bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antitumor activity of potent pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 inhibitors from plants in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tambe Yukihiro , Terado Tokio , Kim Chul Jang , Mukaisho Ken‐ichi , Yoshida Saori , Sugihara Hiroyuki , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Chida Junji , Kido Hiroshi , Yamaji Kenzaburo , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Nakano Hirofumi , Omura Satoshi , Inoue Hirokazu
Published: May 2019

Phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) 4 inhibits its ability to induce a glycolytic shift. PDK4 expression is frequently upregulated in various cancer tissues, with its elevation being critical for the induction of the Warburg effect. PDK4 is an attractive target for cancer therapy given its effect on shifting glucose metabolism. Previous research has highlighted the necessity of identifying a potent compound to suppress PDK4 activity at the submicromolar concentrations. Here we identified natural diterpene quinones (KIS compounds) that inhibit PDK4 at low micromolar concentrations. KIS37 (cryptotanshinone) inhibited anchorage‐independent growth in three‐dimensional spheroid and soft agar colony formation assays of KRAS‐activated human pancreatic (MIAPaCa‐2 and Panc‐1) and colorectal (DLD‐1 and HCT116) cancer cell lines. KIS37 also suppressed KRAS protein expression in such cell lines. Furthermore, KIS37 suppressed phosphorylation of Rb protein and cyclin D1 protein expression via the PI3K‐Akt–mTOR signaling pathway under nonadherent culture conditions and suppressed the expression of cancer stem cell markers CD44, EpCAM, and ALDH1A1 in MIAPaCa‐2 cells. KIS37 also suppressed pancreatic cancer cell growth in both subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic pancreatic tumor models in nude mice at 40 mg/kg (intraperitoneal dose) without any evident toxicity. Reduced ALDH1A1 expression was observed in KIS37‐treated pancreatic tumors, suggesting that cancer cell stemness was also suppressed in the orthotopic tumor model. The aforementioned results indicate that KIS37 administration is a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting PDK4 in KRAS‐activated intractable human pancreatic cancer.
Imaging of cancer lipid metabolism in response to therapy
Authors: Arlauckas Sean Philip , Browning Elizabeth Anne , Poptani Harish , Delikatny Edward James
Published: May 2019

Lipids represent a diverse array of molecules essential to the cell's structure, defense, energy, and communication. Lipid metabolism can often become dysregulated during tumor development. During cancer therapy, targeted inhibition of cell proliferation can likewise cause widespread and drastic changes in lipid composition. Molecular imaging techniques have been developed to monitor altered lipid profiles as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment response. For decades, MRS has been the dominant non‐invasive technique for studying lipid metabolite levels. Recent insights into the oncogenic transformations driving changes in lipid metabolism have revealed new mechanisms and signaling molecules that can be exploited using optical imaging, mass spectrometry imaging, and positron emission tomography. These novel imaging modalities have provided researchers with a diverse toolbox to examine changes in lipids in response to a wide array of anticancer strategies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, signal transduction inhibitors, gene therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these strategies. The understanding of lipid metabolism in response to cancer therapy continues to evolve as each therapeutic method emerges, and this review seeks to summarize the current field and areas of unmet needs.
The personality disorder patient pathway: Service user and clinical perspectives
Authors: Flynn S. , Raphael J. , Graney J. , Nyathi T. , Williams A. , Kapur N. , Appleby L. , Shaw J.
Published: May 2019

Aims

There have been recent policy developments and research into care provision for service users with personality disorder. However, few studies have focused on service user and staff perspectives on how services could be improved.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken in the UK between 2016 and 2017. We conducted six focus groups with clinicians in mental health services with experience of working with people with personality disorder. Using an online survey, we asked current and past service users with personality disorder to describe their experiences of mental health services and make recommendations for improvements. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

Forty‐five clinicians participated in the focus group and 131 service users contributed to the online survey. The main areas of concern identified by both staff and patients were the diagnosis of personality disorder, the absence of a coherent care pathway, access to psychological treatment and staff training.

Conclusions

The care pathway for individuals with personality disorder is unclear to clinicians and service users, and elements of the pathway are disjointed and not working as effectively as they could. Guidelines recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are not being followed. Specialist psychological interventions should be available to ensure consistent and stable care provision. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bereaved mothers' and fathers' prolonged grief and psychological health 1 to 5 years after loss—A nationwide study
Authors: Pohlkamp Lilian , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Sveen Josefin
Published: May 2019

Objective

To assess differences in prolonged grief, depression, posttraumatic stress, and sleep disturbances in bereaved parents across years since loss (1‐5 years) and by gender and to assess potential interactive effects of time since loss and gender on bereavement outcomes.

Methods

This study examined symptom levels of prolonged grief disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia in bereaved parents. A sample, including 133 mothers and 92 fathers who had lost a child to cancer 1 to 5 years previously, subdivided to five subsamples, one for each year since loss. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess differences in symptom levels, related to years since loss, and gender.

Results

Regardless of how many years had passed since the loss, symptom levels of prolonged grief, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and insomnia were elevated in all subsamples. Mothers showed higher symptom levels of prolonged grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress than fathers. However, no significant interaction effects were found between years since loss and gender on any of the symptom levels.

Conclusions

Cancer‐bereaved mothers and fathers are vulnerable to prolonged grief and psychological symptoms up to 5 years after the death of their child. Findings highlight that bereaved parents may need long‐term support, and the results deserve further attention in research and clinical care.
Clustering of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Amphiphilic Invertible Polymer Enhances Uptake and Release of Drugs and MRI Properties
Authors: Price Paige M. , Dittmar Jasper W. , Carlson Kenneth , Lawson Bret P. , Reilly Austin K. , Stein Barry D. , Cheng Hu , Zholobko Oksana , Kohut Ananiy , Voronov Andriy , Bronstein Lyudmila M.
Published: May 2019

A functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) of different diameters by the amphiphilic invertible polymer, (PEG600‐alt‐PTHF650)k (PEG and PTHF stand for poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(tetrahydrofuran), respectively), leads to different NP/polymer architectures for dye/drug uptake and release, as is reported here for the first time. It is demonstrated that 18.6 ± 1.4 and 11.9 ± 0.6 nm NPs are individually coated by this polymer, while 5.9 ± 0.6 nm NPs form nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) which could be isolated by either ultracentrifugation or magnetic separation. This phenomenon is most likely due to the character of the (PEG600‐alt‐PTHF650)k macromolecule with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments and its dimensions sufficient to cause NP clustering. Utilizing Rhodamine B base (RBB) and doxorubicin (DOX), the data on uptake upon mixing and further release via inversion into octanol (mimicking the penetration of the cell biomembrane) are presented. The magnetic NPCs display enhanced uptake and release of both RBB and DOX most likely due to the higher retained polymer amount. The NPCs also display exceptional magnetic resonance imaging properties. This and the high uptake/release efficiency of the NPCs combined with easy magnetic separation make them promising for theranostic probes for magnetically targeted drug delivery.
A Novel Launching System Applying a Relay Chamber Technology and Its Optimization
Authors: Cao Runduo , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: May 2019

This paper investigates a novel launching system with a relay chamber using optimization method. For revealing the influences of new structures on the overall interior ballistic performance, the launching process of this novel system is modeled and a series of different schemes are simulated. In view of more design variables to be involved and conflicting objectives to be achieved, complete optimization of the interior ballistic performance is a complex process. A popular standard particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to obtain an optimal loading condition, together with a proper design of the relay chamber. Furthermore, for an existing cannon gun without modifying its structure, the charge system is re‐designed and simulated using the SPSO algorithm in this novel method and conventional method respectively. Compared with the original scheme, both optimal schemes could get higher muzzle velocity, while the novel method could improve by 16.5 % and the conventional method could improve by only 5.7 %. It means that this novel launch system could improve the interior ballistics performance obviously and it still has considerable potential to be ameliorated.
Photoselective exclusion netting in apple orchards: effectiveness against pests and impact on beneficial arthropods, fungal diseases and fruit quality
Authors: Candian Valentina , Pansa Marco G , Santoro Karin , Spadaro Davide , Tavella Luciana , Tedeschi Rosemarie
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Frequent pesticide treatments in fruit orchards increase hazards for workers, consumers and the environment. Moreover, the indiscriminate and excessive use of pesticides often induces resistance in pests. In the past few years, physical exclusion strategies have been proposed as an alternative for the control of insect pests. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of anti‐hail photoselective netting in protecting apples against key and emerging pests, as well as the impact on beneficial arthropods, fungal diseases and fruit quality.

RESULTS

In netted plots, a significant reduction in pest populations, i.e. fruit moths, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), was recorded in comparison with un‐netted controls. Moreover, the damage on fruits caused by H. halys was reduced up to 62% compared with insecticidal treatments. The net did not negatively affect the abundance of predators and the incidence of post‐harvest rot. In addition, the incidence of bitter pit on apple was reduced up to 52%. Furthermore, fruit quality was unaffected by the net coverage (both at harvest and after 4 months of storage).

CONCLUSION

Anti‐hail photoselective pearl netting proved a promising exclusion system that can prevent attack by more than one insect pest at a time, allowing for a strong reduction in insecticide treatments and relative costs. At the same time, the netting did not negatively influence the presence of predators, the incidence of fungal disease or fruit quality. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Presence and roles of myrtenol, myrtanol and myrtenal in Dendroctonus armandi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and Pinus armandi (Pinales: Pinaceae: Pinoideae)
Authors: Zhao Mingzhen , Liu Bin , Sun Yaya , Wang Yuanyuan , Dai Lulu , Chen Hui
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Insect pheromones and host volatiles are important for pest control due to their high efficiency and low potential for environmental pollution. The functions of myrtenol, myrtanol and myrtenal in pest–host interactions are unknown. This study aimed to determine the presence of myrtenol, myrtanol and myrtenal in newly emerged and emerged stages of Dendroctonus armandi, and in infected and healthy Pinus armandi, and to identify their roles in tree protection and pest management based on electroantennography (EAG), Y‐tube and toxicity experiments.

RESULTS

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses, EAG, Y‐tube and toxicity assays revealed the following: (1) myrtenol was found in P. armandi phloem and did not exhibit significant toxicity towards D. armandi; (2) myrtanol was produced by infected P. armandi after D. armandi invasion and had significant toxicity towards D. armandi, especially females; and (3) myrtenal might represent an aggregation pheromone produced by female D. armandi to exert aggregation effects on other females, to help them overcome the resistance of P. armandi jointly and ensure a successful invasion, females remained in an aggregation state from leaving the host to mating in a new host.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that myrtanol as a repellent has potential for the protection of P. armandi and that myrtenal could be used to trap and disorient D. armandi. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced Performance of InGaN‐Based Blue LEDs Using an AlGaN/InGaN Super‐Lattice Last Quantum Barrier
Authors: Hu Jiahui , Chen Qian , Long Hanling , Zhang Shuang , Gao Yang , Zheng Zihua , Chen Changqing , Zhang Jun , Dai Jiangnan
Published: May 2019

In this work, a novel structure of InGaN‐based blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) using a super‐lattice structure as the last quantum barrier (QB) in the active region is proposed to improve the blue LEDs performance. The optical power and external quantum efficiency (EQE) are investigated by both simulation and experiment. The proposed super‐lattice last QB can significantly enhance the effective barrier of electrons from 463 to 576 meV in the conduction band and thus block the leakage of electrons. It is found that such structure can also facilitate the hole injection due to the reduced effective barrier height from 293 to 261 meV in the valance band. Eventually, the increase of the carrier concentration in the active region further improves the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the device. The experimental results indicate that the output power of the proposed LED is increased by 16.9% compared with the conventional LED, with lower efficiency droop (less than 20.65%). The proposed structure can be an alternative in pursuing high efficiency blue LEDs in the future.
Effect on Schottky Barrier of Graphene/WS2 Heterostructure With Vertical Electric Field and Biaxial Strain
Authors: Zheng Jiangshan , Li Enling , Ma Deming , Cui Zhen , Peng Tuo , Wang Xiaolin
Published: May 2019

Graphene has been widely used in many applications, such as sensors, field‐effect transistors, and integrated circuits due to its high strength and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Its lack of a band gap, however, means that applications in some fields are limited. In this paper, using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory method, the electronic properties of graphene/WS2 heterostructures under electric field and in‐plane biaxial strain are investigated. It is found that the two materials are subject to weak van der Waals forces after stacking. The band gap of WS2 in the graphene/WS2 heterostructure is reduced by 0.57 eV compared to the intrinsic WS2 band gap. An n‐type Schottky contact with a barrier height of 0.22 eV is formed. In addition, an n‐type to p‐type Schottky contact transition can be achieved by increasing the applied vertical electric field on the graphene/WS2 heterostructure. The variation of the barrier heights ϕBn and ϕBp of the graphene/WS2 heterojunction with strain is sensitive. However, plane strain can only change the height of the Schottky barrier; the Schottky contact cannot change from n‐type to p‐type with in‐plane biaxial strain. The results suggest that there is a potential application of graphene/WS2 heterostructures in Schottky devices.
Revisiting the structural and electronic properties of neutral, mono‐ and di‐anionic titanium‐doped silicon clusters TiSin0/−/2− (n = 6‐16)
Authors: Dong Caixia , Han Limin , Yang Jucai , Cheng Lin
Published: May 2019

The systematic structures search for neutral and Zintl anionic Ti‐doped silicon clusters TiSin0/−/2− (n = 6‐16) have been carried out using the ABCluster global search technique combined with a double‐hybrid density functional method. Based on the predicted energies, adiabatic electron affinities, vertical detachment energies and the consistency between simulated and experimental photoelectron spectroscopy, the true global minimum structures are confirmed. The results show that structural growth pattern of neutral TiSin clusters is from linked structures (n = 10‐12) to encapsulated configurations (n = 13‐16). In contrast, the evolution pattern of Zintl anionic TiSin−/2− clusters begins with the pentagonal bipyramid structure (n = 6). As the Si atoms increase, these Si atoms attach to the surface adjacent to Ti atom, and gradually surround Ti atom. Eventually, the encapsulated structure is formed when n = 12. Moreover, two extra electrons not only perfect the structure of TiSi12 but also improve its chemical and thermodynamic stability.
TiK‐means: Transformation‐infusedK‐means clustering for skewed groups
Authors: Berry Nicholas S. , Maitra Ranjan
Published: May 2019

TheK‐means algorithm is extended to allow for partitioning of skewed groups. Our algorithm is called TiK‐means and contributes aK‐means‐type algorithm that assigns observations to groups while estimating their skewness‐transformation parameters. The resulting groups and transformation reveal general‐structured clusters that can be explained by inverting the estimated transformation. Further, a modification of the jump statistic chooses the number of groups. Our algorithm is evaluated on simulated and real‐life data sets and then applied to a long‐standing astronomical dispute regarding the distinct kinds of gamma ray bursts.
Synthesis of New Chiral (R)‐BINOL Derivatives under Microwave Irradiation and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial and α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Ankireddy Ashok Reddy , Paidikondala Kalyani , Gundla Rambabu , Balaraju Tuniki , Pagadala Ramakanth , Banothu Venkanna
Published: May 2019

Series of new 3,3’‐disubstituted chiral (R)‐BINOL compounds have been synthesized with good yields and short reaction time under microwave‐irradiation. The titled compounds showed great antibacterial activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative organisms. The results indicated that two compounds (R)‐3,3′‐bis(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 a) and (R)‐3,3′‐bis(4‐nitrophenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 d) which bearing fluoro and nitro substitution on phenyl group has displayed highest inhibition against pathogens. All the derivatives evaluated in vitro against α‐glucosidase. The results indicates that all the target compounds have significant inhibitory activity and more potent than standard drug Acarbose (IC50 = 586.391 ± 14.017 μM). (R)‐3,3′‐bis(3,5‐dichlorophenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 b), (R)‐3,3′‐bis(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 a), (R)‐3,3′‐bis(4‐nitrophenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 d) and (R)‐3,3′‐bis(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol (6 f) compounds shows strong inhibitors of α‐glucosidase, with the IC50 values of 25.341 ± 0.009 μM, 29.215 ± 0.017 μM, 30.294 ± 0.012 μM and 32.402 ± 0.041 μM, respectively.
Synthesis of 21‐Alkylidenes and 21‐Alkylol Analogues of Uscharin and Their Effects on Intracellular Calcium in Cardiac Cells
Authors: Zhou Xiaobo , Chen Li , Jiang Zhi‐Hong , Chen Xiaoyi , Luo Pei , Bai Li‐Ping
Published: May 2019

Five 21‐alkylidenes (2‐6) and a 21‐alkylol (7) derivatives of uscharin (1) were synthesized by aldol condensation reaction and aldol reaction of uscharin with aromatic aldehydes, respectively. We investigated the ability of uscharin and its derivatives to interfere with the intracellular calcium level by flow cytometry and contractile characteristics at the single cell level by time‐lapse microscopy in H9c2 cells. Changes of spontaneous calcium oscillations in beating HL‐1 cells were also studied by a high‐throughput Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR) assay. We reported for the first time that uscharin could produce increased contraction strength in cardiac muscle cells while it showed a significant cytotoxicity to atrial cells. Unlike uscharin, 6 induced a marked increase of myocardial contractility, whereas 6 neither caused irregular frequency of oscillations nor cardiac cytotoxic effects under tested conditions. Structural modification on the butenolide moiety of uscharin showed a reduction of cardiac cytotoxicity and exhibited potential for use as an inotropic agent for the treatment of heart failure.
Layer by Layer Assembly of Zinc Oxide Nanotubes and Nanoflowers as Catalyst for Separate and Simultaneous Catalytic Degradation of Dyes and Fuel Additive
Authors: Khan Shanza Rauf , Abid Sobia , Jamil Saba , Aqib Amjad Islam , Faisal Muhammad Naeem , Ashraf Janjua Muhammad Ramzan Saeed
Published: May 2019

Zinc oxide nanotubes and nanoflowers are synthesized using urea as template through hydrothermal technique. XRD confirmed that product is consists of zinc and oxygen atoms forming a hexagonal crystal system with ZnO chemical formula. SEM showed that tubes and flower like particles are formed. ATR‐IR confirmed the presence of Zn−O bond as a functional group. UV‐VIS spectroscopic analysis exhibits that product has a band gap energy of 3.49 eV. Synthesized product due to its outstanding properties such as wide band gap semiconductor and large surface area to volume ratio is used as a catalyst for individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) dyes. The apparent rate constant (kapp) value of individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of CR dye is decreased with increase in catalyst dosage while kapp value of individual and simultaneous catalytic degradation of MB dye is increased with increase in catalyst dosage. The synthesized product is found more active towards CR dye as compared to MB dye. Small size and high surface area to volume ratio of product also make it a desirable additive for enhancing the efficiency of diesel fuel. Results obtained from fuel additive activity show that as the concentration of nanoadditive is increased from 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm the calorific value is increased which indicates the enhanced efficiency of fuel due to additive.
Synthesis of 5‐Carboxamidotriazoles via Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition–Aminocarbonylation Sequence
Authors: Szuroczki Péter , Sámson Judit , Kollár László
Published: May 2019

5‐Carboxamidotriazoles were prepared in the palladium‐catalyzed aminocarbonylation of the corresponding iodotriazole using various amines as N‐nucleophiles under mild reaction conditions. The iodoheteroarene substrates were obtained in good yields in copper‐catalysed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition of iodoalkynes (2′‐iodophenylacetylene and ethyl iodopropiolate) and benzyl azide.
Unprecedented Synthesis of 4‐Ylidene (3 S)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐aryl (alkyl)‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones Based on 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of a Sugar‐derived Nitrone to N‐Substituted Maleimides
Authors: Ghannay Siwar , Alminderej Fahad , Msaddek Moncef , Praly Jean‐Pierre , Aouadi Kaïss
Published: May 2019

1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition of a sugar‐based nitrone to differently N‐substituted maleimides afforded mixtures of isoxazolidine‐based cycloadducts. The obtained predominant cycloadducts displayed three new contiguous stereogenic centers placing the protons in syn and anti‐relationship, respectively at the fused bond, and for H5 and H6. This was explained by an endo approach of the maleimide derivatives to the Si‐face of the nitrone reacting in its Z‐form. The mCPBA‐mediated oxidative cleavage N−O bond of the isoxazolidine occurred almost quantitatively to afford unprecedented sugar nitrones. Their pyrolysis under thermal or microwave activation led to new 4‐ylidene (3 S)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐aryl (alkyl)‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones.
A Mussel‐Inspired Persistent ROS‐Scavenging, Electroactive, and Osteoinductive Scaffold Based on Electrochemical‐Driven In Situ Nanoassembly
Authors: Zhou Ting , Yan Liwei , Xie Chaoming , Li Pengfei , Jiang Lili , Fang Ju , Zhao Cancan , Ren Fuzeng , Wang Kefeng , Wang Yingbo , Zhang Hongping , Guo Tailin , Lu Xiong
Published: May 2019

Conductive polymers are promising for bone regeneration because they can regulate cell behavior through electrical stimulation; moreover, they are antioxidative agents that can be used to protect cells and tissues from damage originating from reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, conductive polymers lack affinity to cells and osteoinductivity, which limits their application in tissue engineering. Herein, an electroactive, cell affinitive, persistent ROS‐scavenging, and osteoinductive porous Ti scaffold is prepared by the on‐surface in situ assembly of a polypyrrole‐polydopamine‐hydroxyapatite (PPy‐PDA‐HA) film through a layer‐by‐layer pulse electrodeposition (LBL‐PED) method. During LBL‐PED, the PPy‐PDA nanoparticles (NPs) and HA NPs are in situ synthesized and uniformly coated on a porous scaffold from inside to outside. PDA is entangled with and doped into PPy to enhance the ROS scavenging rate of the scaffold and realize repeatable, efficient ROS scavenging over a long period of time. HA and electrical stimulation synergistically promote osteogenic cell differentiation on PPy‐PDA‐HA films. Ultimately, the PPy‐PDA‐HA porous scaffold provides excellent bone regeneration through the synergistic effects of electroactivity, cell affinity, and antioxidative activity of the PPy‐PDA NPs and the osteoinductivity of HA NPs. This study provides a new strategy for functionalizing porous scaffolds that show great promise as implants for tissue regeneration.
On the strong consistency of feature‐weighted k‐means clustering in a nearmetric space
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Das Swagatam
Published: May 2019

Weighted k‐means (WK‐means) is a well‐known method for automated feature weight learning in a conventional k‐means clustering framework. In this paper, we analytically explore the strong consistency of the WK‐means algorithm under independent and identically distributed sampling of the data points. The choice of dissimilarity measure plays a key role in data partitioning and detecting the inherent groups existing in a dataset. We propose a proof of strong consistency of the WK‐means algorithm when the dissimilarity measure used is assumed to be a nearmetric. The proof can be further extended to those dissimilarity measures which are an increasing function of a nearmetric. Through detailed experiments, we demonstrate that WK‐means‐type algorithms, equipped with a nearmetric, can be pretty effective especially when some of the features are unimportant in revealing the cluster structure of the dataset.
A national survey of testing and management of asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile
Authors: Kutty Preeta K. , Beekmann Susan E. , Sinkowitz-Cochran Ronda L. , Dubberke Erik R. , Kuhar David T. , McDonald L. Clifford , Polgreen Philip M.
Published: May 2019

A nationwide survey indicated that screening for asymptomatic carriers of C. difficile is an uncommon practice in US healthcare settings. Better understanding of the role of asymptomatic carriage in C. difficile transmission, and of the measures available to reduce that risk, are needed to inform best practices regarding the management of carriers.
Gene–environment interactions between HPA-axis genes and stressful life events in depression: a systematic review
Authors: Normann Caroline , Buttenschøn Henriette N.
Published: May 2019

Objective:

Depression is a disorder caused by genetics and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to perform a review investigating the interaction between genetic variations located in genes involved in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA-axis) and stressful life events (SLEs) in depression.

Methods:

In this systematic review, we selected articles investigating the interaction between genes involved in the HPA-axis, such as Arginine Vasopressin (AVP), Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone (CRH), Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 (CRHR1), Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Receptor 2 (CRHR2), FK506 binding protein (FKBP5), Nuclear Receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), Nuclear Receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2), and SLE. The literature search was conducted using the Pubmed, Embase, and PsychINFO databases in adherence with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results:

The search yielded 48 potentially relevant studies, of which 40 were excluded following screening. Eight studies were included in the final review. A total of 97 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined in the eight included studies. The most prevalent gene was FKBP5, and the best studied polymorphism was FKBP5:rs1360780. Two of the five studies reported significant gene–environment (G × E) interactions between rs1360780 and SLE. Overall, four studies reported significant G × E interactions between FKBP5, CRH, or CRHR1 and SLE, respectively. No significant G × E interactions were found for the remaining genes.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that genetic variation in three genes in the HPA-axis possibly moderate the effects of SLEs in depression.
EXCHANGE MOVES AND NONCONJUGATE BRAID REPRESENTATIVES OF KNOTS
Authors: SHINJO REIKO , STOIMENOW ALEXANDER
Published: May 2019

We prove that for $n\geqslant 4$, every knot has infinitely many conjugacy classes of $n$-braid representatives if and only if it has one admitting an exchange move.
Radiocarbon Dating of Medieval Buildings in the Mountainous Part of Ingushetia (Northern Caucasus, Russia)
Authors: Matskovsky Vladimir , Gadiev Umalat , Dolgikh Andrey , Cherkinsky Alexander , Polumieva Polina , Panov Vsevolod , Kudikov Arseniy , Lomakin Nikita , Dolgova Ekaterina
Published: May 2019

There are hundreds of preserved medieval buildings in the mountainous part of Ingushetia, including Christian churches, crypts, temples, sanctuaries, battle towers, and living buildings. The chronology of their construction period is still questioned, as there are no radiocarbon (14C) dates published for these buildings and their dating is mainly based on architectural features, a few historical sources, and sometimes on accompanying archaeological material. The aim of this study is to assess more precisely the period of their construction. To do this, we selected the 10 most prominent medieval buildings that contain wooden construction elements and sampled these wooden elements in order to apply 14C accelerator mass-spectrometry dating (AMS) followed by wiggle-matching. From two of these buildings, plaster and mortar were also sampled for 14C AMS dating. This is the first time that these kinds of analyses have been performed for medieval buildings from the mountainous part of Ingushetia. For 6 out of 10 buildings, we acquired sufficiently precise dates that helped us to clarify their construction period. For the other 4 buildings, the acquired dates are still informative but could be refined further with additional 14C analyses. The calibrated dates obtained cover the period from AD 662 until recent time with the majority of them concentrated in 15th–17th centuries.
“To Promote the Cause of Christ's Kingdom”: International Student Associations and the “Revival” of Middle Eastern Christianity
Authors: Womack Deanna Ferree
Published: May 2019

This article traces the presence in the Arab world of international Christian student organizations like the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) and its intercollegiate branches of the YMCA and YWCA associated with the Protestant missionary movement in nineteenth-century Beirut. There, an American-affiliated branch of the YMCA emerged at Syrian Protestant College in the 1890s, and the Christian women's student movement formed in the early twentieth century after a visit from WSCF secretaries John Mott and Ruth Rouse. As such, student movements took on lives of their own, and they developed in directions that Western missionary leaders never anticipated. By attending to the ways in which the WSCF and YMCA/YWCA drew Arabs into the global ecumenical movement, this study examines the shifting aims of Christian student associations in twentieth-century Syria and Lebanon, from missionary-supported notions of evangelical revival to ecumenical renewal and interreligious movements for national reform.
Are Texts Determinate? Derrida, Barth, and The Role of the Biblical Scholar
Authors: LaFargue Michael
Published: May 2019

This paper is about the relevance of Jacques Derrida's thought to biblical interpretation. It focuses specifically on the question of determinacy: whether there is something definite and determinate which is the object of textual interpretation, or whether texts are subject to an infinite number of incompatible, but equally valid, readings.
Ben Sira's Relationship to the Priesthood
Authors: Olyan Saul M.
Published: May 2019

Ben Sira's view of the cult and his relationship to the priesthood are issues which have received much attention from scholars, yet there is no consensus on either question. Most critics cannot escape from the conclusion that Ben Sira had at least an interest in cult and priesthood. Some have argued that he harbored even a domineering interest in cultic worship, but others, like R. Smend and R. Pfeiffer, are ambivalent: they claim on the one hand that Ben Sira had an intense interest in things cultic, but on the other that he kept “a meaningful distance” from the cult (Pfeiffer). In other words, though his interest was intense, the ritual itself really meant very little to Ben Sira. The contradiction in this statement is evident. In a recent monograph, J. Marböck argued that although Ben Sira had a personal love for temple ceremony, he attributed to cultic law and ritual a very subordinate position. J. G. Snaith has made similar claims about Ben Sira's view of the cult.
The People of the Grey Bull: the Origin and Expansion of the Turkana
Authors: Lamphear John
Published: May 2019

While archaeology and linguistics provide an important basis for the reconstruction of the early history of those parts of eastern Africa inhabited by pastoral societies, oral traditions also can make a valuable contribution. In this paper an examination of the traditions of the Turkana of north-western Kenya reveals an often remarkably sophisticated rendering of complex processes of origin and migration. Moreover, those traditions also embody insights into basic factors concerning the development and spread of pastoralism in East Africa that the methodologies of other disciplines have only recently begun to identify.

Turkana traditions suggest that their society had not just one, monolithic ‘origin’, but rather what might be seen as a whole series of them. Highly dramatic and memorable tales of genesis provide vivid idioms of socio-political identity and also contain fundamental cosmological messages. But they also correspond to important stages of change in the development of the Turkana community, and, as such, they (together with less ‘formal’ traditions associated with them) provide vital historical information.

The factors which combined to enable the Turkana to carry out their vast and rapid territorial expansion are identified. For instance, one early tradition suggests a fundamental change in their pastoral system – the acquisition of Zebu cattle-while others emphasize important commercial contacts which provided a steady flow of iron-ware and grain. Still others trace the development of the office of Great Diviner, revealing how it became a primary focus of economic and cultural redefinition and corporate identity as alterations to the earlier generation-set system occurred. Another tradition provides a glimpse of Turkana expansion from the point of view of peoples absorbed by it.
The Cultural Topography of a ‘Bantu Borderland’: Busoga, 1500–1850
Authors: Cohen David William
Published: May 2019

The terrain of Busoga and adjacent areas of eastern Uganda constituted a portion of the boundary of the broad Bantu speech community of southern, central, west-central and eastern Africa. By examining closely the settings and circumstances of contact between Bantu and non-Bantu in this portion of the ‘Bantu line’ between approximately 1500 and 1850, it is possible to see the complexity of the ‘face of contact’ between speech communities in eastern Uganda. The study reviews several different efforts to comprehend and represent the evolving contacts between Bantu-speakers in the Busoga area and, in particular, Luo-speaking immigrants. Over the long run, many groups associated with Luo immigration took over Bantu speech while gaining dominant statuses and positions within the largely Bantu-speaking communities in the area. The study distinguishes five distinctive and non-homologous zones within this narrow stretch of the Bantu borderland, emphasizing through comparative analysis the very local, immediate, and contextual character of contacts across speech boundaries. It brings forward the economic and political significance of the circumstances of contact, and locates patterns of resistance, flux, and reflux within the era following the linguistic incorporation of the ‘stranger’ Luo within Bantu speech communities. Indeed, some of the important population flows in Busoga appear to have developed out of reactions to elaborated forms of domination building over a number of years, rather than as instant expressions of boundary and cultural formation by the participants in the experience.
‘HAVE YOU EVER CAPTURED ANYTHING FOR YOUR PARENTS?’ WAR, CAPTIVITY, AND SLAVERY ON THE PRECOLONIAL SOUTHERN AFRICAN HIGHVELD, C.1800–71
Authors: MORELLI ETTORE
Published: May 2019

The article analyses various cases of captivity in a region comprised within modern-day South Africa and Lesotho in the late precolonial period. Focusing on a single social institution,bohlanka, the article follows its traces scattered among the Batlhaping, the Basotho, the Barolong, the Bataung, and other smaller precolonial communities. Generally considered by scholars as a form of clientship based on cattle-loans,bohlankais here redefined as originating from warfare and captivity, and later expanding to include the destitute. The fundamental elements of the institution — violence, natal alienation, and suspended death — lead to the conclusion thatbohlankaconstituted a local form of slavery that pre-dated colonial influences.
THE NASTY WAR: ORGANISED VIOLENCE DURING THE ANYA-NYA INSURGENCY IN SOUTH SUDAN, 1963–72
Authors: ROLANDSEN ØYSTEIN H. , KINDERSLEY NICKI
Published: May 2019

In 1963, unrest in Sudan's three southern provinces (today's South Sudan) escalated into a civil war between the government and the Anya-Nya rebellion. The subsequent eight years of violence has hitherto largely escaped scrutiny from academic researchers and has remained a subject of popular imagination and politicised narratives. This article demonstrates how this history can be explored with greater nuance, thereby establishing a local history of a postcolonial civil war. Focusing on the garrison town of Torit, our research reveals a localised and personalised rebellion, made up of a constellation of parochial armed groups. This new history also demonstrates how these parties built upon experiences from imperial conquest and colonial rule when entrenching violent wartime practices such as mass displacement and encampment, the raising of local militias and intelligence networks, and the deliberate starvation of civilians — all common methods in subsequent wars.
Prevalence of anaemia among 6- to 59-month-old children in India: the latest picture through the NFHS-4
Authors: Bharati Susmita , Pal Manoranjan , Bharati Premananda
Published: May 2019

India is the highest contributor to child anaemia among developing countries. To see the latest picture of child anaemia in India, data for 6- to 59-month-old children were taken from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–16 (NFHS-4). The study sample consisted of 1,37,347 children. The dependent variable was the anaemia status of the child. The objectives of the study were to assess (i) the distribution of anaemia prevalence by child age group, (ii) the prevalence of child anaemia by zone and state and (iii) the relation of child anaemia prevalence with social, demographic and economic variables, including maternal nutritional status and low birth weight. The study found that in India in 2015–16, 56% of 6- to 59-month-old children were anaemic – a decrease of only 13.5 percentage points since the NFHS-3 study conducted in 2005–06. It is well known that iron supplementation is necessary for child growth and brain development. This study suggests that, in addition, the socioeconomic conditions of households in India need to be improved to prevent child anaemia. Low birth weight and low maternal nutritional status are also responsible for the high prevalence of anaemia among children in India.
Feeding habits of the swimming blue crab Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) (Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Mediterranean
Authors: Ben Abdallah-Ben Hadj Hamida Olfa , Ben Hadj Hamida Nader , Ammar Rihab , Chaouch Houda , Missaoui Hechmi
Published: May 2019

The alien blue swimming crab, Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775), an Indo-Pacific species, has been recorded in the southern Mediterranean Sea for decades, and its occurrence along the southern Tunisian coasts has been recorded since 2014. The feeding habits of P. segnis were studied in the Gulf of Gabes from October 2015 to September 2016. The stomach contents of 3061 crabs, ranging from 50 to 168 mm carapace width, were analysed. The stomach contents appeared to consist mainly of large quantities of crustaceans, fish and molluscs, and small quantities of echinoderms, annelids, tunicates, cnidarians, plants, unidentifiable matter and debris. The major food groups observed were crustaceans throughout the year with fish and molluscs secondly. In juvenile, sub-adult and adult crabs, crustaceans constituted the dominant food source and these were present in more than 65% of the stomachs analysed. Ingestion of fish increases as the crab matures. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the quantity of the food consumed by the two sexes. The diet also increased with increasing ovary maturity degree, while the percentage of empty stomachs in ovigerous and non-ovigerous females did not show any difference. The vacuity index varied significantly in both sex (P < 0.0001), among size (P < 0.0001) and seasons (P < 0.0001). This study shows that, despite the diversity in blue crab diets and feeding habits, it is omnivorous with a preference for animal material.
Threatened species in a threatened ecosystem: the conservation status of fourSolanumspecies in the face of ongoing habitat loss
Authors: Fensham Roderick J. , Halford Jason , Hansen Chris , Laffineur Boris , Williams Billie
Published: May 2019

Plant biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation and invasion by exotic species, but the effects of these disturbances on individual plant species are rarely quantified. Since the 1950s, brigalowAcacia harpophyllaforests in Australia have been extensively cleared and converted to pastures dominated by exotic grasses. Here we assess the habitat requirements, population numbers and threats for four poorly known bush tomato species,Solanum adenophorum, Solanum dissectum, Solanum elachophyllumandSolanum johnsonianum. Herbarium records and surveys demonstrated a strong association of all four species with brigalow habitat, althoughS. elachophyllumalso occurred in other habitat. We derived historical and current population estimates from plant densities at current sites and the area of mapped brigalow habitat. Density estimates are imprecise because the survey data vary greatly, but the assessment indicates the populations of all four species have declined > 93%.Solanum dissectumandS. johnsonianumdid not persist in cleared brigalow habitat, whereasS. adenophorumandS. elachophyllumhad some capacity to persist in clearings. None of the species occur where the exotic grass cover is > 40%. Between 27% and 57% of the records of the four species are in brigalow remnants with a high edge-to-area ratio or open canopy (< 50% cover), making them highly vulnerable to invasive grasses. We recommend the categorization ofS. dissectumandS. johnsonianumas Critically Endangered,S. adenophorumas Vulnerable andS. elachophyllumas Near Threatened.
Influence of autophagy, apoptosis and their interplay in filaricidal activity of C-cinnamoyl glycosides
Authors: Roy Priya , Sengupta Anirban , Joardar Nikhilesh , Bhattacharyya Arindam , Saha Nimai Chandra , Misra Anup Kumar , Sinha Babu Santi P.
Published: May 2019

The present work aims to explore the mechanism of action ofC-cinnamoyl glycoside as an antifilarial agent against the bovine filarial nematodeSetaria cervi. Both apoptosis and autophagy programmed cell death pathways play a significant role in parasitic death. The generation of reactive oxygen species, alteration of the level of antioxidant components and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential may be the causative factors that drive the parasitic death. Monitoring of autophagic fluxviathe formation of autophagosome and autophagolysosome was detectedviaCYTO ID dye. The expression profiling of both apoptotic and autophagic marker proteins strongly support the initial findings of these two cell death processes. The increased interaction of pro-autophagic protein Beclin1 with BCL-2 may promote apoptotic pathway by suppressing anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 from its function. This in turn partially restrains the autophagic pathway by engaging Beclin1 in the complex. But overall positive increment in autophagic flux was observed. Dynamic interaction and regulative balance of these two critical cellular pathways play a decisive role in controlling disease pathogenesis. Therefore, the present experimental work may prosper the chance forC-cinnamoyl glycosides to become a potential antifilarial therapeutic in the upcoming day after detailin vivostudy and proper clinical trial.
Anthelmintic activity of plants against gastrointestinal nematodes of goats: a review
Authors: Oliveira Santos Francianne , Ponce Morais Cerqueira Amanda , Branco Alexsandro , José Moreira Batatinha Maria , Borges Botura Mariana
Published: May 2019

The gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) stand out as an important cause of disease in small ruminant, especially on goat farm. Widespread resistance to synthetic anthelminthics has stimulated the research for alternative strategies of parasite control, including the use of medicinal plants. The present work summarizes the in vitro and in vivo studies of plants with activity against GIN of goats, focusing on the description of chemical constituents related to this effect. This review retrieved 56 scientific articles from 2008 to 2018 describing more than 100 different plant species. The most frequently investigated family was Fabaceae (30.7%). Most in vitro studies on the activity of plant extracts and fractions were carried out with of free-living stages nematodes. In vivo studies were conducted mainly with the use of plants in animal feed and generally showed lower effectiveness compared to in vitro assays. The main plant secondary metabolites associated with anthelmintic effect are condensed tannins, saponin and flavonoids. However, the studies with compounds isolated from plants and elucidation of their mechanisms of action are scarce. Herbal medicines are thought to be promising sources for the development of effective anthelmintic agents.