bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure Assessment in a Refractory Brick Production
Authors: Sartorelli P , Paolucci V , Aprea M C , Cenni A , Pedersini P , Barabesi L
Published: October 2019

In a refractory brick manufacturing company a qualitative and quantitative determination of the sources of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was obtained in order to validate targeted hygiene measurements. The study included the assessment of PAHs contamination of work surfaces by wipe-sampling, cutaneous exposure by hand washing, contamination of personal protective equipments (gloves) by extraction in solvent, and airborne PAHs concentration in atmospheric samples. Biomonitoring was also carried out by measurement of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPU) in three groups of workers (packaging, production, and controls). The surface contamination sampling was performed in production, packaging, and in other departments (external area) in theory less contaminated by PAHs. Two different areas were identified within the production, one included surfaces that were regularly cleaned (A area) and one included data from non-cleaned surfaces (B area). To confirm the source of exposure, a clear correspondence was observed between the percentage of the single compounds in the binder and those measured in wipes and air samples. As far as the wipes are concerned, the concentrations of phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), and the total PAHs mixture were higher in the B area than the A area of production. The same happened between the A area and the other two departments. According to results of the statistical analysis, these differences were significant. These results were confirmed by the hand washing data and the analysis of PPE. On the other hand, a marked difference does not exist between the packaging department and the external area. In air samples, the differences were much less evident with only higher concentrations of anthracene and total PAHs between production as a whole and the other two departments. Biological monitoring showed 1-OHPU values significantly higher in production workers than in packaging workers. In conclusion, the analysis of the wipes demonstrated that the production B area has a higher surface contamination compared to the production A area and the packaging department. In the absence of a significant difference in air concentrations of PAHs between A and B areas, this is attributable to surfaces not subject to cleaning. Results confirm that the measurement of surface contamination represents a valid tool for the assessment of sources of exposure to PAHs in the workplace.
On Rhythms and Rhymes: Poetics of Identity in Postcolonial Italy
Authors: Ardizzoni Michela
Published: October 2019

Music, media and the arts in general have become a prime site of deep cultural contestation and polarization in Italy, generating unprecedented fractures in how Italian identity is conceived and lived. This article examines how the borders of Italian identity have been gradually stretched and challenged in the music of contemporary artists such as Mahmood, Ghali, and Amir Issaa. Through their beats, their lyrics, and, in the case of Issaa, his writing, these artists have given voice to a facet of Italianness that is rarely spotlighted in the media. In this sense, these cultural productions complicate the Italian collective memory by adding a layered understanding of contemporary identities, rooted in different cultures, speaking different languages, and embracing a way of being Italian that is looking to the future through the lens of the country’s colonial past.
Maternal Antibodies Against Influenza in Cord Blood and Protection Against Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza in Infants
Authors: Cowling Benjamin J , Perera Ranawaka A P M , Fang Vicky J , Chu Daniel K W , Hui Amelia P W , Yeung Anita P C , Peiris J S Malik , Wong Wilfred H S , Chan Eunice L Y , Chiu Susan S
Published: October 2019

Background

Studies that correlate maternal antibodies with protection from influenza A or B virus infection in young infants in areas with prolonged influenza circulation are lacking.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study to evaluate the effects of maternally transferred antibodies against influenza A and B viruses against laboratory-confirmed influenza in a cohort born over 24 months. Cord blood samples were retrieved at birth and infants were actively followed for the first 6 months of life. Nasal swabs were collected and tested for influenza A and B by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction whenever an illness episode was identified. Cord blood samples were tested by the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay to viruses that circulated during the follow-up period.

Results

1162 infants were born to 1140 recruited women: 1092 (94%) infants completed 6 months of follow-up. Proportions of cord blood with HAI antibody titers ≥40 against A(H1N1), A(H3N2), B/Victoria, and B/Yamagata were 31%, 24%, 31%, and 54%, respectively. Only 4% of women had maternal influenza vaccination. Cord blood antigen-specific HAI titers ≥40 were found to correlate with protection from infection only for influenza B/Yamagata. No influenza B virus infection occurred in infants ≤60 days old. Proportional hazards analysis showed that a cord blood HAI titer of 40 was associated with 83% (95% confidence interval, 44–95%) reduction in the risk of influenza B/Yamagata infections compared with a cord blood titer <10.

Conclusions

We documented that maternal immunity against influenza B/Yamagata was conferred to infants within the first 6 months of life.
Epigenetics in the public sphere: interdisciplinary perspectives
Authors: Dubois Michel , Louvel Séverine , Le Goff Anne , Guaspare Catherine , Allard Patrick
Published: October 2019

Despite the high public interest in epigenetics, few scholars have empirically investigated the forms, reasons and consequences of the public circulation of epigenetics. Using an original database focusing on ‘lifestyle’ or ‘everyday’ epigenetics, this article aims to promote an open-minded and interdisciplinary dialogue between the public appropriation of epigenetics and the current scientific state of the art. It raises three main questions: Are there any specific modes of circulation of epigenetics in the general public? Why does epigenetics seem so appealing to the public? Within the public repertoire of epigenetics, is it possible to identify some specific knowledge claims and, if so, given the current state of the art, what is their degree of accuracy? The article argues that the social diffusion of epigenetics frequently carries on beliefs and misconceptions about genetics and epigenetics. The social life of epigenetics fuels a collective ‘illusion’ of control and empowerment on the basis of which new markets expand. More unexpectedly, this article underlines the emergence of a new scientific culture, i.e. the ‘scientifization’ of the cultural appropriation of epigenetics. Our analysis can inform the scientific community about the current and evolving state of the public representation of epigenetics and help it frame outreach activities.
‘I could have made those changes years earlier’: experiences and characteristics associated with receiving a prediabetes diagnosis among individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Somerville Mari , Burch Emily , Ball Lauren , Williams Lauren T
Published: October 2019

Background

Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Improving diet quality is key in preventing this progression, yet little is known about the characteristics of individuals with prediabetes or the nutrition care they receive.

Objectives

This study aims to identify characteristics and experiences associated with receiving a prediabetes diagnosis prior to developing T2D.

Methods

A mixed methods study encompassed a quantitative subanalysis of participants with newly diagnosed T2D from The 3D Study, and semi-structured telephone interviews with a subsample of participants who were previously diagnosed with prediabetes. Interviews were thematically analysed and survey data synthesized using SPSS statistical software.

Results

Of the 225 study participants, 100 individuals were previously diagnosed with prediabetes and 120 participants were not. Those with prediabetes were less likely to be smokers (P = 0.022) and more likely to be satisfied with seeing a dietitian (P = 0.031) than those without a previous prediabetes diagnosis. A total of 20 participants completed semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (i) experiencing a prediabetes diagnosis; (ii) receiving nutrition care during prediabetes and (iii) reflecting on the experience of receiving care for prediabetes versus T2D.

Conclusions

There are gaps in the current management of prediabetes in Australia. Low rates of prediabetes diagnosis and an ambiguous experience of receiving this diagnosis suggest an area of health service improvement. With no difference in diet quality between individuals with and without a previous prediabetes diagnosis, the nutrition care during prediabetes may be more important than the diagnosis itself in delaying the onset of T2D.
Enhanced scale and scope of genome engineering and regulation using CRISPR/Cas inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Deaner Matthew , Alper Hal S
Published: October 2019

Although only 6 years old, the CRISPR system has blossomed into a tool for rapid, on-demand genome engineering and gene regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this minireview, we discuss fundamental CRISPR technologies, tools to improve the efficiency and capabilities of gene targeting, and cutting-edge techniques to explore gene editing and transcriptional regulation at genome scale using pooled approaches. The focus is on applications to metabolic engineering with topics including development of techniques to edit the genome in multiplex, tools to enable large numbers of genetic modifications using pooled single-guide RNA libraries and efforts to enable programmable transcriptional regulation using endonuclease-null Cas enzymes.
Putative human myometrial and fibroid stem-like cells have mesenchymal stem cell and endometrial stromal cell properties
Authors: Patterson Amanda L , George Jitu W , Chatterjee Anindita , Carpenter Tyler J , Wolfrum Emily , Chesla David W , Teixeira Jose M
Published: October 2019

STUDY QUESTION

Can endometrial stromal stem/progenitor cell markers, SUSD2 and CD146/CD140b, enrich for human myometrial and fibroid stem/progenitor cells?

SUMMARY ANSWER

SUSD2 enriches for myometrial and fibroid cells that have mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics and can also be induced to decidualise.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Mesenchymal stem-like cells have been separately characterised in the endometrial stroma and myometrium and may contribute to diseases in their respective tissues.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Normal myometrium, fibroids and endometrium were collected from hysterectomies with informed consent. Primary cells or tissues were used from at least three patient samples for each experiment.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to characterise tissues. In vitro colony formation in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, MSC lineage differentiation (osteogenic and adipogenic) and decidualisation were used to assess stem cell activity. Xenotransplantation into immunocompromised mice was used to determine in vivo stem-like activity. Endpoint measures included quantitative PCR, colony formation, trichrome, Oil Red O and alkaline phosphatase activity staining.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

CD146+CD140b+ and/or SUSD2+ myometrial and fibroid cells were located in the perivascular region and formed more colonies in vitro compared to control cells and differentiated down adipogenic and osteogenic mesenchymal lineages in vitro. SUSD2+ myometrial cells had greater in vitro decidualisation potential, and SUSD2+ fibroid cells formed larger tumours in vivo compared to control cells.

LARGE-SCALE DATA

N/A

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Markers used in this study enrich for cells with stem/progenitor cell activity; however, they do not distinguish stem from progenitor cells. SUSD2+ myometrial cells express markers of decidualisation when treated in vitro, but in vivo assays are needed to fully demonstration their ability to decidualise.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These results suggest a possible common MSC for the endometrial stroma and myometrium, which could be the tumour-initiating cell for uterine fibroids.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

These studies were supported by NIH grants to JMT (R01OD012206) and to ALP (F32HD081856). The authors certify that we have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Direct ablation and excision of myocardial scar in post-myocarditis ventricular aneurysm
Authors: Chiyoya Mari , Fukuda Ikuo , Sasaki Shingo , Okumura Ken
Published: October 2019

The patient was a 34-year-old woman who developed multiple post-myocarditis ventricular aneurysms with ventricular tachyarrhythmia. After implantation of an intracardiac defibrillator, she experienced multiple episodes of counter-shock. An electrophysiological study demonstrated an early excitation circuit entering the septal aneurysm with the right ventricular aneurysm as an exit. A surgical ablation of the re-entry and left ventricular plasty with scar resection was performed. The operation was performed under direct, epicardial electrophysiological guidance. A cryoablation was performed along the right ventriculotomy and the margin of the left ventricular aneurysm. The left ventricle was closed using endoventricular aneurysmorrhaphy and the right ventriculotomy was closed directly. No recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia has been encountered.
Small, flat, and gray: Cryptic diversity in chthamalid barnacles in the global context of marine coastal biogeography (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha: Chthamalidae)
Authors: Wares John P
Published: October 2019

In the past 40 years, the ability to distinguish phenotypically similar species by using molecular methods has rapidly changed the study of taxonomy, biogeography, and community diversity. A cosmopolitan family of acorn barnacles, Chthamalidae Darwin, 1854, can be found on almost every non-boreal coast, with very similar habitat requirements, larval life histories, and external (test) morphologies among its species. Here I review how molecular methods have aided the description of new species as well as the characterization of phylogenetic diversity within species, and also broadened our understanding of the biogeography of this family. Multiple regional analyses have shown that the coastal habitat appears to drive diversity and diversification in generally similar ways regardless of location, while a global perspective allows us to identify regions and questions that merit further study. Variation in the spatial patterning of genomic diversity among species sometimes provides evidence as to how key life history parameters determine responses of species to ocean currents and forcing, thermal environments, and competition.
“What Is Computer-Mediated Communication?”—An Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Yao Mike Z , Ling Rich
Published: October 2019

At a time when nearly all social activities could be, and likely are, mediated in some ways by some forms of computing technology, what should be the focus of CMC research? How do we theorize and study computer-mediated (or should we say digitally-mediated) communication when the topics of our research—the technology, the concepts and processes of mediation, our sense of what constitutes communication, as well as the theories and methods used to examine these—are all in flux? Early in the spring of 2018, the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication invited scholars to submit ideas for a dedicated issue to consider these questions. The collection of meta-theoretical discussions, literature reviews/analyses, and concept explications included in this special issue will point to a general direction and offer a launching point for theory construction and systematic research in a continuously evolving field.
Missing data imputation over academic records of electrical engineering students
Authors: Jove Esteban , Blanco-Rodríguez Patricia , Casteleiro-Roca José-Luis , Quintián Héctor , Moreno Arboleda Francisco Javier , LóPez-Vázquez José Antonio , Rodríguez-Gómez Benigno Antonio , Meizoso-López María Del Carmen , Piñón-Pazos Andrés , De Cos Juez Francisco Javier , Cho Sung-Bae , Calvo-Rolle José Luis
Published: October 2019

Nowadays, the quality standards of higher education institutions pay special attention to the performance and evaluation of the students. Then, having a complete academic record of each student, such as number of attempts, average grade and so on, plays a key role. In this context, the existence of missing data, which can happen for different reasons, leads to affect adversely interesting future analysis. Therefore, the use of imputation techniques is presented as a helpful tool to estimate the value of missing data. This work deals with the academic records of engineering students, in which imputation techniques are applied. More specifically, it is assessed and compared to the performance of the multivariate imputation by chained equations methodology, the adaptive assignation algorithm (AAA) based on multivariate adaptive regression splines and a hybridization based on self-organisation maps with Mahalanobis distances and AAA algorithm. The results show that proposed methods obtain successfully results regardless the number of missing values, in general terms.
Spatial ecology of the giant armadillo Priodontes maximus in Midwestern Brazil
Authors: Desbiez A L J , Kluyber D , Massocato G F , Oliveira-Santos L G R , Attias N
Published: October 2019

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest living armadillo. This naturally rare and poorly known species is endemic to South America and classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Here we explored aspects of the spatial ecology of P. maximus in Midwestern Brazil to gain insights on its ecology and biology to support conservation efforts. In 8 years, we identified 50 individuals of P. maximus and monitored 23 of them using telemetry methods. To characterize site fidelity and home range, we fitted individual continuous-time movement models and estimated Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates. We built a Structural Equation Model to evaluate how home-range area and daily displacement are related to each other, to sampling effort, and to individual characteristics. We estimated home-range overlap between pairs of different sexes using a bias-corrected Bhattacharyya coefficient. Finally, we formulated a canonical density estimation formula to characterize minimum population density. We gathered a total of 12,168 locations of P. maximus. The best-fitted movement models indicated site fidelity for all individuals and a median adult home-range area of 2,518 ha. Median adult daily displacement was 1,651 m. Home-range area scales positively with daily displacement and daily displacement scales positively with body mass. Median home-range overlap between pairs was low (4%) and adult females presented exclusive home ranges among themselves. Median minimum density was 7.65 individuals per 100 km2 (CI = 5.68–10.19 ind/100 km2). Our results are congruent with characterizing P. maximus as a generally asocial species, most likely promiscuous/polygynous, that establishes large, long-term home ranges, which grants the population a naturally low density. Spatial patterns and biological characteristics obtained in this study can be used to guide future conservation strategies for P. maximus in the Pantanal wetlands and elsewhere.
Inter- and intraspecific vigilance patterns of two sympatric Tibetan ungulates
Authors: Luo Yunchao , Wang Lin , Yang Le , Wang Xinxin , Tan Ming , Li Zhongqiu
Published: October 2019

Vigilance is an important antipredation technique that can be affected by many factors, such as body size and group size. Small animals are more vulnerable than large ones, so the former are expected to behave more vigilantly than the latter. This effect of body size on vigilance may occur inter- or intraspecifically. We studied the vigilance behavior of two sympatric wild ungulates, Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops hodgsonii) and Tibetan gazelles (Procapra picticaudata). Tibetan antelopes, with a body size of 33 kg are much larger than Tibetan gazelles, with a body size of approximately 14 kg. Tibetan antelopes are sexually and body-size dimorphic; that is, males are much heavier than females. Alternately, Tibetan gazelles are sexually dimorphic but the sexes do not differ in weight. Tibetan gazelles scanned their environment more frequently than Tibetan antelopes did. Small female Tibetan antelopes scanned their environment more frequently than males did, whereas male Tibetan gazelles scanned their environment more frequently than females did. Group size did not affect the vigilance of Tibetan gazelle, but its negative effect on the vigilance of male Tibetan antelopes was marginally significant. In female Tibetan antelopes, vigilance in large groups was high probably because of scramble competition and social monitoring. Our results suggested that body mass and group size play an important role in shaping the vigilance of these two rare Tibetan ungulates.
Operative management of cholecystogastric fistula: case report and literature review
Authors: Aamery Amaar , Pujji Ojas , Mirza Muhammad
Published: October 2019

We present a patient who was managed surgically for cholecystogastric fistula. The patient was presented with nonspecific symptoms (upper abdominal pain, belching) and, after being investigated, was proceeded for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones. Unexpectedly, intraoperative, she was found to have cholecystogastric fistula, which was operated with open single-stage approach. We highlight the incidence of these cases, the difficult preoperative clinical presentation and possible diagnostic imaging; explain further about the different surgical approaches to manage these cases and finally review the literature regarding the presentation and the management of bilioenteric fistulas.
Linking fundamental science to crop improvement through understanding source and sink traits and their integration for yield enhancement
Authors: Paul Matthew J , Watson Amy , Griffiths Cara A
Published: October 2019

Understanding processes in sources and sinks that contribute to crop yields has taken years of painstaking research. For crop yield improvement, processes need to be understood as standalone mechanisms in addition to how these mechanisms perform at the crop level; currently there is often a chasm between the two. Fundamental mechanisms need to be considered in the context of crop ideotypes and the agricultural environment which is often more water limited than carbon limited. Different approaches for improvement should be considered, namely is there genetic variation? Or if not, could genetic modification, genome editing, or alternative approaches be utilized? Currently, there are few examples where genetic modification has improved intrinsic yield in the field for commercial application in a major crop. Genome editing, particularly of negative yield regulators as a first step, is providing new opportunities. Here we highlight key mechanisms in source and sink, arguing that for large yield increases integration of key processes is likely to produce the biggest successes within the framework of crop ideotypes with optimized phenology. We highlight a plethora of recent papers that show breakthroughs in fundamental science and the promise of the trehalose 6-phosphate signalling pathway, which regulates carbohydrate allocation which is key for many crop traits.
Galaxy–Galaxy lensing in HSC: Validation tests and the impact of heterogeneous spectroscopic training sets
Authors: Speagle Joshua S , Leauthaud Alexie , Huang Song , Bradshaw Christopher P , Ardila Felipe , Capak Peter L , Eisenstein Daniel J , Masters Daniel C , Mandelbaum Rachel , More Surhud , Simet Melanie , Sifón Cristóbal
Published: October 2019

Although photometric redshifts (photo-z’s) are crucial ingredients for current and upcoming large-scale surveys, the high-quality spectroscopic redshifts currently available to train, validate, and test them are substantially non-representative in both magnitude and colour. We investigate the nature and structure of this bias by tracking how objects from a heterogeneous training sample contribute to photo-z predictions as a function of magnitude and colour, and illustrate that the underlying redshift distribution at fixed colour can evolve strongly as a function of magnitude. We then test the robustness of the galaxy–galaxy lensing signal in 120 deg2 of HSC–SSP DR1 data to spectroscopic completeness and photo-z biases, and find that their impacts are sub-dominant to current statistical uncertainties. Our methodology provides a framework to investigate how spectroscopic incompleteness can impact photo-z-based weak lensing predictions in future surveys such as LSST and WFIRST.
The Gran Telescopio Canarias OSIRIS broad-band first data release
Authors: Cortés-Contreras M , Bouy H , Solano E , Mahlke M , Jiménez-Esteban F , Alacid J M , Rodrigo C
Published: October 2019

We present the first release of GTC OSIRIS broad-band data archive. This is an effort conducted in the framework of the Spanish Virtual Observatory to help optimize science from the Gran Telescopio Canarias Archive. Data Release 1 includes 6788 broad-band images in the Sloan griz filters obtained between 2009 April and 2014 January and the associated catalogue with roughly 6.23 million detections of more than 630 000 unique sources. The catalogue contains standard PSF and Kron aperture photometry with a mean accuracy better than 0.09 and 0.15 mag, respectively. The relative astrometric residuals are always better than 30 mas and better than 15 mas in most cases. The absolute astrometric uncertainty of the catalogue is of 0.12 arcsec. In this paper we describe the procedure followed to build the image archive and the associated catalogue, as well as the quality tests carried out for validation. To illustrate some of the scientific potential of the catalogue, we also provide two examples of its scientific exploitation: discovery and identification of asteroids and cool dwarfs.
Galaxy morphological classification in deep-wide surveys via unsupervised machine learning
Authors: Martin G , Kaviraj S , Hocking A , Read S C , Geach J E
Published: October 2019

Galaxy morphology is a fundamental quantity, which is essential not only for the full spectrum of galaxy-evolution studies, but also for a plethora of science in observational cosmology (e.g. as a prior for photometric-redshift measurements and as contextual data for transient light-curve classifications). While a rich literature exists on morphological-classification techniques, the unprecedented data volumes, coupled, in some cases, with the short cadences of forthcoming ‘Big-Data’ surveys (e.g. from the LSST), present novel challenges for this field. Large data volumes make such data sets intractable for visual inspection (even via massively distributed platforms like Galaxy Zoo), while short cadences make it difficult to employ techniques like supervised machine learning, since it may be impractical to repeatedly produce training sets on short time-scales. Unsupervised machine learning, which does not require training sets, is ideally suited to the morphological analysis of new and forthcoming surveys. Here, we employ an algorithm that performs clustering of graph representations, in order to group image patches with similar visual properties and objects constructed from those patches, like galaxies. We implement the algorithm on the Hyper-Suprime-Cam Subaru-Strategic-Program Ultra-Deep survey, to autonomously reduce the galaxy population to a small number (160) of ‘morphological clusters’, populated by galaxies with similar morphologies, which are then benchmarked using visual inspection. The morphological classifications (which we release publicly) exhibit a high level of purity, and reproduce known trends in key galaxy properties as a function of morphological type at z < 1 (e.g. stellar-mass functions, rest-frame colours, and the position of galaxies on the star-formation main sequence). Our study demonstrates the power of unsupervised machine learning in performing accurate morphological analysis, which will become indispensable in this new era of deep-wide surveys.
A kinematically unbiased, all-sky search for nearby, young, low-mass stars
Authors: Binks Alexander S , Chalifour Matthieu , Kastner Joel H , Rodriguez David , Murphy Simon J , Principe David A , Punzi Kristina , Sacco Germano G , Hernández Jesús
Published: October 2019

The past two decades have seen dramatic progress in our knowledge of the population of young stars of age $\lt \!200\,$ Myr that lie within $150\,$ pc of the Sun. These nearby, young stars, most of which are found in loose, comoving groups, provide the opportunity to explore (among many other things) the dissolution of stellar clusters and their diffusion into the field star population. Here, we exploit the combination of astrometric and photometric data from Gaia and photometric data from GALEX (UV) and 2MASS (near-IR) in an attempt to identify additional nearby, young, late-type stars. Specifically, we present a sample of 146 GALEX UV-selected late-type (predominantly K-type) field stars with Gaia-based distances $\lt \!125\,$ pc (based on Gaia Data Release 1) that have isochronal ages $\lt \!80\,$ Myr even if equal-components binaries. We investigate the spectroscopic and kinematic properties of this sample. Despite their young isochronal ages, only ∼10 per cent of stars among this sample can be confidently associated with established nearby, young moving groups (MGs). These candidate MG members include five stars newly identified in this study. The vast majority of our sample of 146 nearby young star candidates have anomalous kinematics relative to the known MGs. These stars may hence represent a previously unrecognized population of young stars that has recently mixed into the older field star population. We discuss the implications and caveats of such a hypothesis – including the intriguing fact that, in addition to their non-young-star-like kinematics, the majority of the UV-selected, isochronally young field stars within $50\,$ pc appear surprisingly X-ray faint.
Higher Gene Flow in Sex-Related Chromosomes than in Autosomes during Fungal Divergence
Authors: Hartmann Fanny E , Rodríguez de la Vega Ricardo C , Gladieux Pierre , Ma Wen-Juan , Hood Michael E , Giraud Tatiana
Published: October 2019

Nonrecombining sex chromosomes are widely found to be more differentiated than autosomes among closely related species, due to smaller effective population size and/or to a disproportionally large-X effect in reproductive isolation. Although fungal mating-type chromosomes can also display large nonrecombining regions, their levels of differentiation compared with autosomes have been little studied. Anther-smut fungi from the Microbotryum genus are castrating pathogens of Caryophyllaceae plants with largely nonrecombining mating-type chromosomes. Using whole genome sequences of 40 fungal strains, we quantified genetic differentiation among strains isolated from the geographically overlapping North American species and subspecies of Silene virginica and S. caroliniana. We inferred that gene flow likely occurred at the early stages of divergence and then completely stopped. We identified large autosomal genomic regions with chromosomal inversions, with higher genetic divergence than the rest of the genomes and highly enriched in selective sweeps, supporting a role of rearrangements in preventing gene flow in genomic regions involved in ecological divergence. Unexpectedly, the nonrecombining mating-type chromosomes showed lower divergence than autosomes due to higher gene flow, which may be promoted by adaptive introgressions of less degenerated mating-type chromosomes. The fact that both mating-type chromosomes are always heterozygous and nonrecombining may explain such patterns that oppose to those found for XY or ZW sex chromosomes. The specific features of mating-type chromosomes may also apply to the UV sex chromosomes determining sexes at the haploid stage in algae and bryophytes and may help test general hypotheses on the evolutionary specificities of sex-related chromosomes.
Levinas, Løgstrup, and the Idea of Command
Authors: Morgan Michael L
Published: October 2019

Robert Stern has argued that Levinas is a kind of command theorist and that, for this reason, Løgstrup can be understood to have provided an argument against Levinas. In this paper, I discuss Levinas’s use of the vocabulary of demand, order, and command in the light of Jewish philosophical accounts of such notions in the work of Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, and Emil Fackenheim. These accounts revise the traditional Jewish idea of command and I show that Levinas’s use of this vocabulary is also revisionary. I show that in light of this tradition of discussion, Levinas’s use is not susceptible to the interpretation Stern proposes and thus that the Løgstrup-style argument cannot be used against Levinas.
Ontology and Ethics: Løgstrup between Heidegger and Levinas
Authors: Thornton Simon
Published: October 2019

This paper provides an exposition and critical assessment of a fundamental disagreement between Løgstrup’s and Levinas’s otherwise closely aligned ethical phenomenologies. The disagreement concerns the putative (in)compatibility of ethics and ontology, where in stark contrast to Levinas’s ethics, which proceeds from a critique of the ‘primacy of ontology’ in Western thought, Løgstrup brands his own ethical project as ‘ontological ethics’. First, I provide an interpretation of Løgstrup’s ontological ethics, clarifying in particular the influence of hermeneutic and existential analysis on Løgstrup’s methodology. Second, I bring Løgstrup’s ontological ethics into critical dialogue with Levinas’s thought. Here, I home in on two Levinas-style worries that appear to have traction against Løgstrup’s ontological ethics. However, ultimately, I argue that both can be defused.
Unraveling heteroplasmy patterns with NOVOPlasty
Authors: Dierckxsens Nicolas , Mardulyn Patrick , Smits Guillaume
Published: October 2019

Heteroplasmy, the existence of multiple mitochondrial haplotypes within an individual, has been studied across different scientific fields. Mitochondrial genome polymorphisms have been linked to multiple severe disorders and are of interest to evolutionary studies and forensic science. Before the development of massive parallel sequencing (MPS), most studies of mitochondrial genome variation were limited to short fragments and to heteroplasmic variants associated with a relatively high frequency (>10%). By utilizing ultra-deep sequencing, it has now become possible to uncover previously undiscovered patterns of intra-individual polymorphisms. Despite these technological advances, it is still challenging to determine the origin of the observed intra-individual polymorphisms. We therefore developed a new method that not only detects intra-individual polymorphisms within mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes more accurately, but also looks for linkage among polymorphic sites by assembling the sequence around each detected polymorphic site. Our benchmark study shows that this method is capable of detecting heteroplasmy more accurately than any method previously available and is the first tool that is able to completely or partially reconstruct the sequence for each mitochondrial haplotype (allele). The method is implemented in our open source software NOVOPlasty that can be downloaded at https://github.com/ndierckx/NOVOPlasty.
Metabolic reprogramming associated with aggressiveness occurs in the G-CIMP-high molecular subtypes of IDH1mut lower grade gliomas
Authors: Ruiz-Rodado Victor , Malta Tathiane M , Seki Tomohiro , Lita Adrian , Dowdy Tyrone , Celiku Orieta , Cavazos-Saldana Alejandra , Li Aiguo , Liu Yang , Han Sue , Zhang Wei , Song Hua , Davis Dionne , Lee Sunmin , Trepel Jane B , Sabedot Thais S , Munasinghe Jeeva , Yang Chunzhang , Herold-Mende Christel , Gilbert Mark R , Cherukuri Murali Krishna , Noushmehr Houtan , Larion Mioara
Published: October 2019

Background

Early detection of increased aggressiveness of brain tumors is a major challenge in the field of neuro-oncology because of the inability of traditional imaging to uncover it. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas represent an ideal model system to study the molecular mechanisms associated with tumorigenicity because they appear indolent and non-glycolytic initially, but eventually a subset progresses toward secondary glioblastoma with a Warburg-like phenotype. The mechanisms and molecular features associated with this transformation are poorly understood.

Methods

We employed model systems for IDH1 mutant (IDH1mut) gliomas with different growth and proliferation rates in vivo and in vitro. We described the metabolome, transcriptome, and epigenome of these models in order to understand the link between their metabolism and the tumor biology. To verify whether this metabolic reprogramming occurs in the clinic, we analyzed data from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Results

We reveal that the aggressive glioma models have lost DNA methylation in the promoters of glycolytic enzymes, especially lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and have increased mRNA and metabolite levels compared with the indolent model. We find that the acquisition of the high glycolytic phenotype occurs at the glioma cytosine-phosphate-guanine island methylator phenotype (G-CIMP)-high molecular subtype in patients and is associated with the worst outcome.

Conclusion

We propose very early monitoring of lactate levels as a biomarker of metabolic reprogramming and tumor aggressiveness.
Harmonizing Cigar Survey Data Across Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, Center for Tobacco Products, and Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Studies: The Cigar Collaborative Research Group
Authors: Fishbein Howard , Bauer Dan , Yu Qilu , Mermelstein Robin , Jones Dina , Miller Amy , Harrell Melissa , Loukas Alexandra , Sterling Kymberle , Colip Brittany , Mittl Beth
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Cigars are a popular tobacco product of choice for youth and young adults. Despite growing interest in cigar research, there are gaps in the available literature limiting an ability to set evidence-based policies. Too small research samples, the heterogeneity of types of cigars when asking a single question about use, makes analyzing data difficult. Given the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority granted in 2016 to regulate cigars, and its popularity, data to better understand use and preference for cigars will help FDA set appropriate regulatory policies.

Methods

We harmonized cigar survey data previously collected by five independent tobacco regulatory science survey research projects. Data supplying participants included three Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, one Center for Tobacco Products grantee, and data from Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study’s public use dataset.

Results

Analyzing 92 data variables from across five studies, and applying a rigorous data harmonization protocol, we report findings on 24 key cigar use variables. The step by step protocol for harmonizing is presented. Selected findings showing strict reproducibility across all five studies reveal youth 17–19 years at highest risk for cigar initiation; relative reproducibility shows males more likely to try cigars than females but with significant differences in magnitude across studies; and areas of inconsistent reproducibility are revealed when evaluating brand preferences.

Conclusion

Harmonizing data from multiple sources fosters a broader view of the robustness and generalizability of survey data than that from a single source. These observations raise awareness to look for the highest degree of reproducibility among and across data sources to inform policy.

Implications

Harmonizing data from discrete datasets provides insights into cigar initiation and use and is presented showing opportunities, challenges, and solutions. Comparing observational data from PATH and four independent research studies provides a best-practices approach and example of data synthesis for the tobacco research community. The dataset of five studies offers a look at the degree of confidence in analyzing harmonized survey results. Variable conclusions raise the need to strive for the highest degree of reproducibility, to best understand the behaviors of cigar users, and allow for the future development of the most effective interventions to alter tobacco use patterns.
Alphabets and Acrostics
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

The first school exercises were simple abecedaries teaching young scribes the order, shape, and sound of the letters. These exercises can be compared to early cuneiform exercises like the Syllable B lists and the TU-TA-TI exercises, which also trained young scribes in the basic sounds and shapes. The order and shape of letters were standardized in the early Iron Age, and different orders for the alphabet were introduced in Canaan and Egypt. The abgad order become normative for Phoenicia and Israel, and the halaḥam order was used in Egypt and South Semitic (e.g., Ethiopic, Old South Arabic). Alphabetic exercises were then adapted into acrostic poetry.
Letters, Paragraphs, and Prophets
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

In more advanced elementary education, scribes learned to write typical formulaic documents, such as letters. After making lists and receipts, writing letters was the most common type of ancient scribal activity. These model documents are known in the cuneiform school tradition, which served as a model in the development of the early alphabetic school tradition. The earliest alphabetic examples of model letters were excavated in Ras Shamra, that is, ancient Ugarit. They illustrate both aspects of borrowing from the cuneiform tradition as well as creative adaptation. Letter writing followed a formal template, but this template was made to be adapted. One of the most important adaptations of this scribal learning was in the prophetic messenger formula of biblical prophecy. The genre was also adapted for biblical storytelling. And, some of the technical and formal aspects, such as the use of “and now” as a new paragraph marker, were adapted and applied by scribes more generally to the writing of literature.
Advanced Education
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

Advanced education was the most flexible part of the scribal curriculum. It could be tailored to the particular specialty of the scribe: the palace, the temple, commerce, military, etc. The advanced curriculum was often taken from other spheres, such as temple hymns or rituals, and used for scribal study (much like the Gettysburg Address or the “Star-Spangled Banner” might be reused as part of a school curriculum). There is evidence of cuneiform literature including Gilgamesh, Adapa, and law codes like Hammurabi that have been excavated in the southern Levant dating to the second millennium BCE. This provides a tangible vector of transmission for these traditions into the early alphabetic scribal tradition.
Epilogue
Authors: Schniedewind William M.
Published: October 2019

First, this book has sketched out some of the historical context from which the early Israelite scribal curriculum emerged. As the New Kingdom receded, emerging kingdoms borrowed and adapted some of the Egyptian bureaucracy that was left behind as Egypt retreated to its confines along the Nile River Valley. In addition, there is tangible influence of the cuneiform school tradition from the Late Bronze Age in the development of an early alphabetic curriculum. There are a number of striking examples of how the cuneiform scribal curriculum can be seen in early Hebrew inscriptions beginning with the Gezer Calendar, which looks like an adaptation of a Mesopotamian lexical tradition. The Hebrew Bible itself was influenced by this scribal curriculum. And the scribal creativity that generated biblical literature had its foundation in the building blocks of the educational curriculum.
What Snowflakes Get Right
Authors: Baer Ulrich
Published: October 2019

Angry debates about polarizing speakers have roiled college campuses. Conservatives accuse universities of muzzling unpopular opinions, betraying their values of open inquiry; students sympathetic to the Left advocate for some regulation of speech, asking for “safe spaces” and protection against visiting speakers and even curricula they feel disrespects them. Some even call these students “snowflakes”—too fragile to be exposed to opinions and ideas that challenge their worldviews. How might universities resolve these debates about free speech, which pit students’ welfare against the university’s commitment to free inquiry and open debate? This book provides a new way of looking at this dilemma. It explains how the current dichotomy is false and is not really about the feelings of offended students, or protecting an open marketplace of ideas. Rather, what is at stake is our democracy’s commitment to equality, and the university’s critical role as an arbiter of truth. The book shows how and why free speech forges an otherwise uneasy alliance of liberals and ultraconservatives, and why this First Amendment absolutism is untenable in law and society in general. The book draws on law, philosophy, and the author’s extensive experience as a university administrator to show that the lens of equality can resolve this impasse, and can allow the university to serve as a model for democracy that upholds both truth and equality as its founding principles.
Expanding Access to Treatment and Recovery Services Using a Hub-and-Spoke Model of Care
Authors: Donsel Anne Van , Folland Anthony , Levine Mark
Published: October 2019

This chapter describes Vermont’s hub-and-spoke system of care for treatment of opioid use disorders. The system not only addresses the clinical care needs of patients but also assists those in treatment in building the skills needed to address other aspects of well-being, such as self-care, parenting, and employment. The program is a collaborative effort of the state’s Medicaid program, the Department of Health, substance abuse treatment providers, and primary care practices. The goals of the system are to increase total access to care, decrease the risk of overdose and transmission of infectious disease, normalize care for substance use disorder, and link patients to other needed services. Both hubs and spokes use evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to treat opioid use disorder. Individuals for whom MAT is not desired or indicated may receive non-MAT residential, intensive outpatient, or outpatient treatment, and a wide array of recovery support services.
Engaging Payers to Transform Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Arsenault Samantha
Published: October 2019

Changing how addiction treatment is paid for is critical to improving the quality of these services and increasing patient access to more effective care. Currently, several aspects of the payment system for substance use disorder treatment services perpetuate outdated care models through perverse incentives that hinder adoption of best practices—for example, fee-for-service payments that incentivize high-intensity acute treatment episodes rather than chronic disease management. These payment practices are undergoing scrutiny and many changes have already begun to transform treatment policies. Recognizing a turning point for the engagement of third-party payers and an impetus for progressive payment reform, Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization, partnered with health insurers to advance the substance use disorder treatment system in the United States and developed eight principles of care. This chapter describes this work and changes to payment models to better support patient needs, community and public health, and the interests of private insurers and health care providers.