bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prank Journalism as a New Genre in Russian Media Landscape
Authors: Sukhodolov Alexander , Kudlik Elizaveta , Antonova Alla
Published: October 2019

The article aims at theorizing the phenomenon of prank journalism. The authors explain the need for new formats of searching for information in the context of information wars. The concept prank is defined in general, at the same time it is analyzed in the psychological, socio-cultural and legal aspects, a psychological and social image of a prankster is drawn. The article describes the process of a prank phone call evolving first into a youth subculture and then into a new genre of journalism. The aspects of the prank subculture are described from the viewpoint of anthropology and its media coverage is characterized. Some aspects of the beginnings of prank journalism in the Russian media space are considered, Examples of prank journalism in the Western media space are given. The article states reasons for the introduction of political prank in the Russian media space. The article offers basis for comparing a pranksters and journalists activities, and describes the ethical component of prank journalism. The article gives a brief characteristic of stages of creating a prank. The role of the personal factor in a prank journalists job is defined as exemplified by Alexey Stolyarov (Lexus) and Vladimir Kuznetsov (Vovan), the founders of the Russian intellectual prank. Examples of some well-known pranks from the recently published book by Vovan and Lexus For Whom the Phone Rings? are given. The article offers criteria for rating pranks as instruments for creating fake news as exemplified by the prank about the victims in the Kemerovo Winter Cherry mall, disseminated by a Ukrainian prankster. The prank is considered in a dichotomy: as information terrorism and as a kind of fact journalism. The article states how the prank is characterized by professional journalists and media people. The article makes a conclusion about the place of prank journalism in the modern media space.
transformation of E.coli DH5α with plasmid DNA v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

common transformation of E.coli DH5α with plasmid DNA
Western Blot (semi-dry) v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

Semi-dry cathode buffer 100 ml 10x conc. Cathode buffer 200 ml Methanol ad 1L H2O Semi-dry anode buffer 100 ml 10x anode buffer 200 ml Methanol ad 1L H2O TBST 100 mM Tris/HCl pH=8, 150 mM NaCl, 0,1% Tween TBST + 5% milk powder Primary / secondary antibodies Western Blot Equilibrate gel in Cathode buffer for 30 minutes (no shaking) PCDF-Membrane Activate for ca. 20 seconds in MeOH, incubate for 2 minutes in dH2O (no shaking) Equilibrate for 5 minutes in Anode buffer Wet two Blotting papers (thickness 1 mm each) in Anode buffer and place on Anode Put PCDF-membrane on top Put Gel on top Wet two blotting papers (thickness 1 mm each) in Cathode buffer and place on gel. Cut membranes and papers as exactly as possible to gel size (Careful! Gel gains some size while equilibrating) and place each component exactly on top of eachother. After each step consider eliminating air bubbles by rolling them out with a glass rod with buffer. Run blot at 1,5 mA/cm2 for 90 minutes (depending on the size of the protein, the blotting duration will have to be adjusted) Immunodetection Block membrane with TBST + 5% milk powder for 45 minutes Wash membrane with TBST and primary antibody for at least 1h at RT or 4°C over night. Anti-gfp antibody will be diluted 1:5000 in TBST, use as little volume as possible to preserve the expensive antibody. Wash for 10 minutes in TBST. Repeat 3 times. Add secondary antibody and incubate at least 45 minutes at RT or at 4°C over night. Swivel gently. Wash for 10 minutes in TBST. Repeat 3 times. Mix Bio-Rad Clarity Western 1:1 (ca. 1 ml per membrane). Let membrane drain, evenly add developer to membrane (with 1ml tip). Spread between film (remove bubbles), incubate for 1 minutes and detect. Blots; Chemi or Chemi-high Sensitivity, Signal Accumulation mode, transmission light for ladder detection Don't forget to take a picture of membrane for merge! Stripping Wash blot in TBS immerse in stripping buffer incubate at RT for 5-15 minutes (Under the hood!) remove and wash again in TBS
DNA Clean & Concentrator v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

Plasmid DNA Binding Buffer DNA Wash Buffer DNA Elution Buffer or Preparation Add 24 ml 100% ethanol ( 26 ml 95% ethanol ) to the 6 ml DNA Wash Buffer concentrate. Add 96 ml 100% ethanol ( 104 ml 95% ethanol ) to the 24 ml DNA Wash Buffer concentrate. Perform all centrifugation at ≥ 10000 x g. Implementation In a 1,5 ml microcentrifuge tube, add 2 - 7 volumes of DNA Bindung Buffer to each volume of DNA sample. Mix briefly by vortexing. ApplicationBindung Buffer : sampleplasmid, genomic DNA ( > 2 kb)2 : 1PCR product, DNA fragment5 : 1ssDNA7 : 1 Transfer mixture to a Zymo- Spin Column in a Collection Tube. Centrifuge for 30 seconds. Discard the flow-through. Add 200 µl DNA Wash Buffer to the column. Centrifuge for 30 seconds. Repeat the wash step. Add ≥ 6µl DNA Elution Buffer or water directly to the column matrix and incubate at room temperature for one minute. Transfer the column to a 1,5 ml microcentrifuge tube and centrifuge for 30 seconds to elute the DNA.
Measuring effects of down-regulated genes v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with integrated guide RNA culture Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 control inoculate 30 ml, grow for a few days Inducer Start Dillute each culture to oD750=0,2 Add appropriate amount of antibiotics Start with adding appropriate amount of Inducer Following Days Measure oD750 of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cultures Day 3 Measure oD750 eventually last time (depends on how good your datas and your remaining culture is) Centrifuge 5 ml of each culture Resuspend pellet in pgtx for later use (storage: -80°C)
Double Digestion and Dephosphorylation of Plasmid v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

Mix the following components gently: Plasmid Purified 2016.07.15ng/uLPlasmid DNA Tube X ComponentVolume (µL)Sterile MilliQ Water#VALUE!10x FastDigest Buffer3.0Plasmid DNA#VALUE!FastDigest Enzyme 11.0FastDigest Enzyme 21.0FastAP Alkaline Phosphatase1.0Total Volume30.0Total ng of DNA1000.0 Incubate at enzyme suitable conditions Inactivate the enzymes at suitable conditions Load on a 1% agarose gel and run for 60 min (110 V). Cut out digested band (~150 mg) and transfer to pre-weighed tube. Check weight. Purify the band
Endometrium dissociation with collagenase v1
Authors: Vento-Tormo Roser , Hoo Regina
Published: October 2019

This protocol describe the tissue dissociation procedures from human endometrium and pregnancy endometrium samples. This protocol is adapted from Vento-Tormo et al. 2018 Nature with some modification from Prof. Ashley Moffett (Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge).
Removal of gDNA out of totalRNA v1
Authors: Dusseldorf Igem
Published: October 2019

Start Calculate the volume required for 1 µg RNA Digestion of DNA ComponentamountDNaseI buffer1 µltotal RNA1 µgDNaseI1 µlH2Oto 10 µl pipet components into a RNase-free 1.5 ml tube (following order: H2O, buffer, total RNA, DNaseI) incubate reaction at 37°C for 30 min Extraction of DNaseI-digested RNA add 1 µl 50 mM EDTA and incubate at 65°C for 10 min add 1/10 Volume NaOAc and 3 Volumes 100% EtOH freeze at -20°C over night or at -80°C for at least 1h centrifuge at 13000 rpm for 10 min at 4°C Discard supernatant (RNA pellet could be not visible, important to know where it should be; it is definetly there) add 500 µl 70% EtOH centrifuge at 13000 rpm for 10 min at 4°C discard supernatant, remove as much ethanol as possible dry tubes at RT under the hood (~5min), do not overdry! resuspend pellet in 20 µl RNase-free water measure concentration Quality control: perform PCR on your DNA-free RNA (using primers 538/747; 57°C, 653 bp). Include a positive control using gDNA as a template. There should be no visible bands!
2nd doi testing v1
Authors: Li Desheng
Published: October 2019

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Biotin-Labelling of Immunoprecipitated RNA (v1pre) v1
Authors: Blue Steven , Van Nostrand Eric , Yeo Gene
Published: October 2019

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate a diverse array of RNA processing steps by binding RNAs through sequence and structural elements. The development of crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) enabled identification of RBP targets transcriptome-wide in a robust manner. During CLIP, it is often desired to visualize RBP:RNA complexes after denaturing SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and transfer to nitrocellulose membranes. However, standard methods used radiolabeling of RNA followed by autoradiography, introducing significant challenges for usability and scaling experiments to profile many RBPs. Here we describe an alternative approach to visualize RBP:RNA complexes using ligation of biotinylated nucleotides, followed by standard chemiluminescent imaging. This approach retains the advantages of visualization while decreasing handling complexity, enabling large-scale experiments to verify the presence and sizing of immunoprecipitated RBP:RNA complexes.
BANKACILIK REKLAMLARININ NİTEL VİDEO ANALİZİ İLE İNCELENMESİ: NVivo 10 ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: Işık Kasım Can , Karagöz Yalçın
Published: October 2019

Bankacılık sektörü günümüzde hızlı bir gelişim
içerisindedir. Tüketicilerin artan istekleri ve bilgi teknolojilerindeki hızlı
gelişim bankacılık sektöründe rekabeti giderek artırmıştır. Bu nedenle bankalar hedef
tüketicilerin hizmet satın alma davranışlarını, profillerini ve banka tercih
nedenlerini incelemek zorundadırlar. Çünkü tüketicilerin tercih nedenlerini
doğru tespit eden bankalar, bu sonuçlara göre doğru pazarlama stratejilerini de
oluşturmuş olacaklardır. Özellikle televizyonlarda yayınlanan reklamlar, bankaların pazarlama
stratejilerinde önemli bir yere sahiptir. Nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılan bu
çalışmada, nitel veri olarak 9 bankaya ait televizyonlarda yayınlanan 36 reklam
filmi kullanılmıştır ve bu reklam filmleri tüketicilerin banka tercihini etkileyecek faktörler
açısından Nvivo 10 paket programı ile incelenmiştir. Nitel analizler sonucunda 83
kod, bu kodları içeren 6 tema ve bunlara ait frekans tabloları elde edilmiştir.
The Effect of Combination Iron Chelating Agents on Reducing the Severity Grading of Heart and Liver Iron Overload in β-Thalassemia Patients
Authors: Ghanavat Majid , Fazeli Varzaneh Alireza , Reisi Nahid
Published: October 2019

Background: Deferasirox (DFX), Deferoxamine (DFO), and Deferiprone (DFP) are iron chelators that can be used in thalassemic patients with iron overload.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 108 thalassemic patients who were randomly divided into group A (n=54) and B (n=54). Group A received combination of DFX and DFP, and group B received DFO and DFP for six months. Serum ferritin level was measured at the beginning of the study, 3, and 6 months after the treatment; The heart and liver iron deposition rates were also measured at the beginning of the study, and 6 months after the treatment  in both groups and compared using Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 plus (MRI T2*).
Results: The mean age of patients in group A and B was 17.29±4.3 and 17.89±5.61 years old, respectively. Serum ferritin level significantly reduced after the treatment (Serum ferritin level at baseline, 3, and 6 months after the treatment in Group A: 2476.25±1289.32, 2089.62±1051.64 and 1290.22±724.78 ng/ml, respectively; in Group B: 2044.63±989.82, 1341.30±887.62 and 1229.41±701.22 ng/ml, respectively) (p<0.01, for both groups). MRI T2* heart and liver was also improved at the end of the study in both groups (p<0.01, for both groups). However, the combination of DFO/DFP significantly decreased severity grades of liver iron deposition in comparison to DFX/DFP regimen after six months (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that both combination therapies of DFO/DFP and DFX/DFP could improve heart and liver MRI T2*. However, DFO/DFP combination therapy was more effective in reducing the severity grades of liver iron deposition.
Management Pattern of Health Benefactors’ Collaboration in Medical Sciences Universities of Iran
Authors: Pakdaman Mohsen , Sari Majid , Montazeralfaraj Razieh , Fallahzadeh Hossein
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Recently, the health care sector has been moved towards establishing non-governmental organizations (NGOs); due to the fact that collaborative approaches are happening more in these organizations and they provide better services.This collaboration has been conducted in a variety of ways, requiring the investigation of a study with the aim of providing a management pattern of health benefactors’ collaboration in medical sciences Universities of Iran.
Methods: This is a qualitative and Delphi study conducted in 2017. The study population was 13 universities out of 57 universities of medical sciences in Iran to which the questionnaire was sent. To obtain experts’ opinion and consensus, using Delphi technique, a questionnaire with initial classifications and subclasses was electronically sent to the social deputy of the universities of medical sciences for three times. In order to ensure the consistency of the experts, their responses were analyzed by Kendall correlation analysis in 5 phases. SPSS and Excel software were used to analyze the data.
Results: The findings of this study showed that the factors affecting the participation of the benefactors in the medical sciences Universities of Iran include: holding meetings in the beginning of the academic year of the universities, holding meetings in special timeframes, and using benefactors’ financial resources in the research field. the Kendall coefficient was 61% in the first stage. By improving the questionnaire in the second stage, the Kendall coefficient reached 86%, and in the third stage of validation, it increased to 91%.
Conclusion: The management pattern of collaboration can be used to improve the management of health benefactors’ collaboration in Iran Universities of Medical Sciences, and the highest priority to improve its performance depends on the organization and guidance among its members.
Adana Sinema Tarihinden Kadınların Seyir Deneyimine Dair Fragmanlar
Authors: YÜKSEL İlke Şanlıer , ÇAM Aydın
Published: October 2019

Bu çalışmada, Yeni Sinema Tarihi yaklaşımından hareketle Adana sinemalarının tarihi,kadınların seyir deneyimleriyle birlikte değerlendirilmektedir. Geleneksel/anaakım sinematarihyazımının film çalışmaları etrafında şekillenen sorunlarını aşmak amacıyla 2000’lersonrasında yaygınlaşan Yeni Sinema Tarihi yaklaşımı, gösterim pratiklerini, kentsel ya dakırsal sinema mekânlarını, sinemaya gitme deneyiminin sosyal ve kültürel tarihini ve seyirpratiğinin kendisini merkezine alan bağlamsal ve metodolojik önermeler sunmaktadır.Çalışma kapsamında Adana Halkevi tarafından 1935-1951 döneminde yayımlanan AkgünlerGazetesi, Görüşler Dergisi ve Çukurova Dergisi taranmıştır. Ayrıca yine Adana’da 1918’denbu yana aralıksız yayımlanan Yeni Adana ile 1923-1966 yılları arasında yayımlananTürksözü gazetelerinin arşivlerinden de yararlanılmıştır. Bununla beraber Adanasinemalarının tarihi zirvesine ulaştığı 1960–1980 dönemindeki seyir deneyimlerininaraştırılması için, şehir merkezinde ve Toros yayla köylerinde yürütülen sözlü tarihçalışmaları sırasında elde edilen veriler kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın temel bulguları arasında,Adana’da erken dönemde sinemaların erkek egemen alanlar olduğu ve salt bir erkekeğlencesi olarak değerlendirildiği; ulus-devletin inşası ve Türk modernleşmesi sırasındasinemanın araçsallaştığı, kadınların ve genç kızların bu bağlamda sinemayla bir arayageldiği; 1960-1980 dönemindeyse sinemanın bu kez kadınlara evden çıkma, diğer kadınlarlatoplumsallaşma ve şehri yeni biçimlerde deneyimleme imkânı vererek yeni bir kamusal alanoluşturduğu ve bir biçimde özgürlük olanağı sağladığı yer almaktadır. Bu bulgulardoğrultusunda çalışma, Adana’da tarihsel olarak çok özgün ve önemli bir yere sahip olansinema seyir deneyimini kadınların sinema mekânlarını deneyimlemesi, anımsadıkları filmlerve diğer kadınlar/erkeklerle kurulan toplumsal ilişkiler pratiği etrafında nasıl bir kamusallıkoluşturduğunu tartışmaktadır.
Mothering the Mother: An Educational Program for Nurse-Provided Continuous Labor Support
Authors: Murn Nicole L.
Published: October 2019

Continuous labor support (CLS) is associated with improved outcomes including decreased cesarean birth, increased 5-minute APGAR scores, decreased postpartum depression, and decreased nurse turnover rates. Despite this, CLS is not consistently practiced perhaps due to lack of education regarding the benefits of CLS and nurse staffing levels on birthing units. This article will discuss CLS benefits and implementation of an educational program designed to enhance nursing practice with regard to CLS and an educational program designed to provide five skills to perinatal nurses in order to enhance clinical practice. Pretest and posttests were administered and there was a significant knowledge increase related to nurse-provided CLS (p = .001) after attending the program.
A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Providers and Staff at Al-Zahraa University Hospital Regarding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and the International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes
Authors: Abd El-Ghany Somaya Mohamed , Korraa Afaf Abdel Wahab , Ahmed Eman Almorsy , Salem Iman Mohmmad Wahby , Eslam Sahar Ahmed , El-Taweel Amal Aly , Cadwell Karin
Published: October 2019

Four hundred eight providers and staff members who care for breastfeeding mothers and babies at Al-Zahraa University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt were randomly selected to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. The majority of the participants scored above 50% on the knowledge and attitude questions, however, on the practice questions only 45.3% scored above 50%, similar to the result obtained 10 years prior. The results indicate that most attention should be focused on developing practice guidelines and monitoring outcomes since knowledge and attitude were found to be adequate. We would recommend self-appraisal of staff as a first step to others whose hospitals are in the process of implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.
Tourism Circuits in Central India
Authors: Sthapak Swasti
Published: October 2019

Tourism benefits a place by generation of employment, development of infrastructure and by bringing foreign currency. Over 20 million people work in India's tourism industry. India is rich in Religious Heritage Tourism. Travelling for pilgrimage had been part of Indian traditions. Religious truism in India is one of the most preferred tourism because of its social and cultural customs (Especially in Hindu Religion). The tourism originated with religious reasons also encompasses other types of tourism in it. Linking tourism with heritage and culture can do more for local economies than promoting them separately. That’s the core idea in cultural heritage tourism: save your heritage and your culture, share it with visitors, and reap the economic benefits of tourism. In this book development of religious heritage tourism is discussed for three states as a case study. Selected states are from central part of India. This study gives insight to holistic development of Religious Heritage tourism in any state.
Melissopalynology Reveals the Foraging Preferences of the Stingless Bee Melipona seminigra pernigra Moure & Kerr 1950 (Apidae: Meliponini) in Cangas of Serra dos Carajás, Southeastern Amazonia
Authors: Guimarães José Tasso Felix , Costa Luciano , Zappi Daniela Cristina , Batista Junior Wilson Filgueira , Lopes Karen da Silva , Alves Ronnie Cley de Oliveira , Romeiro Luiza de Araújo , Silva Edilson Freitas da , Carreira Léa Maria Medeiros , Rodrigues Tarcísio Magevski , Giannini Tereza Cristina , Imperatriz-Fonseca Vera Lucia , Barth Ortrud Monika
Published: October 2019

The pollen content of honey samples collected in the years 2017 and 2019 from experimental apiaries of Melipona seminigra pernigra Moure & Kerr 1950 installed in campo rupestre on canga (CRC) vegetation of the Serra dos Carajás, southeastern Amazonia, was analyzed to understand the local variability of floral resources occurring on natural and disturbed areas. Around one hundred pollen types were identified mainly belonging to Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Euphorbiaceae (31, 6 and 5 types, respectively). The N5 mine presented the highest pollen richness with 95 pollen types identified, almost twice of those identified in the other areas, including the better preserved ones. Eighty percent of the pollen types are rare with concentrations ≤ 2,000 pollen grains/10 g; the remaining types are the most abundant and frequent, and are considered the primary bee sources (PBS). PBS correspond mostly to native plants such as Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Protium spp., Aparisthmium cordatum (A.Juss.) Baill., Mimosa acutistipula var. ferrea Barneby, Periandra mediterrânea (Vell.) Taub., Miconia spp., Pleroma carajasense K.Rocha, Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Serjania spp. and Solanum crinitum Lam. All pollen types were identified during both seasons, but higher pollen concentration are related to the dry period (June-September). The statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in honey pollen data between the natural and disturbed areas since the plant species considered as PBS in this work are intensively used in revegetation of degraded area (RDA) processes by mining activities.
An Efficient and High-Resolution Topology Optimization Method Based on Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Xue Liang , Liu Jie , Wen Guilin , Wang Hongxin
Published: October 2019

Topology optimization is a pioneering design method that can provide various candidates with high mechanical properties. However, the high-resolution for the optimum structures is highly desired, normally in turn leading to computationally intractable puzzle, especially for the famous Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method. In this paper, an efficient and high-resolution topology optimization method is proposed based on the Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network (SRCNN) technique in the framework of SIMP. The SRCNN includes four processes, i.e. refining, path extraction & representation, non-linear mapping, and reconstruction. The high computational efficiency is achieved by a pooling strategy, which can balance the number of finite element analysis (FEA) and the output mesh in optimization process. To further reduce the high computational cost of 3D topology optimization problems, a combined treatment method using 2D SRCNN is built as another speeding-up strategy. A number of typical examples justify that the high-resolution topology optimization method adopting SRCNN has excellent applicability and high efficiency for 2D and 3D problems with arbitrary boundary conditions, any design domain shape, and varied load.
Synthesis of Resins Using Epoxies and Humins as Building Blocks: A Mechanistic Study Based on in-situ FT-IR and NMR Spectroscopies
Authors: Montané Xavier , Dinu Roxana , Mija Alice
Published: October 2019

The combination of eco-respectful epoxy compounds with the humins, a by-product of biomass chemical conversion technologies, allow the obtention of materials with high added value. In this work, we propose the chemical connection study of humins with two aliphatic diepoxides through the copolymerization reactions to synthesize sustainable bio-based thermosets. The mechanism insights for the crosslinking between the epoxides and humins was proposed considering the different functionalities of the humins structure. FT-IR spectroscopy, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectroscopy techniques were used to build the proposed mechanism. By these techniques, the principal chain connections and the reactivity of all the components were highlighted in the synthesized networks.
The Impact of Temporal Complexity Reduction on a 100% Renewable European Energy System with Hydrogen Infrastructure
Authors: Caglayan Dilara  Gulcin , Heinrichs Heidi Ursula , Stolten Detlef , Robinius Martin
Published: October 2019

The transition towards a renewable energy system is essential in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in the share of variable renewable energy sources (VRES), which mainly comprise wind and solar energy, necessitates storage technologies by which the intermittency of VRES can be compensated for. Although hydrogen has been envisioned to play a significant role as a promising alternative energy carrier in a future European VRES-based energy concept, the optimal design of this system remains uncertain. In this analysis, a hydrogen infrastructure is posited that would meet the electricity and hydrogen demand for a 100% renewable energy-based European energy system in the context of 2050. The overall system design is optimized by minimizing the total annual cost. Onshore and offshore wind energy, open-field photovoltaics (PV), rooftop PV and hydro energy, as well as biomass, are the technologies employed for electricity generation. The electricity generated is then either transmitted through the electrical grid or converted into hydrogen by means of electrolyzers and then distributed through hydrogen pipelines. Battery, hydrogen vessels and salt caverns are considered as potential storage technologies. In the case of a lull, stored hydrogen can be re-electrified to generate electricity to meet demand during that time period. For each location, eligible technologies are introduced, as well as their maximum capacity and hourly demand profiles, in order to build the optimization model. In addition, a generation time series for VRES has been exogenously derived for the model. The generation profiles of wind energy have been investigated in detail by considering future turbine designs with high spatial resolution. In terms of salt cavern storage, the technical potential for hydrogen storage is defined in the system as the maximum allowable capacity per region. Whether or not a technology is installed in a region, the hourly operation of these technologies, as well as the cost of each technology, are obtained within the optimization results. It is revealed that a 100 percent renewable energy system is feasible and would meet both electricity demand and hydrogen demand in Europe.
Whole Genome Sequencing of Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer Identifies Germline Alterations in MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways
Authors: Srivastava Aayushi , Kumar Abhishek , Giangiobbe Sara , Bonora Elena , Hemminki Kari , Försti Asta , Bandapalli Obul Reddy
Published: October 2019

Evidence of familial inheritance in non-medullary thyroid cancer (NMTC) has accumulated over the last few decades. However, known variants account for a very small percentage of the genetic burden. Here, we focused on the identification of common pathways and networks enriched in NMTC families to better understand its pathogenesis with the final aim of identifying one novel high/moderate-penetrance germline predisposition variant segregating with the disease in each studied family. We performed whole genome sequencing on 23 affected and 3 unaffected family members from five NMTC-prone families and prioritized the identified variants using our Familial Cancer Variant Prioritization Pipeline (FCVPPv2). In total, 31 coding variants and 39 variants located in upstream, downstream, 5′ or 3′ untranslated regions passed FCVPPv2 filtering. Altogether, 210 genes affected by variants that passed the first three steps of the FCVPPv2 were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. These genes were enriched in tumorigenic signaling pathways mediated by receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein coupled receptors, implicating a central role of PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling in familial NMTC. Our approach can facilitate the identification and functional validation of causal variants in each family as well as the screening and genetic counseling of other individuals at risk of developing NMTC.
Analysis of secularization in Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Caroline , Irffi Guilherme
Published: October 2019

This paper analyzes whether Brazil is experiencing a religious secularization process using data from Brazil Religion Survey conducted in 2007. Models of discrete choice are estimated to understand which individual attributes affect disaffiliation, disbelief and lack of religious practice, therefore confirming or disproving secularism hypotheses. Estimations confirm some hypotheses of the theory, for example, that having liberal opinions concerning moral and social issues is positively associated with secularism, and that lower income levels result in lower chances of disaffiliation. In addition, the profile of non-religious people, non-believersand those who do not practice religion is similar. Therefore, it is possible to affirm that there is secularization in Brazil.
Revisiting the International Normalized Ratio Threshold for Bleeding Risk and Mortality in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Rudasill Sarah E. , Liu Jiabin , Kamath Atul F.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Efforts to identify preoperative risk factors for primary total hip arthroplasty have amplified with its increasing incidence. The international normalized ratio (INR) is 1 measure that may influence postoperative outcomes. This study of a national database assessed whether there exists an association between preoperative INR and postoperative bleeding and mortality among patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 17,567 adult patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) between 2005 and 2016. Patients were stratified by preoperative INR into 4 groups: INR <1.0, 1.0 to <1.25, 1.25 to <1.5, and ≥1.5. Bleeding necessitating transfusion was the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes included mortality, infection, and readmission. Multivariable logistic regressions controlled for baseline differences.

Results:

Among the patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty, 20.5% had INR <1.0, 73.6% had INR 1.0 to <1.25, 4.2% had INR 1.25 to <1.5, and 1.8% had INR ≥1.5. Mortality increased incrementally from 0.3% for INR <1.0 to 4.9% for INR ≥1.5 (p < 0.001), and bleeding risk increased from 13.2% for INR <1.0 to 29.3% for INR ≥1.5 (p < 0.001). After adjustment, bleeding risk was increased for INR 1.25 to <1.5 (odds ratio [OR], 1.55 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26 to 1.92]) and INR ≥1.5 (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.15 to 2.08]) compared with INR <1.0. The only group associated with increased mortality was INR ≥1.5 (OR, 2.69 [95% CI, 1.07 to 6.76]). The length of stay significantly increased with increasing INR, from 3.6 to 6.3 days (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study found a significant, independent effect between increased preoperative INR and increased bleeding and mortality. Bleeding risk becomes evident at INR ≥1.25, and those patients with INR ≥1.5 are at significantly increased risk of mortality.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fast Starters, Slow Starters, and Late Dippers: Trajectories of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Hesseling B. , Mathijssen N.M.C. , van Steenbergen L.N. , Melles M. , Vehmeijer S.B.W. , Porsius J.T.
Published: October 2019

Background:

The purpose of this study was to explore whether subgroups of patients with different functional recovery trajectories after total hip arthroplasty can be discerned, as well as their predictors, using data from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (Landelijke Registratie Orthopedische Implantaten [LROI]).

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected Oxford Hip Scores (OHS) up to 1 year postoperatively for patients who had undergone a primary total hip arthroplasty. Latent class growth modeling was used to classify subgroups of patients according to the trajectory of functional recovery represented by the patients’ OHS. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis to explore factors associated with class membership.

Results:

A total of 6,030 patients were analyzed. Latent class growth modeling identified fast starters (fast initial improvement, high 12-month scores; 87.7%), slow starters (no initial change and subsequent improvement; 4.6%), and late dippers (initial improvement and subsequent deterioration; 7.7%). Factors associated with slow starters were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14 to 2.33]) and smoking (OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.26 to 3.03]); an anterior approach (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.29 to 0.78]) had a protective effect against a less favorable response. Factors associated with late dippers were age of >75 years (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.22 to 2.15]), smoking (OR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.17 to 2.42]), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade of III or IV (OR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.05 to 1.91]), obesity (OR, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.69]), poorer EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) Self-Care (OR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.82] for “some problems” and OR, 2.90 [95% CI, 1.39 to 6.03] for “unable”), poorer EQ-5D Anxiety/Depression (OR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.00 to 1.71] for “moderately” and OR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.06 to 3.24] for “extremely”), poorer EQ-5D visual analog scale (OR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86 to 0.97] per 10 points), direct lateral approach (OR, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.58 to 3.02]), and hybrid fixation with a cemented acetabular implant (OR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.00 to 3.21]).

Conclusions:

We discerned fast starters, slow starters, and late dippers after total hip arthroplasty. Female sex, older age, obesity, higher ASA grades, and worse EQ-5D scores were associated with a less favorable response to total hip arthroplasty, as well as hybrid fixation (cemented acetabular implant) and direct lateral approach. Anterior approach had a protective effect against a less favorable response. However, all subgroups experienced functional improvement following total hip arthroplasty.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
An Integrated Machine-Learning Approach to Shale-Gas Supply-Chain Optimization and Refrac Candidate Identification
Authors: Asala Hope I. , Chebeir Jorge A. , Manee Vidhyadhar , Gupta Ipsita , Dahi–Taleghani Arash , Romagnoli Jose A.
Published: October 2019

The unsteady recovery of oil and gas prices in early 2017 led to an increase in drilling and hydraulic–fracturing operations in liquid–rich shale plays in North America. As field–development strategies continue to evolve, refracturing and infill–well drilling must be carefully combined to optimize shale–project profitability. Moreover, operators must bear in mind the undulating natural–gas demands persisting in an oversupplied shale–gas environment. In this paper, we use data–driven approaches to predict successful refracturing candidates and local gas demand for the second–tier optimization of a shale–gas supply–chain network.

A strategic–planning (SP) model is developed for optimizing the net present value (NPV) of a case–study shale–gas network in the Marcellus Play. This SP model uses a mixed–integer–nonlinear–programming (MINLP) formulation developed in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS, Release 27.1.0.2019). This model relies directly on input from reservoir simulation, local–gas–demand forecast, water–availability forecast, and natural–gas and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude–oil price forecasts.

Before reservoir simulation, machine learning (ML) is used to predict successful refracturing candidates, using a feed–forward neural network (NN), random–forest (RF) classifier, and a t–distributed stochastic–neighbor–embedding (t–SNE) visualization technique. Using the obtained results, best–practice field–development strategies are implemented in the area of interest (AOI) using reservoir simulation. Local gas demand is forecasted using a long–short–term–memory (LSTM) recurrent NN (RNN) that uses a multivariate data set created from local and global variables affecting shale–gas demand. A water–management structure is also developed for the optimization framework.

Using a 300–well data set (with 17 input features), successful refracturing candidates were proposed according to the joint outcome of an optimal 17/23/128/2 feed–forward NN, a t–SNE plot, and a techno–economic review. After ranking F1 scores, the developed NN outperforms the RF and support–vector–machine (SVM) algorithms for frac/refrac–well classification. The developed 32/256/128/120 LSTM model showed at least a 93% (±1%) prediction performance using three or five input features. The results illustrate the ability of the developed LSTM model to accurately predict local gas demands during periods of high or low gas demand.

After SP optimization over a 10–year planning horizon, the economic results indicate an NPV of USD 481.945 million, using the proposed physics–data–driven–based approach. An NPV of USD 611.22 million is obtained when no ML was used. The results reveal that the application of ML to strategic planning can prevent erroneous feedback of project profitability while allowing early–time decision making that maximizes shale–asset NPV.
Multiscale Reconstruction of Vuggy Carbonates by Pore-Network Modeling and Image-Based Technique
Authors: Sadeghnejad Saeid , Gostick Jeff
Published: October 2019

Vugular carbonate rocks have a complicated flow behavior because of their multimodal porosity system, with different interconnectivity at the pore scale. In this study, a new hybrid algorithm to reconstruct a bimodal vugular porous medium is introduced by coupling the pore-network modeling approach (i.e., stochastic) with the image-based network technique (i.e., process-based). This work implements image-processing techniques to generate a lattice-based network of secondary porosity (i.e., vugs) on top of an initial pore-network model at the pore scale. The resulting multiscale model is designed to preserve vug-to-vug and vug-to-pore connectivity of overlapping vugs. Modifying the effective conductance of the overlapped vugs enables the calculation of permeability of the dual-porosity network by applying mass conservation and the Poiseuille law. The method is validated on samples from an Iranian carbonate formation. The matrix micropores obtained from the mercury-intrusion laboratory measurements are statistically reconstructed by a Nelder-Mead optimization algorithm. Our results show that during the addition of vugs into a network, the absolute permeability of the network increases monotonically with rising porosity before vug percolation. However, once vuggy pores percolate, the absolute permeability of the network increases tremendously. Moreover, the availability of vugs makes the network structure more complex as determined by the off-diagonal complexity measure. The results of this study help in understanding the behavior of vuggy formations observed in carbonate reservoirs.
Influence of Virtual Reality on Visual Parameters: Immersive Versus Non-Immersive Mode
Authors: Yoon Hyeon Jeong , Kim Jonghwa , Park Sang Woo , Heo Hwan
Published: October 2019

Background : To investigate the differences in refraction, accommodative factors, visual parameters, and subjective symptoms after using two types of virtual reality (VR) content with different depths perception.
Methods : Twenty-three volunteers, who played VR games in two modes (immersive and non-immersive) for 30 min, were enrolled. Visual parameters were examined before and after using VR. Accommodative factors were measured using static and dynamic methods. Subjective symptoms were assessed using a questionnaire. Differences according to VR content were compared, and correlations between each visual parameter were analyzed.
Results : There were no changes in refraction or accommodative factors after use of the VR. However, there was a significant increase in the near point of accommodation (NPA), the near point of convergence (NPC), and subjective symptom scores after using the immersive mode. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between baseline values of near exophoria and mean accommodative lag of the dominant eye, and also revealed a negative correlation between NPA and mean accommodative lag in the non-dominant eye.
Conclusions : The use of VR for 30 min increased NPA and NPC, especially after the immersive mode was used. In addition, higher exophoria and smaller NPA is associated with increased accommodative lag after using VR.
Tamoxifen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (TAMDMD): study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 3 trial
Authors: Nagy Sara , Hafner Patricia , Schmidt Simone , Rubino-Nacht Daniela , Schädelin Sabine , Bieri Oliver , Fischer Dirk
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder of childhood with a devastating disease course. Several targeted gene therapies and molecular approaches have been or are currently tested in clinical trials; however, a causative therapy is still not available and best supportive care is limited to oral glucocorticoids with numerous long-term side effects. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor regulator, and shows besides its antitumor activity also antioxidant actions and regulatory roles in the calcium homeostasis. In a mouse model of DMD, oral tamoxifen significantly improved muscle strength and reduced muscle fatigue. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled phase 3 trial aims to demonstrate safety and efficacy of tamoxifen over placebo in pediatric patients with DMD. After completion of the double-blind phase, an open label extension of the study will be offered to all participants. METHODS/DESIGN At least 71 ambulant and up to 20 non-ambulant patients with DMD are planned to be enrolled at multiple European sites. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either tamoxifen 20mg or placebo daily over 48 weeks. In the open-label extension phase, all patients will be offered to receive tamoxifen for further 48 weeks. The primary endpoint of the double-blind phase is defined as the change of the D1 domain of the motor function measure in ambulant patients or a change of the D2 domain in non-ambulant patients under tamoxifen compared to placebo. Secondary outcome measures include change in timed function tests, quantitative muscle testing, and quantitative MRI of thigh muscles. Laboratory analyses including biomarkers of tamoxifen metabolism and muscle dystrophy will also be assessed. DISCUSSION The aim of the study is to investigate whether tamoxifen can reduce disease progression in ambulant and non-ambulant DMD patients over 48 weeks. Motor function measure comprises the primary endpoint, whereas further clinical and radiological assessments and laboratory biomarkers are performed to provide more data on safety and efficacy. An adjacent open label extension phase is planned to test if earlier initiation of the treatment with tamoxifen (verum arm of double blind phase) compared to a delayed start can reduce disease progression more efficiently.
Genetic deletion of Sphk2 confers protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated differential expression of genes related to virulent infection and inflammation in mouse lung
Authors: Ebenezer David Lenin , Fu Panfeng , Krishnan Yashaswin , Maienschein-Cline Mark , Hu Hong , Jung Segun , Madduri Ravi , Arbieva Zarema , Harijith Anantha , Natarajan Viswanathan
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium that causes serious life threatening and nosocomial infections including pneumonia. PA has the ability to alter host genome to facilitate its invasion, thus increasing the virulence of the organism. Sphingosine-1- phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid, is known to play a key role in facilitating infection. Sphingosine kinases (SPHK) 1&2 phosphorylate sphingosine to generate S1P in mammalian cells. We reported earlier that Sphk2-/- mice offered significant protection against lung inflammation, compared to wild type (WT) animals. Therefore, we profiled the differential expression of genes between the protected group of Sphk2-/- and the wild type controls to better understand the underlying protective mechanisms related to the Sphk2 deletion in lung inflammatory injury. Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on mouse lung tissue using NextSeq 500 sequencing system.
RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis was performed and differentially expressed genes following PA infection were identified using whole transcriptome of Sphk2-/- mice and their WT counterparts. Pathway (PW) enrichment analyses of the RNA seq data identified several signaling pathways that are likely to play a crucial role in pneumonia caused by PA such as those involved in: 1. Immune response to PA infection and NF-κB signal transduction; 2. PKC signal transduction; 3. Impact on epigenetic regulation; 4. Epithelial sodium channel pathway; 5. Mucin expression; and 6. Bacterial infection related pathways.
Our genomic data suggests a potential role for SPHK2 in PA-induced pneumonia through elevated expression of inflammatory genes in lung tissue. Further, validation by RT-PCR on 10 differentially expressed genes showed 100% concordance in terms of vectoral changes as well as significant fold change.
CONCLUSION: Using Sphk2-/- mice and differential gene expression analysis, we have shown here that S1P/SPHK2 signaling could play a key role in promoting PA pneumonia. The identified genes promote inflammation and suppress others that naturally inhibit inflammation and host defense. Thus, targeting SPHK2/S1P signaling in PA-induced lung inflammation could serve as a potential therapy to combat PA-induced pneumonia.
Key Words: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Lung infection; Sphingosine kinase 2; Sphingolipids; Gene Profiling; Resistance to Infection
Arts, mental distress, mental health functioning & life satisfaction: fixed effects analyses of a nationally-representative panel study
Authors: Wang Senhu , Mak Hei Wan , Fancourt Daisy
Published: October 2019

Background . Arts engagement within communities is ubiquitous across cultures globally and previous research has suggested its benefits for mental health and wellbeing. However, it remains unclear whether these benefits are driven by arts engagement itself or by important confounders such as socio-economic status (SES), childhood arts engagement, previous mental health, personality, or self-selection bias. The aim of this study is to use fixed effects models that account for unidentified time-constant confounding measures to examine the longitudinal association between arts (frequency of both arts participation and cultural attendance), mental distress, mental health functioning and life satisfaction.
Methods . Data from 23,660 individuals (with a mean age of 47 years) included in the UK Understanding Society wave 2 (2010-2012) and wave 5 (2013-2015) were analyzed. Aside from controlling for all time-constant variables using the fixed-effects models, we additionally adjusted for time-varying demographic factors (e.g. age and marital status), health behaviors and social support variables.
Results . After controlling for all time-constant variables and identified time-varying confounders, frequent arts participation and cultural attendance were associated with lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of life satisfaction, with arts participation additionally associated with better mental health functioning. Health-related and social time-varying factors were shown to partly but not wholly explain the observed associations.
Conclusion . Arts engagement amongst the population as a whole may help enhance positive mental health and life satisfaction, and protect against mental distress. These results are not explained by any time-constant confounding factors.