bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Chromatic’ Neuronal Jamming in a Primitive Brain
Authors: Khariton Margarita , Kong Xian , Qin Jian , Wang Bo
Published: December 2018

Jamming models developed in inanimate matter have been widely used to describe cell packing in tissues1–7, but predominantly neglect cell diversity, despite its prevalence in biology. Most tissues, animal brains in particular, comprise a mix of many cell types, with mounting evidence suggesting that neurons can recognize their respective types as they organize in space8–11. How cell diversity revises the current jamming paradigm is unknown. Here, in the brain of the flatworm planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, which exhibits remarkable tissue plasticity within a simple, quantifiable nervous system12–16, we identify a distinct packing state, ‘chromatic’ jamming. Combining experiments with computational modeling, we show that neurons of distinct types form independent percolating networks barring any physical contact. This jammed state emerges as cell packing configurations become constrained by cell type-specific interactions and therefore may extend to describe cell packing in similarly complex tissues composed of multiple cell types.
Refining the pneumococcal competence regulon by RNA-sequencing
Authors: Slager Jelle , Aprianto Rieza , Veening Jan-Willem
Published: December 2018

Competence for genetic transformation allows the opportunistic human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniaeto take up exogenous DNA for incorporation into its own genome. This ability may account for the extraordinary genomic plasticity of this bacterium, leading to antigenic variation, vaccine escape, and the spread of antibiotic resistance markers. The competence system has been thoroughly studied and its regulation is well-understood. Additionally, over the last decade, several stress factors have been shown to trigger the competent state, leading to the activation of several stress response regulons. The arrival of next-generation sequencing techniques allowed us to update the competence regulon, the latest report of which still depended on DNA microarray technology. Enabled by the availability of an up-to-date genome annotation, including transcript boundaries, we assayed time-dependent expression of all annotated features in response to competence induction, were able to identify the affected promoters and produced a more complete overview of the various regulons activated during competence. We show that 4% of all annotated genes are under direct control of competence regulators ComE and ComX, while the expression of a total of up to 17% of all genes is, either directly or indirectly, affected. Among the affected genes are various small RNAs with an as-of-yet unknown function. Besides the ComE and ComX regulons, we were also able to refine the CiaR, VraR (LiaR) and BlpR regulons, underlining the strength of combining RNA-seq with a well-annotated genome.
2,4-Dichloro-N-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)benzamide
Authors: Stondus Jigmat , Anthal Sumati , Karanth S. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K. , Kant Rajni
Published: December 2018

In the title compound, C11H8Cl2N2O3, the plane of the pyrrolidine ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.065 Å) makes a dihedral angle of 52.9 (2)° with the plane of the benzene ring. The least-squares plane of the central amide fragment makes dihedral angles of 49.3 (7) and 77.9 (7)° with those of the benzene and pyrrolidine rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked via N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b-axis direction. π–π interactions link these chains into a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).
A statistical method for build orientation determination in additive manufacturing
Authors: Zhang Yicha , Harik Ramy , Fadel Georges , Bernard Alain
Published: December 2018

Purpose

For part models with complex shape features or freeform shapes, the existing build orientation determination methods may have issues, such as difficulty in defining features and costly computation. To deal with these issues, this paper aims to introduce a new statistical method to develop fast automatic decision support tools for additive manufacturing build orientation determination.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method applies a non-supervised machine learning method, K-Means Clustering with Davies–Bouldin Criterion cluster measuring, to rapidly decompose a surface model into facet clusters and efficiently generate a set of meaningful alternative build orientations. To evaluate alternative build orientations at a generic level, a statistical approach is defined.

Findings

A group of illustrative examples and comparative case studies are presented in the paper for method validation. The proposed method can help production engineers solve decision problems related to identifying an optimal build orientation for complex and freeform CAD models, especially models from the medical and aerospace application domains with much efficiency.

Originality/value

The proposed method avoids the limitations of traditional feature-based methods and pure computation-based methods. It provides engineers a new efficient decision-making tool to rapidly determine the optimal build orientation for complex and freeform CAD models.
Use of video microsurgery platform in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with indocyanine green angiography
Authors: Cho Chak‐Lam , Chu Ringo Wing‐Hong
Published: December 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of the use of the video microsurgery platform and fluorescence imaging exoscope system for microsurgical subinguinal varicocoelectomy (MSV) with intraoperative indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Patients and Methods

Two patients with three varicoceles had MSV and intraoperative ICGA performed in August 2018. A video telescopic operating microscope (VITOM) 3‐D system and a VITOM II ICG system were connected to a modular FULL HD IMAGE1 S camera platform. Both telescopes were mounted for convenient positioning and switch between the telescopes.

Results

The VITOM 3‐D system provided excellent, high‐definition image quality and anatomical details necessary for the procedure of MSV. The system offered a more ergonomic working environment for the operating surgeons. The addition of VITOM II ICG system allowed intraoperative ICGA for better identification of the testicular artery. Testicular arteries were clearly identified and preserved. The setup with holding arms and a camera platform facilitated quick switch between the video systems.

Conclusions

The procedure of MSV with intraoperative ICGA can be performed efficiently with the utilization of the video microsurgery platform.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Brief Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire
Authors: Levine Jacob A. , Noyes Emily T. , Gius Becky K. , Ahlich Erica , Rancourt Diana , Houston Rebecca J. , Schlauch Robert C.
Published: December 2018

Background

The Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ) was developed as a measure of craving to assess both desires to consume and desires to avoid consuming alcohol. Although the measure has been used in a variety of populations to predict future alcohol use behavior, the factor structures observed vary based on sample type (e.g., clinical vs. college samples) and may be overly long for use in repeated measures designs. The current article describes the development of a brief version of theAAAQfor use in clinical populations.

Methods

Using existing data sets of individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorder, exploratory analyses (e.g., exploratory factor analysis and item response theory) were conducted using an inpatient sample (N = 298) at a substance abuse treatment facility. Confirmatory analyses (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression) were conducted using an inpatient detoxification sample (N = 175) and a longitudinal outpatient treatment sample (N = 53).

Results

The briefAAAQhad comparable internal consistency, explained a similar amount of variance in alcohol consumption and related problems, and exhibited superior model fit as compared to the original measure.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the briefAAAQis an effective tool to assess alcohol craving in clinical populations in treatment settings.
Indocyanine green‐enhanced fluorescence‐guided video‐assisted axillary surgery for chronic lymphocele
Authors: Mazza Marco , Sommariva Antonio
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Lymphocele occurs frequently after regional lymph node dissection. Surgery with multiple lymphatic ligation represents the only reliable treatment for long‐standing chronic lymphocele.

Materials and Surgical Technique

We report the case of a man with chronic axillary seroma after axillary lymphadenectomy for melanoma. The lymphocele was unresponsive to conservative management and successfully treated with indocyanine green lymphography‐guided video‐assisted axillary surgery.

Discussion

Indocyanine green‐enhanced fluorescence video‐assisted identification and ligation of lymph vessels can simply and effectively treat recurrent chronic lymphocele after axillary or groin lymphadenectomy.
Underaddressed animal‐welfare issues in conservation
Authors: Hampton Jordan O. , Hyndman Timothy H.
Published: December 2018

Much progress has been made toward assessing and improving animal welfare in conservation. However, several glaring knowledge gaps remain where animal‐welfare concerns exist but animal‐welfare studies have not been performed in politically sensitive contexts. Based on contemporary issues in Australia, we identified 4 topics that require more research: animal‐welfare oversight for operations designated as management (as opposed to research); animal‐welfare impacts of biological agents used to control invasive animals; welfare of animals hunted recreationally; and animal‐welfare impacts associated with indigenous wildlife use. Animal‐welfare science may be applied to these sensitive topics through simple quantitative studies (e.g., quantifying the frequency of adverse animal‐welfare events). Several such studies have effectively addressed animal‐welfare concerns in similarly contentious contexts, including feral camel (Camelus dromedarius) culling in Australia, recreational hunting in Scandinavia, and indigenous whale hunting in the United States. For discussions of animal welfare in conservation to be evidence‐based, courageous research is required in the 4 key areas we identified.
THE EFFECT OF HOUSING WEALTH LOSSES ON SPENDING IN THE GREAT RECESSION
Authors: Angrisani Marco , Hurd Michael , Rohwedder Susann
Published: December 2018

We use panel data on a complete inventory of household spending and assets to estimate the spending response to the sharp and largely unexpected declines in house values that occurred in the Great Recession. Our study complements the existing literature on this topic by relying exclusively on longitudinal micro data on both household wealth and expenditure. Our data span the period 2002–2012, allowing us to separate trends in spending from innovations in response to unexpected wealth changes. We find the marginal propensity to consume out of an unexpected housing wealth change to be 6 cents per dollar among older American households. (JEL D12, D14, E21)
Chronicles of a democracy postponed
Authors: Gaber Elena , Polishchuk Leonid , Sokolov Kharis , Stukal Denis
Published: December 2018

We explain a lack of civic culture in today's Russia, closely related to a democratic deficit in the country, by a path dependency which has originated at the critical juncture of transition to market economy. Suppression of democracy in the early 1990s to expedite unpopular reform exposed the new institutional order to oligarchic capture and set in motion a vicious circle of extractive economic and political institutions. The latter have been shaping views and attitudes in the society via institutional learning, continuously suppressing civic culture and solidifying social foundations for extractive institutions. We present evidence from the World Values Survey supporting the above conclusions.
Liver resection versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic vein or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Chen Zhen‐Hua , Zhang Xiu‐Ping , Wang Kang , Sun Ju‐Xian , Chai Zong‐Tao , Yang Yang , Guo Wei‐Xing , Shi Jie , Lau Wan Yee , Cheng Shu‐Qun
Published: December 2018

Aim

Because of the rarity of hepatic vein tumor thrombus (HVTT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), little is known about HVTT. Thus, the survival benefit of liver resection (LR) versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for HCC patients with HVTT or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) remains controversial. We aimed to explore the survival benefits of LR versus TACE for the treatment of these patients.

Methods

From 2012 to 2016, a total of 276 patients with HVTT or IVCTT who underwent liver resection or TACE were enrolled in this study. Patients in the LR group were matched at a 1:1 ratio with patients treated with TACE as an initial treatment (TACE group). Clinical characteristics, overall survival, and disease‐free survival were analyzed.

Results

The median survival time in the LR group was 4.7 months longer than that in the TACE group before PSM (19.4 vs. 14.7 months, P = 0.006) and 6.9 months longer than that in the TACE group after PSM (20.9 vs. 14.0 months, P = 0.019). The median disease‐free survival time in the LR group was 3.2 months longer than that in the TACE group before PSM (12.3 vs. 9.1 months, P = 0.038) and 5.8 months longer than that in the TACE group after PSM (13.0 vs. 7.2 months, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

Liver resection provides a good prognosis for HCC patients with HVTT or IVCTT compared with patients undergoing TACE, and coexistence with portal vein tumor thrombus is the most important factor related to survival.
Reform, Resistance and Managerial Clawback: The Evolution of ‘Reform Prisons’ in England
Authors: BENNETT JAMIE
Published: December 2018

Abstract: In late modernity, prison policy and practice have been characterised as being structured by punitiveness and managerialism. Recent research on prison reform has focused on the pervasiveness of punitiveness, but the resilience of managerialism is equally important in understanding contemporary penality. The creation of ‘reform prisons’ in England, offered an attempt to reimagine managerialism, where prison managers would act with greater autonomy, freed up from centralised policy prescription and monitoring of compliance. The article explores how this reform developed in practice. Particular attention is paid to the retreat from the original intentions and the emergence of a counter‐reformation, reasserting the centralised, managerial hegemony. It is concluded that while attention has been paid to punitiveness, the existence of a carceral habitus, and the process of carceral clawback, managerialism also plays a central role in shaping contemporary penality, and it is important to draw attention to a managerial habitus and managerial clawback.
Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) coproducts as a new ingredient in pork liver pâté: influence on quality properties
Authors: Lucas‐González Raquel , Pellegrini Marika , Viuda‐Martos Manuel , Pérez‐Álvarez José Ángel , Fernández‐López Juana
Published: December 2018

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) coproducts are rich in fibre, sugar, minerals and bioactive compounds, make it a good candidate for use in the meat industry. The aim was to evaluate the effect of adding (3% and 6%) two different types of persimmon flour (from cultivars ‘Rojo Brillante’ and ‘Triumph’) on the chemical composition (proximate composition, haeme iron and nitrite residual level), physicochemical properties (pH, water activity and colour), lipid oxidation, emulsion stability, texture and sensory acceptance of pork liver pâté. The addition of persimmon flours decreased residual nitrite levels in pâté to an extent that depended on the concentration and type of flour. Lipid oxidation in pâtés was also reduced by persimmon flour addition, an effect made evident by the increase in pâté redness, which could allow its application as natural antioxidant. In a sensory analysis, all the pâtés with persimmon flour added were better accepted than the control.
An approach to improve the safety and quality of ready‐to‐eat blueberries
Authors: Bambace María Florencia , Gerard Liliana Mabel , Moreira María del Rosario
Published: December 2018

Bioactive edible coatings were developed and applied to blueberries as a natural treatment. E. coli O157:H7, L. innocua, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa were subjected to four bioactive compounds and to three film‐forming solutions (FFS). Vanillin and geraniol at low concentrations (1.2–1.8 mg/mL and 0.4–1 μL/mL) demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on all pathogens counts. Chitosan (Ch) showed a high antimicrobial activity (final counts below 2 log CFU/mL). The effectiveness of Ch plus vanillin (Ch‐Va) and geraniol (Ch‐Ge) in improving the safety were tested against pathogens inoculated on blueberries. Ch, Ch‐Va, and Ch‐Ge coatings exerted a bactericidal effect on all pathogens (from 1.24 to more than 2 log reductions). Significant reduction in yeast and mold counts was achieved with Ch (1.09 log) and Ch + Va (1.74 log). Sensory attributes of blueberries remained acceptable. Ch‐Va and Ch‐Ge were an alternative to improve the quality and safety and could be effective in extending the shelf life of ready‐to‐eat blueberries.

Practical applications

The present study proposes the use of natural coatings enriched with biopreservatives as a technological alternative to enhance the quality and safety of minimally processed fruits. According to the results obtained, the application of chitosan plus vanillin/geraniol coatings on fresh blueberries would allow to offer a safe product and respond the growing demand of consumers for fresh, environmentally friendly and chemical preservatives‐free foods. These findings and those obtained by the sensory evaluation support the practical application of this alternative in the minimally processed fruit industry.
Cesarean rates in a Chilean public hospital and the use of a new prioritization criteria: The relevance index
Authors: Yamamoto Masami , Latorre Rodrigo , Rojas Juan , Walker Bernardita , Jordán Felipe , Carrillo Jorge , Paiva Enrique , Insunza Alvaro
Published: December 2018

Aim

Cesarean section rates are increasing worldwide and Robson's classification system allows a practical approach to study this phenomenon. C‐section in Chile has been indicated as unexpectedly high, with important variability within the country and payment systems. The aim was to report our data using Robson's system and the evolution of local C‐section rate in a public hospital during a 9‐year period.

Methods

Retrospective analysis (2005–April 2014), in a metropolitan hospital in Santiago. All deliveries were classified into Robson groups. Time changes were analyzed with Pearson's correlation. P value <0.05 was considered significant. A ‘relevance index’ (RI) for each group was calculated as 100 × C‐S rate × relative contribution.

Results

The overall C‐section rate increased from 24 to 27% (P < 0.05) in 53 571 deliveries, with a greater increase in groups 1 (nulliparous, single, term cephalic, spontaneous labor), 3 (multiparous, single, no previous C‐S, term cephalic, spontaneous labor) and 4 (multiparous, single, no previous C‐S, term cephalic, induced or no labor). Despite no increase in Group 5 (women with one or more previous C‐S) this group had the highest RI (20.3), which defined priority for intervention over others.

Conclusion

C‐S rate was lower than that reported in other centers from Chile and Latin America. Robson's classification and the RI allowed prioritization. Although increase in groups 1, 3 and 4, group 5 needs attention because of stronger impact on overall C‐S rate. This analysis allowed to define how to lower C‐S rate in our institution.
Veterinary‐focused assessment with sonography for trauma‐airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure: a prospective observational study in 64 canine trauma patients
Authors: Armenise A. , Boysen R. S. , Rudloff E. , Neri L. , Spattini G. , Storti E.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To describe the technique and findings of the ‘veterinary focused assessment with sonography for trauma‐airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure’ protocol in dogs suffering from trauma.

Materials and Methods

Prospective observational study on a new point‐of‐care ultrasound protocol on 64 dogs suffering from trauma and comparison of findings with radiology.

Results

Comparison of the results of this new ultrasound protocol for trauma patients with radiography findings for pneumothorax, pleural effusion, alveolar‐interstitial syndrome and abdominal effusion revealed positive agreement of 89, 83, 100 and 87% and negative agreement of 76, 83, 76 and 92%, respectively. Novel findings of the ‘veterinary focused assessment with sonography for trauma‐airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure’ exam, which were not previously reported for dogs undergoing focused assessment with sonography for trauma, included alveolar‐interstitial syndrome (suggestive of pulmonary contusions), diaphragmatic hernia, retroperitoneal effusion and tracheal injury. Our new technique may also help identify increased intracranial pressure via changes in optic nerve sheath diameter and haemodynamic instability through the evaluation of the caudal vena cava and cardiac function.

Clinical Significance

The described ultrasound examination protocol can be rapidly performed on dogs suffering from trauma during resuscitation and it may detect injuries previously undetectable using other veterinary point‐of‐care ultrasound protocols.
Pusey and Transubstantiation: An Exploration of His Thinking and Ecumenical Implications
Authors: Douglas Brian
Published: December 2018

This article seeks to explore the thinking of Edward Bouverie Pusey on the doctrine of transubstantiation. It begins by looking at the conflicted way Pusey is considered and goes on to examine Pusey's writings on transubstantiation. The article points out that Pusey's early writing on transubstantiation wrongly believed that the doctrine implied a carnal view of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, but that in his mature thinking this caricature was abandoned and he came to understand that transubstantiation is a form of moderate realism. Some detailed examination of Pusey's mature thinking is undertaken, including a very important set of correspondence between Edward Pusey and John Newman in 1867 which addressed the doctrine of transubstantiation. Pusey's thinking reveals that he is prepared to accept the word transubstantiation as long as it does not imply a change in the substance of the bread and wine of the Eucharist. The article concludes with discussion on the term transubstantiation itself and controversially cites evidence from both Anglican and Roman Catholic sources which suggest that the dependence on a particular scholastic philosophical analysis which attempts to explain the ‘how’ of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist may be less useful than an approach of ‘what’. Pusey's mature thinking on transubstantiation is seen as useful for ecumenical dialogue between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches.
Integrating a genome‐wide association study with a large‐scale transcriptome analysis to predict genetic regions influencing the glycaemic index and texture in rice
Authors: Anacleto Roslen , Badoni Saurabh , Parween Sabiha , Butardo Vito M. , Misra Gopal , Cuevas Rosa Paula , Kuhlmann Markus , Trinidad Trinidad P. , Mallillin Aida C. , Acuin Cecilia , Bird Anthony R. , Morell Matthew K. , Sreenivasulu Nese
Published: December 2018

Reliably generating rice varieties with low glycaemic index (GI) is an important nutritional intervention given the high rates of Type II diabetes incidences in Asia where rice is staple diet. We integrated a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) with a transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS) to determine the genetic basis of the GI in rice. GWAS utilized 305 re‐sequenced diverse indica panel comprising ~2.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) enriched in genic regions. A novel association signal was detected at a synonymous SNP in exon 2 of LOC_Os05g03600 for intermediate‐to‐high GI phenotypic variation. Another major hotspot region was predicted for contributing intermediate‐to‐high GI variation, involves 26 genes on chromosome 6 (GI6.1). These set of genes included GBSSI, two hydrolase genes, genes involved in signalling and chromatin modification. The TWAS and methylome sequencing data revealed cis‐acting functionally relevant genetic variants with differential methylation patterns in the hot spot GI6.1 region, narrowing the target to 13 genes. Conversely, the promoter region of GBSSI and its alternative splicing allele (G allele of Wxa) explained the intermediate‐to‐high GI variation. A SNP (C˃T) at exon‐10 was also highlighted in the preceding analyses to influence final viscosity (FV), which is independent of amylose content/GI. The low GI line with GC haplotype confirmed soft texture, while other two low GI lines with GT haplotype were characterized as hard and cohesive. The low GI lines were further confirmed through clinical in vivo studies. Gene regulatory network analysis highlighted the role of the non‐starch polysaccharide pathway in lowering GI.
Price Indexes for US Medical Care Spending, 1980–2006
Authors: Aizcorbe Ana M. , Highfill Tina
Published: December 2018

We construct price indexes for medical care spending in the US economy for the period 1980–2006. Our indexes show slower price growth than the official deflator from 1987–2001, consistent with the fact that indexes that improve on the official statistics typically find slower price growth than the official indexes. However, the result is reversed for the 2001–2006 time period. We develop a decomposition that parses out the numerical differences in these indexes into three factors that are held constant in the official price indexes but are not in our indexes: changes in the type of provider supplying care, changes in the type of insurance plan used by the patients, and changes in the bundle of procedures used to treat patients. Our results suggest that using the official price measures may provide misleading conclusions about spending trends and productivity growth in this important sector over this time period.
Indigenous Immigrants from Latin America (IILA): Racial/Ethnic Identity in the U.S.
Authors: Bazo Vienrich Alessandra
Published: December 2018

In recent decades, migration from all corners of the world has created one of the most racially/ethnically diverse immigrant populations in the history of the United States. While today migratory flows are predominantly from Asia, immigrants from Latin America continue to make up the largest immigrant group in the United States. The influx of this group reflects the heterogeneity of the Latin American region, including Latin American immigrants who identify as indigenous in their countries of origin. Through a brief overview of how indigeneity, race, and ethnicity have been historically framed in Latin America, I discuss how Indigenous Immigrants from Latin American (IILA) position their indigeneity within their racial/ethnic identity in the United States. I consider how migration shapes indigenous identity and propose the use of Social Identity Theory (SIT) to explore how IILA negotiate a racial/ethnic identity while maintaining their indigeneity in a U.S. context.
Power and perceived influence: I caused your behavior, but I'm not responsible for it
Authors: Bohns Vanessa K. , Newark Daniel A.
Published: December 2018

There are numerous examples of powerful people denying responsibility for others' (mis)conduct in which they played—and acknowledge playing—a causal role. The current article seeks to explain this conundrum by examining the difference between, and powerful people's beliefs about, causality and responsibility. Research has shown power to have numerous psychological consequences. Some of these consequences, such as overconfidence, are likely to increase an individual's belief that he or she caused another person's behavior. However, others, such as decreased perspective‐taking, are likely to decrease an individual's belief that he or she was responsible for another person's behavior. In combination, these psychological consequences of power may lead powerful people to believe that they instigated another's behavior while simultaneously believing that the other person could have chosen to do otherwise. The dissociation between these two attributions may help to explain why people in positions of power often deny responsibility for others' behavior—unethical or otherwise—that they undeniably caused.
Electronic patient identification for sample labeling reduces wrong blood in tube errors
Authors: Kaufman Richard M. , Dinh Anh , Cohn Claudia S. , Fung Mark K. , Gorlin Jed , Melanson Stacy , Murphy Michael F. , Ziman Alyssa , Elahie Allahna L. , Chasse Danielle , Degree Lynsi , Dunbar Nancy M. , Dzik Walter H. , Flanagan Peter , Gabert Kimberly , Ipe Tina S. , Jackson Bryon , Lane Debra , Raspollini Elisabetta , Ray Charles , Sharon Yudit , Ellis Martin , Selleng Kathleen , Staves Julie , Yu Philip , Zeller Michelle , Yazer Mark ,   on behalf of the BEST Collaborative
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Wrong blood in tube (WBIT) errors are a preventable cause of ABO‐mismatched RBC transfusions. Electronic patient identification systems (e.g., scanning a patient's wristband barcode before pretransfusion sample collection) are thought to reduce WBIT errors, but the effectiveness of these systems is unclear.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Part 1: Using retrospective data, we compared pretransfusion sample WBIT rates at hospitals using manual patient identification (n = 16 sites; >1.6 million samples) with WBIT rates at hospitals using electronic patient identification for some or all sample collections (n = 4 sites; >0.5 million samples). Also, we compared WBIT rates after implementation of electronic patient identification with preimplementation WBIT rates. Causes and frequencies of WBIT errors were evaluated at each site. Part 2: Transfusion service laboratories (n = 18) prospectively typed mislabeled (rejected) samples (n = 2844) to determine WBIT rates among samples with minor labeling errors.

RESULTS

Part 1: The overall unadjusted WBIT rate at sites using manual patient identification was 1:10,110 versus 1:35,806 for sites using electronic identification (p < 0.0001). Correcting for repeat samples and silent WBIT errors yielded overall adjusted WBIT rates of 1:3046 for sites using manual identification and 1:14,606 for sites using electronic identification (p < 0.0001), with wide variation among individual sites. Part 2: The unadjusted WBIT rate among mislabeled (rejected) samples was 1:71 (adjusted WBIT rate, 1:28).

CONCLUSION

In this study, using electronic patient identification at the time of pretransfusion sample collection was associated with approximately fivefold fewer WBIT errors compared with using manual patient identification. WBIT rates were high among mislabeled (rejected) samples, confirming that rejecting samples with even minor labeling errors helps mitigate the risk of ABO‐incompatible transfusions.
Analysis of radiosensitivity of cancer stem‐like cells derived from canine cancer cell lines
Authors: Deguchi Tatsuya , Hosoya Kenji , Murase Yusuke , Koangyong Sung , Kim Sangho , Okumura Masahiro
Published: December 2018

Cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) are self‐renewing cells comprising a small subpopulation in tumours, and generate differentiated progeny through asymmetric division. It has been shown that CSCs are resistant to ionizing radiation, and this feature could be one of the mechanisms of tumour recurrence after radiation therapy. Much attention has been focused on to target CSCs; however, difficult of isolating CSCs and lack of knowledge on their radiosensitivity have limited this kind of research in veterinary medicine. In the present study, sphere‐forming cells (SC), cultured using sphere formation method, were isolated from four type of canine tumour cell lines and evaluated if they have CSCs‐like properties by expression of CSCs markers (real‐time polymerase chain reaction) and capacity of tumorigenesis (xenograft transplantation in nude mice), and were assessed radiosensitivity (clonogenic survival assay) and DNA repair kinetics (immunofluorescence staining for p53‐binding protein 1) after X‐ray irradiation in comparison with the corresponding normal adherent culture cells (AC). All SCs were isolated using sphere formation and showed high gene expression of CD133 and tumorigenic ability as compared with AC. All SCs were significantly resistant against X‐ray irradiation as compared with AC. In addition, the amount of DNA double‐strand breaks after X‐ray irradiation were significantly lower in SC compared with the corresponding AC. These results indicate that SC isolated through sphere formation possess CSCs‐like characteristics and CSCs are important factor that affect radiosensitivity in canine tumours. In addition, radioresistance of CSCs may depend on reaction of DNA double‐strand break after X‐ray exposure.
Certified Athletic Trainers’ Experiences With and Perceptions of Sport Psychology Services for Student-Athletes
Authors: Zakrajsek Rebecca A. , Fisher Leslee A. , Martin Scott B.
Published: December 2018

Nine (5 female, 4 male) certified athletic trainers (ATs) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution participated in semistructured interviews about their experiences with sport psychology services and perceptions on the potential role of sport psychology consultants (SPCs) in student-athlete development. Through consensual qualitative research procedures, 3 domains were constructed: knowledge of availability and understanding of sport psychology services, perceptions of sport psychology services for injury rehabilitation, and use of sport psychology services for sport performance. Interacting professionally with SPCs, working with sport teams that use sport psychology services, and receiving mentorship from senior ATs who have “bought in” to sport psychology were identified as underlying factors that influenced ATs’ knowledge and use of services. Recommendations for how SPCs can nurture collaborative relationships between themselves and ATs are also provided.
Strengthened scientific support for the Endangerment Finding for atmospheric greenhouse gases
Authors: Duffy Philip B. , Field Christopher B. , Diffenbaugh Noah S. , Doney Scott C. , Dutton Zoe , Goodman Sherri , Heinzerling Lisa , Hsiang Solomon , Lobell David B. , Mickley Loretta J. , Myers Samuel , Natali Susan M. , Parmesan Camille , Tierney Susan , Williams A. Park
Published: December 2018

The case for endangerment

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the so-called “Endangerment Finding.” This defined a suite of six long-lived greenhouse gases as “air pollution.” Such air pollution was anticipated to represent a danger to the health and welfare of current and future generations. Thus, the EPA has the authority to regulate these gases under the rules of the U.S. Clean Air Act. Duffy
et al.
provide a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence gathered in the years since then. These findings further support and strengthen the basis of the Endangerment Finding. Thus, a compelling case has been made even more compelling with an enormous body of additional data.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat5982
A new hope for beating back cancer
The Breakthrough: Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer
Charles Graeber
Twelve, 2018. 320 pp.
Authors: Simpkins Carolyn Wong
Published: December 2018

Vivid portraits of patients, scientists, and physicians reveal the promise of immunotherapy
Enhancing Graduate Students’ Ability to Conduct and Communicate Research through an Interdisciplinary Lens
Authors: Marbach-Ad Gili , Marr Jack
Published: December 2018

This research is a part of a longitudinal study of the Computation and Mathematics for Biological Networks (COMBINE) program at the University of Maryland. The mission of COMBINE is to train doctoral students from a wide range of fields to pursue interdisciplinary research. Here, we focus on one component of COMBINE, a semester-long course titled Data Practicum at the Intersection of the Physical, Computer, and Life Sciences. The goal of this study was to explore the effectiveness of the teaching practices that were used in the Data Practicum. We investigated their impact on graduate students’ confidence to conduct research through an interdisciplinary lens and to communicate their research to diverse audiences. We used validated pre- and post-course online surveys, in-class observations, collection of artifacts, and interviews. Interviewed students and instructors highlighted the course’s iterative process, peer review system, and unique incorporation of outside research already being conducted by students as the most impactful aspects of the course. Based on students’ reports and artifacts, the Data Practicum was successful in helping them to communicate their research visually, orally, and in text to a wide and varied audience, to critically review others’ work, inside and outside their discipline, and to develop awareness of research in other disciplines. We observed that it is possible to enhance interdisciplinary communication skills through an iterative teaching approach that gives students a chance to incorporate feedback from multiple sources. This course could serve as a model for other graduate programs wishing to increase training in interdisciplinary skills.
ICF Generic Set as new standard for the system wide assessment of functioning in China: a multicentre prospective study on metric properties and responsiveness applying item response theory
Authors: Ehrmann Cristina , Prodinger Birgit , Stucki Gerold , Cai Wenzhi , Zhang Xia , Liu Shan , Liu Shouguo , Li Jianan , Reinhardt Jan D
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To examine metric properties and responsiveness of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Generic Set when used in routine clinical practice to assess functioning.

Design

Prospective multicentre study.

Setting

50 hospitals from 20 provinces of Mainland China.

Participants

4510 adult inpatients admitted to the departments of Pulmonology, Cardiology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Cerebral Surgery or Rehabilitation Medicine.

Main outcome measures

The ICF Generic Set (ICF Generic 6 Set) applied with an 11-point numeric rating scale (0-no problem to 10-complete problem) was fit to the Partial Credit Model (PCM) to create an interval score of functioning.

Results

PCM assumptions were found to be fulfilled after accounting for Differential Item Functioning. With an average improvement by 7.86 points of the metric ICF Generic 6 score (95% CI 7.53 to 8.19), the ICF Generic 6 Set proved sensitive to change (Cohen’s f2=0.41). Ceiling and floor effects on detecting change in functioning were cancelled or reduced by using the metric score.

Conclusion

The ICF Generic 6 Set can be used for the assessment of functioning in routine clinical practice and an interval score can be derived which is sensitive to change.
Traffic dynamics on a double layer coupled network considering physical queuing
Authors: Luo Xiao-Yu , Chen Jie , Li Ming , Hu Mao-Bin
Published: December 2018

The development of modern economy makes the problem of traffic congestion increasingly serious. Many real traffic systems can be abstracted as that a variety of networks coupled and interconnected with each other. In this paper, the traffic dynamics on a double layer coupled network system is studied based on cellular automata model considering physical queuing. We explore the effect of maximal velocities in the two layer networks on the network capacity, and the mean and standard deviation of travel time. The results show that the increase of upper network velocity is beneficial to the traffic capacity and the efficiency of long-distance travel, but will also lead to larger deviation and lower reliability. We explain the phenomena by studying the usage of upper network. Finally, we investigate the vehicle distribution by adopting the Gini coefficient. It is found that the increase of upper network speed will make the traffic load distributed more uniformly in the system.
High-Throughput Electrophysiology Screen Revealed Cardiotoxicity of Strychnine by Selectively Targeting hERG Channel
Authors: Wang Taiyi , Chen Xiaonan , Yu Jiahui , Du Qunqun , Zhu Jie , Yang Mingzhu , Wu Honghua , Wang Meng , Zhu Yan
Published: December 2018

Although the efficacy and the health care advantages of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) have become increasingly recognized worldwide, the potential side effects and toxicity still restrict its broader application. This study established and applied an integrated platform anchored on automatic patch clamp system to screen and evaluate a collection of CHM extracts, compositions and monomeric compounds for in vitro cardiac toxicity. Of 1036 CHM samples screened, 2.79% significantly inhibited hERG channel activity. Among them, Strychnine was identified for the first time as a potent hERG inhibitor with an IC[Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]M in comparison to that of Dofetilide at [Formula: see text]M and Quinidine at [Formula: see text]M. Langendorff-perfusion experiments confirmed that strychnine increased QT interphase from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ms to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ms and decreased heart rates from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]bmp to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]bmp in isolated rat hearts. The cardiac toxicity effect of strychnine appears to be specific to hERG channel since an in vitro multiplex imaging analysis showed that it did not affect cellular phenotypes such as cell vitality, nucleus area, mitochondria mass and function, nor intracellular calcium in rat primary myocytes. This integrated high-throughput hERG patch clamp and high-content multi-parameter imaging cardiac toxicity screen approach should be useful for large-scale preclinical evaluation of complex Chinese herbal medicine.
Asymptotic formula for sum of moment mean deviation for order statistics from uniform distribution
Authors: Kapelko Rafał
Published: December 2018

Assume that [Formula: see text] mobile sensors are thrown uniformly and independently at random with the uniform distribution on the unit interval. We study the expected sum over all sensors [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] where the contribution of the [Formula: see text] sensor is its displacement from the current location to the anchor equidistant point [Formula: see text] raised to the [Formula: see text] power, when [Formula: see text] is an odd natural number.

As a consequence, we derive the following asymptotic identity. Fix [Formula: see text] positive integer. Let [Formula: see text] denote the [Formula: see text] order statistic from a random sample of size [Formula: see text] from the Uniform[Formula: see text] population. Then [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the Gamma function.
Improving NER Tagging Performance in Low-Resource Languages via Multilingual Learning
Authors: Murthy Rudra , Khapra Mitesh M. , Bhattacharyya Pushpak
Published: December 2018

Existing supervised solutions for Named Entity Recognition (NER) typically rely on a large annotated corpus. Collecting large amounts of NER annotated corpus is time-consuming and requires considerable human effort. However, collecting small amounts of annotated corpus for any language is feasible, but the performance degrades due to data sparsity. We address the data sparsity by borrowing features from the data of a closely related language. We use hierarchical neural networks to train a supervised NER system. The feature borrowing from a closely related language happens via the shared layers of the network. The neural network is trained on the combined dataset of the low-resource language and a closely related language, also termed Multilingual Learning. Unlike existing systems, we share all layers of the network between the two languages. We apply multilingual learning for NER in Indian languages and empirically show the benefits over a monolingual deep learning system and a traditional machine-learning system with some feature engineering. Using multilingual learning, we show that the low-resource language NER performance increases mainly due to (1) increased named entity vocabulary, (2) cross-lingual subword features, and (3) multilingual learning playing the role of regularization.
ALIGNet
Authors: Hanocka Rana , Fish Noa , Wang Zhenhua , Giryes Raja , Fleishman Shachar , Cohen-Or Daniel
Published: December 2018

The process of aligning a pair of shapes is a fundamental operation in computer graphics. Traditional approaches rely heavily on matching corresponding points or features to guide the alignment, a paradigm that falters when significant shape portions are missing. These techniques generally do not incorporate prior knowledge about expected shape characteristics, which can help compensate for any misleading cues left by inaccuracies exhibited in the input shapes. We present an approach based on a deep neural network, leveraging shape datasets to learn a
shape-aware
prior for source-to-target alignment that is robust to shape incompleteness. In the absence of ground truth alignments for supervision, we train a network on the task of shape alignment using incomplete shapes generated from full shapes for self-supervision. Our network, called
ALIGNet
, is trained to warp complete source shapes to incomplete targets, as if the target shapes were complete, thus essentially rendering the alignment
partial-shape agnostic
. We aim for the network to develop specialized expertise over the common characteristics of the shapes in each dataset, thereby achieving a higher-level understanding of the expected shape space to which a local approach would be oblivious. We constrain
ALIGNet
through an anisotropic total variation identity regularization to promote piecewise smooth deformation fields, facilitating both partial-shape agnosticism and post-deformation applications. We demonstrate that
ALIGNet
learns to align geometrically distinct shapes and is able to infer plausible mappings even when the target shape is significantly incomplete. We show that our network learns the common expected characteristics of shape collections without over-fitting or memorization, enabling it to produce plausible deformations on unseen data during test time.