bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
San Francisco Through Bogotá’s Eyes: Leveraging Urban Policy Change through the Circulation of Media Objects
Authors: Montero Sergio
Published: August 2018

This article connects two emerging debates in urban studies—the need to pay more attention to the role of nonhuman actors in urban planning and the ways in which media objects affect urban politics and planning—by examining how a video on Bogotá’s car‐free Ciclovía program facilitated the adoption and implementation of a similar program in San Francisco. The analysis shows that media objects have the capacity to act as fulcrums in processes of leveraging urban policy change owing to their potential to alter urban governance structures. The article analyzes the digital storytelling and ‘eye‐opening’ practices through which the video enabled policy changes to be implemented in San Francisco, while also tracing the local and transnational actors, networks and agendas that were involved in the production and circulation of the video through digital archival research and multi‐sited fieldwork. In doing so, it shows the active role that media objects play in shaping urban policymaking processes and provides an example of a relational methodology for studying the digital materialities through which urban policy ideas increasingly circulate.
Playing with the Rules of the Game: Social Innovation for Urban Transformation
Authors: Thompson Matthew
Published: August 2018

Innovation is perhaps the buzzword in local economic development policy. Associated narrowly with neoliberal ideas, conventional notions of innovation—like its capitalocentric counterparts, enterprise and entrepreneurialism—may promise higher productivity, global competitiveness and technological progress but do not fundamentally change the ‘rules of the game’. In contrast, an emerging field reimaginessocialinnovation as disruptive change in social relations and institutional configurations. This article explores the conceptual and political differences within this pre‐paradigmatic field, and argues for a more transformative understanding of social innovation. Building on the work of David Graeber, I mobilize the novel constructs of ‘play’ and ‘games’ to advance our understanding of the contradictory process of institutionalizing social innovation for urban transformation. This is illustrated through a case study of Liverpool, where diverse approaches to innovation are employed in attempts to resolve longstanding socio‐economic problems. Dominant market‐ and state‐led economic development policies—likened to a ‘regeneration game’—are contrasted with more experimental, creative, democratic and potentially more effective forms of social innovation, seeking urban change through playing with the rules of the game. I conclude by considering how the play–game dialectic illuminates and reframes the way transformative social innovation might be cultivated by urban policy, the contradictions this entails, and possible ways forward.
The Forever Frontier of Urbanism: Historicizing Persian Gulf Cities
Authors: Boodrookas Alex , Keshavarzian Arang
Published: August 2018

In recent years, Persian Gulf cities have become symbols of the most spectacular forms of the ‘globalization of urbanization’. Current scholarship has sought to situate these cities in transnational processes and linkages with conceptualizations of ‘the global city’ and the mechanisms of ‘worlding’. This article builds on but moves beyond this line of analysis by turning to the histories of this region and its built environment to explore the longue‐durée influence of capital and empire operating across multiple scales. From this perspective, the glittering high‐rises and manmade islands are contemporary manifestations of a century of urban forms and logics of social control emanating from company towns, the struggles of state building, and the circulation and fixing of capital. To grasp how the Persian Gulf region has been remade as a frontier for accumulation, the analysis in this article blurs the boundaries between metropole and periphery, reconceptualizing the region not as an eclectic sideshow, but as a central site for global shifts in urbanism, capitalism and architecture in the twentieth century.
Correlation of volatile compound concentrations with bacterial counts in whole pasteurised milk under various storage conditions
Authors: Ziyaina Mohamed , Rasco Barbara , Coffey Todd , Mattinson D Scott , Sablani Shyam
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the relationship between bacterial counts and volatile organic compound (VOC) formation in 3.9% fat milk. The milk was stored at 7, 10, 13, 15 and 19 (±1 °C). Volatile compounds were measured using solid‐phase microextraction with gas chromatography. Enzyme activity was also monitored throughout the shelf life. Results show that volatile organic compound concentrations increased with higher bacterial counts (5.0–7.0 log10 cfu/mL). Bacterial counts correlated closely with acetaldehyde, butanone, ethanol, hexanal, acetone and fatty acid concentrations. Results indicate that protease and lipase activities increased and correlated closely with VOCs. Formation of VOCs was detectable when protease and lipase activities reached 1.2–1.3 U/mL and 0.32–0.350 meq/mL, respectively. These findings provide a basis for the monitoring of milk quality using chemical sensors that are sensitive to VOCs, particularly under conditions of thermal abuse.
Fetal microchimerism by mode of delivery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Shree R , Harrington WE , Kanaan SB , Forsyth A , Cousin E , Lopez A , Nelson JL , Gammill HS
Published: August 2018

Objective

To compare fetal microchimerism (FMc) in pregnancies with uncomplicated vaginal delivery (VD) versus caesarean delivery (CD).

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, USA.

Population

Women delivering singleton pregnancies without pertinent antenatal complications with uncomplicated deliveries (n = 36).

Methods

We collected maternal predelivery, postdelivery and umbilical cord blood for each mother–baby pair. Following maternal and fetal genotyping, FMc was measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays targeting fetus‐specific polymorphisms. Quantification of FMc is expressed as genome equivalents (gEq) of fetal DNA/100 000 total gEq tested. FMc detection was evaluated by logistic regression while controlling for total number of cell equivalents tested and clinically relevant covariates. FMc concentrations were compared using negative binomial regression while controlling for the same covariates and predelivery FMc positivity.

Main outcome measure

Detection and concentration of FMc by mode of delivery.

Results

Twenty‐four mother–baby pairs had a VD and 12 had a CD. Postdelivery FMc detection was higher following CD than after VD (58.3% versus 16.7%, P = 0.02). After controlling for covariates, the likelihood of postdelivery FMc detection was almost nine‐fold higher after CD than VD (odds ratio 8.8, 95% CI 1.6–47.6; P = 0.01). With respect to postdelivery FMc concentration, the detection rate ratio for CD versus VD in the adjusted negative binomial regression model was 14.7 (95% CI 3.2–66.8; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Postdelivery peripheral FMc detection and concentration are significantly higher after CD than after VD. As FMc is associated with long‐term maternal health, our findings suggest that the mode of delivery may impact this risk.

Tweetable abstract

Greater fetal microchimerism found in maternal blood following caesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery.
Are all aspects of lean production bad for workers? An analysis of how problem‐solving demands affect employee well‐being
Authors: Huo Meng‐Long , Boxall Peter
Published: August 2018

This study is concerned with the debate around employee well‐being in the environment of lean production. It applies the job demands–resources model to examine the effects of problem‐solving demands and job resources (training, participation in decision‐making, and line manager support) on employee engagement and exhaustion in a Chinese manufacturer. It examines previously untested interactions and shows that these job resources created a “buffering effect” in the relationship between problem‐solving demands and exhaustion. It also shows a “coping effect” because the relationship between resources and engagement was strengthened as problem‐solving demands increased. Rather than being uniformly positive or negative, the results suggest that the overall impact of lean production on worker well‐being is likely to depend on the ways in which managers create scope for worker involvement in decision‐making, target resources to the specific job demands, and adjust resource levels to the degree of these demands.
Using a Functional Carrot Powder Ingredient to Produce Sausages with High Levels of Nutraceuticals
Authors: Alvarado‐Ramírez Melissa , Santana‐Gálvez Jesús , Santacruz Arlette , Carranza‐Montealvo Luis Diego , Ortega‐Hernández Erika , Tirado‐Escobosa Joaquín , Cisneros‐Zevallos Luis , Jacobo‐Velázquez Daniel A.
Published: August 2018

In this study, a functional carrot powder (FCP) ingredient was obtained by applying wounding stress to carrot (shredding and storing for 48 hr at 15 °C) prior to dehydration (60 °C) and milling. Likewise, FCP was incorporated into sausage formulations, which were further characterized. The application of wounding stress in carrots resulted in a FCP with higher fiber (30.1%) and chlorogenic acid (798.4%) content as compared with control carrot powder (CCP). Likewise, FCP showed higher water (19%) and oil (3.9%) absorption capacity as compared with CCP. Sausage formulation with 4% (w/w) of FCP was characterized, further evaluated during storage (42 days, 4 °C), and compared with a formulation added with 4% (w/w) CCP. FCP and CCP formulations increased fiber of sausages by 72.7%, and fortified them with carotenoids, providing 30% to 40% of vitamin A daily requirements per portion (62.5 g). FCP did not affect purge loss, and sausages contained 270% and 377% more total phenolics and chlorogenic acid content as compared with CCP sausages. FCP formulation presented adequate sensory acceptability and its carotenoid and phenolic content remained stable during storage. Results indicated that FCP could be used as an ingredient in sausage formulation to increase the content of nutraceuticals without affecting its shelf‐life.

Practical Application

Wounding stress (by shredding) was applied to carrots prior to dehydration and milling to obtain a carrot powder with higher fiber and phenolic compounds as compared with control carrot powder (CCP). FCP showed higher water and oil absorption capacity than CCP. FCP addition to sausage formulations at 4% didn't affect purge loss, and resulted in sausages with higher phenolic compounds and dietary fiber. Furthermore, FCP formulations presented adequate sensory acceptability and its carotenoid and phenolic content remained stable during storage. FCP could be used as an ingredient in sausage formulation to increase the content of nutraceuticals without affecting its shelf‐life.
The achievement of boar spermin vitrocapacitation is related to an increase of disrupted disulphide bonds and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels
Authors: Betarelli R. P. , Rocco M. , Yeste M. , Fernández‐Novell J. M. , Placci A.  , Azevedo Pereira B. , Castillo‐Martín M. , Estrada E. , Peña A. , Zangeronimo M. G. , Rodríguez‐Gil J. E.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this work was to determine the relationship of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disulphide bonds established between sperm proteins with the achievement of capacitation in boar spermatozoa. With this purpose, spermatozoa were incubated in a specifically designedin vitrocapacitation medium (CM) in the presence or absence of reduced glutathione (GSH). Incubation of boar spermatozoa in CM for 4 h significantly (p < 0.05) increased free cysteine residues, which is a marker of disrupted disulphide bonds, and also intracellular ROS levels. The addition of GSH to the medium prevented most capacitation‐like changes in sperm motility, membrane lipid disorder, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium levels and localization of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins (pTyr), but not in tyrosine phosphorylation of P32. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of the ability of sperm cells to trigger the acrosome exocytosis in response to progesterone. When GSH was added together with progesterone after 4 h of incubation, acrosome exocytosis was not altered, but the subsequent decrease in intracellular calcium observed in controls cells was inhibited. Furthermore, co‐incubation of oocytes with spermatozoa previously incubated in CM in the presence of GSH for 4 h significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of spermatozoa attached to the oocyte surface but decreased normal fertilization rates. Our results suggest that boar sperm capacitation is related to an increase in disrupted disulphide bonds and intracellular ROS levels and that both events are related to the regulation of hyperactivated motility, intracellular calcium dynamics, sperm binding ability to the oocyte and achievement of proper nuclear decondensation upon oocyte penetration.
Ressentiment and Grievance
Authors: Hoggett Paul
Published: August 2018

Using material from clinical practice and social research, this paper examines the many connections between the analysis of ressentiment provided by Nietzsche and Scheler and recent psychoanalytic analyses of grievance. Psychoanalysis has been particularly insightful regarding the process of ‘nursing’ grievance, something which illuminates both the righteousness of the anger involved and the yearning for an idealized past. It is argued that in their different ways both analyses explore blocked responses to perceived injustice and, whilst the emphasis in both cases is essentially upon how existential reality itself can be experienced as an injustice, Scheler's analysis also provides us with a way of understanding how ressentiment can be a response to real social injustices. Indeed social ressentiment is now widely regarded as the affective foundation of reactionary forms of populism.
PI‐E: An Empathy Skills Training Package to Enhance Therapeutic Skills of IAPT and Other Therapists
Authors: Guthrie Else , Hughes Rebecca , Brown Richard J.
Published: August 2018

This paper describes a condensed version of psychodynamic interpersonal therapy (PIT), Psychodynamic Interpersonal Empathy (PI‐E), which consists of the first level of competencies of the PIT model. The intention is to use basic psychodynamic principles and skills to enhance delivery of manualized, cognitive therapy based treatments. The intervention is designed to improve two common factors of therapy: the bond between client and therapist, and the ability of the therapist to create positive expectations through an explanation and understanding of the person's problems. Both of these so‐called common factors are consistently associated with clinical outcomes. Training has been developed specifically for low‐intensity therapists who are employed in the Improving Access to Psychological Treatment programme. Training focuses upon five basic components of PI: negotiation; picking up cues; using statements rather than questions; focusing on feelings; and understanding hypotheses. When used skilfully together, these simple components offer a powerful way of empathizing and deepening the collaborative work with the client. They all help the therapist to focus upon how the client is feeling ‘here and now’ in the session. Training in the model has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce dropout rates by enabling therapists to manage problem scenarios in an empathic way.
Designing an ultra‐short antibacterial peptide with potent activity against Mupirocin‐resistant MRSA
Authors: Arfan Giovinna , Ong Chu Yang Fann , Ng Siew Mei Samantha , Lau Qiu Ying , Ng Fui Mee , Ong Esther Hong Qian , Hill Jeffrey , Chia Cheng San Brian
Published: August 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is the pathogen responsible for the majority of human skin infections. In particular, the methicillin‐resistant variety, MRSA, has become a global clinical concern. The extensive use of mupirocin, the first‐line topical antibacterial drug of choice, has led to the emergence of mupirocin‐resistant MRSA globally, resulting in the urgent need for a replacement. Antimicrobial peptides are deemed plausible candidates. Herein, we describe a structure–activity relationship approach in the design of an ultra‐short peptide with potent anti‐MRSA activity with a rapid, bactericidal mode of action. Coupled to a low cytotoxic activity, we believe our lead compound can be developed into a topical antibacterial agent to replace mupirocin as the first‐line drug for treating MRSA skin infections.
New resistance mutations to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors at codon 184 of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (M184L and M184T)
Authors: Pouga Lydia , Santoro Maria Mercedes , Charpentier Charlotte , Di Carlo Domenico , Romeo Isabella , Artese Anna , Alcaro Stefano , Antinori Andrea , Wirden Marc , Perno Carlo Federico , Ambrosio Francesca Alessandra , Calvez Vincent , Descamps Diane , Marcelin Anne‐Geneviève , Ceccherini‐Silberstein Francesca , Lambert‐Niclot Sidonie
Published: August 2018

Mutations at HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT) codon 184 such as M184V confer resistance to two nucleos(t)ide RT inhibitors (NRTI), lamivudine (3TC) and emtricitabine (FTC). The prevalence of mutations at HIV‐1 RT codon 184 was evaluated using three independent RT sequence databases from treatment‐experienced (TE) and treatment‐naïve (TN) individuals. Data were collected retrospectively from three centers: one in Italy and two in France between 1997 and 2016. In order to highlight the role of these mutations in conferring drug resistance, structural and thermodynamic analyses were conducted by means of computational approaches. Among 32,440 RT sequences isolated from TE and 12,365 isolated from TN patients, the prevalence of HIV‐1 RT codon 184 substitutions in each group was 31.21% and 0.72%, respectively. The mutations M184L and M184T have been observed only in TE patients. In all cases but four, M184L and M184T mutations were present during NRTI treatment. Molecular recognition studies on M184L and M184T structures showed both FTC and 3TC thermodynamic profiles unfavorable in comparison with the wild‐type sequence, corroborated by molecular dynamic simulations (MDS). In this study, we highlighted two new resistance mutations in vivo for NRTI resistance. The low frequency of this pathway can be related to high impairment of replicative capacity mediated by these mutations.
Language Does Matter: But There is More to Language Than Vocabulary and Directed Speech
Authors: Sperry Douglas E. , Sperry Linda L. , Miller Peggy J.
Published: August 2018

In response to Golinkoff, Hoff, Rowe, Tamis‐LeMonda, and Hirsh‐Pasek's (2018) commentary, we clarify our goals, outline points of agreement and disagreement between our respective positions, and address the inadvertently harmful consequences of the word gap claim. We maintain that our study constitutes a serious empirical challenge to the word gap. Our findings do not support Hart and Risley's claim under their definition of the verbal environment; when more expansive definitions were applied, the word gap disappeared. The word gap argument focuses attention on supposed deficiencies of low‐income and minority families, risks defining their children out of the educational game at the very outset of their schooling, and compromises efforts to restructure curricula that recognize the verbal strengths of all learners.
Genetic regulatory pathways of split‐hand/foot malformation
Authors: Kantaputra Piranit N. , Carlson Bruce M.
Published: August 2018

Split‐hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is caused by mutations in TP63, DLX5, DLX6, FGF8, FGFR1, WNT10B, and BHLHA9. The clinical features of SHFM caused by mutations of these genes are not distinguishable. This implies that in normal situations these SHFM‐associated genes share an underlying regulatory pathway that is involved in the development of the central parts of the hands and feet. The mutations in SHFM‐related genes lead to dysregulation of Fgf8 in the central portion of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and subsequently lead to misexpression of a number of downstream target genes, failure of stratification of the AER, and thus SHFM. Syndactyly of the remaining digits is most likely the effects of dysregulation of Fgf‐Bmp‐Msx signaling on apoptotic cell death. Loss of digit identity in SHFM is hypothesized to be the effects of misexpression of HOX genes, abnormal SHH gradient, or the loss of balance between GLI3A and GLI3R. Disruption of canonical and non‐canonical Wnt signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of SHFM. Whatever the causative genes of SHFM are, the mutations seem to lead to dysregulation of Fgf8 in AER cells of the central parts of the hands and feet and disruption of Wnt‐Bmp‐Fgf signaling pathways in AER.
Cross‐licensing agreements in presence of technological improvements
Authors: Hosseini Seyed H. , Gray Richard , Torshizi Mohammad
Published: August 2018

This study investigates the relationship between technologies that firms expect to achieve after cross‐licensing (CL) and their incentives for signing CL agreements in a multiproduct‐firm setting. Results indicate that if markets are bounded substantial technological improvements that result in removal of firms’ current products from the market may in fact reduce firms’ incentives to negotiate a CL deal. This may also give firms an incentive to agree upon a tacit collusion by which they limit the utilization of CL technologies. However, when markets are unbounded, the prospect of capturing new markets and charging royalty fees can significantly increase firms’ incentives for CL. The rationale behind our modeling assumptions is discussed using example from agriculture biotechnology industry.
The genomics of domestication special issue editorial
Authors: Kantar Michael B. , Bruford Michael W. , Rieseberg Loren H.
Published: August 2018

Domestication has been of major interest to biologists for centuries, whether for creating new plants and animal types or more formally exploring the principles of evolution. Such studies have long used combinations of phenotypic and genetic evidence. Recently, the advent of a large number of genomes and genomic tools across a wide array of domesticated plant and animal species has reinvigorated the study of domestication. These genomic data, which can be easily generated for nearly any species, often provide great insight with or without a reference genome. The comparison of genome wide data from domestic and wild species has ignited a wave of insight into human, plant, and animal history with a new range of questions becoming accessible. With this in mind, this issue of Evolutionary Applications includes eleven papers covering a wide range of perspectives and methodologies relevant to understanding genomic variation under domestication.
Metabarcoding using multiplexed markers increases species detection in complex zooplankton communities
Authors: Zhang Guang K. , Chain Frédéric J. J. , Abbott Cathryn L. , Cristescu Melania E.
Published: August 2018

Metabarcoding combines DNA barcoding with high‐throughput sequencing, often using one genetic marker to understand complex and taxonomically diverse samples. However, species‐level identification depends heavily on the choice of marker and the selected primer pair, often with a trade‐off between successful species amplification and taxonomic resolution. We present a versatile metabarcoding protocol for biomonitoring that involves the use of two barcode markers (COI and 18S) and four primer pairs in a single high‐throughput sequencing run, via sample multiplexing. We validate the protocol using a series of 24 mock zooplanktonic communities incorporating various levels of genetic variation. With the use of a single marker and single primer pair, the highest species recovery was 77%. With all three COI fragments, we detected 62%–83% of species across the mock communities, while the use of the 18S fragment alone resulted in the detection of 73%–75% of species. The species detection level was significantly improved to 89%–93% when both markers were used. Furthermore, multiplexing did not have a negative impact on the proportion of reads assigned to each species and the total number of species detected was similar to when markers were sequenced alone. Overall, our metabarcoding approach utilizing two barcode markers and multiple primer pairs per barcode improved species detection rates over a single marker/primer pair by 14% to 35%, making it an attractive and relatively cost‐effective method for biomonitoring natural zooplankton communities. We strongly recommend combining evolutionary independent markers and, when necessary, multiple primer pairs per marker to increase species detection (i.e., reduce false negatives) in metabarcoding studies.
The other side of the coin: Hypersociability
Authors: Toth Miklos
Published: August 2018

Affiliative social motivation and behavior, that is, sociability that includes attachment, prosocial behavior (sharing, caring and helping) and empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others), has high variability in the human population, with a portion of people outside of the normal range. While psychiatric disorders and autism spectrum disorders are typically associated with a deficit in social behavior, the opposite trait of hypersociability and indiscriminate friendliness are exhibited by individual with specific neurodevelopmental disorders and following early adverse care. Here we discuss both genetic and environmental factors that cause or increase the risk for developing pathological hypersociability from human to rodent models.
On the Popularity of theKriminalroman:The Reception, Production, and Consumption of German Crime and Detective Novels (1919–1933)
Authors: Karolle‐Berg Julia
Published: August 2018

For many decades, popular literature, including crime and detective fiction, was viewed only in opposition to high literature and as unworthy of scholarly attention. This study proposes an approach that recognizes this discourse, yet shifts the focus to consider indicators of the popularity of theKriminalromanduring the Weimar era through additional evidence of its reception, production, and consumption. Even as these sources acknowledge the persistent stigma of crime and detective fiction, they also present a complex, multivalent notion of its popularity as the bourgeoisie increasingly participated in writing, reading, and commenting on crime and detective fiction. This re‐visioning of the popularity of theKriminalromansituates the genre within the particular cultural and social context of the Weimar era to an extent that has been largely absent from the scholarship to date.
Melt property variation in GeSe2‐As2Se3‐PbSe glass ceramics for infrared gradient refractive index (GRIN) applications
Authors: Yadav Anupama , Buff Andrew , Kang Myungkoo , Sisken Laura , Smith Charmayne , Lonergan Jason , Blanco Cesar , Antia Michael , Driggers Megan , Kirk Andrew , Rivero‐Baleine Clara , Mayer Theresa , Swisher Andrew , Pogrebnyakov Alexej , Hilton AR , Whaley Greg , Loretz Thomas J. , Yee Anthony , Schmidt Greg , Moore Duncan T. , Richardson Kathleen A.
Published: August 2018

Melt size‐dependent physical property variation is examined in a multicomponent GeSe2‐As2Se3‐PbSe chalcogenide glass developed for gradient refractive index applications. The impact of melting conditions on small (40 g) prototype laboratory‐scale melts extended to commercially‐relevant melt sizes (1.325 kg) have been studied and the role of thermal history variation on physical and optical property evolution in parent glass, the glass’ crystallization behavior and postheat‐treated glass ceramics, is quantified. As‐melted glass morphology, optical homogeneity and heat treatment‐induced microstructure following a fixed, two‐step nucleation and growth protocol exhibit marked variation with melt size. These attributes are shown to impact crystallization behavior (growth rates, resulting crystalline phase formation) and induced effective refractive index change, neff, in the resulting optical nanocomposite. The magnitude of these changes is discussed based on thermal history related melt conditions.
Prognostic role of the preoperative serum albumin : globulin ratio after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Otsuka Masafumi , Kamasako Tomohiko , Uemura Toshihiro , Takeshita Nobushige , Shinozaki Tetsuo , Kobayashi Masayuki , Komaru Atsushi , Fukasawa Satoshi
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To elucidate the effects of the preoperative albumin : globulin ratio on the survival of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 124 consecutive patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan between 2002 and 2015. The albumin : globulin ratio was defined: albumin / (total protein − albumin). Associations between preoperative clinicopathological factors, including the albumin : globulin ratio, and recurrence‐free survival, cancer‐specific survival and overall survival were assessed. The log–rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used for univariate and multivariable analyses, respectively. The study cohort was separated into two groups based on the optimal albumin : globulin ratio cut‐off value determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

The median survival time was 55 months (interquartile range 28–76 months), and 31 patients died during follow up. A low preoperative albumin : globulin ratio <1.40 was associated with tumor grade and surgical margin status. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that a low albumin : globulin ratio was more significantly correlated with worse recurrence‐free survival, cancer‐specific survival and overall survival. Multivariate analyses showed that a low albumin : globulin ratio was an independent predictive factor associated with poor recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio 3.758; P = 0.0028), cancer‐specific survival (hazard ratio 5.687; P = 0.0044) and overall survival (hazard ratio 3.124; P = 0.0030).

Conclusions

A low albumin : globulin ratio is an independent predictive factor associated with poor prognosis in upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy.
BMP‐2 induces human mononuclear cell chemotaxis and adhesion and modulates monocyte‐to‐macrophage differentiation
Authors: Pardali Evangelia , Makowski Lena‐Maria , Leffers Merle , Borgscheiper Andreas , Waltenberger Johannes
Published: August 2018

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a cardiovascular risk factor which leads to atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of mononuclear cells in the vessel. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2 is a cytokine which has been recently shown to be elevated in atherosclerosis and T2DM and to contribute to vascular inflammation. However, the role of BMP‐2 in the regulation of mononuclear cell function remains to be established. Herein, we demonstrate that BMP‐2 induced human monocyte chemotaxis via phosphoinositide 3 kinase and mitogen‐activated protein kinases. Inhibition of endogenous BMP‐2 signalling, by Noggin or a BMP receptor inhibitor, interfered with monocyte migration. Although BMP‐2 expression was increased in monocytes from T2DM patients, it could still stimulate their migration. Furthermore, BMP‐2 interfered with their differentiation into M2 macrophages. Finally, BMP‐2 both induced the adhesion of monocytes to fibronectin and endothelial cells (ECs), and promoted the adhesive properties of ECs, by increasing expression of adhesion and pro‐inflammatory molecules. Our data demonstrate that BMP‐2 could exert its pro‐inflammatory effects by inducing monocyte migration and adhesiveness to ECs and by interfering with the monocyte differentiation into M2 macrophages. Our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which BMP‐2 may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
MRI Findings and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Microvascular Decompression for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Authors: Jani Ronak H. , Hughes Marion A. , Ligus Zachary E. , Nikas Alexandra , Sekula Raymond F.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia causes extreme paroxysmal pain in the posterior pharynx, tonsillar region, base of tongue, or deep ear, that is, the distribution of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Some cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia are associated with neurovascular conflict, usually by the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Such symptomatic compression occurs only in proximal, centrally myelinated portions of the glossopharyngeal nerve near the brainstem. Microvascular decompression provides effective and durable pain relief for properly selected patients with medically refractory glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

The purpose of this study is to describe a tailored MRI evaluation of neurovascular conflict in glossopharyngeal neuralgia to improve candidate selection for microvascular decompression.

METHODS

Our team developed a glossopharyngeal neuralgia imaging and evaluation protocol including a grading system for neurovascular conflict of the glossopharyngeal nerve and applied it to evaluate candidates for microvascular decompression.

RESULTS

Our team grades neurovascular conflict as “contact” (vessel touching nerve without intervening cerebrospinal fluid) versus “deformation” (deviation or distortion of nerve from its normal course by the offending vessel). MRIs of patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia demonstrate proximal neurovascular conflict. Postoperative MRI demonstrates separation of the glossopharyngeal nerve from the offending vessel.

CONCLUSION

A tailored glossopharyngeal neuralgia imaging evaluation protocol is presented. We believe this approach has helped improve microvascular decompression outcomes and reduce unnecessary procedures at our institution. Further research may elucidate whether clinical and imaging features, including neurovascular conflict severity, predict surgical outcome for glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Pathophysiology and aetiology of hypoglycaemic crises
Authors: Morgan R. K. , Cortes Y. , Murphy L.
Published: August 2018

Hypoglycaemia is a common, life‐threatening complication that occurs as a component of a wide variety of disease processes. Despite its frequent occurrence, information concerning the aetiology, characteristics and outcomes of hypoglycaemic crises in veterinary medicine is limited. This review summarises the current understanding of the pathophysiology of hypoglycaemia, the body's counter‐regulatory response, underlying aetiologies, diagnosis and treatment. Disease mechanisms are discussed and published evidence in veterinary literature regarding prognostic indicators, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment is examined for hypoglycaemia‐related disease processes including insulinoma, glucose‐lowering toxins and medications.
Damage Classification for Masonry Historic Structures Using Convolutional Neural Networks Based on Still Images
Authors: Wang Niannian , Zhao Qingan , Li Shengyuan , Zhao Xuefeng , Zhao Peng
Published: August 2018

Manual inspection (i.e., visual inspection and/or with professional equipment) is the most predominant approach for identifying and assessing superficial damage of masonry historic structures at present. However, this method is costly and at times difficult to apply to remote structures or components. Existing convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based damage detection methods have not been specifically designed for the multiple damage identification of masonry historic structures. To overcome these limits, a deep architecture of CNN damage classification techniques for masonry historic structures is proposed in this article using a sliding window‐based CNN method to identify and locate four categories of damage (intact, crack, efflorescence, and spall) with an accuracy of 94.3%. This is the first attempt to identify the multidamage of historic masonry structures based on CNN techniques and achieve excellent classification results. The data are only trained and tested from images of the Forbidden City Wall in China, and the pixel resolutions of stretcher brick images and header brick images are 480 × 105 and 210 × 105, respectively. Two CNNs (AlexNet and GoogLeNet) are both trained on a small dataset (2,000 images for training, 400 images for validation and testing) and a large dataset (20,000 images for training, 4,000 images for validation and testing). The performance of the trained model (94.3% accuracy) is examined on five new images with 1,860 × 1,260 pixel resolutions.
Chronic nausea and orthostatic intolerance: Diagnostic utility of orthostatic challenge duration, Nausea Profile Questionnaire, and neurohumoral measures
Authors: Wagoner Ashley L. , Tarbell Sally E. , Shaltout Hossam A. , Diz Debra I. , Weese‐Mayer Debra E. , Fortunato John E.
Published: August 2018

Background

Chronic nausea in pediatrics is a debilitating condition with unclear etiology. We aimed to define hemodynamic and neurohumoral characteristics of chronic nausea associated with orthostatic intolerance in order to improve identification and elucidate mechanism.

Methods

Children (10‐18 years) meeting Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia with nausea and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (OI) completed a Nausea Profile Questionnaire followed by prolonged (45 minutes rather than the traditional 10 minutes) head‐upright tilt (HUT) (70° tilt up) test. Circulating catecholamines, vasopressin, aldosterone, renin, and angiotensins were measured supine and after 15 minutes into HUT. Beat‐to‐beat heart rate and blood pressure were continuously recorded to calculate their variability and baroreflex sensitivity.

Key Results

Within 10 and 45 minutes of HUT, 46% and 85% of subjects, respectively, had an abnormal tilt test (orthostatic hypotension, postural orthostatic tachycardia, or syncope). At 15 and 45 minutes of HUT, nausea was elicited in 42% and 65% of subjects respectively. Higher Nausea Profile Questionnaire scores correlated with positive HUT testing at 10 minutes (P = 0.004) and baroreflex sensitivity at 15 minutes (P ≤ 0.01). Plasma vasopressin rose 33‐fold in subjects with HUT‐induced nausea compared to twofold in those who did not experience HUT‐induced nausea (P < 0.01).

Conclusions and Inferences

In children with chronic nausea and OI, longer duration HUT elicited higher frequency of abnormal tilt testing and orthostatic‐induced nausea. The Nausea Profile Questionnaire predicted the orthostatic response to tilt testing. Exaggerated vasopressin release differentiated patients with HUT‐induced nausea (vs those without nausea), suggesting a possible mechanism for chronic nausea in childhood.
Effects of cortical anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on swallowing biomechanics
Authors: Doeltgen Sebastian H. , Rigney Lakkari , Cock Charles , Omari Taher
Published: August 2018

Background

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has demonstrated effects on corticobulbar excitability and swallowing function as assessed via clinical rating scales in stroke cohorts. Biomechanical effects of anodal tDCS on swallowing remain largely unexplored. We investigated how anodal tDCS applied over the floor of mouth (FOM) representation on the primary motor cortex affects swallowing biomechanics in healthy participants.

Methods

Anodal and sham tDCS were applied for 20 minutes at 1.5 mA. Corticobulbar excitability was assessed using motor evoked potentials at baseline and 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes post‐tDCS, as assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Swallowing function was assessed pre‐ and post‐tDCS using routine clinical assessments (Study 1) and pharyngeal high resolution impedance manometry (Study 2).

Key Results

Study 1 (n = 17) showed increased corticobulbar excitability and performance on a skilled swallowing task following anodal wetDCS, but not sham tDCS. In Study 2 (n = 10) anodal tDCS resulted in increased bolus admittance across the upper esophageal sphincter, but decreased pharyngeal and upper esophageal contractile vigor.

Conclusions

Clinical improvements of dietary intake are likely driven by swallowing neuroplastic reorganization which improves bolus admittance across the upper esophageal sphincter (UES).

Inferences

The documented changes make motor cortical application of anodal tDCS a promising adjunct to swallowing rehabilitation practice.
Emotions, Attitudes, and Reasons
Authors: Epley Kelly
Published: August 2018

Our emotional faculties respond to successes, gains, advantages, threats, losses, obstacles, and other personally significant objects or situations, producing positive or negative evaluations of them according to their perceived import. Being an evaluative response is a feature that emotions share with paradigm attitudes (beliefs, intentions, judgments, etc.). However, recently philosophers have been reluctant to treat emotions as attitudes. The usual reasons given have to do with the automaticity of emotions and their occasional recalcitrance. In this article, I argue that these things shouldn't disqualify emotions from counting as genuine attitudes. Our emotions do bear the kind of relationship with our reasons that is characteristic of our attitudes.
Ontogeny, sex and adult tissues influence activities of detoxification enzymes in the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonicaNewman)
Authors: Adesanya Adekunle W. , Held David W. , Liu Nannan
Published: August 2018

The detoxification enzymes superfamilies of cytochrome P450 (P450), glutathioneS‐transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CoE) play important roles in the metabolism of xenobiotics and endogenous substrates. Despite their importance in insect physiology and ecology, the relative activities of these enzyme systems among developmental stages, sexes and tissues of insect species have not been studied extensively. In the present study, we determine the relative activities of these enzymes in eggs, larval stages, adults of each sex and different tissues of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonicaNewman) in response to model exogenous substrates. The effect of food deprivation on enzyme activities is also examined in adult gut tissue. In this scarab species, ontogeny influences enzyme activities and catalytic efficiency, with eggs exhibiting only GST activity, first‐instar larvae exhibiting GST and CoE activities, and other life stages exhibiting P450 7‐ethoxycoumarinO‐deethylation (ECOD), GST and CoE activities. Second‐instar larvae have the highest GST activity, whereas third‐instar larvae have the highest P450 and CoE activities. Male and female adults show differences in P450 ECOD activity but not in CoE activity. Adult tissues vary in enzyme activities, with midgut tissues having the greatest P450 ECOD and CoE activities. A feeding bout of 24 h induces the optimal activities of P450 ECOD, GST and CoE in the gut of adult beetles. Interestingly, activity of GST is induced upon prolonged starvation. The findings of the present study highlight the apparent importance and contribution of detoxification enzymes in the physiology and ecology of this economically‐important pest.
Right ventricular structure and function in senior and academy elite footballers
Authors: Popple Emily , George Keith , Somauroo John , Sharma Sanjay , Utomi Victor , Lord Rachel , Cooper Robert , Malhotra Aneil , Forster Jan , Oxborough David
Published: August 2018

Aims

Right ventricular (RV) adaptation is a common finding in the athlete's heart. The aim of this study was to establish the extent of RV structural and functional adaptation in elite and academy professional footballers compared to age‐matched controls.

Methods and Results

A total of 100 senior and 100 academy elite footballers and 20 senior and 19 academy age‐matched controls were recruited. All participants underwent 2D, Doppler, tissue Doppler, and strain (ε) echocardiography of the right heart. Structural indices were derived and indexed allometrically for individual differences in body surface area. Standard RV function was assessed alongside peak RV ε and strain rate (SR). Senior football players had larger scaled RV structural parameters than academy players for the RV outflow (RVOTplax) (32.7 ± 4.2 and 29.5 ± 4.0 mm(m2)0.326, P < 0.001), the proximal RV outflow (RVOT1) (26.6 ± 3.5 and 24.7 ± 3.9 mm(m2)0.335, P < 0.001), the basal RV inflow (RVD1) (33.1 ± 4.1 and 30.7 ± 3.2 mm(m2)0.404, P = 0.020), RV length (RVD3) (66.5 ± 6.1 and 62.9 ± 5.1 mm(m2)0.431, P < 0.001), and RV diastolic area (RVDarea) (16.9 ± 2.6 and 15.7 ± 2.6 mm(m2)0.735, P < 0.001). Both academy and senior football players demonstrated larger scaled structural RV parameters in comparison with age‐matched controls. Systolic SR (SRS) was lower in the senior players compared to academy players in the mid (−1.52 ± 0.49 and −1.41 ± 0.34 L/s, P = 0.019) and apical (−1.97 ± 0.74 and −1.72 ± 0.42 L/s, P = 0.025) wall regions, respectively.

Conclusion

Right ventricular structural adaptation occurs in both senior and academy football players with senior players having larger RV dimensions. Although senior players have slightly lower peak SRS than academy players, all global ε and SR are within normal ranges.
The relation between children’s task‐specific competence and mothers’ controlling practices
Authors: Robichaud Jean‐Michel , Bureau Julien S. , Ranger Francis , Mageau Geneviève A.
Published: August 2018

In the guided learning domain of socialization, studies examining the antecedents of controlling parenting suggest that children’s lack of competence in a task could trigger controlling practices in that task. However, a stringent test of this relation remains to be conducted. This study examined this relation using a sample of 101 children (Mage = 10.21 years) and their mothers, a standardized measure of children’s competence in a task that was unfamiliar to the participants, and multi‐informant observational measures of maternal controlling practices during a mother–child interaction involving that task (rated by an independent coder and the children). Path analyses showed that children’s initial lack of competence in a task was related to higher levels of coded maternal controlling practices during a subsequent mother–child interaction involving that task, which in turn were positively linked to children’s perceptions of their mothers’ practices as controlling. A bootstrap analysis also confirmed that the indirect link from children’s competence to perceived maternal controlling practices through coded maternal controlling practices was significant. These effects were observed while controlling for mothers’ self‐reported controlling parenting style and perceptions of their children’s academic skills. Implications of these findings for the promotion of optimal parenting and future research directions are discussed.