bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Ultrasound Elastography in the Detection of Fibrotic Bowel Strictures in Patients with Crohn’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vestito Amanda , Marasco Giovanni , Maconi Giovanni , Festi Davide , Bazzoli Franco , Zagari Rocco Maurizio
Published: March 2019

Purpose To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess whether ultrasound elastography can have a diagnostic role in detecting fibrotic bowel strictures in patients with Crohn’s disease.

Materials and Methods MEDLINE via the PubMed, Ovid Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases, and abstracts of international conference proceedings were searched up to March 31, 2018. Studies were included if they assessed the performance of abdominal ultrasound elastography in detecting fibrotic bowel strictures in patients with Crohn’s disease using histology or the need for surgery after medical treatment as a reference standard. The quality of the studies was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.

Results 6 studies including a total of 217 patients with Crohn’s disease and 231 bowel segments, of which 76 were bowel segments with fibrotic stricture, were selected. Three studies used strain ratio and three studies used strain value as parameters of bowel stiffness. Both the pooled standardized mean strain ratio and the pooled standardized mean strain value were higher in bowel segments with fibrotic strictures than in those without fibrotic strictures with a standardized mean difference of 0.85 (95 % confidence level [CI]: 0 to 1.71; p = 0.05) and 1.0 (95 % CI: –0.11 to 2.10; p = 0.08), respectively. There was a high heterogeneity between studies. All studies were at “high risk” or “unclear risk” of bias.

Conclusion Ultrasound elastography could be able to detect fibrotic bowel strictures in patients with Crohn’s disease. Well-designed high quality diagnostic studies with a large sample size are needed.
The Impact of Interdisciplinary Education on Skills and Attitudes of Surgery and Emergency Medicine Residents
Authors: Kunac Anastasia , King Neil , Ostrovsky Ilya , Rytzarev David , Merchant Aziz , Murano Tiffany
Published: March 2019

Background Interdisciplinary education (IDE) has been proposed as a means to improve patient safety by enhancing the performance of diverse health care teams. The improved camaraderie between members of different specialties may enhance communication and can foster a more supportive and positive work environment.

Objective This study was aimed to assess the effect of IDE on the procedural skills of general surgery (GS) and emergency medicine (EM), as well as the perceptions that GS and EM residents have of one another.

Methods EM and GS residents participated in two separate IDE sessions (4 months apart) designed to teach extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma (e-FAST), tube thoracostomy, and complex wound closure. Surveys were administered to determine the effects that IDE had on confidence in performing bedside procedures, perceptions of IDE, and perceptions of one another's specialty. Survey responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert's scale.

Results Nine GS residents and 10 EM residents participated in the entire study. Significant improvements in the confidence levels of performing bedside procedures were noted among both groups of residents. We also report a significant improvement in the perceived respect and communication between EM and GS residents.

Conclusions Although further studies with a larger sample size are required, we have shown that IDE can improve the confidence levels of EM and GS residents in performing tube thoracostomy, e-FAST, and complex wound closure. These IDE sessions also improve the perceptions that the residents have of one another. IDE is a useful tool and may translate into improved consultation, collaboration, and patient care.
Duration of Operative Vaginal Delivery and Adverse Obstetric Outcomes
Authors: Miller Emily S. , Lai Yinglei , Bailit Jennifer , Reddy Uma M. , Wapner Ronald J. , Varner Michael W. , Thorp John M. , Leveno Kenneth J. , Caritis Steve N. , Prasad Mona , Tita Alan T. N. , Saade George R. , Sorokin Yoram , Rouse Dwight J. , Blackwell Sean C. , Tolosa Jorge E. ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network*
Published: March 2019

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether the number of vacuum pop-offs, the number of forceps pulls, or the duration of operative vaginal delivery (OVD) is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter observational cohort of women who underwent an attempted OVD. Women were stratified by the duration of OVD and the number of pop-offs (vacuum) or pulls (forceps) attempted. Severe perineal lacerations, failed OVD, and a composite adverse neonatal outcome were compared by the duration of OVD and number of pop-offs or pulls.

Results Of the 115,502 women in the primary cohort, 5,325 (4.6%) underwent an attempt at OVD: 3,594 (67.5%) with vacuum and 1,731 (32.5%) with forceps. After adjusting for potential confounders, an increasing number of pop-offs was associated with an increased odds of the composite adverse neonatal outcome. However, an increasing duration of vacuum exhibited a stronger association with the composite adverse neonatal outcome. Similarly, the number of forceps pulls was less strongly associated with the composite adverse neonatal outcome compared with the duration of forceps application.

Conclusion The duration of OVD may be more associated with adverse neonatal outcomes than the number of pop-offs or pulls.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for New-Onset Hypertension in Labor
Authors: Ankumah Nana-Ama E. , Alrais Mesk A. , Amro Farah H. , Wiley Rachel L. , Sibai Baha M.
Published: March 2019

Objective Little is known about prevalence, risk factors, rate of treatment, or adverse outcomes associated with intrapartum hypertension. Thus, our objective was to describe these findings.

Study Design This was a retrospective study of laboring term gestations with no history of hypertensive disorders. Intrapartum blood pressures were reviewed, and women were subdivided based on blood pressures: normal (<140 mm Hg systolic and <90 mm Hg diastolic), mild hypertension (140–159 or 90–109), and severe hypertension (≥ 160 or ≥ 110). Groups were compared using chi-square test and analysis of variance.

Results A total of 724 women were studied during 4 months: 248 (34%) had mild and 69 (10%) had severe hypertension. Severe hypertensives were more likely to be nulliparous, obese, or have received an epidural or oxytocin. There were no cases of eclampsia, stroke, or pulmonary edema in severe hypertensives (95% confidence interval, 0–5). Despite severely elevated pressures, only 4/69 (6%) patients received intravenous antihypertensive therapy, and 3 (4%) required medications at discharge.

Conclusion One in 3 women exhibits mild hypertension and 1 in 10 develop severe hypertension in labor. Only 6% of patients received treatment for severe blood pressures. This study highlights lack of treatment of hypertension in labor and further investigation into causes and outcomes of intrapartum elevations of blood pressures.
Osificación heterotópica de cadera asociada a pancreatitis aguda severa – reporte de un caso
Authors: Palma C José , Parra A Samuel , Saavedra B Yocelin , Martín L Cristian San , Muñoz C Francisco , Padilla M Fabián
Published: March 2019

La osificación heterotópica (OH), es la formación anormal de hueso maduro dentro de tejidos blandos extra esqueléticos donde normalmente no existe tejido óseo. Varias formas de OH han sido descritas de acuerdo a su presentación clínica, localización y ocurrencia progresiva o aislada. Su presentación en pacientes sometidos a inmovilización prolongada en el contexto de coma farmacológicamente inducido, en ausencia de lesiones del sistema nervioso central, es poco habitual. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 40 años, sexo femenino, sin antecedentes mórbidos, que presenta episodio de pancreatitis aguda grave, manejada en UCI. Producto de lo anterior, requiere coma farmacológicamente inducido por 3 meses y hospitalizaciones reiteradas y prolongadas durante los 10 meses siguientes. Durante 3 años desde la resolución de su cuadro inicial evoluciona con alteración progresiva de la marcha y rigidez de la extremidad inferior derecha, sin eventos traumáticos durante ese período. Se objetiva mediante radiografía y TAC foco de OH coxofemoral derecha. Se resuelve de forma quirúrgica y biopsia de pieza operatoria confirma el diagnóstico. La paciente logra buena recuperación posterior.

Nivel de evidencia IV
Perinatal Outcomes Associated with Early Diabetes Testing in Pregnancies Complicated by Obesity
Authors: Mission John F. , Catov Janet , Comer Diane , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Deihl Tiffany E. , Feghali Maisa , Scifres Christina M.
Published: March 2019

Objective This study aimed to determine whether early diabetes testing is associated with differences in perinatal outcomes among pregnant women with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2).

Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies from 2012 to 2014 at a large academic medical center which examined the association of diabetes testing (HBA1c, 50 g glucose challenge test, or 100 g oral glucose tolerance test) before 24 weeks with perinatal outcomes using propensity score modeling and logistic regression.

Results Among women with obesity, 790 out of 2,698 (29.3%) underwent early diabetes testing. Propensity score modeling demonstrated that early testing was associated with higher rates of diabetes diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–2.37, p = 0.01) and a trend toward small for gestational age birth weight (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.00–1.90, p = 0.05) and neonatal composite morbidity (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.00–1.57, p = 0.05) compared with routine testing. Women with inadequate weight gain were more likely a small for gestational age (SGA) infant if they underwent early testing compared with those with routine testing alone (19.8 vs. 11.6%, p = 0.01).

Conclusion Early testing targets higher risk women and yields a higher diabetes diagnosis rate, but inadequate weight gain in these women may increase risk SGA birth weight and neonatal morbidity. Randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to assess whether early diabetes testing improves outcomes in women with obesity.
Utilizing Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy to Intubate Simulated Newborns while Contained within the Incubator: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Ozawa Yuri , Takahashi Shigehiro , Miyahara Humiko , Hosoi Kenichiro , Miura Mazumi , Morisaki Naho , Ito Yushi , Isayama Tetsuya
Published: March 2019

Objective The use of video laryngoscopy for intubating neonates in ergonomically challenging settings has not been studied well. We aimed to assess the usefulness of video laryngoscopy for experienced neonatologists to intubate neonatal manikins in incubators via side hand ports or head window.

Study Design In this randomized crossover trial at three neonatal intensive care units in Japan, 27 neonatologists were randomized into two groups, namely, those intubating neonatal simulators using video laryngoscopy and then using direct laryngoscopy, or vice versa. The intubations were performed via hand ports or head window without opening top and side walls in incubators in two manikin positions (rotated 90° or unrotated). Glottis visualization (0–100%), success rate, intubation time, and ease of laryngoscopy (from 1 [very difficult] to 10 [very easy]) were compared between video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy. Generalized linear models were used for the analyses.

Results This study assessed 108 intubations performed by 27 neonatologists. The use of video laryngoscopy improved the glottis visualization by 14% (95% confidence interval, 7.4–20%; p < 0.01) and easiness scores of laryngoscopy by 0.8 (0.2–1.4; p < 0.01), but did not reduce the intubation time.

Conclusion Video laryngoscopy is useful for experienced neonatologists for intubating neonatal manikins in incubators without opening the top or side walls.
Correlation between Invasive and Noninvasive Blood Pressure Measurements in Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns
Authors: Umapathi Krishna Kishore , Mhanna Maroun J.
Published: March 2019

Objective This work aimed to study the correlation between invasive blood pressure (IBP) and non-IBP (NIBP) in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) during their first 72 hours of life.

Study Design In a retrospective cohort study, IBP and simultaneous NIBP measurements during the first 72 hours of life were recorded in ELGANs. Medical records were reviewed for potential risk factors that affect BP. The % difference in mean arterial BP (% Diff-BP) measurements was calculated as (IBP–NIBP)/IBP. Hypotension was defined as mean arterial Bp < gestational age (GA).

Results In total, 236 infants and 1,340 paired IBP–NIBP measurements were studied. Infants had a (mean ± standard deviation) GA of 25.4 ± 21.6 weeks and a birth weight of 810 ± 249 g. Overall, there was a significant correlation between IBP and NIBP of 0.887 (Spearman Rho; p < 0.001). However, the agreement between IBP and NIBP was poor, with a mean difference (95% limits of agreement) of 0.20 (–5.48; 5.89). The mean % Diff-BP (±standard deviation) was 0.39 ± 8.25%. In hypotensive infants, NIBP overestimated IBP measurements, with an agreement of –0.67 (–4.17; 2.83).

Conclusion Mean arterial NIBP correlates with IBP in ELGANs. However, there is a poor agreement between methods. In hypotensive infants, NIBP overestimates IBP measurements.
Investigating the effect of material microstructure and irradiation temperature on the radiation tolerance of yttria stabilized zirconia against high energy heavy ions
Authors: Kalita Parswajit , Ghosh Santanu , Singh Udai B. , Kulriya Pawan K. , Grover Vinita , Shukla Rakesh , Tyagi A. K. , Sattonnay Gaël , Avasthi Devesh K.
Published: March 2019

Yttria stabilized zirconia pellets with different crystallite sizes were irradiated with 80 MeV Ag6+ ions at room temperature and 1000 K to understand the effect of crystallite size/material microstructure and irradiation temperature on the radiation tolerance against high energy heavy ions [where electronic energy loss (Se) dominates]. XRD and Raman spectroscopy measurements reveal that, irrespective of the irradiation temperature, the nano-crystalline samples suffered more damage when compared with the bulk-like sample. A reduction in the irradiation damage, i.e., improvement in the radiation tolerance, was observed for all the samples irradiated at 1000 K. The reduction in the damage, however, was remarkably higher for the nano-crystalline samples compared with the bulk-like sample, and hence the difference in the damage between the bulk-like and nano-crystalline samples was also significantly lower at 1000 K than that at room temperature. The irradiation damage, against Se, was thus found to be critically dependent on the interplay between the irradiation temperature and the crystallite size. These results are explained on the basis of the “in-elastic thermal spike” model by taking into consideration the combined effects of crystallite size and environmental (irradiation) temperature on the electron-phonon coupling strength and the lattice thermal conductivity and hence on the resulting thermal spike. These results, besides being crucial from the fundamental prospect of comprehending the size and temperature dependent radiation damage against Se, may also be important from the perspective of designing highly nano-crystalline materials for applications in various radiation environments.
Exact solution of pulled, directed vesicles with sticky walls in two dimensions
Authors: Owczarek A. L. , Prellberg T.
Published: March 2019

We analyse a directed lattice vesicle model incorporating both the binding-unbinding transition and the vesicle inflation-deflation transition. From the exact solution, we derive the phase diagram for this model and elucidate scaling properties around the binding-unbinding critical point in this larger parameter space. We also consider how the phase diagram changes when a perpendicular force is applied to the end of a directed vesicle.
Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of stress and morphology evolution in polycrystalline thin films
Authors: Chason Eric , Bower Allan F.
Published: March 2019

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations have been used to model the evolution of the morphology and the stress in a polycrystalline film. Stress is incorporated into the simulation by considering the processes that occur at the grain boundary as the film grows, in the same way that has been used for analytical models. A section of a grain is simulated by assuming the grain boundary can act as a sink and a source for atoms on the surface; the relative rates of diffusion into and out of the boundary depend on the surface kinetics and the stress. This approach allows the complex interaction between the film growth kinetics, surface morphology evolution, and stress to be investigated. For a decreasing growth rate, the growth mode changes from being dominated by nucleation of new clusters to step-flow. This affects the flux of atoms into the grain boundary and makes the corresponding stress more compressive. The effect of growth interrupts and a barrier to interlayer diffusion are also investigated.
Ultrafast laser induced magnetization reversal in L1 FePt films with different chemical orders
Authors: Shi J. Y. , Hu X. F. , Tang M. , Xu J. , Shen L. Q. , Zhou S. M. , Yang X. J. , Wu Y. Z. , Chen L. Y. , Zhao H. B.
Published: March 2019

Using an ultrafast laser pulse as a substitution of continuous-wave laser to excite a magnetic film leads to high spin temperature and fast demagnetization, beneficial to the rapid and efficient photo-assisted magnetization (M) reversal. Here, ultrafast laser induced M reversal in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy L10 FePt films with different chemical ordering parameter (from S<0.6 to S>0.9) was investigated using magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). It was found that the coercive field (Hc) without laser excitation increases from ∼0.8 to ∼4 kOe with increasing S, but Hc becomes smaller for enhanced laser fluence (F) and reaches an analogous small value of ∼0.2 kOe for F>12 mJ cm-2. Despite such a significant softening in films with high S, the laser induced M reversal rate is slightly less than 1 even for the applied field (H) much larger than 0.2 kOe. This reveals a small portion of spins are photo inactively pinned, as confirmed by magnetic force microscopy measurements. Such pinning sites may be reduced with improved chemical order and morphology. We also found an approximately inverse linear relation between the H and the corresponding threshold F to induce the M reversal in the film of high S, which can be described by an ultrafast thermal activated spin flip model.
Electron redistribution and energy transfer in graphene/MoS2 heterostructure
Authors: Lin Weiyi , Zhuang Pingping , Chou Harry , Gu Yuqian , Roberts Richard , Li Wei , Banerjee Sanjay K. , Cai Weiwei , Akinwande Deji
Published: March 2019

In this letter, van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) assembled by molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene monolayers are used as an experimental prototype to study the interaction between two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting and semimetal materials. The electron redistribution and energy transfer in graphene/MoS2 vdWHs are demonstrated by the combination of electrical measurements (Dirac-point shift) and Raman analyses. In graphene, the linear dispersive Dirac fermions can resonate with various-frequency “photons,” which “emit” from optically active MoS2 by the recombination of in-plane excitons. The experimental finding suggests that the photon-induced charge separation and accumulation might be in a low degree, thus affecting the performance of semiconductor/graphene-based 2D optoelectronic devices.
Impact of volatile organic compound exposure on electrical breakdown in GaN dual channel microcantilevers
Authors: Gorman Sean , Gajula Durga , Kim Soaram , Koley Goutam
Published: March 2019

The impact of volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure on the electrical breakdown of GaN in the inter channel region of dual channel microcantilever heaters has been studied. Exposure to three different VOCs with different latent heats of evaporation resulted in changes in breakdown voltage of varying magnitudes that can be correlated with their latent heats. A physical model has been proposed to explain the observed shift in breakdown voltage upon VOC exposure based on changes in thermal and electrical profiles at the microcantilever apex, which is caused by the molecular interaction and amplified by its unique tapered geometry. The critical breakdown field of the inter channel GaN has been observed to reduce dramatically by almost 50 times compared to that of bulk GaN at room temperature. The inter-channel current rises dramatically at the onset of breakdown induced by VOC exposure, at specific bias voltages corresponding to VOCs, which can be utilized for detecting them with high sensitivity as well as selectivity.
A directional fibre optic ultrasound transmitter based on a reduced graphene oxide and polydimethylsiloxane composite
Authors: Colchester R. J. , Alles E. J. , Desjardins A. E.
Published: March 2019

Strongly directional ultrasound sources are desirable for many minimally invasive applications, as they enable high-quality imaging in the presence of positioning uncertainty. All-optical ultrasound is an emerging paradigm that exhibits high frequencies, large bandwidths, and a strong miniaturisation potential. Here, we report the design, modelling, and fabrication of a highly directional fibre-optic ultrasound transmitter that uses a composite of reduced graphene oxide and polydimethylsiloxane as the optical ultrasound generator. The ultrasound transmitter, which had an outer diameter of just 630 μm, generated ultrasound with a pressure exceeding 0.4 MPa for axial distances up to 16 mm, at a large bandwidth of 24.3 MHz. The ultrasound beam exhibited low divergence, with a beam diameter ranging between 0.6 and 2.1 mm for distances between 0 and 16 mm. The presented directional optical ultrasound source is hence well-suited to high-resolution interventional imaging.
Landscape research in Ethiopia: misunderstood or lost synergy?
Authors: Tesfamariam Zbelo , Nyssen Jan , Poesen Jean , Ghebreyohannes Tesfaalem , Tafere Kelemework , Zenebe Amanuel , Deckers Seppe , Van Eetvelde Veerle
Published: March 2019

A full understanding of the concept of landscape plays a paramount role in sustainable management of natural resources and an increase of landscape studies. However, little is known about the concept of landscape, landscape research and its application in Ethiopia. Hence, the overall objective of this paper is to explore the concept of landscape and review available literatures on landscape research in Ethiopia and to identify research gaps. A questionnaire (n=30) was administered to explore the concept of landscape. A systematic review of available studies on landscape and related concepts has also been made. Out of the 398 papers in which the terms ‘landscape’ and ‘Ethiopia’ appeared in the title, keywords or abstract, 26 papers, having 10 or more keywords related to landscape research were included in this in-depth review. An exploratory study of art and media has been made to examine the perception of artists on landscapes. The results of the study show that the perception of Ethiopian artists on landscape is highly associated with concept of the landscape.
The findings of the survey also reveal that the meaning of the term landscape differs semantically. The findings of the review also indicate that landscape studies carried out in Ethiopia do not fully cover the holistic concept of landscape; as they mostly focus more on physical features of the landscape. Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach that integrates landscape ecology, perception and history, which is important for understanding landscapes and landscape changes, is also lacking. Generally, the concept of landscape seems to be misconceived in most studies undertaken in Ethiopia, mainly because it is interchangeably used with land use and land cover. Hence, there is a need for a better understanding of the concept of landscape and the applications of a holistic landscape approach.
Dominant words rise to the top by positive frequency-dependent selection
Authors: Pagel Mark , Beaumont Mark , Meade Andrew , Verkerk Annemarie , Calude Andreea
Published: March 2019

A puzzle of language is how speakers come to use the same words for particular meanings, given that there are often many competing alternatives (e.g., “sofa,” “couch,” “settee”), and there is seldom a necessary connection between a word and its meaning. The well-known process of random drift—roughly corresponding in this context to “say what you hear”—can cause the frequencies of alternative words to fluctuate over time, and it is even possible for one of the words to replace all others, without any form of selection being involved. However, is drift alone an adequate explanation of a shared vocabulary? Darwin thought not. Here, we apply models of neutral drift, directional selection, and positive frequency-dependent selection to explain over 417,000 word-use choices for 418 meanings in two natural populations of speakers. We find that neutral drift does not in general explain word use. Instead, some form of selection governs word choice in over 91% of the meanings we studied. In cases where one word dominates all others for a particular meaning—such as is typical of the words in the core lexicon of a language—word choice is guided by positive frequency-dependent selection—a bias that makes speakers disproportionately likely to use the words that most others use. This bias grants an increasing advantage to the common form as it becomes more popular and provides a mechanism to explain how a shared vocabulary can spontaneously self-organize and then be maintained for centuries or even millennia, despite new words continually entering the lexicon.
MM-131, a bispecific anti-Met/EpCAM mAb, inhibits HGF-dependent and HGF-independent Met signaling through concurrent binding to EpCAM
Authors: Casaletto Jessica B. , Geddie Melissa L. , Abu-Yousif Adnan O. , Masson Kristina , Fulgham Aaron , Boudot Antoine , Maiwald Tim , Kearns Jeffrey D. , Kohli Neeraj , Su Stephen , Razlog Maja , Raue Andreas , Kalra Ashish , Håkansson Maria , Logan Derek T. , Welin Martin , Chattopadhyay Shrikanta , Harms Brian D. , Nielsen Ulrik B. , Schoeberl Birgit , Lugovskoy Alexey A. , MacBeath Gavin
Published: March 2019

Activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase, either by its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), or via ligand-independent mechanisms, such as
MET
amplification or receptor overexpression, has been implicated in driving tumor proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Clinical development of Met-targeted antibodies has been challenging, however, as bivalent antibodies exhibit agonistic properties, whereas monovalent antibodies lack potency and the capacity to down-regulate Met. Through computational modeling, we found that the potency of a monovalent antibody targeting Met could be dramatically improved by introducing a second binding site that recognizes an unrelated, highly expressed antigen on the tumor cell surface. Guided by this prediction, we engineered MM-131, a bispecific antibody that is monovalent for both Met and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). MM-131 is a purely antagonistic antibody that blocks ligand-dependent and ligand-independent Met signaling by inhibiting HGF binding to Met and inducing receptor down-regulation. Together, these mechanisms lead to inhibition of proliferation in Met-driven cancer cells, inhibition of HGF-mediated cancer cell migration, and inhibition of tumor growth in HGF-dependent and -independent mouse xenograft models. Consistent with its design, MM-131 is more potent in EpCAM-high cells than in EpCAM-low cells, and its potency decreases when EpCAM levels are reduced by RNAi. Evaluation of Met, EpCAM, and HGF levels in human tumor samples reveals that EpCAM is expressed at high levels in a wide range of Met-positive tumor types, suggesting a broad opportunity for clinical development of MM-131.
Identity construction and negotiation in Chinese political discourse
Authors: Liu Lihua
Published: March 2019

Based on identity theory and previous studies of crisis discourse, this paper systematically analyzes the process of identity construction and negotiation between political discourse and social discourse representing the event of a fire at Xinjian Village, Daxing District in the southern suburb of Beijing. It is found that in the first phase, the political discourse focuses on the meta-discourse of “for Renmin’s sake, we carry out a campaign of thorough inspection, cleaning-up and rectification to eliminate safety hazards.” In the second phase of the event the Renmin category is then represented concretely as “residents”, “migrant workers”, “people who need help” and so on. These discursive practices have constructed a relatively acknowledged identification with the social groups concerned, and thus positively affect the governance and management of this crisis event.
Synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles of required size by precipitation in aerosol microdroplets
Authors: Bednář Jiří , Svoboda Ladislav , Mančík Pavel , Dvorský Richard
Published: March 2019

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles were prepared by an aerosol method from zinc acetate and sodium sulphide (Na2S) aqueous solutions. Aqueous solution of zinc acetate was dispersed into the form of microdroplets, which were introduced by airflow to vigorously stirred aqueous solution of Na2S, which was in excess. Microdroplets served as microreactors, so the reaction took place only in limited volume. Particle size distribution was studied by transmission electron microscopy and by dynamic light scattering measurements. In this work, the equation that allows us to predict the final size distribution of ZnS nanoparticles using exact concentration of zinc acetate was derived and ZnS nanoparticles with predicted mean particle diameter around 50 and 70 nm were successfully synthetised.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Mentors: Doing science with Alan Hodgkin
Authors: Baylor Denis A.
Published: March 2019

Baylor recollects the time he spent with his mentor, Alan Hodgkin, working on phototransduction in turtle retinas.
The Calculus of Serum PSA
Authors: Vollmer Robin T
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To review the mathematics of kinetic changes in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and to use a compartmental model to derive a new kinetic measure, alpha.

Methods

The calculus of kinetic measures of PSA changes with time is presented, and a compartmental model is then used to derive alpha of serum PSA. Alpha is then tested for prognostic importance in 119 men who underwent prostatectomy.

Results

The percentage of tumor in the prostate is closely related to alpha and to tumor length in diagnostic needle biopsies, but not to tumor grade. The presence of adverse pathology in the prostatectomy specimens (positive margins or T3 stage) is significantly associated with alpha, but not to tumor length or grade.

Conclusions

The derived kinetic parameter, alpha, shows promise as a preoperative prognostic parameter, and may help sort patients into those with low vs high probability for adverse pathology features in the prostatectomy specimens.
SPRINT-Gly: predictingN-andO-linked glycosylation sites of human and mouse proteins by using sequence and predicted structural properties
Authors: Taherzadeh Ghazaleh , Dehzangi Abdollah , Golchin Maryam , Zhou Yaoqi , Campbell Matthew P
Published: March 2019

Motivation

Protein glycosylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications that plays an important role in immune responses, intercellular signaling, inflammation and host-pathogen interactions. However, due to the poor ionization efficiency and microheterogeneity of glycopeptides identifying glycosylation sites is a challenging task, and there is a demand for computational methods. Here, we constructed the largest dataset of human and mouse glycosylation sites to train deep learning neural networks and support vector machine classifiers to predict N-/O-linked glycosylation sites, respectively.

Results

The method, called SPRINT-Gly, achieved consistent results between ten-fold cross validation and independent test for predicting human and mouse glycosylation sites. For N-glycosylation, a mouse-trained model performs equally well in human glycoproteins and vice versa, however, due to significant differences in O-linked sites separate models were generated. Overall, SPRINT-Gly is 18% and 50% higher in Matthews correlation coefficient than the next best method compared in N-linked and O-linked sites, respectively. This improved performance is due to the inclusion of novel structure and sequence-based features.

Availability and implementation

http://sparks-lab.org/server/SPRINT-Gly/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
“Targeting Billennials”: Billenials, Linguistic Flexibility, and the New Language Politics of Univision
Authors: Avilés-Santiago Manuel G , Báez Jillian M
Published: March 2019

Univision, historically the number one Spanish network, departed from its long tradition of safeguarding neutral Spanish to embrace not only English, but also Spanglish and Spanish-Caribbean accents in 2015. This article explores Univision’s new linguistic flexibility via two emblematic reality TV shows: Nuestra Belleza Latina (2007–) and La Banda (2015–). Through a textual analysis of these shows and industrial analysis of the strategies deployed by the network, the authors argue that Univision’s targeting of “billennials”—bicultural and bilingual millennials—prompted a linguistic flexibility that challenges the traditional lineup of neutral, Spanish-only, television, and is more inclusive of Latina/o audiences’ language use.
Orchestration of Hippocampal Information Encoding by the Piriform Cortex
Authors: Strauch Christina , Manahan-Vaughan Denise
Published: March 2019

The hippocampus utilizes olfactospatial information to encode sensory experience by means of synaptic plasticity. Odor exposure is also a potent impetus for hippocampus-dependent memory retrieval. Here, we explored to what extent the piriform cortex directly impacts upon hippocampal information processing and storage. In behaving rats, test-pulse stimulation of the anterior piriform cortex (aPC) evoked field potentials in the dentate gyrus (DG). Patterned stimulation of the aPC triggered both long-term potentiation (LTP > 24 h) and short-term depression (STD), in a frequency-dependent manner. Dual stimulation of the aPC and perforant path demonstrated subordination of the aPC response, which was nonetheless completely distinct in profile to perforant path-induced DG plasticity. Correspondingly, patterned aPC stimulation resulted in somatic immediate early gene expression in the DG that did not overlap with responses elicited by perforant path stimulation. Our results support that the piriform cortex engages in specific control of hippocampal information processing and encoding. This process may underlie the unique role of olfactory cues in information encoding and retrieval of hippocampus-dependent associative memories.
A Virtual Reality Platform for Analyzing Remote Archaeological Sites
Authors: Cassidy Brendan , Sim Gavin , Robinson David Wayne , Gandy Devlin
Published: March 2019

This paper describes a Virtual Reality (VR) prototype developed to help archaeologists and other stakeholders explore and analyse archaeological data in a more immersive context. We describe a VR reconstruction of Pleito Cave, a fragile world class rock-art site with accessibility limitation. Key stakeholders are identified and a prototype is described that provides a VR platform for visualizing and interacting with complex archaeological data (gathered from techniques such as decorrelation stretch and X-ray fluorescence) virtually ‘in situ’, in a way that would not be possible at the real site. The prototype allows multiple remote users to interact with the cave together remotely providing opportunities for collaborative interpretation and analysis of archaeological data. We also present a survey-based evaluation in which both archaeologists and Native American stakeholders indicate positive responses for measures of both engagement and value.

Research Highlights

An interactive, multi-user, immersive archaeological data visualization tool is described. Survey evaluation elicits insights into where the system provides value and engagement for key stakeholders. Thematic Analysis provides further design insights for future development of immersive archaeological data visualization tools.
Nitric oxide-dependent regulation of sweet pepper fruit ripening
Authors: González-Gordo Salvador , Bautista Rocío , Claros M Gonzalo , Cañas Amanda , Palma José M , Corpas Francisco J
Published: March 2019

Ripening is a complex physiological process that involves changes in reactive nitrogen and oxygen species that govern the shelf-life and quality of fruits. Nitric oxide (NO)-dependent changes in the sweet pepper fruit transcriptome were determined by treating fruits at the initial breaking point stage with NO gas. Fruits were also harvested at the immature (green) and ripe (red) stages. Fruit ripening in the absence of NO resulted in changes in the abundance of 8805 transcripts whose function could be identified. Among these, functional clusters associated with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and lipid metabolism were significantly modified. NO treatment resulted in the differential expression of 498 genes framed within these functional categories. Biochemical analysis revealed that NO treatment resulted in changes in fatty acid profiling, glutathione and proline contents, and the extent of lipid peroxidation, as well as increases in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase. These data provide supporting evidence for the crucial role of NO in the ripening of pepper fruit.
Concluding Remarks on Linguistic Equality, Strategic Pluralism, and Linguistic Justice
Authors: Leung Janny H.C.
Published: March 2019

Since equality is a foundation of liberalism and a moral norm, the value of linguistic equality is easily taken for granted. This chapter offers a characterization of linguistic equality as it is claimed and practiced in bilingual and multilingual jurisdictions today. It argues that shallow equality must not be confused with equality that is difference-blind and universal. Both symbolic jurisprudence and shallow equality are properties of a policy of strategic pluralism. The symbolic nature of official language law and the shallow character of linguistic equality do not prevent official multilingualism from serving legitimate goals. Official multilingualism is not morally superior to official monolingualism. Both are viable strategies for the survival of a polity. Although this book has been primarily concerned with the descriptive and analytical questions of how to make sense of official multilingualism, it concludes with some insights that may illuminate normative questions about linguistic justice.
Changing the Rules of the Game to Build the European Economy
Authors: Beckfield Jason
Published: March 2019

This chapter describes the development of the European political economy since the 1957 Rome treaty. It uses econometric and historical case evidence to build the argument that European integration has advanced both from the top down and from the bottom up. The first part presents several measures of European integration to address the question of how we know integration when we see it. The second part describes two mechanisms of integration: redistribution from the top down via the European Social Fund, and integration from the bottom up through the formation of the Euro-Regions. The third part describes the development of a convergent European economy, where macroeconomic differences have been reduced through European integration, especially before the 1980s, and especially if economies are weighted by their populations.
Meet the Food Radicals
Authors: Norwood F. Bailey , Mix Tamara L.
Published: March 2019

Brief bios and pictures of twenty-seven individuals are offered as a preliminary introduction to the “food radicals” who engaged in conversations with the authors. Some individuals are considered food radicals because they are helping to radically change how we farm, or challenge society to radically change how food is distributed. Others seek radical departures in the local and international laws regarding the production and selling of food. A few seek radical changes in how people eat. All come from diverse backgrounds, showing that the food system is impacted by many different types of people with a multitude of perspectives.
The Fork
Authors: Norwood F. Bailey , Mix Tamara L.
Published: March 2019

The quest for food access and an ethical diet often requires lifestyle adjustment. To reach this goal, people are willing to pay higher food prices to ensure better treatment of livestock, are patrons of local food suppliers, consider spaces that promote positive nutrition, and are planting more vegetable gardens. While most lifestyle alterations are minor, requiring little sacrifice, a food radical does not just stop with marginal changes, but adopts a way of living vastly different from the norm. Our food radicals also take action to directly implement practices to encourage greater and more mindful access to nutritional food.
Conclusion
Authors: Norwood F. Bailey , Mix Tamara L.
Published: March 2019

The radicals whose voices are represented are ordinary people, trying to achieve the common goal of a better food system. At points, they agree with one another; at times they do not. Hearing from people with diverse experiences and perspectives gives the reader insight into the complex nature of the current food system. Each of the radical friends addressed throughout the book has something to teach us. Often, it takes a nonradical, someone engaging in the “routine,” to lend a radical notion credibility. The radical and commonplace work in tandem. To understand the changes taking place in our food system and the challenges to come, both need to be understood.
Social Networks and Social Support in the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Goyette Martin
Published: March 2019

For some youth in care, leaving a foster home definitively also implies leaving the only family and home they have ever known. Youth is thus a particularly critical moment in identity construction because it is central to the interplay between family heritage and social capital, all of which is acquired since childhood. Research has focused on competencies, resources, and individual characteristics of youth aging out of care, yet social networks and supports have received little attention. This chapter describes the networks of youth leaving care in the transition to adulthood and analyzes the links between the network characteristics and the socio-professional integration process of these young adults.
Reflections on Upholding the Rights of Youth Leaving Out-of-Home Care
Authors: Munro Emily R.
Published: March 2019

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recognizes that children in out-of-home care are entitled to special protection to promote their physical and psychological recovery. The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, which are intended to enhance implementation of the UNCRC, also acknowledge the importance of transitional and aftercare support. This chapter explores progress toward realizing the rights of youth leaving out-of-home care in Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The emerging picture is that all these jurisdictions have some way to go to meet the standards enshrined in the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children and that emerging adults with complex needs are not currently sufficiently empowered or enabled to exercise their rights.
Earning a Hoodie, Voyager Capital
Authors: Snow Kim
Published: March 2019

Most children in Ontario, Canada, who are involved in child protection services receive services while living with their family or kin; are temporarily placed in the custody of child protection services and live in foster homes, group homes, or kinship care homes; or are placed permanently in the care of child protection services. Until April 2018, this last group of young people were legally designated Crown Wards. This chapter describes a peer-led strategy which sees current and former Crown Wards in Ontario, Canada, plan their own educational journey while at the same time reaching out to other young Crown Wards to encourage them to do the same. Bourdieu’s field theory—specifically the concepts of social capital and habitus—are applied to the project. Fostering social capital, network mapping, and peer-centered practice are emergent models useful to the engagement process and essential as relational practice methods.
Theatrical Disaster … Cinematic Success
Authors: Propst Andy
Published: March 2019

Betty Comden and Adolph Green, after finishing work on the screenplay for Good News, began work on their third Broadway musical. It became Bonanza Bound, and the tuner, a comedy set in the 1890s in Alaska, closed during its tryout engagement in Philadelphia. Though critics were chilly toward this show, there were warm notices for the film. It prompted MGM to offer them work on two more movies, and Comden and Green returned to Hollywood to work on the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers picture The Barkleys of Broadway and Take Me Out to the Ball Game, which starred Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra.
Hollywood Passes, Broadway Says “Yes”
Authors: Propst Andy
Published: March 2019

Betty Comden and Adolph Green finally got around to writing the screenplay for a movie that would use a host of Cole Porter’s songs. Called Wonderland and focusing on two hapless screenwriters who are attempting to write a movie that brings together a bevy of unrelated songs, the project became the first that the writers had penned for the studio that went unproduced. It didn’t matter, because they had a new stage musical to work on. They wrote it for their old friend Judy Holliday, and Bells Are Ringing, with music by Jule Styne, became one of their biggest hits. Just after this they and Styne contributed songs for the comedy Say, Darling.
A Movie, Some TV … and Jukeboxes
Authors: Propst Andy
Published: March 2019

Betty Comden and Adolph Green struggled with getting the screenplay for the movie version of Bells Are Ringing produced, but eventually the project went before the cameras with Judy Holliday reprising her stage performance under the direction of Vincente Minnelli. After this the writers found that their work as performers was taking them to television and specifically two high-profile network specials. They also began work on another musical with Jule Styne, an adaptation of Garson Kanin’s novelette Do Re Mi. The story, about some ex-cons trying to go legit in the jukebox business, starred Phil Silvers and proved to be such a hit that President-elect John F. Kennedy felt it necessary to take it in just days before his inauguration.