bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mechanical roles of the clasping leaf sheath in cereals: Two case studies from oat and wheat plants
Authors: Wu Wei , Ma Bao–Luo
Published: September 2019

Stem lodging is a common problem in cereal crop production and a main constraint for grain yield improvement. The leaf sheath that surrounds and protects the hollow internodes of stem could provide the plants with a great physical support. However, this biomechanical function has been ignored for several decades in cereal crops. This study aimed to examine the biomechanical properties of basal stem internodes and lodging susceptibility of the whole plants with or without the clasping leaf sheath in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) among different genotypes and agronomic practices (including planting densities and nitrogen application rates). The main objective was to quantify the mechanical role of the leaf sheath in oat and wheat crops by a “safety factor” method. On average, the leaf sheath contributed 40%, 68% and 38% of the overall stem bending strength, flexural rigidity and safety factor, in oat, while it accounted for 11%, 24% and 10%, respectively, in wheat plants. The significant contribution of the leaf sheath is due to its vital role in enlarging the peripheral position (i.e., second moment of area) and stiffness (i.e., Young's modulus). The contribution ratios (%) were found to be higher in oat than in wheat plants, due to the greater mass density of leaf sheath and more proficient/prevailing stay‐green capability in oat genotypes. This study emphasizes the important mechanical role of clasping leaf sheath on stem internodes of cereals and indicates that the stay‐green trait of the leaf sheath can be exploited to design appropriate varieties with improved lodging resistance and great yield potential.
Evaluation of complete blood cell and inflammatory parameters in patients with alopecia areata: Their association with disease severity
Authors: İslamoğlu Zeynep Gizem Kaya , Demirbaş Abdullah
Published: September 2019

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non‐cicatricial hair loss. The cause of the disease is still unknown. It can appear at any age and occurs in 0.2% of the general population. Red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR), and the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes (PLR) have all been reported as inflammatory markers in recent studies. However, these parameters have not been investigated in AA patients.

Aim

We investigated the haematological and inflammatory parameters of AA and considered their association with disease severity.

Patients/Methods

One hundred and five patients with AA and 108 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. RDW, MPV, PCT, NLR, PLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were studied retrospectively. Disease severity was evaluated by using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between RDW, MPV, PCT, NLR, and PLR levels in AA patients and in healthy controls. Only the CRP values were significantly higher in the AA group.

Conclusion

Complete blood count (CBC) parameters are low‐cost tests that can be used to define inflammation levels in inflammatory diseases. Our study shows that CRP can be used as a marker in diagnosing AA.
Minilifting technique for treatments of the lower third of the face and anterior cervical neck with tumescent anesthesia
Authors: Borges Juliano , Loureiro Fabiana
Published: September 2019

Background

Minimally invasive surgical techniques with a low rate of complications and rapid return to daily activities are in high demand for dermatological procedures and include lasers, microfocused ultrasound, botulinum toxin, suture strings, and filling techniques with hyaluronic acid. The facelift, on the other hand, has been criticized for complications such as bruising, relatively slow recovery rates (lasting up to a month), facial nerve lesions, and flap necrosis. Earliest descriptions of the facelift technique described a procedure associated with skin traction and detachment. However, authors did not describe a method for SMAS plication, which is still somewhat controversial.

Aims

Describe a surgical technique that reduce the signs of aging on the lower third of the face and neck with low rate of complications.

Methods

The minilifting technique described herein is capable of repositioning the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and removing excess skin from the neck and lower third of the face with minimal detachment, local tumescent anesthesia, a few complications, and a relatively fast return to daily activities (15 days).

Conclusion

Performance of a deep dissection and excision of part of the SMAS with posterior sutures is believed to be an optimal approach, whereas authors believe that a superficial dissection is safer and provides similar outcomes compared to deep dissection. This procedure produces extremely natural and long‐lasting results.
The Effect of Risk Aversion and Loss Aversion on Equity‐Linked Life Insurance With Surrender Guarantees
Authors: Hilpert Christian
Published: September 2019

We price equity‐linked life insurance with surrender guarantees and account for risk preferences in the form of risk‐averse and loss‐averse policyholders in continuous time. Risk‐averse policyholders surrender their policy for higher equity index values. Compared to optimally surrendered policies, this behavior creates substantial policy value losses. In contrast, loss‐averse policyholders surrender once the surrender benefit realizes a gain but keep under‐performing policies. This disposition effect reduces the policy value relative to both optimally surrendered policies and policies surrendered by risk‐averse policyholders. Insurers in competitive markets need to estimate their policyholders’ risk preferences accurately.
Effect of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, noxious gas emission and blood profiles in finishing pigs
Authors: Liu Xiao , Yin Jia , Kim In Ho
Published: September 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica (PPA) in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs were used in this 10‐week trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON (basal diet); TRT1 (basal diet + 0.1% PPA); TRT2 (basal diet + 0.2% PPA); and TRT3 (basal diet + 0.3% PPA). During weeks 1–5, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed linear increase (p < .05) in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and linear decrease (p < .05) in the concentrations of serum total protein. During weeks 6–10, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05). During the overall period, there was a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05) associated with the inclusion of PPA. Pigs fed diets with 0.2% PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON diet during weeks 6–10 and the overall period, and had higher (p < .05) ATTD of N than those fed CON diet during weeks 1–5. Pigs fed diets with PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) concentrations of serum total protein than those fed CON diet on week 5. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PPA diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness and the concentrations of serum total protein.
Use of cyclooxygenase inhibitor and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A nested case‐control study using a nationwide population‐based data
Authors: Cho Kyoung Sun , Sohn Won , Lee Yeong Chan , Chi Sang Ah , Cho Ju‐Yeon , Kim Kyunga , Paik Yong‐Han
Published: September 2019

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of COX inhibitors and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using a nationwide population‐based data. A nested case‐control study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort (NHIS‐NSC) from 2002 to 2013 in Korea. We compared the use of COX inhibitors between HCC cases and matched controls by categorizing 5 groups according to the cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD, <28, 28‐90, 91‐180, 181‐360, and >360) adjusting the use of antiviral agents. A total of 4980 patients with CHB were analysed as 996 HCC cases and 3984 matched controls. The number of COX inhibitor users (≥28 cDDD) was 358 patients (36%) and 1814 patients (45%) in the HCC group and control group, respectively. The use of COX inhibitors was significantly associated with a decreased risk of HCC development compared with nonusers (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52‐0.73, P < .001). There was a dose‐dependent inverse relationship between the use of COX inhibitors and the risk of HCC. The adjusted ORs were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.63‐0.90), 0.41 (95% CI: 0.31‐0.56), 0.38 (95% CI: 0.25‐0.57) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31‐0.79) for the 28‐90, 91‐180, 181‐360 and >360 cDDDs, respectively (P < .01). In conclusion, the use of COX inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of HCC in CHB. COX inhibitor may have a chemopreventive role in HCC development in patients with chronic liver disease.
Data linkage to monitor hepatitis C‐associated end‐stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma inpatient stays in England
Authors: Ireland Georgina , Simmons Ruth , Hickman Matthew , Harris Ross , Ramsay Mary , Sabin Caroline , Mandal Sema
Published: September 2019

Persons with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection are at increased risk of end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The impact of hepatitis treatment scale‐up and elimination strategies on ESLD and HCC incidence is a critical measure of progress towards WHO targets. Data from national laboratory surveillance of HCV diagnoses were linked to inpatient care records in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). For persons first diagnosed with HCV between 1998 and 2016, we describe the characteristics of those with ESLD and HCC and estimate incidence. Of persons diagnosed with HCV between 1998 and 2016 (104 674), 9.1% (9525) had an admission for ESLD and 2.5% (2610) for HCC. The majority of persons with ESLD and HCC were male (70.7% and 82.7%) and of white ethnicity (89.9% and 82.7%). Crude incidence of ESLD and HCC admission was 10.4 and 3.2 per 1000 person‐years, respectively. When compared to 2011‐2013, incidence of ESLD and HCC admissions in 2014‐2017 were lower (ESLD incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.81; 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 0.76‐0.86; HCC IRR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82‐1.00, P = .045). Data linkage showed considerable underreporting of HCV in HES coding for ESLD and HCC (16.0% and 11.3%, respectively). In conclusion, we found a decline in incidence of ESLD and HCC‐related inpatient admissions since 2011‐2013. Linked analysis is required for the continued monitoring of ESLD and HCC inpatient incidence. However, HES data quality issues around completeness of identifiers contribute to uncertainty in linkage and may limit our ability to robustly monitor progress towards WHO elimination goals.
ARCTIC HUNTERS, AMERICAN EXPLORERS, ADVENTURERS, AND ANTHROPOLOGISTS: The ex‐Museum of the American Indian Collection of Kayaks at the Canadian Canoe Museum
Authors: Brydon Sherry
Published: September 2019

This case study introduces a legacy collection of historic Indigenous Arctic watercraft from North America and Greenland, composed of ten kayaks and an umiak, that were originally at the Museum of the American Indian/Heye Foundation (whose collections now form the core collection of the National Museum of the American Indian) in New York City. The collection was formed in the early twentieth century, sold to the Kanawa International Museum of Canoes, Kayaks and Rowing Craft in the 1970s, and acquired by the Canadian Canoe Museum in the 1990s. The museum catalog cards that accompanied the transfer of the MAI collection contain information about provenance and location. This article examines the provenance information, archival documentation, and related primary sources to explore the background of some of the early‐twentieth‐century Arctic hunters and non‐Indigenous explorers and adventurers associated with these heritage items.
The pay premium for high‐potential women: A constructive replication and refinement
Authors: Dreher George F. , Carter Nancy M. , Dworkin Terry
Published: September 2019

In this constructive replication, we revisit a provocative study by Leslie, Manchester, and Dahm (2017). They found that gender and being designated a high‐potential employee interacted in accounting for pay and that this resulted in a reversal in the commonly observed gender pay gap favoring men. Our primary aim was to examine important boundary conditions associated with their work by (a) conducting a study using a sample that would better generalize across industries and to individuals who aspire to reach senior management, (b) adding critical control variables to the statistical models used in the pay equation, and (c) by introducing a different conceptualization of the high‐potential construct. Also, to better understand the consequences of their study, we considered an additional dependent variable that addressed pay satisfaction. Even after making these model additions, the gender by high‐potential interaction term was significant—ruling out four plausible third‐variable explanations for the Leslie et al. finding. Moreover, these confirming results were observed using a sample that represented individuals employed in a wide range of industries, who had the educational backgrounds, career histories, and motivational states typically required of candidates competing for senior executive roles. Furthermore, high‐potential women did not report higher levels of pay satisfaction, suggesting that high‐potential women did not perceive their pay premium to be an inequitable advantage and that there may be limited positive return associated with using a pay premium to retain high‐potential talent.
Glutathione and hydrogen sulfide are required for sulfur‐mediated mitigation of Cr(VI) toxicity in tomato, pea and brinjal seedlings
Authors: Kushwaha Bishwajit K. , Singh Vijay Pratap
Published: September 2019

In plants, investigation on heavy metal toxicity and its mitigation by nutrient elements have gained much attention. However, mechanism(s) associated with nutrients‐mediated mitigation of metal toxicity remain elusive. In this study, we have investigated the role and interrelation of glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the regulation of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] toxicity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pea (Pisum sativum) and brinjal (Solanum melongena) seedlings, supplemented with additional sulfur (S). The results show that Cr(VI) significantly reduced growth, total chlorophyll and photosynthetic quantum yield of tomato, pea and brinjal seedlings which was accompanied by enhanced intracellular accumulation of Cr(VI) in roots. Moreover, Cr(VI) enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species in the studied vegetables, while antioxidant defense system exhibited differential responses. However, additional supply of S alleviated Cr(VI) toxicity. Interestingly, addition of l‐buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, a glutathione biosynthesis inhibitor) further increased Cr(VI) toxicity even in the presence of additional S but GSH addition reverses the effect of BSO. Under similar condition, endogenous H2S, l‐cysteine desulfhydrase (DES) activity and cysteine content did not significantly differ when compared to controls. Hydroxylamine (HA, an inhibitor of DES) also increased Cr(VI) toxicity even in the presence of additional S but sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an H2S donor) reverses the effect of HA. Moreover, Cr(VI) toxicity amelioration by NaHS was reversed by the addition of hypotaurine (HT, an H2S scavenger). Taken together, the results show that GSH which might be derived from supplied S is involved in the mitigation of Cr(VI) toxicity in which H2S signaling preceded GSH biosynthesis.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND URBAN GROWTH IN ITALY, 1981–2001
Authors: Giffoni Francesco , Gomellini Matteo , Pellegrino Dario
Published: September 2019

Over the last decades of the XX century, human capital has emerged as a critical source of agglomeration economies fueling urban growth in advanced economies. Focusing on the Italian case, this paper assesses the contribution of human capital to urban growth, the latter gauged by employment growth between 1981 and 2001. A 10% higher share of college‐educated residents prompted a higher growth in employment in the 0.5–2.2% range. These results hold controlling for a wide set of urban characteristics and using an instrumental variable approach. By exploiting a spatial localization model, we disentangle the estimated effect into two components related to higher productivity and to higher life quality, respectively. We found that the former contributed to more than 60% of the effect at municipal level, and to over 90% at the wider local labor market level.
Use of the aqueous biphasic system as an alternative for concentration of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs, with non‐toxic separation of faecal residues and fats
Authors: Rosa Stefany Laryssa , dos Santos Bianca Martins , Soares Felipe Augusto , Loiola Saulo Hudson Nery , Inácio Sandra Valéria , Suzuki Celso Tetsuo Nagase , Sabadini Edvaldo , Falcão Alexandre Xavier , Bresciani Kátia Denise Saraiva , Gomes Jancarlo Ferreira
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Human enteroparasites are considered a serious public health problem in underdeveloped countries located in world regions with tropical, subtropical and equatorial climates. These parasites are commonly diagnosed by the Parasitological Examination of Faeces (PEF), performed by conventional techniques and/or commercial kits that result in tests with low‐to‐moderate sensitivity, due to the use of destructive chemical solvents to parasite structures, and to present excess adipose substance and digestive residues in their microscopic slides. In order to improve the efficacy of these tests/examinations, this study aimed to investigate a new alternative for the PEF, with the use of Aqueous Biphasic System (ABS).

Methods

For this, four ABSs containing poly (ethylene glycol), PEG (PEG‐4000 and PEG‐6000), dipotassium phosphate and sodium citrate at different concentrations in the biphasic systems were evaluated with faecal samples containing eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Results

The ABS consisting of PEG‐4000 and dipotassium phosphate, at concentrations of 55% w/w and 20% w/w, respectively, achieved 100% satisfactory results compared to the conventional TF‐Test technique in terms of preservation and concentration of A. lumbricoides eggs, with adequate separation of digestive residues, without using a centrifuge or chemical solvents that may cause harm to the parasites.

Conclusions

This study presents ABS as a new low‐cost technical principle for the detection of parasite eggs in PEF. The new technique is simple, fast, non‐toxic, not harmful to the parasite and does not require a centrifuge.
Characterization of reemergent anti‐B red blood cell antibodies in a patient with recurrent acute myeloid leukemia with ABO‐incompatible allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tajima Katsushi , Takizawa Kazuya , Yasuda Takeshi , Tsumanuma Riko , Okuyama Shuhei , Kumagai Hiroaki , Omoto Eijiro , Okumura Wataru
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Isohemagglutinins against ABO antigens absent on both recipient and donor red blood cells (RBCs) increase or decrease after ABO‐incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, few reports have described the changes in the isohemagglutinin titers and the characteristics in patients with recurrent hematologic conditions after ABO‐incompatible HSCT.

CASE REPORT

A 59‐year‐old female with acute erythroid leukemia received a peripheral blood stem cell transplant from her HLA‐haploidentical daughter. The patient was typed as group O with anti‐ A (4+) and B (4+) isohemagglutinins, while the donor was typed as group B. The bone marrow cells achieved complete donor cell chimerism on Day 13 after HSCT. On Day 120, the patient showed 97% B RBC type with persistent anti‐A (3+) and without anti‐B antibodies. On Day 375, her leukemia relapsed, and recipient type O RBCs and anti‐B antibodies sequentially reemerged. However, clinicolaboratory hemolysis and erythroid aplasia were not detected in the patient.

RESULTS

The post‐HSCT sera agglutinated the allo B RBCs, but not the donor B RBCs, while the pre‐HSCT sera agglutinated both RBCs. The burst‐forming/colony‐forming units of erythroid formation from the donor peripheral blood stem cells were impaired by only the pre‐HSCT sera and not by the post‐HSCT sera.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first report investigating the characteristic changes of isohemagglutinins between the pre‐ and post‐HSCT sera in a patient with recurrent acute myeloid leukemia. The present study suggests that the plasma cells producing anti‐donor B RBCs in the patient have been selectively eliminated or induced into an anergic state by the post‐HSCT immunologic reconstruction.
Does A Human Resource Effect of Job Satisfaction of Teachers? A Case Study of Education Institutions in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Saif Amir , Javed Tehmina , Fca Muhammad Nauman Mirza , Touqeer Iqra
Published: September 2019

The aim of this paper is to find the impact of pay & promotion, work load a teacher’s job satisfaction. This study was used SPSS and SMART-PLS to analyze a data using quantitative research method. The research to which have distributed the question among teachers, graduates and a different professional. This study is significant for universities, colleges and schools, academic and non-academic staffs. Because this study have helpful for the administration in institute to better understand needs and demands of their teachers and what will be the factors which could make them satisfied. This study have conducted in Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Bahawalpur G.D khan and it is targeting to cover approximately 7721 population with the sample of 350 as defined by Sekaran (2012) that for 7000 to 8000 required samples sized is 372. This research also examines the influence of compensation and promotion upon job satisfaction at educational institution level. The reveals that pay and promotion not significant impact on job satisfaction of teacher. (Yee 2018) investigate in his study that pay and promotion are insignificant. Work load can also be significant association with job satisfaction of teachers. Raza et al (2015) investigate that work load significant impact on job satisfaction. The influence of these factors calls for the further research. There is also need to carry out a similar but comparative study in rural setting.
An Alternative Approach to Substructuring in Vibratory Systems Containing Soft Rubber Isolators
Authors: Marques Viviane Cassol , Brennan Michael John
Published: September 2019

Built-up structures, such as airplanes, ships, and even refrigeration systems, which have many components, can be substructured to speed up and facilitate the process of calculating the vibratory response of the complete system. In many structures, there are rubber isolators that connect component parts, and these connections can each occur over a finite distributed area. It is often convenient and intuitive to substructure the system at the isolators. However, in previous work, it has been shown that the frequency response of the complete system does not always agree with the frequency response of the system calculated from the mobilities of the subsystems. It was thought that this was due to the distributed area connection of the isolators, and this motivated the study reported in this article. An investigation into some issues that occur when substructuring a system that contains soft distributed isolators is described. Using finite element models, it is shown that if a system is substructured, such that the interface between the substructures occurs at a soft rubber isolator, then there is a limited frequency range over which the frequency response function of the assembled system is accurate. It is further shown that it is far better to substructure the system, at stiff, discrete connections, if possible. The frequency range over which the frequency response of the assembled system should then be more accurate over a much wider frequency range.
Wavelet Features and Hidden Markov Model-Based Aerodynamic Instability Detection for Compressors
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Chen Jin , Dong Guangming , Hua Hongxing
Published: September 2019

A reliable technique is introduced to detect aerodynamic instability of compressors based on wavelet features and hidden Markov model (HMM). A single sensor is sufficient for stall warning if the position of the sensor is carefully selected. The method involves obtaining high-response pressure signal near the rotor tip close to the leading edge. Rotating instabilities band wavelet features are then extracted and trained for the HMM; using data under normal operating conditions, the performance index (PI) is calculated. Unsteady behaviors in prestall processes are discussed and casing wall pressure maps are implemented to explore the mechanism of tip leakage vortex (TLV), which are helpful in explaining the various PI results from different feature selections and probe locations. Experimental results show that the trend indices of PI suitably characterize the compressor aerodynamic instability in subsonic operation.
Experimentally Measured Hydroelastic Effects on Impact-Induced Loads During Flat Water Entry and Related Uncertainties
Authors: Tödter Simon , el Moctar Ould , Neugebauer Jens , Schellin Thomas E.
Published: September 2019

Extensive water entry experiments were performed to identify uncertainties associated with measured impact-induced loads acting on flat bottom ship structures. Of primary concern was the influence of air trapping on elastic structural deformations. The experimental measurements supplied the benchmark data suitable to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions. Two bodies were tested. One body was fitted with stiffened, rigid bottom plating, and the other body was fitted with thin elastic plating. A large number of 30 repetitive runs recorded bottom pressures and forces acting on the flat bottom plating and monitored impact-induced elastic bottom strains. For each test case, high-speed videos of water entry sequences were evaluated. The resulting average peak values standard deviations quantified the uncertainty of these measurements.
Engineering γδT cells limits tonic signaling associated with chimeric antigen receptors
Authors: Fisher Jonathan , Sharma Roshan , Don Dilu Wisidagamage , Barisa Marta , Hurtado Marina Olle , Abramowski Pierre , Porter Lucy , Day William , Borea Roberto , Inglott Sarah , Anderson John , Pe’er Dana
Published: September 2019

Changing the type of T cell used to generate CAR-T cells avoids the deleterious effects of antigen-independent signaling.
Meropenem versus Cefotaxime and Ampicillin as Empirical Antibiotic Treatment in Adult Bacterial Meningitis: a Quality Registry Study, 2008 to 2016
Authors: Brink Magnus , Glimåker Martin , Sjölin Jan , Naucler Pontus
Published: September 2019

Cefotaxime, alone or with ampicillin, is frequently used in empirical treatment of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). Meropenem is a less extensively investigated alternative. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of empirical treatment with meropenem compared to cefotaxime plus ampicillin on outcome in ABM. The study was based on data from the Swedish quality register for ABM collected between January 2008 and December 2016.
A Replication-Defective Human Cytomegalovirus Vaccine Elicits Humoral Immune Responses Analogous to Those with Natural Infection
Authors: Liu Yaping , Freed Daniel C. , Li Leike , Tang Aimin , Li Fengsheng , Murray Edward M. , Adler Stuart P. , McVoy Michael A. , Rupp Richard E. , Barrett Diane , Ye Xiaohua , Zhang Ningyan , Beck Karen , Culp Timothy , Das Rituparna , Song Liping , Vora Kalpit , Zhu Hua , Wang Dai , Espeseth Amy S. , An Zhiqiang , Musey Luwy , Fu Tong-Ming
Published: September 2019

In utero
HCMV infection can lead to miscarriage or childhood disabilities, and an effective vaccine is urgently needed. Since children born to women who are seropositive prior to pregnancy are less likely to be affected by congenital HCMV infection, it has been hypothesized that a vaccine capable of inducing an immune response resembling the responses in HCMV-seropositive women may be effective. We previously described a replication-defective virus vaccine that has been demonstrated safe and immunogenic in HCMV-seronegative subjects. Here, we conducted additional analyses to show that the vaccine can induce antibodies with functional attributes similar to those from HCMV-seropositive subjects. Importantly, vaccination can induce long-lived memory B cells at frequencies comparable to those seen in HCMV-seropositive subjects. We conclude that this vaccine is a promising candidate that warrants further clinical evaluation for prevention of congenital HCMV.
The relationship between active learning, course innovation, and teaching Earth systems thinking: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Soltis Nicholas A. , McNeal Karen S. , Forbes Cory T. , Lally Diane
Published: September 2019

Earth systems thinking (EST), or thinking of the Earth as a complex system made up of interworking subsystems, has been shown to reflect the highest level of knowing and understanding in the geosciences. Previous work has found four frameworks of EST that repeatedly appear in the geoscience education literature. This study aims to quantitatively build on this work by employing structural equation modeling to understand the current state of EST teaching as shown by the 2016 iteration of the National Geoscience Faculty Survey (United States; n = 2615). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on survey items to understand and develop three models, one for EST teaching practices, one for course changes, and one for active-learning teaching practices. Analyses revealed that reported EST teaching practices relate back to the four EST frameworks proposed in the literature. The three models explored in this study were used to build a full structural model, where it was hypothesized that active-learning teaching practices would predict EST course changes and EST teaching. However, the model revealed that EST course changes mediate, or bring about, the relationship between active-learning teaching practices and EST teaching. In other words, the relationship between active-learning and EST teaching practices is not direct. This implies the need for continued efforts to provide professional development opportunities in both active-learning teaching practices and EST, as active-learning practices are not sufficient to implicitly teach EST skills. Results also revealed that the teaching approaches that emphasize modeling and complexity sciences had the weakest relationship to the broader EST teaching practices, suggesting a need for more professional development opportunities as they relate to systems modeling, quantitative reasoning, and complexity sciences in the context of the Earth sciences.
Single-molecule optical mapping enables quantitative measurement of D4Z4 repeats in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)
Authors: Dai Yi , Li Pidong , Wang Zhiqiang , Liang Fan , Yang Fan , Fang Li , Huang Yu , Huang Shangzhi , Zhou Jiapeng , Wang Depeng , Cui Liying , Wang Kai
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common adult muscular dystrophy. Over 95% of FSHD cases are associated with contraction of the D4Z4 tandem repeat (~3.3 kb per unit) at 4q35 with a specific genomic configuration (haplotype) called 4qA. Molecular diagnosis of FSHD typically requires pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with Southern blotting. We aim to develop novel genomic and computational methods for characterising D4Z4 repeat numbers in FSHD.

Methods

We leveraged a single-molecule optical mapping platform that maps locations of restriction enzyme sites on high molecular weight (>150 kb) DNA molecules. We developed bioinformatics methods to address several challenges, including the differentiation of 4qA with 4qB alleles, the differentiation of 4q35 and 10q26 segmental duplications, the quantification of repeat numbers with different enzymes that may or may not have recognition sites within D4Z4 repeats. We evaluated the method on 25 human subjects (13 patients, 3 individual control subjects, 9 control subjects from 3 families) labelled by the Nb.BssSI and/or Nt.BspQI enzymes.

Results

We demonstrated that the method gave a direct quantitative measurement of repeat numbers on D4Z4 repeats with 4qA allelic configuration and the levels of postzygotic mosaicism. Our method had high concordance with Southern blots from several cohorts on two platforms (Bionano Saphyr and Bionano Irys), but with improved quantification of repeat numbers.

Conclusion

While the study is limited by small sample size, our results demonstrated that single-molecule optical mapping is a viable approach for more refined analysis on genotype-phenotype relationships in FSHD, especially when postzygotic mosaicism is present.
Ethics of organ procurement from the unrepresented patient population
Authors: Raho Joseph A , Brown-Saltzman Katherine , Korenman Stanley G , Weiss Fredda , Orentlicher David , Lin James A , Moreno Elisa A , Nuri-Robins Kikanza , Stein Andrea , Schnell Karen E , Diamant Allison L , Weiss Irwin K
Published: September 2019

The shortage of organs for transplantation by its nature prompts ethical dilemmas. For example, although there is an imperative to save human life and reduce suffering by maximising the supply of vital organs, there is an equally important obligation to ensure that the process by which we increase the supply respects the rights of all stakeholders. In a relatively unexamined practice in the USA, organs are procured from unrepresented decedents without their express consent. Unrepresented decedents have no known healthcare wishes or advance care planning document; they also lack a surrogate. The Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (RUAGA) of 2006 sends a mixed message about the procurement of organs from this patient population and there are hospitals that authorise donation. In addition, in adopting the RUAGA, some states included provisions that clearly allow organ procurement from unrepresented decedents. An important unanswered question is whether this practice meets the canons of ethical permissibility. The current Brief Report presents two principled approaches to the topic as a way of highlighting some of the complexities involved. Concluding remarks offer suggestions for future research and discussion.
Reactions to electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) prevention messages: results from qualitative research used to inform FDA’s first youth ENDS prevention campaign
Authors: Roditis Maria L , Dineva Atanaska , Smith Alexandria , Walker Matthew , Delahanty Janine , D'lorio Emily , Holtz Kristen D
Published: September 2019

Background

Youth e-cigarette use is a major public health concern. Large-scale tobacco prevention campaigns are a proven strategy to prevent tobacco use. There is a gap in understanding what types of e-cigarette prevention messages might be most effective. This study addresses this gap by reporting youth reactions to health messages aimed at preventing e-cigarette use.

Methods

In 2018, twenty-four focus groups, with 159 teens (12–17) at risk for or experimenting with e-cigarettes were conducted in four cities across the USA. During focus groups, youth responded to creative concepts dealing with (1) the addictive nature of e-cigarettes, (2) the fact that e-cigarettes come in flavours, which may encourage youth initiation, and nicotine which may lead to addiction, or (3) that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use cigarettes. Youth also gave feedback to specific facts about harmful and potentially harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Messages focusing on addiction alone did not resonate with participants. While youth found the idea that e-cigarettes may contain nicotine and can be addictive believable, with many describing personal experiences of addiction, they questioned how bad this really was, comparing addiction to e-cigarettes to things like being addicted to food. Participants wanted more information about negative consequences of vaping. Concepts paired with strong health effects messages resonated with participants.

Conclusion

These focus groups clarified which e-cigarette prevention messages might be most persuasive to teens. Youth in this study responded favourably to messages stating specific health consequences of e-cigarette use.
Hunger is suppressed after resistance exercise with moderate-load compared to high-load resistance exercise: the potential influence of metabolic and autonomic parameters
Authors: Freitas Marcelo Conrado , Panissa Valéria Leme Gonçalves , Lenquiste Sabrina Alves , Serra Fernanda de Maria , Figueiredo Caique , Lira Fabio Santos , Rossi Fabricio Eduardo
Published: September 2019

The purpose of present study was to compare the effects of moderate-load versus high-load resistance exercise (RE) on hunger response, blood lactate, glucose, and autonomic modulation in trained men, and to examine the correlations between these parameters. For this, 11 recreationally resistance-trained males performed 2 randomized trials: moderate-load (6 sets at 70% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and a 90-s rest interval between sets) and high-load (6 sets at 90% 1RM and a 180-s rest interval between sets) leg-press exercise until movement failure. The subjective rating of hunger was obtained through a visual analog scale. Glucose and lactate concentration were evaluated at rest, immediately after exercise, and 30 min after exercise. Heart rate variability was recorded at baseline and during recovery (until 30 min after exercise) to assess autonomic modulation. The moderate-load condition induced lower subjective hunger ratings than the strength condition immediately after exercise (19.7 ± 16.6 vs 47.3 ± 27.7 mm), 30 min after exercise (33.6 ± 22.9 vs 58.5 ± 29.9 mm), and 60 min after exercise (43.8 ± 26.6 vs 67.8 ± 27.9 mm) (p < 0.05) and lower area under the curve hunger in relation to the high-load condition (p < 0.006). Moderate-load RE presented greater lactate concentration and induced slower heart rate variability recovery in relation to high-load RE (p < 0.05), but no difference was found in glucose, as well as no correlations between any of the variables investigated. In conclusion, moderate-load RE induced lower subjective hunger ratings, slower recovery of the parasympathetic nervous system, and higher lactate concentration in relation to high-load RE, but the metabolic variables were not correlated with hunger suppression.
Combined effects of exercise training and high doses of anabolic steroids on cardiac autonomic modulation and ventricular repolarization properties in rats
Authors: Marocolo Moacir , Katayama Pedro L. , Meireles Anderson , Barbosa Neto Octávio
Published: September 2019

Several studies have reported that high doses of synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) can have serious negative effects on health, including the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of AAS and exercise training on ventricular repolarization and cardiac autonomic modulation in rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated into 4 groups: sedentary rats treated with vehicle, sedentary rats treated with nandrolone decanoate, swimming-trained rats treated with vehicle, and swimming-trained rats treated with nandrolone decanoate. Ventricular repolarization was evaluated by electrocardiographic analysis of QT interval and QT dispersion. Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability. Our results show that AAS increased QT interval and QT dispersion in sedentary rats treated with nandrolone decanoate as compared to sedentary rats treated with vehicle, indicating AAS-induced ventricular repolarization abnormalities. When rats treated with nandrolone decanoate were subjected to concomitant exercise training, ventricular repolarization was normalized. On the other hand, AAS-induced reduction in cardiac parasympathetic modulation was not prevented by exercise training. In conclusion, AAS produced cardiac autonomic dysfunction and ventricular repolarization disturbances in rats. Combining an exercise training protocol during the AAS treatment attenuated the ventricular repolarization abnormalities and did not prevent cardiac autonomic dysfunction.
Passenger evacuation at a malfunctioning urban rail station based on interdependent networks
Authors: Luo Qingyu , Song Jinge , Zheng Tianyao , Yang Lili
Published: September 2019

In the context of urban rail evacuation analysis, little work addresses the mechanism of passenger propagation between urban rail and bus systems. This paper attempts to quantify the propagation mechanism to make evacuation scheduling reasonable and effective. First, it provides a set of methods for characterizing the law of passenger propagation in the region affected by a rail station failure, based on the theory of interdependent networks. An interdependent public transport network between the rail transit and buses in the affected region is constructed using the methods of Space L and Space P. In the network, the initial capacities are modeled, the redistribution rules of passengers and the status identification rules of stations are established, and the propagation results are characterized. Second, using the passenger propagation impact of a faulty rail station, an emergency bus-scheduling model is set up, aimed at minimizing the operating costs of emergency buses and maximizing the benefits for passengers. A genetic algorithm is devised to solve the scheduling model. Finally, an example is put forward to verify the feasibility of the designed methods. The example shows that the methods provide theoretical support and a decision aid for passenger evacuation strategies at faulty urban rail stations.
Geometrical influence of the source/drains configuration on the flow interactions in a sandbox model: A three-dimensional OpenFOAM simulation
Authors: Vivas C. S. , Britto A. F. , Rodrigues Santos F. , da Cunha Lima A. T. , da Cunha Lima I. C. , Almeida M. P.
Published: September 2019

This paper explores the interaction of different flow paths in a porous medium by observing the effect of having more than one drain in a simple model domain with a single source. The work is based on three-dimensional numerical simulations of the flow of injected water in a sandbox domain with porous volume completely filled by water and oil. The calculation uses the OpenFOAM library to solve Darcy’s equations for the dynamics of a two-phase flow: water as the wetting, oil as the nonwetting fluid. We observe the interactions of flows in different paths under changes of number of drains and their relative positions.
Optical envelop patterns in quadratic-cubic nonlinear medium by complex trial equation method
Authors: Li Wen-He , Liu Sheng-Qiang
Published: September 2019

Exact envelop patterns of nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with perturbation terms are constructed to describe optical solitons in quadratic-cubic nonlinear medium by proposing a complex version of Liu’s trial equation method. These four families of envelop solutions show various properties of patterns of amplitudes including singularity, periodicity and double periodicity.
Study of some compact objects in R + 2βT gravity
Authors: Waseem Arfa , Sharif M.
Published: September 2019

The aim of this work is to examine the nature as well as physical characteristics of anisotropic spherically symmetric stellar candidates in the context of [Formula: see text] gravity. We assume that the fluid components such as pressure and energy density are related through MIT bag model equation-of-state in the interior of stellar system. In order to analyze the structure formation of some specific star models, the field equations are constructed using Krori–Barua solution in which the unknown constants are evaluated by employing observed values of radii and masses of the considered stars. We check the consistency of [Formula: see text] model through the graphical analysis of energy conditions as well as stability of stellar structure. It is found that our considered stars show viable as well as stable behavior for this model.
Searching cosmic strings network in the CMB
Authors: Movahed Seyed Mohammad Sadegh , Sadr Alireza Vafaei , Farhang Marzieh
Published: September 2019

The CMB stochastic field provides us with a unique opportunity to search for the predicted imprints of various cosmological theories. In this work, we explore the detectability of the cosmic string (CS) network traces in the pixel-space through its gravitational impact on the CMB anisotropies, i.e. the Gott–Kaiser–Stebbins effect. First, in a classical approach, we use a series of multi-scale edge-detection algorithms followed by certain critical and excursion sets measures on the CMB simulated data (with different levels of contributions from the CSs). With this pipeline the minimum value of detectable CS’s tension for noiseless maps with a resolution of [Formula: see text] is found to be [Formula: see text]. Calling for the help the power of the machine learning algorithms with our proposed feature vectors, decreases the above lower bound to [Formula: see text]. The methods developed and used in this work are quite general and applicable to a wide variety of pattern search problems in the various stochastic fields ranging from cosmological random fields to other natural and artificial complex systems.
A New Approach to Realizing the Soft-and Operation in Cloud Model-Based Control
Authors: Wang Jing , Ferrero Alessandro , Zhang Qi , Prioli Marco
Published: September 2019

Considering fuzziness, randomness, and the association between them, cloud model-based control is a new way to address uncertainty in the inference system. Similar to fuzzy control theory, this method includes an important step of dealing with the logic concept “and”, which is defined as the operation of soft-and between several antecedents and has not been scientifically solved in the current literatures. The traditional method of realizing soft-and is to use multi-dimensional cloud model theory, which lacks a theoretical basis. Based on the fuzzy and random theory, this paper proposes a novel approach using numeric simulation to calculate the soft-and in the cloud control system. In this method, the theory to determine the distribution of the minimum value between two random variables is applied. Compared with the traditional method, the considered approach is more reliable and reasonable, and its result is also in accordance with the standard fuzzy inference system.
Matching Preclusion for Exchanged Hypercubes
Authors: LI QIULI , NING WANTAO
Published: September 2019

As spanning subgraphs of hypercubes, exchanged hypercubes contain less edges but maintain lots of desired properties of hypercubes. This paper considers matching preclusion, a kind of measures of edge-fault tolerance, of exchanged hypercubes EH(s, t). We show that EH(s, t) is maximally matched, that is, for s ≥ t, mp(EH(s, t)) = t + 1 and EH(s, t) is super matched if and only if (s, t) ≠ (1, 1). Comparing with results of matching preclusion for hypercubes, we conclude that exchanged hypercubes maintain the matching preclusion property of hypercubes, except for EH(1, 1).