bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast high order difference schemes for the time fractional telegraph equation
Authors: Liang Yuxiang , Yao Zhongsheng , Wang Zhibo
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a fast high order difference scheme is first proposed to solve the time fractional telegraph equation based on the ℱℒ2‐1σ formula for the Caputo fractional derivative, which reduces the storage and computational cost for calculation. A compact scheme is then presented to improve the convergence order in space. The unconditional stability and convergence in maximum norm are proved for both schemes, with the accuracy order and , respectively. Difficulty arising from the two Caputo fractional derivatives is overcome by some detailed analysis. Finally, we carry out numerical experiments to show the efficiency and accuracy, by comparing with the ℒ2‐1σ method.
Modeling Thermal Conductivity of Highly Filled Polymer Composites
Authors: Drozdov Aleksey D. , deClaville Christiansen Jesper
Published: August 2019

The Kanari model is traditionally treated as an empirical relation to fit observations on the effective thermal conductivity of composites. By applying the integration embedding method, we demonstrate that this model provides an extension of the Halpin–Tsai and Fricke models to highly filled composites, and the only adjustable parameter in the governing equation is expressed in terms of the aspect ratio of filler particles and their aggregates. These assertions are confirmed by the analysis of observations on several polymer composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2174–2179, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Piezo‐assisted ICSI improves fertilization and blastocyst development rates compared with conventional ICSI in women aged more than 35 years
Authors: Furuhashi Kohyu , Saeki Yoshimi , Enatsu Noritoshi , Iwasaki Toshiroh , Ito Koichi , Mizusawa Yuri , Matsumoto Yukiko , Kokeguchi Shoji , Shiotani Masahide
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Piezo‐assisted intracytoplasmic sperm injection (Piezo‐ICSI) is reported to be an effective method for inseminating fragile oocytes compared with conventional ICSI (c‐ICSI). However, infertile patient groups suitable for Piezo‐ICSI have not been elucidated. This study was conducted to determine age groups suitable for Piezo‐ICSI using sibling egg controls inseminated by a well‐trained embryologist to reduce technical inequalities.

Methods

A total of 947 matured oocytes were inseminated either by Piezo‐ICSI or by c‐ICSI in sibling oocytes as controls. Fertilization (2 pronuclei, PN), survival, and blastocyst development rates on day (D) 5 and D6 after insemination were compared between the Piezo‐ICSI and c‐ICSI groups. Further analyses were applied to groups of women >35 or ≤35 years of age.

Results

There were no significant differences in fertilization, survival, or blastocyst development rates between the two insemination treatment groups. However, for women >35 years of age, the fertilization (P = .008) and blastocyst development (P = .016) rates with Piezo‐ICSI on D5 and D6 were significantly higher than in those subjected to c‐ICSI.

Conclusions

Piezo‐ICSI was useful for inseminating oocytes from women >35 years of age.
Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by serum placental growth factor and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 in women undergoing induction of labor
Authors: Fiolna M. , Machuca M. , Karampitsakos T. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: August 2019

Objective

To investigate the additive value of serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1), measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, to the performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome provided by maternal risk factors and the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR).

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 795 singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labor at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Before induction of labor, Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and maternal blood was obtained for measurement of serum PlGF and sFlt‐1. The measured UA‐PI, MCA‐PI and their ratio (CPR) were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) after adjustment for gestational age, and the measured PlGF and sFlt‐1 were converted to MoM after adjustment for gestational age, maternal characteristics and the machine used for the assays. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors that provided a significant contribution in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome, defined as the presence of any one of Cesarean section for non‐reassuring fetal status in labor, umbilical arterial or venous cord blood pH ≤ 7 and ≤ 7.1, respectively, 5‐min Apgar score < 7 or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for ≥ 24 h. The detection rate (DR) and false‐positive rate (FPR) in screening for adverse perinatal outcome were determined.

Results

In pregnancies with adverse perinatal outcome, compared to those without, median serum PlGF MoM was lower (0.44; interquartile range (IQR), 0.30–0.82 vs 0.60; IQR, 0.36–1.07; P = 0.003), but median sFlt‐1 MoM was not significantly different (P = 0.080). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that, in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome, there was significant contribution from maternal risk factors and CPR MoM but not PlGF MoM or sFlt‐1 MoM. The performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome achieved by maternal risk factors alone (DR of 28.9% at FPR of 10%) was not improved by the addition of CPR (DR of 33.8% at FPR of 10%) (area under the curve, 0.702; 95% CI, 0.654–0.750 vs 0.712; 95% CI, 0.664–0.760; P = 0.233).

Conclusion

Serum PlGF and sFlt‐1, measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, do not provide a significant additional contribution to maternal risk factors in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Non-Abelian T-duality as a transformation in Double Field Theory
Authors: Çatal-Özer Aybike
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Non-Abelian T-duality (NATD) is a solution generating transformation for supergravity backgrounds with non-Abelian isometries. We show that NATD can be de-scribed as a coordinate dependent O(d,d) transformation, where the dependence on the coordinates is determined by the structure constants of the Lie algebra associated with the isometry group. Besides making calculations significantly easier, this approach gives a natural embedding of NATD in Double Field Theory (DFT), a framework which provides an O(d,d) covariant formulation for effective string actions. As a result of this embedding, it becomes easy to prove that the NATD transformed backgrounds solve supergravity equations, when the isometry algebra is unimodular. If the isometry algebra is non-unimodular, the generalized dilaton field is forced to have a linear dependence on the dual coordinates, which implies that the resulting background solves generalized supergravity equations.
Explaining electron and muon g − 2 anomaly in SUSY without lepton-flavor mixings
Authors: Endo Motoi , Yin Wen
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We propose a SUSY scenario to explain the current electron and muon g − 2 discrepancies without introducing lepton flavor mixings. Threshold corrections to the Yukawa couplings can enhance the electron g − 2 and flip the sign of the SUSY contributions. The mechanism predicts a flavor-dependent slepton mass spectrum. We show that it is compatible with the Higgs mediation scenario.
Thermal transitions of metastable M-branes
Authors: Armas Jay , Nguyen Nam , Niarchos Vasilis , Obers Niels A.
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We use blackfold methods to analyse the properties of putative supergravity solutions in M-theory that describe the backreaction of polarised anti-M2 branes (namely, M5 branes wrapping three-cycles with negative M2-brane charge) in the Cvetic-Gibbons-Lu-Pope background of eleven-dimensional supergravity. At zero temperature we recover the metastable state of Klebanov and Pufu directly in supergravity. At finite temperature we uncover a previously unknown pattern of mergers between fat or thin M5-brane states with the thermalised version of the metastable state. At sufficiently small values of the anti-brane charge a single fat-metastable merger follows the same pattern recently discovered for polarised anti-D3-branes in the Klebanov-Strassler solution in type IIB supergravity. We provide quantitative evidence that this merger is driven by properties of the horizon geometry. For larger values of the anti-brane charge the wrapped M5-brane solutions exhibit different patterns of finite-temperature transitions that have no known counterpart in the anti-D3 system in Klebanov-Strassler.
Effects of salinomycin and niclosamide on small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer circulating tumor cell lines
Authors: Hochmair Maximilian , Rath Barbara , Klameth Lukas , Ulsperger Ernst , Weinlinger Christoph , Fazekas Andreas , Plangger Adelina , Zeillinger Robert , Hamilton Gerhard
Published: August 2019

Tumor dissemination and recurrence is attributed to highly resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) which may constitute a fraction of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) constitutes a suitable model to investigate the relation of CTCs and CSCs due to rapid tumor spread and a high number of CTCs. Expansion of five SCLC CTC lines (BHGc7, 10, 16, 26 and UHGc5) in vitro at our institution allowed for the analysis of CSC markers and cytotoxicity of the CSC-selective drugs salinomycin and niclosamide against CTC single cell suspensions or CTC spheroids/ tumorospheres (TOS). Salinomycin exerted dose-dependent cytotoxicity against the SCLC lines but, with exception of BHGc7 TOS, there was no markedly enhanced activity against TOS. Similarly, niclosamide exhibits high activity against BHGc7 TOS and UHGc5 TOS but not against the other CTC spheroids. High expression of the CSC marker CD133 was restricted to three SCLC tumor lines and the BHGc10 CTC line. All SCLC CTCs are CD24-positive but lack expression of CD44 and ABCG2 in contrast to the SCLC tumor lines which show a phenotype more similar to that of CSCs. The stem cell marker SOX2 was found in all CTC lines and SCLC GLC14/16, whereas elevated expression of Oct-3/4 and Nanog was restricted to BHGc26 and UHGc5. In conclusion, the SCLC CTCs established from patients with relapsed disease lack a typical CSC phenotype in respect to chemosensitivity to CSC-selective drugs, surface markers, expression of pluripotent stem cell and transcription factors.
Tropical Corals Are Migrating Away from Warming Waters
Authors: Crowell Rachel
Published: August 2019

In the first global assessment of its kind, researchers discovered that coral recruitment is declining globally and throughout the tropics while increasing in the subtropics.
The Difference Between Isolated Flux Transfer Events and Flux Transfer Event Cascades
Authors: Kullen A. , Thor S. , Karlsson T.
Published: August 2019

This flux transfer event (FTE) study is based on 984 FTEs originally identified by Wang et al. (2005, https://doi:10.1029/2005JA011150) in Cluster data. Due to Cluster's orbit, the FTE list exclusively contains events detected at the high‐latitude dayside magnetopause and low‐latitude flanks. The focus of this study is on FTE separation time. The results show that FTEs appearing in cascades are mainly located at the northern dusk and southern dawn magnetopause, while isolated FTEs are equally spread over the region covered by Cluster. This difference may be explained by the different interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions during which the subsets occur. For isolated FTEs, average IMF By is close to zero. During such conditions, FTEs are expected to form at arbitrary longitudes along an equatorial merging line. After formation, they propagate northward and southward, causing an equal distribution at higher latitudes. In contrast, FTE cascades typically occur during weakly southward IMF with a negative By component. Their asymmetric distribution at higher latitudes is consistent with both the component and the antiparallel merging model for nonzero By. In both scenarios, newly formed FTEs are expected to move to the northern dusk and southern dawn regions, as observed. Many FTE cascades appearing during northward IMF are located close to the low‐latitude flanks, confirming previous reports. We discovered that such FTEs appear during large IMF values. Another new result is that 16% of all isolated FTEs appear during small IMF cone angles, suggesting that these may form as a result of magnetosheath jets impacting on the magnetopause.
Analyzing EMIC Waves in the Inner Magnetosphere Using Long‐Term Van Allen Probes Observations
Authors: Chen Huayue , Gao Xinliang , Lu Quanming , Wang Shui
Published: August 2019

With 64‐month magnetic data from Van Allen Probes, we have studied not only the global distribution, wave normal angle (θ), and ellipticity (ε) of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves, but also the dependence of their occurrence rates and magnetic amplitudes on the AE* index (the mean value of AE index over previous 1 hr). Our results show that H+ band waves are preferentially detected at 5 ≤ L ≤ 6.5, in the noon sector. They typically have small θ (<30°) and weakly left‐hand polarization but become more oblique and linearly polarized at larger magnetic latitudes or L‐shells. With the increase of AE* index, their occurrence rate significantly increases in the noon sector, and their source region extends to dusk sector. He+ band waves usually occur in the predawn and morning sectors at 3 ≤ L ≤ 4.5. They generally have moderate θ (30 °  − 40°) and left‐hand polarization and also become more oblique and linearly polarized at larger latitudes or L‐shells. There is a clear enhancement of occurrence rate and amplitude during active geomagnetic periods, especially in the dusk and evening sectors. O+ band waves mainly occur at 3 ≤ L ≤ 4 in the predawn sector. They have either very small θ (<20°) or very large θ (>50°), and typically linear or weakly right‐hand polarization. During active periods, they mostly occur at the midnight sector and L < 3.5. As a valuable supplement to previous statistical studies, our result provides not only a more compresentive EMIC wave model for evaluating their effects on the radiation belt, but also detailed observational constraints on generation mechanisms of EMIC waves.
Structure of the Collision Zone Between the Nazca Ridge and the Peruvian Convergent Margin: Geodynamic and Seismotectonic Implications
Authors: Contreras‐Reyes E. , Muñoz‐Linford P. , Cortés‐Rivas V. , Bello‐González J. P. , Ruiz J. A. , Krabbenhoeft A.
Published: August 2019

We study the structure and tectonics of the collision zone between the Nazca Ridge (NR) and the Peruvian margin constrained by seismic, gravimetric, bathymetric, and natural seismological data. The NR was formed in an on‐ridge setting, and it is characterized by a smooth and broad shallow seafloor (swell) with an estimated buoyancy flux of ~7 Mg/s. The seismic results show that the NR hosts an oceanic lower crust 10–14 km thick with velocities of 7.2–7.5 km/s suggesting intrusion of magmatic material from the hot spot plume to the oceanic plate. Our results show evidence for subduction erosion in the frontal part of the margin likely enhanced by the collision of the NR. The ridge‐trench collision zone correlates with the presence of a prominent normal scarp, a narrow continental slope, and (uplifted) shelf. In contrast, adjacent of the collision zone, the slope does not present a topographic scarp and the continental slope and shelf become wider and deeper. Geophysical and geodetic evidence indicate that the collision zone is characterized by low seismic coupling at the plate interface. This is consistent with vigorous subduction erosion enhanced by the subducting NR causing abrasion and increase of fluid pore pressure at the interplate contact. Furthermore, the NR has behaved as a barrier for rupture propagation of megathrust earthquakes (e.g., 1746 Mw 8.6 and 1942 Mw 8.1 events). In contrast, for moderate earthquakes (e.g., 1996 Mw 7.7 and 2011 Mw 6.9 events), the NR has behaved as a seismic asperity nucleating at depths >20 km.
The Role of Rain‐on‐Snow in Flooding Over the Conterminous United States
Authors: Li Dongyue , Lettenmaier Dennis P. , Margulis Steven A. , Andreadis Konstantinos
Published: August 2019

Based on a process‐level modeling of the rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events in the period of 1950 to 2013 and in a warmer climate, we quantify the historical and future runoff contribution from ROS to extreme floods and the source of runoff and snowmelt in large ROS events within the conterminous United States (CONUS). We find that the regions impacted most heavily by ROS include the West Coast, the major mountain ranges of the western interior, the Upper Midwest, the Northeast, and the lower Appalachians. While 70% of extreme (upper 0.1%) runoff events in these regions have some contribution from ROS, the runoff generated during these ROS events accounts for less than 10% of the total extreme flood runoff; the much larger fraction of extreme runoff is from either intense rainfall or clear‐sky snowmelt. Rainfall is the dominant source of runoff in ROS events along the West Coast and over the west‐facing slopes of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, while snowmelt dominates ROS runoff in the other regions in the CONUS. Net radiation dominates the snowmelt during ROS in the high mountains in the West, while net radiation and turbulent heat flux are equally dominant in the rest of CONUS. Historically, the role of ROS in streamflow extremes is most significant in midelevation areas, but this “significant influence zone” will shift to higher elevations in a warmer future. The future ROS frequency changes exert a first order control on the future change of the runoff contribution from ROS to extreme floods.
A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor based on Tb3+-functionalized MOFs to determine arginine in urine: a potential application for the diagnosis of cystinuria
Authors: Cui Ruixue , Wan Yongyan , Ji Guanfeng , Liu Zhiliang
Published: August 2019

An innovative strategy for detecting arginine (Arg) in urine for the early diagnosis of cystinuria based on Tb3+@Cd-MOF via the PSM method.
Two-state diabatic potential energy surfaces of ClH2 based on nonadiabatic couplings with neural networks
Authors: Yin Zhengxi , Guan Yafu , Fu Bina , Zhang Dong H.
Published: August 2019

A neural network-fitting procedure based on nonadiabatic couplings is proposed to generate two-state diabatic PESs with conical intersections.
Transfer printing of polymer light-emitting devices with a small molecular seeding layer featuring thermally activated delayed fluorescence for triplet harvesting
Authors: Tang Yang , Gao Yuhan , Xie Guohua , Yang Chuluo
Published: August 2019

Transfer-printing technology combined with a TADF-based HTL realized a 2-fold enhancement of EL efficiency for a polymer fluorescence emitter.
Properties of thermoplastic starch films reinforced with modified cellulose nanocrystals obtained from cassava residues
Authors: Huang Lijie , Xu Hao , Zhao Hanyu , Xu Mingzi , Qi Minghui , Yi Tan , An Shuxiang , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Li Chunying , Huang Chongxing , Wang Shuangfei , Liu Yang
Published: August 2019

This study investigated the effectiveness of ester-modified cellulose nanocrystals derived from cassava residues as a reinforcement to starch films.
High strength and antibacterial polyelectrolyte complex CS/HS hydrogel films for wound healing
Authors: Shu Mengmeng , Long Shijun , Huang Yiwan , Li Dapeng , Li Haiyan , Li Xuefeng
Published: August 2019

Hydrogels with high strength were obtained based on non-covalent interactions. High antibacterial activity against E. coli was archived, and wound healing was remarkably facilitated through complexation of two functional polysaccharides.
Performance enhancement using decentralised cooperative transmission in an MISO‐VLC system
Authors: Romero‐Munoz Gabriela Alejandra , Lee Kyesan
Published: August 2019

In this study, the authors propose a decentralised cooperative transmission in a multiple‐input–single‐output visible light communication (VLC) system to deal with the co‐channel interference (CCI) converting the interference between adjacent light‐emitting diode (LED) lamps into the desired signal and to overcome link blockage recovering the data when the obstruction is not severe. VLC uses the LED lamps already installed for illumination and can alleviate the growing data traffic in the existing wireless communications without interfering. However, CCI and link blockage must be considered to improve performance. The proposed scheme decentralises a cooperative transmission employing a randomised coding rule since each LED sends a random linear combination of the columns of a deterministic code matrix whose coefficients are independent and identically distributed and the decoding is performed by ignoring the number of cooperative LEDs that is unknown and time varying at the receiver. Through computer simulations, the proposed scheme outperforms a centralised scheme when the random coefficients are real and positive. Although the performance deteriorates as decreasing the received links, it does not require to exchange information among the LEDs before transmission or receive all data before decoding as in a centralised scheme.
Du Bois, Dirt Determinism, and the Reconstruction of Global Value
Authors: Adams Katherine
Published: August 2019

W. E. B. Du Bois wrote extensively about African-American cotton growers and the Southern Black Belt, beginning with the sociological studies he conducted while at Atlanta University. Over time, his approach to these subjects became increasingly literary and experimental. He made the region—and specifically its dirt—a medium for analyzing the history and dynamics of racial capitalism, and for imagining forms of value not grounded in the violent extraction and mystification of black labor power. In doing so Du Bois countered the blame narrative developed by white southerners like Alfred Holt Stone, who attributed soil exhaustion and economic stagnation to the “monstrocity” of self-possessed black labor. He dismantles racist figures of black encumbrance, nomadism, and decay in which antebellum theories of climate determinism were retooled to promote new forms of racial exploitation. This essay analyzes Du Bois’s dirt poetics in The Souls of Black Folk (1903) and The Quest of the Silver Fleece (1911). Drawing from Ernesto Laclau’s work on the rhetoricity of Marxist social movements, it examines the revolutionary forms of radical contingency that Du Bois discovers at the intersection of linguistic and economic value.
NExUS: Bayesian simultaneous network estimation across unequal sample sizes
Authors: Das Priyam , Peterson Christine B , Do Kim-Anh , Akbani Rehan , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Network-based analyses of high-throughput genomics data provide a holistic, systems-level understanding of various biological mechanisms for a common population. However, when estimating multiple networks across heterogeneous sub-populations, varying sample sizes pose a challenge in the estimation and inference, as network differences may be driven by differences in power. We are particularly interested in addressing this challenge in the context of proteomic networks for related cancers, as the number of subjects available for rare cancer (sub-)types is often limited.

Results

We develop NExUS (Network Estimation across Unequal Sample sizes), a Bayesian method that enables joint learning of multiple networks while avoiding artefactual relationship between sample size and network sparsity. We demonstrate through simulations that NExUS outperforms existing network estimation methods in this context, and apply it to learn network similarity and shared pathway activity for groups of cancers with related origins represented in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) proteomic data.

Availability and implementation

The NExUS source code is freely available for download at https://github.com/priyamdas2/NExUS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Above the Action: The Cultural Politics of WatchingDota 2
Authors: Elam Jessica , Taylor Nick
Published: August 2019

The rise of live-streaming platforms, and the related surge in popularity of esports, remind us that there is a politics of watching play. This article extends intensified scholarly interest in game spectatorship, offering a materialist consideration of the embodied work involved in spectating competitive game play. Most readily associated with the discursive alignments between competitive gaming and/as sport, the active camera mode used by esports competitors and “shoutcasters” facilitates analyzing the highly kinetic action of team-based combat in first-person shooters and multiplayer online battle arenas. Here, we draw from microanalyses of audio-visual recordings taken as individual participants spectated a Dota 2 match. Examining the cognitive and perceptual competencies they draw from, we argue that participants are incorporated into apparatuses of perception associated with militarized optical media. While at a discursive level esports spectators may be watching sports, at a material level they are playing with the logics of drones.
The response of mixed-species bird flocks to anthropogenic disturbance and elevational variation in southwest China
Authors: Zhou Liping , Peabotuwage Indika , Gu Hao , Jiang Demeng , Hu Guohua , Jiang Aiwu , Mammides Christos , Zhang Mingxia , Quan Rui-Chang , Goodale Eben
Published: August 2019

Avian mixed-species flocks (MSFs) are an important example of species interactions threatened by the biodiversity crisis. They are found throughout the world in forested habitats but are generally reduced in size or frequency by human disturbance. In southern China, a unique MSF system is led by several species of closely- related fulvettas (Alcippe morrisonia, A. hueti, and A. davidi). Our objective was to understand how this system is distributed across elevational gradients, especially moving west into the Hengduan Mountains, and how it responds to human disturbance. We sampled leadership and composition of 375 MSFs over 2 yr in and surrounding 5 nature reserves in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, with transects placed in different land use types—protected forest, buffer areas, or agriculture—and ranging from 400 to 3,200 m. We also sampled birds outside of MSFs. We found MSFs led by fulvettas (A. fratercula and A. davidi) in forests across the region up to 2,900 m. Elevation was not a significant influence on MSF size or prevalence in models that also included land use. We found that MSFs were encountered at only one-third of the frequency in agriculture as in forest, and had strongly different composition and leadership. Although MSFs in buffer areas were more similar to those in forest, birds in buffer areas had lower flocking propensity, different flock leaders, and less complex social networks. In particular, buffer transects that were seeded pine had low numbers of fulvetta-led MSFs and forest specialists in MSFs. In the future, it is important to understand which vegetational characteristics allow MSFs, particularly fulvetta-led MSFs, to persist in buffer habitats.
Elastomeric cardiopatch scaffold for myocardial repair and ventricular support
Authors: Chachques Juan Carlos , Lila Nermine , Soler-Botija Carolina , Martinez-Ramos Cristina , Valles Ana , Autret Gwennhael , Perier Marie-Cecile , Mirochnik Nicolas , Monleon-Pradas Manuel , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Semino Carlos E
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVES

Prevention of postischaemic ventricular dilatation progressing towards pathological remodelling is necessary to decrease ventricular wall deterioration. Myocardial tissue engineering may play a therapeutic role due to its capacity to replace the extracellular matrix, thereby creating niches for cell homing. In this experimental animal study, a biomimetic cardiopatch was created with elastomeric scaffolds and nanotechnologies.

METHODS

In an experimental animal study in 18 sheep, a cardiopatch was created with adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells seeded into an engineered bioimplant consisting of 3-dimensional bioabsorbable polycaprolactone scaffolds filled with a peptide hydrogel (PuraMatrix™). This patch was then transplanted to cover infarcted myocardium. Non-absorbable poly(ethyl) acrylate polymer scaffolds were used as controls.

RESULTS

Fifteen sheep were followed with ultrasound scans at 6 months, including echocardiography scans, tissue Doppler and spectral flow analysis and speckle-tracking imaging, which showed a reduction in longitudinal left ventricular deformation in the cardiopatch-treated group. Magnetic resonance imaging (late gadolinium enhancement) showed reduction of infarct size relative to left ventricular mass in the cardiopatch group versus the controls. Histopathological analysis at 6 months showed that the cardiopatch was fully anchored and integrated to the infarct area with minimal fibrosis interface, thereby promoting angiogenesis and migration of adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells to surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the feasibility and effectiveness of a cardiopatch grafted onto myocardial infarction scars in an experimental animal model. This treatment decreased fibrosis, limited infarct scar expansion and reduced postischaemic ventricular deformity. A capillary network developed between our scaffold and the heart. The elastomeric cardiopatch seems to have a positive impact on ventricular remodelling and performance in patients with heart failure.
Trump, Populism, and American Foreign Policy
Authors: Wojczewski Thorsten
Published: August 2019

Employing a discursive understanding of populism and combing it with insights of poststructuralist international relations theory and Lacanian psychoanalysis, this article examines the conceptual links between foreign policy and populist forms of identity construction, as well as the ideological force that populism can unfold in the realm of foreign policy. It conceptualizes populism and foreign policy as distinct discourses that constitute collective identities by relating Self and Other. Identifying different modes of Othering, the article illustrates its arguments with a case study on the United States under Donald Trump and shows how the Trumpian discourse has used foreign policy as a platform for the (re)production of a populist-nationalist electoral coalition. Unlike common conceptions of populism as an ideology that misrepresents reality, the article argues that the discourse develops its ideological appeal by obscuring the discursive construction of social reality and thereby promising to satisfy the subject's desire for a complete and secure identity.
How States Order the World: A Typology of “Core” and “Peripheral” Foreign Policy
Authors: Pijović Nikola
Published: August 2019

Every state's foreign policy has to deal with other states, regions, and transnational issues, not all of whom are likely to receive the same level of policy-making interest and attention. States have differing foreign policy priorities, but how do we conceptualize those different priorities? To explain how states order the world and prioritize their foreign policy, I establish an ideal typology of “core” and “peripheral” foreign policy, which categorizes more and less important foreign policy spaces and issues. This typology contributes to foreign policy analysis's “middle-range” theorizing by establishing how and why the determinants, processes, and goals of foreign policy–making in these distinct types differ, and where policy-makers have the greatest ability to influence change in foreign policy. One of the key insights of this research relates to how structure and agency differently influence foreign policy–making: “core” foreign policy tends to be more structurally rigid and obtrusive, allowing less maneuverability for actor agency seeking to change the status quo, while “peripheral” foreign policy is less structurally rigid and obtrusive, allowing for greater actor agency in changing foreign policy direction and priorities. Hence, this typology should aid our understanding and prediction of foreign policy priorities and decisions.
Whole wheat cracker fortified with biocalcium and protein hydrolysate powders from salmon frame: characteristics and nutritional value
Authors: Idowu Anthony Temitope , Benjakul Soottawat , Sinthusamran Sittichoke , Pongsetkul Jaksuma , Sae-Leaw Thanasak , Sookchoo Pornsatit
Published: August 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to develop whole wheat crackers fortified with biocalcium (BC) and protein hydrolysate (PH) powders from salmon frame at varying substitution levels.

Materials and Methods

Whole wheat cracker fortified with BC and protein hydrolysate PH powders from salmon frame was produced. BC and PH powders or their mixtures at different ratios (3:1, 1:1, 1:3) were used to fortify the dough mix at a substitution level of 16.67% based on the whole wheat flour content. The physical, textural, sensory, and nutritional profiles of the crackers produced were examined and compared with crackers without fortification.

Results

The weight, colour, textural properties, and thickness of the crackers varied with the addition of different ratios of BC and PH powders. The incorporation of BC/PH at ratio (3:1) showed no negative effect on sensory properties. The crackers thus produced possessed higher protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and cholesterol but lower carbohydrate, sugar, fibre, and energy value than the control crackers without fortification. The crackers contained 0.026–0.045 mg/100 g polyunsaturated fatty acid. Developed crackers had a denser structure and were less porous than the control crackers as shown in scanning electron microscopic images. In scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (SEM-EDX) analysis, the crackers fortified with BC/PH at ratio (3:1) had higher calcium and phosphorus contents and intensity than the control.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the addition of BC and PH powders obtained from salmon frame represent a promising means of increasing the nutritive values of crackers.
Application of modified atmosphere packaging using silicone membrane system for shelf life extension of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and its effect on physico-chemical properties
Authors: Srivastava Shubhangi , Said Prashant
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The study was conducted to prolong the shelf life of freshly harvested pomegranate fruits and to find out its physiochemical properties during storage.

Materials and Methods

Pomegranate fruits of variety ‘Bhagawa’ were stored in 200, 300 gauge high-density polyethylene (HDPE) package, and silicone membrane modified atmospheric storage system at ambient conditions and 10°C. Gas composition inside the package, texture, color, and overall quality parameters were evaluated at these two storage temperatures. The physico-chemical properties such as total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total, reducing, and non-reducing sugars, and physiological loss in weight (PLW) were also determined.

Results

In ambient storage, the shelf life of pomegranate fruit was 10 days, whereas in modified atmosphere packaging (200 gauge HDPE, 300 gauge HDPE, and silicone membrane system), the shelf life of pomegranate fruits was extended up to 60, 60, 25 days at ambient and 96, 96, 65 days at 10°C temperature, respectively.

Conclusions

Among the 200, 300 gauge HDPE package, and silicone membrane system treatments T1, T5, and T8, respectively, were found better with respect to all the sensory and quality parameters studied.
Improving Breast Imaging Clinical Productivity
Authors: Ellis Richard L
Published: August 2019

Given current and evolving medical expectations from patients and ever-increasing complexities and demands placed upon clinical breast radiologists, to include patient access, workflow, communications, and timely medical reports, we need support systems to help advance professional productivity and efficiency. Likewise, advancing technological support with integrated systems should help support the objectives of increased professional productivity, career satisfaction, and quality patient care. In this report, we review important elements that help advance the mission of clinical breast radiologists, while meeting or exceeding patient expectations.
Septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint presenting as a chest-wall swelling in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: O’Connor Adam , Furtado Sanjay
Published: August 2019

Septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint is a rare pathology, often mistaken for other disease processes given its location and chest pain symptoms. We present a case of a 58-year-old man presenting with a dull ache in his chest after returning from a holiday. Initially under the care of the physicians locally, he was investigated for respiratory and cardiac causes of chest pain with no findings. Eventually, a lump was noted on examination of the chest prompting further imaging, which confirmed a diagnosis of manubriosternal septic arthritis. He was discussed and referred to tertiary cardiothoracics, who recommended conservative treatment with 6 weeks of antibiotics. To date, there has been a good recovery. We present this case alongside a discussion of the limited literature, in particular highlighting how difficult a diagnosis it is to make but one that surgeons and medics alike should be aware of.
Giant right coronary artery aneurysm presenting as an STEMI
Authors: Crabbe Jennifer , Hussain Azar , Vijayan Ajith , John Joseph , Loubani Mahmoud
Published: August 2019

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are an infrequent finding. They are typically discovered incidentally, rarely presenting with any symptoms. We present the case of a 72-year-old gentleman who presented with an ST elevated myocardial infarction. On investigation, the gentleman was found to have a giant right coronary artery aneurysm which was partially filled with a fresh thrombus. The thrombus occluded the RCA, triggering the myocardial infarction which leads to this gentleman’s presentation to a tertiary cardiac centre. The gentleman underwent a successful resection of the aneurysm and coronary artery bypass graft over the RCA lesion with a saphenous vein conduit. This gentleman has since been discharged from hospital after an uncomplicated postoperative course.
The stellar velocity dispersion in nearby spirals: radial profiles and correlations
Authors: Mogotsi Keoikantse Moses , Romeo Alessandro B
Published: August 2019

The stellar velocity dispersion, σ, is a quantity of crucial importance for spiral galaxies, where it enters fundamental dynamical processes such as gravitational instability and disc heating. Here we analyse a sample of 34 nearby spirals from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) spectroscopic survey, deproject the line-of-sight σ to σR and present reliable radial profiles of σR as well as accurate measurements of ⟨σR⟩, the radial average of σR over one effective (half-light) radius. We show that there is a trend for σR to increase with decreasing R, that ⟨σR⟩ correlates with stellar mass (M⋆) and tested correlations with other galaxy properties. The most significant and strongest correlation is the one with M⋆: $\langle \sigma _{R}\rangle \propto M_{\star }^{0.5}$. This tight scaling relation is applicable to spiral galaxies of type Sa–Sd and stellar mass M⋆ ≈ 109.5–1011.5 M⊙. Simple models that relate σR to the stellar surface density and disc scale length roughly reproduce that scaling, but overestimate ⟨σR⟩ significantly.
Quantifying the RNA cap epitranscriptome reveals novel caps in cellular and viral RNA
Authors: Wang Jin , Alvin Chew Bing Liang , Lai Yong , Dong Hongping , Xu Luang , Balamkundu Seetharamsingh , Cai Weiling Maggie , Cui Liang , Liu Chuan Fa , Fu Xin-Yuan , Lin Zhenguo , Shi Pei-Yong , Lu Timothy K , Luo Dahai , Jaffrey Samie R , Dedon Peter C
Published: August 2019

Chemical modification of transcripts with 5′ caps occurs in all organisms. Here, we report a systems-level mass spectrometry-based technique, CapQuant, for quantitative analysis of an organism's cap epitranscriptome. The method was piloted with 21 canonical caps—m7GpppN, m7GpppNm, GpppN, GpppNm, and m2,2,7GpppG—and 5 ‘metabolite’ caps—NAD, FAD, UDP-Glc, UDP-GlcNAc, and dpCoA. Applying CapQuant to RNA from purified dengue virus, Escherichia coli, yeast, mouse tissues, and human cells, we discovered new cap structures in humans and mice (FAD, UDP-Glc, UDP-GlcNAc, and m7Gpppm6A), cell- and tissue-specific variations in cap methylation, and high proportions of caps lacking 2′-O-methylation (m7Gpppm6A in mammals, m7GpppA in dengue virus). While substantial Dimroth-induced loss of m1A and m1Am arose with specific RNA processing conditions, human lymphoblast cells showed no detectable m1A or m1Am in caps. CapQuant accurately captured the preference for purine nucleotides at eukaryotic transcription start sites and the correlation between metabolite levels and metabolite caps.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Aspiration of a Spinal Epidural Dermoid Cyst Extending From T10 to the Sacrum: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Hatchette Charles V , Aoun Salah G , El Ahmadieh Tarek Y , Smalley Lauren , Patel Ankur R , Zhao Lee , Singla Nirmish , Mauck Ryan , Rickert Kim L , Whitworth Tony
Published: August 2019

Dermoid cysts are space-occupying tumors that can occur anywhere in the neuroaxis. Although categorized as benign lesions, they can compromise normal structures, causing neurological function loss, and have a tendency to recur often requiring repeated surgical resections. We illustrate the case of an extensive epidural dermoid cyst in a 22-yr-old woman who presented with progressive loss of neurological motor function in her lower extremities as well as bowel and bladder incontinence. The tumor extended from T10 to the sacrum, and a conventional operation would have entailed serial laminectomies that would cross the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral junctions, possibly requiring an instrumented fusion. Given the fact that operation would have carried significant morbidity, especially with the high likelihood of symptomatic tumoral recurrence, we consulted with our urology colleagues to find a minimally invasive way of reducing the tumor burden and decompressing the neural elements. The patient was taken to the operating room and a limited open lumbosacral durotomy was performed. A flexible cystoscope was then passed in the epidural space and used to suction the tumor. Postoperative imaging showed adequate resection, and the patient recovered neurological function completely. She had mini-mal recurrence at 3 yr and remained asymptomatic. This technical video note showcases the potential for use of endoscopy for spine tumors that have an amenable consistency, even in highly eloquent areas such as the conus medullaris. It also serves to highlight the benefits of interdisciplinary cooperation when treating complex disease.

This case report was written in compliance with our institutional ethical review board. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and patient consent was waived in light of the retrospective and deidentified nature of the data presented in accordance with the University of Texas SouthWestern IRB. Patient consent was waived for writing this manuscript in light of the retrospective and deidentified nature of the data presented in accordance with our institutional IRB.
Anakinra in children and adults with Still’s disease
Authors: Vastert Sebastiaan J , Jamilloux Yvan , Quartier Pierre , Ohlman Sven , Osterling Koskinen Lisa , Kullenberg Torbjörn , Franck-Larsson Karin , Fautrel Bruno , de Benedetti Fabrizio
Published: August 2019

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still’s disease are rare autoinflammatory disorders with common features, supporting the recognition of these being one disease—Still’s disease—with different ages of onset. Anakinra was recently approved by the European Medicines Agency for Still’s disease. In this review we discuss the reasoning for considering Still’s disease as one disease and present anakinra efficacy and safety based on the available literature. The analysis of 27 studies showed that response to anakinra in Still’s disease was remarkable, with clinically inactive disease or the equivalent reported for 23–100% of patients. Glucocorticoid reduction and/or stoppage was reported universally across the studies. In studies on paediatric patients where anakinra was used early or as first-line treatment, clinically inactive disease and successful anakinra tapering/stopping occurred in >50% of patients. Overall, current data support targeted therapy with anakinra in Still’s disease since it improves clinical outcome, especially if initiated early in the disease course.
Women Rising
Authors: Kennedy Maureen Shawn
Published: August 2019

Nursing needs to be in the forefront of women's rights.
Preventing Hospital-Induced Delirium in the ICU
Authors: Gavin Patricia
Published: August 2019

A patient familiar with strategies for staying oriented after surgery puts them to the test.
HHS Proposes Revisions to ACA Antidiscrimination Protections
Authors: Zolot Joan
Published: August 2019

Transgender individuals and women who've terminated pregnancy would lose explicit protections under ‘sex discrimination’ umbrella.
Starting Nursing Careers in High School
Authors: Potera Carol
Published: August 2019

An alternative Rhode Island charter school paves the way.
Panel Convened to Discuss End-of-Life Care Concerns in the LGBT Community
Authors: Pfeifer Gail M.
Published: August 2019

Potential physical and verbal abuse and implicit biases of staff are among the top concerns.
Nursing's Voice at the 72nd World Health Assembly
Authors: Reynolds Nancy R.
Published: August 2019

Editor's note: In this report, Nancy R. Reynolds describes the resolutions adopted at this year's World Health Assembly, which she attended, and their importance to nurses in the United States and globally. Reynolds is a professor and associate dean of global affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland. She is also the co–secretary general of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery, the Secretariat of which is currently based at Johns Hopkins University.
New Drug for Breast Cancer with Specific Genetic Mutations
Authors: Aschenbrenner Diane S.
Published: August 2019

Alpelisib (Piqray) is now approved to treat postmenopausal women or men who have hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative, PIK3CA-mutated, advanced or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed during or after endocrine-based therapy.
New Drugs Treat Rare Heart Disease Caused by Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis
Authors: Aschenbrenner Diane S.
Published: August 2019

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tafamidis meglumine (Vyndaqel) and tafamidis (Vyndamax) for the treatment of cardiomyopathy caused by transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults. These are the first FDA-approved drug treatments for this rare genetic disorder.
First Drug Approved for Children with Rare Autoimmune Disorder
Authors: Aschenbrenner Diane S.
Published: August 2019

Amifampridine (Ruzurgi) is the first drug approved for children ages six to 16 years with the rare autoimmune disorder Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome. The drug can cause seizures and severe hypersensitivity.
Risks May Outweigh Benefits Of Aspirin Use in Diabetes
Authors: Rosenberg Karen
Published: August 2019

According to this study:

Aspirin has potential benefits in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes, but the risks may outweigh the benefits.

The use of low-dose aspirin may need to be individualized, based on a person's risk of CVD and bleeding.