bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate prevents the adverse left ventricular remodelling: Focus on polymorphonuclear neutrophil‐derived granule components
Authors: Mao Shuai , Taylor Shalina , Chen Qubo , Zhang Minzhou , Hinek Aleksander
Published: May 2019

Aims

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on left ventricular (LV) remodelling after for ST‐elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods and results

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 101 patients with the ST‐elevated MI (STEMI) and a successful reperfusion were immediately randomized to receive STS (80 mg qd for 7 days) or saline control, along with standard therapy. The primary effectiveness endpoint is the % change in LV end diastolic volumes index (%∆ LVEDVi) as measured by echocardiography from baseline to 6 months. Secondary effectiveness endpoints include 6‐month period for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including the occurrence of recurrent myocardial infarction, death, hospitalization for heart failure and malignant arrhythmia. The 6‐month changes in %∆ LVEDVi were significantly smaller in the STS group than in the control group [−5.05% vs 3.32%; P < 0.001]. With respect to MACE, there was a significant difference between those who received STS (8.16%) and those patients on control (26.00%) (P = 0.019). Meaningfully, results of parallel tests aimed at mechanistic explanation of the reported clinical effects, revealed a significantly reduced levels of neutrophils‐derived granule components in the blood of STS treated patients.

Conclusion

We found that short‐term treatment with STS reduced progressive left ventricular remodelling and subsequent better clinical outcome that could be mechanistically linked to the inhibition of the ultimate damage of infarcted myocardium by infiltrating neutrophils.
Borderline personality disorder, complex trauma, and problems with self and identity: A social‐communicative approach
Authors: Luyten Patrick , Campbell Chloe , Fonagy Peter
Published: May 2019

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a relatively highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that is associated with very high personal and socioeconomic costs. This paper provides a state‐of‐the‐art review of the relationship between complex trauma and key features of BPD, with a focus on problems with self‐coherence and self‐continuity. We first review evidence for the high prevalence of complex trauma in BPD patients. This is followed by a discussion of emerging knowledge concerning the biobehavioral mechanisms involved in problems related to self and identity in BPD. We emphasize three biobehavioral systems that are affected by complex trauma and are centrally implicated in identify diffusion in BPD: the attachment system, mentalizing or social cognition, and the capacity for epistemic trust—that is, an openness to the reception of social communication that is personally relevant and of generalizable significance. We formulate a new approach to personality and severe personality disorders, and to problems with self and identity in these disorders, rooted in a social‐communicative understanding of the foundations of selfhood. We also discuss how extant evidence‐based treatments address the above‐mentioned biobehavioral systems involved in identity diffusion in BPD and related disorders, and the supporting evidence. We close the paper with recommendations for future research.
Instrumental measurement of pomegranate texture during four maturity stages
Authors: Khodabakhshian Rasool , Emadi Bagher , Khojastehpour Mehdi , Golzarian Mahmood R.
Published: May 2019

Texture of pomegranate fruit and arils are the main quality attributes in the food process industries. In this study, the texture properties of pomegranate fruit and arils (cv. “Ashraf”) at four different stage of maturity (88, 109, 124, and 143 days after full bloom) were evaluated using the puncture test (rupture force and rupture energy) and compression test (bioyield force, rupture energy, and young modulus). The tests showed that all studied textural parameters were sensitive textural parameters for distinguishing the maturity stages. Rupture force and rupture energy of pomegranate fruit were determined at top, middle, and bottom positions of the fruit. The results showed that compression load values of aril increased with advances in maturity stage of fruit, while puncture load values of fruit decreased. The textural properties of pomegranate fruit and arils exhibited a strong dependence (p < .05) on the degree of maturity at harvesting time. Also results showed that rupture force of three different studied positions of fruit was severely different. The highest and lowest values were observed at top and middle position, respectively.
Interactive effects of dietary fishmeal level and plant essential oils supplementation on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax: Growth performance, nutrient utilization, and immunological response
Authors: Gonçalves Rui A. , Serradeiro Renata , Machado Marina , Costas Benjamin , Hunger Christine , Dias Jorge
Published: May 2019

The inclusion of phytogenics in fish feed is a promising strategy to compensate for the negative performance effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with vegetable sources. The present work assessed the interactive effects of different dietary FM levels (22.5 and 10% of formulation) and the supplementation of a commercial blend of anise, citrus, and oregano essential oils (Digestarom PEP M.G.E 150) on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax growth performance, nutrient utilization, gut morphology, antioxidant status, and immunological response over a 60‐day growth trial. Results showed decreased growth and protein efficiency ratio and increased feed conversion ratio with a low dietary FM level. In contrast, supplementation of the phytogenic product demonstrated improved performance and nutrient utilization together with increased protein and energy retention. Supplementation with the plant essential oils fully compensated for the negative intestinal changes observed in sea bass fed a low‐FM diet but showed little improvement in fish immunological response, except for the 30% increase in lysozyme activity observed in fish fed the low FM‐supplemented diet compared to those fed the standard high‐FM diet. Overall, this study supports the use of this phytogenic product in low‐FM diets as a possible tool to decrease feed costs associated with FM without compromising fish performance, nutrient utilization, and health.
Lineage specific histories of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dispersal in Africa and Eurasia
Authors: O'Neill Mary B. , Shockey Abigail , Zarley Alex , Aylward William , Eldholm Vegard , Kitchen Andrew , Pepperell Caitlin S.
Published: May 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) is a globally distributed, obligate pathogen of humans that can be divided into seven clearly defined lineages. An emerging consensus places the origin and global dispersal of M.tb within the past 6,000 years: identifying how the ancestral clone of M.tb spread and differentiated within this timeframe is important for identifying the ecological drivers of the current pandemic. We used Bayesian phylogeographic inference to reconstruct the migratory history of M.tb in Africa and Eurasia and to investigate lineage specific patterns of spread from a geographically diverse sample of 552 M.tb genomes. Applying evolutionary rates inferred with ancient M.tb genome calibration, we estimated the timing of major events in the migratory history of the pathogen. Inferred timings contextualize M.tb dispersal within historical phenomena that altered patterns of connectivity throughout Africa and Eurasia: trans‐Indian Ocean trade in spices and other goods, the Silk Road and its predecessors, the expansion of the Roman Empire, and the European Age of Exploration. We found that Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia have been critical in the dispersal of M.tb. Our results further reveal that M.tb populations have grown through range expansion, as well as in situ, and delineate the independent evolutionary trajectories of bacterial subpopulations underlying the current pandemic.
Unravelling the lipoyl‐relay of exogenous lipoate utilization in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Rasetto Natalí B. , Lavatelli Antonela , Martin Natalia , Mansilla María Cecilia
Published: May 2019

Lipoate is an essential cofactor for key enzymes of oxidative and one‐carbon metabolism. It is covalently attached to E2 subunits of dehydrogenase complexes and GcvH, the H subunit of the glycine cleavage system. Bacillus subtilis possess two protein lipoylation pathways: biosynthesis and scavenging. The former requires octanoylation of GcvH, insertion of sulfur atoms and amidotransfer of the lipoate to E2s, catalyzed by LipL. Lipoate scavenging is mediated by a lipoyl protein ligase (LplJ) that catalyzes a classical two‐step ATP‐dependent reaction. Although these pathways were thought to be redundant, a ∆lipL mutant, in which the endogenous lipoylation pathway of E2 subunits is blocked, showed growth defects in minimal media even when supplemented with lipoate and despite the presence of a functional LplJ. In this study, we demonstrate that LipL is essential to modify E2 subunits of branched chain ketoacid and pyruvate dehydrogenases during lipoate scavenging. The crucial role of LipL during lipoate utilization relies on the strict substrate specificity of LplJ, determined by charge complementarity between the ligase and the lipoylable subunits. This new lipoyl‐relay required for lipoate scavenging highlights the relevance of the amidotransferase as a valid target for the design of new antimicrobial agents among Gram‐positive pathogens.
Resource‐ratio theory predicts mycorrhizal control of litter decomposition
Authors: Smith Gabriel R. , Wan Joe
Published: May 2019

Ecosystems with ectomycorrhizal plants have high soil carbon : nitrogen ratios, but it is not clear why. The Gadgil effect, where competition between ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi for nitrogen slows litter decomposition, may increase soil carbon. However, experimental evidence for the Gadgil effect is equivocal.

Here, we apply resource‐ratio theory to assess whether interguild fungal competition for different forms of organic nitrogen can affect litter decomposition. We focus on variation in resource input ratios and fungal resource use traits, and evaluate our model's predictions by synthesizing prior experimental literature examining ectomycorrhizal effects on litter decomposition.

In our model, resource input ratios determined whether ectomycorrhizal fungi suppressed saprotrophic fungi. Recalcitrant litter inputs favored the former over the latter, allowing the Gadgil effect only when such inputs predominated. Although ectomycorrhizal fungi did not always hamper litter decomposition, ectomycorrhizal nitrogen uptake always increased carbon : nitrogen ratios in litter.

Our meta‐analysis of empirical studies supports our theoretical results: ectomycorrhizal fungi appear to slow decomposition of leaf litter only in forests where litter inputs are highly recalcitrant. We thus find that the specific contribution of the Gadgil effect to high soil carbon : nitrogen ratios in ectomycorrhizal ecosystems may be smaller than predicted previously.
Asymmetric nasomaxillary expansion induced by tooth‐bone‐borne expander producing differential craniofacial changes
Authors: Kim Kyung‐A , Oh Song‐Hee , Kim Byoung‐Ho , Kim Su‐Jung
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To evaluate three‐dimensional (3D) craniofacial changes induced by a non‐surgical tooth‐bone‐borne rapid palatal expander (TBB‐RPE) according to the symmetrical pattern of expansion, to investigate the 3D changes between the sides in patients with asymmetric expansion, and to identify the related factors of asymmetric expansion.

Setting and sample population

Sixty‐six patients (mean age: 19.3 ± 5.7 years) treated with TBB‐RPE were divided into a symmetric expansion group (Group S, n = 46) or asymmetric expansion group (Group A, n = 20). Group S was subdivided into Group Ss (n = 27), with bilateral frontomaxillary suture (FMS) split, and Group Sn (n = 19), with no FMS split.

Materials and methods

Pre‐ and post‐expansion cone‐beam computed tomography images were superimposed, and the common coordinated system was set. All landmarks were designated as coordinate pairs, and treatment changes were automatically calculated. Analysis of variance was conducted for intergroup comparison of craniofacial changes, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the related factors of asymmetric expansion.

Results

The frequency of asymmetric expansion was 30.3%. Group A with unilateral FMS split showed less craniofacial changes than Group Ss and more changes than Group Sn. Group A exhibited different nasomaxillary displacement between the two halves, showing greater changes in the FMS‐split side. Among the tested six variables (age, gender, Angle's classification, unilateral crossbite, maxillary cant and chin deviation), chin deviation was uniquely associated with asymmetric expansion.

Conclusions

Tooth‐bone‐borne rapid palatal expander had a risk of asymmetric expansion, especially in facial asymmetric patients with chin deviation, producing different craniofacial changes from symmetric expansion.
Intraoperative blood loss and transfusion during primary pediatric liver transplantation: A single‐center experience
Authors: Villarreal Joshua A. , Yoeli Dor , Ackah Ruth L. , Sigireddi Rohini R. , Yoeli Jordan K. , Kueht Michael L. , Galvan N Thao N. , Cotton Ronald T. , Rana Abbas , O’Mahony Christine A. , Goss John A.
Published: May 2019

Children undergoing liver transplantation are at a significant risk for intraoperative hemorrhage and thrombotic complications, we aim to identify novel risk factors for massive intraoperative blood loss and transfusion in PLT recipients and describe its impact on graft survival and hospital LOS. We reviewed all primary PLTs performed at our institution between September 2007 and September 2016. Data are presented as n (%) or median (interquartile range). EBL was standardized by weight. Massive EBL and MT were defined as greater than the 85th percentile of the cohort. 250 transplantations were performed during the study period. 38 (15%) recipients had massive EBL, and LOS was 31.5 (15‐58) days compared to 11 (7‐21) days among those without massive EBL (P < 0.001). MT median LOS was 34 (14‐59) days compared to 11 (7‐21) days among those without MT (P = 0.001). Upon backward stepwise regression, technical variant graft, operative time, and transfusion of FFP, platelet, and/or cryoprecipitate were significant independent risk factors for massive EBL and MT, while admission from home was a protective factor. Recipient weight was a significant independent risk factor for MT alone. Massive EBL and MT were not statistically significant for overall graft survival. MT was, however, a significant risk factor for 30‐day graft loss. PLT recipients with massive EBL or MT had significantly longer LOS and increased 30‐day graft loss in patients who required MT. We identified longer operative time and technical variant graft were significant independent risk factors for massive EBL and MT, while being admitted from home was a protective factor.
Engineered Functional Recovery of Microbial Rhodopsin Without Retinal‐Binding Lysine
Authors: Yamauchi Yumeka , Konno Masae , Yamada Daichi , Yura Kei , Inoue Keiichi , Béjà Oded , Kandori Hideki
Published: May 2019

Definition of rhodopsin is the retinal‐binding membrane protein with the Schiff base linkage at a lysine on the 7th transmembrane helix. However, ~ 600 microbial rhodopsins lack retinal‐binding lysine at the corresponding position (Rh‐noK) among ~ 5500 known microbial rhodopsins, suggesting that Rh‐noK has each functional role without chromophore. Here, we report successful functional recovery of Rh‐noK. Two Rh‐noKs from bacteria were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, which exhibited no color. When retinal‐binding lysine was introduced, one of them gained visible color. Additional mutation of the Schiff base counterion further gained proton‐pumping activity. Successful engineered functional recovery such as visible color and proton‐pump activity suggests that the Rh‐noK protein forms a characteristic structure of microbial rhodopsins.
Lung function and endothelial dysfunction: Is there a relationship without the presence of lung disease?
Authors: Green Clara E.
Published: May 2019

See related Article
Persistence and determinants of income inequality: The Brazilian case
Authors: Signor Diogo , Kim Jongsung , Tebaldi Edinaldo
Published: May 2019

Latin America, which is a region known for its high and persistent income inequality levels, experienced a significant decline in income inequality since the second half of the 1990s. Brazil is a particularly interesting case in Latin America. While the country presented notable economic growth and improvements in income distribution in the early 2000s, Brazil continues to experience high levels of income inequality in comparison with other Latin American or advanced economies. This research contributes to the literature by examining the key drivers of income distribution and the degree of persistence of income inequality among Brazilian states. This research also improves upon previous works by using more recent and comprehensive data and addressing concerns regarding heterogeneity and endogeneity by using the system GMM estimation method. Our findings show that income inequality is highly persistent across Brazilian states and that government policies including income transfer programs made important contributions to reduce income inequality in Brazil. This study also shows that the decline in labor income ratios between different ethnic groups and the increase of the share of formal jobs in the labor market contributed to reduce income inequality.
Remittances and healthcare expenditure: Human capital investment or responses to shocks? Evidence from Peru
Authors: Berloffa Gabriella , Giunti Sara
Published: May 2019

This paper estimates the effect of international remittances on healthcare expenditures, taking into account both the interdependence with other consumption goods and the effects of health shocks. More precisely, we assess whether the budget allocation decisions of remittance‐receiving households reveal different preferences to invest in health capital, even when the simultaneous effect that health shocks may have on the demand of remittances and on other types of nondurable expenditures is accounted for. Using data from the “Peruvian National Survey of Households,” we find that remittances have a positive impact on healthcare budget shares, net of the remittance‐related income effect and independently of the occurrance of a health shock. They also have a positive impact on housing and a negative one on other expenditure items, that is, clothing, transport, and education. Hence, our results indicate a “pure” tendency of remittance‐receiving households to devote larger shares of their budget to health capital investment, rather than to other types of consumption goods.
Outcomes of processing of bone marrow harvests for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients utilizing a novel red blood cell sedimentation kit
Authors: Akel Salem , Murray Christianna , Ferguson William , Babic Aleksandar
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow (BM) grafts are often subject to manipulation to minimize infusion volume, to deplete red blood cells (RBCs), to deplete plasma, and/or to achieve optimal concentration of nucleated cells (NCs) for freezing. Here, we report results of processing and infusion of four major ABO‐incompatible BM grafts for allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation in pediatric patients.

CASES AND METHODS

Patients ranging in age from 5 months to 18 years received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for benign or malignant indications. Allogeneic BM grafts were processed using PrepaCyte‐CB kits, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for enrichment of mononuclear cells in cord blood units for hematopoietic transplantation. Resulting grafts were dosed and infused using standard institutional protocol. After transplantation patients were evaluated for hematologic recovery.

RESULTS

The PrepaCyte‐CB processing method achieved on average 97.1% depletion of RBCs and 68.5% volume reduction, with a fairly efficient NC recovery (total NCs, 85.6%; white blood cells, 89.7%; CD34+ cells, 103.3%; and colony‐forming unit cells, 87.5%). No microbial contamination was detectable in any of the processed grafts. Infusions were well tolerated, and all four patients achieved durable hematopoietic engraftment within expected time interval.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that PrepaCyte‐CB is safe and effective for minimal processing of BM grafts. Engraftment outcomes were comparable with other published BM processing methods. In addition, NC recovery achieved using this method appears to exceed that of previously described sedimentation reagents such as hetastarch and Ficoll.
Keberkesanan Pendekatan Andragogi kepada Pengusaha Inap Desa
Authors: Palal Nor Hairul , Hamzah Amran
Published: May 2019

Homestay, as a community-based tourism product of Malaysia has increased in popularity and demand among domestic and international tourists. Capacity building of homestay operators through training needs to be developed using the andragogy approach. Andragogy approach in training is chosen because of these homestay operators comprised of adults 40 years and above, and also those who do not possess any background in the tourism industry. Therefore, this study is conducted to examine the needs of the speaker approach from the perspective of the training participants. Accordingly, a qualitative study is conducted involving 50 respondents consisting of 3 groups; homestay operators, homestay coordinators and stakeholders involved with homestay in Malaysia. The usage of Atlas-Ti7 assisted in the formation of research themes and is further discussed in this study. The results show that the training needs andragogy should be applied to every course involving adults to ensure that training results are understood and applied in homestay.
Mercado del suelo urbano y producción del espacio residencial en la ciudad de Tandil, Argentina
Authors: Migueltorena Alejandro , Linares Santiago
Published: May 2019

El siguiente trabajo se propone interpretar la situación actual del mercado del suelo y la vivienda en la ciudad de Tandil. Para este fin, se utilizará la teoría de la renta del suelo urbano, la cual permite conocer los procesos subyacentes en la conformación del mercado de la vivienda en las ciudades, la presencia de las distintas clases de rentas en la conformación de los precios de los inmuebles y la incidencia que éstas poseen para explicar la disposición espacial de las áreas residenciales.

Se propone, además, una tipología habitacional que permite caracterizar y dar cuenta de las diversas fuerzas que convergen en las áreas residenciales de la ciudad de Tandil, una aglomeración intermedia de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Con este objetivo, se utilizan fuentes de información primaria y datos del Censo Nacional de Población, Hogares y Viviendas de 2010 (Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos [Indec], 2010). La cartografía es confeccionada mediante Sistemas de Información Geográfica.
Determination of Reaction Forces of a Deck Crane in Wave Motion Using Screw Theory
Authors: Cibicik Andrej , Tysse Geir O. , Egeland Olav
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we present a method for calculating reaction forces for a crane mounted on a ship moving in waves. The method is used to calculate the reaction forces between the crane base and the vessel deck. This includes the case where the crane is mounted on the platform that keeps the base of the crane horizontal when the vessel is moving in roll and pitch. The wave motion of the ship is modeled with force response amplitude operators (RAOs) based on the JONSWAP wave spectrum. The combined equations of motion for a vessel and a crane are derived using Kane’s equations of motion, where velocities and angular velocities are formulated in terms of twists, and the associated partial velocities and partial angular velocities are given as lines in Plücker coordinates. The unknown reaction forces are represented as wrenches and are determined using screw transformations. The method is used to study the effect of the roll and pitch compensation platform in numerical simulations. The efficiency of the platform is evaluated in terms of the magnitude of reaction forces and crane payload sway angles.
Numerical Simulations of Freezing Process by Embedding a Cryo-Probe Into Water and Biological Tissue
Authors: Ke Jianghua , Xiao Jian , Li Meng
Published: May 2019

Numerical simulations by finite volume method were performed to investigate the freezing process and growing up of ice ball by embedding a cryo-probe either into a glass tank full of water or biological tissues with and without a tumor. For water tank cases, numerical results of ice-ball size and the temperature history of the ice ball during the freezing process are in good agreement with the experimental measurements as long as the convective heat coefficient is reasonably chosen. In biological tissue cases, numerical simulations performed based on various vascular models indicate the effects of the existence of large blood vessels are not negligible.
Structural Analysis and Control of a Model of Two-Site Electricity and Heat Supply
Authors: Hoshino Hikaru , Susuki Yoshihiko , John Koo T. , Hikihara Takashi
Published: May 2019

This paper introduces a control problem of regulation of energy flows in a two-site electricity and heat supply system, where two combined heat and power (CHP) plants are interconnected via electricity and heat flows. The control problem is motivated by recent development of fast operation of CHP plants to provide ancillary services of power system on the order of tens of seconds to minutes. Due to the physical constraint that the responses of the heat subsystem are not necessary as fast as those of the electric subsystem, the target controlled state is not represented by any isolated equilibrium point, implying that stability of the system is lost in the long-term sense on the order of hours. In this paper, we first prove in the context of nonlinear control theory that the state-space model of the two-site system is nonminimum phase due to nonexistence of isolated equilibrium points of the associated zero dynamics. Instead, we locate a one-dimensional (1D) invariant manifold that represents the target controlled flows completely. Then, by utilizing a virtual output under which the state-space model becomes minimum phase, we synthesize a controller that achieves not only the regulation of energy flows in the short-term regime but also stabilization of an equilibrium point in the long-term regime. Effectiveness of the synthesized controller is established with numerical simulations with a practical set of model parameters.
Optimization of Piecewise Conical Nozzles: Theory and Application
Authors: Hasselmann Karsten , aus der Wiesche Stefan , Kenig Eugeny Y.
Published: May 2019

An optimization study based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in combination with Stratford's analytical separation criterion was developed for the design of piecewise conical contraction zones and nozzles. The risk of flow separation was formally covered by a newly introduced dimensionless separation number. The use of this separation number can be interpreted as an adaption of Stratford's separation criterion to piecewise conical nozzles. In the nozzle design optimization process, the risk of flow separation was reduced by minimizing the separation number. It was found that the flow-optimized piecewise conical nozzle did not correspond to a direct geometric approximation of an ideal polynomial profile. In fact, it was beneficial to reduce the flow deflection in the outlet region for a piecewise conical nozzle to increase the nozzle performance. In order to validate the novel design method, extensive tests for different nozzle designs were conducted by means of wind tunnel tests. The measured velocity profiles and wall pressure distributions agreed well with the CFD predictions.
Do transportation network companies decrease or increase congestion?
Authors: Erhardt Gregory D. , Roy Sneha , Cooper Drew , Sana Bhargava , Chen Mei , Castiglione Joe
Published: May 2019

Transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, are the major driver of increasing traffic congestion in San Francisco.
SETDB1-dependent heterochromatin stimulates alternative lengthening of telomeres
Authors: Gauchier Mathilde , Kan Sophie , Barral Amandine , Sauzet Sandrine , Agirre Eneritz , Bonnell Erin , Saksouk Nehmé , Barth Teresa K. , Ide Satoru , Urbach Serge , Wellinger Raymund J. , Luco Reini F. , Imhof Axel , Déjardin Jérôme
Published: May 2019

Atypical heterochromatin forms on telomeres and correlates with ALT activities.
Temporal evidence shows
Australopithecus sediba
is unlikely to be the ancestor of
Homo
Authors: Du Andrew , Alemseged Zeresenay
Published: May 2019

Analyzing their geological ages, we demonstrate it is unlikely that
Australopithecus sediba
is ancestral to
Homo
.
And the MVP award goes to: Major vault protein
Authors: Ozcan Lale
Published: May 2019

MVP functions as an endogenous suppressor of NF-κB and regulates obesity-associated metabolic disease.
Genome Sequence and Methylation Patterns of
Halorubrum
sp. Strain BOL3-1, the First Haloarchaeon Isolated and Cultured from Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Authors: DasSarma Priya , Anton Brian P. , DasSarma Satyajit , Laye Victoria J. , Guzman Daniel , Roberts Richard J. , DasSarma Shiladitya
Published: May 2019

Halorubrum
sp. strain BOL3-1 was isolated from Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, and sequenced using single-molecule real-time sequencing. Its 3.7-Mbp genome was analyzed for gene content and methylation patterns and incorporated into the Haloarchaeal Genomes Database (
http://halo.umbc.edu
).
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Clinical Strains of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Human Patients in Japan
Authors: Okutani Akiko , Inoue Satoshi , Morikawa Shigeru
Published: May 2019

Bacillus cereus
is a common etiological agent of hospital-acquired infections. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three clinical isolates of
B. cereus
(GTC2903, GTC2926, and ach14) isolated from three human patients in different hospitals and in different years in Japan.
Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium Phage LilHazelnut
Authors: Shanks Ryan A. , Hazel Ashley N. , Jones William H. , Segura-Totten Miriam
Published: May 2019

Here, we describe LilHazelnut, a novel mycobacteriophage that infects
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155. LilHazelnut is a cluster Q phage that shares 99% nucleotide identity with phage Giles, is 53,746 bp in length, and has a G+C content of 67.5%.
Syn-collisional exhumation of hot middle crust in the Adirondack Mountains (New York, USA): Implications for extensional orogenesis in the southern Grenville province
Authors: Regan S.P. , Walsh G.J. , Williams M.L. , Chiarenzelli J.R. , Toft M. , McAleer R.
Published: May 2019

Extensional deformation in the lower to middle continental crust is increasingly recognized and shown to have significant impact on crustal architecture, magma emplacement, fluid flow, and ore deposits. Application of the concept of extensional strain to ancient orogenic systems, like the Grenville province of eastern North America, has helped decipher the structural evolution of these regions. The Marcy massif is a ∼3000 km2 Mesoproterozoic anorthosite batholith in the Adirondack Mountains (New York, USA) of the southern Grenville province. Bedrock geology mapping at 1:24,000 scale paired with characterization of bedrock exposed by recent landslides provides a glimpse into the structural architecture of the massif and its margin. New data demonstrate granulite- to amphibolite-facies deformational fabrics parallel the margin of the batholith, and that the Marcy massif is draped by a southeast-directed detachment zone. Within the massif, strain is localized into mutually offsetting conjugate shear zones with antithetic kinematic indicators. These relationships indicate that strain was coaxial within the Marcy massif, and that subsimple shear components of strain were partitioned along its margin. In situ U–Th–total Pb monazite analysis shows that deformation around and over the Marcy massif occurred from 1070 to 1060 Ma during granulite-facies metamorphism, and monazite from all samples record evidence for fluid-mediated dissolution reprecipitation from 1050 to 980 Ma. We interpret that rocks cooled isobarically after accretionary orogenesis and emplacement of the anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite plutonic suite at ca. 1160–1140 Ma. Gravitational collapse during the Ottawan phase of the Grenville orogeny initiated along a southeast-directed detachment zone (Marcy massif detachment zone), which accommodated intrusion of the Lyon Mountain Granite Gneiss, and facilitated substantial fluid flow that catalyzed the formation of major ore deposits in the Adirondack Highlands.
Early Paleozoic post-breakup magmatism along the Cordilleran margin of western North America: New zircon U-Pb age and whole-rock Nd- and Hf-isotope and lithogeochemical results from the Kechika group, Yukon, Canada
Authors: Campbell Roderick W. , Beranek Luke P. , Piercey Stephen J. , Friedman Richard
Published: May 2019

Post-breakup magmatic rocks are recognized features of modern and ancient passive margin successions around the globe, but their timing and significance to non-plume-related rift evolution is generally uncertain. Along the Cordilleran margin of western North America, several competing rift models have been proposed to explain the origins of post-breakup igneous rocks that crop out from Yukon to Nevada. New zircon U-Pb age and whole-rock geochemical studies were conducted on the lower Paleozoic Kechika group, south-central Yukon, to test these rift models and constrain the timing, mantle source, and tectonic setting of post-breakup magmatism in the Canadian Cordillera. The Kechika group contains vent-proximal facies and sediment-sill complexes within the Cassiar platform, a linear paleogeographic high that developed outboard of continental shelf and trough basins. Chemical abrasion (CA-TIMS) U-Pb dates indicate that Kechika group mafic rocks were generated during the late Cambrian (488–483 Ma) and Early Ordovician (473 Ma). Whole-rock trace-element and Nd- and Hf-isotope results are consistent with the low-degree partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source during margin-scale extension. Equivalent continental shelf and trough rocks along western North America are spatially associated with transfer-transform zones and faults that were episodically reactivated during Cordilleran rift evolution. Post-breakup rocks emplaced along the magma-poor North Atlantic margins, including those near the Orphan Knoll and Galicia Bank continental ribbons, are proposed modern analogues for the Kechika group. This scenario calls for the release of in-plane tensile stresses and off-axis, post-breakup magmatism along the nascent plate boundary prior to the onset of seafloor spreading.
Sixty-four-year-old man with non-productive cough and lung mass
Authors: Ayub Irfan Ismail , Johnson Thanka
Published: May 2019

A 64-year-old manpresented with non-productive cough and dyspnoea and was evaluated and diagnosed to have a left lung mass on CT of the chest. A transthoracic needle biopsy under CT guidance revealed necrotic tissue on histopathology and was inconclusive. Positron emission tomography scan revealed a fluoro-deoxyglucose-avid left lung mass with a left upper lobe luminal cut-off. A flexible video bronchoscopy was performed and revealed left upper lobe complete obstruction with an endoluminal plug which was removed in piecemeal fashion, and deeper biopsies were taken from the lingula. Histopathology revealed underlying adenocarcinoma colonised by aspergillosis. This case serves to remind us of the possibility of missing underlying malignancy when taking superficial biopsies of clearly visualised endobronchial necrotic tissue and the need for debulking it to a reasonable extent and to take deeper biopsies in order to not miss a possible underlying malignancy.
Very late bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis
Authors: Balakrishnan Kuhendra , Herman Brian , Koshy George
Published: May 2019

A 79-year-old man with a history of bioprosthetic aortic valve (AV) replacement in 2008 and atrial fibrillation was admitted with acute pulmonary oedema. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiograms revealed significantly elevated AV gradients and thickened AV leaflets. These findings were suggestive of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BVT). The patient was treated with intravenous heparin and commenced on vitamin K antagonist. BVT remains an under recognised cause of late prosthetic valve dysfunction. A lack of awareness of BVT occurring beyond 3 months post-implantation is likely to account for this. Furthermore, structural valve degeneration is the most common mechanism of late prosthetic valve dysfunction. Recognising the difference between the two aetiologies is crucial as the management plan differs significantly. Here, we report a case of very late bioprosthetic AV thrombosis diagnosed 8 years after implantation. This was successfully treated with systemic anticoagulation, thereby avoiding the need for redo cardiac surgery.
Embolisation of branches of the superior mesenteric artery in the treatment of haemosuccus pancreaticus
Authors: Raymundo Selma Regina de Oliveira , da Silva Gabriela Leopoldino , Reis Luiz Fernando , Freire Antonio Fernandes
Published: May 2019

Haemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, most often intermittent, making it difficult to diagnose, becoming fatal. It usually occurs in patients with chronic pancreatitis and is caused by the rupture of a visceral aneurysm within the main pancreatic duct. The association between pseudoaneurysm formation and pancreatitis is well established. Pseudoaneurysm occurs in 3.5%–10% of pancreatitis cases and its rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of chronic pancreatitis occurring in 6%–8% of patients with pseudocysts and corresponds to less than 1% of cases of GI bleeding.

Its diagnosis is challenging, given the intermittent nature of bleeding. Angiographic therapy is considered the first-choice treatment, especially in patients who are stable haemodynamically. We present a case of embolisation of inferior pancreaticoduodenal branches with polyvinyl alcohol microparticles in the treatment of HP.
Battery operated fan and chronic breathlessness: does it help?
Authors: Barnes-Harris Matilda , Allgar Victoria , Booth Sara , Currow David , Hart Simon , Phillips Jane , Swan Flavia , Johnson Miriam J
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To examine whether use of a hand-held fan (‘fan’) improves breathlessness and increases physical activity.

Methods

A secondary exploratory analysis using pooled data from the fan arms of two feasibility randomised controlled trials in people with chronic breathlessness: (1) fan and activity advicevsactivity advice, (2) activity advice alone or with the addition or the ‘calming hand’, or the fan, or both. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis to explore patient characteristics associated with benefit (eg age, sex, diagnosis, general self-efficacy).

Results

Forty-one participants were allocated the fan (73 years (IQR 65–76, range 46–88), 59% male, 20 (49%) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), three (7%) heart failure, three (7%) cancer). Thirty-five (85%) reported that the fan helped breathing, and 22 (54%) reported increased physical activity.

Breathlessness benefit was more likely in older people, those with COPD and those with a carer. However, due to the small sample size none of these findings were statistically significant. Those with COPD were more likely to use the fan than people with other diagnoses (OR 5.94 (95% CI 0.63 to 56.21, p=0.120)).

Conclusions

These exploratory data support that the fan helps chronic breathlessness in most people and adds new data to indicate that the fan is perceived to increase people’s physical activity. There is also a signal of possible particular benefits in people with COPD which is worthy of further study.
Ordering Decision and Coordination of a Dual-Channel Supply Chain with Fairness Concerns Under an Online-to-Offline Model
Authors: Yu Xiaohong , Wang Sujuan , Zhang Xindong
Published: May 2019

We introduce reference dependence to describe the fairness utility functions of channel members and model a dual-channel supply chain (one manufacturer and one retailer) in three scenarios: only the manufacturer is concerned with fairness, only the retailer is concerned with fairness, and both parties are concerned with fairness. The ordering decisions and coordination of a dual-channel supply chain under the online-to-offline (O2O) business model are studied. Nash equilibrium solutions exist for the channel order quantities in all three scenarios, and the inventory transshipment strategy can be used to coordinate the dual-channel supply chain under the O2O business model. Numerical examples are used to analyze the effectiveness and feasibility of coordination. The inventory transshipment strategy can be used to directly coordinate the dual-channel supply chain when only the manufacturer is concerned with fairness. The retailer feels unfair in the other two scenarios, which affects cooperation. To maintain cooperation with the retailer and achieve optimal supply chain efficiency and channel coordination, the manufacturer must compensate the retailer or choose one with fewer expectations regarding its channel status or fewer fairness concerns.
The analytic structure of the BFKL equation and reflection identities of harmonic sums at weight five
Authors: Joubat Mohammad , Prygarin Alexander
Published: May 2019

We analyze the structure of the eigenvalue of the color-singlet Balitsky–Fadin–Kuraev–Lipatov (BFKL) equation in N[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]4 SYM in terms of the meromorphic functions obtained by the analytic continuation of harmonic sums from positive even integer values of the argument to the complex plane. The meromorphic functions we discuss have pole singularities at negative integers and take finite values at all other points. We derive the reflection identities for harmonic sums at weight five decomposing a product of two harmonic sums with mixed pole structure into a linear combination of terms each having a pole at either negative or non-negative values of the argument. The pole decomposition demonstrates how the product of two simpler harmonic sums can build more complicated harmonic sums at higher weight. We list a minimal irreducible set of bilinear reflection identities at weight five which presents the main result of the paper. We show how the reflection identities can be used to restore the functional form of the next-to-leading eigenvalue of the color-singlet BFKL equation in N[Formula: see text]=4[Formula: see text]SYM, i.e. we argue that it is possible to restore the full functional form on the entire complex plane provided one has information how the function looks like on just two lines on the complex plane. Finally we discuss how nonlinear reflection identities can be constructed from our result with the use of well known quasi-shuffle relations for harmonic sums.
Dynamical analysis of solitary waves, lumps and interaction phenomena of a (2+1)-dimensional high-order nonlinear evolution equation
Authors: Ren Bo , Lou Zhi-Mei , Sun Yong-Li , He Zhi-Wei
Published: May 2019

A (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional high-order nonlinear evolution (HNE) equation is considered in this paper. A Hirota bilinear form of the HNE equation is constructed by the dependent variable function. Solitary waves are derived by solving the Hirota bilinear form of the HNE equation. Lump waves of the HNE equation are obtained by introducing a positive quadratic function. By mixing an exponential function or two exponential functions with a quadratic function, interaction solutions between a lump and a one-soliton, and between a lump and a two-soliton are presented. For the interaction solution between a lump and a two-soliton, this kind of solution can be considered as a special rogue wave. The propagation phenomena of these explicit solutions are illustrated by some graphs.
Sensitivity of BCS solutions to different odd–even staggering finite-difference formulas
Authors: Elsharkawy H. M. , Saleh Yousef M.
Published: May 2019

The present work studies the effect of odd–even staggering (OES) value of nuclear masses on the solution of the BCS set of equations. Three finite-difference formulas for the OES are used. First, a comparison between the three different formulas applied to even–even Ti, Fe, Ge, Mo, Te and Sm isotopic chains is introduced. The effect of the three formulas on the outputs of the BCS equations is then investigated. The comparison between the three different formulas as well as their effect on some of the BCS outputs is clearly significant. One of the BCS output parameters, the valence shell occupancy, is compared with the corresponding available experimental values.
Carbon Nanotubes/MnO2 Composite Fabricated via Laser Welding and Electrodeposition as Flexible Electrode for Supercapacitors
Authors: He Mingping , Li Jianguang , Xu Wanli , Dong Zhenqiang , Wu Yuechao , Lv Liang
Published: May 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were welded on the surface of thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) substrate by laser irradiation and then manganese dioxide (MnO2) was deposited on the surface of CNTs by electrochemical method to prepare CNTs/MnO2 flexible electrodes (L-CM). The microstructure and morphology of CNTs/MnO2 composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that CNTs were welded on the surface of the substrate, adhering to each other to form a porous network structure. In addition, there were distinct small protrusions on the surface of CNTs, indicating that MnO2 had been successfully deposited on the surface of CNTs. Cyclic voltammogram (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were employed to investigate the electrochemical performance of the composites. Compared with CNTs/MnO2 composite prepared via compaction (denoted as C-CM), L-CM composite prepared under the laser power of 0.75[Formula: see text]W (denoted as L-CM75) showed a larger capacitance of 214.6[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at the current density of 0.5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] and displayed excellent bendability, demonstrating capacitance retention of approximately 89.6% after 1000 bending cycles. The excellent performance of L-CM75 may be attributed to the fact that the CNTs welded on the substrate have formed an effective conductive network whose porous structure can facilitate easy access of electrolytes to the electrode, which results in enhancement of the electrochemical performance of L-CM75.