bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of epigenetics for understanding mental health difficulties and its implications for psychotherapy research
Authors: Kumsta Robert
Published: March 2019

Many mental health difficulties have developmental origins. Understanding the mechanisms for how psychosocial experiences are biologically embedded and influence lifelong development is a key challenge for the mental health disciplines. In recent years, epigenetic processes have emerged as a potential mechanism mediating the long‐lasting vulnerability following the experience of adversity. Animal models provide evidence that early‐life adversity can produce enduring epigenetic modifications in the brain, which mediate disorder‐like behaviours, and there is emerging evidence to support that environmental factors influence epigenetic processes in humans. The investigation of DNA methylation, a chemical modification of the DNA with a role in gene regulatory processes, is becoming increasingly popular in psychological studies. A particular interest for the psychotherapy field lies in the potential for psychological interventions to influence epigenetic processes. Hence, the focus of this review will be on studies that have investigated intervention‐associated changes in DNA methylation. Results of the first few studies will be critically reviewed, and a model of how therapy‐associated changes of DNA methylation in peripheral, non‐brain tissue might be useful as epigenetic biomarkers of treatment outcome will be presented.

Practitioner points

Many mental health difficulties have substantial developmental origin. Epigenetic processes have emerged as a potential mechanism mediating the long‐term effects of early adversity

Epigenetic refers to cellular mechanisms that control gene expression states, independent of changes to the underlying DNA sequence. The epigenome can be highly dynamic and potentially influenced by external factors

A particular interest for the psychotherapy field lies in the potential for psychological interventions to influence epigenetic processes.
Double ovarian tumour in the mare: Case report
Authors: Pinna Aline E. , Okada Carolina T. C. , Ferreira Camila S. C. , Campos Diego G. , Possidente Karen S. , de Cássia C. L. Morais Rita , Oliveira Marcela , Salomão Marcia Carolina , Hataka Alexandre
Published: March 2019

Contents

Ovarian tumours in mares represent 2.5% to 6% of the most frequent neoplasms found in the equine species, with a higher chance of benignity. This study aims to describe a case of two different tumours found in the same ovary of a mare that presented clinical signs of suppressed oestrous cycle during 5 years. After unilateral ovariectomy, the ovary was sent to the histopathology examination which determined a mixed tumour of granulosa cell and leiomyosarcoma. After treatment, the mare returned to oestrus and got pregnant in the next season.
Effects of soya milk on reproductive hormones during puberty in male Wistar rats
Authors: Caceres Sara , Silván Gema , Illera Maria J. , Millan Pilar , Moyano Gabriel , Illera Juan C.
Published: March 2019

Contents

Puberty is considered a critical period on development that involved sexual maturation and morphological changes. Isoflavones have been described as endocrine disruptors in male rats. Therefore, the present study attempt to evaluate the effect that daily intake of low and high doses of isoflavones exert into the hormonal regulation that take place during puberty by analyzing the levels of serum and testes steroid and pituitary hormones. 108 male pre‐puberal Wistar rats (30 days old) were randomly divided into three groups; control, low and high doses of isoflavones. Experimental animals were daily dosed orally with low and high doses of a mixture of two soy isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) during 6 weeks. An EIA was performed in serum and testes homogenates for analyzing FSH, LH, P5, P4, DHEA, A4, T, DHT, SO4E1 and E2 hormone concentrations. Results revealed a decrease of an oestrogen environment in testes stimulates the secretion of FSH and LH leading to the production of androgens in the testes at the onset of puberty. Low doses of isoflavones resulted in a significant increase of testes oestrogens that consequently produced a delay on the onset of puberty; however at high doses of isoflavones the maintained oestrogenic environment in the testes prevent the stimulation of the secretion of pituitary hormones and the production of T abolishing the onset of puberty. These results clarify the hormonal mechanisms that take place on puberty and determine the effect of high and low doses of isoflavones at the onset of puberty.
Managing Safety‐Related Disruptions: Evidence from the U.S. Nuclear Power Industry
Authors: Blanco Christian C. , Caro Felipe , Corbett Charles J.
Published: March 2019

Low‐probability, high‐impact events are difficult to manage. Firms may underinvest in risk assessments for low‐probability, high‐impact events because it is not easy to link the direct and indirect benefits of doing so. Scholarly research on the effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing such events faces the same challenge. In this article, we draw on comprehensive industry‐wide data from the U.S. nuclear power industry to explore the impact of conducting probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) on preventing safety‐related disruptions. We examine this using data from over 25,000 monthly event reports across 101 U.S. nuclear reactors from 1985 to 1998. Using Poisson fixed effects models with time trends, we find that the number of safety‐related disruptions reduced between 8% and 27% per month in periods after operators submitted their PRA in response to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Generic Letter 88‐20, which required all operators to conduct a PRA. One possible mechanism for this is that the adoption of PRA may have increased learning rates, lowering the rate of recurring events by 42%. We find that operators that completed their PRA before Generic Letter 88‐20 continued to experience safety improvements during 1990–1995. This suggests that revisiting PRA or conducting it again can be beneficial. Our results suggest that even in a highly safety‐conscious industry as nuclear utilities, a more formal approach to quantifying risk has its benefits.
International Trade and Income Inequality*
Authors: Furusawa Taiji , Konishi Hideo , Tran Duong Lam Anh
Published: March 2019

We propose a simple theory that shows a mechanism through which international trade entails wage and job polarization. We consider two countries in which individuals with different abilities work either as knowledge workers, who develop differentiated products, or as production workers, who engage in production. In equilibrium, ex ante symmetric firms attract knowledge workers with different abilities, and this creates firm heterogeneity in product quality. Market integration disproportionately benefits firms that produce high‐quality products. This winner‐take‐all trend of product markets causes a war for talents, which exacerbates income inequality within the countries and leads to labor‐market polarization.
Molecular mechanism underlying pseudopeloria in Habenaria radiata (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Mitoma Mai , Kajino Yumi , Hayashi Risa , Endo Miyako , Kubota Shosei , Kanno Akira
Published: March 2019

Habenaria radiata (Orchidaceae) has two whorls of perianth, comprising three greenish sepals, two white petals and one lip (labellum). By contrast, the pseudopeloric (with a decreased degree of zygomorphy) mutant cultivar of H. radiata, ‘Hishou’, has changes in the identities of the dorsal sepal to a petaloid organ and the two ventral sepals to lip‐like organs. Here, we isolated four DEFICIENS‐like and two AGL6‐like genes from H. radiata, and characterized their expression. Most of these genes revealed similar expression patterns in the wild type and in the ‘Hishou’ cultivar, except HrDEF‐C3. The HrDEF‐C3 gene was expressed in petals and lip in the wild type but was ectopically expressed in sepal, petals, lip, leaf, root and bulb in ‘Hishou’. Sequence analysis of the HrDEF‐C3 loci revealed that the ‘Hishou’ genome harbored two types of HrDEF‐C3 genes: one identical to wild‐type HrDEF‐C3 and the other carrying a retrotransposon insertion in its promoter. Genetic linkage analysis of the progeny derived from an intraspecific cross between ‘Hishou’ and the wild type demonstrated that the mutant pseudopeloric trait was dominantly inherited and was linked to the HrDEF‐C3 gene carrying the retrotransposon. These results indicate that the pseudopeloric phenotype is caused by retrotransposon insertion in the HrDEF‐C3 promoter, resulting in the ectopic expression of HrDEF‐C3. As the expression of HrAGL6‐C2 was limited to lateral sepals and lip, the overlapping expression of HrDEF‐C3 and HrAGL6‐C2 is likely to be responsible for the sepal to lip‐like identity in the lateral sepals of the ‘Hishou’ cultivar.
Association of endogenous testosterone concentration with depression in men: a systematic review protocol
Authors: See Chee Keong , Turnbull Deborah , Ritson Felix , Martin Sean , Tully Phillip , Wittert Gary
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The objective of this review is to examine the association between serum testosterone concentration and the presence and severity of depression in men.

Introduction:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies examining the relationship between serum testosterone concentration and depression in men have produced mixed results. There has not, however, been any prior attempt to systematically interrogate the data. Clarification of the relationship has clinical importance because depression may be under-diagnosed in men.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies involving community-dwelling men who are not receiving testosterone replacement therapy. The exposure of interest reviewed will include endogenous testosterone concentration measured through validated assays. Studies measuring total and testosterone fraction concentration will be included. This review will include studies with depression or incident depression outcomes as defined by either clinical diagnosis of depression or validated self-administered questionnaire assessing depression symptomatology.

Methods:

This review will follow the JBI approach for systematic reviews of etiology and risk. The following sources will be searched: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and the ISRCTN Registry. Analytical observational studies including prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case control studies and analytical cross-sectional studies published in English or other languages with English translation will be considered. Retrieval of full-text studies, assessment of methodological quality and data extraction will be performed independently by two reviewers. Data will be pooled in statistical meta-analysis, where possible.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42018108273
Robust Output Regulation of a Class of Nonlinear Systems Via Disturbance Observer in the Presence of Matched and Unmatched Uncertainties
Authors: Shiravani F. , Shafiei M. H.
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this paper is to propose a controller for nonlinear systems to achieve robust asymptotic tracking of a class of reference signals, in the presence of matched and unmatched disturbances and model uncertainties. The disturbances and reference signals are generated using two linear exosystems. In the proposed controller, instead of using the upper bound of disturbances in the design process, their instantaneous values are estimated disturbance observer. Therefore, disturbance observer-based control (DOBC) methods are less conservative with respect to conventional approaches. In addition to the DOBC design, a new stepwise procedure based on backstepping technique and sliding mode control is proposed. In the proposed approach, in each step, estimations of disturbances and the upper bound of model uncertainties are used to compose virtual control laws; these virtual control laws compose the final control law. Finally, numerical and practical examples are simulated to show the efficiency of the proposed technique and also to verify the theoretical results.
Unsteady Electrokinetic Flow in a Microcapillary: Effects of Periodic Excitation and Geometry
Authors: Moghadam Ali Jabari
Published: March 2019

Oscillatory electrokinetic flow is numerically examined in a rectangular annulus microtube under the influence of various wave forms. When the inner and outer walls of the capillary are oppositely charged, an instantaneous two-direction flow field is produced and consequently the resultant flow rate is relatively reduced. A zero or negative flow rate may be achieved by appropriate design of the channel geometrical characteristics (e.g., hydraulic diameter) as well as the walls charges. In the case of sufficiently low kinematic viscosity and/or high excitation frequency, a relatively thin transient frictional layer is established close to the walls while the bulk fluid lags behind the liquid motion in the electric double layer by a phase shift. If different waveforms are combined together, fascinating outcomes can be obtained depending on the frequency of each individual wave. Applied electric fields with equal- and unequal-frequency combined waves may have the advantages of a double velocity field and a net mass flow rate, respectively. Interestingly, a direct flow pattern may be achieved by appropriately combining various waveforms with unequal frequencies. The mass flow rate decreases, with the constancy of the electrokinetic diameter, with approximately the square of hydraulic diameter. The Poiseuille number exhibits various characteristics depending on the excitation frequency as well as the type of wave especially in combination.
Mitigation of Annulus Pressure Buildup in Offshore Gas Wells by Determination of Top of Cement
Authors: Mwang’ande Alex W. , Liao Hualin , Zeng Long
Published: March 2019

Annulus pressure buildup (APB) is still a serious problem in offshore gas wells, which threatens the safety of wells for the entire phases of drilling, completion, and production. The existing methods for mitigating APB are technically complex and highly costly. Setting top of cement (TOC) below the outer casing shoe to mitigate APB is easy to implement and can significantly reduce costs. However, there are no unified methods of determining TOC for this purpose. Nevertheless, existing petroleum standards give ambiguous regulations on the setting of TOC. This article brings a new and cheap method of mitigating APB by determining best TOC settings using a mathematical model for calculating APB from both annulus fluid expansion (AFE) and sustained casing pressure (SCP). Field data from gas well X are inputted to the model to describe how it serves this purpose. Calculation results for well X show that setting TOC's above and below the upper casing shoes for production and intermediate casings annuli, respectively, can greatly avoid the problem of APB and the costs associated with the existing mitigation methods. This technique can be used to other wells following the same procedures. The developed model reduced greatly the ambiguity of TOC determination as it helps to get the clear TOC combinations that control APB at the lowest cost of well construction while maintaining good and safe well operation.
Models and Analysis of the Pressure Field for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle With a Fuel Vapor-Containment System in a Refueling Process
Authors: Fang Yanyue , He Ren , Fan Baowei
Published: March 2019

In order to ensure and improve the performance of the fuel vapor-containment system (FVS) on a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the vapor pressure field of the evaporative (EVAP) system in the refueling process was analyzed. Numerical models were established to describe the pressure change in the EVAP system. Based on these numerical models, the influences of refueling speed, filler pipe diameter, vent pipe diameter, and fuel vapor-containment valve (FVV) port diameter on pressure change were discussed. The numerical models and the influences of aforementioned effects were validated by experiments. Simulation and experimental results indicated that the vapor pressure field in the EVAP system is more susceptible to the change of refueling speed and FVV port diameter. If the refueling speed increased and the FVV port diameter decreased, the vapor pressure in the EVAP system strongly fluctuated. Furthermore, results also show that the FVV port diameter should be as large as possible but less than 20 mm, while refueling speed should be 50 l/min. The filler pipe diameter can be chosen in the range of 23–28 mm.
Ectoparasitic mite, Pyemotes zhonghuajia (Prostigmata: Pyemotidae), for biological control of Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)
Authors: Lu Huilin , Li Litao , Yu Lichen , He Limin , Ouyang Gecheng , Liang Guangwen , Lu Yong-Yue , Lu Yong-Yue
Published: March 2019

NO
Artificial speech bandwidth extension improves telephone speech intelligibility and quality in cochlear implant users
Authors: Nogueira W. , Abel J. , Fingscheidt T.
Published: March 2019

Hearing impaired persons, and particularly hearing-aid and cochlear implant (CI) users, often have difficulties communicating over the telephone. The intelligibility of classical so-called narrowband telephone speech is considerably lower than the intelligibility of face-to-face speech. This is partly because of the lack of visual cues, limited telephone bandwidth, and background noise. This work proposes to artificially extend the standard bandwidth of telephone speech to improve its intelligibility for CI users. Artificial speech bandwidth extension (ABE) is obtained through a front-end signal processing algorithm that estimates missing speech components in the high-frequency spectrum from learned data. A state-of-the-art ABE approach, which already led to superior speech quality for people with normal hearing, is used for processing telephone speech for CI users. Two different parameterizations are evaluated, one being more aggressive than the other. Nine CI users were tested with and without the proposed ABE algorithm. The experimental evaluation shows a significant improvement in speech intelligibility and speech quality over the phone for both versions of the ABE algorithm. These promising results support the potential of ABE, which could be incorporated into a commercial speech processor or a smartphone-based pre-processor that streams the telephone speech to the CI.
Specific Environmental Temperature and Relative Humidity Conditions and Grafting Affect the Persistence and Dissemination of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
Serotype Typhimurium in Tomato Plant Tissues
Authors: Deblais Loïc , Helmy Yosra A. , Testen Anna , Vrisman Claudio , Jimenez Madrid Alejandra M. , Kathayat Dipak , Miller Sally A. , Rajashekara Gireesh
Published: March 2019

Tomatoes are one of the most widely produced vegetables around the world; however, fresh tomatoes have been connected to multiple wide-scale salmonellosis outbreaks over the past decades.
Salmonella
is commonly found in the environment and can persist in hostile conditions for several weeks before being internalized into plant tissues, where it is protected from conventional sanitation methods. In addition to biotic factors (host, inoculum size, and phytobiome), abiotic factors (environmental conditions) may affect the persistence of
Salmonella
in crop production. This study demonstrates that specific environmental conditions, the inoculation method, and the inoculum density affect the persistence and dissemination of JSG626 in tomato plant tissues. Our findings enhance the understanding of interactions between
Salmonella enterica
and fresh produce and may lead to the development of novel management practices on farms.
Does the Semiconservative Nature of DNA Replication Facilitate Coherent Phenotypic Diversity?
Authors: Norris Vic
Published: March 2019

It has been clear for over sixty years that the principal method whereby cells replicate and segregate their DNA is semiconservative. It is much less clear why it should be like this rather than, say, conservative.
Reconstruction of the Genetic History and the Current Spread of HIV-1 Subtype A in Germany
Authors: Hanke Kirsten , Faria Nuno Rodrigues , Kühnert Denise , Yousef Kaveh Pouran , Hauser Andrea , Meixenberger Karolin , Hofmann Alexandra , Bremer Viviane , Bartmeyer Barbara , Pybus Oliver , Kücherer Claudia , von Kleist Max , Bannert Norbert
Published: March 2019

HIV-1 subtype A is the second most prevalent subtype worldwide, with a high prevalence in Eastern Africa and Eastern Europe. However, an increase of non-B infections, including subtype A infections, has been observed in Germany and other European countries. There has simultaneously been an increased flow of refugees into Europe and especially into Germany, raising the question of whether the surge in non-B infections resulted from this increased immigration or whether German transmission chains are mainly involved. This study is the first comprehensive subtype A study from a western European country analyzing in detail its phylogenetic origin, the impact of various transmission routes, and its current spread. The results and conclusions presented provide new and substantial insights for virologists, epidemiologists, and the general public health sector. In this regard, they should be useful to those authorities responsible for developing public health intervention strategies to combat the further spread of HIV/AIDS.
Pipeline embolization device diameter is an important factor determining the efficacy of flow diversion treatment of small intracranial saccular aneurysms
Authors: Kole Matthew James , Miller Timothy Ryan , Cannarsa Gregory , Wessell Aaron , Jones Salazar , Le Elizabeth , Jindal Gaurav , Aldrich François , Simard J Marc , Gandhi Dheeraj
Published: March 2019

Objective

Flow diversion using the Pipeline embolization device (PED) has become a widely used treatment method for intracranial aneurysms. However, a subset of aneurysms will fail to occlude following treatment and the factors that influence the efficacy of flow diversion remain uncertain. As smaller diameter PEDs inherently have greater metal density than larger devices, we elected to investigate whether PED diameter influences treatment efficacy when using a single device. We also evaluated other factors that may influence treatment outcomes with PED.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated all patients treated for an intracranial saccular aneurysm at our institution with a single PED at least 12 months prior to the time of data collection. Patients treated with multiple devices, adjunctive coiling, traumatic and fusiform target aneurysms, as well as patients with inadequate imaging follow-up (<12 months) were excluded.

Results

158 aneurysms in 124 patients (128 treatments) met the inclusion criteria for our study. 123 aneurysms (80%) were occluded over an average follow-up of 26.6 months. Multivariable logistic regression showed that branch vessel incorporation into the target aneurysm sac (p<0.001, OR=0.15) was significantly associated with aneurysm persistence, while smaller PED diameter was significantly associated with aneurysm occlusion (p=0.008; OR=0.30).

Conclusions

PED diameter significantly impacts outcomes when using a single device for the treatment of small anterior circulation intracranial saccular aneurysms, most likely due to the inherent greater metal density of smaller devices. This factor should be taken into account when planning endovascular aneurysm treatment with PED.
Study on Traffic Sign Recognition by Optimized Lenet-5 Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Chuanwei , Yue Xiangyang , Wang Rui , Li Niuniu , Ding Yupeng
Published: March 2019

Traffic sign recognition (TSR) is a key technology of intelligent vehicles, which is based on visual perception for road information. In view of the fact that the traditional computer vision identification technology cannot meet the requirements of real-time accuracy, the TSR algorithm has been proposed on the basis of improved Lenet-5 algorithm. Firstly, we performed picture noise elimination and image enhancement on selected traffic sign images. Secondly, we used Gabor filter kernel in the convolution layer for convolution operation. In the convolution process, we added normalization layer Batch Normality (BN) after each convolution layer and reduced the data dimension. In the down-sampling layer, we replaced Sigmoid with the Relu activator. Finally, we selected the expanded GTSRB traffic sign database for the comparison experiment on the Caff platform. The experimental results showed that the proposed improved Lenet-5 network test set had the recognition accuracy of 96%, which was better than the method that combined Gabor with Support Vector Machine (SVM) in terms of recognition accuracy and real-time performance.
Sparse Recovery and Dictionary Learning to Identify the Nonlinear Dynamical Systems: One Step Toward Finding Bifurcation Points in Real Systems
Authors: Nazarimehr Fahimeh , Ghaffari Aboozar , Jafari Sajad , Golpayegani Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi
Published: March 2019

Modeling real dynamical systems is an important challenge in many areas of science. Extracting governing equations of systems from their time-series is a possible solution for such a challenge. In this paper, we use the sparse recovery and dictionary learning to extract governing equations of a system with parametric basis functions. In this algorithm, the assumption of sparsity in the functions of dynamical equations is used. The proposed algorithm is applied to different types of discrete and continuous nonlinear dynamical systems to show the generalization ability of this method. On the other hand, transition from one dynamical regime to another is an important concept in studying real world complex systems like biological and climate systems. Lyapunov exponent is an early warning index. It can predict bifurcation points in dynamical systems. Computation of Lyapunov exponent is a major challenge in its application in real systems, since it needs long time data to be accurate. In this paper, we use the predicted governing equation to generate long time-series, which is needed for Lyapunov exponent calculation. So the proposed method can help us to predict bifurcation points by accurate calculation of Lyapunov exponents.
Dynamical Analysis of Multipathways and Multidelays of General Virus Dynamics Model
Authors: Cervantes-Pérez Ángel G. , Ávila-Vales Eric
Published: March 2019

This paper considers a general virus dynamics model with cell-mediated immune response and direct cell-to-cell infection modes. The model incorporates two types of intracellular distributed time delays and a discrete delay in the CTL immune response. Under certain conditions, the model exhibits a global threshold dynamics with respect to two parameters: the basic reproduction number and the reproduction number of immune response. We use suitable Lyapunov functionals and apply Lasalle’s invariance principle to establish the global asymptotic stability of the two boundary equilibria. We also perform a bifurcation analysis for the positive equilibrium to show that the time delays may lead to sustained oscillations. To determine the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the periodic solutions, the method of multiple time scales is applied. Finally, we carry out numerical simulations to illustrate our results.
Emergent behaviors of the Cucker–Smale ensemble under attractive–repulsive couplings and Rayleigh frictions
Authors: Fang Di , Ha Seung-Yeal , Jin Shi
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we revisit an interaction problem of two homogeneous Cucker–Smale (in short CS) ensembles with attractive–repulsive couplings, possibly under the effect of Rayleigh friction, and study three sufficient frameworks leading to bi-cluster flocking in which two sub-ensembles evolve to two clusters departing from each other. In the previous literature, the interaction problem has been studied in the context of attractive couplings. In our interaction problem, inter-ensemble and intra-ensemble couplings are assumed to be repulsive and attractive, respectively. When the Rayleigh frictional forces are turned on, we show that the total kinetic energy is uniformly bounded so that spatially mixed initial configurations evolve toward the bi-cluster configuration asymptotically fast under some suitable conditions on system parameters, communication weight functions and initial configurations. In contrast, when Rayleigh frictional forces are turned off, the flocking analysis is more delicate mainly due to the possibility of an exponential growth of the kinetic energy. In this case, we employ two mutually disjoint frameworks with constant inter-ensemble communication function and exponentially localized inter-ensemble communication functions, respectively, and prove the bi-clustering phenomenon in both cases. This work extends the previous work on the interaction problem of CS ensembles. We also conduct several numerical experiments and compare them with our theoretical results.
BLITZ
Authors: Sutton Felix , Forno Reto Da , Beutel Jan , Thiele Lothar
Published: March 2019

Event-triggered wireless sensing systems are an important class of wireless sensor network, where the detection of non-deterministic events enables the monitoring and control of processes in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. The system properties of low latency, energy efficiency, and adaptability make event-triggered wireless sensing systems a key technological enabler for the Industrial Internet of Things.

Wireless sensing systems based on periodic multi-hop communication exhibit a fundamental trade-off between latency and energy efficiency, which is unfavorable for event-triggered application scenarios. To address this technological gap, we present B
litz
, the first communication architecture that combines asynchronous and synchronous flooding primitives to facilitate low latency and energy-efficient multi-hop communication of non-deterministic events. B
litz
also incorporates a novel scheme for mitigating erroneous wake-ups, which is shown analytically and experimentally to further reduce energy consumption. We present a prototype implementation of B
litz
and evaluate its performance in an indoor testbed deployment. Experiments show that BLITZ supports a mean latency as low as 108.9ms for an 8-bit event packet and its associated data packet of 32 bytes through a 4-hop network, and a power dissipation of 16μW during periods of inactivity.
Investigation of the Gut Microbiome in Patients with Schizophrenia and Clozapine-Induced Weight Gain: Protocol and Clinical Characteristics of First Patient Cohorts
Authors: Gorbovskaya Ilona , Kanji Sarah , Liu Jonathan C.W. , MacKenzie Nicole Elizabeth , Agarwal Sri Mahavir , Marshe Victoria S. , Sriretnakumar Venuja , Verdu Elena F. , Bercik Premysl , De Palma Giada , Hahn Margaret K. , Müller Daniel J.
Published: March 2019

Background: Emerging evidence suggests an important role of the human gut microbiome in psychiatry and neurodevelopmental disorders. An increasing body of literature based on animal studies has reported that the gut microbiome influences brain development and behavior by interacting with the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, as the gut microbiome has an important role in metabolism and is known to interact with pharmaceuticals, recent evidence suggests a role for the microbiome in antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects in animals and humans. Purpose: Here we present the protocol for a two-phase study investigating the gut microbiome in healthy controls and in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. Methods: Phase I of our study involves humans exclusively. We recruit 25 patients who are chronically treated with clozapine and compare them with 25 healthy controls matched for age, sex, BMI, and smoking status. A second cohort consists of 25 patients newly starting on clozapine, and a third cohort includes 25 antipsychotic-naive patients. The patients in the second cohort and third cohort are prospectively assessed for up to 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Phase II of this study will incorporate microbiota humanized mouse models to examine the influence of human fecal transplant on metabolic parameters and the gut-brain axis. Progress and Future Directions: We are underway with the first participants enrolled in all phase I treatment cohorts. This study will contribute to elucidating the role of the gut microbiome in schizophrenia and metabolic side effects. In addition, its results may help to explore potential therapeutic targets for antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects.
Secretion of Gut Hormones and Expression of Sweet Taste Receptors and Glucose Transporters in a Rat Model of Obesity
Authors: Feng Ri Lu , Qian Cheng , Liu Lian Yong , Liu Qian Jing , Jin Yun Qiu , Li Sheng Xian , Liu Wei , Rayner Chris K. , Ma Jing
Published: March 2019

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare gut hormone secretion between high-fat-fed and control rats, and to examine the corresponding changes in the expression of sweet taste receptors and glucose transporters in the small intestine and hypothalamus. Methods: Four-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a standard or high-fat diet for 8 weeks (10 in each group), followed by an oral glucose tolerance test (50% glucose solution, 2 g/kg). Blood was sampled for glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and polypeptide YY (PYY) assays. One week later, small intestinal and hypothalamic tissue were analyzed for sweet taste receptor and glucose transporter expression by real-time PCR. Results: After oral glucose, plasma GLP-1 concentrations were higher in high-fat-fed than standard-fat-fed rats (group × time interaction, p < 0.01) with significant differences at t = 15 min (p < 0.01) and 30 min (p < 0.05). Plasma PYY concentrations were lower in high-fat-fed than control rats at t = 0, 15 min (p < 0.05, respectively) and 120 min (p < 0.01). There were no differences in the expression of sweet taste receptors or glucose transporters between high-fat-fed and control rats in the duodenum, ileum, or hypothalamus. Conclusions: Changes in GLP-1 and PYY secretion after a high-fat diet appear unrelated to any changes in the expression of sweet taste receptors or glucose transporters. Impaired PYY secretion with high-fat feeding suggests that PYY analogues may provide a potential therapy in the treatment of obesity.
Sarcoidosis of the Intra- and Extrahepatic Bile Ducts with Concomitant Cholangitis in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Jebran Ahmad Fasel , Schmidt Wolfgang E. , Kahraman Alisan , Canbay Ali , Bulut Kerem
Published: March 2019

Cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) can lead to misdiagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Furthermore, it can mimic cholangiocellular carcinoma, which also can lead to inappropriate and potentially harmful treatment of the patient. An 18-year-old male patient with known UC presented with pain in his right upper abdomen and elevation of the cholestatic liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase: 197 U/L, γ-glutamyltransferase: 229 U/L) and increased inflammatory parameters (leukocytosis and CrP of 13.6 mg/L). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed unclear stenosis in the bifurcation of the main hepatic bile duct as well as in the prepapillary bile duct. Ultrasound (US) examination and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed dilatation of the intra -and extrahepatic bile ducts, which raised the suspicion of PSC. US image with dilated intra- and extrahepatic dilatation of the bile duct was also suggestive for autoimmune cholangitis. However, serum analysis revealed an elevated soluble interleukin-II receptor (1,305 U/mL), while immunoglobulin G4 was within normal ranges. Liver biopsy demonstrated hepatic inflammation and presence of granulomatous cells within the portal fields – convenient to sarcoidosis. After starting treatment with steroids, we observed a rapid clinical response with improvement of the dilated bile ducts and decrease of the initially elevated cholestatic liver enzymes. Sarcoidosis within the bile duct is a rare condition. Steroids are the treatment of choice and – along with the histology – are furthermore helpful to differentiate between several potential differential diagnoses like IgG4 cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or PSC.
Association of Intraoperative Hypotension with Acute Kidney Injury after Noncardiac Surgery in Patients Younger than 60 Years Old
Authors: Tang Yongzhong , Zhu Chaonan , Liu Jiabin , Wang Anli , Duan Kaiming , Li Bo , Yuan Hong , Zhang Hao , Yao Min , Ouyang Wen
Published: March 2019

Background/Aims: Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) may be associated with surgery-related acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the duration of hypotension that triggers AKI is poorly understood. The incidence of AKI with various durations of IOH and mean arterial pressures (MAPs) was investigated. Materials: A retrospective cohort study of 4,952 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery (2011 to 2016) with MAP monitoring and a length of stay of one or more days was performed. The exclusion criteria were a preoperative estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) ≤60 mL min–1 1.73 m2–1, a preoperative MAP less than 65 mm Hg, dialysis dependence, urologic surgery, age older than 60 years, and a surgical duration of less than 60 min. The primary exposure was IOH, and the primary outcome was AKI (50% or 0.3 mg dL–1 increase in creatinine) during the first 7 postoperative days. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the exposure-outcome relationship. Results: AKI occurred in 186 (3.76%) noncardiac surgery patients. The adjusted odds ratio for surgery-related AKI for a MAP of less than 55 mm Hg was 14.11 (95% confidence interval: 5.02–39.69) for an exposure of more than 20 min. Age was not an interaction factor between AKI and IOH. Conclusion: There was a considerably increased risk of postoperative AKI when intraoperative MAP was less than 55 mm Hg for more than 10 min. Strict blood pressure management is recommended even for patients younger than 60 years old.
CLEAR Serenity Trial: More Clarity for the Future of Bempedoic Acid in Patients Unable to Take Statins?
Authors: Jia Xiaoming , Virani Salim S.
Published: March 2019

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Laufs et al
“The War Took Us Backwards”
Authors: Pandya Sophia
Published: March 2019

If political activities (demonstration, revolution, war) can be understood as forms of ritual performance in which temporary social hegemonic inversions typically are followed by competing efforts to restore structure or define a new structure, then under what conditions would they offer potential for changes in family dynamics and gender roles? The past few years in Yemen have witnessed extraordinary political and socioeconomic turbulence, from the 2011 Arab Spring revolution to the 2015 brutal war. Yemeni families have been significantly impacted in myriad ways, including displacement, family separation, poverty, violence, unemployment, sectarian strife, disruption of education, and mental illness. Men and women have demonstrated a high level of public activism during the Arab Spring and the war, further altering family dynamics and the gendered social tapestry, in a highly patriarchal country. Social “disorder,” including modification of gender roles, is often challenged by those desiring to restore “order,” the “traditional” family structure, and patriarchy. This study analyzes gendered dimensions of the “Yemen Spring” and the subsequent war, with a particular focus on the link between gendered family dynamics and the sociopolitical landscape, also considering the role religion and religious groups play.
Early Printing in Cologne: Setting in Non-Sequential Order and Printing with a One-Pull Press
Authors: de la Garza-Gil Karina
Published: March 2019

What was the relationship between the printing technology available to early printers in Cologne and the printing practices? I can demonstrate that the regular conceptions of setting method and printing practice, printing page-by-page with a one-pull press and setting text seriatim, are contradicted after the evaluation of material evidence of, so far, at least one Cologne: one of the first in-folio format editions in Cologne, printed by the first printer of the city, Ulrich Zell.
Dutch Publications on the Jesuit Mission in China in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
Authors: Begheyn Paul
Published: March 2019

Between 1615 and 1736 31 Jesuit publications on China appeared in the Dutch Republic, in Dutch, French, German, Latin and Spanish. The most original and important is the Novus atlas Sinensis by Martino Martini, printed for the first time in 1655, in Latin and Dutch.
The Effect of ‘Motive’ on Characterising Organised Tawarruq
Authors: Sharaiyra Suhaib Walid , Haswa Maher
Published: March 2019

This article aims to discuss the effect of motive of organised tawarruq parties on its permissibility and to shed light on the importance of considering the overall objectives and goals of Sharīʿah when conducting transactions. An analytical and deductive approach is used to examine the reality of organised tawarruq (al-tawarruq al-munaẓẓam) and the motive behind it as well as the validity of reference to and conception of the texts used in support thereof. The discussion concludes the presence of misinterpretations of the Sharīʿah texts referred to in support of organised tawarruq, as well as obvious overlooking of the motives behind it, which should have led to the exclusion of organised tawarruq from the permissible modes of Islamic finance. This article provides a comprehensive view of organised tawarruq, in terms of its motive, form and substance, in order to assist in reviewing the capability of its use as a financing tool.
Rights of Nature: Why it Might Not Save the Entire World
Authors: Bétaille Julien
Published: March 2019

The advent of Rights of Nature (RoN) marks a new paradigm shift in the philosophical approach to nature. As such, the concept has generated enthusiasm amongst environmentalists and legal scholars. This is not surprising since granting legal personhood to nature seems to present itself as a relative easy fix for the multitude of deficiencies of “modern” environmental law. However, when critically assessed, many of the underlying assumptions justifying a shift towards rights-based approaches to nature are open to challenge. In this paper, which takes a more critical stance on the topic of RoN, it is submitted that also the much-criticized modern environmental law is moving towards a recognition of the intrinsic value of nature, puts breaks on property rights, offers remediation actions for pure ecological damage and also increasingly grants environmental ngos wide access to courts. Moreover, on a second level, it is argued that RoN are not a legal revolution and that many of the problems Rights of Nature tries to cure – such as a lack of enforcement – will simply re-emerge if not adequately assessed within this novel paradigm.
Using Quantile Regression to Estimate Intervention Effects Beyond the Mean
Authors: Konstantopoulos Spyros , Li Wei , Miller Shazia , van der Ploeg Arie
Published: March 2019

This study discusses quantile regression methodology and its usefulness in education and social science research. First, quantile regression is defined and its advantages vis-à-vis vis ordinary least squares regression are illustrated. Second, specific comparisons are made between ordinary least squares and quantile regression methods. Third, the applicability of quantile regression to empirical work to estimate intervention effects is demonstrated using education data from a large-scale experiment. The estimation of quantile treatment effects at various quantiles in the presence of dropouts is also discussed. Quantile regression is especially suitable in examining predictor effects at various locations of the outcome distribution (e.g., lower and upper tails).
Prognostic factors for survival in patients with mucosal and ocular melanoma treated with ipilimumab: Turkish Oncology Group study
Authors: Arzu Yaşar H , Turna Hande , Esin Ece , Murat Sedef A , Alkan Ali , Oksuzoglu Berna , Ozdemir Nuriye , Sendur MA Nahit , Sezer Ahmet , Kılıckap Saadettin , Utkan Gungor , Akbulut Hakan , Celik Ismail , Abalı Huseyin , Urun Yuksel
Published: March 2019

Objective

To evaluate prognostic factors associated with the use of ipilimumab in patients with mucosal and uveal melanoma.

Methods

In this multicenter, retrospective study, 31 patients with uveal and mucosal melanoma diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 were enrolled. Patients’ characteristics, metastatic disease sites, treatment before ipilimumab therapy, performance status, hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase levels, B-RAF and c-kit mutation status, toxicity, and survival data were assessed for patients with mucosal and uveal melanoma. SPSS version 17 was used for statistical analysis. Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. The log-rank test was used for univariate analyses. The Cox regression analysis was used to test the association between multivariate variables and survival. The p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Twenty patients had uveal and eleven patients had mucosal melanoma. The median overall survival was seven months (95% confidence interval: 1.1–12.7). In univariate analysis, while bone metastasis, anemia, high lactate dehydrogenase level, and more metastatic sites were associated with lower overall survival, better treatment response and administration of ipilimumab in first or second lines were associated with favorable overall survival. In multivariate analysis, only treatment response status and administration of ipilimumab in first or second lines were found to be significant as independent prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusion

Ipilimumab therapy may be associated with increased survival, but this retrospective small N study makes that hard to definitely conclude.
ILIOTIBIAL BAND AUTOGRAFT: WHAT SIZE IS THE GRAFT? A MATHEMATICAL AND CADAVERIC MODEL
Authors: Beck Jennifer , Takamura Karren , Beck Jeanne , Bowen Richard E.
Published: March 2019

Background

The Iliotibial Band (ITB) is used as a primary ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients and as autograft during other orthopedic reconstructions. The size of the ITB as a single and doubled graft is unknown.

Methods

Nine adult cadaveric ITB were used to determine the size of the ITB as a single and doubled graft. Thickness and width of the ITB were determined. In decreasing 5 mm measurements, single and double graft sizes were determined using standard surgical graft size technique. Geometric calculations based on average graft thickness were used to mathematically confirm the graft size of the ITB.

Results

The ITB is less than 1 mm in thickness in males and females. Cadaveric measurements were less than 1 mm larger than mathematical measurements, in majority of measurements. In adults, ITB autograft can be harvested to a maximum 9 mm single stranded graft or >12 mm doubled graft. A minimum of 50 mm of ITB width is required to make a 8 mm graft.

Conclusions

ITB is a versatile graft that can be considered when a large amount autograft tissue is required. Partial vs whole width ITB should be considered based on patient age, graft size desired, and technical requirements of the graft.

Clinical Relevance

Surgeons have a quick reference for the width of ITB they should harvest based on the size of graft they require for a successful surgery.