bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutation-driven epigenetic alterations as a defining hallmark of central cartilaginous tumours, giant cell tumour of bone and chondroblastoma
Authors: Venneker Sanne , Szuhai Karoly , Hogendoorn Pancras C. W. , Bovée Judith V. M. G.
Published: November 2019

Recently, specific driver mutations were identified in chondroblastoma, giant cell tumour of bone and central cartilaginous tumours (specifically enchondroma and central chondrosarcoma), sharing the ability to induce genome-wide epigenetic alterations. In chondroblastoma and giant cell tumour of bone, the neoplastic mononuclear stromal-like cells frequently harbour specific point mutations in the genes encoding for histone H3.3 (H3F3A and H3F3B). The identification of these driver mutations has led to development of novel diagnostic tools to distinguish between chondroblastoma, giant cell tumour of bone and other giant cell containing tumours. From a biological perspective, these mutations induce several global and local alterations of the histone modification marks. Similar observations are made for central cartilaginous tumours, which frequently harbour specific point mutations in the metabolic enzymes IDH1 or IDH2. Besides an altered methylation pattern on histones, IDH mutations also induce a global DNA hypermethylation phenotype. In all of these tumour types, the mutation-driven epigenetic alterations lead to a highly altered transcriptome, resulting for instance in alterations in differentiation. These genomic alterations have diagnostic impact. Further research is needed to identify the genes and signalling pathways that are affected by the epigenetic alterations, which will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the biological mechanism underlying tumourigenesis.
Peripheral Vascular Disease in Women: Therapeutic Options in 2019
Authors: Saati Ammar , AlHajri Noora , Ya’qoub Lina , Ahmed Waqar , Alasnag Mirvat
Published: November 2019

Purpose of review

In recent years, there have been advances in the prevention, management, and control of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). There is a trend towards aggressive risk factor modification, noninvasive screening, and endovascular revascularization with surgical approaches reserved only for select cases. This article reviews the different management strategies ranging from pharmacotherapy, revascularization, and rehabilitation with an emphasis on the response of women to these therapies.

Recent findings

Overall, the representation of women in the majority of the published data in this arena remains poor. Studies examining medical therapy and endovascular and surgical revascularization were not designed to address sex disparities. Nevertheless, we dissect these therapies and their relevant randomized trials.

The paucity of data investigating the response of women to the different management options makes it difficult to make any evidence-based recommendations. This not only applies to the type of intervention, but also the appropriate timing and risks entailed.
Hierarchical controls on extinction selectivity across the diplobathrid crinoid phylogeny
Authors: Cole Selina R.
Published: November 2019

Identifying correlates of extinction risk is important for understanding the underlying mechanisms driving differential rates of extinction and variability in the temporal durations of taxa. Increasingly, it is recognized that the effects of multiple, potentially interacting variables and phylogenetic relationships should be incorporated when studying extinction selectivity to account for covariation of traits and shared evolutionary history. Here, I explore a variety of biological and ecological controls on genus longevity in the global fossil record of diplobathrid crinoids by analyzing the combined effects of species richness, habitat preference, body size, filtration fan density, and food size selectivity. I employ a suite of taxic and phylogenetic approaches to (1) quantitatively compare and rank the relative effects of multiple factors on taxonomic longevity and (2) determine how phylogenetic comparative approaches alter interpretations of extinction selectivity.

I find controls on diplobathrid genus duration are hierarchically structured, where species richness is the primary predictor of duration, habitat is the secondary predictor, and combinations of ecological and biological traits are tertiary controls. Ecology plays an important but complex role in the generation of crinoid macroevolutionary patterns. Notably, tolerance of environmental heterogeneity promotes increased genus duration across diplobathrid crinoids, and the effects of traits related to feeding ecology vary depending on habitat lithology. Finally, I find accounting for phylogeny does not consistently decrease the significance of correlations between traits and genus duration, as is commonly expected. Instead, the strength of relationships between traits and duration may increase, decrease, or remain statistically similar, and both the magnitude and direction of these shifts are generally unpredictable. However, traits with strong correlations and/or moderately large effect sizes (Cohen'sf2> 0.15) under taxic approaches tend to remain qualitatively unchanged under phylogenetic approaches.
In vitro approach to evaluate the fermentation pattern of inulin-rich food in obese individuals
Authors: Kalala Gaétan , Kambashi Bienvenu , Taminiau Bernard , Schroyen Martine , Everaert Nadia , Beckers Yves , Richel Aurore , Njeumen Patrick , Pachikian Barbara , Neyrinck Audrey M. , Hiel Sophie , Rodriguez Julie , Fall Papa A. , Daube Georges , Thissen Jean-Paul , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Bindelle Jérôme
Published: November 2019

Alterations of the gut microbiome have been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. The gut microbiota can be influenced by the intake of dietary fibres with prebiotic properties, such as inulin-type fructans. The present study tested the hypothesis that obese individuals subjected for 12 weeks to an inulin-enriched v. inulin-poor diet have differential faecal fermentation patterns. The fermentation of cellulose and inulin hydrolysates of six different inulin-rich and inulin-poor vegetables of both groups was analysed in vitro on faecal inocula. The results showed that the microbiota from obese patients who received a fructan-rich diet for 3 weeks produces more gas and total SCFA compared with the microbiota taken from the same individuals before the treatment. Obese individuals fed with a low-fructan diet produce less gas and less SCFA compared with the treated group. The present study highlighted profound changes in microbiota fermentation capacity obtained by prebiotic intervention in obese individuals, which favours the production of specific bioactive metabolites.
A study of the use of post-operative opioid analgesics following rhinology surgery in 35 patients
Authors: Dodhia S , Patel S , Beghal G , Pandey K , Hopkins C
Published: November 2019

Objective

Opioid analgesics are often prescribed following rhinology surgery. This study aimed to evaluate whether the quantity of opioid analgesics prescribed is justified.

Methods

Patients were asked about their pain management post-operatively. Parameters recorded included: current pain (using a 10-point Likert scale); type of operation; the opioid analgesics prescribed; and the quantity of opioid tablets taken and other methods of pain relief used.

Results

Thirty-five patients were successfully contacted. The median pain score at one week post-operation was 1 (interquartile range, 0–3). Of these 35 patients, 16 were prescribed opioids, whilst 19 were not. Patients prescribed opioids took a median of 8 tablets (interquartile range, 0.8–10.5) out of the 28 tablets prescribed.

Conclusion

The study shows that the quantity of post-operative opioid analgesics prescribed does not compare with the amount consumed by patients to relieve pain, resulting in a surplus of opioid medication which has the potential to be abused.
Pluralism and ineffability
Authors: CHEETHAM DAVID
Published: November 2019

In a tribute to the work of Alvin Plantinga, Nicholas Wolterstorff characterizes a form of the analytic tradition in philosophy of religion, which neither he nor Plantinga endorses, as a brand ofKant-rationality. What such rationality aims to achieve is, above all, auniversalityof rational agreement, or rather ‘a foundation that is acceptable to all rational reflective human-beings’, something that could be acknowledged by ‘all cognitively competent adult human beings’ who had access to the same relevant information or facts.
Global philosophy of religion(s)
Authors: HARRISON VICTORIA S.
Published: November 2019

Drawing on the work of Mark Siderits, Jay Garfield, and others, I introduce a global approach to the philosophy of religion that is inspired by ‘fusion’, ‘engagement’, or ‘confluence’ philosophy. To globalize the philosophy of religion requires more than expanding its traditional disciplinary scope or broadening its range of questions; it requires philosophers who are conversant in more than one philosophical tradition. I argue that this approach offers a viable way to develop the discipline by providing a platform for deep and authentic engagement in philosophical inquiry that crosses traditional religious and philosophical boundaries.
Crop signal markers facilitate crop detection and weed removal from lettuce and tomato by an intelligent cultivator
Authors: Kennedy HannahJoy , Fennimore Steven A. , Slaughter David C. , Nguyen Thuy T. , Vuong Vivian L. , Raja Rekha , Smith Richard F.
Published: November 2019

Increasing weed control costs and limited herbicide options threaten vegetable crop profitability. Traditional interrow mechanical cultivation is very effective at removing weeds between crop rows. However, weed control within the crop rows is necessary to establish the crop and prevent yield loss. Currently, many vegetable crops require hand weeding to remove weeds within the row that remain after traditional cultivation and herbicide use. Intelligent cultivators have come into commercial use to remove intrarow weeds and reduce cost of hand weeding. Intelligent cultivators currently on the market such as the Robovator, use pattern recognition to detect the crop row. These cultivators do not differentiate crops and weeds and do not work well among high weed populations. One approach to differentiate weeds is to place a machine-detectable mark or signal on the crop (i.e., the crop has the mark and the weed does not), thereby facilitating weed/crop differentiation. Lettuce and tomato plants were marked with labels and topical markers, then cultivated with an intelligent cultivator programmed to identify the markers. Results from field trials in marked tomato and lettuce found that the intelligent cultivator removed 90% more weeds from tomato and 66% more weeds from lettuce than standard cultivators without reducing yields. Accurate crop and weed differentiation described here resulted in a 45% to 48% reduction in hand-weeding time per hectare.
The Ownership Effect in Dementia Patients
Authors: Blessing Andreas , Fritsche Sophie , Hess Charlotte , Dammann Gerhard
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Ownership of objects influences memory performance in healthy subjects, a phenomenon referred to as the ownership effect. In dementia patients, memory performance is severely impaired, yet it is not known whether memory performance can be enhanced using the ownership effect. In this contribution we investigated the influence of ownership on memory performance in dementia patients, using an adapted shopping task to induce artificial ownership. Dementia patients ( N = 32) fictitiously owned half of the objects presented to them on picture cards. Memory performance was tested using a forced-choice recognition task that also included novel objects. Corrected hit rates of owned and previously unowned objects were compared using analysis of variance. The corrected hit rate for objects fictitiously owned by dementia patients was significantly higher than the hit rate for unowned objects ( p = .027; partial η2 = .152). Results indicate a significant memory enhancement for objects fictitiously owned by dementia patients. Our findings suggest that the memory performance of dementia patients can be influenced using the ownership effect, and that this effect could be used to design interventions that try to improve memory performance for relevant information in dementia patients.
Toward a Better Understanding of the Mindsets of	Negotiators
Authors: Ade Valentin , Dantlgraber Michael , Schuster Carolin , Trötschel Roman
Published: November 2019

Abstract. This article introduces and discusses the 15-item Scale for the Integrative Mindset (SIM) of negotiators, that is of people involved in joint decision-making processes. The scale is based on the integrative mindset ( Ade, Schuster, Harinck, & Trötschel, 2018 ), which describes a set of three inclinations of parties approaching negotiations: a collaborative, a curious, and a creative one. Using a first sample ( N = 1,030) of online survey participants, we provide evidence for a high psychometric quality of the SIM as suggested by high reliabilities and good fit indices. We also compare the SIM with scales that measure well-known and possibly related psychological constructs and show the SIM’s distinction to them. Using a second sample ( N = 417), we show how the SIM differs from a Scale on Inappropriate Negotiation Strategies (SINS) that has been used in previous negotiation research. The findings of the present studies are discussed with respect to potential applications of the SIM in experimental research.
Predictive Properties and Factor Structure of the VRS-SO in an	Austrian Sample
Authors: Olver Mark E. , Eher Reinhard
Published: November 2019

Abstract. We examined the structural and predictive properties of the Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offense (VRS-SO) version in an Austrian sample of N = 666 men incarcerated for sexual offenses; 353 of whom were followed up an average of 11 years post-release. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis of dynamic item scores supported a three-factor model (Sexual Deviance, Criminality, and Treatment Responsivity) consistent with prior research. VRS-SO static, dynamic, and total scores showed good properties of discrimination for sexual (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] = .68–.80) and violent (AUC = .65–.68) recidivism, while the factor scores showed differential prediction of these outcomes. Calibration analyses demonstrated lower estimated rates of 5-year sexual reoffense associated with VRS-SO score bands in the present sample compared to observed rates from the normative sample, with closest correspondence observed for the highest risk band (E/O index = 1.01). Implications for the psychometric properties and application of the VRS-SO in international settings are discussed.
Fe2S: The Most Fe‐Rich Iron Sulfide at the Earth's Inner Core Pressures
Authors: Tateno Shigehiko , Ozawa Haruka , Hirose Kei , Suzuki Toshihiro , I‐Kawaguchi Saori , Hirao Naohisa
Published: November 2019

We examined the phase relation of Fe2S to 306 GPa and 3,000 K and found that Fe2S forms an orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma above 190 GPa. Reexamination of previous X‐ray diffraction data demonstrated that hexagonal close‐packed Fe coexists with Pnma Fe2S at >2,700 K and ~290 GPa, while it concurs with CsCl (B2)‐type stoichiometric FeS at lower temperatures. Our results indicate that Fe2S is the most Fe‐rich iron sulfide above ~250 GPa where Fe3S is not stable. It is most likely that eutectic melting occurs between Fe and Fe2S at 330 GPa corresponding to inner core boundary conditions, instead of between Fe and Fe3S below 250 GPa. The compression curve of Fe2S obtained to 294 GPa shows that it is not dense enough to account for the inner core density, suggesting that the Fe‐Fe2S eutectic liquid gives the maximum sulfur concentration in the outer core.
Optimization of culture conditions for the expression of three different insoluble proteins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Gutiérrez-González Matías , Farías Camila , Tello Samantha , Pérez-Etcheverry Diana , Romero Alfonso , Zúñiga Roberto , Ribeiro Carolina H. , Lorenzo-Ferreiro Carmen , Molina María Carmen
Published: November 2019

Recombinant protein expression for structural and therapeutic applications requires the use of systems with high expression yields. Escherichia coli is considered the workhorse for this purpose, given its fast growth rate and feasible manipulation. However, bacterial inclusion body formation remains a challenge for further protein purification. We analyzed and optimized the expression conditions for three different proteins: an anti-MICA scFv, MICA, and p19 subunit of IL-23. We used a response surface methodology based on a three-level Box-Behnken design, which included three factors: post-induction temperature, post-induction time and IPTG concentration. Comparing this information with soluble protein data in a principal component analysis revealed that insoluble and soluble proteins have different optimal conditions for post-induction temperature, post-induction time, IPTG concentration and in amino acid sequence features. Finally, we optimized the refolding conditions of the least expressed protein, anti-MICA scFv, using a fast dilution protocol with different additives, obtaining soluble and active scFv for binding assays. These results allowed us to obtain higher yields of proteins expressed in inclusion bodies. Further studies using the system proposed in this study may lead to the identification of optimal environmental factors for a given protein sequence, favoring the acceleration of bioprocess development and structural studies.
Enhancing the durable performance of LiMn2O4 at high-rate and elevated temperature by nickel-magnesium dual doping
Authors: Yu Yue , Guo Junming , Xiang Mingwu , Su Changwei , Liu Xiaofang , Bai Hongli , Bai Wei , Duan Kaijiao
Published: November 2019

Various nickel and magnesium dual-doped LiNixMg0.08Mn1.92−xO4 (x ≤ 0.15) were synthesized via a modified solid-state combustion method. All as-prepared samples show typical spinel phase with a well-defined polyhedron morphology. The Ni-Mg dual-doping obviously decreases the lattice parameter that gives rise to the lattice contraction. Owing to the synergistic merits of metal ions co-doping, the optimized LiNi0.03Mg0.08Mn1.89O4 delivers high initial capacity of 115.9 and 92.9 mAh·g−1, whilst retains 77.1 and 69.7 mAh·g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 C and high current rate of 20 C, respectively. Even at 10 C and 55 °C, the LiNi0.03Mg0.08Mn1.89O4 also has a discharge capacity of 92.2 mAh·g−1 and endures 500 cycles long-term life. Such excellent results are contributed to the fast Li+ diffusion and robust structure stability. The anatomical analysis of the 1000 long-cycled LiNi0.03Mg0.08Mn1.89O4 electrode further demonstrates the stable spinel structure via the mitigation of Jahn-Teller effect. Hence, the Ni-Mg co-doping can be a potential strategy to improve the high-rate capability and long cycle properties of cathode materials.
Synthesis of a novel 2D zinc(ii) metal–organic framework for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes in water
Authors: Dong Jian-Peng , Shi Zhen-Zhen , Li Bo , Wang Li-Ya
Published: November 2019

A new 2D zinc(ii) metal–organic framework exhibits efficient photocatalytic activity and recyclability towards the degradation of organic dyes in the absence of any photosensitizer or cocatalyst.
Solid or gel? Which one works better for [2 + 2] photochemical polymerization in pyridine appended flexible phenylene 1, 4-bis-olefins by Ag(i) templation?
Authors: Mandal Rajorshi , Garai Abhijit , Biradha Kumar
Published: November 2019

Two diene molecules were shown to undergo photopolymerization reactions in their metal–organic gels and xerogels, while their respective crystalline CPs are photostable.
The impact of cation structure upon the acidity of triazolium salts in dimethyl sulfoxide
Authors: Konstandaras Nicholas , Dunn Michelle H. , Guerry Max S. , Barnett Christopher D. , Cole Marcus L. , Harper Jason B.
Published: November 2019

The effect of structure on the pKavalue of triazolium salts in dimethyl sulfoxide is quantified, considering common structural and electronic motifs. Included is the first pKameasurement of a triazolium salt that generates a mesionic carbene.
Determining the mass of the planetary candidate HD 114762 b using Gaia
Authors: Kiefer Flavien
Published: November 2019

The first planetary candidate discovered by Latham et al. (1989, Nature, 339, 38) with radial velocities around a solar-like star other than the Sun, HD 114762 b, was detected with a minimum mass of 11 MJ. The small v sin i ∼ 0 km s−1 that is otherwise measured by spectral analysis indicated that this companion of a late-F subgiant star better corresponds to a massive brown dwarf (BD) or even a low-mass M-dwarf seen nearly face-on. To our knowledge, the nature of HD 114762 b is still undetermined. The astrometric noise measured for this system in the first data release, DR1, of the Gaia mission allows us to derive new constraints on the astrometric motion of HD 114762 and on the mass of its companion. We use the method GASTON, introduced in a preceding paper, which can simulate Gaia data and determine the distribution of inclinations that are compatible with the astrometric excess noise. With an inclination of 6.26.2+1.9−1.3 degree, the mass of the companion is constrained to Mb = 108+31−26 MJ. HD 114762 b thus indeed belongs to the M-dwarf domain, down to brown dwarfs, with Mb >  13.5 MJ at the 3σ level, and is not a planet.
Epigenetic profiling of MUTYH, KLF6, WNT1 and KLF4 genes in carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Babaei Kosar , Khaksar Roya , Zeinali Tahereh , Hemmati Hossein , Bandegi Ahmadreza , Samidoust Pirouz , Ashoobi Mohammad Taghi , Hashemian Hooman , Delpasand Kourosh , Talebinasab Fereshteh , Naebi Hoora , Mirpour Seyed Hossein , Keymoradzadeh Arman , Norollahi Seyedeh Elham
Published: November 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is distinguished by epigenetic elements like DNA methylation, histone modification, histone acetylation and RNA remodeling which is related with genomic instability and tumor initiation. Correspondingly, as a main epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation has an impressive ability in order to be used in CRC targeted therapy. Meaningly, DNA methylation is identified as one of most important epigenetic regulators in gene expression and is considered as a notable potential driver in tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis through gene-silencing of tumor suppressors genes. Abnormal methylation situation, even in the level of promoter regions, does not essentially change the gene expression levels, particularly if the gene was become silenced, leaving the mechanisms of methylation without any response. According to the methylation situation which has a strong eagerness to be highly altered on CpG islands in carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis, considering its epigenetic fluctuations in finding new biomarkers is of great importance. Modifications in DNA methylation pattern and also enrichment of methylated histone signs in the promoter regions of some certain genes likeMUTYH, KLF4/6andWNT1in different signaling pathways could be a notable key contributors to the upregulation of tumor initiation in CRC. These epigenetic alterations could be employed as a practical diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer. In this review, we will be discuss these fluctuations ofMUTYH, KLF4/6andWNT1genes in CRC.
A combined nasolabial and infra-nasal bi-lobe flap design with double transposition for reconstruction of the ipsilateral upper and lower lips associated with the commissure defect
Authors: Fidele Nyimi Bushabu , Zhao Yifang , Tianfu Wu , Sun Yanfang , Liu Bing
Published: November 2019

Several classical flap variations have been designed to reconstruct lip and commissure defects. Although most of these variations maybe the best option for repairing defects, there is an increasing risk of anatomic distortion and functional disability, mostly in older persons. Herein, we present a combined nasolabial and infra-nasal bi-lobe flap design with double transposition, which was used to concomitantly close the upper and lower lips associated with commissure defects.
Osteoporose/Frakturen bei Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung
Authors: Grund Stefan , Büchele Gisela , Rapp Kilian
Published: November 2019

Osteoporose und Frakturen treten bei Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung häufig auf, werden aber dafür zu selten diagnostiziert. Die Ursachen für das erhöhte Risiko einer Osteoporose und die ebenfalls erhöhte Sturzrate sind vielfältig. Immobilität, verminderte Sonnenlichtexposition, hormonelle Störungen zum Beispiel im Rahmen eines Hypogonadismus, antiepileptische und antipsychotische Medikamente und aus der Behinderung folgende Balanceprobleme gehören dazu. Die Diagnostik von Osteoporose und Frakturen kann bei Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung erschwert sein. Einschränkungen in der Kommunikation erhöhen die Gefahr, Frakturen verzögert zu diagnostizieren oder gar zu übersehen. Ein frühes Screening auf Osteoporose, die Berücksichtigung von Risikofaktoren und eine individuelle Behandlung der Osteoporose sind notwendig. Gleichzeitig sind Sturzpräventionsmaßnahmen wie z. B. körperliches Training oder eine Anpassung der Umgebung sinnvoll.
Beam shaper increases femtosecond laser material processing speed and quality
Authors: Ackerman Frank Jodi
Published: November 2019

Researchers develop a new refractive beam shaping device to increase the speed and versatility of conventional high-precision laser systems for micromachining.
NuMA1 promotes axon initial segment assembly through inhibition of endocytosis
Authors: Torii Tomohiro , Ogawa Yuki , Liu Cheng-Hsin , Ho Tammy Szu-Yu , Hamdan Hamdan , Wang Chih-chuan , Oses-Prieto Juan A. , Burlingame Alma L. , Rasband Matthew N.
Published: November 2019

Axon initial segments (AISs) initiate action potentials and regulate the trafficking of vesicles between somatodendritic and axonal compartments. However, the mechanisms controlling AIS assembly remain poorly defined. We performed differential proteomics and found nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NuMA1) is downregulated in AIS-deficient neonatal mouse brains and neurons. NuMA1 is transiently located at the AIS during development where it interacts with the scaffolding protein 4.1B and the dynein regulator lissencephaly 1 (Lis1). Silencing NuMA1 or protein 4.1B by shRNA disrupts AIS assembly, but not maintenance. Silencing Lis1 or overexpressing NuMA1 during AIS assembly increased the density of AIS proteins, including ankyrinG and neurofascin-186 (NF186). NuMA1 inhibits the endocytosis of AIS NF186 by impeding Lis1’s interaction with doublecortin, a potent facilitator of NF186 endocytosis. Our results indicate the transient expression and AIS localization of NuMA1 stabilizes the developing AIS by inhibiting endocytosis and removal of AIS proteins.
The role of interleukin-17 in tumor development and progression
Authors: Zhao Junjie , Chen Xing , Herjan Tomasz , Li Xiaoxia
Published: November 2019

IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has been shown to intimately contribute to the formation, growth, and metastasis of a wide range of malignancies. Recent studies implicate IL-17 as a link among inflammation, wound healing, and cancer. While IL-17–mediated production of inflammatory mediators mobilizes immune-suppressive and angiogenic myeloid cells, emerging studies reveal that IL-17 can directly act on tissue stem cells to promote tissue repair and tumorigenesis. Here, we review the pleotropic impacts of IL-17 on cancer biology, focusing how IL-17–mediated inflammatory response and mitogenic signaling are exploited to equip its cancer-promoting function and discussing the implications in therapies.
Weighed query-specific distance and hybrid NARX neural network for video object retrieval
Authors: Ghuge C A , Chandra Prakash V , Ruikar Sachin D
Published: November 2019

The technical revolution in the field of video recording using the surveillance videos has increased the amount of the video databases that caused the need for an efficient video management system. This paper proposes a hybrid model using the nearest search algorithm (NSA) and the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM)-based non-linear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) neural network for performing the video object retrieval using the trajectories. Initially, the position of the objects in the video are retrieved using NSA and NARX individually, and they are averaged to determine the position of the object. The positions determined using the hybrid model is compared with the original database, and the trajectories of the objects are retrieved based on the minimum distance, which depends on the weighed query-specific distance. Experiments have been carried out using seven videos taken from the CAVIAR dataset, and the performance of the proposed method is compared with the existing methods. This proposed method found to be better than the existing method with respect to multiple object tracking precision (MOTP), multiple object tracking accuracy (MOTA), average tracking accuracy (ATA), precision, recall and F-measure that results a greater MOTP rate of 0.8796, precision rate of 0.8154, recall rate of 0.8408, the F-measure at a rate of 0.8371, MOTA of 0.8459 and ATA of 0.8324.
An investigation into the sensitivity of postglacial decay times to uncertainty in the adopted ice history
Authors: Kuchar Joseph , Milne Glenn , Hill Alexander , Tarasov Lev , Nordman Maaria
Published: November 2019

At the centers of previously glaciated regions such as Hudson Bay in Canada and the Gulf of Bothnia in Fennoscandia, it has been observed that the sea level history follows an exponential form and that the associated decay time is relatively insensitive to uncertainty in the ice loading history. We revisit the issue of decay time sensitivity by computing relative sea level histories for Richmond Gulf and James Bay in Hudson Bay and Ångerman River in Sweden for a suite of reconstructions of the North American and Fennoscandian Ice Sheets and Earth viscosity profiles. We find that while some Earth viscosity models do indeed show insensitivity in computed decay times to the ice history, this is not true in all cases. Moreover, we find that the location of the study site relative to the geometry of the ice sheet is an important factor in determining ice sensitivity, and based on our set of ice sheet reconstructions, conclude that the location of James Bay is not well-suited to a decay time analysis. We describe novel corrections to the RSL data to remove the effects associated with the spatial distribution of sea level indicators as well as for other signals unrelated to regional ice loading (ocean loading, rotation and global mean sea-level changes) and demonstrate that they can significantly affect the inference of viscosity structure. We performed a forward modelling analysis based on a commonly adopted 2-layer, sub-lithosphere viscosity structure to determine how the solution space of viscosity models changes with the input ice history at the three study sites. While the solution spaces depend on ice history, for both Richmond Gulf and Ångerman River there are regions of parameter space where solutions are common across all or most ice histories, indicating low ice load sensitivity for these mantle viscosity parameters. For example, in Richmond Gulf, upper mantle viscosity values of (0.3–0.5)x1021 Pa s and lower mantle viscosity values of (5–50)x1021 Pa s tend to satisfy the data constraint consistently for most ice histories considered in this study. Similarly, the Ångerman River solution spaces contain a solution with an upper mantle viscosity of 0.3 × 1021 Pa s and lower mantle viscosity values of (5–50)x1021 Pa s common to 9 of the 10 ice histories considered there. However, the dependence of the viscosity solution space on ice history suggests that joint estimation of ice and Earth parameters is the optimal approach.
The impact of hospital attributes on patient choice for first visit: evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Shanghai, China
Authors: Liu Yun , Kong Qingxia , Wang Shan , Zhong Liwei , van de Klundert Joris
Published: November 2019

The underutilization of primary care in urban China threatens the efficiency and effectiveness of the Chinese health system. To guide patient flow to primary care, the Chinese government has rolled out a sequence of health care reforms which improve the affordability, the infrastructure and workforce of the primary care system. However, these measures have not yielded the desired effect on the utilization of primary care, which is lowest in urban areas. It is unclear how the factors identified to influence facility choice in urban China are actually impacting choice behaviour. We conducted a discrete choice experiment to elicit the quantitative impact of facility attributes when choosing a health care facility for first visit and analysed how the stated choice varies with these attributes. We found that the respondents placed different weights on the identified attributes, depending on whether they perceived their condition to be minor or severe. For conditions perceived as minor, the respondents valued visit time, equipment and medical skill most. For conditions perceived as severe, they placed most importance on equipment, travel time and facility size. We found that for conditions perceived as minor, only 14% preferred visiting a facility over opting out, a percentage which would more than double to 37% if community health centres were maximally improved. For conditions perceived as severe, improvements in community health centres may almost double first visits to primary care, mostly from patients who would otherwise choose higher-level facilities. Our findings suggest that for both severity conditions, improvements to medical equipment and medical skill at community health centres in urban China can effectively direct patient flow to primary care and promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the urban health system.
The Construction of Gender and Sexuality in the Approach of Key International Law Actors to the Circumcision of Children
Authors: Sandland Ralph
Published: November 2019

This article analyses the approach of key international actors to the circumcision of children, seeking, first, to understand why the policy towards the circumcision or genital cutting of girls is so different from that towards boys. As part of this project, the article considers the literature on the situation in international law, concluding that the legal position is unclear and debatable. The article notes, however, that the policy difference is justified not by key actors by reference to international law but instead by reference to their theoretical understanding of how dynamics of gender and power infuse the genital cutting of girls. The article suggests that this approach is deficient because it can only compute inter-gender harm and not intra-gender harm, with the consequence that it fails to protect boy children from harms, which a better crafted theoretical model of gender and sexuality would capture.
Evaluating Vascularization of Heterotopic Islet Constructs for Type 1 Diabetes Using an In Vitro Platform
Authors: Bowles Annie C , Ishahak Matthew M , Glover Samuel J , Correa Diego , Agarwal Ashutosh
Published: November 2019

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune destruction of β-cells within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Clinical islet transplantation from healthy donors is proposed to ameliorate symptoms, improve quality of life, and enhance the life span of afflicted T1D patients. However, post-transplant outcomes are dependent on the survival of the transplanted islets, which relies on the engraftment of the islets with the recipient’s vasculature among other factors. Treatment strategies to improve engraftment include combining islets with supporting cells including endothelial cells (EC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), dynamic cells capable of robust immunomodulatory and vasculogenic effects. In this study, we developed an in vitro model of transplantation to investigate the cellular mechanisms that enhance rapid vascularization of heterotopic islet constructs. Self-assembled vascular beds of fluorescently stained EC served as reproducible in vitro transplantation sites. Heterotopic islet constructs composed of islets, EC, and MSC were transferred to vascular beds for modeling transplantation. Time-lapsed imaging was performed for analysis of the vascular bed remodeling for parameters of neo-vascularization. Moreover, sampling of media following modeled transplantation showed secretory profiles that were correlated with imaging analyses as well as with islet function using glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Together, evidence revealed that heterotopic constructs consisting of islets, EC, and MSC exhibited the most rapid recruitment and robust branching of cells from the vascular beds suggesting enhanced neo-vascularization compared to islets alone and control constructs. Together, this evidence supports a promising cell transplantation strategy for T1D and also demonstrates a valuable tool for rapidly investigating candidate cellular therapies for transplantation.
Characterization of PomA periplasmic loop and sodium ion entering in stator complex of sodium-driven flagellar motor
Authors: Nishikino Tatsuro , Iwatsuki Hiroto , Mino Taira , Kojima Seiji , Homma Michio
Published: November 2019

The bacterial flagellar motor is a rotary nanomachine driven by ion flow. The flagellar stator complex, which is composed of two proteins, PomA and PomB, performs energy transduction in marine Vibrio. PomA is a four transmembrane (TM) protein and the cytoplasmic region between TM2 and TM3 (loop2–3) interacts with the rotor protein FliG to generate torque. The periplasmic regions between TM1 and TM2 (loop1–2) and TM3 and TM4 (loop3–4) are candidates to be at the entrance to the transmembrane ion channel of the stator. In this study, we purified the stator complex with cysteine replacements in the periplasmic loops and assessed the reactivity of the protein with biotin maleimide (BM). BM easily modified Cys residues in loop3–4 but hardly labelled Cys residues in loop1–2. We could not purify the plug deletion stator (ΔL stator) composed of PomBΔ41–120 and WT-PomA but could do the ΔL stator with PomA-D31C of loop1–2 or with PomB-D24N of TM. When the ion channel is closed, PomA and PomB interact strongly. When the ion channel opens, PomA interacts less tightly with PomB. The plug and loop1–2 region regulate this activation of the stator, which depends on the binding of sodium ion to the D24 residue of PomB.
Meaning and ‘Material Reality’: Jane Morris’ Keepsake Books
Authors: Amos Johanna
Published: November 2019

Though long overshadowed by her socialist–designer husband, Jane Burden Morris, wife of arts and crafts pioneer William Morris, has begun to receive recognition for her contributions to the alternative art movements of the nineteenth century, including her work as a Pre-Raphaelite model and arts and crafts embroiderer. This article furthers this exploration by examining Jane Morris’ engagement with the book arts. Through an analysis of the textual, visual and material qualities of four keepsake volumes Morris made c.1880, this article considers how the books illuminate Morris’ material reality and emphasize their maker’s commitment to socialist ideals, artistic labour, and collaborative working. It further situates Morris’ keepsake volumes within the nineteenth-century reinvigoration of the book arts and the arts and crafts movement in order to consider the ways in which arts and crafts ideals penetrated amateur domestic production.
Origins, function, and regulation of the TOC–TIC general protein import machinery of plastids
Authors: Richardson Lynn G L , Schnell Danny J
Published: November 2019

The evolution of chloroplasts from the original endosymbiont involved the transfer of thousands of genes from the ancestral bacterial genome to the host nucleus, thereby combining the two genetic systems to facilitate coordination of gene expression and achieve integration of host and organelle functions. A key element of successful endosymbiosis was the evolution of a unique protein import system to selectively and efficiently target nuclear-encoded proteins to their site of function within the chloroplast after synthesis in the cytoplasm. The chloroplast TOC–TIC (translocon at the outer chloroplast envelope–translocon at the inner chloroplast envelope) general protein import system is conserved across the plant kingdom, and is a system of hybrid origin, with core membrane transport components adapted from bacterial protein targeting systems, and additional components adapted from host genes to confer the specificity and directionality of import. In vascular plants, the TOC–TIC system has diversified to mediate the import of specific, functionally related classes of plastid proteins. This functional diversification occurred as the plastid family expanded to fulfill cell- and tissue-specific functions in terrestrial plants. In addition, there is growing evidence that direct regulation of TOC–TIC activities plays an essential role in the dynamic remodeling of the organelle proteome that is required to coordinate plastid biogenesis with developmental and physiological events.
Jane Ellen Harrison and a Ritual Aesthetic: The Early 20th Century Turn Towards Materiality, Embodiment and Performativity in the Arts
Authors: Enemark Nina
Published: November 2019

This article considers the classicist Jane Ellen Harrison’s ritual theory of art as part of an intellectual, cultural and aesthetic zeitgeist occurring at the beginning of the 20th century. While centred on ancient Greek culture and art, Harrison’s work is directly connected to her concerns with religion and art in her own time. Her theory posits ritual as the forgotten origin of art and theology and sees in the modern period a return to this source in both religion and art. I argue that her theory implies a particular aesthetic which speaks to key shifts happening concurrently across the arts in Europe and America, and that the scope of her theory, incorporating insights from a range of fields of study, makes it a useful and unique lens through which to contextualise and view important developments in the arts during this period. Leading examples of these developments are considered from the fields of visual art, literature, theatre and particularly dance.
PHI-base: the pathogen–host interactions database
Authors: Urban Martin , Cuzick Alayne , Seager James , Wood Valerie , Rutherford Kim , Venkatesh Shilpa Yagwakote , De Silva Nishadi , Martinez Manuel Carbajo , Pedro Helder , Yates Andy D , Hassani-Pak Keywan , Hammond-Kosack Kim E
Published: November 2019

The pathogen–host interactions database (PHI-base) is available at www.phi-base.org. PHI-base contains expertly curated molecular and biological information on genes proven to affect the outcome of pathogen–host interactions reported in peer reviewed research articles. PHI-base also curates literature describing specific gene alterations that did not affect the disease interaction phenotype, in order to provide complete datasets for comparative purposes. Viruses are not included, due to their extensive coverage in other databases. In this article, we describe the increased data content of PHI-base, plus new database features and further integration with complementary databases. The release of PHI-base version 4.8 (September 2019) contains 3454 manually curated references, and provides information on 6780 genes from 268 pathogens, tested on 210 hosts in 13,801 interactions. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens are represented in almost equal numbers. Host species consist of approximately 60% plants (split 50:50 between cereal and non-cereal plants), and 40% other species of medical and/or environmental importance. The information available on pathogen effectors has risen by more than a third, and the entries for pathogens that infect crop species of global importance has dramatically increased in this release. We also briefly describe the future direction of the PHI-base project, and some existing problems with the PHI-base curation process.
Localized Acral Sclerosing Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A New Form of Presentation of Cutaneous Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Authors: Garrido Maria C. , Salido-Vallejo Rafael , Revilla Enrique , Salvatierra Juan , Rodriguez-Peralto Jose-Luis
Published: November 2019

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare proliferative disorder, more frequent in children, characterized by an abnormal accumulation of Langerhans cells admixed with eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. The clinical presentation is variable and depends on whether a single or multiple organs are affected. Skin lesions are common in LCH (40% of cases) and represent a frequent form of presentation (in up to 80% of cases). Cutaneous manifestations of LCH are highly variable, frequently presenting as crusted papules or scaly seborrheic-like lesions localized in the scalp. We report the first case of a localized acral sclerosing LCH, a new form of LCH. This case highlights the broad and surprising form of presentation of LCH which may be overlooked and can significantly delay its diagnosis. The development of systemic disease may occur months to years after the initial skin presentation. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may prevent progression to systemic disease, as documented in some cases.
Prevalence and Significance of Renal Dysfunction Among Emergency Department Observation Patients With Chest Pain
Authors: Carlberg Mark , Lum Marija , Ojcius Julia , Perkins Rachelle , Carlson Margaret , Steenblik Jacob , Madsen Troy
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

Previous studies have demonstrated increased risk of acute coronary syndrome among patients with chest pain and renal dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of renal dysfunction on cardiac outcomes in patients with chest pain in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU).

Methods:

We conducted a 5-year prospective evaluation of patients evaluated in the EDOU for chest pain. We collected baseline information and data from the emergency department visit, EDOU stay, inpatient admission, and the 30-day period after presentation to the emergency department. We calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. We stratified patients as having mild (GFR 60–89 mL/min per 1.73 m2) or at least moderate (GFR <60) renal dysfunction. We evaluated the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: myocardial infarction, stent, coronary artery bypass graft, and death).

Results:

Of 1067 enrolled EDOU patients, the majority had at least mild renal dysfunction: 39% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 36.1%–42%] had a GFR between 60 and 89, and 16% (95% CI: 14%–18.4%) had a GFR <60. MACE rates increased with decreasing GFR: 3.3% (95% CI: 2.1%–5.3%) for GFR ≥90, 7.3% (95% CI: 5.2%–10.2%) for GFR 60–89, and 9.1% (95% CI: 5.7%–14.3%) for GFR <60 (P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, patients with at least mild renal dysfunction (GFR < 90) were at greater risk of MACE (P = 0.028).

Conclusions:

We noted a high prevalence of renal dysfunction among EDOU patients evaluated for chest pain. Even those with mild renal dysfunction demonstrated an increased risk of MACE. Clinicians may wish to consider renal dysfunction in selecting appropriate patients for EDOU placement.