bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving estimation efficiency for regression with MNAR covariates
Authors: Che Menglu , Han Peisong , Lawless Jerald F.
Published: August 2019

For regression with covariates missing not at random where the missingness depends on the missing covariate values, complete‐case (CC) analysis leads to consistent estimation when the missingness is independent of the response given all covariates, but it may not have the desired level of efficiency. We propose a general empirical likelihood framework to improve estimation efficiency over the CC analysis. We expand on methods in Bartlett et al. (2014, Biostatistics 15, 719–730) and Xie and Zhang (2017, Int J Biostat 13, 1–20) that improve efficiency by modeling the missingness probability conditional on the response and fully observed covariates by allowing the possibility of modeling other data distribution‐related quantities. We also give guidelines on what quantities to model and demonstrate that our proposal has the potential to yield smaller biases than existing methods when the missingness probability model is incorrect. Simulation studies are presented, as well as an application to data collected from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Prostate cancer cells enhance interleukin‐15‐mediated expansion of NK cells
Authors: Sakellariou Christina , Elhage Oussama , Papaevangelou Efthymia , Giustarini Giulio , Esteves Ana M. , Smolarek Dorota , Smith Richard A. , Dasgupta Prokar , Galustian Christine
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To identify cytokines that can activate and expand NK cells in the presence of prostate cancer cells in order to determine whether these agents may be useful in future intra‐tumoural administration in pre‐clinical and clinical prostate cancer trials.

Materials and Methods

Lymphocytes isolated from normal donor blood were set up in co‐cultures with either cancer or non‐cancerous prostate cell lines, together with each of the cytokines interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐12, IL‐15, interferon (IFN)‐γ or IL‐21 for a period of 7 days. Then, expansion of NK cells, NKT cells and CD8 T cells was measured by flow cytometry and compared with the expansion of the same cells in the absence of prostate cells. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells, as measured by perforin and tumour cell killing, was also assessed. NK cell receptors and their corresponding ligands on prostate tumour cells were analysed to determine whether any of these were modulated by co‐culture. The role of the tumour‐secreted heat shock proteins HSP90 and HSP70 in the expansion of NK cells in the co‐cultures was also investigated because of their effects on NK and CD8 T‐cell activation.

Results

We showed that, among a panel of cytokines known to cause NK cell activation and expansion, only IL‐15 could actively induce expansion of NK, NKT and CD8 T cells in the presence of prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the expansion of NK cells was far greater (up to 50% greater) in the presence of the cancer cells (LNCaP, PC3) than when lymphocytes were incubated alone. In contrast, non‐cancerous cell lines (PNT2 and WPMY‐1) did not exert any expansion of NK cells. The cytolytic activity of the NK cells, as measured by perforin, CD107a and killing of tumour cells, was also greatest in co‐cultures with IL‐15. Examination of NK cell receptors shows that NKG2D is upregulated to a greater degree in the presence of prostate cancer cells, compared with the upregulation with IL‐15 in lymphocytes alone. However, blocking of NKG2D does not inhibit the enhanced expansion of NK cells in the presence of tumour cells.

Conclusions

Among a panel of NK cell‐activating cytokines, IL‐15 was the only cytokine that could stimulate expansion of NK cells in the presence of prostate cancer cells; therefore IL‐15 may be a good candidate for novel future intra‐tumoural therapy of the disease.
#Science: The Potential and the Challenges of Utilizing Social Media and Other Electronic Communication Platforms in Health Care
Authors: Gijsen Violette , Maddux Michele , Lavertu Adam , Gonzalez‐Hernandez Graciela , Ram Nilam , Reeves Byron , Robinson Thomas , Ziesenitz Victoria , Shakhnovich Valentina , Altman Russ
Published: August 2019

Electronic communication is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, as evidenced by its widespread and rapidly growing use. In medicine, however, it remains a novel approach to reach out to patients. Yet, they have the potential for further improving current health care. Electronic platforms could support therapy adherence and communication between physicians and patients. The power of social media as well as other electronic devices can improve adherence as evidenced by the development of the app bant. Additionally, systemic analysis of social media content by Screenome can identify health events not always captured by regular health care. By better identifying these healthcare events we can improve our current healthcare system as we will be able to better tailor to the patients’ needs. All these techniques are a valuable component of modern health care and will help us into the future of increasingly digital health care.
Dulaglutide is an effective treatment for lowering HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes regardless of body mass index
Authors: Gentilella Raffaella , Sesti Giorgio , Vazquez Luis , Sapin Hélène , Reed Victoria , Romera Irene , Pozzilli Paolo
Published: August 2019

Aim

To assess the relationship between baseline body mass index (BMI) and glycaemic control in dulaglutide‐treated patients, a post hoc analysis was conducted on HbA1c and baseline BMI data from eight AWARD studies, with a total of 5770 patients.

Materials and methods

Changes from baseline in HbA1c data from patients treated with 1.5 mg or 0.75 mg dulaglutide, active comparator or placebo, were analyzed in each study (AWARD‐1 to −6, −8 and − 9) at approximately 6 months (26, 24 and 28 weeks, respectively). Within each study, data were analyzed by the following baseline BMI categories: <30, ≥30 to <35, and ≥ 35 kg/m2.

Results

In this post hoc analysis, 1.5 mg or 0.75 mg dulaglutide treatment achieved statistically significant HbA1c reductions from baseline in all BMI categories (least‐squares mean change from −0.62 to −1.75%) across the AWARD studies. No statistically significant treatment‐by‐BMI category interactions were found for reductions in HbA1c.

Conclusion

This post hoc analysis of eight AWARD studies indicates that baseline BMI does not affect the relative treatment efficacy of dulaglutide as measured by HbA1c change from baseline in any study. Dulaglutide is an effective treatment option for adult patients with type 2 diabetes regardless of their baseline BMI category.
What we (don't) know about global plant diversity
Authors: Cornwell William K. , Pearse William D. , Dalrymple Rhiannon L. , Zanne Amy E.
Published: August 2019

The era of big biodiversity data has led to rapid, exciting advances in the theoretical and applied biological, ecological and conservation sciences. While large genetic, geographic and trait databases are available, these are neither complete nor random samples of the globe. Gaps and biases in these databases reduce our inferential and predictive power, and this incompleteness is even more worrisome because we are ignorant of both its kind and magnitude. We performed a comprehensive examination of the taxonomic and spatial sampling in the most complete current databases for plant genes, locations and functional traits. To do this, we downloaded data from The Plant List (taxonomy), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (locations), TRY (traits) and GenBank (genes). Only 17.7% of the world's described and accepted land plant species feature in all three databases, meaning that more than 82% of known plant biodiversity lacks representation in at least one database. Species coverage is highest for location data and lowest for genetic data. Bryophytes and orchids stand out taxonomically and the equatorial region stands out spatially as poorly represented in all databases. We have highlighted a number of clades and regions about which we know little functionally, spatially and genetically, on which we should set research targets. The scientific community should recognize and reward the significant value, both for biodiversity science and conservation, of filling in these gaps in our knowledge of the plant tree of life.
Changes in forest bird abundance, community structure and composition following a hurricane in Sweden
Authors: Chevalier Mathieu , Lindström Åke , Pärt Tomas , Knape Jonas
Published: August 2019

The effect that extreme natural events have on biological diversity is relatively poorly known. We used a before–after control‐impact (BACI) design to analyze changes in bird abundances and communities following Hurricane Gudrun, which struck southern Sweden in January 2005, felling 75 million m3 of forest and causing damage to 5% of forested areas (half a million hectares) in a few hours. We used recent measures of impact in combination with classical BACI contrasts to analyze bird count data from a monitoring program in Sweden. We investigated changes in the abundance of 17 species commonly found in forests, along with changes in species composition and functional structure of the bird community. In total, we considered 34 response variables and examined whether responses were immediate or long‐term. There was no evidence of a strong effect of the hurricane on the abundances of six species. Estimates of the effects on five species were too uncertain to draw inferences. We detected positive and negative effects of the hurricane on the abundances of the remaining six species, but the magnitude of effects often was small. Generally, the effects were in the expected direction: negative on birds associated with mature forest and positive on birds associated with open land or young forest. We found evidence of an increase in the proportion of species that nest on the ground and a decrease in the proportion of species that nest in cavities and trees. In contrast, the hurricane had no discernible effect on functional measures of diversity (richness, evenness or divergence), or on communities’ reproductive or morphological characteristics. Our results suggest that the hurricane affected bird populations and communities, but the magnitude of effects was generally small.
Negative freedom or integrated domination? Adorno versus Honneth
Authors: Frumer Naveh
Published: August 2019

According to Axel Honneth, Adorno's very idea of social critique is self‐defeating. It tries to account for what is wrong, deformed, or pathological without providing any positive yardstick. Honneth's idea of critique is a diagnosis of chronic dysfunctions in the relations of recognition upon which the society in question is grounded. Under such conditions of misrecognition, institutions that embody what he calls social freedom regress to negative freedom. However, such a deficit‐based notion of critique does not square with Honneth's own diagnosis of our present: namely, the transformation from welfare capitalism to neoliberalism. In fact, Honneth's diagnosis is very much in line with Adorno's idea of late capitalism as a society of “total integration.” Adorno's matching conception of critique, it is argued, avoids the problems Honneth runs into. At the basis of Adorno's critical idiom are two key points: an explanation of how social relations can be functional while contradictory and an account of social domination that is diffused throughout society while being differentially experienced by different classes. Adorno's answer to Honneth's concern, regarding the lack of a positive yardstick, is that it is domination that gives meaning to our idea of freedom, rather than the other way around.
Peer review and training: Pathways to quality and value in second language writing
Authors: Sánchez‐Naranjo Jeannette
Published: August 2019

The Challenge

Successfully engaging second language (L2) learners in peer revision activities has been challenging. Can L2 learners be taught to provide effective peer feedback? Do learners accept and incorporate that feedback into text revisions?
The global decline of freshwater megafauna
Authors: He Fengzhi , Zarfl Christiane , Bremerich Vanessa , David Jonathan N. W. , Hogan Zeb , Kalinkat Gregor , Tockner Klement , Jähnig Sonja C.
Published: August 2019

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most diverse and dynamic ecosystems on Earth. At the same time, they are among the most threatened ecosystems but remain underrepresented in biodiversity research and conservation efforts. The rate of decline of vertebrate populations is much higher in freshwaters than in terrestrial or marine realms. Freshwater megafauna (i.e., freshwater animals that can reach a body mass ≥30 kg) are intrinsically prone to extinction due to their large body size, complex habitat requirements and slow life‐history strategies such as long life span and late maturity. However, population trends and distribution changes of freshwater megafauna, at continental or global scales, remain unclear. In the present study, we compiled population data of 126 freshwater megafauna species globally from the Living Planet Database and available literature, and distribution data of 44 species inhabiting Europe and the United States from literature and databases of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and NatureServe. We quantified changes in population abundance and distribution range of freshwater megafauna species. Globally, freshwater megafauna populations declined by 88% from 1970 to 2012, with the highest declines in the Indomalaya and Palearctic realms (−99% and −97%, respectively). Among taxonomic groups, mega‐fishes exhibited the greatest global decline (−94%). In addition, freshwater megafauna experienced major range contractions. For example, distribution ranges of 42% of all freshwater megafauna species in Europe contracted by more than 40% of historical areas. We highlight the various sources of uncertainty in tracking changes in populations and distributions of freshwater megafauna, such as the lack of monitoring data and taxonomic and spatial biases. The detected trends emphasize the critical plight of freshwater megafauna globally and highlight the broader need for concerted, targeted and timely conservation of freshwater biodiversity.
A clinicopathological and molecular analysis of cervical carcinomas with basaloid features
Authors: Shi Haiyan , Shao Ying , Liu Qin , Wang Su , Lu Weiguo , Lu Bingjian
Published: August 2019

Aims

To investigate the relationship between adenoid basal carcinoma (ABC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the uterine cervix.

Methods and results

We analysed the clinicopathological and molecular features in two pure ABCs, 15 SCCs with ABC‐/ACC‐like features and seven basaloid SCCs (BSCCs) by chart review, immunohistochemistry, human papillomavirus (HPV) RNA in‐situ hybridisation and fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease, except for one patient with ACC‐like features who died of disease at 18 months post diagnosis. The mixed carcinomas comprised variable SCCs and ABC‐/ACC‐like components displaying vague transitional zones. All components consistently showed diffuse p16, p63 and SOX2, variable cytokeratin (CK)7 and CK17 and rare Ber‐EP4 and MYB expression; there was a substantially lower Ki67 index in pure ABCs and the ABC‐like components. The ACC‐like components showed no myoepithelial differentiation (SMA, calponin and S100) and MYB gene fusions. CK7, CK17 and Ber‐EP4 were characteristically stronger in BSCCs than in the mixed carcinomas (P < 0.01). High‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) E6/E7 mRNA was detected in 12 mixed carcinomas and seven BSCCs, but not in pure ABCs. The HR‐HPV mRNA expression was higher in the SCC components and BSCCs than in the ABC‐like components of mixed carcinomas (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The ACC‐like components in mixed carcinomas probably represent the morphological mimics of salivary ACCs. ABC‐like components may be the potential precursor of the ACC‐like and SCC components. HR‐HPV oncogenes may play a role in the pathogenesis of SCCs with ABC‐/ACC‐like features.
Influence of processing variables on scratch and shrinkage behaviors and translucency of dental zirconia
Authors: Hong Lijuan , Lee Da‐Jeong , Yoon Hyung‐In , Han Jung‐Suk , Kim Dae‐Joon
Published: August 2019

Scratch tests were performed on porous 3 mol% Y2O3‐stabilized zirconia dental blocks to relate compaction processing and partial sintering temperature to shrinkage and machinability of the blocks and microstructures and transmittance after full sintering. Scratch hardness of the blocks varied with increasing loads, and the variation was related to the sequential events of densification, densification and cleaving, disruption of the densified region, and chipping and longitudinal cracking. The shrinkage during final sintering was inversely proportional to the compact pressure and temperature with compact pressure having a greater impact. In contrast, the transmittance of fully sintered blocks depended largely on the partial sintering temperature because it governed the number and size of pores after completion of the sintering. Based on the influence of the variable on scratch hardness, a scratch response measure that possibly reflects the machinability of porous CAD/CAM blocks was proposed.
Representing workers on occupational safety and health: some lessons from a largely ignored history
Authors: Walters David , Quinlan Michael
Published: August 2019

The decade from 1970 witnessed major reforms of occupational health and safety (OSH) laws in Western Europe, North America and Australasia. The establishment of worker representation in OSH was one of their most significant features. Largely overlooked in commentary then or since however was the fact that worker representation in safety had a far longer history, having operated in coal mining from a century earlier in some countries. The purpose of this paper is not so much to fill this historical gap as to examine this earlier development in terms of its contribution to better understand worker representation in OSH at the present time.
Potential involvement of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) metallothioneins in the hydrogen peroxide‐induced regulation of seed vigour
Authors: Mierek‐Adamska Agnieszka , Kotowicz Karolina , Goc Anna , Boniecka Justyna , Berdychowska Julia , Dąbrowska Grażyna B.
Published: August 2019

Germination is a crucial process in crop plant life cycle that determines future yield. Hydrogen peroxide plays a significant role in both dormancy release and seed ageing. The potential of the rapeseed metallothioneins (BnMT1‐4) as reactive oxygen species scavengers was investigated. In the presence of H2O2, bacterial cells expressing BnMT1‐4 had higher growth rate than control cells. However, such effect was not observed in an oxidative stress oversensitive yap‐1Δ yeast mutant strain expressing BnMT1‐4. Next, it was shown that H2O2, up to 100 and 10 mM, promotes rapeseed germination rate and seedling growth, respectively. Moreover, it was demonstrated that in seeds germinating in the presence of H2O2, the expression of seed‐specific BnMT4 decreases to a high extent in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. It was shown that the decline in BnMT4 mRNA level, accelerated by up to 10 mM H2O2 treatment, correlates positively with increased rapeseed germination and early growth, underscoring the plausible role of BnMT4 as a H2O2 scavenging protein that level has to be downregulated in conditions where the compound is needed. Finally, it was demonstrated that H2O2 could be used as a priming agent of rapeseeds.
Dielectric and structural studies of ferroelectric phase evolution in dipole‐pair substituted barium titanate ceramics
Authors: Veerapandiyan Vignaswaran K. , Deluca Marco , Misture Scott T. , Schulze Walter A. , Pilgrim Steven M. , Tidrow Steven C.
Published: August 2019

Ba{[Gax,Tax]Ti(1−2x)}O3 ceramics with x equal to 0, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01, 0.025, and 0.05 have been prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction. Structural and dielectric characterization have been performed to investigate the effect of dipole‐pair substitution concentration on the macroscopic dielectric properties. Ba{[Gax,Tax]Ti(1−2x)}O3 evolves from a classic ferroelectric to a diffuse phase transition (DPT) as x increases. Ba{[Gax,Tax]Ti(1−2x)}O3 for x ≥ 0.01 possesses diffuseness parameters comparable to Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐PbTiO3 (PMN‐PT) and recently reported (Ba0.97Pr0.03)(Ti0.9425Ce0.05)O3 (BPTC), yet it lacks the frequency and temperature dependence of Tm necessary to be a strictly defined relaxor ferroelectric. Additionally, Ba{[Ga0.05,Ta0.05]Ti0.9}O3 possesses a relative permittivity, ɛr, of 700 ± 16% and dissipation factor less than 0.05 at 10 kHz within the temperature range [−75°C, 120°C]. In comparison to BaTiO3, Ba{[Gax,Tax]Ti(1−2x)}O3 possesses enhanced electrical resistivity at and above room temperature. In situ XRD, including Rietveld refinement, have been performed to determine the lattice parameter, coefficient of thermal expansion, and phase transition temperature (Tc) of each composition within the temperature range [RT, 1000°C], thus linking the dielectric properties with the material's structure. These studies have been corroborated by temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy to compare the Tc determined by electrical and structural characterization. The properties of Ba{[Gax,Tax]Ti(1−2x)}O3 are discussed in context with available models that describe donor and acceptor dopants spatially separated in the parent matrix, inter‐relating lattice parameter, Curie temperature, and other material properties.
Clinical evaluation of chairside Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Machining nano‐ceramic restorations: Five‐year status
Authors: Fasbinder Dennis J. , Neiva Gisele F. , Heys Donald , Heys Ronald
Published: August 2019

Objectives

This investigation was a longitudinal, randomized clinical trial to measure the clinical performance of a nano‐ceramic material (Lava Ultimate/3M) for chairside Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Machining (CAD/CAM) fabricated restorations.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and twenty chairside CAD/CAM onlays were restored with a CEREC system randomly assigned to 60 leucite‐reinforced ceramic (IPS EmpressCAD/Ivoclar Vivadent AGBendererstrasse 2FL‐9494 SchaanLiechtenstein) onlays and 60 nano‐ceramic (Lava Ultimate/3M) onlays. Equal groups of onlays were cemented using a self‐etch and a total etch adhesive resin cement. The onlays were recalled for a period of 5 years.

Results

At 1 week postoperatively, 10% of the onlays cemented with both the self‐etch and total etch adhesive resin cements were reported as slightly sensitive. However, all patients were asymptomatic by the 4th week without treatment. Four leucite‐reinforced onlays and one nano‐ceramic onlay fractured and required replacement.

Conclusions

Adhesive retention with a self‐etch or total etch cementation technique resulted in a similar clinical outcome with no reported debonds. The nano‐ceramic onlays had a lower incidence of fracture compared to the leucite‐reinforced ceramic onlays with both having a very low risk of fracture. Nano‐ceramic onlays performed equally as well as glass ceramic onlays over 5 years of clinical service.

Clinical Significance

Ceramic materials have been a mainstay for chairside CAD/CAM restorations for the past 30 years and a new category of resilient ceramics with a resin matrix has been introduced reported to offer ceramic‐like durability and esthetics with resin‐like efficiency in handling. There are no long‐term clinical studies on the performance of these materials. This is a 5‐year randomized clinical trial on the performance of nano‐ceramic onlays.
Lipocalin‐2: Its perspectives in brain pathology and possible roles in cognition
Authors: Pinyopornpanish Kanokporn , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: August 2019

Lipocalin‐2 (LCN2) has been known to play an important role in pathological conditions, specifically in response to inflammation, infection and injury to cells. Recently, several research teams have been interested in investigating its association with cognition during the progression of pathology. Previous studies have demonstrated that LCN2 is not correlated with cognitive function under normal physiological conditions, although LCN2 has been negatively associated with cognition and some neuropathologies. Increasing LCN2 production is associated with reduced cognitive performance in a rodent model. However, further studies are needed to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of LCN2 on cognitive dysfunction, as well as its clinical relevance. This review aims to summarise the evidence available from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies concerning the possible role of LCN2 on cognitive function following the onset of pathological conditions. Any contradictory evidence is also assessed and presented.
Modelling the potential prevention benefits of a treat‐all hepatitis C treatment strategy at global, regional and country levels: A modelling study
Authors: Trickey Adam , Fraser Hannah , Lim Aaron G. , Walker Josephine G. , Peacock Amy , Colledge Samantha , Leung Janni , Grebely Jason , Larney Sarah , Martin Natasha K. , Degenhardt Louisa , Hickman Matthew , May Margaret T. , Vickerman Peter
Published: August 2019

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently produced guidelines advising a treat‐all policy for HCV to encourage widespread treatment scale‐up for achieving HCV elimination. We modelled the prevention impact achieved (HCV infections averted [IA]) from initiating this policy compared with treating different subgroups at country, regional and global levels. We assessed what country‐level factors affect impact. A dynamic, deterministic HCV transmission model was calibrated to data from global systematic reviews and UN data sets to simulate country‐level HCV epidemics with ongoing levels of treatment. For each country, the model projected the prevention impact (in HCV IA per treatment undertaken) of initiating four treatment strategies; either selected randomly (treat‐all) or targeted among people who inject drugs (PWID), people aged ≥35, or those with cirrhosis. The IA was assessed over 20 years. Linear regression was used to identify associations between IA per treatment and demographic factors. Eighty‐eight countries (85% of the global population) were modelled. Globally, the model estimated 0.35 (95% credibility interval [95%CrI]: 0.16‐0.61) IA over 20 years for every randomly allocated treatment, 0.30 (95%CrI: 0.12‐0.53) from treating those aged ≥35 and 0.28 (95%CrI: 0.12‐0.49) for those with cirrhosis. Globally, treating PWID achieved 1.27 (95%CrI: 0.68‐2.04) IA per treatment. The IA per randomly allocated treatment was positively associated with a country's population growth rate and negatively associated with higher HCV prevalence among PWID. In conclusion, appreciable prevention benefits could be achieved from WHO’s treat‐all strategy, although greater benefits per treatment can be achieved through targeting PWID. Higher impact will be achieved in countries with high population growth.
Retrospective evaluation of cyclosporine in the treatment of presumed idiopathic chronic hepatitis in dogs
Authors: Ullal Tarini , Ambrosini Yoko , Rao Sangeeta , Webster Cynthia R. L. , Twedt David
Published: August 2019

Background

The etiology of idiopathic chronic hepatitis (ICH) in dogs is poorly understood, but evidence supports an immune‐mediated pathogenesis in some dogs.

Objectives

To describe a case series of dogs with presumed ICH treated with cyclosporine (CsA) with or without concurrent medications and to document the incidence of biochemical remission and factors associated with failure to attain remission.

Animals

Forty‐eight client‐owned dogs diagnosed with presumed ICH, treatment of which included CsA.

Methods

Two‐institution, retrospective case series of dogs between 2010 and 2017. All dogs were treated with CsA with or without concurrent medications for ≥2 weeks. Data were collected from medical records.

Results

Biochemical remission (<1.1 times the upper limit of normal for alanine aminotransferase activity) was attained in 79% of dogs (38/48). Median dose of CsA at remission was 7.9 mg/kg/d (range, 2.5‐12.7 mg/kg/d) and median time to remission was 2.5 months (range, 0.75‐18 months). Concurrent hepatoprotectant treatment was not associated with likelihood of remission. Clinical score, ascites, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, prolonged coagulation times, dose, and duration of treatment were not associated with the probability of remission or time to remission. Common adverse effects of CsA were gastrointestinal signs in 38% (18/48) and gingival hyperplasia in 25% (12/48) of treated dogs.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

A treatment regimen including CsA and frequent hepatoprotectant use resulted in biochemical remission of ICH in most dogs. None of the evaluated factors, including hepatoprotectant use, were significantly associated with likelihood of remission. Future prospective studies are indicated to evaluate CsA monotherapy in ICH dogs.
Genetic dissection of vitamin E content in rice (Oryza sativa) grains using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between 'Zhenshan97B' and 'Nanyangzhan'
Authors: Zhang Xiaona , Li Pingbo , Yun Peng , Wang Lingqiang , Gao Guanjun , Zhang Qinglu , Luo Lijun , Zhang Chunyu , He Yuqing
Published: August 2019

Vitamin E (VE) is an important nutritional trait in rice grains. In order to dissect the genetic basis underlying VE content, a recombinant inbred lines population derived from 'Zhenshan 97B' and 'Nanyangzhan' was used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Totally, 29 QTLs for six VE traits were identified in 2 consecutive years. Among those, five QTLs repeatedly detected in two years formed a cluster on chromosome 2, which was responsible for all five VE isomers. OsγTMT, the gene encoding γ‐tocopherol methyltransferase in rice, was located to the same region and treated as the candidate gene. Sequence analysis of alleles from two parents revealed many polymorphisms, including 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two insert/deletions (Indels) in the promoter region, two nonsynonymous SNPs in exons, and 25 SNPs and an Indel in introns. Besides, a QTL for δ‐tocotrienol and two QTLs for α‐tocopherol were repeatedly detected on chromosome 5 and 8, respectively, all three regions carrying no homologous genes involved in VE biosynthesis. These results could be useful in development of rice lines displaying desirable VE content.
Seeing Seeing
Authors: Phillips Ben
Published: August 2019

I argue that we can visually perceive others as seeing agents. I start by characterizing perceptual processes as those that are causally controlled by proximal stimuli. I then distinguish between various forms of visual perspective‐taking, before presenting evidence that most of them come in perceptual varieties. In doing so, I clarify and defend the view that some forms of visual perspective‐taking are “automatic”—a view that has been marshalled in support of dual‐process accounts of mindreading.
Identification of factors associated with white mould in snap bean using tree‐based methods
Authors: Shah D. A. , Dillard H. R. , Pethybridge S. J.
Published: August 2019

Most processing snap bean fields are treated with fungicides at flowering to suppress white mould, one of the more significant diseases of this crop. Farmers would like to know when their fields are at sufficient risk of white mould, to plan fungicide applications or avoid spraying if the risk is below a tolerable threshold. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, observational data were collected from processing snap bean fields across western and central New York State, USA. White mould was found in 20% of fields. Boosted regression trees were used to model white mould presence or absence in a field (a binary response variable) as a function of agronomic and edaphic variables, and macroscale drought indices. The five most important predictors were canopy openness during pod development, the number of days after planting, hydrologic soil group, canopy openness during bloom and elevation. The risk of white mould increased by about 20% when canopy openness was less than 20 cm at the bloom stage and c. 30% when canopy openness was less than 30 cm at the pod stage. The most relevant interaction was between canopy openness at the pod stage and hydrologic soil group. A random forest model for predicting the presence of white mould by bloom had an estimated classification accuracy of 73%. The extension of these results to remote forecasting of white mould in processing snap bean production is discussed.
Gendering Resistance: Multiple Faces of the Kurdish Women's Struggle
Authors: Göksel Nisa
Published: August 2019

The article explores the Kurdish women's movement in Turkey by bridging two forms of resistance: those of guerrilla women fighters and of activist women. Based on my extensive ethnographic and archival research, I ask how women under conditions of war engage in different modes of resistance. In what ways does the “heroic resistance” of guerrilla women resonate with and/or contradict the everyday, “ordinary” struggles of activist women? The potent image of the Kurdish guerrilla woman that emerged in the early 1990s is constitutive of many other modes of political subjectivities, even among women who do not or cannot become guerrillas. One of those subjectivities is that of the activist woman. My analysis suggests that women's activism opens up a middle ground of action between “heroic” and “ordinary” resistance by reconciling revolutionary politics with everyday activism around gender‐based violence, democracy, and human rights. Although both revolutionary movement participants and scholars of revolutionary resistance often contrast the “ordinary” with the realm of armed resistance, this article challenges this dichotomy. I take the two realms of resistance—the ordinary and the heroic—as the core constituents of revolutionary resistance, and I reconsider the gendered interplay between them.
Decision‐Making in Local Context: Expertise, Experience, and the Importance of Neighbours in Farmers’ Insect Pest Management
Authors: Noy Shiri , Jabbour Randa
Published: August 2019

Drawing on data from four focus groups with alfalfa farmers conducted in Spring 2014 and 2015 in four counties in Wyoming, USA, we analyse how farmers make decisions about insect pest management. Our generative focus group data allow us to examine how farmers frame and value different sources of information and why and when they rely on them. Our results reveal that in order to be useful, expert information needed to be local and to consider the complex realities of farming. Neighbours, especially those with deep roots in the community, were seen as valuable and trusted sources of information. Chemical companies and co‐op representatives, on the other hand, received more mixed treatment. We describe the dimensions by which growers categorise information: relevancy, accuracy, locality, and diagnostic/prognostic. Our results underscore the reflexive nature and motivation for farmers’ evaluation of information and advice about insect pests.
Discovery of a novel HLA class I allele, HLA‐B*38:75, in an Indian umbilical cord blood sample
Authors: Sanghavi Satyen Y. , Gaunkar Tripti U. , Kedage Vinayak V.
Published: August 2019

The novel HLA allele HLA‐B*38:75 differs from B*38:02:01 by nonsynonymous change in codon 50.
Radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of pneumonia in a frog
Authors: Slater Robert T. , Hanna Ashley , Finch Nickol , Pessier Allan P. , Logsdon Marcie
Published: August 2019

A 12‐year‐old female African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) displayed lethargy and anorexia for 1 week. Radiographs detected a moderately reduced volume of aerated lung with lobulated margins with the left lung predominantly affected. Transcelomic ultrasound revealed marked consolidation of the left lung. Postmortem examination confirmed suppurative and histiocytic pneumonia, worse in the left lung, caused by Mycobacterium chelonae. Given that amphibian pulmonary consolidation and celomic effusion can have similar radiographic findings, ultrasound may be helpful to differentiate.
Antegrade and retrograde CT urethrography with virtual urethroscopy in a dog with urethral narrowing after bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy
Authors: Kang Kyuyong , Jang Moonjung , Choi Kyeong Uk , Kweon Oh‐Kyeong , Choi Mincheol , Yoon Junghee
Published: August 2019

An 8‐month‐old, castrated male Golden Retriever was unable to urinate without catheterization after a single‐session bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy. To determine the cause, a retrograde urethrography was performed, but the results were equivocal. Antegrade (voiding by abdominal compression with heavy material) and retrograde CT urethrography were performed with virtual urethroscopy and revealed that the urethral diameter was narrowed near the pubic bone remnants due to pelvic canal narrowing. After corrective surgery, the patient was able to urinate normally. A combination of antegrade and retrograde CT urethrography with virtual urethroscopy was helpful for guiding surgical decision‐making in this patient.
Intonation trajectories within tones in unaccompanied soprano, alto, tenor, bass quartet singing
Authors: Dai Jiajie , Dixon Simon
Published: August 2019

Unlike fixed-pitch instruments, the voice requires careful regulation during each note in order to maintain a steady pitch. Previous studies have investigated aspects of singing performance such as intonation accuracy and pitch drift, treating pitch as fixed within notes, while the pitch trajectory within notes has hardly been investigated. The aim of this paper is to study pitch variation within vocal notes and ascertain what factors influence the various parts of a note. The authors recorded five soprano, alto, tenor, bass quartets singing two pieces of music in three different listening conditions, according to whether the singers can hear the other participants or not. After analysing all of the individual notes and extracting pitch over time, the authors observed the following regularities: (1) There are transient parts of approximately 120 ms duration at both the beginning and end of a note, where the pitch varies rapidly; (2) the shapes of transient parts differ significantly according to the adjacent pitch, although all singers tend to have a descending transient at the end of a note; (3) the trajectory shapes of female singers differ from those of male singers at the beginnings of notes; (4) between vocal parts, there is a tendency to expand harmonic intervals (by about 8 cents between adjacent voices); (5) the listening condition had no significant effect on within-note pitch trajectories.
Perceptual similarity between piano notes: Experimental method applicable to reverberant and non-reverberant sounds
Authors: Osses Vecchi Alejandro , Kohlrausch Armin , Chaigne Antoine
Published: August 2019

In this paper an experimental method to quantify perceptual differences between acoustic stimuli is presented. The experiments are implemented as a signal-in-noise task, where two sounds are to be discriminated. By adjusting the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) the difficulty of the sound discrimination is manipulated. If two sounds are very similar already, a low level of added noise (high SNR) makes the discrimination task difficult. For more dissimilar sounds, a higher amount of noise (lower SNR) is needed to affect discriminability. In other words, a strong correlation between SNR and similarity is expected. The experimental noises are generated to have similar spectro-temporal properties to those of the test stimuli. As a study case, the suggested method was used to evaluate recordings of one note played on seven Viennese pianos using (1) non-reverberant sounds (as recorded) and (2) reverberant sounds, where reverberation was added by means of digital convolution. The experimental results of the suggested method were compared with a similarity experiment using the method of triadic comparisons. The results of both methods were significantly correlated with each other.
Exploring Energy Expenditure and Body Movement of Exergaming in Children of Different Weight Status
Authors: Hwang Jungyun , Lee I-Min , Fernandez Austin M. , Hillman Charles H. , Lu Amy Shirong
Published: August 2019

Purpose: This study examined differences in energy expenditure and bodily movement among children of different weight status during exergames that varied in mode and intensity. Methods: Fifty-seven 8- to 12-year-old children including overweight/obesity (n = 28) and normal weight (n = 29) played three 10-minute interval Xbox One exergames (Fruit Ninja, Kung-Fu, and Shape Up) categorized based on predominantly upper-, whole-, or lower-limb movement, respectively. The authors measured bodily movement through accelerometry and obtained energy expenditure and metabolic equivalent (MET) via indirect calorimetry. Results: Energy expended during gameplay was the highest in Shape Up (P < .01) and higher in Kung-Fu than Fruit Ninja (P < .01). Absolute energy expenditure was significantly higher in overweight/obese children (P < .01), but not when controlling for body mass across 3 exergames (P > .05). Based on the MET cut-points, overweight/obese children spent more time at light intensity (<3 METs) for Fruit Ninja (P < .05) and Shape Up (P < .01), but less time at vigorous intensity (≥6 METs) for Kung-Fu (P < .01) and Shape Up (P < .01). Lower-limb movements during Shape Up were less in overweight/obese children (P = .03). Conclusion: Although children in both groups expended similar energy relative to their body mass during gameplay, overweight/obese children spent more time at light intensity but less time at vigorous intensity with fewer movements especially while playing a lower limb–controlled exergame.
Ebola veteran promises an end to Congo's epidemic
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: August 2019

Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, who helped discover the virus in 1976, takes command of the year-old battle.
U.S. universities confront a security storm in Congress
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: August 2019

Concern over foreign influence spawns legislative proposals.
Ghost catcher
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: August 2019

Having struck out once, a storied particle detector gets a second chance at glory: hunting the sterile neutrino.
Skyrmion lattice with a giant topological Hall effect in a frustrated triangular-lattice magnet
Authors: Kurumaji Takashi , Nakajima Taro , Hirschberger Max , Kikkawa Akiko , Yamasaki Yuichi , Sagayama Hajime , Nakao Hironori , Taguchi Yasujiro , Arima Taka-hisa , Tokura Yoshinori
Published: August 2019

Skyrmions in a frustrated magnet

Skyrmions—tiny, topologically protected whirlpools of spin—have been investigated as potential information carriers in spintronic devices. Usually, skyrmions appear in noncentrosymmetric materials or at interfaces between materials. In contrast to this rule of thumb, Kurumaji
et al.
observed a skyrmion lattice phase in the centrosymmetric material Gd
2
PdSi
3
. The magnetic frustration present in this material helped stabilize the skyrmion phase, which was detected through transport measurements in magnetic field.

Science
, this issue p.
914
Dosing time matters
Authors: Ruben Marc D. , Smith David F. , FitzGerald Garret A. , Hogenesch John B.
Published: August 2019

Circadian precision medicine may supplement genetic precision to improve drug action
Generation of multicomponent atomic Schrödinger cat states of up to 20 qubits
Authors: Song Chao , Xu Kai , Li Hekang , Zhang Yu-Ran , Zhang Xu , Liu Wuxin , Guo Qiujiang , Wang Zhen , Ren Wenhui , Hao Jie , Feng Hui , Fan Heng , Zheng Dongning , Wang Da-Wei , Wang H. , Zhu Shi-Yao
Published: August 2019

Entanglement goes large

The success of quantum computing relies on the ability to entangle large-scale systems. Various platforms are being pursued, with architectures based on superconducting qubits and trapped atoms being the most advanced. By entangling up to 20 qubits, Omran
et al.
and Song
et al.
—working with Rydberg atom qubits and superconducting qubits, respectively—demonstrate how far these platforms have reached. The demonstrated controllable generation and detection of entanglement on such quantum systems is promising for the development of large-scale quantum processors.

Science
, this issue p.
570
, p.
574
Clearing the (high) air
Authors: Aldenderfer Mark
Published: August 2019

Do recent discoveries accurately define early human settlements at extreme altitudes?
Math on trial
Authors: Persily Nathaniel
Published: August 2019

Can science help take the partisanship out of politics? To some extent, that was the question the U.S. Supreme Court confronted in this year's blockbuster partisan gerrymandering case. The Court answered “no” and, by doing so, delivered an object lesson in the limits of math and science to settle the most political of constitutional questions.
Rate of three-dimensional neuroretinal rim thinning in glaucomatous eyes with optic disc haemorrhage
Authors: Kim Yong Woo , Lee Won June , Seol Bo Ram , Kim Young Kook , Jeoung Jin Wook , Park Ki Ho
Published: August 2019

Background

To investigate the thinning rate of three-dimensional neuroretinal rim thickness (3D-NRT) in glaucoma eyes with optic disc haemorrhage (DH) and its relationship to retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) progression.

Methods

Ninety-five (95) eyes of 95 glaucoma patients with initial DH in the inferotemporal (n=69) and superotemporal (n=26) regions and 48 eyes of 48 glaucoma patients without DH were retrospectively reviewed. The rates of change for 3D-NRT and RNFLT were compared by linear mixed-effect model. For the direct comparison between 3D-NRT and RNFLT, dynamic-range-based normalised coefficient was used. The effect of DH frequency on the rates of thinning of 3D-NRT and RNFLT was evaluated.

Results

During a mean 7-year follow-up, the rates of thinning of 3D-NRT (–5.69±4.88 µm/year) and RNFLT (–2.03±2.03 µm/year) at 7 o’clock were faster than those at other locations (all p<0.05) in DH eyes. The dynamic-range-based normalised rate of thinning was significantly faster for RNFLT (–2.06%±1.62%/year) than for 3D-NRT (–1.15%±1.10%/year, p<0.001) in DH eyes, but not in non-DH eyes (p=0.43). DH frequency in the inferotemporal region was associated with the thinning rate of 3D-NRT as well as RNFLT.

Conclusion

DH eyes are associated with the progression of both 3D-NRT and RNFLT, especially in the inferotemporal region. DH eyes show a relatively faster thinning rate of average RNFLT than 3D-NRT. The frequency of DH can affect the progression of 3D-NRT as well as RNFLT.