bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Naive Bayes approach for URL classification with supervised feature selection and rejection framework
Authors: Rajalakshmi R. , Aravindan Chandrabose
Published: January 2018

Web page classification has become a challenging task due to the exponential growth of the World Wide Web. Uniform Resource Locator (URL)‐based web page classification systems play an important role, but high accuracy may not be achievable as URL contains minimal information. Nevertheless, URL‐based classifiers along with rejection framework can be used as a first‐level filter in a multistage classifier, and a costlier feature extraction from contents may be done in later stages. However, noisy and irrelevant features present in URL demand feature selection methods for URL classification. Therefore, we propose a supervised feature selection method by which relevant URL features are identified using statistical methods. We propose a new feature weighting method for a Naive Bayes classifier by embedding the term goodness obtained from the feature selection method. We also propose a rejection framework to the Naive Bayes classifier by using posterior probability for determining the confidence score. The proposed method is evaluated on the Open Directory Project and WebKB data sets. Experimental results show that our method can be an effective first‐level filter. McNemar tests confirm that our approach significantly improves the performance.
Acute gastrointestinal bleeding from appendiceal diverticulitis diagnosed preoperatively by combined short‐interval computed tomography and colonoscopy: A case report
Authors: Ogawa Yutaro , Asayama Naoki , Nagata Shinji
Published: January 2018

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Infant brain responses to felt and observed touch of hands and feet: an MEG study
Authors: Meltzoff Andrew N. , Ramírez Rey R. , Saby Joni N. , Larson Eric , Taulu Samu , Marshall Peter J.
Published: January 2018

There is growing interest concerning the ways in which the human body, both one's own and that of others, is represented in the developing human brain. In two experiments with 7‐month‐old infants, we employed advances in infant magnetoencephalography (MEG) brain imaging to address novel questions concerning body representations in early development. Experiment 1 evaluated the spatiotemporal organization of infants’ brain responses to being touched. A punctate touch to infants’ hands and feet produced significant activation in the hand and foot areas of contralateral primary somatosensory cortex as well as in other parietal and frontal areas. Experiment 2 explored infant brain responses to visually perceiving another person's hand or foot being touched. Results showed significant activation in early visual regions and also in regions thought to be involved in multisensory body and self–other processing. Furthermore, observed touch of the hand and foot activated the infant's own primary somatosensory cortex, although less consistently than felt touch. These findings shed light on aspects of early social cognition, including action imitation, which may build, at least in part, on infant neural representations that map equivalences between the bodies of self and other.
A Survey of tooth morphology teaching methods employed in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Authors: Lone M. , McKenna J. P. , Cryan J. F. , Downer E. J. , Toulouse A.
Published: January 2018

Background

Tooth morphology is a central component of the dental curriculum and is applicable to all dental specialities. Traditional teaching methods are being supplemented with innovative strategies to tailor teaching and accommodate the learning styles of the recent generation of students.

Methods

An online survey was compiled and distributed to the staff involved in teaching tooth morphology in the United Kingdom and Ireland to assess the importance of tooth morphology in the dentistry curriculum and the methodologies employed in teaching.

Results

The results of the survey show that tooth morphology constitutes a small module in the dental curriculum. It is taught in the first 2 years of the dental curriculum but is applicable in the clinical years and throughout the dental career. Traditional teaching methods, lecture and practical, are being augmented with innovative teaching including e‐learning via virtual learning environment, tooth atlas and e‐books leading to blended learning. The majority of the schools teach both normal dental anatomy and morphologic variations of dental anatomy and utilise plastic teeth for practical and examination purposes. Learning the 3D aspects of tooth morphology was deemed important by most of the respondents who also agreed that tooth morphology is a difficult topic for the students.

Conclusion

Despite being core to the dental curriculum, overall minimal time is dedicated to the delivery of tooth morphology, creating a reliance on the student to learn the material. New forms of delivery including computer‐assisted learning tools should help sustain learning and previously acquired knowledge.
Overwintering success in adults of the Japanese common grass yellow Eurema mandarina
Authors: Konagaya Tatsuro , Yokoi Tomoyuki , Watanabe Mamoru , Numata Hideharu
Published: January 2018

The evolution of reproductive diapause is controversial in males as compared to females that must overwinter to leave offspring, because late‐autumn males can obtain offspring by pre‐overwintering copulation. The Japanese common grass yellow Eurema mandarina is suitable to examine the evolution of male reproductive diapause, because direct comparisons are possible between males that do and do not exhibit reproductive diapause. Approximately one‐half of males are insensitive to diapause‐inducing conditions, and emerge as non‐diapause summer‐form. Most autumn‐form females mate with summer‐form males in late autumn. Females that have overwintered re‐mate with autumn‐form males before the onset of oviposition. Because last‐male‐precedence is general in sperm competition in Lepidoptera, it is unclear why half of males emerge as summer‐form in late autumn. A potential adaptive benefit for emerging as summer‐form is increased sperm overwintering success, if autumn‐form females have a higher overwintering success than autumn‐form males. In the present study, overwintering success was estimated for both sexes of autumn‐form adults by rearing under seminatural conditions and a mark–release–recapture technique. Both approaches estimated an overwintering success of approximately 5% for both sexes. The absence of difference in overwintering success between the sexes suggests that pre‐overwintering copulation does not increase sperm overwintering success. However, a considerably low overwintering success may explain, at least partly, the presence of summer‐form males in late autumn. The degree of overwintering success might be more important than the sexual differences of overwintering success in the evolution of male reproductive diapause.
Shoaling with infected conspecifics does not improve resistance to trematode infection
Authors: Klemme Ines , Karvonen Anssi
Published: January 2018

Group‐living animals can gain protection against parasitic infections through social contacts with previously infected conspecifics (social immunization). Recent research suggests that such protective effects can be induced through visual or chemical cues released by infected individuals, resulting in anticipatory immune upregulation among group members. Here, we study cue‐induced social resistance in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss exposed to a trematode parasite, the eye‐fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. We established groups of naïve individuals (receivers) that were paired with previously infected individuals (donors) at different ratios of donors to receivers and at different time points since donor exposure to capture varying concentrations of the anticipated cues. While the pre‐infection elevated resistance among the donors, there was no evidence of social transfer of resistance, regardless of the ratio of donors and receivers in a group or the time since the pre‐infection. The results suggest that resistance through social signalling may be system‐specific and requires further study into the generality of the phenomenon as well as the nature of the cues involved.
Widespread, long‐term admixture between grey wolves and domestic dogs across Eurasia and its implications for the conservation status of hybrids
Authors: Pilot Małgorzata , Greco Claudia , vonHoldt Bridgett M. , Randi Ettore , Jędrzejewski Włodzimierz , Sidorovich Vadim E. , Konopiński Maciej K. , Ostrander Elaine A. , Wayne Robert K.
Published: January 2018

Hybridisation between a domesticated species and its wild ancestor is an important conservation problem, especially if it results in the introgression of domestic gene variants into wild species. Nevertheless, the legal status of hybrids remains unregulated, partially because of the limited understanding of the hybridisation process and its consequences. The occurrence of hybridisation between grey wolves and domestic dogs is well documented from different parts of the wolf geographic range, but little is known about the frequency of hybridisation events, their causes and the genetic impact on wolf populations. We analysed 61K SNPs spanning the canid genome in wolves from across Eurasia and North America and compared that data to similar data from dogs to identify signatures of admixture. The haplotype block analysis, which included 38 autosomes and the X chromosome, indicated the presence of individuals of mixed wolf–dog ancestry in most Eurasian wolf populations, but less admixture was present in North American populations. We found evidence for male‐biased introgression of dog alleles into wolf populations, but also identified a first‐generation hybrid resulting from mating between a female dog and a male wolf. We found small blocks of dog ancestry in the genomes of 62% Eurasian wolves studied and melanistic individuals with no signs of recent admixed ancestry, but with a dog‐derived allele at a locus linked to melanism. Consequently, these results suggest that hybridisation has been occurring in different parts of Eurasia on multiple timescales and is not solely a recent phenomenon. Nevertheless, wolf populations have maintained genetic differentiation from dogs, suggesting that hybridisation at a low frequency does not diminish distinctiveness of the wolf gene pool. However, increased hybridisation frequency may be detrimental for wolf populations, stressing the need for genetic monitoring to assess the frequency and distribution of individuals resulting from recent admixture.
Third tarsal bone osteonecrosis associated with chronic recurrent cellulitis in an adult horse
Authors: O'Brien E. J. O. , Biggi M. , Eley T. , Fiske‐Jackson A. R. , Smith K. C. , Chesworth M. , Civello A. N. , Smith R. K. W.
Published: January 2018

A 17‐year‐old Irish Draught cross gelding with a history of chronic recurrent right hindlimb cellulitis was evaluated due to acute onset of severe lameness affecting this limb. Scintigraphic examination identified marked radiopharmaceutical uptake within the central and third tarsal bones and the lameness improved following tibial and peroneal nerve blocks. Distal intertarsal joint collapse was observed but the radiographic changes were considered insufficient to explain the lameness severity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed marked bone pathology affecting both the central and third tarsal bones. A subcutaneous abscess developed on the dorsolateral aspect of the limb, but clear evidence of joint infection was not established. Computed tomography showed lytic lesions affecting mainly the third tarsal bone, so the animal was treated surgically for suspected osteomyelitis involving this bone by implantation of gentamicin impregnated polymethylmethacrylate. Shortly following surgery the horse developed gastric rupture and was euthanased. Osteonecrosis of the third tarsal bone was identified, but sepsis was not demonstrated to be the cause. It is hypothesised that osteonecrosis developed as a sequel to chronic osteomyelitis which may have responded to previous antimicrobial treatment. The report also highlights the importance of gastric disorders as a differential for discomfort in animals undergoing treatment for orthopaedic disease.
Large Wealth Creation in Mergers and Acquisitions
Authors: Fich Eliezer M. , Nguyen Tu , Officer Micah
Published: January 2018

We examine completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals with large acquirer shareholder dollar wealth gains at announcement. We find that large‐gain acquisitions are: 1) typically “bolt‐on” deals that are small relative to the acquirer's size, 2) transaction‐specific events (not firm‐ or chief executive officer (CEO)‐specific events), 3) enhanced by synergies of the merged firm, and 4) executed by bidders with high valuation multiples. These findings provide important insight into the factors associated with considerable wealth creation for acquirer shareholders in M&A deals.
Trichloroacetic acid (80%) as a chemical debridement method for chronic venous leg ulcers—A pilot study
Authors: Pinheiro Rita R , Duarte Bruno , Cabete Joana
Published: January 2018

Debridement is essential for the optimal care of venous leg ulcers. Several debridement methods with different limitations may be deployed. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is used for several dermatological purposes. Its application as a chemical debridement method for leg ulcers has never been explored. We designed a prospective study to determine the role of 80% TCA solution as a chemical debridement method for leg ulcers, regarding efficacy and procedure‐associated pain. Chronic venous leg ulcers were treated with 3 cycles of 80% TCA solution or curettage over 1 week. Pain and the mean percentage of fibrin and devitalized tissue covering wound bed were evaluated. At the end of the study, a trend towards larger fibrin mean reduction among the TCA treated ulcers was observed, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = .35). The mean pain score after TCA application was significantly reduced compared to pain after curettage alone (P < 0.001). TCA presented several advantages over mechanical debridement: it is a more selective debridement method, has haemostatic properties, and a simpler and faster application. The 80% TCA solution may be a cheap, simple, and considerably less‐painful chemical debridement method for venous leg ulcers compared to classical mechanical debridement.
High‐resolution dental magnetic resonance imaging for planning palatal graft surgery—a clinical pilot study
Authors: Hilgenfeld Tim , Kästel Thorsten , Heil Alexander , Rammelsberg Peter , Heiland Sabine , Bendszus Martin , Schwindling Franz Sebastian
Published: January 2018

Aim

To evaluate whether high‐resolution, non‐contrast‐enhanced dental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for accurate determination of palatal masticatory mucosa thickness (PMMT) and to locate the greater palatal artery (GPA).

Materials and Methods

In five volunteers (four males, one female; mean age 30.2 ± 0.4 years), two independent raters measured PMMT by use of dental MRI in 180 positions. For comparison, clinical bone sounding was performed. The GPA was identified in time‐of‐flight (TOF) angiography and MSVAT‐SPACE‐prototype sequence. Intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement for MRI measurements, agreement between MRI and bone sounding were analysed by intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's kappa (κ).

Results

Reliability of dental MRI measurements was high (intra‐observer‐ICC 0.962; inter‐observer ICC 0.959). Agreement of MRI measurements with bone sounding was moderate (ICC 0.744), and the GPA could be identified in 60% of measurement points using the TOF‐angiography alone and in 85% with additional information of the MSVAT‐SPACE. Good intra‐observer agreement was observed for GPA identification (κ: 0.778).

Conclusion

Palatal masticatory mucosa thickness measured by high‐resolution, non‐contrast enhanced dental MRI is comparable with that obtained by bone sounding. Dental MRI enables reliable, non‐invasive and radiation‐free planning of palatal tissue harvesting and can also be used for location of the GPA at 85% of measurement points, which might help reduce complications during surgery.
Multibrand pricing as a strategy for consumer search obfuscation in online markets
Authors: McDonald Stephen , Wren Colin
Published: January 2018

This paper argues that a firm with multiple brands can obfuscate consumer search by excluding the brands of other firms from a consumer's consideration set. This is examined empirically by regressing price data for a leading U.K. motor insurance price comparison site (or “shopbot”). It finds that multibrand firms own three‐quarters of brands in this market, and that allowing for other brand strategies, they post significantly lower and clustered prices relative to other firms. The firms also conceal their brand ownership, consistent with search obfuscation. The results are not otherwise explained and they have implications for market competitiveness.
Visual detection of sprouting in potatoes using ensemble‐based classifier
Authors: Ming Wuyi , Du Jinguang , Shen Dili , Zhang Zhen , Li Xiaoke , Ma Jian Rong , Wang Fei , Ma Jun
Published: January 2018

This paper introduces novel methods for detection of sprouting in potatoes using machine vision. An ensemble‐based classifier was trained to detect sprouting considering the diversity of both feature extraction and classifiers. Two categories, namely manual feature extraction and automatic feature extraction, were utilized to enhance the diversity of feature extraction. In experiments, the proposed ensemble‐based classifier without multiple channels CNN (MC‐CNN) outperformed mainstream methods and achieved state‐of‐the‐art prediction rate of 0.916 and f‐measure of 0.905 under lower standard deviation. Furthermore, with the help of three different CNN classifiers, there was already an obvious improvement in the performance of ensemble‐based classifier with MC‐CNN. The prediction rate and f‐measure increased about 4∼5%, comparing to that without MC‐CNN. The results indicate that this approach has a better capability to combine the features for detection of sprouting in potatoes, in which the diversity of both feather extraction and classifier had been enhanced.

Practical Applications

Discrimination and classification of potato sprouting or not, which uses ensemble‐based classifier system with combine the best features.
Infrared based dry blanching and hybrid drying of bitter gourd slices: Process efficiency evaluation
Authors: Nalawade Sagar A. , Sinha Akanksha , Hebbar H. Umesh
Published: January 2018

In the present study, combination of infrared (IR) based dry blanching and hybrid drying involving IR‐hot air was used for bitter gourd slices. Infrared blanching conditions were standardized based on the degree of enzyme (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) inactivation and product quality. The performance of IR blanching was compared with microwave (MW), water, and steam blanching. The performance of hybrid drying was compared to that of hot air (HA) drying. Microwave and IR blanched slices retained higher amount of ascorbic acid (95% and 93%, respectively) and charantin (76.8% and 74.8%), as compared to water and steam blanching. Infrared blanching followed by hybrid drying required ∼66% lesser time than water blanched‐HA dried with higher retention of charantin (68.4%), ascorbic acid (86.3%), and chlorophyll (42.9%), also consuming 79% less energy than HA drying. The results showed that IR‐based blanching and hybrid drying could be used effectively to produce dried bitter gourd slices having better quality.

Practical applications

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a good source of ascorbic acid and charantin. This study explored the potentials of infrared assisted blanching and hybrid drying of bitter gourd slices as an alternative to wet blanching (water & steam) and hot air drying. The infrared (IR) assisted blanching and hybrid drying employed in the present study resulted in shorter processing time with higher nutrient retention and higher energy efficiency than HA drying. The results indicated that IR assisted blanching and hybrid drying techniques have great industrial potential to reduce processing time as well as energy, besides producing the better quality product.
Application of antimicrobial treatment to whole carcasses during prechill can improve microbial quality of broiler parts
Authors: Steininger Charlotte G. , Harrison Mark A. , Berrang Mark E.
Published: January 2018

Broilers cut up into parts have been reported to have higher microbial numbers than corresponding whole carcasses. Prechill immersion leads to water uptake by whole carcasses which is released during cut‐up. The objective of this study was to determine if an antimicrobial treatment applied during prechill can reduce the prevalence or numbers of total aerobic bacteria and Escherichia coli on corresponding chicken parts. Commercially eviscerated broiler carcasses were subjected to sequential immersion prechill, final ice water chill, and cut‐up procedures. Enumeration of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli was performed using carcass rinses at postevisceration, after 15 min prechill (22–25°C water), after 30 min ice water immersion chill (0–4°C water), and following cut‐up into parts. Six prechill, antimicrobial treatments were evaluated: 50 ppm chlorine, 50 ppm chlorine + 0.5% T‐128 (a chlorine stabilizer), 20 ppm peracetic acid, 20 ppm peracetic acid + 0.5% T‐128, 0.5% T‐128, and water. Addition of 0.5% T‐128 to water, 20 ppm peracetic acid, or 50 ppm chlorine during prechill significantly (p < .05) decreased total aerobic bacteria and E. coli/coliforms following prechill by ∼1.5–2.0 log compared to the water control.

Practical applications

Antimicrobial treatment of whole broiler carcasses during prechill is a practical means to lessen microbial contamination of corresponding broiler parts. Chlorine and peracetic acid applied with a chlorine stabilizer (T‐128) can be expected to be effective for this purpose.
Oolong tea and LR‐White resin: a new method of plant sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy
Authors: HE XIAOHUA , GUO FUZHEN , LIU BIN
Published: January 2018

Simplifying sample processing, shortening the sample preparation time, and adjusting procedures to suitable for new health and safety regulations, these issues are the current challenges which electron microscopic examinations need to face. In order to resolve these problems, new plant tissue sample processing protocols for transmission electron microscopy should be developed. In the present study, we chose the LR‐White resin‐assisted processing protocol for the ultrastructural observation of different types of plant tissues. Moreover, we explored Oolong tea extract (OTE) as a substitute for UA in staining ultrathin sections of plant samples. The results revealed that there was no significant difference between the OTE double staining method and the traditional double staining method. Furthermore, in some organelles, such as mitochondria in root cells of tomatoes and chloroplast in leaf cells of watermelons, the OTE double staining method achieved little better results than the traditional double staining method. Therefore, OTE demonstrated good potentials in replacing UA as a counterstain on ultrathin sections. In addition, sample preparation time was significantly shortened and simplified using LR‐White resin. This novel protocol reduced the time for preparing plant samples, and hazardous reagents in traditional method (acetone and UA) were also replaced by less toxic ones (ethanol and OTE).
The Role of Neurosonology in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Carotid Artery Disease: A Review
Authors: Kargiotis Odysseas , Safouris Apostolos , Magoufis Georgios , Georgala Maria , Roussopoulou Andromachi , Stamboulis Eleftherios , Moulakakis Konstantinos G. , Lazaris Andreas , Geroulakos George , Vasdekis Spyros , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: January 2018

Carotid artery disease (CAD) is a common cause of ischemic stroke with high rates of recurrence. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) are highly recommended for the secondary prevention of symptomatic CAD during the first 14 days following the index event of transient ischemic attack or minor stroke. CEA or CAS may also be offered in selected cases with severe asymptomatic stenosis. Herein, we review the utility of neurosonology in the diagnosis and pre‐/peri‐interventional assessment of CAD patients who undergo carotid revascularization procedures. Carotid ultrasound may provide invaluable information on plaque echogenicity, ulceration, risk of thrombosis, and rupture. Transcranial Doppler or transcranial color‐coded sonography may further assist by mapping collateral circulation, evaluating the impairment of vasomotor reactivity, detecting microembolization, or reperfusion hemorrhage in real time. Neurosonology examinations are indispensable bedside tools assisting in the diagnosis, risk stratification, peri‐interventional monitoring, and follow‐up of patients with CAD.
Impact of Gastric Acid Induced Surface Changes on Mechanical Behavior and Optical Characteristics of Dental Ceramics
Authors: Kulkarni Aditi , Rothrock James , Thompson Jeffery
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To test the impact of exposure to artificial gastric acid combined with toothbrush abrasion on the properties of dental ceramics. Earlier research has indicated that immersion in artificial gastric acid has caused increased surface roughness of dental ceramics; however, the combined effects of acid immersion and toothbrush abrasion and the impact of increased surface roughness on mechanical strength and optical properties have not been studied.

Materials and Methods

Three commercially available ceramics were chosen for this study: feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate glass‐ceramic, and monolithic zirconium oxide. The specimens (10 × 1 mm discs) were cut, thermally treated as required, and polished. Each material was divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): control (no exposure), acid only, brush only, acid + brush. The specimens were immersed in artificial gastric acid (50 ml of 0.2% [w/v] sodium chloride in 0.7% [v/v] hydrochloric acid mixed with 0.16 g of pepsin powder, pH = 2) for 2 minutes and rinsed with deionized water for 2 minutes. The procedure was repeated 6 times/day × 9 days, and specimens were stored in deionized water at 37°C. Toothbrush abrasion was performed using an ISO/ADA design brushing machine for 100 cycles/day × 9 days. The acid + brush group received both treatments. Specimens were examined under SEM and an optical microscope for morphological changes. Color and translucency were measured using spectrophotometer CIELAB coordinates (L*, a*, b*). Surface gloss was measured using a gloss meter. Surface roughness was measured using a stylus profilometer. Biaxial flexural strength was measured using a mechanical testing machine. The data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD post hoc test (p < 0.05).

Results

Statistically significant changes were found for color, gloss, and surface roughness for porcelain and e.max specimens. No statistically significant changes were found for any properties of zirconia specimens.

Conclusions

The acid treatment affected the surface roughness, color, and gloss of porcelain and e.max ceramics. The changes in translucency and mechanical strength for all materials were not statistically significant. Zirconia ceramic showed resistance to all treatments.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical use of trazodone and its active metabolite m‐chlorophenylpiperazine in the horse
Authors: Davis J. L. , Schirmer J. , Medlin E.
Published: January 2018

Trazodone is a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor used extensively as an anxiolytic in human and small animal veterinary medicine. The aims of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics of oral trazodone in experimental horses and to evaluate the effect of oral trazodone in clinical horses. Six experimental horses were administered trazodone at 7.5 or 10 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of trazodone and its metabolite (m‐CPP) were determined via UPLC‐MS/MS. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis, sedation and ataxia scores were determined. Trazodone was rapidly absorbed after oral administration with a maximum concentration of 2.5–4.1 μg/ml and half‐life of the terminal phase of approximately 7 hr. The metabolite was present at low levels in all horses, representing only 2.5% of the total area under the curve. In experimental horses, concentration‐dependent sedation and ataxia were noted, lasting up to 12 hr. For clinical cases, medical records of horses treated with trazodone for various abnormal behaviours were reviewed and data were summarized. Trazodone was successful in modifying behavioural problems to some degree in 17 of 18 clinical cases. Tolerance and subsequent lack of drug effect occurred in two of 18 clinical cases following 14 or 21 days of use. In both populations of horses, adverse effects attributed to trazodone include oversedation, muscle fasciculations and transient arrhythmias.
Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression of Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide in Oriental River Prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, during Acute Hypoxia and Reoxygenation
Authors: Shan Dongyan , Fu Hongtuo , Qiao Hui , Sun Shengming , Zhang Wenyi , Jin Shubo , Jiang Sufei , Gong Yongsheng , Xiong Yiwei , Wu Yan
Published: January 2018

A full‐length complementary DNA of the crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) was cloned from the eyestalk of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, and named Mn‐CCAP. Experimental treatment was set to decrease dissolved oxygen levels and generate hypoxic culture conditions. The Mn‐CCAP expression profile was different in the brain and eyestalk. Results suggested Mn‐CCAP responds strongly to hypoxia‐induced oxidative stress. Different expression profiles in the brain and eyestalk indicate that these two tissues may respond in different ways to hypoxia.
Characterization and Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Within the IGF‐1R Gene Associated with Growth Traits of Odontobutis potamophila
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Zhao Cheng , Yin Shaowu , Li Zecheng , Cao Quanquan , Li Xinru , Xie Wanli , Zhang Jiajia , Zhu Wenxu , Wang Dan
Published: January 2018

IGF‐1R plays a critical role in many physiological activities, such as development, growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Identification of genetic markers in the IGF‐1R gene significantly associated with important growth traits of Odontobutis potamophila may accelerate genetic improvement. In this study, we characterized the cDNA sequence of the IGF‐1R gene of O. potamophila, and our data revealed that IGF‐1R contained an open reading frame of 1650 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 549 amino acids (aa). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that IGF‐1R was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues, and the most predominant expression of IGF‐1R was detected in gonad. Moreover, IGF‐1R was expressed at different developmental stages from embryo to larva, and its highest expression level was found at the morula stage. In addition, we identified three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; 1777T>C, 1704G>A, and 1208G>A) within IGF‐1R locus and found that one SNP (1208G>A) was significantly associated with important growth traits of O. potamophila. Results showed that the overall length, body length, trunk width, caudal peduncle length, body weight, and body width in fish with AG genotype were significantly greater compared with those with GG genotype (P < 0.05). However, the other two SNPs (1777T>C and 1704G>A) did not show significant associations with any growth traits. Therefore, SNPs within the IGF‐1R locus could be used as a selection criterion to improve growth traits of O. potamophila.
“It Depends on the Outcome”: Prisoners, Grievances, and Perceptions of Justice
Authors: Jenness Valerie , Calavita Kitty
Published: January 2018

Social scientists have long investigated the social, cultural, and psychological forces that shape perceptions of fairness. A vast literature on procedural justice advances a central finding: the process by which a dispute is played out is central to people's perceptions of fairness and their satisfaction with dispute outcomes. There is, however, one glaring gap in the literature. In this era of mass incarceration, studies of how the incarcerated weigh procedural justice versus substantive justice are rare. This article addresses this gap by drawing on unique quantitative and qualitative data, including face-to-face interviews with a random sample of men incarcerated in three California prisons and official data provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Our mixed-methods analysis reveals that these prisoners privilege the actual outcomes of disputes as their barometer of justice. We argue that the dominance of substantive outcomes in these men's perceptions of fairness and in their dispute satisfaction is grounded in, among other things, the high stakes of the prison context, an argument that is confirmed by our data. These findings do not refute the importance of procedural justice, but show the power of institutional context to structure perceptions of and responses to fairness, one of the most fundamental principles of social life.
Victorian Literature and Neuroscience
Authors: Stiles Anne
Published: January 2018

This article provides an overview of scholarship on Victorian literature and neuroscience, especially books and articles written in the last ten years. These works tend to fall into one of three categories: literary scholarship that draws on history of science, cognitive literary scholarship, and cognitive literary historicism, which attempts to combine the previous two categories. This essay discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each type of scholarship and the barriers to entry in the field as a whole, such as the interdisciplinary skill set required of authors and readers alike. To offset these obstacles, this essay offers a brief history of Victorian neuroscience, a list of resources for those interested in learning more about the topic, and several useful models for would‐be scholars in this field.
Cooling rates of type I chondrules from Renazzo: Implications for chondrule formation
Authors: Chaumard Noël , Humayun Munir , Zanda Brigitte , Hewins Roger H.
Published: January 2018

Cooling rates are one of the few fundamental constraints on models of chondrule formation. In this study, we used Cu and Ga diffusion profiles in metal grains to determine the cooling rates of type I chondrules in the Renazzo CR2 chondrite. To improve previous estimations of cooling rates obtained using this method, we used CT scanning and serial polishing of our sections to analyze equatorial sections of large metal grains. Through the cores of these metal grains situated at the surface of chondrules, the cooling rates calculated range from 21 to 86 K h−1 for a peak temperature Tp ~ 1623–1673 K. A metal grain embedded in the core of a chondrule exhibits a cooling rate of 1.2 K h−1 at a Tp ~ 1573 K. We also measured Cu‐Ga diffusion profiles from nonequatorial sections of metal grains and calculated a lower range of cooling rates of 15–69 K h−1 for Tp ~ 1473–1603 K compared to our results from equatorial sections. The high cooling rates inferred from the lightning model (several thousand K h−1) are clearly at odds with the values obtained in this work. The X‐wind model predicts cooling rates (~6–10 K h−1) lower than most of our results. The cooling rates calculated here are in close agreement with those inferred from shock wave models, in particular for temperatures at which olivine crystallizes (from ~10 to several hundreds K h−1 between 1900 and 1500 K). However, the chemical compositions of metal grains in Renazzo are consistent with the splashing model, in which a spray of metal droplets originated from a partially molten planetesimal. Volatile siderophile element depletion is explained by evaporation before metal was engulfed within silicate droplets. Liquid metal isolated from the liquid silicate crystallized during cooling, reacted with the ambient gas, and then re‐accreted within partially molten chondrules.
Body mass index, abdominal adiposity, weight gain and risk of developing hypertension: a systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of more than 2.3 million participants
Authors: Jayedi A. , Rashidy‐Pour A. , Khorshidi M. , Shab‐Bidar S.
Published: January 2018

Objective

This study aimed to test the association between anthropometric measures and risk of developing hypertension.

Methods

We did a systematic search using PubMed and Scopus, from inception up to January 2017. Prospective cohort studies reporting the risk estimates of hypertension for three or more quantitative categories of indices of general and abdominal adiposity were included. Summary relative risks were calculated using random‐effects models.

Results

Fifty‐seven prospective cohort studies were included. Summary relative risks were 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41, 1.58; I2 = 97.4%, n = 50) for a five‐unit increment in body mass index, 1.27 (95%CI: 1.15, 1.39; I2 = 95.0%, n = 14) for a 10‐cm increment in waist circumference, 1.16 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.23; I2 = 77.8%, n = 5) for weight gain equal to a one‐unit increment in BMI, and 1.37 (95%CI: 1.24, 1.51; I2 = 76.4%, n = 8) and 1.74 (95%CI: 1.35, 2.13; I2 = 58.9%, n = 4) for a 0.1‐unit increment in waist‐to‐hip ratio and waist‐to‐height ratio, respectively. The risk of hypertension increased continuously with increasing all anthropometric measures, and also along with weight gain.

Conclusion

Being as lean as possible within the normal body mass index range may be the best suggestion in relation to primary prevention of hypertension.
A meta‐analysis of the effects of bariatric surgery on fracture risk
Authors: Zhang Q. , Chen Y. , Li J. , Chen D. , Cheng Z. , Xu S. , Huang Y. , Wang Q.
Published: January 2018

Bariatric surgery effectively treats morbid obesity. However, the negative effect of this surgery on the bone is concerning. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to investigate the fracture risk associated with bariatric surgery in morbidly obese subjects. Relevant studies published from database inception to September 2017 were identified in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the observational studies, and the Jadad score evaluated randomized controlled trials. Among the 1003 studies initially identified, five observational trials and one randomized controlled trial were eligible for inclusion. All studies included in the meta‐analysis were considered high quality. Risk for any type of fracture was higher in the surgical group than in the non‐surgical group (risk ratio [RR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–1.42). After surgery, the fracture risk in non‐vertebral sites was significantly increased, especially in the upper limbs (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.08–1.87; and RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.15–2.45). Compared with those with restrictive procedures, subjects who underwent mixed restrictive and malabsorptive procedures tended to have an increased fracture risk (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.96–2.46). To conclude, bariatric surgery is associated with an increased risk of total and non‐vertebral fractures, especially in the upper limbs.
A comprehensive next‐generation sequencing assay for the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Lucky Anne W. , Dagaonkar Neha , Lammers Karen , Husami Ammar , Kissell Diane , Zhang Kejian
Published: January 2018

Background

Historically, diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa has required skin biopsies for electron microscopy, direct immunofluorescence to determine which gene(s) to choose for genetic testing, or both.

Methods

To avoid these invasive tests, we developed a high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based diagnostic assay called EBSEQ that allows simultaneous detection of mutations in 21 genes with known roles in epidermolysis bullosa pathogenicity. Mutations are confirmed with traditional Sanger sequencing.

Results

We present our EBSEQ assay and preliminary studies on the first 43 subjects tested. We identified 11 cases of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, five cases of junctional epidermolysis bullosa, 11 cases of dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, 15 cases of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and one case that remains without diagnosis. We also found an additional 52 variants of uncertain clinical significance in 17 of the 21 epidermolysis bullosa‐associated genes tested. Three of the variants of uncertain clinical significance were also found in three other patients, for a total of 49 unique variants of uncertain clinical significance. We found the clinical sensitivity of the assay to be 75% to 98% and the analytical sensitivity to be 99% in identifying base substitutions and small deletions and duplications. Turnaround time was 3 to 6 weeks.

Conclusions

EBSEQ is a sensitive, relatively rapid, minimally invasive, comprehensive genetic assay for the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa.
Computed tomographic retrograde positive contrast cystography and computed tomographic excretory urography characterization of a urinary bladder diverticulum in a dog
Authors: Anson Agustina , Strohmayer Carina , Larrinaga Jose M. , Iglesias Esteban , Almela Ramon , Ramírez Gustavo , Cervera Vicente
Published: January 2018

A one‐year‐old intact male German shepherd dog was referred with a 3‐month history of dysuria and pollakiuria. Physical examination revealed a large firm mass in the caudal abdomen. Findings from survey radiography, negative contrast cystography, computed tomographic (CT) retrograde positive contrast cystography, and CT excretory urography were consistent with a large urinary bladder diverticulum. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a normal wall appearance in the ventral compartment (true bladder) and marked thinning of the wall in the dorsal compartment (diverticulum). Both ureters inserted into the ventral compartment. The dorsal compartment was excised and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of urinary bladder diverticulum.
Challenges of Sustainable Construction: A Study of Educational Buildings in Nigeria
Authors: Aghimien Douglas Omoregie , Adegbembo Taiwo Fadeke , Aghimien Emmanuel Imuetinyan , Awodele Oluwaseyi Alabi
Published: January 2018

Buildings are essential facilities in the delivery of quality education in any nation. Providing not just buildings but sustainable ones is necessary, since educational buildings are meant to serve both the present generation, and generations to come. However, bold statements as to the poor sustainability nature of construction projects in most developing countries around the world have been made by researchers. This study therefore assessed the challenges of sustainable construction (SC) and the possible measures for mitigating the issue of poor sustainability in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI). Survey design was employed and questionnaire was administered on construction participants in selected higher institutions. Data gathered were analyzed using percentage, mean score, Kruskal-Walis H-test, and factor analysis. The study revealed that the significant challenges of SC are majorly construction related, sustainability awareness and knowledge related, finance related, and government related. To improve on the sustainability of construction projects, then strict government policy on SC, and jettisoning the traditional method of construction for innovative sustainability oriented methods, is necessary. The implication of this finding is that, the method and process of operations within the NCI does not favor the attainment of SC. Therefore, if sustainability is to be achieved, a review of construction activities and processes within the industry is necessary.
Valuation of Urban Commercial Properties in Nigeria for Secured Lending: Issues and Developments
Authors: Udoekanem Namnso Bassey
Published: January 2018

Valuation for secured lending is required when an interest in real property is used as security for a loan. The outcome of such valuation will help the lending institution to achieve commercial prudence in lending as well as avoid taking undue risk. This paper examines the issues and developments in the valuation of urban commercial properties in Nigeria for secured lending purposes. It argues that due to the volatile nature of the Nigerian economy, coupled with the linkage between the economy and commercial property markets, the maximum amount of loan to be granted by lenders in the country using interest in commercial property as collateral should be based on the Mortgage Lending Value (MLV) and not the Market Value (MV) of the property, although the market value should also be reported in the valuation. A case study is used to demonstrate the valuation. It further contends that since the inputs for determining the MLV of a commercial property must be derived from long-term trends in the property and financial markets, it is more stable than MV when used to determine the maximum amount of mortgage loan to be granted by a lender. It concludes that the stability of the MLV makes it more reliable than the MV in achieving commercial prudence in mortgage lending as it fits into the long-term nature of mortgage loan repayment.
Accident Causal Factors on the Building Construction Sites: A Review
Authors: Williams Opeyemi Samuel , Adul Hamid Razali , Misnan Mohd Saidin
Published: January 2018

The concerns for cost, quality and timely delivery of projects have been in existence from time immemorial, whereas the passion for these should be extended to safe execution of site works by the construction participants, as safety of life is very paramount. However, high level of commitment that is essential for the safe execution of site works has become a taboo. Hence, a plethora of accidents takes place on the site ranging from falls from height, contact with working tools, vehicle-related, slip and trip, collapse, exposure to harmful substances, to lifting and handling object accidents. It is pertinent to know that, responsibility for accidents on site cuts across all project participants (clients, consultants, contractors, workers), as well as the construction site environment. Recognition of the construction participants and site environmental factors as agents of accident is the focus of this research. Through extensive review of literature, a copious number of factors were identified and subsequently grouped under five factors as client-related, consultant-related, contractor-related, construction workers-related, and construction site-related. However, there has been a dearth of research in the grouping of accident contributing factors. The identification and understanding of these factors will go a long way in mitigating construction accidents, coupled with proven measures taken in positively addressing them. Efforts to prevent these causative factors include inter alia elimination of hazards from design, effective safety management, adequate planning of activities and employment of seasoned professionals by the client. The contractors are to embark on staff safety auditing, set up safety committees, conduct regular training for staff, use innovative technology, uphold housekeeping and report accident occurrence, while strict adherence to safety regulations must be adopted by all construction operatives.