bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant DHDPR forms a dimer with unique secondary structure features that preclude higher-order assembly
Authors: Watkin Serena A.J. , Keown Jeremy R. , Richards Eric , Goldstone David C. , Devenish Sean R.A. , Grant Pearce F.
Published: November 2017

Dihydrodipicolinate reductase (DHDPR) catalyses the second reaction in the diaminopimelate pathway of lysine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants. In contrast with the tetrameric bacterial DHDPR enzymes, we show that DHDPR from Vitis vinifera (grape) and Selaginella moellendorffii are dimeric in solution. In the present study, we have also determined the crystal structures of DHDPR enzymes from the plants Arabidopsis thaliana and S. moellendorffii, which are the first dimeric DHDPR structures. The analysis of these models demonstrates that the dimer forms through the intra-strand interface, and that unique secondary features in the plant enzymes block tetramer assembly. In addition, we have also solved the structure of tetrameric DHDPR from the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Measuring the activity of plant DHDPR enzymes showed that they are much more prone to substrate inhibition than the bacterial enzymes, which appears to be a consequence of increased flexibility of the substrate-binding loop and higher affinity for the nucleotide substrate. This higher propensity to substrate inhibition may have consequences for ongoing efforts to increase lysine biosynthesis in plants.
A novel bispecific c-MET/CTLA-4 antibody targetting lung cancer stem cell-like cells with therapeutic potential in human non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Jian-feng , Niu Yuan-yuan , Xing Yan-li , Liu Feng
Published: November 2017

A novel paradigm in tumor biology suggests that non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth is driven by lung cancer stem cell (LCSC) like cells, but t here are still not any effective strategies to remove LCSCs. The bispecific antibody (BsAb) is a novel antibody, which can target two different antigens and mediate specific killing effects by selectively redirecting effector cells to the target cells. Here, we designed and synthesized a new BsAb, BsAb-5, that can target cellular mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) in CD166+ LCSCs with high affinity and specificity, for the first time. We showed that BsAb-5 could inhibit hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mediated tumor development, including proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, serving as an inhibitory c-MET antibody. Moreover, we demonstrated that mechanisms responsible for BsAb-5 in CD166+ LCSCs included inducing c-MET degradation and inhibition of HGF-stimulated c-MET-Notch pathway by using AdHGF infection, nuclei location, and Western blot assays. In vivo, xenograft analysis revealed that mice on BsAb-5 group showed significantly reduced tumor volume. At the meantime, the observed antitumor effects of BsAb-5 were dependent on considerably suppressing T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and up-regulating effector T cells. On the basis of these results, we have identified a potential BsAb drug, which can effectively target c-MET and CTLA-4 in CD166+ LCSCs for the treatment of human NSCLC.
A critical evaluation of the anabolic response after bolus or continuous feeding in COPD and healthy older adults
Authors: Jonker Renate , Deutz Nicolaas E.P. , Harrykissoon Rajesh , Zachria Anthony J. , Veley Eugene A. , Engelen Mariëlle P.K.J.
Published: November 2017

After bolus and continuous enteral feeding of the same protein, different digestion and absorption kinetics and anabolic responses are observed. Establishing which mode of feeding has the highest anabolic potential in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may aid in the prevention of muscle wasting, but an important confounding factor is the duration of assessments after bolus feeding. We hypothesized that the anabolic response to bolus and continuous feeding in COPD patients is comparable when methodological issues are addressed. Twenty-one older adults (12 patients with stage II–IV COPD and 9 healthy controls) were studied after intake of a fast-absorbing hydrolyzed casein protein–carbohydrate mixture either as a single bolus or as small sips (crossover design). Whole body protein synthesis (PS), breakdown (PB), net PS (PS − PB) protein efficiency (netPSPE), net protein balance (phenylalanine (PHE) intake – PHE hydroxylation) protein efficiency (netBalPE), and splanchnic PHE extraction (SPEPHE) were assessed using stable isotope tracer methodology. Bolus feeding assessments were done at 90, 95, and 99% of the calculated duration of the anabolic response. At 99%, netBalPE was higher for sip feeding than bolus feeding in both groups (P<0.0001). Nevertheless, bolus feeding was associated with a lower SPEPHE (P<0.0001) and higher netPSPE (P<0.0001). At 90% compared with 99%, PS and netBalPE after bolus feeding was significantly overestimated. In conclusion, several factors complicate a comparison of the anabolic capacity of bolus and continuous feeding in acute studies, including the critical role of SPE calculation and assumptions, and the duration of postprandial assessments after bolus feeding.
The oral microbiome
Authors: Shaw Liam P. , Smith Andrew M. , Roberts Adam P.
Published: November 2017

The human microbiome is receiving a great deal of attention as its role in health and disease becomes ever more apparent. The oral microbiome, perhaps due to the ease with which we can obtain samples, is arguably the most well-studied human microbiome to date. It is obvious, however, that we have only just begun to scratch the surface of the complex bacterial and bacterial–host interactions within this complex community. Here, we describe the factors which are known to influence the development of the seemingly globally conserved, core, oral microbiome and those which are likely to be responsible for the observed differences at the individual level. We discuss the paradoxical situation of maintaining a stable core microbiome which is at the same time incredibly resilient and adaptable to many different stresses encountered in the open environment of the oral cavity. Finally, we explore the interactions of the oral microbiome with the host and discuss the interactions underlying human health and disease.
Build an app and they will come? Lessons learnt from trialling the GetThereBus app in rural communities
Authors: Corsar David , Cottrill Caitlin , Beecroft Mark , Nelson John D. , Papangelis Konstantinos , Edwards Peter , Velaga Nagendra , Sripada Somayajulu
Published: November 2017

Real‐time passenger information (RTPI) systems have been identified as having benefits in terms of passenger willingness to travel by public transport and their satisfaction levels with services provided. The lack of this amenity in rural areas, however, may hamper public transport use, thus reinforcing patterns of over‐reliance on personal vehicles. To explore the potential impacts of providing RTPI in rural areas, a smartphone application (GetThereBus) was developed to allow rural bus passengers to share real‐time public transport data, and access real‐time and timetable information. Through user testing of GetThereBus, this work aimed to address questions related to the impact of the limited availability of rural digital infrastructure on the provision of RTPI; the potential for crowdsourced information to supplement published timetable information given digital limitations; and the potential impacts of such a system on the traveller experience. This study describes the GetThereBus development and evaluation phases. The authors found it was possible to design and develop a system that overcame many of the technological limitations experienced in rural areas, and users reported a positive response to the system. However, despite a campaign of user engagement, it proved difficult to recruit and motivate sufficient users to provide the data needed to achieve area‐wide coverage.
Chinese vehicle license plate recognition using kernel‐based extreme learning machine with deep convolutional features
Authors: Yang Yun , Li Donghai , Duan Zongtao
Published: November 2017

License plate recognition (LPR) is an important component of intelligent transportation systems. Compared with letters and numbers, Chinese characters contain more information, making automatic recognition more difficult. Accurate Chinese LPR (CLPR) is determined by three factors: training dataset, feature extractor, and classifier. Most license plates with benchmark dataset contain only letters and numbers; thus, the authors build a large dataset for CLPR. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be used to extract inherent image features, on all levels of abstraction. CNNs can be used for classification if they have a sufficient number of fully connected layers. This implies that CNNs must be trained using gradient descent‐based methods, which often yields sub‐optimal results. Extreme learning machines (ELMs) demonstrate impressive performance on classification, with good generalisation. Therefore, the authors propose a novel deep architecture for CLPR which combines a CNN and an ELM. Firstly, a CNN without fully connected layers, working as a feature extractor, learns deep features associated with characters in written Chinese. Then, a kernel‐based ELM (KELM) classifier, which accepts CNN features as input, is utilised for classification. Compared with CNNs that use Softmax, support vector machines and ELMs, the CNN that uses KELM yields competitive results in a shorter training time.
Research on evaluation method for operation economy and technology of regional smart energy grid
Authors: Yuan Wenguang , Wei Linjun , Li Yong , Chi Yongning
Published: November 2017

Establishing regional grid will not only help sufficient and efficient utilisation of multiple kinds of energies in local regions but also be helpful to increase effectively the utilisation efficiency of the power grid and guarantee secure and reliable power supply. This study is to evaluate coordinated operational technology and economy. First, analysing the operation characteristics of the regional energy grid including those of wind–solar power generation, local grids and load, large‐scale energy storage, tail‐gas power generation and the correlation between wind/photovoltaic (PV) power generation and power load. It researches the coordinated operation technologies and integrated control scheme of wind power, PV power, energy storage, gas power, grids and load. Also, it analyses the operation economy of regional energy grid, and studies economy of integrated operation including wind power, PV power, energy storage, gas power, grids and load, in the region, by calculating the sensitivity of a series of evaluation indexes. Finally, taking the energy grid of a region in northwest as an example, it evaluates technical economy and comes up with a feasible plan for regional energy grid projects.
Analysis for distribution network on hosting capacity of distributed wind turbines considering additional income under procedure conditions
Authors: Wang Ye , Yu Yuwei , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2017

An increasing number of wind turbines (WTs) are integrated into the distribution network to generate more electricity and reduce energy cost, which has a significant influence on the distribution network. So how to calculate the hosting capacity of WTs is of great importance. In this study, the analysis method was proposed to calculate the hosting capacity of WTs integrated into the distribution network under the procedure conditions. The authors firstly analysed several factors that imposed restrictions on the hosting capacity of the distribution network for WTs. Secondly, the authors built the optimisation model considering additional income, which aimed at reaching the maximum economic benefits by WT's access. Then the particle swarm optimisation algorithm, which could be applied to the problem, was given. In the calculation example, the authors analysed the different situation of WT's access to verify the proposed method. The installation points of WTs and the cost of investments were discussed to compare the economy of integration of WTs with the analysis results. The results showed that integrating WTs into the middle of lines could promote the economy and the decline in the cost of WTs also helped to enhance the hosting capacity of the distribution network for WTs.
PCC voltage power quality restoring strategy based on the droop controlled grid‐connecting microgrid
Authors: Feng Wei , Sun Kai , Guan Yajuan , Guerrero Josep M. , Xiao Xi
Published: November 2017

As the non‐linear loads increase along the low‐voltage distribution network (LVDN), voltage harmonic components will appear at the point of common coupling (PCC). To improve the voltage power quality of PCC, an active PCC voltage power quality restoring strategy based on droop controlled grid‐connecting microgrid (DCGCM) is proposed. The load current of LVDN and the grid‐connecting current of DCGCM are sampled and are calculated through an additional PCC voltage restoring controller adopted in the secondary level of system. Then, the generated voltage harmonic reference offset is sent to the primary level and tracked by voltage controlled inverter. In this way, the required harmonic current is injected into the LVDN to supply the nonlinear loads at the cost of slight voltage distortion of DCGCM's output voltage. Therefore, the voltage power quality of PCC can be restored. At last, the simulation results from SIMULINK/MATLAB have been presented to verify the validity of the proposed control strategy.
DC power collection system for PV station based on impedance‐source multi‐module DC–DC step‐up converter
Authors: Li Xiuyi , Zhu Miao , He Guoqing , Cai Xu
Published: November 2017

In this study, a novel structure of DC power collection system for photovoltaic (PV) station with consideration of impedance network concepts has been proposed to cope with technical challenges in large‐scale DC PV Station. An impedance‐source multi‐module cascaded DC–DC step‐up converter serves as a key device for the proposed collection grid, which has an integrated function of multi‐maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control and high‐gain DC voltage step‐up conversion. The low‐voltage DC bus and distributed MPPT devices can be omitted to make the system simple and reliable. The system structure is beneficial to realise internal fault isolation and unitary dynamic control at station level. The introduction of impedance network makes it possible to adjust the voltage gain flexibly as well as resist shoot‐through of bridge arms, which can improve the operational adaptability against input power mismatch and reliability of the DC power collection grid for PV station. A detailed introduction to system architecture, key DC step‐up converter, working principle and control/modulation strategy has been given in this study. All theoretical results have been validated by system simulation under balanced and mismatched power inputs. The proposed DC power collection grid for PV station has a potential application value in the future construction of large‐scale DC PV stations.
A discrete-time optimal filtering approach for non-linear systems as a stable discretization of the Mortensen observer
Authors: Moireau P.
Published: November 2017

In this work, we seek exact formulations of the optimal estimator and filter for a non-linear framework, as the Kalman filter is for a linear framework. The solution is well established with the Mortensen filter in a continuous-time setting, but we seek here its counterpart in a discrete-time context. We demonstrate that it is possible to pursue at the discrete-time level an exact dynamic programming strategy and we find an optimal estimator combining a prediction step using the model and a correction step using the data. This optimal estimator reduces to the discrete-time Kalman estimator when the operators are in fact linear. Furthermore, the strategy that consists of discretizing the least square criterion and then finding the exact estimator at the discrete level allows to determine a new time-scheme for the Mortensen filter which is proven to be consistent and unconditionally stable, with also a consistent and stable discretization of the underlying Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation.
Acute Arthrodesis of Interphalangeal Joints of the Hand in Traumatic Injuries
Authors: Tan Mark , Ho Sean , Sechachalam Sreedharan
Published: November 2017

Background Trauma resulting in severe comminution, bone loss, and articular involvement of the fingers is a challenging injury. Osteosynthesis of the digits is nonviable when there is an inability to restore a stable articular surface adequately. Acute arthrodesis of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints may be an option in such scenarios. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of finger joint arthrodesis in the setting of trauma, in terms of fusion rates and clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods Patients with injuries treated via acute finger arthrodesis between 2010 and 2012 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Complete finger amputations requiring replantation were excluded. Finger arthrodesis was performed acutely via intraosseous cerclage wires, Kirschner wires, or tension band wiring. Fusion rates were determined by plain radiography, and clinical outcomes were assessed with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.

Results A total of 11 patients were recruited. All patients were males with an average age of 35.3 years (range: 21–63 years). None of the cases involved the thumb, and there was an equal distribution of injury amongst the fingers. Nine of the 11 patients involved the distal interphalangeal joint with the remaining involving the proximal interphalangeal joint. Radiologic union was achieved in 9 out of 11 patients, and the average time to fusion was 75.5 days. The average DASH score for the patients was 16.5 (10.8–22.5). All patients were able to return to their premorbid occupation, with average time to return to work of 104.3 days (59–168 days). There were no cases of infection or reoperation.

Conclusion We propose that posttraumatic acute arthrodesis of the finger joints is a viable treatment in situations in which there is difficulty in restoring the articular congruity, with early return to work and good function.
Characterization of Thermal and Mechanical Indices from Serial Ultrasound Exams and Associations with Neonatal Anthropometry: The NICHD Fetal Growth Studies
Authors: Louis Germaine , Albert Paul , Kim Sungduk , Fuchs Karin , Grewal Jagteshwar , D'Alton Mary , Grantz Katherine , Smarr Melissa
Published: November 2017

Objective This article aims to determine if the number of maternal ultrasound scans where the highest thermal (TI) or mechanical (MI) indices recorded during obstetrical ultrasound exceed 1.0 were associated with neonatal anthropometric measurements.

Study Design A prospective cohort of 2,334 nonobese low-risk pregnant women from 12 U.S. clinical sites underwent a total of six ultrasound scans, for which the highest TI and MI values were recorded. Neonatal anthropometric measurements were obtained within 12 to 24 hours of delivery. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, body mass index, weight gain, and gestational age were used to examine associations between the number of maternal ultrasounds during gestation with a TI or MI exceeding 1.0 and the mean change in neonatal anthropometry.

Results Ultrasounds with TI or MI >1.0 were not associated with birth weight, neonatal length, nor head, chest, and abdominal circumferences. TI >1.0 was negatively associated with neonatal mid-upper arm and mid-upper thigh circumferences. MI >1.0 was negatively associated with neonatal skinfold measurements of the anterior thigh and triceps, and neonatal circumferences of the mid-upper thigh and umbilicus.

Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound examinations in which TI or MI intermittently exceeded 1.0 did not identify a pattern of alterations of birth size.
MRI Cartilage Assessment of the Subtalar and Midtarsal Joints During a Transcontinental Ultramarathon – New Insights into Human Locomotion
Authors: Schütz Uwe , Billich Christian , Schoss Daniel , Beer Meinrad , Ellermann Jutta
Published: November 2017

MR measurements can be accurately performed during 4486 km of running, opening a window into in vivo assessment of hindfoot articular cartilage under extreme ultra-endurance loading. This observational cross-sectional study included 22 randomized participants of TransEurope FootRace between Italy and the North Cape, which was accompanied by a trailer-mounted 1.5T MRI scanner over 9 weeks. Four follow up MR examinations of subtalar and midtarsal joints were performed. Statistics of cartilage T2*  and thickness were obtained. Nearly all observed joints showed an initial significant mean T2*  increase of 20.9% and 26.3% for the left and right side, followed by a relative decrease of 28.5% and 16.0% during the second half, respectively. It could be demonstrated that mobile MRI field studies allow in vivo functional tissue observations under extreme loading. Elevated T2*  values recovered during the second half of the ultramarathon supported the evidence that this response is a physiological adaptive mechanism of chondrocyte function via upregulation of de novo synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen. These changes occurred in a distinct asymmetric pattern leaving a “biochemical signature” of articular cartilage that allows in vivo insight into joint loading. In conclusion, the normal articular cartilage of the hindfoot is resilient and adaptive, leaving extreme endurance activities up to limitless human ambition.
Inter-state relations and state capacity: the rise and fall of Chinese foreign direct investment in the Philippines
Authors: Camba Alvin
Published: November 2017

What drives Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI)? While the literature in organizational and business studies has established a strong positive association between Chinese foreign direct investments (FDI) and weak institutions in the developing world, these works have generally underexamined how inter-state relations between China and the host country impact Chinese FDI. This paper examines Chinese FDI in the Philippines during the Arroyo (2001–2010), Aquino (2010–2016), and Duterte (2016-) presidencies. Since sufficient variation across these administrations can be found in the volatility of Chinese FDI, the different levels of state capacity, and the vacillation of inter-state relations with China, the Philippine case sets up an ideal within-case comparison to analyze how inter-state relations figure in the relationship of Chinese FDI and weak institutions while holding other potentially confounding factors constant. This article argues that the rise and fall of Chinese FDI depend not only on the conflictual or cooperative relations between China and the host country, but also on the strength or weakness of various types of state capacity. State capacity mediates the impact of inter-state relations on the three kinds of Chinese FDI: (1) state investments; (2) private investments; and (3) illicit capital. Specifically, conflictual relations can constrain state investments and encourage the flow of illicit capital. Conversely, cooperative relations can encourage state investments and hinder the flow of illicit capital. Private investments depend on the legal-administrative and fiscal capacity of the state while illicit capital can be constrained by the host country’s coercive capacity. Infrastructural power can affect the realization of state and private investments. In showing the responses of these three kinds of Chinese FDI to inter-state relations as well as the strength or weakness of various types of state capacity in the host country, the paper modifies the assumption in the literature that weak institutions draw in high-levels of Chinese FDI. Supported by in-depth key-informant interviews with Philippine government officials, politicians, and Chinese investors, this finding demonstrates the protean nature of Chinese FDI: it is able to adapt to different political conditions and historical circumstances.
Temperature dependence of carrier relaxation time in gallium phosphide evaluated by photoemission measurements
Authors: Ichihashi Fumiaki , Kawaguchi Takahiko , Dong Xinyu , Kuwahara Makoto , Ito Takahiro , Harada Shunta , Tagawa Miho , Ujihara Toru
Published: November 2017

For understanding of carrier behavior in semiconductors, it is important to measure the carrier relaxation time. In the present study, the relaxation times of inter-valley transition from the Γ valley to the X valley in GaP were evaluated by near-band-gap photoemission spectroscopy of electrons emitted from a surface with a negative electron affinity state. In the energy distribution curves, two peaks, which originate from the electron population accumulated in the Γ valley and the X valley, were observed. From the temperature dependence of the energy of these two peaks, we could successfully evaluate the temperature dependence of the energies of the Γ valley and the X valley. Furthermore, the relaxation times of the inter-valley transition from the Γ valley to the X valley were estimated from the ratio of the electron concentration of the Γ valley and the X valley. The values of the relaxation time are good agreement with the previous studies. These results indicate that the near-band-gap photoemission spectroscopy can directly investigate conduction electrons and also evaluate the carrier dynamics in semiconductor.
134Ba diffusion in polycrystalline BaMO3 (M = Ti, Zr, Ce)
Authors: Sažinas Rokas , Sakaguchi Isao , Einarsrud Mari-Ann , Grande Tor
Published: November 2017

Cation diffusion in functional oxide materials is of fundamental interest, particularly in relation to interdiffusion of cations in thin film heterostructures and chemical stability of materials in high temperature electrochemical devices. Here we report on 134Ba tracer diffusion in polycrystalline BaMO3 (M = Ti, Zr, Ce) materials. The dense BaMO3 ceramics were prepared by solid state sintering, and thin films of 134BaO were deposited on the polished pellets by drop casting of an aqueous solution containing the Ba-tracer. The samples were subjected to thermal annealing and the resulting isotope distribution profiles were recorded by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The depth profiles exhibited two distinct regions reflecting lattice and grain boundary diffusion. The grain boundary diffusion was found to be 4-5 orders of magnitude faster than the lattice diffusion for all three materials. The temperature dependence of the lattice and grain boundary diffusion coefficients followed an Arrhenius type behaviour, and the activation energy and pre-exponential factor demonstrated a clear correlation with the size of the primitive unit cell of the three perovskites. Diffusion of Ba via Ba-vacancies was proposed as the most likely diffusion mechanism.
Measurements of temperature characteristics and estimation of terahertz negative differential conductance in resonant-tunneling-diode oscillators
Authors: Asada M. , Suzuki S. , Fukuma T.
Published: November 2017

The temperature dependences of output power, oscillation frequency, and current-voltage curve are measured for resonant-tunneling-diode terahertz (THz) oscillators. The output power largely changes with temperature owing to the change in Ohmic loss. In contrast to the output power, the oscillation frequency and current-voltage curve are almost insensitive to temperature. The measured temperature dependence of output power is compared with the theoretical calculation including the negative differential conductance (NDC) as a fitting parameter assumed to be independent of temperature. Very good agreement was obtained between the measurement and calculation, and the NDC in the THz frequency region is estimated. The results show that the absolute values of NDC in the THz region significantly decrease relative to that at DC, and increases with increasing frequency in the measured frequency range.
Modeling energy band gap of doped TiO2 semiconductor using homogeneously hybridized support vector regression with gravitational search algorithm hyper-parameter optimization
Authors: Owolabi Taoreed O. , Akande Kabiru O. , Olatunji Sunday O. , Aldhafferi Nahier , Alqahtani Abdullah
Published: November 2017

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor is characterized with a wide band gap and attracts a significant attention for several applications that include solar cell carrier transportation and photo-catalysis. The tunable band gap of this semiconductor coupled with low cost, chemical stability and non-toxicity make it indispensable for these applications. Structural distortion always accompany TiO2 band gap tuning through doping and this present work utilizes the resulting structural lattice distortion to estimate band gap of doped TiO2 using support vector regression (SVR) coupled with novel gravitational search algorithm (GSA) for hyper-parameters optimization. In order to fully capture the non-linear relationship between lattice distortion and band gap, two SVR models were homogeneously hybridized and were subsequently optimized using GSA. GSA-HSVR (hybridized SVR) performs better than GSA-SVR model with performance improvement of 57.2% on the basis of root means square error reduction of the testing dataset. Effect of Co doping and Nitrogen-Iodine co-doping on band gap of TiO2 semiconductor was modeled and simulated. The obtained band gap estimates show excellent agreement with the values reported from the experiment. By implementing the models, band gap of doped TiO2 can be estimated with high level of precision and absorption ability of the semiconductor can be extended to visible region of the spectrum for improved properties and efficiency.
The roles of field and capital in negotiating language policy in the Slovene parliament
Authors: Savski Kristof
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of integrating Bourdieu’s notions of field and capital in discursive analyses of language policy. The paper presents an analysis of a debate in a committee session of the Slovene parliament, where different actors negotiated about the contents of a language policy strategy. The study draws on nexus analysis by focussing on the situated nature of discursive actions in particular settings, and presents a historical ethnography which combines analysis of transcripts with interviews and a detailed examination of policy documents. The analysis uncovers the efforts of actors to legitimize their authority and achieve their goals with the support of capital accumulated in different fields, and focusses particularly on the dynamics involved in translating the value of sources of capital across the borders of different fields.
Passive revolutions and the dynamics of social change in the peripheries
Authors: Tansel Cemal Burak
Published: November 2017

Tansel’s contribution to the debate dissects the concept of passive revolution and highlights the significance of understanding passive revolutions as concrete historical episodes of mobilisation and state formation.
An efficient approach to analysis of distortion in complex welded structures
Authors: Gupta O. P.
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a methodology for evaluation of distortion in complex welded structures using an inherent strain approach. Although inherent strains were used by number of investigators earlier, they used time-consuming thermo-elastic-plastic analysis of near weld zone to obtain inherent strains. This analysis had to be performed separately for each different weld. Correlation between extensive experimental data on distortion and inherent strain is used in the work reported here and it avoids thermo-elastic-plastic analysis completely, making the FE analysis very fast. The examples taken from the literature, where experiments were performed on complex welded structure, are used as verification examples. The versatility of the method for use on any odd configuration and the accuracy of results obtained using this method is demonstrated.
Reproductive Strategy of the Giant Electric Ray in the Southern Gulf of California
Authors: Burgos-Vázquez María I. , Mejía-Falla Paola A. , Cruz-Escalona Víctor H. , Brown-Peterson Nancy J.
Published: November 2017

The objective of the present study was to describe and characterize macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the reproductive biology of the Giant Electric Ray Narcine entemedor, a viviparous elasmobranch targeted by commercial fishers in Mexico. A total of 305 individual rays were captured (260 females, 45 males); all males were sexually mature. The median size at maturity for females was estimated to be 58.5 cm TL, the median size at pregnancy was 63.7 cm TL, and the median size at maternity was 66.2 cm TL. The range of ovarian follicles recorded per female was 1–69; the maximum ovarian fecundity of fully grown vitellogenic oocytes was 17, and uterine fecundity ranged from 1 to 24 embryos per female. The lengths of the oblong ovarian follicles varied significantly among months, and the largest ovarian follicles were found in July, August, and September. Median embryo size was largest in August, and the size at birth was between 12.4 and 14.5 cm TL. Histological evidence of secretions from the glandular tissue of the uterine villi indicate that this species probably has limited histotrophy as a reproductive mode. Vitellogenesis in the ovary occurred synchronously with gestation in the uterus. The Giant Electric Ray has a continuous annual reproductive cycle; a period of ovulation occurs between May and September and two peaks of parturition, one in January and one in August, occur, suggesting that embryonic diapause occurs in some individuals. These results provide useful information for the management of this important commercial species in Bahía de La Paz, Mexico, and will allow possible modification of the current Mexican regulations to enable better protection of this species.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection And Hypertension. Is There a Connection?
Authors: Sanidas Elias , Papadopoulos Dimitris P , Velliou Maria , Tsioufis Kostas , Barbetseas John , Papademetriou Vasilios
Published: November 2017

Data support that hypertension (HTN) is prevalent among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients contributing to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Immunodeficiency and prolonged antiretroviral treatment along with common risk factors including older age, male gender, and high body mass index might conduce to greater incidence of HTN. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent evidence of the increased cardiovascular risk in these patents linking HIV infection to HTN.
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in a Case of Nonspecific Orbital Inflammation
Authors: Manta Alexandra , Ugradar Shoaib , Murta Fabiola , Ezra Daniel , Cormack Ian
Published: November 2017

The immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is an exaggerated abnormal immune response, typically seen in HIV-positive patients following restoration of a normal CD4 count as a result of initiation of antiretroviral therapy. It has been described in relation to either occult opportunistic infections or to a paradoxical relapse of a previously successfully treated infection with negative microbiological cultures. The authors report the case of a 60-year-old HIV-positive African male who presented with 2 episodes of orbital inflammation that occurred in conjunction with improvements of CD4 count following Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. This phenomenon was underpinned by biopsies obtained following each episode. Interestingly, on both occasions, he responded well to corticosteroid therapy. Although the soft tissues of the orbits are a common area affected by other inflammatory diseases, it is rare for them to be involved in immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome affecting the orbits exclusively. The authors believe that it is probably an underdiagnosed condition and may be erroneously labeled as idiopathic in many cases. This case report inspires us to keep an open mind when dealing with patients on antiretroviral therapy.
Hearing Outcomes After Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Jugular Paraganglioma
Authors: Patel Neil S. , Link Michael J. , Driscoll Colin L. W. , Pollock Bruce E. , Lohse Christine M. , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

To describe audiometric outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for jugular paraganglioma (JP).

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

Patients with pretreatment serviceable hearing (American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery [AAO-HNS] Class A or B) and serial post-SRS audiometric follow-up who underwent Gamma Knife SRS for JP between 1990 and 2017.

Intervention(s):

Gamma Knife SRS.

Main Outcome Measures:

Progression to nonserviceable hearing; correlation between baseline hearing and treatment parameters with audiometric outcomes.

Results:

Of 85 patients with JP who underwent SRS during the study period, 35 (66% female, median age 53) had pretreatment serviceable hearing and serial post-treatment audiometry available for review. Median tumor volume at the time of treatment was 7,080 mm3, median cochlear point dose was 5.8 Gy (interquartile range [IQR] 4.1 to 7.3 Gy), and median marginal and maximum tumor doses were 16 and 32 Gy, respectively. After a median follow-up of 37 months (IQR 16 to 77 mo), the median change in pure-tone average and speech discrimination score in the treated ear was −1.2 dB HL/yr (IQR −4.5 to 0.3) and 0%/yr (IQR 0–3.5%), compared with 0.07 dB HL/yr (IQR −0.03 to 0.12) and 0 %/yr (IQR 0 to 0%) in the contralateral untreated ear. Seven patients developed nonserviceable hearing (AAO-HNS Class C or D) at a median of 13.2 months following SRS (IQR 4.8 to 24 mo). Among those who maintained serviceable hearing, median audiometric follow-up was 42 months (IQR 18 to 77 mo). The Kaplan–Meier estimated rates of serviceable hearing at 1, 3, and 5 years following SRS were 91%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. Sixty percent of patients with pulsatile tinnitus who underwent SRS experienced varying levels of symptomatic improvement following treatment.

Conclusion:

The short- and intermediate-term risk of progression to nonserviceable hearing following SRS for JP is low. Data regarding the impact of cochlear dose from the vestibular schwannoma literature should not be freely applied to JP, since the impact of SRS parameters on hearing preservation seems to be less significant.
A Population Based Analysis of Melanoma of the External Ear
Authors: Patel Tapan D. , Chin Oliver Y. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson , Ying Yu-Lan Mary
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Malignant melanoma accounts for nearly 75% of all skin cancer deaths, and the incidence is on the rise in the United States. External ear melanoma (EEM) is rare, and there is little long-term data regarding the clinical behavior of this melanoma site. This study analyzes the demographic, clinicopathologic, and survival characteristics of EEM.

Methods:

The SEER database was queried for EEM cases from 1973 to 2012 (8,982 cases). Data analyzed included patient demographics, incidence trends, and survival outcomes.

Results:

External ear melanoma occurred most frequently in the sixth and seventh decades of life. Mean age at diagnosis was 65.5 (±16.8) years. However, the incidence of EEM in adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39 yr) has increased by 111.9% from 1973 to 2012. There was a strong male predilection with a male-to-female ratio of 6.40:1. The most common histologic subtype was malignant melanoma, NOS (46.8%), followed by superficial spreading melanoma (21.4%), and lentigo maligna melanoma (17.9%). The majority of cases were localized at the time of presentation (88.0%), with rare distant metastasis (1.9%). The most common treatment modality was surgery alone (97.6%), followed by surgery with radiotherapy (2.3%). Ten-year disease-specific survival was better among those treated with surgery alone (90.7%), than those treated with surgery with radiotherapy (37.1%) (p < 0.0001). Increasing Breslow's thickness and presence of an ulcerating lesion were both associated with poorer survival (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

This study represents the largest cohort of EEM. It has an excellent survival outcome with surgery being the treatment of choice.
Gastrostomy Tubes
Authors: Fuchs Susan
Published: November 2017

Parents often bring their children to the emergency department for adverse events with their child's gastrostomy tube or button. This review will discuss the possible complications and the methods to handle them.
Direct Peritoneal Resuscitation Alters Leukocyte Infiltration in the Lung After Acute Brain Death
Authors: Weaver Jessica L. , Matheson Paul J. , Matheson Amy , Downard Cynthia D. , Garrison Richard Neal , Smith Jason W.
Published: November 2017

Background:

Brain death is associated with significant lung injury and inflammation. This has been associated with worse long-term outcomes for transplanted lungs. Direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) reduces systemic inflammation in brain death and improves lung procurement rate. The effect of DPR on macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in the lungs is not known.

Methods:

Male Sprague–Dawley rats had a 4F Fogarty catheter inserted into the skull and the balloon inflated until brain death was achieved. Rats were resuscitated with normal saline to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 80 mmHg (targeted intravenous fluid, TIVF) and DPR animals received an intraperitoneal injection of commercial peritoneal dialysis solution. Rats were sacrificed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after brain death. Protein levels were assessed using quantitative ELISA. Leukocytes were quantified using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

Results:

At all time points, DPR downregulated multiple inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-6. Adhesion molecules ICAM, E-selectin, and P-selectin were increased above sham at 4 and 6 h after brain death and reduced with DPR, whereas VCAM was reduced at 2 and 6 h. Infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils were trended downward at 6 h with DPR, though this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Animals that received TIVF alone had significant increases in inflammatory cytokines within the lung tissue, leading to adhesion molecule expression and ultimately leukocyte infiltration. Each stage of inflammation was affected by DPR. Using DPR in brain dead organ donors shows promise as a way to reduce lung injury and inflammation.
Tim-3 Regulates Tregs’ Ability to Resolve the Inflammation and Proliferation of Acute Lung Injury by Modulating Macrophages Polarization
Authors: Liu Xiandong , Jiang Sen , Zhang Qian , Xu Shumin , Bao Xiaowei , Cao Wei , Bai Jianwen , Tang Lunxian
Published: November 2017

We recently reported that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) contributed to the recovery of patients with acute lung injury (ALI) by upregulating T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (Tim-3). However, the molecular mechanism by which Tim-3 regulates Tregs’ function in the resolution and fibroproliferation after ALI remains unknown. In this study, we adoptively transferred Tim-3+Tregs or Tim-3−Tregs into lipopolysaccharide -induced ALI mice model. Data demonstrated that Tim-3+Tregs not only decreased indices of lung inflammation and injury but also mitigated lung fibrosis after ALI. Furthermore, we observed that the transfer of Tim-3+Tregs led to M2-like macrophage differentiation as demonstrated by significantly upregulated levels of M2-associated phenotypic markers as well as downregulated expressions of M1-related markers in both the profibrotic lung tissue and sorted pulmonary monocytes after ALI. In addition, cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4 were also upregulated in lung tissues after Tim-3+Tregs transferring. In vitro experiments further demonstrated that cell-contact cocultures with Tregs lacking Tim-3 presented decreased polarization of M2-like macrophages partially mediated by a decreased expression and function of STAT-3. Therefore, these data demonstrate a previously unrecognized function of Tim-3 on Tregs in their ability to repress the fibroproliferation of ALI by inducing alternative macrophages polarization. Moreover, the data highlight that Tim-3+Tregs-mediated induction of M2-like macrophages may be a novel treatment modality with transitional potential.
Time calibrated tree of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae) indicate four origins of yams in the Neotropics since the Eocene
Authors: Couto Ricardo S. , Martins Aline C. , Bolson Mônica , Lopes Rosana C. , Smidt Eric C. , Braga João M. A.
Published: November 2017

The yam genus Dioscorea comprises circa 650 species of tropical vines with starch rich tubers, usefull as an energy source and often containing secondary metabolites. The Neotropical Region holds the highest diversity of species and morphology of yams. We generated a time-calibrated tree for Dioscorea using, for the first time, a dense sampling of Neotropical species (64 sp., 20% of all Neotropical sp. and 22 sections) to trace the biogeography of these plants in this region. Four origins of Dioscorea in the neotropics were estimated since the Eocene. The two most diverse lineages originated between the Eocene and Oligocene, respectively in the Southern Andes and eastern South America. Both lineages occupied the South American ‘Dry Diagonal’ after the Miocene, but New World II clade remained associated with forest habitats. Several exchanges between Dry Diagonal and adjacent forested biomes occurred, corroborating the interchange between these vegetation types. Dispersals to Central America occurred before the closure of the Panama Isthmus. We highlight two important events of long distance dispersal, the colonization of Central American before the closure of Isthmus of Panama and the dispersal of D. antaly lineage to Madagascar. In addition, our phylogenetic tree evidenced the unnatural nature of the classical infrageneric classification of Dioscorea. The taxonomic implications of our results are also discussed.
Toward Machine Learning-based Data-driven Functional Protein Studies: Understanding Colour Tuning Rules and Predicting the Absorption Wavelengths of Microbial Rhodopsins
Authors: Karasuyama Masayuki , Inoue Keiichi , Kandori Hideki , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: November 2017

The light-dependent ion-transport function of microbial rhodopsin has been widely used in optogenetics for optical control of neural activity. In order to increase the variety of rhodopsin proteins having a wide range of absorption wavelengths, the light absorption properties of various wild-type rhodopsins and their artificially mutated variants were investigated in the literature. Here, we demonstrate that a machine-learning-based (ML-based) data-driven approach is useful for understanding and predicting the light-absorption properties of microbial rhodopsin proteins. We constructed a database of 796 proteins consisting of microbial rhodopsin wildtypes and their variants. We then proposed an ML method that produces a statistical model describing the relationship between amino-acid sequences and absorption wavelengths and demonstrated that the fitted statistical model is useful for understanding colour tuning rules and predicting absorption wavelengths. By applying the ML method to the database, two residues that were not considered in previous studies are newly identified to be important to colour shift.