bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surviving and Thriving in the Evolving Digital Age
Authors: Grover Varun
Published: February 2019

In this celebratory 50th anniversary issue of The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, I take a look back at IS research and its corresponding relationship with information technology. I argue that we have done well as a field as evaluated by changes in methodological quality, theorizing, citations, and impact factors. However, we are at a phase of transition as we evolve from an IT to a digital world. I describe the fundamental assumptions of the digital world and argue that our future phenomena are going to be far more unpredictable and dynamic and will require us to exhibit more flexibility in our research approach. We have to change gears to survive and thrive in the digital age.
SIGMIS (née SIGBDP) and DATA BASE
Authors: McLean Ephraim
Published: February 2019

Ephraim McLean served as editor-in-chief for The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems for eight years. He served in this role with two different co-editors-in-chief, Detmar Straub and Mark Keil. As one of the founding members of the Association for Information Systems and a mainstay for the information systems discipline, Eph offers a historical view of the publication as well as his time as editor-in-chief from 1994-2001.
Author Highlights for the Past 35 Years
Authors: Gallivan Michael J.
Published: February 2019

This essay reviews leading contributions to The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems over the past 35 years, both in terms of identifying leading scholars who published most frequently in the journal as well as papers that have been cited most frequently. Using standard scientometric methods, I identify the leading authors who published five or more papers since 1982. In terms of analyzing highly cited papers, I organize the analysis into four time periods of nine years each, a structure that reveals that The DATA BASE has been a longstanding venue for IS scholars to introduce their early work - whether conceptual or empirical. Notably, several esteemed IS scholars published early conceptual versions of their ideas in The DATA BASE - often many years before they followed up with related work in other journals. In terms of highly cited papers, the analysis in this essay also reveals that The DATA BASE shifted toward publishing empirical papers after 1990 and, despite the prevalence of positivist, quantitative research during the past 25 years, qualitative research has also become prominent in the journal. More recently, the journal has also featured several literature review papers on important topic areas, such as virtual teams, technostress, IT outsourcing, and IT security. This essay reviews leading contributions to The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems over the past 35 years, both in terms of identifying leading scholars who published most frequently in the journal as well as papers that have been cited most frequently. Using standard scientometric methods, I identify the leading authors who published five or more papers since 1982. In terms of analyzing highly cited papers, I organize the analysis into four time periods of nine years each, a structure that reveals that The DATA BASE has been a longstanding venue for IS scholars to introduce their early work - whether conceptual or empirical. Notably, several esteemed IS scholars published early conceptual versions of their ideas in The DATA BASE - often many years before they followed up with related work in other journals. In terms of highly cited papers, the analysis in this essay also reveals that The DATA BASE shifted toward publishing empirical papers after 1990 and, despite the prevalence of positivist, quantitative research during the past 25 years, qualitative research has also become prominent in the journal. More recently, the journal has also featured several literature review papers on important topic areas, such as virtual teams, technostress, IT outsourcing, and IT security.
The HECT ubiquitin E3 ligase Smurf2 degrades μ-opioid receptor 1 in the ubiquitin-proteasome system in lung epithelial cells
Authors: Dong Su , Liu Jia , Li Lian , Wang Heather , Ma Haichun , Zhao Yutong , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2019

Opioids are widely used for relieving clinical acute or chronic pain. The biological effects of opioids are through activating μ-opioid receptor 1 (MOR1). Most studies have focused on the consequences of agonist-induced MOR1 phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and internalization. Agonist-mediated MOR1 degradation, which is crucial for receptor stability and responsiveness, has not been well studied. E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase SMURF2 (Smurf2), a homolog to E6AP carboxy terminus (HECT) ubiquitin E3 ligase, has been shown to regulate MOR1 ubiquitination and internalization; however, its role in MOR1 degradation has not been studied. Here, we demonstrate that Smurf2 mediates [d-Ala2, N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO, an agonist of MOR1)-induced MOR1 ubiquitination and degradation. DAMGO decreased MOR1 levels in the ubiquitin-proteasome system. MOR1 was modified by a Lys48-linked polyubiquitin chain. Overexpression of Smurf2 induced MOR1 ubiquitination and accelerated DAMGO-induced MOR1 degradation, whereas downregulation of Smurf2 attenuated MOR1 degradation. Furthermore, DAMGO increased lung epithelial cell migration and proliferation, and the effect was attenuated by overexpressing Smurf2. Collectively, these data unveil that Smurf2 negatively regulates MOR1 activity by reducing its stability. We also demonstrate an unrevealed biological function of MOR1 in lung epithelial cells. DAMGO-MOR1 promote cell migration and proliferation in lung epithelial cells, suggesting a potential effect of DAMGO in lung repair and remodeling after lung injury.
Posttranslational modifications of mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Adaniya Stephanie M. , O-Uchi Jin , Cypress Michael W. , Kusakari Yoichiro , Jhun Bong Sook
Published: February 2019

Mitochondrial fragmentation frequently occurs in chronic pathological conditions as seen in various human diseases. In fact, abnormal mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction are hallmarks of heart failure (HF) in both human patients and HF animal models. A link between mitochondrial fragmentation and cardiac pathologies has been widely proposed, but the physiological relevance of mitochondrial fission and fusion in the heart is still unclear. Recent studies have increasingly shown that posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of fission and fusion proteins are capable of directly modulating the stability, localization, and/or activity of these proteins. These PTMs include phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, conjugation of small ubiquitin-like modifier proteins, O-linked- N-acetyl-glucosamine glycosylation, and proteolysis. Thus, understanding the PTMs of fission and fusion proteins may allow us to understand the complexities that determine the balance of mitochondrial fission and fusion as well as mitochondrial function in various cell types and organs including cardiomyocytes and the heart. In this review, we summarize present knowledge regarding the function and regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion in cardiomyocytes, specifically focusing on the PTMs of each mitochondrial fission/fusion protein. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal mitochondrial morphology in HF and their contributions to the development of cardiac diseases, highlighting the crucial roles of PTMs of mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins. Finally, we discuss the future potential of manipulating PTMs of fission and fusion proteins as a therapeutic strategy for preventing and/or treating HF.
Prostaglandin E2 inhibits profibrotic function of human pulmonary fibroblasts by disrupting Ca2+ signaling
Authors: Mukherjee Subhendu , Sheng Wei , Michkov Alexander , Sriarm Krishna , Sun Rui , Dvorkin-Gheva Anna , Insel Paul A. , Janssen Luke J.
Published: February 2019

We have shown that calcium (Ca2+) oscillations in human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPFs) contribute to profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and that disruption of these oscillations blunts features of pulmonary fibrosis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts antifibrotic effects in the lung, but the mechanisms for this action are not well defined. We thus sought to explore interactions between PGE2 and the profibrotic agent TGF-β in pulmonary fibroblasts (PFs) isolated from patients with or without idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). PGE2 inhibited TGF-β-promoted [Ca2+] oscillations and prevented the activation of Akt and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMK-II) but did not prevent activation of Smad-2 or ERK. PGE2 also eliminated TGF-β-stimulated expression of collagen A1, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin and reduced stress fiber formation in the HPFs. RNA sequencing revealed that HPFs preferentially express EP2 receptors relative to other prostanoid receptor subtypes: EP2 expression is ~10-fold higher than that of EP4 receptors; EP1 and EP3 receptors are barely detectable; and EP2-receptor expression is ~3.5-fold lower in PFs from IPF patients than in normal HPFs. The inhibitory effects of PGE2 on synthetic function and stress fiber formation were blocked by selective EP2 or EP4 antagonists and mimicked by selective EP2 or EP4 agonists, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine and forskolin, all of which elevate cellular cAMP concentrations. We conclude that PGE2, likely predominantly via EP2 receptors, interferes with Ca2+ signaling, CaMK-II activation, and Akt activation in IPF-HPFs and HPFs treated with TGF-β. Moreover, a decreased expression of EP2 receptors in pulmonary fibroblasts from IPF patients may contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease.
Exhaled breath metabolomics reveals a pathogen-specific response in a rat pneumonia model for two human pathogenic bacteria: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: van Oort Pouline M. , Brinkman Paul , Slingers Gitte , Koppen Gudrun , Maas Adrie , Roelofs Joris J. , Schnabel Ronny , Bergmans Dennis C. , Raes M. , Goodacre Royston , Fowler Stephen J. , Schultz Marcus J. , Bos Lieuwe D. ,   on behalf of The BreathDx Consortium
Published: February 2019

Volatile organic compounds in breath can reflect host and pathogen metabolism and might be used to diagnose pneumonia. We hypothesized that rats with Streptococcus pneumoniae ( SP) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( PA) pneumonia can be discriminated from uninfected controls by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) and selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) of exhaled breath. Male adult rats ( n = 50) received an intratracheal inoculation of 1) 200 µl saline, or 2) 1 × 107 colony-forming units of SP or 3) 1 × 107 CFU of PA. Twenty-four hours later the rats were anaesthetized, tracheotomized, and mechanically ventilated. Exhaled breath was analyzed via TD-GC-MS and SIFT-MS. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCCs) and correct classification rate (CCRs) were calculated after leave-one-out cross-validation of sparse partial least squares-discriminant analysis. Analysis of GC-MS data showed an AUROCC (95% confidence interval) of 0.85 (0.73–0.96) and CCR of 94.6% for infected versus noninfected animals, AUROCC of 0.98 (0.94–1) and CCR of 99.9% for SP versus PA, 0.92 (0.83–1.00), CCR of 98.1% for SP versus controls and 0.97 (0.92–1.00), and CCR of 99.9% for PA versus controls. For these comparisons the SIFT-MS data showed AUROCCs of 0.54, 0.89, 0.63, and 0.79, respectively. Exhaled breath analysis discriminated between respiratory infection and no infection but with even better accuracy between specific pathogens. Future clinical studies should not only focus on the presence of respiratory infection but also on the discrimination between specific pathogens.
Low-intensity exercise delays the shivering response to core cooling
Authors: Fujimoto Tomomi , Tsuji Bun , Sasaki Yosuke , Dobashi Kohei , Sengoku Yasuo , Fujii Naoto , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: February 2019

Hypothermia can occur during aquatic exercise despite production of significant amounts of heat by the active muscles. Because the characteristics of human thermoregulatory responses to cold during exercise have not been fully elucidated, we investigated the effect of low-intensity exercise on the shivering response to core cooling in cool water. Eight healthy young men (24 ± 3 yr) were cooled through cool water immersion while resting (rest trial) and during loadless pedaling on a water cycle ergometer (exercise trial). Before the cooling, body temperature was elevated by hot water immersion to clearly detect a core temperature at which shivering initiates. Throughout the cooling period, mean skin temperature remained around the water temperature (25°C) in both trials, whereas esophageal temperature (Tes) did not differ between the trials ( P > 0.05). The Tes at which oxygen uptake (V̇o2) rapidly increased, an index of the core temperature threshold for shivering, was lower during exercise than rest (36.2 ± 0.4°C vs. 36.5 ± 0.4°C, P < 0.05). The sensitivity of the shivering response, as indicated by the slope of the Tes-V̇o2 relation, did not differ between the trials (−441.3 ±177.4 ml·min−1·°C−1 vs. −411.8 ± 268.1 ml·min−1·°C−1, P > 0.05). The thermal sensation response to core cooling, assessed from the slope and intercept of the regression line relating Tes and thermal sensation, did not differ between the trials ( P > 0.05). These results suggest that the core temperature threshold for shivering is delayed during low-intensity exercise in cool water compared with rest although shivering sensitivity is unaffected.
Kcne4 deletion sex dependently inhibits the RISK pathway response and exacerbates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Hu Zhaoyang , Jepps Thomas A. , Zhou Leng , Liu Jin , Li Mufeng , Abbott Geoffrey W.
Published: February 2019

Activation of antiapoptotic signaling cascades, such as the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) and survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathways, is protective in a variety of tissues in the context of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Hepatic IR injury causes clinically significant hepatocellular damage in surgical procedures, including liver transplantation and hepatic resection, increasing associated morbidity and mortality. We previously found that the cardiovascular-expressed K+ voltage-gated channel ancillary subunit KCNE4 sex specifically influences the cardiac RISK/SAFE pathway response to IR and that Kcne4 deletion testosterone dependently exacerbates cardiac IR injury. Here, we discovered that germline Kcne4 deletion exacerbates hepatic IR injury damage in 13-mo-old male mice, despite a lack of Kcne4 expression in male mouse liver. Examining RISK/SAFE pathway induction, we found that Kcne4 deletion prevents the hepatic ERK1/2 phosphorylation response to IR injury. Conversely, in 13-mo-old female mice, Kcne4 deletion increased both baseline and post-IR GSK-3β inhibitory phosphorylation, and pharmacological GSK-3β inhibition was hepatoprotective. Finally, castration of male mice restored normal hepatic RISK/SAFE pathway responses in Kcne4−/− mice, eliminated Kcne4 deletion-dependent serum alanine aminotransferase elevation, and genotype independently augmented the hepatic post-IR GSK-3β phosphorylation response. These findings support a role for KCNE4 as a systemic modulator of IR injury response and uncover hormonally influenced, sex-specific, KCNE4-dependent and -independent RISK/SAFE pathway induction.
A free-choice high-fat, high-sucrose diet induces hyperphagia, obesity, and cardiovascular dysfunction in female cycling and pregnant rats
Authors: Ahmed Hijab , Hannan Johanna L. , Apolzan John W. , Osikoya Oluwatobiloba , Cushen Spencer C. , Romero Steven A. , Goulopoulou Styliani
Published: February 2019

The main objective of these studies was to characterize metabolic, body composition, and cardiovascular responses to a free-choice high-fat, high-sucrose diet in female cycling and pregnant rats. In the nonpregnant state, female Sprague-Dawley rats offered a 3-wk free-choice high-fat, high-sucrose diet had greater energy intake, adiposity, serum leptin, and triglyceride concentrations compared with rats fed with standard chow and developed glucose intolerance. In addition, choice-diet-fed rats had larger cardiac ventricular weights, smaller kidney and pancreas weights, and higher blood pressure than chow-fed rats, but they did not exhibit resistance artery endothelial dysfunction. When the free-choice diet continued throughout pregnancy, rats remained hyperphagic, hyperleptinemic, and obese. Choice pregnant rats exhibited uterine artery endothelial dysfunction and had smaller fetuses compared with chow pregnant rats. Pregnancy normalized mean arterial blood pressure and pancreas weights in choice rats. These studies are the first to provide a comprehensive evaluation of free-choice high-fat, high-sucrose diet on metabolic and cardiovascular functions in female rats, extending the previous studies in males to female cycling and pregnant rodents. Free-choice diet may provide a new model of preconceptual maternal obesity to study the role of increased energy intake, individual food components, and preexisting maternal obesity on maternal and offspring physiological responses during pregnancy and after birth.
Numerical Simulation of a Class of Hyperchaotic System Using Barycentric Lagrange Interpolation Collocation Method
Authors: Zhou Xiaofei , Li Junmei , Wang Yulan , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2019

Hyperchaotic system, as an important topic, has become an active research subject in nonlinear science. Over the past two decades, hyperchaotic system between nonlinear systems has been extensively studied. Although many kinds of numerical methods of the system have been announced, simple and efficient methods have always been the direction that scholars strive to pursue. Based on this problem, this paper introduces another novel numerical method to solve a class of hyperchaotic system. Barycentric Lagrange interpolation collocation method is given and illustrated with hyperchaotic system () as examples. Numerical simulations are used to verify the effectiveness of the present method.
Numerical Study of Separation Characteristics of Piston‐Type Explosive Bolt
Authors: Li Yanhua , Wang Jingcheng , Xiong Shihui , Cheng Li , Wen Yuquan , Li Zhiliang
Published: February 2019

An explosive bolt is a simple, highly reliable, and efficient pyrotechnic release device widely used in spacecraft and rocket launchers. High shock transient response is generated during the separation of a release device, which tends to damage the nearby micromechanism and hardware. The purpose of this article is to predict the shock response of an explosive bolt. In this paper, the separation process of a piston‐type explosive bolt is simulated by using a hydrocode named AUTODYN and the influence of the charge amount on separation time, separation speed, and separation shock is analyzed. Results show that piston‐type explosive bolts obey a tensile fracture mechanism and that the critical charge amount for separation is 354–398 mg of PETN. The separation shock of such an explosive bolt mainly includes two aspects: the shock caused by explosive detonations and the impact of the piston at the end of the stroke. As the charge amount increases, the separation time decreases, the speed of the piston and screw increases first and then decreases, and the separation shock first increases and then stabilizes. On a simple aluminum plate, the shock response decreases as the distance from the shock source increases, obeying the power function attenuation law.
Hemorrhage from Umbilical Cord Ulceration Identified on Real-Time Ultrasound in a Fetus with Duodenal Atresia
Authors: Curtin William M. , Maines Jaimie L. , DeAngelis Christina T. , Condon Niamh A. , Ural Serdar H. , Millington Karmaine A.
Published: February 2019

Umbilical cord ulceration has been associated with congenital upper intestinal (duodenal or jejunal) atresia and can lead to fatal fetal intrauterine hemorrhage. We report a case of spontaneous hemorrhage from the umbilical cord, incidentally noted at the time of ultrasound in a 33-week fetus with suspected duodenal atresia, in which immediate delivery resulted in a good outcome. Despite many reports in the literature of congenital upper intestinal atresia and its association with umbilical cord ulceration, the propensity for this lesion for fetal hemorrhage, and the resulting perinatal morbidity and mortality, there appears to be a gap in the dissemination of this knowledge. In fetuses with suspected congenital upper intestinal atresia, recognition of the entity of umbilical cord ulceration may be improved by ultrasound with special attention to the amount of Wharton’s jelly within the cord. Routine antepartum fetal surveillance may reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality from this condition. A high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis of umbilical cord ulceration in association with congenital upper intestinal atresia. The role of amniotic fluid bile acids in the genesis of this disorder needs further study.
A Rare Presentation of HIV-Negative Plasmablastic Lymphoma: A Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Kessler Alaina J. , Marcellino Bridget K. , Niglio Scot A. , Petersen Bruce E. , Malone Adriana K.
Published: February 2019

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) and plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma (PCM) have many overlapping characteristics. Clinical correlation can help make the distinction between the two entities. Human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) negative PBL is a rare disease, making the diagnosis more challenging. While there is no standard of care for PBL, current recommendations include dose-adjusted EPOCH (etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone), with or without bortezomib. We report an aggressive case of HIV-negative plasmablastic lymphoma and discuss the challenge in establishing a diagnosis. We review the literature regarding this disease and current recommendations for treatment.
The Interplay between MicroRNAs and Cellular Components of Tumour Microenvironment (TME) on Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Progression
Authors: Lee Sook Shien , Cheah Yoke Kqueen
Published: February 2019

Cellular components of the tumour microenvironment (TME) are recognized to regulate the hallmarks of cancers including tumour proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis, as well as chemotherapeutic resistance. The linkage between miRNA, TME, and the development of the hallmarks of cancer makes miRNA-mediated regulation of TME a potential therapeutic strategy to complement current cancer therapies. Despite significant advances in cancer therapy, lung cancer remains the deadliest form of cancer among males in the world and has overtaken breast cancer as the most fatal cancer among females in more developed countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more effective treatments for NSCLC, which is the most common type of lung cancer. Hence, this review will focus on current literature pertaining to antitumour or protumourigenic effects elicited by nonmalignant stromal cells of TME in NSCLC through miRNA regulation as well as current status and future prospects of miRNAs as therapeutic agents or targets to regulate TME in NSCLC.
Inscribed Fibonacci Circle Fractal in a Circular Radiator for Ultra-Wideband Antenna Operation and Size Reduction
Authors: Tirado-Mendez J. A. , Martinez-Lara D. , Jardon-Aguilar H. , Flores-Leal R. , Andrade-Gonzalez E. A.
Published: February 2019

In this article, a Fibonacci circle fractal is inscribed into a circular radiator in order to provide ultra-wideband behavior as well as a 50% size reduction compared to a conventional circular monopole. The third iteration of the Fibonacci series allows the antenna to obtain a steady S11 parameter over the operation bandwidth, going from 2.7 GHz to 14 GHz, an average gain around 1 dB, with a quasi-omnidirectional radiation pattern and a group delay no bigger than 1 ns, suitable for short-pulsed communications.
Identification of EGFR as a Novel Key Gene in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) through Bioinformatics Analysis and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Sheng , Yu Zhi-hong , Chai Ke-qun
Published: February 2019

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) was the most aggressive histological type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and accounted for 70–80% of cases of all RCC. The aim of this study was to identify the potential biomarker in ccRCC and explore their underlying mechanisms. Four profile datasets were downloaded from the GEO database to identify DEGs. GO and KEGG analysis of DEGs were performed by DAVID. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to predict hub genes. The hub gene expression within ccRCC across multiple datasets and the overall survival analysis were investigated utilizing the Oncomine Platform and UALCAN dataset, separately. A meta-analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the hub genes: EGFR and ccRCC. 127 DEGs (55 upregulated genes and 72 downregulated genes) were identified from four profile datasets. Integrating the result from PPI network, Oncomine Platform, and survival analysis, EGFR, FLT1, and EDN1 were screened as key factors in the prognosis of ccRCC. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that 127 DEGs were mainly enriched in 21 terms and 4 pathways. The meta-analysis showed that there was a significant difference of EGFR expression between ccRCC tissues and normal tissues, and the expression of EGFR in patients with metastasis was higher. This study identified 3 importance genes (EGFR, FLT1, and EDN1) in ccRCC, and EGFR may be a potential prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic target for ccRCC, especially patients with metastasis.
Successful Surgical Therapy of a Double Aortic Arch in a 10-Month-Old Mixed Breed Dog
Authors: Follette Christelle M. , Terreros Alex , Padgett Sheldon L.
Published: February 2019

A 10-month-old female spayed mixed breed dog with a suspected vascular ring anomaly was presented for exercise intolerance and wheezing. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a double aortic arch. The smaller right aortic arch was successfully ligated via right 4th intercostal thoracotomy. The patient was discharged one day postoperatively and continued to have good outcome at recheck 3.5 weeks after surgery. This is the 4th documented case of double aortic arch with a successful outcome. Preoperative CT scan was vital in preoperative planning and should be strongly recommended in all cases of suspected vascular ring anomalies with atypical presentation.
Modal Proportion Analysis in Antenna Characteristic Mode Theory
Authors: Li Weiwen , Liu Yongcong , Li Jie , Ye Longfang , Liu Qing Huo
Published: February 2019

The characteristic mode theory (CMT) can provide physically intuitive guidance for the analysis and design of antenna structures. In CMT applications, the antenna current distribution is decomposed into the superposition of multiple characteristic modes, and the proportion of each current mode is characterized by the modal weighting coefficient (MWC). However, different characteristic currents themselves have different radiation efficiencies reflected by the eigenvalues. Therefore, from the perspective of the contribution to the radiation field, the modal proportion should be more accurately determined by the combination of the modal weighting coefficient and the mode current itself. Since the discrete mode currents calculated using the electromagnetic numerical method are distributed on the whole conductor surface, we can actually use the radiation field to quantify the modal proportion or estimate it using the far field in the maximum radiation direction. The numerical examples provided in the paper demonstrate that this modal proportion can effectively evaluate antenna performance.
Analgesia during Labor and Vaginal Birth among Women with Severe Maternal Morbidity: Secondary Analysis from the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health
Authors: Souza Marcio A. , Guida Jose P. S. , Cecatti Jose G. , Souza João P. , Gulmezoglu Ahmet M. , Betran Ana P. , Torloni Maria R. , Vogel Joshua P. , Costa Maria L.
Published: February 2019

Aim. To evaluate the use of analgesia for vaginal birth, in women with and without severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and to describe sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with labor analgesia. Methods. Secondary analysis of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHO-MCS), a global cross-sectional study performed between May 2010 and December 2011 in 29 countries. Women who delivered vaginally and had an SMM were included in this analysis and were then divided into two groups: those who received and those who did not receive analgesia for labor/delivery. We further compared maternal characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes between these two groups. Results. From 314,623 women originally included in WHO-MCS, 9,788 developed SMM and delivered vaginally, 601 (6.1%) with analgesia and 9,187 (93.9%) without analgesia. Women with SMM were more likely to receive analgesia than those who did not experience SMM. Global distribution of SMM was similar; however, the use of analgesia was less prevalent in Africa. Higher maternal education, previous cesarean section, and nulliparity were factors associated with analgesia use. Analgesia was not an independent factor associated with an increase of severe maternal outcome (Maternal Near Miss + Maternal Death). Conclusions. The overall use of analgesia for vaginal delivery is low but women with SMM are more likely to receive analgesia during labor. Social conditions are closely linked with the likelihood of having analgesia during delivery and such a procedure is not associated with increased adverse maternal outcomes. Expanding the availability of analgesia in different levels of care should be a concern worldwide.
YY1 Complex Promotes Quaking Expression via Super-Enhancer Binding during EMT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Han Jingxia , Meng Jing , Chen Shuang , Wang Xiaorui , Yin Shan , Zhang Qiang , Liu Huijuan , Qin Rong , Li Zhongwei , Zhong Weilong , Zhang Chao , Zhang Heng , Tang Yuanhao , Lin Tingting , Gao Wanfeng , Zhang Xiaoyun , Yang Lan , Liu Yanrong , Zhou Hong-gang , Sun Tao , Yang Cheng
Published: February 2019

Quaking (QKI) is an alternative splicing factor that can regulate circRNA formation in the progression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, but the mechanism remains unclear. High expression of QKI is correlated with short survival time, metastasis, and high clinical stage and pathology grade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we report that transcription of the QKI gene was activated by the Yin-Yang 1 (YY1)/p65/p300 complex, in which YY1 bound to the super-enhancer and promoter of QKI, p65 combined with the promoter, and p300 served as a mediator to maintain the stability of the complex. This YY1/p65/p300 complex increased QKI expression to promote the malignancy of HCC as well as an increased circRNA formation in vitro and in vivo. Hyperoside is one of several plant-derived flavonol glycoside compounds. Through virtual screening and antitumor activity analysis, we found that hyperoside inhibited QKI expression by targeting the YY1/p65/p300 complex. Overall, our study suggests that the regulatory mechanism of QKI depends on the YY1/p65/p300 complex and that it may serve as a potential target for treatment of HCC.

Significance:

These findings identify the YY1/p65/p300 complex as a regulator of QKI expression, identifying several potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC.
Chitosan Encapsulation Enhances the Bioavailability and Tissue Retention of Curcumin and Improves its Efficacy in Preventing B[a]P-induced Lung Carcinogenesis
Authors: Vijayakurup Vinod , Thulasidasan Arunkumar T. , Shankar G Mohan , Retnakumari Archana P. , Nandan C. Devika , Somaraj Jannet , Antony Jayesh , Alex Vijai V. , Vinod Balachandran S. , Liju Vijayasteltar Belsamma , Sundaram Sankar , Kumar G. S. Vinod , Anto Ruby John
Published: February 2019

The rate of lung cancer incidence is alarmingly mounting, despite the decline of smoking and tobacco consumption. Recent reports indicate a very high correlation between the growing fast food culture and lung cancer incidence. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a potent carcinogen abundantly present in grilled and deep-fried food and in tobacco smoke. Our previous studies have proved the efficacy of curcumin in curbing B[a]P-induced lung carcinogenesis. However, the poor pharmacokinetic profile of the compound considerably hampers its potential as an effective chemopreventive. This study was intended to evaluate whether encapsulation of curcumin in chitosan nanoparticles can improve the cellular uptake and prolong the tissue retention of curcumin yielding better chemoprevention. The curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (chitosan nanocurcumin) exhibited a size of 170–200 nm in transmission electron microscopy. In vitro drug release studies showed sustained release of curcumin over a period of approximately 180 hours and excellent intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells. Bioavailability studies using healthy Swiss albino mice demonstrated drastic enhancement in lung localization of chitosan nanocurcumin compared with free curcumin. Toxicologic evaluation using chronic toxicity model in Swiss albino mice confirmed the pharmacologic safety of the formulation. Moreover, the formulation, even at a dose equivalent to one fourth that of free curcumin, exhibits better efficacy in reducing tumor incidence and multiplicity than free curcumin, thereby hampering development of B[a]P-induced lung adenocarcinomas in Swiss albino mice. Hence, our study underscores the supremacy of the formulation over free curcumin and establishes it as a potential chemopreventive and oral supplement against environmental carcinogenesis.
Targeting Alterations in the RAF–MEK Pathway
Authors: Yaeger Rona , Corcoran Ryan B.
Published: February 2019

The MAPK pathway is one of the most commonly mutated oncogenic pathways in cancer. Although RAS mutations are the most frequent MAPK alterations, less frequent alterations in downstream components of the pathway, including the RAF and MEK genes, offer promising therapeutic opportunities. In addition to BRAFV600 mutations, for which several approved therapeutic regimens exist, other alterations in the RAF and MEK genes may provide more rare, but tractable, targets. However, recent studies have illustrated the complexity of MAPK signaling and highlighted that distinct alterations in these genes may have strikingly different properties. Understanding the unique functional characteristics of specific RAF and MEK alterations, reviewed herein, will be critical for developing effective therapeutic approaches for these targets.

Significance:

Alterations in the RAF and MEK genes represent promising therapeutic targets in multiple cancer types. However, given the unique and complex signaling biology of the MAPK pathway, the diverse array of RAF and MEK alterations observed in cancer can possess distinct functional characteristics. As outlined in this review, understanding the key functional properties of different RAF and MEK alterations is fundamental to selecting the optimal therapeutic approach.
Maternal Influence and Murine Housing Confound Impact of NLRP1 Inflammasome on Microbiome Composition
Authors: Ringel-Scaia Veronica M. , Qin Yufeng , Thomas Cassidy A. , Huie Kathleen E. , McDaniel Dylan K. , Eden Kristin , Wade Paul A. , Allen Irving C.
Published: February 2019

The NLRP1 inflammasome attenuates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progression and colitis-associated tumorigenesis. A possible mechanism postulates that the lack of the NLRP1 inflammasome creates permissive niches in the gut for pathogenic bacteria to flourish, causing dysbiosis and increased IBD susceptibility. To evaluate this hypothesis, we characterized the gut microbiome of wild-type, Nlrp1b–/–, and Asc–/– mice under naïve conditions by sequencing the V3 region of the 16s rRNA gene. For both genetically modified mouse lines, the microbiome composition reflected overrepresentation of bacteria associated with dysbiosis relative to wild-type animals. Measurement of short- and medium-chain fatty acids by mass spectrometry further revealed significant differences between genotypes. However, prior to concluding that the NLRP1 inflammasome plays a role in regulating the composition of the microbiome, we evaluated two additional strategies for cohousing wild-type and Nlrp1b–/– mice: breeding homozygous parents and cohousing at weaning, and breeding from heterozygous parents and cohousing littermates. We found that maternal influence was the greater predictor of microbiome composition rather than genotype. With the rise in microbiome research across disciplines, our study should be viewed as a cautionary example that illustrates the importance of careful breeding and housing strategies when evaluating host-microbiome interactions.
Measurement of Relative Position of Camera and Optical Beacon by Simultaneous Passive Method
Authors: Nemecek Jiri , Polasek Martin
Published: February 2019

The paper deals with a problem of a passive measurement of the relative position of an optical beacon and an optical camera by a simultaneous analytical method. The beacon is composed of nine light sources which are arranged in space in a defined way. The proposed beacon layout enables the measurement of the beacon range and one position angle of the camera. This paper presents the mathematical model of the measurement method and the results, which were gathered on the basis of two experimental measurements. The first experiment was only indicative. The extreme results of the second experiment were as follows: the minimum and maximum absolute percentage errors of the beacon range were zero and 1.72%, the minimum and maximum errors of the position angle were 0.1 deg and 1.64 deg. The standard commercial cameras and lenses with different focal lengths were used.
Sustained Captopril‐Induced Reduction in Blood Pressure Is Associated With Alterations in Gut‐Brain Axis in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Yang Tao , Aquino Victor , Lobaton Gilberto O. , Li Hongbao , Colon‐Perez Luis , Goel Ruby , Qi Yanfei , Zubcevic Jasenka , Febo Marcelo , Richards Elaine M. , Pepine Carl J. , Raizada Mohan K.
Published: February 2019

Background

We have demonstrated that the antihypertensive effect of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril (
CAP
), is associated with beneficial effects on gut pathology. Coupled with the evidence that
CAP
exerts prolonged reduction in blood pressure (
BP
) after discontinuation of treatment, we investigate whether persistent beneficial actions of
CAP
are linked to alterations of gut microbiota and improvement of hypertension‐induced gut pathology.

Methods and Results

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (
SHR
) and Wistar Kyoto rats were treated with
CAP
(250 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks followed by withdrawal for 16 weeks. Gut microbiota, gut pathology,
BP,
and brain neuronal activity were assessed.
CAP
resulted in a ≈60 mm Hg decrease in systolic
BP
after 3 weeks of treatment in
SHR
, and the decrease remained significant at least 5 weeks after
CAP
withdrawal. In contrast,
CAP
caused modest decrease in systolic
BP
in Wistar Kyoto. 16S
rRNA
gene‐sequencing–based gut microbial analyses in
SHR
showed sustained alteration of gut microbiota and increase in
Allobaculum
after
CAP
withdrawal. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states analysis revealed significant increase in bacterial sporulation upon
CAP
treatment in
SHR
. These were associated with persistent improvement in gut pathology and permeability. Furthermore, manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed significantly decreased neuronal activity in the posterior pituitary of
SHR
4 weeks after withdrawal.

Conclusions

Decreased
BP
, altered gut microbiota, improved gut pathology and permeability, and dampened posterior pituitary neuronal activity were maintained after
CAP
withdrawal in the
SHR
. They suggest that
CAP
influences the brain‐gut axis to maintain the sustained antihypertensive effect of
CAP
after withdrawal.
Estimating Scale-Invariant Future in Continuous Time
Authors: Tiganj Zoran , Gershman Samuel J. , Sederberg Per B. , Howard Marc W.
Published: February 2019

Natural learners must compute an estimate of future outcomes that follow from a stimulus in continuous time. Widely used reinforcement learning algorithms discretize continuous time and estimate either transition functions from one step to the next (model-based algorithms) or a scalar value of exponentially discounted future reward using the Bellman equation (model-free algorithms). An important drawback of model-based algorithms is that computational cost grows linearly with the amount of time to be simulated. An important drawback of model-free algorithms is the need to select a timescale required for exponential discounting. We present a computational mechanism, developed based on work in psychology and neuroscience, for computing a scale-invariant timeline of future outcomes. This mechanism efficiently computes an estimate of inputs as a function of future time on a logarithmically compressed scale and can be used to generate a scale-invariant power-law-discounted estimate of expected future reward. The representation of future time retains information about what will happen when. The entire timeline can be constructed in a single parallel operation that generates concrete behavioral and neural predictions. This computational mechanism could be incorporated into future reinforcement learning algorithms.
Decreasing the Size of the Restricted Boltzmann Machine
Authors: Saito Yohei , Kato Takuya
Published: February 2019

In this letter, we propose a method to decrease the number of hidden units of the restricted Boltzmann machine while avoiding a decrease in the performance quantified by the Kullback-Leibler divergence. Our algorithm is then demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Aśvaghoṣa on Kings and Kingship
Authors: Eltschinger Vincent
Published: February 2019

The present paper focuses on Aśvaghoṣa’s treatment of King Śuddhodana and Kapilavāstu, the latter’s kingdom, in the Buddhacarita (BC) and the Saundarananda (SNa). As I shall try to demonstrate, the poet’s depiction of Śuddhodana is strongly reminiscent of, and, I think, very likely based on, Brahmanical accounts of the rājadharma (BC 9.48) and the dharmarāja (BC 1.75) as they can be found, first and foremost, in the Mahābhārata (MBh). As for his description of the Śākya kingdom, it is obviously meant to be evocative of the “golden age” or, conversely, of its lack of any characteristic of the kaliyuga, which again points to Aśvaghoṣa’s likely acquaintance with epic descriptions of the kaliyuga and/or the yugānta as they can be found, e.g., in the so-called Mārkaṇḍeya section of the MBh (esp. 3.186 and 188).
Anatomy and mechanical properties of woods used in electric guitars
Authors: Ahvenainen Patrik
Published: February 2019

Many endangered tropical hardwoods are commonly used in electric guitars. In order to find alternative woods, the current electric guitar woods need to be studied and classified as most research in this field has focused on acoustic instruments. Classification was done based on luthier literature, woods used in commercially available electric guitars, commercially available tonewoods and by interviewing Finnish luthiers. Here, the electric guitar woods are divided into three distinct classes based on how they are used in the guitar: low-density wood used in the body only (alder, poplar, basswood, ash), medium-density wood used in the body and neck (maple and mahogany), and high-density wood used in the fretboard only (rosewood and ebony). Together, these three classes span a wide range of anatomical and mechanical properties, but each class itself is limited to a relatively narrow parameter space. Statistically significant differences between these classes and the average hardwoods exist in the wood anatomy (size and organization of vessels, fibres, rays and axial parenchyma), in the mechanical properties (density, elastic modulus, Janka hardness, etc.) and in the average price per volume. In order to find substitute woods for a certain guitar wood class, density and elastic modulus can already be used to rule out most wood species. Based on principal component analysis of the elastomechanical and anatomical properties of commercially available hardwoods, few species are similar to the low- and high-density class woods. However, for all of the three electric guitar wood classes, non-endangered wood species are already commercially available from tonewood retailers that match the class characteristics presented here.
Galveosaurus herreroi, a new sauropod dinosaur from Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Tithonian-Berriasian) of Spain
Authors: SÁNCHEZ-HERNÁNDEZ BÁRBARA
Published: February 2019

The Galve fossil sites (province of Teruel, Spain) have provided many Mesozoic vertebrate remains. Among these are isolated sauropod dinosaur bones, including one taxon reported only from this locality, Aragosaurus ischiaticus. Here, a new species is named from the Tithonian deposits of the Villar del Arzobispo Formation, of Galve (Teruel province, Spain), Galveosaurus herreroi gen. et sp. nov. It is represented by two humeri, one sternal plate, one ischium, one scapula, one cervical vertebra, one caudal dorsal vertebra, five caudal vertebrae, one Y-shaped chevron and some fragments of ribs. This new species is an eusauropod dinosaur that shows primitive features such as a slightly curved ischium with an unexpanded distal end, amphicoelous vertebrae, neural spine not bifid and an unforked chevron. It appears to be closer to cetiosaurid genera such as Barapasaurus or Cetiosaurus. This new basal sauropod lived at the same time as the eusauropod Lourinhasaurus alenquerensis from Portugal. These are both relict genera that survived in the Iberian Peninsula when more derived neosauropods, such as Losillasaurus or Dinheirosaurus, had taken over other parts of Iberia.
A revision of Metapontius (Siphonostomatoida: Artotrogidae) with the description of a new species associated with an octocoral from Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands (USA)
Authors: JOHNSSON RODRIGO , NEVES ELIZABETH G.
Published: February 2019

The Artotrogidae is among the most primitive of siphonostomatoid families. Their preferred hosts, as well as precise nature of their symbiotic relationship with the host, remain uncertain despite more than a hundred years of occasional descriptions of new species and genera. Metapontius is one such case. The genus, erected in 1923 by Hansen to accommodate a single species, has remained monospecific and no other record of this species has been provided. Samples collected by Dr. Arthur Humes in 1969 at Eniwetok Atoll, and left aside for future studies, remained untouched for more than 30 years and among them a new species belonging to Metapontius was found. The main differences between the two species are the number of antennule segments, the shape of the cephalosome, the length of the siphon and the setation of legs 1 and 4. In addition, several other characters of the genus such as the antennal exopod and setation of maxillule and legs 2 and 3 are described for the first time.