bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Interventions to Reduce Multiple-Threat Conflicts and Improve Pedestrian Safety
Authors: Morris Nichole L. , Craig Curtis M. , Van Houten Ron
Published: April 2020

When a driver stops for a pedestrian, the pedestrian may be struck by a second driver traveling in the same direction of travel in the next lane, a scenario known as a multiple-threat crash. Prior studies primarily focused on yielding distance as a proxy measure for measuring multiple-threat risk. This paper details a multifaceted high visibility enforcement program with an emphasis on reducing multiple-threat risks to pedestrians, by directly measuring observed multiple-threat passing at unsignalized, marked crosswalks. The objective of the study was to increase driver compliance with crosswalk laws and reduce multiple-threat passing. The second objective of the study was to determine which other factors are predictive of multiple-threat passing rates. At 16 selected sites, coders observed driver behavior with special attention given to any drivers who passed a stopped or yielding vehicle in the same direction of travel. For baseline measurements, multiple-threat passing was observed at 11.86% of crossings. After sustained education, enforcement, and engineering efforts across several months, not only did driver yielding rates improve, but multiple-threat passing declined to 3.17% at the end of the program. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that advance stop lines are directly associated with fewer multiple-threat passes and that higher speeds are associated with more multiple-threat passes. This finding demonstrates the efficacy of this intervention approach not only on increasing yielding for pedestrians but also for reducing the risk of multiple-threat crashes.
Vulnérabilité au Trouble Bipolaire: La Piste de la Vitamine D
Authors: Naifar Manel , Maalej Bouali Manel , Guidara Wassim , Ellouze Ahmed Slim , Jmal Khalil , Omri Sana , Messedi Meriam , Zouari Lobna , Elleuch Aida , Maalej Mohamed , Chaabouni Khansa , Charfi Nada , Turki Mouna , Jihène Ben Thabet , Ayadi Fatma
Published: April 2020

Objectifs :

L’étiopathogénie du trouble bipolaire (TB) demeure non encore bien élucidée. Récemment, il a été prouvé que la 25-hydroxy-vitamine D(25OHD) a un rôle anti-inflammatoire et neuroprotecteur. Nos objectifs étaient de mesurer les concentrations plasmatiques de la 25OHD chez des patients atteints de TB en décompensation aigue et de les comparer à celles de patients souffrant de schizophrénie (SCZ) ou de trouble schizo-affectif (TSA) et à celles de témoins sains

Méthodes :

Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale de type cas-témoins qui a inclus des patients de sexe masculin hospitalisés pour une décompensation de leur maladie et chez qui les diagnostics de TB, SCZ, ou de TSA ont été retenus selon les critères du (DSM-5). Le groupe témoin a été constitué de sujets sains non apparentés, appariés selon l’age et le sexe.

Résultats :

La concentration de la 25OHD était significativement plus élevée uniquement chez les patients atteints de TB par rapport aux témoins. la 25OHD était aussi corrélée positivement à l’échelle PANSS (r = 0.282, p < 0.001) et aux différents scores de l’échelle MOCA (r = 0.326, p = 0.006) ainsi qu’aux dimensions concernant la capacité d’abstraction, d’attention et la mémoire . A l’analyse multivariée, la décompensation aigue du TB était liée de manière indépendante à l’élévation de la 25OHD plasmatique (p = 0.012; OR = 1.157, [1.032 -1.297]).

Conclusion :

Notre étude a montré que la décompensation aigue des TB était associée à une élévation de la synthèse de la 25OHD plasmatique. Toutefois, la pertinence du dosage de la vitamine D comme biomarqueur de cette maladie mérite d’être vérifiée par d’autres études.
Additive manufacturing and topology optimization: A design strategy for a steering column mounting bracket considering overhang constraints
Authors: Mantovani Sara , Campo Giuseppe A , Ferrari Andrea
Published: April 2020

In the present paper, the use of the topology optimization in a metal Additive Manufacturing application is discussed and applied to an automotive Body-in-White component called dash. The dash is in the front area of the Body-in-White, between the left-hand-side shock-tower and the Cross Car Beam, and its task is to support the steering column. The dash under investigation is an asymmetric rib-web aluminium casting part. The influence of Additive Manufacturing constraints together with modal and stiffness targets is investigated in view of mass reduction. The constraints drive the topology result towards a feasible and fully self-supporting Additive Manufacturing solution. A simplified finite element model of the steering column and of the Body-in-White front area is presented, and the limiting assumption of isotropic material for Additive Manufacturing is discussed. The optimization problem is solved with a gradient-based method relying on the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization and on the RAtional Material with Penalization algorithms, considering the overhang angle constraint with given build directions. Three metals are tested: steel, aluminium and magnesium alloys. Topology optimization results with and without overhang angle constraints are discussed and compared. The aluminium solution, preferred for its lesser weight, has been preliminarily redesigned following the optimization results. The new dash concept has been validated by finite element considering stiffness, modal responses, and buckling resistance targets. The proposed dash design weighs 721 g compared to the 1537 g of the reference dash, with a weight reduction of 53%, for the same structural targets.
Analysis of dynamic stall flow field of high bypass fan rotor based on airworthiness certification
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang AJ
Published: April 2020

In order to ensure flight safety, the stall test is one of the most important steps in the airworthiness certification phase of civil aircraft. The twisted-swept fan is one of the most important components of the high bypass ratio engine. The unsteady flow field of the fan rotor stall condition is obtained by numerical simulation. At the same time, the time series flow field data of the stall condition flow field is acquired. The modal analysis of the unsteady flow field at stall condition was performed using the dynamic mode decomposition and proper orthogonal decomposition methods. Through modal identification of a large number of unsteady flow field data, the eigenvalues and corresponding modal information about the unsteady flow field change process are obtained. Finally, the evolution process of the unsteady flow field of the fan rotor under stall condition is visually demonstrated, and the coherent structures of different scales in the complex flow field under stall condition are revealed.
Carvedilol safeguards against aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats
Authors: Ahmed I , Elkablawy MA , El-Agamy DS , Bazarbay AA , Ahmed N
Published: April 2020

This study investigated the effect of carvedilol on aspirin-induced gastric damage. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Control rats received the vehicle, while the aspirin group received aspirin (200 mg/kg) orally for 4 days. Rats of aspirin + carvedilol group were administered aspirin along with carvedilol (5 mg/kg; intraperitoneal) for 4 days. Animals were euthanized at the end of the treatment period, and gastric tissues were collected to perform histopathological and mechanistic studies. The results revealed that aspirin administration induced gastric ulcer as there were remarkable histopathological lesions in the form of marked necrosis, inflammation, hemorrhage, edema, and dysplastic changes. Lipid peroxidative markers such as malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and protein carbonyl were significantly elevated in the aspirin group. This was concurrent with a significant amelioration of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Furthermore, aspirin increased the immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). Aspirin induced elevation in the inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β. Aspirin enhanced the immunoexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and increased the level of nitrite/nitrate in gastric tissue. On the other hand, carvedilol treatment reversed all these pathological changes. Carvedilol succeeded to enhance antioxidants in gastric tissue, attenuated lipid peroxidative parameters, and suppressed the release of inflammatory mediators. It attenuated the immunoexpression of COX-2, NF-κB, and iNOS. Collectively, carvedilol has a gastro-protective effect that could be attributed to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which modulate NF-κB/COX-2/iNOS pathways.
It’s Wrong, but that’s the Way it is. Youth, Violence and Justice in North-Eastern Brazil
Authors: Zoettl Peter Anton
Published: April 2020

This article discusses the vertiginous proliferation of violence suffered and perpetrated by juveniles in the state of Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. Based on documentary and ethnographic evidence, it anatomizes the workings of law enforcement, juvenile justice and juvenile custody. It argues that the strategies of the police, the criminologies put into practice by the judiciary and the functioning of Youth Detention Centres collaborate to foster, rather than curb, youth offending and the violence committed by and against young citizens. Whereas prosecution and the dispensation of justice emphasize juvenile offenders’ responsibility for their ‘decision’ to become a ‘bandit’, juvenile custody, as a result of deep-rooted clientelist practices, is dominated by precarious conditions of incarceration which promote internal violence and the (self)ascription of a deviant juvenile identity. At the same time, the Othering of large sections of youth from the urban periphery has fuelled a vicious cycle of violence and counter-violence between members of drug factions and police forces, resulting in an increasing illegibility of the state at its margins.
Before Sending About Janusz Korczak School and Silence
Authors: Rogalska Elżbieta
Published: April 2020

The article presents the process of creating publications about Janusz Korczak, school and silence using the autoetnographic method. It contains the author’s numerous dilemmas and theoretical inspirations used to create the publication. This publication is available on the Internet in Polish. This poem describes what thoughts the scientist has when writing about the things he researched. Especially if the scientist thinks that they could be helpful to children.
Using Bifactor Models to Examine the Predictive Validity of Hierarchical Constructs: Pros, Cons, and Solutions
Authors: Zhang Bo , Sun Tianjun , Cao Mengyang , Drasgow Fritz
Published: April 2020

The use of bifactor models has increased substantially in the past decade. However, bifactor models are prone to a nonidentification problem in the context of prediction that is not well recognized in the general research community. Moreover, the practical consequences of adopting different conceptualizations of hierarchical constructs when examining their predictive validity has received little attention. Therefore, Study 1 examined the statistical performance of bifactor models and investigated the effectiveness of an augmentation strategy to remedy the nonidentification problem. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the augmentation strategy is effective. The second simulation study demonstrated that researchers may arrive at different conclusions regarding the predictive validity of hierarchical constructs depending on their choice of models. In general, augmented bifactor models, which are restricted variants of the more general bifactor-(S·I-1) model, reasonably recovered the overall predictive validity ( R 2) of hierarchical constructs and led to correct substantive conclusions regarding the incremental validity of facets regardless of the true data-generation model given a sufficiently large sample ( n ≥ 600). The authors discussed implications of those findings and made practical recommendations for further users of bifactor models.
Systematic review of primary total hip arthroplasty using titanium-titanium modular-neck prostheses: the true risk of revision
Authors: Lex Johnathan R , Welch Matthew D , See Abbas , Edwards Thomas C , Stavropoulos Nikolaos A , Babis George C
Published: April 2020

Aims:

Modular-neck femoral implants are used to enable more variability in femoral neck version, offset and length. It has been reported that these implants carry a higher rate of revision. The aim of this review was to assess the overall and cause-specific revision rate of titanium-titanium alloy modular-neck implants in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and utilising multiple databases. All results were screened for eligibility. Studies published from 2000 onwards, using a current-generation, titanium-titanium, modular-neck implant were included. Overall and cause-specific revision rates were analysed, comparing to fixed-neck prostheses where applicable.

Results:

920 studies were screened. After applying exclusion criteria, 23 were assessed in full and 14 included. These consisted of 12 case series and 2 joint registry analyses. 21,841 patients underwent a modular-neck implant with a weighted mean follow-up of 5.7 years, mean age of 62.4 years, and average body mass index (BMI) of 28.4kg/m2. The overall revision rate was 3.95% and 2.98% for modular and fixed-neck prostheses, respectively. For studies with >5 years follow-up the mean revision rate was 3.08%. There was no difference in cause-specific revision rates by implant design. Mean improvement in Harris Hip Score was 41.9.

Conclusions:

At medium-term, revision rates for titanium-titanium primary modular-neck THA are acceptable. These prostheses are a sensible management option in patients with considerable anatomical hip deformity not amenable to correction with standard fixed-neck implants. Patients of male gender, high BMI and requiring prostheses with a larger neck, offset or head are at higher risk of implant failure.
Quality versus quantity: An assessment of the impact of Michelin-starred restaurants on tourism in Spain
Authors: Castillo-Manzano Jose I , Castro-Nuño Mercedes , Lopez-Valpuesta Lourdes , Zarzoso Álvaro
Published: April 2020

The number of internationally recognized Michelin-starred restaurants in a place is a new trend used to measure a tourist destination’s culinary standard. The purpose of this study is to close the gap created by the lack of econometric studies on the tourist attraction of Michelin-starred restaurants, especially in Spain. Panel data methodology is applied to 50 Spanish NUTS-3 regions over a broad time period (2000–2016) to assess the impact of Michelin-starred restaurants on tourism demand from both domestic and foreign tourists. The findings show that restaurant quality is more important than quantity in the gastronomy–tourism relationship and that Michelin-starred restaurants are a strong attraction for foreign tourists. Some policies are suggested, such as the development of Culinary Schools and marketing campaigns to promote haute cuisine tourism.
Understanding the effect of elastic wheels on an urban railway system using a new wheel–rail coupling vibration model
Authors: Tian JH , Lu XX , Ma GL , Bowen CR
Published: April 2020

In order to control the wheel–rail coupling vibration of an urban railway system, a combined elastic wheel damping structure is proposed where the key parameters that determine the structural damping and thereby control the vibration of the railway system are explored. The vertical acceleration of the elastic wheels is obtained for a range of stiffness coefficients as the wheel moves on an irregular track, which is calculated by the [Formula: see text] method in the time domain. The results show that the vertical acceleration changes with a V-shaped trend, with an increase of wheel stiffness coefficient, which allows the optimum stiffness coefficient for minimum vertical acceleration of the elastic wheel to be obtained. It is observed that when attempting to suppress wheel vibration, an elastic wheel with a larger stiffness coefficient is needed as the degree of track irregularity reduces. This paper provides new insights into the effect of wheel elasticity on vibration characteristics, and thereby provides directions to improve ride quality and passenger comfort.
Examining public stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and its correlates among Korean Americans
Authors: Lee Sang E , Hong Michin , Casado Banghwa L
Published: April 2020

This study examined public stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among Korean Americans and identified factors affecting their public stigma. Data used in the study were collected using a cross-sectional survey with 268 Korean Americans. Guided by attribution theory, different domains of public stigma were assessed: pity, antipathy, and social distance. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to AD, social networking, and AD knowledge on each stigma domain. The influence of emotional attributions (pity and antipathy) on behavioral attributions (social distance) in the stigma process suggested in attribution theory was also examined. Results show that pity is most prevalent followed by social distance and antipathy. Being more proficient in English, knowing fewer relatives/friends with AD, and knowing less about AD risk factors are associated with having more pity stigma. Being less socially engaged and knowing less about AD risk factors are related to having more antipathy stigma. Being younger and more proficient in English and having stronger antipathy stigma are associated with having more social distance stigma. Findings reveal multifaceted nature of public stigma associated with AD in Korean Americans and suggest that we need to work on both positive and negative sides of public stigma for stigma change. Findings of different factors associated with each public stigma domain can be considered when trying to foster and/or reduce certain stigmatic beliefs and behaviors associated with AD.
Thermal and rheological properties of self-fabricated polyethylene glycol-plasticized poly(lactic acid) filaments for fused deposition modeling
Authors: Nor Ashikin Nor Fazreeniza , Shuib Raa Khimi , Ku Ishak Ku Marsilla , Hamid Zuratul Ain Abdul , Abdullah Muhammad Khalil , Rusli Arjulizan
Published: April 2020

In this work, thermal and rheological properties of self-fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) filaments without and with 10-wt% polyethylene glycol (PLA/0PEG and PLA/10PEG, respectively) were investigated, and the properties were compared with a commercial PLA filament used for fused deposition modeling (FDM). The result showed that the melt flow index for self-fabricated filaments was comparable with commercial filaments at approximately 10 g/10 min at 190°C, suggesting suitability to be used as filament for FDM with well-wetted layers. Variation in thermal properties was found in PLA/10PEG with 20°C higher cold crystallization temperature ( T cc) after FDM in which disruption of the molecular arrangement reduced the ability for chain alignment and folding. The result also revealed that addition of PEG decreased the storage modulus ( G′), loss modulus ( G″), and complex viscosity ( η*), resulting in slow crystallization behavior, and however, the properties did not induce degradation of the filaments and printing products.
Thigh sarcopenia and hypoalbuminemia predict impaired overall survival after infrainguinal revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia
Authors: Morisaki Koichi , Furuyama Tadashi , Matsubara Yutaka , Inoue Kentaro , Kurose Shun , Yoshino Shinichiro , Nakayama Ken , Yamashita Sho , Yoshiya Keiji , Mori Masaki
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study was performed to determine whether thigh sarcopenia can serve as a clinically relevant predictor of postoperative complications and overall survival after revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Methods

Patients who underwent preoperative computed tomography followed by infrainguinal revascularization from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. An axial computed tomography image was obtained at the midpoint of a line extending from the superior border of the patella to the greater trochanter of the femur. The thigh muscle area and bone area were measured. Thigh sarcopenia was defined as thigh muscle area/thigh bone area of <9.

Results

We included 117 patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent infrainguinal revascularization. The overall survival rates at two years were 86.5% and 55.1% in the thigh sarcopenia (−) and (+) groups, respectively ( p < 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed that thigh sarcopenia (hazard ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–6.70; p = 0.03), cerebrovascular disease (hazard ratio, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–7.36; p = 0.01), and serum albumin level (1 g/dL per increments) (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.21–0.81; p = 0.01) were the risk factors for overall survival two years after revascularization.

Conclusion

Thigh sarcopenia is a risk factor for two-year overall survival in patients with critical limb ischemia after infrainguinal revascularization.
Faction Politics in an Interrupted Democracy: the Case of Thailand
Authors: Chambers Paul , Waitoolkiat Napisa
Published: April 2020

Though dominated by the monarchy and military, Thailand in 2020 has a highly factionalised, political party system ensconced within a defective democracy. When not under military rule, such a situation has been common. The country’s excessive level of factionalism across parties and over time is due to a long history of regionalised and decentralised parties that have invariably been dependent upon finance from faction leaders who have rarely been reined in by laws to limit factionalism. Only under Thaksin Shinawatra (2001–2006), did factionalism diminish in importance on the national level owing partly to 1997 constitutional alterations. Following a 2006 coup and the 2007 adoption of a military-endorsed constitution, a high level of intra-party factionalism returned across parties. Though the 2014 coup again ended the country’s faction-ridden democracy, the 2019 general election resurrected factionalism, which guaranteed weakness for party politics while benefiting the aristocracy and military.
Inhibitory Effects of Indole-3-Acetonitrile-4-Methoxy-2-S-Β-d-Glucopyranoside From Nasturtium officinale R. Br on Human Kallikrein 5 and 7 Protease
Authors: Kim Yu Mi , Bae Kyung Suk
Published: April 2020

The stratum corneum tryptic enzyme kallikrein 5 (KLK5) is a serine protease that is involved in the cell renewal and maintenance of the skin barrier functions. The excessive activation of KLK5 causes an exacerbation of dermatoses, such as rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (Brassicaceae) is a hardy perennial plant native to Europe and commonly called “Watercress” or “Cresson,” which is one of the brassica vegetables. We aimed to investigate whether the bioactive sulfur-containing compound inhibits the KLK5 protease. The sulfur-containing compounds were evaluated using an enzymatic assay to measure the anti-KLK5 activity. Our study revealed that the sulfur-containing compound inhibits the KLK5 and 7 protease activity. Indole-3-acetonitrile-4-methoxy-2-S-β-d-glucopyranoside may affect the skin barrier and atopic function via the regulation of proteases.
Bond integrity and microleakage of dentin-bonded crowns cemented with bioactive cement in comparison to resin cements: in vitro study
Authors: Vohra Fahim , Altwaim Manea , Alshuwaier Abdulaziz S , Alomayri Abdullah , Al Deeb Modhi , AlFawaz Yasser F , Alrabiah Mohammed , Al Ahdal Khold , Al Deeb Laila , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: April 2020

Objective:

The aim was to compare restorative marginal integrity of ceramic crowns luted with bioactive and resin cements using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) microleakage evaluations and bond strength assessment.

Methods:

Thirty molar teeth were prepared by sectioning and polishing for dentin exposure for resin cement build-ups. Teeth were randomly divided among three groups of cements: (1) bioactive (ACTIVA); (2) glass ionomer cement (GIC; Ketac Cem); and (3) resin luting agent (Nexus 3). Bonding regime and build-ups (4 mm × 2 mm) were performed using the recommended protocol. For microleakage assessment, 30 premolar teeth were prepared for dentin-bonded crowns using lithium disilicate ceramic and the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technique. Crowns were cemented with standard load, cement amount, and duration using three cements (Group A: bioactive; Group B: GIC; Group C: resin) and photopolymerized. Cemented crowns were evaluated for volumetric infiltration using micro-CT (Skyscan, Bruker 1173- at 86 kV, 93 µA, 620 ms) after immersion in 50% solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3) (24 hours). Shear bond strength (SBS) was assessed by fracture of cement build-ups at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min in a universal testing machine.

Results:

Mean SBS among bioactive (21.54 ± 3.834 MPa) specimens was significantly higher than that for GIC (14.08 ± 3.25 MPa) specimens ( p < 0.01), but they were comparable to resin samples ( p > 0.05) (24.73 ± 4.32 MPa). Microleakage was significantly lower in crowns luted with bioactive (0.381 ± 0.134) cement compared to GIC (1.057 ± 0.399 mm3) ( p < 0.01) and resin (0.734 ± 0.166 mm3) ( p = 0.014) cemented crowns. The type of luting agent had a significant influence on the microleakage of crowns and bond strength to dentin ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Bioactive cement exhibited less microleakage and comparable SBS to resin luting agents in in vitro conditions.
Hope in the ruins: Seeds, plants, and possibilities of regeneration
Authors: Meneley Anne
Published: April 2020

As space in the West Bank is increasingly threatened, Palestinians are turning to agro-activism to reclaim it. Alongside the established olive activism, there has been a flourishing of generative projects by which my interlocutors attempt to reclaim their space from the environmental damages of the ongoing occupation. I situate these regenerative practices in anthropological discourses about imperial ruins and the blasted landscapes of capitalist ruins. In Palestine, the debris of Israeli military incursions and the ruination of the environment with “security” infrastructures like the Wall produce ongoing occupation ruins. However, as in Tsing’s work—where ruins are presented as productive of new possibilities—here, too, hope underpins my interlocutors’ projects of planting, saving, and regenerating seeds. Their projects involve reclaiming nature through heritage seeds, eco-farming initiatives, farming cooperatives, and food circulation initiatives, thereby encouraging Palestinian food reclamation. Through their activism, Palestinians regenerate a sense of value in themselves and their futures as they attempt to reclaim their landscapes in an embodied way, rather than giving in to ruination.
‘I stick to this side of the park’: Parks as shared spaces in contemporary Belfast
Authors: Lang Luciana , Mell Ian
Published: April 2020

This paper presents the results of the ‘Beyond the Peace Walls’ pilot project, which examined the role of urban parks in Belfast, a city marked by a history of sectarianism. It explores the interface of culture, inclusivity and belonging through the concept of ‘shared spaces’ following the rationale that has guided policy-making in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. By examining the alternative narratives of the historical role of public parks, as spaces of community making, alongside recent efforts to overcome sectarianism, it investigates how the lived experience of parks articulated through the concept of ‘shared spaces’ is understood by policy-makers and local communities. The research draws on material collected in conversations with park goers framed by comparative analysis of research undertaken in other segregated cities to explore the extent to which urban design curbs or reinforces segregation. Findings reveal ongoing tensions between the neutralisation and the signification of space underlying place restructuring in Belfast rejecting the claim that parks are ‘neutral’ compared to other ‘interface’ locations. We argue that parks are not neutral spaces: people have very clear understandings of the demarcation of space within parks, even if the markers are not visible for all to see. Signifiers are perceived through gestures, language, names and activities, while shared spaces embody historically informed values and constraints. We also suggest that formal planning and management of shared spaces in Belfast need to be constantly evolving to meet the fluid needs and aspirations of the city’s population, while taking into account the historical and affective relevance of physical and ethno-political segregation.
Nutritional and Functional Properties of Wild Food-Medicine Plants From the Coastal Region of South China
Authors: Xu Yuan , Liang Dan , Wang Gang-Tao , Wen Jun , Wang Rui-Jiang
Published: April 2020

Food-medicine plants play an important role in providing nutrition and treating chronic diseases, especially in many minority communities and developing regions. The coastal region of South China has abundant resources of medicinal plants. A long history of cross-cultural medicinal practices among different minority groups has facilitated the development of a remarkable dietary culture by using food-medicine plants. However, integrative ethnobotanical research on both nutritional and functional properties of the food-medicine plants in this region is still limited. In this study, 27 commonly used wild food-medicine plants were recorded and analyzed from the coastal region of South China. Most of them are good sources for calcium (47.83-1099.89 mg/100 g fresh weight), dietary fiber (3.00-31.87 mg/100 g fresh weight), iron (1.17-24.73 mg/100 g fresh weight), and vitamin C (0.44-68.32 mg/100 g fresh weight). Solanum americanum has the highest average nutritive value and is also considered to be good sources for proteins (7.90 g/100 g fresh weight). Medicinal properties of the studied species can be classified into 8 categories: treatment of the damp-heat syndrome, digestive diseases, urologic diseases, arthropathy, respiratory diseases, gynecological diseases, snake or insect bites, and uses as a tonic. Treating the damp-heat syndrome or expelling warm pathogenic factors is the most commonly used ethnomedicinal practice in the study area. The present study highlights that the local ethnomedicinal practices are deeply influenced by local natural conditions and customs. Food-medicine plants with superior key nutrients have been used regularly in the diet as medicinal food to alleviate common endemic diseases.
Treg sensitivity to FasL and relative IL-2 deprivation drive idiopathic aplastic anemia immune dysfunction
Authors: Lim Shok Ping , Costantini Benedetta , Mian Syed A. , Perez Abellan Pilar , Gandhi Shreyans , Martinez Llordella Marc , Lozano Juan Jose , Antunes dos Reis Rita , Povoleri Giovanni A. M. , Mourikis Thanos P. , Abarrategi Ander , Ariza-McNaughton Linda , Heck Susanne , Irish Jonathan M. , Lombardi Giovanna , Marsh Judith C. W. , Bonnet Dominique , Kordasti Shahram , Mufti Ghulam J.
Published: April 2020

Idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) has 2 key characteristics: an autoimmune response against hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) deficiency. We have previously demonstrated reduction in a specific subpopulation of Treg in AA, which predicts response to immunosuppression. The aims of the present study were to define mechanisms of Treg subpopulation imbalance and identify potential for therapeutic intervention. We have identified 2 mechanisms that lead to skewed Treg composition in AA: first, FasL-mediated apoptosis on ligand interaction; and, second, relative interleukin-2 (IL-2) deprivation. We have shown that IL-2 augmentation can overcome these mechanisms. Interestingly, when high concentrations of IL-2 were used for in vitro Treg expansion cultures, AA Tregs were able to expand. The expanded populations expressed a high level of p-BCL-2, which makes them resistant to apoptosis. Using a xenograft mouse model, the function and stability of expanded AA Tregs were tested. We have shown that these Tregs were able to suppress the macroscopic clinical features and tissue manifestations of T-cell–mediated graft-versus-host disease. These Tregs maintained their suppressive properties as well as their phenotype in a highly inflammatory environment. Our findings provide an insight into the mechanisms of Treg reduction in AA. We have identified novel targets with potential for therapeutic interventions. Supplementation of ex vivo expansion cultures of Tregs with high concentrations of IL-2 or delivery of IL-2 directly to patients could improve clinical outcomes in addition to standard immunosuppressive therapy.
Human lipopolysaccharide models provide mechanistic and therapeutic insights into systemic and pulmonary inflammation
Authors: Brooks Daniel , Barr Laura C. , Wiscombe Sarah , McAuley Daniel F. , Simpson A. John , Rostron Anthony J.
Published: April 2020

Inflammation is a key feature in the pathogenesis of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Sepsis and ARDS continue to be associated with high mortality. A key contributory factor is the rudimentary understanding of the early events in pulmonary and systemic inflammation in humans, which are difficult to study in clinical practice, as they precede the patient's presentation to medical services. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a constituent of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is a trigger of inflammation and the dysregulated host response in sepsis. Human LPS models deliver a small quantity of LPS to healthy volunteers, triggering an inflammatory response and providing a window to study early inflammation in humans. This allows biological/mechanistic insights to be made and new therapeutic strategies to be tested in a controlled, reproducible environment from a defined point in time. We review the use of human LPS models, focussing on the underlying mechanistic insights that have been gained by studying the response to intravenous and pulmonary LPS challenge. We discuss variables that may influence the response to LPS before considering factors that should be considered when designing future human LPS studies.
Short-latency afferent inhibition and somato-sensory evoked potentials during the migraine cycle: surrogate markers of a cycling cholinergic thalamo-cortical drive?
Authors: Coppola Gianluca , Di Lenola Davide , Abagnale Chiara , Ferrandes Fabio , Sebastianelli Gabriele , Casillo Francesco , Di Lorenzo Cherubino , Serrao Mariano , Evangelista Maurizio , Schoenen Jean , Pierelli Francesco
Published: April 2020

Background

Short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) consists of motor cortex inhibition induced by sensory afferents and depends on the excitatory effect of cholinergic thalamocortical projections on inhibitory GABAergic cortical networks. Given the electrophysiological evidence for thalamo-cortical dysrhythmia in migraine, we studied SAI in migraineurs during and between attacks and searched for correlations with somatosensory habituation, thalamocortical activation, and clinical features.

Methods

SAI was obtained by conditioning the transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced motor evoked potential (MEP) with an electric stimulus on the median nerve at the wrist with random stimulus intervals corresponding to the latency of individual somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) N20 plus 2, 4, 6, or 8 ms. We recruited 30 migraine without aura patients, 16 between (MO), 14 during an attack (MI), and 16 healthy volunteers (HV). We calculated the slope of the linear regression between the unconditioned MEP amplitude and the 4-conditioned MEPs as a measure of SAI. We also measured SSEP amplitude habituation, and high-frequency oscillations (HFO) as an index of thalamo-cortical activation.

Results

Compared to HV, SAI, SSEP habituation and early SSEP HFOs were significantly reduced in MO patients between attacks, but enhanced during an attack. There was a positive correlation between degree of SAI and amplitude of early HFOs in HV, but not in MO or MI.

Conclusions

The migraine cycle-dependent variations of SAI and SSEP HFOs are further evidence that facilitatory thalamocortical activation (of GABAergic networks in the motor cortex for SAI), likely to be cholinergic, is reduced in migraine between attacks, but increased ictally.
Development and psychometric evaluation of waste separation beliefs and behaviors scale among female students of medical sciences university based on the extended parallel process model
Authors: Abbasi Aazam , Araban Marzieh , Heidari Zahra , Alidosti Masoumeh , Zamani-Alavijeh Fereshteh
Published: April 2020

Background

The increasing production of un-recycled waste is a great threat to public health. Therefore, assessment and measurement of people’s beliefs and perceptions with regard to these threats can contribute to the development of suitable educational messages promoting waste separation behaviors. This study aimed to carry out the scale development and psychometric evaluation of behaviors and beliefs associated with waste separation among female students.

Method

This methodological research was performed in 2019. The primary questionnaire was developed based on the assessment of waste separation beliefs and behaviors based on the extended parallel process model. Afterwards, to confirm the content and face validity of the research tool, the opinions of 14 faculty members and certain students were asked for, respectively. In order to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire, exploratory factor analysis was performed based on the data collected from 386 female students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The internal and external reliability of the tool was determined through estimating Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest based on intraclass correlation (ICC) index, respectively.

Results

The mean age and academic semester of the students were 22 ± 1.9 years and 5.58 ± 2.6, respectively. The primary version of the questionnaire was designed with 65 items; one item was omitted during the content validity process. Construct validity with factor analysis technique yielded nine dimensions including 64 items with a factor loading above 0.3. The overall reliability of the research tool was confirmed at Cronbach’s alpha of 0.87. Furthermore, the ICC of the entire questionnaire was 0.89.

Conclusion

According to the results of the study, the final 64-item questionnaire could be used by various researchers to assess waste separation beliefs and behaviors considering suitable psychometric features.
ppiGReMLIN: a graph mining based detection of conserved structural arrangements in protein-protein interfaces
Authors: Queiroz Felippe C. , Vargas Adriana M. P. , Oliveira Maria G. A. , Comarela Giovanni V. , Silveira Sabrina A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are fundamental in many biological processes and understanding these interactions is key for a myriad of applications including drug development, peptide design and identification of drug targets. The biological data deluge demands efficient and scalable methods to characterize and understand protein-protein interfaces. In this paper, we present ppiGReMLIN, a graph based strategy to infer interaction patterns in a set of protein-protein complexes. Our method combines an unsupervised learning strategy with frequent subgraph mining in order to detect conserved structural arrangements (patterns) based on the physicochemical properties of atoms on protein interfaces. To assess the ability of ppiGReMLIN to point out relevant conserved substructures on protein-protein interfaces, we compared our results to experimentally determined patterns that are key for protein-protein interactions in 2 datasets of complexes, Serine-protease and BCL-2.

Results

ppiGReMLIN was able to detect, in an automatic fashion, conserved structural arrangements that represent highly conserved interactions at the specificity binding pocket of trypsin and trypsin-like proteins from Serine-protease dataset. Also, for the BCL-2 dataset, our method pointed out conserved arrangements that include critical residue interactions within the conserved motif LXXXXD, pivotal to the binding specificity of BH3 domains of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins towards apoptotic suppressors. Quantitatively, ppiGReMLIN was able to find all of the most relevant residues described in literature for our datasets, showing precision of at least 69% up to 100% and recall of 100%.

Conclusions

ppiGReMLIN was able to find highly conserved structures on the interfaces of protein-protein complexes, with minimum support value of 60%, in datasets of similar proteins. We showed that the patterns automatically detected on protein interfaces by our method are in agreement with interaction patterns described in the literature.
Comparing copy-number profiles under multi-copy amplifications and deletions
Authors: Cordonnier Garance , Lafond Manuel
Published: April 2020

Background

During cancer progression, malignant cells accumulate somatic mutations that can lead to genetic aberrations. In particular, evolutionary events akin to segmental duplications or deletions can alter the copy-number profile (CNP) of a set of genes in a genome. Our aim is to compute the evolutionary distance between two cells for which only CNPs are known. This asks for the minimum number of segmental amplifications and deletions to turn one CNP into another. This was recently formalized into a model where each event is assumed to alter a copy-number by 1 or −1, even though these events can affect large portions of a chromosome.

Results

We propose a general cost framework where an event can modify the copy-number of a gene by larger amounts. We show that any cost scheme that allows segmental deletions of arbitrary length makes computing the distance strongly NP-hard. We then devise a factor 2 approximation algorithm for the problem when copy-numbers are non-zero and provide an implementation called . We evaluate our approach experimentally by reconstructing simulated cancer phylogenies from the pairwise distances inferred by and compare it against two other alternatives, namely the distance and the Euclidean distance.

Conclusions

The experimental results show that our distance yields more accurate phylogenies on average than these alternatives if the given CNPs are error-free, but that the distance is slightly more robust against error in the data. In all cases, our experiments show that either our approach or the approach should preferred over the Euclidean distance.
Whole-genome genotyping and resequencing reveal the association of a deletion in the complex interferon alpha gene cluster with hypothyroidism in dogs
Authors: Bianchi Matteo , Rafati Nima , Karlsson Åsa , Murén Eva , Rubin Carl-Johan , Sundberg Katarina , Andersson Göran , Kämpe Olle , Hedhammar Åke , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Rosengren Pielberg Gerli
Published: April 2020

Background

Hypothyroidism is a common complex endocrinopathy that typically has an autoimmune etiology, and it affects both humans and dogs. Genetic and environmental factors are both known to play important roles in the disease development. In this study, we sought to identify the genetic risk factors potentially involved in the susceptibility to the disease in the high-risk Giant Schnauzer dog breed.

Results

By employing genome-wide association followed by fine-mapping (top variantp-value = 5.7 × 10− 6), integrated with whole-genome resequencing and copy number variation analysis, we detected a ~ 8.9 kbp deletion strongly associated (p-value = 0.0001) with protection against development of hypothyroidism. The deletion is located between two predicted Interferon alpha (IFNA) genes and it may eliminate functional elements potentially involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. Remarkably, type I IFNs have been extensively associated to human autoimmune hypothyroidism and general autoimmunity. Nonetheless, the extreme genomic complexity of the associated region on CFA11 warrants further long-read sequencing and annotation efforts in order to ascribe functions to the identified deletion and to characterize the canineIFNAgene cluster in more detail.

Conclusions

Our results expand the current knowledge on genetic determinants of canine hypothyroidism by revealing a significant link with the human counterpart disease, potentially translating into better diagnostic tools across species, and may contribute to improved canine breeding strategies.
Coordinated mechanisms of leaves and roots in response to drought stress underlying full-length transcriptome profiling in Vicia sativa L
Authors: Min Xueyang , Lin Xiaoshan , NDAYAMBAZA Boniface , Wang Yanrong , Liu Wenxian
Published: April 2020

Background

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is an important self-pollinating annual forage legume and is of interest for drought prone regions as a protein source to feed livestock and human consumption. However, the development and production of common vetch are negatively affected by drought stress. Plants have evolved common or distinct metabolic pathways between the aboveground and underground in response to drought stress. Little is known regarding the coordinated response of aboveground and underground tissues of common vetch to drought stress.

Results

Our results showed that a total of 30,427 full-length transcripts were identified in 12 samples, with an average length of 2278.89 bp. Global transcriptional profiles of the above 12 samples were then analysed via Illumina-Seq. A total of 3464 and 3062 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the leaves and roots, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses identified that the dehydrin genes and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase were induced for the biosynthesis of proline and water conservation. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis results indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in hormone signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism, and various drought response candidate genes were also identified. Abscisic acid (ABA; the AREB/ABF-SnRK2 pathway) regulates the activity of AMY3 and BAM1 to induce starch degradation in leaves and increase carbon export to roots, which may be associated with the drought stress responses in common vetch. Among the co-induced transcription factors (TFs), AREB/ABF, bHLH, MYB, WRKY, and AP2/ERF had divergent expression patterns and may be key in the crosstalk between leaves and roots during adaption to drought stress. In transgenic yeast, the overexpression of four TFs increased yeast tolerance to osmotic stresses.

Conclusion

The multipronged approach identified in the leaves and roots broadens our understanding of the coordinated mechanisms of drought response in common vetch, and further provides targets to improve drought resistance through genetic engineering.