bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of Class I Price Differential Estimates for the Southeastern United States
Authors: Testuri Carlos E. , Kilmer Richard L. , Spreen Thomas
Published: May 2019

This study provides insight into the seasonality of Class I price differentials in the southeastern dairy industry. This is accomplished by analyzing monthly estimates of Class I price differentials obtained from the imputed price solution or dual solution of a generalized capacitated minimum cost network flow model of the dairy industry. A smooth seasonal pattern emerges through the monthly sequence with the lowest and highest estimated Class I price differentials occurring in April and September respectively. Miami and Jacksonville areas reach $ 5.40 and $ 4.36 per hundredweight in April and $ 6.79 and $ 5.53 per hundredweight in September.
Optimal Marketing Decisions for Feeder Cattle under Price and Production Risk
Authors: Wang Xuecai , Dorfman Jeffrey H. , McKissick John , Turner Steven C.
Published: May 2019

In many parts of the U.S., beef cattle production is a large sector of the agricultural economy, yet few of the cattle are stockered; instead the production is focused on cow-calf operations only. Restricting their Operation to only the first phase of beef production may be limiting the cattle owners’ profit potential. This paper examines the opportunities for Operators to earn additional profit from stockering cattle. Using a representative risk-averse producer, a decision set with seven possible marketing strategies is evaluated for the optimal decision in a Bayesian framework which allows for price and production risk. We find that in many instances retaining the cattle for stockering is a superior decision when done in conjunction with specific hedging strategies utilizing options and futures contracts.
New Intrusion Analyses on the CVLT-3: Utility in Distinguishing the Memory Disorders of Alzheimer’s versus Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Graves Lisa V. , Holden Heather M. , Van Etten Emily J. , Delano-Wood Lisa , Bondi Mark W. , Salmon David P. , Corey-Bloom Jody , Gilbert Paul E. , Delis Dean C.
Published: May 2019

Objectives: Research has shown that analyzing intrusion errors generated on verbal learning and memory measures is helpful for distinguishing between the memory disorders associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurological disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD). Moreover, preliminary evidence suggests that certain clinical populations may be prone to exhibit different types of intrusion errors. Methods: We examined the prevalence of two new California Verbal Learning Test-3 (CVLT-3) intrusion subtypes – across-trial novel intrusions and across/within trial repeated intrusions – in individuals with AD or HD. We hypothesized that the encoding/storage impairment associated with medial-temporal involvement in AD would result in a greater number of novel intrusions on the delayed recall trials of the CVLT-3, whereas the executive dysfunction associated with subcortical-frontal involvement in HD would result in a greater number of repeated intrusions across trials. Results: The AD group generated significantly more across-trial novel intrusions than across/within trial repeated intrusions on the delayed cued-recall trials, whereas the HD group showed the opposite pattern on the delayed free-recall trials. Conclusions: These new intrusion subtypes, combined with traditional memory analyses (e.g., recall versus recognition performance), promise to enhance our ability to distinguish between the memory disorders associated with primarily medial-temporal versus subcortical-frontal involvement.
Look ahead mate selection schemes for multi-breed beef populations
Authors: Hayes B. , Shepherd R.K. , Newman S.
Published: May 2019

Look ahead mate selection (LAMS) schemes have been proposed to improve longer-term genetic merit when both selection and crossbreeding are important. We investigate the performance of a LAMS scheme which includes both predicted progeny merit and predicted grandprogeny merit in a mate selection index (MSI). Simulation of a multi-breed beef population, with additive breeding values, direct and maternal breed effects and direct and maternal heterosis was used to compare response from the LAMS scheme to mate selection on progeny merit only (PROG), selection on estimated breeding value (EBV) followed by random mating (RAND) and a structured crossbreeding scheme (CROSS). An additional strategy, LAMS + CO, was similar to LAMS but included a negative weighting on the coancestry of selected animals in the MSI to reduce inbreeding. LAMS gave up to 3% greater response in generation eight than PROG, 4·5% greater response than RAND, and 15% greater response than CROSS. Results from LAMS + CO were very similar to LAMS but inbreeding was 11% less from LAMS + CO at generation eight. The advantage of LAMS and LAMS + CO over PROG in later generations was hypothesized to be the result of positive assortative mating and greater use of maternal effects. Evidence to support the hypothesis of assortative mating was a positive significant correlation of EBVs of mates (sires and dams) in LAMS and LAMS + CO but not in PROG. Strategies PROG, LAMS and LAMS + CO all created closed populations of animals with optimum composite breed proportions.
Injection of neonatal piglets with dexamethasone stimulates leptin mRNA expression and reduces the stress response in market weight pigs
Authors: Meadus W.J. , MacInnis R. , Aalhus J.L. , Cook N.J.
Published: May 2019

Neonatal piglets were given three daily injections of dexamethasone at 1 mg/kg body weight to examine if their stress response and carcass fat distribution at a 120-kg market weight could be altered. The daily acute injections tended to increase the amount of muscle and adrenal leptin mRNA expression (P < 0·1) for 1 and 3 days after the end of the treatment but had no effect on the amount of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA. The treated animals had a 19% lower adult stress response to transport than the controls as measured by salivary cortisol levels. There was no significant change in the treated animals’ carcass and meat quality traits at market weight. However, a trend towards more marbling fat and carcass backfat were seen in the dexamethasone treated pigs at market weight.
On the crossing of intermediate unstable steady state solutions for thermal ignition in a sphere
Authors: Weber R. O. , Wake G. C. , Sidhu H. S. , Mercer G. N. , Gray B. F. , Derrick W. , Balakrishnan E.
Published: May 2019

Steady state solutions for spontaneous thermal ignition in a unit sphere are considered. The multiplicity of unstable, intermediate, steady state, temperature profiles is calculated and shown for selected parameter values. The crossing of the temperature profiles corresponding to the unstable, intermediate, steady states is exhibited in a particular case and is proven in general using elementary ideas from analysis. Estimates of the location of crossing points are given.
Initiation of combustion waves in solids, and the effects of geometry
Authors: Brindley J. , Griffiths J. F. , McIntosh A. C. , Zhang J.
Published: May 2019

In a recent paper Weber et al. [9] examined the propagation of combustion waves in a semi-infinite gaseous or solid medium. Whereas their main concern was the behaviour of waves once they had been initiated, we concentrate here on the initiation of such waves in a solid medium and have not examined in detail the steadiness or otherwise of the waves subsequent to their formation. The investigation includes calculations for finite systems. The results for a slab, cylinder and sphere are compared.

Critical conditions for initiation of ignition by a power source are established. For a slab the energy input is spread uniformly over one boundary surface. In the case of cylindrical or spherical symmetry it originates from a cylindrical core or from a small, central sphere, respectively. The size of source and reactant body is important in the last two cases. With the exception of the initial temperature distribution, the equations investigated are similar in form to those of Weber et al. [5,9] and, as a prelude to the present study, with very simple adaptation, it has been possible to reproduce the results of the earlier work. We then go on to report the result of calculations for the initiation of ignition under different geometries with various initial and boundary conditions.
Numerical solution of an optimal control problem with variable time points in the objective function
Authors: Teo K. L. , Liu Y. , Lee W. R. , Jennings L. S. , Wang S.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we consider the numerical solution of a class of optimal control problems involving variable time points in their cost functions. The control enhancing transform is first used to convert the optimal control problem with variable time points into an equivalent optimal control problem with fixed multiple characteristic time (MCT). Using the control parametrization technique, the time horizon is partitioned into several subintervals. Let the partition points also be taken as decision variables. The control functions are approximated by piecewise constant or piecewise linear functions in accordance with these variable partition points. We thus obtain a finite dimensional optimization problem. The control parametrization enhancing control transform (CPET) is again used to convert approximate optimal control problems with variable partition points into equivalent standard optimal control problems with MCT, where the control functions are piecewise constant or piecewise linear functions with pre-fixed partition points. The transformed problems are essentially optimal parameter selection problems with MCT. The gradient formulae for the objective function as well as the constraint functions with respect to relevant decision variables are obtained. Numerical examples are solved using the proposed method.
Fourth order nonlinear evolution equations for gravity-capillary waves in the presence of a thin thermocline in deep water
Authors: Debsarma Suma , Das K.P.
Published: May 2019

For a three-dimensional gravity capillary wave packet in the presence of a thin thermocline in deep water two coupled nonlinear evolution equations correct to fourth order in wave steepness are obtained. Reducing these two equations to a single equation for oblique plane wave perturbation, the stability of a uniform gravity-capillary wave train is investigated. The stability and instability regions are identified. Expressions for the maximum growth rate of instability and the wavenumber at marginal stability are obtained. The results are shown graphically.
Denumerable state continuous time Markov decision processes with unbounded cost and transition rates under average criterion
Authors: Guo Xianping , Zhu Weiping
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we consider denumerable state continuous time Markov decision processes with (possibly unbounded) transition and cost rates under average criterion. We present a set of conditions and prove the existence of both average cost optimal stationary policies and a solution of the average optimality equation under the conditions. The results in this paper are applied to an admission control queue model and controlled birth and death processes.
Certain theorems on bilinear and bilateral generating functions
Authors: Srivastava H. M. , Yeh Yeong-Nan
Published: May 2019

It is observed (among other things) that a theorem on bilinear and bilateral generating functions, which was given recently in the predecessor of this Journal, does not hold true as stated and proved earlier. Several possible remedies and generalizations, which indeed are relevant to the present investigation of various other results on bilinear and bilateral generating functions, are also considered.
Nonlinear evolution of singular disturbances to a tanh3y mixing layer
Authors: Saujani S. , Drozd J. , Mallier R.
Published: May 2019

We consider the nonlinear evolution of a disturbance to a mixing layer, with the base profile given by u0(y) = tanh3y rather than the more usual tanh y, so that the first two derivatives of u0 vanish at y = 0. This flow admits three neutral modes, each of which is singular at the critical layer. Using a non-equilibrium nonlinear critical layer analysis, equations governing the evolution of the disturbance are derived and discussed. We find that the disturbance cannot exist on a linear basis, but that nonlinear effects inside the critical layer do permit the disturbance to exist. We also present results of a direct numerical simulation of this flow and briefly discuss the connection between the theory and the simulation.
Multigrid methods for the biharmonic equation using some nonconforming plate elements
Authors: Ma Liming , Chang Qianshun
Published: May 2019

In this paper, multigrid methods for solving the biharmonic equation using some nonconforming plate elements are considered. An average algorithm is applied to define the transfer operator. A general analysis of convergence is given.
Comprehensive evaluation of electron radiation dose using beryllium oxide dosimeters at breast radiotherapy
Authors: Şahin Serdar , Şahiner Eren , Göksel Fatih , Meriç Niyazi
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

In this study, the differences between calculated and measured dose values were then analysed to assess the performance, in terms of accuracy, of the tested treatment planning system (TPS) algorithms applied to calculate electron beam dose targeted and non-targeted the breast region.

Materials and methods:

The beryllium oxide (BeO) dosimeters placed on the female RANDO phantom were irradiated 12 MeV electron energy with medical linear accelerator and repeatedly read in the Risø thermoluminescence (TL)/optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) system via OSL method at least three times.

Results:

For electron treatment, one made quantitative comparisons of the dose distributions calculated by TPSs with those from the measurements by OSL at various points in the RANDO phantom.

The mean dose measured from the dosimeters placed on the female RANDO phantom target left breast region was 160 cGy and non-target right breast region was 1·2 cGy. Analysis of Generalised Gaussian Pencil Beam (GGPB) and Electron Monte Carlo (eMC) algorithms for determined region mean point dose values, respectively, 174 and 164 cGy. Two algorithms for non-targeted region calculated same point dose values of 0·2 cGy.

Conclusions:

The results of this study showed that BeO dosimeters can be used with OSL method in radiotherapy applications and it is a very important tool for the determination of targeted/non-targeted absorbed dose.
Impacts of Observational Constraints Related to Sea Level on Estimates of Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Vega‐Westhoff Ben , Sriver Ryan L. , Hartin Corinne A. , Wong Tony E. , Keller Klaus
Published: May 2019

Reduced complexity climate models are useful tools for quantifying decision‐relevant uncertainties, given their flexibility, computational efficiency, and suitability for large‐ensemble frameworks necessary for statistical estimation using resampling techniques (e.g., Markov chain Monte Carlo). Here we document a new version of the simple, open‐source, global climate model Hector, coupled with a 1‐D diffusive heat and energy balance model (Diffusion Ocean Energy balance CLIMate model) and a sea level change module (Building blocks for Relevant Ice and Climate Knowledge) that also represents contributions from thermal expansion, glaciers and ice caps, and polar ice sheets. We apply a Bayesian calibration approach to quantify model uncertainties surrounding 39 model parameters with prescribed radiative forcing, using observational information from global surface temperature, thermal expansion, and other contributors to sea level change. We find the addition of thermal expansion as an observational constraint sharpens inference for the upper tail of posterior equilibrium climate sensitivity estimates (the 97.5 percentile is tightened from 7.1 to 6.6 K), while other contributors to sea level change play a lesser role. The thermal expansion constraint also has implications for probabilistic projections of global surface temperature (the 97.5 percentile for RCP8.5 2100 temperature decreases 0.3 K). Due to the model's parameterization of thermal expansion as an uncertain function of global ocean heat, we note a trade‐off between two ways of incorporating thermal expansion information: Ocean heat data provide a somewhat sharper equilibrium climate sensitivity estimate while thermal expansion data allow for constrained sea level projections.
Base Level and Lithologic Control of Drainage Reorganization in the Sierra de las Planchadas, NW Argentina
Authors: Seagren E. G. , Schoenbohm L. M.
Published: May 2019

Planform drainage reorganization in catchments is a common response to changes in boundary conditions. Rivers reorganize through two predominant mechanisms: discrete stream capture events and progressive divide migration. Using general geomorphic observations, flow azimuth analysis, χ anomalies, local headwater relief, and the normalized steepness index (ksn), we examine drainage reorganization, its potential controls, and the response timescales for drainages in the Sierra de las Planchadas, NW Argentina. We additionally expand on the comparison of trunk and tributary ksn values as a potential tool for recognizing drainage reorganization. We identify three significant patterns of reorganization: (1) the migration of the main drainage divide (MDD) toward the hinterland, (2) capture of longitudinal drainages by transverse reaches, and (3) shrinking foreland catchments that will result in changes to basin outlet spacing. We determine that the migration of the MDD is due to local base level differences between the major range‐bounding basins, while more local patterns, such as the capture of longitudinal drainages, are the result of the distribution of erosionally resistant lithologies. We additionally assess the response timescales required for topologic changes to the drainage network, such as divide migration; we conclude that, as suggested by modeling studies, they are longer than the timescale required for channel profile adjustment.
The Carbon Market Potential of Asbestos Mine Waste
Authors: Poppick Laura
Published: May 2019

Researchers have devised new methods to turn toxic asbestos mine tailings into innocuous piles of carbonate rock and draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide at the same time.
Biodiversity Report Paints a Bleak Picture
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2019

Landmark study calls for urgent “transformative changes” to meet goals for conserving and sustainably using nature.
Appearance of vanD-positive Enterococcus faecium in a tertiary hospital in the Netherlands: prevalence of vanC and vanD in hospitalized patients
Authors: Flipse Jacky , von Wintersdorff Christian J. H. , van Niekerk Julius M. , Jamin Casper , van Tiel Frank H. , Hasman Henrik , van Alphen Lieke B.
Published: May 2019

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) can rapidly spread through hospitals. Therefore, our hospital employs a screening program whereby rectal swabs are screened for the presence of vanA and vanB, and only PCR-positive broths are cultured on VRE selection agar. Early November 2016, a clinical vanA-/vanB-negative VRE isolate was detected in a vanA/vanB-screening-negative patient, giving the possibility that an undetected VRE might be spreading within our hospital. Whole-genome-sequencing of the isolate showed that resistance was vanD-mediated and core genome multilocus sequence typing showed it was a rare type: ST17/CT154. To determine the prevalence of vanA/B/C/D-carrying enterococci, we designed a real-time PCR for vanC1/2/3 and vanD and screened rectal swabs from 360 patients. vanD was found in 27.8% of the patients, yet culture demonstrated only E. faecium from vanA-positive broths and E. gallinarum from vanC1-positive broths. No vanD-positive VRE were found, limiting the possibility of nosocomial spread of this VRE. Moreover, the high prevalence of non-VRE vanD in rectal swabs makes it unfeasible to include the vanD PCR in our VRE screening. However, having validated the vanC1/2/3 and vanD PCRs allows us to rapidly check future vanA/B-negative VRE for the presence of vanC and vanD genes.
Signature maps for automatic identification of prostate cancer from colorimetric analysis of H&E- and IHC-stained histopathological specimens
Authors: Leng Ethan , Henriksen Jonathan C. , Rizzardi Anthony E. , Jin Jin , Nam Jung Who , Brassuer Benjamin M. , Johnson Andrew D. , Reder Nicholas P. , Koopmeiners Joseph S. , Schmechel Stephen C. , Metzger Gregory J.
Published: May 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major cause of cancer death among men. The histopathological examination of post-surgical prostate specimens and manual annotation of PCa not only allow for detailed assessment of disease characteristics and extent, but also supply the ground truth for developing of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems for PCa detection before definitive treatment. As manual cancer annotation is tedious and subjective, there have been a number of publications describing methods for automating the procedure via the analysis of digitized whole-slide images (WSIs). However, these studies have focused only on the analysis of WSIs stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), even though there is additional information that could be obtained from immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. In this work, we propose a framework for automating the annotation of PCa that is based on automated colorimetric analysis of both H&E and IHC WSIs stained with a triple-antibody cocktail against high-molecular weight cytokeratin (HMWCK), p63, and α-methylacyl CoA racemase (AMACR). The analysis outputs were then used to train a regression model to estimate the distribution of cancerous epithelium within slides. The approach yielded an AUC of 0.951, sensitivity of 87.1%, and specificity of 90.7% as compared to slide-level annotations, and generalized well to cancers of all grades.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of novel pyrene–metalloporphyrin dendritic systems
Authors: Rojas-Montoya Sandra M. , Vonlanthen Mireille , Porcu Pasquale , Flores-Rojas Gabriel , Ruiu Andrea , Morales-Morales David , Rivera Ernesto
Published: May 2019

Energy transfer studies were performed on a series of new pyrene–metalloporphyrin (Zn, Cu, Mg and Mn) dendritic constructs.
Effects of mono- and divalent cations on the structure and thermodynamic properties of polyelectrolyte gels
Authors: Mussel Matan , Basser Peter J. , Horkay Ferenc
Published: May 2019

Measurements are reported on the effect of monovalent and divalent salts on the swelling behavior and supramolecular structure of sodium polyacrylate gels (NaPA) made by osmotic swelling pressure and small angle neutron scattering measurements.
MT1-MMP-dependent cell migration: proteolytic and non-proteolytic mechanisms
Authors: Gifford Valentina , Itoh Yoshifumi
Published: May 2019

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a type I transmembrane proteinase that belongs to the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. It is a potent modifier of cellular microenvironment and promotes cell migration and invasion of a wide variety of cell types both in physiological and pathological conditions. It promotes cell migration by degrading extracellular matrix on the cell surface and creates a migration path, by modifying cell adhesion property by shedding cell adhesion molecules to increase cell motility, and by altering cellular metabolism. Thus, MT1-MMP is a multifunctional cell motility enhancer. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the proteolytic and non-proteolytic mechanism of MT1-MMP-dependent cell migration.
How to rescue misfolded SERT, DAT and NET: targeting conformational intermediates with atypical inhibitors and partial releasers
Authors: Bhat Shreyas , Newman Amy Hauck , Freissmuth Michael
Published: May 2019

Point mutations in the coding sequence for solute carrier 6 (SLC6) family members result in clinically relevant disorders, which are often accounted for by a loss-of-function phenotype. In many instances, the mutated transporter is not delivered to the cell surface because it is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The underlying defect is improper folding of the transporter and is the case for many of the known dopamine transporter mutants. The monoamine transporters, i.e. the transporters for norepinephrine (NET/SLC6A2), dopamine (DAT/SLC6A3) and serotonin (SERT/SLC6A4), have a rich pharmacology; hence, their folding-deficient mutants lend themselves to explore the concept of pharmacological chaperoning. Pharmacochaperones are small molecules, which bind to folding intermediates with exquisite specificity and scaffold them to a folded state, which is exported from the ER and delivered to the cell surface. Pharmacochaperoning of mutant monoamine transporters, however, is not straightforward: ionic conditions within the ER are not conducive to binding of most typical monoamine transporter ligands. A collection of compounds exists, which are classified as atypical ligands because they trap monoamine transporters in unique conformational states. The atypical binding mode of some DAT inhibitors has been linked to their anti-addictive action. Here, we propose that atypical ligands and also compounds recently classified as partial releasers can serve as pharmacochaperones.
The Acquisition of Mandarin Tonal Processes by Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Tang Ping , Yuen Ivan , Xu Rattanasone Nan , Gao Liqun , Demuth Katherine
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Children with cochlear implants (CIs) face challenges in acquiring tonal languages, as CIs do not efficiently code pitch information. Mandarin is a tonal language with lexical tones and tonal processes such as neutral tone and tone sandhi, exhibiting contextually conditioned tonal realizations. Previous studies suggest that early implantation and long CI experience facilitate the acquisition of lexical tones by children with CIs. However, there is lack of acoustic evidence on children's tonal productions demonstrating that this is the case, and it is unclear whether and how children with CIs are able to acquire contextual tones. This study therefore examined the acoustic realization of both lexical tones and contextual tones as produced by children fitted with CIs, exploring the potential effects of age at implantation and length of CI experience on their acquisition of the Mandarin tonal system.

Method

Seventy-two Mandarin-learning preschoolers with CIs, varying in age at implantation (13–42 months) and length of CI experience (2–49 months), and 44 normal hearing 3-year-old controls were recruited. Tonal productions were elicited from both groups using picture-naming tasks and acoustically compared.

Results

Only the early implanted group (i.e., implanted before the age of 2 years) produced normal-like lexical tones and generally had contextual tones approximating those of the normal-hearing children. The other children, including those with longer CI experience, did not have typical tonal productions; their pitch patterns for lexical tones tended to be flatter, and contextual tone productions were unchanged across tonal contexts.

Conclusion

Children with CIs face challenges in acquiring Mandarin tones, but early implantation may help them to develop normal-like lexical tone categories, which further facilitates their implementation of contextual tones.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8038889
ChandraX-ray spectroscopy of the focused wind in the Cygnus X-1 system
Authors: Hirsch Maria , Hell Natalie , Grinberg Victoria , Ballhausen Ralf , Nowak Michael A. , Pottschmidt Katja , Schulz Norbert S. , Dauser Thomas , Hanke Manfred , Kallman Timothy R. , Brown Gregory V. , Wilms Jörn
Published: May 2019

We present an analysis of threeChandraHigh Energy Transmission Gratings observations of the black hole binary Cyg X-1/HDE 226868 at different orbital phases. The stellar wind that is powering the accretion in this system is characterized by temperature and density inhomogeneities including structures, or “clumps”, of colder, more dense material embedded in the photoionized gas. As these clumps pass our line of sight, absorption dips appear in the light curve. We characterize the properties of the clumps through spectral changes during various dip stages. Comparing the silicon and sulfur absorption line regions (1.6–2.7 keV ≡ 7.7–4.6 Å) in four levels of varying column depth reveals the presence of lower ionization stages, i.e., colder or denser material, in the deeper dip phases. The Doppler velocities of the lines are roughly consistent within each observation, varying with the respective orbital phase. This is consistent with the picture of a structure that consists of differently ionized material, in which shells of material facing the black hole shield the inner and back shells from the ionizing radiation. The variation of the Doppler velocities compared to a toy model of the stellar wind, however, does not allow us to pin down an exact location of the clump region in the system. This result, as well as the asymmetric shape of the observed lines, point at a picture of a complex wind structure.
Impact of repeated dose of stable iodine in an in utero rat model using a metabolomic approach
Authors: Rosique Clément , Lebsir Dalila , Souidi Maâmar , Martin Jean-Charles
Published: May 2019

The Fukushima nuclear power plant blast resulted in the release of 131Iodine for several weeks. This unexpected issue challenged the iodin doctrine [1], in which the counter-measure is to provide a unique iodine tablet to saturate thyroid during the radioactive contamination not expected to last more than several hours. A new doctrine must be implemented to take into account such case of extended exposure based on repeated iodine administration with adapted dosage. But repeated administration of iodine can block the thyroid [2] and few scientific evidences regarding repeated iodine administration (and its potential undesirable effect) are at our disposal [3]. Moreover, unborn and young children are at high risk during a nuclear incident: it is currently recognized that one of the risks of exposure to radioactive iodine is the development of thyroid cancer, especially when exposure occurred during childhood [4]. Their protection is a main priority. Our goal was to evaluate the potential undesirable effects of such repeated iodine administration in the offspring using an untargeted metabolomic approach on a rat reproductive model.
A rare case of cytomegalovirus induced oral ulcer in an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Huang Samuel , Delacroix Isabelle , Labrousse Diane
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Oral manifestations of cytomegalovirus are rare. Observation: We report the case of an atypical and persistent oral location of cytomegalovirus, in the form of ulcers, in a patient suffering from granulomatosis with polyangiitis and treated by rituximab. Discussion: In front of a chronic ulcer, a differential diagnosis must be made to exclude different etiologies, by order of severity, frequency or according to the clinical situation of the patient. The main differential diagnosis that must be excluded is a squamous-cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Cytomegalovirus ulcers are not specific and its etiology cannot be affirmed clinically. A pathological examination is essential to allow the quick establishing of a treatment in an immuno-compromised patient to prevent further complications.
Alles gleichzeitig und trotzdem gut? (Teil
2)
Authors: Zoller Richard , Lange Kathrin , Nowak Miriam , Lauer Wolfgang
Published: May 2019

Das gleichzeitige oder parallele Ausführen unterschiedlichster Aufgaben ist
gelebter Alltag im Tätigkeitsbereich der Intensiv- und Anästhesiepflege. Eine
Beobachtungsstudie hat die verschiedenen Tätigkeiten unter die Lupe genommen und
ausgewertet, um daraus Konsequenzen für den klinischen Alltag abzuleiten – damit
das Multitasking nicht zu folgenschweren Fehlern im Umgang mit Medizinprodukten
führt.
SAPF – eine seltene, aber schwere
Komplikation
Authors: Arrich Jasmin , Brunkhorst Frank M.
Published: May 2019

Von der Sepsis-assoziierten Purpura fulminans sind überwiegend Kinder zwischen
einem und drei Jahren und Jugendliche zwischen 16 und 18 Jahren betroffen. Eine
frühe Diagnose ist auch deswegen so wichtig, damit die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer
Amputation so gering wie möglich gehalten wird.
New Laplace and Helmholtz solvers
Authors: Gopal Abinand , Trefethen Lloyd N.
Published: May 2019

Numerical algorithms based on rational functions are introduced that solve the Laplace and Helmholtz equations on 2D domains with corners quickly and accurately, despite the corner singularities.
A Preliminary Study for Simple Physics Models of Coconut Tree
Authors: Rahmawati  , Rahmayanti HD , Amalia N , Viridi S , Abdullah M
Published: May 2019

An investigation of how coconut palm tree withstands gale force winds has been performed. When observed carefully, the motion of the stalks and leaves affected the wind resistance. The stalks and leaves moved at random when intentioned wind blows. However, there is still no report on the physical modelling. This paper proposes a simple mathematical model to analyze the phenomenon. A simple tool was also designed to retrieve data usingVideo Tracker.The experiments were conducted on several types of springs. The model showed that the theoretical prediction accurately explained the phenomenon.
Overexpression of an evolutionarily conserved drought-responsive sugarcane gene enhances salinity and drought resilience
Authors: Begcy Kevin , Mariano Eduardo D , Lembke Carolina G , Zingaretti Sonia Marli , Souza Glaucia M , Araújo Pedro , Menossi Marcelo
Published: May 2019

Background and Aims

Improving drought adaptation is more pressing for crops such as sugarcane, rice, wheat and maize, given the high dependence of these crops on irrigation. One option for enhancing adaptation to water limitation in plants is by transgenic approaches. An increasing number of genes that are associated with mechanisms used by plants to cope with water scarcity have been discovered. Genes encoding proteins with unknown functions comprise a relevant fraction of the genes that are modulated by drought. We characterized a gene in response to environmental stresses to gain insight into the unknown fraction of the sugarcane genome. Scdr2 (Sugarcane drought-responsive 2) encodes a small protein and shares highly conserved sequences within monocots, dicots, algae and fungi.

Methods

Plants overexpressing the Scdr2 sugarcane gene were examined in response to salinity and drought. Measurements of the gas exchange parameters, germination rate, water content, dry mass and oxidative damage were performed. Seeds as well as juvenile plants were used to explore the resilience level of the transgenic plants when compared with wild-type plants.

Key Results

Overexpression of Scdr2 enhanced germination rates in tobacco seeds under drought and salinity conditions. Juvenile transgenic plants overexpressing Scdr2 and subjected to drought and salinity stresses showed higher photosynthesis levels, internal CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance, reduced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the leaves, no penalty for photosystem II and faster recovery after submission to both stress conditions. Respiration was not strongly affected by both stresses in the Scdr2 transgenic plants, whereas wild-type plants exhibited increased respiration rates.

Conclusions

Scdr2 is involved in the response mechanism to abiotic stresses. Higher levels of Scdr2 enhanced resilience to salinity and drought, and this protection correlated with reduced oxidative damage. Scdr2 confers, at the physiological level, advantages to climate limitations. Therefore, Scdr2 is a potential target for improving sugarcane resilience to abiotic stress.
A tale of two tracts: history, current advances, and future directions of research on sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts†
Authors: Zhao Fei , Yao Humphrey Hung-Chang
Published: May 2019

Alfred Jost's work in the 1940s laid the foundation of the current paradigm of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts, which contends that testicular hormones drive the male patterning of reproductive tract system whereas the female phenotype arises by default. Once established, the sex-specific reproductive tracts undergo morphogenesis, giving rise to anatomically and functionally distinct tubular organs along the rostral–caudal axis. Impairment of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts by genetic alteration and environmental exposure are the main causes of disorders of sex development, and infertility at adulthood. This review covers past and present work on sexual differentiation and morphogenesis of reproductive tracts, associated human disorders, and emerging technologies that have made impacts or could radically expand our knowledge in this field.
Altered Brain Structure in Infants with Turner Syndrome
Authors: Davenport M L , Cornea E , Xia K , Crowley J J , Halvorsen M W , Goldman B D , Reinhartsen D , DeRamus M , Pretzel R , Styner M , Gilmore J H , Hooper S R , Knickmeyer R C
Published: May 2019

Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1:2000 live-born females. It results from partial or complete X monosomy and is associated with a range of clinical issues including a unique cognitive profile and increased risk for certain behavioral problems. Structural neuroimaging studies in adolescents, adults, and older children with TS have revealed altered neuroanatomy but are unable to identify when in development differences arise. In addition, older children and adults have often been exposed to years of growth hormone and/or exogenous estrogen therapy with potential implications for neurodevelopment. The study presented here is the first to test whether brain structure is altered in infants with TS. Twenty-six infants with TS received high-resolution structural MRI scans of the brain at 1 year of age and were compared to 47 typically developing female and 39 typically developing male infants. Results indicate that the typical neuroanatomical profile seen in older individuals with TS, characterized by decreased gray matter volumes in premotor, somatosensory, and parietal-occipital cortex, is already present at 1 year of age, suggesting a stable phenotype with origins in the prenatal or early postnatal period.
A simulation study of trend detection methods for integrated ecosystem assessment
Authors: Hardison Sean , Perretti Charles T , DePiper Geret S , Beet Andrew
Published: May 2019

The identification of trends in ecosystem indicators has become a core component of ecosystem approaches to resource management, although oftentimes assumptions of statistical models are not properly accounted for in the reporting process. To explore the limitations of trend analysis of short times series, we applied three common methods of trend detection, including a generalized least squares model selection approach, the Mann–Kendall test, and Mann–Kendall test with trend-free pre-whitening to simulated time series of varying trend and autocorrelation strengths. Our results suggest that the ability to detect trends in time series is hampered by the influence of autocorrelated residuals in short series lengths. While it is known that tests designed to account for autocorrelation will approach nominal rejection rates as series lengths increase, the results of this study indicate biased rejection rates in the presence of even weak autocorrelation for series lengths often encountered in indicators developed for ecosystem-level reporting (N = 10, 20, 30). This work has broad implications for ecosystem-level reporting, where indicator time series are often limited in length, maintain a variety of error structures, and are typically assessed using a single statistical method applied uniformly across all time series.
Is stereotactic radiotherapy equivalent to metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary oligometastases?
Authors: Li Shuangjiang , Nie Shihong , Li Zhiping , Che Guowei
Published: May 2019

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was equivalent to metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary oligometastases arising from solid tumours. Altogether, 1612 papers were found using the reported search, of which 5 cohort studies derived from 4 patient populations represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. All 5 studies demonstrated no significant difference in post-treatment overall survival, disease-free survival or local control between SBRT and metastasectomy for pulmonary oligometastases. One of the 5 studies showed a significantly decreased rate of severe complications among the patients treated with SBRT. The other papers reported higher rates of complications in the SBRT groups, invariably due to radiation, but with uncertain clinical significance. The evidence strength of these findings may be largely attenuated due to the small sample size, heterogeneity of SBRT protocols and incomparable follow-up periods between the 2 treatment groups. The selection criteria for the choice of treatment were not stated. We conclude, based on limited evidence, that SBRT has equivalent outcomes to metastasectomy in the treatment of patients with pulmonary oligometastases.
Differences in the expression of SPI-1 genes pathogenicity and epidemiology between the emerging Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis and the model Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Aviv Gili , Cornelius Antje , Davidovich Maya , Cohen Helit , Suwandi Abdulhadi , Galeev Alibek , Steck Natalie , Azriel Shalhevet , Rokney Assaf , Valinsky Lea , Rahav Galia , Grassl Guntram A , Gal-Mor Ohad
Published: May 2019

Background

Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) is one of the ubiquitous serovars of the bacterial pathogen S. enterica and recently has been emerging in many countries worldwide. Nonetheless, not much is known about its epidemiology, host adaptation, and virulence.

Methods

Epidemiological and molecular approaches were used together with tissue-culture and mouse models to conduct phenotypic comparison with the model S. enterica serovar Typhimurium.

Results

We show that S. Infantis is more frequently associated with infections in infants <2 years old and prone to cause significantly less invasive infections than serovar Typhimurium. Moreover, although S. Infantis adheres better to host cells and highly colonizes mouse intestines soon after infection, it is significantly less invasive and induces much lower inflammation and disease in vivo than S. Typhimurium. These differences were associated with lower expression of Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) 1 genes in S. Infantis than in S. Typhimurium.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate previously unknown differences in the epidemiology, virulence pathway expression, and pathogenicity between two highly abundant Salmonella serovars and suggest that native variation in the expression of the SPI-1 regulon is likely to contribute to epidemiological and virulence variation between genetically similar nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Reactivation Evaluated by Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction and Its Association With Dynamics of CD134-Positive T Cells After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Nakayama Hitomi , Yamazaki Rie , Kato Jun , Koda Yuya , Sakurai Masatoshi , Abe Ryohei , Watanuki Shintaro , Sumiya Chieko , Shiroshita Kohei , Fujita Shinya , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Okamoto Shinichiro , Mori Takehiko
Published: May 2019

Background

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) causes life-threatening central nervous system disorders after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Recent studies implicated CD134 as a specific receptor of HHV-6B and demonstrated that its expression levels in CD4-positive T cells after allo-HSCT could be related to the reactivation of HHV-6. We prospectively evaluated the relationship between HHV-6 reactivation and CD134+ T cells in the recipients of allo-HSCT.

Methods

HHV-6 viral load in plasma was quantitatively measured weekly after allo-HSCT by digital polymerase chain reaction in 34 patients. The ratio of CD134 in CD4+ T cells (CD134/CD4 ratio) was serially measured by flow cytometry before and after transplantation.

Results

HHV-6 reactivation was detected in 23 patients (68%). The CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was significantly higher in patients with HHV-6 reactivation than in those without (median, 3.8% vs 1.5%, P < .01). In multivariate analysis, a higher CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was significantly associated with the incidence of HHV-6 reactivation (odds ratio, 10.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.3–85.1], P = .03).

Conclusions

A higher CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was associated with a higher risk of HHV-6 reactivation, suggesting that the rate may be a promising marker for predicting HHV-6 reactivation after allo-HSCT.
Human Papillomavirus Viral Load and Transmission in Young, Recently Formed Heterosexual Couples
Authors: Wissing Michel D , Louvanto Karolina , Comète Emilie , Burchell Ann N , El-Zein Mariam , Rodrigues Allita , Tellier Pierre-Paul , Coutlée François , Franco Eduardo L
Published: May 2019

Background

We studied the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) viral load (VL) and HPV concordance.

Methods

The HITCH cohort study included young, heterosexual, recently formed, sexually active couples. Questionnaires and genital samples were collected at 0 and 4 months. Samples were tested for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR; Linear Array). VLs of HPV6/11/16/18/31/42/51 were quantified using type-specific real-time PCR. Correlations between VL and type-specific HPV prevalence and incidence were evaluated using multilevel, mixed-effects linear/logistic regression models.

Results

 We included 492 couples. VLs were higher in penile than vaginal samples. VL at subsequent visits correlated significantly within men (r, 0.373), within women (r, 0.193), and within couples (r range: 0.303–0.328). Men with high VL had more type-specific persistent HPV infections (odds ratio [OR], 4.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.0–10.5]). High VL in men was associated with prevalent (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 2.5–11.2]) and incident (OR, 6.7 [95% CI, 1.5–30.7]) type-specific HPV infections in their partner. Women’s VL was associated with type-specific HPV prevalence in their partner at the same (OR, 5.9) and subsequent (OR, 4.7) visit.

Conclusions

Persistent HPV infections have limited VL fluctuations. VL between sex partners are correlated and seem predictive of transmission episodes.