bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CyTOF workflow: differential discovery in high-throughput high-dimensional cytometry datasets
Authors: Nowicka Malgorzata , Krieg Carsten , Crowell Helena L. , Weber Lukas M. , Hartmann Felix J. , Guglietta Silvia , Becher Burkhard , Levesque Mitchell P. , Robinson Mark D.
Published: May 2019

High-dimensional mass and flow cytometry (HDCyto) experiments have become a method of choice for high-throughput interrogation and characterization of cell populations. Here, we present an updated R-based pipeline for differential analyses of HDCyto data, largely based on Bioconductor packages. We computationally define cell populations using FlowSOM clustering, and facilitate an optional but reproducible strategy for manual merging of algorithm-generated clusters. Our workflow offers different analysis paths, including association of cell type abundance with a phenotype or changes in signalling markers within specific subpopulations, or differential analyses of aggregated signals. Importantly, the differential analyses we show are based on regression frameworks where the HDCyto data is the response; thus, we are able to model arbitrary experimental designs, such as those with batch effects, paired designs and so on. In particular, we apply generalized linear mixed models or linear mixed models to analyses of cell population abundance or cell-population-specific analyses of signaling markers, allowing overdispersion in cell count or aggregated signals across samples to be appropriately modeled. To support the formal statistical analyses, we encourage exploratory data analysis at every step, including quality control (e.g., multi-dimensional scaling plots), reporting of clustering results (dimensionality reduction, heatmaps with dendrograms) and differential analyses (e.g., plots of aggregated signals).
A host subtraction database for virus discovery in human cell line sequencing data
Authors: Miller Jason R. , Dilley Kari A. , Harkins Derek M. , Stockwell Timothy B. , Shabman Reed S. , Sutton Granger G.
Published: May 2019

The human cell lines HepG2, HuH-7, and Jurkat are commonly used for amplification of the RNA viruses present in environmental samples. To assist with assays by RNAseq, we sequenced these cell lines and developed a subtraction database that contains sequences expected in sequence data from uninfected cells. RNAseq data from cell lines infected with Sendai virus were analyzed to test host subtraction. The process of mapping RNAseq reads to our subtraction database vastly reduced the number non-viral reads in the dataset to allow for efficient secondary analyses.
Recent advances in marburgvirus research
Authors: Olejnik Judith , Mühlberger Elke , Hume Adam J.
Published: May 2019

Marburgviruses are closely related to ebolaviruses and cause a devastating disease in humans. In 2012, we published a comprehensive review of the first 45 years of research on marburgviruses and the disease they cause, ranging from molecular biology to ecology. Spurred in part by the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2013–2016, research on all filoviruses has intensified. Not meant as an introduction to marburgviruses, this article instead provides a synopsis of recent progress in marburgvirus research with a particular focus on molecular biology, advances in animal modeling, and the use of Egyptian fruit bats in infection experiments.
Ethics, Bounded Rationality, and IP Sharing in IT Outsourcing
Authors: Anand Krishnan S. , Goyal Manu
Published: May 2019

Our dynamic model of information technology (IT) outsourcing integrates incomplete contracts, moral hazard, and adverse selection under both perfect and, more realistically, bounded rationality. In addition to the classical profit-maximizing firm unconstrained by ethics, we model an ethically constrained (but otherwise profit-maximizing) firm that honors its contractual obligations irrespective of legal restraints. We prove that under bounded rationality, the ethically constrained firm can obtain strictly greater profits than the unconstrained profit-maximizing firm, even when (i) the unconstrained firm has access to a superset of the ethical firm’s strategies and (ii) the ethical firm is unable to reveal its ethical commitment to its contracting partner anytime during the contractual relationship. Thus, a commitment to ethics, while of course being morally desirable, can lead to higher profits than the unbridled profit-maximization of classical economics. We also prove that ethics is foundational to both intellectual property (IP) sharing and reputation effects, two well-known facilitators of IT outsourcing. In fact, the mere possibility of ethical firms (a) forces across-the-board IP sharing even if it lowers profits and (b) induces even an ethically unconstrained firm to invest in developing a reputation for ethics. Our model provides a novel explanation, rooted in ethics, for why IT outsourcing is booming despite the formidable impediments of incomplete contracts, moral hazard, and adverse selection.

This paper was accepted by Anandhi Bharadwaj, information systems.
The Red, the Black, and the Plastic: Paying Down Credit Card Debt for Hotels, Not Sofas
Authors: Quispe-Torreblanca Edika G. , Stewart Neil , Gathergood John , Loewenstein George
Published: May 2019

Using transaction data from a sample of 1.8 million credit card accounts, we provide the first field test of a major prediction of Prelec and Loewenstein’s theory of mental accounting: that consumers will pay off expenditure on transient forms of consumption more quickly than expenditure on durables. According to the theory, this is because the pain of paying can be offset by the future anticipated pleasure of consumption only when money is spent on consumption that endures over time. Consistent with this prediction, we found that repayment of debt incurred for nondurable goods is an absolute 10% more likely than repayment of debt incurred for durable goods. The strength of this relationship is comparable to an increment in 15 percentage points in the credit card annualized percentage rate. Our results have not only managerial implications for the structuring of financial transactions (e.g., that credit card customers should be given the option of paying off specific purchases) but also more general implications for exploiting variations in the pain of paying in incentive schemes aimed at customers and employees.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics.
An Ascending Auction for Freight Forwarder Collaboration in Capacity Sharing
Authors: Lai Minghui , Xue Weili , Hu Qian
Published: May 2019

In the highly competitive transportation market, small freight forwarders can form an alliance to secure capacity in advance and then share the capacity to fulfill their shipping requests during the freight season. Because not all the requests can be accepted, the rejected requests can be outsourced to the spot market typically at low profit margins. The forwarders are self-interested and have private information on the revenues and outsourcing profit margins of their requests. The centralized capacity-allocation problem is NP-hard, and its optimal solution may erode the profits of some forwarders. We propose an ascending auction mechanism to achieve truthful and approximately optimal capacity sharing. At each iteration of the auction, the set of bundles of capacity for each request is updated. The mechanism then determines a provisional capacity allocation and updates dual prices. Each request is allocated with a convex combination of bundles because a continuous capacity resource is considered. Strategy-proofness is ensured because all the winning bundles for an accepted request have the same payment, and the payment is ascending during the iterations. The mechanism iteratively expands the set of bundles and approximates the revenue loss to search optimal allocations, using the dual solution derived from minimizing primal-dual slackness. Social welfare is significantly improved compared with the no-collaboration case. We prove that the mechanism is strategy-proof, individually rational, weakly budget balanced, and finitely convergent. Extensive computational experiments show that the mechanism has efficiency loss less than 3% and budget surplus less than 10% in most cases. To achieve high system efficiency and small budget surplus with a reasonable computational time, it is better to select an appropriately small bid increment, especially for large-scale problems.
A Branch-and-Price Algorithm for the Bilevel Network Maintenance Scheduling Problem
Authors: Rey David , Bar-Gera Hillel , Dixit Vinayak V. , Waller S. Travis
Published: May 2019

We address the network maintenance scheduling problem, which consists of finding the optimal schedule for the coordination of road maintenance projects in a transport network over a planning period. Road works and maintenance operations that require partial or total road closures over a period of time may considerably impact network performance and result in significant delays. In addition, the effects of conducting multiple maintenance projects simultaneously may be nonadditive, hence increasing the difficulty to anticipate congestion effects. In this paper, we propose a new bilevel mixed integer programming formulation for the network maintenance scheduling problem, which relies on the enumeration of maintenance project combinations—patterns—to incorporate congestion effects within the scheduling process. We present a new branch-and-price algorithm that relies on customized branching and bounding rules, and a tailored column generation framework to price patterns. In addition, a statistical regression model is introduced to approximate congestion effects and provide approximate lower bounds on the formulations therein. The proposed branch-and-price algorithm is implemented on instances derived from realistic transport networks and is shown to be able to solve the network maintenance scheduling problem in a reasonable time using only a fraction of the patterns.
Ethnographic spectacle and trans-Atlantic performance: Unravelling the costumes of vaudeville’s ‘Queen’, Eva Tanguay
Authors: Brayshaw Emily
Published: May 2019

Eva Tanguay (1878–1947), although little known today, was one of the most famous and wealthy actresses in America in the first three decades of the twentieth century. Tanguay’s vaudeville success was built on her playing a wild, racialized, highly sexed, financially and socially emancipated woman, who was nonetheless affectionate and warm. Scholarship to date has considered how Tanguay used the offensive stereotype of the ‘Coon’ associated with African Americans to achieve her huge commercial success, but less attention has been paid to how she used the symbolism and materiality of her costumes in conjunction with her racialized appearance and comportment to achieve her stardom. This article, therefore, examines how Tanguay expressed her ‘wild’ persona using costumes and comportment that blended established stereotypes that her audiences associated with the era’s dime museums, natural history museums, circuses, ethnographic expositions, human zoos and the conventions of minstrelsy. This article also reveals that Tanguay’s costumes and comportment were greatly influenced by a popular French performance style, the chanteuse èpileptique. This genre indicated the importance of a bodily comportment which animated costumes that was a highly popular sexualized and racialized performance style associated with cancan dancers that came from France’s experiences of ethnographic entertainment. This article thus traces how, as Tanguay’s star rose, her performance style increasingly blended trans-Atlantic conventions in costume and comportment to craft a wild persona that expressed the era’s tensions around changing gender roles, immigration and race in America.
Behavioral Response and Acute Toxicity of Fingerlings of African Cat Fish, Clarias Gariepinus Exposed to Paraquat Dichloride
Authors: Aghoghovwia Ogaga Augustine , Morgan Preyo Isaac , Izah Sylvester Chibueze
Published: May 2019

This study evaluated the behavioural response and toxicity of paraquat dichloride to fingerlings of Clariasgariepinus. The fishes were acclimatized for 14 days and exposed to sublethal concentration of 0.00 ppm, 16.56 ppm, 22.08 ppm, 27.60 ppm, 33.12 ppm and 38.64 ppm. A 24 hours’ renewal bioassay was adopted in this study. Results showed that the fishes exhibited change in swimming, opercular movement, body pigmentation, surfacing and air gulping. Mortality rate increased significantly at p<0.05 as the concentration of the toxicant increased as well as the exposure period. LC50 values at 24, 48, 72 and 96 were 59.95, 47.59, 38.12 and 26.18ppm, respectively. Based on the results, Paraquat dichloride users need to discard the remains of empty cans properly to avoid contamination. Also there is need to exercise caution when using paraquat dichloride based herbicides in agricultural fields close to surface water resources.
Phytoplankton Community of Taylor Creek in the Niger Delta Using Diversity Indices
Authors: Ogamba Emmanuel Nwabueze , Charles Embelemi Edure , Izah Sylvester Chibueze
Published: May 2019

This study evaluated the phytoplankton community of Taylor creek from Polaku to Agbia between November 2013 and July 2014. Sampling was carried out in 12 locations along the stretch of the creek following standard protocol. The phytoplankton enumeration was done and identified accordingly. In all the 12 locations, 100 species of phytoplankton belonging to 14 taxonomic groups including Bacillariophyta (31 species), Chlorophyta (25 species), Pyrrophyta (4 species), Cyanophyta (17 species), Spermatophyta (9 species), Euglenophyta (3 species), Phaeophyta (1 species), Heterokontophyta (2 species), Myxophyta (1 species), Xanthophyta (1 species), Chrysophyta (2 species), Lycopodiophyta (1 species), Cryptophyta (1 species), Dinophyta (2 species). Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Spermatophyta with occurrence rate of 36%, 34%, 10% and 10%, respectively were the predominant phytoplankton in the study area occurring in all the locations across the period of the study. The various species have some distinct environmental condition that enable them thrive in their niche, and this determines the structure of the phytoplankton in the study area. The diversity indices provided information about the distribution and health condition of the creek. The study showed significant relationships between Shannon-Wiener, Menhinick, Margalef, equitability and Fisher-alpha indices. The ecosystem showed moderate to heavy pollution based on Shannon Wiener index. There is the need for improved method of waste disposal and other anthropogenic activities being carried in and/ or within the creek.
Aesthetic and functional retreatment of teeth #46 and #47 with questionable prognosis
Authors: Castelo-Baz Pablo , Tubío-Pereira Brais , Vázquez-Ferreiro Cristina , Martín-Biedma Benjamín
Published: May 2019

Introdução: a tomada de decisão entre realizar ou não a extração de um dente com prognóstico duvidoso é comum na clínica diária. Para tomar a decisão adequada, devemos levar em consideração diversos fatores, como o prognóstico endodôntico, periodontal e restaurador, assim como fatores baseados no tipo de paciente, suas expectativas, hábitos de higiene, estado sistêmico, uso de tabaco, etc. Relato do caso: paciente não fumante, com bom estado de saúde e com muito interesse em manter todos os seus dentes. Apresentava o dente #46 com prognóstico comprometido — em termos endodônticos, periodontais e restauradores — e o #47 com um problema restaurador. Depois da adequada avaliação do caso, foi planejado o retratamento não cirúrgico no dente #46, extração do #48, aumento de coroa clínica e posterior reconstrução dos dentes, assim como duas coroas monolíticas de dissilicato de lítio. Resultados: um ano depois, observou-se o sucesso do tratamento, comprovando a cura da patologia periapical, assim como o bom funcionamento das restaurações de dissilicato de lítio. Conclusão: nesse tipo de caso, a individualização do plano de tratamento é fundamental para se obter sucesso.
Influence of Woven Fabric Structural and Material Parameters on Dielectric Properties
Authors: Huan Bai , Jiyong Hu , Xudong Yang , Hongyan Jiang , Huating Tu , Xiong Yan
Published: May 2019

There is much recent interest in antennas constructed from conductive fibers/ink and textiles. This study determines the influence of fiber material and the structure of a woven fabric on its dielectric properties. Results showed that both the dielectric permittivity and the dielectric loss tangent of the woven fabric were related to fiber contents and fabric structure properties, and generally decreased with increased porosity and decreased fabric compactness. ANOVA analysis showed that the linear density of yarn, fabric weaves, and fiber contents were major factors in determining the dielectric properties of woven fabrics. These results will provide a guideline for substrate selection in designing fabric-based electric device such as UHF RFID antennas.
Electrostatic Filtration Performance of Conductive Fibrous Filters
Authors: Qian Yao , Zhao Baobao , Bai He , Deng Hui , Qian Xiaoming
Published: May 2019

Experiments were performed to improve the filtration efficiency of conductive fibrous filters by applying electrostatic charges. Ordinary polyester staple fiber and organic conductive fiber were blended in 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 ratios. Quantitative conductive needle felts were prepared by needle punching. The conductive fibrous filters were applied to a dc voltage supply (from 0 to 6 kV), and the relationship between filtration efficiency and the high voltage applied was studied. The results suggested that there was an approximately linear relationship between the filtration efficiency and the applied voltage value. The conductivity of filter material increased with increased blending ratio of the conductive fibers, basis weight, and thickness.
Facile Fabrication of Microspheres and Microcapsules from a Recombinant Spider Eggcase Silk Protein for Drug Delivery
Authors: Chen Jianming , Venkatesan Harun , Hu Jinlian
Published: May 2019

Spider silk is renowned for its exceptional mechanical properties, and compatibility and biodegradability for various functional applications, such as drug delivery. By a facile HFIP (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol)-on-Oil method, microspheres and microcapsules were assembled from a recombinant spider eggcase silk protein. Doxorubicin (Dox) can be loaded into microspheres or microcapsules before or after their preparation, while maintaining morphological integrity. The isoelectric point of the silk proteins was 4.8, which affected the drug loading of silk spheres for different pH media. For enzyme-assisted drug delivery, Dox-loaded silk spheres effectively released the drug under enzymatic degradation by addition of proteinase K.
Preparation of Para-Aramid Aerogel Fiber through Physical Gelation of Aramid Dispersion Liquid and Supercritical Drying
Authors: Suzuki Yumiko , Uchimura Arata , Tabata Isao , Uematsu Hideyuki , Hori Teruo , Hirogaki Kazumasa
Published: May 2019

Para-aramid fiber was fibrillated in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) solution at 80 °C. Physical gelation of the dispersion liquid occurred by cooling to 20 °C at varying rates of 0.5 to 2.8 °C/min. The solvent was then replaced with acetone and the gel was dried by supercritical CO2 to obtain an aerogel. The fibril diameter decreased from ∼40 nm to 20 nm using a TBAF/DMSO ratio of 1:22 to 2:11, respectively. The specific surface area (SSA) of aerogel reached 702 m2/g at a fibril diameter of 20 nm. Prepared aerogel fiber with a diameter of 536 μm had a translucent appearance, an SSA of 473 m2/g, and a low density of 0.067 g/cm3. It bent freely and repeatedly without deformation or breaking.
Structure Control for Preparing High-Ionic Conductive Hybrid Nanofiber
Authors: Kim Kyoung Hou , Kang Young Ah
Published: May 2019

Silver iodide (AgI) shows extremely high ionic conductivity, especially in α-phase crystals produced only above 147 °C. To obtain high ionic conductivity of α-AgI crystals near room temperature, we prepared a hybrid nanofiber with nano-sized AgI particles. Initially, potassium iodide (KI) and polyamide 6 (PA6) complex nanofibers were prepared using an iodophor solution of PA6 and KI in formic acid by electrospinning, and immersed into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. Structure and properties of as-spun KI/PA6 complex nanofibers, and the resulting AgI/PA6 hybrid nanofibers, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and electrical conductivity measurements. Spun complex nanofibers ranged from ∼30 to 300 nm in diameter.
Laccase-Catalyzed Biomimetic Coloration of Wool Fabrics with Phenols
Authors: Lam Yintung , Ho Yanki , He Liang , Wang Xiaowen , Xin John H.
Published: May 2019

Fungal laccase-catalyzed in situ polymerization of the naturally-occurring phenol syringic acid was used as an environmentally-friendly alternative for wool coloration at room temperature. Through the incorporation of amino acid small molecules in the polymerization process, the polymeric chemistry of syringic acid was changed, and the color appearance obtained was controllably-tuned in a simple way. By using this method, wool fabrics could be dyed with natural yellowish brown color appearances and different color hues.
The Subject of Wrongs: Crime, Populism, and Venezuela’s Punitive Turn
Authors: Samet Robert
Published: May 2019

This article draws on research in Venezuela to make a broader argument about the link between populism and injury. Specifically, it considers the role that crime victimhood plays in the rise of punitive populism or the so-called punitive turn. Under President Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan government publicly denounced tough-on-crime policies as instruments of socioeconomic oppression. Following Chávez’s death, there was an abrupt change of course due, in part, to the opposition’s mobilization of crime victims. The Venezuelan case illustrates a double bind that confronts scholars who are critical of the punitive turn. On the one hand, the figure of the crime victim mediates the body politic in a way that reproduces structures of racial and economic domination. On the other hand, the failure to substantively address the material injuries of crime victims propels grassroots support for punitive populism. Instead of focusing on the subject of rights, this article proposes starting with the subject of wrongs as a bottom-up approach to political subjectivity that can help us understand the dynamic behind punitive populism and show us a way out of the double bind.

Abstracto

Este artículo se basa en trabajo de campo en Venezuela y persigue establecer un argumento general sobre el vínculo entre el populismo y el daño. Específicamente, el artículo considera el papel que las víctimas del crimen desempeñan en el auge del populismo punitivo o el giro punitivo. Durante el gobierno de Hugo Chávez se denunciaba la política de mano dura como un instrumento de opresión socioeconómica. Tras la muerte de Chávez, hubo un cambio abrupto en esta práctica debido, en parte, a la movilización de las víctimas del crimen. El caso venezolano constituye un dilema para los académicos que critican el giro punitivo. Por un lado, la figura de la víctima participa en el cuerpo político de una manera que reproduce estructuras de dominación racial y económica. Por otro lado, la incapacidad para responder efectivamente a los reales daños del crimen aumenta el apoyo popular a la política de mano dura. En vez de enfocarse en el tema de los derechos, este artículo propone enfocarse en el tema de los males (o daños) como una manera de abordar la subjetividad política que podría, por un lado ayudarnos a entender la dinámica detrás del populismo punitivo, y por el otro encontrar una solución al dilema que este plantea.
Novel heterozygous NFKB1 mutation in a pediatric patient with cytopenias, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy
Authors: Duan Lucy , Feanny Stephen
Published: May 2019

Background: The nuclear factor κ-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of many important adaptive and innate immune responses. The NF-κB transcription factor family consists of 5 structurally related core proteins, one of which is NFKB1. Mutations in the NFKB1 gene has been reported in patients with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) as well as with a large spectrum of clinical features including recurrent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, autoimmunity, inflammation, and malignancy.

Aim: We describe the clinical characteristics of a pediatric patient with a novel mutation in NFKB1.

Methods: Patient informed consent was obtained in accordance with approved protocols from the Research Ethics Board at the Hospital for Sick Children. Gene panel testing was employed to identify the immune aberration.

Results: Our patient, a previously well 18-month-old boy of Philippines descent, presented with multi-lineage cytopenias (thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia), splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. He did not have prior history of recurrent infections. Immunological work-up showed normal numbers of T and B cells, normal quantitative immunoglobulins, and adequate vaccination titres. Gene panel testing revealed a novel heterozygous missense variant c.425T>C (p. Ile142Thr) in the NFKB1 gene. Due to persistent cytopenias unresponsive to steroids and IVIG, he was started on Sirolimus with improvement in symptoms.

Conclusion: NFKB1 encodes for p105, which is processed to generate the active p50 transcription factor that can interact with different proteins to activate or inhibit downstream signaling. Our patient was found to have a missense mutation in the Rel homology domain (RHD) of p50, which has distinct functions including DNA binding, protein dimerization, and inhibitory protein binding. The clinical presentation described here broadens the scope of characteristics associated with heterozygous NFKB1 mutations.

Statement of novelty: We report a novel heterozygous missense variant c.425T>C (p. Ile142Thr) in the NFKB1 gene in a pediatric patient with cytopenias, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. To the best of our knowledge, this variant has not been previously reported.
Phenol-formaldehyde resins with suitable bonding strength synthesized from “less-reactive” hardwood lignin fractions
Authors: Lourençon Tainise V. , Alakurtti Sami , Virtanen Tommi , Jääskeläinen Anna-Stiina , Liitiä Tiina , Hughes Mark , Magalhães Washington L.E. , Muniz Graciela I.B. , Tamminen Tarja
Published: May 2019

The substitution of phenol by lignin in phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins is one of the most promising end uses of lignin valorization. Lignin from grasses and softwood has been the focus of the studies in this field as they present a higher number of theoretical reactive sites for resin synthesis. Herein we examined the composition and chemical reactivity of “less-reactive” hardwood lignin fractions and their performance in PF resins, synthesized by substituting 50 wt% of the phenol with lignin. Before resin synthesis, the samples were hydroxymethylated and the maximum formaldehyde consumption was recorded. By doing so, we observed that hardwood fractions consumed formaldehyde close to the theoretical calculation, whereas the reference softwood lignin consumed only about ¼ of the theoretical value. In the resin synthesis, we added formaldehyde to the formulation according to the measured maximum formaldehyde consumption. Thus, low values of free formaldehyde in lignin-PF (LPF) resins were achieved (<0.23%). Moreover, the resin bonding strength displayed similar performance irrespective of whether the LPF resins were made with softwood or hardwood lignin (range of 3.4–4.8 N mm−2 at 150°C and 45–480 s of press time). Furthermore, we concluded that hardwood kraft lignins present no disadvantage compared to softwood lignins in PF resin applications, which have significant practical implications.
Assessment of the denaturation of collagen protein concentrates using different techniques
Authors: Perez-Puyana Victor , Ostos Francisco J. , López-Cornejo Pilar , Romero Alberto , Guerrero Antonio
Published: May 2019

The use of collagen and gelatin in the field of regenerative medicine is widely extended. However, most of the studies in this topic are focused on the scaffolds’ properties, but only a few are related to the properties of the raw material used. The raw material analysis not only consists of a study of the composition, but also of the denaturation degree that can influence the processing and properties of the structure of the scaffold. Thus, the denaturation degree analysis of different collagen proteins was performed and assessed by the comparison of four different methods: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra and sulfhydryls content analysis. DSC measurements put forward a glass transition between 88°C and 95°C as well as from the FTIR measurements; the characteristic peaks for proteins are evidenced. However, from the sulfur content, only a small proportion of free sulfhydryls are present with respect to their total amount. In addition, CD spectra allow to estimate the secondary structure of the protein by the analysis of the α-helix and β-strand and also quantify the denaturation degree with the ‘positive/negative ratio’ (RPN) from the CD profiles, obtaining values in the range between 25% and 100%.
The effect of different partitions of seaweed Sargassum plagyophylum on depression behavior in mice model of despair
Authors: Mesripour Azadeh , Rabian Neda , Yegdaneh Afsaneh
Published: May 2019

Background

Seaweeds are a famous traditional food resource in some countries containing different types of secondary metabolites. These marine organisms have shown different biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hexane and methanol extracts of Sargassum plagyophylum on depression.

Methods

Sargassum plagyophylum was collected from Persian Gulf. The plant was extracted by maceration with methanol-ethyl acetate solvent. The extract was evaporated and partitioned by hexane and methanol solvents. The two partitions were administered i.p. to male mice either a single dose or for 7 days. Depression was evaluated by the forced swimming test (FST) which higher immobility time indicates depressive-like behavior.

Results

The immobility time during FST decreased significantly by all the doses of the hexane partitions (notably 40 mg/kg; 10 s ± 2 vs. 114 s ± 12 control group). However, only the lowest dose (20 mg/kg) of the methanol partition reduced immobility time during FST (23 s ± 8, p<0.001). Following the long term administration both of the partitions reduced the immobility time in FST (hexane 27 s ± 11, methanol 70 s ± 14, p<0.05 vs. control 140 s ± 14).

Conclusion

The hexane partition showed antidepressant effects not only by long-term administration but also by the single dose during FST. The 7 days therapy with methanol partition also induced antidepressant behavior, but only the lowest single dose reduced immobility in FST. The methanol partitions possibly have certain substance that interfered with behavior in the FST. Therefore, S. plagyophylum should be considered for further antidepressant studies.
Evolution of circulating thyroid hormone levels in preterm infants during the first week of life: perinatal influences and impact on neurodevelopment
Authors: Eerdekens An , Naulaers Gunnar , Ortibus Els , Verhaeghe Johan , Langouche Lies , Vanhole Christine
Published: May 2019

Background

For several decades, transient hypothyroxinemia of prematurity (THOP) has been a topic of debate. The pathophysiology is incompletely understood and consensus on the therapeutic approach is lacking. This study aimed at gaining a better insight into the pathogenesis by studying the trends in thyroid hormone (TH) levels during the first week of life.

Methods

This single-center prospective observational study analyzed the plasma levels of total thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4-binding globulin (TBG) in cord blood and at the end of the first week of life in 120 preterm infants (gestational age [GA] <37 weeks). The change over time was calculated (delta, ∆). The impact of perinatal and subsequently postnatal variables on ∆ was studied by hierarchical multiple regression. The impact of ∆ on the neurodevelopmental outcome at the corrected ages of 9 and 24 months, measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID)-II, was assessed by logistic regression.

Results

∆fT4 levels were negatively affected by GA and use of dopamine, whereas only GA was associated with low ∆T3 levels. Negative ∆fT4 levels were present in 75% of the extremely low-for-gestational-age infants, whereas 23.5% had a negative ∆T3 level. There was an increased risk for an abnormal mental developmental score (<85) with decreasing ∆T3 at 9 months, corrected age, but not at 24 months.

Conclusions

A negative evolution in circulating TH levels is principally an immaturity phenomenon, whereas dopamine can further suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. There is at least a temporary negative effect of this evolution on the infants’ neurodevelopment.
Uniqueness of meromorphic function with its shift operator under the purview of two or three shared sets
Authors: Banerjee Abhijit , Ahamed Molla Basir
Published: May 2019

Taking two and three shared set problems into background, the uniqueness problem of a meromorphic function together with its shift operator have been studied. Our results will improve a number of recent results in the literature. Some examples have been provided in the last section to show that certain conditions used in the paper, is the best possible.
Asymptotic behavior of the record values in a stationary Gaussian sequence, with applications
Authors: Barakat Haroon M. , Abd Elgawad M. A.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we study the limit distributions of upper and lower record values of a stationary Gaussian sequence under an equi-correlated set up. Moreover, the class of limit distribution functions (df’s) of the joint upper (and the lower) record values of a stationary Gaussian sequence is fully characterized. As an application of this result, the sufficient conditions for the weak convergence of the record quasi-range, record quasi-mid-range, record extremal quasi-quotient and record extremal quasi-product are obtained. Moreover, the classes of the non-degenerate limit df’s of these statistics are derived.
The Effect of Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression on Reducing Pain and Disability in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Momenzadeh Sirous , Koosha Alireza , Kazempoor Monfared Morteza , Bairami Jafar , Zali Alireza , Ommi Davood , Hosseini Behnam , Hashemi Masoud , Sayadi Shahram , Aryani Reza , Nematollahi Fatemeh , Nematollahi Leila , Barati Maryam
Published: May 2019

Introduction: As low back pain incidence is increasing, noninvasive modalities are gaining attention for their ability to achieve the best possible outcome with the least complications. Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is currently popular for this purpose. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PLDD on disability and pain reduction in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Spinal nerve blocks were conducted by laser discectomy single stage injection of a needle into the disc space. The nucleus pulposus of herniated discs were irradiated with laser in order to vaporize a small part of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs and reduce the voluminosity of diseased discs. Patients were treated with 1000 J of 980 nm diode laser with 5 W energy. In order to measure the severity of pain, visual analog scale (VAS) and also ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12. Results: Thirty patients participated in this trial including 11 men and 19 women with a mean age (SD) of 40.8 (10.8) years. The mean patients VAS score and ODI level before and after discectomy showed statistically significant differences. The mean VAS and ODI scores showed no statistical difference between males and females (P<0.05) and percutaneous laser discectomy decreased the VAS and ODI at both groups of patients similarly. Conclusion: We found the use of PLDD reduces pain and disability in patients as a noninvasive procedure.
Numerical Modeling and Clinical Evaluation of Pulsed Dye Laser and Copper Vapor Laser in Skin Vascular Lesions Treatment
Authors: Klyuchareva S.V. , Ponomarev Igor V. , Pushkareva A.E.
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Different yellow lasers have been successfully used for the treatment of vascular lesions. This study is aimed to ascertain the role and efficiency of copper vapor lasers (CVLs) and pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) for the treatment of vascular lesions using numerical modeling and to compare results with our clinical experience. In this study we aimed to develop criteria for the choice of more efficient laser exposure mode, investigate more relevant modes of laser irradiation to ensure selective photothermolysis of target vessels, and compare the CVL and PDL efficiency in the course of patients with skin vascular lesions (SVL) treatment. Methods: We performed numerical simulation of the processes of heating a vessel with CVL and PDL to temperatures at which its coagulation could occur. Calculated fluencies were compared with clinical results of laser therapy performed on 1242 patients with skin hemangiomas and vascular malformations (SHVM), including 635 patients treated with CVL and 607 patients treated with PDL. PDL and CVL provided excellent results in 40 and ten days after treatment. The treatment was not painful. Patients did not need anesthesia. Postoperative crusts were greater with PDL than with CVL. Results: Results of computer simulation of a selective vessel heating using PDL and CVL radiation are presented. By results obtained, depth of the location and sizes of vessels that could be selectively heated to more than 75°C are determined. Conclusion: Based on calculated and clinical data, the heating mode for dysplastic vessels using a series of CVL micropulses could be regarded to be safer and more efficient than the mode of a PDL short, powerful pulse.
Diode Laser - A Novel Therapeutic Approach in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Chandra Sourav , Shashikumar Pratibha
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Maturity-onset diabetes mellitus affecting the elderly population is marked by insulin resistance and decreased insulin production. The relationship between periodontitis and diabetes is bidirectional. Type 2 diabetic patients are more prone to chronic periodontitis (CP) and severe periodontitis affects the glycemic control in such patients. Recently, dental diode laser has become an effective tool in controlling CP. To date, very few studies have been conducted to check the efficacy of diode laser in control of periodontal destruction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) patients. Hence, the need of the study was to evaluate whether diode laser helps improvement of periodontal outcome and reduction in anaerobic bacteria in elderly diabetic patients with CP. Methods: Forty DM2 patients with CP were randomized into group A (control): scaling and root planing (SRP) only and group B (test): SRP followed by soft tissue dental diode laser (808 nm) application. Four patients (2 in each group) were lost during follow up. Clinical parameters, plaque samples and glycated hemoglobin levels were evaluated at both baseline and 90 days post-treatment. Results: Improvement in clinical, microbiological and glycemic parameters were noted in the group that received SRP as well as SRP + LANAP (laser-assisted new attachment procedure). The reductions in clinical parameters were statistically significant after 3 months (P<0.001). The microbial analysis of plaque samples for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) decreased significantly after 3 months in group B than in group A. Glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) decreased significantly after 90 days in both the groups (P<0.001) with more reduction in the SRP+LANAP group (6.49%) in comparison to SRP alone (16.25% vs. 9.76%). However, on the intergroup comparison, the difference in HbA1c reduction was nonsignificant. Conclusion: Laser as an adjunct to SRP is an effective procedure for improving clinical and microbiological parameters in maturity onset diabetes mellitus patients with CP. Also, there was a better improvement in glycemic control in the test group compared to control group after 3 months. Hence, medically compromised patients like DM2 with CP with delayed wound healing can effectively be treated by laser as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy for better results.
Effect of Er: YAG Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Bleached Dentin to Composite
Authors: Rezaei Mohsen , Aliasghar Elham , Rezvani Mohammad Bagher , Chiniforush Nasim , Moradi Zohreh
Published: May 2019

Introduction: In non-vital tooth bleaching, dentin is in direct contact with the bleaching agent, 1 to 3-week delay is needed to eliminate free radicals from tooth structure. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of irradiation of Er: YAG laser on immediate microtensile bond strength of bleached dentin to composite. Methods: Sixty sounds human teeth were collected and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=15): no bleaching (NB), opalescence endo hydrogen peroxide (HP) gel bleaching, sodium perborate (SP) bleaching and laser bleaching with heydent gel (LB). The groups were divided into 3 subgroups (n=5): no surface treatment, Er: YAG laser irradiation and 10% sodium ascorbate (SA). All samples were restored and underwent microtensile bond strength testing. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way and two-way ANOVA. Results: Bond strength in NB-SA group had a significant difference with the NB group (P<0.05) while no significant difference was noted between NB and NB-Er groups (P=0.55). Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after bleaching with SP did not enhance the bond strength (P=0.07). Conclusion: Application of SA and Er: YAG laser after HP gel bleaching significantly enhanced the bond strength. Application of Er: YAG laser after internal bleaching with HP gel could enhance the bond strength.
Tribological Behavior of Surface Textured Gray Cast Iron at Different Texture Density by Ultrafast Laser
Authors: Nazeer Basha D. , Padmanabham G. , Bathe Ravi
Published: May 2019

Laser surface texturing process involves the creation of microfeatures, e.g., tiny dimples, that are usually distributed in a certain pattern, covering only a fraction of the surface of the material that is being treated. This process offers several advantages for tribological applications, including improved load capacity, wear resistance, lubrication lifetime, and reduced friction coefficient. In the present study, surface modification of gray cast iron using femtosecond laser irradiation is adopted in order to establish an optimal geometric pattern with dimple features and dimensions, to improve wear and friction behavior. The surface texturing of gray cast iron was done with the help of an ultrafast laser with a pulse duration of 100 fs and wavelength of 800 nm. The effect of a range of process parameters, such as pulse energy, scan velocity, and textured density, on the performance characteristics of laser-textured samples was investigated. The laser surface textures were examined using an opto-digital 3-D microscope. The friction and wear tests under starved lubrication condition were performed using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The textured surfaces cause a significant reduction in friction coefficient (by 72 %) and wear (by 19 %) over the untextured surfaces. Furthermore, an analysis of wear tracks using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy show a significant improvement in wear resistance. The wear track of the textured surface exhibited a significant reduction of wear debris and was found to be smoother than the untextured surface. Among various patterns tried, the pattern with 55 % texture density gave the best results.
El ejercicio de inculturación de la espiritualidad: aporte de Gustavo Gutiérrez en “Beber en su propio pozo”
Authors: Solano Pinzón Orlando
Published: May 2019

This paper seeks to give an account of the inculturation character of spirituality that is present in the work: “Drinking from your own well”, evidencing the appropriation of the elements of culture through which the action of the Spirit was expressed in the ecclesial communities existing in Latin America. This contribution can be a source of inspiration to account for the multiple manifestations of the Spirit that can be forged within society and be an important reference to the need to inculturate both theology and spirituality today.
Signos de los tiempos: sentido y vigencia de una forma de proceder teológicamente
Authors: Schickendantz Carlos
Published: May 2019

The article offers reflections that emphasize the validity of the proceeding that is condensed in the symbolic, biblical and pastoral expression of the signs of the times. First, it proposes central ideas from the work of Christoph Theobald about the principle of pastorality that he identifies as the great legacy of the Council. Second, the text refers to the methodological debate that arose in the drafting stage of Gaudium et spes. Particular attention to the arguments shows that an important transformation in theological methodology was taking place. Finally, the paper reflects on the relevance of this way of proceeding towards the current cultural conditions of humanity characterized by cultural pluralism and religious diversity.
La secularización en el contexto sociocultural latinoamericano
Authors: Sepúlveda Romero Luis Vicente
Published: May 2019

The proposal of the paper raises questions about the understanding of secularization as a new cultural scenario in which religious discourses reside. In this sense, the framework of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Document of Medellín is explored, an approach to the concept of secularization, which includes the different ways of understanding the religious in postmodernity. Hence, these new understandings can help to contextualize contemporary theological reflection in a dialogue with the social sciences.
On the Attempt to Unlock the Black Boxes of Science (2)
Authors: Poviliūnas Arūnas , Voznikaitis Antanas , Mačiulė Lina , Juknienė Monika , Sinkevičiūtė Elena , Žilinskaitė Rima
Published: May 2019

This article further develops the ideas expressed in our previous publication – On the Attempt to Unlock the Black Boxes of Science (1) – and presents a sociological experiment that aims to break the conventional routine of the research activities of both sociology and life sciences. The article consists of two parts. The first part discusses the concept of “the new scientific spirit,” elaborated by French scientist and philosopher G. Bachelard, and introduces H. White’s theory of tropes, which provides a novel interpretative framework for “the new scientific spirit.” The second part of this article describes a didactic experiment comprised of two discussion groups with PhD students working in the field of life sciences. The first discussion group attempted to realize the principles of the sociology of the social, whereas the second one attempted to break the limits of the sociology of the social and to induce an epistemological rupture in order to realize the principles of the sociology of translation in the second discussion. This article also includes the authors’ reflections regarding the formation of their own sociological habitus.
Напрямки в теорії публічного управління
Authors: Arabadzhiyski N.
Published: May 2019

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