bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alocação de canais para redes veiculares baseada no comportamento do nó
Authors: Shigueta Roni Francis , Pellenz Marcelo , Fonseca Mauro
Published: July 2019

Este trabalho apresenta uma estratégia de alocação de canal baseada no comportamento do nó para redes veiculares (VANETs). A principal contribuição deste trabalho é considerar algumas características do comportamento do nó para guiar o processo de alocação de canais em VANETs. No trabalho é usada uma abordagem distribuída que permite a estratégia rapidamente responder a mudanças de topologia na rede, limitando a troca de mensagens. Os canais alocados são do espectro do padrão IEEE 802.11p e as métricas de avaliação são: vazão agregada, taxa de entrega de pacotes, atraso fim a fim e overhead. Os resultados mostram que a estratégia apresenta mais alta vazão e taxa de entrega de pacotes com menor atraso fim a fim quando comparado aos métodos de alocação de canais randômico e simples. Quando comparado a uma abordagem centralizada, a estratégia apresenta desempenho próximo ao do algoritmo Tabu, mas com menor overhead.
Acquired von Willebrand syndrome secondary to Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
Authors: Hijii Satoko , Kodaka Taiichi , Goka Takae , Aoyama Yumi , Tsunemine Hiroko , Takahashi Takayuki
Published: July 2019

Acquired von Willebrand (vW) syndrome in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) should be differentially diagnosed from hyperviscosity syndrome of WM, which exhibits a bleeding tendency. We report a rare case of acquired vW syndrome secondary to WM. A 62-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of extensive subcutaneous hemorrhage following a light hit to the left arm. Although the platelet count was normal, APTT was prolonged to 49.4 sec. Furthermore, the serum concentration of IgM was elevated to 7,796 mg/dL, which was revealed to be IgM-κ monoclonal protein, leading to a diagnosis of WM. On ophthalmofundoscopy, mild hemorrhage, but not retinal vein dilatation, was observed. Regarding the abnormal APTT value, we measured coagulation factors in the intrinsic arm, revealing reduced activities of vW factor and factor VIII of 11 and 18%, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of vW protein was decreased to 23%. Multimer analysis of vW factor demonstrated an abnormal pattern lacking high-molecular-weight- bands. Additional diagnosis of acquired vW syndrome secondary to WM was made. The APTT cross-mixing test showed a simple but not inhibitor-related decreasing pattern of vW factor, suggesting the absorption of this factor by abnormal lymphoplasmacytic cells. The patient was treated with bendamustine, leading to reduced IgM, improvement of the APTT value, and the normal multimer pattern of vW factor.
Trajetórias de vida de travestis e transexuais de Belo Horizonte: Ser “T” e “Estar Prostituta”
Authors: Sofal Andresa Maria de Souza , Oliveira Mônica Martins de , Rodrigues Patrícia Helena Martins , Costa-Silva Thaís Alexsandra , Ribeiro Luiz Paulo
Published: July 2019

Este artigo se debruça sobre as relações da travestilidade/transexualidade e à prostituição em Belo Horizonte, questionando sobre quais acontecimentos na trajetória de vida das travestis e transexuais influenciaram na vivência da prostituição. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com seis travestis e transexuais que estão ou já estiveram prostitutas em Belo Horizonte, sendo selecionadas pelo método “bola de neve”. A coleta de dados foi feita através de entrevistas semiestruturadas, sendo que o roteiro foi construído de forma que as participantes fizessem um traçado sobre suas trajetórias pessoais, perpassando por elementos institucionais e das políticas públicas como a família, escola, o trabalho, a relação com a prostituição e a identidade de cada uma delas. A análise de conteúdo categorial possibilitou relacionar as trajetórias, destacando os pontos comuns ao grupo, em que as experiências vivenciadas pelas travestis nas instituições família, escola e a discriminação e a exclusão no mercado de trabalho formal contribuem para a inserção na prostituição. A partir da análise da fala das entrevistadas, fica explícita a necessidade de uma maior aproximação do Serviço Social na luta pela efetivação dos direitos da população LGBT.
O sentido da participação para o assistente social representante do gestor nos Conselhos de Assistência Social
Authors: Machado Cristiane Ferrari Canez , Krüger Tânia Regina
Published: July 2019

O trabalho apresenta uma abordagem acerca da concepção de participação emitida pelos profissionais que representam o gestor nos Conselhos Municipais de Assistência Social. O texto segue uma perspectiva sócio-histórica da participação nas políticas sociais, sustentado em referências da literatura sobre o tema. Trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, documental e com aplicação de questionário. O texto inicia com reflexões sobre algumas tendências teórico-políticas da participação que se expressam nos colegiados participativos após 1988. Essa pesquisa foi aplicada à 14 profissionais de Serviço Social que representavam o segmento do gestor em municípios do estado de Santa Catarina. O sentido de participação indicado pelos profissionais tem ênfase na lógica de fazer parte, de emitir opinião, de fazer troca e secundariamente tem o sentido de democratizar a relação Estado e sociedade e garantir os direitos sociais.
A percepção da morte por idosos institucionalizados: estudo fenomenológico em dois lares residenciais portugueses
Authors: Martins Ernesto Candeias
Published: July 2019

A ideia de morte e perdas da perspectiva de idosos institucionalizados implicam questões quanto à finalidade da vida. A seguinte pesquisa aborda a percepção quanto à morte e à morte do outro em idosos de 2 lares residenciais (N=35). De metodologia mista (predominância qualitativa) e teor exploratório (analítico, descritivo e interpretativa), transversal e fenomenológico, inserida no Projeto Gerontológico do mestrado, os dados coletados baseiam-se na Escala Breve Perspectivas da Morte, Escala Geriátrica de Depressão de Yesavage; entrevistas semiestruturadas aos idosos; observação participante; notas campo. Utilizamos como tratamento de dados a triangulação. Resultados confirmam que as perspectivas da morte e morte do outro têm relação com o sentido de vida do idoso, ambiente institucional e vivências (medo, dor, sofrimento, isolamento), podendo desencadear em alguns deles sentimentos negativos/depressivos.
Information Sources and Domestic Tourism at Sanyuesan Festival, China
Authors: Xi Qin , Sawagvudcharee Ousanee , Walsh John
Published: July 2019

Festival tourism is part of a phenomenon which is rather larger than its tourism component. The relationship between people and the various elements of the festival may be complicated by the changing availability of information sources, including web-based sources, as well as changing relationships towards those sources with respect to access ease and trust. A sample of 400 respondents was achieved via online questionnaire distribution to investigate these issues and to formulate lessons that might inform marketing strategies relating to future iterations of the festival. It was found that no straightforward relationships existed with respect to segmentation of the sample and, therefore, population and that attitudes towards both information sources and the institutions of the festival are undergoing a process of change.
TMT Cognitive Capability and Organizational Outcomes: A Theoretical Review
Authors: Mutinda Nicodemus M. , Kilika James M.
Published: July 2019

Extant strategic management literature has followed two divergent paradigms. One is based on the tenets of industrial organization theory and argues that strategic decision making and action is purely a chance affair because the industry environment determines whether an organizational will survive or not and that the decisions and actions of the organizational players have no role at all. The second paradigm is based on the Resources Based View (RBV) and argues that organizational strategic choice and action is purely a resources, capability and competence deployment affair. Even though recent scholarship in strategic management has attempted to integrate the two paradigms to explain organizational strategic decision making and outcome, it is however yet to put forward a theoretical model explaining how the two paradigms integrate. In this paper, the authors bring on board a managerial cognitive capability perspective to play the role of a catalyst that blends the two paradigms together in explaining organizational outcomes. The paper reviews extant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature and builds a case for a theoretical model linking TMT cognitive capability and organizational outcomes in the context of both industry environment dynamics and internal organization dynamics. The study identifies key organization outcomes resulting from the deployment of TMT cognitive capability as strategic choice, strategic flexibility and organizational performance while the key contextual factor that condition the outcomes include industry velocity and organizational characteristics. Based on the postulates of several underpinning theories, the paper identifies a phenomenon arising from deployment of TMT Cognitive Capability in the context of dynamic business environments and proposes a theoretical model that raises several implications for future empirical work.
Engagement of Mexican Millennials at Work in Relation to their Expectations
Authors: Garza Carranza María Teresa de la , Soria Eugenio Guzmán , López Lemus Jorge Armando , Soto Hernández Virginia Susana
Published: July 2019

The project seeks to find the correlation between retention and labor expectations of the Millennial workforce in Mexico. The study was done with a sample of 422 workers between the ages of 18 and 37, at several types of companies in Mexico, that are experiencing a high rate of staff turnover. The retention and stay-at-work questionnaires were first validated through an exploratory factorial analysis. Subsequently, models were created using the multiple linear regression technique. The results show that work expectations, such as personal and organizational factors are important for staff retention. In addition, our findings are compared with others obtained and a list of recommendations for the development of organizational strategies is proposed as a means of employee retention.
Testing Self-Determination Theory in Conflict-Affected Areas: A Case Study of Yemeni EFL Students
Authors: Mohammed Ali Jamal Kaid
Published: July 2019

This study investigates the impact of Yemeni conflict on EFL students’ motivation from the new conceptualization of Self-Determination Theory. It particularly explores whether EFL students are more influenced by either autonomous or controlled motivation. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire and interviews from English Department, College of Education, Zabid, Yemen. The Questionnaire was distributed to 60 male and female Yemeni EFL students. Interviews were conducted with five EFL teachers from the same department. The results of the data showed that conflict has negatively affected Yemeni EFL students. Findings also indicated that EFL students tend to be more controlled than to be autonomously motivated and that the students at levels 1 and 2 are more autonomously motivated as compared to those at levels 3 and 4. This showed that level 3 and 4 students have lost some of their idealism due to the seriously deteriorated situation in all the various aspects of life.
Metadiscourse in Research Writing: A Study of Native English and Pakistani Research Articles
Authors: Shafique Haroon , Shahbaz Muhammad , Hafeez Muhammad Rashid
Published: July 2019

Metadiscourse is extremely important for structuring a relationship between writer and reader when it comes to academic writing. It is an interesting area of inquiry that is believed to play a vital role in writing persuasive discourse, based on the expectations of the people involved (Behzad & Shafique, 2018). This study deals with the comparative analysis of native English and Pakistani research articles. For this research, 100 native English and Pakistani English research articles are taken, following Hyland and Tse (2004a) model of metadiscourse. A corpus-based mixed method research approach is employed to carry out this study. All the metadiscursive devices are quantified by using corpus-based approach and then analyzed qualitatively. The results reveal that Pakistani research writers use more interactive markers whereas the interactional markers are found frequent in native English academic writers. The overall results disclose that Native research writers of English are more persuasive in their research writing as they guide the readers through text as well as involve them through different markers effectively.
NEPHROBLASTOMA ANALYSIS IN MRI IMAGES
Authors: Kaba Djibril , McFarlane Nigel , Dong Feng , Graf Norbert , Ye Xujiong
Published: July 2019

The annotation of the tumour from medical scans is a crucial step in nephroblastoma treatment. Therefore, an accurate and reliable segmentation method is needed to facilitate the evaluation and the treatments of the tumour. The proposed method serves this purpose by performing the segmentation of nephroblastoma in MRI scans. The segmentation is performed by adapting and a 2D free hand drawing tool to select a region of interest in the scan slices. Results from 24 patients show a mean root-mean-square error of 0.0481 ± 0.0309, an average Dice coefficient of 0.9060 ± 0.0549 and an average accuracy of 99.59% ± 0.0039. Thus the proposed method demonstrated an effective agreement with manual annotations.
An Aesthetic Theory in Four Dimensions
Authors: Allinson Robert Elliott ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this article is to synthesize four major elements of aesthetic experience that have previously appeared isolated whenever an attempt at conceptualization is made. These four elements are: Immanuel Kant’s disinterested pleasure, Robin G. Collingwood’s emotional expressionism, the present writer’s redemptive emotional experience, and, lastly, Plato’s concept of Beauty. By taking these four abstracted elements as the bedrock for genuine aesthetic experience, this article aims to clarify the proper role of art as distinct from philosophy and intellectualization. Rather than a medium conducive to intellectual understanding, it is argued that the sphere these four elements of aesthetic experience demarcate is one in which art leads to an emotional understanding that transforms the human condition and it imbues it with new meaning only to be found in a moment of aesthetic experience.
Kantian Beauty, Fractals, and Universal Community
Authors: Emmer C. E. ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2019

Benoit B. Mandelbrot, when discussing the global appeal of fractal patterns and designs, draws upon examples from across numerous world cultures. What may be missed in Mandelbrot's presentation is Immanuel Kant’s precedence in recognizing this sort of widespread beauty in art and nature, fractals avant la lettre. More importantly, the idea of the fractal may itself assist the aesthetic attitude which Kantian beauty requires. In addition, from a Kantian perspective, fractal patterns may offer a source for a sense of community with humanity. I close with an excursus on the more sombre note of Kantian sublimity which fractals can also present.
Mysticism as a Basis of Inter-Religious Dialogue
Authors: Mitias Michael H. ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2019

Some philosophers and theologians have argued that God-centeredness cannot be a condition of inter-religious dialogue for at least four reasons. First, it is an existential fact that all religions tend to view the truth of their beliefs and values as absolute. Second, all religions are embedded in radically different cultural contexts; this kind of difference undercuts the possibility of inter-religious dialogue. Third, grounding all the religions in a transcendent reality relativizes their beliefs and values. Moreover, people worship “their” God, not a neutral reality. Fourth, it is difficult to ground all the religions in a transcendent, neutral realty. This paper critically evaluates these arguments and defends the proposition that the mystical experience provides a justifiable basis for the claim that the transcendent is not only a wealth of being but also an infinite wealth of being and that the same transcendent is “revealed” in the mystical experience which underlies all the major religions. The transcendent is the common ground on which all the religions stand in inter-religious dialogue qua religions.
On the (Im)Possibility of Philosophical Teaching according to the Pathos of the Philosopher
Authors: Schoof Carlos ,   Polish Academy of Sciences
Published: July 2019

In this essay I expose two historical examples of the ambivalence of the place of philosophical knowledge in society. The symptomatic starting point is Aristotle’s characterization of the philosopher. Then, through the specification of Descartes’s views on philosophy, culture, the human and the artificial, I will show that there exists certain tension between the development of philosophy as a free knowledge available to everyone and philosophy as a specialized knowledge only suitable for initiates. Nowadays, when philosophy is in a critical situation maybe because of that ambivalence, the need arises to overcome this problem and democratize it.
El rey en la Constitución de 1978: el cometido de la Monarquía en una democracia con pretensión de veracidad
Authors: García Eloy
Published: July 2019

El trabajo trata de explicar que la única fundamentación de la monarquía española es su funcionalidad democrática, de manera que el rey desempeñe su doble labor de integrar el consenso y de mejorar el rendimiento de las instituciones del Estado mejor que un presidente de la República. El rey debe obra con neutralidad asegurando desde su condición neutral el buen funcionamiento de la democracia. Para ello debe ser creíble.
La constitución cubana de 2019: un análisis crítico
Authors: Noguera Fernández Albert
Published: July 2019

En julio de 2018, la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular (ANPP) de Cuba inició el trámite de discusión de un anteproyecto de nueva Constitución cubana. Entre el 13 de agosto y el 15 de noviembre de 2018, la ANPP convocó una fase de consulta popular entre la ciudadanía destinada a la discusión y recogida de propuestas, previa al debate para su consideración en la cámara y su posterior ratificación en referéndum en febrero de 2019. La nueva Constitución cubana es la concreción jurídico-formal de un proceso constituyente material que viene refundando las relaciones económicas y sociales de la isla desde inicios de la década de los 90 hasta hoy. El presente trabajo analizará cuales han sido estas transformaciones y realizará un análisis crítico de la Constitución cubana de 2019.
PSA Testing Use and Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Stage After the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guideline Changes
Authors: Magnani Christopher J. , Li Kevin , Seto Tina , McDonald Kathryn M. , Blayney Douglas W. , Brooks James D. , Hernandez-Boussard Tina
Published: July 2019

Background: Most patients with prostate cancer are diagnosed with low-grade, localized disease and may not require definitive treatment. In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against prostate cancer screening to address overdetection and overtreatment. This study sought to determine the effect of guideline changes on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and initial diagnostic stage for prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: A difference-in-differences analysis was conducted to compare changes in PSA screening (exposure) relative to cholesterol testing (control) after the 2012 USPSTF guideline changes, and chi-square test was used to determine whether there was a subsequent decrease in early-stage, low-risk prostate cancer diagnoses. Data were derived from a tertiary academic medical center’s electronic health records, a national commercial insurance database (OptumLabs), and the SEER database for men aged ≥35 years before (2008–2011) and after (2013–2016) the guideline changes. Results: In both the academic center and insurance databases, PSA testing significantly decreased for all men compared with the control. The greatest decrease was among men aged 55 to 74 years at the academic center and among those aged ≥75 years in the commercial database. The proportion of early-stage prostate cancer diagnoses (<T2) decreased across age groups at the academic center and in the SEER database. Conclusions: In primary care, PSA testing decreased significantly and fewer prostate cancers were diagnosed at an early stage, suggesting provider adherence to the 2012 USPSTF guideline changes. Long-term follow-up is needed to understand the effect of decreased screening on prostate cancer survival.
Patterns of Surveillance Advanced Imaging and Serum Tumor Biomarker Testing Following Launch of the Choosing Wisely Initiative
Authors: Miles Randy C. , Lee Christoph I. , Sun Qin , Bansal Aasthaa , Lyman Gary H. , Specht Jennifer M. , Fedorenko Catherine R. , Greenwood-Hickman Mikael Anne , Ramsey Scott D. , Lee Janie M.
Published: July 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess advanced imaging (bone scan, CT, or PET/CT) and serum tumor biomarker use in asymptomatic breast cancer survivors during the surveillance period. Patients and Methods: Cancer registry records for 2,923 women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in Washington State between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2014, were linked with claims data from 2 regional commercial insurance plans. Clinical data including demographic and tumor characteristics were collected. Evaluation and management codes from claims data were used to determine advanced imaging and serum tumor biomarker testing during the peridiagnostic and surveillance phases of care. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify clinical factors and patterns of peridiagnostic imaging and biomarker testing associated with surveillance advanced imaging. Results: Of 2,923 eligible women, 16.5% (n=480) underwent surveillance advanced imaging and 31.8% (n=930) received surveillance serum tumor biomarker testing. Compared with women diagnosed before the launch of the Choosing Wisely campaign in 2012, later diagnosis was associated with lower use of surveillance advanced imaging (odds ratio [OR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52–0.89). Factors significantly associated with use of surveillance advanced imaging included increasing disease stage (stage III: OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.48–5.38), peridiagnostic advanced imaging use (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.33–2.31), and peridiagnostic serum tumor biomarker testing (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01–1.80). Conclusions: Although use of surveillance advanced imaging in asymptomatic breast cancer survivors has declined since the launch of the Choosing Wisely campaign, frequent use of surveillance serum tumor biomarker testing remains prevalent, representing a potential target for further efforts to reduce low-value practices.
PTCH1 Mutation in a Patient With Metastatic Undifferentiated Carcinoma With Clear Cell Change
Authors: Tsai Katy K. , Khurana Neharika , McCalmont Timothy , Daud Adil , Bastian Boris , Yeh Iwei
Published: July 2019

Clear cell basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an unusual variant of BCC. Its pathogenesis, prognosis, and optimal management remain poorly described due to its rarity. This report presents a 51-year-old man with a history of excised BCC and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the face, with multiple recurrent poorly differentiated carcinomas with clear cell changes of the shoulder for which further classification using conventional histologic means was not possible. His tumor tissue was sent to Foundation Medicine for testing, which revealed a high number of pathogenic genomic alterations, including a mutation inPTCH1. He was diagnosed with dedifferentiated BCC and started on vismodegib. He developed lung metastases while receiving vismodegib, and his disease continued to progress while he was undergoing treatment in a phase I clinical trial. Given the high number of pathogenic alterations suggestive of high tumor mutational burden, immunotherapy was considered and off-label authorization was obtained for treatment with a PD-1 antibody (pembrolizumab). He had a dramatic disease response after 4 infusions of pembrolizumab. Molecular testing was instrumental in determining the correct diagnosis and formulating appropriate treatment options for this patient. Molecular profiling of metastatic BCCs and its subtypes is essential to the development of effective targeted therapies and combination approaches.
La transmisión del conocimiento entre los trabajadores de la parte operativa del distrito industrial
Authors: Leite Eduardo Dias
Published: July 2019

Este artículo presenta un estudio sobre la transmisión del conocimiento entre los trabajadores del distrito industrial, en sus diversas formas: conocimiento tácito, explícito y profesional, así como las características, fuentes, difusión, incorporación y generación del conocimiento en los distritos industriales. La metodología que se utilizó en esta investigación fue descriptiva con la recogida de datos a través de medios bibliográficos y documental. Este trabajo buscó contribuir con datos sobre la importancia de la transmisión del conocimiento para el distrito industrial y la necesidad de incentivos de ese proceso en el distrito industrial.
Desafios da transição da rizicultura convencional para a orgânica em uma bacia hidrográfica
Authors: Rabelo Letícia , Bova Michelli Loyola Twardowsky , Polette Marcus , Schwingel Paulo Ricardo
Published: July 2019

A qualidade de vida de uma população está diretamente relacionada com a qualidade da água e sua disponibilidade, seja nas paisagens natural, rural, periurbana e urbana. Nas regiões da planície da bacia hidrográfica do rio Camboriú, é realizado o plantio de arroz irrigado, atividade agrícola mais desenvolvida na região. O presente estudo visou avaliar os desafios da transição da rizicultura convencional para a orgânica na bacia hidrográfica do rio Camboriú. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas em duas propriedades de cultivo de arroz orgânico na região do extremo sul catarinense, uma localizada em Meleiro e na área de produção da Epagri de Araranguá. Também foram realizadas entrevistas em duas propriedades de cultivo de arroz convencional e uma de transição para o cultivo orgânico de arroz em Camboriú. Além disso, foi realizado o levantamento da demanda hídrica da rizicultura na bacia hidrográfica de Camboriú para o ano de 2015. Por meio dos estudos realizados, ficou evidente que o estabelecimento de uma rizicultura ecológica na bacia do rio Camboriú trará ganhos para os produtores e consumidores, o meio ambiente e a qualidade dos recursos hídricos, porém o principal desafio será o convencimento dos rizicultores da bacia sobre a viabilidade da nova técnica e o estabelecimento de uma política pública efetiva.
Identification of TMEM206 proteins as pore of PAORAC/ASOR acid-sensitive chloride channels
Authors: Ullrich Florian , Blin Sandy , Lazarow Katina , Daubitz Tony , von Kries Jens Peter , Jentsch Thomas J
Published: July 2019

Acid-sensing ion channels have important functions in physiology and pathology, but the molecular composition of acid-activated chloride channels had remained unclear. We now used a genome-wide siRNA screen to molecularly identify the widely expressed acid-sensitive outwardly-rectifying anion channel PAORAC/ASOR. ASOR is formed by TMEM206 proteins which display two transmembrane domains (TMs) and are expressed at the plasma membrane. Ion permeation-changing mutations along the length of TM2 and at the end of TM1 suggest that these segments line ASOR’s pore. While not belonging to a gene family, TMEM206 has orthologs in probably all vertebrates. Currents from evolutionarily distant orthologs share activation by protons, a feature essential for ASOR’s role in acid-induced cell death. TMEM206 defines a novel class of ion channels. Its identification will help to understand its physiological roles and the diverse ways by which anion-selective pores can be formed.
Kininogen-1 as a protein biomarker for schizophrenia through mass spectrometry and genetic association analyses
Authors: Yang Mingjia , Zhou Na , Zhang Huiping , Kang Guojun , Cao Bonan , Kang Qi , Li Rixin , Zhu Xiaojing , Rao Wenwang , Yu Qiong
Published: July 2019

Background

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex and severe mental illness. There is a lack of effective biomarkers for SCZ diagnosis. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of using serum peptides for the diagnosis of SCZ as well as analyze the association of variants in genes coding for these peptides and SCZ.

Methods

After bead-based fractionation, the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique was used to identify peptides that showed different expressions between 166 SCZ patients and 201 healthy controls. Differentially expressed peptides were verified in a second set of samples (81 SCZ patients and 103 healthy controls). The association of SCZ and three tagSNPs selected in genes coding for differentially expressed peptides was performed in 1,126 SCZ patients and 1,168 controls.

Results

The expression level of peptides with m/z 1,945.07 was significant lower in SCZ patients than in healthy controls (P< 0.000001). The peptide with m/z 1,945.07 was confirmed to be a fragment of Kininogen-1. In the verification tests, Kininogen-1 had a sensitivity of 95.1% and a specificity of 97.1% in SCZ prediction. Among the three tagSNPs (rs13037490, rs2983639, rs2983640) selected in the Cystatin 9 gene (CST9) which encodes peptides including Kininogen-1, tagSNP rs2983640 had its genotype distributions significantly different between SCZ patients and controls under different genetic models (P< 0.05). Haplotypes CG (rs2983639–rs2983640) and TCG (rs13037490–rs2983639–rs2983640) were significantly associated with SCZ (CG: OR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.02–1.44],P= 0.032; TCG: OR = 24.85, 95% CI [5.98–103.17],P< 0.0001).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that SCZ patients had decreased expression of Kininogen-1 and genetic variants in Kininogen-1 coding geneCST9were significantly associated with SCZ. The findings from both protein and genetic association studies suggest that Kininogen-1 could be a biomarker of SCZ.
Effect of Carrot Powder Addition on the Quality Attributes of Cookies Produced from Wheat and Soy Flour Blends
Authors: Ukeyima M. T. , Dendegh T. A. , Okeke P. C.
Published: July 2019

Aim: To evaluate effect of carrot powder addition on the quality attributes of cookies produced from wheat and soy flour blends.

Study Design: Cookies were produced from wheat flour, soy flour and carrot powder composite blends. Functional (bulk density, foam capacity, oil absorption capacity, water absorption capacity and swelling index) properties, Proximate (crude protein, ash, moisture, crude fibre, crude fat, carbohydrate and energy value) composition, Physical (weight, diameter, thickness and spread ratio) and sensory (appearance, flavour, taste, texture and overall acceptability) attributes were determined.

Results: The functional properties showed that Bulk Density ranged from 0.82 – 0.92, Foam capacity ranged 3.92 – 5.00, Oil Absorption Capacity ranged from 0.60 – 0.97%, Water Absorption Capacity ranged from 1.05 – 1.45% and Swelling Index ranged from 2.37 – 2.75. Results of percentage proximate composition showed that moisture content ranged from 4.70 – 7.57, protein content ranged from 10.61 – 21.60, fat content ranged from 8.89 – 15.85, fibre content ranged from 1.39 – 4.30, ash content ranged from 0.70 – 1.23 and carbohydrate content ranged from 52.34 – 70.84. The physical properties showed that weight of the cookies ranged from 17.85 – 21.60, diameter ranged from 57.50 – 60.50, thickness ranged from 20.50 – 24.00 and spread ratio ranged from 2.40 – 2.91. The sensory attribute showed that cookies produced from wheat flour, soy flour and carrot powder compared well with cookies produced with wheat flour. The wheat flour cookie sample (A) was most preferred by the panellist.

Conclusion: The functional properties of the composite flour produced from wheat, soybean and carrot powder show potential quality that when properly harnessed could be used for the production of baked product like biscuits, pastry etc. The proximate composition shows that the composite flour cookies were the most preferred sample to the 100% wheat flour cookies. This is due to its high protein, fat, ash and fibre content to that of thee 100% wheat cookies. However, in terms of proximate composition, the composite cookies were most acceptable. The physical property of the cookies indicates that the composite flour cookies were most preferred to the 100% wheat cookie. This could be seen from the high values it’s had in weight, diameter and spread ratio. However, the sensory score of the overall acceptability shows that the 100% wheat cookies were most acceptable. Though, the composite flour cookies compete very closely with 100% wheat cookies.
On A Generalized Pentanacci Sequence
Authors: Soykan Yüksel
Published: July 2019

The well known Pentanacci sequence is a fifth order recurrence sequence. In this paper, it will be dened an other generalized Pentanacci sequence and established some properties of this sequence using matrix methods.
An ARMA Model for Short-term Prediction of Hepatitis B Virus Seropositivity among Blood Donors in Lafia-Nigeria
Authors: Kuhe David Adugh , Obed Thomas Akwana
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we attempt to search for an optimal Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) model that best forecast hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors in Lafia-Nigeria. The study uses monthly data in Lafia-Nigeria for the period of 11 years 6 months from January 2007 to June 2018. The data was obtained as secondary data from General Hospital Lafia and Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia. The time series and stationarity properties of the data are explored using time plots and Dickey-Fuller Generalized Least Squares unit root test. The results indicate that the series is integrated of order zero, I(0). An ARMA (p,q) model in line with Box-Jenkins procedure was employed to model the time series data. The result shows that ARMA (1,1) was the best candidate to model and forecast hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors in Lafia- Nigeria. Critical analysis of the model shows that the HBV infection is chronic among blood donors in the study area. The estimated ARMA (1,1) model was then used to forecast future values of hepatitis B infection among blood donors in Lafia-Nigeria from July 2018 to June 2019. The forecast shows a stable level of infection for the forecasted period. The study provided some policy recommendations.
Quantum Energy of a Particle in a Finite-potential Well Based Upon Golden Metric Tensor
Authors: Ewa I. I. , Howusu S. X. K. , Lumbi L. W.
Published: July 2019

In our previous work titled “Riemannian Quantum Theory of a Particle in a Finite-Potential Well", we constructed the Riemannian Laplacian operator and used it to obtain the Riemannian Schrodinger equation for a particle in a finite-potential well. In this work, we solved the golden Riemannian Schrodinger equation analytically to obtain the particle energy. The solution resulted in two expressions for the energy of a particle in a finite-potential well. One of the expressions is for the odd energy levels while the other is for the even energy levels.
EPR spectroscopy of putative enzyme intermediates in the NO reductase and the auto‐nitrosylation reaction of Desulfovibrio vulgaris hybrid cluster protein
Authors: Hagen Wilfred R.
Published: July 2019

The hybrid cluster protein (Hcp) contains a unique 4Fe cluster that is a hybrid of μ‐S and μ‐O bridges. Escherichia coli Hcp has recently been found to carry NO reductase activity as well as S‐nitrosylation activity in NO‐based signaling. In other species, the physiological activity has not been established. No reaction mechanism of any Hcp has been proposed. Here, we show that Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) Hcp has nitric oxide reductase activity with benzyl viologen as electron donor. With EPR spectroscopy, we identify three unexpected putative reaction intermediates: both in reduced and oxidized Hcp, dinitrosyl iron complexes are formed. Also, the hybrid cluster in reduced Hcp, but not in oxidized Hcp, binds the product N2O. Possible implications for a reaction mechanism are discussed.
Vanishing white matter: deregulated integrated stress response as therapy target
Authors: Abbink Truus E. M. , Wisse Lisanne E. , Jaku Ermelinda , Thiecke Michiel J. , Voltolini‐González Daniel , Fritsen Hein , Bobeldijk Sander , ter Braak Timo J. , Polder Emiel , Postma Nienke L. , Bugiani Marianna , Struijs Eduard A. , Verheijen Mark , Straat Nina , van der Sluis Sophie , Thomas Adri A. M. , Molenaar Douwe , van der Knaap Marjo S.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Vanishing white matter (VWM) is a fatal, stress‐sensitive leukodystrophy that mainly affects children and is currently without treatment. VWM is caused by recessive mutations in eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) that is crucial for initiation of mRNA translation and its regulation during the integrated stress response (ISR). Mutations reduce eIF2B activity. VWM pathomechanisms remain unclear. In contrast with the housekeeping function of eIF2B, astrocytes are selectively affected in VWM. One study objective was to test our hypothesis that in the brain translation of specific mRNAs is altered by eIF2B mutations, impacting primarily astrocytes. The second objective was to investigate whether modulation of eIF2B activity could ameliorate this altered translation and improve the disease.

Methods

Mice with biallelic missense mutations in eIF2B that recapitulate human VWM were used to screen for mRNAs with altered translation in brain using polysomal profiling. Findings were verified in brain tissue from VWM patients using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The compound ISRIB (for “ISR inhibitor”) was administered to VWM mice to increase eIF2B activity. Its effect on translation, neuropathology, and clinical signs was assessed.

Results

In brains of VWM compared to wild‐type mice we observed the most prominent changes in translation concerning ISR mRNAs; their expression levels correlated with disease severity. We substantiated these findings in VWM patients’ brains. ISRIB normalized expression of mRNA markers, ameliorated brain white matter pathology and improved motor skills in VWM mice.

Interpretation

The present findings show that ISR deregulation is central in VWM pathomechanisms and a viable target for therapy.
A Biocompatible Free Radical Nanogenerator with Real‐Time Monitoring Capability for High Performance Sequential Hypoxic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Wan Yingpeng , Lu Guihong , Zhang Jinfeng , Wang Ziying , Li Xiaozhen , Chen Rui , Cui Xiao , Huang Zhongming , Xiao Yafang , Chelora Jipsa , Zhang Wenjun , Liu Yanhong , Li Min , Xie Hai‐Yan , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: July 2019

Hypoxic microenvironment severely reduces therapeutic efficacy of oxygen‐dependent photodynamic therapy in solid tumor due to the hampered cytotoxic oxygen radicals generation. Herein, a biocompatible nanoparticle (NP) is developed by combining bovine serum albumin, indocyanine green (ICG), and an oxygen‐independent radicals generator (AIPH) for efficient sequential cancer therapy, denoted as BIA NPs. Upon near‐infrared irradiation, the photothermal effect generated by ICG will induce rapid decomposition of AIPH to release cytotoxic alkyl radicals, leading to cancer cell death in both normoxic and hypoxic environments. Moreover, such nanosystem provides the highest AIPH loading capacity (14.9%) among all previously reported radical nanogenerators (generally from 5–8%). Additionally, the aggregation‐quenched fluorescence of ICG molecules in the NPs can be gradually released and recovered upon irradiation enabling real‐time drug release monitoring. More attractively, these BIA NPs exhibit remarkable anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo, achieving 100% tumor elimination and 100% survival rate among 50 days treatment. These results highlight that this albumin‐based nanoplatform is promising for high‐performance cancer therapy circumventing hypoxic tumor environment and possessing great potential for future clinical translation.
A Drastic Effect of TEMPO in Zinc‐Catalyzed Stannylation of Terminal Alkynes with Hydrostannanes via Dehydrogenation and Oxidative Dehydrogenation
Authors: Kai Yuichi , Oku Shinya , Tani Tomohiro , Sakurai Kyoko , Tsuchimoto Teruhisa
Published: July 2019

With a system consisting of a catalytic zinc Lewis acid, pyridine, and TEMPO in a nitrile medium, terminal alkynes coupled with HSnBu3, providing alkynylstannanes with structural diversity. The resulting alkynylstannane, without being isolated, could be directly used for Pd‐ and Cu‐catalyzed transformations to deliver internal alkynes and more intricate tin‐atom‐containing molecules. Mechanistic studies indicated that TEMPOSnBu3formed in situ from TEMPO and HSnBu3works to stannylate the terminal alkyne in collaboration with the zinc catalyst, and that both of dehydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation processes are uniquely involved in a single reaction.

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Construction of Hierarchical Co–Fe Oxyphosphide Microtubes for Electrocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Peng , Lu Xue Feng , Nai Jianwei , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: July 2019

Development of efficient electrocatalysts is a crucial requirement to build water splitting systems for the production of clean and sustainable fuels. This goal could be achieved by fine‐tuning the composition and structure of the electrocatalytic materials. Here, a facile self‐templated synthetic strategy is developed for the fabrication of hierarchical Co–Fe oxyphosphide microtubes (MTs). Fe‐based metal–organic compound microrods are first synthesized as the self‐sacrificing template. Afterward, the Fe‐based precursors are converted into hierarchical Co–Fe layered double hydroxide MTs through a hydrothermal approach, which are then transformed into the hierarchical Co–Fe oxyphosphide MTs by a phosphidation treatment. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the compositions and the advantages of the hierarchical hollow structure, the obtained electrocatalyst exhibits enhanced performance for overall water splitting.
Onboard Evolution of Understandable Swarm Behaviors
Authors: Jones Simon , Winfield Alan F. , Hauert Sabine , Studley Matthew
Published: July 2019

Designing the individual robot rules that give rise to desired emergent swarm behaviors is difficult. The common method of running evolutionary algorithms off‐line to automatically discover controllers in simulation suffers from two disadvantages: the generation of controllers is not situated in the swarm and so cannot be performed in the wild, and the evolved controllers are often opaque and hard to understand. A swarm of robots with considerable on‐board processing power is used to move the evolutionary process into the swarm, providing a potential route to continuously generating swarm behaviors adapted to the environments and tasks at hand. By making the evolved controllers human‐understandable using behavior trees, the controllers can be queried, explained, and even improved by a human user. A swarm system capable of evolving and executing fit controllers entirely onboard physical robots in less than 15 min is demonstrated. One of the evolved controllers is then analyzed to explain its functionality. With the insights gained, a significant performance improvement in the evolved controller is engineered.
Habitat preference in the critically endangered yellow‐tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda) at La Esperanza, Peru
Authors: Almeyda Zambrano Sandra L. , Broadbent Eben N. , Shanee Sam , Shanee Noga , Deluycker Anneke , Steinberg Michael , Ford Scott A. , Hernández Jaramillo Alma , Fernandez‐Hilario Robin , Lagos Castillo Carolina , Almeyda Zambrano Angelica M.
Published: July 2019

Habitat loss is one of the main threats to wildlife. Therefore, knowledge of habitat use and preference is essential for the design of conservation strategies and identification of priority sites for the protection of endangered species. The yellow‐tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda Humboldt, 1812), categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is endemic to montane forests in northern Peru where its habitat is greatly threatened. We assessed how habitat use and preference in L. flavicauda are linked to forest structure and composition. The study took place near La Esperanza, in the Amazonas region, Peru. Our objective was to identify characteristics of habitat most utilized by L. flavicauda to provide information that will be useful for the selection of priority sites for conservation measures. Using presence records collected from May 2013 to February 2014 for one group of L. flavicauda, we classified the study site into three different use zones: low‐use, medium‐use, and high‐use. We assessed forest structure and composition for all use zones using 0.1 ha Gentry vegetation transects. Results show high levels of variation in plant species composition across the three use zones. Plants used as food resources had considerably greater density, dominance, and ecological importance in high‐use zones. High‐use zones presented similar structure to medium‐ and low‐use zones; thus it remains difficult to assess the influence of forest structure on habitat preference. We recommend focusing conservation efforts on areas with a similar floristic composition to the high‐use zones recorded in this study and suggest utilizing key alimentation species for reforestation efforts.
Triple‐Targeting Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 To Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Zhang Lingmin , Wang Le , Xie Yangzhouyun , Wang Peng , Deng Sai , Qin Aiping , Zhang Jiangjiang , Yu Xiyong , Zheng Wenfu , Jiang Xingyu
Published: July 2019

A high level of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Herein, we present a triple‐targeting strategy to generate a loss‐of‐function mutation in Pcsk9, which regulates plasma cholesterol levels, using a nanocarrier‐delivered CRISPR/Cas9 system. Nuclear localization signal (NLS)‐tagged Cas9 and Pcsk9‐targeted single guide RNA (sgPcsk9) were complexed with gold nanoclusters (GNCs) modified with cationic HIV‐1‐transactivating transcriptor (TAT) peptide and further encapsulated in a galactose‐modified lipid layer to target the nanoclusters to the liver. The resulting nanoclusters had an in vitro Pcsk9‐editing efficiency of about 60 % and resulting in a decrease in plasma LDL‐C in mice of approximately 30%. No off‐target mutagenesis was detected in 10 sites with high similarity. This approach may have therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease without side effects.