (OR: 1.01 per mile); closer to acute care (OR: 0.28, logged miles); and received acute care from hospitals that did not own a skilled nursing facility (owned OR: 0.77) and hospitals with: no swing bed (swing bed OR: 0.47), high case mix (OR: 3.04), and nonprofit status (for‐profit OR: 0.85). Results varied somewhat across definitions of “near home.”

Conclusions

Rural Medicare beneficiaries who received acute care far from home were more likely to receive SNC far from home. Because Medicare beneficiaries have the choice of where to receive SNC, policy makers may consider ensuring that new payment models do not incentivize provision of SNC away from home.
How Supplier Economies of Scale Drive Supplier Selection Decisions
Authors: Badorf Florian , Wagner Stephan M. , Hoberg Kai , Papier Felix
Published: April 2019

Supplier selections are complex but nonetheless strategically important decisions that are influenced by numerous factors. Drawing on the resource‐based and relational view of the firm, we investigate how suppliers’ economies of scale influence the buyer's selection decision, and we illustrate how the influence of scale is contingent upon important economic, buyer, and relationship characteristics. We test the model with a large secondary dataset of actual supplier selection decisions from the automotive industry and show that economies of scale have a strongly positive but diminishing effect on the buying firm's supplier selection decision. These effects are reinforced or extenuated by economic, buyer, and relationship characteristics, with characteristics that are more specific to the buyer‐supplier situation (e.g., relationship duration and power balance) having a stronger moderating effect than do characteristics that are more global (e.g., economic cycle). Our research helps suppliers to better understand how to manage selection probabilities with buyers and provides buying firms with a better understanding of how contextual factors affect the benefit of supplier‐provided economies of scale.
Grazing and warming effects on shrub growth and plant species composition in subalpine dry tundra: An experimental approach
Authors: Løkken Jørn Olav , Hofgaard Annika , Dalen Linda , Hytteborn Håkan
Published: April 2019

Questions

Vegetation in the forest–tundra ecotone faces changes in both climate and land‐use. While climate warming is an important driver of vegetation growth and composition, herbivory may have opposing effects. In the present study, we experimentally test how removal of sheep herbivory affects the vegetation in an alpine forest–tundra ecotone, and how responses are manifested at higher temperatures.

Location

Dovre Mountains, Central Norway.

Methods

Shrub growth (height and cover) and ground layer composition were analysed each third year over an 18‐year period in a nested, three‐factorial experiment (ambient temperature and herbivory; ambient temperature and no herbivory; increased temperature and no herbivory). Fencing and open‐top‐chambers were used as expedients. Treatment effects and interactions over time were analysed using linear mixed effects models and ordination.

Results

Shrub height and cover increased over time due to reduced herbivory, but without additional warming effect. Lichen cover declined in all treatments over time, but more rapidly and earlier under warming treatment (significant after three years). Contrary to expectations, there was no statistically significant increase in woody species due to warming, although evergreen woody species displayed a trend shift after six years, comprising a sharp decline towards year twelve. Litter accumulated in all treatments, but at higher rates under warming (significant after nine years).

Conclusions

Our results disclose removal of sheep herbivory as a prominent driver of shrub growth, with warming as a subordinate driver in the studied alpine vegetation. The warming‐driven increased litter abundance may, however, be caused by the decrease of wind inside chambers and the subsequent absence of wind‐driven removal of litter. This chamber effect and the displayed timing differences in vegetation responses call for the critical use of short‐term experimental data in predictions of long‐term consequences of environmental change.
High nitrogen contribution by Gunnera magellanica and nitrogen transfer by mycorrhizas drive an extraordinarily fast primary succession in sub‐Antarctic Chile
Authors: Benavent‐González Alberto , Raggio José , Villagra Johana , Blanquer José Manuel , Pintado Ana , Rozzi Ricardo , Green T. G. Allan , Sancho Leopoldo G.
Published: April 2019

Chronosequences at the forefront of retreating glaciers provide information about colonization rates of bare surfaces. In the northern hemisphere, forest development can take centuries, with rates often limited by low nutrient availability. By contrast, in front of the retreating Pia Glacier (Tierra del Fuego, Chile), a Nothofagus forest is in place after only 34 yr of development, while total soil nitrogen (N) increased from near zero to 1.5%, suggesting a strong input of this nutrient.

We measured N‐fixation rates, carbon fluxes, leaf N and phosphorus contents and leaf δ15N in the dominant plants, including the herb Gunnera magellanica, which is endosymbiotically associated with a cyanobacterium, in order to investigate the role of N‐fixing and mycorrhizal symbionts in N‐budgets during successional transition.

G. magellanica presented some of the highest nitrogenase activities yet reported (potential maximal contribution of 300 kg N ha−1 yr−1). Foliar δ15N results support the framework of a highly efficient N‐uptake and transfer system based on mycorrhizas, with c. 80% of N taken up by the mycorrhizas potentially transferred to the host plant.

Our results suggest the symbiosis of G. magellanica with cyanobacteria, and trees and shrubs with mycorrhizas, to be the key processes driving this rapid succession.
Hypersensitivity reactions to antiepileptic drugs in children
Authors: Atanasković‐Marković Marina , Janković Jelena , Tmušić Vladimir , Gavrović‐Jankulović Marija , Ćirković Veličković Tanja , Nikolić Dimitrije , Škorić Dejan
Published: April 2019

Background

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can cause hypersensitivity reactions in children. These reactions are mainly cutaneous, self‐limiting, and benign, but life‐threatening severe cutaneous adverse reactions can occur. Infections can lead to skin eruptions and mimic drug hypersensitivity reactions, if a drug is taken at the same time. The aims of our study were to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs in children and to detect an infection which mimics these reactions.

Methods

A prospective survey was conducted in a group of 100 children with histories of hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs by performing patch tests, delayed‐reading intradermal test, and, in case of negative results, challenge test. In all children, a study was performed to detect infections by viruses orMycoplasma pneumoniae.

Results

Maculopapular exanthema and delayed‐appearing urticaria were the most reported hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs. Sixty‐six (66%) of 100 children had confirmed hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs. Fifty‐nine children had positive patch test. No children had positive challenge tests. The most common AEDs causing hypersensitivity reactions were carbamazepine (45.4%) and lamotrigine (43.6%). Thirty‐two children had positive tests for viruses orM pneumoniae,and nine of them had also a positive allergy work‐up.

Conclusion

Considering that there are no specific tests to distinguish between a viral infection and hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs in the acute phase, a diagnostic work‐up should be performed in all children with suspected hypersensitivity reactions to AEDs, as well as infectious agent study, to remove a false label of hypersensitivity.
The Impact of the Amazon Tax on Local Sales Tax Revenue in Urban and Rural Jurisdictions
Authors: Afonso Whitney B.
Published: April 2019

E‐commerce has become an integral part of Americans’ lives and while it offers many benefits, it also represents forgone sales tax revenue for governments. Using a difference‐in‐differences model, this analysis examines how the Amazon tax affected local sales tax collections in North Carolina and whether that impact has been greater for urban, rural, or tourism‐rich counties. The results suggest that the Amazon tax increased revenues and urban jurisdictions benefit most. This finding is important for practitioners and policymakers as they consider the impact of policy changes, such as the South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling, on revenue capacity and financial management.
Comparative population genomics identified genomic regions and candidate genes associated with fruit domestication traits in peach
Authors: Cao Ke , Li Yong , Deng Cecilia H. , Gardiner Susan E. , Zhu Gengrui , Fang Weichao , Chen Changwen , Wang Xinwei , Wang Lirong
Published: April 2019

Crop evolution is a long‐term process involving selection by natural evolutionary forces and anthropogenic influences; however, the genetic mechanisms underlying the domestication and improvement of fruit crops have not been well studied to date. Here, we performed a population structure analysis in peach (Prunus persica) based on the genome‐wide resequencing of 418 accessions and confirmed the presence of an obvious domestication event during evolution. We identified 132 and 106 selective sweeps associated with domestication and improvement, respectively. Analysis of their tissue‐specific expression patterns indicated that the up‐regulation of selection genes during domestication occurred mostly in fruit and seeds as opposed to other organs. However, during the improvement stage, more up‐regulated selection genes were identified in leaves and seeds than in the other organs. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) using 4.24 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed 171 loci associated with 26 fruit domestication traits. Among these loci, three candidate genes were highly associated with fruit weight and the sorbitol and catechin content in fruit. We demonstrated that as the allele frequency of the SNPs associated with high polyphenol composition decreased during peach evolution, alleles associated with high sugar content increased significantly. This indicates that there is genetic potential for the breeding of more nutritious fruit with enhanced bioactive polyphenols without disturbing a harmonious sugar and acid balance by crossing with wild species. This study also describes the development of the genomic resources necessary for evolutionary research in peach and provides the large‐scale characterization of key agronomic traits in this crop species.
Assessment of Cas12a‐mediated gene editing efficiency in plants
Authors: Bernabé‐Orts Joan Miquel , Casas‐Rodrigo Iván , Minguet Eugenio G. , Landolfi Viola , Garcia‐Carpintero Victor , Gianoglio Silvia , Vázquez‐Vilar Marta , Granell Antonio , Orzaez Diego
Published: April 2019

The CRISPR/Cas12a editing system opens new possibilities for plant genome engineering. To obtain a comparative assessment of RNA‐guided endonuclease (RGEN) types in plants, we adapted the CRISPR/Cas12a system to the GoldenBraid (GB) modular cloning platform and compared the efficiency of Acidaminococcus (As) and Lachnospiraceae (Lb) Cas12a variants with the previously described GB‐assembled Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) constructs in eight Nicotiana benthamiana loci using transient expression. All three nucleases showed drastic target‐dependent differences in efficiency, with LbCas12 producing higher mutagenesis rates in five of the eight loci assayed, as estimated with the T7E1 endonuclease assay. Attempts to engineer crRNA direct repeat (DR) had little effect improving on‐target efficiency for AsCas12a and resulted deleterious in the case of LbCas12a. To complete the assessment of Cas12a activity, we carried out genome editing experiments in three different model plants, namely N. benthamiana, Solanum lycopersicum and Arabidopsis thaliana. For the latter, we also resequenced Cas12a‐free segregating T2 lines to assess possible off‐target effects. Our results showed that the mutagenesis footprint of Cas12a is enriched in deletions of −10 to −2 nucleotides and included in some instances complex rearrangements in the surroundings of the target sites. We found no evidence of off‐target mutations neither in related sequences nor somewhere else in the genome. Collectively, this study shows that LbCas12a is a viable alternative to SpCas9 for plant genome engineering.
A directed learning strategy integrating multiple omic data improves genomic prediction
Authors: Hu Xuehai , Xie Weibo , Wu Chengchao , Xu Shizhong
Published: April 2019

Genomic prediction (GP) aims to construct a statistical model for predicting phenotypes using genome‐wide markers and is a promising strategy for accelerating molecular plant breeding. However, current progress of phenotype prediction using genomic data alone has reached a bottleneck, and previous studies on transcriptomic and metabolomic predictions ignored genomic information. Here, we designed a novel strategy of GP called multilayered least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (MLLASSO) by integrating multiple omic data into a single model that iteratively learns three layers of genetic features (GFs) supervised by observed transcriptome and metabolome. Significantly, MLLASSO learns higher order information of gene interactions, which enables us to achieve a significant improvement of predictability of yield in rice from 0.1588 (GP alone) to 0.2451 (MLLASSO). In the prediction of the first two layers, some genes were found to be genetically predictable genes (GPGs) as their expressions were accurately predicted with genetic markers. Interestingly, we made three dramatic discoveries for the GPGs: (i) GPGs are good predictors for highly complex traits like yield; (ii) GPGs are mostly eQTL genes (cis or trans); and (iii) trait‐related transcriptional factor families are enriched in GPGs. These findings support the notion that learned GFs not only are good predictors for traits but also have specific biological implications regarding regulation of gene expressions. To differentiate the new method from conventional GP models, we called MLLASSO a directed learning strategy supervised by intermediate omic data. This new prediction model appears to be more reliable and more robust than conventional GP models.
RrMYB5‐ and RrMYB10‐regulated flavonoid biosynthesis plays a pivotal role in feedback loop responding to wounding and oxidation in Rosa rugosa
Authors: Shen Yuxiao , Sun Tingting , Pan Qi , Anupol Nachaisin , Chen Hai , Shi Jiewei , Liu Fang , Deqiang Duanmu , Wang Changquan , Zhao Jian , Yang Shuhua , Wang Caiyun , Liu Jihong , Bao Manzhu , Ning Guogui
Published: April 2019

Flavonoids play critical roles in plant responses to various stresses. Few studies have been reported on what the mechanism of activating flavonoid biosynthesis in plant responses to wounding and oxidation is. In this study, flavonoid metabolites and many MYB transcript factors from Rosa rugosa were verified to be induced by wounding and oxidation. RrMYB5 and RrMYB10, which belong to PA1‐ and TT2‐type MYB TFs, respectively, showed extremely high induction. Overexpression of RrMYB5 and RrMYB10 resulted in an increased accumulation of proanthocyanidins in R. rugosa and tobacco by promoting the expression of flavonoid structural genes. Transcriptomic analysis of the transgenic plants showed that most genes, involved in wounding and oxidation response and ABA signalling modulation, were up‐regulated by the overexpression of RrMYB10, which was very much similar to that observed in RrANR and RrDFR overexpression transgenics. RrMYB5 and RrMYB10 physically interacted and mutually activated each other's expressions. They solely or synergistically activated the different sets of flavonoid pathway genes in a bHLH TF EGL3‐independent manner. Eventually, the accumulation of proanthocyanidins enhanced plant tolerance to wounding and oxidative stresses. Therefore, RrMYB5 and RrMYB10 regulated flavonoid synthesis in feedback loop responding to wounding and oxidation in R. rugosa. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis by MYB TFs and their essential physiological functions in plant responses to wounding and oxidative stresses.
Hydraulic redistribution of foliar absorbed water causes turgor‐driven growth in mangrove seedlings
Authors: Schreel Jeroen D.M. , Van de Wal Bart A.E. , Hervé‐Fernandez Pedro , Boeckx Pascal , Steppe Kathy
Published: April 2019

Although foliar water uptake (FWU) has been shown in mature Avicennia marina trees, the importance for its seedlings remains largely unknown. A series of experiments were therefore performed using artificial rainfall events in a greenhouse environment to assess the ecological implications of FWU in A. marina seedlings. One‐hour artificial rainfall events resulted in an increased leaf water potential, a reversed sap flow, and a rapid diameter increment signifying a turgor‐driven growth of up to 30.1 ± 5.4 μm. Furthermore, the application of an artificial rainfall event with deuterated water showed that the amount of water absorbed by the leaves and transported to the stem was directly and univocally correlated to the observed growth spurts. The observations in this process‐based study show that FWU is an important water acquisition mechanism under certain circumstances and might be of ecological importance for the establishment of A. marina seedlings. Distribution of mangrove trees might hence be more significantly disturbed by climate change‐driven changes in rainfall patterns than previously assumed.
UV fluorescence excitation spectroscopy as a noninvasive predictor of epidermal proliferation and clinical performance of cosmetic formulations
Authors: Maidhof Robert , Liebel Frank , Hwang Cheng , Ruvolo Eduardo , Lyga John
Published: April 2019

Background

The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin and is composed of cells primarily containing keratin. It consists of about ten layers of living cells (keratinocytes) and ten layers of dead cells (corneocytes). Thinning of the epidermis and decreased proliferation of its cells are associated with aging related changes in skin, including wrinkling and laxity. Fluorescence excitation spectroscopy is a noninvasive method of monitoring characteristic excitation‐emission peaks in skin that have been related to the epidermal and dermal composition. The magnitude of the peak that occurs at 295nm excitation (F295) has been linked to changes in epidermal thickness, proliferation, and skin aging.

Aim

The goal of this study is to correlate changes in the F295 signal with proliferation of cells and thickening of the epidermis induced by cosmetic formulations. We hypothesize that two commonly used cosmetic ingredients, retinol and glycolic acid, will increase these markers that have been implicated in skin anti‐aging.

Methods

In a placebo‐controlled study subjects' forearms were treated with formulations containing retinol or glycolic acid under occlusive patch for a period of 21 days. Skin fluorescence was measured at baseline and after treatment, and biopsies were taken following treatment for histological analysis of epidermal thickness and cell proliferation.

Results

After 21 days of treatment retinol and glycolic acid formulas significantly increased F295 (by 265.1±33.5% and 162.2±18.7% respectively), whereas the placebo control formula did not induce a change from baseline. Furthermore, retinol and glycolic acid treatments significantly increased epidermal thickness (by 63.1% and 7.8% respectively) and keratinocyte proliferation (by 236.9% and 62.8% respectively) versus placebo control.

Conclusion

Increases in F295 were found to correlate with epidermal renewal, but more so with increased cell proliferation than epidermal thickness. We conclude that the F295 signal is a fast and reliable early indicator of epidermal remodeling in skin that can be used to distinguish between formulations with different cosmetic ingredients.
Changes in brain morphology in patients in the preclinical stage of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Suehiro Takashi , Kazui Hiroaki , Kanemoto Hideki , Yoshiyama Kenji , Sato Shunsuke , Suzuki Yukiko , Azuma Shingo , Matsumoto Takuya , Kishima Haruhiko , Ishii Kazunari , Ikeda Manabu
Published: April 2019

Background

Specific ventriculomegaly features, including tight high‐convexity and medial subarachnoid spaces, are found on magnetic resonance images in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). However, some healthy elderly individuals with no typical triad symptoms of iNPH also exhibit specific magnetic resonance image features of iNPH. Therefore, this study quantitatively clarified the brain morphology of suspected iNPH patients with no objective triad symptoms (iNPH‐NOS).

Methods

We recruited patients with suspected iNPH and divided them into two groups based on their iNPH grading scale scores: the iNPH‐NOS group and the iNPH with apparent objective triad symptoms (iNPH‐AOS) group. Data for normal controls (NC) were taken from the database used in our previous study. We compared the relative volumes of ventricle systems (VS), Sylvian fissures (SF), and sulci at high convexity and the midline (SHM), adjusted by the intracranial volume, of the iNPH‐NOS, iNPH‐AOS, and NC groups. Additionally, we compared the relative volumes of VS, SF, and SHM in iNPH‐NOS patients between their first visit and follow‐up 1 year later.

Results

Fifteen iNPH‐NOS patients and 45 iNPH‐AOS patients were recruited, and 24 NCs were found in the database. The relative volumes of VS and SF were significantly smaller than in NCs than in the iNPH‐NOS and iNPH‐AOS groups, and the relative volume of SHM was significantly larger in NCs. The relative volume of SHM was significantly larger in the iNPH‐NOS group than in the iNPH‐AOS group, but there were no significant differences in the relative volumes of VS and SF between these groups. In the iNPH‐NOS group, the relative volumes of VS and SF were significantly smaller at the first visit than 1 year later, whereas the relative volume of SHM was significantly larger. In 6 of 15 iNPH‐NOS patients, objective symptoms appeared during the observation period.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that iNPH‐NOS patients were in the transitional stage between normal and iNPH‐AOS, both morphologically and clinically.
Relationship between normal weight obesity and mild cognitive impairment is reflected in cognitive‐related genes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Zhang Shishuang , Zhao Minghui , Wang Feng , Liu Juan , Zheng Hui , Lei Ping
Published: April 2019

Aim

Obesity contributes to the development of mild cognitive impairment, but the potential role of normal weight obesity in this disease has not been explored in humans. The aim of the study was to reveal the relationship between normal weight obesity and mild cognitive impairment in elderly individuals.

Methods

This study consisted of 360 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 360 cognitively normal controls. Normal weight obesity was defined as having metabolic syndrome but a normal weight. Metabolic health meant having no metabolic syndrome. Reverse transcription quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was adopted to measure the messenger RNA expression of four cognitive‐related genes (amyloid precursor protein, cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐responsive element‐binding protein 1, sortilin‐related receptor 1, and synapsin I) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Results

Normal weight obesity was related to a higher risk of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval: 2.13–4.60). In the patients, the expression of each gene in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was linearly related to Mini‐Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores (P < 0.05). The expression of these genes in the patients with metabolic health deviated from the normal levels found in the controls (P < 0.05), and the deviations were more significant in the patients with normal weight obesity (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Normal weight obesity may be a potential risk factor for amnestic mild cognitive impairment in elderly. This relationship was reflected in the abnormal expression of several cognitive‐related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Toward a neurobehavioral trait conceptualization of depression proneness
Authors: Bowyer Colin B. , Joyner Keanan J. , Yancey James R. , Venables Noah C. , Hajcak Greg , Patrick Christopher J.
Published: April 2019

The etiology of major depressive disorder is heterogeneous, and differing pathways leading to the development of depression are proposed to account for alternative variants of depressive illness and their distinct comorbidity patterns. The present study was undertaken as a step toward developing a model for conceptualizing and quantifying dispositional proneness to depression, marked by reduced neural sensitivity to rewarding events and more persistent occurrence of depressive symptomatology. Using data for college and community adult participants (N = 201), we sought to quantify variations in depression proneness by combining symptom indicators of persistent depressive conditions (dysthymic disorder, depressive personality) with a brain potential response that has been shown to index sensitivity to pleasurable events—the reward positivity (RewP; Proudfit, 2015). We first extended prior work on the RewP and depression by showing that the magnitude of RewP covaried negatively with symptoms of persistent depressive conditions (dysthymia, depressive personality) but not with current levels of depression. Persistent depressive symptoms and the RewP were then combined to form a composite neuroclinical index of depression proneness. Compared to persistent depressive symptoms alone, this composite dimensional index showed improved specificity of relations with diagnostic criterion measures, that is, similar‐level associations with other indicators of depression proneness but significantly lower associations with fear disorder symptomatology. These findings provide evidence that a dimension of depression proneness can be quantified effectively by combining psychological indicators of persistent depression with a neurophysiological index of a core depression‐related process (i.e., reward sensitivity).
Obimon: An open‐source device enabling group measurement of electrodermal activity
Authors: Kasos Krisztian , Zimonyi Szabolcs , Gonye Bianka , Köteles Ferenc , Kasos Eniko , Kotyuk Eszter , Varga Katalin , Veres Andras , Szekely Anna
Published: April 2019

Electrodermal activity (EDA) provides the means to gauge the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Assessment of EDA for research purposes requires measurement systems that are sensitive to small changes in arousal in the full measurement range, collecting, storing, and monitoring data. The objective behind designing a new open‐source device was to be able to measure EDA simultaneously on many subjects, monitoring their activity in real time remotely and collecting high precision data suitable for analyses. To assure feasibility of simultaneous measurements on multiple subjects, the devices must be compact and wearable, without compromising data quality. Experiments were carried out using synchronized devices in group and single subject environments. Validity of EDA measurements of Obimon was demonstrated compared to a reference system (Nexus) during a breathing exercise, a short movie, and while exposed to loud computer‐generated tones, using Pearson correlation, Passing‐Bablok regression, and Bland‐Altman analysis. Seamless management of several Obimons and real‐time visualization of EDA via Android phone/tablet application from a large number of participants was demonstrated. Based on analyses of the data collected, we conclude that the Obimon device presented here is a valid and feasible tool for collecting EDA in single or multisubject environments.
Decoupling trends: Drivers of agency independence in telecommunications: An analysis of high and middle‐income countries
Authors: Özel Işık D. , Unan Aslı
Published: April 2019

Global diffusion of regulatory reforms in telecommunications has prevailed in many countries, engendering major institutional changes and entailing the establishment and/or reform of regulatory agencies. Although the triggers and timing of such agentification processes have been more or less similar, agency independence displays significant cross‐country variation. Seeking to explain such variation based on a sample incorporating middle‐income countries (MICs), this paper examines the impact of political‐institutional settings in which the agencies operate, in addition to the impact of economic parameters. Regression analysis reveals that political rights appear as the central parameter, while their impact is more robust in MICs than in advanced countries. The results underscore considerable cross‐national variation in regulatory governance, along with a noteworthy decoupling between MICs and advanced countries. Concurring with the regulatory regionalism perspective, the paper delineates distinct regional clusters, albeit remaining agnostic about the determinants of such clusters.
Diagenetic controls on the isotopic composition of carbonate‐associated sulphate in the Permian Capitan Reef Complex, West Texas
Authors: Present Theodore M. , Gutierrez Melissa , Paris Guillaume , Kerans Charles , Grotzinger John P. , Adkins Jess F.
Published: April 2019

Late Palaeozoic‐age strata from the Capitan Reef in west Texas show facies‐dependent heterogeneity in the sulphur isotopic composition of carbonate‐associated sulphate, which is trace sulphate incorporated into carbonate minerals that is often used to reconstruct the sulphur isotopic composition of ancient seawater. However, diagenetic pore fluid processes may influence the sulphur isotopic composition of carbonate‐associated sulphate. These processes variously modify the sulphur isotopic composition of incorporated sulphate from syndepositional seawater in shelf crest, outer shelf, shelf margin and slope depositional settings. This study used a new multicollector inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique to determine the sulphur isotopic composition of samples of individual depositional and diagenetic textures. Carbonate rocks representing peritidal facies in the Yates and Tansill formations preserve the sulphur isotopic composition of Guadalupian seawater sulphate despite alteration of the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions by meteoric and dolomitizing diagenetic processes. However, sulphur isotopic data indicate that limestones deposited in reef and slope facies in the Capitan and Bell Canyon formations largely incorporate sulphate from anoxic marine‐phreatic pore fluids isotopically modified from seawater by microbial sulphate reduction, despite generally preserving the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of Permian seawater. Some early and all late meteoric calcite cements have carbonate‐associated sulphate with a sulphur isotopic composition distinct from that of Permian seawater. Detailed petrographic and sedimentary context for carbonate‐associated sulphate analyses will allow for improved reconstructions of ancient seawater composition and diagenetic conditions in ancient carbonate platforms. The results of this study indicate that carbonate rocks that diagenetically stabilize in high‐energy environments without pore fluid sulphate gradients can provide a robust archive of ancient seawater's sulphur isotopic composition.
From Tupperware to Scentsy: The gendered culture of women and direct sales
Authors: D'Antonio Virginia
Published: April 2019

Consumer culture has transformed the lives of working women and family life for well over a century. Perhaps one of the most gender distinct forms of consumer culture introduced in the 20th century was the direct sales industry. The business model of direct sales depends on women's social circles as a means to market products directly to consumers, antithetical to retail spaces of malls and shopping outlets. In this literature review, I explore how women construct meaning behind products in this sales culture, while examining the emotional investment that women make as direct sales consultants and the personal outcomes of this investment. To begin, I include a brief history of the direct sales industry with a focus on three pioneering companies: Avon, Tupperware, and Mary Kay as foundational to women's contributions and involvement in the industry today. Next, I explore the pathways that motivate women's draw to direct selling as a form of emotional labor that allows them to balance professional work and family life while yielding minimal financial gain. I analyze the messaging of direct sales companies that cleverly speak directly to women's needs for recognition and assist in constructing personal identity and self‐worth. Finally, I examine trends for the future of direct sales companies as they look to maintain relevance through global markets and brand recognition that will expand beyond women's social circles and parties.
Ecologically unequal exchange: A theory of global environmental injustice
Authors: Givens Jennifer E. , Huang Xiaorui , Jorgenson Andrew K.
Published: April 2019

In this article, we review the theory of ecologically unequal exchange and its relevance for global environmental injustice. According to this theory, global political–economic factors, especially the structure of international trade, shape the unequal distribution of environmental harms and human development; wealthier and more powerful Global North nations have disproportionate access to both natural resources and sink capacity for waste in Global South nations. We discuss how the theory has roots in multiple perspectives on development, world‐systems analysis, environmental sociology, and ecological economics. We detail research that tests hypotheses derived from ecological unequal exchange theory on several environmental harms, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water pollution as well as related human well‐being outcomes. We also discuss research on social forces that counter the harmful impacts of ecologically unequal exchange, including institutions, organizations, and environmental justice movements. We suggest that ecologically unequal exchange theory provides an important global political–economic approach for research in environmental sociology and other environmental social sciences as well as for sustainability studies more broadly.
Elided Clausal Conjunction Is Not the Only Source of Closest‐Conjunct Agreement: A Picture‐Matching Study
Authors: Arsenijević Boban , Willer‐Gold Jana , Aljović Nadira , Čordalija Nermina , Kresić Vukosav Marijana , Leko Nedžad , Malenica Frane , Marušič Franc Lanko , Milićev Tanja , Milićević Nataša , Mišmaš Petra , Mitić Ivana , Peti‐Stantić Anita , Stanković Branimir , Tušek Jelena , Nevins Andrew
Published: April 2019

A recurring hypothesis about the agreement phenomena generalized as closest‐conjunct agreement takes this pattern to result from reduced clausal conjunction, simply displaying the agreement of the verb with the nonconjoined subject of the clause whose content survives ellipsis (Aoun, Benmamoun & Sportiche 1994, 1999; see also Wilder 1997). Closest‐conjunct agreement is the dominant agreement pattern in the South Slavic languages Slovenian and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. A natural question is whether closest‐conjunct agreement in these varieties may indeed be analyzed as entirely derived from conjunction reduction. In this article, we report on two experiments conducted to test this. The results reject the hypothesis as far as these languages are concerned, thereby upholding the relevance of models developed to account for closest‐conjunct agreement within theories of agreement.
Expression of New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 and its association with Foxp3 and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase in microenvironment of nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Huishan , Xia Yuan , Yu Jiaming , Guan Hong , Wu Zhengsheng , Ban Dongcheng , Wang Mingjun
Published: April 2019

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and fatal cancer worldwide. The traditional treatments including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy are not satisfactory because of severe side effects and/or relapse. Genetically engineered T‐cell–based immunotherapy for malignant cancer shows promise in recent clinical trials. T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐engineered T cells targeting New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY‐ESO‐1) have been employed in a number of clinical trials for late stage melanoma, synovial sarcoma, multiple myeloma and other malignancies. Owing to the significant efficacy and controllable side effect, NY‐ESO‐1 has been considered as one of the most ideal TCR‐engineered T cell therapy (TCR‐T) cell target for solid tumors, including nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the incidence of NY‐ESO‐1 expression and its relationship with immunosuppressive microenvironment of NSCLC are largely unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression of NY‐ESO‐1 and two key immune regulators, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), in 156 NSCLC specimens by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that NY‐ESO‐1 positive rate is 28.1% (44/156) and significantly higher in distal metastasis (P = 0.012) and late stage (P = 0.019) NSCLC patients. In addition, we found that NY‐ESO‐1 expression was positively associated with Foxp3 level but not IDO. These findings implied the potential role of NY‐ESO‐1 in tumor immune escape of NSCLC and indicated the requirement to remove Treg cells in TCR‐T cell therapy for NSCLC patients.
Influence of surgical margin completeness on risk of local tumour recurrence in canine cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Milovancev Milan , Tuohy Joanne L. , Townsend Katy L. , Irvin Veronica L.
Published: April 2019

The present peer‐reviewed veterinary literature contains conflicting information regarding the impact of surgical margin completeness on risk of local tumour recurrence in canine soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This systematic review and meta‐analysis was designed to answer the clinical question: “Does obtaining microscopically tumour‐free surgical margins reduce risk for local tumour recurrence in canine cutaneous and subcutaneous STS?” A total of 486 citations were screened, 66 of which underwent full‐text evaluation, with 10 studies representing 278 STS excisions ultimately included. Cumulatively, 16/164 (9.8%) of completely excised and 38/114 (33.3%) of incompletely excised STS recurred. Overall relative risk of 0.396 (95% confidence interval = 0.248‐0.632) was calculated for local recurrence in STS excised with complete margins as compared to STS excised with incomplete margins. Risk of bias was judged to be low for all studies in terms of selection bias and detection bias but high for all studies in terms of performance bias and exclusion bias. The results of the present meta‐analysis, coupled with the results of individual previous studies, strongly suggest that microscopically complete surgical margins confer a significantly reduced risk for local tumour recurrence in canine STS. Future studies ideally should adhere to standardized conducting and reporting guidelines to reduce systematic bias.