bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological Characteristics and Carrier Functions of Pegylated Manganese Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles
Authors: Guo Ting , Dou Fengxiao , Lin Mei , Huang Junxing , Zhou Chenglin , Zhang Jun , Yu Hong , Jiang Xingmao , Ye Jun , Shi Yujuan , Xiao Yanhong , Bian Xuefeng , Feng Xiaoqian , Xu Ning
Published: November 2019

This study was performed to investigate the biocompatibility (BC), magnetothermal effect, and DNA binding biological characteristics of manganese zinc ferrite nanoparticles (Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4-NPs (MZF-NPs)) coated with pegylated manganese (PEG-MZF-NPs). Their functions as gene transfer carrier for gene therapy and magnetic medium for tumor hyperthermia were also explored. The manganese zinc ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized through high temperature cracking, and their characterizations were discovered. Hemolysis test and MTT assay were performed to evaluate biocompatibility, and their self-heating effects in the alternating magnetic field were investigated. PEG-MZF-NPs with different concentrations were measured by using 7.0 T Micro-MR scanner (MRI) to calculate the T2 value and r2 relaxation rate of each sample. The CD44-shRNA plasmids were constructed, and their ability to bind PEG-MZF-NPs were examined. The DNA release from PEG-MZF-NP/DNA complex and protection of DNA from nuclease digestion were also detected. After CD44-shRNA-EGFP were transfected into the ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells by using PEG-MZF-NPs as carriers, the transfection efficiency was detected by a flow cytometer and expression of CD44 mRNA and protein in cells was detected using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. We successfully prepared PEG-MZF-NPs with favorable dispersity, magnetic responsiveness, and BC. Typically, the excellent magnetothermal effect can be used for a tumor magnetothermal therapeutic study. In vitro MRI showed the application potential for being magnetic resonance T2 relaxation contrast agents and the possibility to achieve goal of integration of targeting diagnosis and treatment. The CD44-shRNA plasmids have been successfully constructed and concluded that PEG-MZF-NPs may serve as gene transfer carriers for gene therapy.
Reprogrammed Cells Display Distinct Proteomic Signatures Associated with Colony Morphology Variability
Authors: Bjørlykke Yngvild , Søviknes Anne M. , Hoareau Laurence , Vethe Heidrun , Mathisen Andreas F. , Chera Simona , Vaudel Marc , Ghila Luiza M. , Ræder Helge
Published: November 2019

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are of high interest because they can be differentiated into a vast range of different cell types. Ideally, reprogrammed cells should sustain long-term culturing in an undifferentiated state. However, some reprogrammed cell lines represent an unstable state by spontaneously differentiating and changing their cellular phenotype and colony morphology. This phenomenon is not fully understood, and no method is available to predict it reliably. In this study, we analyzed and compared the proteome landscape of 20 reprogrammed cell lines classified as stable and unstable based on long-term colony morphology. We identified distinct proteomic signatures associated with stable colony morphology and with unstable colony morphology, although the typical pluripotency markers (POU5F1, SOX2) were present with both morphologies. Notably, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein markers were associated with unstable colony morphology, and the transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) signalling pathway was predicted as one of the main regulator pathways involved in this process. Furthermore, we identified specific proteins that separated the stable from the unstable state. Finally, we assessed both spontaneous embryonic body (EB) formation and directed differentiation and showed that reprogrammed lines with an unstable colony morphology had reduced differentiation capacity. To conclude, we found that different defined patterns of colony morphology in reprogrammed cells were associated with distinct proteomic profiles and different outcomes in differentiation capacity.
Recurrent Neural Network Model Based on a New Regularization Technique for Real-Time Intrusion Detection in SDN Environments
Authors: Albahar Marwan Ali
Published: November 2019

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a promising approach to networking that provides an abstraction layer for the physical network. This technology has the potential to decrease the networking costs and complexity within huge data centers. Although SDN offers flexibility, it has design flaws with regard to network security. To support the ongoing use of SDN, these flaws must be fixed using an integrated approach to improve overall network security. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a recurrent neural network (RNN) model based on a new regularization technique (RNN-SDR). This technique supports intrusion detection within SDNs. The purpose of regularization is to generalize the machine learning model enough for it to be performed optimally. Experiments on the KDD Cup 1999, NSL-KDD, and UNSW-NB15 datasets achieved accuracies of 99.5%, 97.39%, and 99.9%, respectively. The proposed RNN-SDR employs a minimum number of features when compared with other models. In addition, the experiments also validated that the RNN-SDR model does not significantly affect network performance in comparison with other options. Based on the analysis of the results of our experiments, we conclude that the RNN-SDR model is a promising approach for intrusion detection in SDN environments.
Gut Microbiome of Chinese Forest Musk Deer Examined across Gender and Age
Authors: Zhao Guijun , Ma Tianyuan , Tang Wenjiao , Li Diyan , Mishra Shailendra Kumar , Xu Zhongxian , Wang Qilin , Jie Hang
Published: November 2019

Animal gut microbiota begins to colonize after birth and is functionally indispensable for maintaining the health of the host. It has been reported that gender and age influence the composition of the intestinal microbiome. However, the effects of gender and age on the intestinal microorganism of forest musk deer (FMD) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the structure and composition of fecal microbiota of male and female forest musk deer with age. Here, Illumina Miseq 300PE sequencing platform targeting 16S rRNA V3–V4 hypervariable region applied to define the fecal microbiota of male and female FMD with two age groups, juvenile (age 1–2 years) and adult (age 4–10 years). Alpha diversity index did not show significant difference in bacterial diversity between the males and females or among age groups. The intestinal microbiota of FMD was dominated by three phyla, the Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes regardless of gender and different ages. Higher proportions of Proteobacteria were found in adult male and juvenile female individuals. The composition of Bacteroidetes was stable with the gender and age of FMD. Interestingly, the relative abundance of genera Clostridiales and Bacteroidales were higher in the juvenile FMD. Conversely, proportions of Pseudomonas and Lachnospiraceae were abundant in the adult FMD. Higher proportions of Ruminococcaceae, Dore, and 5-7N15 were found in the juvenile male groups. They may reflect the different immune resistance of male and female individuals at different stages of development. This study explored the fecal microbiota composition of forest musk deer in relation to gender and age, which may provide an effective strategy for developing intestinal microecological preparations and potential musk deer breeding.
Hydrostatin-SN10 Ameliorates Pancreatitis-Induced Lung Injury by Affecting IL-6-Induced JAK2/STAT3-Associated Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Piao Xuehua , Zou Yanping , Sui Xiaodan , Liu Baohai , Meng Fanji , Li Shuangdi , Zhang Qingyu , Ma Chi , Wu Tong
Published: November 2019

Hydrostatin-SN1 (peptide sequence, DEQHLETELHTLTSVLTANGFQ), a kind of peptides extracted from snake venom, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect, but its truncated mutant hydrostatin-SN10 (peptide sequence, DEQHLETELH) on pancreatitis-induced acute lung injury has not been well documented. Interleukin- (IL-) 6-induced Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway is involved with inflammatory and oxidative stress activities and may be associated with the pathogenesis of lung injury, and related molecules were measured. Taurocholate-induced pancreatitis associated with acute lung injury was established and treated with hydrostatin-SN10. Pancreatitis was confirmed by measuring the serum levels of amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen and urinary amylase. Lung injury was determined by histologically assessing acinar cell changes. The related molecules of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3-associated inflammation and oxidative stress were quantitated by real time-PCR, Western blot, and/or immunochemical assay. Hydrostatin-SN10 reduced the levels of serum amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen and urinary amylase when compared with the model group (p<0.05). Hydrostatin-SN10 significantly inhibited the IL-6-stimulated JAK2/STAT3 pathway and reduced the number of apoptotic cells via the downregulation of caspase 3 and BAX (proapoptotic) and upregulation of Bcl2 (antiapoptotic) (p<0.05). IL-6 induced the increase in the levels of JAK2 and STAT3, which was reversed by hydrostatin-SN10 treatment (p<0.05). In addition, hydrostatin-SN10 reduced the expression of IL-6 and TNF- (tumor necrosis factor-) α and increased the level of IL-10 (p<0.05). On the other hand, hydrostatin-SN10 treatment increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p<0.05). These results suggest that hydrostatin-SN10 may inhibit pancreatitis-induced acute lung injury by affecting IL-6-mediated JAK2/STAT3 pathway-associated inflammation and oxidative stress.
Expression Patterns of Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Tumor and Adjacent Normal Mucosa Tissues among Patients with Colorectal Cancer: The ColoCare Study
Authors: Beyerle Jolantha , Holowatyj Andreana N. , Haffa Mariam , Frei Eva , Gigic Biljana , Schrotz-King Petra , Boehm Juergen , Habermann Nina , Stiborova Marie , Scherer Dominique , Kölsch Torsten , Skender Stephanie , Becker Nikolaus , Herpel Esther , Schneider Martin , Ulrich Alexis , Schirmacher Peter , Chang-Claude Jenny , Brenner Hermann , Hoffmeister Michael , Haug Ulrike , Owen Robert W. , Ulrich Cornelia M.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XME) play a critical role in the activation and detoxification of several carcinogens. However, the role of XMEs in colorectal carcinogenesis is unclear.

Methods:

We investigated the expression of XMEs in human colorectal tissues among patients with stage I–IV colorectal cancer (n = 71) from the ColoCare Study. Transcriptomic profiling using paired colorectal tumor and adjacent normal mucosa tissues of XMEs (GSTM1, GSTA1, UGT1A8, UGT1A10, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, GSTP1, and CYP2W1) by RNA microarray was compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. We assessed associations between clinicopathologic, dietary, and lifestyle factors and XME expression with linear regression models.

Results:

GSTM1, GSTA1, UGT1A8, UGT1A10, and CYP3A4 were all statistically significantly downregulated in colorectal tumor relative to normal mucosa tissues (all P ≤ 0.03). Women had significantly higher expression of GSTM1 in normal tissues compared with men (β = 0.37, P = 0.02). By tumor site, CYP2C9 expression was lower in normal mucosa among patients with rectal cancer versus colon cancer cases (β = −0.21, P = 0.0005). Smokers demonstrated higher CYP2C9 expression levels in normal mucosa (β = 0.17, P = 0.02) when compared with nonsmokers. Individuals who used NSAIDs had higher GSTP1 tumor expression compared with non-NSAID users (β = 0.17, P = 0.03). Higher consumption of cooked vegetables (>1×/week) was associated with higher CYP3A4 expression in colorectal tumor tissues (β = 0.14, P = 0.007).

Conclusions:

XMEs have lower expression in colorectal tumor relative to normal mucosa tissues and may modify colorectal carcinogenesis via associations with clinicopathologic, lifestyle, and dietary factors.

Impact:

Better understanding into the role of drug-metabolizing enzymes in colorectal cancer may reveal biological differences that contribute to cancer development, as well as treatment response, leading to clinical implications in colorectal cancer prevention and management.
Transcribed Ultraconserved Regions, Uc.323, Ameliorates Cardiac Hypertrophy by Regulating the Transcription of CPT1b (Carnitine Palmitoyl transferase 1b)
Authors: Sun Yu , Fan Wendong , Xue Ruicong , Dong Bin , Liang Zhuomin , Chen Chen , Li Jiayong , Wang Yan , Zhao Jingjing , Huang Huiling , Jiang Jingzhou , Wu Zexuan , Dai Gang , Fang Rong , Yan Youchen , Yang Tiqun , Huang Zhan-Peng , Dong Yugang , Liu Chen
Published: November 2019

Transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are a novel class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed from UCRs, which exhibit 100% DNA sequence conservation among humans, mice, and rats. However, whether T-UCRs regulate cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. We aimed to explore the effects of T-UCRs on cardiac hypertrophy. First, we performed long noncoding RNA microarray analysis on hearts of mice subjected to sham surgery or aortic banding and found that the T-UCR uc.323 was decreased significantly in mice with aortic banding–induced cardiac hypertrophy. In vitro loss- and gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that uc.323 protected cardiomyocytes against hypertrophy induced by phenylephrine. Additionally, we discovered that mammalian target of rapamycin 1 contributed to phenylephrine-induced uc.323 downregulation and uc.323-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We further mapped the possible target genes of uc.323 through global microarray mRNA expression analysis after uc.323 knockdown and found that uc.323 regulated the expression of cardiac hypertrophy–related genes such as
CPT1b
(Carnitine Palmitoyl transferase 1b). Then, chromatin immunoprecipitation proved that EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) bound to the promoter of CPT1b via H3K27me3 (trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3) to induce CPT1b downregulation. And overexpression of CPT1b could block uc.323-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, we found that uc.323 deficiency induced cardiac hypertrophy. Our results reveal that uc.323 is a conserved T-UCR that inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, potentially by regulating the transcription of CPT1b via interaction with EZH2.
Exercise Systolic Blood Pressure at Moderate Workload Is Linearly Associated With Coronary Disease Risk in Healthy Men
Authors: Mariampillai Julian E. , Liestøl Knut , Kjeldsen Sverre E. , Prestgaard Erik E. , Engeseth Kristian , Bodegard Johan , Berge Eivind , Gjesdal Knut , Erikssen Jan , Grundvold Irene , Skretteberg Per T.
Published: November 2019

There is no consensus on the definition of an exaggerated increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise. The aim was to explore a potential threshold for exercise SBP associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease in healthy men using repeated exercise testing. Two thousand fourteen healthy white male employees were recruited into the Oslo Ischemia Study during early 1970s. At follow-up 7 years later, 1392 men were still considered healthy. A bicycle exercise test at 100 W workload was performed at both visits. Cox regression analyses were performed with increasing cutoff levels of peak exercise SBP at 100 W workload (SBP100W) from 160 mm Hg to 200 mm Hg, adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and physical fitness. Participants with SBP100W below cutoff level at both baseline and first follow-up were compared with participants with SBP100W equal to or above cutoff level at both visits. Compared with participants with SBP100W below all cutoff levels between 165 and 195 mm Hg, coronary heart disease risk was increased among participants with SBP100W equal to or above cutoff at all levels. There was no evidence of a distinct threshold level for coronary heart disease risk, and the relation between SBP100W and coronary heart disease appears linear. When investigating exercise SBP at moderate workload measured at 2 exercise tests in healthy middle-aged white men, there is increasing risk of coronary heart disease with increasing exercise SBP independent of SBP at rest. The association is linear from the low range of exercise SBP, and there is no sign of a distinct threshold level for increased coronary disease risk.
Noncontrast Computed Tomography Signs as Predictors of Hematoma Expansion, Clinical Outcome, and Response to Tranexamic Acid in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Law Zhe Kang , Ali Azlinawati , Krishnan Kailash , Bischoff Adam , Appleton Jason P. , Scutt Polly , Woodhouse Lisa , Pszczolkowski Stefan , Cala Lesley A. , Dineen Robert A. , England Timothy J. , Ozturk Serefnur , Roffe Christine , Bereczki Daniel , Ciccone Alfonso , Christensen Hanne , Ovesen Christian , Bath Philip M. , Sprigg Nikola ,   on behalf of TICH-2 Investigators
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose—

Blend, black hole, island signs, and hypodensities are reported to predict hematoma expansion in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. We explored the value of these noncontrast computed tomography signs in predicting hematoma expansion and functional outcome in our cohort of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods—

The TICH-2 (Tranexamic acid for IntraCerebral Hemorrhage-2) was a prospective randomized controlled trial exploring the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Baseline and 24-hour computed tomography scans of trial participants were analyzed. Hematoma expansion was defined as an increase in hematoma volume of >33% or >6 mL on 24-hour computed tomography. Poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale of 4 to 6 at day 90. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of hematoma expansion and poor functional outcome.

Results—

Of 2325 patients recruited, 2077 (89.3%) had valid baseline and 24-hour scans. Five hundred seventy patients (27.4%) had hematoma expansion while 1259 patients (54.6%) had poor functional outcome. The prevalence of noncontrast computed tomography signs was blend sign, 366 (16.1%); black hole sign, 414 (18.2%); island sign, 200 (8.8%); and hypodensities, 701 (30.2%). Blend sign (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.53 [95% CI, 1.16–2.03];
P
=0.003), black hole (aOR, 2.03 [1.34–3.08];
P
=0.001), and hypodensities (aOR, 2.06 [1.48–2.89];
P
<0.001) were independent predictors of hematoma expansion on multivariable analysis with adjustment for covariates. Black hole sign (aOR, 1.52 [1.10–2.11];
P
=0.012), hypodensities (aOR, 1.37 [1.05–1.78];
P
=0.019), and island sign (aOR, 2.59 [1.21–5.55];
P
=0.014) were significant predictors of poor functional outcome. Tranexamic acid reduced the risk of hematoma expansion (aOR, 0.77 [0.63–0.94];
P
=0.010), but there was no significant interaction between the presence of noncontrast computed tomography signs and benefit of tranexamic acid on hematoma expansion and functional outcome (
P
interaction all >0.05).

Conclusions—

Blend sign, black hole sign, and hypodensities predict hematoma expansion while black hole sign, hypodensities, and island signs predict poor functional outcome. Noncontrast computed tomography signs did not predict a better response to tranexamic acid.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.isrctn.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN93732214.
Fully Automated Segmentation Algorithm for Hematoma Volumetric Analysis in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Ironside Natasha , Chen Ching-Jen , Mutasa Simukayi , Sim Justin L. , Marfatia Saurabh , Roh David , Ding Dale , Mayer Stephan A. , Lignelli Angela , Connolly Edward Sander
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose—

Hematoma volume measurements influence prognosis and treatment decisions in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aims of this study are to derive and validate a fully automated segmentation algorithm for ICH volumetric analysis using deep learning methods.

Methods—

In-patient computed tomography scans of 300 consecutive adults (age ≥18 years) with spontaneous, supratentorial ICH who were enrolled in the ICHOP (Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes Project; 2009–2018) were separated into training (n=260) and test (n=40) datasets. A fully automated segmentation algorithm was derived using convolutional neural networks, and it was trained on manual segmentations from the training dataset. The algorithm’s performance was assessed against manual and semiautomated segmentation methods in the test dataset.

Results—

The mean volumetric Dice similarity coefficients for the fully automated segmentation algorithm when tested against manual and semiautomated segmentation methods were 0.894±0.264 and 0.905±0.254, respectively. ICH volumes derived from fully automated versus manual (
R
2
=0.981;
P
<0.0001), fully automated versus semiautomated (
R
2
=0.978;
P
<0.0001), and semiautomated versus manual (
R
2
=0.990;
P
<0001) segmentation methods had strong between-group correlations. The fully automated segmentation algorithm (mean 12.0±2.7 s/scan) was significantly faster than both of the manual (mean 201.5±92.2 s/scan;
P
<0.001) and semiautomated (mean 288.58±160.3 s/scan;
P
<0.001) segmentation methods.

Conclusions—

The fully automated segmentation algorithm quantified hematoma volumes from computed tomography scans of supratentorial ICH patients with similar accuracy and substantially greater efficiency compared with manual and semiautomated segmentation methods. External validation of the fully automated segmentation algorithm is warranted.
Talking About Youth: The Depoliticization of Young People in the Public Domain
Authors: Giugni Marco , Grasso Maria
Published: November 2019

In this article, we employ data from comparative claims analysis of five major newspapers in nine European countries between 2010 and 2016 to examine discourse around youth. We look at the ways in which collective actors frame youth in the public domain and how this may provide discursive opportunities understood in terms of the extent to which public discourse portrays young people as agents of social change. More specifically, we argue that young people are depoliticized in the public domain. We find that public statements and more generally public discourse about youth tend to depict them as actors who do not have political aims or to focus on other, nonpolitical characteristics. Our exploratory analysis shows that, while youth are fairly present as actors in the public domain, they are only rarely addressed or discussed in political terms. Moreover, where they are addressed politically, it is in negative terms, with few political claims. At the same time, we observe important cross-national variations, whereby the depoliticization process looks to be further matured in some countries relative to others. This process of depoliticization of youth in the public domain, in turn, has important implications on their potential for acting as political agents and for their political activism.
The Spatial Scope of Youth-Related Claims Making in Nine European Countries
Authors: Paschou Maria , Kousis Maria , Cinalli Manlio , Chabanet Didier
Published: November 2019

This comparative examination sheds light on the spatial scope of actors making youth-related claims in mainstream media. Drawing on the “political opportunity structure” approach, our main argument is that the spatial scope of political debates on youth-related issues are driven by institutional arrangements reflecting windows of opportunities for the representation of various youth interests. Methodologically, we draw on “claim-making” analysis of five newspapers for each of the nine countries of the EURYKA project, that is, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Our cross-national exploratory analysis aims to show, (a) how state configuration and youth regime contexts impact on the spatial scope of youth and nonyouth actors, and furthermore, on specific state, civil society, and interest group actors, as well as (b) whether this leads to a new clustering of countries across spatial divides in the age of youth precarity. Cross-national variation is especially considered by looking at how institutional arrangements vary in each country, based on their youth policy regimes, the specific state structure and the impact of recent economic crisis on youth welfare policies.
The Nerve to Thyrohyoid Muscle as a Novel Donor Nerve for Laryngeal Reinnervation
Authors: Graham M. Elise , Smith Marshall E.
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury may be a consequence of surgical procedures of the skull base, neck, and chest, with adverse consequences to function and quality of life. Laryngeal reinnervation offers a potentially stable improvement in vocal fold position and tone. The classic donor nerve is the ansa cervicalis, but is not always available due to damage or sacrifice during previous neck surgeries. Our objective was to introduce the nerve to the thyrohyoid (TH) muscle as an alternate donor nerve for reinnervation, which has not previously been described.

Methods:

Case series of two patients using the TH nerve for laryngeal reinnervation after RLN injury, with description of surgical harvest.

Results:

Follow-up results are available for 10 months (one patient) and 3 years (one patient) demonstrating both subjective and objective improvement in function. GRBAS scores were reduced. Maximal phonation time was improved. Patient rating of voice was stable or improved postoperatively. One patient described significant preoperative dyspnea which was significantly improved postoperatively, from a score of 24 to 10 out of 40 on the dyspnea handicap index. VHI was improved in one patient, but scores elevated in the other, despite a change from “moderately severe impairment” to “normal voice” subjectively. Neither patient experienced significant complications from the procedure.

Conclusion:

Laryngeal reinnervation procedures provide good outcomes in pediatric patients. When ansa cervicalis is not available as a donor nerve, the nerve to TH provides a reasonable alternative.
External Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Mid-Infrared Dispersion Spectroscopy for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Liquid-Phase Samples
Authors: Lindner Stefan , Hayden Jakob , Schwaighofer Andreas , Wolflehner Tobias , Kristament Christian , González-Cabrera María , Zlabinger Stefan , Lendl Bernhard
Published: November 2019

Acquisition of classical absorption spectra of liquids in the mid-IR range with quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) is often limited in sensitivity by noise from the laser source. Alternatively, measurement of molecular dispersion (i.e., refractive index) spectra poses an experimental approach that is immune to intensity fluctuations and further offers a direct relationship between the recorded signal and the sample concentration. In this work, we present an external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) based Mach–Zehnder interferometer setup to determine dispersion spectra of liquid samples. We present two approaches for acquisition of refractive index spectra and compare the qualitative experimental results. Furthermore, the performance for quantitative analysis is evaluated. Finally, multivariate analysis of a spectrally complex mixture comprising three different sugars is performed. The obtained figures of merit by partial least squares (PLS) regression modelling compare well with standard absorption spectroscopy, demonstrating the potential of the introduced dispersion spectroscopic method for quantitative chemical analysis.
Issues of Large-scale Dam Resettlement and Rehabilitation: Case of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Mishra Aseem
Published: November 2019

Large chunks of land have been acquired in different parts of India for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as dams, power stations, etc., in the past. The Bhakra Dam project, being one such large-scale project executed immediately after the Independence, displaced thousands of families without having any proper rehabilitation mechanism in place. The old Bilaspur town (OBT) was part of land acquired for construction of the reservoir for Bhakra Dam, known as Gobind Sagar Lake. The new Bilaspur township was established to rehabilitate families originally living in the OBT. Presently, second or third generation of these families are living on these allotted plots in the new town. This article is an attempt to unfold the flaws in the undertaken rehabilitation policy which has led to unplanned and haphazard development in the town as well as created problems for both oustees and public authorities. These problems continue to persist in present times also, thereby limiting the citizens to avail benefits of the recent policy for regularisation of encroachments and the newly launched housing programme—Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Book review: Gunjan Pradhan Sinha, Dharma in Governance: Towards a Welfare State
Authors: Tyagi Ruchi
Published: November 2019

Gunjan Pradhan Sinha, Dharma in Governance: Towards a Welfare State. New Delhi, India: Aditya Prakashan, 2018, 214 pp., US$23.98 (Hardcover). ISBN: 978-81-934621-5-7.
Assessment of Undergraduate Project Work by Specific Criteria and Grading Category Index
Authors: Teo C. Y. , Ho D. J.
Published: November 2019

A systematic mechanism for the assessment of final year projects using a list of 22 assessment criteria and 8 grading categories for each criterion is described. The structured assessment system and the automated processing by an optical reader make the marking system more discriminative and consistent among the large number of students and supervisors.
An Investigation Into the Feasibility of Using Intelligent Tutoring Systems in Preparing Students for Laboratory Work
Authors: Dwolatzky Barry , Levin Ashley , Shulman Steven
Published: November 2019

Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are computer based training systems with the ability to adapt to the requirements of each student A prototype ITS was developed to assess the feasibility of using such systems to prepare students for laboratory work. This prototype was evaluated in a controlled experiment involving 252 students.
Practical Microelectronics for Electronic Engineering Students
Authors: Keatch Robert P. , Lawrenson Brian
Published: November 2019

This article describes practical microelectronic projects and the facilities at the University of Dundee, where students learn to optimise the various fabrication processes and manufacture custom silicon chips and discrete devices. This subject is potentially very wide, including theory of devices and manufacturing technology, and some fundamental aspects of circuit design.
The city and the beloved witness: Mapping cityscapes of Delhi in Agha Shahid Ali’s poetry
Authors: Qadeer Haris
Published: November 2019

The reputation of Agha Shahid Ali, the Kashmiri-American poet, as a poet of exile is well established. Much of his poetry deals with themes of loss, lamentation, and longing where he speaks in a powerful voice about the plight of people of Kashmir. Shahid’s personal memories are not only of Kashmir but also of Delhi, the city where he was born, studied, taught, and published his first collection of poems. In his poems about Delhi he revisits both old Delhi and New Delhi: he roams around the city, listens to Qawwali at Saint Nizamuddin’s mausoleum, meets Muslim butchers, remembers his parents, remembers Shahjahan, and recites Bahadur Shah Zafar’s poem. This article investigates the representations and recollections of Delhi in Agha Shahid Ali’s poems and explores the city’s centrality in understanding socio-cultural history, the importance of particular individuals, and spatial specificity. It studies how the poet explores the city in relation to its languages, histories (the Rebellion of 1857, Partition, post-Partition), and cultures (Mughal and modern). I further investigate how Ali’s literary cartography of Delhi is influenced both by indigenous genres such as Shehr Ashob and the modern English poetic tradition, and how certain Indo-Islamic tropes become central to the poet’s literary memorialization of India’s capital city.
Does Teacher Learning Last? Understanding How Much Teachers Retain Their Knowledge After Professional Development
Authors: Liu Shuangshuang , Phelps Geoffrey
Published: November 2019

Teacher professional development (PD) is seen as a promising intervention to improve teacher knowledge, instructional practice, and ultimately student learning. While research finds instances of significant program effects on teacher knowledge, little is known about how long these effects last. If teachers forget what is learned, the contribution of the intervention will be diminished. Using a large-scale data set, this study examines the sustainability of gains in teachers’ content knowledge for teaching mathematics (CKT-M). Results show that there is a negative rate of change in CKT after teachers complete the training, suggesting that the average score gain from the program is lost in just 37 days. There is, however, variation in how quickly knowledge is lost, with teachers participating in summer programs losing more rapidly than those who attend programs that occur during school years. The implications of these findings on designing and evaluating PD programs are discussed.
Promoting EMI Teacher Development in EFL Higher Education Contexts: A Teacher Educator’s Reflections
Authors: Yuan Rui
Published: November 2019

While there is a growing research interest in English as a medium of instruction (EMI) teaching and learning in university contexts, relatively limited attention has been paid to EMI teacher development. Drawing on my past and ongoing teaching and research practice as an EMI teacher educator, this Viewpoint article considers the emotional, pedagogical and social barriers faced by university EMI teachers in China. Based on a critical analysis and discussion of the barriers, this Viewpoint proposes an EMI teacher development framework, and argues for helping EMI teachers foster a sense of ownership of English as a global language, developing effective classroom language, and cultivating discipline-specific pedagogical competence in a community of practice. This framework is a point of reference for designing and implementing effective EMI teacher education programmes in English as a foreign language (EFL) higher education settings.
Primary mesenteric neuroendocrine tumour with liver metastasis: a common presentation of an uncommon tumour
Authors: Agarwal Ambuj , Kaman Lileswar , Gupta Ashish , Ramavath Krishna , Vaiphei Kim
Published: November 2019

Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are rare. They usually arise from the gastrointestinal or bronchopulmonary systems. Most are discovered incidentally and the small bowel tumours pose special difficulty in detection and treatment. Primary mesenteric involvement is very rare. Here we report such a case with a liver metastasis. This was preoperatively diagnosed and treated by enucleation of the mesenteric tumour together with right hepatectomy in a single sitting.
On the traces of the biosocial: Historicizing “plasticity” in contemporary epigenetics
Authors: Chiapperino Luca , Panese Francesco
Published: November 2019

This paper builds upon historico-epistemological analyses of plasticity across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to distinguish among uses of this notion in contemporary epigenetics. By digging into this diachronic phase of plasticity thinking, we highlight a series of historically situated understandings and pragmatic dimensions of this notion. Specifically, our analysis describes four distinct phases in plasticity thinking across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: (1) plasticity as chemical modification of the body by its milieu; (2) plasticity as explanandum for the modifications of life’s ontogenetic and phylogenetic substrates; (3) plasticity as mechanistic process in need of distinct explanations in ontogeny and phylogeny; and (4) plasticity as responsive potential to perturbations of a complex genetic system of development. These four versions of plasticity provide, in turn, the opportunity to discern synchronically the uses of this notion in epigenetic biosciences. Fleshing out these historical ramifications animating the present, we argue, highlights a fundamental epistemological disagreement at the basis of the controversies around the definition, scope, and epistemic priorities of epigenetics: how to reconcile the contemporary epistemologies of plasticity that hold epigenetic marks capable of bearing the material impression of the environment with those grounded on a strong view of (epigenetic) plasticity as operating under genetic control? Parallel to this analysis of the epistemic space of plasticity from the nineteenth century onward, we show how these distinct modes of understanding body–environment relationships also constituted conceptual, representational, and experimental resources for understanding the entanglement between life as a biological and socially situated phenomenon. These different traces of biosocial thinking ante litteram, we conclude, provide a blueprint to interrogate today’s assumptions, values, (social) ontologies, and political leanings behind similar attempts to interpret the biosocial nexus that links our biology with its material, social, and cultural environments.
Forgiveness: Moving on can be healthy
Authors: Clabby John F
Published: November 2019

Forgiveness as a procedure has been gaining prominence. The objective of this article is to provide the basics of forgiveness as an intervention so primary care clinicians can facilitate its use. These clinicians include but are not limited to physicians, nurses, medical assistants, pharmacy professionals, physical therapists, social workers, psychologists, case managers, and clergy. This narrative explains the rationale for understanding forgiveness as a procedure and ways to explain it. To assist clinicians and patients in making informed decisions, samples of forgiveness research are included that describe its positive relationship to specific physical health situations. The article also describes an evidence-based forgiveness therapy, circumstances in which it is harmful to forgive oneself or others, describes the limitations of this article, and suggests future directions.
Cross term constructed Lyapunov function based two-time scale controller design and vibration suppression for a rotating hub-beam system
Authors: Khajepour Ghasem , Vatankhah Ramin , Eghtesad Mohammad , Vakilzadeh Mohsen
Published: November 2019

In this article, modeling and control of a rotating hub-beam system are studied. The system consists of a solid rotating cylinder and an attached flexible arm with a payload at the end. The rotation is supposed to be in the presence of gravity and the flexible arm is assumed to be a Euler-Bernoulli beam. To derive the equations of motion of the system, Lagrange’s method is applied. Moreover, Galerkin’s technique is employed to discretize the equations of motion. Furthermore, designing an appropriate two-time (slow and fast) scale controller in the presence of uncertainties is considered in order to track the desired hub angular position and suppress vibrations of the arm simultaneously. For the so-called slow subsystem, a novel controller design is proposed as two different cases, with and without the presence of uncertainties in system dynamics are considered; and accordingly, a control law for tracking the desired path is introduced based on the idea of using the cross-term constructed Lyapunov function. For the fast subsystem, a pole placement technique is used to suppress vibration of the beam. The simulation results indicate notable effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Bilingual school psychology graduate students’ perceptions of a cultural immersion experience
Authors: Vega Desireé , Plotts Cynthia
Published: November 2019

This exploratory study investigated the experiences of seven bilingual school psychology graduate students’ participation in a two-week cultural immersion experience at the Texas–Mexico border. Findings revealed five significant themes related to their experience: (1) pushed out of comfort zone, (2) bonding with peers, (3) language, culture, and identity, (4) awareness of unique challenges, and (5) changes needed in the immersion program. Implications for school psychology programs and future research directions are discussed.
Fearing Such a Lady: University Expansion, Underemployment, and the Hypergamy Ideal in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Frye Margaret , Urbina Daniela R.
Published: November 2019

In Uganda, the cultural norm of hypergamy, which dictates that husbands should have higher economic and social status than wives, is pervasive and influential. Yet hypergamy has recently been challenged by women’s gains in education relative to men and by an unemployment crisis leaving educated young men unable to find steady work. Using interviews with recent university graduates in Kampala, we investigate how highly educated young adults navigate frictions between the hypergamy ideal and these recent transformations in gendered status. Some women reduce the salience of hypergamy by preventing their relationships from becoming serious, while other women intentionally perform the role of submissive housewife while preserving their autonomy. Men reframe their romantic circumstances to underplay their inability to achieve economic hypergamy, portraying educated women as undesirable and characterizing their partners as nonmaterialistic. These findings reveal how demographic and economic changes reconfigure relationship norms, gendered power dynamics, and family formation processes.
A case study utilizing the cognitive structures of exceptionally talented students regarding chemical change via word association
Authors: Ürek Handan , Dolu Gamze
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the conceptual structures of exceptionally talented students about chemical change through the use of word associations. The study was conducted with 13 exceptionally talented students in seventh grade who were attending a science and art center located in a province in western Turkey. Data were collected with the help of a word association test (WAT) that involved eight concepts developed by the researchers and were analyzed qualitatively. The study comprised a pretest application of WAT, science activities, and a posttest. The results showed that the activities conducted improved the students’ conceptual structures about chemical change. It might be recommended that such extracurricular activities be employed to support the development of the conceptual understanding of exceptionally talented students.
Are Negative Attitudes Toward Dreams Just the Inverse of Positive Attitudes Toward Dreams? An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Schredl Michael , Burau Nina , Kunkel Rebecca , Lanzl Julia
Published: November 2019

As dreaming is a universal phenomenon, it seems natural that everyone has a more or less explicitly defined attitude toward dreams. Recent studies indicate that positive and negative attitude toward dream scales—even given there is considerable overlap—might not be related to the same variables. The findings of the present online survey ( N = 2,056) using 22 attitude items indicated that positive and negative attitudes can be differentiated through confirmatory factor analysis and that variables like age, education, and frequent dream recall are differentially associated with positive and negative attitudes toward dreams. It would be very interesting to expand this study to investigate whether other variables, personality dimensions, general skepticism and so on, are associated with positive and negative attitudes toward dreams in different ways.
Decelerated tumor growth due to hypothyroidism with prolongation of survival in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma: a case report
Authors: Hou Jia , Xiong Shan-Shan , Huang Zhao-Qi , Cai Xing-Dong
Published: November 2019

Lung adenocarcinoma is a form of non-small-cell lung cancer with high mortality in the advanced stages, and is one of the most common histological subtypes of lung cancer in most countries. Prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma is generally poor, with a median survival of 4–13 months. We report a case of unusually prolonged survival of a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma complicated by hypothyroidism. A 71-year-old man with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma presented with hypothyroidism. Surprisingly, without any anti-tumor and anti-hypothyroidism therapy, he survived this lung cancer for longer than 2.5 years before his last follow-up visit. Patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma rarely survive for longer than 2 years, even after therapy. We hypothesize that hypothyroidism is the cause for this discrepancy. Thyroid hormones can promote growth of carcinoma. Therefore, hypothyroidism appears to be beneficial to anti-cancer therapy. We believe that hypothyroidism, as an adverse event commonly occurring in anti-tumor therapy (e.g., an immune checkpoint inhibitor), might not be able to be completely eliminated.
Reading the Social Sciences Theologically (Part 2): Engaging and Appropriating Models of Human Development
Authors: Trentham John David
Published: November 2019

Part 2 of 2. This series of articles seeks to present a viable hermeneutical framework according to which Christian scholars and educators may read social scientific literature with theological clarity. Part 1 established how Christians may approach and qualify social science models of human development, and introduced the “principle of inverse consistency.” Part 2 develops and applies that principle by establishing the manner in which Christians may engage and appropriate social science models of human development. To that end, this article concludes by proffering a four-step hermeneutical protocol.
Preparation, characterization, and biological evaluation of retinyl palmitate and Dead Sea water loaded nanoemulsions toward topical treatment of skin diseases
Authors: Garcia-Bilbao Amaia , Gómez-Fernández Paloma , Larush Liraz , Soroka Yoram , Suarez-Merino Blanca , Frušić-Zlotkin Marina , Magdassi Shlomo , Goñi-de-Cerio Felipe
Published: November 2019

Millions of people suffer from different types of skin diseases worldwide. In the last decade, the development of nanocarriers has been the focus of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to enhance the performance of their products, and to meet consumers’ demands. Several delivery systems have been developed to improve the efficiency and minimize possible side effects. In this study, retinyl palmitate and Dead Sea water loaded nanoemulsions were developed as carriers to treat skin conditions such as photoaging, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis. Toxicity profiles were carried out by means of viability, cell membrane asymmetry study, evaluation of oxidative stress induction (reactive oxygen species), and inflammation via cytokines production with a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and a mouse embryo fibroblasts cell line (BALB/3T3). Results showed that loaded nanoemulsions were found to be non-cytotoxic under the conditions of the study. Furthermore, no oxidative stress induction was observed. Likewise, an efficacy test of these loaded nanoemulsions was also tested on human skin organ cultures, before and after ultraviolet B light treatment. Viability and caspase-3 production assessment, in response to the exposure of skin explants to the loaded nanoemulsions, indicated non-toxic effects on human skin in culture, both with and without ultraviolet B irradiation. Further the ability of loaded nanoemulsions to protect the skin against ultraviolet B damage was assessed on skin explants reducing significantly the apoptotic activation after ultraviolet B irradiation. Our promising results indicate that the developed loaded nanoemulsions may represent a topical drug delivery system to be used as an alternative treatment for recurrent skin diseases.