bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arendt and the Pilgrims
Authors: Martel James ,   DePaul University
Published: June 2018

Although Arendt rejects all manifestations of what she calls “the absolute,” the way that theology trumps politics, she yet overlooks the theological basis of one of her most cherished models of political origins, the story of the Mayflower Compact. Arendt sees the Mayflower Compact as affording a basis for a community that is joined only through mutual promising, allowing a maximal amount of individualism and struggle within a collectively determined entity. Yet she downplays the role that theology serves in supporting this compact. In overlooking the connection between the Pilgrim’s ideology and Rousseau’s concept of the general will which has its own Calvinist origins, Arendt evinces a tendency to forgive a basis for politics in America which she vehemently rejects in the European context. Insofar as liberalism is itself redolent of this Calvinist form of pseudo-individualism, Arendt demonstrates an alternative model even as it remains tangled with its theological origins.
Factors Affecting Thai Taxi Drivers’ English Competence
Authors: Thadphoothon Janpha
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the factors affecting Thai taxi drivers’ English competence. Altogether, 342 taxi drivers answered questionnaires and performed tasks that measured their English language competency; aiming to find out what the factors are that affect their English competency. The taxi drivers were all Thais sampled from three zones in the Bangkok metropolis. The instruments included the test and the questionnaires. The data collection was carried out during January to May 2016. The structural equation model, based on relevant theories and research findings, was constructed to explain the factors affecting their English language competence. The exogenous factors were their educational background and previous English language training, attitudes towards non-Thai passengers, motivation, and their independent language learning behavior. The results showed that the model was supported by the empirical evidence. The model was fitted with the Chi-square of 53.821, CFI of 0.996, NFI of 0.972, GFI of 0.977, and RMSEA of 0.022. The majority of Thai taxi drivers’ English language competence was at the low level (Mean = 2.50). It was also found that their educational background and English language training significantly affected their English competence directly and indirectly.
Toxic Effects and Depuration on the Antioxidant and Neurotransmitter Responses after Dietary Lead Exposure in Starry Flounder
Authors: Park Hee-Ju , Hwang In-Ki , Kim Kyeong-Wook , Kim Jun-Hwan , Kang Ju-Chan
Published: June 2018

Starry Flounder Platichthys stellatus were exposed to dietary lead (Pb) at concentrations of 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Recover period was conducted for 2 weeks after the exposure. Exposure to Pb concentrations over 60 mg/kg induced significant changes in the antioxidant responses in the liver, kidney, and gill and continued even after the depuration period in the liver (over 120 mg/kg for superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity) and kidney (at 240 mg/kg for glutathione [GSH] levels). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in liver, kidney, and gill were increased by dietary Pb exposure, and recovery was observed in all groups during the recovery period. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was significantly inhibited in the brain and muscle of flounder at Pb exposure over 120 mg/kg, and no restoration was observed after the depuration period. Lysozyme activity in the plasma was significantly increased at Pb exposures greater than 60 mg kg but was restored after the depuration period. The results of this study indicate that dietary Pb exposure induces toxic effects on antioxidant responses, neurotransmitter, and immune responses of Starry Flounder.
Chemical Composition and Activity of Essential Oils of Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC. Cultivated in Tunisia and Its Anatomical Features
Authors: Souilem Fedia , El Ayeb Asma , Djlassi Brahim , Ayari Olfa , Chiboub Wiem , Arbi Faten , Ascrizzi Roberta , Flamini Guido , Harzallah‐Skhiri Fethia
Published: June 2018

This is the first study investigating the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) isolated from different tissues of Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A.DC., their antimicrobial activity and the anatomical characters of the aerial organs and the fruits. The main EO components were pentadecanal and tetradecan‐1‐ol (31.9 and 16.5% in fresh leaf EO, respectively), (E)‐nerolidol and caryophyllene oxide (27.3 and 15.0% in fruit EO, respectively), linalool and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (30.9 and 24.9% in stem EO, respectively), benzyl benzoate (24.3% in flower EO). The fruit EO was more active against Candida albicans (MIC = 0.46 mg/mL) compared to the reference antibiotic (17.66 mg/mL). Furthermore, at this concentration it inhibited all the Gram‐positive bacteria. Concerning the anatomical features, it is noteworthy to mention the presence of a large cluster of calcium oxalate crystals inside some parenchymatous cells. Large ducts corresponding to non articulated laticifers were identified in the cortex of leaf, stem and fruit pericarp. The laticifers categories and their distribution are taxonomically important to discriminate this species from others acclimated in different countries. Considering the obtained results, EOs of C. macrocarpa can be a good source of antimicrobial compounds, contributing to solve the problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics.
Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl. Leaf Essential Oil Variability in the Balkans
Authors: Rajčević Nemanja F. , Labus Marina G. , Dodoš Tanja Z. , Novaković Jelica J. , Marin Petar D.
Published: June 2018

In the present work, the leaf essential oil from 97 individuals of Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl. from the Balkan Peninsula was analyzed. The essential oil was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (45.5 – 71.8%), of which α‐pinene was the most abundant in almost all of the samples (38.2 – 55.8%). Several other monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were also present in relatively high abundances in samples such as myrcene, δ‐3‐carene, β‐phellandrene, α‐terpinyl acetate, (E)‐caryophyllene and germacrene D. Multivariate statistical analysis suggested the existence of three possible chemotypes based on the abundance of the four components. Even though the intrapopulation variability was high, discriminant analysis (DA) was able to separate populations. DA showed high separation between western and eastern populations but also grouped geographically closer populations along the west Balkan shoreline. The potential influence of the climate on the composition of the essential oil was also studied.
Lipopolysaccharide induced the proliferation of mouse lung fibroblasts by suppressing FoxO3a/p27 pathway
Authors: Gu Nannan , Xing Shunpeng , Chen Sihan , Zhou Yuxi , Jiang Tao , Jiao Yingfu , Gao Yuan , Yu Weifeng , He Zhengyu , Wen Daxiang
Published: June 2018

Aberrant aggregation and activation of lung fibroblasts is a key process in pulmonary fibrosis, but the underlying mechanism remains enigmatic. Forkhead Box O3a (FoxO3a) is considered to be an important transcription factor that could regulate both cell cycle and cell viability. To investigate the role of FoxO3a on LPS‐induced lung fibroblast proliferation, we transfected FoxO3a‐SiRNA or FoxO3a‐OE lentivirus into cultured mouse lung fibroblasts to knockdown or overexpress FoxO3a and pretreated mouse lung fibroblasts with gefitinib to enhance FoxO3a activity. The proliferation of lung fibroblasts was evaluated by CCK8 assay, the expression of FoxO3a, phosphorylated FoxO3a (p‐FoxO3a) and p27 were measured by Western blot. We found that the proliferation of mouse lung fibroblasts mediated by LPS is accompanied by the inactivation of FoxO3a. The knockdown of FoxO3a could further decreased the expression of p27 mediated by LPS, while the overexpression of FoxO3a significantly increased the expression of p27 and suppressed LPS‐induced lung fibroblast proliferation. Upon treating fibroblasts with gefitinib, the phosphorylation of FoxO3a was reduced and FoxO3a translocated into the nucleus, the expression of p27 was significantly increased and the proliferation of lung fibroblasts mediated by LPS could also be inhibited effectively. The results indicate that overexpression and reduced phosphatase activity of FoxO3a inhibit LPS‐induced lung fibroblast proliferation through the activation of FoxO3a/p27 signaling pathways. Thus, to enhance FoxO3a activity could be a potential therapeutic target for LPS‐induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Fatty acid positional distribution in colostrum and mature milk of women living in Inner Mongolia, North Jiangsu and Guangxi of China
Authors: Deng Long , Zou Qian , Liu Biao , Ye Wenhui , Zhuo Chengfei , Chen Li , Deng Ze-Yuan , Fan Ya-Wei , Li Jing
Published: June 2018

In order to investigate the fatty acid composition and distribution in colostrum and mature milk, breast milk samples and 24 h food records were obtained from 65 lactating women across three regions in China.
Cu2O templating strategy for the synthesis of octahedral Cu2O@Mn(OH)2 core–shell hierarchical structures with a superior performance supercapacitor
Authors: Guan Hongtao , Cai Pan , Zhang Xiaomeng , Zhang Yanlin , Chen Gang , Dong Chengjun
Published: June 2018

We demonstrate the design and fabrication of novel Cu2O@Mn(OH)2 core–shell hierarchical structures using octahedral Cu2O as a template.
MBG scaffolds containing chitosan microspheres for binary delivery of IL-8 and BMP-2 for bone regeneration
Authors: Cai Lisha , Lin Dan , Chai Yanjun , Yuan Yuan , Liu Changsheng
Published: June 2018

Illustration of the binary protein release in a bone regenerative process.
Hierarchically structured seamless silk scaffolds for osteochondral interface tissue engineering
Authors: Singh Yogendra Pratap , Moses Joseph Christakiran , Bhunia Bibhas K. , Nandi Samit Kumar , Mandal Biman B.
Published: June 2018

Development of a hierarchically analogous biphasic scaffold fabricated in a facile and minimalistic method for repair of osteochondral defect.
Revealing the new potential of an indandione unit for constructing efficient yellow thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters with short emissive lifetimes
Authors: Xiang Yepeng , Zhu Ze-Lin , Xie Dongjun , Gong Shaolong , Wu Kailong , Xie Guohua , Lee Chun-Sing , Yang Chuluo
Published: June 2018

Two indandione-based compounds are demonstrated as efficient yellow TADF emitters with short emissive lifetimes.
Adaptive null broadening method in wideband beamforming for rapidly moving interference suppression
Authors: Yang Xiaopeng , Li Shuai , Long Teng , Sarkar Tapan K.
Published: June 2018

For the suppression of rapidly moving interferences in wideband beamforming, an adaptive null broadening method is proposed. In the proposed method, the taper matrix is calculated by adding virtual interferences around original interferences. Then, based on the obtained taper matrix and the sample covariance matrix, the covariance matrix is reconstructed to calculate the weight vector for adaptive null broadening. Simulation results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Changes of spin axis and rate of the asteroid (99942) Apophis during the 2029 close encounter with Earth: A constrained model
Authors: Souchay J. , Lhotka C. , Heron G. , Hervé Y. , Puente V. , Folgueira Lopez M.
Published: June 2018

Context. The dramatic event of the 2029 close encounter between the Earth and the asteroid Apophis on April 13 2029 at a minimum distance of 38 400 km constitutes an opportunity to make investigations about the modeling of the rotational changes of the asteroid during the event.

Aims. In this paper we deepen a previous study of the rotational changes of Apophis caused by gravitational effects during the close encounter, using important constraints on initial conditions brought by new recent observational data. We also evaluate the effects of the triaxial form of the asteroid on the motion of its axis of rotation in space, as well as the modifications of the spin rate due to tidal deformation.

Methods. First we used more drastic constraints for the physical and geometrical parameters of Apophis, deduced from recent observational campaigns. Second we evaluated the disturbing potential due to the Earth depending not only on the asteroid flattening, but also on the component due to its triaxiality, to deduce the equations of motion and investigate the displacement of the spin axis. Third we estimated what should be the zonal deformation of the asteroid due to the tide exerted by the Earth during the close encounter and we measured the consequences on variations of the spin rate.

Results. We show that the variations of obliquity and precession in longitude of Apophis during the 2029 close encounter can reach very large values, at the level of of respectiveley 1–10° and 10–40° depending on geometrical parameters. On the contrary, effects on the spin rate should be relatively small, leading to variations of the sidereal angle of rotation not exceeding 30 s.

Conclusions. The tribute of this paper is to give a constrained model of the important rotational variations of Apophis during its 2029 close encounter with the Earth.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Training During Adult Gastroenterology Residency: A National Survey of Canadian Program Directors and Trainees
Authors: Gallinger Zane R , Rumman Amir , Pivovarov Kevin , Fortinsky Kyle , Dubinsky Marla , Grover Samir C , Cohen Benjamin , Nguyen Geoffrey C
Published: June 2018

Background

Clinical training in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a mandated component of adult gastroenterology fellowship. This study aims to assess methods of instruction in IBD and identify priorities and gaps in IBD clinical training among residents and program directors (PDs).

Methods

Using both an online and in-person platform, we administered a 15-question PD survey and 19-question trainee survey that assessed the methods of IBD teaching and trainee perceptions of knowledge transfer of 22 IBD topics. The survey was previously developed and administered to US gastroenterology trainees and PDs.

Results

Surveys were completed by 9 of 14 (62.3%) PDs and 44 of 62 (71%) trainees. Both trainee years were equally represented (22 residents in each year of training). All respondents were based at university teaching hospitals with full-time IBD faculty on staff. Dedicated IBD rotations were not offered by more than half of training programs, and IBD exposure was most commonly encountered during inpatient rotations. Overall, only 14 (31.2%) trainees were fully satisfied with the level of IBD exposure during their training. Thirty-six (81.8%) trainees reported being comfortable with inpatient IBD management, whereas only 23 (52.3%) trainees reported being comfortable with outpatient IBD management. There was strong concordance between the proportion of PDs ranking an IBD topic as essential and trainee comfort in that area (Pearson’s rho 0.59; P=0.004). Fewer than half of trainees reported comfort in 11 of 22 (50%) proposed IBD topics. Identified areas of deficiency included phenotypic and endoscopic classification of IBD, inpatient management of severe active IBD, perianal disease management, monitoring biologic therapy and extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD.

Conclusions

Only one-third of Canadian gastroenterology trainees are fully satisfied with the level of IBD exposure under the current training model. Furthermore, several IBD topics appear to be inadequately covered during training. Our findings, which are similar to previously published US data, highlight the need for additional focus on IBD during gastroenterology residency.
A Stochastic Model of Metastatic Bottleneck Predicts Patient Outcome and Therapy Response
Authors: Szczurek Ewa , Krueger Tyll , Klink Barbara , Beerenwinkel Niko
Published: June 2018

Metastases are responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. Initiation of metastases, where newly seeded tumor cells expand into colonies, presents a tremendous bottleneck to metastasis formation. Despite its clinical importance, our understanding of this process is very limited. Here, we propose a simple stochastic model assuming that the initiating metastatic cells proliferate faster when surrounded by more of their kind. The model quantifies the severity of metastatic bottleneck as the probability that the seeded colony survives. Based on this model, we derive how metastasis occurrence depends on primary tumor size and affects patient outcome. Our predictions agree with epidemiological data for thirteen cancer types. The model predicts that impact of treatment decisions depends both on the primary tumor size and on the severity of the metastatic bottleneck, and that medical interventions that tighten the bottleneck would be much more efficient than therapies that decrease overall tumor burden, such as chemotherapy.
Reticulate Evolutionary History of a Western Palaearctic Bat Complex Explained by Multiple mtDNA Introgressions in Secondary Contacts
Authors: çoraman Emrah , Dietz Christian , Hempel Elisabeth , Gazaryan Astghik , Levin Eran , Presetnik Primož , Zagmajster Maja , Mayer Frieder
Published: June 2018

Aim

There is increasing evidence showing that species within various taxonomic groups have reticulate evolutionary histories with several cases of introgression events. Investigating the phylogeography of species complexes can provide insight about the introgressions, when and where these hybridizations occurred. In this study, we investigate the biogeography of a widely distributed Western Palaearctic bat species complex, namelyMyotis nattererisensu lato. This complex exhibits high genetic diversity and in its western distribution range is composed of deeply diverged genetical lineages. However, little is known about the genetic structure of the eastern populations. We also infer the conservation and taxonomical implications of the identified genetic divergences.

Location

Western Palaearctic

Methods

We analyzed 175 specimens collected from 67 locations and sequenced one mitochondrial and four nuclear DNA markers, and combined these with the available Gen-Bank sequences. We used haplotype networks, PCA, t-SNE, and Bayesian clustering algorithms to investigate the population structure and Bayesian trees to infer the phylogenetic relationship of the lineages.

Main conclusions

We identified deeply divergent genetical lineages. In some cases, nuclear and mitochondrial markers were discordant, which we interpret are caused by hybridization between lineages. We identified three such introgression events. Our findings suggest that the M.natterericomplex has a reticulate evolutionary history with multiple cases of hybridizations between some of the identified lineages. We also suggest a revision in the taxonomy of this species group, with two possible new taxa:M. hoveliandM. tschuliensis.
Primary auditory cortex represents the location of sound sources in a cue- invariant manner
Authors: Wood Katherine C , Town Stephen M , Bizley Jennifer K
Published: June 2018

Auditory cortex is required for sound localisation, but how neural firing in auditory cortex underlies our perception of sources in space remains unknown. We measured spatial receptive fields in animals actively attending to spatial location while they performed a relative localisation task using stimuli that varied in the spatial cues that they provided. Manipulating the availability of binaural and spectral localisation cues had mild effects on the ferret’s performance and little impact on the spatial tuning of neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1). Consistent with a representation of space, a subpopulation of neurons encoded spatial position across localisation cue types. Spatial receptive fields measured in the presence of a competing sound source were sharper than those measured in a single-source configuration. Together these observations suggest that A1 encodes the location of auditory objects as opposed to spatial cue values. We compared our data to predictions generated from two theories about how space is represented in auditory cortex: The two-channel model, where location is encoded by the relative activity in each hemisphere, and the labelled-line model where location is represented by the activity pattern of individual cells. The representation of sound location in A1 was mainly contralateral but peak firing rates were distributed across the hemifield consistent with a labelled line model in each hemisphere representing contralateral space. Comparing reconstructions of sound location from neural activity, we found that a labelled line architecture far outperformed two channel systems. Reconstruction ability increased with increasing channel number, saturating at around 20 channels.

Significance statement

Our perception of a sound scene is one of distinct sound sources each of which can be localised, yet auditory space must be computed from sound location cues that arise principally by comparing the sound at the two ears. Here we ask: (1) do individual neurons in auditory cortex represent space, or sound localisation cues? (2) How is neural activity ‘read out’ for spatial perception? We recorded from auditory cortex in ferrets performing a localisation task and describe a subpopulation of neurons that represent space across localisation cues. Our data are consistent with auditory space being read out using the pattern of activity across neurons (a labelled line) rather than by averaging activity within each hemisphere (a two-channel model).
Imaging forward and Reverse Traveling Waves in the Cochlea
Authors: Zosuls A. , Rupprecht L. C. , Mountain D. C.
Published: June 2018

The presence of forward and reverse traveling wave modes on the basilar membrane has important implications to how the cochlea functions as a filter, transducer, and amplifier of sound. The presence and parameters of traveling waves are of particular importance to interpreting otoacoustic emissions (OAE). OAE are vibrations that propagate out of the cochlea and are measureable as sounds emitted from the tympanic membrane. The interpretation of OAE is a powerful research and clinical diagnostic tool, but OAE use has not reached full potential because the mechanisms of their generation and propagation are not fully understood. Of particular interest and deliberation is whether the emissions propagate as a fluid compression wave or a structural traveling wave. In this study a mechanical probe was used to simulate an OAE generation site and optical imaging was used to measure displacement of the inner hair cell stereocilia of the gerbil cochlea. Inner hair cell stereocilia displacement measurements were made in the radial dimension as a function of their longitudinal location along the length of the basilar membrane in response to a transverse stimulation from the probe. The analysis of the spatial frequency response of the inner hair cell stereocilia at frequencies near the characteristic frequency (CF) of the measurement location suggests that a traveling wave propagates in the cochlear partition simultaneously basal and apical (forward and reverse) from the probe location. The traveling wave velocity was estimated to be 5.9m/s - 8m/s in the base (near CF of 29kHz - 40kHz) and 1.9m/s - 2.4m/s in the second turn (near CF of 2kHz - 3kHz). These results suggest that the cochlear partition is capable of supporting both forward and reverse traveling wave modes generated by a source driving the basilar membrane. This suggests that traveling waves in the cochlear partition contribute to OAE propagation.
Enzymatic DNA synthesis for digital information storage
Authors: Lee Henry H. , Kalhor Reza , Goela Naveen , Bolot Jean , Church George M.
Published: June 2018

DNA is an emerging storage medium for digital data but its adoption is hampered by limitations of phosphoramidite chemistry, which was developed for single-base accuracy required for biological functionality. Here, we establish ade novoenzymatic DNA synthesis strategy designed from the bottom-up for information storage. We harness a template-independent DNA polymerase for controlled synthesis of sequences with user-defined information content. We demonstrate retrieval of 144-bits, including addressing, from perfectly synthesized DNA strands using batch-processed Illumina and real-time Oxford Nanopore sequencing. We then develop a codec for data retrieval from populations of diverse but imperfectly synthesized DNA strands, each with a ~30% error tolerance. With this codec, we experimentally validate a kilobyte-scale design which stores 1 bit per nucleotide. Simulations of the codec support reliable and robust storage of information for large-scale systems. This work paves the way for alternative synthesis and sequencing strategies to advance information storage in DNA.
A high-quality, long-read de novo genome assembly to aid conservation of Hawaii’s last remaining crow species
Authors: Sutton Jolene T. , Helmkampf Martin , Steiner Cynthia C. , Bellinger M. Renee , Korlach Jonas , Hall Richard , Baybayan Primo , Muehling Jill , Gu Jenny , Kingan Sarah , Masuda Bryce M. , Ryder Oliver
Published: June 2018

Genome-level data can provide researchers with unprecedented precision to examine the causes and genetic consequences of population declines, and to apply these results to conservation management. Here we present a high-quality, long-read, de novo genome assembly for one of the world’s most endangered bird species, the Alala. As the only remaining native crow species in Hawaii, the Alala survived solely in a captive breeding program from 2002 until 2016, at which point a long-term reintroduction program was initiated. The high-quality genome assembly was generated to lay the foundation for both comparative genomics studies, and the development of population-level genomic tools that will aid conservation and recovery efforts. We illustrate how the quality of this assembly places it amongst the very best avian genomes assembled to date, comparable to intensively studied model systems. We describe the genome architecture in terms of repetitive elements and runs of homozygosity, and we show that compared with more outbred species, the Alala genome is substantially more homozygous. We also provide annotations for a subset of immunity genes that are likely to be important for conservation applications, and we discuss how this genome is currently being used as a roadmap for downstream conservation applications.
Bedside healthcare rationing dilemmas: a survey from Croatia
Authors: Pinho Micaela , Pinto Borges Ana , Petricevic Duje
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore Croatian views about issues regarding bedside rationing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 243 Croatian citizens. In a context of hypothetical scenarios involving priority setting decisions taking by physicians, the present study elicits Croatian respondents’ views concerning: the ethical principles that should guide patients prioritization; the parties that should make prioritization decisions; and the likelihood of healthcare rationing becoming a reality. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis and parametric and non-parametric tests were performed.

Findings

Findings suggest that Croatian respondents: support multiple substantive rationing criteria, with an incident in favoring the worst-off, reducing inequalities in health, translated in the fair-innings argument and efficiency achievement; appoint health professionals as rationing decision makers; and do not seem to believe in the possibility of patient selection becoming a reality.

Practical implications

Favoring the worst-off, equalizing life time health and the pursuit of efficiency seem to be the criteria most preferred by Croatian respondents to guide rationing policy at the micro level.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to elicit Croatian opinions concerning several rationing criteria inherent in healthcare micro allocation decisions. Healthcare rationing is a serious challenge to Croatian policy makers and so it would be useful for the public’s perceptions and beliefs to be considered.
No neurodevelopmental benefit of cerebral oximetry in the first randomised trial (SafeBoosC II) in preterm infants during the first days of life
Authors: Plomgaard Anne M. , Alderliesten Thomas , van Bel Frank , Benders Manon , Claris Olivier , Cordeiro Malaika , Dempsey Eugene , Fumagalli Monica , Gluud Christian , Hyttel‐Sorensen Simon , Lemmers Petra , Pellicer Adelina , Pichler Gerhard , Greisen Gorm
Published: June 2018

Aim

Cerebral hypoxia has been associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. We studied whether reducing cerebral hypoxia in extremely preterm infants during the first 72 hours of life affected neurological outcomes at two years of corrected age.

Methods

In 2012‐2013, the phase II randomised Safeguarding the Brains of our smallest Children trial compared visible cerebral near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring in an intervention group and blinded NIRS monitoring in a control group. Cerebral hypoxia was significantly reduced in the intervention group. We followed up 115 survivors from eight European centres at two years of corrected age, by conducting a medical examination and assessing their neurodevelopment with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Second or Third Edition, and the parental Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ).

Results

There were no differences between the intervention (n = 65) and control (n = 50) groups with regard to the mean mental developmental index (89.6 ± 19.5 versus 88.4 ± 14.7, p = 0.77), ASQ score (215 ± 58 versus 213 ± 58, p = 0.88) and the number of children with moderate‐to‐severe neurodevelopmental impairment (10 versus six, p = 0.58).

Conclusion

Cerebral NIRS monitoring was not associated with long‐term benefits or harm with regard to neurodevelopmental outcome at two years of corrected age.
Exosomes in cancer development and clinical applications
Authors: Tai Yu‐Ling , Chen Ko‐Chien , Hsieh Jer‐Tsong , Shen Tang‐Long
Published: June 2018

Exosomes participate in cancer progression and metastasis by transferring bioactive molecules between cancer and various cells in the local and distant microenvironments. Such intercellular cross‐talk results in changes in multiple cellular and biological functions in recipient cells. Several hallmarks of cancer have reportedly been impacted by this exosome‐mediated cell‐to‐cell communication, including modulating immune responses, reprogramming stromal cells, remodeling the architecture of the extracellular matrix, or even endowing cancer cells with characteristics of drug resistance. Selectively, loading specific oncogenic molecules into exosomes highlights exosomes as potential diagnostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. In addition, exosome‐based drug delivery strategies in preclinical and clinical trials have been shown to dramatically decrease cancer development. In the present review, we summarize the significant aspects of exosomes in cancer development that can provide novel strategies for potential clinical applications.
Complicity and Conditions of Agency
Authors: Pauer‐Studer Herlinde
Published: June 2018

In his ground‐breaking study Complicity, Christopher Kutz introduces the notion of ‘participatory intentions’ (individual intentions whose content is collective) to explain an agent's complicity with groups or organisations. According to Kutz, participatory intentions allow us to hold individuals morally accountable for collective wrongs independent of their causal contribution to the wrong and its ensuing harm. This article offers an alternative account of complicity. Its central claim is that an agent's complicity might be due to the dependence of his professional role on the normative principles that make up the organisation or institution in whose practices he partakes. In other words, there might arise a constitutive failure in an agent's attempt to ascribe to himself a non‐complicit professional identity. I use the case of SS‐Judge Konrad Morgen in order to illustrate this understanding of complicity.
Self‐reassurance, not self‐esteem, serves as a buffer between self‐criticism and depressive symptoms
Authors: Petrocchi Nicola , Dentale Francesco , Gilbert Paul
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Several studies suggest that self‐criticism and self‐reassurance operate through different mechanisms and might interact with each other. This study examined the hypothesis that self‐reassurance serves as a buffer between self‐criticism and depressive symptoms in a way that self‐esteem, which is rooted in a different motivational system, may not.

Design

We hypothesized that self‐criticism would be correlated with high levels of depressive symptoms, but that this association would be weaker at higher levels of self‐reassurance abilities. We also hypothesized that self‐esteem, a self‐relating process based on feeling able and competent to achieve life goals, would not buffer the relationship between self‐criticism and depression.

Methods

Self‐criticism, self‐reassurance, depressive symptoms, and self‐esteem were assessed in a sample of 419 participants (66% females; Mage = 33.40, SD = 11.13).

Results

At higher levels of self‐reassurance, the relationship between self‐criticism and depressive symptoms became non‐significant, supporting the buffering hypothesis of self‐reassurance. Despite the high correlation between self‐esteem and self‐reassurance, self‐esteem did not moderate the relationship between self‐criticism and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Results support the growing evidence that not all positive self‐relating processes exert the same protective function against psychopathological consequences of self‐criticism. Implications for psychotherapy and the validity of using compassion‐focused interventions with clients with self‐critical issues are discussed.

Practitioner points

Self‐reassurance and self‐criticism are distinct processes and they should not be considered positive and negative variations of a single dimension

Different types of positive self‐relating do not show the same correlation with depressive symptoms.

The ability to be self‐reassuring protects against the psychopathological correlates of self‐criticism while having high self‐esteem does not.

Compassion‐focused interventions are promising avenues to help clients counteract the negative impact of self‐criticism on mood.
Molecular cloning of TaMATE2 homoeologues potentially related to aluminium tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Garcia‐Oliveira A. L. , Benito C. , Guedes‐Pinto H. , Martins‐Lopes P.
Published: June 2018

Recently, members of the MATE family have been implicated in aluminium (Al) tolerance by facilitating citrate efflux in plants. The aim of the present work was to perform a molecular characterisation of the MATE2 gene in bread wheat.

Here, we cloned a member of the MATE gene family in bread wheat and named it TaMATE2, which showed the typical secondary structure of MATE‐type transporters maintaining all the 12 transmembrane domains.

Amplification in Chinese Spring nulli‐tetrasomic and ditelosomic lines revealed that TaMATE2 is located on the long arm of homoeologous group 1 chromosomes. The transcript expression of TaMATE2 homoeologues in two diverse bread wheat genotypes, Barbela 7/72/92 (Al‐tolerant) and Anahuac (Al‐sensitive), suggested that TaMATE2 is expressed in both root and shoot tissues of bread wheat, but mainly confined to root rather than shoot tissues. A time‐course analysis of TaMATE2 homoeologue transcript expression revealed the Al responsive expression of TaMATE2 in root apices of the Al‐tolerant genotype, Barbela 7/72/92. Considering the high similarity of TaMATE2 together with similar Al responsive expression pattern as of ScFRDL2 from rye and OsFRDL2 from rice, it is likely that TaMATE2 also encodes a citrate transporter. Furthermore, the TaMATE2‐D homoeologue appears to be near the previously reported locus (wPt0077) on chromosome 1D for Al tolerance.

In conclusion, molecular cloning of TaMATE2 homoeologues, particularly TaMATE2‐D, provides a plausible candidate for Al tolerance in bread wheat that can be used for the development of more Al‐tolerant cultivars in this staple crop.
Inflation Linkages Within The Eurozone: Core vs. Periphery
Authors: Magkonis Georgios , Sharma Abhijit
Published: June 2018

We examine the process of inflation transmission among GIIPS countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain) and Germany. Our findings suggest that inflation spillovers have increased since 2001. We also find that peripheral economies are (dis‐)inflation transmitters to the core. This finding is significant for policy formulation, given the very low inflation environment that currently exists in the Euro area and the macroeconomic implications that arise from this.
The COMMAND trial of cognitive therapy for harmful compliance with command hallucinations (CTCH): a qualitative study of acceptability and tolerability in the UK
Authors: Birchwood Max , Mohan Laura , Meaden Alan , Tarrier Nick , Lewis Shon , Wykes Til , Davies Linda M , Dunn Graham , Peters Emmanuelle , Michail Maria
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To explore service user experiences of a 9-month cognitive behavioural therapy for command hallucinations in the context of a randomised controlled trial including their views on acceptability and tolerability of the intervention.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

Setting

The study took place across three sites: Birmingham, Manchester and London. Interviews were carried out at the sites where therapy took place which included service bases and participants’ homes.

Participants

Of 197 patients who consented to the trial, 98 received the Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Command Hallucinations (CTCH) intervention; 25 (15 males) of whom were randomly selected and consented to the qualitative study. The mean age of the sample was 42 years, and 68% were white British.

Results

Two superordinate themes were identified: participants’ views about the aspects of CTCH they found most helpful; and participants’ concerns with therapy. Helpful aspects of the therapy included gaining control over the voices, challenging the power and omniscience of the voices, following a structured approach, normalisation and mainstreaming of the experience of voices, and having peer support alongside the therapy. Concerns with the therapy included anxiety about completing CTCH tasks, fear of talking back to voices, the need for follow-up and ongoing support and concerns with adaptability of the therapy.

Conclusions

Interpretation: CTCH was generally well received and the narratives validated the overall approach. Participants did not find it an easy therapy to undertake as they were challenging a persecutor they believed had great power to harm; many were concerned, anxious and occasionally disappointed that the voices did not disappear altogether. The trusting relationship with the therapist was crucial. The need for continued support was expressed.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN62304114, Pre-results.
Unique percutaneous direct puncture technique for occlusion of a hypoglossal canal dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Diaz Orlando M , Toledo Maria M , Roehm John O F , Klucznik Richard P , Chinnadurai Ponraj , Lopez Gloria Viviana , Britz Gavin W
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To report percutaneous transcranial puncture, embolization and occlusion of a very symptomatic hypoglossal canal/anterior condylar vein dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) using syngo iGuide navigational software in a patient in whom transarterial and transvenous embolization and surgery had failed.

Methods

After unsuccessful arterial and venous embolization and surgical treatment of a symptomatic hypoglossal canal DAVF, a 47-year-old man was transferred for further management. With exquisite anatomic detail provided by C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) equipment (Artis zee Biplane, Dyna CT VC21H, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Germany) and syngo iGuide needle guidance navigational software (Siemens Healthcare GmbHy) for planning a safe direct approach, the hypoglossal/anterior condylar vein, the dominant outflow vein of the fistula, was needle punctured percutaneously at the hypoglossal foramen and occluded with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer liquid embolic agent (Onyx, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) after placing two anchoring platinum coils (Target detachable coils, Stryker Neurovascular, Fremont, California, USA).

Results

After a year of progressively severe left eye proptosis, chemosis and increased intraocular pressure, the symptoms quickly subsided after this embolization and the patient was symptom free at his 3-month and later checkups.

Conclusion

With guidance and imaging provided by CBCT and syngo iGuide navigational software, an otherwise untreatable DAVF was successfully embolized and obliterated by an aggressive unique percutaneous trans-cranial needle puncture of the dominant outflow vein in the hypoglossal canal.
Inverse Determination of Time-Dependent Loads in Viscoplastic Deformations Using Strain Measurements in the Deformed Configuration
Authors: Kazemi Z. , Hematiyan M. R.
Published: June 2018

Load identification by inverse analysis has been investigated extensively in many elastic studies; however, very few studies on inverse load identification in plastic and especially viscoplastic deformations have been reported until now. In this paper, a new inverse method for identification of time-dependent loads in viscoplastic deformations is presented. It is assumed that the general form for variation of the load with respect to time is known; however, the prescribed load–time model includes some parameters, which should be found by an inverse analysis. These unknowns are determined without any measurements during the loading process. In dead, the inverse analysis is carried out using measured strains at some sampling points only in the deformed configuration. In the inverse analysis, the well-known damped Gauss–Newton method has been used to get the optimization direction and the Armijo’s rule is employed to select a suitable step size. To demonstrate the performance of the method, several numerical examples are presented. The effects of the number of sensors, and measurements errors on the inverse solutions are investigated too.
Aortic Arch Width and Cardiovascular Disease in Men and Women in the Community
Authors: Chuang Michael L. , Gona Philimon N. , Qazi Saadia , Musgrave Rebecca M. , Fox Caroline S. , Massaro Joseph M. , Hoffmann Udo , O'Donnell Christopher J.
Published: June 2018

Background

We sought to determine whether increased aortic arch width (
AAW
) adds to standard Framingham risk factors and coronary artery calcium (
CAC
) for prediction of incident adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in community‐dwelling adults.

Methods and Results

A total of 3026 Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Third Generation cohort participants underwent noncontrast multidetector computed tomography from 2002 to 2005 to quantify
CAC
. We measured
AAW
as the distance between the centroids of the ascending and descending thoracic aorta, at the level of main pulmonary artery bifurcation or the right pulmonary artery. We determined sex, age group, and body size specific cut points for high (≥90th percentile)
AAW
from a healthy referent group (N=1471) and dichotomized
AAW
as high or not high across all study participants. Clinical covariates were obtained at Offspring cycle 7 (1998–2001) or Third Generation cycle 1 (2002–2005) examinations. The primary CVD outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency, cerebrovascular accident, first hospitalization for heart failure, or CVD death. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratio of high
AAW
on time‐to‐incident
CVD
after adjustment for Framingham risk factors and
CAC
. Net reclassification improvement was used to assess the effect of adding
AAW
to the baseline Framingham risk factor+
CAC
model. A total of 2826 participants (aged 51±11 years, 48% women) had complete covariates and were free of
CVD
at multidetector computed tomography. Over a median 8.9 years of follow‐up, there were 135 incident
CVD
events. High
AAW
was independently predictive of
CVD
events (hazard ratio, 1.55;
P
=0.032) and appropriately reclassified participants at risk: net reclassification improvement, 0.31 (95% confidence interval, 0.15–0.48).

Conclusion

AAW
augments traditional
CVD
risk factors and
CAC
for prediction of incident adverse
CVD
events among community‐dwelling adults.
Public Awareness of Low-Risk Alcohol Use Guidelines
Authors: McNally Kelcy , Noonan Laura Lee , Cameron Marguerite , Phillips Karen , Baidoobonso Shamara , Sabapathy David
Published: June 2018

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a population-based, public education campaign designed to increase awareness of the Canadian Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDG). Method. A province-wide mass media campaign was introduced. To measure campaign effectiveness, we completed a cross-sectional study using pre- and postcampaign surveys. Measurements included awareness of the LRDG, specific knowledge of the LRDG, and beliefs toward drinking and behavior change. Results. Postsurvey respondents were more likely to be aware of the LRDG (19.2% vs. 25.8%). However, increased awareness was largely driven by females being significantly more aware of the guidelines after the campaign (odds ratio = 1.74; 95% confidence interval = [1.38, 2.19]). Men were not found to be more aware postcampaign. The results did not show a significant increase in specific knowledge of the LRDG or change in beliefs toward drinking and behavior change after the campaign. Independent of the survey cycle, males and those aged 19 to 25 years were less likely to be aware of the LRDG, select the correct drink limit or less, and believe that consuming alcohol in excess has short- and long-term health consequences when compared to females and those aged 56 to 70 years. Conclusions. A provincial public health education campaign was effective at increasing awareness of the LRDG, though uptake was lowest among those at highest risk for heavy drinking.
Deutschland droht europäisch festgelegtes Klimaziel für 2020 zu verfehlen
Authors: Nill Jan
Published: June 2018

Die klimapolitische Diskussion ist auf das deutsche Ziel ausgerichtet, die Emissionen bis 2020 um 40 % gegenüber 1990 zu reduzieren. Es gibt aber noch weitere, rechtlich verbindliche, Klimaziele für 2020 und seit Kurzem auch für 2030, auf die sich ein näherer Blick lohnt.
CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cell-mediated immunomodulation by anti-depressants inhibiting acid sphingomyelinase
Authors: Schneider-Schaulies Jürgen , Beyersdorf Niklas
Published: June 2018

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is the rate-limiting enzyme cleaving sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholin. CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells depend on CD28 signaling for their survival and function, a receptor that activates the ASM. Both, basal and CD28-induced ASM activities are higher in Treg cells than in conventional CD4+ T (Tconv) cells. In ASM-deficient (Smpd1
−/−) as compared to wt mice, membranes of T cells contain 7–10-fold more sphingomyelin and two- to three-fold more ceramide, and are in a state of higher order than membranes of T cells from wt mice, which may facilitate their activation. Indeed, the frequency of Treg cells among CD4+ T cells in ASM-deficient mice and their suppressive activity in vitro are increased. Moreover, in vitro stimulation of ASM-deficient T cells in the presence of TGF-β and IL-2 leads to higher numbers of induced Treg cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the ASM with a clinically used tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline in mice or in tissue culture of murine or human T cells induces higher frequencies of Treg cells among CD4+ T cells within a few days. This fast alteration of the balance between T cell populations in vitro is due to the elevated cell death of Tconv cells and protection of the CD25high Treg cells by IL-2. Together, these findings suggest that ASM-inhibiting antidepressants, including a fraction of the serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are moderately immunosuppressive and should be considered for the therapy of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.