bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding sexual prejudice: The role of political ideology and strategic essentialism
Authors: Hoyt Crystal L. , Morgenroth Thekla , Burnette Jeni L.
Published: November 2018

Despite the increased visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, sexual minorities continue to face prejudice and discrimination in many domains. Past research has shown that this prejudice is more prevalent among those holding conservative political views. In two studies, we merge strategic essentialism and motivated ideology theoretical perspectives to empirically investigate the link between political orientation and sexual prejudice. More specifically, we examine how conservatives strategically use different forms of essentialism to support their views of gay individuals and their reactions to messages aimed at changing essentializing beliefs. In Study 1 (N = 220), we demonstrate that conservatives endorse social essentialism (i.e., the belief that gay and straight people are fundamentally different from each other) more than liberals do. In turn, they blame gay individuals more for their sexual orientation and show more prejudice toward them. At the same time, conservatives endorse trait essentialism (i.e., the belief that sexual orientation is a fixed attribute that cannot be changed) less than liberals do, which in turn predicts greater levels of blame and prejudice for conservatives relative to liberals. In Study 2 (N = 217), we additionally show that conservatives, but not liberals, are resistant to messages aimed at increasing trait essentialism and reducing prejudice toward sexual minorities. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
α‐galactosylceramide generates lung regulatory T cells through the activated natural killer T cells in mice
Authors: Chen Qianhui , Guo Xuxue , Deng Nishan , Liu Linlin , Chen Shuo , Wang Ailing , Li Ruiyun , Huang Yi , Ding Xuhong , Yu Hongying , Hu Suping , Nie Hanxiang
Published: November 2018

Our previous study showed that intraperitoneal injection of α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) has the ability to activate lung iNKT cells, but α‐GalCer‐activated iNKT cells do not result in airway inflammation in wild‐type (WT) mice. Many studies showed that iNKT cells had the capacity to induce Treg cells, which gave rise to peripheral tolerance. Therefore, we examined the influence of intraperitoneal administration of α‐GalCer on the expansion and suppressive activity of lung Treg cells using iNKT cell‐knockout mice and co‐culture experiments in vitro. We also compared airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) after α‐GalCer administration in specific anti‐CD25 mAb‐treated mice. Our data showed that intraperitoneal injection of α‐GalCer could promote the expansion of lung Treg cells in WT mice, but not in iNKT cell‐knockout mice. However, α‐GalCer administration could not boost suppressive activity of Treg cells in WT mice and iNKT cell‐knockout mice. Interestingly, functional inactivation of Treg cells could induce airway inflammation and AHR in WT mice treated with α‐GalCer. Furthermore, α‐GalCer administration could enhance iNKT cells to secrete IL‐2, and neutralization of IL‐2 reduced the expansion of Treg cells in vivo and in vitro. Thus, intraperitoneal administration of α‐GalCer can induce the generation of lung Treg cells in mice through the release of IL‐2 by the activated iNKT cells.
A systematic review on risk factors in developing a first‐time Venous Leg Ulcer
Authors: Meulendijks A.M. , de Vries F.M.C. , van Dooren A.A. , Schuurmans M.J. , Neumann H.A.M.
Published: November 2018

Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) occur in about 1% of the Western population. A VLU takes 3–12 months to heal, it recurs often, and it has a negative impact on the quality of life. The risk factors for the development of a first VLU are not well‐understood and prevention of a first VLU therefore remains underappreciated. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for developing a first VLU in adults (aged > 18 years) by searching the literature. We searched the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Cinalh and Narcisto identify studies that investigated risk factors in developing a VLU. The last search was performed in January 2018. Two reviewers independently reviewed the abstracts and full‐text articles, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Results of studies using duplex scanning, and comparing participants with and without VLUs were included in the qualitative analysis. Where possible a quantitative meta‐analysis was conducted. We found five studies that investigated the relation of several risk factors with VLU development. The methodological differences of the studies made it impossible to perform a quantitative analysis. The risk factors higher age (four studies), higher body mass index (four studies), low physical activity (four studies), arterial hypertension (four studies), deep vein reflux (three studies), deep venous thrombosis (three studies) and family history of VLU (three studies) were significantly associated with a VLU in the majority of the studies. To what extent they influence the development of a VLU remains unclear because of the limited number of studies that investigated the association of these risk factors with VLU development, and the heterogeneity of these studies. Further studies are needed to confirm the association of these risk factors with the development of a VLU and to explore overweight and low physical activity in more detail.
Resilience and health (care): A dynamic adaptive perspective
Authors: Martin Carmel Mary
Published: November 2018

This special forum on resilience explores particular worldviews of resilience—clinical, psychosocial, sociological, complexity science, organizational, and political economy through eight papers. This forum aims to open up the wealth of understandings and implications in health care by taking a transdisciplinary overview.
Are all bony fishes oxygen regulators? Evidence for oxygen regulation in a putative oxygen conformer, the swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus
Authors: Svendsen Morten Bo Søndergaard , Johansen Jacob L. , Bushnell Peter G. , Skov Peter V. , Norin Tommy , Domenici Paolo , Steffensen John F. , Abe Augusto
Published: November 2018

This study investigated the oxygen consumption of the putative oxygen conformer marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus during progressive hypoxia. Earlier studies have not reached an agreement on whether S. marmoratus is a conformer or a regulator. Our results support the view that S. marmoratus is an oxygen regulator, like most bony fishes.
Update on Medication Use Quality and Safety in Older Adults, 2017
Authors: Gray Shelly L. , Marcum Zachary A. , Schmader Kenneth E. , Hanlon Joseph T.
Published: November 2018

Improving the quality of medication use and medication safety in older adults is an important public health priority and is of paramount importance for clinicians who care for them. We selected four important articles from 2017 that address these issues to annotate and critique, and we discuss the broader implications for optimizing medication use. A longer list of articles is given in an online appendix. The first study provides national data on the prevalence of central nervous system–active medication polypharmacy in older adults and how this has changed over a 9‐year period (2004–2013). The second study characterizes prevalence of and factors associated with nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs in 36,912 older adults with epilepsy, with an emphasis on minorities. The third study describes the extent of antibiotic use in residents of 381 long‐term care facilities (LTCF) in British Columbia, Canada, from 2007 to 2014. Finally, we discuss a meta‐analysis of 42 studies that evaluated the prevalence of hospital admissions caused by adverse drug reactions in older adults. This article is intended to provide a narrative review of important publications on medication use quality and safety for clinicians and researchers committed to optimizing medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2254–2258, 2018.
A leaf shape mutant provides insight into PINOID Serine/Threonine Kinase function in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Song Mengfei , Cheng Feng , Wang Jing , Wei Qingzhen , Fu Wenyuan , Yu Xiaqing , Li Ji , Chen Jinfeng , Lou Qunfeng
Published: November 2018

Optimizing leaf shape is a major challenge in efforts to develop an ideal plant type. Cucumber leaf shapes are diverse; however, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying leaf shape formation are unknown. In this study, we obtained a round leaf mutant (rl) from an ethyl methanesulfonate‐induced mutagenesis population. Genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive gene, rl, is responsible for this mutation. A modified MutMap analysis combined linkage mapping identified a single nucleotide polymorphism within a candidate gene, Csa1M537400, as the mutation underlying the trait. Csa1M537400 encodes a PINOID kinase protein involved in auxin transport. Expression of Csa1M537400 was significantly lower in the rl mutant than in wild type, and it displayed higher levels of IAA (indole‐3‐acetic acid) in several tissues. Treatment of wild‐type plants with an auxin transport inhibitor induced the formation of round leaves, similar to those in the rl mutant. Altered expression patterns of several auxin‐related genes in the rl mutant suggest that rl plays a key role in auxin biosynthesis, transport, and response in cucumber. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of auxin signaling pathways in cucumber, and will be valuable in the development of an ideal plant type.
Analysis of the chromatin binding affinity of retrotransposases reveals novel roles in diploid and tetraploid cotton
Authors: Lin Jing , Cai Ying , Huang Gai , Yang Yan , Li Yang , Wang Kun , Wu Zhiguo
Published: November 2018

LTR‐retrotransposable elements are major components of diploid (Gossypium arboreum) and tetraploid (Gossypium hirsutum) cotton genomes that have undergone dramatic increases in copy number during the course of evolution. However, little is known about the biological functions of LTR‐retrotransposable elements in cotton. Here, we show that a copia‐like LTR‐retrotransposable element has maintained considerable activity in both G. arboreum and G. hirsutum. We identified two functional domains of the retrotransposon and analyzed their expression levels in various cotton tissues, including leaves, ovules, and germinating seeds. ChIP‐qPCR (chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative PCR), using a copia‐specific antibody, established that copia‐like proteins primarily bind to the first exons of several protein‐coding genes in cotton cells. This finding suggests that retrotransposons play a novel, important role in regulating the transcriptional activities of protein‐coding genes with various biological activities.
A reductionist approach to dissecting grain weight and yield in wheat
Authors: Brinton Jemima , Uauy Cristobal
Published: November 2018

Grain yield is a highly polygenic trait that is influenced by the environment and integrates events throughout the life cycle of a plant. In wheat, the major grain yield components often present compensatory effects among them, which alongside the polyploid nature of wheat, makes their genetic and physiological study challenging. We propose a reductionist and systematic approach as an initial step to understand the gene networks regulating each individual yield component. Here, we focus on grain weight and discuss the importance of examining individual sub‐components, not only to help in their genetic dissection, but also to inform our mechanistic understanding of how they interrelate. This knowledge should allow the development of novel combinations, across homoeologs and between complementary modes of action, thereby advancing towards a more integrated strategy for yield improvement. We argue that this will break barriers in terms of phenotypic variation, enhance our understanding of the physiology of yield, and potentially deliver improved on‐farm yield.
Multiple equilibria and global indeterminacy in an endogenous growth model with congestible public goods
Authors: Bella Giovanni , Mattana Paolo
Published: November 2018

This paper extends the findings in Chen and Lee (2007) to show that the use of congestible public goods can produce both local and global indeterminacy in a two‐sector endogenous growth model with productive public services financed by income taxation. Basically, we observe the effects on growth rates by changing parameters, and compare the case of a single steady‐state with the emergence of dual steady‐states, identifying the feasible ways to avoid a possible low‐growth poverty trap. The novelty of our analysis is to detect the presence of global indeterminacy by making use of the Bogdanov‐Takens bifurcation theorem. Some examples are also provided to achieve concrete policy implications.
Mechanisms of reduced sleepiness symptoms in heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Pak Victoria M. , Strouss Lisa , Yaggi Henry K. , Redeker Nancy S. , Mohsenin Vahid , Riegel Barbara
Published: November 2018

Patients with both heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea often have poor, repeatedly disrupted sleep, and yet they frequently do not complain of excessive daytime sleepiness. Understanding this lack of perceived sleepiness is crucial for the case identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in the heart failure population at high risk of this disease, especially given the association between untreated obstructive sleep apnea and mortality among patients with heart failure. In this review, we present epidemiologic evidence concerning the lack of sleepiness symptoms in heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea, explore possible mechanistic explanations for this relationship, assess the benefits of treatment in this population, discuss implications for clinical practice and explore directions for future research.
Anterior hippocampus volume loss in narcolepsy with cataplexy
Authors: Křečková Martina , Kemlink David , Šonka Karel , Krásenský Jan , Bušková Jitka , Vaněčková Manuela , Němcová Veronika
Published: November 2018

Narcolepsy with cataplexy is a lifelong disease resulting from the loss of hypocretin neurons in the hypothalamus; structural changes are not, however, limited only to the hypothalamus. We previously revealed an overall hippocampal volume loss in narcolepsy with cataplexy. The aim of this study is to describe the volume reduction of the anterior and posterior parts of the hippocampus in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexyin comparison with a control group. The anterior hippocampus is more involved in episodic memory and imagination, and the posterior hippocampus in spatial memory. Manual magnetic resonance imaging hippocampal volumetry was performed in 48 patients with narcolepsy with cataplexyand in 37 controls using the manual delineation technique in the ScanView program. All participants were examined on the same 1.5 TMRscanner; measurement was carried out as T1W 3D image with a slice thickness of 1.0/0 mm. There was a significant absolute loss of the total volume of the anterior hippocampus (sum of left and right) in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexyas compared with the controls (10.5%,p = .03ANCOVAafter correcting for total brain volume and multiple testing). We found a negative correlation between the total anterior hippocampus volume and the duration of the disease (R = −0.4036,p = .016—corrected for multiple testing).
High response and re‐infection rates among people who inject drugs treated for hepatitis C in a community needle and syringe programme
Authors: Schulkind Jasmine , Stephens Brian , Ahmad Farsana , Johnston Linda , Hutchinson Sharon , Thain Donna , Ward Zoe , Vickerman Peter , Hickman Matt , Dillon John F.
Published: November 2018

To achieve WHO hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination targets by 2030, mathematical models suggest there needs to be significant scale‐up of treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). We tested whether people who actively inject drugs can be recruited and treated successfully through a community needle and syringe programme (NSP), and assessed rates of re‐infection. 105 HCV RNA positive participants were enrolled prospectively. Participants were recruited from the largest NSP in Dundee over 42 months. 94/105 individuals commenced treatment. Genotype 1 (G1) individuals (n = 37) were treated with peg‐interferon+ribavirin+Simepravir/Telaprevir. Genotype 2/3 (G2/3) (n = 57) received peg‐interferon+ribavirin. Weekly study visits took place within the NSP. Mean age of participants was 34.0 years (SD 6.9), 71.3% (61/94) were male. One in five (20/94) participants were homeless. 68.1% (64/94) were on OST (opiate substitution therapy) at enrolment; participants injected median 6.5 times/wk. In terms of clinical outcomes, >80% treatment adherence was 71.3% (67/94). There was no difference in SVR‐12 rates by genotype: 81.0% (30/37) for G1 and 82.5% (47/55) for G2/3. At 18 months post‐treatment, 15/77 participants were reinfected, followed up over 69.8 person‐years, yielding a re‐infection rate of 21.5/100 person‐years (95% CI 13.00‐35.65). This trial demonstrates that HCV treatment can be delivered successfully to the target population of treatment as prevention strategies. We report higher rates of re‐infection than existing estimates among PWID. Scale‐up of HCV treatment should be pursued alongside a comprehensive programme of harm reduction interventions to help minimize re‐infection and reduce HCV transmission.
Primordial heavy noble gases in the pristine Paris carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Bekaert David V. , Marrocchi Yves , Meshik Alex , Remusat Laurent , Marty Bernard
Published: November 2018

The Paris carbonaceous chondrite represents the most pristine carbonaceous chondrite, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the composition of early solar system materials prior to the onset of significant aqueous alteration. A dual origin (namely from the inner and outer solar system) has been demonstrated for water in the Paris meteorite parent body (Piani et al. ). Here, we aim to evaluate the contribution of outer solar system (cometary‐like) water ice to the inner solar system water ice using Xe isotopes. We report Ar, Kr, and high‐precision Xe isotopic measurements within bulk CM 2.9 and CM 2.7 fragments, as well as Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe isotope compositions of the insoluble organic matter (IOM). Noble gas signatures are similar to chondritic phase Q with no evidence for a cometary‐like Xe component. Small excesses in the heavy Xe isotopes relative to phase Q within bulk samples are attributed to contributions from presolar materials. CM 2.7 fragments have lower Ar/Xe relative to more pristine CM 2.9 fragments, with no systematic difference in Xe contents. We conclude that Kr and Xe were little affected by aqueous alteration, in agreement with (1) minor degrees of alteration and (2) no significant differences in the chemical signature of organic matter in CM 2.7 and CM 2.9 areas (Vinogradoff et al. ). Xenon contents in the IOM are larger than previously published data of Xe in chondritic IOM, in line with the Xe component in Paris being pristine and preserved from Xe loss during aqueous alteration/thermal metamorphism.
Urinary albumin excretion in rheumatoid arthritis is not associated with markers of vasculopathy in distal microvascular beds
Authors: Anyfanti Panagiota , Triantafyllou Areti , Gkaliagkousi Eugenia , Zabulis Xenophon , Dolgyras Panagiotis , Galanopoulou Vasiliki , Aslanidis Spyros , Douma Stella
Published: November 2018

Objective

Increased UAE is a marker of generalized vascular damage in high‐cardiovascular risk patients. However, it remains unknown whether it corresponds to a state of diffuse vasculopathy in high‐risk patients with RA.

Methods

UAE was estimated in 24‐hour urine samples in RA and non‐RA individuals. Retinal arteriolar and venular diameters were calculated from retinal images with computerized software. SEVR was estimated as an index of microvascular coronary perfusion with applanation tonometry. Dermal capillary density was measured from images obtained with nailfold capillaroscopy, using specifically designed software.

Results

In a total of 111 individuals, neither UAE (5.1 [2.8‐10.8] vs 6.5 [3.0‐11.7] mg/24 h) nor prevalence of microalbuminuria (11.0% vs 8.1%) significantly differed between patients (n = 74) and controls (n = 37). In the RA group, UAE was not significantly associated with inflammation, nor with any of the studied microvascular indices of the retinal microvasculature, the coronary microcirculation, and the dermal capillary network.

Conclusion

Among RA patients, UAE was not associated with markers of vasculopathy in distal microvascular beds. Increased UAE in RA might be primarily considered as a manifestation of localized, compromised function of the renal microvasculature, rather than a marker of generalized microvascular impairment.
Heterogeneity in α‐synuclein subtypes and their expression in cortical brain tissue lysates from Lewy body diseases and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Vaikath N. N. , Erskine D. , Morris C. M. , Majbour N. K. , Vekrellis K. , Li J.‐Y. , El‐Agnaf O. M. A.
Published: November 2018

Aims

Lewy body diseases are neuropathologically characterized by the abnormal accumulation of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) protein within vulnerable neurons. Although studies have evaluated α‐syn inpost mortembrain tissue, previous findings have been limited by typically employing pan‐α‐syn antibodies that may not recognize disease‐relevant forms of protein. We investigated the presence of α‐syn species present inpost mortembrain tissues from Lewy body disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

Soluble and insoluble/aggregated α‐syn from frontal cortex ofpost mortembrain tissues form Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aged control cases were sequentially extracted using buffers with increasing detergent concentrations. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the levels of total‐, oligomeric‐ and phosphorylated‐Ser129‐α‐syn (t‐, o‐ andpS129‐α‐syn).ELISAdata were validated by western blot and compared to histological data from the same region of the contralateral hemisphere.

Results

There was no difference in t‐α‐syn levels between groups in the aqueous‐soluble, detergent‐soluble or urea‐soluble tissue fractions. However, aqueous‐soluble non‐phosphorylated o‐α‐syn was increased not only inPDandDLBbut also inADwithout neocortical Lewy bodies. InPDandAD,pS129‐α‐syn was increased in the detergent‐soluble tissue fragment and, inAD, this was positively correlated with the burden of tau pathology. Increased levels of urea‐solublepS129‐α‐syn were demonstrated only inDLBtissue lysates but this did not correlate with Lewy body pathological burden.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings suggest thatDLBhave elevated levels of insolublepS129‐α‐syn, but that increased levels of aqueous‐soluble o‐α‐syn and detergent‐solublepS129‐α‐syn are also observed inPDandAD, suggesting different changes to α‐syn across the spectrum of neurodegenerative proteopathies.
Relationships among tongue volume, hyoid position, airway volume and maxillofacial form in paediatric patients with Class‐I, Class‐II and Class‐III malocclusions
Authors: Iwasaki Tomonori , Suga Hokuto , Yanagisawa‐Minami Ayaka , Sato Hideo , Sato‐Hashiguchi Makiko , Shirazawa Yoshito , Tsujii Toshiya , Yamamoto Yuushi , Kanomi Ryuzo , Yamasaki Youichi
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To clarify the associations among tongue volume, hyoid position, airway volume and maxillofacial form using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data for children with Class‐I, Class‐II and Class‐III malocclusion.

Setting and Sample Population

Sixty children (mean age, 9.2 years) divided into Class‐I, Class‐II and Class‐III malocclusion groups according to the A‐nasion‐B angle.

Material and Methods

Cone beam computed tomography was used for three‐dimensional reconstruction of the maxillofacial region and airway. The hyoid position and the tongue, airway and oral cavity volumes were evaluated. Upper airway ventilation status was calculated using computational fluid dynamics. The groups were compared using analysis of variance and Kruskal‐Wallis tests; relationships among the parameters were assessed using Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation tests.

Results

The tongue volume was larger in Class‐III patients (50.63 cm3) than in Class‐I patients (44.24 cm3; P < 0.05). The hyoid position was lower (49.44 cm), and anatomical balance (AB; tongue volume/oral cavity volume; 85.06%) was greater in Class‐II patients than in Class‐I patients (46.06 cm, 80.57%, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). The hyoid height showed a positive correlation with AB (r = 0.614; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Children with Class‐III malocclusion have large tongue volumes and small AB; the reverse is true for children with Class‐II malocclusion. The hyoid position is closely associated with AB in children with malocclusion.
Upregulation of proteins of the NLRP3 inflammasome in patients with periodontitis and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Authors: García‐Hernández Ana Lilia , Muñoz‐Saavedra Ángel Enrique , González‐Alva Patricia , Moreno‐Fierros Leticia , Llamosas‐Hernández Fulgencio Eduardo , Cifuentes‐Mendiola Saul Ernesto , Rubio‐Infante Nestor
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the expression of proteins related to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and to determine whether the exacerbated periodontal pathological process observed in diabetic patients is related to its upregulation.

Materials and Methods

We performed an observational, analytical, cross‐sectional study in three study groups: individuals systemically and orally healthy, and patients with CP with and without T2D. Gingival biopsies were taken from the three study groups. The expression of mRNAs for CASP1, NLRP3 and ASC was detected using real‐time PCR, and the expression of NLRP3 and ASC proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. The quantification of IL‐18 and IL‐1β was determined in the gingival crevicular fluid using ELISA. The results were analysed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test to compare differences between individual groups.

Results

Patients with CP and uncontrolled T2D presented severe periodontal disease and inflammation (PPD, p = 0.0072; CAL, p = 0.0480; bone loss, p = 0.0088), higher levels of CASP1 mRNA expression (p = 0.0026), a stronger pattern of staining for NLRP3 and ASC proteins in the epithelium and connective tissues, and significantly higher production of IL‐18 (p = 0.0063) and IL‐1β (p = 0.0018) in comparison with healthy or CP subjects.

Conclusion

The upregulation of genes and proteins involved in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome components in patients with periodontitis and uncontrolled T2D suggests a possible role in the more severe pathological processes leading to destruction of periodontal tissues observed in these patients.
Seated Burials of the La Tène Iron Age
Authors: Lamb Andrew William
Published: November 2018

This paper examines the evidence available for a distinct form of burial in Iron Age Europe, of which an increasing number of examples are known: seated inhumations. These inhumations have long been recognized on the continent; however, recent excavations, revealing specific details surrounding individual burials, have enriched our understanding of them. Moreover, new discoveries, combined with a review of the published literature, suggest that the rite was also practised in Britain. This paper highlights the particular characteristics observed in such burials, explores their possible social role, and considers how such burials may fit into the ever‐expanding mortuary dataset for the pre‐Roman La Tène period (c.500–20 bc / ad 43).
The Phaistos Disk: A New Way of Viewing the Language Behind the Script
Authors: Davis Brent
Published: November 2018

This paper outlines a new linguistics‐based method of investigating the languages behind the undeciphered members of the Bronze Age Aegean family of syllabic scripts. Using this new method to compare the pictographic script on the Phaistos Disk against Linear A, the main script of the Minoans, reveals a statistically significant similarity in the behaviour of the homomorphs in the two scripts, strongly suggesting that both scripts encode the same language.
Cold deacclimation mechanisms and reacclimation potential in flower buds of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)
Authors: Kjær Katrine H. , Winde Jacob , Petersen Karen K. , Yde Christian C. , Pagter Majken
Published: November 2018

As a consequence of global climate change, cold acclimation and deacclimation cycles are becoming increasingly frequent during winter in temperate regions. However, little is known about plant deacclimation and in particular reacclimation mechanisms, although deacclimation resistance and the ability to reacclimate may have wide‐ranging consequences regarding plant productivity in a changing climate. Here, we report time‐dependent responses of freezing tolerance, respiration rates, metabolite contents (high‐resolution magic angle spinning NMR) and fatty acid levels (gas chromatography) in flower buds of two ecodormantRibes nigrumcultivars exposed to three different deacclimation temperatures followed by a reacclimation treatment at 4°C. The data reveal that despite differences in the progression of deacclimation, the capacity of blackcurrant flower buds to reharden in late winter is virtually non‐existing, implying that increasingly irregular temperature patterns is critical for blackcurrant fruit yield. The early phase of deacclimation is associated with a transient increase in respiration and decreasing contents of amino acids, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates and sugars, indicating an increased need for carbon sources and respiratory energy production for the activation of growth. Decreasing sugar levels may additionally cause loss of freezing tolerance. Deacclimation also involves desaturation of membrane lipids, which likely also contributes to decreased freezing tolerance but may also reflect biosynthesis of signaling molecules stimulating growth and floral organ differentiation. These data provide new insights into the under‐researched deacclimation mechanisms and the ability of blackcurrant to reacclimate following different advancements of deacclimation and contribute to our understanding of plant responses to increasingly irregular temperature patterns.
Genetic risk factors for the development of pulmonary disease identified by genome‐wide association
Authors: Hall Robert , Hall Ian P. , Sayers Ian
Published: November 2018

Chronic respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combined affect over 500 million people worldwide. While environmental factors are important in disease progression, asthma and COPD have long been known to be heritable with genetic components playing an important role in the risk of developing disease. Identification of genetic variation contributing to disease progression is important for a number of reasons including identification of risk alleles, understanding underlying disease mechanisms and development of novel therapies. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in identifying many loci associated with lung function, COPD and asthma. In recent years, meta‐analyses and improved imputation have facilitated the growth of GWAS in terms of numbers of subjects and the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that can be interrogated. As a consequence, there has been a significant increase in the number of signals associated with asthma, COPD and lung function. SNP that have shown association with lung function reassuringly show a significant overlap with SNP associated with COPD giving a glimpse at pathways that may be involved in COPD mechanisms including genes in, for example, developmental pathways. In asthma, association signals are often in or near genes involved in both adaptive and innate immune response pathways, epithelial cell homeostasis and airway structural changes. The challenges now are translating these genetic signals into a new understanding of lung biology, understanding how variants impact health and disease and how they may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Spectrum of mutations of cystic fibrosis in the 22 Arab countries: A systematic review
Authors: Al‐Sadeq Duaa , Abunada Taghreed , Dalloul Rajaa , Fahad Sara , Taleb Sara , Aljassim Kholoud , Al Hamed Fatima Alzahra , Zayed Hatem
Published: November 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in theCFTRgene, with various clinical manifestations that affect pulmonary, digestive, exocrine and male reproductive functions as well as the bones and kidneys. This study aimed to reveal the spectrum ofCFTRgene mutations in Arab CF patients and their corresponding clinical phenotypes among the 22 Arab countries. We searched four literature databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science and Scopus) from their times of inception to January 2018. All possible search terms were used to encompass the different clinical phenotypes, disease incidences,CFTRmutations, ages and consanguinity rates of CF patients in the 22 Arab countries. Our search strategy identified 678 articles; of these, 72 were eligible for this systematic review. We retrieved data from 18 Arab countries; only 1766 Arab patients with CF were identified, even after additional searches using Google and Google Scholar. The search uncovered a wide spectrum of mutations, some of which are shared with other ethnic groups and some unique to Arab patients. Although the clinical phenotypes of Arab patients were typical of CF, several distinct phenotypes were reported. Despite the rarity of genetic epidemiological studies of CF patients among the 22 Arab nations, the disease is frequently reported in Arab countries where consanguineous marriage is common. Therefore, significant attention should be paid to this problem by implementing carrier and premarital screening, newborn screening and genetic counselling.
Low back pain and associated disability in Swedish adolescents
Authors: Sundell Claes‐Göran , Bergström Erik , Larsén Karin
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) defined as ache or pain in the lowest part of the back is a common experience among people all over the world. The lifetime prevalence is reported to be as high as 84%, and the prevalence of LBP seems to be almost the same among adolescents as among adults. The risk for having LBP later in life if you experienced LBP in adolescence is high.

Material and Methods

In this cross‐sectional study of 2550 students aged 16‐20 years, we used the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for the analysis of musculo‐skeletal symptoms. We studied gender difference, prevalence, and disability of Low back pain. We also studied differences in LBP in adolescent athletes depending on hours spent on sports or physical activity.

Results

Significantly, more girls than boys had had problems sometimes during their life. Those who participated in sports reported LBP to a significantly higher extent than those who were physically inactive in their spare time. Gender and spare time sports were important risk factors for getting LBP some time in life. There was a higher risk for girls to have low back pain problems more than 30 days or daily the last year if they had had low back pain some time earlier in life.

Conclusion

This study shows that low back pain (LBP) is common among Swedish adolescents, more common among girls than boys. High sport activity was associated with the risk of having LBP, length of time with LBP, and disability due to LBP.
Towards a safe and sufficient blood supply in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Kyeyune‐Byabazaire Dorothy , Hume Heather A.
Published: November 2018

Most countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) are either low‐income or low‐middle income countries, that is countries whose gross national income per capita is $995 (USD) or less or $996–3895, respectively. Added to this, they have very few health care professionals specifically trained in transfusion medicine and are the countries whose populations have a high prevalence of transfusion‐transmissible agents (especially HIV, hepatitis B and malaria) and whose patients (women haemorrhaging at birth, men in motor vehicle or motorcycle accidents, children with malaria or sickle cell anaemia) are often in urgent need of blood transfusion. This combination of few resources, both financial and human, combined with many potential donors at risk of transmitting infection and patients with urgent transfusion requirements renders the provision of a safe and adequate blood supply in SSA extremely challenging. In this review, we will discuss the current literature addressing how these challenges are being met and present one example of a SSA national blood transfusion service, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service.
Biomechanical properties of plate constructs for feline ilial fracture gap stabilization
Authors: Schmierer Philipp A. , Smolders Lucas A. , Zderic Ivan , Gueorguiev Boyko , Pozzi Antonio , Knell Sebastian C.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To determine the biomechanical properties of plating techniques for comminuted feline ilial fractures.

Study design

Ex vivo study on 40 paired feline hemipelves.

Sample population

Forty paired fresh‐frozen hemipelves that had been collected from 20 cats aged 2‐6 years and weighing 4.0‐5.5 kg.

Methods

A transverse 3‐mm gap was created in each ilium. Hemipelves were fixed with one of the following methods (n = 10 per group): (1) a dorsal plate and nonlocking screws, (2) a lateral plate and nonlocking screws, (3) a lateral plate and locking screws, or (4) a lateral and dorsal locking compression plate using nonlocking screws. Each specimen was subjected to incremental, sinusoidal cyclic loading until failure, defined as 10‐mm displacement. The initial stiffness and number of cycles required to reach 1‐, 2‐, 5‐, and 10‐mm axial displacement were statistically analyzed.

Results

The initial stiffness and number of cycles to failure were higher in specimens fixed with double nonlocking plates than in all other fixations (P < .05) except specimens fixed with lateral locking plate at 10‐mm displacement (P = .44). Locking implants withstood more cycles to 5‐ (P < .05) and 10‐mm (P < .05) displacement compared with other single‐plate nonlocking groups. Screw loosening occurred only in the 3 nonlocking fixations.

Conclusion

Double plating improved stiffness and resistance to failure of comminuted feline ilial fracture constructs compared with all other fixations. Single locking plates produced superior constructs compared with single nonlocking constructs.

Clinical significance

Locking implants are recommended to repair comminuted feline ilial fractures for their extended fatigue life and resistance to screw loosening. Orthogonal plating offers a strong nonlocking alternative.
Determination of fats, oils and greases in food service establishment wastewater using a modification of the Gerber method
Authors: Gurd C. , Jefferson B. , Villa R. , De Castro Rodriguez C.
Published: November 2018

Discharges from food service establishments (FSEs) are a major source of fat, oil and grease (FOG) which cause blockages in sewer networks. Previous research has identified that current methods are unsuitable for quantifying FOG in FSE wastewater owing to interference from surfactants in detergents, and protein from food residuals which emulsify FOG. A novel quantification method, based on the dairy industry Gerber method, has been developed which negates the impact of surfactants. Moreover, the method allows free and emulsified oil to be quantified separately providing greater insight into FOG management strategies. Trials in synthetic and real FSE wastewaters indicate the novel method is more reliable than standard liquid–liquid and solid phase extraction in FOG‐rich systems.
Modelling the Englishization of vocabulary in contemporary Korean
Authors: Ahn Hyejeong
Published: November 2018

This study aims to analyse how English has been incorporated into contemporary Korean vocabulary, analysing vocabulary items from the 2014 New Words list published by the National Institute of Korean Language. It also surveys previous research on the Englishization of Korean vocabulary in order to devise a descriptive model of lexical borrowing from English in the contemporary Korean language. The examination of a wide range of data demonstrates that lexical borrowing into Korean is highly complex, involving at least four combinations of source languages: (i) English (only), (ii) traditional Korean and English, (iii) Sino‐Korean and English, and (iv) English, traditional Korean and Sino‐Korean. The findings suggest that ‘borrowed’ words undergo hybridized word formation processes in creative and innovative ways, which this paper attempts to describe using the model of lexical borrowing presented in this article.
The independence and clique polynomial of the conjugacy class graph of dihedral group
Authors: Najmuddin Nabilah , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Erfanian Ahmad , Rahmat Hamisan
Published: November 2018

The independence and clique polynomial are two types of graph polynomial that store combinatorial information of a graph. The independence polynomial of a graph is the polynomial in which its coefficients are the number of independent sets in the graph. The independent set of a graph is a set of vertices that are not adjacent. The clique polynomial of a graph is the polynomial in which its coefficients are the number of cliques in the graph. The clique of a graph is a set of vertices that are adjacent. Meanwhile, a graph of group G is called conjugacy class graph if the vertices are non-central conjugacy classes of G and two distinct vertices are connected if and only if their class cardinalities are not coprime. The independence and clique polynomial of the conjugacy class graph of a group G can be obtained by considering the polynomials of complete graph or polynomials of union of some graphs. In this research, the independence and clique polynomials of the conjugacy class graph of dihedral groups of order 2n are determined based on three cases namely when n is odd, when n and n/2 are even, and when n is even and n/2 is odd. For each case, the results of the independence polynomials are of degree two, one and two, and the results of the clique polynomials are of degree (n-1)/2, (n+2)/2 and (n-2)/2, respectively.
Formulation and characterization of self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems of lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus) essential oil
Authors: Ujilestari Tri , Danar Dono Nanung , Ariyadi Bambang , Martien Ronny , Zuprizal Zuprizal
Published: November 2018

The present research was aimed to characterize the formula of self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) for lemongrass essential oil. The observation variables included: particle size, zeta potential, and morphology. Meanwhile, the materials consisted of the mixtures of oils (lemongrass essential oil and carrier oil), surfactants, and cosurfactants. Carrier oils were screened as candidates for SNEDDS, and the formula was evaluated for transmittance and emulsification time. The value of the formulation component was lemongrass essential oils, carrier oil (Virgin Coconut Oil), surfactant (Tween 80), and co-surfactant (PEG 400) = 8.34, 8.34, 71.43, and 16.67 % respectively. The formulation had a mean of the nanoemulsion droplet diameters of 20.7 nm with the polydispersity index (PI) 0.378 and potential zeta -73 mV. The transmission electron microscopy demonstrated spherical droplet morphology. This research produced SNEDDS of lemongrass essential oil with nanoparticle size that can be used as feed additive for poultry
Significant effect of concentration ratio in synthesizing titania nanoflowers (TNF) powder for various application as additive
Authors: Azhar Faiz Hafeez , Harun Zawati , Yunos Muhamad Zaini , Ahmad Azlinorazia , Mohd Akhair Siti Hajar , Raja Ahmad Raja Adibah , Abd Rashid Abdul Qaiyyum , Hussin Rosniza , Ibrahim Siti Aida , Ahmad Mohd Khairul
Published: November 2018

The significant effect of concentration (TBut/HCl) ratio in synthesizing titania nanoflowers (TNF) towards powder morphologies, crystallographic phases, surface area and band gap were investigated. Various synthesized titania nanostructure were prepared via facile hydrothermal method using titanium butoxide (TBut) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a mixing composition. The morphologies of synthesizing titania powder was analyzed by using FE-SEM to observe the shape and geometry of the synthesized powder. XRD was used to determine the crystallographic phases of synthesized powder at 2θ angles of 25° to 75°. Each samples were then investigated under BET analyzer to observe the particles surface morphology and UV-Vis analyzer to determine the band gap. The results demonstrated that the concentration of TBut/HCl ratio gave a very significant effect in transforming the mixing solution into geometrical shape of microspheres, nanoflowers and nanorods of titania as increasing the ratio. At TN0.5, the synthesized powder was clearly showed a circle geometrical shape of particles. The shape was suddenly change into round nanoflowers form consist of tiny nanorods at TN1. At TN1.5, the powder morphologies shows the nanoflowers started to form in irregular pattern. As the TBut/HCl ratio increased, the nanoflowers form disappeared and nanorods begin to clumps. In addition, all synthesized powder was in rutile phases guided by XRD peaks and band gap value reported from previous works. The particles surface area was also different for each samples since the geometrical shape of powder was change by increasing the concentration (TBut/HCl) ratio. Thus, concentration ratio of the mixing composition plays a major role in transforming the overall morphologies and structures of hydrothermally titania synthesized particles.
Physical and chemical properties of LSCF-CuO as potential cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC)
Authors: Mohd Abd Fatah Ahmad Fuzamy , A. Hamid Noorashrina
Published: November 2018

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are efficient yet environmentally benign devices that can convert chemical energy into electrical energy and heat for large scale of applications. However, higher operating temperature of this device limits the selection of proper materials to be used as electrode and electrolyte as well as sacrifices the durability. Thus, it is desirable to develop materials with superior electrochemical performance at intermediate temperature (600-900 oC) for SOFC. LaSrCoFeO3 (LSCF) doped with CuO is an attracting yet promising cathode material for IT-SOFC owing to the distinguish properties including high electrical conductivity and high catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. This work investigates the influence of the synthesis route which are sloid state route and sol-gel route towards chemical and physical properties of composite LSCF-CuO. The samples were synthesized at different temperature ranging from 600 oC to 900 oC for each route respectively. XRD results showed high purity of as-synthesized samples while in the meantime increased in crystallinity has been observed as increased in calcining temperature indicating bigger crystal size after calcined at 900 oC. SEM images showed LSCF-CuO particles tends to expand as the calcining temperature increased. Meanwhile, from TGA results it is clear to conclude that LSCF-CuO loss its weight significantly after calcined at designed temperature.