bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A pilot study of ultrasound-guided acupotomy for the treatment of frozen shoulder
Authors: Cao Xiao-Yan , Zhao Hua-Yun
Published: October 2019

This study retrospectively analyzed the feasible effectiveness of ultrasound-guided acupotomy (USGAP) for the treatment of frozen shoulder (FS). A total of 36 patients with FS were analyzed in this retrospective study. All 36 patients received extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT). In addition, 18 of them also underwent USGAP intervention and were assigned to a treatment group, while the other 18 patients did not receive such intervention and were assigned to a control group. The primary efficacy endpoint was pain intensity, as measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The secondary efficacy endpoint was assessed by the score of shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Furthermore, the adverse events were also documented during the treatment period. All efficacy endpoints were measured after the treatment. After treatment, patients who received USGAP exerted better efficacy endpoints in pain relief, as measured by NRS scale (P < .01), and shoulder disorders, as evaluated by SPADI (P < .01), than subjects who did not receive USGAP. Additionally, no adverse events occurred in either group. The results of this study indicated that USGAP may be used for the treatment of FS effectively. More studies are still needed to warrant the present results.
Impact of metabolic syndrome-related factors on the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms in Asian population
Authors: Park Jee Soo , Koo Kyo Chul , Kim Hye Kyung , Chung Byung Ha , Lee Kwang Suk
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to investigate the metabolic syndrome-related risk factors for the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in healthy men.

A total of 4880 healthy men who underwent transrectal ultrasonography at our hospital during routine health examinations were included in this study. Those who had undergone a prior biopsy or surgery for prostate disease, were suspected of having urinary tract infection, or were taking BPH/LUTS or metabolic syndrome medications were excluded. BPH/LUTS was defined as an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥8 and a prostate volume (PV) of ≥30 cm3.

The subjects had a mean age of 54.1 years, PV of 29.2 cm3, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 1.20 ng/mL, and IPSS of 9.2. The annual PV growth rate was 0.48 cm3/year. Age, body mass index (BMI), PSA, basal metabolic rate, apolipoprotein A-1, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significant predictive factors for PV. Age, PSA, apolipoprotein B, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, HDL, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were predictors of BPH/LUTS at the initial health examination. A decreased fat mass and LDL level were a significant risk factor for the development of BPH/LUTS within 5 years in men without a BPH/LUTS diagnosis at the initial examination.

Metabolic syndrome-related variables were strongly associated with BPH/LUTS and by decreasing fat mass and LDL levels, development of BPH/LUTS could be prevented within 5 years in healthy Korean men.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the anesthetic management of a patient with a massive intrathoracic goiter causing severe tracheal obstruction with positional symptoms
Authors: Jeong Young-Il , Jun In-Gu , Ha Seung-Soo , Kwon Hyun-Jung , Lee Yu-Mi
Published: October 2019

Introduction:

Perioperative anesthetic management in cases of severe airway obstruction with positional symptoms can be associated with difficulties in ventilation or intubation, with a risk of acute respiratory decompensation at every stage of anesthesia.

Patient concerns:

Here we describe the anesthetic management of a 67-year-old man with a massive intrathoracic goiter causing severe tracheal obstruction with positional symptoms. The patient presented with progressive dyspnea that was aggravated in the supine position and was scheduled for total thyroidectomy.

Diagnosis:

Preoperative computed tomography showed a large goiter extending into the thoracic cavity, with diffuse segmental tracheal narrowing for 6 cm. The diameter at the narrowest portion of the trachea was 4.29 mm.

Interventions:

Before the induction of general anesthesia, we applied extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in preparation for potential difficulties in securing the airway during general anesthesia. Subsequently, anesthesia was successfully induced and maintained.

Outcomes:

After the surgical procedure, fiberoptic bronchoscopy and chest radiography showed resolution of the tracheal narrowing. ECMO was weaned 2 hours after the surgery, and the patient was extubated on the first postoperative day. He was discharged without any complication.

Conclusion:

The findings from this case suggest that the use of ECMO before the induction of general anesthesia is a safe method for maintaining oxygenation in patients with severe tracheal obstruction.
Neonatal Sepsis Alters the Excitability of Regular Spiking Cells in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract in Rats
Authors: Eftekhari Golnar , Shojaei Amir , Raoufy Mohammad R. , Azizi Hossein , Semnanian Saeed , Mani Ali R.
Published: October 2019

Objective:

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants. Although the measures of autonomic dysfunction (e.g., reduced heart rate variability) predict mortality in sepsis, the mechanism of sepsis-induced autonomic dysfunction has remained elusive. The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is a vital structure for the integrated autonomic response to physiological challenges. In the present study we hypothesized that sepsis alters the excitability of NTS neurons in a rat model of neonatal sepsis (14-day-old rats).

Methods and Results:

Sepsis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cecal slurry (CS) in rat neonates. The presence of autonomic dysfunction was confirmed by observing a significant reduction in both short-term and long-term heart rate variably following CS injection. We investigated the effect of polymicrobial sepsis on the electrophysiological properties of the medial NTS neurons using a whole cell patch clamp recording. Our results showed that the resting membrane potential in regular spiking neurons was significantly less polarized in the septic group (−37.6 ± 1.76 mv) when compared with the control group (−54.7 ± 1.73 mv, P < 0.001). The number of spontaneous action potentials in the septic group was also significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the frequency and amplitude of the spontaneous excitatory post synaptic potentials was significantly higher in neurons recorded in the septic group (P < 0.001). Interestingly, regular spiking cells in the CS group exhibited a rebound action potential following hyperpolarization. Injection of depolarizing currents was associated with lower first spike latency and changes in rise slope of action potential (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

We showed that polymicrobial sepsis increases the excitability of regular spiking cells in the medial NTS. These alterations can potentially affect neural coding and thus may contribute to an abnormal homeostatic or allostatic physiological response to sepsis and systemic inflammation.
Cardiac Dysfunction in Severely Burned Patients: Current Understanding of Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment
Authors: Tapking Christian , Popp Daniel , Herndon David N. , Branski Ludwik K. , Hundeshagen Gabriel , Armenta Andrew M. , Busch Martin , Most Patrick , Kinsky Michael P.
Published: October 2019

Patients who experience severe burn injuries face a massive inflammatory response resulting in hemodynamic and cardiovascular complications. Even after immediate and appropriate resuscitation, removal of burn eschar and covering of open areas, burn patients remain at high risk for serious morbidity and mortality. As a result of the massive fluid shifts following the initial injury, along with large volume fluid resuscitation, the cardiovascular system is critically affected. Further, increased inflammation, catecholamine surge, and hypermetabolic syndrome impact cardiac dysfunction, which worsens outcomes of burn patients. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge about the effect of burns on the cardiovascular system.

A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Embase databases and manual review of articles involving effects of burns on the cardiovascular system was conducted.

Many burn units use multimodal monitors (e.g., transpulmonary thermodilution) to assess hemodynamics and optimize cardiovascular function. Echocardiography is often used for additional evaluations of hemodynamically unstable patients to assess systolic and diastolic function. Due to its noninvasive character, echocardiography can be repeated easily, which allows us to follow patients longitudinally.

The use of anabolic and anticatabolic agents has been shown to be beneficial for short- and long-term outcomes of burn survivors. Administration of propranolol (non-selective β-receptor antagonist) or oxandrolone (synthetic testosterone) for up to 12 months post-burn counteracts hypermetabolism during hospital stay and improves cardiac function.

A comprehensive understanding of how burns lead to cardiac dysfunction and new therapeutic options could contribute to better outcomes in this patient population.
Chemoinformatic-guided engineering of polyketide synthases
Authors: Zargar Amin , Lal Ravi , Valencia Luis , Wang Jessica , Backman Tyler William H. , Cruz-Morales Pablo , Kothari Ankita , Werts Miranda , Wong Andrew R. , Bailey Constance B. , Loubat Arthur , Liu Yuzhong , Chen Yan , Benites Veronica T. , Chang Samantha , Hernández Amanda C. , Barajas Jesus F. , Thompson Mitchell G. , Barcelos Carolina , Anayah Rasha , Martin Hector Garcia , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Petzold Christopher J. , Baidoo Edward E.K. , Katz Leonard , Keasling Jay D.
Published: October 2019

Polyketide synthase (PKS) engineering is an attractive method to generate new molecules such as commodity, fine and specialty chemicals. A significant challenge in PKS design is engineering a partially reductive module to produce a saturated β-carbon through a reductive loop exchange. In this work, we sought to establish that chemoinformatics, a field traditionally used in drug discovery, could provide a viable strategy to reductive loop exchanges. We first introduced a set of donor reductive loops of diverse genetic origin and chemical substrate structures into the first extension module of the lipomycin PKS (LipPKS1). Product titers of these engineered unimodular PKSs correlated with atom pair chemical similarity between the substrate of the donor reductive loops and recipient LipPKS1, reaching a titer of 165 mg/L of short chain fatty acids produced by Streptomyces albus J1074 harboring these engineered PKSs. Expanding this method to larger intermediates requiring bimodular communication, we introduced reductive loops of divergent chemosimilarity into LipPKS2 and determined triketide lactone production. Collectively, we observed a statistically significant correlation between atom pair chemosimilarity and production, establishing a new chemoinformatic method that may aid in the engineering of PKSs to produce desired, unnatural products.
The Effect of MR Image Quality on Structural and Functional Brain Connectivity: The Maastricht Study
Authors: de Jong Joost J.A. , Jansen Jacobus F.A. , Vergoossen Laura W.M. , Schram Miranda T. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Linden David E.J. , Backes Walter H.
Published: October 2019

In large population-based cohort studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to study the structure and function of the brain. Advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion-tensor (dMRI) or resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) can be used to study connections between distinct brain regions. However, brain connectivity measures are likely affected by biases introduced during MRI data acquisition and/or processing.

We identified three sources that may lead to bias, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), head motion, and spatial mismatch between MRI-based anatomy and a brain atlas. After quantifying these sources, we determined the associations between the image quality metrics and brain connectivity measures derived from dMRI and rs-fMRI in 5,110 participants of the population-based Maastricht Study.

More head motion and low SNR were negatively associated with structural and functional brain connectivity, respectively, and these metrics substantially affected (>10%) associations of brain connectivity with age, sex and body mass index (BMI), whereas associations with diabetes status, educational level, history of cardiovascular disease, and white matter hyperintensities were less or not affected. In addition, age, sex, and BMI were associated with head motion, SNR, and atlas mismatch (all p < 0.001). Based on our results, we strongly advise that, in large population-based cohort neuroimaging studies, statistical analyses on structural and functional brain connectivity should adjust for potentially confounding effects of image quality.

Highlights

Low MR image quality compromises brain connectivity measures

MR image quality is negatively associated with age, body mass index, and male sex

Statistical analyses in large neuroimaging studies should account for image quality
Neural signatures of loss of consciousness and its recovery by thalamic stimulation
Authors: Donoghue Jacob A. , Bastos André M. , Yanar Jorge , Kornblith Simon , Mahnke Meredith , Brown Emery N. , Miller Earl K.
Published: October 2019

We know that general anesthesia produces unconsciousness but not quite how. We recorded neural activity from the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices and thalamus while maintaining unconsciousness in non-human primates (NHPs) with propofol. Unconsciousness was marked by slow frequency (∼1 Hz) oscillations in local field potentials, entraining local spiking to Up states alternating with Down states of little spiking, and decreased higher frequency (>4 Hz) coherence. The thalamus contributed to cortical rhythms. Its stimulation “awakened” anesthetized NHPs and reversed the electrophysiologic features of unconsciousness. Unconsciousness thus resulted from slow frequency hypersynchrony and loss of high-frequency dynamics, partly mediated by the thalamus, that disrupts cortical communication/integration.
Ability of Bicarbonate Supplementation to Sensitize Selected Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) Strains to β-Lactam Antibiotics in anEx VivoSimulated Endocardial Vegetation Model
Authors: Rose Warren E. , Bienvenida Ana M. , Xiong Yan Q. , Chambers Henry F. , Bayer Arnold S. , Ersoy Selvi C.
Published: October 2019

Supplementation of standard growth media (cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton Broth [CAMHB]) with bicarbonate (NaHCO3) significantly increases β-lactam susceptibility of selected MRSA strains (“NaHCO3-responsive”). This “sensitization” phenomenon translated to enhanced β-lactam efficacy in a rabbit model of endocarditis. The present study evaluated NaHCO3-mediated β-lactam MRSA sensitization using anex vivopharmacodynamic model, featuring simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs), to more closely mimic the host microenvironment. Four previously described MRSA strains were used: two each exhibitingin vitro“NaHCO3-responsive” or “NaHCO3-nonresponsive” phenotypes. Cefazolin (CFZ) and oxacillin (OXA) were evaluated in CAMHB±NaHCO3. Intra-SEV MRSA killing was determined over 72 hr exposure. In both NaHCO3-responsive strains, supplementation with 25 mM or 44 mM NaHCO3significantly reduced β-lactam MICs to below the OXA susceptibility breakpoint (≤ 4 mg/L) resulting in bactericidal activity (≥ 3 log kill) in the model for both OXA and CFZ. In contrast, neitherin vitro-defined NaHCO3-nonresponsive MRSA strains showed significant sensitization in the SEV model to either β-lactam. At both NaHCO3concentrations, the fractional time-above-MIC was >50% for both CFZ and OXA in the NaHCO3-responsive MRSA. Also, in RPMI+10% LB media (proposed as a more host-mimicking microenvironment and containing 25 mM NaHCO3), both CFZ and OXA exhibited enhanced bactericidal activity against each NaHCO3-responsive strain in the SEV model. Neither CFZ nor OXA exposures selected for high-level β-lactam-resistant mutants within SEVs. Thus, in thisex vivomodel of endocarditis, in the presence of NaHCO3supplementation, both CFZ and OXA are highly active against MRSA strains that demonstrate similar enhanced susceptibility in NaHCO3-supplemented mediain vitro.
Cdc42 GTPase regulates ESCRTs in nuclear envelope sealing and ER remodeling
Authors: Lu Michelle S. , Drubin David G.
Published: October 2019

Small GTPases of the Rho family are binary molecular switches that regulate a variety of processes including cell migration and oriented cell divisions. Known Cdc42 effectors include proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodeling and kinase-dependent transcription induction, but none involved in the maintenance of nuclear envelope integrity or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology. Maintenance of nuclear envelope integrity requires the EndoSomal Complexes Required for Transport (ESCRT) proteins, but how they are regulated in this process remains unknown. Here we show by live-cell imaging a novel Cdc42 localization with ESCRT proteins at sites of nuclear envelope and ER fission, and by genetic analysis, uncover a unique Cdc42 function in regulation of ESCRT proteins at the nuclear envelope and sites of ER tubule fission. Our findings implicate Cdc42 in nuclear envelope sealing and ER remodeling, where it regulates ESCRT disassembly to maintain nuclear envelope integrity and proper ER architecture.

The small Rho GTPase Cdc42 is a well-known regulator of cytoskeletal rearrangement and polarity development in all eukaryotic cell types. Here, Lu and Drubin report the serendipitous discovery of a novel Cdc42-ESCRT-nuclear envelope/endoplasmic reticulum connection.
Valence and state-dependent population coding in dopaminergic neurons in the fly mushroom body
Authors: Siju K.P. , Stih Vilim , Aimon Sophie , Gjorgjieva Julijana , Portugues Ruben , Grunwald Kadow Ilona C.
Published: October 2019

Neuromodulation permits flexibility of synapses, neural circuits and ultimately behavior. One neuromodulator, dopamine, has been studied extensively in its role as reward signal during learning and memory across animal species. Newer evidence suggests that dopaminergic neurons (DANs) can modulate sensory perception acutely, thereby allowing an animal to adapt its behavior and decision-making to its internal and behavioral state. In addition, some data indicate that DANs are heterogeneous and convey different types of information as a population. We have investigated DAN population activity and how it could encode relevant information about sensory stimuli and state by taking advantage of the confined anatomy of DANs innervating the mushroom body (MB) of the fly Drosophila melanogaster. Using in vivo calcium imaging and a custom 3D image registration method, we find that the activity of the population of MB DANs is predictive of the innate valence of an odor as well as the metabolic and mating state of the animal. Furthermore, DAN population activity is strongly correlated with walking or running, consistent with a role of dopamine in conveying behavioral state to the MB. Together our data and analysis suggest that distinct DAN population activities encode innate odor valence, movement and physiological state in a MB-compartment specific manner. We propose that dopamine shapes innate odor perception through combinatorial population coding of sensory valence, physiological and behavioral context.
Income equality and household expenditure of fishers in the Volta Basin in Ghana
Authors: Amevenku Francis Kizito Yaw , Asravor Richard Kofi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of income inequality among fisher households in the four segments of the Volta Basin in Ghana and the determinants of small-scale fisher household welfare.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates income inequality and the determinants of household consumption expenditure of fishers in the Volta Basin of Ghana using the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient decomposition and the multiple linear regression technique.

Findings

The findings confirm the empirical evidence that households in the general downstream communities and their compatriots in the upstream communities were statistically different in terms of household characteristics and physical and social capital. Income inequality was highest among households in upstream communities but least amongst downstream communities. Livelihoods of the fishery households largely and strictly favored male households. Also, educational status was associated with higher levels of income which enormously help reduce food insecurity.

Research limitations/implications

The reliance on dummy variables might lead to omissions of revealed understated differences between households.

Practical implications

The study recommends that effort should be made to help increase fish production in the upstream communities. Furthermore, alternative sources of income should be introduced to households in the upstream so they do not become more disadvantaged by the construction of the dam.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of the paper is that it tries to estimate the impact of the construction of the dam on the Volta Basin by taking into consideration the effect of the construction of the dam on the upstream and downstream separately.
An integrated framework for service quality, choice overload, customer involvement and satisfaction
Authors: G. Rejikumar , Sreedharan V. Raja , Saha Raiswa
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Consumer behavior, in the context of general insurance, is worth exploring to formulate growth strategies for insurance sector in India in light of the proposed structural changes. Indian consumers attract global players due to untapped potential and favorable policy measures initiated for higher foreign direct investments. The purpose of this paper is to understand the prevailing level of service quality as perceived by insurance customers in India in the presence of certain contextual antecedents and moderators.

Design/methodology/approach

Perceptions about constructs like customer risk dispositions, awareness, past experiences, customer involvement, choice overload, service quality and satisfaction of 256 customers were collected using a questionnaire survey. A variance-based structural equation modeling helped to identify significant linkages among the constructs.

Findings

In order to assess service quality levels, a 15-item scale having the infrastructure, employees, agents and product dimensions was found valid and reliable. Choice overload and customer involvement were found to moderate the influence of antecedents and service quality, respectively. The influence of choice overload on quality perceptions is insignificant. The study concludes that the existing risk beliefs are insufficient, and experiences have less predictive contribution to quality perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, this study examined the process of satisfaction development from service quality perceptions. This study offers insights for developing theories to portray future consumer behavior where more dependence of self-service technologies is expected to dominate service delivery mechanisms in insurance. The study informs that general insurance customers in India prefer more diversified products, more customer-centric employees/agents and better technical quality.

Practical implications

The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the prevailing insurance consumer behavior in the general insurance sector of India and help insurance service providers in streamlining their strategies for better insurance penetration and reduced lapse rate.

Originality/value

This study helps in understanding the emerging trends in general insurance buying behavior in India.
Fault diagnosis of FDM process based on support vector machine (SVM)
Authors: Hu Huaqing , He Ketai , Zhong Tianlin , Hong Yili
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a method to diagnose fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing faults caused by the variation of temperature field and establish a fault knowledge base, which helps to study the generation mechanism of FDM printing faults.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Spearman rank correlation analysis, four relative temperature parameters are selected as the input data to train the SVM-based multi-classes classification model, which further serves as a method to diagnose the FDM printing faults.

Findings

It is found that FDM parts may be in several printing states with the variation of temperature field on the surface of FDM parts. The theoretical dividing lines between different FDM printing states are put forward by traversing all the four-dimensional input parameter combinations. The relationship between the relative mean temperature and the theoretical dividing lines is found to be close and is analyzed qualitatively.

Originality/value

The multi-classes classification model, embedded in FDM printers as an adviser, can be used to prevent waste products and release much work of labors for monitoring.
Do introduced apex predators suppress introduced mesopredators? A multiscale spatiotemporal study of dingoes and feral cats in Australia suggests not
Authors: Fancourt Bronwyn A. , Cremasco Peter , Wilson Cameron , Gentle Matthew N.
Published: October 2019

The role of apex predators in structuring ecosystems through the suppression of mesopredator activity and abundance is receiving increasing attention, largely due to the potential benefits for biodiversity conservation. In Australia, invasive mesopredators such as feral cats (Felis catus) have been identified as major contributors to Australia's mass mammal extinctions since European arrival. The introduced dingo (Canis familiaris) has been proposed as a novel way to suppress the impacts of feral cats, however, scientific evidence of the dingo's suppressive role is equivocal.

We used camera traps to investigate whether a large introduced predator (dingo) suppresses the activity of an established introduced mesopredator (feral cat) across a national park site conserving endangered species, and an agricultural site supporting cattle grazing enterprises.

Feral cats and dingoes exhibited marked overlap in both temporal and spatial activity, indicating coexistence. Some temporal separation was evident at the agricultural site, however, this reflected higher diurnal activity by dingoes, not a responsive shift in cat activity. Cat activity times were unrelated to dingo presence and did not differ between areas occupied by dingoes and dingo‐free areas. There was no evidence of dingoes excluding cats from patches at either site, nor was there evidence of within‐night fine‐scale spatiotemporal avoidance of dingoes by cats.

Species co‐occurrence models revealed dingoes had no negative effect on the probability of cat presence. The probability of detecting a cat on the national park was significantly higher in areas with dingoes than in dingo‐free areas, while on agricultural land, cat detectability did not differ between areas with and without dingoes. Cats remained active, abundant and widespread across both sites, with evidence of cats hunting and breeding successfully in areas occupied by dingoes.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings indicate that feral cats can coexist with dingoes, without apparent suppression of cat activity, abundance or fitness. Proposals to reintroduce or restore dingoes and other large predators to suppress invasive mesopredators and conserve biodiversity should be carefully evaluated on a site‐by‐site basis, as their ability to suppress cats and protect species of conservation significance will likely be context dependent.
Terrorist attacks and Europeans’ attitudes towards immigrants: An experimental approach
Authors: FERRÍN MÓNICA , MANCOSU MORENO , CAPPIALI TERESA M.
Published: October 2019

Over the past several years an increasing number of terrorist attacks committed in the name of Islam and targeting civilians have taken place in many Western democracies, calling for more research on the impact of these exogenous events on citizens’ attitudes towards immigrants. Using a quasi‐experimental design, this study examines the short‐term effect of the Paris attacks of the night of 13 November 2015 on the attitudes towards European Union (EU) and non‐EU immigrants across 28 EU countries. Employing Eurobarometer 84.3 survey data collected in 28 European countries between 7 and 17 November 2015, the design allows the testing of individual attitudes before and after the Paris attacks and the spillover effects of this event in all European countries. It is found that the Paris attacks had a significant negative effect on attitudes towards immigrants, especially among educated and left‐wing individuals. Moreover, the negative effect was stronger in countries where the national political‐ideological climate was more positive towards immigrants. These findings are explained by theorising that first emotional reactions to the attack are the results of coping mechanisms whereby individuals are confronted with disconfirmation/confirmation of their previous beliefs: individuals who experience stronger stereotype disconfirmation are the most negatively affected by the terrorist attack. Overall, the study holds important implications for understanding the short‐term impact of terrorist attacks on public attitudes towards immigrants.
Lord Bruce and the Marlborough Election Petition of 1735: An Aristocratic Lobbying of the House of Commons and a Blow against the Ministry of Sir Robert Walpole
Authors: Jones Clyve
Published: October 2019

The success of two tory candidates at Marlborough in the general election of 1734 led to a petition to the Commons from the two defeated whig candidates, alleging corruption and malpractice by the winning side. The two tories had stood on the interest of the Bruce family, led by Charles, Lord Bruce. Bruce successfully organised a vast lobbying campaign against the petition. Most of the lobbyists were MPs, but a significant number were peers, or members of aristocratic families. Lists of lobbyists and those lobbied survive in the Ailesbury (Bruce) Manuscripts, enabling historians to reconstruct and evaluate the campaign. Bruce's lobbying is a fine example of aristocratic involvement in elections to the lower House, despite such interventions having been declared unparliamentary. His triumph damaged the political standing of the prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, who had previously declared his opposition to any candidate supported by Bruce in the borough. Bruce's lobbying also reveals extensive cross‐party co‐operation between both lobbyers and lobbied: his supporters included not only independent whigs, but many who usually voted with the ministry. This suggests that the classification of MPs in the early 18th century as either whig or tory is too simplistic and that there was more fluidity in party loyalty than has been suspected.
Structures and Members: An Overview of The Cumann na nGaedheal Party Organisation, 1923–33
Authors: Farrell Mel
Published: October 2019

This article re‐examines Cumann na nGaedheal's approach to party organisation. Cumann na nGaedheal has been portrayed as a badly organised, ‘top‐down’ party that suffered electorally for its reluctance to match the structure and organisation of its main anti‐Treaty rival, Fianna Fáil. Moreover, the party has been caricatured as a conservative organisation with little affinity for the ideology of the Irish revolution. While recent studies have reappraised Cumann na nGaedheal's engagement with the revolutionary inheritance, while highlighting underappreciated aspects of the party's electoral innovations, its organisational structures require further scholarly attention. Closer scrutiny of Cumann na nGaedheal's organisational structures sheds further light on its fate as nationalist Ireland's first party of government and ultimately its demise as a distinct party in 1933.
Universal Love or One True Religion? Experimental Evidence of the Ambivalent Effect of Religious Ideas on Altruism and Discrimination
Authors: Hoffmann Lisa , Basedau Matthias , Gobien Simone , Prediger Sebastian
Published: October 2019

Contrary to the expectations of secularization theory, religion remains socially important and affects politics in multiple ways—especially regarding conflict between religious communities. Theoretically, religion can increase altruism, but belief in the superiority of one's faith may facilitate intergroup discrimination and related conflict. Previous findings remain inconclusive, however, as specific religious ideas have hardly been tested. In this article, we argue that the content of religious ideas has causal effects on intergroup discrimination. We hence test the impact of two opposing, prominent religious ideas on altruism and discrimination: universal love and the notion of one true religion. Conducting dictator games with Christians and Muslims in Ghana and Tanzania, we find causal effects: Whereas the idea of one true religion increases intergroup discrimination, that of universal love fosters equal treatment. The policy implications hereof are obvious—promoting tolerant religious ideas seems crucial to avoiding conflict.
Inverse probability weighting methods for Cox regression with right‐truncated data
Authors: Vakulenko‐Lagun Bella , Mandel Micha , Betensky Rebecca A.
Published: October 2019

Right‐truncated data arise when observations are ascertained retrospectively, and only subjects who experience the event of interest by the time of sampling are selected. Such a selection scheme, without adjustment, leads to biased estimation of covariate effects in the Cox proportional hazards model. The existing methods for fitting the Cox model to right‐truncated data, which are based on the maximization of the likelihood or solving estimating equations with respect to both the baseline hazard function and the covariate effects, are numerically challenging. We consider two alternative simple methods based on inverse probability weighting (IPW) estimating equations, which allow consistent estimation of covariate effects under a positivity assumption and avoid estimation of baseline hazards. We discuss problems of identifiability and consistency that arise when positivity does not hold and show that although the partial tests for null effects based on these IPW methods can be used in some settings even in the absence of positivity, they are not valid in general. We propose adjusted estimating equations that incorporate the probability of observation when it is known from external sources, which results in consistent estimation. We compare the methods in simulations and apply them to the analyses of human immunodeficiency virus latency.
A moment at the cell centre
Authors: Bornens Michel
Published: October 2019

I have been invited by the board of the French Society of Cell Biology (SBCF) to write a text around my presentation in the Symposium ‘A day at the Cell Centre’, held at the Curie Institute on May 17, 2019, and organized by four of my former students, namely Juliette Azimzadeh, Nathalie Delgehyr, Matthieu Piel and Manuel Théry. I have to thank them warmly for the quality of the science during this day. It was also a moving day for me indeed to listen to so many figures in the field.
What Does a Horgous Look Like? Nonsense Words Elicit Meaningful Drawings
Authors: Davis Charles P. , Morrow Hannah M. , Lupyan Gary
Published: October 2019

To what extent do people attribute meanings to “nonsense” words? How general is such attribution of meaning? We used a set of words lacking conventional meanings to elicit drawings of made‐up creatures. Separate groups of participants rated the nonsense words and the drawings on several semantic dimensions and selected what name best corresponded to each creature. Despite lacking conventional meanings, “nonsense” words elicited a high level of consistency in the produced drawings. Meaning attributions made to nonsense words corresponded with meaning attributions made by separate people to drawings that were inspired by the name. Naïve participants were able to recover the name that inspired the drawing with greater‐than‐chance accuracy. These results suggest that people make liberal and consistent use of non‐arbitrary relationships between forms and meanings.

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Multimodality imaging in preparation for surgery of coronary to pulmonary arterial fistulas complicated with a huge coronary aneurysm
Authors: Wu Wenqian , Li Yuman , Fang Lingyun , Yang Yali , Xie Mingxing
Published: October 2019

Coronary to pulmonary arterial fistula complicated with huge coronary aneurysm is a very rare condition. In this paper, we report a patient with bilateral coronary arteries to pulmonary artery fistulas with a giant coronary artery aneurysm. The patient was treated successfully by closure of the fistulas and repair of the coronary artery aneurysm with the preparation of multimodality imaging for surgery.
Stay or move: how Bt‐susceptibleHelicoverpa armigeraneonates behave on Bt cotton plants
Authors: Luong Tuyet Thi Anh , Cribb Bronwen W. , Downes Sharon J. , Perkins Lynda E. , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: October 2019

Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae occasionally have been reported to survive at management threshold levels in fields of Bollgard II®cotton,Gossypium hirsutumL. (Malvaceae). The pattern and degree of larval survival is not easily predicted but depends on the ability of first instars to establish on host plants. Experiments were conducted withBacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt)‐susceptible and Bt‐resistant larvae ofH. armigerato understand how physiologically Bt‐susceptibleH. armigerasurvive on Bt cotton plants, and examine how their first meal influences survival rates. In assays using cotton plant parts, both strains of larvae displayed similar tendencies to drop‐off specific plant parts of Bt and non‐Bt cotton. However, significantly more Bt‐susceptible larvae dropped off young leaves, mature leaves, and squares of Bt cotton compared to non‐Bt cotton plants. Egg cannibalism significantly improved the survival of Bt‐susceptibleH. armigeralarvae on Bt cotton plants. Larvae were more likely to eat live aged eggs, than newly laid or dead eggs. Survival significantly improved when larvae cannibalized eggs before feeding on Bt leaves. The behavior of Bt‐susceptible larvae with respect to drop‐off and egg cannibalism may help enhance their survival on Bt cotton plants.
Does individualistic culture impact operational risk?
Authors: An Zhe , Cao Zhe , Chen Zhian , Li Donghui
Published: October 2019

Employing a sample of 2,957 operational‐risk events across 31 countries from 1990 to 2011, we find that financial institutions located in countries with higher individualism tend to have higher operational risk. This positive relation is achieved through the risk‐taking channel and the earnings‐management channel. In addition, the magnitude of operational losses is higher in more individualistic countries. The results suggest that individualism serves as an important informal institutional determinant of operational risk in an international context. Endogeneity tests and various robustness checks confirm our findings.
Molecular shape under far‐red light and red light‐induced association of Arabidopsis phytochrome B
Authors: Oide Mao , Hikima Takaaki , Oroguchi Tomotaka , Kato Takayuki , Yamaguchi Yuhki , Yoshihara Shizue , Yamamoto Masaki , Nakasako Masayoshi , Okajima Koji
Published: October 2019

Phytochrome B (phyB) is a plant photoreceptor protein that regulates various photomorphogenic responses to optimize plant growth and development. PhyB exists in two photoconvertible forms: a red light‐absorbing (Pr) and a far‐red light‐absorbing (Pfr) form. Therefore, to understand the mechanism of phototransformation, the structural characterization of full‐length phyB in these two forms is necessary. Here, we report the molecular structure of Arabidopsis thaliana phyB in Pr form and the molecular properties of the Pfr form determined by small‐angle X‐ray scattering coupled with size‐exclusion chromatography. In solution, the Pr form associated as a dimer with a radius of gyration of 50 Å. The molecular shape was a crossed shape, in which the orientation of the photosensory modules differed from that in the crystal structure of dimeric photosensory module. PhyB exhibited structural reversibility in the Pfr‐to‐Pr phototransformation and thermal reversion from Pfr to Pr in the dark. In addition, Pfr only exhibited nonspecific association, which distinguished molecular properties of Pfr form from those of the inactive Pr form.
Defective induction of the proteasome associated with T‐cell receptor signaling underlies T‐cell senescence
Authors: Arata Yoshiyuki , Watanabe Ayaka , Motosugi Ryo , Murakami Ryuichi , Goto Tsuyoshi , Hori Shohei , Hirayama Shoshiro , Hamazaki Jun , Murata Shigeo
Published: October 2019

The proteasome degradation machinery is essential for a variety of cellular processes including senescence and T‐cell immunity. Decreased proteasome activity is associated with the aging process; however, the regulation of the proteasome in CD4+ T cells in relation to aging is unclear. Here, we show that defects in the induction of the proteasome in CD4+ T cells upon T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation underlie T‐cell senescence. Proteasome dysfunction promotes senescence‐associated phenotypes, including defective proliferation, cytokine production and increased levels of PD‐1+ CD44High CD4+ T cells. Proteasome induction by TCR signaling via MEK‐, IKK‐ and calcineurin‐dependent pathways is attenuated with age and decreased in PD‐1+ CD44High CD4+ T cells, the proportion of which increases with age. Our results indicate that defective induction of the proteasome is a hallmark of CD4+ T‐cell senescence.
Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 suppresses Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus replication in B. mori
Authors: Shang Q. , Wu P. , Huang H.L. , Zhang S.L. , Tang X.D. , Guo X.J.
Published: October 2019

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) plays a very important role in facilitating the replication of many viruses. Until now, little has been known about the role of Hsp90 in Bombyx mori virus infection. In this study, we explored the role of BmHsp90 in B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) replication. We found that BmHsp90 inhibition by geldanamycin (GA) significantly reduced the BmNPV titre, the protein expression level of BmNPV nucleocapsid protein 39 (VP39) and the transcript level of BmNPV genes. Silencing the hsp90 gene in BmN cells by small interfering RNA suppressed BmNPV replication whereas overexpression of hsp90 promoted the replication of BmNPV. After inhibition of Hsp90, the expression of three key genes [signal transducing activator of transcription (stat), suppressor of cytokine signalling protein 2 (socs2), socs6] involved in the Janus kinase/STAT pathway significantly changed, with up‐regulation of stat and down‐regulation of socs2 and socs6. In addition, the expression of two antiapoptosis genes, BmNPV inhibitor of apoptosis protein1 (BmNPV‐iap1) and Bmiap2, was greatly decreased in GA‐treated cells, whereas their expression was significantly increased in hsp90‐overexpressed silkworm larvae. Our results indicated that inhibition of Hsp90 can suppress BmNPV proliferation in B. mori. Our findings may provide new clues to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of silkworm–virus interactions.
Implementing the World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Severity Assessment framework—Singapore's experience
Authors: Pung Rachael , Lee Vernon Jian Ming
Published: October 2019

Background

We report our experience in evaluating the severity of local influenza epidemics using the World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Severity Assessment framework.

Methods

We assessed the severity of influenza by monitoring indicators of influenza transmissibility, seriousness of disease and impact on healthcare resource utilisation. Indicators were described by various parameters collected weekly from eight government hospitals, 20 government and 30 private primary care clinics, and the national public health laboratory. Transmissibility and seriousness of disease indicators were each represented by multiple parameters, and alert thresholds were set at the 70th and 90th percentile of a parameter's past 2‐year surveillance data. We derived a collective measure for each indicator using the average percentile rank of the related parameters. Alert thresholds for the single impact parameter were set at predefined values and evaluated for its sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value.

Results

For the transmissibility and seriousness of disease parameters, calculation of the percentile rank was simple and independent of a parameter's underlying distribution. For the impact parameter, predefined alert thresholds had high sensitivity and specificity (>80%) but low positive predictive value (15%‐30%). Assessment scales were used to qualitatively classify the activity of an indicator as low, moderate or high together with a confidence level.

Conclusion

We applied different methods for threshold setting depending on the attributes of each parameter and indicator. For indicators represented by multiple parameters, an aggregated assessment of the indicator's level of activity and confidence level of the assessment was needed for effective reporting.