bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Los mercados locales alternativos en México y Colombia: resistencias y transformaciones en torno a procesos de certificación
Authors: Roldán Rueda Héctor Nicolás , Gracia María Amalia , Mier y Teran Mateo
Published: March 2019

Una de las principales dificultades que tienen pequeños y medianos productores en Colombia y México es el acceso a mercados favorables. Atendiendo a esta problemática, distintos actores han generado estrategias de comercialización para recuperar espacios físicos y simbólicos que expresan demandas y reivindicaciones asociadas a la producción, la distribución y el consumo de alimentos locales. A partir de técnicas de investigación cualitativa, estudiamos mecanismos utilizados por cuatro mercados locales alternativos de estos dos países para diferenciar su producción, así como los sujetos involucrados; los resultados muestran las virtudes, las tensiones y los retos que suscitan los procesos de certificación.
Magneto-optical confirmation of Landau level splitting in a GaN/AlGaN 2DEG grown on bulk GaN
Authors: Schmult Stefan , Solovyev Victor V. , Wirth Steffen , Großer Andreas , Mikolajick Thomas , Kukushkin Igor V.
Published: March 2019

Landau level splitting in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) confined in an ultrapure GaN/AlGaN heterostructure grown by molecular beam epitaxy on bulk GaN is verified spectroscopically. The Landau level fan reconstructed from magneto-photoluminescence (PL) data yields an effective mass of 0.24m0 for the 2D electrons. Narrow excitonic PL line widths < 100 μeV, an atomically flat surface of the layer stack, as well as the absence of the 2DEG in the dark environment, are important ancillary experimental findings while focusing on magneto-PL investigations of the heterostructure. Simultaneously recorded Shubnikov-de Haas and magneto-PL intensity oscillations under steady UV illumination exhibit an identical frequency and allow for two independent ways of determining the 2D density.
Turn Dreams into Realities: Navigating the Transition from College to Professional Life
Authors: Ross Craig M. , Young Sarah J.
Published: March 2019

One of the toughest transitions in most people's lives is from the schoolroom to the workplace. High school and college graduates are primed for this jolting change with lofty well-meant speeches projecting bright hopes for the future and spouting wise counsel about how to make it in the business world and what pitfalls to avoid. They are, in effect, given a healthy dose of inspiration, a hearty pat on the back and then encouraged to go out into the world and make it—on your own—because that's what it boils down to in the end.

No question about it. Of course, there's no other way. Venturing out into the world is just that. But no amount of preparation, however well-intended, could achieve a smooth and easy transition from the accustomed routine of regularly scheduled classes and classwork to the hard competitive world of job seeking and … getting ahead (Dreyer, 1992, p. 17).
Generating Revenue Using a 3 vs. 3 Soccer Tournament
Authors: Taylor Howard , Rokosz Frank
Published: March 2019

Described here is a 3 vs. 3 soccer tournament that is being used on an annual basis to produce income for a college campus recreation center and its programs. It is a two-day event that incorporates all standard age groups. Playing rules and procedures for conducting the event are detailed, as well as specific information on tournament finances.
Fine-Tuning of σ
E
Activation Suppresses Multiple Assembly-Defective Mutations in Escherichia coli
Authors: Hart Elizabeth M. , O’Connell Aileen , Tang Kimberly , Wzorek Joseph S. , Grabowicz Marcin , Kahne Daniel , Silhavy Thomas J.
Published: March 2019

Gram-negative bacteria, such as
Escherichia coli
, inhabit a natural environment that is prone to flux. In order to cope with shifting growth conditions and the changing availability of nutrients, cells must be capable of quickly responding to stress. Stress response pathways allow cells to rapidly shift gene expression profiles to ensure survival in this unpredictable environment. Here we describe a mutant that partially activates the σ
E
stress response pathway. The elevated basal level of this stress response allows the cell to quickly respond to overwhelming stress to ensure cell survival.
Fecal Viral Diversity of Captive and Wild Tasmanian Devils Characterized Using Virion-Enriched Metagenomics and Metatranscriptomics
Authors: Chong Rowena , Shi Mang , Grueber Catherine E. , Holmes Edward C. , Hogg Carolyn J. , Belov Katherine , Barrs Vanessa R.
Published: March 2019

The Tasmanian devil is an iconic Australian marsupial that has suffered an 80% population decline due to a contagious cancer, devil facial tumor disease, along with other threats. Until now, viral discovery in this species has been confined to one gammaherpesvirus (dasyurid herpesvirus 2 [DaHV-2]), for which captivity was identified as a significant risk factor. Our discovery of 24 novel marsupial-associated RNA and DNA viruses, and that viral diversity is lower in captive than in wild devils, has greatly expanded our knowledge of gut-associated viruses in devils and provides important baseline information that will contribute to the conservation and captive management of this endangered species. Our results also revealed that a combination of virion-enriched metagenomics and metatranscriptomics may be a more comprehensive approach for virome characterization than either method alone. Our results thus provide a springboard for continuous improvements in the way we study complex viral communities.
Broad and Protective Influenza B Virus Neuraminidase Antibodies in Humans after Vaccination and their Clonal Persistence as Plasma Cells
Authors: Piepenbrink Michael S. , Nogales Aitor , Basu Madhubanti , Fucile Christopher F. , Liesveld Jane L. , Keefer Michael C. , Rosenberg Alexander F. , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Kobie James J.
Published: March 2019

Influenza virus infections continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality despite the availability of seasonal vaccines. The extensive genetic variability in seasonal and potentially pandemic influenza strains necessitates new vaccine strategies that can induce universal protection by focusing the immune response on generating protective antibodies against conserved targets such as regions within the influenza neuraminidase protein. We have demonstrated that seasonal immunization stimulates neuraminidase-specific antibodies in humans that are broad and potent in their protection from influenza B virus when tested in mice. These antibodies further persist in the bone marrow, where they are expressed by long-lived antibody-producing cells, referred to here as plasma cells. The significance in our research is the demonstration that seasonal influenza immunization can induce a subset of neuraminidase-specific B cells with broad protective potential, a process that if further studied and enhanced could aid in the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
Serum Amyloid P Component Binds Fungal Surface Amyloid and Decreases Human Macrophage Phagocytosis and Secretion of Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Behrens Nicole E. , Lipke Peter N. , Pilling Darrell , Gomer Richard H. , Klotz Stephen A.
Published: March 2019

Macrophages are a key part of our innate immune system and are responsible for recognizing invading microbes, ingesting them, and sending appropriate signals to other immune cells. We have found that human macrophages can recognize invading yeast pathogens that have a specific molecular pattern of proteins on their surfaces: these proteins have structures similar to the structures of amyloid aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. However, this surface pattern also causes the fungi to bind a serum protein called serum amyloid P component (SAP). In turn, the SAP-coated yeasts are poorly recognized and seldom ingested by the macrophages, and the macrophages have a more tolerant and less inflammatory response in the presence of SAP. Therefore, we find that surface structures on the yeast can alter how the macrophages react to invading microbes.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basic versus biofeedback-mediated intensive pelvic floor muscle training for female stress or mixed urinary incontinence: protocol for the OPAL randomised trial
Authors: Hagen Suzanne , McClurg Doreen , Bugge Carol , Hay-Smith Jean , Dean Sarah Gerard , Elders Andrew , Glazener Cathryn , Abdel-fattah Mohamed , Agur Wael Ibrahim , Booth Jo , Guerrero Karen , Norrie John , Kilonzo Mary , McPherson Gladys , McDonald Alison , Stratton Susan , Sergenson Nicole , Grant Aileen , Wilson Lyndsay
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Accidental urine leakage is a distressing problem that affects around one in three women. The main types of urinary incontinence (UI) are stress, urgency and mixed, with stress being most common. Current UK guidelines recommend that women with UI are offered at least 3 months of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). There is evidence that PFMT is effective in treating UI, however it is not clear how intensively women have to exercise to give the maximum sustained improvement in symptoms, and how we enable women to achieve this. Biofeedback is an adjunct to PFMT that may help women exercise more intensively for longer, and thus may improve continence outcomes when compared with PFMT alone. A Cochrane review was inconclusive about the benefit of biofeedback, indicating the need for further evidence.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre randomised controlled trial will compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PFMT versus biofeedback-mediated PFMT for women with stress UI or mixed UI. The primary outcome is UI severity at 24 months after randomisation. The primary economic outcome measure is incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year at 24 months. Six hundred women from UK community, outpatient and primary care settings will be randomised and followed up via questionnaires, diaries and pelvic floor assessment. All participants are offered six PFMT appointments over 16 weeks. The use of clinic and home biofeedback is added to PFMT for participants in the biofeedback group. Group allocation could not be masked from participants and healthcare staff. An intention-to-treat analysis of the primary outcome will estimate the mean difference between the trial groups at 24 months using a general linear mixed model adjusting for minimisation covariates and other important prognostic covariates, including the baseline score.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval granted by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 4 (16/LO/0990). Written informed consent will be obtained from participants by the local research team. Serious adverse events will be reported to the data monitoring and ethics committee, the ethics committee and trial centres as required. A Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials checklist and figure are available for this protocol. The results will be published in international journals and included in the relevant Cochrane review.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN57746448; Pre-results.
Effect of texturing on the longevity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes in municipal solid waste landfills
Authors: Morsy M.S. , Rowe R. Kerry
Published: March 2019

The effect of texturing (co-extrusion using blowing agent) on the longevity of a geomembrane (GMB) when immersed in synthetic municipal solid waste leachate is investigated over a ∼3 year period. Based on data at four temperatures (40, 55, 75, and 85 °C), the time to antioxidant depletion of the textured portion of a 1.5 mm core thickness high-density polyethylene (HDPE) GMB is 40% (standard oxidative induction time) and 9% (high-pressure oxidative induction time) faster compared to the 1.5 mm smooth edge of the GMB. However, despite this, stress crack resistance results show that texturing may have no significant effect on the time to nominal failure for this GMB. It is also shown that HDPE GMBs made from nominally the same resin but from different production lots have different rates of stress crack resistance degradation and hence time to nominal failure; this should be considered both in landfill design and landfill construction quality assurance.
SLMAP-3 is downregulated in human dilated ventricles and its overexpression promotes cardiomyocyte response to adrenergic stimuli by increasing intracellular calcium
Authors: Nader Moni , Alsolme Ebtehal , Alotaibi Shahd , Alsomali Rahmah , Bakheet Dana , Dzimiri Nduna
Published: March 2019

Structural dilation of cardiomyocytes (CMs) imposes a decline in cardiac performance that precipitates cardiac failure and sudden death. Since membrane proteins are implicated in dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, we evaluated the expression of the sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP) in dilated cardiomyopathy and its effect on CM contraction. We found that all 3 SLMAP isoforms (SLMAP-1, -2, and -3) are expressed in CMs and are downregulated in human dilated ventricles. Knockdown of SLMAPs in cultured CMs transduced with recombinant adeno-associated viral particles releasing SLMAP-shRNA precipitated reduced spontaneous contractile rate that was not fully recovered in SLMAP-depleted CMs challenged with isoproterenol (ISO), thus phenotypically mimicking heart failure performance. Interestingly, the overexpression of the SLMAP-3 full-length isoform induced a positive chronotropic effect in CMs that was more pronounced in response to ISO insult (vs. ISO-treated naïve CMs). Confocal live imaging showed that H9c2 cardiac myoblasts overexpressing SLMAP-3 exhibit a higher intracellular calcium transient peak when treated with ISO (vs. ISO-treated cells carrying a control adeno-associated viral particle). Proteomics revealed that SLMAP-3 interacts with the regulator of CM contraction, striatin. Collectively, our data demonstrate that SLMAP-3 is a novel regulator of CM contraction rate and their response to adrenergic stimuli. Loss of SLMAPs phenotypically mimics cardiac failure and crystallizes SLMAPs as predictive of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
Structural, electronic, optical and thermal properties of CuXTe2 (X=Al, Ga, In) compounds: An ab-initio study
Authors: Mahdjoubi R. , Megdoud Y. , Tairi L. , Meradji H. , Chouahda Z. , Ghemid S. , El Haj Hassan F.
Published: March 2019

First-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, optical and thermal properties of chalcopyrite CuXTe2 (X[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Al, Ga, In) have been performed within density functional theory using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, by employing for the exchange and correlation potential the approximations WC-GGA and mBJ-GGA. The effect of X cations replacement on the structural, electronic band structure, density of states and optical properties were highlighted and explained. Our results are in good agreement with the previous theoretical and experimental data. As far as we know, for the first time we find the effects of temperature and pressure on thermal parameters of CuAlTe2 and CuGaTe2 compounds. Thermal properties are very useful for optimizing crystal growth, and predict photovoltaic applications on extreme thermodynamic conditions.
Hawking radiation of charged fermions from accelerating and rotating black holes with generalized uncertainty principle
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Rehman Khalil Ur
Published: March 2019

By considering the quantum gravity effects based on generalized uncertainty principle, we give a correction to Hawking radiation of charged fermions from accelerating and rotating black holes. Using Hamilton–Jacobi approach, we calculate the corrected tunneling probability and the Hawking temperature. The quantum corrected Hawking temperature depends on the black hole parameters as well as quantum number of emitted particles. It is also seen that a remnant is formed during the black hole evaporation. In addition, the corrected temperature is independent of an angle [Formula: see text] which contradicts the claim made in the literature.
The evolution of the gaseous envelope around a newborn protostar
Authors: Memarian Mohammad Mahdi , Mohammadpour Motahareh
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we investigate the influence of nonisothermal processes on the evolution of the cloud's envelope around a newborn protostar. For this purpose, we study the evolution of a spherical cloud harboring a central hydrostatic newborn protostar. This model includes thermal effects due to heating of the cosmic rays and cooling of the gas and gas–dust energy transfer. We have ignored the effects of the magnetic field and rotation. The semianalytical Adomian decomposition method (ADM) is used to solve the system of nonlinear dynamical equations for different initial conditions. In this paper, the ADM allows us to follow the time evolution of the cloud's envelope and its mass accretion rate onto the newborn protostar. We find that the mass accretion rates of the envelope are increasing functions of time and highly depend on the choice of initial conditions. Moreover, we find that the nonisothermal processes affect the evolution of the mass accretion rates compared with the isothermal processes for different initial conditions.
An Analytical Study for Nonlinear Free and Forced Vibration of Electrostatically Actuated MEMS Resonators
Authors: Lai S. K. , Yang X. , Wang C. , Liu W. J.
Published: March 2019

This work aims to construct accurate and simple lower-order analytical approximation solutions for the free and forced vibration of electrostatically actuated micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonators, in which geometrical and material nonlinearities are induced by the mid-plane stretching, dynamic pull-in characteristics, electrostatic forces and other intrinsic properties. Due to the complexity of nonlinear MEMS systems, the quest of exact closed-form solutions for these problems is hardly obtained for system design and analysis, in particular for harmonically forced nonlinear systems. To examine the simplicity and effectiveness of the present analytical solutions, two illustrative cases are taken into consideration. First, the free vibration of a doubly clamped microbeam suspended on an electrode due to a suddenly applied DC voltage is considered. Based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and the von Karman type nonlinear kinematics, the dynamic motion of the microbeam is further discretized by the Galerkin method to an autonomous system with general nonlinearity, which can be solved analytically by using the Newton harmonic balance method. In addition to large-amplitude free vibration, the primary resonance response of a doubly clamped microbeam driven by two symmetric electrodes is also investigated, in which the microbeam is actuated by a bias DC voltage and a harmonic AC voltage. Following the same decomposition approach, the governing equation of a harmonically forced beam model can be transformed to a nonautonomous system with odd nonlinearity only. Then, lower-order analytical approximation solutions are derived to analyze the steady-state resonance response of such a problem under a combination of various DC and AC voltage effects. Finally, the analytical approximation results of both cases are validated, and they are in good agreement with those obtained by the standard Runge–Kutta method.
Adsorptive Removal of Recalcitrant Auramine-O Dye by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles: Isotherm, Kinetics, and Fixed-Bed Column Studies
Authors: Muthukumaran Chandrasekaran , Sivakumar Vaiyazhipalayam Murugaiyan , Sumathi Sethupathi , Thirumarimurugan Marimuthu
Published: March 2019

Presently, the treatment of dye-polluted water is a challenging task worldwide. In this study, the adsorptive removal of Auramine-O (AO) dye by magnetite nanoparticles (MNs) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) functionalized MNs (SFMNs) were investigated. FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, and XRD were employed to characterize the MNs. In batch optimization, dye removal efficiency of 74% was obtained at contact time (40[Formula: see text]min), pH 6.5, sorbent dosage (20[Formula: see text]mg), and initial dye concentration (20[Formula: see text]mg/L). The maximum adsorption capacity of 55.56[Formula: see text]mg/g was estimated from Langmuir model and the isotherm data were fitted with Freundlich model ([Formula: see text]) for SFMNs. Pseudo-second-order kinetics was followed by both MNs and SFMNs for the adsorption of AO dye. The continuous AO dye adsorption was studied in fixed-bed column and the effects of bed height, influent flow rate, and initial dye concentration were investigated. The column performance was evaluated by breakthrough kinetic modeling and Yoon–Nelson model was fitted with the data. The results of this study showed that the surface modification of MNs using SDS enhanced the AO dye removal efficiency and SFMNs can be employed as an efficient nanoadsorbent for AO dye removal in batch and continuous mode of operation.
The topology of Baumslag–Solitar representations
Authors: Bergeron Maxime , Silberman Lior
Published: March 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a Baumslag–Solitar group and let [Formula: see text] be a complex reductive algebraic group with maximal compact subgroup [Formula: see text]. We show that, when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are relatively prime with distinct absolute values, there is a strong deformation retraction of [Formula: see text] onto [Formula: see text].
Implementing Gene Expression Programming in the Parallel Environment for Big Datasets’ Classification
Authors: Jȩdrzejowicz Joanna , Jȩdrzejowicz Piotr , Wierzbowska Izabela
Published: March 2019

The paper investigates a Gene Expression Programming (GEP)-based ensemble classifier constructed using the stacked generalization concept. The classifier has been implemented with a view to enable parallel processing with the use of Spark and SWIM — an open source genetic programming library. The classifier has been validated in computational experiments carried out on benchmark datasets. Also, it has been inbvestigated how the results are influenced by some settings. The paper is an extension of a previous paper of the authors.
Dynamical Regularities of US Equities Opening and Closing Auctions
Authors: Challet Damien , Gourianov Nikita
Published: March 2019

We first investigate the evolution of opening and closing auction volumes of US equities along the years. We then report the dynamical properties of pre-auction periods: the indicative match price is strongly mean-reverting because the imbalance is; the final auction price reacts to a single auction order placement or cancellation in markedly different ways in the opening and closing auctions when computed conditionally on imbalance-improving or worsening events; the indicative price reverts towards the mid-price of the regular limit order book but is not especially bound to the spread.
Interaction between IL-33 Gene Polymorphisms and Current Smoking with Susceptibility to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Xie Lin , Qin Haihong , Liang Jun , Yang Yongsheng , Xu Jinhua , Zhang Tiejun
Published: March 2019

Aims. This study is aimed at exploring the relation between IL-33 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. SNPStats (online software) was used to test the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was adopted to screen the preferable interaction between IL-33 SNPs and current smoking. Results. Logistic regression analysis based on the fundamental data of age, gender, BMI, current smoking, and alcohol drinking showed that both rs1929992-G and rs1891385-C alleles were correlated with an increasing risk of SLE, the ORs (95% CI) of which were 1.62 (1.21-2.05) and 1.64 (1.22-2.10), respectively. One two-locus model (rs1929992×current smoking) had a testing accuracy of 60.11% (P=0.0010). Through an overall multidimensional model, optimum cross-validation consistency was obtained. The analysis indicated that current smoking status influenced the SLE risk depending on the genotypes at rs1929992. Pairwise LD analysis indicated that haplotype rs1929992G-rs7044343T was statistically related to the elevating risk of SLE (P<0.05). Those subjects with the G-T haplotype had a higher SLE risk than those with other haplotypes, after correction with factors, including gender, alcohol drinking, age, BMI, and current smoking. Conclusions. The rs1929992-G and rs1891385-C allele, interaction between the rs1929992 gene and current smoking, and haplotype rs1929992G-rs7044343T were all risk factors of SLE.
Etifoxine, a TSPO Ligand, Worsens Hepatitis C-Related Insulin Resistance but Relieves Lipid Accumulation
Authors: Lin Yu-Min , Sun Hung-Yu , Chiu Wen-Tai , Su Hui-Chen , Chien Yu-Chieh , Chang Heng-Ai , Chong Lee-Won , Chang Hung-Chuen , Young Kung-Chia , Bai Chyi-Huey , Tsao Chiung-Wen
Published: March 2019

Etifoxine, an 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) agonist for the treatment of anxiety disorders in clinic, may be able to cause acute liver injury or cytolytic hepatitis. TSPO has been demonstrated to participate in inflammatory responses in infective diseases as well as to modulate glucose and lipid homeostasis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disrupts glucose and lipid homoeostasis, leading to insulin resistance (IR). Whether TSPO affects the HCV-induced IR remains unclear. Here, we found that the administration of etifoxine increased the TSPO protein expression and recovered the HCV-mediated lower mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) without affecting HCV infection. Moreover, etifoxine reversed the HCV-induced lipid accumulation by modulating the expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and apolipoprotein J. On the other hand, in infected cells pretreated with etifoxine, the insulin-mediated insulin receptor substrate-1/Akt signals, forkhead box protein O1 translocation, and glucose uptake were blocked. Taken together, our results pointed out that etifoxine relieved the HCV-retarded MMP and reduced the lipid accumulation but deteriorated the HCV-induced IR by interfering with insulin signal molecules.
Reversing Effect of Insulin on Local Anesthetics-Induced Sciatic Nerve Block in Rats
Authors: Kim Jong Min , Choi Seok Hwa
Published: March 2019

Background. Local anesthetics are used in various purposes from topical and infiltration anesthesia to peripheral nerve or central neural blockade. Even though local anesthetics are relatively safe, they can have some toxic and adverse effects. Prolonged sensory and motor block is another example of an unwanted complication. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether insulin has a reversal effect on the peripheral (sciatic) nerve block with lidocaine or bupivacaine. Methods. The surgically exposed sciatic nerves in rats were blocked with lidocaine or bupivacaine, and then 0.1 ml of normal saline or 0.1 ml normal saline containing 0.1 IU a short-acting form of insulin was administrated per body in each group. Before and after sciatic nerve block, as well as until recovery from the nerve block after normal saline or insulin treatment, nerve conduction studies such as monitoring loss and recovery of the waveforms and amplitudes were performed to evaluate the status of motor nerve conduction. Results. Complete recovery time of nerve conduction status in lidocaine + normal saline group was 58 ± 16 min, whereas that in lidocaine + insulin group was 17 ± 3 min and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Complete recovery time of nerve conduction status in bupivacaine + normal saline group was 116 ± 16 min and that in bupivacaine + insulin group was 36 ± 4 min and the two groups were significantly different (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Insulin can reverse peripheral nerve block induced by lidocaine or bupivacaine.
Non-Integer Valued Winding Numbers and a Generalized Residue Theorem
Authors: Hungerbühler Norbert , Wasem Micha
Published: March 2019

We define a generalization of the winding number of a piecewise C1 cycle in the complex plane which has a geometric meaning also for points which lie on the cycle. The computation of this winding number relies on the Cauchy principal value but is also possible in a real version via an integral with bounded integrand. The new winding number allows to establish a generalized residue theorem which covers also the situation where singularities lie on the cycle. This residue theorem can be used to calculate the value of improper integrals for which the standard technique with the classical residue theorem does not apply.
Podokinetic After-Rotation Is Transiently Enhanced or Reversed by Unilateral Axial Muscle Proprioceptive Stimulation
Authors: Sozzi Stefania , Nardone Antonio , Crisafulli Oscar , Schieppati Marco
Published: March 2019

Unilateral axial muscle vibration, eliciting a proprioceptive volley, is known to incite steering behavior. Whole-body rotation while stepping in place also occurs as an after-effect of stepping on a circular treadmill (podokinetic after-rotation, PKAR). Here, we tested the hypothesis that PKAR is modulated by axial muscle vibration. If both phenomena operate through a common pathway, enhancement or cancellation of body rotation would occur depending on the stimulated side when vibration is administered concurrently with PKAR. Seventeen subjects participated in the study. In one session, subjects stepped in place eyes open on the center of a platform that rotated counterclockwise 60°/s for 10 min. When the platform stopped, subjects continued stepping in place blindfolded. In other session, a vibratory stimulus (100 Hz, 2 min) was administered to right or left paravertebral muscles at lumbar level at two intervals during the PKAR. We computed angular body velocity and foot step angles from markers fixed to shoulders and feet. During PKAR, all subjects rotated clockwise. Decreased angular velocity was induced by right vibration. Conversely, when vibration was administered to the left, clockwise rotation velocity increased. The combined effect on body rotation depended on the time at which vibration was administered during PKAR. Under all conditions, foot step angle was coherent with shoulder angular velocity. PKAR results from continuous asymmetric input from the muscles producing leg rotation, while axial muscle vibration elicits a proprioceptive asymmetric input. Both conditioning procedures appear to produce their effects through a common mechanism. We suggest that both stimulations would affect our straight ahead by combining their effects in an algebraic mode.
Long Noncoding RNA Expression Signatures of Colon Cancer Based on the ceRNA Network and Their Prognostic Value
Authors: Cheng Yang , Geng Lanlan , Wang Kunyuan , Sun Jingjing , Xu Wanfu , Gong Sitang , Zhu Yun
Published: March 2019

Background. The specific functional roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as ceRNAs in colon cancer and their potential implications for colon cancer prognosis remain unclear. In the present study, a genome-wide analysis was performed to investigate the potential lncRNA-mediated ceRNA interplay in colon cancer based on the “ceRNA hypothesis.” The prognostic value of the lncRNAs was evaluated. Methods. A dysregulated lncRNA-associated ceRNA network was constructed based on the miRNA, lncRNA, and mRNA expression profiles in combination with the miRNA regulatory network by using an integrative computational method. Molecular biological techniques, including qPCR and gene knockdown techniques, were used to verify candidate targets in colon cancer. Survival analysis was performed to identify the candidate lncRNAs with prognostic value. Results. Our network analysis uncovered several novel lncRNAs as functional ceRNAs through crosstalk with miRNAs. The QRT-PCR assays of patient tissues as well as gene knockdown colon cancer cells confirmed the expression of top lncRNAs and their correlation with target genes in the ceRNA network. Functional enrichment analysis predicted that differentially expressed lncRNAs might participate in broad biological functions associated with tumor progression. Moreover, these lncRNAs may be involved in a range of cellular pathways, including the apoptosis, PI3K-AKT, and EGFR signaling pathways. The survival analysis showed that the expression level of several lncRNAs in the network was correlated with the prognosis of patients with colon cancer. Conclusions. This study uncovered a dysregulated lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in colon cancer. The function of the identified lncRNAs in colon cancer was preliminarily explored, and their potential prognostic value was evaluated. Our study demonstrated that lncRNAs could potentially serve as important regulators in the development and progression of colon cancer. Candidate prognostic lncRNA biomarkers in colon cancer were identified.
A Recurrent Misdiagnosed and Maltreated Case of Keratosis Obturans
Authors: Alarouj Hamoud , AlObaid Faisal , AlBader Abdulmohsen K. , Ebrahim Mahmoud A. K.
Published: March 2019

Keratosis obturans is an obscure entity characterized by accumulation of desquamated keratinous material in the bony portion of the external auditory canal. Patients with this condition typically present with severe otalgia, conductive hearing loss, and global widening of the external auditory canal. We present a case of keratosis obturans that was misdiagnosed as impacted wax. The case was diagnosed and managed by microscope-guided examination with the patient under general anesthesia.
Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Ameliorate Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Rats via Secreting Tumor Necrosis Factor-Inducible Gene 6 Protein
Authors: Chen Yue , Tang Xiaochen , Li Ping , Zhou Ying , Xue Ting , Liu Jie , Yu Chen
Published: March 2019

Aims. To investigate whether bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) have ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced acute kidney injury (IRI-AKI) via tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 protein (TSG-6) and how TSG-6 exerted this effect. Methods. We used lentiviral vectors of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting TSG-6 gene to silence TSG-6 in BMSC. And TSG-6-silenced BMSC were administrated into IRI-AKI rats. Then we analyzed serum creatinine (Scr) and renal histology of IRI-AKI rats treated with BMSC after different pretreatments. Furthermore, we explored the effect of TSG-6 on renal tubular epithelial cells proliferation in vivo and in vitro assays. Results. The Scr levels of IRI-AKI rats treated with BMSC (73.5±7.8 μmol/L) significantly decreased compared to those of IRI-AKI rats treated without BMSC (392.5±24.8 μmol/L, P<0.05) or with DMEM (314.0±19.8 μmol/L, P<0.05). Meanwhile, the renal tissue injury in IRI-AKI rats treated with BMSC improved markedly. However, the Scr levels of IRI-AKI rats treated with TSG-6-silenced BMSC (265.1±21.2 μmol/L) significantly increased compared to those with BMSC (74.0±8.5 μmol/L, P<0.05). The proportion of Ki67-positive cells was reduced in IRI-AKI rats treated with TSG-6-silenced BMSC compared to that in IRI-AKI rats treated with BMSC (29.7±0.8% versus 43.4±3.0%, P<0.05). In vitro, the cell proliferation rate of TSG-6-stimulated NRK-52E cells under hypoxia (89.2±3.9%) increased significantly compared to that of NRK-52E cells alone under hypoxia (82.4±0.8%, P<0.05). Similarly, the proportion of Ki67-positive cells was significantly elevated in TSG-6-stimulated NRK-52E cells under hypoxia. Furthermore, TSG-6 could inhibit infiltration of neutrophils in kidney tissue of IRI-AKI. Conclusions. TSG-6 plays a key role in the treatment of IRI-AKI with BMSC, which may be due to its effect on promoting renal tubular epithelial cells proliferation by modulating inflammation.
Health-Related Quality of Life for Long-Acting Octreotide versus Placebo in Patients with Metastatic Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors in the Phase 3 PROMID Trial
Authors: Rinke Anja , Neary Maureen P. , Eriksson Jennifer , Hunger Matthias , Doan Thinh , Karli Dimitra , Arnold Rudolf
Published: March 2019

Background: In the phase IIIb PROMID study, octreotide long-acting significantly extended time to tumor progression compared with placebo in treatment-naïve patients with well-differentiated metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors. We report post hoc analyses for health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: HRQoL was measured with EORTC QLQ-C30, a 30-item self-report questionnaire (5 functional, 1 global, 9 symptom scales). Assessments were completed at baseline and every 12 weeks until tumor progression. Time to definitive deterioration (TDD; worsening of ≥10 points without further improvement) was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Linear mixed models were fit to assess change from baseline in QLQ-C30 scores by treatment arm over time. Results: Among 85 patients, 82 (96%) completed the QLQ-C30 at baseline. There were few events of definitive deterioration for many scales. Significantly longer TDD was reported for long-acting octreotide versus placebo for fatigue (median 18.5 months vs. 6.8; p = 0.0006), pain (not reached [NR] vs. 18.2; p = 0.0435) and insomnia (NR vs. 16.4; p = 0.0046). Change from baseline to week 24 fatigue scores were stable for long-acting octreotide (mean 0.78; 95% CI –6.3 to 7.8) but worsened for placebo (mean 9.1; 95% CI 1.9–16.4), and for diarrhea there were improvements for long-acting octreotide (mean –8.0; 95% CI –19.6 to 3.5) and worsening for placebo (mean 11.2; 95% CI –0.7 to 23.1). Conclusions: HRQoL was maintained with few deteriorations in long-acting octreotide patients, whereas there was earlier and/or more deterioration in placebo patients. In long-acting octreotide patients, HRQoL was maintained or improved for the clinically important neuroendocrine tumor symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea and pain, whereas placebo patients experienced a deterioration of HRQoL scores for these symptoms.
A cruz da questão: o uso de argumentos laicos na permanência de símbolos católicos em locais públicos brasileiros
Authors: Borges Guilherme
Published: March 2019

O foco deste trabalho está em observar discursos de bispos católicos proferidos em reação à possibilidade de símbolos religiosos serem retirados de estabelecimentos públicos. Para isso, são observadas respostas do Episcopado ao 3º Programa Nacional de Direitos Humanos (PNDH-3), lançado pelo governo federal brasileiro em finais de 2009. Entre os itens do documento, consta a proposta de impedir a ostentação de signos confessionais em recintos da União. Ao analisar os argumentos eclesiásticos, salta aos olhos como a “arma da cultura” é acionada nessa controvérsia. Trata-se de uma abordagem que se distancia dos modelos discursivos historicamente adotados pela Igreja no Brasil. Não se questiona a laicidade do Estado, como era feito outrora, nem se lança mão do catecismo ou das “leis de Deus”.
Lung transplantation and organ allocation in Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues-Filho Edison Moraes , Franke Cristiano Augusto , Junges José Roque
Published: March 2019

The philosophy of organ allocation is the result of two seemingly irreconcilable principles: utilitarianism and distributive justice. The process of organ donation and transplantation in Brazil reveals large inequalities between regions and units of the Federation, from the harvesting of organs to their implantation. In this context, lung transplantation is performed in only a few centers in the country and is still a treatment with limited long-term results. The allocation of the few organs harvested for the few procedures performed is defined mainly by chronology, a criterion that is not linked to necessity, which is a criterion of distributive justice, and neither to utility, a criterion of utilitarianism. This article reviews the organ allocation philosophy focusing on the case of lung transplantations in Brazil.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kumar Anupam A. , Kelly Daniel P. , Chirinos Julio A.
Published: March 2019

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex syndrome with an increasingly recognized heterogeneity in pathophysiology. Exercise intolerance is the hallmark of HFpEF and appears to be caused by both cardiac and peripheral abnormalities in the arterial tree and skeletal muscle. Mitochondrial abnormalities can significantly contribute to impaired oxygen utilization and the resulting exercise intolerance in HFpEF. We review key aspects of the complex biology of this organelle, the clinical relevance of mitochondrial function, the methods that are currently available to assess mitochondrial function in humans, and the evidence supporting a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of HFpEF. We also discuss the role of mitochondrial function as a therapeutic target, some key considerations for the design of early-phase clinical trials using agents that specifically target mitochondrial function to improve symptoms in patients with HFpEF, and ongoing trials with mitochondrial agents in HFpEF.
Social Factors, Sex, and Mortality Risk After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Nielsen Susanne , Giang Kok Wai , Wallinder Andreas , Rosengren Annika , Pivodic Aldina , Jeppsson Anders , Karlsson Martin
Published: March 2019

Background

Little is known of the impact of social factors on mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (
CABG
). We explored sex‐ and age‐specific associations between mortality risk after
CABG
and marital status, income, and education.

Methods and Results

This population‐based register study included 110 742
CABG
patients (21.3% women) from the
SWEDEHEART
registry (Swedish Web‐system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence‐based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) operated 1992 to 2015. Cox regression models were used to study the relation between social factors and all‐cause mortality. Never having been married compared with being married/cohabiting was associated with a higher risk in women than in men (hazard ratio 1.32, 95%
CI
1.20–1.44) versus 1.17 (1.13–1.22),
P
=0.030 between sex. The lowest income quintile, compared with the highest, was associated with higher risk in men than in women (hazard ratio 1.44 [1.38–1.51] versus 1.25 [1.14–1.38],
P
=0.0036). Lowest education level was associated with higher risk without sex difference (hazard ratio 1.15 [1.11–1.19] versus 1.25 [1.16–1.35],
P
=0.75). For unmarried women aged 60 years at surgery with low income and low education, mortality 10 years after surgery was 18%, compared with 11% in married women with high income and higher education level. The median life expectancy was 4.8 years shorter. Corresponding figures for 60‐year‐old men were 21% versus 12% mortality risk at 10 years and 5.0 years shorter life expectancy.

Conclusions

There are strong associations between social factors and mortality risk after
CABG
in both men and women. These results emphasize the importance of developing and implementing secondary prevention strategies for
CABG
patients with disadvantages in social factors.
A contribution to the phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Isoetes (Isoetaceae, Lycopodiidae) in the Mediterranean region
Authors: TROIA ANGELO , JOHNSON GABRIEL , TAYLOR W. CARL
Published: March 2019

To better understand the phylogeny of Isoetes species in the Mediterranean region, sequences of the second intron of a LFY-like homolog were determined for six populations of three Mediterranean Isoetes species and analyzed with other LFY and ITS sequences of Euro-Mediterranean species available in GenBank. Nomenclature of selected species was updated according to recent literature. Investigations of voucher specimens from previously sequenced taxa revealed that a specimen of I. histrix from Crete, Greece used in several previous molecular studies is probably I. phrygia. Analysis of the limited LFY and ITS DNA sequence data presented here agrees with the organization of Mediterranean species into three groups as suggested by worldwide phylogenies of the genus: first, an older group, including I. longissima, I. histrix, I. durieui, I. libanotica and similar species in addition to other probably “Laurasian” species; second, an intermediate endemic relict group, including only I. malinverniana and I. anatolica; and third a younger group, including the Mediterranean I. delilei, I. phrygia and I. todaroana, along with the widely-distributed I. echinospora and I. lacustris and other species. Preliminary remarks on the evolution and biogeography of the genus in the Mediterranean region are presented.
A new species of Cymbella (Bacillariophyceae, Cymbellaceae) from the Pavana River, Western Ghats, India
Authors: VIGNESHWARAN ANBUKKARASU , KULIKOVSKIY MAXIM S. , GLUSHCHENKO ANTON , KOCIOLEK JOHN PATRICK , KARTHICK BALASUBRAMANIAN
Published: March 2019

New diatom species from the genus Cymbella is described, Cymbella pavanaensis from the Pavana River situated in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra, India. The new species description is based on detailed LM and SEM morphological observations. Comparison of the new species with similar, previously-described taxa is made. C. pavanaensis belongs to a group of small-celled species of the genus, which lack differentiated, rounded porelli comprising the apical pore fields. This taxon is reported from a moderately to the highly-polluted urban lotic system, which signifies that even the diatom flora of easily accessible habitats of India is yet to be fully documented.
Revision of the Nearctic species of the genus Pholetesor Mason (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: WHITFIELD JAMES B.
Published: March 2019

The nearctic species of the microgastrine braconid wasp genus Pholetesor are revised for the first time, based on examination of museum specimens and on the results of a broad rearing survey of leafmining moths (the recorded hosts), especially in the western U. S. Twenty one valid species are recognized, two of which (P. viminetorum (Wesmael) and P. circumscriptus (Nees) were previously recorded only from the Palearctic Region, and eleven of which are described as new: P. caloptiliae n. sp., P. chiricahuensis n. sp., P. dixianus n. sp., P. longicoxis n. sp., P. masoni n. sp., P. pinifoliellae n. sp., P. powelli n. sp., P. rhygoplitoides n. sp., P. thuiellae n. sp., P. variabilis n. sp., and P. zelleriae n. sp. Teremys Mason is tentatively placed in synonymy with Pholetesor, thus transferring T. masneri Mason (and the neotropical T. hanniae Valerio and Whitfield) into Pholetesor. Pholetesor is divided into eight species groups, some of which appear to be restricted to the Nearctic Region. All species of the genus are found to attack leafmining or needlemining lepidopteran larvae except P. powelli, which attacks concealed lepidopteran leaf skeletonizers.
New species of Anelosimus (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Africa and Southeast Asia, with notes on sociality and color polymorphism
Authors: AGNARSSON INGI , ZHANG JUN-XIA
Published: March 2019

The cobweb spider genus Anelosimus contains species showing various levels of social behavior. American Anelosimus are well known and several species have been described from Europe, China, Japan, and Madagascar. However, to date, only two behaviorally unknown species have beendescribed from continental Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australasia combined. In this paper we describe seven new Anelosimus species, A. agnar n. sp. (Malaysia), A. biglebowski n. sp. (Tanzania), A. dude n. sp. (Tanzania), A. linda n. sp. (Malaysia), A. monskenyensis n. sp. (Kenya), A. nelsoni n. sp. (South Africa), and A. sulawesi n. sp. (Sulawesi) from Africa and Southeast Asia. We also redescribe A. kohi Yoshida, 1993 and provide evidence for subsocial behavior in that species. Anelosimus kohi shows a marked color polymorphism that is apparently habitat-related, both in populations in Malaysia and in Singapore. Several of the undescribed species were included in previous phylogenetic analyses, and the likely phylogenetic placement of each species is discussed. Based on new behavioral information we discuss the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of temporary and permanent sociality in Anelosimus.