bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of preoperative liver dysfunction on outcomes in patients with left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Yalcin Yunus C , Muslem Rahatullah , Veen Kevin M , Soliman Osama I , Manintveld Olivier C , Darwish Murad Sarwa , Kilic Ahmet , Constantinescu Alina A , Brugts Jasper J , Alkhunaizi Fatimah , Birim Ozcan , Tedford Ryan J , Bogers Ad J J C , Hsu Steven , Caliskan Kadir
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the impact of preoperative liver function on early and 1-year postoperative outcomes in patients supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and subsequent evolution of liver function markers.

METHODS

A retrospective multicentre cohort study was conducted, including all patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was used to define liver dysfunction.

RESULTS

Overall, 290 patients with an LVAD [78% HeartMate II, 15% HVAD and 7% HeartMate 3, mean age 55 (18), 76% men] were included. Over 40 000 measurements of liver function markers were collected over a 1-year period. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the 1-year mortality rate identified the optimal cut-off value of 12.6 for the MELD score. Therefore, the cohort was dichotomized into patients with an MELD score of less than or greater than 12.6. The early (90-day) survival rates in patients with and without liver dysfunction were 76% and 91% (P = 0.002) and 65% and 90% at 1 year, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with preoperative liver dysfunction had more embolic events and more re-explorations. At the 1-year follow-up, liver function markers showed an overall improvement in the majority of patients, with or without pre-LVAD liver dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative liver dysfunction is associated with higher early 90-day and 1-year mortality rates after LVAD implantation. Furthermore, liver function improved in both patient groups. It has become imperative to optimize the selection criteria for possible LVAD candidates, since those who survive the first year show excellent recovery of their liver markers.
Genetic diversity of Legionella pcs and pmtA genes and the effect of utilization of choline by Legionella spp. on induction of proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Palusińska-Szysz Marta , Szuster-Ciesielska Agnieszka , Janczarek Monika , Wdowiak-Wróbel Sylwia , Schiller Jürgen , Reszczyńska Emilia , Gruszecki Wiesław I , Fuchs Beate
Published: November 2019

Legionella species synthesize phosphatidylcholine (PC) in two independent pathways: the three-step methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine PMT pathway and the one-step PCS pathway, in which the Pcs enzyme catalyzes the reaction between choline and CDP-diacylglycerol to form PC. Legionella pcs genes encode highly hydrophobic proteins with phosphatidylcholine synthase activity, which contain up to eight transmembrane helices with N- and C-termini located inside the bacterial cell. The comparative analysis of nucleotide sequences of pcs showed that these genes share high sequence identity among members of the Legionellaceae family. Legionella pmtA genes involved in the PMT pathway encoded small cytosolic proteins with putative phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity. The pmtA genes identified in Legionella species had lower sequence identity to each other than the pcs genes. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on the pcs and pmtA gene sequences showed phylogenetic relatedness between Legionella spp. and other bacteria. The utilization of extracellular choline by the four Legionella species leads to changes not only in the lipid components but also in proteins, and the interactions between these components lead to changes in cell surface properties, which result in a decline in induction of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6).
Relative Quasimaps and Mirror Formulae
Authors: Battistella Luca , Nabijou Navid
Published: November 2019

We construct and study the theory of relative quasimaps in genus zero, in the spirit of Gathmann. When $X$ is a smooth toric variety and $Y$ is a smooth very ample hypersurface in $X$, we produce a virtual class on the moduli space of relative quasimaps to $(X,Y)$, which we use to define relative quasimap invariants. We obtain a recursion formula which expresses each relative invariant in terms of invariants of lower tangency, and apply this formula to derive a quantum Lefschetz theorem for quasimaps, expressing the restricted quasimap invariants of $Y$ in terms of those of $X$. Finally, we show that the relative $I$-function of Fan–Tseng–You coincides with a natural generating function for relative quasimap invariants, providing mirror-symmetric motivation for the theory.
Refugees’ Debit Cards, Subjectivities, and Data Circuits: Financial-Humanitarianism in the Greek Migration Laboratory
Authors: Tazzioli Martina
Published: November 2019

This paper focuses on the financialization of refugee humanitarianism in Greece, bringing attention to the Cash Assistance Programme, which is the first European Union–funded project in Europe providing financial support to asylum seekers, coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This program consists of the delivery and monthly recharge of prepaid debit cards to asylum seekers inside hotspots and refugee camps. The article deals with three aspects. First, it analyzes the political technologies of government that this system enforces, bringing attention to the modes for governing refugee populations in transit. Second, it considers the data circulation activities that are connected to it, analyzing what I call the circuits of financial humanitarianism and explaining in detail how data is shared between the different actors involved (banks, IGOs, Greek authorities, and NGOs). Third, it explores the specific effects of subjectivation produced by this temporary and exclusionary mechanism of financial support, together with the forms of value extraction that stem from it. The paper argues that far from generating financial inclusion, techniques of financialization of humanitarianism should be situated among measures for regaining control over unruly movements, predicated upon exclusionary and temporary mechanisms of government.
Impact of bacterial species and baseline resistance on fosfomycin efficacy in urinary tract infections
Authors: Abbott Iain J , Dekker Jordy , van Gorp Elke , Wijma Rixt A , Raaphorst Merel N , Klaassen Corné H W , Meletiadis Joseph , Mouton Johan W , Peleg Anton Y
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To assess the antibacterial effects of a single 3 g oral fosfomycin dose on Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates within a dynamic bladder infection model.

Methods

An in vitro model simulating dynamic urinary fosfomycin concentrations was used. Target fosfomycin exposure (Cmax = 1984 mg/L and Tmax = 7.5 h) was validated by LC-MS/MS. Pharmacodynamic responses of 24 E. coli and 20 K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were examined (fosfomycin MIC ≤0.25–128 mg/L). Mutant prevention concentration (MPC), fosfomycin heteroresistance, fosfomycin resistance genes and fosA expression were examined. Pathogen kill and emergence of high-level resistance (HLR; MIC >1024 mg/L) were quantified.

Results

Following fosfomycin exposure, 20 of 24 E. coli exhibited reductions in bacterial counts below the lower limit of quantification without regrowth, despite baseline fosfomycin MICs up to 128 mg/L. Four E. coli regrew (MIC = 4–32 mg/L) with HLR population replacement. At baseline, these isolates had detectable HLR subpopulations and MPC >1024 mg/L. All E. coli isolates were fosA negative. In contrast, 17 of 20 K. pneumoniae regrew post exposure, 6 with emergence of HLR (proportion = 0.01%–100%). The three isolates without regrowth did not have a detectable HLR subpopulation after dynamic drug-free incubation. All K. pneumoniae had MPC >1024 mg/L and were fosA positive. WGS analysis and fosA expression failed to predict fosfomycin efficacy.

Conclusions

E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrate discrepant responses to a single fosfomycin dose in a dynamic bladder infection in vitro model. Treatment failure against E. coli was related to an HLR subpopulation, not identified by standard MIC testing. Activity against K. pneumoniae appeared limited, regardless of MIC testing, due to universal baseline heteroresistance.
Attributable nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in critically ill patients: a marginal structural model study
Authors: Arnaud Frederico Carlos de Sousa , Libório Alexandre Braga
Published: November 2019

Background

Although vancomycin nephrotoxicity is recognizable, critically ill patients have other potential reasons for acute kidney injury (AKI) and determining its attributable nephrotoxic risk in this population can be cumbersome.

Objectives

To determine the risk of AKI attributable to vancomycin, controlling for baseline and time-dependent confounders.

Methods

Time-fixed and daily time-varying variables were extracted from a large public database. The exposures analysed were: (i) IV vancomycin; (ii) serum trough level greater than 15 and 20 mg/L; and (iii) concomitant exposure to vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam or other antipseudomonal β-lactams. Censoring and exposure inverse probability of treatment weighting were calculated. Marginal structural models were plotted to evaluate AKI, severe AKI (stage 2/3) and need of renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Results

A total of 26 865 patients were included; 19.7% received vancomycin during ICU stay. After adjusting for fixed and time-variable confounders, vancomycin exposure was associated with AKI (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.09–1.38), but not with severe AKI or need of RRT (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.91–1.23 and HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.74–1.29, respectively). A serum trough level greater than 20 mg/L was associated with AKI (HR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.52–2.30) and severe AKI (HR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.31–2.19), but showed no statistically significant association with need of RRT (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 0.92–2.56). The vancomycin + piperacillin/tazobactam combination was not associated with a greater risk than vancomycin alone.

Conclusions

The attributable nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in critically ill patients is significantly lower than previously suggested and severe AKI is related to vancomycin only when trough serum levels are greater than 20 mg/L.
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) in an urban landscape: prevalence and risk factors for disease
Authors: Pluemer Meghan , Dubay Shelli , Drake David , Crimmins Shawn , Veverka Tessa , Hovanec Holly , Torkelson Miranda , Mueller Marcus
Published: November 2019

Urbanized areas contain fragmented landscapes and abundant resources, resulting in concentrated and increased wildlife populations in relatively close contact with other wildlife species, humans, and their domestic pets, thereby posing novel disease risks and facilitating inter-specific disease transmission. We trapped and radio-collared 15 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 14 coyotes (Canis latrans) in the urban landscape of Madison, Wisconsin, to determine the prevalence of disease among these canids and to examine how these canids were using the landscape. Using Fisher’s exact probability tests, we found that coyotes had a significantly higher seroprevalence of Lyme disease (P = 0.002) and a higher prevalence of canine heartworm disease (P = 0.02) than foxes. Red foxes did not select specific habitat types in the urban landscape, but coyotes selected for forest and grass cover types, and avoided developed sites. Understanding the prevalence of disease in urban canid populations is important because diseases affecting urban canids cause morbidity and mortality and are transmissible to domestic dogs, and vice versa. Additionally, urban canids may serve as sentinels for zoonotic diseases such as Lyme disease and leptospirosis.
Losing connection: the modal logic of definable link deletion
Authors: Li Dazhu
Published: November 2019

In this article, we start with a two-player game that models communication under adverse circumstances in everyday life and study it from the perspective of a modal logic of graphs, where links can be deleted locally according to definitions available to the adversarial player. We first introduce a new language, semantics and some typical validities. We then formulate a new type of first-order translation for this modal logic and prove its correctness. Then, a novel notion of bisimulation is proposed that leads to a characterization theorem for the logic as a fragment of first-order logic, and a further investigation is made of its expressive power against hybrid modal languages. Next, we discuss how to axiomatize this logic of link deletion, using dynamic-epistemic logics as a contrast. Finally, we show that our new modal logic lacks both the tree model property and the finite model property and that its satisfiability problem is undecidable.
Functional anatomy of left heart valves
Authors: Makhdom Fahd , Thériault-Lauzier Pascal , Ho Siew Yen , Martucci Giuseppe , Spaziano Marco , Pighi Michele , Piazza Nicolo
Published: November 2019

The development of transcatheter valve therapeutic modalities has reignited interest in the anatomy of the valvular complexes. Indeed, this knowledge is crucial for individuals who are involved in transcatheter valve therapies. The importance of anatomy for procedure indications, contraindications, performance, and device development are tremendous and cannot be overemphasized. Comprehension of the anatomy is the first step toward successful transcatheter valve therapy. This knowledge should be coupled with the ability to view and understand the valvular complex using different imaging modalities. The ability to have a three-dimensional understanding of the valvular component and its relation to the other cardiac structures is key in performing transcatheter valve procedures. This chapter discusses the aortic valve and the mitral valve complexes and reviews a novel way of understanding left-sided heart valve anatomy using multiple imaging modalities.
The overarching framework of core-collapse supernova explosions as revealed by 3D fornax simulations
Authors: Burrows Adam , Radice David , Vartanyan David , Nagakura Hiroki , Skinner M Aaron , Dolence Joshua C
Published: November 2019

We have conducted 19 state-of-the-art 3D core-collapse supernova simulations spanning a broad range of progenitor masses. This is the largest collection of sophisticated 3D supernova simulations ever performed. We have found that while the majority of these models explode, not all do, and that even models in the middle of the available progenitor mass range may be less explodable. This does not mean that those models for which we did not witness explosion would not explode in Nature, but that they are less prone to explosion than others. One consequence is that the ‘compactness’ measure is not a metric for explodability. We find that lower-mass massive star progenitors likely experience lower-energy explosions, while the higher-mass massive stars likely experience higher-energy explosions. Moreover, most 3D explosions have a dominant dipole morphology, have a pinched, wasp-waist structure, and experience simultaneous accretion and explosion. We reproduce the general range of residual neutron-star masses inferred for the galactic neutron-star population. The most massive progenitor models, however, in particular vis à vis explosion energy, need to be continued for longer physical times to asymptote to their final states. We find that while the majority of the inner ejecta have Ye = 0.5, there is a substantial proton-rich tail. This result has important implications for the nucleosynthetic yields as a function of progenitor. Finally, we find that the non-exploding models eventually evolve into compact inner configurations that experience a quasi-periodic spiral SASI mode. We otherwise see little evidence of the SASI in the exploding models.
Eliminating artefacts in polarimetric images using deep learning
Authors: Paranjpye D , Mahabal A , Ramaprakash A N , Panopoulou G V , Cleary K , Readhead A C S , Blinov D , Tassis K
Published: November 2019

Polarization measurements done using Imaging Polarimeters such as the Robotic Polarimeter are very sensitive to the presence of artefacts in images. Artefacts can range from internal reflections in a telescope to satellite trails that could contaminate an area of interest in the image. With the advent of wide-field polarimetry surveys, it is imperative to develop methods that automatically flag artefacts in images. In this paper, we implement a Convolutional Neural Network to identify the most dominant artefacts in the images. We find that our model can successfully classify sources with 98 per cent true positive and 97 per cent true negative rates. Such models, combined with transfer learning, will give us a running start in artefact elimination for near-future surveys like WALOP.
Simultaneous Millimetre-wave and X-ray monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469
Authors: Behar Ehud , Kaspi Shai , Paubert Gabriel , Billot Nicolas , Peretz Uria , Baldi Ranieri D , Laor Ari , Kaastra Jelle , Mehdipour Missagh
Published: November 2019

We report on daily monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy ngc 7469, around 95 and 143 GHz, with the iram (Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique) 30- m radio telescope, and with the Swift X-ray and UV/optical telescopes, over an overlapping period of 45 d. The source was observed on 36 d with iram, and the flux density in both mm bands was on average ∼10 mJy, but varied by $\pm 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, and by up to a factor of 2 between days. The present iram variability parameters are consistent with earlier monitoring, which had only 18 data points. The X-ray light curve of ngc 7469 over the same period spans a factor of 5 in flux with small uncertainties. Similar variability in the mm band and in the X-rays lends support to the notion of both sources originating in the same physical component of the active galactic nucleus (AGN), likely the accretion disc corona. Simultaneous monitoring in eight UV/optical bands shows much less variability than the mm and X-rays, implying this light originates from a different AGN component, likely the accretion disc itself. We use a tentative 14-d lag of the X-ray light curve with respect to the 95 GHz light curve to speculate on coronal implications. More precise mm-band measurements of a sample of X-ray-variable AGN are needed, preferably also on time-scales of less than a day where X-rays vary dramatically, in order to properly test the physical connection between the two bands.
Debiasing cosmic gravitational wave sirens
Authors: Keeley Ryan E , Shafieloo Arman , L’Huillier Benjamin , Linder Eric V
Published: November 2019

Accurate estimation of the Hubble constant, and other cosmological parameters, from distances measured by cosmic gravitational wave sirens requires sufficient allowance for the dark energy evolution. We demonstrate how model-independent statistical methods, specifically Gaussian process regression, can remove bias in the reconstruction of H(z), and can be combined to model independently with supernova distances. This allows stringent tests of both H0 and Λ cold dark matter, and can detect unrecognized systematics. We also quantify the redshift systematic control necessary for the use of dark sirens, showing that it must approach spectroscopic precision to avoid significant bias.
General cosmography model with spatial curvature
Authors: Li En-Kun , Du Minghui , Xu Lixin
Published: November 2019

We adopt a cosmographic approach in order to determine spatial curvature (i.e. ΩK), combining the latest release of cosmic chronometer (CC) data, the Pantheon sample of Type Ia supernovae observations and baryon acoustic oscillation measurements. We use the expanded transverse comoving distance DM($z$) as a basic function for deriving H($z$) and other cosmic distances. In this scenario, ΩK can be constrained only by CC data. To overcome the convergence issues at high-redshift domains, two methods are applied: the Padé approximants and the Taylor series in terms of the new redshift y = $z$/(1 + $z$). Adopting the Bayesian evidence, we find that there is positive evidence for the Padé approximant up to order (2,2) and weak evidence for the Taylor series up to third order against the ΛCDM + ΩK model. The constraint results show that a closed Universe is preferred by present observations under all the approximations used in this study. Also, the tension level of the Hubble constant H0 has less than 2σ significance between different approximations and the local distance ladder determination. For each assumed approximation, H0 is anticorrelated with ΩK and the sound horizon at the end of the radiation drag epoch, which indicates that the H0 tension problem can be slightly relaxed by introducing ΩK or any new physics that can reduce the sound horizon in the early Universe.
General relativistic polarized radiative transfer with inverse-Compton scatterings
Authors: Mościbrodzka M
Published: November 2019

We present radpol – a numerical scheme for integrating multifrequency polarized radiative transfer equations along rays propagating in a curved space–time. The scheme includes radiative processes such as synchrotron emission, absorption, Faraday rotation, and conversion, and, for the first time, relativistic Compton scatterings including effects of light polarization. The scheme is fully covariant and is applicable to model radio-γ-ray emission and its polarization from, e.g. relativistic jets and accretion flows on to black holes and other exotic objects described in alternative metric theories and modelled semi-analytically or with time-dependent magnetohydrodynamical simulations. We perform a few tests to validate the implemented numerical algorithms that handle light polarization in curved space–time. We demonstrate application of the scheme to model broad-band emission spectra from a relativistically hot, geometrically thick coronal-like inflow around a supermassive black hole where the disc model is realized in a general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical simulation.
A stochastically sampled IMF alters the stellar content of simulated dwarf galaxies
Authors: Applebaum Elaad , Brooks Alyson M , Quinn Thomas R , Christensen Charlotte R
Published: November 2019

Cosmological simulations are reaching the resolution necessary to study ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. Observations indicate that in small populations, the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is not fully populated; rather, stars are sampled in a way that can be approximated as coming from an underlying probability density function. To ensure the accuracy of cosmological simulations in the ultra-faint regime, we present an improved treatment of the IMF. We implement a self-consistent, stochastically populated IMF in cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. We test our method using high-resolution simulations of a Milky Way halo, run to z = 6, yielding a sample of nearly 100 galaxies. We also use an isolated dwarf galaxy to investigate the resulting systematic differences in galaxy properties. We find that a stochastic IMF in simulations makes feedback burstier, strengthening feedback, and quenching star formation earlier in small dwarf galaxies. For galaxies in haloes with mass ≲ 108.5 M⊙, a stochastic IMF typically leads to lower stellar mass compared to a continuous IMF, sometimes by more than an order of magnitude. We show that existing methods of ensuring discrete supernovae incorrectly determine the mass of the star particle and its associated feedback. This leads to overcooling of surrounding gas, with at least ∼10 per cent higher star formation and ∼30 per cent higher cold gas content. Going forwards, to accurately model dwarf galaxies and compare to observations, it will be necessary to incorporate a stochastically populated IMF that samples the full spectrum of stellar masses.
Measurement of the spin of the M87 black hole from its observed twisted light
Authors: Tamburini Fabrizio , Thidé Bo , Della Valle Massimo
Published: November 2019

We present the first observational evidence that light propagating near a rotating black hole is twisted in phase and carries orbital angular momentum (OAM). This physical observable allows a direct measurement of the rotation of the black hole. We extracted the OAM spectra from the radio intensity data collected by the Event Horizon Telescope from around the black hole M87* by using wavefront reconstruction and phase recovery techniques and from the visibility amplitude and phase maps. This method is robust and complementary to black hole shadow circularity analyses. It shows that the M87* rotates clockwise with an estimated rotation parameter a = 0.90 ± 0.05 with an $\sim 95{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence level (c.l.) and an inclination i = 17° ± 2°, equivalent to a magnetic arrested disc with an inclination i = 163° ± 2°. From our analysis, we conclude that, within a 6σ c.l., the M87* is rotating.
Dienogest regulates apoptosis, proliferation, and invasiveness of endometriotic cyst stromal cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress induction
Authors: Choi JongYeob , Jo MinWha , Lee EunYoung , Lee Dong-Yun , Choi DooSeok
Published: November 2019

Dienogest, a specific progesterone receptor agonist, is used in the treatment of endometriosis. However, it is still unclear as to the mechanisms of therapeutic effects on endometriosis. Our recent study showed that endometriosis may be the result of aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induction due to progesterone resistance. This finding suggests that the regulation of ER stress induction may play a key role in treatment of endometriosis. Therefore, the anti-endometriotic effects of dienogest may be mediated by regulation of ER stress. To test this hypothesis, we elucidate whether dienogest affects endometriotic stromal cell apoptosis, proliferation and invasiveness by modulating ER stress-induced CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) expression. Specifically, PRKR-like ER kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), inositol-requiring kinase 1 (IRE1)/TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2)/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, and downstream CHOP were evaluated to determine the involved ER stress-mediated regulation mechanism of CHOP expression. Our results show that progesterone treatment did not have any significant effects on ER stress, apoptosis, proliferation, and invasion in estrogen-treated endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs). However, dienogest treatment upregulated the induction of ER stress. It also led to increased apoptosis, and decreased proliferation and invasiveness. These dienogest-induced changes in apoptosis, proliferation and invasiveness were reversed by the ER stress inhibitor salubrinal. Furthermore, dienogest-induced ER stress increased CHOP expression through activation of both PERK/elf2α/ATF4 and IRE1/TRAF2/ASK1/JNK signaling. This upregulation was blocked by transfection with PERK and IRE1 siRNA, which decreased apoptosis and increased the proliferation and invasiveness of dienogest-treated ECSCs. Taken together, our findings indicate that dienogest enhances ER stress induction in endometriotic stromal cells, which affects apoptosis, proliferation and invasiveness via CHOP upregulation.
LGP2 virus sensor enhances apoptosis by upregulating apoptosis regulatory genes through TRBP-bound miRNAs during viral infection
Authors: Takahashi Tomoko , Nakano Yuko , Onomoto Koji , Yoneyama Mitsutoshi , Ui-Tei Kumiko
Published: November 2019

During viral infection, viral nucleic acids are detected by virus sensor proteins including toll-like receptor 3 or retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors (RLRs) in mammalian cells. Activation of these virus sensor proteins induces type-I interferon production and represses viral replication. Recently, we reported that an RLR family member, laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2), modulates RNA silencing by interacting with an RNA silencing enhancer, TAR-RNA binding protein (TRBP). However, the biological implications remained unclear. Here, we show that LGP2 enhances apoptosis by upregulating apoptosis regulatory genes during viral infection. Sendai virus (SeV) infection increased LGP2 expression approximately 900 times compared to that in non-virus-infected cells. Then, the induced LGP2 interacted with TRBP, resulting in the inhibition of maturation of the TRBP-bound microRNA (miRNA) and its subsequent RNA silencing activity. Gene expression profiling revealed that apoptosis regulatory genes were upregulated during SeV infection: caspases-2, -8, -3 and -7, four cysteine proteases with key roles in apoptosis, were upregulated directly or indirectly through the repression of a typical TRBP-bound miRNA, miR-106b. Our findings may shed light on the mechanism of apoptosis, induced by the TRBP-bound miRNAs through the interaction of TRBP with LGP2, as an antiviral defense system in mammalian cells.
BK polyomavirus—pathogen, paradigm and puzzle
Authors: Kotla Suman Krishna , Kadambi Pradeep V , Hendricks Allen R , Rojas Rebecca
Published: November 2019

BK virus is a polyomavirus with seroprevalence rates of 80% in adults. Infection is usually acquired during childhood, and the virus is benign or pathologic depending on immune status. The virus reactivates in immunodeficiency states, mostly among transplant (either kidney or bone marrow) recipients. There are approximately 15 000 renal transplants every year in the USA, of which 5–10% develop BK polyomavirus nephropathy; 50–80% of patients who develop nephropathy go on to develop graft failure. BK virus is associated with BK polyomavirus nephropathy, ureteral stenosis, late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis, bladder cancer and other nonlytic large T-expressing carcinomas. The renal spectrum begins with viruria and can end with graft failure. The clinical spectrum and outcomes vary among transplant patients. New noninvasive diagnostic methods, such as urinary polyomavirus Haufen detected by electron microscopy, are currently under study. Treatment is primarily directed at decreasing immunosuppression but may be associated with graft rejection. Repeat transplantation is encouraged as long as viral clearance in plasma prior to transplant is accomplished. There remain no definitive data regarding the utility of transplant nephrectomy.
Explaining Gender Gaps in Indonesian Legislative Committees
Authors: Prihatini Ella
Published: November 2019

Parliamentary committees are central in most modern legislatures in the world as key decisions are often made at this level. Consequently, women’s substantial representation in parliament is frequently measured by the appointment of women in powerful and prestigious committees. However, there is relatively little knowledge about how the politics of committee assignment operates, especially in Asian democracies, home to the majority of the world’s women. In this article, the Indonesian case is used to explore two issues, which are the gendered division of committees and the impact of Islam as a party ideology in assigning women to committees. Using a quantitative approach, this article examines a unique dataset of committee assignments in Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) from 2004 to 2014. Interviews with sitting parliamentarians are also used to complement the statistical analysis. The results show that gender bias is an enduring characteristic of Post-Suharto parliamentary politics and Islam as a party ideology is not solely accountable for this disparity in committee allocations.
Parties and American Administration
Authors: Merriman Ben
Published: November 2019

Public administration has long defined itself in distinction to politics. Reprising Weber and Goodnow’s view that public bureaucracies and parties are the two dominant organizational forms in modern politics, this essay argues that the more relevant distinction is between administration and parties: in a representative democracy, parties are administration’s inevitable rival. Important aspects of American institutional and administrative design sought to curb partisan influence over administration, but with necessarily temporary and partial success. Today, partisanship hinders administrative efficacy and is driving contraction of administrative capacity. More significantly, partisans have learned to use the forms of administration to pursue ideological goals inimical to core public administrative values of efficiency and equity. It is now urgent for public administration, despite a reasonable aversion to discussing partisanship, to confront the intense, ongoing partisan challenge to the working of American administrative institutions.
Resolvin D1 promotes efferocytosis in aging by limiting senescent cell‐induced MerTK cleavage
Authors: Rymut Nicholas , Heinz Justin , Sadhu Sudeshna , Hosseini Zeinab , Riley Colin O. , Marinello Michael , Maloney Jackson , MacNamara Katherine C. , Spite Matthew , Fredman Gabrielle
Published: November 2019

Inflammation‐resolution is mediated by the balance between specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs) like resolvin D1 (RvD1) and pro‐inflammatory factors, like leukotriene B4 (LTB4). A key cellular process of inflammation‐resolution is efferocytosis. Aging is associated with defective inflammation‐resolution and the accumulation of pro‐inflammatory senescent cells (SCs). Therefore, understanding mechanism(s) that underpin this impairment is a critical gap. Here, using a model of hind limb ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) remote lung injury, we present evidence that aging is associated with heightened inflammation, impaired SPM:LT ratio, defective efferocytosis, and a decrease in MerTK levels in injured lungs. Treatment with RvD1 mitigated I/R lung injury in aging, promoted efferocytosis, and prevented the decrease of MerTK in injured lungs from old mice. Old MerTK cleavage‐resistant mice (MerTKCR) exhibited less neutrophils or polymorpho nuclear cells infiltration and had improved efferocytosis compared with old WT controls. Mechanistically, macrophages that were treated with conditioned media (CM) from senescent cells had increased MerTK cleavage, impaired efferocytosis, and a defective RvD1:LTB4 ratio. Macrophages from MerTKCR mice were resistant to CM‐induced efferocytosis defects and had an improved RvD1:LTB4 ratio. RvD1‐stimulated macrophages prevented CM‐induced MerTK cleavage and promoted efferocytosis. Together, these data suggest a new mechanism and a potential therapy to promote inflammation‐resolution and efferocytosis in aging.
Immunohistochemistry and Special Stains in Medical Liver Pathology
Authors: Clark Ian , Torbenson Michael S.
Published: November 2019

Histochemical and immunostains are routinely used to evaluate medical liver biopsy specimens. The use of these special stains allows the identification of more clinically important information than is available on hematoxylin and eosin stains alone. These special stains are important for evaluating active and chronic injury and for establishing a specific diagnosis. The skillful use of these stains greatly improves patient care. Information on the use of special stains can be scattered in different sources, making the information hard to access. In this article, the use of special stains in medical liver biopsies is concisely reviewed.
Modelling cell surface dynamics and cell–cell interactions using Cell Studio: a three-dimensional visualization tool based on gaming technology
Authors: Liberman Asaf , Mussel Matan , Kario Danny , Sprinzak David , Nevo Uri
Published: November 2019

Predictive modelling of complex biological systems and biophysical interactions requires the inclusion of multiple nano- and micro-scale events. In many scenarios, however, numerical solutions alone do not necessarily enhance the understanding of the system. Instead, this work explores the use of an agent-based model with visualization capabilities to elucidate interactions between single cells. We present a model of juxtacrine signalling, using Cell Studio, an agent-based modelling system, based on gaming and three-dimensional visualization tools. The main advantages of the system are its ability to apply any cell geometry and to dynamically visualize the diffusion and interactions of the molecules within the cells in real time. These provide an excellent tool for obtaining insight about different biological scenarios, as the user may view the dynamics of a system and observe its emergent behaviour as it unfolds. The agent-based model was validated against the results of a mean-field model of Notch receptors and ligands in two neighbouring cells. The conversion to an agent-based model is described in detail. To demonstrate the advantages of the model, we further created a filopodium-mediated signalling model. Our model revealed that diffusion and endocytosis alone are insufficient to produce significant signalling in a filopodia scenario. This is due to the bottleneck at the cell–filopodium contact region and the long distance to the end of the filopodium. However, allowing active transport of ligands into filopodia enhances the signalling significantly compared with a face-to-face scenario. We conclude that the agent-based approach can provide insights into mechanisms underlying cell signalling. The open-source model can be found in the Internet hosting service GitHub.
Competition between delamination and tearing in multiple peeling problems
Authors: Brely Lucas , Bosia Federico , Palumbo Stefania , Fraldi Massimiliano , Dhinojwala Ali , Pugno Nicola M.
Published: November 2019

Adhesive attachment systems consisting of multiple tapes or strands are commonly found in nature, for example in spider web anchorages or in mussel byssal threads, and their structure has been found to be ingeniously architected in order to optimize mechanical properties: in particular, to maximize dissipated energy before full detachment. These properties emerge from the complex interplay between mechanical and geometric parameters, including tape stiffness, adhesive energy, attached and detached lengths and peeling angles, which determine the occurrence of three main mechanisms: elastic deformation, interface delamination and tape fracture. In this paper, we introduce a formalism to evaluate the mechanical performance of multiple tape attachments in different parameter ranges, where an optimal (not maximal) adhesion energy emerges. We also introduce a numerical model to simulate the multiple peeling behaviour of complex structures, illustrating its predictions in the case of the staple-pin architecture. Finally, we present a proof-of-principle experiment to illustrate the predicted behaviour. We expect the presented formalism and the numerical model to provide important tools for the design of bioinspired adhesive systems with tuneable or optimized detachment properties.
Behavioural laterality in foraging bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops truncatus
)
Authors: Kaplan J. Daisy , Goodrich Samantha Y. , Melillo-Sweeting Kelly , Reiss Diana
Published: November 2019

Lateralized behaviour is found in humans and a wide variety of other species. At a population level, lateralization of behaviour suggests hemispheric specialization may underlie this behaviour. As in other cetaceans, dolphins exhibit a strong right-side bias in foraging behaviour. Common bottlenose dolphins in The Bahamas use a foraging technique termed ‘crater feeding’, in which they swim slowly along the ocean floor, scanning the substrate using echolocation, and then bury their rostrums into the sand to obtain prey. The bottlenose dolphins off Bimini, The Bahamas, frequently execute a sharp turn before burying their rostrums in the sand. Based on data collected from 2012 to 2018, we report a significant right-side (left turn) bias in these dolphins. Out of 709 turns recorded from at least 27 different individuals, 99.44% (
n
= 705) were to the left (right side and right eye down) [
z
= 3.275,
p
= 0.001]. Only one individual turned right (left side and left eye down, 4/4 turns). We hypothesize that this right-side bias may be due in part to the possible laterization of echolocation production mechanisms, the dolphins' use of the right set of phonic lips to produce echolocation clicks, and a right eye (left hemisphere) advantage in visual discrimination and visuospatial processing.
The effects of vessel noise on the communication network of humpback whales
Authors: Dunlop Rebecca A.
Published: November 2019

Humpback whales rely on acoustic communication to mediate social interactions. The distance to which these social signals propagate from the signaller defines its communication space, and therefore communication network (number of potential receivers). As humpback whales migrate along populated coastlines, they are likely to encounter noise from vessel traffic which will mask their social signals. Since no empirical data exist on baleen whale hearing, the consequences of this are usually assumed, being the modelled reduction in their communication space. Here, the communication space and network of migrating humpback whales was compared in increasing wind-dominated and vessel-dominated noise. Behavioural data on their social interactions were then used to inform these models. In typical wind noise, a signaller's communication space was estimated to extend to 4 km, which agreed with the maximum separation distance between groups that socially interacted. An increase in vessel noise reduced the modelled communication area, along with a significant reduction in group social interactions, probably due to a reduction in their communication network. However, signal masking did not fully explain this change in social behaviour, implying there was also an additional effect of the physical presence of the vessel on signaller and receiver behaviour. Though these observed changes in communication space and social behaviour were likely to be short term and localized, an increase in vessel activity due to tourism and coastal population growth may cause more sustained changes along the humpback whale migration paths.
Peanut meal-based wood adhesives enhanced by urea and epichlorohydrin
Authors: Chen Chen , Chen Fusheng , Liu Boye , Du Yan , Liu Chen , Xin Ying , Liu Kunlun
Published: November 2019

Peanut meal (PM) has recently emerged as a potential protein source for wood adhesives, owing to superior features such as high availability, renewability and eco-friendliness. However, the poor properties of unmodified PM-based wood adhesives, compared with their petroleum-derived counterparts, limit their use in high-performance applications. In order to promote the application of PM-based wood adhesives in plywood industry, urea (U) and epichlorohydrin (ECH) were used to enhance the properties of the adhesives and the modification mechanism was investigated. PM-based wood adhesives made with U and ECH were shown to possess sufficient water resistance and exhibited higher apparent viscosity and solid content than without. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results suggested that U denatured PM protein and expose more reactive groups, allowing ECH to react better with U-treated PM protein to form a dense, cross-linked network which was the main reason for the improvement of the properties. The crystallinity increased from 2.7% to 11% compared with the control, indicating that the molecular structure of the resultant adhesive modified by U and ECH became more regular and compact owing to the cross-linked network structure. Thermogravimetry tests showed that decomposition temperature of the protein skeleton structure increased from 307°C to 314°C after U and ECH modification. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that using U and ECH for adhesives resulted in a smooth protein surface which prevented moisture penetration and improved water resistance. PM-based adhesives thus represent potential candidates to replace petroleum-derived adhesives in the plywood industry, which will effectively promote the rapid development of eco-friendly adhesives and increase the added value of PM.
Carbonodraco lundigen et sp. nov., the oldest parareptile, from Linton, Ohio, and new insights into the early radiation of reptiles
Authors: Mann Arjan , McDaniel Emily J. , McColville Emily R. , Maddin Hillary C.
Published: November 2019

Redescription of the holotype specimen ofCephalerpeton ventriarmatumMoodie, 1912, from the Middle Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) Francis Creek Shale of Mazon Creek, Illinois, confirms that it is a basal eureptile with close postcranial similarities to other protorothyridids, such asAnthracodromeusandPaleothyris. The skull is long and lightly built, with large orbits and a dorsoventrally short mandible similar to most basal eureptiles. Two specimens referred previously toCephalerpetoncf.C.ventriarmatumfrom the approximately coeval Linton, Ohio, locality differ significantly from the holotype in cranial and mandibular proportions and tooth morphology. This material and an additional Linton specimen compare favourably to ‘short-faced’ parareptiles, such asColobomycterandAcleistorhinus, and justify recognition of an acleistorhinid parareptile in the Linton assemblage. The new binomen is thus the oldest known parareptile.
Spider mite mothers adjust reproduction and sons' alternative reproductive tactics to immigrating alien conspecifics
Authors: Schausberger Peter , Gotoh Tetsuo , Sato Yukie
Published: November 2019

Maternal effects on environmentally induced alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are poorly understood but likely to be selected for if mothers can reliably predict offspring environments. We assessed maternal effects in two populations (Y and G) of herbivorous arrhenotokous spider mites
Tetranychus urticae
, where males conditionally express fighting and sneaking tactics in male–male combat and pre-copulatory guarding behaviour. We hypothesized that resident mothers should adjust their reproduction and sons’ ARTs to immigrating alien conspecifics in dependence of alien conspecifics posing a fitness threat or advantage. To induce maternal effects, females were exposed to own or alien socio-environments and mated to own or alien males. Across maternal and sons' reproductive traits, the maternal socio-environment induced stronger effects than the maternal mate, and G-mothers responded more strongly to Y-influence than vice versa. G-socio-environments and Y-mates enhanced maternal egg production in both populations. Maternal exposure to G-socio-environments demoted, yet maternal Y-mates promoted, guarding occurrence and timing by sons. Sneakers guarded earlier than fighters in Y-environments, whereas the opposite happened in G-environments. The endosymbiont
Cardinium
, present in G, did not exert any classical effect but may have played a role via the shared plant. Our study highlights interpopulation variation in immediate and anticipatory maternal responses to immigrants.