bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of allele-specific fitness effects across human protein-coding sequences and implications for disease
Authors: Huang Yi-Fei , Siepel Adam
Published: June 2019

A central challenge in human genomics is to understand the cellular, evolutionary, and clinical significance of genetic variants. Here, we introduce a unified population-genetic and machine-learning model, called Linear Allele-Specific Selection InferencE (LASSIE), for estimating the fitness effects of all observed and potential single-nucleotide variants, based on polymorphism data and predictive genomic features. We applied LASSIE to 51 high-coverage genome sequences annotated with 33 genomic features and constructed a map of allele-specific selection coefficients across all protein-coding sequences in the human genome. This map is generally consistent with previous inferences of the bulk distribution of fitness effects but reveals pervasive weak negative selection against synonymous mutations. In addition, the estimated selection coefficients are highly predictive of inherited pathogenic variants and cancer driver mutations, outperforming state-of-the-art variant prioritization methods. By contrasting our estimated model with ultrahigh coverage ExAC exome-sequencing data, we identified 1118 genes under unusually strong negative selection, which tend to be exclusively expressed in the central nervous system or associated with autism spectrum disorder, as well as 773 genes under unusually weak selection, which tend to be associated with metabolism. This combination of classical population genetic theory with modern machine-learning and large-scale genomic data is a powerful paradigm for the study of both human evolution and disease.
Circadian gene variants and the skeletal muscle circadian clock contribute to the evolutionary divergence in longevity across Drosophila populations
Authors: Hunt Liam C. , Jiao Jianqin , Wang Yong-Dong , Finkelstein David , Rao Deepti , Curley Michelle , Robles-Murguia Maricela , Shirinifard Abbas , Pagala Vishwajeeth R. , Peng Junmin , Fan Yiping , Demontis Fabio
Published: June 2019

Organisms use endogenous clocks to adapt to the rhythmicity of the environment and to synchronize social activities. Although the circadian cycle is implicated in aging, it is unknown whether natural variation in its function contributes to differences in lifespan between populations and whether the circadian clock of specific tissues is key for longevity. We have sequenced the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster strains with exceptional longevity that were obtained via multiple rounds of selection from a parental strain. Comparison of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data revealed that changes in gene expression due to intergenic polymorphisms are associated with longevity and preservation of skeletal muscle function with aging in these strains. Analysis of transcription factors differentially modulated in long-lived versus parental strains indicates a possible role of circadian clock core components. Specifically, there is higher period and timeless and lower cycle expression in the muscle of strains with delayed aging compared to the parental strain. These changes in the levels of circadian clock transcription factors lead to changes in the muscle circadian transcriptome, which includes genes involved in metabolism, proteolysis, and xenobiotic detoxification. Moreover, a skeletal muscle-specific increase in timeless expression extends lifespan and recapitulates some of the transcriptional and circadian changes that differentiate the long-lived from the parental strains. Altogether, these findings indicate that the muscle circadian clock is important for longevity and that circadian gene variants contribute to the evolutionary divergence in longevity across populations.
Evaluating service quality in automobile maintenance and repair industry
Authors: Jain Nikunj Kumar , Singh Alok Kumar , Kaushik Kapil
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse service quality in the automobile maintenance and repair industry. A conceptual structural model is developed to investigate the impact of service quality, perceived service fairness and convenience on customer service satisfaction. The impact of service satisfaction and brand trust on word of mouth (WOM) is also explored, and the study assesses the mediating effect of customer service satisfaction on the relationship between service quality and WOM.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a questionnaire-based survey of 259 users of automobile maintenance and repair centres were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings indicate that service quality dimensions (reliability, responsiveness and empathy), perceived service fairness and convenience are positively associated with customer service satisfaction, and that service satisfaction and trust positively influence WOM. The findings support the mediating effect of service satisfaction on the relationship between reliability and responsiveness and WOM.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s main limitation is the cross-sectional design, which limits the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications

To ensure customer satisfaction and generate trust and WOM, automobile maintenance and repair service centres should improve reliability, responsiveness and empathy, as well as perceived service fairness and convenience.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that the reliability and responsiveness dimensions of service quality are the most significant predictors of customer service satisfaction in the automobile maintenance and repair industry.
The core of China’s rural revitalization: exerting the functions of rural area
Authors: Chen Xiwen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of the rural revitalization strategy, from the perspective of the fundamental functions that should be served by China’s rural areas in the implementation of this strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical and comparative analyses of the functional relationship between China’s rural development and urban development, between China’s agricultural development and industrialization and that between China’s traditional culture and rural development today are conducted to identify the fundamental functions that should be performed well by China’s rural areas in the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy.

Findings

Three fundamental functions of China’s rural areas are identified: first, the function of ensuring national food security and the supply of important agricultural products; second, the function of providing effective ecological barriers, a good eco-environment and high-quality ecological products; third, the function of inheriting the extraordinary traditional Chinese culture.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to systematically summarize the fundamental functions China’s rural areas should perform during the process of rural revitalization.
Librarians’ perceptions about adoption and uses of the Koha integrated library software in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Asim Muhammad , Mairaj Muhammad Ijaz
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to find out the reasons of adopting Koha integrated library software, discovers the problems faced by librarians during its implementation, and gets the perceptions of librarians about the performances of Koha in Punjab, a province of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey method was used to collect the data through questionnaire from the purposefully selected sample (N = 66) of university librarians of Punjab, a province of Pakistan.

Findings

The librarians adopted Koha due to the availability of Web online public access catalog (OPAC), provision of MARC21 standards for cataloging and its free availability. During implementation, the librarians were faced with the problems of lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge about the Linux operating system, shortage of skilled manpower, slow internet speeds and approval from their organization. They highly rated the performance of the cataloguing, circulation, patron and OPAC modules of Koha.

Originality/value

This research provides a brief picture of librarians’ perceptions about Koha adoption and satisfaction levels. The findings highlighted the issues and problems faced during the implementation of Koha. This study will be helpful for librarians in the selection, implementation and usage of the Koha software in their libraries.
Online and offline information seeking behaviours of people living with HIV in a clinic-based setting
Authors: Lwoga Edda Tandi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study sought to determine the characteristics that distinguish online from offline information seekers among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in selected regional hospitals of Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 341 adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection attending the HIV clinics in the regional referral hospitals in Mwanza, Mbeya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study used multivariate logistic regressions to determine factors that distinguish online HIV information seekers from offline HIV information seekers.

Findings

One in every five survey participants sought online HIV information (19.6 per cent, n = 67). Both higher level of education (odds ratio (OR) = 1.765, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 1.208-2.58) and intention to use internet in future (OR = 1.566, 95 per cent CI 1.148-2.136) were predictors of online HIV information seeking behaviour at multivariate analysis. Respondents who sought online information reported to have gained knowledge such as; to understand their conditions better (77.4 per cent, n = 41) and understand information received from health care workers (66 per cent, n = 35), as well as acquisition of health promoting behaviour such as; asking questions during doctor’s visit (55 per cent, n = 35) and consulting a clinician when they have problems (64.3 per cent, n = 33). The offline HIV information seekers (n = 274) did not use internet due to lack of information seeking skills (44.3 per cent, n = 113) and lack of access to internet connectivity (30.2 per cent, n = 77).

Originality/value

This is a comprehensive study that differentiates online from offline HIV information seekers in the context of sub-Saharan Africa. The results suggest that interventions to improve online access information will empower patients and probably positively affect their health knowledge and health promoting behaviours.
Enhancing leadership capacity in the public sector: branding as an employer of choice
Authors: Mau Tim A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Public services around the world are grappling to enhance their leadership capacity. One approach is to provide leadership training and development to public servants, while another would be to target and hire individuals with proven leadership ability. The purpose of this paper is to focus on that latter strategy by critically examining the concept of branding the public service as an employer of choice as a means of recruiting and retaining sufficient leadership capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins by outlining the challenge faced by governments to recruit the best and brightest employees into the public service. It then reviews the literature on the concept of branding as an employer of choice, including its perceived advantages and limitations, before undertaking a case study analysis of the 2007 public sector branding initiative of the Canadian federal government.

Findings

It is very difficult to develop a single, master brand given the diversity and complexity of the hundreds of organizations that comprise the public sector. While it may be a popular concept for private sector organizations, the concept of branding the public sector as an employer of choice has yet to demonstrate its merit. Canada, which was ostensibly the vanguard in terms of public sector branding, has been unable to position the federal public service as an employer of choice.

Originality/value

There is very little research on the use of branding as an employer of choice in the public sector. This paper contributes to the knowledge about the limitations of such strategies for ensuring that the public sector has the requisite leadership capacity.
Market segmentation analysis in tourism: a perspective paper
Authors: Dolnicar Sara
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper discusses the dos and don'ts of market segmentation analysis. Market segmentation analysis is younger than the journal Tourism Review, but nevertheless has a rich history in tourism research and continues to be extensively used by both tourism researchers and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

After a brief overview of the origins of market segmentation analysis and its uptake in tourism, a number of key considerations are discussed, which are critical to ensuring that practically useful and reliable market segments emerge from the analysis.

Findings

Do accept that market segmentation is exploratory. Do spend a lot of time ensuring you collect high-quality data. Don’t use ordinal data. Don’t use correlated variables. Do ensure your sample size is large enough. Don’t use factor-cluster analysis. Do conduct data structure analysis. Don’t complicate things.

Originality/value

This is a perspective study; it offers a concise discussion of key issues in market segmentation analysis and directs the interested reader to resources where they can learn more about each of these issues.
Experiences of a nutrition intervention—A qualitative study within a randomised controlled trial in men undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Forslund Marina , Nygren Peter , Ottenblad Anna , Johansson Birgitta
Published: June 2019

Aim

Men with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy may experience acute and late bowel symptoms. Nutrition interventions have shown some benefits, however, adherence tends to decline over time. Qualitative studies, carried out after an intervention, are important to help explain trial results. The aim of the present study was to explore patient experience of participating in a nutrition intervention in a randomised controlled trial, with a focus on facilitators and barriers to adherence.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 men with prostate cancer recruited from a randomised controlled trial on a nutrition intervention during radiotherapy. Interviews were analysed with content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results

The informants were motivated to make dietary changes to avoid bowel symptoms. Social support, a feeling of contributing to the greater good, prior knowledge, dietary information and a small need for behaviour change facilitated adherence. Feeling limited, wanting to decide for themselves, the timing of the intervention, unmet expectations of dietary advice and loss of motivation, were described as barriers for adherence.

Conclusions

Future nutrition intervention trials may benefit from involving significant others to a greater degree, as well as offering pre‐set recipes and strategies to manage social events, and more sessions with the dietitian for patients in need of more support. Tailored interventions based on the individual's preferences, context and prior knowledge about food may further facilitate adherence.
Microwave ablation combined with chemotherapy improved progression free survival of IV stage lung adenocarcinoma patients compared with chemotherapy alone
Authors: Li Chunhai , Wang Jie , Shao Jing‐Bo , Zhu Liang‐Ming , Sun Zhi‐Gang , Zhang Nan
Published: June 2019

Background

Microwave ablation (MWA) has recently become an established treatment option for topical therapy of lung cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated whether MWA combined with chemotherapy could improve progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma compared with chemotherapy alone.

Methods

A total of 49 patients were enrolled into the study; 21 patients accepted MWA therapy combined with chemotherapy, 28 patients accepted only chemotherapy. Enumeration data were analyzed using χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability test and univariate analysis was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Multivariate analysis was carried out with the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The treatment regimen was not correlated with clinical features of the patients, which included gender, age, smoking history, tumor site, tumor size and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). The patients’ 3‐year overall survival (OS) was 12.5%, and median survival time was 19.3 months. The median PFS was 6.1 months and the 1‐year PFS was 0.0%. The PFS was significantly associated with tumor size (P < 0.05), ECOG (P < 0.01) and treatment regimen (P < 0.01). The median time to local progression (TTLP) was 8.4 months and the 3‐year TTLP was 2.0%. The TTLP was significantly associated with tumor size (P < 0.05) and treatment regimen (P < 0.01). Cox multivariate regression demonstrated that MWA combined with chemotherapy was the independent factor for both the PFS and TTLP.

Conclusion

MWA, as a topical treatment method, when combined with chemotherapy improved the PFS and TTLP of patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma.
CircAGFG1 sponges miR‐203 to promote EMT and metastasis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer by upregulating ZNF281 expression
Authors: Xue Yi‐Bo , Ding Meng‐Qi , Xue Lei , Luo Jin‐Hua
Published: June 2019

The circRNA circAGFG1 is reported to be important in triple‐negative breast cancer progression. However, the mechanism of circAGFG1 in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. In this study, expression of circAGFG1 was determined by real‐time PCR in 20 pairs of NSCLC tissues and adjacent tissues. Next, functional experiments with circAGFG1 were performed in vitro to evaluate the role of circAGFG1 in tumor metastasis and growth. Meanwhile, a dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull‐down and RNA immunoprecipitation experiments were used to explore the interaction between circAGFG1 and miR‐203. Our results revealed that expression levels of circAGFG1 and miR‐203 are upregulated in non‐small‐cell lung cancer tissues. CircAGFG1 enhances NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in vitro. Mechanistic analyses indicated that circAGFG1 acts as a sponge for miR‐203 to repress the effect of miR‐203 on its target, ZNF281. In conclusion, our study suggests that circAGFG1 promotes NSCLC growth and metastasis though a circAGFG1/miR‐203/ZNF281 axis and may represent a novel therapeutic target.
Expenditure on smoking and alternative nicotine delivery products: a population survey in England
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Shahab Lion , Kock Loren , West Robert , Brown Jamie
Published: June 2019

Background and Aims

The expense associated with using non‐combustible nicotine products as an alternative to smoking may deter smoking reduction or cessation. This study aimed to estimate (i) how much adults in England spend each week on smoking and alternative nicotine products and (ii) the potential cost saving that could be achieved by switching from smoking to using an alternative nicotine delivery product.

Design and Setting

Data came from September to November 2018 waves of the Smoking Toolkit Study, a series of national household surveys of the adult population in England.

Participants

A total of 859 adults (aged ≥ 16 years) who reported current smoking or current use of an alternative nicotine product.

Measurements

Participants reported their average weekly expenditure on smoking and alternative nicotine products [nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or e‐cigarettes].

Findings

Current smokers who did not use any alternative nicotine delivery products (n = 602) reported spending on average £23.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) = £21.64–24.54] on smoking each week. Ex‐smokers who used alternative nicotine products (n = 91) reported spending on average £8.59 (95% CI = £6.80–10.39) on these products each week; £8.03 (95% CI = £6.03–10.03) on e‐cigarettes and £10.05 (95% CI = £5.62–14.47) on NRT. People who both smoked and used alternative nicotine products (dual users, n = 166) spent on average £24.54 (95% CI = £21.78–27.29) on smoking and £7.49 (95% CI = £6.00–8.99) on alternative nicotine products each week. Expenditure on smoking was higher among heavier, more addicted smokers and lower among those with routine/manual occupations, non‐daily smokers and roll‐your‐own tobacco users. Expenditure on e‐cigarettes was higher among men, users from central and southern versus northern England and smokers who had tried to quit in the past year, and lower among current smokers. Expenditure on NRT was lower among roll‐your‐own tobacco users.

Conclusions

In England, expenditure among e‐cigarette and nicotine replacement therapy users is approximately one‐third of the expenditure of smokers. The average smoker may save an estimated £15.06 per week by switching completely to e‐cigarettes or £13.04 per week by switching to nicotine replacement therapy, although this is likely to differ according to individual usage patterns.
Screening for signatures of selection of Tianzhu white yak using genome‐wide re‐sequencing
Authors: E Guangxin , Yang B.‐G. , Basang W.‐D. , Zhu Y.‐B. , An T.‐W. , Luo X.‐L.
Published: June 2019

The Tianzhu white yak, a domestic yak indigenous to the Qilian Mountains, migrated inland from the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Specific ecological and long‐term artificial selection influenced the evolution of its pure white coat and physiological characteristics. Therefore, it is not only a natural population that represents a genomic selective region of environmental adaptability but is also an animal model for studying the pigmentation of the yak coat. A total of 24 261 829 variants, including 22 445 252 SNPs, were obtained from 29 yaks by genome‐wide re‐sequencing. According to the results of a selective sweep analysis of Tianzhu white yak in comparison to Tibetan yaks, nine candidate genes under selection in Tianzhu white yak were identified by combining π, Tajima's D, πA/πB and FST statistics, with threshold standards of 5%. These genes include PDCD1, NUP210, ABCG8, NEU4, LOC102287650, D2HGDH, COL4A1, RTP5 and HDAC11. Five of the nine genes were classified into 12 molecular signaling pathways, and most of these signaling pathways are involved in environmental information processing, organismal systems and metabolism. A majority of these genes has not been implicated in previous studies of yak coat color and high‐altitude animals. Our findings are helpful not only for explaining the molecular mechanism of yak coat pigmentation but also for exploring the genetic changes in Tianzhu white yak due to environmental adaptation.
Platforms, Markets, and Contingent Calculation: The Flexible Arrangement of the Delivered Meal
Authors: Richardson Lizzie
Published: June 2019

UKonline food delivery company Deliveroo has a platform that automates the coordination of meal delivery, creating a market for the delivered meal. This market indicates the necessity to examine the social arrangements produced through the platform beyond the labour of the delivery worker. Markets comprise heterogeneous actors that require their coordination to be calculated. Deliveroo, though, offers two competing views of markets. First, as interfaces in which supply and demand are represented as autonomous blocs that are articulated through the goods of the delivered meal whose constitution, including the labour of delivery, is black‐boxed. Second, as agencement—formatting collective arrangements—in which the goods of the delivered meal are contingently calculated as a flexible arrangement of riders, restaurants and customers whereby these actors have differing degrees of choice concerning their participation, and through which new service performances are emerging in the necessity for their contingent interaction.
Poorly differentiated chordoma: review of 53 cases
Authors: Yeter H. Gokce , Kosemehmetoglu Kemal , Soylemezoglu Figen
Published: June 2019

Poorly differentiated chordoma (PDC) is a newly described variant of chordomas, which is not considered as a subtype yet, but has its own distinct features in terms of morphology, immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, and clinical outcome. To provide a brief review of clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of poorly differentiated chordoma. PubMed search using keyword ‘poorly differentiated chordoma’. A critical review of all studies with a total of 53 cases using inclusion criteria of involvement of axial skeleton (vertebra and clivus), INI1 loss (either with the aid of immunohistochemistry or various molecular techniques), and immunohistochemical brachyury expression. PDC is characterized by a young population with slight female predominance, clivus/cervix location, multinodular sheets of epithelioid cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and prominent pleomorphism, and loss of SMARCB1/INI1 expression, which can be demonstrated both with immunohistochemical and molecular studies, and is unexpected for other types of chordoma. However, classical chordomas lacking SMARCB1/INI1 expression were also reported and how to classify these cases has not been addressed yet. This unique entity is a candidate to be recognized and distinguished from other types of chordoma or SMARCB1‐deficient tumors which are clinically important differential diagnoses that represent a challenging task for the pathologists.
Letter: impact of hepatitis B core‐related antigen on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues—further clarifications needed. Authors’ reply
Authors: Hosaka Tetsuya
Published: June 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Hosaka et al and Lim and Tan papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15108, https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15254 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15361.
Aspirations in grey space: Neighbourhood governance in Nepal and Jordan
Authors: Ruszczyk Hanna A. , Price Martin
Published: June 2019

The discipline of geography struggles to engage with urban futures on terms that are meaningful to the world's urban majority. This paper reflects the need to open up empirically grounded dialogue on aspirations and their complex connections to perceptions of possibility and temporality. Drawing on research carried out in two medium‐sized cities overlooked by research (Bharatpur, Nepal; Zarqa, Jordan), this paper speaks back to contemporary discourse surrounding urban life and futurity. These two projects explore aspirations located within people's everyday attempts to secure urban presents and carve out spaces for the immediate future within the realm of their control. Urban futures, it is argued, need to be imagined from the perspective of the communities experiencing the complexities and uncertainties of the urban present first‐hand, and who tailor their aspirations and expectations accordingly. In both Bharatpur and Zarqa, “grey space” proves successful in framing the roles of influence, control, and management of power in determining possibility. In Bharatpur, residents learned that only by working together in neighbourhood groups could they begin to influence the local authority to provide certain aspects of physical infrastructure – the paved roads that residents had particularly hoped for. In Zarqa, residents turn to a variety of formal channels – political and developmental – in their attempts to reverse locally manifesting urban decay and provide much‐needed green spaces for the local community. In both contexts, these local, collectively‐held aspirations are deeply linked to local perceptions of possibility, which in turn are a direct result of governance structures seeking to maintain particular urban relations and to control the pace and space of urban development.
ZFAS1 knockdown inhibits viability and enhances cisplatin cytotoxicity by up‐regulating miR‐432‐5p in glioma cells
Authors: Yang Gongli , Han Banghua , Feng Tao
Published: June 2019

Background

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) is a novel vital oncogenic lncRNA that is dysregulated in various types of cancers, including glioma. According to TargetScan prediction, miR‐432‐5p is a target of ZFAS1. Herein, we aimed to determine whether there was a correlation between ZFAS1 and miR‐432‐5p and to explore their roles in glioma.

Methods

The expression levels of ZFAS1 and microRNA (miR)‐432‐5p in clinical tissues and cell lines were measured using RT‐qPCR. Cell viability was detected using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry. The association between ZFAS1 and miR‐432‐5p was confirmed using luciferase reporter and RNA pull‐down assays.

Results

Zinc finger antisense 1 expression was up‐regulated, while miR‐432‐5p expression was down‐regulated in both glioma tissues and cells. Knockdown of ZFAS1 and miR‐432‐5p overexpression inhibited cell viability and enhanced the chemosensitivity of glioma cells to cisplatin. MiR‐432‐5p was a direct target of ZFAS1 in glioma cells. Inhibition of miR‐432‐5p blocked the effects of ZFAS1 knockdown on cell viability and cisplatin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Knockdown of ZFAS1 inhibited the viability and enhanced cisplatin sensitivity via targeting miR‐432‐5p in glioma cells.
Fostering confidence: Foster caregivers' relationship efficacy and associations with marital and co‐parenting relationship quality
Authors: Richardson Evin W. , Futris Ted G. , Mallette Jacquelyn K.
Published: June 2019

Although healthy marital and co‐parenting relationships are important characteristics of a high‐quality, two‐parent foster home, little attention has been given to foster caregiver couples' perceptions of their marital and co‐parenting relationships and the contextual factors that influence these perceptions. Guided by the contextual model of family stress and social cognitive theory, the current study explores patterns of foster caregivers' relationship efficacy, covariates associated with efficacy, and how efficacy is associated with marital and co‐parenting relationship quality. On the basis of data collected from a random sample of 93 foster caregivers, latent profile analysis identified 49.5% as reporting moderate levels of relationship efficacy and 50.5% as reporting high relationship efficacy. Additionally, findings suggested that those who had been married previously, did not have a current placement, had been married longer, had fewer children, and received support from family reported higher levels of relationship efficacy, which was positively associated with positive marital and co‐parenting relationship quality. Implications for how the child welfare system can support foster caregiver marital and co‐parenting relationships are shared.
Ribbed Support Vaults for 3D Printing of Hollowed Objects
Authors: Tricard Thibault , Claux Frédéric , Lefebvre Sylvain
Published: June 2019

Additive manufacturing techniques form an object by accumulating layers of material on top of one another. Each layer has to be supported by the one below for the fabrication process to succeed. To reduce print time and material usage, especially in the context of prototyping, it is often desirable to fabricate hollow objects. This exacerbates the requirement of support between consecutive layers: standard hollowing produces surfaces in overhang that cannot be directly fabricated anymore. Therefore, these surfaces require internal support structures. These are similar to external supports for overhangs, with the key difference that internal supports remain invisible within the object after fabrication. A fundamental challenge is to generate structures that provide a dense support while using little material. In this paper, we propose a novel type of support inspired by rib structures. Our approach guarantees that any point in a layer is supported by a point below, within a given threshold distance. Despite providing strong guarantees for printability, our supports remain lightweight and reliable to print. We propose a greedy support generation algorithm that creates compact hierarchies of rib‐like walls. The walls are progressively eroded away and straightened, eventually merging with the interior object walls. We demonstrate our technique on a variety of models and provide performance figures in the context of fused filament fabrication 3D printing.
Layer‐specific longitudinal strain in Anderson–Fabry disease at diagnosis: A speckle tracking echocardiography analysis
Authors: Esposito Roberta , Santoro Ciro , Sorrentino Regina , Riccio Eleonora , Citro Rodolfo , Buonauro Agostino , Di Risi Teodolinda , Imbriaco Massimo , Trimarco Bruno , Pisani Antonio , Galderisi Maurizio ,   the Anderson‐Fabry Federico II Naples, ITalY (AFFINIITY) Group
Published: June 2019

Background

Speckle tracking advancements make now available the analysis of layer‐specific myocardial deformation. This study investigated multilayer longitudinal strain in Anderson–Fabry disease (AFD) patients at diagnosis.

Methods

In a case–control study, 33 newly diagnosed, untreated AFD patients and 33 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls underwent a complete echocardiogram, including assessment of left ventricular (LV) transmural global longitudinal strain (GLS), subendocardial longitudinal strain (LSsubendo), subepicardial longitudinal strain (LSsubepi), and strain gradient (LSsubendo–LSsubpepi).

Results

Anderson–Fabry disease patients had similar blood pressure, heart rate, and ejection fraction but higher body mass index in comparison with controls. LV mass index, maximal, and relative wall thickness were significantly greater in AFD patients. LSsubendo was significantly higher than LSsubepi in both groups, but GLS (P < 0.0001), LSsubendo (P = 0.003), and particularly LSsubepi (21.4 ± 1.7 vs 18.8 ± 1.4%, P < 0.0001) were lower in AFD patients than in controls. Accordingly, LS gradient was higher in AFD patients (P = 0.003). Three patients symptomatic for dyspnoea presented a combination of LV hypertrophy and reduced LSsubepi. After adjusting for confounders by multivariate analyses, LV mass index or maximal wall thickness were independently and inversely associated with transmural GLS and LSsubepi, but not with LSsubendo in the AFD group. At receiver operating curve curves, LSsubepi best discriminated AFD and normals.

Conclusions

In newly diagnosed, untreated AFD patients, layer‐specific strain imaging highlights an impairment of LV longitudinal deformation, mainly involving subepicardial strain and causing increase in longitudinal strain myocardial gradient. These findings could be useful for identifying the mechanisms underlying early LV dysfunction in AFD patients.
Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava presenting with superior vena cava syndrome: A case report
Authors: Zhang Luni , Zhang Li , Wang Hui , Chen Libo
Published: June 2019

Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava (SVC) is a very rare congenital vascular anomaly that is mainly asymptomatic. In this report, we describe an adult male patient with bilateral absence of the SVC presenting with SVC syndrome. Blood from the upper body returned to the right atrium via the superficial thoracoepigastric veins, the great saphenous veins, the common femoral veins, and the inferior vena cava.
Mutualistic networks: moving closer to a predictive theory
Authors: Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: June 2019

Plant–animal mutualistic networks sustain terrestrial biodiversity and human food security. Global environmental changes threaten these networks, underscoring the urgency for developing a predictive theory on how networks respond to perturbations. Here, I synthesise theoretical advances towards predicting network structure, dynamics, interaction strengths and responses to perturbations. I find that mathematical models incorporating biological mechanisms of mutualistic interactions provide better predictions of network dynamics. Those mechanisms include trait matching, adaptive foraging, and the dynamic consumption and production of both resources and services provided by mutualisms. Models incorporating species traits better predict the potential structure of networks (fundamental niche), while theory based on the dynamics of species abundances, rewards, foraging preferences and reproductive services can predict the extremely dynamic realised structures of networks, and may successfully predict network responses to perturbations. From a theoretician's standpoint, model development must more realistically represent empirical data on interaction strengths, population dynamics and how these vary with perturbations from global change. From an empiricist's standpoint, theory needs to make specific predictions that can be tested by observation or experiments. Developing models using short‐term empirical data allows models to make longer term predictions of community dynamics. As more longer term data become available, rigorous tests of model predictions will improve.
Inter‐ and intraobserver agreement of programmed death ligand 1 scoring in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma and breast carcinoma
Authors: Downes Michelle R , Slodkowska Elzbieta , Katabi Nora , Jungbluth Achim A , Xu Bin
Published: June 2019

Aims

Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression by tumour cells (TC) is a mechanism for tumour immune escape through down‐regulation of antitumour T cell responses and is a target for immunotherapy. PD‐L1 status as a predictor of treatment response has led to the development of multiple biomarkers with different reference cut‐offs. We assessed pathologist consistency in evaluating PD‐L1 immunopositivity by examining the inter‐ and intraobserver agreement using various antibody clones and different cancer types.

Methods and results

PD‐L1 expression in TC and immune cells (IC) was manually scored in 27 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC), 30 urothelial carcinoma (UC) and breast carcinoma (BC) using three commercial clones (SP263, SP142, 22C3) and one platform‐independent test (E1L3N). For interobserver agreement, PD‐L1 status was evaluated blindly by three pathologists. For intraobserver agreement, PD‐L1 expression was re‐evaluated following a wash‐out period. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), overall percentage agreement (OPA) and κ‐values were calculated. Using clinical algorithms, the percentage of PD‐L1‐positive cases in HSCC, BC and UC were 15–81%, 47–67% and 7–43%, respectively. The percentage of PD‐L1 positive cases relied heavily on the algorithm/cut‐off values used. Almost perfect interobserver agreement was achieved using SP263 and E1L3N in HSCC, 22C3, SP142 and E1L3N in BC and 22C3 in UC. The SP142 clone in UC and HSCC showed moderate agreement and was associated with lower ICC and decreased intraobserver concordance.

Conclusions

Excellent inter‐ and intraobserver agreement can be achieved using SP263, 22C3 and E1L3N, whereas PD‐L1 scoring using SP142 clone is associated with a higher level of subjectivity.
The effects of thioacetamide/copper molar ratio and reaction time on the phase evolution, morphology, optical, and photocatalytic properties of the nanosheets‐based flower‐like copper sulfide
Authors: Sabaghi Vahid , Davar Fatemeh , Sadat Nabi Ali , Hasani Saeed
Published: June 2019

In this paper, various morphologies including spherical and flower‐like nanosheets‐based CuS were synthesized by the green hydrothermal synthesis method. Copper (II) nitrate trihydrate and thioacetamide (TAM) were selected as a Cu2+ and sulfur source, respectively. The effects of TAM/Cu molar ratio and reaction time on the phase and morphological evolution of the samples were studied. For this purpose, the samples were distinguished by FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, XRD, and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic and optical properties of the products were evaluated. It was found that self‐organized nanoflower(SONF) structures exhibit very good photocatalyst efficiency to degrade organic dye due to a significant increase in their surface area because of decorated nanosheets on the sample. Therefore, the SONF structures exhibited a very suitable potential as the photocatalyst agents.
Effects of SiC content on the densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of HfB2–SiC composites
Authors: Baharvandi Hamid Reza , Mashayekh Sadjad
Published: June 2019

To investigate the effects of SiC on microstructure, hardness, and fracture toughness, 0, 10, 20, and 30 vol% SiC were added to HfB2 and sintered by SPS. Upon adding SiC to 30 vol%, relative density increased about 4%; but HfB2 grain growth had a minimum at 20 vol% SiC. This may be due to grain boundary silicate glass, responsible for surface oxide wash out, enriched in SiO2 with higher fraction of SiC. By SiO2 enrichment, the glass viscosity increased and higher HfO2 remained unsolved which subsequently lead to higher grain growth. Hardness has increased from about 13 to 15 GPa by SiC introduction with no sensible variation with SiC increase. Residual stress measurements by Rietveld method indicated high levels of tensile residual stresses in the HfB2 Matrix. Despite the peak residual stress value at 20 vol% SiC, fracture toughness of this sample was the highest (6.43 MPa m0.5) which implied that fracture toughness is mainly a grain size function. Tracking crack trajectory showed a mainly trans‐granular fracture, but grain boundaries imposed a partial deflection on the crack pathway. SiC had a higher percentage in fracture surface images than the cross‐section which implied a weak crack deflection.
The effect of ultraviolet modification of Acetobacter xylinum (CGMCC No. 7431) and the use of coconut milk on the yield and quality of bacterial cellulose
Authors: Liu Dong‐mei , Yao Kun , Li Jia‐hui , Huang Yan‐yan , Brennan Charles S. , Chen Si‐min , Wu Hui , Zeng Xin‐An , Brennan Margaret , Li Li
Published: June 2019

This paper reports on the treatment of Acetobacter xylinum (CGMCC No. 7431) by ultraviolet (UV) to investigate the role of mutagenesis on the production of cellulose. When Acetobacter xylinum was treated at intervals of UV mutagenesis, the treatment times of 3 and 4 min formed more compact bacterial cellulose. The activation conditions, including the medium nutrients that affected the yield of bacterial cellulose, were investigated including the use of coconut milk. The optimal yield of bacterial cellulose was 43.91 ± 3.89 g L−1, which was 1.22 times higher than that obtained from the wild type without any treatment. The experimental results suggested that different UV factors could significantly affect the yield of bacterial cellulose. The resulting bacterial cellulose has a potential as a novel functional food material.
Assessing students' conceptual understanding using an online three‐tier diagnostic test
Authors: Yang Der‐Ching , Sianturi Iwan Andi J.
Published: June 2019

When solving a mathematical problem, students who do not have sufficient conceptual understanding may perform poorly and exhibit misconceptions. This study was aimed to examine students' conceptual understanding and significant misconceptions when solving number sense‐related problems. An online three‐tier diagnostic test was administered to 125 fifth‐grade students with varied socio‐economic backgrounds in Hong Kong. Only 14.40% of the students exhibited high performance with high confidence, indicating that these students had a profound conceptual understanding of number sense. In addition, the majority of the students (66.40%) did not demonstrate number sense; these students exhibited several significant misconceptions and could solve the questions only by using a rule‐based method or guessing. Accordingly, most students performed unsatisfactorily on number sense‐related problems. This study is imperative in identifying early predictors and provides information for further compatible interventions in the teaching and learning of number sense in Hong Kong in particular and worldwide in general.
Difference in 24‐hour urine sodium excretion between controlled and uncontrolled patients on antihypertensive drug treatment
Authors: Rhee Moo‐Yong , Jo Sang‐Ho , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Kim Kwang‐Il , Nah Deuk‐Young , Kim Sun‐Woong , Gu Namyi , Sung Ki‐Chul , Hong Kyung‐Soon , Cho Eun‐Joo , Lee Sim‐Yeol
Published: June 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between sodium intake and blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medications by using 24‐hour urine collection and 24‐hour ambulatory BP. This is a cross‐sectional community‐based study and conducted in 2011 and 2012. A total of 1128 participants were recruited from five cities in Korea. Among them, 740 participants who had complete 24‐hour urine collection and valid 24‐hour ambulatory BP data were included in this study. Participants were divided into four groups: normotensives (NT, n = 441), untreated hypertensive patients (UTHT, n = 174), controlled hypertensive patients (CHT, n = 62), and uncontrolled hypertensive patients (UCHT, n = 63). UCHT and CHT groups showed higher mean age than NT and UTHT groups. UCHT and UTHT groups showed higher 24‐hour systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) than NT and CHT groups. UCHT group had the highest level of 24‐hour urine sodium. Multivariate analysis adjusted with age, gender, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and use of diuretics showed higher level of 24‐hour urine sodium in UCHT group than that in CHT group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed independent association of the amount of 24‐hour urine sodium with uncontrolled BP in hypertensive patients on antihypertensive drug treatment. Higher level of 24‐hour urine sodium excretion in uncontrolled hypertensive patients suggests that excessive sodium intake could be associated with blunted BP lowering efficacy of antihypertensive medications.
Local but not systemic administration of mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorates fibrogenesis in regenerating livers
Authors: van der Helm Danny , Barnhoorn Marieke C. , de Jonge‐Muller Eveline S. M. , Molendijk Ilse , Hawinkels Luuk J. A. C. , Coenraad Minneke J. , van Hoek Bart , Verspaget Hein W.
Published: June 2019

Chronic liver injury leads to the accumulation of myofibroblasts resulting in increased collagen deposition and hepatic fibrogenesis. Treatments specifically targeting fibrogenesis are not yet available. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are fibroblast‐like stromal (stem) cells, which stimulate tissue regeneration and modulate immune responses. In the present study we assessed whether liver fibrosis and cirrhosis can be reversed by treatment with MSCs or fibroblasts concomitant to partial hepatectomy (pHx)‐induced liver regeneration. After carbon tetrachloride‐induced fibrosis and cirrhosis, mice underwent a pHx and received either systemically or locally MSCs in one of the two remaining fibrotic/cirrhotic liver lobes. Eight days after treatment, liver fibrogenesis was evaluated by Sirius‐red staining for collagen deposition. A significant reduction of collagen content in the locally treated lobes of the regenerated fibrotic and cirrhotic livers was observed in mice that received high dose MSCs. In the non‐MSC‐treated counterpart liver lobes no changes in collagen deposition were observed. Local fibroblast administration or intravenous administration of MSCs did not ameliorate fibrosis. To conclude, local administration of MSCs after pHx, in contrast to fibroblasts, results in a dose‐dependent on‐site reduction of collagen deposition in mouse models for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.