bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dichotomy in association of core transcription factors and gene regulation during the activated B-cell to plasmablast transition
Authors: Cocco Mario , Care Matthew A , Al-Maskari Muna , Doody Gina , Tooze Reuben
Published: December 2019

The activated B-cell (ABC) to plasmablast transition is the cusp of antibody secreting cell (ASC) differentiation but is incompletely defined. We apply expression time-courses, parsimonious gene correlation network analysis, and ChIP-seq to explore this in human cells. The transition initiates with input signal loss leading within hours from cell growth dominant programs to enhanced proliferation, accompanied from 24h by ER-stress response, secretory optimization and upregulation of ASC features. Clustering of genomic occupancy for ASC transcription factors (TFs) IRF4, BLIMP1 and XBP1 with CTCF and histone marks defines distinct patterns for each factor in plasmablasts. Integrating TF-associated clusters and modular gene expression identifies a dichotomy: XBP1 and IRF4 significantly link to gene modules induced in plasmablasts, but not to modules of repressed genes, while BLIMP1 links to modules of ABC genes repressed in plasmablasts but is not significantly associated with modules induced in plasmablasts. Pharmacological inhibition of the G9A (EHMT2) histone-methytransferase, a BLIMP1 co-factor that catalyzes repressive H3K9me2 marks, leaves functional ASC differentiation intact but de-represses ABC-state genes. Thus, in human plasmablasts IRF4 and XBP1 emerge as the dominant association with ASC gene expression, while BLIMP1 links to repressed modules with particular focus in repression of the B-cell activation state.
Synthesis, structure, magnetic and half-metallic properties of Co2−x
Ru
x
MnSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) compounds
Authors: Zhang H. P. , Liu W. B. , Dai X. F. , Zhang X. M. , Liu H. Y. , Yu X. , Liu G. D.
Published: December 2019

A series of Co2−x
Ru
x
MnSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) Heusler compounds were successfully synthesized. The heat-treatment conditions were crucial to make the materials form a single phase with a Heusler structure. With increasing Ru content, the half-metallic gap, lattice parameters and magnetization are continuously adjustable in a wide range. The Co2−x
Ru
x
MnSi (x = 0, 0.25) compounds are rigorous half-metals and show a T
3 dependence of resistance at low temperature. The Co2−x
Ru
x
MnSi (x = 0.5, 0.75, 1) Heusler compounds are the nearly half-metallic materials and show a semiconductive dependence of resistance at low temperature. The experimental magnetization is consistent with that in theory and follows the Slater–Pauling rule. The Curie temperature is higher than 750 K for all Co2−x
Ru
x
MnSi Heusler compounds.
Extraordinary structural complexity of ilmajokite: a multilevel hierarchical framework structure of natural origin
Authors: Zolotarev Andrey A. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Cámara Fernando , Bindi Luca , Zhitova Elena S. , Hawthorne Frank , Sokolova Elena
Published: December 2019

The crystal structure of ilmajokite, a rare Na-K-Ba-Ce-titanosilicate from the Khibiny mountains, Kola peninsula, Russia, has been solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystal structure is based on a 3D titanosilicate framework consisting of trigonal prismatic titanosilicate (TPTS) clusters centered by Ce3+ in [9]-coordination. Four adjacent TPTS clusters are linked into four-membered rings within the (010) plane and connected via ribbons parallel to 101. The ribbons are organized into layers parallel to (010) and modulated along the a axis with a modulation wavelength of csinβ = 32.91 Å and an amplitude of ∼b/2 = 13.89 Å. The layers are linked by additional silicate tetrahedra. Na+, K+, Ba2+ and H2O groups occur in the framework cavities and have different occupancies and coordination environments. The crystal structure of ilmajokite can be separated into eight hierarchical levels: atoms, coordination polyhedra, TPTS clusters, rings, ribbons, layers, the framework and the whole structure. The information-based analysis allows estimation of the complexity of the structure as 8.468 bits per atom and 11990.129 bits per cell. According to this analysis, ilmajokite is the third-most complex mineral known to date after ewingite and morrisonite, and is the most complex mineral framework structure, comparable in complexity to paulingite-(Ca) (11 590.532 bits per cell).
Rb9–xAg3+xSc2(WO4)9: a new glaserite-related structure type, rubidium disorder, ionic conductivity
Authors: Spiridonova Tatyana S. , Solodovnikov Sergey F. , Savina Aleksandra A. , Kadyrova Yulia M. , Solodovnikova Zoya A. , Yudin Vasiliy N. , Stefanovich Sergey Yu. , Kotova Irina Yu. , Khaikina Elena G. , Komarov Vladislav Yu.
Published: December 2019

A new triple tungstate Rb9−xAg3+xSc2(WO4)9(0 ≤x≤ 0.15) synthesized by solid state reactions and spontaneous crystallization from melts presents a new structure type related to those of Cs7Na5Yb2(MoO4)9and Na13Sr2Ta2(PO4)9. The title compound in centrosymmetric space groupCmcmcontains dimers of two ScO6octahedra sharing corners with three bridging WO4tetrahedra. Three pairs of opposite terminal WO4tetrahedra are additionally linked by AgO2dumbbells to form {Ag3[Sc2(WO4)9]}9−groups, which together with some rubidium ions are packed in pseudohexagonal glaserite-like layers parallel to (001), but stacking of the layers is different in these three structures. In the title structure, the layers stack with a shift along thebaxis and their interlayer space contains disordered Rb+cations partially substituted by Ag+ions. Almost linear chains of incompletely filled close Rb3a–Rb3d positions (the shortest distances Rb–Rb are 0.46 to 0.64 Å) are found to locate approximately along thebaxis. This positional disorder and the presence of wide common quadrangular faces of Rb2 and Rb3a–Rb3d coordination polyhedra favor two-dimensional ionic conductivity in the (001) plane with Rb+and Ag+carriers, which was confirmed with bond valence sum (BVS) maps. Electrical conductivity measurements on Rb9Ag3Sc2(WO4)9ceramics revealed a first-order superionic phase transition at 570 K with a sharp increase in the electrical conductivity. The conductivity σi = 1.8 × 10−3 S cm−1at 690 K is comparable with the value of 1.0 × 10−3 S cm−1(500 K) observed earlier for rubidium-ion transport in pyrochlore-like ferroelectric RbNbWO6.
Crystal structure of an oxidized mutant of human mitochondrial branched-chain aminotransferase
Authors: Herbert Darius , Gibbs Synphane , Riddick Alexys , Conway Myra , Dong Ming
Published: December 2019

This study presents the crystal structure of a thiol variant of the human mitochondrial branched-chain aminotransferase protein. Human branched-chain aminotransferase (hBCAT) catalyzes the transamination of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, valine and isoleucine and α-ketoglutarate to their respective α-keto acids and glutamate. hBCAT activity is regulated by a CXXC center located approximately 10 Å from the active site. This redox-active center facilitates recycling between the reduced and oxidized states, representing hBCAT in its active and inactive forms, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis of the redox sensor (Cys315) results in a significant loss of activity, with no loss of activity reported on the mutation of the resolving cysteine (Cys318), which allows the reversible formation of a disulfide bond between Cys315 and Cys318. The crystal structure of the oxidized form of the C318A variant was used to better understand the contributions of the individual cysteines and their oxidation states. The structure reveals the modified CXXC center in a conformation similar to that in the oxidized wild type, supporting the notion that its regulatory mechanism depends on switching the Cys315 side chain between active and inactive conformations. Moreover, the structure reveals conformational differences in the N-terminal and inter-domain region that may correlate with the inactivated state of the CXXC center.
Crystallographic analysis of Eisenia hydrolysis-enhancing protein using a long wavelength for native-SAD phasing
Authors: Sun Xiaomei , Ye Yuxin , Sakurai Naofumi , Kato Koji , Yuasa Keizo , Tsuji Akihiko , Yao Min
Published: December 2019

Eisenia hydrolysis-enhancing protein (EHEP), which is a novel protein that has been identified in Aplysia kurodai, protects β-glucosidases from phlorotannin inhibition to facilitate the production of glucose from the laminarin abundant in brown algae. Hence, EHEP has attracted attention for its potential applications in producing biofuel from brown algae. In this study, EHEP was purified from the natural digestive fluid of A. kurodai and was crystallized using the sitting-drop vapor-diffusion method. Native and SAD (single-wavelength anomalous diffraction) data sets were successfully collected at resolutions of 1.20 and 2.48 Å using wavelengths of 1.0 and 2.1 Å, respectively, from crystals obtained in initial screening. The crystals belonged to space group P212121 and contained one EHEP molecule in the asymmetric unit. All 20 S-atom sites in EHEP were located and the phases were determined by the SAD method using the S atoms in the natural protein as anomalous scatterers (native-SAD). After phase improvement, interpretable electron densities were obtained and 58% of the model was automatically built.
Industry 4.0 and digital supply chain capabilities
Authors: Queiroz Maciel M. , Pereira Susana Carla Farias , Telles Renato , Machado Marcio C.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The Industry 4.0 phenomenon is bringing unprecedented disruptions for all traditional business models and hastening the need for a redesign and digitisation of activities. In this context, the literature concerning the digital supply chain (DSC) and its capabilities are in the early stages. To bridge this gap, the purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for digital supply chain capabilities (DSCCs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a narrative literature approach, based on the main Industry 4.0 elements, supply chain and the emerging literature concerning DSC disruptions, to build an integrative framework to shed light on DSCCs.

Findings

The study identifies seven basic capabilities that shape the DSCC framework and six main enabler technologies, derived from 13 propositions.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework can bring valuable insights for future research development, although it has not been tested yet.

Practical implications

Managers, practitioners and all involved in the digitalisation phenomenon can utilise the framework as a starting point for other business digitalisation projects.

Originality/value

This study contributes to advancing the DSC literature, providing a well-articulated discussion and a framework regarding the capabilities, as well as 13 propositions that can generate valuable insights for other studies.
Gender differences in inter-role conflict in Spain
Authors: Sánchez-Vidal M. Eugenia , Cegarra-Leiva David , Cross Christine
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Attention on the issue of individual level conflict between work and life roles remains a feature of studies on work-life balance. However, few studies have examined gender differences in the work-to-life conflict (WLC) and the life-to-work conflict (LWC) over a given period in Spain. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a two-wave (2009–2014) sample of working employees with children from an industrial sector in Spain.

Findings

The 2009 results showed no gender differences in WLC; however, women experienced LWC significantly more than men. Conversely, the 2014 results showed more men suffered WLC and no gender differences were found for LWC.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation is that we do not know if the same respondents answered the questionnaires in both time periods. Second, we did not analyse the inter-role conflict experienced by childless or single employees. Finally, and as stated before, findings may not be generalisable to other countries or sectors of activities.

Social implications

Our findings are discussed in the context of the economic crisis, the labour market and family co-responsibility in Spanish society.

Originality/value

Few studies have explored gender differences on inter-role conflict at two time points, and helps to identify key findings in terms of co-responsibility. Furthermore, this research is conducted in Spain, which is under-researched in WLB terms. The paper also identifies two distinct constructs of the inter-role conflict.
Critical success factors for application of social robots in special developmental schools
Authors: Khaksar Seyed Mohammad Sadegh , Slade Bret , Wallace Jennifer , Gurinder Kaur
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the role of social robots in the education industry, specifically within special developmental schools, as a part of an innovation technology portfolio. It identifies critical success factors (CSFs) arising from the development, adoption and implementation of social robots to educate students with special needs and assist their teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study engaged in longitudinal research over 12 months, tracking the role of the Matilda robot in providing educational services to students with special needs.

Findings

The results propose a three-faceted framework for social robot application in special education: development, adoption and implementation.

Originality/value

The study has shown the willingness of students and teachers to embrace social robot technology, and the CSF that arise from this adoption. It has also found that social robots achieve the greatest success within the development, adoption and implementation framework when championed by executive management, and peer teacher support.
How logistics service quality and product quality matter in the retailer–customer relationship of food drive-throughs
Authors: Kaswengi Joseph , Lambey-Checchin Christine
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on consumers’ behaviours in a new trend of grocery retailing, called the drive-through format. It investigates the influence of logistics service quality and product quality (freshness of the product and the product in general) on consumers’ reactions (satisfaction, average basket expenditure and shopping frequency) through the mediation of satisfaction. This work also examines whether convenience moderates the relation between perceived quality and consumer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests these relationships with both path and structural models using a data set of grocery drive-throughs in France, gathered during 2015–2016. To confirm the validity of each construct, this paper has based and purified variables using various scales established in previous studies by conducting exploratory and confirmatory analysis.

Findings

Logistics service quality and perceived product are effective drivers of consumer satisfaction. As well, the results reveal a positive relationship between quality perceptions and behaviour (average basket expenditure and shopping frequency) through the mediating function of consumer (overall) satisfaction. Thus, the findings indicate that the positive effects of the interaction terms between convenience and both the perceived quality of service and the perceived quality of fresh products on satisfaction can lead to a higher purchase incidence in drive-throughs. However, the degree of consumer convenience does not alter the influence of product quality in general with regard to the formation of satisfaction in connection with drive-throughs.

Originality/value

Despite the growth of the drive-through format, few studies have investigated customer satisfaction within grocery retailing, nor its consequences and drivers, especially logistics service quality.
From individuals to populations: How intraspecific competition shapes thermal reaction norms
Authors: Mallard François , Le Bourlot Vincent , Le Coeur Christie , Avnaim Monique , Péronnet Romain , Claessen David , Tully Thomas
Published: December 2019

Most ectotherms follow the temperature‐size rule (TSR): in cold environments individuals grow slowly but reach a large asymptotic length. Intraspecific competition can induce plastic changes of growth rate and asymptotic length and competition may itself be modulated by temperature.

Our aim was to disentangle the joint effects of temperature and intraspecific competition on growth rate and asymptotic length.

We used two distinct clonal lineages of the Collembola Folsomia candida, to describe thermal reaction norms of growth rate, asymptotic length and reproduction over six temperatures between 6 and 29°C. In parallel, we measured the long‐term size structure and dynamics of springtail populations reared under the same temperatures to measure growth rates and asymptotic lengths in populations and to quantify the joint effects of competition and temperature on these traits.

We show that intraspecific competition modulates the temperature‐size rule. In dense populations there is a direct negative effect of temperature on asymptotic length, but there is no temperature dependence of the growth rate, the dominant factor regulating growth being competition. The two lineages responded differently to the joint effects of temperature and competition on growth and asymptotic size and these genetic differences have marked effects on population structure along our temperature gradient.

Our results reinforce the idea that the TSR of ectotherms can be modulated by biotic and abiotic stressors when studied in non‐optimal laboratory experiments. Untangling complex interactions between the environment and demography will help to understand how growth trajectories respond to environmental change and how climate change may influence population size structure.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Inhibition of microRNA‐148b‐3p alleviates oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in HT22 hippocampal neuron via reinforcing Sestrin2/Nrf2 signalling
Authors: Du Yin , Ma Xiaozhen , Ma Lei , Li Siyuan , Zheng Juan , Lv Junlin , Cui Long , Lv Jianrui
Published: December 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of neuronal injury during cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Various miRNAs are dysregulated during this pathological process; however, the precise role of these miRNAs in regulating neuronal injury remains largely unknown. In the current study, we explored the potential function of microRNA‐148b‐3p (miR‐148b‐3p) in regulating neuronal injury induced by oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro, a cellular model for mimicking cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury. We found that miR‐148b‐3p expression was significantly decreased in neurons in response to OGD/R exposure. Importantly, miR‐148b‐3p overexpression decreased cell viability and exacerbated apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in OGD/R‐exposed neurons. By contrast, miR‐148b‐3p inhibition improved cell viability and decreased apoptosis and ROS production in OGD/R‐exposed neurons. Notably, Sestrin2, a cytoprotective gene, was identified as a miR‐148b‐3p target gene. miR‐148b‐3p inhibition markedly increased Sestrin2 expression as well as the activation of nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant signalling. Moreover, silencing of Sestrin2 or Nrf2 significantly reversed the miR‐148‐3p‐inhibition‐mediated protective effect in OGD/R‐injured neurons. Overall, these results demonstrate that miR‐148b‐3p inhibition protects neurons from OGD/R‐induced apoptosis and ROS production through reinforcing Nrf2 antioxidant signalling via upregulation of Sestrin2. Our study indicates that the miR‐148b‐3p/Sestrin2/Nrf2 axis plays an important role in regulating neuronal injury and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for providing neuroprotection during cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury.
Ugly Intimacies and State Power: Separation Processes in Late Nineteenth‐Century Denmark
Authors: Vallgårda Karen
Published: December 2019

This article is about the complicated intertwinements of state power, bureaucratic practices and the gendered formation of emotions in separation processes. Historians have long argued that ‘emotional regimes’ aim at regulating the emotional behaviour of different groups of people, and gender historians have demonstrated that marriage is crucial in shaping people's cognitive, social, sexual and economic possibilities in fundamentally gendered ways. This article contributes to these lines of research by suggesting that in order to understand the complex and variable nature of the state and the centrality of emotions to its gendered exercise of power, we need to interrogate the many local everyday interactions between state representatives and ordinary citizens in a variety of contexts. Concentrating on one of the public/private arenas in which these exchanges take place, the article examines separation cases from late nineteenth‐century Denmark. It employs the concept of ‘emotional formation’ to argue that the state played a central role in shaping the contestants’ emotional dispositions in deeply gendered ways. Yet, this was not a top‐down operation, but rather a multi‐vocal process in which the boundaries between appropriate and inacceptable gendered emotional behaviour were a site of contestation.
Colorants in cheese manufacture: Production, chemistry, interactions, and regulation
Authors: Sharma Prateek , Segat Annalisa , Kelly Alan L. , Sheehan Jeremiah J.
Published: December 2019

Colored Cheddar cheeses are prepared by adding an aqueous annatto extract (norbixin) to cheese milk; however, a considerable proportion (∼20%) of such colorant is transferred to whey, which can limit the end use applications of whey products. Different geographical regions have adopted various strategies for handling whey derived from colored cheeses production. For example, in the United States, whey products are treated with oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide to obtain white and colorless spray‐dried products; however, chemical bleaching of whey is prohibited in Europe and China. Fundamental studies have focused on understanding the interactions between colorants molecules and various components of cheese. In addition, the selective delivery of colorants to the cheese curd through approaches such as encapsulated norbixin and microcapsules of bixin or use of alternative colorants, including fat‐soluble/emulsified versions of annatto or beta‐carotene, has been studied. This review provides a critical analysis of pertinent scientific and patent literature pertaining to colorant delivery in cheese and various types of colorant products on the market for cheese manufacture, and also considers interactions between colorant molecules and cheese components; various strategies for elimination of color transfer to whey during cheese manufacture are also discussed.
Reassembling Linux‐based Hybrid RAID
Authors: Choi Jong‐Hyun , Park Jungheum , Lee Sangjin
Published: December 2019

Network‐attached storage (NAS) is a system that uses a redundant array of disks (RAID) to create virtual disks comprising multiple disks and provide network services such as FTP, SSH, and WebDAV. Using these services, the NAS's virtual disks store data about individuals or groups, making them a critical analysis target for digital forensics. Well‐known storage manufacturers like Seagate, Synology, and NETGEAR use Linux‐based software RAID, and they usually support Berkeley RAID (e.g., RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10) as well as self‐developed hybrid RAID. Those manufacturers have published data on the introduction and features of hybrid RAID, but there is not enough information to reassemble RAID from a digital forensic perspective. Besides, digital forensic tools (such as EnCase, FTK, X‐ways, and RAID Reconstructor) do not support automatic RAID reassembly for hybrid RAID, so research on hybrid RAID reassembly methods is necessary. This paper analyzes the disk array composed of hybrid RAID and explains the layout of disk array, partition layout in hybrid RAID, and hybrid RAID configuration strategy. Furthermore, it suggests parameters that are required for RAID reassembly and then propose a hybrid RAID reassembly procedure using them. Finally, we propose a proof‐of‐concept tool (Hybrid RAID Reconstructor) that identifies hybrid RAID from disk array and parse RAID parameters.
Long‐read sequencing and de novo assembly of the Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. genome
Authors: Zhang Tao , Ren Xuyan , Zhang Zhao , Ming Yao , Yang Zhe , Hu Jianbin , Li Shengli , Wang Yong , Sun Shouru , Sun Kaile , Piao Fengzhi , Sun Zhiqiang
Published: December 2019

Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.) or luffa is a diploid herbaceous plant with 26 chromosomes (2n = 26) and belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. To address the limited knowledge of the genome of Luffa species, the chromosome‐level genome of L. cylindrica was assembled and analysed using PacBio long reads and Hi‐C data. We combined Hi‐C data with a draft genome assembly to generate chromosome‐length scaffolds. Thirteen scaffolds corresponding to the 13 chromosomes were assembled from 1,156 contigs to a final size of 669 Mb with a contig N50 size of 5 Mb and a scaffold N50 size of 53 Mb. After removing redundant sequences, 416.31 Mb (62.18% of the genome) of repeat sequences was detected. Subsequently, 31,661 protein‐coding genes with an average of 5.69 exons per gene were identified in the L. cylindrica genome using de novo methods, transcriptome data and homologue‐based approaches. In addition, 27,552 protein‐coding genes (87.02%) were annotated in five databases. According to the phylogenetic analysis, L. cylindrica is closely related to Cucurbita and Cucumis species and diverged from their common ancestor ~28.6–67.1 million years ago. Genome collinearity analysis was performed in Cucurbita moschata, Cucumis sativus and L. cylindrica, and it demonstrated a high degree of conserved gene order in these three species. The completeness of the genome will provide high‐quality genomic knowledge on breeding and reveal genetic variation in L. cylindrica.
The case of an arctic wild ass highlights the utility of ancient DNA for validating problematic identifications in museum collections
Authors: Vershinina Alisa O. , Kapp Joshua D. , Baryshnikov Gennady F. , Shapiro Beth
Published: December 2019

Museum collections are essential for reconstructing and understanding past biodiversity. Many museum specimens are, however, challenging to identify. Museum samples may be incomplete, have an unusual morphology, or represent juvenile individuals, all of which complicate accurate identification. In some cases, inaccurate identification can lead to false biogeographic reconstructions with cascading impacts on paleontological and paleoecological research. Here, we analyzed an unusual Equid mandible found in the Far North of the Taymyr peninsula that was identified morphologically as Equus hemionus, an ancestor of present‐day Asiatic wild asses. If correct, this identification represents the only finding of a putative Late Pleistocene hemione in the Arctic region, and is therefore critical to understanding wild ass evolution and paleoecology. To confirm the accuracy of this specimen's taxonomic assignment, we used ancient DNA and mitochondrial hybridization capture to identify and place this specimen in the larger equid phylogeny. We find that the specimen is actually a member of E. caballus, the ancestor of domestic horses. Our study demonstrates the utility of ancient DNA to validate morphological identification, in particular of incomplete, otherwise problematic, or taxonomically unusual museum specimens.
Guidelines for use of fluorides in Australia: update 2019
Authors: Do LG ,   Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health
Published: December 2019

Fluoride use is the cornerstone of dental caries prevention. There are numerous sources of fluoride which might have different balance of risks and benefits. The first National Guidelines for Use of Fluorides in Australia were developed at a national Workshop in 2005, and updated in 2012. Since then, more evidence on the balance of risks and benefits of fluoride has become available. A third national Workshop was convened in 2019 to update the Guidelines for Use of Fluorides in Australia.
Identifying a surrogate metric for monitoring the population status of a secretive habitat specialist, the heath skinkLiopholis multiscutata,in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Brown Geoff W. , Robertson Peter , Fanson Ben
Published: December 2019

Threatened species that exist in small isolated populations are vulnerable to extinction processes, so effectively monitoring the trajectory of such populations will help determine the most appropriate management actions to combat extinction threats. In this study, we aimed to track the population status of the fossorial heath skinkLiopholis multiscutatathat is listed as threatened in Victoria, south‐eastern Australia, and exists there as a few small and highly disjunct populations, by using an appropriate surrogate population monitoring metric. This secretive lizard is a habitat specialist, is highly localised in Victoria and lives in warrens in semi‐arid heathland or mallee on large dunes. Survey data, which included every warren and their constituent burrows, as well as an assessment of whether each burrow was ‘active’, were collected for the four known Victorian populations in 2007 and annually during 2014–2018 inclusive. We compared five population indices per monitoring site: number of active warrens (NAW), number of active burrows (NAB), population area for 80% of active warrens (PA80), percentage of warrens that were active (PAW) and average number of active burrows per active warren. The heath skink currently occurs in small populations (8–46 active warrens) and these populations have typically declined over recent years. NAW was the most robust metric; NAB and PA80 did not reveal strong temporal trends. PAW indicated that inactive warrens and burrows persist less than a year and hence may provide information about recent (within months) population changes. It is imperative to establish a material link between the effective monitoring of small, vulnerable populations and the implementation of management actions that benefit such populations. Here, NAW could be used as a long‐term monitoring tool to provide an estimate of the minimum population size of the heath skink at a site. Its use would also ensure continuity in monitoring approaches for the Victorian populations.
Differences in leaf phenology between juvenile and adult individuals of two tree species in a seasonally dry tropical woodland
Authors: de Souza Ana Carolina Petisco , da Costa Rafael Carvalho
Published: December 2019

In temperate forests, juvenile trees anticipate leaf phenology compared to adults, thus avoiding shading and herbivory. This is also expected to occur in seasonal tropical forests due to intense herbivory and shading during the rainy season; however, the anticipation of leaf phenology by juveniles in seasonal tropical forests has yet to be demonstrated. Stem‐succulent species are expected to be prone to juvenile phenological anticipation because these species are able to use water stored in their stems for leaf flushing in the dry season. We investigated this hypothesis by comparing leaf phenology (bud break, leaf expansion) of juveniles and adults of two species with contrasting wood densities in the transition between dry and rainy seasons in a tropical dry woodland. We also investigated the level of light limitation that juveniles experience in the rainy season. Both species exhibited bud break during the dry season, but only expanded their leaves with the occurrence of the first rains. In general, the stem‐succulent species had a more precocious bud break; however, anticipation by juveniles occurred only in the species with more dense wood. Canopy openness was lower than in temperate deciduous forests, but the fact that the full expansion of leaves occurred only with rainfall indicates that bud break in anticipation of canopy closure contributes only to keeping leaf photosynthetic balance from going negative, and not to higher carbon gain. The importance of anticipated budding for escaping herbivory remains an alternative explanation in need of investigation.
The Policy Basis of Measured Partisan Animosity in the United States
Authors: Orr Lilla V. , Huber Gregory A.
Published: December 2019

Understanding and addressing the consequences of partisan animosity requires knowledge of its foundations. To what extent is animosity between partisan groups motivated by dislike for partisan outgroups per se, policy disagreement, or other social group conflicts? In many circumstances, including extant experimental research, these patterns are observationally equivalent. In a series of vignette evaluation experiments, we estimate effects of shared partisanship when additional information is or is not present, and we benchmark these effects against shared policy preference effects. Partisanship effects are about 71% as large as shared policy preference effects when each is presented in isolation. When an independently randomized party and policy position are presented together, partisanship effects decrease substantially, by about 52%, whereas policy effects remain large, decreasing by about 10%. These results suggest that common measures of partisan animosity may capture programmatic conflict more so than social identity–based partisan hostility.
Rational planning of operating lists: a prospective comparison of ‘booking to the mean’ vs. ‘probabilistic case scheduling’ in urology
Authors: Pandit J. J.
Published: December 2019

The efficient use of operating theatres requires accurate case scheduling. One common method is ‘booking to the mean’. Here, the mean times for individual operations are summed to approximate the time allocated to the list. An alternative approach is ‘probabilistic scheduling’. Here, the means and standard deviation of the individual case times are combined to estimate the probability that the planned list will finish on time. This study assessed how probabilistic booking would have changed list utilisation, over‐running and case cancellations in 60 urology lists during eight months that had been ‘booked to the mean’. Booking to the mean resulted in 53/60 (88%) lists over‐running and correctly predicted the finish times in just 13% of lists. Out of 264 patients, 36 (14%) were cancelled on the day due to over‐runs in 24/60 (40%) lists. In contrast, probabilistic scheduling correctly predicted an over‐run or under‐run in 77% of lists, which would have allowed the case mix to be adjusted to prevent cancellation and optimise utilisation.
Between‐Individual Differences in Baseline Well‐Being and Emotion Regulation Strategy Use Moderate the Effect of a Self‐Help Cognitive‐Behavioral Intervention for Typical Adults
Authors: Pavani Jean‐Baptiste , Berna Guillaume , Andreotti Eva , Guiller Theo , Antoine Pascal , Dauvier Bruno , Congard Anne
Published: December 2019

Background

Self‐help interventions intended to help nonclinical individuals regulate their emotions can have important social benefits (i.e. mental disorder prevention, well‐being promotion). However, their mean effect size on well‐being is generally low, possibly because there are considerable between‐individual differences in the response to these interventions. The present study examined whether individuals’ baseline levels of emotional well‐being and engagement in emotion regulation strategies moderate the effects on these same variables in a 4‐week self‐help cognitive‐behavioral intervention intended for typical adults.

Methods

Data were collected from 158 nonclinical French adults (n = 95 for the control group, n = 63 for the cognitive‐behavioral group) using experience sampling. Emotional well‐being was assessed, as well as the engagement in three emotion regulation strategies (i.e. cognitive reappraisal, problem solving, and appreciation).

Results

As expected, the post‐test scores on some variables were significantly predicted by the interactions between the intervention and the pre‐test scores on these same variables. In particular, it was the participants with the most negative baseline levels (i.e. low emotional well‐being, low engagement in appreciation) who benefitted most from the intervention.

Conclusions

Results are discussed in the light of current knowledge on between‐individual differences in how individuals respond to interventions.
What is an ecological approach and how can it assist in understanding ICT take‐up?
Authors: Hammond Michael
Published: December 2019

This paper argues that ecological frameworks offer a powerful way of explaining the take‐up of information and communication technology (ICT) in schools. Past research has focused on teachers and their willingness and readiness to use ICT but this has not satisfactorily explained the use (or non‐use) of ICT. Gaps in this research can be addressed by an ecological approach which shifts attention from the teacher to the context in which ICT is expected to be used. Such an approach, following Bronfenbrenner and others, looks at the relationship of individuals to the system in which they act, a relationship which is seen as interdependent. An ecological perspective explains how take‐up of ICT is influenced by the degree to which different levels of a system, eg, micro, meso, exo and macro levels, are aligned. It is recommended that researchers and policy makers should pay greater attention to context when advocating the use of ICT.
Non‐radiological assessment of kidney stones using the kidney injury test (KIT), a spot urine assay
Authors: Yang Joshua Y.C. , Sarwal Reuben D. , Ky Karina , Dong Vivian , Stoller Marshall , Sarwal Minnie M. , Chi Thomas
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of kidney injury test (KIT) assay urinary biomarkers to detect kidney stones and quantify stone burden.

Patients and Methods

A total of 136 spot urine samples from 98 individuals, with and without kidney stone disease, were processed in a predefined assay to measure six DNA and protein markers in order to generate a risk score for the non‐invasive detection of nephrolithiasis. From this cohort, 56 individuals had spot, non‐timed urine samples collected at the time of radiographically confirmed kidney stones, and 54 demographically matched, healthy controls without kidney stone disease also provided spot, non‐timed urine samples. Sixteen individuals with persistent stone disease had more than one urine sample. Using a proprietary microwell‐based KIT assay, we measured cell‐free DNA (cfDNA), methylated cfDNA, clusterin, creatinine, protein and CXCL10. A KIT stone score was computed across all markers using the prior locked KIT algorithm. The KIT stone score, with a scale of 0 to 100, was then correlated with demographic variables, kidney stone burden, obstructive kidney stone disease, and urine solutes in 24‐h urine collections.

Results

The scaled KIT stone score, a composite of all six biomarkers, readily discriminated individuals with current or prior radiographically confirmed kidney stones from healthy controls without kidney stone disease (P < 0.001). In individuals with nephrolithiasis, KIT stone score also correlated with radiologically measured stone size (P = 0.017) and differentiated patients with a clinical radiological diagnosis of obstructive nephrolithiasis associated with upper renal tract dilatation (P = 0.001). Stone burden as assessed by KIT stone score, however, did not correlate with the any of the traditional measures of 24‐h urine solutes or the 24‐h urine supersaturation levels. In patients with persistent stone disease, where multiple urine samples were collected over time and after different interventions, the use of KIT stone score could non‐invasively track stone burden over time through a spot urine, non‐timed urine sample.

Conclusions

A random, spot urine‐based assay, KIT stone score, can non‐invasively detect, quantify and monitor current stone burden, and may thus minimize radiographic exposure for kidney stone detection. The KIT stone score assay may also help monitor stone recurrence risk for patients with nephrolithiasis, without the requirement for 24‐h urine collections.
Lateral onlay grafting using different combinations of soft‐type synthetic block grafts and resorbable collagen membranes: An experimental in vivo study
Authors: Lee Jung‐Tae , Cha Jae‐Kook , Kim Sungtae , Jung Ui‐Won , Thoma Daniel S. , Jung Ronald E.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To observe the sequential healing of lateral onlay grafts in terms of volumetric and histological changes when using different combinations of synthetic soft‐type block bone and resorbable collagen membranes.

Materials and Methods

A lateral onlay graft procedure was applied at the chronic narrow alveolar ridge of the mandible in 15 beagle dogs. The groups were allocated as follows: (a) empty control; (b) onlay graft using soft‐type block bone 1 (hydroxyapatite [HA]: β‐tricalcium phosphate [β‐TCP] = 15:85) and a non‐cross‐linked collagen membrane (MP‐BG group); (c) onlay graft using soft‐type block bone 2 (HA:β‐TCP = 60:40) and a non‐cross‐linked collagen membrane (OC‐BG group); and (d) onlay graft using soft‐type block bone 1 (HA:β‐TCP = 15:85) and a cross‐linked collagen membrane (MP‐CM group). Volumetric and histomorphometric analyses were performed at 4, 8 and 16 weeks postoperatively.

Results

No clinical complications occurred in any of the groups. The OC‐BG group showed significantly larger total augmented volumes than the control and MP‐BG groups after 8 and 16 weeks. The areas of new bone were significantly larger in the OC‐BG group than the other groups at 16 weeks. The horizontal thickness of the augmented ridge was significantly larger in the OC‐BG group than in the control group at 16 weeks.

Conclusion

The OC‐BG group showed superior volume maintenance and osteogenic potential for up to 16 weeks compared to the other groups in an onlay graft model of the dog mandible despite the displacement of the bone graft.
microRNA cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1~let‐7d promotes autophagy and apoptosis of glioma cells by down‐regulating STAT3
Authors: Yang Zhuan‐Yi , Wang Ying , Liu Qing , Wu Ming
Published: December 2019

Background

Accumulating evidence has highlighted the correlation between microRNAs (miRNAs) and the progression of glioma. However, the role of miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d in glioma remains elusive. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d on glioma progression.

Methods and Results

Microarray data analysis provided data indicating the involvement of miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d in glioma via STAT3. The expression of let‐7a‐1, let‐7d, let‐7f‐1, and miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d was diminished in the glioma tissues and the cell lines. Additionally, our results revealed that STAT3 was a target gene of let‐7d, let‐7a‐1, and let‐7f‐1, which was further verified by the dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. Moreover, STAT3 expression was negatively mediated by let‐7a‐1, let‐7d, and let‐7f‐1. Up‐regulated miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d or silenced STAT3 suppressed cell proliferation but accelerated cell apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, restrained tumor growth was identified in the nude mice treated with miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d mimics or STAT3 siRNA.

Conclusion

Taken together, the miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d promotes glioma cell autophagy and apoptosis by repressing STAT3. The current study highlights the potential of the miR cluster MC‐let‐7a‐1 ~ let‐7d as biomarkers and promising treatment strategies for glioma.
Clinical significance of epithelial–mesenchymal transition typing of circulating tumour cells in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hou J. , Guo C. , Lyu G.
Published: December 2019

Aim

The aim was to determine the diagnostic value of epithelial–mesenchymal transition typing of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Method

Peripheral blood samples were collected from 51 CRC patients before anti‐tumour treatment from April 2016 to June 2018 at the Peking University Shenzhen Hospital. The blood samples were analysed using the CanPatrol CTC typing technique (SurExam, Guangzhou, China), which combines nanomembrane enrichment with mRNA in situ hybridization. Based on the marker expression, the CTCs were classified into epithelial, epithelial mesenchymal and mesenchymal (M‐CTC) types. The correlation between the CTC counts and clinicopathological characteristics such as gender, age, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were analysed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. The overall survival and progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients demarcated by CTC typing were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank tests.

Result

M‐CTCs were detected more frequently in patients with lymph node metastasis (N2 81.8%; N1 72.7%; N0 38.9%) as well as distant metastasis (M0 50%; M1a 81.25%; M1b 85.7%) compared to those without metastasis. In addition, the presence of M‐CTCs was significantly correlated with distant metastasis (P < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis (P = 0.035), distant metastasis (P < 0.001) and total CTC count ≥ 4 (P = 0.007) and M‐CTC count ≥ 1 (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with unfavourable PFS, and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04), distant metastasis (P = 0.01) and M‐CTC count ≥ 1 (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with unfavourable overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of M‐CTCs was the only independent prognostic factor for poor PFS, and patients with M‐CTCs had significantly shorter PFS than those without (P = 0.011).

Conclusion

M‐CTCs are significantly associated with CRC severity and metastasis, and M‐CTC count is an independent predictor of prognosis.
Prognostic value of radiologically enlarged lymph nodes in node‐negative colon cancer
Authors: Song W. , Chen Z. , Zheng Z. , Hu J. , Chen Y. , Deng W. , He X. , Lan P.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Assessment of lymph node (LN) involvement is of crucial importance in the estimation of prognosis and choice of therapeutic options for patients with colon cancer. The relationship between the radiological size of LNs and prognosis in node‐negative colon cancer remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of radiologically enlarged LNs on the survival of patients with node‐negative colon cancer.

Method

This retrospective study recruited 395 patients with Stages I and II colon cancer diagnosed between January 2012 and March 2016. Preoperative computed tomography was reviewed for the maximum short‐axis diameter of regional LNs, the optimal cutoff value of which was set to 8 mm. The prognostic relevance was analysed in Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regressions.

Results

Patients with tumour in the left colon, TNM Stage II and 12 or more retrieved LNs tended to have radiologically enlarged LNs. Our results suggest that 3‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly worse in patients with enlarged LNs than those without (RFS 82.8% vs 92.4%, P = 0.026; OS 87.1% vs 95.2%, P = 0.017), which was also confirmed in multivariable analysis [RFS hazard ratio (HR) = 2.192, P = 0.018; OS HR = 3.305, P = 0.010]. Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients with Stage II disease or at least 12 retrieved LNs, radiologically enlarged LN remained an independent predictor of poor RFS and OS.

Conclusion

The presence of radiologically enlarged LNs in patients with node‐negative colon cancer had an adverse prognosis.