bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of elective neck dissection in the treatment of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sangal Neel R. , Lee Yung‐Jae , Brady Jacob S. , Patel Tapan D. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Baredes Soly , Park Richard Chan Woo
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study is designed to analyze the survival benefits of elective neck dissection (END) in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus (MS‐SCC) with clinically negative neck lymph nodes (N0) and no metastasis (M0).

Study Design

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether END improves survival in patients with MS‐SCC.

Methods

This study is a population‐based, concurrent retrospective database analysis of patients diagnosed with N0M0 MS‐SCC from 2004 to 2013. Data were acquired from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Frequency functions, Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression models were queried to analyze demographics, treatment status, and survival outcomes.

Results

There were a total of 927 MS‐SCC cases in the database between 2004 and 2013. This analysis revealed that for the overall cohort, END significantly and independently reduces the 5‐year hazard of death in MS‐SCC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.646, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.419–0.873, P = 0.047). For early tumor (T)1/T2 tumors and T4 tumors, END did not independently improve 5‐year survival. However, for T3 disease, END significantly reduced the 5‐year hazard of death in MS‐SCC (HR = 0.471, 95% CI = 0.261–0.680, P = 0.001), regardless of other covariates, including adjuvant radiation. There has been an increase in the percentage of MS‐SCC surgeries that have been accompanied by END since SEER started collecting this data, although this did not demonstrate significance (R2 = 0.622).

Conclusion

END improves disease‐specific survival in patients with MS‐SCC size > 4 cm and advanced T‐stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer AJCC TIII). Therefore, surgeons performing maxillectomies should consider conducting an END concurrent with maxillectomy for those with size > 4 cm advanced stage cancer.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 1835–1841, 2018
Effects of cosmetics on the skin microbiome of facial cheeks with different hydration levels
Authors: Lee Hyo Jung , Jeong Sang Eun , Lee Soyoun , Kim Sungwoo , Han Hyuntak , Jeon Che Ok
Published: November 2017

Basic cosmetics was used by volunteers belonging to high (HHG) and low (LHG) hydration groups for 4 weeks, and bacterial communities and biophysical parameters in facial skin were analyzed. Hydration level increases and transepidermal water loss and roughness decreases were observed in both groups after cosmetic use. Bacterial diversity was greater in LHG than HHG, and increased after cosmetic use in both groups. Bray–Curtis dissimilarities that were higher in LHG than HHG increased in HHG after cosmetic use, whereas they decreased in LHG. The phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes and the genera Propionibacterium, Ralstonia, Burkholderia, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Cupriavidus, and Pelomonas were identified as common groups and they were not significantly different between LHG and HHG except for Propionibacterium that was more abundant in HHG. After cosmetic use, Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium decreased, whereas Ralstonia, not a core genus, increased, as did KEGG categories of lipid metabolism and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, suggesting that Ralstonia in skin may have the ability to metabolize cosmetics components. Bacterial communities after cosmetic use were different from those in both LHG and HHG before the cosmetic use, indicating that bacterial communities in LHG were not shifted to resemble those in HHG by cosmetics use.
Verification and bias correction of ECMWF forecasts for Irish weather stations to evaluate their potential usefulness in grass growth modelling
Authors: McDonnell Jack , Lambkin Keith , Fealy Rowan , Hennessy Deirdre , Shalloo Laurence , Brophy Caroline
Published: November 2017

Typical weather in Ireland provides conditions favourable for sustaining grass growth throughout most of the year. This affords grass based farming a significant economic advantage due to the low input costs associated with grass production. To optimize the productivity of grass based systems, farmers must manage the resource over short time scales. While research has been conducted into developing predictive grass growth models for Ireland to support on‐farm decision making, short term weather forecasts have not yet been incorporated into these models. To assess their potential for use in predictive grass growth models, deterministic forecasts from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) were verified for lead times up to 10 days using observations from 25 Irish weather stations. Forecasts of air temperature variables were generally precise at all lead times, particularly up to 7 days. Verification of ECMWF soil temperature forecasts is limited, but here they were shown to be accurate at all depths and most precise at greater depths such as 50 cm. Rainfall forecasts performed well up to approximately 5 days. Seven bias correction techniques were assessed to minimize systematic biases in the forecasts. Based on the root mean squared error values, no large improvement was identified for rainfall forecasts on equivalent ECMWF forecasts, but the optimum bias corrections improved air and soil temperature forecasts greatly. Overall, the results demonstrated that forecasts predict observations accurately up to approximately a week in advance and therefore could prove valuable in grass growth prediction at farm level in Ireland.
A model observer study using acquired mammographic images of an anthropomorphic breast phantom
Authors: Balta Christiana , Bouwman Ramona W. , Sechopoulos Ioannis , Broeders Mireille J.M. , Karssemeijer Nico , van Engen Ruben E. , Veldkamp Wouter J.H.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To study the feasibility of a task‐based framework composed of an anthropomorphic breast phantom and mathematical model observers (MOs) for the evaluation of system‐processed mammographic images.

Methods

A prototype anthropomorphic breast phantom with inserted gold discs of 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm diameter was imaged with two digital mammography systems (system A and B) at four different dose levels. From the acquired processed and unprocessed images, signal‐present and signal‐absent regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted. The ROIs were evaluated by a non‐pre‐whitening MO with eye filter (NPWE) and by three human observers in a two‐alternative forced‐choice experiment. We compared the human and the MO performance on a simple detection task of the calcification‐like discs in ROIs with and without postprocessing. Proportion of correct responses of the human (PCH) and NPWE (PCNPWE) experiments was calculated and the correlation between the two was analyzed using a mixed‐effect regression model. Correlation results including the goodness of fit (r2) of PCH and PCNPWE for all different parameters investigated were evaluated to determine whether NPWE MO can be used to predict human observer performance.

Results

PCH and PCNPWE increased with dose for all conditions investigated (signal size, processing status, and different system). In case of the 0.1 mm discs, for system A, r2 between PCH with PCNPWE was 0.81. For system B, r2 was 0.93. In case of the 0.25 mm discs, r2 in system A was 0.79 and for system B, r2 was 0.82. For the combined parameters investigated, and after excluding the 0.1 mm discs on system A because the results were influenced by aliasing, the overall r2 was 0.81. Image processing did not affect the detectability of calcification‐like signals. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between the predicted PCH(pred) by the MO and the PCH for all different conditions.

Conclusions

The framework seems promising to be used in objective image quality assessment. It was found to be relatively robust for the range of parameters investigated. However, further optimization of the anthropomorphic breast phantom and investigation of other MOs for a broader range of image quality assessment tasks is needed.
Design of universal parallel‐transmit refocusing kT‐point pulses and application to 3D T2‐weighted imaging at 7T
Authors: Gras Vincent , Mauconduit Franck , Vignaud Alexandre , Amadon Alexis , Le Bihan Denis , Stöcker Tony , Boulant Nicolas
Published: November 2017

Purpose

T2‐weighted sequences are particularly sensitive to the radiofrequency (RF) field inhomogeneity problem at ultra‐high‐field because of the errors accumulated by the imperfections of the train of refocusing pulses. As parallel transmission (pTx) has proved particularly useful to counteract RF heterogeneities, universal pulses were recently demonstrated to save precious time and computational efforts by skipping B1 calibration and online RF pulse tailoring. Here, we report a universal RF pulse design for non‐selective refocusing pulses to mitigate the RF inhomogeneity problem at 7T in turbo spin‐echo sequences with variable flip angles.

Method

Average Hamiltonian theory was used to synthetize a single non‐selective refocusing pulse with pTx while optimizing its scaling properties in the presence of static field offsets. The design was performed under explicit power and specific absorption rate constraints on a database of 10 subjects using a 8Tx‐32Rx commercial coil at 7T. To validate the proposed design, the RF pulses were tested in simulation and applied in vivo on 5 additional test subjects.

Results

The root‐mean‐square rotation angle error (RA‐NRMSE) evaluation and experimental data demonstrated great improvement with the proposed universal pulses (RA‐NRMSE ∼8%) compared to the standard circularly polarized mode of excitation (RA‐NRMSE ∼26%).

Conclusion

This work further completes the spectrum of 3D universal pulses to mitigate RF field inhomogeneity throughout all 3D MRI sequences without any pTx calibration. The approach returns a single pulse that can be scaled to match the desired flip angle train, thereby increasing the modularity of the proposed plug and play approach. Magn Reson Med 80:53–65, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
RACER‐GRASP: Respiratory‐weighted, aortic contrast enhancement‐guided and coil‐unstreaking golden‐angle radial sparse MRI
Authors: Feng Li , Huang Chenchan , Shanbhogue Krishna , Sodickson Daniel K , Chandarana Hersh , Otazo Ricardo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a novel dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging technique called RACER‐GRASP (Respiratory‐weighted, Aortic Contrast Enhancement‐guided and coil‐unstReaking Golden‐angle RAdial Sparse Parallel) MRI that extends GRASP to include automatic contrast bolus timing, respiratory motion compensation, and coil‐weighted unstreaking for improved imaging performance in liver MRI.

Methods

In RACER‐GRASP, aortic contrast enhancement (ACE) guided k‐space sorting and respiratory‐weighted sparse reconstruction are performed using aortic contrast enhancement and respiratory motion signals extracted directly from the acquired data. Coil unstreaking aims to weight multicoil k‐space according to streaking artifact level calculated for each individual coil during image reconstruction, so that coil elements containing a high level of streaking artifacts contribute less to the final results. Self‐calibrating GRAPPA operator gridding was applied as a pre‐reconstruction step to reduce computational burden in the subsequent iterative reconstruction. The RACER‐GRASP technique was compared with standard GRASP reconstruction in a group of healthy volunteers and patients referred for clinical liver MR examination.

Results

Compared with standard GRASP, RACER‐GRASP significantly improved overall image quality (average score: 3.25 versus 3.85) and hepatic vessel sharpness/clarity (average score: 3.58 versus 4.0), and reduced residual streaking artifact level (average score: 3.23 versus 3.94) in different contrast phases. RACER‐GRASP also enabled automatic timing of the arterial phases.

Conclusions

The aortic contrast enhancement–guided sorting, respiratory motion suppression and coil unstreaking introduced by RACER‐GRASP improve upon the imaging performance of standard GRASP for free‐breathing dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of the liver. Magn Reson Med 80:77–89, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Approaching ultimate intrinsic specific absorption rate in radiofrequency shimming using high‐permittivity materials at 7 Tesla
Authors: Haemer Gillian G. , Vaidya Manushka , Collins Christopher M. , Sodickson Daniel K. , Wiggins Graham C. , Lattanzi Riccardo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of integrated high‐permittivity materials (HPMs) on excitation homogeneity and global specific absorption rate (SAR) for transmit arrays at 7T.

Methods

A rapid electrodynamic simulation framework was used to calculate L‐curves associated with excitation of a uniform 2D profile in a dielectric sphere. We used ultimate intrinsic SAR as an absolute performance reference to compare different transmit arrays in the presence and absence of a layer of HPM. We investigated the optimal permittivity for the HPM as a function of its thickness, the sample size, and the number of array elements.

Results

Adding a layer of HPM can improve the performance of a 24‐element array to match that of a 48‐element array without HPM, whereas a 48‐element array with HPM can perform as well as a 64‐element array without HPM. Optimal relative permittivity values changed based on sample and coil geometry, but were always within a range obtainable with readily available materials (εr = 100–200).

Conclusion

Integration of HPMs could be a practical method to improve RF shimming performance, alternative to increasing the number of coils. The proposed simulation framework could be used to explore the design of novel transmit arrays for head imaging at ultra‐high field strength. Magn Reson Med 80:391–399, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
The same or different? Experimenting with the influence of peat environment on use‐wear traces on antler tools
Authors: Orłowska J.
Published: November 2017

Postdeposition issues are one of the most important factors that must be considered during study of all archaeological osseous artefacts, especially if our analysis involves technological or use‐wear traces. In order to better understand the possible changes on the worked, polished surfaces of antler tools resulting from the latter being deposited in peat environment, an experiment was conducted, in which experimentally made antler tools were deposited inside a container with humid peat for a period of 3 months. The results of the study provide numerous interesting observations and information on the state of preservation of various kinds of wear traces and emphasise the need for further in‐depth research in this regard.
Genetic Fine‐Mapping and Identification of Candidate Genes and Variants for Adiposity Traits in Outbred Rats
Authors: Keele Gregory R. , Prokop Jeremy W. , He Hong , Holl Katie , Littrell John , Deal Aaron , Francic Sanja , Cui Leilei , Gatti Daniel M. , Broman Karl W. , Tschannen Michael , Tsaih Shirng‐Wern , Zagloul Maie , Kim Yunjung , Baur Brittany , Fox Joseph , Robinson Melanie , Levy Shawn , Flister Michael J. , Mott Richard , Valdar William , Solberg Woods Leah C.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Obesity is a major risk factor for multiple diseases and is in part heritable, yet the majority of causative genetic variants that drive excessive adiposity remain unknown. Here, outbred heterogeneous stock (HS) rats were used in controlled environmental conditions to fine‐map novel genetic modifiers of adiposity.

Methods

Body weight and visceral fat pad weights were measured in male HS rats that were also genotyped genome‐wide. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified by genome‐wide association of imputed single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes using a linear mixed effect model that accounts for unequal relatedness between the HS rats. Candidate genes were assessed by protein modeling and mediation analysis of expression for coding and noncoding variants, respectively.

Results

HS rats exhibited large variation in adiposity traits, which were highly heritable and correlated with metabolic health. Fine‐mapping of fat pad weight and body weight revealed three QTL and prioritized five candidate genes. Fat pad weight was associated with missense SNPs in Adcy3 and Prlhr and altered expression of Krtcap3 and Slc30a3, whereas Grid2 was identified as a candidate within the body weight locus.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate the power of HS rats for identification of known and novel heritable mediators of obesity traits.
Energetic Nanocomposites as Burn Rate Catalyst for Composite Solid Propellants
Authors: Bagalkote Vrushali , Grinstein Dan , Natan Benveniste
Published: November 2017

In the present study the effect of addition of Al/Fe2O3 based energetic nanocomposites (ENC) to non‐aluminized and aluminized propellants was investigated. Comparative study was carried out using n‐Fe2O3 as burn rate catalyst. Ferric oxide xerogel and Al/Fe2O3 ENC were synthesized by sol‐gel method. The dried xerogel was characterised by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM and SEM images reveal presence of porous interconnected ferric oxide clusters of size 3–5 nm and intimate mixing of the ingredients at nanoscale in case of ENC. XRD analysis shows amorphous nature of the ferric oxide xerogel. Fe2O3 and FeO(OH) are the major constituents (>84 %) of the xerogel as confirmed by XPS analysis. Thermal analysis of the ENC indicates that the composition is energetic in nature. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the safety of the ENC during propellant processing. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results for propellant samples show that the Al/Fe2O3 ENC is a better catalyst for AP decomposition than n−Fe2O3. Burn rate studies of ENC catalyzed propellants with μ‐Al and with n‐Al were carried out using acoustic strand burner. The results indicate that ENCs can be promising catalysts for composite propellants.
Revisiting the O(3) Non‐linear Sigma Model and Its Pohlmeyer Reduction
Authors: Pastras Georgios
Published: November 2017

It is well known that sigma models in symmetric spaces accept equivalent descriptions in terms of integrable systems, such as the sine‐Gordon equation, through Pohlmeyer reduction. In this paper, we study the mapping between known solutions of the Euclidean O(3) non‐linear sigma model, such as instantons, merons and elliptic solutions that interpolate between the latter, and solutions of the Pohlmeyer reduced theory, namely the sinh‐Gordon equation. It turns out that instantons do not have a counterpart, merons correspond to the ground state, while the class of elliptic solutions is characterized by a two to one correspondence between solutions in the two descriptions.
E‐String Theory on Riemann Surfaces
Authors: Kim Hee‐Cheol , Razamat Shlomo S. , Vafa Cumrun , Zafrir Gabi
Published: November 2017

We study compactifications of the 6d E‐string theory, the theory of a small E8 instanton, to four dimensions. In particular we identify field theories in four dimensions corresponding to compactifications on arbitrary Riemann surfaces with punctures and with arbitrary non‐abelian flat connections as well as fluxes for the abelian sub‐groups of the E8 flavor symmetry. This sheds light on emergent symmetries in a number of 4d SCFTs (including the ‘E7 surprise’ theory) as well as leads to new predictions for a large number of 4‐dimensional exceptional dualities and symmetries.
Systems Pharmacology of VEGF165b in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Clegg Lindsay E. , Ganta Vijay C. , Annex Brian H. , Mac Gabhann Feilim
Published: November 2017

We built a whole‐body computational model to study the role of the poorly understood vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165b splice isoform in peripheral artery disease (PAD). This model was built and validated using published and new experimental data from cells, mice, and humans, and explicitly accounts for known properties of VEGF165b: lack of extracellular matrix (ECM)‐binding and weak phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR2) in vitro. The resulting model captures all known information about VEGF165b distribution and signaling in human PAD, and provides novel, nonintuitive insight into VEGF165b mechanism of action in vivo. Although VEGF165a and VEGF165b compete for VEGFR2 in vitro, simulations show that these isoforms do not compete for VEGFR2 at much lower physiological concentrations. Instead, reduced VEGF165a may drive impaired VEGFR2 signaling. The model predicts that VEGF165b does compete for binding to VEGFR1, supporting a VEGFR1‐mediated response to anti‐VEGF165b. The model predicts a key role for VEGF165b in PAD, but in a different way than previously hypothesized.
Frequency‐Domain Response Analysis for Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Models
Authors: Schulthess Pascal , Post Teun M. , Yates James , van der Graaf Piet H.
Published: November 2017

Drug dosing regimen can significantly impact drug effect and, thus, the success of treatments. Nevertheless, trial and error is still the most commonly used method by conventional pharmacometric approaches to optimize dosing regimen. In this tutorial, we utilize four distinct classes of quantitative systems pharmacology models to introduce frequency‐domain response analysis, a method widely used in electrical and control engineering that allows the analytical optimization of drug treatment regimen from the dynamics of the model.
Sustainability requirements for connected health applications
Authors: Ouhbi Sofia , Fernández‐Alemán José Luis , Toval Ambrosio , Rivera Pozo José , Idri Ali
Published: November 2017

Connected health applications are efficient tools to improve health care services. The aim of this paper is to define a reusable requirements repository (catalog) for sustainable connected health applications based on the main related software engineering standards, e‐health technology standards, and literature. The catalog contains requirements which cover the individual, social, environmental, and technical dimensions of sustainability. The requirements presented in this paper can be very useful to connected health application stakeholders and can be adapted to specific m‐health applications. Moreover, the requirements catalog can be used to generate a checklist of requirements to evaluate and audit connected health applications. An application example is presented to show that the evaluation of connected health applications using the generated checklist is realistic.
Jsvee & Kelmu: Creating and tailoring program animations for computing education
Authors: Sirkiä Teemu
Published: November 2017

To learn to program, a novice programmer must understand the dynamic, runtime aspect of program code, a so‐called notional machine. Understanding the machine can be easier when it is represented graphically, and tools have been developed to this end. However, these tools typically support only 1 programming language and do not work in a Web browser. In this article, we present the functionality and technical implementation of the 2 visualization tools. First, the language‐agnostic and extensible Jsvee library helps instructors visualize notional machines and create expression‐level program animations for online course materials. Second, instructors can use the Kelmu toolkit to augment automatically generated animations, for instance, by adding annotations such as textual explanations and arrows on top of the original animation. Both of these libraries have been used in introductory programming courses, and there is preliminary evidence that learners find the animations useful and annotated animations change student behavior.
Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Theileria annulata and Trypanosoma evansi in cattle in Northern Tunisia
Authors: Sallemi Souhir , Rjeibi Mohamed R. , Rouatbi Mariem , Amairia Safa , Ben Said Mourad , Khamassi Khbou Madiha , Gharbi Mohamed
Published: November 2017

The present study aimed to estimate the molecular prevalence of Theileria annulata and Trypanosoma evansi infection in cattle in Northern Tunisia. A total number of 96 cattle from five farms were evaluated. T. annulata and T. evansi prevalences were 61% [56/66] and 10% [7/13], respectively, at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, while co‐infection was present in 6% [4/8] of the tested animals at a CI of 95%. There was a significant correlation between age and the prevalence of T. annulata infection, whereas, there was no significant association shown with the age of cattle and T. evansi infection. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the T. annulata Tams1 gene and T. evansi ITS1 rDNA gene were highly conserved with 97.1–100% and 98.3–100% sequence identity, respectively.
Effect of vaccine storage temperatures and dose rate on antibody responses to foot and mouth disease vaccination in Cambodia
Authors: Sieng Socheat , Walkden‐Brown Stephen W. , Kerr James
Published: November 2017

A field study investigated the effects of foot and mouth disease vaccine storage temperature for 7 days (frozen, refrigerated or held at ambient temperature) and dose (half or full dose) on the serological response to vaccination. It utilised a complete factorial design replicated on 18 smallholder cattle farms in three villages in Pursat province, Cambodia. Antibody responses from the 108 cattle involved were assessed by serological examination of blood samples collected at primary vaccination (day 0), at booster vaccination (day 30) and finally at 60 days post primary vaccination. Vaccination responses to the inactivated vaccine were assessed by testing for antibodies directed against FMD structural proteins in a liquid‐phase blocking ELISA (LPBE test) and differentiated from responses to natural infection by examining antibody titres against non‐structural viral proteins (NSPE test). LPBE results indicated that the mean log10 LPBE antibody titres of all experimental cattle increased from below protective levels at day 0 to protective levels at 30 days post primary vaccination, and increased further at 60 days post primary vaccination. Storage at ambient temperature for 1 week had no effect on antibody response to vaccination. However, freezing the vaccine for a week or use of a half dose resulted in significant reduction in titres at day 60 (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). The results of this study reinforce the need to store FMD vaccines within the range recommended by the manufacturers and to adhere to the specified dosage instructions.
What role does heritability play in transgenerational phenotypic responses to captivity? Implications for managing captive populations
Authors: Courtney Jones Stephanie K. , Byrne Phillip G.
Published: November 2017

Animals maintained in captivity exhibit rapid changes in phenotypic traits, which may be maladaptive for natural environments. The phenotype can shift away from the wild phenotype via transgenerational effects, with the environment experienced by parents influencing the phenotype and fitness of offspring. There is emerging evidence that controlling transgenerational effects could help mitigate the effects of captivity, improving the success of captively bred animals post release. However, controlling transgenerational effects requires knowledge of the mechanisms driving transgenerational changes. To better understand the genetic mechanisms that contribute to transgenerational effects in captivity we investigated the heritability of behavioral phenotypes using mid parent‐ and single parent‐offspring regressions in a population of captive‐reared house mouse (Mus musculus) that we had previously shown exhibit transgenerational changes in boldness and activity behavioral types. Slopes for boldness and activity were all positive, indicating a low to moderate degree of heritability. Though, none of the heritability estimates were statistically significant due to the large surrounding errors. However, the large error surrounding the heritability estimates may also indicate that there is variability in heritability between behavioral traits within the boldness and activity behavioral types. The implication of this finding is that the potential for heritable genetic changes in captivity varies considerably between traits. We conclude that continued investigation of the potential for traits to evolve in captivity is needed to better inform captive breeding and reintroduction programs.
MET-targeting antibody (emibetuzumab) and kinase inhibitor (merestinib) as single agent or in combination in a cancer model bearing MET exon 14 skipping
Authors: Yan S. Betty , Um Suzane L. , Peek Victoria L. , Stephens Jennifer R. , Zeng Wei , Konicek Bruce W. , Liu Ling , Manro Jason R. , Wacheck Volker , Walgren Richard A.
Published: November 2017

Purpose Approximately 3% of lung cancer bears mutations leading to MET exon 14 skipping, an oncogenic driver which is further evidenced by case reports of patient response to MET kinase inhibitor treatment. Approximately 15% of tumors harboring MET exon14 skipping have concurrent MET amplification. Experimental Design Merestinib is a type II MET kinase inhibitor. Emibetuzumab, a bivalent anti-MET antibody, internalizes MET receptor. Each single agent and the combination were evaluated in the Hs746t gastric cancer line bearing MET exon14 skipping and MET amplification. Results Merestinib inhibited Hs746t cell proliferation (IC50=34 nM) and totally eliminated pMET at 100nM. Emibetuzumab showed little anti-proliferative activity against Hs746t cells (IC50>100nM), did not reduce pMET, and slightly reduced cell surface MET. In the Hs746t xenograft model, dose dependent differences in durability of response were seen with merestinib including durable tumor regression (91.8%) at 12 mg/kg qd. Emibetuzumab treatment (10mg/kg qw) provided transient tumor regression (37.7%), but tumors re-grew while on treatment. Concurrent combination of merestinib (6 mg/kg qd) and emibetuzumab resulted in 85% tumor regression, while a sequential combination (initiating merestinib first) resulted in longer duration of treatment response. Conclusions Data in this study support a clinical evaluation of merestinib in patients with MET exon 14 skipping (NCT02920996). As a type II MET kinase inhibitor, merestinib may provide a therapeutic option to treatment naïve patients or to patients who progress on type I MET inhibitor treatment. Data also support clinical evaluation of the sequential combination of merestinib with emibetuzumab when patients progress on single agent
merestinib.
Urban Displacement and Resettlement in Zimbabwe: The Paradoxes of Propertied Citizenship
Authors: Hammar Amanda
Published: November 2017

This article examines what urban displacement and resettlement can reveal about the nature of, and co-constitutive relationships among, property, authority, and citizenship. It focuses on an unusual case in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where long-term illegal squatters living under constant threat of violent displacement by various local and national authorities were formally resettled by the Bulawayo City Council on peri-urban plots with houses. What surfaces are some of the paradoxes of propertied citizenship and of attaining seemingly “proper” lives in conditions of sustained marginality, a result that is not entirely unexpected when impoverished squatters are resettled far outside the frame of the city and its possibilities.
Whole-genome association study of antibody response to Epstein-Barr virus in an African population: a pilot
Authors: Sallah N. , Carstensen T. , Wakeham K. , Bagni R. , Labo N. , Pollard M. O. , Gurdasani D. , Ekoru K. , Pomilla C. , Young E. H. , Fatumo S. , Asiki G. , Kamali A. , Sandhu M. , Kellam P. , Whitby D. , Barroso I. , Newton R.
Published: November 2017

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infects 95% of the global population and is associated with up to 2% of cancers globally. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels to EBV have been shown to be heritable and associated with developing malignancies. We, therefore, performed a pilot genome-wide association analysis of anti-EBV IgG traits in an African population, using a combined approach including array genotyping, whole-genome sequencing and imputation to a panel with African sequence data. In 1562 Ugandans, we identify a variant in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1, rs9272371 (p = 2.6 × 10−17) associated with anti-EBV nuclear antigen-1 responses. Trans-ancestry meta-analysis and fine-mapping with European-ancestry individuals suggest the presence of distinct HLA class II variants driving associations in Uganda. In addition, we identify four putative, novel, very rare African-specific loci with preliminary evidence for association with anti-viral capsid antigen IgG responses which will require replication for validation. These findings reinforce the need for the expansion of such studies in African populations with relevant datasets to capture genetic diversity.
Normal impact of supercooled water drops onto a smooth ice surface: experiments and modelling
Authors: Schremb Markus , Roisman Ilia V. , Tropea Cameron
Published: November 2017

The present study is devoted to the experimental investigation and theoretical modelling of the interaction between fluid flow and solidification during the impact of supercooled water drops onto an ice surface. Using a high-speed video system, the impact process is captured with a high spatial and temporal resolution in a side view. The lamella thinning and the residual ice layer thickness in the centre of impact are determined from the high-speed videos for varying drop and surface temperatures, and impact velocities. It is shown that the temperature of the impact surface has a negligible influence and the drop temperature has a dominating influence on the lamella thinning and the final ice layer thickness. For decreasing drop temperatures, higher freezing rates cause a decreased rate of lamella thinning and a larger thickness of the resulting ice layer. On the other hand, a higher impact velocity causes an increasing speed of lamella thinning and a smaller thickness of the resulting ice layer. Based on a postulated flow in the spreading lamella and considering the ice layer growth and the developing viscous boundary layer, the upper limit for the resulting ice layer thickness is theoretically modelled. The theory shows very good agreement with the experimental results for all impact conditions. Based on the derived theoretical scaling, a semi-empirical equation is obtained which allows an a priori prediction of the final ice layer thickness resulting from a single drop impact, knowing the impact conditions. This capability is important for the improvement of existing ice accretion models.
Policy Preferences and Policy Change: Dynamic Responsiveness in the American States, 1936–2014
Authors: CAUGHEY DEVIN , WARSHAW CHRISTOPHER
Published: November 2017

Using eight decades of data, we examine the magnitude, mechanisms, and moderators of dynamic responsiveness in the American states. We show that on both economic and (especially) social issues, the liberalism of state publics predicts future change in state policy liberalism. Dynamic responsiveness is gradual, however; large policy shifts are the result of the cumulation of incremental responsiveness over many years. Partisan control of government appears to mediate only a fraction of responsiveness, suggesting that, contrary to conventional wisdom, responsiveness occurs in large part through the adaptation of incumbent officials. Dynamic responsiveness has increased over time but does not seem to be influenced by institutions such as direct democracy or campaign finance regulations. We conclude that our findings, though in some respects normatively ambiguous, on the whole paint a reassuring portrait of statehouse democracy.
Dietary intake, nutritional status and mental wellbeing of homeless adults in Reading, UK
Authors: Fallaize Rosalind , Seale Josephine V. , Mortin Charlotte , Armstrong Lisha , Lovegrove Julie A.
Published: November 2017

Malnutrition has been reported in the homeless, yet the specific nutritional issues faced by each homeless community are unclear. This is in part due to nutrient intake often being compared with dietary reference values as opposed to a comparative housed population. In addition, the complex interplay between nutrient intake, reward mediated behaviour and mental illness is frequently overlooked. This study aimed to compare the dietary intake, nutritional status and mental wellbeing of homeless and housed adults. Homeless (n75) and matched housed (n75) adults were recruited from Reading (UK). Nutrient intake was determined using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Norfolk FFQ. The Patient Health Questionnaire: Somatic Anxiety Depressive Symptoms (PHQ-SADS) assessed for signs of mental illness. Demographic, behavioural and physiological information was collected using closed-ended questions and anthropometric measurements. Overall, dietary intake was poorer in homeless adults who reported higher intakes of salt (8·0v. 6·4 g,P=0·017), SFA (14·6v. 13·0 %,P=0·002) and alcohol (5·3v. 1·9 %,P<0·001) and lower intakes of fibre (13·4v. 16·3 g,P<0·001), vitamin C (79v. 109 mg,P<0·001) and fruit (96v. 260 g,P<0·001) than housed. Smoking, substance misuse and PHQ-SADS scores were also higher in the homeless (P<0·001). Within the homeless population, street homeless (n24) had lower SFA (13·7v.15·0 %,P=0·010), Ca (858v. 1032 mg,P=0·027) and milk intakes (295v. 449 g,P=0·001) than hostel residents (n51), which may reflect the issues with food storage. This study highlights the disparity between nutritional status in homeless and housed populations and the need for dietary intervention in the homeless community.
The relationships among iron supplement use, Hb concentration and linear growth in young children: Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Mohammed Shimels Hussien , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: November 2017

Growth faltering and anaemia remain unacceptably high among infants and young children in Ethiopia. In this study, we investigated the relationships among Fe supplement use (ISU), Hb concentration and linear growth, hypothesising positive relationships between ISU and Hb, ISU and linear growth and Hb and linear growth. We used a nationally representative data of 2400 children aged 6–24 months from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011, conducted following a stratified, two-stage cluster sampling. We examined the links by Pearson’s correlation, bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses and reported adjusted estimates. We found that ISU was not significantly associated with either Hb (β=1·09; 95 % CI −2·73, 5·01, P=0·567) or linear growth (β=0·07; 95 % CI −0·06, 0·21, P=0·217). We found a positive, however, weak, correlation between Hb and linear growth (r 0·09; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·11, P<0·001). Hb predicted linear growth independent of a variety dietary and non-dietary factors (β=0·08; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·11, P<0·001). Although not the primary focus of the study, our analysis showed that age and breast-feeding duration were independently associated with Hb; age, birth type, size at birth, sex, breast-feeding duration, dietary diversity and deworming were independently associated with linear growth, indicating that Hb and linear growth are multifactorial with both nutritional and non-nutritional factors implicated. Further studies, with better design and exposure assessment, are warranted on the relation of ISU with Hb or linear growth.
Trophic relationship between the invasive parasitic copepod Mytilicola orientalis and its native blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) host
Authors: Goedknegt M. Anouk , Shoesmith David , Jung A. Sarina , Luttikhuizen Pieternella C. , van der Meer Jaap , Philippart Catharina J. M. , van der Veer Henk W. , Thieltges David W.
Published: November 2017

Invasive parasites can spill over to new hosts in invaded ecosystems with often unpredictable trophic relationships in the newly arising parasite-host interactions. In European seas, the intestinal copepod Mytilicola orientalis was co-introduced with Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) and spilled over to native blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), with negative impacts on the condition of infected mussels. However, whether the parasite feeds on host tissue and/or stomach contents is yet unknown. To answer this question, we performed a stable isotope analysis in which we included mussel host tissue and the primary food sources of the mussels, microphytobenthos (MPB) and particulate organic matter (POM). The copepods were slightly enriched in δ15N (mean Δ15N ± s.d.; 1·22 ± 0·58‰) and δ13C (Δ13C 0·25 ± 0·32‰) with respect to their host. Stable isotope mixing models using a range of trophic fractionation factors indicated that host tissue was the main food resource with consistent additional contributions of MPB and POM. These results suggest that the trophic relationship of the invasive copepod with its mussel host is parasitic as well as commensalistic. Stable isotope studies such as this one may be a useful tool to unravel trophic relationships in new parasite-host associations in the course of invasions.
The behavioral constellation of deprivation may be best understood as risk management
Authors: Amir Dorsa , Jordan Matthew R.
Published: November 2017

Although the authors make a compelling case that early-life deprivation leads to present orientation, we believe that such behaviors may be better understood in terms of an underlying risk-management strategy, in which those who experience such deprivation are more risk-averse. The model we sketch accommodates the authors' present-orientation observations and further explains differences in risk preferences and social preferences.
What about the behavioral constellation of advantage?
Authors: Freese Jeremy
Published: November 2017

Many short-sighted behaviors are more common among poorer people. These behaviors are neither evolutionarily nor historically unusual and have strong contemporary encouragement. The bigger puzzle is their lower frequency among the affluent. The behaviors also have clear cultural and normative aspects that limit the usefulness of strictly individualist theories.
Predictability or controllability: Which matters more for the BCD?
Authors: Gassen Jeffrey , Bradshaw Hannah K. , Leyva Randi Proffitt , Hill Sarah E.
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle's theory of the behavioral constellation of deprivation (BCD) would benefit from teasing apart the conceptually distinct – although related – constructs of predictability and control. Our commentary draws from prior research conducted in the learning domain to demonstrate that predictability moderates the effects of control and independently exerts a powerful influence on outcomes relevant to the BCD.
The uncontrollable nature of early learning experiences
Authors: Kurkul Katelyn , Corriveau Kathleen
Published: November 2017

Early learning experiences shape the development of the behavioral constellation of deprivation (BCD) proposed by Pepper & Nettle (P&N). There is considerable variability in early learning experiences across diverse socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, particularly when it comes to language. Here, we discuss how early learning experiences are beyond the control of the individual and subsequently contribute to behaviors in P&N's constellation.
Deprived, but not depraved: Prosocial behavior is an adaptive response to lower socioeconomic status
Authors: Robinson Angela R. , Piff Paul K.
Published: November 2017

Individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES) display increased attentiveness to others and greater prosocial behavior compared to individuals of higher SES. We situate these effects within Pepper & Nettle's contextually appropriate response framework of SES. We argue that increased prosocial behavior is a contextually adaptive response for lower-SES individuals that serves to increase control over their more threatening social environments.
The link between deprivation and its behavioural constellation is confounded by genetic factors
Authors: Sherlock James M. , Zietsch Brendan P.
Published: November 2017

Most research cited throughout Pepper & Nettle's (P&N's) target article is correlational and suffers from a serious genetic confound that renders it of little evidentiary value. Of correlational findings that are not confounded, P&N ignore examples that contradict their model. Further, P&N's claim that evolutionary models explaining between-species differences in behaviour can be used to understand that corresponding individual differences lack any evidence.
Health behaviour, extrinsic risks, and the exceptions to the rule
Authors: Uggla Caroline
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle make a compelling case for how evolutionary thinking can help explain behaviours that cluster with deprivation. The role of extrinsic mortality risk in driving behaviour is probably important, but strong evidence is still lacking. By thinking carefully about behaviours seemingly at odds with an evolutionary life history perspective, we can gain important insights that will help refine theory.
Emotional granularity and the musical enjoyment of sadness itself
Authors: Barrett Nathaniel F. , Schulkin Jay , Bernacer Javier
Published: November 2017

We contest the claim that musically induced sadness cannot be enjoyable in itself. This possibility is supported by closer attention to a musical experience as well as cases of affective reversal, such as the “hedonic flip” of painful feelings. We propose that the affective reversal of sadness in music is due to the high granularity of musically induced emotion.
Live theatre as exception and test case for experiencing negative emotions in art
Authors: Goldstein Thalia R.
Published: November 2017

Distancing and then embracing constitutes a useful way of thinking about the paradox of aesthetic pleasure. However, the model does not account for live theatre. When live actors perform behaviors perceptually close to real life and possibly really experienced by the actors, audiences may experience autonomic reactions, with less distance, or may have to distance post-experiencing/embracing their emotions.
Context matters: How macroeconomic forces may alter the reception of negative emotions in art
Authors: Hershfield Hal Ersner , Alter Adam Lee
Published: November 2017

Menninghaus et al. offer a comprehensive model to explain why people pursue darker emotions in art, but we believe they underplay the considerable role of situational factors in driving these preferences. In particular, changing mood states are likely to shape artistic preferences, in large part because positive mood states act as a protective buffer against otherwise aversive experiences.