bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angptl8 mediates food-driven resetting of hepatic circadian clock in mice
Authors: Chen Siyu , Feng Mengyang , Zhang Shiyao , Dong Zhewen , Wang Yifan , Zhang Wenxiang , Liu Chang
Published: August 2019

Diurnal light-dark cycle resets the master clock, while timed food intake is another potent synchronizer of peripheral clocks in mammals. As the largest metabolic organ, the liver sensitively responds to the food signals and secretes hepatokines, leading to the robust regulation of metabolic and clock processes. However, it remains unknown which hepatokine mediates the food-driven resetting of the liver clock independent of the master clock. Here, we identify Angptl8 as a hepatokine that resets diurnal rhythms of hepatic clock and metabolic genes in mice. Mechanistically, the resetting function of Angptl8 is dependent on the signal relay of the membrane receptor PirB, phosphorylation of kinases and transcriptional factors, and consequently transient activation of the central clock gene Per1. Importantly, inhibition of Angptl8 signaling partially blocks food-entrained resetting of liver clock in mice. We have thus identified Angptl8 as a key regulator of the liver clock in response to food.
Deep Learning using Convolutional LSTM estimates Biological Age from Physical Activity
Authors: Rahman Syed Ashiqur , Adjeroh Donald A.
Published: August 2019

Human age estimation is an important and difficult challenge. Different biomarkers and numerous approaches have been studied for biological age estimation, each with its advantages and limitations. In this work, we investigate whether physical activity can be exploited for biological age estimation for adult humans. We introduce an approach based on deep convolutional long short term memory (ConvLSTM) to predict biological age, using human physical activity as recorded by a wearable device. We also demonstrate five deep biological age estimation models including the proposed approach and compare their performance on the NHANES physical activity dataset. Results on mortality hazard analysis using both the Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier curves each show that the proposed method for estimating biological age outperforms other state-of-the-art approaches. This work has significant implications in combining wearable sensors and deep learning techniques for improved health monitoring, for instance, in a mobile health environment. Mobile health (mHealth) applications provide patients, caregivers, and administrators continuous information about a patient, even outside the hospital.
Chronic gamma radiation resistance in fungi correlates with resistance to chromium and elevated temperatures, but not with resistance to acute irradiation
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Tkavc Rok , Matrosova Vera Y. , Volpe Robert P. , Grichenko Olga , Klimenkova Polina , Conze Isabel H. , Balygina Irina A. , Gaidamakova Elena K. , Daly Michael J.
Published: August 2019

Exposure to chronic ionizing radiation (CIR) from nuclear power plant accidents, acts of terrorism, and space exploration poses serious threats to humans. Fungi are a group of highly radiation-resistant eukaryotes, and an understanding of fungal CIR resistance mechanisms holds the prospect of protecting humans. We compared the abilities of 95 wild-type yeast and dimorphic fungal isolates, representing diverse Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, to resist exposure to five environmentally-relevant stressors: CIR (long-duration growth under 36 Gy/h) and acute (10 kGy/h) ionizing radiation (IR), heavy metals (chromium, mercury), elevated temperature (up to 50 °C), and low pH (2.3). To quantify associations between resistances to CIR and these other stressors, we used correlation analysis, logistic regression with multi-model inference, and customized machine learning. The results suggest that resistance to acute IR in fungi is not strongly correlated with the ability of a given fungal isolate to grow under CIR. Instead, the strongest predictors of CIR resistance in fungi were resistance to chromium (III) and to elevated temperature. These results suggest fundamental differences between the mechanisms of resistance to chronic and acute radiation. Convergent evolution towards radioresistance among genetically distinct groups of organisms is considered here.
Exploring the longitudinal dynamics of herd BVD antibody test results using model-based clustering
Authors: Eze J. I. , Innocent G. T. , Adam K. , Huntley S. , Gunn G. J.
Published: August 2019

Determining the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) infection status of cattle herds is a challenge for control and eradication schemes. Given the changing dynamics of BVD  virus (BVDV) antibody responses in cattle, classifying herds based on longitudinal changes in the results of BVDV antibody tests could offer a novel, complementary approach to categorising herds that is less likely than the present system to result in a herd’s status changing from year to year, as it is more likely to capture the true exposure dynamics of the farms. This paper describes the dynamics of BVDV antibody test values (measured as percentage positivity (PP)) obtained from 15,500 bovines between 2007 and 2010 from thirty nine cattle herds located in Scotland and Northern England. It explores approaches of classifying herds based on trend, magnitude and shape of their antibody PP trajectories and investigates the epidemiological similarities between farms within the same cluster. Gaussian mixture models were used for the magnitude and shape clustering. Epidemiologically meaningful clusters were obtained. Farm cluster membership depends on clustering approach used. Moderate concordance was found between the shape and magnitude clusters. These methods hold potential for application to enhance control efforts for BVD and other infectious livestock diseases.
Yield-Maturity Relationships of Summer Maize from 2003 to 2017 in the Huanghuaihai Plain of China
Authors: Yang Jinzhong , Li Yinchang , Cao Hongbo , Yao Hongliang , Han Wei , Sun Shixian
Published: August 2019

Information on yield-maturity relationships is important for maize breeding and cultivation, but it is seldom available in geographic zones where there are limited heat resources for summer maize. Two novel systematic crop yield models were put forward in terms of production efficiency. These models as well as three other conventional models were used to analyze the crop yield and maturity dataset of 23,691 records that were collected from the annual reports for the national summer maize zonal trials conducted in the Huanghuaihai Plain of China during 2003 to 2017. (1) Crop yield increases were usually below 14.5 kg/666.7 m2 due to longer maturity days, varying from 1 d to 15 d increments. Maize hybrids with later maturity fell into five categories: statistically significantly less, not significantly less, the same, not significantly more, or statistically significantly more output than their earlier counterparts. (2) Three yield components acted on crop yield gaps in the order of descending effects as kernel number per ear ≈ 1000-kernel weight > ear number per unit land area. (3) Space production efficiency was more important than canopy volume to crop yield. (4) Time production efficiency was dominant and maturity was negligible in crop yield formation. The findings provide insights into yield–maturity relationships in maize and useful information for summer maize breeding and cultivation strategies.
Characterizing the deep uncertainties surrounding coastal flood hazard projections: A case study for Norfolk, VA
Authors: Ruckert Kelsey L. , Srikrishnan Vivek , Keller Klaus
Published: August 2019

Coastal planners and decision makers design risk management strategies based on hazard projections. However, projections can differ drastically. What causes this divergence and which projection(s) should a decision maker adopt to create plans and adaptation efforts for improving coastal resiliency? Using Norfolk, Virginia, as a case study, we start to address these questions by characterizing and quantifying the drivers of differences between published sea-level rise and storm surge projections, and how these differences can impact efforts to improve coastal resilience. We find that assumptions about the complex behavior of ice sheets are the primary drivers of flood hazard diversity. Adopting a single hazard projection neglects key uncertainties and can lead to overconfident projections and downwards biased hazard estimates. These results highlight key avenues to improve the usefulness of hazard projections to inform decision-making such as (i) representing complex ice sheet behavior, (ii) covering decision-relevant timescales beyond this century, (iii) resolving storm surges with a low chance of occurring (e.g., a 0.2% chance per year), (iv) considering that storm surge projections may deviate from the historical record, and (v) communicating the considerable deep uncertainty.
The effects of spaceflight and fracture healing on distant skeletal sites
Authors: Dadwal Ushashi C. , Maupin Kevin A. , Zamarioli Ariane , Tucker Aamir , Harris Jonathan S. , Fischer James P. , Rytlewski Jeffery D. , Scofield David C. , Wininger Austin E. , Bhatti Fazal Ur Rehman , Alvarez Marta , Childress Paul J. , Chakraborty Nabarun , Gautam Aarti , Hammamieh Rasha , Kacena Melissa A.
Published: August 2019

Spaceflight results in reduced mechanical loading of the skeleton, which leads to dramatic bone loss. Low bone mass is associated with increased fracture risk, and this combination may compromise future, long-term, spaceflight missions. Here, we examined the systemic effects of spaceflight and fracture surgery/healing on several non-injured bones within the axial and appendicular skeleton. Forty C57BL/6, male mice were randomized into the following groups: (1) Sham surgery mice housed on the earth (Ground + Sham); (2) Femoral segmental bone defect surgery mice housed on the earth (Ground + Surgery); (3) Sham surgery mice housed in spaceflight (Flight + Sham); and (4) Femoral segmental bone defect surgery mice housed in spaceflight (Flight + Surgery). Mice were 9 weeks old at the time of launch and were euthanized approximately 4 weeks after launch. Micro-computed tomography (μCT) was used to evaluate standard bone parameters in the tibia, humerus, sternebra, vertebrae, ribs, calvarium, mandible, and incisor. One intriguing finding was that both spaceflight and surgery resulted in virtually identical losses in tibial trabecular bone volume fraction, BV/TV (24–28% reduction). Another important finding was that surgery markedly changed tibial cortical bone geometry. Understanding how spaceflight, surgery, and their combination impact non-injured bones will improve treatment strategies for astronauts and terrestrial humans alike.
Dynamic changes in choroidal conditions during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Nagai Norihiro , Suzuki Misa , Minami Sakiko , Kurihara Toshihide , Kamoshita Mamoru , Sonobe Hideki , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Uchida Atsuro , Shinoda Hajime , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: August 2019

We defined the relationships between initial choroidal conditions and their dynamics and exudative changes during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). One hundred treatment-naïve eyes of 100 patients with PCV treated for 24 months at Keio University Hospital with intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept monotherapy (three injections and PRN thereafter) were retrospectively analyzed. Wet macula risk after three induction injections, which affected visual prognosis, was predicted by initial pachyvessels in the choroid (foveal greatest vertical choroidal vessel diameter [CVD] ≥180 μm) and pachychoroid (central choroidal thickness [CCT] ≥220 μm) recorded by optical coherence tomography. The risk for recurrent exudative change was greater in the pachyvessel groups irrespective of presence or absence of pachychoroid. Mean CVD and CCT decreased with anti-VEGF therapy when achieving a dry macula, suggesting that exudative changes are regulated by VEGF. Mean CVD and CCT at remission were greater in patients with initial pachyvessels and pachychoroid than in those without; the basal levels of CVD and CCT most likely represent VEGF-unrelated conditions. CVD increase preceded CCT increase and recurrent exudative changes, suggesting that the VEGF-related CVD increase may regulate CCT and exudative change; and that CVD may be a biomarker of exudative change.
Distribution of zoonotic variegated squirrel bornavirus 1 in naturally infected variegated and Prevost’s squirrels
Authors: Petzold Jana , van den Brand Judith M. A. , Nobach Daniel , Hoffmann Bernd , Hoffmann Donata , Fast Christine , Reusken Chantal B. E. M. , van Run Peter R. W. A. , Schlottau Kore , Beer Martin , Herden Christiane
Published: August 2019

Recently, the zoonotic capacity of the newly discovered variegated squirrel bornavirus 1 (VSBV-1) was confirmed in humans with a lethal encephalitis. Transmission to humans occurred by variegated and Prevost’s squirrels as presumed reservoir hosts but possible ways of virus shedding and the route of infection still need to be elucidated. Thus, the tissue distribution of VSBV-1 antigen and RNA was investigated in detail via immunohistochemistry (IHC) in six variegated and eight Prevost’s squirrels and by in situ hybridisation (ISH) in one Prevost’s squirrel, respectively. VSBV-1 antigen and RNA positive cells were most numerous in the nervous system and were also found in nearly all tissues and different cell types indicating a broad organ and cell tropism of VSBV-1. Presence of VSBV-1 in several organs might indicate potential virus shedding via various routes and implies the risk of intra- and interspecies transmission, respectively.
Tensor Algebra-based Geometrical (3D) Biomacro-Molecular Descriptors for Protein Research: Theory, Applications and Comparison with other Methods
Authors: Terán Julio E. , Marrero-Ponce Yovani , Contreras-Torres Ernesto , García-Jacas César R. , Vivas-Reyes Ricardo , Terán Enrique , Torres F. Javier
Published: August 2019

In this report, a new type of tridimensional (3D) biomacro-molecular descriptors for proteins are proposed. These descriptors make use of multi-linear algebra concepts based on the application of 3-linear forms (i.e., Canonical Trilinear (Tr), Trilinear Cubic (TrC), Trilinear-Quadratic-Bilinear (TrQB) and so on) as a specific case of the N-linear algebraic forms. The definition of the kth 3-tuple similarity-dissimilarity spatial matrices (Tensor’s Form) are used for the transformation and for the representation of the existing chemical information available in the relationships between three amino acids of a protein. Several metrics (Minkowski-type, wave-edge, etc) and multi-metrics (Triangle area, Bond-angle, etc) are proposed for the interaction information extraction, as well as probabilistic transformations (e.g., simple stochastic and mutual probability) to achieve matrix normalization. A generalized procedure considering amino acid level-based indices that can be fused together by using aggregator operators for descriptors calculations is proposed. The obtained results demonstrated that the new proposed 3D biomacro-molecular indices perform better than other approaches in the SCOP-based discrimination and the prediction of folding rate of proteins by using simple linear parametrical models. It can be concluded that the proposed method allows the definition of 3D biomacro-molecular descriptors that contain orthogonal information capable of providing better models for applications in protein science.
Effect of Time of Day of Infection on Chlamydia Infectivity and Pathogenesis
Authors: Lundy Stephanie R. , Ahmad Tarek , Simoneaux Tankya , Benyeogor Ifeyinwa , Robinson YeMaya , George Zenas , Ellerson Debra , Kirlin Ward , Omosun Tolulope , Eko Francis O. , Black Carolyn M. , Blas-Machado Uriel , DeBruyne Jason P. , Igietseme Joseph U. , He Qing , Omosun Yusuf O.
Published: August 2019

Genital chlamydia infection in women causes complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility, but it is unclear why some women are more susceptible than others. Possible factors, such as time of day of chlamydia infection on chlamydial pathogenesis has not been determined. We hypothesised that infections during the day, will cause increased complications compared to infections at night. Mice placed under normal 12:12 light: dark (LD) cycle were infected intravaginally withChlamydia muridarumeither at zeitgeber time 3, ZT3 and ZT15. Infectivity was monitored by periodic vaginal swabs and chlamydiae isolation. Blood and vaginal washes were collected for host immunologic response assessments. The reproductive tracts of the mice were examined histopathologically, and fertility was determined by embryo enumeration after mating. Mice infected at ZT3 shed significantly moreC. muridarumthan mice infected at ZT15. This correlated with the increased genital tract pathology observed in mice infected at ZT3. Mice infected at ZT3 were less fertile than mice infected at ZT15. The results suggest that the time of day of infection influences chlamydial pathogenesis, it indicates a possible association between complications from chlamydia infection and host circadian clock, which may lead to a better understanding of chlamydial pathogenesis.
Genome-wide Phenotypic Profiling Identifies and Categorizes Genes Required for Mycobacterial Low Iron Fitness
Authors: Dragset Marte S. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Zhang Yanjia J. , Mærk Mali , Ginbot Zekarias , Sacchettini James C. , Flo Trude H. , Rubin Eric J. , Steigedal Magnus
Published: August 2019

Iron is vital for nearly all living organisms, but during infection, not readily available to pathogens. Infectious bacteria therefore depend on specialized mechanisms to survive when iron is limited. These mechanisms make attractive targets for new drugs. Here, by genome-wide phenotypic profiling, we identify and categorize mycobacterial genes required for low iron fitness. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), can scavenge host-sequestered iron by high-affinity iron chelators called siderophores. We take advantage of siderophore redundancy within the non-pathogenic mycobacterial model organism M. smegmatis (Msmeg), to identify genes required for siderophore dependent and independent fitness when iron is low. In addition to genes with a potential function in recognition, transport or utilization of mycobacterial siderophores, we identify novel putative low iron survival strategies that are separate from siderophore systems. We also identify the Msmeg in vitro essential gene set, and find that 96% of all growth-required Msmeg genes have a mutual ortholog in Mtb. Of these again, nearly 90% are defined as required for growth in Mtb as well. Finally, we show that a novel, putative ferric iron ABC transporter contributes to low iron fitness in Msmeg, in a siderophore independent manner.
Polydopamine coating on individual cells for enhanced extracellular electron transfer
Authors: Liu Shu-Rui , Cai Li-Fang , Wang Liu-Ying , Yi Xiao-Feng , Peng Ya-Juan , He Ning , Wu Xuee , Wang Yuan-Peng
Published: August 2019

The double-mediator electron transport pathway was achieved by PDA coating on the surface of individual cells to facilitate EET.
A self-catalyzed reaction of 1,2-dibenzoyl-o-carborane with hydrosilanes – formation of new hydrofuranes
Authors: Jaiswal Kuldeep , Volodarsky Solomon , Kampel Vladimir , Dobrovetsky Roman
Published: August 2019

FLP-type Si–H bond activation by carbonyls in 1,2-dibenzoyl-o-carborane leading to new hydrofuranes with ano-carboranyl backbone in a self-catalyzed reaction.
Encapsulation of core–satellite silicon in carbon for rational balance of the void space and capacity
Authors: Zhang Fangzhou , Zhu Guanjia , Wang Kai , Li Minhan , Yang Jianping
Published: August 2019

A novel core–satellite architecture with an elaborate structural design for rational balance of the void space and capacity.
Monodisperse nanoparticles for catalysis and nanomedicine
Authors: Muzzio Michelle , Li Junrui , Yin Zhouyang , Delahunty Ian Michael , Xie Jin , Sun Shouheng
Published: August 2019

Monodisperse nanoparticles are successful model systems for understanding structure–property relationships at the nanoscale and applications like catalysis and nanomedicine.
A silicone polymer modified by fluoranthene groups as a new approach for detecting nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Liang Yan , Xu Lingxia , Qu Fusheng , Tang Ke , Wang Hua , Yu William W.
Published: August 2019

In this work, fluoranthene-modified polysiloxane (FMPS) was synthesized via the Diels–Alder reaction.
Determination of proton concentration at cardiolipin-containing membrane interfaces and its relation with the peroxidase activity of cytochromec
Authors: Parui Partha Pratim , Sarakar Yeasmin , Majumder Rini , Das Sanju , Yang Hongxu , Yasuhara Kazuma , Hirota Shun
Published: August 2019

The interface −log[H+] defined as pH′ of a mimic inner mitochondrial membrane is ∼3.9 at bulk pH ∼ 6.8, which affects cytochromecactivity.
Zinc ion interactions in a two-dimensional covalent organic framework based aqueous zinc ion battery
Authors: Khayum M Abdul , Ghosh Meena , Vijayakumar Vidyanand , Halder Arjun , Nurhuda Maryam , Kumar Sushil , Addicoat Matthew , Kurungot Sreekumar , Banerjee Rahul
Published: August 2019

We have demonstrated a hydroquinone stitched β-ketoenamine COF acting as an efficient organic cathode in an aqueous rechargeable zinc ion battery.
Optimal cluster formation and power control for high connectivity wireless MIMO‐NOMA applications
Authors: Al‐Hussaibi W.A.
Published: August 2019

The sum rate for uplink multiple‐input multiple‐output non‐orthogonal multiple access (MIMO‐NOMA) channel is derived over a Rayleigh fading environment. Then, an optimal cluster formation and power control technique is jointly designed to maximise the sum rate under power and user rate constraints. Besides, a near‐optimal algorithm is proposed to reduce the computational efforts significantly. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of presented schemes compared with the reference MIMO‐NOMA and multiuser MIMO systems.
Temporal derivation operator applied on the historic and school case of slab waveguides families eigenvalue equations: another method for computation of variational expressions
Authors: Garnier Lucas , Doliveira Arthur , Mahé Fabrice , Gaviot Etienne , Bêche Bruno
Published: August 2019

Starting from the well-known and historic eigenvalue equations describing the behavior of 3-layer and 4-layer slab waveguides, this paper presents another specific analytical framework providing time-laws of evolution of the effective propagation constant associated to such structures, in case of temporal variation of its various geometrical features. So as to develop such kind of time-propagator formulation and related principles, a temporal derivation operator is applied on the studied school case equations, considering then time varying values of all the geometrical characteristics together with the effective propagation constant. Relevant calculations are performed on three different cases. For example, we first investigate the variation of the height of the guiding layer for the family of 3-layer slab waveguides: then, considering the 4-layer slab waveguide's family, we successively address the variation of its guiding layer and of its first upper cladding. As regards the family of 4-layer waveguides, calculations are performed for two different families of guided modes and light cones. Such another approach yields rigorous new generic analytical relations, easily implementable and highly valuable to obtain and trace all the family of dispersion curves by one single time-integration and one way.
Chirurgie der Trachea
Authors: Volmerig Jan , Hecker Erich
Published: August 2019

Die Chirurgie der Trachea ist ein Spezialgebiet, in dem aufgrund der Vielzahl von
Indikationen und der erweiterten Topografie viele Disziplinen gemeinsam tätig
sind. Nicht nur wegen der besonderen funktionellen Bedeutung, sondern auch wegen
seiner komplexen Morphologie, Anatomie und Physiologie stellt dieses Organ eine
besondere therapeutische Herausforderung dar. Eine Vielzahl von Krankheiten
erfordert chirurgische Eingriffe der Trachea – sowohl die Krankheit selbst als
auch patientenabhängige Parameter beeinflussen die therapeutische Strategie.
Unabhängig von der Art der zugrunde liegenden Erkrankung erfordert es eine hohe
Expertise im Luftwegmanagement, eine sorgfältige Diagnose und interventionelle
Planung sowie ein erfahrenes OP-Team mit Beherrschung der erweiterten
Operationstechniken, um gute Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Zur optimalen
Therapieentscheidung ist immer eine multidisziplinäre Bewertung der
individuellen Situation durch den interventionellen Pneumologen, den
Thoraxchirurgen, den Viszeralchirurgen, HNO-Chirurgen und Anästhesisten
erforderlich.
Inzidenz des Glottiskarzinoms bei jungen
Patienten
Authors: Lautermann Jürgen
Published: August 2019

Bayan S et al. Glottic Carcinoma in Young Patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol
2019; 128: 25S–32S

In jüngster Zeit mehren sich die Hinweise, dass Stimmbandkarzinome ähnlich wie
Oropharynxkarzinome öfter bei nicht rauchenden Patienten mit HPV-Infektionen
auftreten. Darüber hinaus gibt es Beobachtungen, die zeigen, dass
Glottiskarzinom-Patienten wohl jünger sind als in der Vergangenheit
angenommen. HNO-Ärzte der Universität von Chicago bestimmten daher die
Inzidenz des Glottiskarzinoms bei Patienten im Alter von 30 Jahren oder
jünger.
Zeitenwende für die Pflege
Authors: Hug Josef
Published: August 2019

2019 trat das Pflegepersonal-Stärkungsgesetz (PpSG) in Kraft und mit ihm
Untergrenzen, Pflegebudget und Personalquotient. Josef Hug,
Pflegedirektor des Städtischen Klinikums Karlsruhe, berichtet über
Herausforderungen und Chancen.
Keloidbehandlung mit intraläsionaler
Kryochirurgie
Authors: Zouboulis C. C. , Weidmann M. J. , Har-Shai Y.
Published: August 2019

Die Überproduktion veränderter Kollagenfasern und die Überexpression von
Tumor-Growth-Factor-β muss gehemmt werden, um den Wachstumsprozess innerhalb
einer Keloidnarbe zu unterbrechen. Dies kann mit den klassischen
Therapieverfahren kaum gelingen. Die Behandlungsergebnisse der Keloidtherapie
sind nur schwer vorherzusagen und die Rezidivrate liegt meist über 50 %. Darüber
hinaus können einige der eingesetzten Verfahren (z. B. Bestrahlung) zusätzliche
gesundheitliche Risiken verursachen. Die intraläsionale Kryochirurgie bietet
eine seit nunmehr 10 Jahren erprobte Therapiealternative an. Eigene Ergebnisse
von weit über tausend Behandlungen von Patienten mit Keloiden ermöglichen eine
kritische Analyse, um eine Unterscheidung der Keloide, die gut zu behandeln
sind, von denen, die sich für eine Behandlung weniger oder gar nicht eignen,
treffen zu können.
Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Adjacent Segment Motion after Ex Vivo Fusion of Equine Third and Fourth Cervical Vertebrae
Authors: Schulze Nicole , Ehrle Anna , Weller Renate , Fritsch Guido , Gernhardt Jennifer , Ben Romdhane Recem , Lischer Christoph
Published: August 2019

Objective Surgical fusion of vertebral segments is a treatment option for horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy or cervical fracture.

Degenerative disease affecting adjacent vertebral segments is a reported complication following surgical vertebral fusion in other species, termed adjacent segment disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cervical vertebral fusion on the biomechanics of adjacent vertebral segments in the horse.

Study Design Neck specimens of 12 horses were assessed using computed tomographic imaging. Range of motion (ROM) was determined by measuring the maximum sagittal flexion, extension and lateral bending between C2 and C5. C3/4 was subsequently fused using a standard locking compression plate and locking head screws and computed tomographic scans and ROM measurements were repeated.

Results Prior to intervertebral fusion, a significant increase in ROM along the vertebral segments from cranial to caudal was observed. Range of motion measurements of C3/4 decreased significantly after fusion (p = 0.01).

Range of motion of the adjacent segments (C2/3 and C4/5) did not change significantly after fusion.

Conclusion Fusion of one cervical intervertebral joint did not affect the ROM of the adjacent vertebral segments. Further research investigating the implications of vertebral fusion on the intervertebral pressure in the equine patient is indicated.
Glomuvenous Malformation of the Neck
Authors: Khan Muhammad Salman , Sohail Amir Humza , Hilal Kiran , Maan Muhammad Hassaan Arif
Published: August 2019

The cells in glomus body regulate blood flow to the skin and play a role in temperature regulation. Glomuvenous malformations (GVMs), previously reported in literature as glomus tumors or glomangiomas, are usually present in the nail bed. In 1972, Carroll and Berman described the triad of paroxysmal stabbing pain, point tenderness, and cold hypersensitivity associated with these malformations.

We present an unusual case of GVM in the neck of a 17-year-old female presenting with a painful right-sided neck mass. Physical examination revealed an approximately 2.5 × 2 cm right-sided tender neck mass; pain was exacerbated by probing with a pinhead. Computed tomography identified multiple rounded masses in the neck, with the delayed contrast filling. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion and samples were sent for histopathological examination.

The histopathology report, along with the radiological findings and the clinical presentation, confirmed the diagnosis of GVM. The patient remained symptom-free on long-term follow-up.

Despite absence of previous reports, GVM can occur in neck. Surgical excision can lead to complete resolution of symptoms.
Risk perception of arsenic exposure from rice intake in a UK population
Authors: Mondal Debapriya , Mwale Tasila , Xu Lingqian , Matthews Helen , Oyeka Anuli , Lace-Costigan Gemma , Polya David A.
Published: August 2019

In the UK, consumption of rice and rice-based products is on the rise but, notwithstanding public expressed concerns about such products as an exposure route for arsenic (e.g., BBC News report, 2017 ‘Should I worry about arsenic in my rice?') there are few, if any published data on public perceptions of risks associated with exposure to arsenic in rice. We therefore aimed to determine the risk perception of arsenic exposure from rice intake and factors that are associated with arsenic knowledge and whether or not this knowledge had an influence on rice consumption and cooking practices. A questionnaire, targeting participation of rice-eating ethnic minorities in Greater Manchester, UK, was administered to 184 participants. A multivariate generalised linear model was used to determine the factors associated with rice consumption behaviour, cooking practices, and risk perception. We show for the first time that the general population did not associate arsenic, which they perceive as toxic to health, with rice consumption. More than half of the participants knew about arsenic as a hazardous substance but less than ten percent knew that rice consumption could be an important route of arsenic exposure. Knowledge of arsenic was significantly lower in Asian/Asian British:Pakistanis (Pakistani) (OR: 0.006; 95% CI:0.00–0.03) and Asian/Asian British:Bangladeshis (Bangladeshi) (OR: 0.064; 95% CI:0.01–0.25) compared to White:English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British (White British). Moreover, Bangladeshis consumed three times more rice (OR: 2.92; 95% CI:1.73–4.93) compared to White British. Overall higher rice consumption was not associated with higher knowledge of the nutritional value of rice. Rinsing rice before cooking, an effective arsenic removal technique, was practised by 93% of the participants; however, the most popular cooking method was the use of adequate water (rice to water ratio of 1:2) but not excess water (rice to water ratio of >1:4), the latter being more effective in removing arsenic. Better education, higher weekly expenditure on food and prior knowledge of arsenic hazard were all significant factors positively influencing a change in behaviour to reduce arsenic exposure from rice intake.
Curvature distribution and autocorrelations in elliptic cylinders and cones
Authors: Gupta Sanju , Saxena Avadh
Published: August 2019

Not all micro-vessels (MV) are traditionally circular and there are examples of elliptic cylindrical MVs in life sciences, particularly if projected with a slant. Similarly, certain biological structures, ferroelectric liquid crystals, aluminum oxide clusters and witherite crystallites’ cross-section appear to be elliptical cones. We studied the mean curvature (H) distribution of these elliptic morphological structures with geometric parameter such as eccentricity; e (ratio of semi-minor to semi-major axes) and a measure of how much diagonal section deviates from circularity and height (h) in case of cones. By means of topographical cues, we defined the curvature-curvature autocorrelation function (gk) and applied this notion to mean curvature (H) of circular and elliptical cylinders and cones. The Fourier transform of correlation function, i.e. “curvature factor” is analogous to “structure factor (or Patterson function)” in X-ray and neutron scattering intensity. It elucidates critically important information related to surface curvature fluctuation relevant to shape (geometry), network and phase transformation. The latter is induced by cells under mechanical stress, occurring in many soft systems (polymeric liquid crystals, foams, bubbles) and biological tissues, particularly cell walls of primary and branched vessels bed in microvasculature that distributes blood within tissue during hypertension and migraines. This perspective is useful in a sustained release of angiogenic/vasculogenic factors and relevant for precision medicine and engineered microvessels and tissues in vitro and in vivo extended cellular processes. The quantitative analysis carried out in this work facilitates our understanding of the mechanical mechanisms associated with thrombosis during surgery that typically occur in bent or stretched MVs due to microenvironment such as localized shear stresses and biochemical factors.
Atomistic structure learning
Authors: Jørgensen Mathias S. , Mortensen Henrik L. , Meldgaard Søren A. , Kolsbjerg Esben L. , Jacobsen Thomas L. , Sørensen Knud H. , Hammer Bjørk
Published: August 2019

One endeavor of modern physical chemistry is to use bottom-up approaches to design materials and drugs with desired properties. Here, we introduce an atomistic structure learning algorithm (ASLA) that utilizes a convolutional neural network to build 2D structures and planar compounds atom by atom. The algorithm takes no prior data or knowledge on atomic interactions but inquires a first-principles quantum mechanical program for thermodynamical stability. Using reinforcement learning, the algorithm accumulates knowledge of chemical compound space for a given number and type of atoms and stores this in the neural network, ultimately learning the blueprint for the optimal structural arrangement of the atoms. ASLA is demonstrated to work on diverse problems, including grain boundaries in graphene sheets, organic compound formation, and a surface oxide structure.
Electron energy distribution modification by RF bias in Ar/SF6 inductively coupled plasmas
Authors: Lee Hyo-Chang , Chung Chin-Wook , Kim J. H. , Seong D. J.
Published: August 2019

In low gas pressure radio frequency (RF) capacitive discharges, high energy electrons, which are responsible for the ionization process, are generated near the RF sheath where the electric field oscillates. The energetic electrons heated from the sheath cannot reach the plasma bulk at high gas pressures or in molecular gases because of their short electron energy relaxation length. In this letter, however, it is shown that from the probe measurements of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF), the high energy electrons at the plasma bulk are observed in the local kinetics regime as the RF bias power increases in an inductively coupled plasma of high mixing ratio of SF6/(Ar + SF6). The generation of the high energy electrons and the EEDF modification could be understood by the enhanced bulk electric field in negative ion rich plasmas, and the EEDF modification presents a direct experimental evidence of the drift-ambipolar electron heating at the plasma bulk.
An initial investigation of neonatal neuroanatomy, caregiving, and levels of disorganized behavior
Authors: Rifkin-Graboi Anne , Tan Hui Min , Shaun Goh Kok Yew , Sim Lit Wee , Sanmugam Shamini , Chong Yap Seng , Tan Kok Hian , Shek Lynette , Gluckman Peter D. , Chen Helen , Fortier Marielle , Meaney Michael J. , Qiu Anqi
Published: August 2019

Significance

Attachment disorganization is important to mental health, and is predicted by differences in caregiving. Still, not all children are equally influenced by such environmental factors. We examined whether differences in brain structures important to stress regulation influence the relation between maternal sensitive caregiving and levels of disorganization. We assessed brains at birth, as children are not yet exposed to substantial variation in parenting at this point in time. Our findings indicate that differences in the hippocampus, a structure important to conflict and stress, influence the association between caregiving and child outcomes. If replicated, this work may allow for more targeted interventions, and suggests the need to enhance fear regulation capabilities in infants likely to be exposed to lower quality caregiving.
Mesoscale eddies release pelagic sharks from thermal constraints to foraging in the ocean twilight zone
Authors: Braun Camrin D. , Gaube Peter , Sinclair-Taylor Tane H. , Skomal Gregory B. , Thorrold Simon R.
Published: August 2019

Mesoscale eddies are critical components of the ocean’s “internal weather” system. Mixing and stirring by eddies exerts significant control on biogeochemical fluxes in the open ocean, and eddies may trap distinctive plankton communities that remain coherent for months and can be transported hundreds to thousands of kilometers. Debate regarding how and why predators use fronts and eddies, for example as a migratory cue, enhanced forage opportunities, or preferred thermal habitat, has been ongoing since the 1950s. The influence of eddies on the behavior of large pelagic fishes, however, remains largely unexplored. Here, we reconstruct movements of a pelagic predator, the blue shark (
Prionace glauca
), in the Gulf Stream region using electronic tags, earth-observing satellites, and data-assimilating ocean forecasting models. Based on

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2,000 tracking days and nearly 500,000 high-resolution time series measurements collected by 15 instrumented individuals, we show that blue sharks seek out the interiors of anticyclonic eddies where they dive deep while foraging. Our observations counter the existing paradigm that anticyclonic eddies are unproductive ocean “deserts” and suggest anomalously warm temperatures in these features connect surface-oriented predators to the most abundant fish community on the planet in the mesopelagic. These results also shed light on the ecosystem services provided by mesopelagic prey. Careful consideration will be needed before biomass extraction from the ocean twilight zone to avoid interrupting a key link between planktonic production and top predators. Moreover, robust associations between targeted fish species and oceanographic features increase the prospects for effective dynamic ocean management.
Neonicotinoids in excretion product of phloem-feeding insects kill beneficial insects
Authors: Calvo-Agudo Miguel , González-Cabrera Joel , Picó Yolanda , Calatayud-Vernich Pau , Urbaneja Alberto , Dicke Marcel , Tena Alejandro
Published: August 2019

Significance

The use of insecticides in agriculture is one of the suggested causes of the decline in insect populations. Neonicotinoids are among the most widely used insecticides. However, they have important negative side effects, especially for pollinators and other beneficial insects feeding on floral nectar and pollen. We identified an exposure route: Neonicotinoids reach and kill beneficial insects when they feed on the most abundant carbohydrate source for insects in agroecosystems, honeydew. Honeydew is the excretion product of phloem-feeding hemipteran insects such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, or psyllids. This route of exposure is likely to affect a much wider range of beneficial insects and crops than contaminated nectar. Therefore, it should be included in future environmental risk assessments of neonicotinoids.
Endocrine regulation of multichromatic color vision
Authors: Mackin Robert D. , Frey Ruth A. , Gutierrez Carmina , Farre Ashley A. , Kawamura Shoji , Mitchell Diana M. , Stenkamp Deborah L.
Published: August 2019

Significance

Primate and fish genomes contain tandemly replicated cone opsin genes. The human
long wavelength-sensitive/medium wavelength-sensitive
(
LWS/MWS
) tandem array underlies trichromatic color vision; mutations in this array cause altered color vision and retinal degenerations. Differential expression of human
LWS
vs.
MWS
is considered a stochastic event, whereby upstream enhancers associate with the promoter of the proximal or distal gene. We demonstrate that the endocrine signal thyroid hormone (TH) is a potent endogenous regulator of the orthologous zebrafish
lws1
/
lws2
array, and of the tandemly quadruplicated
rh2-1
/
rh2-2
/
rh2-3
/
rh2-4
array. TH promotes shifts in spectral sensitivity to longer wavelengths by changing expression of opsins in each array, indicating TH-coordinated control of visual function during organismal growth.
Resistance in marine cyanobacteria differs against specialist and generalist cyanophages
Authors: Zborowsky Sophia , Lindell Debbie
Published: August 2019

Long-term coexistence between unicellular cyanobacteria and their lytic viruses (cyanophages) in the oceans is thought to be due to the presence of sensitive cells in which cyanophages reproduce, ultimately killing the cell, while other cyanobacteria survive due to resistance to infection. Here, we investigated resistance in marine cyanobacteria from the generaSynechococcusandProchlorococcusand compared modes of resistance against specialist and generalist cyanophages belonging to the T7-like and T4-like cyanophage families. Resistance was extracellular in most interactions against specialist cyanophages irrespective of the phage family, preventing entry into the cell. In contrast, resistance was intracellular in practically all interactions against generalist T4-like cyanophages. The stage of intracellular arrest was interaction-specific, halting at various stages of the infection cycle. Incomplete infection cycles proceeded to various degrees of phage genome transcription and translation as well as phage genome replication in numerous interactions. In a particularly intriguing case, intracellular capsid assembly was observed, but the phage genome was not packaged. The cyanobacteria survived the encounter despite late-stage infection and partial genome degradation. We hypothesize that this is tolerated due to genome polyploidy, which we found for certain strains of bothSynechococcusandProchlorococcus. Our findings unveil a heavy cost of promiscuous entry of generalist phages into nonhost cells that is rarely paid by specialist phages and suggests the presence of unknown mechanisms of intracellular resistance in the marine unicellular cyanobacteria. Furthermore, these findings indicate that the range for virus-mediated horizontal gene transfer extends beyond hosts to nonhost cyanobacterial cells.
Language influences mass opinion toward gender and LGBT equality
Authors: Tavits Margit , Pérez Efrén O.
Published: August 2019

Significance

Evidence from 3 survey experiments traces the effects of gender-neutral pronoun use on mass judgments of gender equality and tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. The results establish that individual use of gender-neutral pronouns reduces the mental salience of males. This shift is associated with people expressing less bias in favor of traditional gender roles and categories, as manifested in more positive attitudes toward women and LGBT individuals in public affairs.
White cyber-protest in a Facebook group
Authors: Oh David C.
Published: August 2019

This study builds upon a nascent body of scholarship that examines the transnational movement of White Westerners.
The purpose is to complicate the literature on multiculturalism and globalization by examining the “reverse” migration from,
rather than to, the West. Specifically, it examines White migrants’ mobilization of online social protest through a Facebook group
that came together in response to a report broadcast on South Korea’s Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC) that was interpreted as
racist and xenophobic. In response, White residents in Korea organized dissent and engaged in symbolic protest that served a
collective ego function, creating community around a perceived sense of shared oppression as racialized minorities. To do so, they
drew on global hierarchies, White supremacy, and heteronormativity to challenge their lack of control over their own
representations in the local culture.
Comparative rhetoric and emic approaches to Chinese persuasive strategies in hotel discourse
Authors: Liu Donghong
Published: August 2019

Many studies concerning culture and rhetoric have been restricted to the binary distinction of cultures or to etic perspectives by using western theories as framework to point out the weakness of Chinese rhetoric. Taking comparative rhetoric and emic approaches, this paper focuses on logical appeal and ethical appeal to discuss the cultural values reflected in the hotel discourses. In this study content analysis was used to encode the English and Chinese hotel introductions; quantitative method was used for data comparison and an interview for investigating the persuasiveness of the Chinese rhetorical strategies. The relation between cultural values and persuasive strategies was explored. It is concluded that cultural specificity at deep level is still an indispensable factor determining rhetorical strategies despite the globalization.
Stereotype formation
Authors: Zhang Yunying , Han Eun-Jeong , Tran Phi Phuong , Tan Alexis
Published: August 2019

The present study aims (1) to study stereotype contents of a target population, and (2) to test the predictive
power of three contesting theoretical models in the communication framework of who→says what→in which channel→to whom→with what
effect (Lasswell, 1948). A purposive sample of (N = 291) Vietnamese
high school and college students found that they have positive stereotypes about Americans in general and a mix of positive and
negative stereotypes about Black/African-Americans. Of the three theoretical models, the communication model had collectively the
strongest predictors, followed by the psychological model, and then the contact model. Theoretical as well as practical
implications of the study is discussed.