bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Host–guest supramolecular interactions between a resorcinarene-based cavitand bearing a –COOH moiety and acetic acid
Authors: Pedrini Alessandro
Published: February 2019

The cavitand 5,11,17,23-tetramethyl-4,24:6,10:12,16:18,22-tetrakis(methylenedioxy)resorcin[4]arene functionalized at the upper rim with a carboxylic acid group, CavCOOH-in, of chemical formula C37H32O10, was synthesized in order to study its supramolecular interactions with acetic acid in the solid state. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were obtained by slow evaporation of a dichloromethane–acetone solution of CavCOOH-in, to which glacial acetic acid had been added. The resulting compound, C37H32O10·2C2H4O2 (1) crystallizes in the space group P\overline{1} and its asymmetric unit consists of one molecule of cavitand and two molecules of acetic acid, one of which is encapsulated inside the aromatic cavity and disordered over two positions with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.344 (4):0.656 (4). The guest interacts with the host primarily through its methyl group, which (in both orientations) forms C—H...π interactions with the benzene rings of the cavitand. The crystal structure of 1 is dominated by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonding due to the presence of acetic acid and of the carboxylic group functionalizing the upper rim. Further stabilization is provided by offset π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic walls of adjacent cavitands [intercentroid distance = 3.573 (1) Å].
2-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-8H-indeno[1,2-d]thiazole
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Alqahtani Alaa , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: February 2019

The title molecule, C25H17ClFN3S, contains indenothiazolyl (A), pyrazolyl (B), fluorophenyl (C) and chlorophenyl (D) groups. The dihedral angles between the ring planes A/B, B/C and B/D are 14.2 (1), 83.0 (1) and 6.5 (2)°, respectively. In the crystal, pairs of molecules related by inversion symmetry are linked by pairwise weak C—H...N interactions, forming dimers. These dimers interact through π–π contacts between the thiazolyl units [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.826 (1) Å], forming chains along [010].
2-[5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-4-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)thiazole
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Yousif Emad , Alotaibi Mohammad Hayal , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: February 2019

The title compound, C28H23FN6S, comprises phenyl (A), triazolyl (B), thiazolyl (C), pyrazoyl (D), tolyl (E) and fluorophenyl (F) rings, with twist angles between neighbouring rings pairs A/B, B/C, C/D, D/E and D/F of 64.6 (1), 11.7 (2), 23.5 (2), 8.2 (2) and 73.3 (1)°, respectively. A short intramolecular C—H...N contact and a weak intermolecular C—H...π interaction occur. The crystal chosen for data collection was found to be an inversion twin.
A new approach for performance assessment of parallel and non-bottleneck machines in a dynamic job shop environment
Authors: Faccio Maurizio , Nedaei Mojtaba , Pilati Francesco
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The current study aims to propose a new analytical approach by considering energy consumption (EC), maximum tardiness and completion time as the primary objective functions to assess the performance of parallel, non-bottleneck and multitasking machines operating in dynamic job shops.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical and iterative method is presented to optimize a novel dynamic job shop under technical constraints. The machine’s performance is analyzed by considering the setup energy. An optimization model from initial processing until scheduling and planning is proposed, and data sets consisting of design parameters are fed into the model.

Findings

Significant variations of EC and tardiness are observed. The minimum EC was calculated to be 141.5 hp.s when the defined decision variables were constantly increasing. Analysis of the optimum completion time has shown that among all studied methods, first come first served (FCFS), earliest due date (EDD) and shortest processing time (SPT) have resulted in the least completion time with a value of 20 s.

Originality/value

Considerable amount of energy can be dissipated when parallel, non-bottleneck and multitasking machines operate in lower-power modes. Additionally, in a dynamic job shop, adjusting the trend and arrangement of decision variables plays a crucial role in enhancing the system’s reliability. Such issues have never caught the attention of scientists for addressing the aforementioned problems. Therefore, with these underlying goals, this paper presents a new approach for evaluating and optimizing the system’s performance, considering different objective functions and technical constraints.
Mental health law under review: messages from English safeguarding adults reviews
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Martineau Stephen
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine safeguarding adults reviews (SARs) that refer to mental health legislation in order to contribute to the review of English mental health law (2018).

Design/methodology/approach

Searches of a variety of sources were conducted to compile a list of relevant SARs. These are summarised and their contexts assessed for what they reveal about the use and coherence of mental health legislation.

Findings

The interaction of the statutes under consideration, in particular the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, together with the Care Act 2014, presents challenges to practitioners and the efficacy of their application is variable.

Research limitations/implications

In light of the absence of a duty to report SARs to a national register, it is possible that relevant SARs were missed in the search phase of this research, meaning that the results do not present a complete picture.

Practical implications

Examining cases where use of legislative provisions in mental health has been found wanting or legislation may not be easily implemented may inform initiatives to increase understanding of the law in this area.

Originality/value

This paper’s originality and value lie in its focus on mental health legislation as discussed in SARs at a time when both the MHA 1983 and the MCA 2005 are the focus of attention for reform.
Police legitimacy: perspectives of migrants and non-migrants in Australia
Authors: Schermuly Allegra Clare , Forbes-Mewett Helen
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper is drawn from a larger study investigating community perceptions of police legitimacy in the Monash Local Government Area (LGA), in the Australian state of Victoria. Monash had seen declining results in the official government survey in the indicators that assessed police legitimacy over the preceding decade. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of both migrant and non-migrant participants to understand the role of migrant status in influencing assessments of police legitimacy in Monash LGA.

Design/methodology/approach

Through six focus groups, 18 interviews and one e-mail response with 31 individuals, perceptions of Victoria Police among the communities of Monash were collated and analysed.

Findings

One of the key findings of the study was that ethnic diversity and/or migrant status of community members were a key factor raised in response to questions about community perceptions of the legitimacy of Victoria Police in Monash LGA. Demographic change had been significant in Monash LGA over the preceding decade, including increasing ethnic diversity in the population and a shift in migration patterns from predominantly European to migrants from East and South Asia. In this paper, the authors suggest that the migrant status of Monash residents was a key factor that both migrant and non-migrant participants thought influenced perceptions of the police. Accordingly, because migrants make up a significant cohort of Australia’s population, we afford due attention to this previously overlooked topic.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this paper are as follows: existing Victoria Police partnerships in the Monash community should be continued and expanded where possible; Victoria Police should also prioritise partnerships with large, new migrant communities, for example, Monash’s Chinese communities; orientation for new migrants to Victoria around the criminal justice system, including Victoria Police, would help new migrants be more aware of their rights and what to expect of law enforcement in their new host country; police should continue to increase representation of ethnic diversity in the force via recruitment of greater numbers of ethnically diverse police members.

Originality/value

Although there have been previous Australian studies on migrant status as a factor in perceptions of criminal justice (see Murphy and Cherney, 2011, 2012; Hong Chui and Kwok-Yin Cheng, 2014), the paper identifies a distinct narrative around migrants’ views of Victoria Police which the authors believe warrant further investigation using an example from a local context. Furthermore, most research in this field has been quantitative. The current study provides additional new insights through an in-depth qualitative approach.
Phylogenetic structure of wildlife assemblages shapes patterns of infectious livestock diseases in Africa
Authors: Wang Yingying X. G. , Matson Kevin D. , Prins Herbert H. T. , Gort Gerrit , Awada Lina , Huang Zheng Y. X. , de Boer Willem F.
Published: February 2019

Host species diversity can affect disease risk, but the precise nature of this effect is disputed. To date, most studies on the diversity–disease relationships have focused on host species richness and single diseases, ignoring phylogenetic diversity and disease richness.

We first evaluated the effects of wildlife assemblage variables (i.e. species richness of wild ungulates and carnivores, phylogenetic structure) and livestock host density on the regional occurrence of 19 individual livestock diseases in Africa. We then explored the relationships between wildlife assemblage variables and the total disease burden (measured as disease richness) at regional scale across the entire continent of Africa.

Our results suggest that wild ungulate and carnivore species richness had a positive relationship with disease richness, but no relationship with disease occurrence. When controlling for host species richness, standardized phylogenetic divergence was negatively correlated with both disease richness and disease occurrence while standardized phylogenetic richness was positively correlated with disease occurrences.

Our results suggest that the phylogenetic structure of the surrounding wildlife assemblage can shape patterns of livestock diseases in Africa. Species richness alone is apparently inadequate for analyses of disease–diversity relationships, and this shortfall might partly account for current disagreements over the importance of the dilution effect. Future studies on this topic should strive to include parameters that take host phylogeny into account.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Modified Polysaccharides Originally Isolated from Morchella Angusticepes Peck
Authors: Tang Yu , Chen Jinlong , Li Fuhua , Yang Yaxuan , Wu Surui , Ming Jian
Published: February 2019

Polysaccharides extracted from Morchella angusticepes Peck (PMEP) were chemically modified to obtain sulfated, carboxymethylated, and acetyled derivatives. Results showed that the acetyled derivatives with the degree of substitution (0.40 ± 0.07) exerted higher antioxidant ability than native polysaccharides, demonstrating inhibitory effects on growth of human hepatoma cells (EC50 = 0.710 ± 0.002 mg/mL) and human colon cancer cells (EC50 = 1.229 ± 0.008 mg/mL). It indicated that the acetylation was a favorable way to enhance the bioactivities of PMEP.

Practical Application

Polysaccharides extracted from Morchella angusticepes Peck (PMEP) have many health‐promoting properties. Chemical modifications could improve the bioactivities of polysaccharides. We demonstrated that acetylation enhanced the cellular antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of PMEP. The results support further research that explores clinical utility, and may justify ex vivo and in vivo designs toward that end.
Treat‐to‐target in rheumatoid arthritis: Evaluating the patient perspective using the Patient Opinion Real‐Time Anonymous Liaison system: The RA T2T PORTAL study
Authors: Benham Helen , Rutherford Merrin , Kirby Sandra , Stebbings Simon , White Douglas , Sim Dalice , Harrison Andrew
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To determine the level of agreement among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the principles and recommendations of the treat‐to‐target (T2T) initiative in New Zealand (NZ) and to further explore specific patient opinions via online iterative surveys.

Methods

Participants with RA were recruited from rheumatology clinics in NZ and invited to receive and reply to surveys administered via the Patient Opinion Real‐Time Anonymous Liaison (PORTAL) system. An enrolment survey recorded demographics, disease duration and treatment and then RA T2T surveys were administered weekly. A Likert scale 1‐5 measured agreement with the principles and recommendations and further surveys explored responses of interest identified by investigators from each prior survey.

Results

One hundred and ninety patients consented to participate in PORTAL and 132 in the RA T2T surveys. Level of agreement with RA T2T principles was: 93.3% to 99.3% and to the recommendations: 77.3%‐100%. The lowest level of agreement 77.3% was with recommendation 8, 3 monthly treatment adjustment, and the highest was 100% agreement with recommendation 10, shared decision‐making. Patients agreed less with low disease activity as the target compared with remission (91.4% and 98%). Despite high‐level agreement for the use of a disease activity score (95.7%), 23% did not feel the individual components reflected their disease control. Patients rated difficulty coping, erosions on imaging, health‐related quality of life and pain all significantly higher than C‐reactive protein as indicators of worsening arthritis.

Conclusions

Despite a high level of patient agreement with RA T2T this study highlights the importance of patient engagement in the RA T2T process to individualize therapy adjustments, make shared decisions and decide on targets that accurately reflect disease control according to patients.
Knockout of receptor for advanced glycation end‐products attenuates age‐related renal lesions
Authors: Teissier Thibault , Quersin Valentine , Gnemmi Viviane , Daroux Maité , Howsam Mike , Delguste Florian , Lemoine Cécile , Fradin Chantal , Schmidt Ann‐Marie , Cauffiez Christelle , Brousseau Thierry , Glowacki François , Tessier Frédéric J. , Boulanger Eric , Frimat Marie
Published: February 2019

Pro‐aging effects of endogenous advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) have been reported, and there is increasing interest in the pro‐inflammatory and ‐fibrotic effects of their binding to RAGE (the main AGE receptor). The role of dietary AGEs in aging remains ill‐defined, but the predominantly renal accumulation of dietary carboxymethyllysine (CML) suggests the kidneys may be particularly affected. We studied the impact of RAGE invalidation and a CML‐enriched diet on renal aging. Two‐month‐old male, wild‐type (WT) and RAGE−/− C57Bl/6 mice were fed a control or a CML‐enriched diet (200 μg CML/gfood) for 18 months. Compared to controls, we observed higher CML levels in the kidneys of both CML WT and CML RAGE−/− mice, with a predominantly tubular localization. The CML‐rich diet had no significant impact on the studied renal parameters, whereby only a trend to worsening glomerular sclerosis was detected. Irrespective of diet, RAGE−/− mice were significantly protected against nephrosclerosis lesions (hyalinosis, tubular atrophy, fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis) and renal senile apolipoprotein A‐II (ApoA‐II) amyloidosis (p < 0.001). A positive linear correlation between sclerosis score and ApoA‐II amyloidosis score (r = 0.92) was observed. Compared with old WT mice, old RAGE−/− mice exhibited lower expression of inflammation markers and activation of AKT, and greater expression of Sod2 and SIRT1. Overall, nephrosclerosis lesions and senile amyloidosis were significantly reduced in RAGE−/− mice, indicating a protective effect of RAGE deletion with respect to renal aging. This could be due to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in RAGE−/− mice, suggesting RAGE is an important receptor in so‐called inflamm‐aging.
Delirium management: Let's get physical? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Haley Melanie Nance , Casey Penelope , Kane Richard Youlten , Dārziņš Pēteris , Lawler Katherine
Published: February 2019

Objective

To investigate whether physical training (alone or in a multi‐component intervention) is effective in preventing delirium or improving outcomes for adult patients with delirium in the hospital setting.

Methods

A systematic review, qualitative synthesis and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials identified by searches of electronic databases, combining key concepts of delirium and physical training (the target intervention). Outcomes were incidence of delirium (for prevention trials) and delirium duration, delirium severity and hospital outcomes (for management trials).

Results

Seven trials were included, five of which were multi‐component. The odds of developing delirium were lower for patients who received physical training compared with a control intervention [odds ratio 0.46 (95% confidence interval 0.32‐0.65), P < 0.01] (moderate‐quality evidence). There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about managing established delirium.

Conclusions

Strategies incorporating physical training appear to prevent delirium in the hospital setting. More research is required regarding management of established delirium.
Time to recurrence after surgical excision of atypical fibroxanthoma‐updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Phan Kevin , Onggo James
Published: February 2019

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) remains a rare cutaneous dermally based fibrohistiocytic tumour with high rates of local recurrence. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excision (WLE) with margins 1–2 cm are two surgical options. It is unclear whether timing of recurrence following surgical excision of AFX differs according to technique. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. There was a total of 188 MMS cases and 783 WLE cases. The pooled proportion of MMS cases of recurrence is 6.6% (95% CI 3.6–11.9%), compared with WLE 11.3% (95% CI 7.1–16.5%), which was not significantly different (P = 0.12) Pooled time to recurrence of MMS for AFX to be 14.2 (95% CI 11.6–16.8%) months, compared to 13.3 (95% CI 9.99–16.6%) months (P = 0.86). Our findings suggest that recurrence rates are similar between MMS and WLE techniques and that timing of recurrence is similar regardless of surgical technique employed.
Delivery mode, levator avulsion and obstetric anal sphincter injury: A cross‐sectional study 20 years after childbirth
Authors: Lin Sylvia , Atan Ixora Kamisan , Dietz Hans Peter , Herbison Peter , Wilson Peter Donald
Published: February 2019

Background

Levator ani muscle (LAM) and anal sphincter injuries are common after vaginal birth and are associated with pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence.

Aims

Our objective was to investigate long‐term association between delivery mode, LAM avulsion and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in women at least 20 years after their first birth.

Methods

All women recruited at ‘index birth’ of the Dunedin (New Zealand) arm of ProLong (PROlapse and incontinence LONG‐term research) Study, were invited to have translabial and transperineal ultrasound assessment of LAM and anal sphincters. Post‐processing analysis of imaging data was performed blinded against delivery data. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test and results are expressed as odds ratios (OR).

Results

Of the initial 1250 participants, 196 women returned for examination. Mean age was 50.8 years with a mean body mass index of 27.6 and median parity was three. They were seen on average 23 years after their first delivery. Four data sets were unavailable and one declined ultrasound assessment, leaving 191 for analysis. LAM avulsion was diagnosed in 29 (15.2%), and 24 women (12.6%) had significant anal sphincter defect. LAM avulsion was associated with forceps delivery (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.04–5.80, P = 0.041). Forceps conveyed a greater risk of OASIS (21%) compared to a spontaneous vaginal delivery (11%) but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Forceps delivery is associated with long‐term injurious effect on pelvic floor structures. Discussions of the long‐term negative impact of pelvic floor structures and their functions are necessary to achieve an informed consent toward an operative vaginal delivery.
Paired acute‐baseline serum tryptase levels in perioperative anaphylaxis: An observational study
Authors: Vitte Joana , Amadei Laurent , Gouitaa Marion , Mezouar Soraya , Zieleskiewicz Laurent , Albanese Jacques , Bruder Nicolas , Lagier David , Mertès Paul M. , Mège Jean‐Louis , Schwartz Lawrence B. , Leone Marc
Published: February 2019

Background

Anaphylaxis is recognized mainly through clinical criteria, which may lack specificity or relevance in the perioperative setting. The transient increase in serum tryptase has been proposed since 1989 as a diagnostic tool. Sampling for well‐defined acute and baseline determinations has been recommended. We assessed the performance of four proposed algorithms with tightly controlled time frames for tryptase sampling, their robustness with inadequate sampling times, and the possible use of mature tryptase determination.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 102 adult patients from the Aix‐Marseille University Hospitals who had experienced a perioperative hypersensitivity reaction clinically suggesting anaphylaxis. EAACI and ICON criteria were used to diagnose anaphylaxis. Mature and total serum tryptase levels were measured.

Results

Based on EAACI guidelines, clinical diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis were found in 76 patients and lacking in 26. The most effective algorithm was the international consensus recommendation of 2012 that acute total tryptase levels should be greater than ([1.2×baseline tryptase] + 2] μg/L to be considered a clinically significant rise. In our cohort, this algorithm achieved 94% positive predictive value (PPV), 53% negative predictive value (NPV), 75% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and a Youden's index value of 0.61. A detectable acute mature tryptase level showed lower sensitivity, particularly in patients with acute total tryptase levels lower than 16 μg/L. Acute tryptase levels varied as a function of the clinical severity of anaphylaxis.

Conclusion

Total tryptase levels in serum discriminated between nonanaphylactic and anaphylactic events in a perioperative setting when acute and baseline levels were collected and analyzed by the consensus algorithm.
Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid‐warming devices
Authors: Perl T. , Kunze‐Szikszay N. , Bräuer A. , Quintel M. , Röhrig A. L. , Kerpen K. , Telgheder U.
Published: February 2019

The use of fluid‐warming systems is recommended for infusion rates > 500 ml.h−1 to avoid peri‐operative hypothermia. Some fluid‐warming devices use disposable aluminium‐heated plates for heat transfer, but there is no protective coating to separate the fluid from the heated aluminium surface. It is unknown if this could promote release of aluminium into infusion fluids. We investigated a coated (Fluido compact) and an uncoated (enFlow) fluid‐warming device using normal saline or balanced electrolyte solution as infusion fluids, pumped through the heated disposables at flow rates of 2, 4 and 8 ml.min−1 for 60 min each. Aluminium concentrations in the fluid samples were analysed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. With saline the coated and uncoated devices yielded aluminium concentrations below the level of quantification (< 128 μg.l−1). Similarly, balanced electrolyte solution in the coated device yielded aluminium concentrations < 128 μg.l−1. However, balanced electrolyte solution in the uncoated device yielded aluminium concentrations of up to 6794 (3465–8002 [1868–7421]) μg.l−1. Repeating this last study at a flow rate of 2 ml.min−1 resulted in quite high aluminium concentrations when the uncoated device was not heated (~1000 μg.l−1) and higher concentrations after the device was heated. We conclude that using uncoated aluminium plates in fluid‐warming systems can lead to a risk of administering potentially harmful concentrations of aluminium when balanced crystalloid solutions are used. The mechanism is unclear, but heat is in part involved. Coating for aluminium within medical devices in direct contact with infusion fluids should be recommended.
AMH and INSL3 in testicular and extragonadal pathophysiology: what do we know?
Authors: Sansone A. , Kliesch S. , Isidori A. M. , Schlatt S.
Published: February 2019

Background

It is commonly accepted that testicular function is prevalently regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis: The pulsatile secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus induces pituitary expression of the two gonadotropins FSH and LH, which then stimulate Sertoli and Leydig cells, respectively, therefore regulating steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. However, a growing body of evidence has recently suggested that other hormones act on the reproductive tract since the early phases of fetal development. Anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 are still largely used only for research purposes despite being increasingly recognized as markers of Sertoli and Leydig cells function, respectively.

Objectives

Provide an up‐to‐date review of the role of anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 in human pathophysiology according to current evidence.

Materials and Methods

A thorough literature review was performed on PubMed, OVID MEDLINE/EMBASE and Google Scholar for papers concerning anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 in human males.

Results

INSL3 is not acutely regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary axis but is constitutively secreted by Leydig cells, therefore representing a valid marker for their number and status. Anti‐Müllerian hormone expression, on the other hand, is downregulated by androgens, therefore occurring mostly at the early stages of testicular differentiation and before the onset of puberty. Several conditions affecting testicular development, such as male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and their treatment have been associated to specific pattern of INSL3 and anti‐Müllerian hormone expression, proving a role for both hormones in the diagnostic and therapeutic management. Recent reports suggest a role for both anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 in extra gonadal physiology, such as cardiovascular and bone health.

Conclusion

Anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 are markers of Sertoli and Leydig cells maturation, respectively, usually involved in the pathogenesis of disorders of sexual differentiation. However, their role in testicular pathology has only been hinted at in the last decades. Recent evidence supports an involvement of both anti‐Müllerian hormone and INSL3 in extragonadal pathophysiology as well.
Immunohistochemical predictive markers of response to conservative treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Travaglino Antonio , Raffone Antonio , Saccone Gabriele , Insabato Luigi , Mollo Antonio , De Placido Giuseppe , Zullo Fulvio
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Progestogens are widely used for the conservative treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial cancer. Nevertheless, they do not achieve the regression in all cases. Although several immunohistochemical markers have been assessed to predict the response to treatment, their usefulness is still unclear. We aimed to analyze the usefulness of each immunohistochemical marker studied in predicting the response to progestogens in endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial cancer.

Material and methods

Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles from January 2000 to June 2018. All studies assessing the association of immunohistochemical markers with the outcome of the progestogen‐based therapy in endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial cancer were included. The expression of immunohistochemical markers in pretreatment phase and changes of expression during the follow‐up were evaluated in relation to response to therapy and relapse.

Results

Twenty‐seven studies with 1360 women were included in the systematic review; 43 immunohistochemical markers were assessed. The most studied predictive markers in the pretreatment phase were progesterone and estrogen receptors, although with conflicting results; their isoforms, and in particular progesterone receptor B, appeared more promising. Further studies are needed to confirm the usefulness of mismatch repair proteins, Dusp6, GRP78 and PTEN combined with other molecules such as phospho‐AKT or phospho‐mTOR. In the follow‐up phase, Nrf2 and survivin showed the stronger evidence; a role may also be played by Bcl2 and Ki67. Further studies are necessary for Fas, NCoR, AKR1C1, HE4, PAX2 and SPAG9.

Conclusions

Several immunohistochemical markers might be helpful in predicting the response to conservative treatment of endometrial hyperplasia and early endometrial cancer on pretreatment and follow‐up specimens. Further studies are needed to confirm their usefulness and possibly integrate them in a predictive immunohistochemical panel.
Natural Flood Management: Beyond the evidence debate
Authors: Wingfield Thea , Macdonald Neil , Peters Kimberley , Spees Jack , Potter Karen
Published: February 2019

Globally, flood frequency has increased over the last three decades. Natural Flood Management (NFM) is considered a progressive holistic flood management approach, using “natural” hydrological processes to slow and store water, delivering multiple benefits including water quality, biodiversity and amenity improvements. Although there are existing evaluations of NFM, they remain insufficient for drawing conclusions as to its effectiveness at catchment scales. However, without this evidence base and because of the domination of the natural sciences in the framing and research agenda, catchment‐wide interventions have not been implemented. In acknowledging the importance of understanding and data gaps (and attempts to fill them), this paper argues that there is an opportunity to deliver NFM more widely by capitalising on widespread interest in different land and water management sectors, supported by interdisciplinary policy‐relevant research. This paper illustrates how multi‐stakeholder collaborative partnership is suited to the dynamic complexity of NFM delivery. It is proposed that, through championing NFM delivery at catchment scales and the work of established catchment partnerships in England and Wales, there is the opportunity to more widely deliver NFM as an integrated component of flood risk management.
Outcome of transformed follicular lymphoma worsens according to the timing of transformation and to the number of previous therapies. A retrospective multicenter study on behalf of Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)
Authors: Rusconi Chiara , Anastasia Antonella , Chiarenza Annalisa , Marcheselli Luigi , Cavallo Federica , Rattotti Sara , Botto Barbara , Ferrari Angela , Nassi Luca , Pagani Chiara , Meli Erika , Arcaini Luca , Federico Massimo , Rossi Giuseppe ,   on behalf of Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)
Published: February 2019

Optimal treatment for transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL) is not fully defined. Clinical characteristics and treatments that impact on post‐transformation outcome of 176 biopsy‐proven tFL were analysed. Transformation occurred at initial diagnosis in 52% (Group 1) and after a FL diagnosis in 48% (Group 2). Five‐year overall survival was 84% for Group 1 and 51% for Group 2 (P < 0·001). In Group 1, 5‐year progression‐free survival was superior after rituximab maintenance compared to observation only (94% vs. 53%, P = 0·024). In Group 2, an inverse trend was found between survival and both a higher number of pre‐transformation treatment lines and a short time‐to‐transformation.
Towards end‐to‐end likelihood‐free inference with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Radev Stefan T. , Mertens Ulf K. , Voss Andreas , Köthe Ullrich
Published: February 2019

Complex simulator‐based models with non‐standard sampling distributions require sophisticated design choices for reliable approximate parameter inference. We introduce a fast, end‐to‐end approach for approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) based on fully convolutional neural networks. The method enables users of ABC to derive simultaneously the posterior mean and variance of multidimensional posterior distributions directly from raw simulated data. Once trained on simulated data, the convolutional neural network is able to map real data samples of variable size to the first two posterior moments of the relevant parameter's distributions. Thus, in contrast to other machine learning approaches to ABC, our approach allows us to generate reusable models that can be applied by different researchers employing the same model. We verify the utility of our method on two common statistical models (i.e., a multivariate normal distribution and a multiple regression scenario), for which the posterior parameter distributions can be derived analytically. We then apply our method to recover the parameters of the leaky competing accumulator (LCA) model and we reference our results to the current state‐of‐the‐art technique, which is the probability density estimation (PDA). Results show that our method exhibits a lower approximation error compared with other machine learning approaches to ABC. It also performs similarly to PDA in recovering the parameters of the LCA model.
Environmental Justice and Public Beach Access
Authors: Kim Jinwon , Lyu Seong Ok , Song HakJun
Published: February 2019

Beaches are an important recreational setting due to their provision of ideal open spaces for diverse water– and land–based recreation opportunities. Despite the importance of assessing the environmental justice of public beach access, few empirical studies have been conducted in community recreation. Using an environmental justice framework, this study examined whether inequities exist for certain racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups with respect to the distribution of public beach access in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Results indicated that inequitable public beach access is associated with population density, median housing value, elderly population, and nonvehicle ownership. Such findings can help public leisure agencies to assess environmental justice, a first step in developing more effective community recreation planning and management policies. Study implications, limitations, and recommendations for further research are also discussed.
Land as a Transactional Asset: Moral Economy and Market Logic in Contested Land Acquisition in India
Authors: Nair Manjusha
Published: February 2019

The state seizure of land from farmers for development projects has triggered numerous protests in India. How far can these protests be characterized as a Polanyian countermovement to reclaim rights on land, resisting the encroachment of neoliberal market forces on society? Based on field research conducted in 2013–17 in two villages in prosperous western Uttar Pradesh that were host to a series of dramatic and violent protests in 2011, this article argues that rather than reclaiming land from commodification, the farmers were using the land as a market instrument, atransactional asset, in negotiating for a better deal within a dominant market‐driven template. The author suggests that valuing land as a transactional asset to be deployed in the market symbolizes a new moral economy in this region, prompted by increasing risk in farming, improved economic standing and aspirations, and a lack of faith in the neoliberalizing state and political institutions.
TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND FIRM PRODUCTIVITY: ESTIMATION METHODS MATTER
Authors: Kealey John , Pujolas Pau S. , Sosa‐Padilla César
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we show that the relationship between trade liberalization and firm productivity is sensitive to the method used to estimate the production function. We estimate the productivity of Colombian manufacturing plants using the methods of Levinsohn and Petrin, Ackerberg et al., and Gandhi et al. and at times come to surprisingly different conclusions about firm productivity growth after the liberalization. Results from a growth decomposition exercise and from a quantile regression model reinforce the dissimilarity of results across methods. (JEL F13, 14, D24, C14)
From clock to functional pacemaker
Authors: Michel Stephan , Meijer Johanna H.
Published: February 2019

In mammals, the central pacemaker that coordinates 24‐hr rhythms is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Individual neurons of the SCN have a molecular basis for rhythm generation and hence, they function as cell autonomous oscillators. Communication and synchronization among these neurons are crucial for obtaining a coherent rhythm at the population level, that can serve as a pace making signal for brain and body. Hence, the ability of single SCN neurons to produce circadian rhythms is equally important as the ability of these neurons to synchronize one another, to obtain a bona fide pacemaker at the SCN tissue level. In this chapter we will discuss the mechanisms underlying synchronization, and plasticity herein, which allows adaptation to changes in day length. Furthermore, we will discuss deterioration in synchronization among SCN neurons in aging, and gain in synchronization by voluntary physical activity or exercise.
Clinical applicability of diagnostic biomarkers in early‐onset cognitive impairment
Authors: Falgàs N. , Tort‐Merino A. , Balasa M. , Borrego‐Écija S. , Castellví M. , Olives J. , Bosch B. , Férnandez‐Villullas G. , Antonell A. , Augé J. M. , Lomeña F. , Perissinotti A. , Bargalló N. , Sánchez‐Valle R. , Lladó A.
Published: February 2019

Background and purpose

Several diagnostic biomarkers are currently available for clinical use in early‐onset cognitive impairment. The decision on which biomarker is used in each patient depends on several factors such as its predictive value or tolerability.

Methods

There were a total of 40 subjects with early‐onset cognitive complaints (<65 years of age): 26 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), five with frontotemporal dementia and nine with diagnostic suspicion of non‐neurodegenerative disorder. Clinical and neuropsychological evaluation, lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD core biochemical marker determination, medial temporal atrophy evaluation on magnetic resonance imaging, amyloid‐positron emission tomography (PET) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET were performed. Neurologists provided pre‐ and post‐biomarker diagnosis, together with diagnostic confidence and clinical/therapeutic management. Patients scored the tolerability of each procedure.

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and amyloid‐PET increased diagnostic confidence in AD (77.4%–86.2% after CSF, 92.4% after amyloid‐PET, P < 0.01) and non‐neurodegenerative conditions (53.6%–75% after CSF, 95% after amyloid‐PET, P < 0.05). Biomarker results led to diagnostic (32.5%) and treatment (32.5%) changes. All tests were well tolerated.

Conclusions

Biomarker procedures are well tolerated and have an important diagnostic/therapeutic impact on early‐onset cognitive impairment.
Detailing Köppen–Geiger climate zones at sub‐national to continental scale: a resource for pest risk analysis
Authors: MacLeod A. , Korycinska A.
Published: February 2019

The widely used Köppen–Geiger climate classification system can inform judgements of establishment during pest categorizations and systems of simplified pest risk assessment. Such processes allow national plant protection organizations to quickly identify plant pests of potential regulatory concern. Judging whether a pest can establish is a key factor in determining whether a pest satisfies the definition of a quarantine pest. Climate is often a significant factor influencing where species can establish. Here, we provide a resource that reports the Köppen–Geiger climate classification at a range of spatial scales from sub‐national to continental for the period 1986–2010 in an accessible table. The data is provided as a resource for pest risk analysis to inform and support rapid decision‐making. An online appendix is provided showing the number of grid cells in each of the 31 Köppen–Geiger climate types in 417 regions across the globe at country level or less. Thirteen climate types occur within the European Union (EU), the most common is ‘temperate oceanic’ occupying 48% of EU grid cells. Twenty‐four of 31 climate types occur within the EPPO region; the most common is ‘continental, uniform precipitation with cold summer’, occupying 35% of EPPO grid cells.
The resolution‐dependent role of landscape attributes in shaping macro‐scale biodiversity patterns
Authors: Qiu Yanning , Teng Shuqing N. , Zhang Yong , Santana Joana , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Reino Luís , Abades Sabastián , Ma Haozhi , Yang Luojun , Wu Yiqian , Huang Zheng Y. X. , Xu Chi
Published: February 2019

Aim

The aim was to assess whether and to what extent the role of local landscape attributes in shaping macroscopic biodiversity patterns is sensitive to spatial and thematic resolutions of land cover data.

Location

Sub‐Saharan Africa and continental China.

Time period

Early 21st century.

Taxa studied

Terrestrial mammals.

Methods

We conducted spatial and thematic scaling analyses to generate land cover datasets of different spatial (0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 9.0 km) and thematic (two, three and five classes) resolutions. We calculated landscape metrics based on the resulting land cover maps and examined the power of landscape metrics for explaining species richness patterns, using non‐spatial (OLS) and spatial (SAR) linear models and random forest (RF) models. We systematically assessed the resolution dependence of explanatory power for different geographical regions, different scaling approaches and different model types. We also compared the explanatory power of landscape attributes with that of macroclimate.

Results

Collectively, local landscape attributes generally had strong explanatory power for species richness. For the African system, the largest explanatory power was c. 60% based on the OLS models and random forest models and c. 30% based on the non‐spatial components of the SAR models. For the Chinese system, the largest explanatory power was c. 35% based on the OLS models and c. 40% based on the SAR and random forest models. We observed a linear scaling relationship, which is robust to studied systems, scaling approaches and model types. In contrast, the scaling relationship varies substantially among single landscape metrics. At coarse resolutions, the addition of landscape attributes collectively would not improve climate‐envelope models significantly, whereas at finer resolutions, landscape attributes collectively have explanatory power that is close to or even exceeds climate.

Main conclusions

Local landscape attributes play an important role in shaping macroscopic biodiversity patterns. However, their strength is highly sensitive to both spatial and thematic resolutions of land cover data, with stronger explanatory power detected at finer resolutions. Strong sensitivity to spatial and thematic resolutions makes landscape attributes highly plastic determinants, leading to contrasting conclusions if based on greatly different resolutions of land cover data. Scaling analyses are needed to examine such cross‐scale effects of macroecological determinants systematically.
Everyday life and environmental change
Authors: Kothari Uma , Arnall Alex
Published: February 2019

This paper explores how daily changes in the physical environment intersect and connect with people's everyday lives, routines and practices in the Maldives. Day‐to‐day life is often regarded as mundane and ordinary, and therefore not particularly worthy of study. As this paper argues, however, the everyday is central to understanding how environmental change occurs and how people respond to it. Much recent work has challenged the ontological separation of the human and non‐human, yet approaches to examining environment–everyday connections have, to date, been largely unidirectional, focusing on either how the environment impacts on human practices or is impacted by them. Using the notion of the everyday, this paper explores how “impacting on” and “impacted by” are entangled, ongoing cyclical processes that unfold daily. It draws on a series of innovative methodologies conducted with island‐base communities to examine three key changes in the physical environment that are taking place in the context of the recent and rapid development of tourism on inhabited islands: sand excavation and erosion, the appearance and removal of rubbish and debris, and the expansion of the built environment. The paper reveals the significance of these day‐to‐day changes and the ways in which they are accommodated by, and incorporated into, the spatial and temporal dimensions of people's daily practices. It concludes by suggesting that an appreciation of the everyday can contribute to new understandings of human/non‐human entanglements.
The influence of particle size of slurry on life on BME‐MLCC
Authors: Cheng Qijun , Huang Lida , Xu Hao , Yi Fengju , Ding Dengjie , Xie Donghui
Published: February 2019

Four slurries and base metal electrode multiplayer ceramic capacitor (BME‐MLCC) samples（0603‐X7R‐50V‐104）were prepared by using different grinding ways. The particle sizes of slurries were characterized by grading analysis and the micro‐morphology of films and samples were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The structure was characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). Finally, the life of samples were tested by highly accelerated life testing (HALT). Results showed that the particle size distribution of slurry which was made using smaller grinding media by sander was narrow. The micromorphology of as‐prepared films and samples were more tightly, the numbers of particles in single dielectric were more, the initial reliability was better and the life was longer.
Reducing assimilation and contrast effects on selection interview ratings using behaviorally anchored rating scales
Authors: Lubbe Dirk , Nitsche Anna
Published: February 2019

Performance ratings have been shown to be susceptible to various biases. Two of the most influential biases are assimilation and contrast effects. They denote that ratings are biased either toward (assimilation) or away from (contrast) prior reference assessments. Rigorous rater trainings have proven useful to reduce the latter bias, which, however, are rather time‐consuming. A more parsimonious approach achieving a similar purpose may be to optimize the rating material in order to reduce the tendency of being affected by non‐performance‐related information. Behaviorally anchored ratings scales (BARS) appear to be a theoretically sound alternative in contexts in which rater trainings are uncommon or assessment situations occur only rarely. In two experiments, we evaluated whether BARS are able to reduce assimilation and contrast effects using systematically manipulated standardized videotaped selection interviews. While assimilation effects were reduced by 40%, contrast effects were not significantly but descriptively reduced.