bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sovereign Debt
Authors: Singh Devin
Published: May 2018

This essay examines the concept of sovereign debt in both political‐economic and theological registers. Elaborating the dynamics of monetary economy, I demonstrate how postures of indebtedness characterize the relationship between sovereign power and the governed. While taxation signals the debt of obedience and fealty owed to sovereignty, the monetary circuit reveals that sovereign power exists in a state of indebtedness to the governed. The morally valenced proximity between debt and guilt helps to perpetuate such relations. Tracing these resonances and resemblances in the theological realm, I consider the centrality of debt as a structuring principle in key soteriological traditions within Christian thought. Not only does God appear to uphold debt logic, but God, I claim, becomes identified with debt and marked as a debtor. The divine sovereign as debtor and as enforcing debt provides cues for earthly sovereigns and legitimates cultures of debt. In light of the theopolitical legacy in the West, the mutual influence between theology and the political realm, refiguring this set of influential theological concepts may prove helpful in decentering debt as a governing principle in modern life.
Francisco de Vitoria and Francisco Suárez on Religious Authority and Cause for Justified War: The Centrality of Religious War in the Christian Just War Tradition
Authors: Endy Melvin
Published: May 2018

Contrary to the received understanding that Francisco de Vitoria and Francisco Suárez ruled out religious war by grounding just cause in natural law, they supported a robust view of papal authority for war when necessary for the defense of the church against heretics, schismatics, and pagans as well as for the spread of Christianity and Christendom throughout the world. They believed that religious wars were in accord with natural law as a means to its fulfillment in Christianity, as a justification for the defense of the church as the one true faith, and as a moral obligation to provide all of humanity with the opportunity to receive Christian truth and grace. The neo‐Thomists' vigorous support for religious war was in the mainstream of the Christian just war tradition from the time of the wars against pagans in the early middle ages through their own time. This finding and the continuation into the modern era of sanctified patriotism stemming from the mixing of church and state especially during war that began in early Middle Ages, along with the historic roots of the recently prominent presumption against war, argue for a more complex understanding of the normative Christian just war tradition than that found among supporters of the classic interpretation of that tradition.
Religion and the Human Rights Idea
Authors: Johnson James Turner
Published: May 2018

Three recent books focus, in different ways, on the idea of human rights and its relation to religion and religious ethics. All three books discussed here address criticisms of the human rights idea and seek to establish the relationship of religion and human rights with regard to the field of policy. The present discussion begins with an overview that places these three books in the larger context of the development of the human rights idea and its historical relationship with religion. It then turns to Little's book, next to the collection of essays edited by Twiss, Simion, and Petersen, which is described internally as aFestschriftfor Little, and then to Hogan's book, and in the final section it explores comparisons among the books.
MicroRNA‐543 functions as an osteogenesis promoter in human periodontal ligament‐derived stem cells by inhibiting transducer of ERBB2, 2
Authors: Ge Y. , Li J. , Hao Y. , Hu Y. , Chen D. , Wu B. , Fang F.
Published: May 2018

Background and Objective

Previous research has indicated that altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is in connection with osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament‐derived stem cells (hPDLSCs). We investigated the mechanisms by which miR‐543 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs.

Material and Methods

First, the expression of miR‐543 in hPDLSCs cultured with or without an osteogenic inductive cocktail was explored. Then, the function of miR‐543 during osteogenesis of hPDLSCs was investigated by overexpressing and inhibiting miR‐543. Next, 3 databases were used to predict target genes of miR‐543 and a luciferase report was used to validate the direct regulation of miR‐543 on the target gene. Further, a rescue experiment using co‐transfection of miR‐543 mimic and target mimic was performed to evaluate whether overexpressing the target gene could partly rescue the efficiency of overexpressing miR‐543 on osteogenesis in hPDLSCs.

Results

miR‐543 was upregulated during osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. Functional experiments showed that overexpressing miR‐543 could enhance osteogenesis, while inhibiting miR‐543 resulted in reduced formation of mineralized nodules. The transducer of ERBB2, 2 (TOB2) was identified as a target gene of miR‐543 and luciferase report revealed that miR‐543 interacts directly with the 3′‐untranslated repeat sequence of TOB2 mRNA. Overexpression of miR‐543 inhibited the expression of TOB2 in both mRNA and protein levels while inhibiting miR‐543 increased. Furthermore, the rescue experiment confirmed the promotional role of miR‐543 TOB2 expression could be abrogated by overexpressing TOB2, which also had the effect of reducing osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusion

Our research confirmed that miR‐543 is a promoter of osteogenesis in hPDLSCs, acting by inhibiting its target gene TOB2, which suggests that miR‐543 may be a potential therapy for bone loss in periodontitis.
Advocacy Coalitions, Contestation, and Policy Stasis: The 20 Year Reform Process of the Colombian Health System
Authors: Alvarez‐Rosete Arturo , Hawkins Benjamin
Published: May 2018

This article analyzes the long process of health‐system reform in Colombia, using the advocacy coalition framework. Since its inception in 1993, the basic organizing principles and structures of the Colombian health system have remained highly contested, yet the system brought into effect by Law 100 has proven resilient to decisive reform. This article employs the advocacy coalition framework to explain this ongoing contestation and deadlock. It argues that the highly contested nature of the health system and policy stasis are the result of the power dynamics between three identifiable advocacy coalitions. The analysis of the legislative proposals submitted to the Congress of the Republic of Colombia between 1993 and 2014, reveals how the dominant coalition exploited mechanisms of the lawmaking process to impede Congress from passing successful new legislation. For the advocacy coalition framework, these mechanisms are Relatively Stable Parameters that constitute long‐term constraints and opportunities for subsystem actors. The article shows how Relatively Stable Parameters in the Colombian legislative system shaped the health‐system reform process.
Restoration Doctrine Rebooted: Codifying Continuity in the Estonian Data Embassy Initiative
Authors: Kaljund A. Lorraine
Published: May 2018

In the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, the semantic and legal terms of Estonia's emergence as an independent state were dictated by what scholars have called the “restoration doctrine.” This doctrine held that Estonia was not a newly independent state, but a restored version of the same republic that was founded in 1918. The highly politicized “restorationist geopolitics” that followed had profound effects on Estonian statecraft and policy in the early 1990s. Recently, Estonia announced plans to store backups of key information systems in “data embassies,” or computer servers, outside of Estonian territory; one goal of the initiative is to ensure that in the event Estonia is reoccupied and then later liberated, it will be possible to easily retrieve and restore the state's legitimate “unoccupied” data and information systems. In this article, I draw on participant‐observation and interviews with the team that is building Estonia's data embassies. I argue that this initiative is an attempt to codify and materialize the restoration doctrine in software, code, and policy planning, thereby ensuring that the termination of any future occupation brings not independence but (re‐)independence, and not only liberation but also restoration.
Implementation of the polluter pays principle in China
Authors: Zahar Alexander
Published: May 2018

The polluter pays principle aims to correct market failure and its resulting social injustice by shifting pollution costs from the public at large to polluting enterprises, at the same time reducing the amount of pollution produced. China has taken important steps to implement the principle as a key instrument of its environmental legal regime. However, China's implementation falls short in one key respect: it has not sought to support the development of a necessary parallel system of independent third‐party verification of the monitoring and reporting practices of polluting enterprises. Instead, verification of the reported data is still being carried out by the government itself, through on‐site inspections by teams of government agents. In its eagerness to enforce environmental law in a society where violations by polluters are the norm more than the exception, China's government is contravening the polluter pays principle's implied requirement of ‘independence’ in the verification of pollution data. This article argues that, in the name of fairness and overall good governance, China's legislature should begin to facilitate the development of an industry of environmental verifiers in the country's nongovernmental sector. Such a reform may seem ambitious just now, but as the rule of law strengthens in China, the basis of resistance to independent third‐party verification should fall away.
Modern sedimentation processes in Lake Towuti, Indonesia, revealed by the composition of surface sediments
Authors: Hasberg Ascelina K. M. , Bijaksana Satria , Held Peter , Just Janna , Melles Martin , Morlock Marina A. , Opitz Stephan , Russell James M. , Vogel Hendrik , Wennrich Volker
Published: June 2018

Lake Towuti on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, is located within the heart of the Indo‐Pacific Warm Pool. This tropical lake is surrounded by ultramafic (ophiolitic) rocks and lateritic soils that create a unique ferruginous depositional setting. In order to understand modern sediment deposition in Lake Towuti, a set of 84 lake surface sediment samples was collected from across the entirety of the lake and samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical, mineralogical and biological constituents. End‐member analyses were carried out to elucidate modern sediment origin, transport and depositional processes. This study found that allochthonous sediment, characterized by the concentrations of the elements Mg, Fe, Si and Al, as well as the clay and serpentine minerals, is dominated by fluvial supply from five distinct source areas. Granulometric data and the occurrence of organic matter of a terrestrial origin suggest that, in the southern and north‐eastern parts of the lake the near‐shore sediments may additionally be influenced by mass wasting. This is due at least partly to the particularly steep slopes in these areas. Furthermore, sediment composition suggests that sediment transport into deeper parts of the lake, particularly in the northern basin, is partly controlled by gravitational and density‐driven processes such as turbidity currents. Directional sediment transport by persistent lake currents, in contrast, appears to be less important. Organic matter deposition in the ultra‐oligotrophic lake, albeit limited, is dominated by autochthonous production, but with some contribution of fluvial and gravitational supply. Biogenic silica deposition, primarily from diatom frustules and sponge spicules, is very limited and is concentrated in only a few areas close to the shoreline that are characterized by shallow waters, but away from the areas of high suspension loads at the mouths of the major inlets. The results of this study build upon current and published work on short piston cores from Lake Towuti. Conversely, the results will support the interpretation of the depositional history and past climatic and environmental conditions derived from the composition of much longer records, which were obtained by the Towuti Drilling Project in May 2015 and are currently under investigation.
Evaluation of the SD bioline cholera rapid diagnostic test during the 2016 cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Mwaba John , Ferreras Eva , Chizema‐Kawesa Elizabeth , Mwimbe Daniel , Tafirenyika Francis , Rauzier Jean , Blake Alexandre , Rakesh Ankur , Poncin Marc , Stoitsova Savina , Kwenda Geoffrey , Azman Andrew S. , Chewe Orbrie , Serafini Micaela , Lukwesa‐Musyani Chileshe , Cohuet Sandra , Quilici Marie‐Laure , Luquero Francisco J. , Page Anne‐Laure
Published: May 2018

Objective

To assess the performance of the SD Bioline Cholera Ag O1/O139 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) compared to a reference standard combining culture and PCR for the diagnosis of cholera cases during an outbreak.

Methods

RDT and bacterial culture were performed on site using fresh stools collected from cholera suspected cases, and from stools enriched in alkaline peptone water. Dried stool samples on filter paper were tested for V. cholerae by PCR in Lusaka (as part of a laboratory technology transfer project) and at a reference laboratory in Paris, France. A sample was considered positive for cholera by the reference standard if any of the culture or PCR tests was positive for V. cholerae O1 or O139.

Results

Among the 170 samples tested with SD Bioline and compared to the reference standard, the RDT showed a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI: 81.3–96.6) and specificity of 95.2% (95% CI: 89.1–98.4). After enrichment, the sensitivity was 95.5% (95% CI: 87.3–99.1) and specificity 100% (95% CI: 96.5–100).

Conclusion

The observed sensitivity and specificity were within recommendations set by the Global Task Force for Cholera Control on the use of cholera RDT (sensitivity = 90%; specificity = 85%). Although the sample size was small, our findings suggest that the SD Bioline RDT could be used in the field to rapidly alert public health officials to the likely presence of cholera cases when an outbreak is suspected.
Preliminary investigation of extracellular vesicles in mammary cancer of dogs and cats: Identification and characterization
Authors: Sammarco A. , Finesso G. , Cavicchioli L. , Ferro S. , Caicci F. , Zanetti R. , Sacchetto R. , Zappulli V.
Published: May 2018

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane‐bound vesicles produced by cells, known to play a key role in cell‐to‐cell communication. They exert pleiotropic biological functions via the horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules (DNA, RNAs, proteins, and lipids) within the tumour microenvironment and throughout the body. In human cancer, EVs are known to interfere with pathways that lead to tumour progression and are used as novel cancer biomarkers. In veterinary medicine, very little is known on cancer‐derived EVs. In this study, we preliminarily characterized EVs in mammary gland cancer of dogs and cats. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from canine (CYPp), feline (FMCp) and human (MCF7) mammary tumour cell lines. EVs were visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), counted using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and characterized by immunogold (CD63 and Alix) and western blot (Alix and TSG101). Additionally, EV production by “donor” cells (palmtdTomato+) and uptake by “recipient” cells (GFP+) were assessed. EVs were successfully isolated from all 3 cell lines by ultracentrifugation. Membrane‐bound structures (50‐400 nm) were identified by TEM and were positive for both CD63 and Alix at immunogold. Western blot showed positivity of EVs to Alix and TSG101. NTA analysis detected EVs from cell culture media ranging from 1.67 to 2.56 × 102 as number of EVs/cell and from 80 to 600 nm in size. Confocal microscopy identified the presence of palmtdTomato+ EVs into the cytoplasm of GFP+ cells. This preliminary study identified and characterized canine and feline mammary tumour cell‐derived EVs, opening in veterinary medicine a new interesting unexplored field with several applications and limitless potential.
Ancient genomes from Iceland reveal the making of a human population
Authors: Ebenesersdóttir S. Sunna , Sandoval-Velasco Marcela , Gunnarsdóttir Ellen D. , Jagadeesan Anuradha , Guðmundsdóttir Valdís B. , Thordardóttir Elísabet L. , Einarsdóttir Margrét S. , Moore Kristjan H. S. , Sigurðsson Ásgeir , Magnúsdóttir Droplaug N. , Jónsson Hákon , Snorradóttir Steinunn , Hovig Eivind , Møller Pål , Kockum Ingrid , Olsson Tomas , Alfredsson Lars , Hansen Thomas F. , Werge Thomas , Cavalleri Gianpiero L. , Gilbert Edmund , Lalueza-Fox Carles , Walser Joe W. , Kristjánsdóttir Steinunn , Gopalakrishnan Shyam , Árnadóttir Lilja , Magnússon Ólafur Þ. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Stefánsson Kári , Helgason Agnar
Published: June 2018

Founder effects in modern populations

The genomes of ancient humans can reveal patterns of early human migration (see the Perspective by Achilli
et al.
). Iceland has a genetically distinct population, despite relatively recent settlement (∼1100 years ago). Ebenesersdóttir
et al.
examined the genomes of ancient Icelandic people, dating to near the colonization of Iceland, and compared them with modernday Icelandic populations. The ancient DNA revealed that the founders had Gaelic and Norse origins. Genetic drift since the initial settlement has left modern Icelanders with allele frequencies that are distinctive, although still skewed toward those of their Norse founders. Scheib
et al.
sequenced ancient genomes from the Channel Islands of California, USA, and Ontario, Canada. The ancient Ontario population was similar to other ancient North Americans, as well as to modern Algonquian-speaking Native Americans. In contrast, the California individuals were more like groups that now live in Mexico and South America. It appears that a genetic split and population isolation likely occurred during the Ice Age, but the peoples remixed at a later date.

Science
, this issue p.
1028
, p.
1024
; see also p.
964
Decision-making in a storm of discontent
Authors: van Straalen Nico M. , Legler Juliette
Published: June 2018

Regulation of pesticides such as glyphosate needs to include societal assessment
Ultrafast neuronal imaging of dopamine dynamics with designed genetically encoded sensors
Authors: Patriarchi Tommaso , Cho Jounhong Ryan , Merten Katharina , Howe Mark W. , Marley Aaron , Xiong Wei-Hong , Folk Robert W. , Broussard Gerard Joey , Liang Ruqiang , Jang Min Jee , Zhong Haining , Dombeck Daniel , von Zastrow Mark , Nimmerjahn Axel , Gradinaru Viviana , Williams John T. , Tian Lin
Published: May 2018

Imaging dopamine release in the brain

Neuromodulator release alters the function of target circuits in poorly known ways. An essential step to address this knowledge gap is to measure the dynamics of neuromodulatory signals while simultaneously manipulating the elements of the target circuit during behavior. Patriarchi
et al.
developed fluorescent protein–based dopamine indicators to visualize spatial and temporal release of dopamine directly with high fidelity and resolution. In the cortex, two-photon imaging with these indicators was used to map dopamine activity at cellular resolution.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat4422
Ancient human genomes—keys to understanding our past
Authors: Achilli Alessandro , Olivieri Anna , Semino Ornella , Torroni Antonio
Published: June 2018

Ancient genomes from different times and continents are helping to understand past human migrations
Dunes across the Solar System
Authors: Hayes Alexander G.
Published: June 2018

Despite a very thin atmosphere, dunes may form on Pluto
Model System Identifies Kinetic Driver of Hsp90 Inhibitor Activity against African Trypanosomes and Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Meyer Kirsten J. , Caton Emily , Shapiro Theresa A.
Published: May 2018

Hsp90 inhibitors, well studied in the laboratory and clinic for antitumor indications, have promising activity against protozoan pathogens, including
Trypanosoma brucei
which causes African sleeping sickness, and the malaria parasite,
Plasmodium falciparum
. To progress these experimental drugs toward clinical use, we adapted an
in vitro
dynamic hollow-fiber system and deployed artificial pharmacokinetics to discover the driver of their activity: either concentration or time.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of OXA-519, a Novel OXA-48-Like β-Lactamase
Authors: Dabos Laura , Bogaerts Pierre , Bonnin Remy A. , Zavala Agustin , Sacré Pierre , Iorga Bogdan I. , Huang Daniel T. , Glupczynski Youri , Naas Thierry
Published: May 2018

A multidrug-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniae1210 isolate with reduced carbapenem susceptibility revealed the presence of a novel plasmid-encodedblaOXA-48-likegene, namedblaOXA-519. The 60.7-kb plasmid (pOXA-519) was similar to the IncL-OXA-48 prototypical plasmid except for a ca.
Quantifying the Relative Contributions of Environmental Sources to the Microbial Community in an Urban Stream under Dry and Wet Weather Conditions
Authors: Baral Darshan , Speicher Allison , Dvorak Bruce , Admiraal David , Li Xu
Published: May 2018

Identifying the sources of microbial contamination is important for developing best management practices to protect the water quality of urban streams for recreational uses. This study collected a large number of water samples from an urban stream under both dry and wet weather conditions and provided quantitative information on the relative contributions of various environmental compartments to the overall microbial contamination in the stream under the two weather conditions. The watershed in this study represents urban watersheds where no dominant fecal sources are consistently present. The findings highlight the importance of reducing the direct contribution of microbes from street surfaces in the watershed to urban streams under wet weather conditions. The methods and findings from this study are expected to be useful to stormwater managers and regulatory agencies.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide Renders the Bacterium Vulnerable to Host Defense
Authors: Middleton Dustin R. , Paschall Amy V. , Duke Jeremy A. , Avci Fikri Y.
Published: June 2018

Despite a century of investigation,Streptococcus pneumoniaeremains a major human pathogen, causing a number of diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. Like many encapsulated pathogens, the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) ofS. pneumoniaeis a critical component for colonization and virulence in mammalian hosts.
Early changes in intervention coverage and mortality rates following the implementation of an integrated health system intervention in Madagascar
Authors: Garchitorena Andres , Miller Ann C , Cordier Laura F , Rabeza Victor R , Randriamanambintsoa Marius , Razanadrakato Hery-Tiana R , Hall Lara , Gikic Djordje , Haruna Justin , McCarty Meg , Randrianambinina Andriamihaja , Thomson Dana R , Atwood Sidney , Rich Michael L , Murray Megan B , Ratsirarson Josea , Ouenzar Mohammed Ali , Bonds Matthew H
Published: June 2018

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals framed an unprecedented commitment to achieve global convergence in child and maternal mortality rates through 2030. To meet those targets, essential health services must be scaled via integration with strengthened health systems. This is especially urgent in Madagascar, the country with the lowest level of financing for health in the world. Here, we present an interim evaluation of the first 2 years of a district-level health system strengthening (HSS) initiative in rural Madagascar, using estimates of intervention coverage and mortality rates from a district-wide longitudinal cohort.

Methods

We carried out a district representative household survey at baseline of the HSS intervention in over 1500 households in Ifanadiana district. The first follow-up was after the first 2 years of the initiative. For each survey, we estimated maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) coverage, healthcare inequalities and child mortality rates both in the initial intervention catchment area and in the rest of the district. We evaluated changes between the two areas through difference-in-differences analyses. We estimated annual changes in health centre per capita utilisation from 2013 to 2016.

Results

The intervention was associated with 19.1% and 36.4% decreases in under-five and neonatal mortality, respectively, although these were not statistically significant. The composite coverage index (a summary measure of MNCH coverage) increased by 30.1%, with a notable 63% increase in deliveries in health facilities. Improvements in coverage were substantially larger in the HSS catchment area and led to an overall reduction in healthcare inequalities. Health centre utilisation rates in the catchment tripled for most types of care during the study period.

Conclusion

At the earliest stages of an HSS intervention, the rapid improvements observed for Ifanadiana add to preliminary evidence supporting the untapped and poorly understood potential of integrated HSS interventions on population health.
Initiation, scale-up and outcomes of the Cambodian National MDR-TB programme 2006–2016: hospital and community-based treatment through an NGO–NTP partnership
Authors: Sam Sophan , Shapiro Adrienne E , Sok Thim , Khann Sokhan , So Rassi , Khem Sopheap , Chhun Sokhem , Noun Sarith , Koy Bonamy , Sayouen Prum Chhom , Im Sin Chun , Bunsieth Heng , Mao Tan Eang , Goldfeld Anne E
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Prolonged inpatient multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment for all patients is not sustainable for high-burden settings, but there is limited information on community-based treatment programme outcomes for MDR-TB.

Methods

The Cambodian Health Committee, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), launched the Cambodian MDR-TB programme in 2006 in cooperation with the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) including a community-based treatment option as a key programme component. The programme was transferred to NTP oversight in 2011 with NGO clinical management continuing. Patients electing to receive home-based treatment were followed by a dedicated adherence supporter and a multidisciplinary outpatient team of nurses, physicians and community health workers. Patients hospitalised for >1 month of treatment (hospital based) received similar management after discharge. All patients received a standardised second-line MDR-TB regimen and were provided nutritional and adherence support. Outcomes were reviewed for patients completing 24 months of treatment and predictors of treatment success were evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

Of 582 patients with MDR-TB who initiated treatment between September 2006 and June 2016, 20% were HIV coinfected, 288 (49%) initiated community-based treatment and 294 (51%) received hospital-based treatment. Of 486 patients with outcomes available, 364 (75%) were cured, 10 (2%) completed, 28 (6%) were lost to follow-up, 3 (0.6%) failed and 77 (16%) died. There was no difference between treatment success in community versus hospital-based groups (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.0, p=0.99). HIV infection, older age and body mass index <16 were strongly associated with decreased treatment success (aOR 0.33, p<0.001; aOR 0.40, p<0.001; aOR 0.40; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Cambodia’s NGO–NTP partnership successfully developed and scaled up a model MDR-TB treatment programme. The first large-scale MDR-TB programme in Asia with a significant community-based component, the programme achieved equally high treatment success in patients with community-based compared with hospital-based initiation of MDR treatment.
Diabetes mellitus in cats
Authors: Cannon Martha
Published: May 2018

Diabetes mellitus is commonly diagnosed in cats, but with early recognition and treatment, it is a potentially reversible condition. This article describes the principles of management of diabetes in cats, emphasising the importance of diet and insulin treatment in achieving good glycaemic control. The role of owners in monitoring their cat's blood glucose levels is discussed, as is the management of more complex cases of feline diabetes.
Serum antigliadin antibodies in cerebellar ataxias: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Chi-Ying , Wang Min-Jung , Tse Winona , Pinotti Rachel , Alaedini Armin , Green Peter H R , Kuo Sheng-Han
Published: June 2018

Background

Gluten sensitivity refers to prominent immunological responses to gluten, usually in conjunction with elevated levels of serum antigliadin antibody (AGA). The association between AGA and cerebellar ataxias has been inconsistently reported.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search and a meta-analysis to study the weighted pooled OR of idiopathic cerebellar ataxia (IDCA) cases to controls or to hereditary ataxia (HA) for AGA seropositivity using fixed effect model.

Results

Eleven studies were included, with a total of 847 IDCA cases, 1654 controls and 445 HA cases. IDCA cases had fourfold higher odds than controls (OR 4.28, 95% CI 3.10 to 5.90) and twofold higher odds than HA cases (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.44) of having AGA seropositivity. Sensitivity analysis excluding the most weighted study, which accounted for 69% of the total weight, still showed similar associations (IDCA vs controls, OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.79 to 5.67 and IDCA vs HA, OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.86, respectively). The subgroup analysis showed that, when compared with controls, IDCA cases of both East Asian and Western countries had approximately threefold to fourfold higher odds to have AGA seropositivity (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.67 to 6.97 and OR 4.53, 95% CI 3.16 to 6.49, respectively), suggesting the lack of ethnic heterogeneity. The odds of AGA seropositivity for HA cases was not significantly higher than controls (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.44).

Conclusion

Our study indicates the association between AGA and IDCA, across different geographic regions.
TNF-α and plasma albumin as biomarkers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Idborg Helena , Eketjäll Susanna , Pettersson Susanne , Gustafsson Johanna T , Zickert Agneta , Kvarnström Marika , Oke Vilija , Jakobsson Per-Johan , Gunnarsson Iva , Svenungsson Elisabet
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Composite criteria/indices are presently used to diagnose and monitor patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Biomarkers for these purposes would be helpful in clinical practice. We therefore evaluated a large panel of cytokines and basic laboratory tests and investigated their performance as discriminators versus controls and as biomarkers of disease activity (DA).

Methods

We examined 437 patients with SLE, fulfilling American College of Rheumatology-82 criteria, and 322 matched controls. DA was assessed according to both SLE DA Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and SLE Activity Measure (SLAM). British Isles Lupus Activity Group (BILAG) was used to assess renal DA. Additionally, 132 patients self-assessed their Global Disease Activity (PtGDA). Mesoscale Discovery 30-plex cytokine assay and routine blood chemistry was performed on fasting EDTA-plasma.

Results

Of 26 tested biomarkers, we identified TNF-α as the superior discriminator between patients with SLE and controls (median=4.5 pg/mL, IQR=3.1–6.2 vs median=2.3 pg/mL, IQR=2.0–2.8). The strongest correlations to SLEDAI-2K and SLAM were obtained with TNF-α (Spearman rho (ρ)=0.32 and ρ=0.34, respectively), partly driven by the nephritis subgroup, and with p-albumin (ρ=−0.33 and ρ=−0.31, respectively). P-albumin was decreased and TNF-α was increased in patients with kidney involvement (renal BILAG A/B vs C/D/E, p=4×10–16 and p=6×10–9 respectively). IP-10 was increased in patients with joint involvement (SLAM item 24≥2 vs ≤1, p=0.0005) but did not differ when comparing patients with active/inactive kidney involvement. The most powerful correlations to PtGDA was observed with p-albumin (ρ=−0.42), IL-6 (ρ=0.30) and TNF-α (ρ=0.29).

Conclusion

TNF-α and p-albumin both performed well as discriminators between patients with SLE and controls and as proxies for DA according to both rheumatologists’ and patients’ assessments. In particular, renal DA was well reflected by TNF-α. We propose that the TNF-α and p-albumin merit further investigations as clinically useful biomarkers in SLE. We also observed that the pattern of activated cytokines varies with organ involvement.
I love my children: am I racist? On the wish to be biologically related to one’s children
Authors: Di Nucci Ezio
Published: May 2018

Is the wish to be biologically related to your children legitimate? Here, I respond to an argument in support of a negative answer to this question according to which a preference towards having children one is biologically related to is analogous to a preference towards associating with members of one’s own race. I reject this analogy, mainly on the grounds that only the latter constitutes discrimination; still, I conclude that indeed a preference towards children one is biologically related to is morally illegitimate because, in the context of parental love, biological considerations are normatively irrelevant.
Compliance with the City of Chicago’s partial ban on menthol cigarette sales
Authors: Czaplicki Lauren , Cohen Joanna E , Jones Miranda R , Clegg Smith Katherine , Rutkow Lainie , Owczarzak Jill
Published: May 2018

Introduction

In the USA, menthol cigarettes are associated with smoking initiation and decreased likelihood of cessation, particularly for low-income and non-White populations. Local ordinances to restrict menthol cigarette sales are an emergent policy option. In July 2016, Chicago, Illinois became the first major US city to ban menthol cigarette sales within 500 feet of schools. This study assessed ban compliance in June 2017.

Methods

We randomly selected 100 of 154 stores within 500 feet of a high school. Ninety stores were included in the analysis, excluding permanently closed stores or stores that did not sell tobacco prior to the ban. Compliance was determined by whether a menthol cigarette pack was purchased. We also assessed presence of menthol cigarette replacement packs. Multivariable logistic regression modelled compliance by store type, school (distance to high school, school type) and neighbourhood-level factors (poverty level, proportion of non-White residents).

Results

Compliance rate was 57% (weighted, n=53) and no replacement packs were observed. Non-compliant stores were more likely to advertise menthol cigarettes, but ads were present in eight compliant stores. Gas stations had 81% lower odds (OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.58) of complying with the menthol cigarette ban compared with larger/chain stores. School-level and neighbourhood factors were not associated with compliance.

Discussion

The poor compliance observed with Chicago’s partial menthol cigarette ban highlights the need for comprehensive efforts. Optimising local resources to target enforcement efforts in gas stations could improve compliance. Ordinances that also restrict advertising could potentially enhance ban impact by reducing exposure to product and promotions.
Genomic data reveals large similarities among Canadian and French maternal pig lines
Authors: Boré Raphael , Brito Luiz F. , Jafarikia Mohsen , Bouquet Alban , Maignel Laurence , Sullivan Brian , Schenkel Flávio S.
Published: May 2018

Combining reference populations from different countries and breeds could be an affordable way to enlarge the size of the reference populations for genomic prediction of breeding values. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to assess the genetic diversity within and between two Canadian and French pig breeds (Landrace and Yorkshire) and the genomic relatedness among populations to evaluate the feasibility of an across-country reference population for pig genomic selection. A total of 14 756 pigs were genotyped on two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip panels (∼65K SNPs). A principal component analysis clearly discriminated Landrace and Yorkshire breeds, and also, but to a lesser extent, the Canadian and French purebred pigs of each breed. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between adjacent SNPs was similar within Yorkshire populations. However, levels of LD were slightly different for Landrace populations. The consistency of gametic phase was very high between Yorkshire populations (0.96 at 0.05 Mb) and high for Landrace (0.88 at 0.05 Mb). Based on consistency of gametic phase, Canadian and French pig maternal lines are genetically close to each other. These results are promising, as they indicate that the accuracy of estimated genomic breeding values may increase by combining reference populations from the two countries.
The independence of the centrality for community detection
Authors: Lei Jin , Juan Wang Xiao , Yong Zhang
Published: June 2018

Community detection is significative in the complex network. This paper focuses on community detection based on clustering algorithms. We tend to find out the central nodes of the communities by centrality algorithms. Firstly, we define the distance between nodes using similarity. Then, a new centrality measuring the local density of nodes is put forward. Combining the independence of the centrality, the nodes in the network can be divided into four classes. Leveraging the product of centrality and independence, the central nodes in the network are easily identified. We also find that we can distinguish bridge nodes from central nodes using centrality and independence. This research designs a community detection algorithm combining centrality and independence. Simulation results reveal that our centrality is more effective than existing centralities in measuring local density and identifying community centers. Compared with other community detection algorithms, results prove the effectiveness of our algorithm. This paper just shows one application of independence of the centrality. There may be more useful applications of it.
Duality transformation and conformal equivalent scalar–tensor theories
Authors: Gionti Gabriele , Paliathanasis Andronikos
Published: May 2018

We deal with the duality symmetry of the dilaton field in cosmology and specifically with the so-called Gasperini–Veneziano duality transformation. In particular, we determine two conformal equivalent theories to the dilaton field, and we show that under conformal transformations Gasperini–Veneziano duality symmetry does not survive. Moreover, we show that those theories share a common conservation law, of Noetherian kind, while the symmetry vector which generates the conservation law is an isometry only for the dilaton field. Finally, we show that the Lagrangian of the dilaton field is equivalent with the two-dimensional “hyperbolic oscillator” in a Lorentzian space whose O(d, d) invariance is transformed into the Gasperini–Veneziano duality invariance in the original coordinates.
The production of π±, K±, p and p̄ in p–Pb collisions at sNN = 5.02 TeV
Authors: Tabassam U. , Ali Y. , Suleymanov M. , Bhatti A. S. , Ajaz M.
Published: June 2018

In this study, we are reporting comprehensive results on [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] production in the transverse momentum range of [Formula: see text] 4 GeV/c at midrapidity of [Formula: see text] 0.5 GeV/c, in p–Pb collisions at [Formula: see text] = 5.02 TeV. HIJING 1.0 and UrQMD 3.4 event generators are used to perform simulations and the results are compared with the ALICE and RHIC data. It is observed from the comparison that the yields for the baryons are more complex compared to the mesons and the complexity in baryons is due to the striping dynamics (spectators, leading particles of projectiles) of inner nucleus protons and neutrons. Though all the mesons could be produced during the interaction, they have maximum longitudinal momentum [Formula: see text]; baryons and mesons could be produced as a result of decay of massive baryon-resonances. Yields for the [Formula: see text] mesons are greater than the yield for the [Formula: see text] mesons. These are the well-known results from the RHIC data, which stated that the Cronin Effect is mainly due to [Formula: see text] mesons that can be produced as a result of multi-particle inner nucleus cascade. There exists the regions where yields for the [Formula: see text] mesons and baryons are same that may be due to the appearance of parton nature. The code used in simulation includes the parton dynamics earlier than it is included in the experiment.
Pocket formula for nuclear deformations of actinides
Authors: Manjunatha H. C. , Sridhar K. N.
Published: June 2018

We have formulated a pocket formula for quadrupole [Formula: see text], octupole [Formula: see text], hexadecapole [Formula: see text] and hexacontatetrapole [Formula: see text] deformation of the nuclear ground state of all isotopes of actinide nuclei (89 [Formula: see text] Z [Formula: see text] 103). This formula is first of its kind and produces a nuclear deformation of all isotopes actinide nuclei 89 [Formula: see text] Z [Formula: see text] 103 with simple inputs of Z and A. Hence, this formula is useful in the fields of nuclear physics to study the structure and interaction of nuclei.
Observing the contour profile of a Kerr–Sen black hole
Authors: Lan X. G. , Pu J.
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the shadow and the corresponding naked singularity cast by a Kerr–Sen black hole are studied. It is found that the shadow of a rotating black hole would be a dark zone surrounded by a deformed circle, and the shadow is distorted more away from a circle when the black hole approaches the extremal case. Besides, it is shown that the mean radius of the shadow decreases and distortion parameter increases with the increasing of charge, respectively. However, the mean radius and the distortion parameter vary complicatedly with the change of spin parameter. In the beginning, both observables decrease rapidly with the increasing of specific angular momentum, nevertheless, they increase slightly in the latter part. These results show that there would be a significant effect of the spin on the shadows, which would be of great importance for probing the nature of the black hole.
Taiwan EXperiment On NeutrinO — History and Prospects
Authors: Wong Henry Tsz-King
Published: May 2018

We present a retrospective on the foundation, evolution, contributions and future prospects of the TEXONO Collaboration and its research programs on neutrino physics and dark matter searches at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory in Taiwan and, as a founding partner of the CDEX program, at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory in China. a

a This retrospective paper is an expansion and update of one that appeared in “The Universe” newsletter of the Asia Pacific Organization for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics (APCosPA Org).1
Dopant occupancy and Judd–Ofelt analysis of spectroscopic property of Sc:Yb:Nd:LiNbO3 crystal
Authors: Wang Luping , Dai Li , Tan Chao , Han Xianbo , Shao Yu , Xu Yuheng
Published: June 2018

A series of Sc:Yb:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.946, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) were grown by Czochralski method. The structure of Sc:Yb:Nd:LiNbO3 crystal was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). With the increase of [Li]/[Nb] ratio, the intensity of the UV-Vis-NIR absorption peak increases. J–O intensity parameters of Sc:Yb:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals were calculated using J–O theory. The spectral quality factor X (X = 1.77) of ScYbNd[Formula: see text] is higher than other samples in this paper and other Nd-doped crystals reported, which is of great significance for laser materials.
Parabolic–elliptic chemotaxis model with space–time-dependent logistic sources on ℝN. I. Persistence and asymptotic spreading
Authors: Salako Rachidi B. , Shen Wenxian
Published: June 2018

The current series of three papers is concerned with the asymptotic dynamics in the following parabolic–elliptic chemotaxis system with space- and time-dependent logistic source: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a positive integer, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive constants, and the functions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive and bounded. In the first of the series, we investigate the persistence and asymptotic spreading in [Formula: see text]. To this end, under some explicit condition on the parameters, we first show that [Formula: see text] has a unique nonnegative time global classical solution [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text] and every nonnegative bounded and uniformly continuous initial function [Formula: see text]. Next we show the pointwise persistence phenomena of the solutions in the sense that, for any solution [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with strictly positive initial function [Formula: see text], there are [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and show the uniform persistence phenomena of solutions in the sense that there are [Formula: see text] such that for any strictly positive initial function [Formula: see text], there is [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] We then discuss the spreading properties of solutions to [Formula: see text] with compactly supported initial function and prove that there are positive constants [Formula: see text] such that for every [Formula: see text] and every nonnegative initial function [Formula: see text] with nonempty compact support, we have that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] We also discuss the spreading properties of solutions to [Formula: see text] with front-like initial functions. In the second and third of the series, we will study the existence, uniqueness, and stability of strictly positive entire solutions of [Formula: see text] and the existence of transition fronts of [Formula: see text], respectively.
A characterization of alternating link exteriors in terms of cubed complexes
Authors: Sakai Shunsuke
Published: May 2018

We give a characterization of alternating link exteriors in terms of cubed complexes. To this end, we introduce the concept of a “signed BW cubed-complex”, and give a characterization for a signed BW cubed-complex to have the underlying space which is homeomorphic to an alternating link exterior.
The areas of the trajectory surface under the Galilean motions in the Galilean space
Authors: Akbiyik Mücahi̇t , Yüce Sali̇m
Published: June 2018

In the literature, Holditch theorem was obtained under periodic rotation and translation motions in [H. Holditch, Geometrical theorem, Q. J. Pure Appl. Math. 2 (1858) 38] or periodic shear and translation motions in [O. Röschel, Der satz von Holditch in der isotropen ebene. Abh. Braunschweig. Wiss. Ges. 36 (1984) 27–32]. In this paper, by introducing the projection of a vector onto a plane, scalar area, area vector of a surface, we investigate Holditch theorem under periodic rotation, translation and shear motions. We give two interpretations for the Holditch type theorem in Galilean space.
A study of the effect of axial ligand steric hindrance
Authors: Hu Chuanjiang , Oliver Allen G. , Turowska-Tyrk Ilona , Scheidt W. Robert
Published: June 2018

The molecular structures of three porphyrinate derivatives have been determined by X-ray studies. Two derivatives, [Fe(TTP)(1-MeIm)[Formula: see text]] · 2C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text] and [Fe(T-[Formula: see text]-OCH[Formula: see text]PP)(BzHIm)[Formula: see text]] are iron(II) derivatives, whereas the third, [Fe(TMP)(BzHIm)[Formula: see text]]ClO[Formula: see text] · 2CHCl[Formula: see text], is an iron(III) species. The structure determinations provide evidence of the importance of steric effects, either from the axial ligand or the porphyrin ligand, in defining the overall stereochemistry.