bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of PLA and PLA/wood composites prepared by 3D printing and injection moulding
Authors: Ecker Josef Valentin , Haider Andreas , Burzic Ivana , Huber Axel , Eder Gerhard , Hild Sabine
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This papers aims to study the influence of water absorption on the mechanical properties of poly lactic acid (PLA) and PLA/Wood composites. Virgin PLA and PLA/Wood double-bone-shaped specimens were prepared by two methods: injection moulding and 3D printing. The results were compared to each other and showed the influence of the production method on the properties of the produced parts.

Design/methodology/approach

Morphology studies were done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) from fracture surfaces of tensile and notched impact specimens of all samples. Tensile properties were analysed by the production and testing of dog-bone-shaped samples. Heat deflection temperature (HDT) was tested, as also was the crystallinity of the tested samples by differential scanning calorimetry.

Findings

The values for notched impact strength were higher upon water uptake in the case of injection-moulded specimens, which was not the case with 3D-printed specimens. Tensile properties of the specimens produced by both methods were reduced after water absorption tests. Values of the HDT were also lower after water absorption tests studied for both processing methods.

Originality/value

Morphology studies were done by SEM from fracture surfaces of tensile as well as notched impact specimens of injection-moulded and 3D-printed samples. The effect of water storage on various samples was tested. The two different production technologies were compared to each other owing to their influence of water storage. This study also dealt with NFC compounds and produced NFC composites and the influence of water storage on these samples.
Channel design for 3D models with applications in powder-bed additive manufacturing
Authors: Wei Xiangzhi , Li Xianda , Wen Shanshan , Zheng Yu , Tian Yaobin
Published: April 2019

Purpose

For any 3D model with chambers to be fabricated in powder-bed additive manufacturing processes such as SLM and SLS, powders are trapped in the chambers of the finished model. This paper aims to design a shortest network with the least number of outlets for efficiently leaking the trapped powders.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a nonlinear objective with linear constraints for solving the channel design problem and a particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the nonlinear system.

Findings

Structural optimization for the channel network leads to fairly short channels in the interior of the 3D models and very few outlets on the model surface, which achieves the cleaning of the powders while causing almost the least changes to the model.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the NP-harness of computing the shortest channel network with the least number of outlets. The proposed approach helps the design of lightweight models using the powder-bed additive manufacturing techniques.
Development and psychometric assessment of a novel survey to measure care coordination from the specialist's perspective
Authors: Vimalananda Varsha G. , Fincke Benjamin Graeme , Qian Shirley , Waring Molly E. , Seibert Ryan G. , Meterko Mark
Published: April 2019

Objective

To develop an online survey of care coordination with primary care providers as experienced by medical specialists, evaluate its psychometric properties, and test its construct validity.

Data Sources

Physicians (N = 633) from 13 medical specialties across the Veterans Health Administration.

Study Design

We developed the survey based on prior work (literature review, specialist interviews) and by adapting existing measures and developing new items. Multitrait scaling analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess scale structure. We used multiple linear regression to examine the relationship of the final coordination scales to specialists’ overall experience of care coordination.

Data Collection

November 2016‐December 2016.

Principal Findings

Results suggest a 13‐item, four‐factor survey [Relationships (k = 4), Roles and Responsibilities (k = 4), Communication (k = 3), and Data Transfer (k = 2)] that measures the medical specialist experience of coordination with good internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and goodness of fit. Together, the four scales explained nearly 50 percent of the variance in specialists’ overall experience of care coordination.

Conclusions

The 13‐item Coordination of Specialty Care—Specialist Survey (CSC‐Specialist) is the first of its kind. It can be used alone or embedded in other surveys to measure four domains of care coordination as experienced by medical specialists.
Review article: Outcomes of patients who are not transported following ambulance attendance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yeung Timothy , Shannon Brendan , Perillo Samuel , Nehme Ziad , Jennings Paul , Olaussen Alexander
Published: April 2019

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who are not transported to hospital following ambulance attendance. A database search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they analysed the outcomes of patients who were not transported following ambulance attendance. The primary outcome of this review was subsequent presentation to an ED following a non‐transport decision. Secondary outcome measures included hospital admission, subsequent presentation to alternative service provider (e.g. private physician), and death at follow up. The search yielded 1953 non‐duplicate articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. Three studies specified that the non‐transport decision was emergency medical services (EMS)‐initiated, seven studies did not specify. Meta‐analysis found substantial heterogeneity between estimates (I2 >50%) that was likely because of differences in study design, length of follow up, patient demographic and sample size. Between 5% and 46% (pooled estimate 21%; 95% CI 11–31%) of non‐transport patients subsequently presented to ED. Few (pooled estimate 8%; 95% CI 5–12%) EMS‐initiated non‐transport patients were admitted to hospital compared to the unspecified group (pooled estimate 40%; 95% CI 7–72%). Mortality rates were low across included studies. Studies found varying estimates for the proportion of patients discharged at the scene that subsequently presented to ED. Few patients were admitted to hospital when the non‐transport decision was initiated by EMS, indicating EMS triage is a relatively safe practice. More research is needed to elucidate the context of non‐transport decisions and improve access to alternative pathways.
Hemodialysis Product and Hip Fracture in Hemodialysis Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Japan
Authors: Wakasugi Minako , Kazama Junichiro J , Kikuchi Kan , Yasuda Kaoru , Wada Atsushi , Hamano Takayuki , Masakane Ikuto , Narita Ichiei
Published: April 2019

Some have raised concerns that longer and more frequent hemodialysis (HD) would be associated with bone fractures due to excess phosphate removal. We examined the effects of hemodialysis product (HDP) on hip fracture incidence among Japanese HD patients using registry data of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy. During a 1‐year study period, 1411 hip fractures occurred among 135 984 patients. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, patients with a high HDP did not show a significant risk of hip fracture. Interestingly, patients with polycystic kidney disease had a lower risk of hip fracture. Our findings did not support the hypothesis that patients undergoing longer and more frequent HD would face a higher risk of hip fracture than those undergoing shorter and less frequent HD. Polycystic kidney disease was identified as a new significant factor for hip fracture; relative to glomerulonephritis, this condition was associated with a lower risk of hip fracture.
miR‐29c improves skeletal muscle mass and function throughout myocyte proliferation and differentiation and by repressing atrophy‐related genes
Authors: Silva William José , Graça Flavia Aparecida , Cruz André , Silvestre João Guilherme , Labeit Siegfried , Miyabara Elen Haruka , Yan Chao Yun Irene , Wang Da Zhi , Moriscot Anselmo Sigari
Published: April 2019

Aim

To identify microRNAs (miRs) involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass. For that purpose, we have initially utilized an in silico analysis, resulting in the identification of miR‐29c as a positive regulator of muscle mass.

Methods

miR‐29c was electrotransferred to the tibialis anterior to address its morphometric and functional properties and to determine the level of satellite cell proliferation and differentiation. qPCR was used to investigate the effect of miR‐29c overexpression on trophicity‐related genes. C2C12 cells were used to determine the impact of miR‐29c on myogenesis and a luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the ability of miR‐29c to bind to the MuRF1 3′UTR.

Results

The overexpression of miR‐29c in the tibialis anterior increased muscle mass by 40%, with a corresponding increase in fibre cross‐sectional area and force and a 30% increase in length. In addition, satellite cell proliferation and differentiation were increased. In C2C12 cells, miR‐29c oligonucleotides caused increased levels of differentiation, as evidenced by an increase in eMHC immunostaining and the myotube fusion index. Accordingly, the mRNA levels of myogenic markers were also increased. Mechanistically, the overexpression of miR‐29c inhibited the expression of the muscle atrophic factors MuRF1, Atrogin‐1 and HDAC4. For the key atrogene MuRF1, we found that miR‐29c can bind to its 3′UTR to mediate repression.

Conclusions

The results herein suggest that miR‐29c can improve skeletal muscle size and function by stimulating satellite cell proliferation and repressing atrophy‐related genes. Taken together, our results indicate that miR‐29c might be useful as a future therapeutic device in diseases involving decreased skeletal muscle mass.
Evaluation of the impact of cachexia on clinical outcomes in aggressive lymphoma
Authors: Burkart Madelyn , Schieber Michael , Basu Sanjib , Shah Palmi , Venugopal Parameswaran , Borgia Jeffrey A. , Gordon Leo , Karmali Reem
Published: April 2019

Cancer cachexia is a state of involuntary weight loss and altered body composition triggered by an underlying malignancy. We sought to correlate measures of cachexia with clinical outcomes in aggressive lymphomas and to identify biological pathways involved in the cachexia phenotype for possible druggable targets. Radiographic measures of cachexia were collected in a retrospective cohort of 109 patients with aggressive B‐cell lymphoma and followed for clinical outcome. We found males with sarcopenia had reduced progression‐free survival (5·4 vs. 72·3 months, P < 0·0005) and overall survival (OS; 30·2 months vs. not reached, NR, P = 0·02); males with adipopenia also had decreased OS (21·6 months vs. NR, P = 0·04). A trend for increased OS was observed in female sarcopenics only (32·8 months vs. NR, P = 0·08). Additionally, we analysed a prospective cohort of 14 patients for differences in circulating molecular targets involved in various biological pathways. There was a significant correlation with cachexia for reduced serum levels of mediators within the glucose utilization [insulin ‐like growth factor (IGF)‐binding protein 6, P = 0·04; IGF‐1, P = 0·02], inflammation (lymphotoxin‐like inducible protein that competes with glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry on T cells; LIGHT, P = 0·005), and energy intake/expenditure (leptin, P = 0·004). We conclude that cachexia in patients with aggressive lymphomas has sex‐specific prognostic utility and correlates with measurable changes in metabolism and immune function.
Television exposure, consumer culture values, and lower well‐being among preadolescent children: The mediating role of consumer‐focused coping strategies
Authors: Dunkeld Charlotte , Wright Mark L. , Banerjee Robin A. , Easterbrook Matthew J. , Slade Lance
Published: April 2019

Previous research has linked materialism to lower well‐being in children, and recent findings suggest that this link is heightened among those exposed to high levels of advertising. One proposal is that children may be pursuing consumer culture ideals (CCIs) – orienting to material possessions and physical appearance – as a maladaptive coping strategy for dealing with underlying distress. The present work offers the first direct evaluation of this theoretically plausible hypothesis. In Study 1, higher scores on our measure of consumer‐focused coping (CFC) not only predicted lower well‐being in a sample of 109 9‐ to 11‐year‐olds, but also served as mediator in the indirect link between the number of hours spent watching television and lower well‐being. Study 2 tested our expanded model of these processes in a sample of 380 9‐ to 11‐year‐olds. Specifically, structural equation modelling revealed that frequency of watching commercial (advertising‐rich) television in particular predicted greaterCFC. This, in turn, predicted greater endorsement ofCCIs, which then predicted lower well‐being. Implications for theoretical models and educational interventions are discussed.
LncRNA TPT1‐AS1 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer by inducing TPT1 expression
Authors: Wu Weimin , Gao Hao , Li Xiaofeng , Zhu Yong , Peng Shumin , Yu Jing , Zhan Guangxi , Wang Jiapo , Liu Na , Guo Xiaoqing
Published: April 2019

Increasing numbers of studies have confirmed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) play a critical role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression. However, the potential function of the lncRNA tumor protein translationally controlled 1 (TPT1) antisense RNA 1 (TPT1‐AS1) in EOC is unclear. In this study, we aimed to uncover the biological roles and regulatory mechanisms of TPT1‐AS1 in EOC progression and metastasis. First, TPT1‐AS1 expression was significantly higher in EOC metastatic tissue and cell lines than in their respective control counterparts. In addition, ectopic TPT1‐AS1 expression was strongly associated with unfavorable EOC clinicopathological features, including FIGO stage, tumor size and tumor differentiation. TPT1‐AS1 overexpression remarkably induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and significantly attenuated cell adhesion ability in vitro and facilitated nude mouse subcutaneous xenograft growth and intraperitoneal metastasis in vivo, while the downregulation of TPT1‐AS1 expression produced the opposite effect in vitro. Mechanistically, TPT1‐AS1 was proven to be primarily distributed in EOC cell nuclei and positively modulated TPT1 promoter activity and transcription. Moreover, the oncogenic effects of TPT1‐AS1 could be reversed by TPT1 depletion, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway downstream of TPT1 was also altered. These results suggested that TPT1‐AS1 induced EOC tumor growth and metastasis through TPT1 and downstream PI3K/AKT signaling and that TPT1‐AS1 may be a promising therapeutic target for EOC.
Segregated from the City: Women’s Spaces in Islamic Movements in Pakistan
Authors: Zaman Meryem F.
Published: April 2019

Women’s spaces in Islamic movements in Pakistan appear very similar in their external elements but are radically different in their reorganizations of domestic space, which signal deliberate attempts by movement leaders to appease urban middle‐ and upper‐class Pakistani anxieties related to the demands these movements make on women’s time and attention. Leaders lay out guidelines for the creation of space which attempt to speak to multiple audiences regarding women’s roles in these movements.

I draw on the work of Michel de Certeau to examine the ways in which female members alter the carefully structured spaces of Islamic movements by living in them, and significantly shape women’s movement‐defined roles. I argue that women ultimately combine movement leaders’ visions with their own understandings of virtuous practice to enunciate new ways of imagining their role within movements and in urban Pakistan. [Pakistan; Islamabad; Islamic Movements; Space; Gender]
Diagnosis of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma by immunocytology with p53, MCM5, MCM2 and Ki‐67 antibodies using cell blocks derived from urine
Authors: Brisuda Antonín , Háček Jaromír , Čechová Marcela , Škapa Petr , Babjuk Marek
Published: April 2019

Objective

Immunocytochemistry has attained a marginal role in urology so far. Combining the morphological and immunophenotypical changes of the urothelial cells retrieved from urine is a logical approach. The study aimed to analyse the diagnostic potential of immunocytological staining in the detection of high‐grade and low‐grade urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

Freshly voided urine was collected from 152 consecutive individuals, cytology classes were determined and cell blocks produced. A total of 77 patients were diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma and 75 patients had various benign urological conditions. Immunocytochemistry was performed using four antibodies: p53, MCM2, MCM5 and Ki‐67. A diagnostic power to detect low grade and high‐grade urothelial carcinoma was analysed for each antibody and their combinations with cytology.

Results

There were no significant differences between patients with low‐grade tumours and control group. Antibodies p53 and Ki‐67 slightly improved the sensitivity of urinary cytology while maintaining its specificity. The best negative predictive value was demonstrated in combinations of cytology and MCM5 (88.9%) and cytology, p53 and MCM5 (90.6%). In the diagnosis of high‐grade tumours, all antibodies apart from MCM2 yielded better sensitivity and specificity than cytology alone (receiver operating characteristic curves: p53 = 0.853, MCM5 = 0.931, and Ki‐67 = 0.895). Combined with cytology, the sensitivities went even higher for the cost of lower specificity. The best diagnostic performance was observed in the combination of MCM5 and Ki‐67 (sensitivity = 96.2%; specificity = 80%).

Conclusions

Immunocytochemistry with p53, MCM5 and Ki‐67 antibodies can improve the diagnostic power of urinary cytology in the detection and follow‐up of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma.
Alcohol use in family, domestic and other violence: Findings from a cross‐sectional survey of the Australian population
Authors: Curtis Ashlee , Vandenberg Brian , Mayshak Richelle , Coomber Kerri , Hyder Shannon , Walker Arlene , Liknaitzky Paul , Miller Peter G.
Published: April 2019

Introduction and Aims

The link between alcohol and experience of violence is well‐documented, but there is a paucity of empirical research on the role of alcohol specifically in family and domestic violence (FDV) in Australia. The aim of the current study was to describe the relationship between alcohol use and FDV in the Australian population, and to examine key differences between three different types of violence: family violence, intimate partner violence (IPV) and other violence.

Design and Methods

An online panel survey was conducted using a stratified random sampling design.

Results

In total, 5118 respondents were included, of whom 44.5% reported experiencing violence in their lifetime, and 6.0% reported recent (past year) experience of violence. Recent violent incidents were comprised of IPV (41.8%), family violence (13.1%) and other violence (45.1%). Approximately one‐third of all violent incidents experienced (either as a victim or perpetrator) were alcohol‐related, and 37.8% of respondents who experienced IPV and 27.8% of those who experienced family violence reported past year heavy‐episodic drinking. Alcohol use was associated with higher rates of physical violence and injury at IPV incidents. Alcohol consumed at IPV incidents was most often purchased from a supermarket liquor store (37.0%) and consumed at the respondent's home, regardless of the distance between the purchase location and incident location.

Discussions and Conclusions

This study found that alcohol is frequently involved in FDV incidents, particularly IPV. Alcohol use was associated with a higher chance of physical violence and of injury at IPV incidents.
Analysis of the factors involved in procedural failure: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using a short‐type single‐balloon enteroscope for patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy
Authors: Tanisaka Yuki , Ryozawa Shomei , Mizuide Masafumi , Harada Maiko , Fujita Akashi , Ogawa Tomoya , Nonaka Kouichi , Tashima Tomoaki , Araki Ryuichiro
Published: April 2019

Aim

To analyze factors involved in procedural failure and to discuss responses to procedural failure by using the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) carried out using a short‐type single‐balloon enteroscope (short SBE) in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy.

Methods

The study sample included patients who underwent ERCP‐related procedures using a short SBE between September 2011 and September 2018 at our hospital. Outcomes, including procedural success rate, were studied retrospectively to analyze the factors involved in procedural failure.

Results

Analysis included 191 procedures carried out in 121 patients. Procedural success rate was 85.9% with an adverse event rate of 8.4%. Causes of procedural failure included malignant biliary obstruction (odds ratio [OR] 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–7.25, P = 0.02), first ERCP attempt (OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 1.30–36.30, P = 0.02), and Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.004–0.39, P < 0.001). With regard to the response to failure, in cases of malignant biliary obstruction, reattempted short SBE‐assisted ERCP was difficult because of invasion of the small intestine or papilla. A large number of these cases required alternative treatment (10 of 15 cases, 66.7%) using percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or endoscopic ultrasound‐guided biliary drainage (EUS‐BD).

Conclusion

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using a short SBE is safe and effective, with malignant biliary obstruction being a specific cause of failure. Technical proficiency with different modalities, such as PTBD and EUS‐BD, is necessary to respond to failure in these cases.
Improving the scientific rigour of nutritional recommendations for adults with type 2 diabetes: A comprehensive review of the American Diabetes Association guideline‐recommended eating patterns
Authors: Hallberg Sarah J. , Dockter Nancy E. , Kushner Jake A. , Athinarayanan Shaminie J.
Published: April 2019

Aims

The global rate of type 2 diabetes (T2D) continues to rise. Guidelines that influence the worldwide treatment of this disease are central to changing this trajectory. We sought in this review to evaluate the appropriateness of sources cited in the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) guidelines on eating patterns for T2D management, identify additional relevant sources, and evaluate the evidence.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the evidence behind the ADA's recommendations on eating patterns in the 2018 and 2019 ADA Standards of Care and the 2014 ADA Nutrition Therapy Recommendations for Adults with Diabetes. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive search to identify any additional studies not included in the cited evidence. To determine appropriateness of inclusion in the guidelines, the following criteria were applied: 1) it was a clinical trial or systematic review/meta‐analysis of clinical trials; 2) it involved persons with T2D; 3) one of the study arms followed one of the eating patterns currently recommended; 4) its reported outcomes included glycaemic control; 5) outcomes were reported separately for persons with T2D.

Results

We found a wide variation in the evidence for each eating pattern. Issues that have hampered the guideline process include: lack of a rigorous literature review, resulting in the omission of pertinent studies; an overreliance on prospective cohort studies; inconsistent standards for evidence; inclusion of studies not on persons with T2D; and bias.

Conclusions

The ADA Guidelines recommended eating patterns fall short of rigorous standards of scientific review according to state‐of‐the‐art systematic review and guideline creation practices.
Characteristics and outcomes of young adults with Philadelphia‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Barzilai Merav , Kirgner Ilya , Avivi Irit , Ellis Martin , Dally Najib , Rozovski Uri , Lavi Noa
Published: April 2019

Objective

Approximately 10% of Philadelphia (Ph)‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (NPM) are diagnosed at young adulthood. We aim to define the features of this group.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study, including patients 18‐45 years of age, diagnosed with Ph‐negative MPN between 1985 and 2017.

Results

One hundred nine patients were included, 37 with polycythemia vera (34%), 54 with essential thrombocytosis (50%), 15 with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) (14%), and 3 with MPN unclassifiable (3%). Median age was 33 years and 62 (57%) were females. During a median follow‐up of 8 years, 39 patients (37%) had at least one thrombotic event. 30/39 of events were venous (77%), 23/30 of which were splanchnic (77%). In 14/39 (36%), thrombosis preceded MPN diagnosis. In a multivariable analysis, only splenomegaly predicted for thrombosis (HR 5.6, CI: 1.4‐22). The 10‐year risk for secondary myelofibrosis was similar for ET and PV (0.13 vs 0.19, P = 0.51). The 10‐year risk for leukemic transformation or mortality was significantly higher for PMF (0.3, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

The risks of mortality and of progression to MF/leukemia in young adults are similar to older population. Thrombotic events are frequently a presenting sign with a high incidence of venous, in particular splanchnic, events.
Variable cytoplasmic actin expression impacts the sensitivity of different dystrophin‐deficient mdx skeletal muscles to eccentric contraction
Authors: Lindsay Angus , Southern William M. , McCourt Preston M. , Larson Alexie A. , Hodges James S. , Lowe Dawn A. , Ervasti James M.
Published: April 2019

Eccentric contractions (ECCs) induce force loss in several skeletal muscles of dystrophin‐deficient mice (mdx), with the exception of the soleus (Sol). The eccentric force : isometric force (ECC : ISO), expression level of utrophin, fiber type distribution, and sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase expression are factors that differ between muscles and may contribute to the sensitivity of mdx skeletal muscle to ECC. Here, we confirm that the Sol of mdx mice loses only 13% force compared to 87% in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) following 10 ECC of isolated muscles. The Sol has a greater proportion of fibers expressing Type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) and expresses 2.3‐fold more utrophin compared to the EDL. To examine the effect of ECC : ISO, we show that the mdx Sol is insensitive to ECC at ECC : ISO up to 230 ± 15%. We show that the peroneus longus (PL) muscle presents with similar ECC : ISO compared to the EDL, intermediate force loss (68%) following 10 ECC, and intermediate fiber type distribution and utrophin expression relative to EDL and Sol. The combined absence of utrophin and dystrophin in mdx/utrophin−/− mice rendered the Sol only partially susceptible to ECC and exacerbated force loss in the EDL and PL. Most interestingly, the expression levels of cytoplasmic β‐ and γ‐actins correlate inversely with a given muscle's sensitivity to ECC; EDL < PL < Sol. Our data indicate that fiber type, utrophin, and cytoplasmic actin expression all contribute to the differential sensitivities of mdxEDL, PL, and Sol muscles to ECC.
Changes in timing of seasonal peak photosynthetic activity in northern ecosystems
Authors: Park Taejin , Chen Chi , Macias‐Fauria Marc , Tømmervik Hans , Choi Sungho , Winkler Alexander , Bhatt Uma S. , Walker Donald A. , Piao Shilong , Brovkin Victor , Nemani Ramakrishna R. , Myneni Ranga B.
Published: April 2019

Seasonality in photosynthetic activity is a critical component of seasonal carbon, water, and energy cycles in the Earth system. This characteristic is a consequence of plant's adaptive evolutionary processes to a given set of environmental conditions. Changing climate in northern lands (>30°N) alters the state of climatic constraints on plant growth, and therefore, changes in the seasonality and carbon accumulation are anticipated. However, how photosynthetic seasonality evolved to its current state, and what role climatic constraints and their variability played in this process and ultimately in carbon cycle is still poorly understood due to its complexity. Here, we take the “laws of minimum” as a basis and introduce a new framework where the timing (day of year) of peak photosynthetic activity (DOYPmax) acts as a proxy for plant's adaptive state to climatic constraints on its growth. Our analyses confirm that spatial variations in DOYPmax reflect spatial gradients in climatic constraints as well as seasonal maximum and total productivity. We find a widespread warming‐induced advance in DOYPmax (−1.66 ± 0.30 days/decade, p < 0.001) across northern lands, indicating a spatiotemporal dynamism of climatic constraints to plant growth. We show that the observed changes in DOYPmax are associated with an increase in total gross primary productivity through enhanced carbon assimilation early in the growing season, which leads to an earlier phase shift in land‐atmosphere carbon fluxes and an increase in their amplitude. Such changes are expected to continue in the future based on our analysis of earth system model projections. Our study provides a simplified, yet realistic framework based on first principles for the complex mechanisms by which various climatic factors constrain plant growth in northern ecosystems.
Soil greenhouse gas emissions from inorganic fertilizers and recycled oil palm waste products from Indonesian oil palm plantations
Authors: Rahman Niharika , Bruun Thilde Bech , Giller Ken E. , Magid Jakob , van de Ven Gerrie W. J. , de Neergaard Andreas
Published: April 2019

A continuous rise in the global demand for palm oil has resulted in the large‐scale expansion of oil palm plantations and generated environmental controversy. Efforts to increase the sustainability of oil palm cultivation include the recycling of oil mill and pruning residues in the field, but this may increase soil methane (CH4) emissions. This study reports the results of yearlong field‐based measurements of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) and CH4 emissions from commercial plantations in North Sumatra, Indonesia. One experiment investigated the effects of soil‐water saturation on N2O and CH4 emissions from inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments by simulating 25 mm rainfall per day for 21 days. Three additional experiments focused on emissions from (a) inorganic fertilizer (urea), (b) combination of enriched mulch with urea and (c) organic amendments (empty fruit bunches, enriched mulch and pruned oil palm fronds) applied in different doses and spatial layouts (placed in inter‐row zones, piles, patches or bands) for a full year. The higher dose of urea led to a significantly higher N2O emissions with the emission factors ranging from 2.4% to 2.7% in the long‐term experiment, which is considerably higher than the IPCC standard of 1%. Organic amendments were a significant source of both N2O and CH4 emissions, but N2O emissions from organic amendments were 66%–86% lower than those from inorganic fertilizers. Organic amendments applied in piles emitted 63% and 71% more N2O and CH4, respectively, than when spread out. With twice the dose of organic amendments, cumulative emissions were up to three times greater. The (simulated) rainwater experiment showed that the increase in precipitation led to a significant increase in N2O emissions significantly, suggesting that the time of fertilization is a critical management option for reducing emissions. The results from this study could therefore help guide residue and nutrient management practices to reduce emissions while ensuring better nutrient recycling for sustainable oil palm production systems.
Effect of Galcanezumab Following Treatment Cessation in Patients With Migraine: Results From 2 Randomized Phase 3 Trials
Authors: Stauffer Virginia L. , Wang Shufang , Voulgaropoulos Menelaos , Skljarevski Vladimir , Kovacik Amy , Aurora Sheena K.
Published: April 2019

Objective

We examined the efficacy and safety of galcanezumab after treatment cessation in randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, migraine prevention studies (EVOLVE‐1; EVOLVE‐2).

Background

Galcanezumab is indicated for migraine prevention in adults.

Methods

Adults with episodic migraine were enrolled into EVOLVE‐1 and EVOLVE‐2, which randomized 858 and 915 patients, respectively, to galcanezumab 120 mg (an initial 240‐mg loading dose), galcanezumab 240 mg, or placebo, administered subcutaneously once monthly for 6 months. After treatment completion or discontinuation, patients entered a 4‐month posttreatment period. Efficacy and safety from the posttreatment periods are reported.

Results

Overall, 740 patients (EVOLVE‐1) and 830 (EVOLVE‐2) patients entered the posttreatment periods, about 95% and 96% of patients, respectively, completed. In EVOLVE‐1, change from pre‐randomization baseline in monthly migraine headache days decreased over the posttreatment period from (mean [SE]) 5.2 (0.4) days (Month 6) to 4.1 (0.4) days (Month 10) for 120 mg and from 5.3 (0.4) days (Month 6) to 3.8 (0.4) days (Month 10) for 240 mg, and was stable for placebo (3.4 [0.3] days [Month 6] to 3.3 [0.3] days [Month 10]); differences between each galcanezumab dose group and placebo were statistically significant at each month, except for galcanezumab 240 mg at Month 10 (120 mg vs placebo: P < .001 Months 1‐6, P = .007 Month 7, P = .044 Month 8, P = .016 Month 9, and P = .042 Month 10; 240 mg vs placebo: P < .001 Months 1–7, P = .015 Month 8, P = .021 Month 9, and P = .238 Month 10). EVOLVE‐2 showed similar results. In both trials, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups and placebo for time‐to‐first loss of 50% response. During the posttreatment periods, 1.6% (EVOLVE‐1) and 2.3% (EVOLVE‐2) of patients initiated migraine preventive treatments. At Month 10, quality of life among galcanezumab‐treated patients was similar to those taking placebo. The most common posttreatment emergent adverse event was upper respiratory tract infections. There were no discontinuations due to adverse events during the posttreatment periods.

Conclusions

Galcanezumab treatment effects were reduced during the posttreatment periods, but did not return to baseline. There were no unexpected adverse events after galcanezumab cessation.
By Jingo! Methods for researching popular imperialism
Authors: Hennessey John L.
Published: April 2019

The study of popular imperialism, or the extent to which the ordinary citizens of an imperial metropole were aware of and supported their country's imperial expansion, provides a crucial empirical basis for evaluating the causes of and responsibility for colonial aggression. Nevertheless, this topic has received considerably less attention than comparable topics like fascism, genocide, or nationalism, and a comparative conversation between scholars of different empires is largely lacking. Together with a companion article, “Imperial Ardor or Apathy? A Comparative International Historiography of Popular Imperialism,” this article will provide inspiration for future studies by summarizing different approaches to and methodological problems involved in the study of popular imperialism, drawing on a wide range of research on several empires.
A review on selection of fermentative microorganisms for functional foods and beverages: the production and future perspectives
Authors: Ashaolu Tolulope Joshua
Published: April 2019

Fermentation has been employed as a traditional means of improving the shelf life and nutritional contents of foods, thus making fermented foods and beverages functional and therapeutic. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) plays a major role in determining the health benefits of fermented milk and related products. This review takes into cognizance numerous investigations reporting certain microbial strains and mixes to contribute safety, quality, stability, health and organoleptic properties to fermented foods, due to increased consumers’ awareness of food products with health claims. A look was taken at selection criteria for the ideal fermentative microbial species and strains, their usefulness and prospective ‘OMICS‘‐based approaches to elucidating fermentative complex communities in relation to their effects on fermented food products. Moreover, recommendations were given for improved fermentation of beverages and functional foods. It is projected that fermented foods and beverages will continually be a paramount in the global food and emerging functional food market.
Buy Low and Sell High: The 52‐Week Price Range and Predictability of Returns
Authors: Chang Tzu‐Pu
Published: April 2019

This paper uses the ratio of 52‐week high to low prices to construct a self‐financing portfolio strategy, which buys stocks with a low range ratio and sells stocks with a high range ratio according to the behavioral perspective. The results indicate that the profits from this range strategy are substantial and outperform those of 52‐week high and conventional momentum strategies. Moreover, the incremental effect of the range strategy on 52‐week high momentum is significantly positive, while the 52‐week high strategy diminishes this strategy's profitability. Overall, the range measure is better than conventional measures at predicting future returns.
p62 aggregates mediated Caspase 8 activation is responsible for progression of ovarian cancer
Authors: Yan Xiao‐Yu , Zhong Xin‐Ru , Yu Si‐Hang , Zhang Li‐Chao , Liu Ya‐Nan , Zhang Yong , Sun Lian‐Kun , Su Jing
Published: April 2019

Increasing evidence suggests that p62/SQSTM1 functions as a signalling centre in cancer. However, the role of p62 in tumour development depends on the interacting factors it recruits and its precise regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the pro‐death signalling recruitment of p62 with the goal of improving anti‐tumour drug effects in ovarian cancer treatment. We found that p62 with Caspase 8 high expression is correlated with longer survival time compared with cases of low Caspase 8 expression in ovarian cancer. In vivo experiments suggested that insoluble p62 and ubiquitinated protein accumulation induced by autophagy impairment promoted the activation of Caspase 8 and increased cell sensitivity to cisplatin. Furthermore, p62 functional domain UBA and LIR mutants regulated autophagic flux and attenuated Caspase 8 activation, which indicates that autophagic degradation is involved in p62‐mediated activation of Caspase 8 in ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates that p62 promotes Caspase 8 activation through autophagy flux blockage with cisplatin treatment. We have provided evidence that autophagy induction followed by its blockade increases cell sensitivity to chemotherapy which is dependent on p62‐Caspase 8 mediated apoptosis signalling. p62 exhibits pro‐death functions through its interaction with Caspase 8. p62 and Caspase 8 may become novel prognostic biomarkers and oncotargets for ovarian cancer treatment.
Cryptochrome‐mediated hypocotyl phototropism was regulated antagonistically by gibberellic acid and sucrose in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Qing‐Ping , Zhu Jin‐Dong , Li Nan‐Nan , Wang Xiao‐Nan , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Xiao
Published: April 2019

Both phototropins (phot1 and phot2) and cryptochromes (cry1 and cry2) were proven as the Arabidopsis thaliana blue light receptors. Phototropins predominately function in photomovement, and cryptochromes play a role in photomorphogenesis. Although cryptochromes have been proposed to serve as positive modulators of phototropic responses, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we report that depleting sucrose from the medium or adding gibberellic acids (GAs) can partially restore the defects in phototropic curvature of the phot1 phot2 double mutants under high‐intensity blue light; this restoration does not occur in phot1 phot2 cry1 cry2 quadruple mutants and nph3 (nonphototropic hypocotyl 3) mutants which were impaired phototropic response in sucrose‐containing medium. These results indicate that GAs and sucrose antagonistically regulate hypocotyl phototropism in a cryptochromes dependent manner, but it showed a crosstalk with phototropin signaling on NPH3. Furthermore, cryptochromes activation by blue light inhibit GAs synthesis, thus stabilizing DELLAs to block hypocotyl growth, which result in the higher GAs content in the shade side than the lit side of hypocotyl to support the asymmetric growth of hypocotyl. Through modulation of the abundance of DELLAs by sucrose depletion or added GAs, it revealed that cryptochromes have a function in mediating phototropic curvature.
Foreign Direct Investment and Debt Financing in Emerging Economies
Authors: LUK PAUL , ZHENG TIANXIAO
Published: April 2019

The rich dynamics of capital flows is an important characteristic of business cycles in emerging market economies. In the data external debt is always procyclical, while FDI is procyclical only in normal times. We provide a microfounded rationale for this pattern by linking financial shocks to capital flows. For this purpose, we build a small open economy model in which firms are subject to borrowing constraints, and are either owned domestically or by foreign investors who purchase firms through FDI. During a financial crisis, the valuation gap per unit net worth between foreign and domestic investors widens, which triggers more FDI inflow. Our model produces business cycle moments consistent with empirical observations.
Salivary gland neoplasms in non‐human primates: A case series and brief literature review
Authors: Howard Emily , Gonzalez Olga , Gumber Sanjeev , Anderson Daniel C. , Kumar Shyamesh , Dick Edward
Published: April 2019

Background

Salivary gland neoplasms are rare in non‐human primates.

Methods

Thirty‐five years of pathology records were reviewed at the Southwest (SNPRC) and Yerkes (YNPRC) National Primate Research Centers. An in‐depth literature search for salivary gland neoplasms in non‐human primates was performed.

Results

Seventeen salivary gland neoplasms (nine from SNPRC and YNPRC, eight from published literature) were identified. There were seven malignant, nine benign, and one of undetermined behavior identified in eight rhesus macaques, six baboons, a chimpanzee, a bonnet macaque, and a moustached tamarin. Parotid gland was the most frequent origin (n = 7), followed by mandibular (n = 4) or minor salivary glands (n = 2). Two animals with salivary gland adenoma had a history of prior radiation exposure.

Conclusions

Parotid glands are the most common origin for salivary gland neoplasms. Salivary gland neoplasms should be considered in the differential diagnoses of head and neck masses in non‐human primates.
Risk Measures Based on Benchmark Loss Distributions
Authors: Bignozzi Valeria , Burzoni Matteo , Munari Cosimo
Published: April 2019

We introduce a class of quantile‐based risk measures that generalize Value at Risk (VaR) and, likewise Expected Shortfall (ES), take into account both the frequency and the severity of losses. Under VaR a single confidence level is assigned regardless of the size of potential losses. We allow for a range of confidence levels that depend on the loss magnitude. The key ingredient is a benchmark loss distribution (BLD), that is, a function that associates to each potential loss a maximal acceptable probability of occurrence. The corresponding risk measure, called Loss VaR (LVaR), determines the minimal capital injection that is required to align the loss distribution of a risky position to the target BLD. By design, one has full flexibility in the choice of the BLD profile and, therefore, in the range of relevant quantiles. Special attention is given to piecewise constant functions and to tail distributions of benchmark random losses, in which case the acceptability condition imposed by the BLD boils down to first‐order stochastic dominance. We investigate the main theoretical properties of LVaR with a focus on their comparison with VaR and ES and discuss applications to capital adequacy, portfolio risk management, and catastrophic risk.
Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded suckling piglets
Authors: Zhang Hao , Li Yue , Chen Yueping , Ying Zhixiong , Su Weipeng , Zhang Tao , Dong Yan , Htoo John K. , Zhang Lili , Wang Tian
Published: April 2019

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation withL‐methionine (L‐Met),DL‐methionine (DL‐Met) and calcium salt of the methionine hydroxyl analog (MHA‐Ca) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra‐uterine growth‐retarded (IUGR) suckling piglets. Six normal birthweight (NBW) female piglets and 24 same‐sex IUGR piglets were selected at birth. Piglets were fed nutrient adequate basal diet supplemented with 0.08%L‐alanine (NBW‐CON), 0.08%L‐alanine (IUGR‐CON), 0.12%L‐Met (IUGR‐LM), 0.12%DL‐Met (IUGR‐DLM) and 0.16% MHA‐Ca (IUGR‐MHA‐Ca) from 7 to 21 days of age respectively (n = 6). The results indicated that IUGR decreased average daily milk (dry matter) intake and average daily gain and increased feed conversion ratio of suckling piglets (p < 0.05). Compared with the NBW‐CON piglets, IUGR also impaired villus morphology and reduced antioxidant capacity and immune homeostasis in the intestine of IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Supplementation withL‐Met enhanced jejunal villus height (VH) and villus area and ileal VH of IUGR piglets compared with IUGR‐CON piglets (p < 0.05). Similarly,DL‐Met supplementation increased VH and the ratio of VH to crypt depth in the jejunum compared with IUGR‐CON pigs (p < 0.05). Supplementation withL‐Met andDL‐Met (0.12%) tended to increase reduced glutathione content and reduced glutathione: oxidized glutathione ratio and decrease protein carbonyl concentration in the jejunum of piglets when compared with the IUGR‐CON group (p < 0.10). However, supplementation with MHA‐Ca had no effect on the intestinal redox status of IUGR piglets (p > 0.10). In conclusion, supplementation with eitherL‐Met orDL‐Met has a beneficial effect on the intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of IUGR suckling piglets.