bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early assessment of lateralization and sex influences on the microstructure of the white matter corticospinal tract in healthy term neonates
Authors: Saadani‐Makki Fadoua , Hagmann Cornelia , Balédent Olivier , Makki Malek I.
Published: December 2018

We assessed the sex and the lateralization differences in the corticospinal tract (CST) during the early postnatal period. Twenty‐five healthy term neonates (13 girls, aged 39.2 ± 1.2 weeks, and 12 boys aged 38.6 ± 3.0 weeks) underwent Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Fiber tracking was performed to extract bilaterally the CST pathways and to quantify the parallel (E1) and perpendicular (E23) diffusions, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fractional anisotropy (FA). The measurements were performed on the entire CST fibers and on four segments: base of the pons (CST‐Po), cerebral peduncles (CST‐CP), posterior limb of the internal capsule (CST‐PLIC), and corona‐radiata (CST‐CR). Significantly higher E1, lower E23, and higher FA in the right compared to the left were noted in the CST‐PLIC of the girls. Significantly lower E23 and lower ADC with higher FA in the right compared to left were observed in the CST‐CP of the boys. Moreover, the CST‐PLIC of the boys had significantly higher E1 in the right compared to the left. There was a significant increase in left CST E1 of boys when compared with girls. Girls had a significantly lower E1, lower E23 and, lower ADC in the left CST‐CP compared with boys. In addition, girls had a significantly lower E23 and higher FA in the right CST‐PLIC compared with boys. Sex differences and lateralization in structure‐based segments of the CST were found in healthy term infants during early postnatal period. These findings are vital to understanding motor development of healthy term born neonates to better interpret newborn infants with abnormal neurodevelopment.
Seeing the Unseen: Evaluating Testicular Vascularity in Neonates by Using the Superb Microvascular Imaging Ultrasound Technique
Authors: Ayaz Ercan , Ayaz Muzaffer , Önal Canver , Yıkılmaz Ali
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To evaluate testicular vascularity in neonates by using the novel Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) ultrasound (US) technique and to compare this technique to conventional Doppler US techniques.

Methods

A total of 140 healthy neonates between 2 and 60 days old who were admitted for routine screening were included in the study. However, in 9 cases, the Doppler study could not be completed. In the remaining 131 cases, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), Advanced Dynamic Flow (ADF; Toshiba Medical Systems), and monochrome SMI (mSMI) techniques were performed on a single representative testicle. Real‐time cine images were captured for 5 to 10 seconds for each technique by using a high‐frequency (7.2–14‐MHz) linear transducer. The images were evaluated by 3 observers using a grading system to quantify the degree of vascularity and artifact interference.

Results

A total of 131 testicles (74 right and 57 left) were evaluated, and vascularity was shown in 110 (84%) testicles with CDI, 109 (83%) with PDI, 94 (72%) with ADF, and 128 (98%) with mSMI by the consensus of all observers. The Doppler techniques were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order based on the degree of vascularity detected: mSMI > PDI > CDI > ADF (P < .001). Based on the presence of artifacts, the Doppler techniques were ranked as follows from high to low: ADF > CDI > PDI > mSMI (P < .001).

Conclusions

Superb Microvascular Imaging is a promising US technique that appears to detect testis vascularity better than conventional Doppler US techniques; however, further research is needed to support the results of this study.
Transoral rigid 70‐degree laryngoscopy in a pediatric voice clinic
Authors: Ongkasuwan Julina , Devore Danielle , Hollas Sarah , Yan Jennifer
Published: December 2018

Objective

Complaints of dysphonia and dysphagia frequently require rigid or flexible laryngoscopy in the office to aid in diagnosis. For young children, flexible laryngoscopy can be uncomfortable and often requires multiple adults to restrain the child. Rigid laryngoscopy does not result in crying but does require patient cooperation; thus, it is used primarily in adults. This project describes our experience using rigid laryngoscopy in a pediatric cohort.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of patients at a pediatric voice clinic who underwent laryngoscopy from December 2011 through March 2017. Data analysis is via Student t test and descriptive analysis.

Results

Three hundred and eleven patients were identified with 423 unique laryngoscopy exams. Of those, 212 of the exams were flexible and 210 were rigid. One patient did not tolerate either rigid or flexible exam. There was a statistically significant difference in age between children diagnosed via rigid mean 10.92 years (range 2.39–19.14 years) versus flexible mean 6.51 years (range 0.41–19.29 years), P ≤ 0.01. Of the 44 children under 3 years of age, flexible laryngoscopy was used almost exclusively, with 43 of 44 (97.7%) flexible scope exams. Rigid laryngoscopy was performed on 24 of 115 (20.9%) children aged 3 to 5 years, 26 of 40 (65%) aged 6 years, and 159 of 223 (71.3%) aged 7 and older.

Conclusion

Transoral 70o rigid laryngoscopy can be used in select children as young as 3 years of age. This modality allows for improved visualization of lesions with greater comfort for patients.

Laryngoscope, 129:1657–1659, 2019
How Much Blood Could a JP Suck If a JP Could Suck Blood?
Authors: Mamuyac Erin M. , Pappa Andrew K. , Thorp Brian D. , Ebert Charles S. , Senior Brent A. , Zanation Adam M. , Lin Feng‐Chang , Kimple Adam J.
Published: December 2018

Objective

Active surgical drains minimize fluid accumulation in the postoperative period. The Jackson‐Pratt (JP) system consists of a silicone drain connected by flexible tubing to a bulb. When air in the bulb is evacuated, negative pressure is applied at the surgical site to aspirate fluid. The objective of this study was to determine if the evacuation method and volume of accumulated fluid affect the pressure generated by the bulb.

Methods

Bulbs were connected to a digital manometer under various experimental conditions. A random number generator determined the initial evacuation method for each bulb, either side‐in or bottom‐up. Subsequent evacuations were alternated until data was collected in triplicate for each method. Predetermined amounts of water were placed into the bulb; air was evacuated; and pressure was recorded. The digital manometer was allowed to equilibrate for 1 minute prior to data acquisition.

Results

The average amount of pressure after a side‐in evacuation of a JP bulb was 87.4 cm H2O compared to 17.7 cm H2O for a bottom‐up evacuation (P < 0.0001). When the drain contained 25 mL, 50 mL, 75 mL, and 100 mL of fluid, the pressure applied dropped to 72.6, 41.3, 37.0, and 35.6 cm H2O, respectively.

Conclusions

JP drains generate negative pressure in order to reduce fluid accumulation at surgical sites. Although its function is frequently taken for granted, this study demonstrates that both the specific method for evacuating the bulb as well as the amount of fluid in the bulb significantly affect the performance of this device.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:1806–1809, 2019
Fabrication of Kidney Proximal Tubule Grafts Using Biofunctionalized Electrospun Polymer Scaffolds
Authors: Jansen Katja , Castilho Miguel , Aarts Sanne , Kaminski Michael M. , Lienkamp Soeren S. , Pichler Roman , Malda Jos , Vermonden Tina , Jansen Jitske , Masereeuw Rosalinde
Published: December 2018

The increasing prevalence of end‐stage renal disease and persistent shortage of donor organs call for alternative therapies for kidney patients. Dialysis remains an inferior treatment as clearance of large and protein‐bound waste products depends on active tubular secretion. Biofabricated tissues could make a valuable contribution, but kidneys are highly intricate and multifunctional organs. Depending on the therapeutic objective, suitable cell sources and scaffolds must be selected. This study provides a proof‐of‐concept for stand‐alone kidney tubule grafts with suitable mechanical properties for future implantation purposes. Porous tubular nanofiber scaffolds are fabricated by electrospinning 12%, 16%, and 20% poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) v/w (chloroform and dimethylformamide, 1:3) around 0.7 mm needle templates. The resulting scaffolds consist of 92%, 69%, and 54% nanofibers compared to microfibers, respectively. After biofunctionalization with L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine and collagen IV, 10 × 106 proximal tubule cells per mL are injected and cultured until experimental readout. A human‐derived cell model can bridge all fiber‐to‐fiber distances to form a monolayer, whereas small‐sized murine cells form monolayers on dense nanofiber meshes only. Fabricated constructs remain viable for at least 3 weeks and maintain functionality as shown by inhibitor‐sensitive transport activity, which suggests clearance capacity for both negatively and positively charged solutes.
Metabolic Profiling of High Egg Consumption and the Associated Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Middle‐Aged Finnish Men
Authors: Noerman Stefania , Kärkkäinen Olli , Mattsson Anton , Paananen Jussi , Lehtonen Marko , Nurmi Tarja , Tuomainen Tomi‐Pekka , Voutilainen Sari , Hanhineva Kati , Virtanen Jyrki K
Published: December 2018

Scope

Higher egg intake was previously associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the prospective, population‐based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) in eastern Finland. Potential compounds that can explain this association are explored using nontargeted LC‐MS‐based metabolic profiling.

Methods and results

Two hundred and thirty‐nine baseline serum samples from the KIHD are analyzed in four groups: subjects with higher (mean intake one egg per day) or lower (mean intake two eggs per week) egg intake who developed T2D (cases) or remained heatlhy (controls) during the mean follow‐up of 19.3 years. Different serum profiles of subjects who had either higher or lower egg intakes, and of those who developed type 2 diabetes or remained healthy, are observed. The higher baseline tyrosine level predicts higher odds of T2D (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.45, 2.60; p < 0.001; FDR 0.023) along with an unknown hexose‐containing compound (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.57, 2.88; p < 0.001; FDR 0.005). Certain predominant metabolites in T2D cases are correlated positively with ones in the lower‐egg‐intake group and negatively with ones in the higher‐egg‐intake group.

Conclusion

Our current findings may underline some potential metabolites that can explain how egg intake is associated with a lower risk of T2D.
A general design for multi‐output ports planar Wilkinson power divider
Authors: Ali Ammar H. , Hameed Khalid W. , Ali Nazar T. , Bakr Mustafa S. , Abd‐Alhameed Raed A. , McEwan Nail J.
Published: December 2018

A general design for a microstrip‐fed multi‐output port planar Wilkinson power divider is proposed, designed and fabricated for industrial, scientific and medical radio band applications. The realized design operates in a wideband frequency range from 1.77 to 2.88 GHz with a low insertion loss imbalance below 0.01 dB at 2.4 GHz. The power divider adopts a 2‐layered structure and microstrip feeding, thus solving the isolation resistor interconnection crossover problem for dividers with more than 2 output ports. A 1‐section quarter wave transformer is employed on the upper layer and the second layer is used to interconnect isolation resistors between the output ports. Two different permittivity substrates are chosen to simplify the designed structure. A prototype of a 1‐5 ports power divider has been selected as a design example and fabricated. The measured scattering parameters agree well with simulation, which validates the design.
Bayesian modeling of abandonments in ticket queues
Authors: Kuzu Kaan , Soyer Refik
Published: December 2018

Ticket queues (TQs) issue tickets to customers upon arrival, and are often used in the public and private sectors. Abandonment data collected by TQs is interval censored, which makes predicting customer abandonments a challenging problem. In this paper, we build a Bayesian framework for predicting abandonment counts in TQs to assist managers in workforce planning. In doing so, we propose parametric and semiparametric modulated Poisson process models and develop their Bayesian analyses using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. We implement our models using actual abandonment data from a bank's TQ, and illustrate how we can provide managerial insights related to abandonment counts and server allocation policies.
Influence of Boron Antisite Defects on the Electrical Properties of MBE‐Grown GaAs Nanowires
Authors: Lancaster Suzanne , Andrews Aaron Maxwell , Stoeger‐Pollach Michael , Steiger‐Thirsfeld Andreas , Groiss Heiko , Schrenk Werner , Strasser Gottfried , Detz Hermann
Published: December 2018

Nanowires provide a platform for the integration of heterogeneous materials in III–V systems grown on Si. BxGa1−xAs is an interesting material for strain applications, which has not yet been studied in nanowire form. The incorporation of boron in GaAs nanowires is investigated via DC‐IV measurements. In transmission electron microscopy analysis a high concentration of boron is found at the nanowire edges, indicating surface segregation during growth. Nanowires grown under boron flux are found to exhibit Ohmic contacts and low contact resistances with p‐type metallizations such as Au/Zn/Au or Cr/Au. Back‐gated measurements confirmed the p‐type behavior of such nanowires, indicating that boron is incorporated on antisite defects where it acts as a doubly‐charged acceptor. This offers a new route for the inclusion of p‐doped layers in GaAs‐based nanowire heterostructures and the subsequent formation of Ohmic contacts.
Reliability evaluation and opportunistic maintenance policy based on a novel delay time model
Authors: Zhang Jianjie
Published: December 2018

The delay time concept is widely adopted in literature to model the two‐stage failure process of most industrial systems which can be divided into normal stage (from new to an initial point of a defect) and defective stage (from defect arrival point to failure). Most existing delay time models assume that the normal and defective stages are independent. A generalized delay time model is proposed in this paper by considering the dependence between the normal and defective stages which is reflected in the fact that they share the same external shock process. According to the definition of shot‐noise process, external shocks will incur random hazard rate increments in the two stages. The failure state is self‐announcing, whereas the defective state can only be detected by block‐based inspection or opportunistic inspection offered by unexpected shutdown due to unavoidable external factors. The system is correctively replaced upon the occurrence of a system failure or preventively replaced at the detection of a defective state. Based on the stochastic failure model and maintenance policy, this paper evaluates system reliability performance and average long‐run cost rate via a Markov‐chain based approach. Finally, a case study on a steel convertor plant is given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.
Responsive Upconversion Nanoprobe for Background‐Free Hypochlorous Acid Detection and Bioimaging
Authors: Zhang Run , Liang Liuen , Meng Qingtao , Zhao Jiangbo , Ta Hang T. , Li Li , Zhang Zhiqiang , Sultanbawa Yasmina , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: December 2018

Responsive nanoprobes play an important role in bioassay and bioimaging, early diagnosis of diseases and treatment monitoring. Herein, a upconversional nanoparticle (UCNP)‐based nanoprobe, Ru@UCNPs, for specific sensing and imaging of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is reported. This Ru@UCNP nanoprobe consists of two functional components,, i.e., NaYF4:Yb, Tm UCNPs that can convert near infrared light‐to‐visible light as the energy donor, and a HOCl‐responsive ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy)2(DNCH‐bpy)](PF6)2 (Ru‐DNPH) as the energy acceptor and also the upconversion luminescence (UCL) quencher. Within this luminescence resonance energy transfer nanoprobe system, the UCL OFF–ON emission is triggered specifically by HOCl. This triggering reaction enables the detection of HOCl in aqueous solution and biological systems. As an example of applications, the Ru@UCNPs nanoprobe is loaded onto test papers for semiquantitative HOCl detection without any interference from the background fluorescence. The application of Ru@UCNPs for background‐free detection and visualization of HOCl in cells and mice is successfully demonstrated. This research has thus shown that Ru@UCNPs is a selective HOCl‐responsive nanoprobe, providing a new way to detect HOCl and a new strategy to develop novel nanoprobes for in situ detection of various biomarkers in cells and early disgnosis of animal diseases.
Well‐Defined Metal Nanoparticles@Covalent Organic Framework Yolk–Shell Nanocages by ZIF‐8 Template as Catalytic Nanoreactors
Authors: Cui Kaixun , Zhong Wanfu , Li Lingyun , Zhuang Zanyong , Li Liuyi , Bi Jinhong , Yu Yan
Published: December 2018

Yolk–shell nanoreactors have received considerable interest for use in catalysis. However, the controlled synthesis of continuous crystalline shells without imperfections or cracks remains challenging. Here, a strategy for the synthesis of yolk–shell metal nanoparticles@covalent organic framework (MNPs@COF) nanoreactors by using MNPs@ZIF‐8 core–shell nanostructures as a self‐template is designed and developed. The COF shell is formed through an amorphous‐to‐crystalline transformation process of a polyimine shell in a mildly acidic solution, while the ZIF‐8 is etched in situ, generating a void space between the MNPs core and the COF shell. With the protection of the COF shell, multiple ligand‐free MNPs are confined inside of the hollow nanocages. Importantly, the synthetic strategy can be generalized to engineer the functions and properties of the designed yolk–shell nanocages by varying the structure of the COF shell and/or the composition of the core MNPs. Representative Pd@H‐TpPa yolk–shell nanocages with active Pd NP cores and permeable TpPa shells exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol by NaBH4 at room temperature.
Requirements elicitation and refinement in collaborative research projects
Authors: De Angelis Guglielmo , Ferrari Alessio , Gnesi Stefania , Polini Andrea
Published: December 2018

European Union (EU) projects are means of the European Commission for funding research activities. Such projects address challenging research objectives by involving both academic and industrial partners, from several countries. Information and communication technologies–related projects often undertake to deliver a software system prototype. In such a context, most of the typical issues of global requirements engineering may emerge. Partners can have different background and expertise, needs are not sharply defined, and communication is hampered by linguistic and cultural differences. If these issues are not carefully taken into account from the beginning, problems frequently emerge during project execution. This paper presents the experience of applying a customized elicitation and refinement approach in the context of the Learn PAd EU project, which involved about 50 people. The approach combines collaborative elicitation and wiki‐based refinement sessions to come to a set of consolidated requirements. Lessons learnt are discussed as a guidance for researchers dealing with analogous issues in similar contexts. Some of the major observations refer to the importance of initial face‐to‐face meetings when combined with asynchronous remote interactions; the role of moderators that have to encourage collaboration and foster a shared understanding; and the definition of guidelines to select wiki‐based platforms.
The hybrid systems method integrating human factors analysis and classification system and grey relational analysis for the analysis of major coal mining accidents
Authors: Feng Yan , Chen Hong , Zhang Yingyu , Jing Linlin
Published: December 2018

The coal mine safety situation remains grim in China. This study proposed a hybrid systems method integrating the human factors analysis and classification system and grey relational analysis to determine the key factors causing coal mine casualties. The method was applied to analyse 94 coal mining accidents from 1997 to 2011, and the results were as follows. (a) Among the five levels, “unsafe acts” has the highest grey relational grade with accident casualties, followed by “preconditions for unsafe acts,” “organizational influences,” “unsafe supervision,” and “external factors.” (b) Among all categories, “inadequate supervision” has the closest relationship with accident casualties, followed by “violations,” “environmental factors,” and “errors.” (c) “Naked fire in flammable and explosive places” and “untimely accident handling or improper handling measures” are important indicators affecting accident casualties. Finally, some corresponding suggestions for safe coal mine production were proposed.
A note on T-folds and T3 fibrations
Authors: Achmed-Zade Ismail , Hamilton Mark J. D. , Lüst Dieter , Massai Stefano
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We study stringy modifications of T
3-fibered manifolds, where the fiber undergoes a monodromy in the T-duality group. We determine the fibration data defining such T-folds from a geometric model, by using a map between the duality group and the group of large diffeomorphisms of a four-torus. We describe the monodromies induced around duality defects where such fibrations degenerate and we argue that local solutions receive corrections from the winding sector, dual to the symmetry-breaking modes that correct semi-flat metrics.
Predicting δPMNS, θPMNS23 and fermion mass ratios from flavour GUTs with CSD2
Authors: Antusch Stefan , Hohl Christian , Khosa Charanjit K. , Susič Vasja
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Constrained Sequential neutrino Dominance of type 2 (referred to as CSD2) is an attractive building block for flavour Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) because it predicts a non-zero leptonic mixing angle θ
13
PMNS
, a deviation of θ
23
PMNS
from π/4, as well as a leptonic Dirac CP phase δ
PMNS which is directly linked to the CP violation relevant for generating the baryon asymmetry via the leptogenesis mechanism. When embedded into GUT flavour models, these predictions are modified in a specific way, depending on which GUT operators are responsible for generating the entries of fermion Yukawa matrices. In this paper, we systematically investigate and classify the resulting predictions from supersymmetric SU(5) based flavour models by fitting the known fermion mass and mixing data, in order to provide a roadmap for future model building. Interestingly, the promising models predict the lepton Dirac CP phase δ
PMNS between 230° and 290°, and the quark CP phase δ
CKM in accordance with a right-angled unitarity triangle (α
UT = 90°). Also, our model setup predicts the quantities θ
23
PMNS
and m

d
/m

s
with less uncertainty than current experimental precision, and allowing with future sensitivity to discriminate between them.
4D spin-2 fields from 5D Chern-Simons theory
Authors: González Albornoz N. L. , Lüst D. , Salgado S. , Schmidt-May A.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We consider a 5-dimensional Chern-Simons gauge theory for the isometry group of Anti-de-Sitter spacetime, AdS4+1 ≃ SO(4, 2), and invoke different dimensional reduction schemes in order to relate it to 4-dimensional spin-2 theories. The AdS gauge algebra is isomorphic to a parametrized 4-dimensional conformal algebra, and the gauge fields corresponding to the generators of non-Abelian translations and special conformal transformations reduce to two vierbein fields in D = 4. Besides these two vierbeine, our reduction schemes leave only the Lorentz spin connection as an additional dynamical field in the 4-dimensional theories. We identify the corresponding actions as particular generalizations of Einstein-Cartan theory, conformal gravity and ghost-free bimetric gravity in first-order form.
Holographic discommensurations
Authors: Krikun Alexander
Published: December 2018

Abstract

When the system with internal tendency to a spontaneous formation of a spatially periodic state is brought in contact with the external explicit periodic potential, the interesting phenomenon of commensurate lock in can be observed. In case when the explicit potential is strong enough and its period is close to the period of the spontaneous structure, the latter is forced to assume the periodicity of the former and the commensurate state becomes a thermodynamically preferred one. If instead the two periods are significantly different, the incommensurate state is formed. It is characterized by a finite density of solitonic objects — discommensurations — on top of the commensurate state. In this note I study the properties of discommensurations in holographic model with inhomogeneous translational symmetry breaking and explain how one can understand the commensurate/incommensurate phase transition as a proliferation of these solitons. Some useful numerical techniques are discussed in the appendix.
A flavorful factoring of the strong CP problem
Authors: Agrawal Prateek , Howe Kiel
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Motivated by the intimate connection between the strong CP problem and the flavor structure of the Standard Model, we present a flavor model that revives and extends the classic m

u
= 0 solution to the strong CP problem. QCD is embedded into a SU(3)1 × SU(3)2 × SU(3)3 gauge group, with each generation of quarks charged under the respective SU(3). The non-zero value of the up-quark Yukawa coupling (along with the strange quark and bottom-quark Yukawas) is generated by contributions from small instantons at a new scale M ≫ ΛQCD. The Higgsing of SU(3)3 → SU(3)
c
allows dimension-5 operators that generate the Standard Model flavor structure and can be completed in a simple renormalizable theory. The smallness of the third generation mixing angles can naturally emerge in this picture, and is connected to the smallness of threshold corrections to

$$ \overline{\theta} $$

θ
¯

. Remarkably,

$$ \overline{\theta} $$

θ
¯

is essentially fixed by the measured quark masses and mixings, and is estimated to be close to the current experimental bound and well within reach of the next generation of neutron and proton EDM experiments.
On the Polyakov-Mellin bootstrap
Authors: Gopakumar Rajesh , Sinha Aninda
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We elaborate on some general aspects of the crossing symmetric approach of Polyakov to the conformal bootstrap, as recently formulated in Mellin space. This approach uses, as building blocks, Witten diagrams in AdS. We show the necessity for having contact Witten diagrams, in addition to the exchange ones, in two different contexts: a) the large c expansion of the holographic bootstrap b) in the ϵ expansion at subleading orders to the ones studied already. In doing so, we use alternate simplified representations of the Witten diagrams in Mellin space. This enables us to also obtain compact, explicit expressions (in terms of a 7
F
6 hypergeometric function!) for the analogue of the crossing kernel for Witten diagrams i.e., the decomposition into s-channel partial waves of crossed channel exchange diagrams.
Reading as a source of knowledge
Authors: van Woudenberg René
Published: December 2018

This paper argues that reading is a source of knowledge. Epistemologists have virtually ignored reading as a source of knowledge. This paper argues, first, that reading is not to be equated with attending to testimony, and second that it cannot be reduced to perception. Next an analysis of reading is offered and the source of knowledge that reading is further delineated. Finally it is argued that the source that reading is, can be both transmissive and generative, is non-basic, once was a non-essential but has become essential for many people, and can be unique.
GITAR: An Open Source Tool for Analysis and Visualization of Hi-C Data
Authors: Calandrelli Riccardo , Wu Qiuyang , Guan Jihong , Zhong Sheng
Published: December 2018

Interactions between chromatin segments play a large role in functional genomic assays and developments in genomic interaction detection methods have shown interacting topological domains within the genome. Among these methods, Hi-C plays a key role. Here, we present the Genome Interaction Tools and Resources (GITAR), a software to perform a comprehensive Hi-C data analysis, including data preprocessing, normalization, and visualization, as well as analysis of topologically-associated domains (TADs). GITAR is composed of two main modules: (1) HiCtool, a Python library to process and visualize Hi-C data, including TAD analysis; and (2) processed data library, a large collection of human and mouse datasets processed using HiCtool. HiCtool leads the user step-by-step through a pipeline, which goes from the raw Hi-C data to the computation, visualization, and optimized storage of intra-chromosomal contact matrices and TAD coordinates. A large collection of standardized processed data allows the users to compare different datasets in a consistent way, while saving time to obtain data for visualization or additional analyses. More importantly, GITAR enables users without any programming or bioinformatic expertise to work with Hi-C data. GITAR is publicly available at http://genomegitar.org as an open-source software.
Development of the “Third-Generation” Hybrid Rice in China
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Deng Xing Wang
Published: December 2018

Rice is a major cereal crop for China. The development of the “three-line” hybrid rice system based on cytoplasmic male sterility in the 1970s (first-generation) and the “two-line” hybrid rice system based on photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive genic male-sterile lines (second-generation) in the 1980s has contributed significantly to rice yield increase and food security in China. Here we describe the development and implementation of the “third-generation” hybrid rice breeding system that is based on a transgenic approach to propagate and utilize stable recessive nuclear male sterile lines, and as such, the male sterile line and hybrid rice produced using such a system is non-transgenic. Such a system should overcome the intrinsic problems of the “first-generation” and “second-generation” hybrid rice systems and hold great promise to further boost production of hybrid rice and other crops.
Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome: An overlooked population for prevention trials
Authors: Strydom André , Coppus Antonia , Blesa Rafael , Danek Adrian , Fortea Juan , Hardy John , Levin Johannes , Nuebling Georg , Rebillat Anne‐Sophie , Ritchie Craig , van Duijn Cornelia , Zaman Shahid , Zetterberg Henrik
Published: December 2018

The discovery that adults with Down syndrome (DS) have neuropathological features identical to individuals with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) played a key role in the identification of the amyloid precursor protein gene on chromosome 21 and resulted in the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Individuals with DS have a lifetime risk for dementia in excess of 90%, and DS is now acknowledged to be a genetic form of AD similar to rare autosomal‐dominant causes. Just as DS put the spotlight on amyloid precursor protein mutations, it is also likely to inform us of the impact of manipulating the amyloid pathway on treatment outcomes in AD. Ironically, however, individuals with DS are usually excluded from AD trials. This review will discuss primary and secondary prevention trials for AD in DS and the potential barriers and solutions to such trials and describe the Europe‐wide Horizon21 Consortium to establish a DS‐AD prevention clinical trials network.
Ältere Studierende sind lern- und leistungsfähig!
Authors: Püchel Johannes , Fröhlich Martin R. , Staudacher Diana
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung. Ein defizitorientiertes Altersbild führt häufig zu Nachteilen für Studierende über vierzig Jahren. Oft sind sie mit Vorurteilen gegenüber ihrer Leistungsfähigkeit konfrontiert und finden nur selten eine Möglichkeit, sich beruflich weiter zu qualifizieren. Die Forschung zeigt jedoch, dass die Lernbiographie und nicht das Alter über das Leistungspotential im Studium entscheidet. Anhand des Nachdiplomstudiums Anästhesiepflege am Universitätsspital Zürich zeigt der Artikel Handlungsbedarf auf und beschreibt Lösungsmöglichkeiten.
Structure of Affect in Types of Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Domaradzka Ewa , Fajkowska Małgorzata
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Although anxiety and depression are treated as separate conditions, the literature concerning their affective functioning is inconclusive. To address this issue, we analyzed types of anxiety (arousal and apprehension) and depression (valence and anhedonic). We hypothesized that the similarities and differences in the structure of affect would be related to the specific structural components and functions (reactive or regulative) of the types. We assessed the valence (negative and positive affect) and content (specific emotions) of affect by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Expanded Form (PANAS-X) in 1,632 participants from a general population. Regression analyses showed that the anxiety and depression types (measured by Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire) can be differentiated by the content of affect, but not its valence: Fear was characteristic for anxiety, especially the arousal anxiety. Valence depression was primarily related to hostility, while anhedonic depression was predicted by sadness, guilt, and lowered joviality. Moreover, as expected, regulative emotions (e.g., joviality) were stronger predictors of the regulative apprehension anxiety and anhedonic depression, while the more reactive fear was more strongly related to the reactive arousal anxiety than to regulative apprehension anxiety. These results confirm that the structure of affect is related to the structure and functions of anxiety and depression types.
Reduced resting-state connectivity in areas involved in processing of face-related social cues in female adolescents with atypical anorexia nervosa
Authors: Olivo Gaia , Swenne Ingemar , Zhukovsky Christina , Tuunainen Anna-Kaisa , Salonen-Ros Helena , Larsson Elna-Marie , Gaudio Santino , Brooks Samantha J. , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: December 2018

Atypical anorexia nervosa (AN) has a high incidence in adolescents and can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Neuroimaging could improve our knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of eating disorders (EDs), however research on adolescents with EDs is limited. To date no neuroimaging studies have been conducted to investigate brain functional connectivity in atypical AN. We investigated resting-state functional connectivity using 3 T MRI in 22 drug-naïve adolescent patients with atypical AN, and 24 healthy controls. Psychological traits related to the ED and depressive symptoms have been assessed using the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale self-reported (MADRS-S) respectively. Reduced connectivity was found in patients in brain areas involved in face-processing and social cognition, such as the left putamen, the left occipital fusiform gyrus, and specific cerebellar lobules. The connectivity was, on the other hand, increased in patients compared with controls from the right inferior temporal gyrus to the superior parietal lobule and superior lateral occipital cortex. These areas are involved in multimodal stimuli integration, social rejection and anxiety. Patients scored higher on the EDE-Q and MADRS-S questionnaires, and the MADRS-S correlated with connectivity from the right inferior temporal gyrus to the superior parietal lobule in patients. Our findings point toward a role for an altered development of socio-emotional skills in the pathogenesis of atypical AN. Nonetheless, longitudinal studies will be needed to assess whether these connectivity alterations might be a neural marker of the pathology.
Efficacy of arginine depletion by ADI-PEG20 in an intracranial model of GBM
Authors: Przystal Justyna Magdalena , Hajji Nabil , Khozoie Combiz , Renziehausen Alexander , Zeng Qingyu , Abaitua Fernando , Hajitou Amin , Suwan Keittisak , Want Elizabeth , Bomalaski John , Szlosarek Peter , O’Neill Kevin , Crook Tim , Syed Nelofer
Published: December 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a cancer with a poor prognosis and few effective therapeutic options. Successful medical management of GBM is limited by the restricted access of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the blood brain barrier (BBB). We previously showed that a subset of GBM are arginine auxotrophic because of transcriptional silencing ofASS1and/orASLand are sensitive to pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20). However, it is unknown whether depletion of arginine in peripheral blood in vivo has therapeutic activity against intracranial disease. In the present work, we describe the efficacy of ADI-PEG20 in an intracranial model of human GBM in which tumour growth and regression are assessed in real time by measurement of luciferase activity. Animals bearing intracranial human GBM tumours of varying ASS status were treated with ADI-PEG20 alone or in combination with temozolomide and monitored for tumour growth and regression. Monotherapy ADI-PEG20 significantly reduces the intracranial growth of ASS1 negative GBM and extends survival of mice carrying ASS1 negative GBM without obvious toxicity. The combination of ADI-PEG20 with temozolomide (TMZ) demonstrates enhanced effects in both ASS1 negative and ASS1 positive backgrounds.Our data provide proof of principle for a therapeutic strategy for GBM using peripheral blood arginine depletion that does not require BBB passage of drug and is well tolerated. The ability of ADI-PEG20 to cytoreduce GBM and enhance the effects of temozolomide argues strongly for its early clinical evaluation in the treatment of GBM.
Cleaning interfaces in layered materials heterostructures
Authors: Purdie D. G. , Pugno N. M. , Taniguchi T. , Watanabe K. , Ferrari A. C. , Lombardo A.
Published: December 2018

Heterostructures formed by stacking layered materials require atomically clean interfaces. However, contaminants are usually trapped between the layers, aggregating into randomly located blisters, incompatible with scalable fabrication processes. Here we report a process to remove blisters from fully formed heterostructures. Our method is over an order of magnitude faster than those previously reported and allows multiple interfaces to be cleaned simultaneously. We fabricate blister-free regions of graphene encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride with an area ~ 5000 μm2, achieving mobilities up to 180,000 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature, and 1.8 × 106 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 9 K. We also assemble heterostructures using graphene intentionally exposed to polymers and solvents. After cleaning, these samples reach similar mobilities. This demonstrates that exposure of graphene to process-related contaminants is compatible with the realization of high mobility samples, paving the way to the development of wafer-scale processes for the integration of layered materials in (opto)electronic devices.
High-resolution genome-wide functional dissection of transcriptional regulatory regions and nucleotides in human
Authors: Wang Xinchen , He Liang , Goggin Sarah M. , Saadat Alham , Wang Li , Sinnott-Armstrong Nasa , Claussnitzer Melina , Kellis Manolis
Published: December 2018

Genome-wide epigenomic maps have revealed millions of putative enhancers and promoters, but experimental validation of their function and high-resolution dissection of their driver nucleotides remain limited. Here, we present HiDRA (High-resolution Dissection of Regulatory Activity), a combined experimental and computational method for high-resolution genome-wide testing and dissection of putative regulatory regions. We test ~7 million accessible DNA fragments in a single experiment, by coupling accessible chromatin extraction with self-transcribing episomal reporters (ATAC-STARR-seq). By design, fragments are highly overlapping in densely-sampled accessible regions, enabling us to pinpoint driver regulatory nucleotides by exploiting differences in activity between partially-overlapping fragments using a machine learning model (SHARPR-RE). In GM12878 lymphoblastoid cells, we find ~65,000 regions showing enhancer function, and pinpoint ~13,000 high-resolution driver elements. These are enriched for regulatory motifs, evolutionarily-conserved nucleotides, and disease-associated genetic variants from genome-wide association studies. Overall, HiDRA provides a high-throughput, high-resolution approach for dissecting regulatory regions and driver nucleotides.
Latin Americans show wide-spread Converso ancestry and imprint of local Native ancestry on physical appearance
Authors: Chacón-Duque Juan-Camilo , Adhikari Kaustubh , Fuentes-Guajardo Macarena , Mendoza-Revilla Javier , Acuña-Alonzo Victor , Barquera Rodrigo , Quinto-Sánchez Mirsha , Gómez-Valdés Jorge , Everardo Martínez Paola , Villamil-Ramírez Hugo , Hünemeier Tábita , Ramallo Virginia , Silva de Cerqueira Caio C. , Hurtado Malena , Villegas Valeria , Granja Vanessa , Villena Mercedes , Vásquez René , Llop Elena , Sandoval José R. , Salazar-Granara Alberto A. , Parolin Maria-Laura , Sandoval Karla , Peñaloza-Espinosa Rosenda I. , Rangel-Villalobos Hector , Winkler Cheryl A. , Klitz William , Bravi Claudio , Molina Julio , Corach Daniel , Barrantes Ramiro , Gomes Verónica , Resende Carlos , Gusmão Leonor , Amorim Antonio , Xue Yali , Dugoujon Jean-Michel , Moral Pedro , González-José Rolando , Schuler-Faccini Lavinia , Salzano Francisco M. , Bortolini Maria-Cátira , Canizales-Quinteros Samuel , Poletti Giovanni , Gallo Carla , Bedoya Gabriel , Rothhammer Francisco , Balding David , Hellenthal Garrett , Ruiz-Linares Andrés
Published: December 2018

Historical records and genetic analyses indicate that Latin Americans trace their ancestry mainly to the intermixing (admixture) of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans. Using novel haplotype-based methods, here we infer sub-continental ancestry in over 6,500 Latin Americans and evaluate the impact of regional ancestry variation on physical appearance. We find that Native American ancestry components in Latin Americans correspond geographically to the present-day genetic structure of Native groups, and that sources of non-Native ancestry, and admixture timings, match documented migratory flows. We also detect South/East Mediterranean ancestry across Latin America, probably stemming mostly from the clandestine colonial migration of Christian converts of non-European origin (Conversos). Furthermore, we find that ancestry related to highland (Central Andean) versus lowland (Mapuche) Natives is associated with variation in facial features, particularly nose morphology, and detect significant differences in allele frequencies between these groups at loci previously associated with nose morphology in this sample.
PI3Kα-regulated gelsolin activity is a critical determinant of cardiac cytoskeletal remodeling and heart disease
Authors: Patel Vaibhav B. , Zhabyeyev Pavel , Chen Xueyi , Wang Faqi , Paul Manish , Fan Dong , McLean Brent A. , Basu Ratnadeep , Zhang Pu , Shah Saumya , Dawson John F. , Pyle W. Glen , Hazra Mousumi , Kassiri Zamaneh , Hazra Saugata , Vanhaesebroeck Bart , McCulloch Christopher A. , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: December 2018

Biomechanical stress and cytoskeletal remodeling are key determinants of cellular homeostasis and tissue responses to mechanical stimuli and injury. Here we document the increased activity of gelsolin, an actin filament severing and capping protein, in failing human hearts. Deletion of gelsolin prevents biomechanical stress-induced adverse cytoskeletal remodeling and heart failure in mice. We show that phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3) lipid suppresses gelsolin actin-severing and capping activities. Accordingly, loss of PI3Kα, the key PIP3-producing enzyme in the heart, increases gelsolin-mediated actin-severing activities in the myocardium in vivo, resulting in dilated cardiomyopathy in response to pressure-overload. Mechanical stretching of adult PI3Kα-deficient cardiomyocytes disrupts the actin cytoskeleton, which is prevented by reconstituting cells with PIP3. The actin severing and capping activities of recombinant gelsolin are effectively suppressed by PIP3. Our data identify the role of gelsolin-driven cytoskeletal remodeling in heart failure in which PI3Kα/PIP3 act as negative regulators of gelsolin activity.
Emerging negative impact of warming on summer carbon uptake in northern ecosystems
Authors: Wang Tao , Liu Dan , Piao Shilong , Wang Yilong , Wang Xiaoyi , Guo Hui , Lian Xu , Burkhart John F , Ciais Philippe , Huang Mengtian , Janssens Ivan , Li Yue , Liu Yongwen , Peñuelas Josep , Peng Shushi , Yang Hui , Yao Yitong , Yin Yi , Zhao Yutong
Published: December 2018

Most studies of the northern hemisphere carbon cycle based on atmospheric CO2concentration have focused on spring and autumn, but the climate change impact on summer carbon cycle remains unclear. Here we used atmospheric CO2record from Point Barrow (Alaska) to show that summer CO2drawdown between July and August, a proxy of summer carbon uptake, is significantly negatively correlated with terrestrial temperature north of 50°N interannually during 1979–2012. However, a refined analysis at the decadal scale reveals strong differences between the earlier (1979–1995) and later (1996–2012) periods, with the significant negative correlation only in the later period. This emerging negative temperature response is due to the disappearance of the positive temperature response of summer vegetation activities that prevailed in the earlier period. Our finding, together with the reported weakening temperature control on spring carbon uptake, suggests a diminished positive effect of warming on high-latitude carbon uptake.
Topological one-way fiber of second Chern number
Authors: Lu Ling , Gao Haozhe , Wang Zhong
Published: December 2018

One-way waveguides have been discovered as topological edge states in two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystals. Here, we design one-way fiber modes in a 3D magnetic Weyl photonic crystal realizable at microwave frequencies. We first obtain a 3D Chern crystal with a non-zero first Chern number by annihilating the Weyl points through supercell modulation. When the modulation becomes helixes, one-way modes develop along the winding axis, with the number of modes determined by the spatial frequency of the helix. These single-polarization single-mode and multi-mode one-way fibers, having nearly identical group and phase velocities, are topologically-protected by the second Chern number in the 4D parameter space of the 3D wavevectors plus the winding angle of the helix. This work suggests a unique way to utilize high-dimensional topological physics using topological defects.