bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Law and Rhetoric: Critical Possibilities
Authors: Harrington John , Series Lucy , Ruck‐Keene Alexander
Published: May 2019

What contribution can rhetoric make to socio‐legal studies? Though now a byword for deception and spin, rhetoric was long identified with the very substance of law and politics. Latterly radical scholars have foregrounded an understanding of law as rhetoric in their polemics against legal formalism, but it needs to be complemented by a critical perspective which goes beyond simple revivalism, taking account of rhetoric's own blind spots, inquiring into the means by which some speakers and listeners are privileged and others excluded or silenced. The critical potential of legal rhetoric is tested here through a review of the developing law on mental capacity and the best interests of people with disabilities in England and Wales. Much of what is at stake there is properly grasped in terms of a politics of speech: who is addressed, who can speak, who must speak, and how are they represented in judicial and media discourse.
Why successful replications across contexts and Operationalizations might not be good for theory building or testing
Authors: Trafimow David
Published: May 2019

Despite wide acceptance that replications across operationalizations and contexts is positive for psychology, the present goal is to suggest a more nuanced view that sometimes successful replications can be to the detriment of progress in psychology. The present manuscript distinguishes between replication in two idealized universes. In one such universe, the only difference between original and replication studies is randomness. In the other such universe, there are systematic differences between original and replication studies. Of course, replication in the real universe is subject to both randomness and systematicity. Although it is desirable to maximize, to the extent feasible, the probability of replication in the idealized universe where only random effects differ between original and replication studies; this may or may not be so with respect to systematicity. An important factor that determines the desirability of replications in the context of systematic differences pertains to auxiliary assumptions. A famous crisis in social psychology, with respect to the influence of attitudes on behaviors, illustrates the relevance of auxiliary assumptions in the replication context where there is serious consideration of systematic likeness or unlikeness between original and replication studies.
Plasma amino acid profiles in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Tamura Yu , Ohta Hiroshi , Kagawa Yumiko , Osuga Tatsuyuki , Morishita Keitaro , Sasaki Noboru , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: May 2019

Background

Lymphocytic‐plasmacytic enteritis is the common form of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs. In human IBD, disturbances of amino acid metabolism have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. Therefore, plasma amino acid profile might represent a novel marker of human IBD.

Objectives

To determine the plasma amino acid profiles of dogs with IBD and its usefulness as a novel marker of IBD in dogs.

Animals

Fasting blood plasma was obtained from 10 dogs with IBD and 12 healthy dogs.

Methods

All IBD dogs were prospectively included in this study, and heparinized blood samples were collected. The plasma concentrations of 21 amino acids were determined using the ninhydrin method. The relationships among the plasma amino acid concentrations and plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration, canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index (CCECAI), and overall World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) score were investigated.

Results

Median concentration (nmol/mL) of methionine [46.2; range, 30.0‐59.3], proline [119.4; range, 76.7‐189.2], serine [115.1; range, 61.4‐155.9], and tryptophan [17.4; range, 11.9‐56.3]) were significantly lower than in control dogs [62.6; range, 51.0‐83.6, 199.1; range, 132.5‐376.7, 164.3; range, 124.7‐222.9, and 68.3; range, 35.7‐94.8, respectively]. A negative correlation was identified between the plasma serine concentration and CCECAI (r
s = −.67, P = .03), but there were no correlations between plasma amino acid concentrations and CRP concentration or overall WSAVA score.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Plasma serine concentration might represent a novel maker of IBD in dogs.
Cascading effects of canopy mortality drive long‐term changes in understorey diversity in temperate old‐growth forests of Europe
Authors: Nagel Thomas A. , Iacopetti Giovanni , Javornik Jernej , Rozman Andrej , De Frenne Pieter , Selvi Federico , Verheyen Kris
Published: May 2019

Questions

We investigated the influence of protracted mortality of a dominant canopy tree (Abies alba) on long‐term understorey dynamics. We ask (a) how tree regeneration and understorey species diversity and composition changed over 32 years; and (b) whether the observed changes were mainly driven by mortality of A. alba.

Location

Three old‐growth forest reserves dominated by A. alba and Fagus sylvatica in the Dinaric Mountains of Slovenia.

Method

Tree layer and understorey regeneration and herbs were surveyed in 147 plots across the three forest reserves in 1983 and 2015. Soils were also sampled in 2015. The study period coincides with a protracted period of increased A. alba mortality in the canopy layer associated with anthropogenic emissions.

Results

Between 1983 and 2015, the decline in canopy layer A. alba caused a recruitment pulse of F. sylvatica regeneration to the subcanopy tree layer across the three reserves. These changes were accompanied by a significant decline in plot level herb species richness. A model‐based analysis of beta‐diversity revealed significant community convergence during the study period, mainly caused by the loss of rare species. Ellenberg values indicate that these changes were mainly driven by loss of understorey light, while an increase in soil pH may have played a role also.

Conclusions

This observational study suggests that the long‐term decline of A. alba resulted in a cascade of processes — widespread F. sylvatica recruitment that impeded penetration of light to the forest floor, and possibly a change in soil conditions due to the decline of coniferous litter. These changes caused a significant loss of herb diversity and homogenization of the understorey community across the three sites. This study sheds light on the potential cascading consequences triggered by episodes of increased tree mortality resulting from global‐change‐type drivers.
The immune repressor BIR1 contributes to antiviral defense and undergoes transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation during viral infections
Authors: Guzmán‐Benito Irene , Donaire Livia , Amorim‐Silva Vítor , Vallarino José G. , Esteban Alicia , Wierzbicki Andrzej T. , Ruiz‐Ferrer Virginia , Llave César
Published: May 2019

BIR1 is a receptor‐like kinase that functions as a negative regulator of basal immunity and cell death in Arabidopsis.

Using Arabidopsis thaliana and Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), we investigate the antiviral role of BIR1, the molecular mechanisms of BIR1 gene expression regulation during viral infections, and the effects of BIR1 overexpression on plant immunity and development.

We found that SA acts as a signal molecule for BIR1 activation during infection. Inactivating mutations of BIR1 in the bir1‐1 mutant cause strong antiviral resistance independently of constitutive cell death or SA defense priming. BIR1 overexpression leads to severe developmental defects, cell death and premature death, which correlate with the constitutive activation of plant immune responses.

Our findings suggest that BIR1 acts as a negative regulator of antiviral defense in plants, and indicate that RNA silencing contributes, alone or in conjunction with other regulatory mechanisms, to define a threshold expression for proper BIR1 function beyond which an autoimmune response may occur. This work provides novel mechanistic insights into the regulation of BIR1 homeostasis that may be common for other plant immune components.
Oral presentation of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: a rare entity
Authors: Hindocha N. , Nilsson J.
Published: May 2019

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the second most common non‐epithelial malignant tumour in the oral and maxillofacial region. It can mimic other benign conditions such as dental abscesses and benign tumours. We report a case of DLBCL mimicking a dental abscess. This resulted in delays of several months to correct diagnosis and thereby a poorer prognosis for the patient. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon, and it is therefore imperative that a histological examination is performed in cases where symptoms do not subside after a specific treatment. The earliest possible diagnosis is a critical prognostic factor for DLBCL.
Measurement of transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration and skin surface pH in occupational settings: A review
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Sané , Franken Anja , Du Plessis Johannes Lodewykus
Published: May 2019

Background

The skin provides a permeable barrier which may be impaired in occupational settings. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH) and skin surface pH (SSpH) have been used in occupational settings to predict early onset of occupational skin diseases, to measure the effectiveness of prevention strategies for occupational skin diseases, and to assess skin condition during exposure. The aim was to compare the findings, identify shortcomings in the methodology and data reporting and furthermore, to make recommendations for future studies.

Materials and Methods

A literature study was conducted on studies published before December 2018 to provide a review on the measurement of TEWL, SCH and SSpH in occupational settings.

Results

TEWL, SCH and SSpH were previously measured in a wide variety of industries. Results between studies were highly variable, due to different study designs and different anatomical positions measured. Not all of the measurement conditions were reported and variations in study objectives led to data being reported and interpreted differently for most studies.

Conclusion

Incomplete reporting of methodology hinders comparison of bioengineering measurements. No bioengineering method has been proven useful as a predictive tool for occupational skin diseases, however, it is useful in the acute assessment of skin condition. It is recommended that future studies on TEWL, SCH and SSpH adhere to guidelines for occupational settings as far as possible to enable comparison between studies.
Fracturing behaviour of sandstone specimens with a cavity formed by intersecting excavations under compression: Experimental study and numerical modelling
Authors: Wu Hao , Zhao Guoyan , Kulatilake Pinnaduwa H.S.W. , Liang Weizhang , Wang Enjie
Published: May 2019

To investigate the mechanical properties, damage characteristics, and fracturing behaviour of specimens with a cavity formed by intersecting excavations, a series of uniaxial compression tests were conducted incorporating digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission (AE) techniques. PFC2D modelling was conducted to further study the failure modes and crack evolution under biaxial loading. The results showed that the mechanical properties are significantly weakened by the cavity and influenced by its shape. The failure of the specimens containing a cavity under uniaxial compression can be considered as a progressive process of crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence of different cracks with each other, leading to forming macrofractures, which can be visually displayed by the DIC technique. A new method for determining the crack closure stress is proposed, and the crack initiation stress and the crack damage stress of specimens are also obtained by the AE measurements. The failure mode of the intact specimen changed from the tensile–shear failure mode under the uniaxial compression to the shear‐dominated failure mode under the biaxial compression. Failure of the specimens with a cavity is dominated by shear cracks rather than tensile cracks. Under high confining stresses, almost no macrotensile cracks appeared on the roof or floor of the cavity; instead, several spalling fractures were visible on the two sides of the cavity. The fracturing mechanism is well explained by the evolution of the internal stresses in the specimens.
Epidemiology and successful containment of a carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae outbreak in a Southern Italian Transplant Institute
Authors: Mularoni Alessandra , Martucci Gennaro , Douradinha Bruno , Campanella Ornella , Hazen Benjamin , Medaglia Alice , Arena Giuseppe , Gruttadauria Salvatore , Tuzzolino Fabio , Arcadipane Antonio , Gioè Santi , Luca Angelo , Conaldi Pier Giulio , Grossi Paolo , Gridelli Bruno
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Carbapenem‐resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are difficult to treat and pose a serious threat to solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. At our institute we observed an infection burden in 2012.

Methods

In order to contain the spread of CRE infections, we established a taskforce to implement guidelines suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for this type of outbreak. Here, we describe the epidemiology of the outbreak in our SOT population, and the effectiveness of such interventions, by comparing levels of CRE hospital‐acquired infection (HAI) pre‐ and post‐task force intervention (from January 2009 to December 2012, and from September 2013 to December 2016, respectively) through a linear regression model.

Results

In this study, we included 933 patients who underwent a total of 1017 SOT procedures, 286 of whom had a CRE‐positive culture (28.8%), of which 65 (22.7% of CRE positive) developed infection. One‐year mortality post‐SOT was significantly higher in patients with CRE infection. After the taskforce intervention, the CRE HAI rate in SOT showed a significant inverse trend (event rate: −1.28, CI −1.70 to 0.86; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In the paucity of treatment options, the application of CDC measures in our SOT institute contributed significantly to containing CRE infections.
Poplar carbohydrate‐active enzymes: whole‐genome annotation and functional analyses based on RNA expression data
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Hainaut Matthieu , Delhomme Nicolas , Mannapperuma Chanaka , Immerzeel Peter , Street Nathaniel R. , Henrissat Bernard , Mellerowicz Ewa J.
Published: May 2019

Carbohydrate‐active enzymes (CAZymes) catalyze the formation and modification of glycoproteins, glycolipids, starch, secondary metabolites and cell wall biopolymers. They are key enzymes for the biosynthesis of food and renewable biomass. Woody biomass is particularly important for long‐term carbon storage and as an abundant renewable natural resource for many industrial applications. This study presents a re‐annotation of CAZyme genes in the current Populus trichocarpa genome assembly and in silico functional characterization, based on high‐resolution RNA‐Seq data sets. Altogether, 1914 CAZyme and expansin genes were annotated in 101 families. About 1797 of these genes were found expressed in at least one Populus organ. We identified genes involved in the biosynthesis of different cell wall polymers and their paralogs. Whereas similar families exist in poplar and Arabidopsis thaliana (with the exception of CBM13 found only in poplar), a few families had significantly different copy numbers between the two species. To identify the transcriptional coordination and functional relatedness within the CAZymes and other proteins, we performed co‐expression network analysis of CAZymes in wood‐forming tissues using the AspWood database (http://aspwood.popgenie.org/aspwood-v3.0/) for Populus tremula. This provided an overview of the transcriptional changes in CAZymes during the transition from primary to secondary wall formation, and the clustering of transcripts into potential regulons. Candidate enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of polysaccharides were identified along with many tissue‐specific uncharacterized genes and transcription factors. These collections offer a rich source of targets for the modification of secondary cell wall biosynthesis and other developmental processes in woody plants.
Correlations of Equilibrium Interfacial Tension Based on Mutual Solubility/Density: Extension to n-Alkane–Water and n-Alkane–CO2 Binary/Ternary Systems and Comparisons With the Parachor Model
Authors: Chen Zehua , Yang Daoyong
Published: May 2019

In this study, new and pragmatic interfacial tension (IFT) correlations for n-alkane–water and n-alkane–CO2 systems are developed based on the mutual solubility of the corresponding binary systems and/or density in a pressure range of 0.1–140.0 MPa and temperature range of 283.2–473.2 K. In addition to being more accurate (i.e., the absolute average relative deviation (AARD) is 1.96% for alkane–water systems, while the AARDs for alkane–CO2 systems are 8.52% and 25.40% in the IFT range of >5.0 mN/m and 0.1–5.0 mN/m, respectively) than either the existing correlations or the parachor model (the AARDs for alkane–CO2 systems are 12.78% and 35.15% in the IFT range of >5.0 mN/m and 0.1–5.0 mN/m, respectively), such correlations can be applied to the corresponding ternary systems for an accurate IFT prediction without any mixing rule. Both a higher mutual solubility and a lower density difference between two phases involved can lead to a lower IFT, while pressure and temperature exert effects on IFT mainly through regulating the mutual solubility/density. Without taking effects of mutual solubility into account, the widely used parachor model in chemical and petroleum engineering fails to predict the IFT for CO2/methane–water pair and n-alkane–water pairs, though it yields a rough estimate for the CO2–water and methane–water pair below the CO2 and methane critical pressures of 7.38 and 4.59 MPa, respectively. However, the parachor model at least considers the effects of solubility in the alkane-rich phase to make it much accurate for n-alkane–CO2 systems. For n-alkane–CO2 pairs, the correlations developed in this work are found to be much less sensitive to the liquid density than the parachor model, being more convenient for practical use. In addition, all the IFTs for the CO2–water pair, methane–water pair, and alkane–CO2 pair can be regressed as a function of density difference of a gas–liquid system with a high accuracy at pressures lower than the critical pressures of either CO2 or methane.
Estimation of Solar Potential for Thailand Using Adaptive Neurofuzzy Inference System Models
Authors: Nirudh Jirasuwankul , Somchat Jiriwibhakorn
Published: May 2019

This research paper proposes a new method of global solar radiation prediction for Thailand using adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models. Contrary to mathematical-based modeling approaches, the proposed models are able to estimate the monthly mean of daily global solar radiation at the ground level without using the earth's atmospheric layer model. The proposed technique alternately utilizes the 9-year long recorded spatiotemporal data of solar irradiance from meteorological ground stations in the modeling process. With a limited number of ground stations, it covered six regions of Thailand, ANFIS modeling; testing and restructuring have been performed repetitively; and finally, the best-fit models with minimum mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) corresponding to six regions of Thailand are obtained. Moreover, the ANFIS models have been tested comparatively to the measured data and the multilayer feed forward artificial neural network (ANN) models, which has a good agreement to real data for the proposed models, can be met with the average accuracy of 7.07% MAPE. By applying this model as a tool to estimate solar potential, the local government or the business sector can provide basic information, which is useful for solar energy system planning and project development.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. I. LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 powder obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.83401 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Al 2s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Al 2p, Ni 3p, Co 3p, and Li 1s are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show carbon with only minor sulfur contamination. Making use of the O 1s, Al 2s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiNi0.2Co0.03Al0.1O0.7.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. II. LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 powder obtained from Targray Technology International, Inc. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show only minor sulfur contamination. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiNi0.4Co0.03Mn0.05O0.9.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. IV. LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES) were used to analyze two lots of untreated LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 powder and one of the two lots of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 powder recalcined in air at 750 °C obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals and show only minor sulfur contamination. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surfaces for the first lot, the first lot recalcined, and the second lot of LiNi0.3Co0.1Mn0.2O1.2, LiNi0.4Co0.1Mn0.3O1.5, and LiNi0.4Co0.1Mn0.2O1.3, respectively.
Lithium-based transition-metal oxides for battery electrodes analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. VI. LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2
Authors: Haasch Richard T. , Abraham Daniel P.
Published: May 2019

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectroscopy were used to analyze untreated LiNi0.4Co0.2Mn0.4O2 powder obtained from TODA America. X-ray photoelectron and x-ray-induced Auger electron spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 0.834 01 nm. A survey spectrum together with Ni 2p, Co 2p, Mn 2p, Ni LMM, O 1s, C 1s, Ni 3s, Co 3s, Mn 3s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Li 1s, and Mn 3p are presented. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals. Making use of the O 1s, Ni 3p, Co 3p, Mn 3p, and Li 1s lines and neglecting the components related to surface contaminants, XPS quantitative analysis reveals an altered stoichiometry of the air-exposed powder surface of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.5O1.9.
CuAl2 thin films as a low-resistivity interconnect material for advanced semiconductor devices
Authors: Chen Linghan , Ando Daisuke , Sutou Yuji , Koike Junichi
Published: May 2019

New interconnect materials that have a low line resistivity are required to address issues associated with the increased resistivity due to the aggressive downscaling of future semiconductor devices. In this work, CuAl2 thin films are investigated as a potential material for liner- and barrier-free interconnect applications. The results show that CuAl2 blanket films adhere well to and do not undergo interdiffusion with SiO2, as well as having a favorable size effect of resistivity. Furthermore, the filling of CuAl2 in narrow low-k trenches is investigated, and an excellent gap-filling performance is registered. These features suggest that CuAl2 is a promising alternative to Cu that does not require any additional liner or barrier layers for feature sizes less than 10 nm.
Inspection of the secondary path modeling in active noise control from the viewpoint of channel identification in stereo acoustic echo cancellation
Authors: Hu Meiling , Wang Jun , Xue Jinpei , Lu Jing
Published: May 2019

The similarity between the identification of secondary path in feedforward active noise control and the channel identification in stereo echo cancellation is revealed in this paper. Accordingly, the convergence behavior of the ANC system can be analyzed by investigating the joint auto-correlation matrix of the reference and the filtered reference signal. It is proved that the straightforward secondary path modeling can be carried out without the injection of any additive noise as long as the control filter is of a sufficiently long length. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the time-varying characteristic of the control filter, effective modeling of the secondary path can even be achieved without any restriction on the control filter length.
Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbial Communities Are Site Specific, and Their Activity Is Limited by Synergies in Temperature and Nutrient Availability in Surface Ocean Waters
Authors: Sun Xiaoxu , Kostka Joel E.
Published: May 2019

The risk of an oil spill accident in pristine regions of the world’s oceans is increasing due to the development and transport of crude oil resources, especially in the Arctic region, as a result of the opening of ice-free transportation routes, and there is currently no consensus regarding the complex interplay among the environmental controls of petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation for predictive modeling. We examined the hydrocarbon biodegradation potential of bacterioplankton from three representative geographic regions of oil exploration. Our results showed that rates of aerobic respiration coupled to hydrocarbon degradation in surface ocean waters are controlled to a large extent by effects of temperature and nutrient limitation; hydrocarbon exposure history did not appear to have a major impact. Further, the relationship between temperature and biodegradation rates is linked to microbial community structure, which is specific to the geographic origin.
Chemical and Metabolic Controls on Dihydroxyacetone Metabolism Lead to Suboptimal Growth of Escherichia coli
Authors: Peiro Camille , Millard Pierre , de Simone Alessandro , Cahoreau Edern , Peyriga Lindsay , Enjalbert Brice , Heux Stéphanie
Published: May 2019

DHA is an attractive triose molecule with a wide range of applications, notably in cosmetics and the food and pharmaceutical industries. DHA is found in many species, from microorganisms to humans, and can be used by
Escherichia coli
as a growth substrate. However, knowledge about the mechanisms and regulation of this process is currently lacking, motivating our investigation of DHA metabolism in
E. coli
. We show that under aerobic conditions,
E. coli
growth on DHA is far from optimal and is hindered by chemical, hierarchical, and possibly allosteric constraints. We show that optimal growth on DHA can be restored by releasing the hierarchical constraint. These results improve our understanding of DHA metabolism and are likely to help unlock biotechnological applications involving DHA as an intermediate, such as the bioconversion of glycerol or C
1
substrates into value-added chemicals.
Genomic, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Public Health Insights into
Enterococcus
spp. from Australian Chickens
Authors: O’Dea Mark , Sahibzada Shafi , Jordan David , Laird Tanya , Lee Terence , Hewson Kylie , Pang Stanley , Abraham Rebecca , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Harris Taha , Pavic Anthony , Abraham Sam
Published: May 2019

Due to Australia’s management of antimicrobial use in poultry, particularly the discontinued use of avoparcin for nearly 20 years, it is hypothesized that vancomycin-resistant enterococci associated with human disease are not derived from poultry isolates.
Specificity of Plant Rhabdovirus Cell-to-Cell Movement
Authors: Zhou Xin , Lin Wenye , Sun Kai , Wang Shuo , Zhou Xueping , Jackson Andrew O. , Li Zhenghe
Published: May 2019

Local transport of plant rhabdoviruses likely involves the passage of viral nucleocapsids through MP-gated plasmodesmata, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. We have conducted complementation assays with MPs encoded by five distinct rhabdoviruses to assess their movement specificity. Each of the rhabdovirus MPs complemented the movement of MP-defective mutants of two positive-stranded RNA viruses that have different movement strategies. In marked contrast, cell-to-cell movement of two recombinant plant rhabdoviruses was highly specific in requiring their cognate MPs. We have shown that these rhabdovirus MPs are localized to the cell periphery and associate with cellular membranes, and that they interact only with their cognate nucleocapsid core proteins. These interactions are able to redirect viral nucleocapsid core proteins from their sites of replication to the cell periphery. Our study provides a model for the specific inter- and intracellular trafficking of plant rhabdoviruses that may be applicable to other negative-stranded RNA viruses.
Genomics and Genetics of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Santoro Francesco , Iannelli Francesco , Pozzi Gianni
Published: May 2019

Ninety years after the discovery of pneumococcal Transformation, and 74 years after the work of Avery and colleagues that identified DNA as the genetic material,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is still one of the most important model organism to understand Bacterial Genetics and Genomics. In this Chapter special emphasis has been given to Genomics and to Mobile Genetic Elements (the Mobilome) which greatly contribute to the dynamic variation of pneumococcal genomes by horizontal gene transfer. Other topics include molecular mechanisms of Genetic Transformation, Restriction/Modification Systems, Mismatch DNA Repair, and techniques for construction of genetically engineered pneumococcal strains.
The Bacteriophages ofStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: McShan W. Michael , McCullor Kimberly A. , Nguyen Scott V.
Published: May 2019

The bacteriophages ofStreptococcus pyogenes(group A streptococcus) play a key role in population shaping, genetic transfer, and virulence of this bacterial pathogen. Lytic phages like A25 can alter population distributions through elimination of susceptible serotypes but also serve as key mediators for genetic transfer of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance via generalized transduction. The sequencing of multipleS. pyogenesgenomes has uncovered a large and diverse population of endogenous prophages that are vectors for toxins and other virulence factors and occupy multiple attachment sites in the bacterial genomes. Some of these sites for integration appear to have the potential to alter the bacterial phenotype through gene disruption. Remarkably, the phage-like chromosomal islands (SpyCI), which share many characteristics with endogenous prophages, have evolved to mediate a growth-dependent mutator phenotype while acting as global transcriptional regulators. The diverse population of prophages appears to share a large pool of genetic modules that promotes novel combinations that may help disseminate virulence factors to different subpopulations ofS. pyogenes. The study of the bacteriophages of this pathogen, both lytic and lysogenic, will continue to be an important endeavor for our understanding of howS. pyogenescontinues to be a significant cause of human disease.
Attenuation of a Pathogenic
Mycoplasma
Strain by Modification of the
obg
Gene by Using Synthetic Biology Approaches
Authors: Lartigue Carole , Valverde Timana Yanina , Labroussaa Fabien , Schieck Elise , Liljander Anne , Sacchini Flavio , Posthaus Horst , Batailler Brigitte , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal , Vashee Sanjay , Jores Joerg , Blanchard Alain
Published: May 2019

Animal diseases due to mycoplasmas are a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with economic losses for farmers all over the world. Currently used mycoplasma vaccines exhibit several drawbacks, including low efficacy, short time of protection, adverse reactions, and difficulty in differentiating infected from vaccinated animals. Therefore, there is a need for improved vaccines to control animal mycoplasmoses. Here, we used genome engineering tools derived from synthetic biology approaches to produce targeted mutations in the essential GTPase-encoding
obg
gene of
Mycoplasma mycoides
subsp.
capri
. Some of the resulting mutants exhibited a marked temperature-sensitive phenotype. The virulence of one of the
obg
mutants was evaluated in a caprine septicemia model and found to be strongly reduced. Although the
obg
mutant reverted to a virulent phenotype in one infected animal, we believe that these results contribute to a strategy that should help in building new vaccines against animal mycoplasmoses.
Diverse Commensal Escherichia coli Clones and Plasmids Disseminate Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Domestic Animals and Children in a Semirural Community in Ecuador
Authors: Salinas Liseth , Cárdenas Paúl , Johnson Timothy J. , Vasco Karla , Graham Jay , Trueba Gabriel
Published: May 2019

Even though
Escherichia coli
strains may share nearly identical phenotypic AMR profiles and AMR genes and overlap in space and time, the diversity of clones and plasmids challenges research that aims to identify sources of AMR. Horizontal gene transfer appears to play a more significant role than clonal expansion in the spread of AMR in this community.
In Vivo
Gene Essentiality and Metabolism in Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Gonyar Laura A. , Gelbach Patrick E. , McDuffie Dennis G. , Koeppel Alexander F. , Chen Qing , Lee Gloria , Temple Louise M. , Stibitz Scott , Hewlett Erik L. , Papin Jason A. , Damron F. Heath , Eby Joshua C.
Published: May 2019

Our study describes the first
in vivo
transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) analysis of
B. pertussis
and identifies genes predicted to be essential for
in vivo
growth in a murine model of intranasal infection, generating key resources for future investigations into
B. pertussis
pathogenesis and vaccine design.
Effect of late-life weight change on dementia incidence: a 10-year cohort study using claim data in Korea
Authors: Park Susan , Jeon Soo-Min , Jung Sun-Young , Hwang Jinseub , Kwon Jin-Won
Published: May 2019

Background

The association between body mass index (BMI) in late-life and dementia risk remains unclear. We investigated the association between BMI changes over a 2-year period and dementia in an elderly Korean population.

Methods

We examined 67 219 participants aged 60–79 years who underwent BMI measurement in 2002/2003 and 2004/2005 as part of the National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Baseline characteristics including BMI, socioeconomic status and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at baseline (2002/2003). The difference between BMI at baseline and at the next health screening (2004/2005) was used to calculate the BMI change. After 2 years, the incidence of dementia was monitored for a mean 5.3 years from 2008 to 2013. Multivariate HRs for dementia incidence were estimated on the basis of baseline BMI and its changes after adjusting for various other risk factors. A subgroup analysis was conducted to determine the effects of baseline BMI and BMI changes.

Results

We demonstrated a significant association between late-life BMI changes and dementia in both sexes (men: >−10% HR=1.26, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.46, >+10% HR=1.25, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.45; women: >−10% HR=1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.29, >+10% HR=1.17, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31). However, the baseline BMI was not associated with dementia, except in underweight men. After stratification based on the baseline BMI, the BMI increase over 2 years was associated with dementia in men with a BMI of <25 kg/m2and women with a BMI of 18.5–25 kg/m2, but not in the obese subgroup in either sex. However, BMI decrease was associated with dementia in those with a BMI of ≥18.5 kg/m2, but not in the underweight subgroup in either sex.

Conclusion

Both weight gain and weight loss may be significant risk factors associated with dementia. Continuous weight control and careful monitoring of weight changes are necessary to prevent dementia development.
Challenge of immune-mediated adverse reactions in the emergency department
Authors: Daniels Gregory A , Guerrera Angela D , Katz Donna , Viets-Upchurch Jayne
Published: May 2019

Multiple drugs of a new class of cancer treatments called immune checkpoint inhibitors, which work by enabling the immune system to attack tumour cells, have been approved for a variety of indications in recent years. Immune checkpoints, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death-1, are part of the normal immune system and regulate immune activation. Treatment with inhibitors of these checkpoints can significantly improve response rates, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with cancer; it can also result in adverse reactions that present similarly to other conditions. These immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMARs) are most commonly gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine or dermatologic. Although patients’ presentations may appear similar to other types of cancer therapy, the underlying causes, and consequently their management, may differ. Prompt recognition is critical because, with appropriate management, most IMARs resolve and patients can continue receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Rarely, these IMARs may be life-threatening and escape detection from the usual evaluations in the emergency environment. Given the unusual spectrum and mechanism of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors, emergency departmentED staff require a clear understanding of the evaluation of IMARs to enable them to appropriately assess and treat these patients. Treatment of IMARs, most often with high-dose steroids, differs from chemotherapy-related adverse events and when possible should be coordinated with the treating oncologist. This review summarises the ED presentation and management of IMARs arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors and includes recommendations for tools and resources for ED healthcare professionals.
Prognostic impact of p16 and PD-L1 expression in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma receiving a definitive treatment
Authors: Sato Fumihiko , Ono Takeharu , Kawahara Akihiko , Kawaguchi Toshihiko , Tanaka Hisaichiro , Shimamatsu Kazuhide , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Akiba Jun , Umeno Hirohito , Yano Hirohisa
Published: May 2019

Aims

Limited information is available regarding the precise differences in the tumour immune microenvironment (TIM) of patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated and non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Here, we retrospectively reviewed 137 patients with OPSCC treated with a definitive treatment to identify molecular relationships in the TIM.

Materials and methods

We used immunohistochemical analysis to assess p16 status, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) level, and/or CD8+tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density, followed by prognostic evaluation of these immune-related parameters.

Results

Multivariate analyses demonstrated that PD-L1 level on immune cells but not on tumour cells or CD8+TIL density was a significant predictive factor of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Additionally, subgroup analyses demonstrated that patients positive for p16 and PD-L1 expression on immune cells had favourable DFS and OS, whereas patients negative for p16 and PD-L1 expression on immune cells showed worse DFS and OS.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that PD-L1 expression on immune cells but not tumour cells might represent a useful prognostic biomarker in patients with OPSCC receiving a definitive treatment. We propose that a co-assessment of p16 and PD-L1 expression on immune cells would have greater prognostic potential compared with evaluation of each factor alone in patients with OPSCC.
Prevalence of genital and oropharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhoea among female sex workers in Melbourne, Australia, 2015–2017: need for oropharyngeal testing
Authors: Chow Eric PF , Williamson Deborah A , Fortune Ria , Bradshaw Catriona S , Chen Marcus Y , Fehler Glenda , De Petra Vesna , Howden Benjamin P , Fairley Christopher K
Published: May 2019

Objective

The Victorian legislation requires sex workers to have quarterly screening for genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but screening for oropharyngeal infection is not mandatory in Victoria, Australia. In 2017, oropharyngeal screening for gonorrhoea and chlamydia was added as part of the routine quarterly screening for sex workers attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC). The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia among female sex workers (FSW).

Methods

We included females who (1) self-identified as sex workers or were attended MSHC for a sex work certificate and (2) had tested for any STI or HIV, between March 2015 and December 2017. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea was calculated.

Results

There were 8538 FSW consultations among 2780 individuals during the study period. There was a twofold increase in genital gonorrhoea (from 0.5% (95% CI 0.3% to 0.9%) to 1.1% (95% CI 0.8% to 1.5%); ptrend=0.047) and a 1.5-fold increase in genital chlamydia (from 2.2% (95% CI 1.6% to 2.8%) to 3.2% (95% CI 2.6% to 3.8%); ptrend=0.031) during the period. Overall, the prevalence of HIV (0.2% (95% CI 0.1% to 0.3%)) and syphilis (0.1% (95% CI 0.0% to 0.2%)) remained low and did not change over time. In 2017, the prevalence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea was 2.0% (95% CI 1.6% to 2.6%) and oropharyngeal chlamydia was 2.1% (95% CI 1.6% to 2.7%). Among FSW who were tested positive for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, 55% (n=41) and 34% (n=45) only tested positive in the oropharynx but not genital for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, respectively.

Conclusion

The prevalence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia is similar to the prevalence at genital sites and is often independent of genital infection. It is important to test the oropharynx and genital site for chlamydia and gonorrhoea among FSW.
Uptake of peer-led venue-based HIV testing sites in Sweden aimed at men who have sex with men (MSM) and trans persons: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Strömdahl Susanne , Hoijer Jonas , Eriksen Jaran
Published: May 2019

Objectives

HIV testing among high-risk groups is a key intervention to diagnose persons living unknowingly with HIV to enable linkage to care and effective antiretroviral treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake of Testpoint, the first large-scale HIV testing programme in Sweden where peer, non-healthcare personnel offered venue-based testing. Testing was performed by staff from the Swedish Foundation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL Sweden) and testing was performed at the RFSL offices, gay clubs and gay cruising areas, as well as at various gay festivals. The test was a rapid test using capillary blood from a finger prick.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of all persons aged>18 years who came for HIV testing at one of Testpoint’s locations in Sweden between 1 February and 31 December 2016.

Results

595 respondents (96% response rate) were included. Five persons were diagnosed with HIV and referred for treatment and care. A fifth of participants had never tested for HIV before. More than half of the participants were foreign born and the median age was 31 years. About one-fifth of participants stated they would not have tested through the healthcare system if Testpoint was not available.

Conclusions

Testpoint reached their target population of young, foreign-born men who have sex with men (MSM) as well as first time testers and persons who stated that they would not have tested within the healthcare system. Such peer HIV testing outside the healthcare setting is a possible way of increasing uptake of testing in high-risk groups.
Spatial Drawing Framework Design for VR-Based Painting Application
Authors: Ko Ginam , Suh Kyoo-Won , Jung HoeKyung , Nam SangHun
Published: May 2019

A spatial painting system generates a line and curved surface in real time using a virtual brush and palette as controllers. In this study, a spatial drawing framework is designed and efficiently configured with various kinds of modules. By designing the spatial drawing framework with several modules and defining the interfaces, researchers can develop the necessary modules themselves by updating algorithms. Specifically, the base curve generation for creating curved surface and mesh and surface generation comprise various textures and particles. A virtual reality (VR)-based spatial painting application based on this framework was developed and is currently on display at exhibitions.
Performance Improvements of Random Dopant Fluctuation-Induced Variability in Negative Capacitance MOSFETS
Authors: Lü W. F. , Dai L. , Zhao Z. F. , Lin M.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we investigate the impact of random dopant fluctuation (RDF) on the statistical variations in negative capacitance MOSFETs (NCFETs) through a device simulation coupled with the Landau–Khalatnikov (LK) equation. Compact models for feedback mechanisms that are based on the internal gate voltage amplification in NCFETs are proposed. The results show that internal voltage amplification plays a decisive role in performance improvement of device variability. Further, our simulation study demonstrates that owing to the feedback mechanism, the dispersions of the performance parameters in NCFETs exhibit different statistical distribution characteristics compared to their MOSFET counterparts. Our study may provide further insight regarding device and/or circuit designs utilizing NCFETs.
Chen inequalities for submanifolds of complex space forms and Sasakian space forms with quarter-symmetric connections
Authors: Wang Yong
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we obtain Chen’s inequalities for submanifolds of complex space forms and Sasakian space forms with quarter-symmetric connections.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection model based on triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy number
Authors: Amin Fazli , Fahmi Aliya
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we define the basic concept of triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy number and their properties. We develop a triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy ordered weighted arithmetic averaging (TNCHFOWAA) operator and a triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy ordered weighted geometric averaging (TNCHFOWGA) operator to aggregate triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy number (TNCHFN) information and investigate their properties. Furthermore, a multiple attribute decision-making method based on the TNCHFOWAA operator and triangular neutrosophic cubic hesitant fuzzy ordered weighted geometric (TNCHFOWG) operator and the score function of TNCHFN is established under a TNCHFN environment. Finally, an illustrative example of investment alternatives is given to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the developed approach.