bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Between regulatory field structuring and organizational roles: Intermediation in the field of sustainable urban development
Authors: Bothello Joel , Mehrpouya Afshin
Published: September 2018

Recent contributions in the domains of governance and regulation elucidate the importance of rule‐intermediation (RI), the role that organizations adopt to bridge actors with regulatory or “rulemaking” roles and those with target or “rule‐taking” roles. Intermediation not only enables the diffusion and translation of regulatory norms, but also allows for the representation of different actors in policymaking arenas. While prior studies have explored the roles that such RIs adopt to facilitate their intermediation functions, we have yet to consider how field‐level structuring processes influence (and are influenced by) the various and changing roles adopted by RI. In this study we focus on the mutually constitutive relations between field‐level change processes and the evolving roles of RIs by studying the rise of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)/Local Governments for Sustainability, an RI serving as a bridge for sustainable urban development policies between the United Nations and local authorities. Using ICLEI as an illustrative case, we theorize four different processes of regulatory field structuration: problematization, role specialization, marketization, and orchestrated decentralization. We discuss their implications for RI roles in the field and further theorize the changing dynamics of trickle‐up intermediation processes as an RI gains power and influence.
Applications of sensory and physiological measurement in oral‐facial dental pain
Authors: Dabiri Darya , Harper Daniel E. , Kapila Yvonne , Kruger Grant H. , Clauw Daniel J. , Harte Steven
Published: September 2018

Dentists regularly employ a variety of self‐report and sensory techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of tooth‐related disease. Many of these techniques leverage principles borrowed from psychophysics, the quantitative measurement of the relationship between stimuli and evoked sensations, which falls under the larger umbrella of quantitative sensory testing (QST). However, most clinicians fail to meet the bar for what could be considered quantitative sensory testing, and instead focus on qualitative and dichotomous “yes/no” aspects of sensory experience. With our current subjective measurements for pain assessments, diagnosis and treatment of dental pain in young children and individuals (any age) with severe cognitive impairment rely extensively on third‐party observations. Consequently, the limitation of inadequate pain diagnosis can lead to poor pain management. In this review, it discusses mechanisms that underlie acute and chronic dental pain. It details the measurement of somatosensory responses and pulpal blood flow as objective measures of tooth health and pain. It proposes that bridging these varied methodologies will significantly improve diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain and pathology. It concludes that improving the precision of sensory measurements could yield important improvements in diagnostic challenges in pulpal pathology for noncommunicative and cognitively impaired individuals.
Iowa nursing facility oral hygiene (INFOH) intervention: A clinical and microbiological pilot randomized trial
Authors: Marchini Leonardo , Recker Erica , Hartshorn Jennifer , Cowen Howard , Lynch David , Drake David , Blanchette Derek R. , Dawson Deborah V. , Kanellis Michael , Caplan Daniel
Published: September 2018

Purpose/aim

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate feasibility and gather initial data for a definitive study to test the clinical and microbiological effectiveness of a nursing facility (NF) customized oral hygiene protocol, intended to be delivered by dental hygienists and NF personnel.

Materials and methods

A convenience sample of 8 Eastern Iowa NFs was recruited, and each NF was assigned to one of three intervention groups: (1) control (current oral hygiene practice), (2) educational program only, and (3) educational program plus 1% chlorhexidine varnish monthly application. Demographic information, systemic health data, patient centered data, oral health data, and microbiology samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months.

Results

Recruitment response rates were 21% for NFs and 23% for residents. A total of 81 residents were examined at baseline and of those, 49 were examined at 6 months (39.5% attrition). There were no statistically or clinically significant differences among the intervention groups at 6 months for any of the recorded clinical or microbiological outcomes.

Conclusions

Recruitment and retention posed a significant challenge to this trial, even with a relatively short observation period. Results from this pilot study did not encourage further investigation of this customized oral hygiene protocol.
Oral features of Griscelli syndrome type II: A rare case report
Authors: Tewari Nitesh , Rajwar Anju , Mathur Vijay Prakash , Chaudhari Prabhat Kumar
Published: September 2018

Griscelli syndrome (GS) is an autosomal‐recessive disorder of the vesicle transport and membrane trafficking system first identified by Griscelli et al in 1978. The three types of GS have specific genetic defects and systemic manifestations apart from classic partial pigmentary dilution, resulting in hypopigmentation of skin and silvery hair. GS‐II occurs due to a defect in the Rab27a gene and is characterized by primary immune deficiency along with accelerated phases of a hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) crisis. This rare disorder has been widely studied for dermatological, hematological, and neurological manifestations; however, the oral features and presentations have not been elucidated in detail. This report presents a case of a 4‐year‐old male with known mutation c.550C > T or p.R184X mutation (ENST00000396307) in Rab27a with oral features.
To be fair, generous, or selfish: The effect of relationship on Chinese children’s distributive allocation and procedural application
Authors: Li Weiwei , Curtis Robin , Moore Chris , Wang Yun , Zeng Xihua
Published: September 2018

Previous research has found that children’s sharing with others relies on fairness norms, but also varies according to their social relationships. The current study focuses on the conflict between fairness and relationship, exploring their impacts across two resource allocation contexts. We used a parallel work task to explore the effect of relationship with different recipients (friend, stranger, or disliked peer) on three allocation patterns (generous, fair, or selfish), when children directly allocated resources (distributive allocation), or applied different procedures to recipients (procedural application). Participants consisted of 123 Chinese children between the ages of 6 and 12. We found that in the distributive allocation context, in which participants directly decided the outcome, children primarily considered their relationship with recipients when dividing resources, not fairness. However, in the procedural application context, in which children could choose different allocation procedures for recipients, children primarily preferred fairness, regardless of social relationship. Moreover, when making distributive allocations, 6‐ to 8‐year‐olds were more selfish toward their disliked peers, whereas 9‐ to 12‐year‐olds tended to be more fair and generous toward their friends and strangers. These findings shed light on the link between social relationship and fairness within different allocation contexts among children of Chinese cultural background.
The Sociolinguistic Repetition Task: A New Paradigm for Exploring the Cognitive Coherence of Language Varieties
Authors: Buson Laurence , Nardy Aurélie , Muller Dominique , Chevrot Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2018

Sociolinguistic studies generally focus on specific sociolinguistic variables. Consequently, they rarely examine whether different sociolinguistic variables have coherent orientation in a specific language variety (a social or a regional dialect) or whether the speakers freely mix sociolinguistic variants. While different attempts have been made to identify coherence and mixing in the production or perception of dialects, our aim is to answer this question at the level of the cognitive representation of varieties. For this purpose, we draw on the phenomenon of sociolinguistic restoration: when they repeat sociolinguistically mixed utterances, people tend to make them homogeneous. The first experiment—a repetition task—reproduced sociolinguistic restoration in an experimental setting. The second experiment—a judgment task—ensured that participants perceived the difference between homogeneous and mixed utterances. We conclude that high‐order coherent representations influence the reconstruction of utterances during the repetition task.
Non‐adjacent Dependency Learning in Humans and Other Animals
Authors: Wilson Benjamin , Spierings Michelle , Ravignani Andrea , Mueller Jutta L. , Mintz Toben H. , Wijnen Frank , van der Kant Anne , Smith Kenny , Rey Arnaud
Published: September 2018

Learning and processing natural language requires the ability to track syntactic relationships between words and phrases in a sentence, which are often separated by intervening material. These nonadjacent dependencies can be studied using artificial grammar learning paradigms and structured sequence processing tasks. These approaches have been used to demonstrate that human adults, infants and some nonhuman animals are able to detect and learn dependencies between nonadjacent elements within a sequence. However, learning nonadjacent dependencies appears to be more cognitively demanding than detecting dependencies between adjacent elements, and only occurs in certain circumstances. In this review, we discuss different types of nonadjacent dependencies in language and in artificial grammar learning experiments, and how these differences might impact learning. We summarize different types of perceptual cues that facilitate learning, by highlighting the relationship between dependent elements bringing them closer together either physically, attentionally, or perceptually. Finally, we review artificial grammar learning experiments in human adults, infants, and nonhuman animals, and discuss how similarities and differences observed across these groups can provide insights into how language is learned across development and how these language‐related abilities might have evolved.
Effect of topical application of 0.5% proparacaine on corneal culture results from 33 dogs, 12 cats, and 19 horses with spontaneously arising ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Edwards Sydney G. , Maggs David J. , Byrne Barbara A. , Kass Philip H. , Lassaline Mary E.
Published: September 2018

Objective

To investigate the effect of topically applied proparacaine on bacterial and fungal culture results and to compare cytologic and culture results in patients with ulcerative keratitis.

Procedure

Corneal samples were collected from 33 dogs, 19 horses, and 12 cats with spontaneously arising ulcerative keratitis. Samples for bacterial (dogs, cats, horses) and fungal (horses) cultures were collected prior to and following application of 0.5% proparacaine or saline. All patients then received a topical anesthetic, and samples were collected for cytology. Frequency of cultivatable bacteria before (Swab 1) and after (Swab 2) application of proparacaine or saline was compared using Fisher's exact test. Homogeneity of culture and cytology results was assessed using McNemar's test.

Results

No difference was detected in number of animals from which bacteria were isolated from Swab 1 or Swab 2 for proparacaine (21/37 and 17/37, respectively) or saline (10/27 and 12/27, respectively). Small numbers prevented analysis of fungal culture results in horses between Swab 1 and Swab 2 for proparacaine (2/12 and 1/12, respectively) or saline (both, 1/8). Bacteria were isolated from 10 of 20 horses and detected cytologically in 3 of these; fungi were isolated from 3 of 20 horses and detected cytologically in 2 of these. Bacteria were detected more frequently using culture (31/64) than cytology (19/64).

Conclusion

Proparacaine did not significantly alter bacterial or fungal culture results in cats, dogs, or horses; however, clinical significance warrants investigation. Culture and cytology provided complementary data; both should be performed to maximize organism detection in patients with ulcerative keratitis.
TLR7 agonist attenuates acetylcholine‐induced, Ca2+‐dependent ionic currents in swine tracheal submucosal gland cells
Authors: Gamo Shunichi , Tamada Tsutomu , Murakami Koji , Muramatsu Soshi , Aritake Hidemi , Nara Masayuki , Kazama Itsuro , Okazaki Tatsuma , Sugiura Hisatoshi , Ichinose Masakazu
Published: September 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7) have any direct effects on Ca2+‐dependent physiological function of tracheal submucosal gland cells?

What is the main finding and its importance?

TLR7 is co‐localized with SERCA2 in tracheal submucosal gland cells and causes a rapid attenuation of acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced, Ca2+‐dependent ionic currents through the activation of SERCA2‐dependent Ca2+ clearance. TLR7 is abundantly expressed in the airways of both swine and healthy human subjects, but is significantly downregulated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) airways. These findings suggest that a dysfunction of TLR7 in COPD removes the brake on ACh‐induced serous secretion during viral infections, resulting in prolonged airway hypersecretion, and that it is one of the triggers of COPD exacerbations.

Airway surface fluids are mainly secreted from submucosal glands (SMGs) and play important roles in the defence of airways via the activation of mucociliary transport. Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7) recognizes and eliminates single stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses through the induction of innate immunity. However, there is no obvious connection between TLR7 and mucus secretion, aside from TLR7 recognizing ssRNA viruses, which are often associated with airway hypersecretion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Here, we investigated whether TLR7 has any direct effects on the Ca2+‐dependent physiological function of tracheal SMG cells. Patch‐clamp analyses revealed that TLR7 ligand inhibited the acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced ionic currents in isolated tracheal SMG cells. Intracellular calcium assays and pharmacological analyses revealed that TLR7 attenuated the transient rises in the intracellular calcium concentration evoked by ACh by activating sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase 2 (SERCA2). Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining revealed that TLR7 was co‐localized with SERCA2. These findings suggest that the activation of TLR7 during viral infections contributes to the rapid attenuation of ACh‐induced ionic currents through an increase in SERCA2‐dependent Ca2+ clearance in healthy airway SMG cells. Our study also revealed that TLR7 expression was significantly downregulated in COPD airways. Based on these findings, we speculate that a dysfunction of TLR7 may not only have an adverse effect on the elimination of these viruses but also remove the brake on ACh‐induced serous secretion, resulting in prolonged hypersecretion and acting as one of the triggers of COPD exacerbations.
Complex and spatially segregated auditory inputs of the mouse superior colliculus
Authors: Bednárová Veronika , Grothe Benedikt , Myoga Michael H.
Published: September 2018

Key points

Although the visual circuits in the superior colliculus (SC) have been thoroughly examined, the auditory circuits lack equivalent scrutiny.

SC neurons receiving auditory inputs in mice were characterized and three distinguishable types of neurons were found.

The auditory pathways from external nuclei of the inferior colliculus (IC) were characterized, and a novel direct inhibitory connection and an excitation that drives feed‐forward inhibitory circuits within the SC were found.

The direct excitatory and inhibitory inputs exhibited distinct arbourization patterns in the SC.

These findings suggest functional differences between excitatory and inhibitory sensory information that targets the auditory SC.

The superior colliculus (SC) is a midbrain structure that integrates auditory, somatosensory and visual inputs to drive orientation movements. While much is known about how visual information is processed in the superficial layers of the SC, little is known about the SC circuits in the deep layers that process auditory inputs. We therefore characterized intrinsic neuronal properties in the auditory‐recipient layer of the SC (stratum griseum profundum; SGP) and confirmed three electrophysiologically defined clusters of neurons, consistent with literature from other SC layers. To determine the types of inputs to the SGP, we expressed Channelrhodopsin‐2 in the nucleus of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (nBIC) and external cortex of the inferior colliculus (ECIC) and optically stimulated these pathways while recording from SGP neurons. Probing the connections in this manner, we described a monosynaptic excitation that additionally drives feed‐forward inhibition via circuits intrinsic to the SC. Moreover, we found a profound long‐range monosynaptic inhibition in 100% of recorded SGP neurons, a surprising finding considering that only about 15% of SGP‐projecting neurons in the nBIC/ECIC are inhibitory. Furthermore, we found spatial differences in the cell body locations as well as axon trajectories between the monosynaptic excitatory and inhibitory inputs, suggesting that these inputs may be functionally distinct. Taking this together with recent anatomical evidence suggesting an auditory excitation from the nBIC and a GABAergic multimodal inhibition from the ECIC, we propose that sensory integration in the SGP is more multifaceted than previously thought.
TRPV1 and BDKRB2 receptor polymorphisms can influence the exercise pressor reflex
Authors: Notay Karambir , Klingel Shannon L. , Lee Jordan B. , Doherty Connor J. , Seed Jeremy D. , Swiatczak Michal , Mutch David M. , Millar Philip J.
Published: September 2018

Key points

The mechanisms responsible for the high inter‐individual variability in blood pressure responses to exercise remain unclear.

Common genetic variants of genes related to the vascular transduction of sympathetic outflow have been investigated, but variants influencing skeletal muscle afferent feedback during exercise have not been explored.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in TRPV1 rs222747 and BDKRB2 rs1799722 receptors present in skeletal muscle were associated with differences in the magnitude of the blood pressure response to static handgrip exercise but not mental stress.

The combined effects of TRPV1 rs222747 and BDKRB2 rs1799722 on blood pressure and heart rate responses during exercise were additive, and primarily found in men.

Genetic differences in skeletal muscle metaboreceptors may be a risk factor for exaggerated blood pressure responses to exercise.

Exercise blood pressure (BP) responses demonstrate high inter‐individual variability, which could relate to differences in metabolically sensitive afferent feedback from the exercising muscle. We hypothesized that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding metaboreceptors present in group III/IV skeletal muscle afferents can influence the exercise pressor response. Two hundred men and women underwent measurements of continuous BP and heart rate at baseline and during 2 min of static handgrip exercise (30% maximal volitional contraction), post‐exercise circulatory occlusion and mental stress (serial subtraction; internal control). Participants were genotyped for SNPs in TRPV1 (rs222747; G/C), ASIC3 (rs2288645; G/A), BDKRB2 (rs1799722; C/T), PTGER2 (rs17197; A/G) and P2RX4 (rs25644; A/G). Exercise systolic BP (19 ± 10 vs. 22 ± 10 mmHg, P = 0.03) was lower in GG versus GC/CC minor allele carriers for TRPV1 rs222747, while exercise diastolic BP (14 ± 7 vs. 17 ± 7 mmHg, P = 0.007) and heart rate (12 ± 8 vs. 15 ± 9 beats min−1, P = 0.03) were lower in CC versus CT/TT minor allele carriers for BDKRB2 rs1799722. Individuals carrying both minor alleles for TRPV1 rs222747 and BDKRB2 rs1799722 had greater systolic (22 ± 11 vs. 17 ± 10 mmHg, P = 0.04) and diastolic (18 ± 7 vs. 14 ± 7 mmHg, P = 0.01) BP responses than those with no minor alleles; these differences were larger in men. No differences in BP or heart rate responses were detected during static handgrip with ASIC3 rs2288645, PTGER2 rs17197 or P2RX4 rs25644. None of the selected SNPs were associated with differences during mental stress. These findings demonstrate that variants in TRPV1 and BDKRB2 receptors can contribute to BP differences during static exercise in an additive manner.
Skeletal muscle ceramides and relationship with insulin sensitivity after 2 weeks of simulated sedentary behaviour and recovery in healthy older adults
Authors: Reidy Paul T. , McKenzie Alec I. , Mahmassani Ziad , Morrow Vincent R. , Yonemura Nikol M. , Hopkins Paul N. , Marcus Robin L. , Rondina Matthew T. , Lin Yu Kuei , Drummond Micah J.
Published: September 2018

Key points

Insulin sensitivity (as determined by a hyperinsulinaemic‐euglyceamic clamp) decreased 15% after reduced activity. Despite not fully returning to baseline physical activity levels, insulin sensitivity unexpectedly, rebounded above that recorded before 2 weeks of reduced physical activity by 14% after the recovery period.

Changes in insulin sensitivity in response to reduced activity were primarily driven by men but, not women.

There were modest changes in ceramides (nuclear/myofibrillar fraction and serum) following reduced activity and recovery but, in the absence of major changes to body composition (i.e. fat mass), ceramides were not related to changes in inactivity‐induced insulin sensitivity in healthy older adults.

Older adults are at risk of physical inactivity as they encounter debilitating life events. It is not known how insulin sensitivity is affected by modest short‐term physical inactivity and recovery in healthy older adults, nor how insulin sensitivity is related to changes in serum and muscle ceramide content. Healthy older adults (aged 64–82 years, five females, seven males) were assessed before (PRE), after 2 weeks of reduced physical activity (RA) and following 2 weeks of recovery (REC). Insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinaemic‐euglyceamic clamp), lean mass, muscle function, skeletal muscle subfraction, fibre‐specific, and serum ceramide content and indices of skeletal muscle inflammation were assessed. Insulin sensitivity decreased by 15 ± 6% at RA (driven by men) but rebounded above PRE by 14 ± 5% at REC. Mid‐plantar flexor muscle area and leg strength decreased with RA, although only muscle size returned to baseline levels following REC. Body fat did not change and only minimal changes in muscle inflammation were noted across the intervention. Serum and intramuscular ceramides (nuclear/myofibrillar fraction) were modestly increased at RA and REC. However, ceramides were not related to changes in inactivity‐induced insulin sensitivity in healthy older adults. Short‐term inactivity induced insulin resistance in older adults in the absence of significant changes in body composition (i.e. fat mass) are not related to changes in ceramides.
Estimation of Relative Permeability and Capillary Pressure for PUNQ-S3 Model Using a Modified Iterative Ensemble Smoother
Authors: Fan Zhaoqi , Yang Daoyong , Chai Di , Li Xiaoli
Published: September 2018

The iterative ensemble smoother (IES) algorithm has been extensively used to implicitly and inversely determine model parameters by assimilating measured/reference production profiles. The performance of the IES algorithms is usually challenged due to the simultaneous assimilation of all production data and the multiple iterations required for handling the inherent nonlinearity between production profiles and model parameters. In this paper, a modified IES algorithm has been proposed and validated to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the IES algorithm with the standard test model (i.e., PUNQ-S3 model). More specifically, a recursive approach is utilized to optimize the screening process of damping factor for improving the efficiency of the IES algorithm without compromising of history matching performance because an inappropriate damping factor potentially yields more iterations and significantly increased computational expenses. In addition, a normalization method is proposed to revamp the sensitivity matrix by minimizing the data heterogeneity associated with the model parameter matrix and production data matrix in updating processes of the IES algorithm. The coefficients of relative permeability and capillary pressure are included in the model parameter matrix that is to be iteratively estimated by assimilating the reference production data (i.e., well bottomhole pressure (WBHP), gas-oil ratio, and water cut) of five production wells. Three scenarios are designed to separately demonstrate the competence of the modified IES algorithm by comparing the objective function reduction, history-matched production profile convergence, model parameters variance reduction, and the relative permeability and capillary pressure of each scenario. It has been found from the PUNQ-S3 model that the computational expenses can be reduced by 50% while comparing the modified and original IES algorithm. Also, the enlarged objective function reduction, improved history-matched production profile, and decreased model parameter variance have been achieved by using the modified IES algorithm, resulting in a further reduced deviation between the reference and the estimated relative permeability and capillary pressure in comparison to those obtained from the original IES algorithm. Consequently, the modified IES algorithm integrated with the recursive approach and normalization method has been substantiated to be robust and pragmatic for improving the performance of the IES algorithms in terms of reducing the computational expenses and improving the accuracy.
Study on the Reoxidation Characteristics of Soaked and Air-Dried Coal
Authors: Sun Lulu , Zhang Yanbo , Wang Yue , Liu Qiqi
Published: September 2018

After coal seam mining, the residual coal is soaked with the accumulated water in goaf, and its spontaneous combustion characteristics were changed after air-dried. To study the reoxidation characteristics of soaked and air-dried coal, temperature-programmed experiments were carried out, and the cross point temperatures and index gases were investigated. Results showed that the cross point temperature of raw coal (146.3 °C) was reduced to 137.1 °C after it was pre-oxidized at 90 °C. The cross point temperature of water-soaked, and air-dried coal (96 h) was 122.5 °C, while the cross point temperature of water-soaked, air-dried (96 h) and pre-oxidized (90 °C) coal was 111.5 °C. Although CO was produced in the initial slow oxidation phase, it was found that C2H4 and C3H8 were not generated. In the rapid oxidation stage, different pretreatments affected the gas generation and the overall oxidative degree was consistent with the cross point temperature. The generation temperature and the concentration of C2H4 and C3H8 were decreased after the coal was water-soaked, air-dried, and pre-oxidized. Furthermore, the high-energy chemicals and functional groups were studied, which could be used to explain the physical experiment oxidation characteristics of different coals.
Numerical Study on the First Stage Head Degradation in an Electrical Submersible Pump With Population Balance Model
Authors: Chen Yiming , Patil Abhay , Chen Yi , Bai Changrui , Wang Yintao , Morrison Gerald
Published: September 2018

Based on previous experiment result, an assumption is made to explain the abnormal head degradation in the first stage of an electrical submersible pump (ESP): the bubbles' breaking up and coalescence effect with compressibility is the main reason of this phenomenon. To investigate the head degradation problem inside the ESP, a series of numerical simulations are performed on the first stage of the split-vane impeller pump commonly employed for gas handling purpose. These three-dimensional transient Eulerian multiphase simulations are divided into two groups: one group with the traditional fixed bubble size method and the other with the ANSYS population balancing model (PBM) allowing the bubbles to break up and coalesce. The simulation result with the changing bubble size matches well with the experiment data, which supports the previous assumption. The flow field based on PBM simulation is visualized and analyzed. Also the separation of phases is discovered with large volume of gas accumulating at the suction side of the impeller trailing blades, which is also supported by experimental observation.
Short-Term Forecasting of Natural Gas Consumption Using Factor Selection Algorithm and Optimized Support Vector Regression
Authors: Wei Nan , Li Changjun , Li Chan , Xie Hanyu , Du Zhongwei , Zhang Qiushi , Zeng Fanhua
Published: September 2018

Forecasting of natural gas consumption has been essential for natural gas companies, customers, and governments. However, accurate forecasting of natural gas consumption is difficult, due to the cyclical change of the consumption and the complexity of the factors that influence the consumption. In this work, we constructed a hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict the short-term natural gas consumption and examine the effects of the factors in the consumption cycle. The proposed model combines factor selection algorithm (FSA), life genetic algorithm (LGA), and support vector regression (SVR), namely, as FSA-LGA-SVR. FSA is used to select factors automatically for different period based on correlation analysis. The LGA optimized SVR is utilized to provide the prediction of time series data. To avoid being trapped in local minima, the hyper-parameters of SVR are determined by LGA, which is enhanced due to newly added “learning” and “death” operations in conventional genetic algorithm. Additionally, in order to examine the effects of the factors in different period, we utilized the recent data of three big cities in Greece and divided the data into 12 subseries. The prediction results demonstrated that the proposed model can give a better performance of short-term natural gas consumption forecasting compared to the estimation value of existing models. Particularly, the mean absolute range normalized errors of the proposed model in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Larisa are 1.90%, 2.26%, and 2.12%, respectively.
Uncertainty Analysis for Time- and Space-Dependent Responses With Random Variables
Authors: Wei Xinpeng , Du Xiaoping
Published: September 2018

The performance of a product varies with respect to time and space if the associated limit-state function involves time and space. This study develops an uncertainty analysis method that quantifies the effect of random input variables on the performance (response) over time and space. The combination of the first order reliability method (FORM) and the second-order reliability method (SORM) is used to approximate the extreme value of the response with respect to space at discretized instants of time. Then the response becomes a Gaussian stochastic process that is fully defined by the mean, variance, and autocorrelation functions obtained from FORM and SORM, and a sequential single loop procedure is performed for spatial and random variables. The method is successfully applied to the reliability analysis of a crank-slider mechanism, which operates in a specified period of time and space.
Dual Faceted Linearization of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems Based on Physical Modeling Theory
Authors: Harry Asada H. , Sotiropoulos Filippos E.
Published: September 2018

A new approach to modeling and linearization of nonlinear lumped-parameter systems based on physical modeling theory and a data-driven statistical method is presented. A nonlinear dynamical system is represented with two sets of differential equations in an augmented space consisting of independent state variables and auxiliary variables that are nonlinearly related to the state variables. It is shown that the state equation of a nonlinear dynamical system having a bond graph model of integral causality is linear, if the space is augmented by using the output variables of all the nonlinear elements as auxiliary variables. The dynamic transition of the auxiliary variables is investigated as the second set of differential equations, which is linearized by using statistical linearization. It is shown that the linear differential equations of the auxiliary variables inform behaviors of the original nonlinear system that the first set of state equations alone cannot represent. The linearization based on the two sets of linear state equations, termed dual faceted linearization (DFL), can capture diverse facets of the nonlinear dynamics and, thereby, provide a richer representation of the nonlinear system. The two state equations are also integrated into a single latent model consisting of all significant modes with no collinearity. Finally, numerical examples verify and demonstrate the effectiveness of the new methodology.
Disrupting the Disruptor: Perceptions as Institutional Maintenance Work at the 1968 Olympic Games
Authors: Agyemang Kwame J.A. , Berg Brennan K. , Fuller Rhema D.
Published: September 2018

How people reflect on and discuss protests at sporting events is a relevant question of interest to sport management scholars. This article uses qualitative data to understand how institutional members reflect on and discuss a disruptive act that violates institutional rules and norms. The authors study the historical case of Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ silent protest at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Relying on interview data from Smith and Carlos’ teammates (59) on the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team, the study highlights the connections between institutional maintenance work, institutional logics, and institutions. Specifically, the authors argue that when institutional logics align with actors’ institutional maintenance work, acts seen as disruptive to the institution will not change the institution. Identifying multiple institutional logics within the Olympic Games, the authors also find that institutional logics do not always have to be competing as suggested by much of the literature. Instead, tension may be temporarily allayed when rival logics are threatened by an action (i.e., protests) that would disrupt the institution. The authors refer to this as an institutional cease-fire and discuss their findings in relation to the preservation of institutions.
ETV7 is an essential component of a rapamycin-insensitive mTOR complex in cancer
Authors: Harwood Franklin C. , Klein Geltink Ramon I. , O’Hara Brendan P. , Cardone Monica , Janke Laura , Finkelstein David , Entin Igor , Paul Leena , Houghton Peter J. , Grosveld Gerard C.
Published: September 2018

A novel mTOR complex assembled by the ETS transcription factor ETV7 contributes to rapamycin resistance in cancer.
The adjuvant GLA-AF enhances human intradermal vaccine responses
Authors: Carter Darrick , van Hoeven Neal , Baldwin Susan , Levin Yotam , Kochba Efrat , Magill Al , Charland Nathalie , Landry Nathalie , Nu Khin , Frevol Aude , Ashman Jill , Sagawa Zachary K. , Beckmann Anna Marie , Reed Steven G.
Published: September 2018

We present an adjuvant for intradermal use that works in humans, enabling self-administration in case of a flu pandemic.
GLK-IKKβ signaling induces dimerization and translocation of the AhR-RORγt complex in IL-17A induction and autoimmune disease
Authors: Chuang Huai-Chia , Tsai Ching-Yi , Hsueh Chia-Hsin , Tan Tse-Hua
Published: September 2018

The kinase GLK induces dimerization of AhR-RORγt, leading to induction of the cytokine IL-17A and autoimmune responses.
Cell fusion potentiates tumor heterogeneity and reveals circulating hybrid cells that correlate with stage and survival
Authors: Gast Charles E. , Silk Alain D. , Zarour Luai , Riegler Lara , Burkhart Joshua G. , Gustafson Kyle T. , Parappilly Michael S. , Roh-Johnson Minna , Goodman James R. , Olson Brennan , Schmidt Mark , Swain John R. , Davies Paige S. , Shasthri Vidya , Iizuka Shinji , Flynn Patrick , Watson Spencer , Korkola James , Courtneidge Sara A. , Fischer Jared M. , Jaboin Jerry , Billingsley Kevin G. , Lopez Charles D. , Burchard Julja , Gray Joe , Coussens Lisa M. , Sheppard Brett C. , Wong Melissa H.
Published: September 2018

Peripheral blood MФ–cancer cell fusion hybrids identified in cancer patients correlate with disease stage and overall survival.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak contributes to arrhythmia but not to heart failure progression
Authors: Mohamed Belal A. , Hartmann Nico , Tirilomis Petros , Sekeres Karolina , Li Wener , Neef Stefan , Richter Claudia , Zeisberg Elisabeth M. , Kattner Lars , Didié Michael , Guan Kaomei , Schmitto Jan D. , Lehnart Stephan E. , Luther Stefan , Voigt Niels , Seidler Tim , Sossalla Samuel , Hasenfuss Gerd , Toischer Karl
Published: September 2018

Leaky ryanodine receptor does not contribute to heart failure progression, but its normalization reduces arrhythmias and thereby improves survival in mice.
Evaluation of mutant huntingtin and neurofilament proteins as potential markers in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Byrne Lauren M. , Rodrigues Filipe B. , Johnson Eileanor B. , Wijeratne Peter A. , De Vita Enrico , Alexander Daniel C. , Palermo Giuseppe , Czech Christian , Schobel Scott , Scahill Rachael I. , Heslegrave Amanda , Zetterberg Henrik , Wild Edward J.
Published: September 2018

Mutant huntingtin and neurofilament in biofluids may have prognostic potential in Huntington’s disease.
Poisoning with Soman, an Organophosphorus Nerve Agent, Alters Fecal Bacterial Biota and Urine Metabolites: a Case for Novel Signatures for Asymptomatic Nerve Agent Exposure
Authors: Getnet Derese , Gautam Aarti , Kumar Raina , Hoke Allison , Cheema Amrita K. , Rossetti Franco , Schultz Caroline R. , Hammamieh Rasha , Lumley Lucille A. , Jett Marti
Published: September 2018

The paucity of assays to determine physiologically relevant OP exposure presents an opportunity to explore the use of fecal bacteria as sentinels in combination with urine to assess changes in the exposed host. Recent advances in sequencing technologies and computational approaches have enabled researchers to survey large community-level changes of gut bacterial biota and metabolomic changes in various biospecimens. Here, we profiled changes in fecal bacterial biota and urine metabolome following a chemical warfare nerve agent exposure. The significance of this work is a proof of concept that the fecal bacterial biota and urine metabolites are two separate biospecimens rich in surrogate indicators suitable for monitoring OP exposure. The larger value of such an approach is that assays developed on the basis of these observations can be deployed in any setting with moderate clinical chemistry and microbiology capability. This can enable estimation of the affected radius as well as screening, triage, or ruling out of suspected cases of exposures in mass casualty scenarios, transportation accidents involving hazardous materials, refugee movements, humanitarian missions, and training settings when coupled to an established and validated decision tree with clinical features.
Making and Breaking of an Essential Poison: the Cyclases and Phosphodiesterases That Produce and Degrade the Essential Second Messenger Cyclic di-AMP in Bacteria
Authors: Commichau Fabian M. , Heidemann Jana L. , Ficner Ralf , Stülke Jörg
Published: September 2018

Cyclic di-AMP is a second-messenger nucleotide that is produced by many bacteria and some archaea. Recent work has shown that c-di-AMP is unique among the signaling nucleotides, as this molecule is in many bacteria both essential on one hand and toxic upon accumulation on the other.
Recurrent giant cell tumour of the maxillary sinus and pterygoid process treated with denosumab
Authors: Rosa Duarte , Dias Raquel Baptista , Salvador João Cunha , Borges Alexandra
Published: September 2018

We report the case of a 74-year-old man with a giant cell tumour (GCT) of the right maxilla and pterygoid process. The patient presented to the maxillofacial and head and neck surgery clinic with an ulcerated lesion of the hard palate. Initial workup with CT revealed a mass within the right maxillary sinus and pterygoid process with associated bone expansion and erosion. Biopsy showed a GCT with mucosal ulceration. Two years after surgical resection, a follow-up CT revealed tumour recurrence involving the right pterygoid process and lateral pterygoid muscle. The patient was then proposed for therapy with denosumab. Under denosumab treatment, the lesion maintained stable dimensions and became sclerotic and heavily ossified.
Active cytomegalovirus retinitis after the start of antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Heiden David , Tun NiNi , Smithuis Frank N , Keenan Jeremy David , Oldenburg Catherine E , Holland Gary N , Drew W Lawrence
Published: September 2018

Patients with AIDS-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), but not specific anti-CMV therapy, consistently showed active retinitis for several months. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of CMV retinitis may have severe consequences. Patients first entering care with advanced HIV infection and vulnerability to reactivation of latent CMV infection should be screened immediately for CMV retinitis by dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy and treated with specific anti-CMV therapy without delay, in addition to cART.
Effect of high dose folic acid supplementation in pregnancy on pre-eclampsia (FACT): double blind, phase III, randomised controlled, international, multicentre trial
Authors: Wen Shi Wu , White Ruth Rennicks , Rybak Natalie , Gaudet Laura M , Robson Stephen , Hague William , Simms-Stewart Donnette , Carroli Guillermo , Smith Graeme , Fraser William D , Wells George , Davidge Sandra T , Kingdom John , Coyle Doug , Fergusson Dean , Corsi Daniel J , Champagne Josee , Sabri Elham , Ramsay Tim , Mol Ben Willem J , Oudijk Martijn A , Walker Mark C
Published: September 2018

Objective

To determine the efficacy of high dose folic acid supplementation for prevention of pre-eclampsia in women with at least one risk factor: pre-existing hypertension, prepregnancy diabetes (type 1 or 2), twin pregnancy, pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy, or body mass index ≥35.

Design

Randomised, phase III, double blinded international, multicentre clinical trial.

Setting

70 obstetrical centres in five countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, and UK).

Participants

2464 pregnant women with at least one high risk factor for pre-eclampsia were randomised between 2011 and 2015 (1144 to the folic acid group and 1157 to the placebo group); 2301 were included in the intention to treat analyses.

Intervention

Eligible women were randomised to receive either daily high dose folic acid (four 1.0 mg oral tablets) or placebo from eight weeks of gestation to the end of week 16 of gestation until delivery. Clinicians, participants, adjudicators, and study staff were masked to study treatment allocation.

Main outcome measure

The primary outcome was pre-eclampsia, defined as hypertension presenting after 20 weeks’ gestation with major proteinuria or HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets).

Results

Pre-eclampsia occurred in 169/1144 (14.8%) women in the folic acid group and 156/1157 (13.5%) in the placebo group (relative risk 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.34; P=0.37). There was no evidence of differences between the groups for any other adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion

Supplementation with 4.0 mg/day folic acid beyond the first trimester does not prevent pre-eclampsia in women at high risk for this condition.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23781770 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01355159.
Screening and prevention for latent tuberculosis in immunosuppressed patients at risk for tuberculosis: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Hasan Tasnim , Au Eric , Chen Sharon , Tong Allison , Wong Germaine
Published: September 2018

Objective

Immunosuppressed individuals are at a high risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and clinical practice guidelines for the screening and management of LTBI in at-risk patients have been developed. We assessed the scope, quality and consistency of clinical practice guidelines on screening for LTBI and the prevention of tuberculosis infection (TB) in high-risk patient populations.

Design

We conducted a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. Methodological quality of these guidelines was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Education (AGREE) II instrument. Textual synthesis was used to summarise and compare the recommendations.

Data sources

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO) and guideline registries were searched from inception to December 2017.

Results

Thirty-eight guidelines were included. Nineteen focused on patients receiving medical immunosuppression, seven on transplantation, three on patients with HIV and nine were generalised across all at risk populations. Most guidelines (n=32, 84%) used a systematic approach to identify and appraise the evidence. The methodological quality of the guidelines varied with the overall mean AGREE II scores ranging from 35% to 80%. Guidelines performed poorly in terms of editorial independence (average score 35%, range 0%–92%); however, most were robust in defining their scope and purpose (average score 80%, range 56%–100%). Guidelines recommended either or both the tuberculin skin test and the interferon gamma release assay for screening. Treatment of LTBI with isoniazid was consistently recommended.

Conclusion

Clinical practice guidelines on LTBI vary in quality and scope. The recommendations for screening varied across guidelines, while recommendations for treatment were largely consistent. Improving the consistency and quality of guidelines may help to optimise the screening and management of LTBI for improved patient outcomes.