bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rheological survey of carbon fiber-reinforced high-temperature thermoplastics for big area additive manufacturing tooling applications
Authors: Ajinjeru Christine , Kishore Vidya , Chen Xun , Hershey Christopher , Lindahl John , Kunc Vlastimil , Hassen Ahmed Arabi , Duty Chad
Published: September 2019

Carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced thermoplastic composites have been widely used in different structural applications due to their superior thermal and mechanical properties. The big area additive manufacturing (BAAM) system, developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, has been used to manufacture several composite components, demonstration vehicles, molds, and dies. These components have been designed and fabricated using various CF-reinforced thermoplastics. In this study, the dynamic rheological and mechanical properties of a material commonly used in additive manufacturing, 20 wt% CF-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), as well as three CF-reinforced high-temperature polymers, 25 wt% CF-polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), 35 wt% CF-polyethersulfone (PES), and 40 wt% CF-polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), used to print molds were investigated. The viscoelastic properties, namely storage modulus, loss modulus, tan delta, and complex viscosity, of these composites were studied, and the rheological behavior was related to the BAAM extrusion and bead formation process. The results showed 20 wt% CF-ABS and 40 wt% CF-PPS to display a more dominant elastic component at all frequencies tested while 25 wt% CF-PPSU and 35 wt% CF-PES have a more dominant viscous component. This viscoelastic behavior is then used to inform the deposition and bead formation process during extrusion on the BAAM system.
Delay compensation position tracking control of electro-hydraulic servo systems based on a delay observer
Authors: Ding Xingya , Shen Gang , Li Xiang , Tang Yu
Published: September 2019

In this article, the position control problem of electro-hydraulic servo systems with feedback signal transmission delay is studied. In order to improve the control accuracy of the system, a hybrid controller which combines a delay observer, a nonlinear disturbance observer and a backstepping controller is proposed. The controller has the characteristics of compensating the delay of signal transmission, restraining the uncertain disturbance of control systems and high control precision. In order to verify the stability and validity of the proposed hybrid controller, a single-degree-of-freedom electro-hydraulic shaking table is used to verify the experimental results. The experimental results show that the proposed controller has better control effects than proportional integral derivative and backstepping controller.
The moderating effects of information overload and academic procrastination on the information avoidance behavior among Filipino undergraduate thesis writers
Authors: Fuertes Maria Cristina M. , Jose Beatriz Marie D. , Nem Singh Mary Angelie A. , Rubio Pauline Eirisse P. , de Guzman Allan B.
Published: September 2019

Information avoidance is a behavior that could either prevent or delay consumption of information. While information avoidance has been documented in various fields of interest, its overall dynamics in the context of library and information science remains a research blankspot. The overall intent of this paper is to develop a model that examines the moderating effect of information overload and academic procrastination on the information avoidance behavior among Filipino undergraduate thesis writers. Capitalizing on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) design, a total of 215 Filipino undergraduate thesis writers participated in the study. A multi-aspect questionnaire was used to measure the following variables: information overload, academic procrastination and information avoidance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results show that when students have a positive attitude towards reading, the more likely they are to employ better reading strategies and the less likely they are to exhibit information avoidance. On the other hand, the more reading strategies are used, the lower is information avoidance. Additionally, the tendency to procrastinate has less effect on the relationship between reading strategies and information avoidance and the tendency to procrastinate and acquire excessive information has less effect on the relationship between reading attitudes and information avoidance. Implications for university settings are also discussed in this paper.
Sarcina Organisms in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: A Report of 3 Cases With Varying Presentations
Authors: Propst Robert , Denham Laura , Deisch Jeremy K. , Kalra Tejinder , Zaheer Salman , Silva Kimberly , Magaki Shino
Published: September 2019

Sarcina species are anaerobic gram-positive cocci rarely seen in the upper gastrointestinal tract and associated with delayed gastric emptying. We present 3 cases of Sarcina infection with varying clinical presentations including the first reported case of Sarcina in a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis. Although the pathogenesis of Sarcina is unclear, awareness of the bacteria is important as they can usually only be detected on histopathologic examination of upper gastrointestinal biopsies. Treatment in symptomatic patients may prevent severe complications such as emphysematous gastritis and gastric perforation.
Quantitative analysis of extraocular muscle volume and exophthalmos reduction after radiation therapy to treat Graves’ ophthalmopathy: A pilot study
Authors: Kim Myungsoo , Chang Ji Hyun , Lee Nam Kwon
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to provide radiological information on the inherent response of Graves’ ophthalmopathy after radiation therapy.

Methods:

Quantitative analysis of extraocular muscle volume was performed on 96 involved extraocular muscles in a total of 16 patients. A total of 48 computed tomography images were analyzed. Exophthalmos was also measured. The percentage reductions in extraocular muscle volume and exophthalmos length were determined and compared to the pre–radiation therapy values at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up.

Results:

The median follow-up time was 21.5 months (range: 7.2–29.4 months). The mean reduction in relative tumor volume compared to the pre–radiation therapy extraocular muscle volume was 46.1% (range: 33.3%–58.8%). The mean relative extraocular muscle volumes were 71.5% at 6 months, 59.2% at 12 months, and 54.3% at 24 months after radiation therapy. The volume of the involved extraocular muscles decreased rapidly within the first 12 months of follow-up. The mean pre–radiation therapy length of exophthalmos was 21.7 mm (range: 17.6–26.1 mm). The mean percentages of exophthalmos length by comparison with the pre–radiation therapy length were 96.7% at 6 months, 92.3% at 12 months, and 88.5% at 24 months after radiation therapy. Exophthalmos decreased slowly and steadily during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Quantitative volumetric analysis of the pattern of extraocular muscle volume reduction and exophthalmos length reduction in response to radiation therapy will allow clinicians to better understand the effect of radiotherapy on Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Cracking under pressure: current trends in the global advertising industry
Authors: Sinclair John
Published: September 2019

The digitisation of advertising has profoundly altered the comfortable accommodation between advertisers, agencies and media which characterised the latter half of the last century, in spite of the advertising industry having been pro-active in building up its ad-tech expertise to meet the disintermediation challenge offered by Google and Facebook. The holding groups that oversee the several agency networks that constitute the global industry also have had to adopt defensive strategies in the wake of the global financial crisis. The groups have had to accept the cost disciplines imposed upon them by advertisers and to consolidate their services. Furthermore, at the same time as they deal with disintermediation and the effects of financialisation, the holding groups must struggle to demonstrate their continued functional relevance for consumer capitalism in the face of two major institutional threats: clients setting up their own advertising agencies in-house and management consultancies offering advertising services to their clients.
Advice taking by groups: The effects of consensus seeking and member opinion differences
Authors: Larson James R. , Tindale R. Scott , Yoon Young-Jae
Published: September 2019

Individuals often underutilize the advice they receive from others, a phenomenon known as egocentric advice discounting. Recent research suggests that this tendency may be even stronger in groups (Minson & Mueller, 2012; Schultze, Mojzisch, & Schulz-Hardt, 2019). Using a quantity estimation task, we tested five hypotheses about advice taking by groups and individuals. Chief among these is that groups will discount advice more than individuals do when they have reached consensus on the quantity in question prior to receiving that advice, but will discount it less than individuals do when, in addition to being prevented from reaching consensus beforehand, their members initially have rather different opinions about that quantity. We also tested the hypothesis that advice received from groups will be discounted less than advice received from individuals. Individuals and two-person teams received advice on 15 general knowledge questions that each called for a percentage response. Half of the teams were required to reach an initial consensus judgment before receiving that advice, while the rest were prevented from doing so. Study results support most of our hypotheses, and are discussed in terms of the motivated cognitive closure likely induced by pre-advice consensus seeking in groups.
Adding the entrepreneurial orientation among the theoretical perspectives to analyse the development of research-based spin-offs
Authors: Verbano Chiara , Crema Maria , Scuotto Veronica
Published: September 2019

To date, research-based spin-offs (RBSOs) have been studied from an institutional perspective, from an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) or from a resource-based view. Although scholars have expressed an interest in studying RBSOs, nobody has incorporated the three different perspectives into a single integrated model. Therefore, the present article aims to develop a holistic theoretical framework, studying the human, financial, technological and social resources of an RBSO and highlighting whether the EO influences an RBSO during its generation and development phases. A case study from the information and communication technology sector was selected, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire complemented with in-depth and on-site interviews. The holistic framework adopted allowed to highlight the peculiarities of the RBSO: the marked vocation for scientific research, the EO of the founding team and the important role of the parent organization, mostly in supplying intangible assets. The emerged evidence shows how it is possible to generate and develop a successful RBSO, providing useful insights from both academic and managerial viewpoints.
Prevalence of Learning Styles in Educational Psychology and Introduction to Education Textbooks: A Content Analysis
Authors: Wininger Steven R , Redifer Jenni L , Norman Antony D , Ryle Mary K
Published: September 2019

The role of learning styles in the classroom remains a heavily debated topic within education. Notable problems with using learning styles to inform classroom instruction include a lack of empirical support and potential negative effects on student learning and motivation. This content analysis focused on the presence and quantity of learning styles discussion in 20 texts commonly used in educator preparation programs (i.e., introduction to education and educational psychology texts); definitions, models, stances on usage, and recommendations for usage provided; and whether references cited in the texts were empirical studies. Eighty percent of the reviewed textbooks included a discussion of learning styles. Half of the textbooks defined learning style as a preference or approach, whereas the other half defined it as an individual style. Introduction to education texts tended toward a more positive stance on learning style usage whereas introduction to educational psychology texts exhibited a more neutral stance. A quarter of the textbooks recommended matching instructional methods to learning styles. Texts with higher numbers of both empirical and non-empirical references were more likely to describe learning styles in terms of how students prefer to gather information rather than as innate differences in information processing. Given that most textbooks did not recommend matching instructional methods to learning styles, future research should examine the source of the continued prevalence of teachers’ beliefs that student learning improves with the matching of learning styles to teaching approach.
Evaluating the Quality of Changes in Voter Registration Databases
Authors: Kim Seo-young Silvia , Schneider Spencer , Alvarez R. Michael
Published: September 2019

The administration of elections depends crucially upon the quality and integrity of voter registration databases. In addition, political scientists are increasingly using these databases in their research. However, these databases are dynamic and may be subject to external manipulation and unintentional errors. In this article, using data from Orange County, California, we develop two methods for evaluating the quality of voter registration data as it changes over time: (a) generating audit data by repeated record linkage across periodic snapshots of a given database and monitoring it for sudden anomalous changes and (b) identifying duplicates via an efficient, automated duplicate detection, and tracking new duplicates and deduplication efforts over time. We show that the generated data can serve not only to evaluate voter file quality and election integrity but also as a novel source of data on election administration practices.
Prognostic Values of Platelet-Associated Indicators in Resectable Cervical Cancer
Authors: Wang Jing-mei , Wang Ying , Huang Yue-qing , Wang Han , Zhu Jie , Shi Jian-ping , Li Yi-fan , Wang Jing-jing , Wang Wen-Jie
Published: September 2019

Background:

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in women, which seriously threatens the health of women worldwide. Platelet (PLT)-related parameters, including PLT count, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet distribution width (PDW), are correlated with tumor prognosis.

Methods:

In total, 110 patients with cervical carcinoma were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the receiver operating characteristic analysis cutoff values of PLT, MPV, PCT, or PDW. The post-/preradiotherapy ratios were defined as the rate of preradiotherapy PLT-related parameters counts and the corresponding ones obtained after radiotherapy.

Results:

Higher pretreatment PLT level was correlated with Higher Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (II). Higher pretreatment PLT level was correlated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Increased post-/preradiotherapy ratio of PLT was correlated with worse PFS and OS. Changes in PCT, MPV, or PDW levels had no effects on PFS or OS. Cox regression analysis model indicated that larger tumor size, higher pretreatment PLT level, and increased post-/preradiotherapy PLT ratio were independently associated with worse PFS; higher FIGO stage (II) and increased post-/preradiotherapy PLT ratio were independently associated with worse OS.

Conclusion:

Pretreatment PLT level and increased post-/preradiotherapy PLT ratio are correlated with outcomes of cervical cancer.
Indigeneity matters: Portrayal of women offenders in New Zealand newspapers
Authors: Deckert Antje
Published: September 2019

A growing body of research investigates women’s experiences within New Zealand’s criminal justice system, and several studies have addressed the misrepresentation of crime’s reality in news media. However, the discriminatory depiction of Indigenous women offenders in New Zealand’s press has yet to receive scholarly attention. Indigeneity and gender are both critical factors because Māori women constitute the fastest growing segment of New Zealand’s prison population, and media discourses help shape public consent to penal policies. To address this research gap, New Zealand newspaper articles featuring women offenders were collected over a 2-year period (2016–2018) and analysed for their use of neutralization and exacerbation techniques. The findings reveal that New Zealand newspapers distort our understanding of who is most affected by the criminal justice system and what crimes Pākehā1 and Māori women typically commit. Most importantly, stories about Pākehā women were more likely to use a favourable tone (56.5%), while stories about Māori women were more likely to take on an unfavourable tone (83.3%). Finally, motherhood, as an additional exacerbating factor, was mentioned nearly twice as often for Māori women. This article adds to the body of knowledge on the portrayal of Māori people in the media, linking it to public consent to governmental policies.
Do physical activity levels differ by number of children at home in women aged 25–44 in the general population?
Authors: Abell Laura P , Tanase Kelly A , Gilmore Madison L , Winnicki Anna E , Holmes Victor L , Hartos Jessica L
Published: September 2019

Objectives:

While physical activity is important for health, many women do not meet recommended levels, particularly mothers. The purpose of this study was to assess whether physical activity levels differ by number of children at home in women aged 25–44 in the general US population.

Methods:

This cross-sectional analysis used 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for females aged 25–44 (N = 6266) from California, Colorado, New York, Texas, and Utah. Ordered logistic regression analysis assessed the relationship between physical activity levels and number of children at home while controlling for state and demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors.

Results:

About half of participants reported “inactive” or “insufficiently active” physical activity levels and about two-thirds reported having one or more children at home. The results of adjusted analysis indicated that physical activity level was significantly related to having one child (adjusted odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval = 0.63, 0.89), two children (adjusted odds ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.67, 0.93), and three or more children (adjusted odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval = 0.67, 0.94) at home.

Conclusion:

Overall, physical activity levels were significantly related to presence of children at home for women aged 25–44, but increasing number of children at home did not impact effect size. For women aged 25–44 in a primary care setting, a moderate prevalence of inactive or insufficiently active physical activity may be expected. Providers should address physical activity with all patients in this target population during well-visits, but particularly for women with children at home; educate patients about the health benefits of regular physical activity; and provide resources that will help them integrate physical activity into their daily lifestyles.
Susceptibility-guided therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection treatment failures
Authors: Yu Lou , Luo Laisheng , Long Xiaohua , Liang Xiao , Ji Yingjie , Chen Qi , Song Yanyan , Li Xiaobo , Graham David Y. , Lu Hong
Published: September 2019

Background:

Empirical therapy of Helicobacter pylori frequently results in treatment failure due to unrecognized antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of susceptibility-guided therapy for rescue treatment of H. pylori infection in China.

Methods:

This was a prospective study of consecutive 200 patients infected with H. pylori with one or more treatment failures. The therapy chosen was susceptibility based using the most effective, best-tolerated regimens first and a locally proven, reliably effective regimen for multidrug-resistant infections. All patients received 14-day triple therapy, i.e. esomeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice a day plus clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day, metronidazole 400 mg twice a day, or levofloxacin 500 mg daily, or, for multidrug-resistant infections, amoxicillin-containing bismuth quadruple therapy with esomeprazole 20 mg twice a day, bismuth 220 mg twice a day, amoxicillin 1 g three times a day, and metronidazole 400 mg four times a day. Antibiotic resistance was determined by agar dilution.

Results:

The eradication rate of susceptibility-guided therapy overall was 94.5% (189/200, 95% confidence interval: 90.4–97.2%). Around 28% (56/200) of patients carried strains susceptible to one of the tested antibiotics and were prescribed the triple therapy. A total of 144 multidrug-resistant patients received bismuth quadruple therapy. The eradication rates were all greater than 90%, i.e. 91.7% (11/12), 92.3% (12/13), and 93.5% (29/31) in those who received clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin-containing triple therapy and 95.1% (137/144) for the bismuth quadruple therapy. There were no differences in eradication rates between the subgroups.

Conclusions:

Although susceptibility-guided therapy proved high efficacious despite the high proportion of multidrug-resistant strains, the strategy suggested the best approach for this population would be empirical amoxicillin-containing bismuth quadruple therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03413020.
The ocean in excess: Towards a more-than-wet ontology
Authors: Peters Kimberley , Steinberg Philip
Published: September 2019

This article builds upon previous assertions that the ocean provides a fertile environment for reconceptualising understandings of space, time, movement and experiences of being in a transformative and mobile world. Following previous articles that urged scholars to adopt a ‘wet ontology’, this article presents a progression of, and a caveat to, these earlier arguments. As we have argued previously, liquid ‘materiality, motion, and temporality allows for new ways of thinking that are not possible when only thinking with the land’. This article maintains that critical perspectives can be gained by taking the ocean’s liquidity to heart. However, it also questions the premise of this vision. For the ocean is not simply liquid. It is solid (ice) and air (mist). It generates winds, which transport smells, and these may emote the oceanic miles inland. Although earlier attention to the ocean’s liquid volume was a necessary antidote to surficial static ontologies typically associated with land, this is insufficient in light of how the ocean exceeds material liquidity. This article thus explores what might emerge if, instead, one were to approach the ocean as offering a more-than-wet ontology, wherein its fluid nature is continually produced and dissipated.
What kind of theory for what kind of human geography?
Authors: Yeung Henry Wai-chung
Published: September 2019

While upholding the analytical relevance of a better distinction of mechanism from process in the geographical analysis of uneven development, the five commentators of my forum paper have raised some critical epistemological issues that provoke three points of clarification in this response. First, I argue for an epistemological position that views theory not only as abstract devices but more importantly as explanation of social–spatial change. I elaborate further on the importance of causal mechanism in such an explanatory kind of theory. Second, I discuss the relevance and usefulness of mid-range theories in geographical research. Finally, this response ends with a return to the bigger picture of the kind of human geography that might benefit from mechanism-based theorizing.
Diminished right ventricular function at diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is associated with mortality in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Altit Gabriel , Bhombal Shazia , Feinstein Jeffrey , Hopper Rachel K. , Tacy Theresa A.
Published: September 2019

Pulmonary vascular disease and resultant pulmonary hypertension (PH) have been increasingly recognized in the preterm population, particularly among patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Limited data exist on the impact of PH severity and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction at PH diagnosis on outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if echocardiography measures of cardiac dysfunction and PH severity in BPD‐PH were associated with mortality. The study is a retrospective analysis of the echocardiography at three months or less from time of PH diagnosis. Survival analysis using a univariate Cox proportional hazard model is presented and expressed using hazard ratios (HR). We included 52 patients with BPD and PH of which 16 (31%) died at follow‐up. Average gestational age at birth was 26.3 ± 2.3 weeks. Echocardiography was performed at a median of 43.3 weeks (IQR: 39.0–54.7). The median time between PH diagnosis and death was 117 days (range: 49–262 days). Multiple measures of PH severity and RV performance were associated with mortality (sPAP/sBP: HR 1.02, eccentricity index: HR 2.02, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion Z‐score: HR 0.65, fractional area change: HR 0.88, peak longitudinal strain: HR 1.22). Hence, PH severity and underlying RV dysfunction at PH diagnosis were associated with mortality in BPD‐PH patients. While absolute estimation of pulmonary pressures is not feasible in every screening echocardiography, thorough evaluation of RV function and other markers of PH may allow to discriminate the most at‐risk population and should be considered as standard add‐ons to the current screening at 36 weeks.
Baicalin prevents pulmonary arterial remodeling in vivo via the AKT/ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathways
Authors: Yan Guosen , Wang Jinxia , Yi Tao , Cheng Junfen , Guo Haixu , He Yuan , Shui Xiaorong , Wu Zeyong , Huang Shian , Lei Wei
Published: September 2019

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rapidly progressive and often fatal disease. As the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension remains unclear, there is currently no good drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension and new therapy is desperately needed. This study investigated the effects and mechanism of baicalin on vascular remodeling in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension. A rat pulmonary arterial hypertension model was constructed using intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline, and different doses of baicalin were used to treat these rats. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured with a right heart catheter. Moreover, the hearts were dissected to determine the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI). The lung tissues were stained with H&E and Masson's staining to estimate the pulmonary vascular remodeling and collagen fibrosis, and the expression of proteins in the AKT, ERK, and NF‐κB p65 phosphorylation (p‐AKT, p‐ERK, p‐p65) was examined by Western blot analysis. We found that compared with untreated pulmonary arterial hypertension rats, baicalin ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling and cardiorespiratory injury, inhibited p‐p65 and p‐ERK expression, and promoted p‐AKT and p‐eNOS expression. In conclusion, baicalin interfered with pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary arterial hypertension development in rats through the AKT/eNOS, ERK and NF‐κB signaling pathways.
Substitutability and complementarity of broadcast radio and music streaming services: The millennial perspective
Authors: Chan-Olmsted Sylvia , Wang Rang , Hwang Kyung-Ho
Published: September 2019

Digital technologies have redefined how people use audio media, especially for the millennial audience segment. Faced with the challenge from streaming music, many broadcast radio stations have launched their own mobile apps to compete with the new audio services such as Spotify. Guided by the uses and gratifications conceptual framework, this study employed a national survey to investigate millennials’ perceptions of the substitutability and complementarity of broadcast radio, its apps, and music streaming services. The results showed that while radio listeners perceived broadcast radio and its apps as similar products, they regarded music streaming services as distinct from the two. In addition, this study examined motivators behind the diverse perceptions and identified information, escapism, entertainment, and socialization as important. The results suggest that radio stations should take advantage of the mobile technology and offer unique values through their apps, rather than duplicate the offline consumption experience.
A Case of Ewing Sarcoma Presenting With Cardiac Metastasis
Authors: Murad Ruba , Bakkar Rimaa , Sukkar Rehab , Mahmoud Fadi , Al-Dairy Alwaleed
Published: September 2019

Ewing sarcoma is the second most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor. Metastases from Ewing sarcoma to the heart are very rare. Herein, we present a case of undiagnosed Ewing sarcoma in a 12-year-old boy who presented with metastasis to the left atrium. The mass was prolapsing across the mitral valve. In view of the potential risk of embolization, urgent cardiac surgery was performed before the establishment of a definitive diagnosis. Histopathology was consistent with Ewing sarcoma. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in his left fibula. The patient was referred to the oncology center and received chemotherapy. One year later, he is alive with no evidence of recurrent cardiac involvement.
Tricuspid Atresia With Truncus Arteriosus: Off-Pump Stage I Palliation
Authors: Siddartha C. R. , Agarwal Mridul , Joshi Reena , Joshi Raja
Published: September 2019

Coexistence of tricuspid atresia and truncus arteriosus (common arterial trunk) is an extremely rare combination of anomalies and requires staged palliation. Initial palliation involves disconnection of the pulmonary arteries from the common trunk and creation of a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt. This has generally been accomplished with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe a technique of off-pump palliation using the common trunk and a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt as sources of pulmonary blood flow at various stages of reconstruction. The child has recovered well and has undergone second-stage palliation with bilateral bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomoses at one year of age.
Impact of 3D Printouts in Optimizing Surgical Results for Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Han Frank , Co-Vu Jennifer , Lopez-Colon Dalia , Forder John , Bleiweis Mark , Reyes Karl , DeGroff Curt , Chandran Arun
Published: September 2019

Planning corrective and palliative surgery for patients who have complex congenital heart disease often relies on the assessment of cardiac anatomy using two-dimensional noninvasive cardiac imaging modalities (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scan). Advances in cardiac noninvasive imaging now include the use of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction tools that produce 3D images and 3D printouts. There is scant evidence available in the literature as to what effect the availability of 3D printouts of complex congenital heart defects has on surgical outcomes. Surgical outcomes of study subjects with a 3D cardiac printout available and their paired control subject without a 3D cardiac printout available were compared. We found a trend toward shorter surgical times in the study group who had the benefit of 3D models, but no statistical significance was found for bypass time, cross-clamp time, total time, length of stay, or respiratory support. These preliminary results support the proposal that 3D modeling be made readily available to congenital cardiac surgery teams, for use in patients with the most complex congenital heart disease.
Smart Graft Monitoring After the Fontan Operation
Authors: Rhodes John F. , Patel Madalsa , Burke Redmond P.
Published: September 2019

The Fontan operation for children with congenital heart disease places them in a physiological state of mildly elevated systemic venous pressure and low-normal cardiac output. Consequently, close follow-up is imperative, yet currently no method is available to obtain Fontan pressures without direct measurements in the cardiac catheterization laboratory while supine and sedated. We hypothesize that by suturing the CardioMEMS sensor device into the Fontan conduit during the standard Fontan operation for a child with single ventricular physiology, clinicians can accurately retrieve Fontan pathway pressure measurements noninvasively during normal physiological states.
Successful Staged Repair for Truncus Arteriosus With Anomalous Arch Vessels and Left Coronary Artery
Authors: Ono Yoshikazu , Hoashi Takaya , Kurosaki Kenichi , Ichikawa Hajime
Published: September 2019

A patient was born with truncus arteriosus type 2, left aortic arch, anomalous origin of arch vessels, left coronary artery from the right common carotid artery, and multiple extracardiac anomalies. Surgery involving translocation of the left coronary artery to the truncal root, division of branch pulmonary arteries from the truncal artery, and right ventricle-to-branch pulmonary arteries conduit placement was performed at the age of four months. Closure of the ventricular septal defect using a one-way fenestrated patch and conduit upsizing was performed successfully when the patient reached four years of age.
Outcomes of the Non-fenestrated Fontan Procedure at High Altitude
Authors: Palacios-Macedo Alexis , Díliz-Nava Héctor , Tamariz-Cruz Orlando , García-Benítez Luis , Pérez-Juárez Fabiola , Araujo-Martínez Aric , Mier-Martínez Moisés , Corona-Villalobos Carlos , Castañuela Violeta , March Almudena , López-Terrazas Javier , Cabrera Antonio G.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Although high altitude has been considered a risk factor for the Fontan operation, and an indication for fenestration, there is a paucity of data to support its routine use. Fenestration, with its necessary right to left induced shunt, together with the lower partial pressure of oxygen found with progressive altitude, can significantly decrease hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and therefore, it would be desirable to avoid it.

Objective:

To analyze immediate and medium-term results of the non-fenestrated, extracardiac, Fontan procedure at high altitude.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of data from consecutive patients who underwent non-fenestrated, extracardiac, Fontan procedure at two institutions located in Mexico City at 2,312 m (7,585 ft) and 2,691 m (8,828 ft) above sea level. High altitude was not considered a risk factor.

Results:

Thirty-nine patients were included, with a mean age of 6.7 years. Mean preoperative indexed pulmonary vascular resistance was 1.7 Wood units. Seventy-nine percent of the patients extubated in the operating room. There was one in-hospital death (2.56%) and one at follow-up. Median chest tube drainage time was 6.5 and 6 days for the right and left pleural spaces. Median oxygen saturation at discharge was 90%. At a median follow-up of six months, all survivors, except one, had good tolerance to daily life activities.

Conclusions:

The present study shows good short- and medium-term results for the non-fenestrated, extracardiac, Fontan operation at altitudes between 2,300 and 2,700 m and might favor this strategy over fenestration to improve postoperative oxygen saturation. Further studies to examine the long-term outcomes of this approach need to be considered.
Viewing the Game Textually: Online Consumption of Live Text Commentary as Alternate Spectatorship Among Nigerian Football Fans
Authors: Ojomo Olusegun W. , Olomojobi Oluwafemi T.
Published: September 2019

Live text commentary has, in recent years, emerged as a prominent mode of reporting sports actions to an online audience in real time. Prior studies have mainly adopted a textual analysis approach in examining this written genre of sports commentary. Working within a media multitasking and technology acceptance paradigm, this study investigated the patterns of, perceptions, and motivations that drive online consumption of live text commentary among football fans. Data were obtained from a survey of 312 Nigerian football fans. Findings showed that Nigerian fans access live text commentary in a supplementary and contemporaneous fashion with television and radio live football broadcasts. It was revealed that fans were more likely to access live text commentary to follow European football league matches than those of the domestic league. However, the local–foreign spectatorship preference margin was found to be minimal when fans follow country-based football matches. Results also established that fans' motivations and perceptions, which were found to be more utilitarian than hedonic in direction, significantly mediate the relationship between actual consumption and intention for future consumption of live text commentary. Implications and contributions of the study's findings were discussed.
Social Networks, Support, and Depressive Symptoms: Gender Differences among Clergy
Authors: Lutz Jennifer , Eagle David E.
Published: September 2019

This study extends social-psychological research on social networks and mental health by examining cross-gender differences in social integration and depression among United Methodist clergy in North Carolina. Using data from the fifth wave of the Clergy Health Initiative panel survey, we used cross-group models to examine the association of depressive symptoms and network in-degree, out-degree, and perceived social isolation among men (N = 1,145) and women (N = 535) clergy. The analysis reveals gendered differences in this association. Specifically, out-degree bore a significant negative relationship with depressive symptoms for men but not women. Feeling socially isolated had a significant positive association with depression in both men and women.
Pathogenic roles of autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: Current understandings in pathogenesis
Authors: Senécal Jean-Luc , Hoa Sabrina , Yang Roger , Koenig Martial
Published: September 2019

The potential pathogenic role for autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis has captivated researchers for the past 40 years. This review answers the question whether there is yet sufficient knowledge to conclude that certain serum autoantibodies associated with systemic sclerosis contribute to its pathogenesis. Definitions for pathogenic, pathogenetic and functional autoantibodies are formulated, and the need to differentiate these autoantibodies from natural autoantibodies is emphasized. In addition, seven criteria for the identification of pathogenic autoantibodies are proposed. Experimental evidence is reviewed relevant to the classic systemic sclerosis antinuclear autoantibodies, anti-topoisomerase I and anticentromere, and to functional autoantibodies to endothelin 1 type A receptor, angiotensin II type 1 receptor, muscarinic receptor 3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CXCR4, estrogen receptor α, and CD22. Pathogenic evidence is also reviewed for anti-matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3, anti-fibrillin 1, anti-IFI16, anti-eIF2B, anti-ICAM-1, and anti-RuvBL1/RuvBL2 autoantibodies. For each autoantibody, objective evidence for a pathogenic role is scored qualitatively according to the seven pathogenicity criteria. It is concluded that anti-topoisomerase I is the single autoantibody specificity with the most evidence in favor of a pathogenic role in systemic sclerosis, followed by anticentromere. However, these autoantibodies have not been demonstrated yet to fulfill completely the seven proposed criteria for pathogenicity. Their contributory roles to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis remain possible but not yet conclusively demonstrated. With respect to functional autoantibodies and other autoantibodies, only a few criteria for pathogenicity are fulfilled. Their common presence in healthy and disease controls suggests that major subsets of these immunoglobulins are natural autoantibodies. While some of these autoantibodies may be pathogenetic in systemic sclerosis, establishing that they are truly pathogenic is a work in progress. Experimental data are difficult to interpret because high serum autoantibody levels may be due to polyclonal B-cell activation. Other limitations in experimental design are the use of total serum immunoglobulin G rather than affinity-purified autoantibodies, the confounding effect of other systemic sclerosis autoantibodies present in total immunoglobulin G and the lack of longitudinal studies to determine if autoantibody titers fluctuate with systemic sclerosis activity and severity. These intriguing new specificities expand the spectrum of autoantibodies observed in systemic sclerosis. Continuing elucidation of their potential mechanistic roles raises hope of a better understanding of systemic sclerosis pathogenesis leading to improved therapies.
Logical modelling reveals the PDC-PDK interaction as the regulatory switch driving metabolic flexibility at the cellular level
Authors: Tareen Samar HK , Kutmon Martina , Arts Ilja CW , de Kok Theo M , Evelo Chris T , Adriaens Michiel E
Published: September 2019

Background

Metabolic flexibility is the ability of an organism to switch between substrates for energy metabolism, in response to the changing nutritional state and needs of the organism. On the cellular level, metabolic flexibility revolves around the tricarboxylic acid cycle by switching acetyl coenzyme A production from glucose to fatty acids and vice versa. In this study, we modelled cellular metabolic flexibility by constructing a logical model connecting glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and then using network analysis to study the behaviours of the model.

Results

We observed that the substrate switching usually occurs through the inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDK), which moves the metabolism from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, we were able to verify four different regulatory models of PDK to contain known biological observations, leading to the biological plausibility of all four models across different cells and conditions.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the cellular metabolic flexibility depends upon the PDC-PDK regulatory interaction as a key regulatory switch for changing metabolic substrates.
Origin and diversification of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri pathotypes revealed by inclusive phylogenomic, dating, and biogeographic analyses
Authors: Patané José S. L. , Martins Joaquim , Rangel Luiz Thiberio , Belasque José , Digiampietri Luciano A. , Facincani Agda Paula , Ferreira Rafael Marini , Jaciani Fabrício José , Zhang Yunzeng , Varani Alessandro M. , Almeida Nalvo F. , Wang Nian , Ferro Jesus A. , Moreira Leandro M. , Setubal João C.
Published: September 2019

Background

Xanthomonas citrisubsp.citripathotypes cause bacterial citrus canker, being responsible for severe agricultural losses worldwide. The A pathotype has a broad host spectrum, while A* and Aware more restricted both in hosts and in geography. Two previous phylogenomic studies led to contrasting well-supported clades for sequenced genomes of these pathotypes. No extensive biogeographical or divergence dating analytic approaches have been so far applied to available genomes.

Results

Based on a larger sampling of genomes than in previous studies (including six new genomes sequenced by our group, adding to a total of 95 genomes), phylogenomic analyses resulted in different resolutions, though overall indicating that A + AWis the most likely true clade. Our results suggest the high degree of recombination at some branches and the fast diversification of lineages are probable causes for this phylogenetic blurring effect. One of the genomes analyzed,X. campestrispv.durantae, was shown to be an A* strain; this strain has been reported to infect a plant of the family Verbenaceae, though there are no reports of anyX. citrisubsp.citripathotypes infecting any plant outside the Citrus genus. Host reconstruction indicated the pathotype ancestor likely had plant hosts in the family Fabaceae, implying an ancient jump to the current Rutaceae hosts. Extensive dating analyses indicated that the origin ofX. citrisubsp.citrioccurred more recently than the main phylogenetic splits of Citrus plants, suggesting dispersion rather than host-directed vicariance as the main driver of geographic expansion. An analysis of 120 pathogenic-related genes revealed pathotype-associated patterns of presence/absence.

Conclusions

Our results provide novel insights into the evolutionary history ofX. citrisubsp.citrias well as a sound phylogenetic foundation for future evolutionary and genomic studies of its pathotypes.
Transcriptome changes reveal the genetic mechanisms of the reproductive plasticity of workers in lower termites
Authors: Ye Chenxu , Rasheed Humaira , Ran Yuehua , Yang Xiaojuan , Xing Lianxi , Su Xiaohong
Published: September 2019

Background

The reproductive plasticity of termite workers provides colonies with tremendous flexibility to respond to environmental changes, which is the basis for evolutionary and ecological success. Although it is known that all colony members share the same genetic background and that differences in castes are caused by differences in gene expression, the pattern of the specific expression of genes involved in the differentiation of workers into reproductives remains unclear. In this study, the isolated workers of Reticulitermes labralis developed into reproductives, and then comparative transcriptomes were used for the first time to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive plasticity of workers.

Results

We identified 38,070 differentially expressed genes and found a pattern of gene expression involved in the differentiation of the workers into reproductives. 12, 543 genes were specifically upregulated in the isolated workers. Twenty-five signal transduction pathways classified into environmental information processing were related to the differentiation of workers into reproductives. Ras functions as a signalling switch regulates the reproductive plasticity of workers. The catalase gene which is related to longevity was up-regulated in reproductives.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that workers leaving the natal colony can induce the expression of stage-specific genes in the workers, which leads to the differentiation of workers into reproductives and suggests that the signal transduction along the Ras-MAPK pathway crucially controls the reproductive plasticity of the workers. This study also provides an important model for revealing the molecular mechanism of longevity changes.