bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Xpert MTB/RIF Performance on Tissues: Potential Impact on Airborne Infection Isolation at a Tertiary Cancer Care Center
Authors: McMillen Tracy , Usiak Shauna C. , Chen Liang Hua , Gomez Luz , Ntiamoah Peter , Hameed Meera R. , Budvytiene Indre , Banaei Niaz , Kamboj Mini , Babady N. Esther
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we sought to evaluate the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid) assay for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex DNA on fresh and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens from oncology patients in an area with a low prevalence of tuberculosis. We also aimed to retrospectively assess the potential impact of Xpert MTB/RIF on the duration of airborne infection isolation (AII).

SETTING

A 473-bed, tertiary-care cancer center in New York City.

DESIGN

A total of 203 tissue samples (101 FFPE and 102 fresh) were tested using Xpert MTB/RIF, including 133 pulmonary tissue samples (65.5%) and 70 extrapulmonary tissue samples (34.5%). Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture was used as the diagnostic gold standard. The limit of detection (LOD) and reproducibility were also evaluated for both samples types using contrived specimens. The potential impact of the Xpert MTB PCR assay on tissue samples from AII patients on AII duration was retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

Using the Xpert MTB/RIF for fresh tissue specimens, the sensitivity was 50% (95% CI, 1.3%–98.7%) and the specificity was 99% (95% CI, 94.5%–99.9%). For FFPE tissue specimens, the sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 63.1%–100%) and the specificity was 98.3% (95% CI, 95.5%–100%. The LOD was 103 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL for both fresh and FFPE tissue specimens, and the Xpert MTB/RIF was 100% reproducible at concentrations 10 times that of the LOD. With an expected turnaround time of 24 hours, the Xpert MTB PCR could decrease the duration of AII from a median of 8 days to a median of 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

The Xpert MTB/RIF assay offers a valid option for ruling out Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) on tissue samples from oncology patients and for minimizing AII resource utilization.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:462–466
Marine Isotope Stage 3 paleotemperature inferred from reconstructing the Die Shan ice cap, northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cui Hang , Wang Jie , Yu Beibei , Hu Zhenbo , Yao Pan , Harbor Jonathan M.
Published: February 2018

Glacial extent mapping and dating indicate that the local last glacial maximum (LLGM) of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau occurred during mid-Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. This is asynchronous with the global last glacial maximum (LGM) that occurred during MIS 2. The causes underlying this asynchronicity are the subject of ongoing debate, and paleoclimatic reconstructions are a key to advancing understanding of the climatic influence on the spatial and temporal patterns of paleoglaciation. We used multiple methods to reconstruct the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) of the Die Shan paleo-ice cap on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and to infer past temperature for ice maximum positions believed to be mid-MIS 3 in age, based on regional correlation. Geomorphic ELA reconstructions combined with an energy and mass balance model yield a paleo-ELA of 4117±31 m asl (786 m lower than present) with temperature depressions of 3.8 to ~4.6°C compared to the present. This is less than the LGM reconstruction of temperature depression inferred from other climatic proxy records on the Tibetan Plateau and suggests that the LLGM glacial advance was a product of lower temperatures and slightly reduced precipitation compared to present, whereas the LGM was a more restricted advance in which much colder conditions were combined with much lower precipitation.
Note on Spectra of Non-Selfadjoint Operators Over Dynamical Systems
Authors: Beckus Siegfried , Lenz Daniel , Lindner Marko , Seifert Christian
Published: February 2018

We consider equivariant continuous families of discrete one-dimensional operators over arbitrary dynamical systems. We introduce the concept of a pseudo-ergodic element of a dynamical system. We then show that all operators associated to pseudo-ergodic elements have the same spectrum and that this spectrum agrees with their essential spectrum. As a consequence we obtain that the spectrum is constant and agrees with the essential spectrum for all elements in the dynamical system if minimality holds.
Integrable Derivations and Stable Equivalences of Morita Type
Authors: Linckelmann Markus
Published: February 2018

Using that integrable derivations of symmetric algebras can be interpreted in terms of Bockstein homomorphisms in Hochschild cohomology, we show that integrable derivations are invariant under the transfer maps in Hochschild cohomology of symmetric algebras induced by stable equivalences of Morita type. With applications in block theory in mind, we allow complete discrete valuation rings of unequal characteristic.
MATERNAL SENSITIVITY AND PERFORMANCE AND VERBAL INTELLIGENCE IN LATE CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
Authors: Dunkel Curtis S. , Woodley of Menie Michael A.
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal sensitivity and offspring intelligence in late childhood and adolescence. Secondary data (N=117) from the Block and Block (2006a, b) 30-year longitudinal study of Californian children, which began in the late 1960s, was used to test the hypothesis that maternal sensitivity in childhood would be predictive of late childhood and adolescent intelligence. Correlational analyses revealed that maternal sensitivity, as judged by raters viewing mother’s interactions with their children in a set of four joint structured cognitive tasks when the child was 5 years of age, was associated with verbal and performance IQ test scores when the children were ages 11 and 18. Using hierarchical regression to control for child sex, socioeconomic status, child temperament, child baseline IQ (as measured at age 4), mother’s level of education and mother’s emotional nurturance, it was found that the maternal sensitivity and child and adolescent IQ association held for verbal, but not performance IQ. Furthermore, a pattern emerged in which the association between maternal sensitivity and verbal IQ was stronger for adolescents with a lower baseline IQ. The results suggest that maternal sensitivity is associated with offspring verbal intelligence and that this association holds when numerous variables are accounted for. Additionally, this association may be stronger for children with lower IQs.
Language and the geopolitics of (dis)location: A study of Zimbabwean Shona and Ndebele speakers in Johannesburg
Authors: Siziba Gugulethu , Hill Lloyd
Published: February 2018

The Zimbabwean diaspora is a well-documented phenomenon. While much research has been done on Zimbabwean migration to South Africa, the role that language plays in this process has not been well researched. This article draws on South African census data and qualitative fieldwork data to explore the manner in which Zimbabwean migrants use languages to appropriate spaces for themselves in the City of Johannesburg. The census data shows that African migrants tend to concentrate in the Johannesburg CBD, and fieldwork in this area reveals that Zimbabwean migrants are particularly well established in two suburbs—Yeoville and Hillbrow. The article explores migrant language repertoires, which include English, Shona, Ndebele, and a variant of Zulu. While many contributions to the migration literature tend to assume a strong association between language and ethnicity, the article shows how this relationship is mediated by geographic location and social positioning within the city. (Language, migration, Johannesburg, South Africa, Zimbabwe)*
Local climatology of fast ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Authors: Kim Stacy , Saenz Ben , Scanniello Jeff , Daly Kendra , Ainley David
Published: February 2018

Fast ice plays important physical and ecological roles: as a barrier to wind, waves and radiation, as both barrier and safe resting place for air-breathing animals, and as substrate for microbial communities. While sea ice has been monitored for decades using satellite imagery, high-resolution imagery sufficient to distinguish fast ice from mobile pack ice extends only back toc.2000. Fast ice trends may differ from previously identified changes in regional sea ice distributions. To investigate effects of climate and human activities on fast ice dynamics in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, the sea and fast ice seasonal events (1978–2015), ice thicknesses and temperatures (1986–2014), wind velocities (1973–2015) and dates that an icebreaker annually opens a channel to McMurdo Station (1956–2015) are reported. A significant relationship exists between sea ice concentration and fast ice extent in the Sound. While fast/sea ice retreat dates have not changed, fast/sea ice reaches a minimum later and begins to advance earlier, in partial agreement with changes in Ross Sea regional pack ice dynamics. Fast ice minimum extent within McMurdo Sound is significantly correlated with icebreaker arrival date as well as wind velocity. The potential impacts of changes in fast ice climatology on the local marine ecosystem are discussed.
On Zeros of a Polynomial in a Finite Grid
Authors: BISHNOI ANURAG , CLARK PETE L. , POTUKUCHI ADITYA , SCHMITT JOHN R.
Published: February 2018

A 1993 result of Alon and Füredi gives a sharp upper bound on the number of zeros of a multivariate polynomial over an integral domain in a finite grid, in terms of the degree of the polynomial. This result was recently generalized to polynomials over an arbitrary commutative ring, assuming a certain ‘Condition (D)’ on the grid which holds vacuously when the ring is a domain. In the first half of this paper we give a further generalized Alon–Füredi theorem which provides a sharp upper bound when the degrees of the polynomial in each variable are also taken into account. This yields in particular a new proof of Alon–Füredi. We then discuss the relationship between Alon–Füredi and results of DeMillo–Lipton, Schwartz and Zippel. A direct coding theoretic interpretation of Alon–Füredi theorem and its generalization in terms of Reed–Muller-type affine variety codes is shown, which gives us the minimum Hamming distance of these codes. Then we apply the Alon–Füredi theorem to quickly recover – and sometimes strengthen – old and new results in finite geometry, including the Jamison–Brouwer–Schrijver bound on affine blocking sets. We end with a discussion of multiplicity enhancements.
Gemella bergeriinfective endocarditis: a case report and brief review of literature
Authors: Zaidi S. Javed , Husayni Tarek , Collins Mary A.
Published: February 2018

Gemellais a genus of Gram-positive bacteria found in the digestive tract of humans. They rarely cause systemic illness but have been recently implicated in several serious infections. We report infective endocarditis caused byGemella bergeriin a 23-year-old with a bicuspid aortic valve status post-intervention in infancy.
Two Cultures into One?
Authors: Blockmans Wim
Published: February 2018

Over the last few decades, two developments have brought fundamental changes to the study of the humanities. The digital revolution triggered the construction of huge databases, universally accessible and searchable on an unprecedented scale. As a consequence, new ways of thinking in wider contexts and organizing research on a larger scale came within reach of disciplines that had previously mostly been active on an individual level and focusing on particular phenomena. Moreover, applications of new scientific methods led to breakthroughs in fundamental humanities issues such as environmental and biological data that were essential for living conditions and for the formation of collective identities. The increased collaboration between disciplines led to major innovations.
SAFETY VS. SENSITIVITY: POSSIBLE WORLDS AND THE LAW OF EVIDENCE
Authors: Pardo Michael S.
Published: February 2018

This article defends the importance of epistemic safety for legal evidence. Drawing on discussions of sensitivity and safety in epistemology, the article explores how similar considerations apply to legal proof. In the legal context, sensitivity concerns whether a factual finding would be made if it were false, and safety concerns how easily a factual finding could be false. The article critiques recent claims about the importance of sensitivity for the law of evidence. In particular, this critique argues that sensitivity does not have much of an effect on the value of legal evidence and that it fails to explain legal doctrine. By contrast, safety affects the quality of legal evidence, and safety better explains central features of the law of evidence, including probative value, admissibility rules, and standards of proof.
Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL) in Portugal: development and validation of a self-administered tool
Authors: Pires Carla , Rosa Pedro , Vigário Marina , Cavaco Afonso
Published: February 2018

The goal of this study was to adapt, improve and validate a short, self-administered health literacy assessment tool for European Portuguese-speaking adults. Health literacy tools are of great importance to health authorities and professionals, as low or inadequate health literacy, that is, a limited capacity to handle health-related information, is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The 18-item Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Brazilian Portuguese-speaking adults (SAHLPA-18) was adapted into European Portuguese. The European Portuguese tool (SAHLPA-23) includes five additional items. The SAHLPA-23 was tested in a convenience sample of 503 participants from two Portuguese regions. Socio-demographic data, literacy and cognitive indicators were collected. Participants also completed a questionnaire on comprehension of written health materials. Construct validity was assessed through correlations between SAHLPA-23 scores and education, literacy, and cognitive variables and score on the comprehension questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the new tool were compared with those of the SAHLPA-18. The mean SAHLPA-18 and SAHLPA-23 scores were 13.9 (77.2%; SD=2.9) and 18.3 (79.6%; SD=3.8), respectively. Both tools showed adequate reliability (Cronbach’sα>0.7). SAHLPA-23 was more highly correlated with all study variables than SAHLPA-18. Although both instruments displayed acceptable discriminative power, SAHLPA-23 had better accuracy than SAHLPA-18 (DeLong’s method: ΔAUC=0.09,Z=3.36;P<0.001). The SAHLPA-23 is an independent, feasible and innovative tool for estimation of health literacy in the Portuguese adult population.
The strategic use of pensions by not-for-profit organizations
Authors: CALABRESE THAD DANIEL , SEARING ELIZABETH A. M.
Published: February 2018

Defined benefit pension plans are an important and unexplored aspect of not-for-profit compensation, covering between 15% and 21% of the estimated national not-for-profit workforce. Here we consider whether pension contributions and actuarial assumptions are mechanisms for achieving not-for-profit financial management objectives such as smoothing consumption, managing reported net earnings, and minimizing pension liabilities. The empirical results indicate a variety of these behaviors. Not-for-profit pension plan sponsors use accumulated net assets to smooth consumption. Further, not-for-profits manage reported profits downwards when they exceed expectations by increasing pension contributions, but both minimize contributions and liberalize actuarial assumptions when they underperform relative to their desired earnings targets.
A virus or more in (nearly) every cell: ubiquitous networks of virus–host interactions in extreme environments
Authors: Munson-McGee Jacob H , Peng Shengyun , Dewerff Samantha , Stepanauskas Ramunas , Whitaker Rachel J , Weitz Joshua S , Young Mark J
Published: February 2018

The application of viral and cellular metagenomics to natural environments has expanded our understanding of the structure, functioning, and diversity of microbial and viral communities. The high diversity of many communities, e.g., soils, surface ocean waters, and animal-associated microbiomes, make it difficult to establish virus-host associations at the single cell (rather than population) level, assign cellular hosts, or determine the extent of viral host range from metagenomics studies alone. Here, we combine single-cell sequencing with environmental metagenomics to characterize the structure of virus–host associations in a Yellowstone National Park (YNP) hot spring microbial community. Leveraging the relatively low diversity of the YNP environment, we are able to overlay evidence at the single-cell level with contextualized viral and cellular community structure. Combining evidence from hexanucelotide analysis, single cell read mapping, network-based analytics, and CRISPR-based inference, we conservatively estimate that >60% of cells contain at least one virus type and a majority of these cells contain two or more virus types. Of the detected virus types, nearly 50% were found in more than 2 cellular clades, indicative of a broad host range. The new lens provided by the combination of metaviromics and single-cell genomics reveals a network of virus–host interactions in extreme environments, provides evidence that extensive virus–host associations are common, and further expands the unseen impact of viruses on cellular life.
TR4 nuclear receptor suppresses HCC cell invasion via downregulating the EphA2 expression
Authors: Jin Ren’an , Lin Hui , Li Gonghui , Xu Junjie , Shi Liang , Chang Chawnshang , Cai Xiujun
Published: February 2018

Early studies indicated that testicular nuclear receptor 4 (TR4) could function as a suppressor in the transcriptional regulation of the HBV core gene expression, which might then influence the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The direct linkage between TR4 and HCC progression, however, remained unclear. Here, via a human clinical sample survey, we found that 13 of the 18 HCC patients studied had lower TR4 expression in metastatic lesions than in matched primary HCC lesions, suggesting that TR4 may play a negative role in HCC metastasis. Results from in vitro cell migration/invasion studied confirmed that TR4 could suppress HCC cell migration/invasion. Mechanism dissection revealed that TR4 might function through downregulating ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) expression at the transcriptional level via direct binding to the TR4REs located on the 5′ promoter of EphA2 to suppress HCC cell migration/invasion. Targeting the EphA2 via EphA2-siRNA partially reversed the enhanced HCC cell migration/invasion with confirmed TR4 knockdown. Notably, results from preclinical studies using in vivo mouse model with orthotopic xenograft of HCC LM3 cells also confirmed the in vitro findings. Taking these findings together, preclinical studies using multiple in vitro HCC cell lines and an in vivo mouse model all led to the conclusion that TR4 may function as a suppressor of HCC metastasis and that targeting this newly identified TR4-EphA2 signaling may improve our ability to suppress HCC metastasis.
Downregulation of PERK activity and eIF2α serine 51 phosphorylation by mTOR complex 1 elicits pro-oxidant and pro-death effects in tuberous sclerosis-deficient cells
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Jothilatha , Tenkerian Clara , Gupta Jyotsana , Ghaddar Nour , Wang Shuo , Darini Cedric , Staschke Kirk A. , Ghosh Abhishek , Gandin Valentina , Topisirovic Ivan , Kristof Arnold S. , Hatzoglou Maria , Simos George , Koromilas Antonis E.
Published: February 2018

Oxidative stress determines cell fate through several mechanisms, among which regulation of mRNA translation by the phosphorylation of the alpha (α) subunit of the translation initiation factor eIF2α at serine 51 (eIF2αP) plays a prominent role. Increased eIF2αP can contribute to tumor progression as well as tumor suppression. While eIF2αP is increased in most cells to promote survival and adaptation to different forms of stress, we demonstrate that eIF2αP is reduced in tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2)-deficient cells subjected to oxidative insults. Decreased eIF2αP in TSC2-deficient cells depends on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and is associated with a reduced activity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident kinase PERK owing to the hyper-activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Downregulation of PERK activity and eIF2αP is accompanied by increased ROS production and enhanced susceptibility of TSC2-deficient cells to extrinsic pro-oxidant stress. The decreased levels of eIF2αP delay tumor formation of TSC2-deficient cells in immune deficient mice, an effect that is significantly alleviated in mice subjected to an anti-oxidant diet. Our findings reveal a previously unidentified connection between mTORC1 and eIF2αP in TSC2-deficient cells with potential implications in tumor suppression in response to oxidative insults.
Inhibition of endo-lysosomal function exacerbates vascular calcification
Authors: Cai Yujun , Wang Xue-Lin , Flores Alyssa M. , Lin Tonghui , Guzman Raul J.
Published: February 2018

Vascular calcification is a pathologic response to mineral imbalances and is prevalent in atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. When located in the media, it is highly associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients on dialysis. Vascular calcification is tightly regulated and controlled by a series of endogenous factors. In the present study, we assess the effects of lysosomal and endosomal inhibition on calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and aortic rings. We observed that lysosomal function was increased in VSMCs cultured in calcification medium containing 3.5 mM inorganic phosphate (Pi) and 3 mM calcium (Ca2+) for 7 days. We also found that the lysosomal marker lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 was markedly increased and colocalized with osteogenic markers in calcified aortas from vitamin D3-treated rats. Interestingly, both the lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine and the endosomal inhibitor dynasore dose-dependently enhanced Pi + Ca2+-mediated VSMC calcification. Inhibition of lysosomal and endosomal function also promoted osteogenic transformation of VSMCs. Additionally, lysosome inhibition increased Pi-induced medial calcification of aortic rings ex vivo. These data suggest that the endosome-lysosome system may play a protective role in VSMC and medial artery calcification.
Luminescent and paramagnetic properties of nanoparticles shed light on their interactions with proteins
Authors: Dal Cortivo Giuditta , Wagner Gabriel E. , Cortelletti Paolo , Padmanabha Das Krishna Mohan , Zangger Klaus , Speghini Adolfo , Dell’Orco Daniele , Meyer N. Helge
Published: February 2018

Nanoparticles have been recognized as promising tools for targeted drug-delivery and protein therapeutics. However, the mechanisms of protein-nanoparticle interaction and the dynamics underlying the binding process are poorly understood. Here, we present a general methodology for the characterization of protein-nanoparticle interaction on a molecular level. To this end we combined biophysical techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), circular dichroism (CD), resonance energy transfer (RET) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Particularly, we analyzed molecular mechanisms and dynamics of the interaction of CaF2 nanoparticles with the prototypical calcium sensor calmodulin (CaM). We observed the transient formation of an intermediate encounter complex involving the structural region linking the two domains. Specific interaction of CaM with CaF2 NPs is driven by the N-terminal EF-hands, which seem to recognize Ca2+ on the surface of the nanoparticle. We conclude that CaF2 NP-CaM interaction is fully compatible with potential applications in nanomedicine. Overall, the methods presented in this work can be extended to other systems and may be useful to quantitatively characterize structural and dynamic features of protein-NP interactions with important implications for nanomedicine and nano-biotechnology.
The mechanistic causes of peripheral intravenous catheter failure based on a parametric computational study
Authors: Piper Russell , Carr Peter J. , Kelsey Lachlan J. , Bulmer Andrew C. , Keogh Samantha , Doyle Barry J.
Published: February 2018

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are the most commonly used invasive medical device, yet up to 50% fail. Many pathways to failure are mechanistic and related to fluid mechanics, thus can be investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Here we used CFD to investigate typical PIVC parameters (infusion rate, catheter size, insertion angle and tip position) and report the hemodynamic environment (wall shear stress (WSS), blood damage, particle residence time and venous stasis volumes) within the vein and catheter, and show the effect of each PIVC parameter on each hemodynamic measure. Catheter infusion rate has the greatest impact on our measures, with catheter orientation also playing a significant role. In some PIVC configurations WSS was 3254 times higher than the patent vein, and blood damage was 512 times greater, when compared to control conditions. Residence time is geometry-dependent and decreases exponentially with increasing insertion angle. Stasis volume decreased with increasing infusion rate and, to a lesser degree, insertion angle. Even without infusion, the presence of the catheter changes the flow field, causing low velocity recirculation at the catheter tip. This research demonstrates how several controllable factors impact important mechanisms of PIVC failure. These data, the first of their kind, suggest limiting excessive infusion rates in PIVC.
Metabolic profile associated with distinct behavioral coping strategies of 129Sv and Bl6 mice in repeated motility test
Authors: Narvik Jane , Vanaveski Taavi , Innos Jürgen , Philips Mari-Anne , Ottas Aigar , Haring Liina , Zilmer Mihkel , Vasar Eero
Published: February 2018

We investigated the metabolic outcome of different coping strategies in 129S6/SvEvTac (129Sv) and C57BL/6Ntac (Bl6) strains. Two different batches of male 129Sv and Bl6 mice were used. One batch was not subjected to any behavioral manipulations (home cage control; HCC), whereas the other batch was treated with saline for 11 days and exposed after every treatment to the motor activity measurement (repeated motility tested; RMT). Bl6 RMT mice displayed a robust increase in number of rearings during repeated testing. 129Sv RMT mice experienced significant loss of body weight, but showed enhanced weight gain in HCC batch compared to Bl6. Serum metabolites (acylcarnitines, amino acids, biogenic amines, hexoses, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids) were determined with AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit. Results of the metabolomic study revealed prominent peculiarities between strains in two different conditions. Comparison of both batches of mice demonstrated that in Bl6 biogenic amines (acetyl-ornithine, alpha-amionadipic acid, carnosine) and lysophosphatidylcholine PC(16:1/0:0) dominated. However in 129Sv acylcarnitine C5 clearly dominated, indicating shift towards short-chain acylcarnitines. Stable strain-specific ratios also emerged for both lines, ratio of glycine/PC ae C38:2 for Bl6 and ratios of C5/C0 as well as PC(16:0/0:0)/PC(16:1/0:0) for 129Sv. The described metabolic changes probably reflect different behavioral coping strategies of 129Sv and Bl6 mice.
InForm software: a semi-automated research tool to identify presumptive human hepatic progenitor cells, and other histological features of pathological significance
Authors: Kramer Anne S. , Latham Bruce , Diepeveen Luke A. , Mou Lingjun , Laurent Geoffrey J. , Elsegood Caryn , Ochoa-Callejero Laura , Yeoh George C.
Published: February 2018

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) play an important regenerative role in acute and chronic liver pathologies. Liver disease research often necessitates the grading of disease severity, and pathologists’ reports are the current gold-standard for assessment. However, it is often impractical to recruit pathologists in large cohort studies. In this study we utilise PerkinElmer’s “InForm” software package to semi-automate the scoring of patient liver biopsies, and compare outputs to a pathologist’s assessment. We examined a cohort of eleven acute hepatitis samples and three non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) samples, stained with HPC markers (GCTM-5 and Pan Cytokeratin), an inflammatory marker (CD45), Sirius Red to detect collagen and haematoxylin/eosin for general histology. InForm was configured to identify presumptive HPCs, CD45+ve inflammatory cells, areas of necrosis, fat and collagen deposition (p < 0.0001). Hepatitis samples were then evaluated both by a pathologist using the Ishak-Knodell scoring system, and by InForm through customised algorithms. Necroinflammation as evaluated by a pathologist, correlated with InForm outputs (r2 = 0.8192, p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the InForm software package provides a useful tool for liver disease research, allowing rapid, and objective quantification of the presumptive HPCs and identifies histological features that assist with assessing liver disease severity, and potentially can facilitate diagnosis.
Deep learning based tissue analysis predicts outcome in colorectal cancer
Authors: Bychkov Dmitrii , Linder Nina , Turkki Riku , Nordling Stig , Kovanen Panu E. , Verrill Clare , Walliander Margarita , Lundin Mikael , Haglund Caj , Lundin Johan
Published: February 2018

Image-based machine learning and deep learning in particular has recently shown expert-level accuracy in medical image classification. In this study, we combine convolutional and recurrent architectures to train a deep network to predict colorectal cancer outcome based on images of tumour tissue samples. The novelty of our approach is that we directly predict patient outcome, without any intermediate tissue classification. We evaluate a set of digitized haematoxylin-eosin-stained tumour tissue microarray (TMA) samples from 420 colorectal cancer patients with clinicopathological and outcome data available. The results show that deep learning-based outcome prediction with only small tissue areas as input outperforms (hazard ratio 2.3; CI 95% 1.79–3.03; AUC 0.69) visual histological assessment performed by human experts on both TMA spot (HR 1.67; CI 95% 1.28–2.19; AUC 0.58) and whole-slide level (HR 1.65; CI 95% 1.30–2.15; AUC 0.57) in the stratification into low- and high-risk patients. Our results suggest that state-of-the-art deep learning techniques can extract more prognostic information from the tissue morphology of colorectal cancer than an experienced human observer.
Trend and risk factors of low birth weight and macrosomia in south China, 2005–2017: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Rao Jiaming , Fan Dazhi , Wu Shuzhen , Lin Dongxin , Zhang Huishan , Ye Shaoxin , Luo Xin , Wang Lijuan , Yang Jianwei , Pang Minhui , Zhang Jiayi , Xia Qing , Yang Xiaoke , Wang Wen , Fu Yao , Liu Yan , Guo Xiaoling , Liu Zhengping
Published: February 2018

The percentages of low birth weight (LBW) increased from 7.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2011 and declined to 8.1% in 2017. For very low birth weight (VLBW) individuals, the proportion declined −1.0% annually, from 2.5% in 2005 to 1.4% in 2017. Among moderately low birth weight (MLBW) individuals, the proportion first increased 12.8% annually, from 5.0% in 2005 to 9.3% in 2011, and then declined −3.8% annually, from 9.4% in 2011 to 7.0% in 2017. The percentages of macrosomia monotone decreased from 4.0% in 2005 to 2.5% in 2017, an annual decline of −4.0%. Multiple regression analyses showed that boys, maternal age, hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP), and diabetes were significant risk factors for LBW. Boys, maternal age, gestational age, HDCP, diabetes, and maternal BMI were significant risk factors for macrosomia. Although the relevant figures declined slightly in our study, it is likely that LBW and macrosomia will remain a major public health issue over the next few years in China. More research aimed at control and prevention of these risk factors for LBW and macrosomia and their detrimental outcome in the mother and perinatal child should be performed in China.
Maternal obesity-induced decreases in plasma, hepatic and uterine polyunsaturated fatty acids during labour is reversed through improved nutrition at conception
Authors: Muir Ronan , Liu Ge , Khan Raheela , Shmygol Anatoly , Quenby Siobhan , Gibson Robert Alan , Muhlhausler Beverly , Elmes Matthew
Published: February 2018

Maternal obesity is associated with prolonged and dysfunctional labour, potentially through decreased synthesis of prostaglandins that stimulate myometrial contractions. We assessed the impact of maternal obesity on concentrations of precursor fatty acids (FA) for prostaglandin synthesis and whether any changes could be reversed by improved nutrition post-conception. Wistar rats were fed control (CON) or High-Fat, High-cholesterol (HFHC) diets 6 weeks before mating. At conception half the dams switched diets providing 4 dietary groups: (1) CON, (2) HFHC, (3) CON-HFHC or (4) HFHC-CON. During parturition rats were euthanized and FA composition of plasma, liver and uterus determined. Visceral fat was doubled in rats exposed to the HFHC diet prior to and/or during pregnancy compared to CON. HFHC diet increased MUFAs but decreased omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs in plasma and liver. Uterine omega-3 FA concentrations were halved in HFHC versus CON rats, but all other FAs were similar. Switching from HFHC to CON diet at conception restored all FA profiles to those seen in CON rats. The increased MUFA and decreased PUFA concentrations in obese HFHC dams may contribute to aberrant prostaglandin synthesis and dysfunctional myometrial activity and it may be possible to reverse these changes, and potentially improve labour outcomes, by improving nutrition at conception.
AP-2ε Expression in Developing Retina: Contributing to the Molecular Diversity of Amacrine Cells
Authors: Jain Saket , Glubrecht Darryl D. , Germain Devon R. , Moser Markus , Godbout Roseline
Published: February 2018

AP-2 transcription factors play important roles in the regulation of gene expression during development. Four of the five members of the AP-2 family (AP-2α, AP-2β, AP-2γ and AP-2δ) have previously been shown to be expressed in developing retina. Mouse knockouts have revealed roles for AP-2α, AP-2β and AP-2δ in retinal cell specification and function. Here, we show that the fifth member of the AP-2 family, AP-2ε, is also expressed in amacrine cells in developing mammalian and chicken retina. Our data indicate that there are considerably fewer AP-2ε-positive cells in the developing mouse retina compared to AP-2α, AP-2β and AP-2γ-positive cells, suggesting a specialized role for AP-2ε in a subset of amacrine cells. AP-2ε, which is restricted to the GABAergic amacrine lineage, is most commonly co-expressed with AP-2α and AP-2β, especially at early stages of retinal development. Co-expression of AP-2ε and AP-2γ increases with differentiation. Analysis of previously published Drop-seq data from single retinal cells supports co-expression of multiple AP-2s in the same cell. Since AP-2s bind to their target sequences as either homodimers or heterodimers, our work suggests spatially- and temporally-coordinated roles for combinations of AP-2 transcription factors in amacrine cells during retinal development.
Serum albumin hydrogels in broad pH and temperature ranges: characterization of their self-assembled structures and nanoscopic and macroscopic properties
Authors: Arabi S. Hamidreza , Aghelnejad Behdad , Schwieger Christian , Meister Annette , Kerth Andreas , Hinderberger Dariush
Published: February 2018

We report extended pH- and temperature-induced preparation procedures and explore the materials and molecular properties of human and bovine serum albumin hydrogels.
Synthesis of K–Pd doped NiCo2O4−δ by reactive calcination route for oxidation of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG vehicles
Authors: Trivedi S. , Prasad R.
Published: February 2018

The present study is devoted to formulating a doped spinel catalyst by a novel route of calcination for the oxidation of the CO–CH4 mixture emitted from compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
Synthesis and properties of spiro-type heterasumanenes containing group 14 elements as bridging atoms
Authors: Furukawa Shunsuke , Hayashi Keisuke , Yamagishi Ken , Saito Masaichi
Published: February 2018

Spiro-type heterasumanenes composed of two triphenylenodithiophene units and group 14 bridging atoms were synthesized by stepwise lithiations of hexaalkoxytriphenylene derivatives and treatment with heteroatom reagents.
Mixed-solvent liquid exfoliated MoS2NPs as peroxidase mimetics for colorimetric detection of H2O2and glucose
Authors: Zhao Yuehua , Huang Yu , Wu Jiangling , Zhan Xiaoli , Xie Yuanyang , Tang Dongyun , Cao Haiyan , Yun Wen
Published: February 2018

Ultra-small molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles (MoS2NPs) prepared by a facile liquid exfoliation method is capable of detecting the presence of H2O2and glucose. This novel colorimetric method offers an alternative way to detect diabetes.
Fluorescence enhancement of gold nanoclustersviaZn doping for biomedical applications
Authors: Qiao Yanqing , Liu Ying , Liu Haixia , Li Yonghui , Long Wei , Wang Junying , Mu Xiaoyu , Chen Jing , Liu Haile , Bai Xueting , Liu Lingfang , Sun Yuan-Ming , Liu Qiang , Guo Meili , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: February 2018

Fluorescence enhancement of gold nanoclustersviaZn doping.
Characterisation of teacher professional knowledge and skill through content representations from tertiary chemistry educators
Authors: Schultz M. , Lawrie G. A. , Bailey C. H. , Dargaville B. L.
Published: February 2018

An established tool for collating secondary teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (Loughran's CoRe) has been adapted for use by tertiary educators. Chemistry lecturers with a range of levels of experience were invited to participate in workshops through which the tool was piloted, refined and applied. We now present this refined tool for the tertiary teaching community to consider adopting. The teaching approaches of over 80 workshop participants were collected using the tool in a broad survey of tertiary chemistry teaching strategies. Participation in the workshops led to a significant gain in personal PCK for some individuals. Analysis of responses received in the workshops revealed that the consensus model of secondary teacher professional knowledge and skill is also applicable to the tertiary level, and that the CoRe is a useful way to gain insight into the knowledge bases and topic-specific professional knowledge of tertiary chemistry teachers. The data were aggregated and coded inductively to distil the types of strategies commonly found to be useful for teaching particular tertiary chemistry topics. This resulted in collation of over 300 teaching strategies for 19 different chemistry topics, representing significant topic-specific professional knowledge of tertiary practitioners. To share and sustain this collection of teaching strategies, a website was built that is searchable by either chemistry topic or by type of teaching strategy, making it immediately useful to practitioners. Usage analytics data for the website confirm that many users have accessed the resource, showing that this is a practical way to transfer information between chemistry educators.
pH and generation dependent morphologies of PAMAM dendrimers on a graphene substrate
Authors: Gosika Mounika , Maiti Prabal K.
Published: February 2018

Morphology map of the PAMAM dendrimers on graphene, as a function of pH and generation number. Some of these morphologies are analogous to adsorbed star-polymer morphologies.
Morphology-controlled Au nanostructures for efficient and selective electrochemical CO2reduction
Authors: Kim Jaehoon , Song Jun Tae , Ryoo Hyewon , Kim Jin-Gyu , Chung Sung-Yoon , Oh Jihun
Published: February 2018

Morphology-controlled Au nanostructures are fabricatedviaelectroreduction of anodized Au thin films, exhibiting efficient catalytic activity for electrochemical CO2reduction.
Power efficient 2 × 1 space–time block code system with antenna shuffling
Authors: Joung J.
Published: February 2018

A transmit antenna shuffling method is proposed for a power efficient 2 × 1 space–time block code (STBC) system. Unlike a conventional STBC system that has identical power amplifiers (PAs), an asymmetric STBC (A‐STBC) transmitter considered in this Letter has two asymmetric PAs, i.e. low‐power and high‐PAs. Considering the asymmetric PAs, the authors propose an antenna shuffling method with 1‐bit feedback to improve the power efficiency (PE) of the STBC system. Numerical results verify that the proposed A‐STBC system with 1‐bit feedback antenna shuffling achieves a better PE‐and‐rate tradeoff and the potential ability of the small amount of feedback information for the power efficient systems.
Rheology of Cementitious Materials: Alkali-Activated Materials or Geopolymers
Authors: Puertas F. , Alonso M.M: , Gismera S. , Lanzón M. , Blanco-Varela M.T.
Published: February 2018

A clear alternative to reach the goal of sustainable development in the Construction Sector is the development of alternative building materials to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in a more energetically as well as environmentally eco-efficient way. Alkaline cements (Alkali-Activated Materials, AAMs) and geopolymers meet these requirements; and they are based on the alkali activation of aluminosilicates (mainly waste and industrial by-products, such as blast furnace slag, fly ash and ceramic waste) in highly alkaline solutions. AAMs cements and concretes are notable for being very durable and mechanically resistant. However, to date their rheological behaviour is not well controlled and there is little understanding of it, with very disparate experimental data. Despite this, their rheological behaviour is not fully understood and little is known on the disparate data obtained in AAM pastes. Moreover, the common additives used in the preparation of OPC concretes and the rheology modifiers/controllers are also unstable in the AAMs systems.

Understanding and controlling the rheology of the AAMs systems will ultimately determine whether they can be implemented in the market, and will open up greater competitive possibilities in a crisis-affected sector. A systematic study of the factors that affect the rheological properties of AAMs (pastes, mortars and concretes) is therefore necessary in order to ultimately develop more resistant and durable materials.
Role of Polycarboxylate-ether superplasticizers on cement hydration kinetics and microstructural development
Authors: Valentini L. , Dalconi M.C. , Artioli G.
Published: February 2018

Polycarboxylate-ether (PCE) superplasticizers are a fundamental constituent of modern cementbased materials due to their impact on the rheology of the fresh mix and mechanical performance of the hardened material. The effect of PCEs on cement hydration kinetics has been known since their introduction in the early 1980s. However, detailed knowledge of the role played by PCE macromolecules on the basic mechanisms of cement hydration (dissolution, diffusion, precipitation) is still lacking. A better understanding of how such mechanisms are influenced by the addition of PCE is no doubt beneficial to the design of novel superplasticizing admixtures. Here, I report on some recent findings about the role of PCE superplasticizers on cement hydration kinetics and microstructural development. The interaction between PCE and C3S pastes was investigated by an ad-hoc kinetic model based on a combination of generalized forms of the Avrami and BNG (Boundary Nucleation and Growth) models. The model is used to fit the rate of C-S-H precipitation measured by in-situ X-ray powder diffraction combined with mass balance calculations. The results show that a switch from heterogeneous to homogeneous C-S-H nucleation occurs in the presence of PCEs and that the C-S-H growth rate decreases proportionally to the amount of PCE used. The predicted switch to homogeneous nucleation is in agreement with experimental results obtained by XRD-enhanced micro-tomography imaging, showing that, in the presence of PCE, C-S-H preferentially forms in the pore space rather than at the surface of clinker particles.
Durability and service life prediction for concrete structures – developments and challenges
Authors: Alexander Mark G
Published: February 2018

The paper reviews developments in service life prediction for concrete structures. It indicates the difficulties inherent in rational service life design, in view of the multiple factors and variabilities involved in the process. The paper also emphasises the advantages of performance-based approaches to durability prediction, and considers performance testing, which is critical to achieving intended service life. Such approaches allow service life modelling, which the current prescriptive approaches do not. The concept of ‘durability indicators’ is covered, with a practical example showing how this can be used to improve concrete durability in construction. The paper also stresses the importance of an ‘integrated approach’ to durability specifications, performance-based predictions, and site quality control.
Vegetable fiber as reinforcing elements for cement based composite in housing applications – a Brazilian experience
Authors: Costa Correia Viviane da , Santos Sergio Francisco , Savastano Holmer
Published: February 2018

Vegetable fibers are a hierarchical structure material in the macro, micro and nanometric scales that have been used as reinforcement in cementitious materials. In nanoscale, the nanofibrillated cellulose has the advantage of having good mechanical performance and high specific surface, which contributes to improve the adhesion between fiber and matrix. In hybrid reinforcement, with micro and nanofibers, nanofibrillated cellulose forms bonding with the matrix and acts as stress transfer bridges in the nano-cracking with corresponding strengthening of the cementitious composite. Processing has a strong influence on performance of the fiber cement composite. Two fabrication methods were evaluated: (i) slurry dewatering followed by pressing and (ii) extrusion. The extrusion process strongly depends on the rheological characteristics of the fresh cement material but it can better organize the microstructure of the fiber cement due to the partial orientation of the fibers in the extruder direction. Curing process also plays a key role in the performance of the final product. Accelerated carbonation at early age is a promising technology and a strategy to mitigate the durability problems with the composite materials; it decreases porosity, promotes a higher density in the interface guarantying a good fiber–matrix adhesion and a better mechanical behavior. Alternative MgO-SiO2 clinker free binder is also presented as a suitable alternative to cementitious products reinforced with cellulosic pulps. Finally, mechanical behavior of fiber cement under flexural loading is evaluated by modulus of rupture, fracture toughness, the initial crack growth resistance in cement matrix, and fracture energy that is obtained to evaluate the influence of toughening mechanisms promoted by fibers, such as pullout and bridging, on the mechanical performance of the composites. Degradation during the service life is also crucial for the evaluation of the durability of the resulting materials and components in real applications exposed to different environmental conditions as roofing, partitioning or ceiling elements. It can be concluded that more sustainable and high performance components based on engineered natural raw materials for civil construction can bring valuable contributions for the affordable housing in particular to developing region.