bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The CPM Effect: Functional Assessment of the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control in Humans
Authors: Leone Caterina , Truini Andrea
Published: November 2019

The diffuse noxious inhibitory control, which has been investigated extensively in animals, consists of the inhibitory modulation of pain pathways after heterotopic noxious stimulation. The subnucleus reticularis dorsalis, which lies in the caudal part of the medulla, together with its descending projections to the wide-dynamic-range neurones, is responsible for the diffuse noxious inhibitory control. Many studies have investigated the diffuse noxious inhibitory control phenomenon in humans. However, owing to the complexity of the effect of descending modulation on human pain perception, expert opinion has recommended the term “conditioned pain modulation” to describe the psychophysical paradigm in which a heterotopic noxious stimulus is used to affect pain pathways in humans. In this narrative review, we present the current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the diffuse noxious inhibitory control in animals and show how this phenomenon can be investigated in humans by using the conditioned pain modulation paradigm. We also demonstrate the relevance of conditioned pain modulation to the pathophysiology of pain.
Silencing of Mig-7 expression inhibits in-vitro invasiveness and vasculogenic mimicry of human glioma U87 Cells
Authors: Pan Zhigang , Zhu Qiangbin , You Wei , Shen Canfang , Hu Weipeng , Chen Xiangrong
Published: November 2019

Gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors with poor prognosis. The migration-inducing gene-7 (Mig-7) protein is a cysteine-rich protein. Vasculogenic mimicry can replace endothelium-dependent blood vessels and supply blood to tumors, thus promoting tumor invasion and metastasis. They have also been shown to play critical roles in the development and progression of various cancers. We attempted to explore the role of Mig-7 and vasculogenic mimicry in glioma progression. We demonstrated that Mig-7 and vasculogenic mimicry were not expressed in normal tissues. In glioma, Mig-7 expression was positively associated with vasculogenic mimicry formation, the expression of both increased with increasing glioma pathological grade. In-vitro, Mig-7 silencing may inhibit the in-vitro invasiveness and formation of vasculogenic mimicry in human glioma U87 cells by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/ matrix metalloproteinases 2 and matrix metalloproteinases 9 signaling pathway. The present study thus indicates a potential role for Mig-7 as a target in the treatment of glioma.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone 1 receptor antagonism attenuates chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in rats
Authors: Wang Xu-Bo , Zhang Yong-Qiang , Xue Ran-Ran , Yang Zhen-Zhen , Zhang Xian-Feng
Published: November 2019

Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and impairment of the central corticotropin-releasing factor system are factors in the pathogenesis of depression. Though several antagonists of the corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor were effective in the recognized behavioral tests for antidepressant activity, there is still little information on the potential interactions between corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor inhibitors and conventional antidepressant therapy. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of CP154526, a corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor blocker, which presented some signs of depression. Our results revealed that CP154526 (5 and 10 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) treatment notably improved the sucrose consumption, produced anti-depressive-like behavior in open-field test, as well as immobility time in forced swimming test. The levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and corticotropin-releasing hormone concentration in the serum were inhibited effectively by CP154526 or fluoxetine administration. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot analysis showed the upregulated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) in the hypothalamus of the rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), while different degrees of downregulation in their expression were detected after CP154526 (5 and 10 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) treatment, respectively. Thus, our data demonstrated that CP154526 exhibited antidepressant effect in CUMS rats, which might be mediated by decreasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and GAP43 expression in the hypothalamus.
Enhancing genomics-based outbreak detection of endemic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium using dynamic thresholds
Authors: Payne Michael , Octavia Sophie , Luu Laurence Don Wai , Sotomayor-Castillo Cristina , Wang Qinning , Tay Alfred Chin Yen , Sintchenko Vitali , Tanaka Mark M. , Lan Ruiting
Published: November 2019

Salmonella enterica

serovar Typhimurium is the leading cause of salmonellosis in Australia, and the ability to identify outbreaks and their sources is vital to public health. Here, we examined the utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS), including complete genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore technologies, in examining 105 isolates from an endemic multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) type over 5 years. The MLVA type was very homogeneous, with 90 % of the isolates falling into groups with a five SNP cut-off. We developed a new two-step approach for outbreak detection using WGS. The first clustering at a zero single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) cut-off was used to detect outbreak clusters that each occurred within a 4 week window and then a second clustering with dynamically increased SNP cut-offs were used to generate outbreak investigation clusters capable of identifying all outbreak cases. This approach offered optimal specificity and sensitivity for outbreak detection and investigation, in particular of those caused by endemic MLVA types or clones with low genetic diversity. We further showed that inclusion of complete genome sequences detected no additional mutational events for genomic outbreak surveillance. Phylogenetic analysis found that the MLVA type was likely to have been derived recently from a single source that persisted over 5 years, and seeded numerous sporadic infections and outbreaks. Our findings suggest that SNP cut-offs for outbreak cluster detection and public-health surveillance should be based on the local diversity of the relevant strains over time. These findings have general applicability to outbreak detection of bacterial pathogens.
Disturbance Sensitivity Shapes Patterns of Tree Species Distribution in Afrotropical Lowland Rainforests More Than Climate or Soil
Authors: Nuñez Chase L. , Clark James S. , Poulsen John R.
Published: November 2019

Understanding how tropical forests respond to changes in the abiotic environment and human disturbance is critical for preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and maintaining ecosystem services in the coming century. To evaluate the relative roles of the abiotic environment and disturbance on Afrotropical forest community composition we employ tree inventory data, remotely sensed historic climatic data, and soil nutrient data collected from 30 1-ha plots distributed across a large-scale observational experiment in previously logged, hunted, and pristine forests in northern Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). We show that Afrotropical plant communities are more sensitive to human disturbance than to climate, with particular sensitivities to hunting and distance to village (a proxy for other human activities, including tree-cutting, gathering, etc.). This study serves as an important counterpoint to work done in the Neotropics by providing contrasting predictions for Afrotropical forests with substantially different ecological, evolutionary, and anthropogenic histories.
Physical modeling and geometry configuration simulation for flexible cable in a virtual assembly system
Authors: Hongwang Du , Xiong Wei , Haitao Wang , Zuwen Wang
Published: November 2019

Purpose

In this paper, a novel and unified method for geometry configuration simulation of flexible cable under certain boundary conditions is presented. This methodology can be used to realize cable assembly verification in any computer-aided design/manufacturing system. The modeling method, solution algorithm, geometry configuration simulation and experimental results are presented to prove the feasibility of this proposed methodology. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the gravity, bending and torsion, modeling of cable follows the Kirchhoff theory. For this purpose, Euler quaternions are used to describe its spatial geometry configuration by a carefully chosen set of coordinates. Then the cable is discretized by the FEM, and the equilibrium condition per element is computed. In this way, the global static behavior is independent of the discretization. The static evolution of the cable is obtained by numerical integration of the resulting Kirchhoff equations. Then the manner is demonstrated, in which this system of equations can be decoupled and efficiently solved. Geometry configuration simulation examples with different boundary conditions are presented. Finally, experiment validation are given to describe the effectiveness of the models and algorithms.

Findings

The method presented in this paper can be adapted to computer-aided assembly verification of flexible cable. The experimental results indicate that both of the model and algorithm are efficient and accurate.

Research limitations/implications

The method should be extended to flexible cables with multiple branches and more complex constraints (holes, curved surfaces and clamps) and non-circular sections. Dynamic assembly process simulation based on the Kirchhoff theory must be considered in the future.

Originality/value

Unlike in previous approaches, the cable behavior was independent of the underlying discretization, and the finite element approach enables physically plausible cable assembly verification.
Optical alignment and compensation control of die bonder for chips containing through-silicon vias
Authors: Lin Chern Sheng , Hung Chang-Yu , Chen Chung Ting , Lin Ke-Chun , Huang Kuo Liang
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to present an optical alignment and compensation control of die bonder for chips containing through-silicon vias and develop three-dimensional integrated circuit stacked packaging for compact size and multifunction.

Design/methodology/approach

The machine vision, optical alignment method and sub-pixel technology in dynamic imaging condition are used. Through a comparison of reference image, the chip alignment calibration can improve machine accuracy and stability.

Findings

According to the experimental data and preliminary results of the analysis, accuracy can be achieved within the desired range, and the accuracy is much better than traditional die bonder equipment. The results help further research in die bonder for chips containing through-silicon vias.

Originality/value

In subsequent testing of the chip, the machine can simultaneously test multiple chips to save test time and increase productivity.
Anisotropic diffusion based denoising on concrete images and surface crack segmentation
Authors: Andrushia Diana , Anand N. , Arulraj Prince
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Health monitoring of concrete is one of the important tasks in the structural health monitoring. The life of any infrastructure relies on the quality of the concrete. The computer vision-based methods are very useful to identify the structural defects. The identification of minor cracks in the noisy concrete image is complex. The purpose of this paper is to denoise the concrete crack images and also segment the cracks.

Design/methodology/approach

The novelty of the proposed work lies on the usage of anisotropic diffusion filter in the noisy concrete images. Initially anisotropic diffusion filter is applied to smoothen the concrete images. Adaptive threshold and gray level-based edge stopping constant are used in the diffusion process. The statistical six sigma-based method is utilized to segment the cracks from smoothened concrete images.

Findings

The proposed method is compared with five state-of-the-art-methods with the performance metrics of mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio and mean structural similarity. The experimental results highlight the advantages of the proposed method.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed work lies on the usage of anisotropic diffusion filter in the noisy concrete images. This research work gives the scope for structural damage evaluation by the automation techniques.
“For quiet nerves and steady poise”
Authors: Krisjanous Jayne , Wood Pamela
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine advertising placed within Kai Tiaki: The Journal of Nurses of New Zealand. The periodization for this study is 1908-1929, a chronological time span and approach that incorporates the first issue of the Kai Tiaki in 1908 and ending 1929, thus representing the launch of the journal and first two decades of its production. During this period, New Zealand nursing was emerging as an organised and professionalised body of health-care workers. At the same time, New Zealand, Britain’s most distant “dominion”, was beginning to realise its own nationhood and growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary source of data was digitalised Kai Tiaki issues between 1908 and 1929. Each four issues for every year were analysed. All advertisements were coded (n = 1895), followed by a qualitative content analysis in which key themes were derived.

Findings

Five overarching themes were found. The two main themes were the proliferation of therapeutic “tonics” and the second the relationship of nurses to them that was profiled by advertisers. The three remaining themes were accommodations, lifestyle and the nurses “role” as nurse, handmaiden or mother. Conclusions discuss reasons for key findings, and, in particular, the reinforcement of the traditional nursing role, which was often at odds with the increased technological roles and responsibilities nurses were undertaking. In turn, advertisers saw the nursing profession as a new and potentially lucrative market of women with disposable income and influence in the health field.

Originality/value

To date, there is a scarcity of marketing analysis that examines advertising placed in trade journals and in particular for early twentieth century health-care professionals. Through a lens of advertising analysis, this study investigates the advertising nursing readership of the day was exposed to and the motives and tactics used by those interested in expanding both health-care worker and consumer markets through a singular strategy.
Dissonance on the Brexit Menu: What does Britain Want to Eat?
Authors: Ranta Ronald
Published: November 2019

This article focusses on the future of food in the UK in the context of Brexit. It examines the claims and promises made by Brexiteers before the referendum and juxtaposes these with the approach pursued by the Conservative‐led government since. The article argues that there is a clear dissonance between the two. This dissonance is the result of two important factors. First, the government is stuck in a non‐decision‐making mode, making it unable to pursue clear policies. Second, the food claims and promises made by Brexiteers are in opposition to what the vast majority of the public, food experts, farmers and food businesses want. Through exploring these two factors, and the Brexiteers’ claims and promises, the article explains what leaving the EU might mean for the future of food in the UK.
Cultures of care? Animals and science in Britain
Authors: Friese Carrie , Nuyts Nathalie , Pardo‐Guerra Juan Pablo
Published: November 2019

It is becoming increasingly common to hear life scientists say that high quality life science research relies upon high quality laboratory animal care. However, the idea that animal care is a crucial part of scientific knowledge production is at odds with previous social science and historical scholarship regarding laboratory animals. How are we to understand this discrepancy? To begin to address this question, this paper seeks to disentangle the values of scientists in identifying animal care as important to the production of high quality scientific research. To do this, we conducted a survey of scientists working in the United Kingdom who use animals in their research. The survey found that being British is associated with thinking that animal care is a crucial part of conducting high quality science. To understand this finding, we draw upon the concept of ‘civic epistemologies’ (Jasanoff 2005; Prainsack 2006) and argue that ‘animals’ and ‘care’ in Britain may converge in taken‐for‐granted assumptions about what constitutes good scientific knowledge. These ideas travel through things like state regulations or the editorial policies of science journals, but do not necessarily carry the embodied civic epistemology of ‘animals’ and ‘science’ from which such modes of regulating laboratory animal welfare comes.
Quality characteristics of kefir as a carrier for probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Mitra Sonanki , Ghosh Bikash C.
Published: November 2019

Kefir was prepared using kefir grains of different origins (US, Australia and India) and starter culture. The sensory scores for kefir made using starter culture and US kefir grains were significantly higher than for the other samples (P < 0.05). The index of viscosity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in kefir prepared using Indian kefir grains. Shear stress–shear rate plots indicated yield stress in all kefirs. All samples exhibited shear‐thinning behaviour. The average count of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in kefir after incubation was 7.09 log CFU/g. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in quality characteristics in kefir after the addition of LGG, indicating that it could be a potential probiotic carrier.
Employer aversion to criminal records: An experimental study of mechanisms
Authors: Sugie Naomi F. , Zatz Noah D. , Augustine Dallas
Published: November 2019

The mark of a criminal record is clearly harmful for employment. The reasons for employer aversion, however, are not well established even though legal, policy, and scholarly responses rely on particular explanations. We propose that explanations for aversion often fit under a repetition risk framework in which employers use records as neutral sources of information about prior illegal activity and make decisions to minimize risk of similar future conduct. A second explanation is stigma, in which the records themselves, independent of conduct, trigger stereotypes, status loss, and discrimination. Using an experimental employer survey, we find that employers evaluate applicants with records more negatively than they do applicants with similar behavior signaled through non‐criminal‐justice sources (e.g., social media); this effect remains after accounting for predictions about future conduct. It is also most apparent among higher status jobs rather than among manual labor jobs, and it persists after adjusting for firm‐level and legal constraints. We conclude that aversion reflects not only repetition risk but also the stigma of criminal justice contact. Insofar as criminal record screening is not exclusively a form of rational risk management, this finding may lead to altered assessments of the benefits of screening relative to the costs of perpetuating inequality produced by the criminal justice system.
Development of new drugs for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Tang Jie Ting , Mao Yi Min
Published: November 2019

The development of new drugs for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a current focus of research in the management of liver disease. Here we provided an overview of NASH drug pipelines and the challenges faced in conducting phases II and III clinical trials. These challenges include the selection and definition of research populations, rational selection of study end‐points, choice of noninvasive diagnostic indicators, accounting for confounding factors and safety assessments. Furthermore, we discussed how to establish guidelines for study design and end‐points in complex clinical trials of anti‐NASH drugs.
Museum epigenomics: Characterizing cytosine methylation in historic museum specimens
Authors: Rubi Tricia L. , Knowles L. Lacey , Dantzer Ben
Published: November 2019

Museum genomics has transformed the field of collections‐based research, opening up a range of new research directions for paleontological specimens as well as natural history specimens collected over the past few centuries. Recent work demonstrates that it is possible to characterize epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation in well preserved ancient tissues. This approach has not yet been tested in traditionally prepared natural history specimens such as dried bones and skins, the most common specimen types in vertebrate collections. In this study, we developed and tested methods to characterize cytosine methylation in dried skulls up to 76 years old. Using a combination of ddRAD and bisulphite treatment, we characterized patterns of cytosine methylation in two species of deer mouse (Peromyscus spp.) collected in the same region in Michigan in 1940, 2003, and 2013–2016. We successfully estimated methylation in specimens of all age groups, although older specimens yielded less data and showed greater interindividual variation in data yield than newer specimens. Global methylation estimates were reduced in the oldest specimens (76 years old) relative to the newest specimens (1–3 years old), which may reflect post‐mortem hydrolytic deamination. Methylation was reduced in promoter regions relative to gene bodies and showed greater bimodality in autosomes relative to female X chromosomes, consistent with expectations for methylation in mammalian somatic cells. Our work demonstrates the utility of historic specimens for methylation analyses, as with genomic analyses; however, studies will need to accommodate the large variance in the quantity of data produced by older specimens.
Safety and clinical outcomes of computed tomography‐guided percutaneous microwave ablation in patients aged 80 years and older with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Han Xiaoying , Yang Xia , Huang Guanghui , Li Chunhai , Zhang Licheng , Qiao Yuanxun , Wang Chuntang , Dong Yuting , Chen Xiangming , Feng Qingliang , Wang Chuandai , Rong Zhenhua , Ding Kun , Wei Zhigang , Ni Yang , Wang Jiao , Li Wenhong , Meng Min , Ye Xin
Published: November 2019

Background

Previous studies have documented the therapeutic value of computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, few studies have focused on patients aged 80 years and older. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of CT‐guided percutaneous MWA in patients aged 80 years and older with early‐stage peripheral NSCLC.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 63 patients aged 80 years and older with cT1a‐2bN0M0 peripheral NSCLC who underwent CT‐guided percutaneous MWA was performed between January 2008 and January 2018 at 11 hospitals in Shandong Province, China.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 21.0 months. The overall median survival time was 50 months. The cancer‐specific median survival time was not reached in five years. The one‐, two‐, three‐, four‐, and five‐year overall survival rates were 97.1%, 92.6%, 63.4%, 54.4%, and 32.6%, respectively. The one‐, two‐, and three‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates were 97.9%, 97.9%, and 69.4%, respectively. The four‐ and five‐year CSS rates were not achieved. A total of 14 patients (22.2%) had local progression. The one‐, two‐, three‐, four‐, and five‐year local control rates were 88.8%, 78.8%, 70.3%, 63.9%, and 63.9%, respectively. The mortality rate was 0% within 30 days after the procedure. Major complications included pneumothorax requiring drainage (21.1%), pulmonary infection (4.2%), and pleural effusions requiring drainage (2.8%).

Conclusions

CT‐guided percutaneous MWA is a safe and effective modality for treating patients aged 80 years and older with early‐stage peripheral NSCLC.
Clinical efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of gingivitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Akram Z , Shafqat SS , Aati S , Kujan O , Fawzy A
Published: November 2019

Background

To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of gingivitis.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched up to May 2019. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and/or controlled clinical trials were considered. Studies consisting of ≥10 patients per group clinically diagnosed with gingivitis were selected that compared the efficacy of probiotics in any form with placebo. The primary outcome measure was bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI), while the secondary outcome measure was plaque index (PI). Forest plots were created reporting weighted mean difference (WMD) of outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 10 double‐blind placebo‐parallel RCTs were included. All studies showed that probiotic administration was effective in the treatment of gingivitis at follow‐up. The mean percentage of BOP ranged from 11.87% to 21.7% in the probiotics group and from 15% to 33% in the placebo groups at follow‐up, respectively. Considering the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri, the overall mean difference for GI (WMD = −0.48, 95% CI = −1.69 to 0.72, P = 0.42) and PI (WMD = 0.18, 95% CI = −0.23 to 0.61, P = 0.37) did not show any statistical significance between probiotic and placebo groups.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this review show weak evidence to support the use of probiotics in reducing inflammatory periodontal parameters in gingivitis. Significant heterogeneity and limited available data may reduce the impact of these conclusions.
Financial stress experienced by informal carers of adults with a chronic disease: Results from an Australian population‐based cross‐sectional survey
Authors: DiGiacomo Michelle , Chang Sungwon , Luckett Tim , Agar Meera , Phillips Jane , Lam Lawrence
Published: November 2019

Objective

To identify caregiving characteristics that are associated with financial stress in Australian carers of people with a chronic disease.

Methods

Data were collected via the South Australian Health Omnibus, an annual population‐based, cross‐sectional survey. Individuals who provided care to someone with prevalent chronic conditions were asked about financial stress and caregiving characteristics.

Results

Of 32.4% (988/3047) who were carers, 13.4% (132/988) experienced financial stress. Adjusting for age and household income, providing more than 20 hours of care per week (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.48‐3.86), transport assistance (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.15‐3.09) and assistance with household tasks (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.14‐3.26) and caring for a person with a mental illness (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.24‐3.28) were associated with a significant increase in odds of experiencing financial stress. Caring for a person with cancer (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.30‐0.81) or dementia (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21‐0.76) was associated with decrease in odds.

Conclusions

Financial stress was reported by more than 13% of carers, and factors other than household income were implicated.
The Politics of Crisis: Deconstructing the Dominant Narratives of the Housing Crisis
Authors: Heslop Julia , Ormerod Emma
Published: November 2019

This paper considers how dominant narratives of the housing crisis, since the 2008 banking crisis in England, have been created and what actions taken in its name. The paper deconstructs the term “crisis”, highlighting that its meaning has evolved from a critical moment to a protracted narrative which must be understood historically. Through discourse analysis into housing and party political policy, media and think tank reports, we argue that the employment of housing crisis by the government and others perceives it as an outcome of housing supply constraints and over‐regulation—narratives that have justified subsequent policy actions aimed at propping up the housing and financial systems, opening new avenues for housing commodification, deregulation and financialisation and reproducing crisis anew. However, we note that these narratives can also break down and space can be created for the articulation of new narratives which refocus housing crises as emerging from inequality and class divisions.
Influence of parental academic involvement on the achievement goal orientations of high school students in China: A latent growth model study
Authors: Xu Xinpei , Xu Gangmin , Liu Ming , Deng Ciping
Published: November 2019

Background

Many studies on parental involvement in their children’s education have limitations in cross‐sectional designs in spite of examining the relationships between this involvement and achievement goal orientations. Thus, little is known about whether and how parental involvement affects achievement goal orientations over time.

Aims

This study examines the influence of parental involvement on achievement goal orientations among Chinese high school students.

Sample

The participants included 741 high school students (367 girls; Mage = 15.51 years, SD = .46) in China.

Methods

The data were collected in five waves with a 6‐month interval, starting in the autumn of tenth grade and ending in the autumn of twelfth grade. In each wave, participants reported their perceived degree of parental involvement, mastery goal orientation, performance‐approach goal orientation and performance‐avoidance goal orientation.

Results

Over time, a decline was seen in these high school students’ perceived level of parental involvement and mastery goal orientation, while an increase in their performance‐approach goal orientation and stability in terms of their performance‐avoidance goal orientation were found. In addition, the results indicated that the level of and changes in parental involvement had significant effects on the changes in mastery goal orientation, and were unrelated to those of two performance goal orientations.

Conclusions

These findings evidence the dynamic nature of parental involvement and students’ achievement goal orientations, as well as the positive influence of such involvement on the endorsement and development of mastery goal orientation, while this was not the case for the other two performance goal orientations.
When Children Treat Condemnation as a Signal: The Costs and Benefits of Condemnation
Authors: Hok Hannah , Martin Alia , Trail Zachary , Shaw Alex
Published: November 2019

Condemnation is ubiquitous in the social world and adults treat condemnation as a costly signal. We explore when children begin to treat condemnation as a signal by presenting 4‐ to 9‐year‐old children (N = 435) with stories involving a condemner of stealing and a noncondemner. Children were asked to predict who would be more likely to steal as well as who should be punished more harshly for stealing. In five studies, we found that 7‐ to 9‐year‐old children treat condemnation as a signal—thinking that a condemner is less likely to steal and should be punished more harshly if caught hypocritically stealing later. We discuss the implications of these results for children’s emerging understanding of signaling and moral condemnation.
Detection and classification of lung nodules in chest X‐ray images using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Mendoza Julio , Pedrini Helio
Published: November 2019

Lung nodule classification is one of the main topics related to computer‐aided detection systems. Although convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been demonstrated to perform well on many tasks, there are few explorations of their use for classifying lung nodules in chest X‐ray (CXR) images. In this work, we proposed and analyzed a pipeline for detecting lung nodules in CXR images that includes lung area segmentation, potential nodule localization, and nodule candidate classification. We presented a method for classifying nodule candidates with a CNN trained from the scratch. The effectiveness of our method relies on the selection of data augmentation parameters, the design of a specialized CNN architecture, the use of dropout regularization on the network, inclusive in convolutional layers, and addressing the lack of nodule samples compared to background samples balancing mini‐batches on each stochastic gradient descent iteration. All model selection decisions were taken using a CXR subset of the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative dataset separately. Thus, we used all images with nodules in the Japanese Society of Radiological Technology dataset for evaluation. Our experiments showed that CNNs were capable of achieving competitive results when compared to state‐of‐the‐art methods. Our proposal obtained an area under the free‐response receiver operating characteristic curve of 7.76 considering 10 false positives per image (FPPI), and sensitivity values of 73.1% and 79.6% with 2 and 5 FPPI, respectively.
How sampling‐based overdispersion reveals India's tiger monitoring orthodoxy
Authors: Gopalaswamy Arjun M. , Karanth K. Ullas , Delampady Mohan , Stenseth Nils C.
Published: November 2019

Agencies responsible for recovering populations of iconic mammals may exaggerate population trends without adequate scientific evidence. Recently, such populations were termed as “political populations” in the conservation literature. We surmise such cases are manifested when agencies are pressured to estimate population parameters at large spatial scales for elusive species. For example, India's tiger conservation agencies depend on an extrapolation method using index‐calibration models for estimating population size. A recent study demonstrated mathematically the unreliability of this approach in practical situations. However, it continues to be applied by official agencies in Asia and promoted further by global organizations working on tiger conservation. In this article, we aim to: (a) discuss the ecological oddities in the results of India's national tiger surveys, (b) contrast these survey approaches to known statistical approaches for large scale wildlife abundance estimation, (c) demystify the mathematics underlying the problems with the survey methodology, and (d) substantiate these arguments with results from India's national tiger survey of 2014. Our analyses show that the predictions of tiger abundance reported by the 2014 survey, and consequently on tiger population trends, are misleading because of the presence of high sampling‐based overdispersion and parameter covariance due to unexplained heterogeneity in detection probabilities. We plead for designing monitoring programs to answer clearly defined scientific or management questions rather than attempt to meet extraneous social or funding related expectations.
Basaloid tumors arising from seborrheic keratosis: Malignant basal cell carcinoma or benign basaloid follicular hamartomatous proliferation?
Authors: Flordelis Johanna O. , Shen Ying‐Chi , Wu Yu‐Hung
Published: November 2019

Background

Basaloid tumors arising from seborrheic keratosis (SK) that resembled basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were infrequently observed in our patients. They also exhibited morphologic features similar to those of trichoblastoma or basaloid follicular hamartoma.

Methods

We retrospectively collected cases of SK with basaloid tumors from 2001 to 2017. Ten cases of BCC, five of nevus sebaceus with trichoblastoma, five of trichoblastoma, and five of trichoepithelioma were included as controls. Tumor‐associated antigens Bcl‐2, CD10, PHLDA1, and CK20 were tested. Antigenic markers CD34 and CD10 were used to analyze peritumoral stroma features and Ki‐67 and pHH3 to measure the mitotic activity.

Results

Ten cases of SK with basaloid tumors were found and all located in non‐sun‐exposed areas, including five men and five women, with a mean age of 61 years. A distinct PHLDA1 staining was not observed. The staining patterns of basaloid tumor lobules associated with SK were similar to the benign control group. Bcl‐2 staining in the tumor lobules was mostly negative. Peritumoral CD10 stain and CK20‐positive Merkel cells in the lobules were observed and the mitotic counts were low.

Conclusion

Basaloid tumors arising from SK are not always BCC. They were all benign follicular hamartomatous proliferation in this case series.
Multidecadal shifts in fish community diversity across a dynamic biogeographic transition zone
Authors: Troast Brittany , Paperno Richard , Cook Geoffrey S.
Published: November 2019

Aim

A 21‐year fisheries‐independent monitoring dataset was used to explore fish community diversity across a latitudinal gradient to quantify how diversity has changed and relate those changes in diversity to changes in the abiotic environment. Additionally, this study spans a biogeographic transition zone, providing insight into future species assemblages across regions of relatively high species diversity.

Location

Indian River Lagoon, FL, USA.

Methods

Spatial and temporal beta diversity was quantified latitudinally with “best derived breaks” determined by using chronological cluster analyses. Multiple indices of alpha diversity were quantified, including species richness, Shannon diversity, Simpson diversity and Pielou's evenness. AIC model selection and environmental fit tests were performed to link patterns of diversity and species assemblages with the abiotic environment.

Results

Evidence of a biogeographic transition zone was supported by data spanning the entire study period; the largest break in species assemblage occurred near 28°N. Fine‐scale analyses using small and large seine catches were noisier than broad analyses but indicated a northern shift in location of the biogeographic transition zone. Beta diversity was generally dominated by species turnover/balance versus nestedness/gradient components, implying that changes were driven by species sorting associated with the physical environment. Excluding the summation of all environmental variables, temperature and dissolved oxygen best describe patterns of diversity and species composition.

Main conclusions

Over years less affected by disturbances, large and small seine catch data suggest the fish community assemblage and location of the biogeographic transition zone has shifted 9 and 21 km to the north. If the trends observed in these years were to continue from 1999 until the year 2100, a 111–243‐km shift in fish communities could be expected. Variation in rates of movement based on gear type suggests novel species assemblages could ensue.
What leads to coordinated attention in parent–toddler interactions? Children's hearing status matters
Authors: Chen Chi‐hsin , Castellanos Irina , Yu Chen , Houston Derek M.
Published: November 2019

Coordinated attention between children and their parents plays an important role in their social, language, and cognitive development. The current study used head‐mounted eye‐trackers to investigate the effects of children's prelingual hearing loss on how they achieve coordinated attention with their hearing parents during free‐flowing object play. We found that toddlers with hearing loss (age: 24–37 months) had similar overall gaze patterns (e.g., gaze length and proportion of face looking) as their normal‐hearing peers. In addition, children's hearing status did not affect how likely parents and children attended to the same object at the same time during play. However, when following parents' attention, children with hearing loss used both parents' gaze directions and hand actions as cues, whereas children with normal hearing mainly relied on parents' hand actions. The diversity of pathways leading to coordinated attention suggests the flexibility and robustness of developing systems in using multiple pathways to achieve the same functional end.
Complementary and alternative therapies: what are our responsibilities?
Authors: Rosenbaum Peter
Published: November 2019

Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEW6y8Wc3D4&feature=youtu.be
Statistical and machine learning methodology for abdominal aortic aneurysm prediction from ultrasound screenings
Authors: Kerut Edmund Kenneth , To Filip , Summers Kelli L. , Sheahan Claudie , Sheahan Malachi
Published: November 2019

A method of analysis of a database of patients (n = 10 329) screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is presented. Self‐reported height, weight, age, gender, ethnicity, and parameters “Heart Problems,” “Hypertension,” “High Cholesterol,” “Diabetes Mellitus,” “Smoker Past 2 Years,” “Ever Smoked?,” “Family History AAA,” and “Family History Brain Aneurysm” were provided. Incidence of a AAA (defined as 3 cm diameter) was calculated as a function of age and body mass index (BMI) of greater than or less than a BMI 25 for various patient groups. Age was grouped into one of three categories in 15‐year intervals (35‐50 years, 50‐65 years, and 65 to 80 years). Most patients were Caucasian (n = 8575) and the largest group of patients with a AAA was the Caucasian male (198 of 279 total detected AAAs). A machine learning algorithm was written, with learning inputs from the acquired patient database. Of all groups, Caucasian males were found to have the highest incidence of AAA, with males in general higher than females. Smoking within the past two years was highly associated with AAA incidence, and a past history of smoking to a lesser extent. The incidence of AAA increased with age. When dividing groups into two cohorts by a BMI of 25, generally middle‐aged patients with a BMI > 25 had a higher incidence of a AAA. However, in general, the older age group with a BMI < 25 had a higher incidence of AAA. The addition of machine learning allows one to note the effect of an input keeping other input parameters constant. This helps identify a parameter that may be an independent predictor of a particular outcome. When using BMI as the single changing input, an increasing BMI was associated with an increased probability of a AAA, most significantly in middle‐aged patients, and then narrowing to similar probabilities in older age. This AAA screening program is ongoing. As data continues to be collected with particularly those patient groups presently underrepresented, questions as to an association of AAA with BMI as a function of age, and also an improvement in machine learning algorithm accuracy for various patient populations will continue.
No boundaries: a 2 year experience in a specialized youth mental health care program in the Netherlands
Authors: Leijdesdorff Sophie , Postma Mary Rose , van Kersbergen Laura , Marchetta Natalie , van Amelsvoort Thérèse
Published: November 2019

Aim

Young people around the age of 18 receiving mental health care usually face the transition from child and adolescent (CAMHS) to adult mental health services (AMHS) bringing the risk of disruption in continuity of care. Recognizing the importance of early intervention in this vulnerable life‐period, this study aims to emphasize the importance of a client‐centred approach and continuity of care for this age group. For a deeper understanding of the specific needs of this group, the working method of a Dutch youth mental health (YMH) team working in a secondary mental health care setting is described, including some clinical characteristics and treatment results of patients who accessed this service.

Methods

Data consist of a detailed description of the working method of the YMH team combined with clinical characteristics of all patients aged 15‐25 years accessing the services of the YMH team over a two‐year period.

Results

The YMH team incorporated suggestions of earlier research into a client centred treatment. Key elements were multidisciplinary meetings, transcending diagnosis, flexibility and collaboration with other care providers. Clinical records showed a complex patient population and significant treatment effect.

Conclusions

The group of emerging adults accessing the YMH team can be described as a patient group with a high diversity and complexity of disorders and problems. Continuity of care was met when patients turned 18, allowing treatments to be successfully performed by the same team of professionals using a client‐centred approach.
A method for outlier detection based on cluster analysis and visual expert criteria
Authors: Lara Juan A. , Lizcano David , Rampérez Víctor , Soriano Javier
Published: November 2019

Outlier detection is an important problem occurring in a wide range of areas. Outliers are the outcome of fraudulent behaviour, mechanical faults, human error, or simply natural deviations. Many data mining applications perform outlier detection, often as a preliminary step in order to filter out outliers and build more representative models. In this paper, we propose an outlier detection method based on a clustering process. The aim behind the proposal outlined in this paper is to overcome the specificity of many existing outlier detection techniques that fail to take into account the inherent dispersion of domain objects. The outlier detection method is based on four criteria designed to represent how human beings (experts in each domain) visually identify outliers within a set of objects after analysing the clusters. This has an advantage over other clustering‐based outlier detection techniques that are founded on a purely numerical analysis of clusters. Our proposal has been evaluated, with satisfactory results, on data (particularly time series) from two different domains: stabilometry, a branch of medicine studying balance‐related functions in human beings and electroencephalography (EEG), a neurological exploration used to diagnose nervous system disorders. To validate the proposed method, we studied method outlier detection and efficiency in terms of runtime. The results of regression analyses confirm that our proposal is useful for detecting outlier data in different domains, with a false positive rate of less than 2% and a reliability greater than 99%.
Enhanced processivity of Dnmt1 by monoubiquitinated histone H3
Authors: Mishima Yuichi , Brueckner Laura , Takahashi Saori , Kawakami Toru , Otani Junji , Shinohara Akira , Takeshita Kohei , Garvilles Ronald Garingalao , Watanabe Mikio , Sakai Norio , Takeshima Hideyuki , Nachtegael Charlotte , Nishiyama Atsuya , Nakanishi Makoto , Arita Kyohei , Nakashima Kinichi , Hojo Hironobu , Suetake Isao
Published: November 2019

DNA methylation controls gene expression, and once established, DNA methylation patterns are faithfully copied during DNA replication by the maintenance DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1. In vivo, Dnmt1 interacts with Uhrf1, which recognizes hemimethylated CpGs. Recently, we reported that Uhrf1‐catalyzed K18‐ and K23‐ubiquitinated histone H3 binds to the N‐terminal region (the replication focus targeting sequence, RFTS) of Dnmt1 to stimulate its methyltransferase activity. However, it is not yet fully understood how ubiquitinated histone H3 stimulates Dnmt1 activity. Here, we show that monoubiquitinated histone H3 stimulates Dnmt1 activity toward DNA with multiple hemimethylated CpGs but not toward DNA with only a single hemimethylated CpG, suggesting an influence of ubiquitination on the processivity of Dnmt1. The Dnmt1 activity stimulated by monoubiquitinated histone H3 was additively enhanced by the Uhrf1 SRA domain, which also binds to RFTS. Thus, Dnmt1 activity is regulated by catalysis (ubiquitination)‐dependent and ‐independent functions of Uhrf1.