bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Characterization of a Missense Variant of MLH1 Identified in Lynch Syndrome Pedigree
Authors: Zaib Tahir , Zhang Chunhui , Saleem Komal , Xu Lidan , Qin Qian , Wang Yusi , Ji Wei , Khan Hanif , Yu Hanfei , Zhu Siqi , Gao Wei , Huang Yun , Jia Xueyuan , Wu Jie , Song Hongtao , Zhang Yanqiao , Sun Wenjing , Fu Songbin
Published: January 2020

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRCs) inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner. Here, we reported a multigeneration Chinese family clinically diagnosed with LS according to the Amsterdam II criteria. To identify the underlying causative gene for LS in this family, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed. A germline missense variant (c.2054C>T:p.S685F) in exon 18 of MLH1 was successfully identified by WES. Sanger sequencing verified the results of WES and also confirmed the cosegregation of the MLH1 missense variant in all affected members of the family including two unaffected family members. Bioinformatic tools predicted the identified MLH1 variant as deleterious. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed loss of MLH1 and PMS2 protein expression. In vitro expression analysis also revealed that the identified MLH1 missense variant (c.2054C>T:p.S685F) results in reduced expression of both MLH1 and PMS2 proteins. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the missense mutation c.2054C>T in MLH1 was classified as a “pathogenic” variant. Two unaffected family members were later recommended for colonoscopy and other important cancer diagnostic inspections every 1-2 years as both were at higher risk of LS. In conclusion, our findings widen the genotypic spectrum of MLH1 mutations responsible for LS. This study increases the phenotypic spectrum of LS which will certainly help the clinicians in diagnosing LS in multigeneration families. This study also puts emphasis on the importance of genetic counselling for the benefit of asymptomatic carriers of MMR gene variants who are at higher risk of LS.
Nodular Scleritis Revealing Metastasis of Breast Cancer: Diagnosis Not to Be Neglected
Authors: Sarah Belghmaidi , Ahmed Ghazza , Saloua Boutgayout , Ibtissam Hajji , Abdeljalil Moutaouakil , Maria Dref , Anass Fakhri , Hanane Raiss
Published: January 2020

We report the case of ocular metastasis in a 48-year-old woman presenting left eye redness and pain. The patient was followed in another health institution for nodular scleritis and received systemic corticosteroids with moderate improvement. Medical history revealed that she was diagnosed three years ago with invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast treated by tumorectomy with ganglion dissection. An ophthalmological examination found a hard scleral nodule with vascular architectural disorganization. A biopsy was performed, and the histopathological study revealed the presence of secondary tumor proliferation of poorly differentiated carcinoma of mammary cancer. This case report shows the fact that any unusual ocular presentation, even one simulating anterior scleritis, in a patient with a history of breast cancer should raise suspicion of metastasis.
Cystic Lymphangioma of the Greater Omentum: A Case of Partial Spontaneous Regression and Review of the Literature
Authors: Maranna Haraesh , Bains Lovenish , Lal Pawan , Bhatia Rahul , Beg Mohd Yasir , Kumar Pritesh , Mallya Varuna
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Omental cysts are a part of cystic lymphangiomas and are benign proliferations of ectopic lymphatics without a communication with the normal lymphatic system. They commonly involve the neck in the pediatric population and are uncommon at other sites and occur rarely in adults. Case Presentation. A 42-year-old female with complaints of vague lower abdominal pain for 8 months presented with a soft, nontender swelling of size 22×18 cm in the hypogastrium and umbilical region. Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a peripherally enhancing hypodense cystic lesion of size 19×14×12 cm perhaps arising from the mesentery. The cyst had spontaneously reduced in size by about 70% over the next 4 months. During surgery, the cyst of size 10×9×8 cm was present in the greater omentum. Excision was done, and histopathology was suggestive of cystic lymphangioma. Discussion. Cystic lymphangiomas have an incidence of 1/20000 at infancy and 1/100000 to 1/250000 of hospital admissions in adults, and the female-to-male ratio is 2 : 1. In adults, they are found in the age group between 40 and 70 years. Spontaneous regression of omental cysts is very rare and presumably from increased pressure in cysts overcoming incomplete obstructions or by establishment of alternative routes of drainage. Conclusion. As the disease is essentially benign and if there are no significant pressure symptoms, the cysts of short duration can be watched further for regression. Long-standing, symptomatic cysts, nonregression, and diagnostic uncertainty will warrant surgery to confirm the diagnosis and relieve the symptoms.
Dynamic Modeling, Response, and Chaos Analysis of 2-DOF Hybrid Mechanism with Revolute Clearances
Authors: Chen Xiulong , Tang Yuefei
Published: January 2020

Due to the errors arising from machining or assembly, the deformation during movement, and the wear of movement pairs, the clearance will be generated at the kinematic pair of the mechanism, and the service life or working accuracy of the mechanism is reduced. At present, most of the researches are in a simple mechanism with a single clearance, and there are few papers on the complex mechanism, such as the high-speed mechanism which contains multiple clearances. In order to give a computational methodology for the dynamic modeling and analysis of the planar multilink mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom and multiple clearances and master the dynamic characteristics of the planar multilink mechanism, the nonlinear dynamic models of the multiclearance hybrid seven-bar mechanism under different clearance numbers, different clearance values, different clearance positions, and different driving velocities are established and analyzed. The dynamic output response comparison diagram of the mechanism and the collision force diagrams and center trajectory diagrams of the mechanism at the clearance are given. Then, nonlinear dynamics of the mechanism is studied by different clearance values and driving speeds. The corresponding trajectory phase diagrams, Poincare maps, and bifurcation diagrams are given. The above research results provide an effective theoretical basis for the study about the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the planar link mechanism with clearance and how to compensate or control the clearances.
Correlation between Findings in Physical Examination, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Nerve Conduction Studies in Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Caused by Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation
Authors: Yousif Safa , Musa Afraa , Ahmed Ammar , Abdelhai Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Purpose. The aim of this study was to find out the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nerve conduction studies’ (NCS) findings in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. In addition, the study aimed at finding the correlation between the clinical manifestations of lumbosacral radiculopathy and both MRI and NCS. Patients and Methods. The study was a cross-sectional analytic study which included thirty patients with a history suggestive of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who had an MRI confirmed L4/5 and/or L5/S1 intervertebral disc prolapse in addition to one or more of the following (dermatomal distribution of symptoms appropriate with MRI level, presence of motor weakness, sensory impairment, absent ankle jerk, or positive straight leg raising test). All patients underwent clinical assessment and NCS, and their MRI examination was reviewed. The Chi-Squared/Fisher’s exact test was used to test the correlation. Results. There was a statistically significant correlation between abnormal physical findings and nerve root compression in MRI. Statistically significant correlation was neither found between abnormal physical examination findings and abnormal NCS nor between nerve root compression in MRI and abnormal NCS findings. Conclusion. Abnormal neurological examination findings can be used to predict nerve root compression in MRI examination. On the contrary, positive findings of physical examination do not predict abnormal NCS, as well as negative findings do not exclude abnormal NCS; therefore, it is useful to add NCS when MRI findings do not match clinical examination findings or when no neuroimaging abnormalities can be identified.
Gender Differences in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Greuter Thomas , Manser Christine , Pittet Valerie , Vavricka Stephan R. , Biedermann Luc ,   on behalf of Swiss IBDnet, an official working group of the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology
Published: January 2020

Immune-mediated diseases typically show a female preponderance. Looking at all autoimmune diseases combined, 8 of 10 patients are females. Although not as prominent, gender differences in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported for epidemiology, disease presentation, disease course and complications, medical and surgical therapies, adherence, psychosocial functioning, and psychiatric co-disorders. While for some factors evidence is rather good, for others data are conflicting. Gastroenterologists dealing with IBD patients in daily clinical practice should be aware of gender-specific issues for the following reasons: (1) misperception of disease presentation potentially delays IBD diagnosis, which has been shown to have deleterious effects, and (2) awareness of gender-specific symptoms and disease severity allows initiation of early and adequately tailored treatment. This might prevent development of complications. And (3) insights into gender-specific differences in terms of treatment and adherence to treatment can improve disease management and foster a more individualized treatment approach. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about gender-specific differences in IBD and highlight the most clinically relevant aspects.
Longitudinal Associations of Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-to-Hip Ratio with Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Older Adults: Results of a Large Cohort Study
Authors: Anusruti Ankita , Jansen Eugène H.J.M. , Gào Xīn , Xuan Yang , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben
Published: January 2020

Background: In the literature, obesity is discussed as a determinant of high oxidative stress (OS). Hence, prevention or reduction of obesity could prevent high OS and subsequently serve as a target for “healthy aging.” Methods: Diacron’s reactive oxygen metabolites test (D-ROM) and total thiol levels (TTL), a marker of antioxidant defense capacity, were measured in 1,734 participants of a population-based cohort study of older adults (age range: 57–83 years) at 2 time points 3 years apart. The longitudinal associations of body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference with D-ROM and TTL were assessed with multivariable adjusted generalized linear models. Dose-response analyses were conducted with restricted cubic splines. Results: D-ROM was not significantly associated with any of the weight measures. On the contrary, TTL showed statistically significant, inverse linear associations with all weight measures. Conclusion: A healthy body weight seems to be highly relevant for the antioxidative defense capacity of human beings. In contrast, D-ROM levels were independent of the study participant’s weight. Clinical trials are needed to corroborate if loss of weight by obese individuals can effectively increase TTL and subsequently also life expectancy.
Association between Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Intravenous Misuse of Opioid and Benzodiazepine in Patients under Opioid Maintenance Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study
Authors: Lugoboni Fabio , Zamboni Lorenzo , Mantovani Elisa , Cibin Mauro , Tamburin Stefano ,   Gruppo InterSERT di Collaborazione Scientifica
Published: January 2020

Background: Intravenous misuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common in patients under opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), who often misuse benzodiazepine (BZD). Objectives: To explore the rate of adult ADHD among patients under OMT in Italy and whether screening positive for adult ADHD is associated with OMT and BZD misuse and emergency room (ER) admission because of misuse. Methods: We recruited 1,649 patients from 27 addiction units (AUs) in Italy and collected data on the self-reported rate of OMT intravenous misuse (prevalence, repeated misuse, main reason, temporal pattern in relation to AU access, experience), concurrent intravenous and intranasal BZD misuse (prevalence, type of misused BZD), ADHD and ER admissions because of misuse complications. Results: Screening positive for adult ADHD was found in 11.2% patients (ADHD+), with a significant gender difference (women: 15.3%, men: 10.3%). OMT misuse was reported by 24.4 and 18.5% patients during lifetime and in the previous 6 months respectively. BZD misuse was reported by 20.0 and 8.6% patients for intravenous and intranasal route respectively. Misuse was significantly more common in ADHD+ (OMT 27.4–33.1%, BZD 14.5–31.5%) than ADHD– group (OMT 17.4–23.3%, BZD 7.9–18.3%). The multivariate logistic regression model showed positive screening for ADHD to be significantly associated with intravenous OMT misuse in the previous 6 months, and intravenous/intranasal BZD misuse, independently of age, gender and route of previous heroin administration. Conclusions: Screening positive for adult ADHD was associated with OMT and BZD misuse. AU physicians and medical personnel should focus on OMT patient’s features that are associated with a higher likelihood of misuse, in particular ADHD.
Long-Term Outcome of Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Associated with Weak Zonules: A Case Report
Authors: Vanags Juris , Laganovska Guna
Published: January 2020

A cataract surgery in both eyes was scheduled for an 81-year-old female patient. However, ophthalmic examination revealed marked iridodonesis, phacodonesis and pseudoexfoliative material on the surface of the lens in both eyes indicating weak zonules caused by pseudoexfoliation syndrome, which was more pronounced in the left eye. Cataract surgery was performed initially in the left eye by phacoemulsification. Additionally, iris hooks and capsular tension ring (CTR) were used to stabilize the capsular bag, and the haptic of the intraocular lens (IOL) was sutured to the iris at the end of the surgery. The same procedure except haptic suturing was performed in the right eye after 6 months. The left eye remained stable, whereas the right eye developed considerable anterior capsular contraction 2 months postoperatively. Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy was performed to treat the condition. Moreover, 3 years after the initial surgery, late IOL-CTR-capsular-bag complex dislocation developed in the right eye, and reposition surgery was performed. Three days after IOL-CTR-capsular-bag complex reposition surgery, endophthalmitis developed; the eye responded well to 1 mg intravitreal vancomycin treatment. IOL in the right eye remained stable 3 years postoperatively.
Social media for collaborative learning
Authors: Rahman Nur Shamsiah Abdul , Handayani Lina , Othman Mohd Shahizan , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed , Kasim Shahreen , Sutikno Tole
Published: January 2020

Research on the field of using social media has gained more importance in the recent days due to the rapid development of social media technologies. Looking at the behavioral intention and attitude of using social media for collaborative learning within Malaysian higher educational institutions and the influencing factors in this regard has received little attention by researchers. The study aims at examining the determinants that affect learners’ attitude and behavior intention regarding their use social media to achieve collaborative learning. Such examination is carried out by using the Theory Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology (UTAUT). A total of 243 participants were recruited for this study. The findings indicated that students’ attitudes and behavior are strong indicators of their intentions in terms of using social media in collaborative learning.
Fast photovoltaic IncCond-MPPT and backstepping control, using DC-DC boost converter
Authors: Moutchou Mohamed , Jbari Atman
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present our contribution in photovoltaic energy optimization subject. In this research work, the goal is to determinate fastly the optimal PV Module working point, allowing maximum power extraction. In this work we use DC-DC Boost converter to control the working point, by adjusting PV voltage trough duty cycle. In order to achieve our goal, we use the combination of incremental conductance MPPT technique and DC-DC Boost converter backstepping control. The validation of this control is made by Matlab simulation; the obtained results prove its effectiveness and its good maximum power tracking dynamics for different irradiance and temperature profiles.
A hybrid non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm for a multi-objective demand-side management problem in a smart building
Authors: Garroussi Zineb , Ellaia Rachid , Talbi El-Ghazali , Lucas Jean-Yves
Published: January 2020

One of the most significant challenges facing optimization models for the demand-side management (DSM) is obtaining feasible solutions in a shorter time. In this paper, the DSM is formulated in a smart building as a linear constrained multi-objective optimization model to schedule both electrical and thermal loads over one day. Two objectives are considered, energy cost and discomfort caused by allowing flexibility of loads within an acceptable comfort range. To solve this problem, an integrative matheuristic is proposed by combining a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm as a master level with an exact solver as a slave level. To cope with the non-triviality of feasible solutions representation and NP-hardness of our optimization model, in this approach discrete decision variables are encoded as partial chromosomes and the continuous decision variables are determined optimally by an exact solver. This matheuristic is relevant for dealing with the constraints of our optimization model. To validate the performance of our approach, a number of simulations are performed and compared with the goal programming under various scenarios of cold and hot weather conditions. It turns out that our approach outperforms the goal programming with respect to some comparison metrics including the hypervolume difference, epsilon indicator, number of the Pareto solutions found, and computational time metrics.
Microarray spot partitioning by autonoumsly organising maps thorugh contour model
Authors: S. A. Karthik , S. S. Manjunath
Published: January 2020

In cDNA microarray image analysis, classification of pixels as forefront area and the area covered by background is very challenging. In microarray experimentation, identifying forefront area of desired spots is nothing but computation of forefront pixels concentration, area covered by spot and shape of the spots. In this piece of writing, an innovative way for spot partitioning of microarray images using autonomously organizing maps (AOM) method through C-V model has been proposed. Concept of neural networks has been incorpated to train and to test microarray spots.In a trained AOM the comprehensive information arising from the prototypes of created neurons are clearly integrated to decide whether to get smaller or get bigger of contour. During the process of optimization, this is done in an iterative manner. Next using C-V model, inside curve area of trained spot is compared with test spot finally curve fitting is done.The presented model can handle spots with variations in terms of shape and quality of the spots and meanwhile it is robust to the noise. From the review of experimental work, presented approach is accurate over the approaches like C-means by fuzzy, Morphology sectionalization.
Design and implementation a prototype system for fusion image by using SWT-PCA algorithm with FPGA technique
Authors: Jasim Fadhil Muthna , Ali Fayadh Rashid , K. Wali Mousa
Published: January 2020

The technology of fusion image is dominance strongly over domain research for recent years, the techniques of fusion have various applications in real time used and proposed such as purpose of military and remote sensing etc.,the fusion image is very efficient in processing of digital image. Single image produced from two images or more information of relevant combining process results from multi sensor fusion image. FPGA is the best implementation types of most technology enabling wide spread.This device works with modern versions for different critical characteristics same huge number of elements logic in order to permit complex algorithm implemented. In this paper,filters are designed and implemented in FPGA utilized for disease specified detection from images CT/MRI scanned where the samples are taken for human's brain with various medical images and the processing of fusion employed by using technique Stationary Wavelet Transform and Principal Component Analysis (SWT-PCA). Accuracy image output increases when implemented this technique and that was done by sampling down eliminating where effects blurring and artifacts doesn't influenced. The algorithm of SWT-PCA parameters quality measurements like NCC,MSE ,PSNR, coefficients and Eigen values.The advantages significant of this system that provide real time, time rapid to market and portability beside the change parametric continuing in the DWT transform. The designed and simulation of module proposed system has been done by using MATLAB simulink and blocks generator system, Xilinx synthesized with synthesis tool (XST) and implemented in XilinxSpartan 6-SP605 device.
PSO-backstepping controller of a grid connected DFIG based wind turbine
Authors: Hassan Salmi , Abdelmajid Badri , Mourad Zegrari , Aicha Sahel , Abdenaceur Baghdad
Published: January 2020

The paper demonstrates the feasibility of an optimal backstepping controller for doubly fed induction generator based wind turbine (DFIG). The main purpose is the extract of maximum energy and the control of active and reactive power exchanged between the generator and electrical grid in presence of uncertainty. The maximum energy is obtained by applying an algorithm based on artificial bee colony approach. Particle swarm optimization is used to select optimal value of backstepping’s parameters. The simulation is carried out on 2.4 MW DFIG based wind turbine system. The optimized performance of the proposed control technique under uncertainty parameters is established by simulation results.
Minimize MIMO OFDM interference and noise ratio using polynomial-time algorithm
Authors: Husein Muhamed K.
Published: January 2020

In the distributed transmit antenna MIMO OFDM system, each transmitting antenna has different frequency offset between each transmitting antenna and receiver due to the use of independent crystal oscillator. This paper proposes Polynomial-time algorithm for correcting the frequency offset in a received signal by maximizing the conditional average signal. The algorithm focus on reducing to interference and noise ratio of each subcarrier on the receiving antenna by frequency offset. The simulation result shows the performance of the proposed algorithm is slightly improved compared with the existing frequency offset correction algorithm, and the complexity is reduced by 50% or more.
Low complexity DCO-FBMC visible light communication system
Authors: Qasim Abdullah A. , Abdullah M. F. L. , Talib Rahmat Bin , Nemah Mohammed N. , Hammoodi Ahmed T.
Published: January 2020

Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC) is a new waveform candidate in the visible light communication system (VLC). FBMC is a distinctive kind of multi-carrier modulation that can be regarded as an alternative to orthogonal frequency Division Multicarrier (OFDM) with CP (cyclic prefix). DCO-FBMC (DC-bias optical FBMC) has recently been used in VLC, because it overcomes all defects in the optical-OFDM system and has high spectral efficiency. but at the same time the traditional DCO-FBMC suffers from high complexity due to the use of Hermitian Symmetry for real signal, by using 2N-point subcarrier IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transformer) in the modulator, and the output is N-point subcarrier FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) in the demodulator. In this paper, for the first time, the possibility of minimizing complexity and generating a real signal without the use of Hermitian Symmetry or any other technique has been verified. The proposed technology provides 50% of the size of the IFFT / FFT and this results in a significant reduction in power consumption and occupied chip area.
Proactive cloud service assurance framework for fault remediation in cloud environment
Authors: Shetty Jyoti , Babu B. Sathish , G. Shobha
Published: January 2020

Cloud resiliency is an important issue in successful implementation of cloud computing systems. Handling cloud faults proactively, with a suitable remediation technique having minimum cost is an important requirement for a fault management system. The selection of best applicable remediation technique is a decision making problem and considers parameters such as i) Impact of remediation technique ii) Overhead of remediation technique ii) Severity of fault and iv) Priority of the application. This manuscript proposes an analytical model to measure the effectiveness of a remediation technique for various categories of faults, further it demonstrates the implementation of an efficient fault remediation system using a rule-based expert system. The expert system is designed to compute an utility value for each remediation technique in a novel way and select the best remediation technique from its knowledgebase. A prototype is developed for experimentation purpose and the results shows improved availability with less overhead as compared to a reactive fault management system.
Life-Course Cumulative Burden of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure on Progression of Left Ventricular Mass and Geometry in Midlife
Authors: Yan Yinkun , Li Shengxu , Guo Yajun , Fernandez Camilo , Bazzano Lydia , He Jiang , Mi Jie , Chen Wei ,   the International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohort Consortium Investigators
Published: January 2020

Rationale:

Data are limited regarding the influence of life-course cumulative burden of increased body mass index (BMI) and elevated blood pressure (BP) on the progression of left ventricular (LV) geometric remodeling in midlife.

Objective:

To investigate the dynamic changes in LV mass and LV geometry over 6.4 years during midlife and to examine whether the adverse progression of LV geometric remodeling is influenced by the cumulative burden of BMI and BP from childhood to adulthood.

Methods and Results:

The study consisted of 877 adults (604 whites and 273 blacks; 355 males; mean age=41.4 years at follow-up) who had 5 to 15 examinations of BMI and BP from childhood and 2 examinations of LV dimensions at baseline and follow-up 6.4 years apart during adulthood. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated as a measure of long-term burden (total AUC) and trends (incremental AUC) of BMI and systolic BP (SBP). After adjusting for age, race, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, and baseline LV mass index, the annual increase rate of LV mass index was associated with all BMI measures (β=0.16–0.36,
P
<0.05 for all), adult SBP (β=0.07,
P
=0.04), and total AUC of SBP (β=0.09,
P
=0.01) but not with childhood and incremental AUC values of SBP. All BMI and SBP measures (except childhood SBP) were significantly associated with increased risk of incident LV hypertrophy, with odds ratios of BMI (odds ratio=1.85–2.74,
P
<0.05 for all) being significantly greater than those of SBP (odds ratio=1.09–1.34,
P
<0.05 for all except childhood SBP). In addition, all BMI measures were significantly and positively associated with incident eccentric and concentric LV hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

Life-course cumulative burden of BMI and BP is associated with the development of LV hypertrophy in midlife, with BMI showing stronger associations than BP.

Visual Overview:

An online visual overview is available for this article.
Novel Chronic Mouse Model of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Cardoso Cécile , Arnould Minh , De Luca Coralie , Otten Cécile , Abdelilah-Seyfried Salim , Heredia Alonso , Leutenegger Anne-Louise , Schwaninger Markus , Tournier-Lasserve Elisabeth , Boulday Gwénola
Published: January 2020

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations of the brain that lead to cerebral hemorrhages. A pharmacological treatment is needed especially for patients with nonoperable deep-seated lesions. We and others obtained CCM mouse models that were useful for mechanistic studies and rapid trials testing the preventive effects of candidate drugs. The shortened lifespan of acute mouse models hampered evaluation of compounds that would not only prevent lesion appearance but also cure preexisting lesions. Indirubin-3′-monoxime previously demonstrated its efficacy to reverse the cardiac phenotype of
ccm2

m201

zebrafish mutants and to prevent lesion development in an acute CCM2 mouse model. In the present article, we developed and characterized a novel chronic CCM2 mouse model and evaluated the curative therapeutic effect of indirubin-3′-monoxime after CCM lesion development.

Methods—

The chronic mouse model was obtained by a postnatal induction of brain-endothelial-cell-specific ablation of the
Ccm2
gene using the inducible
Slco1c1
-CreER
T2
mouse line.

Results—

We obtained a fully penetrant novel CCM chronic mouse model without any obvious off-target phenotypes and compatible with long-term survival. By 3 months of age, CCM lesions ranging in size from small isolated lesions to multiple caverns developed throughout the brain. Lesion burden was quantified in animals from 1 week to 5 months of age. Clear signs of intracerebral hemorrhages were noticed in brain-endothelial-cell-specific ablation of the
Ccm2
gene. In contrast with its preventive effect in the acute CCM2 mouse model, a 20 mg/kg indirubin-3′-monoxime treatment for 3 weeks in 3-month old animals neither had any beneficial effect on the lesion burden nor alleviated cerebral hemorrhages.

Conclusions—

The brain-endothelial-cell-specific ablation of the
Ccm2
gene chronic model is a strongly improved disease model for the CCM community whose challenge today is to decipher which candidate drugs might have a curative effect on patients’ preexisting lesions.

Visual Overview—

An online
visual overview
is available for this article.
Pain, Speech and Silence in Prudentius Peristephanon 5 and 9
Authors: Clarke Jacqueline
Published: January 2020

This article explores the relationship between pain, speech and power in Prudentius’ Peristephanon. Two poems are selected for a focused analysis: Perist. 5 in which the martyr speaks at length, engaging in a rhetorical contest with his persecutor, and Perist. 9 where the martyr speaks briefly once to encourage his tormentors. By analysing these poems and comparing them with other poems in the Peristephanon, the article shows how martyrs can use speech to transcend pain and transfer suffering to their persecutors but also how silence can be as effective a weapon in their power struggle. Attention is also given to the role which the poet-narrator plays in both poems and the ways in which Prudentius employs his own narrative voice when his martyrs either cannot or do not wish to speak for themselves.
Between Hipparchian Cynicism and Priscillian Montanism: Some Notes on Tatian, or. 3.6
Authors: Lössl Josef
Published: January 2020

Tatian’s Oration to the Greeks (or.) contains a list of twelve ancient Greek philosophers whom Tatian berates for their arrogant stupidity (or. 2.1-3.7). In this list can be found a brief note (or. 3.6) in which Tatian singles out the Cynic Crates of Thebes (ca. 368/5-ca. 288/5 BC) and asks who would want to be a witness at his “dog-marriage” (κυνογαµία) or not reject the arrogant “tongue-madness” (γλωσσοµανία) “of people like him” rather than “seeking that which is truly worth pursuing.” This paper aims at contributing to an improved understanding of this sentence and in particular of the two words, κυνογαµία and γλωσσοµανία. For this purpose it looks 1) at Crates’ background, in particular his marriage with Hipparchia of Maroneia, and 2) at the wider context in which Tatian is writing, in particular the phenomenon of early Christian ecstatic prophecy personified by the leading Montanist women prophets Priscilla and Maximilla.
Cheap and Efficient? Chinese Migrant Workers and Japanese Policies in Colonial Korea, 1920s–1930s
Authors: Ahn Byungil
Published: January 2020

This study examines how Japanese colonial policies and the foreign exchange market conditioned unskilled Chinese construction workers to dominate the Korean construction labor market during the 1920s and the 1930s. The dominance of Chinese laborers in construction was the main cause of conflicts between the two ethnic groups in colonial Korea that often erupted as a series of anti-Chinese riots, culminating in the 1931 Pyongyang massacre of Chinese immigrants. Past studies simply attributed the Chinese dominance to high efficiency and low labor costs and as purely a result of the labor market.

However, this article concludes that efficiency of the Chinese laborers in Korea was facilitated by Japan’s ethnic division of the labor markets within the Japanese empire. The imperial Japanese authority allowed Koreans, as colonial subjects, to travel and find jobs at the construction sites of mainland Japan, while Chinese laborers could only move to colonial Korea. Strict restrictions were placed on the Chinese who wanted to work in mainland Japan. As a result, massive numbers of Korean laborers, who were considered desirable workers, migrated to Japan hoping to earn higher wages and leaving a less efficient labor pool to compete with the Chinese in Korea. The dominance of Chinese laborers at Korean construction sites was a byproduct of Japanese colonial policy and international economic circumstances.
The Commodification of Chinese Women in Spain
Authors: Madueño Hidalgo Teresa
Published: January 2020

There has been a patriarchal economic alliance between Spain and China in recent years, with the main victims being poor Chinese women without support networks and who are destined for prostitution in Spain. Twentieth century China, an important provider of goods, also supplies women to the Spanish prostitution market. This article is based on participant observation research in the private spaces related to Chinese prostitution in Madrid. Taking into account the prostitutes and their “managers” as primary information sources, we can know what is behind the advertising of Chinese prostitution to Spanish or non-Chinese buyers of sexual services, how this type of exchange works; we can also come to understand the protagonists’ life-stories through their own testimonies.
Two more new Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: AGARWAL ISHAN , BAUER AARON M , PAL SAUNAK , SRIKANTHAN ACHYUTHAN N , KHANDEKAR AKSHAY
Published: January 2020

Two new species of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus are described from mountains of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, southern India. Hemiphyllodactylus nilgiriensis sp. nov. and H. peninsularis sp. nov. are > 5 % divergent in the mitochondrial ND2 gene from each other and members of the H. aurantiacus complex and differ from each other and members of the H. aurantiacus complex in several meristic characters and colouration. The description of these two new species takes the number of Indian Hemiphyllodactylus to six and the number of endemic geckos from Tamil Nadu to 15.
A deeply divergent lineage of Walkerana (Anura: Ranixalidae) from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India
Authors: DINESH K.P. , VIJAYAKUMAR S.P. , RAMESH VIJAY , JAYARAJAN ADITI , CHANDRAMOULI S.R. , SHANKER KARTIK
Published: January 2020

The frog family Ranixalidae is endemic to the Western Ghats of Peninsular India and contains two genera, Indirana and Walkerana. The three known species of Walkerana are restricted to different hill ranges south of the Palghat Gap, an ancient valley in the Western Ghats. In this study, we report the discovery of a deeply divergent lineage of Walkerana from the high elevations of the Elivalmalai hill range. This finding extends the geographic range of the Walkerana clade to the north of the Palghat Gap. The new species Walkerana muduga sp. nov. is genetically and morphologically divergent, and geographically isolated from its sister lineages. We also recovered a potential new lineage in the adjoining hill ranges suggesting the presence of additional new species in this genus north of the Palghat Gap.
The imaginal and detailed nymphal characters of Cincticostella fusca (Kang & Yang, 1995) (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)
Authors: ZHANG WEI , HAN NA , ZHANG MIN , WANG YIN-FANG , ZHOU CHANG-FA
Published: January 2020

Among the 17 known species of the genus Cincticostella, only five of them have been reported as both nymphs and imagoes, which does not include the Chinese species C. fusca Kang et Yang (1995). Here the nymphs are redescribed and reared imagoes are reported for the first time, based on material collected from southeastern China. Morphologically, the nymph is unique because of its large body size, expanded genae, pale median stripe on the anterior of the head, and dark tarsi. The male imago can be differentiated from congeners by its large body size, pigmented forewings, and the mesothoracic scutellum having a pair of membranous lamellae. More importantly, its penes are distinct, being fused for most of their length and having complex ventral projections. Adults emerge in early spring (March to April).
An unusual new genus and species of centrotine treehopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Centrotinae) from Nicaragua
Authors: MORRIS BRENDAN O. , DIETRICH CHRISTOPHER H.
Published: January 2020

A new genus and species of treehopper (Membracidae: Centrotinae) from Nicaragua, Kaikaia gaga, is described and illustrated. Kaikaia is particularly notable in having an assemblage of features more characteristic of the Old World centrotine tribe Beaufortianini than currently recognized New World centrotine tribes. Kaikaia lacks cucullate setae of the mesothoracic femora, which are present in the Boocerini and to some extent, the Platycentrini. The new genus also has an additional m-cu crossvein in the forewing, as well as a frontoclypeal shape and overall appearance similar to Platycentrus Stål. Nevertheless, Kaikaia differs from Platycentrus in its narrow, straight shape of the second valvulae, which bear several prominently raised dorsal teeth and an acute projection along the dorsal margin that resemble those of some members of Nessorhinini.
O pewnym szczególe z wilamowskiej fonetyki – próba analizy w kontekście arealnym
Authors: Żak Andrzej
Published: January 2020

On a Certain Phonetic Feature of Wymysorys: An Analysis of Areal AspectsIn Wymysorys, also known as Vilamovicean (a Germanic language spoken in Wilamowice, a small town in the south of Poland), velarized laterals [ɫ] have turned into [w]. This shift is characteristic of some Polish and German dialects, although in the latter it only occurs under certain conditions. Since Wymysorys displays a strong influence of Polish in many other respects, this change is more likely to have stemmed from contact with Polish. O pewnym szczególe z wilamowskiej fonetyki – próba analizy w kontekście arealnymW wilamowskim welaryzowane [ɫ] (kontynuant średnio-wysoko-niemieckiego l) przeszło w glajd [w]. Zmiana ta charakterystyczna jest dla różnych języków Europy, w tym dla polszczyzny i niektórych dialektów niemieckich (w tych ostatnich jednak zachodzi jedynie w pewnych warunkach). Silny wpływ polskiego na wilamowski (obserwowany nie tylko w fonetyce) uprawnia do stwierdzenia, iż omawiana zmiana jest wynikiem oddziaływania polszczyzny i dokonała się w ostatnim pokoleniu użytkowników wilamowszczyzny.
Зміни у значеннєвій структурі польських фразеологізмів із семою ‘вік людини’ у словникових дефініціях і текстах
Authors: Ніколайчук [Nikolaĭchuk] Христина [Khrystyna] М. [M.]
Published: January 2020

Changes in the Semantic Structure of Polish Idioms with the Seme ‘age of man’ in Dictionary Definitions and TextsThis article analyses changes in the semantic structure of 204 Polish idioms (with variants) including the seme ‘age of man’. Differences in the codification of these idioms in dictionaries from 1958–1969 and those published after 1989 are discussed with reference to the reflection of the temporal meaning in the definitions. On the basis of their contextual use in the National Corpus of Polish (NKJP) and the Internet (74,981), it was established that 35% of the idioms in focus are recessive units. The study also reveals that 43% of the 2,129 analysed innovations are expansive units, which have undergone semantic changes. Zmiany w strukturze semantycznej polskich frazeologizmów zawierających sem ‘wiek człowieka’ w definicjach słownikowych i tekstachW artykule przeanalizowano zmiany w strukturze znaczeniowej 204 polskich frazeologizmów (z wariantami) zawierających sem ‘wiek człowieka’. Pokazano różnice w kodyfikacji omawianych frazeologizmów w słownikach z lat 1958–1969 i słownikach wydanych po 1989 roku ze względu na odzwierciedlenie w definicji znaczenia temporalnego. Na podstawie użyć kontekstowych w NKJP oraz Internecie (74 981) ujawniono, iż 35% badanych frazeologizmów stanowią jednostki recesywne. Spośród przeanalizowanych 2129 innowacji wyróżniono 43% jednostek o charakterze ekspansywnym, w których zaszły zmiany znaczeniowe.
Префіксальні дієслова зі значенням «переміщення вгору» в структурі словотвірної парадигми дієслова в українській мові
Authors: Сегін [Sehin] Любомир [Liubomyr] В. [V.]
Published: January 2020

Prefixed Verbs with the Meaning ‘move upwards’ in the Structure of the Verbal Derivational Paradigm in the Ukrainian LanguageThis article presents an analysis of the content and structural-semantic peculiarities of derivative prefixed verbs with the meaning ‘move upwards’. As established, the verbs under consideration are characterised by twelve derivative meanings (‘materialised action’, ‘means of action’, ‘place of action’, ‘doer of action’, ‘peculiar feature of the object of action’, ‘peculiar feature of the subject of action’, ‘the aim implied in the derivative stem’, ‘distributive character of action’, ‘causing transformation of an object into a subject by way of action’, ‘cumulative character of action’, ‘situational character of action’, ‘adverbalisation of action’), which can be separated into four part-of-speech blocks: substantive, adjective, verbal and adverbial. It has also been established that the analysed words first and foremost realise the derivative  potential at the level of substantive word formation; verbal and adjectival derivations can be considered less regular; and adverbial derivatives are the most irregular ones. Czasowniki przedrostkowe o znaczeniu ‘przemieszczać ku górze’ w strukturze paradygmatu słowotwórczego czasowników w języku ukraińskimArtykuł przedstawia analizę treści i osobliwości strukturalno-semantycznych czasowników przedrostkowych o znaczeniu ‘przemieszczać ku górze’. Jak ustalono, wykazują one dwanaście znaczeń pochodnych: ‘dokonana czynność’, ‘środki działania’, ‘miejsce czynności’, ‘wykonawca czynności’, ‘szczególna cecha przedmiotu czynności’, ‘szczególna cecha podmiotu czynności’, ‘cel implikowany w rdzeniu słowotwórczym’, ‘spowodowanie za sprawą czynności przemiany przedmiotu w podmiot’, ‘dystrybutywny charakter czynności’, ‘kumulatywny charakter czynności’, ‘sytuacyjny charakter czynności’, ‘adwerbializacja czynności’. Znaczenia te można podzielić na cztery bloki: rzeczownikowy, przymiotnikowy, czasownikowy i przysłówkowy. Ustalono również, że analizowane słowa realizują potencjał derywacyjny przede wszystkim w zakresie rzeczownikowym; derywaty czasownikowe i przymiotnikowe można uznać za mniej regularne, zaś przysłówkowe – za najbardziej nieregularne.
Artykuł wycofany [Retracted article]: Słowiński comparativus jako paralela dla rekonstruowanych zjawisk przedhistorycznych
Authors: Szeptyński Rafał
Published: January 2020

This is a retracted article, whose corrected version, bearing the same title, is avalaible under the DOI: https://doi.org/10.11649/sfps.2235. The correction was introduced at the request of the Author.The Slovincian Comparative as a Parallel for Reconstructed Prehistoric PhenomenaThis article deals with an innovative type of comparatives in Slovincian (Kashubian) (cf., e.g. gąstńei̯šï ‘thicker’ ← gąstï ‘thick’, as opposed to the inherited forms gąstšï, gąscei̯šï). The -ń- extension of the formative originates from intransitive change-of-state verbs of the type gąstńec ‘to become thick(er)’ ← gąstï. This phenomenon reflects a more general tendency in the development of Slavic and Indo-European languages. The significance of the Slovincian material is that it provides synchronic evidence from the first half of the twentieth century. To jest wycofany artykuł, którego poprawiona wersja o tym samym tytule jest dostępna pod następującym numerem DOI: https://doi.org/10.11649/sfps.2235. Korekty artykułu dokonano na prośbę Autora.Słowiński comparativus jako paralela dla rekonstruowanych zjawisk przedhistorycznychNiniejszy artykuł dotyczy pewnego innowacyjnego typu comparatiwów w słowińskim (kaszubskim) (por. np. gąstńei̯šï ‘gęstszy’ ← gąstï ‘gęsty’ wobec odziedziczonych gąstšï, gąscei̯šï). Rozszerzenie -ń- w wykładniku wywodzi się z nieprzechodnich czasowników zmiany stanu typu gąstńec ‘gęstnieć’ ← gąstï. Zjawisko to odzwierciedla ogólniejszą tendencję w rozwoju języków słowiańskich i indoeuropejskich. Znaczenie materiału słowińskiego polega na możliwości potwierdzenia procesu na poziomie synchronicznym w pierwszej połowie XX wieku.