bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral mucormycosis in patients with haematologic malignancies in a bone marrow transplant unit
Authors: Cheong Hae Suk , Kim Sung Yong , Ki Hyun Kyun , Kim Jun Yeon , Lee Mark Hong
Published: September 2017

Mucormycosis is an aggressive and life‐threatening opportunistic fungal infection, which predominantly affects immunocompromised patients. It typically manifests in rhinocerebral, pulmonary or disseminated forms in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. Mucormycosis limited to the oral cavity is rare, and to the best of our knowledge only seven cases have previously been reported in English literature. We present five consecutive cases of oral mucormycosis in patients with leukaemia, and provide a literature review.
Role of oral nystatin prophylaxis in cardiac surgery with prolongedextracorporeal circulation
Authors: Russo Alessandro , Carriero Giovanni , Farcomeni Alessio , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Tritapepe Luigi , Venditti Mario
Published: September 2017

Summary

Duration >120 minutes of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) during cardiopulmonary bypass procedure was associated to an increased risk of candidemia in the intensive care unit (ICU). To evaluate oral nystatin prophylaxis in cardiac surgery considering its exclusive effect on Candida, in the absence of systemic effects and selection of resistant strains to polyene. We conducted an observational study in the postcardiac surgery ICU of Policlinico “Umberto I” of Rome. From January 2014, all patients with a prolonged ECC >120 minutes were systematically treated with oral nystatin (Prophylaxis group). This group was compared with all patients hospitalised in the same ICU, who have not received oral nystatin after ECC >120 minutes (No prophylaxis group). Overall, 672 consecutive patients were analyzed: 318 (47.3%) patients belonged to the no prophylaxis group, and 354 (52.7%) patients to the prophylaxis group. Diagnosis of candidemia was confirmed in 7 (2.2%) patients, all belonged to the no prophylaxis group. At multivariate analysis, oral nystatin prophylaxis showed a protective effect for development of candidemia after cardiac surgery. Oral nystatin prophylaxis, in patients who underwent a ECC >120 minutes, seems to reduce development of candidemia; however, the real efficacy of such prophylaxis approach requires further investigation.
Prevalence of onychomycosis among patients with nail psoriasis who are not receiving immunosuppressive agents: Results of a pilot study
Authors: Tsentemeidou Aikaterini , Vyzantiadis Timoleon‐Achilleas , Kyriakou Aikaterini , Sotiriadis Dimitrios , Patsatsi Aikaterini
Published: September 2017

Nail psoriasis and onychomycosis can often be hard to differentiate clinically and may coexist, complicating each other's course. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of onychomycosis among patients with nail psoriasis not being treated with immunosuppressive agents, which constitute an independent risk factor for fungal infections. A cross‐sectional study was performed. All adult patients with nail psoriasis who were not receiving antifungal and/or immunosuppressive treatment were recruited at the 2nd University Dermatology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki from 10/2016 till 02/2017. If onychomycosis was clinically suspected, nail samples were collected and direct microscopy with 15% KOH solution and culture were performed. Target‐NAPSI and DLQI score were also calculated. Of the 23 patients recruited, 20 were men and 3 were women, with a mean age of 53.43 years (48.25, 58.62), a mean target‐NAPSI score of 10.72 (9.62, 11.77) and a mean DLQI score of 10.17 (7.46, 12.89). A total of 34.78% of patients tested positive for onychomycosis. Yeast were isolated in 37.50% of cases, non‐dermatophyte filamentous fungi in 37.50% and T. rubrum in 12.50%. The prevalence of onychomycosis among nail psoriasis patients is higher than that among the general population of Greece (15%‐20%). Yeast and moulds predominate in infection cases of nail psoriasis patients.
Are plants sentient?
Authors: Calvo Paco , Sahi Vaidurya Pratap , Trewavas Anthony
Published: September 2017

Feelings in humans are mental states representing groups of physiological functions that usually have defined behavioural purposes. Feelings, being evolutionarily ancient, are thought to be coordinated in the brain stem of animals. One function of the brain is to prioritise between competing mental states and, thus, groups of physiological functions and in turn behaviour. Plants use groups of coordinated physiological activities to deal with defined environmental situations but currently have no known mental state to prioritise any order of response. Plants do have a nervous system based on action potentials transmitted along phloem conduits but which in addition, through anastomoses and other cross‐links, forms a complex network. The emergent potential for this excitable network to form a mental state is unknown, but it might be used to distinguish between different and even contradictory signals to the individual plant and thus determine a priority of response. This plant nervous system stretches throughout the whole plant providing the potential for assessment in all parts and commensurate with its self‐organising, phenotypically plastic behaviour. Plasticity may, in turn, depend heavily on the instructive capabilities of local bioelectric fields enabling both a degree of behavioural independence but influenced by the condition of the whole plant.
Foreign ownership and the export and import propensities of developing‐country firms
Authors: Boddin Dominik , Raff Horst , Trofimenko Natalia
Published: September 2017

This paper uses micro‐data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys 2002–06 to investigate how foreign ownership affects the likelihood of manufacturers in developing countries to export and/or import either directly or indirectly. Applying propensity score matching to control for differences across firms in terms of labour productivity and other characteristics, we find that foreign ownership raises the propensity of a firm to export by over 17 and the propensity to import by more than 13 percentage points. The effects are even bigger for countries with the lowest per capita income and institutional quality.
A Reconfigurable Multiplanar In Vitro Simulator for Real-Time Absolute Motion With External and Musculotendon Forces
Authors: Green Joshua T. , Hale Rena F. , Hausselle Jerome , Gonzalez Roger V.
Published: September 2017

Advancements in computational musculoskeletal biomechanics are constrained by a lack of experimental measurement under real-time physiological loading conditions. This paper presents the design, configuration, capabilities, accuracy, and repeatability of The University of Texas at El Paso Joint Load Simulator (UTJLS) by testing four cadaver knee specimens with 47 real-time tests including heel and toe squat maneuvers with and without musculotendon forces. The UTJLS is a musculoskeletal simulator consisting of two robotic manipulators and eight musculotendon actuators. Sensors include eight tension load cells, two force/torque systems, nine absolute encoders, and eight incremental encoders. A custom control system determines command output for position, force, and hybrid control and collects data at 2000 Hz. Controller configuration performed forward-dynamic control for all knee degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) except knee flexion. Actuator placement and specimen potting techniques uniquely replicate muscle paths. Accuracy and repeatability standard deviations across specimen during squat simulations were equal or less than 8 N and 5 N for musculotendon actuators, 30 N and 13 N for ground reaction forces (GRFs), and 4.4 N·m and 1.9 N·m for ground reaction moments. The UTJLS is the first of its design type. Controller flexibility and physical design support axis constraints to match traditional testing rigs, absolute motion, and synchronous real-time simulation of multiplanar kinematics, GRFs, and musculotendon forces. System DOFs, range of motion, and speed support future testing of faster maneuvers, various joints, and kinetic chains of two connected joints.
A new species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and the male of Amblyseius ishizuchiensis Ehara, 1972 from China
Authors: Fang Xiaoduan , Wu Wei-Nan
Published: September 2017

Phytoseiids have been surveyed in China since 1958, and about 300 species have been recorded thus far. A new species Neoseiulus badalingensis sp. nov. and a newly recorded species from China, Amblyseius ishizuchiensis Ehara, 1972 were founded by examining the former collection in Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources. The new species is described and illustrated based on now available specimens. The first description of the male of A. ishizuchiensis is also provided.
Effect of duration and gating of the signal on the binaural masking level difference for narrowband and broadband maskers
Authors: Verhey Jesko L. , Yasin Ifat
Published: September 2017

Thresholds were measured for a 250-Hz signal with an interaural phase difference of 0° (diotic) or 180° (dichotic), with signal durations of 12 and 60 ms (including 6-ms ramps) and 300 ms (including 6- or 50-ms ramps). The signal-centered diotic noise masker had a bandwidth of 20 or 200 Hz. For the 20-Hz wide masker, the binaural masking level difference (BMLD), i.e., threshold difference between diotic and dichotic signal, increased with signal duration and, for the 300-ms signal, the BMLD was larger with 50-ms rather than 6-ms ramps. These signal parameters hardly affected the BMLD for the 200-Hz wide masker.
Commercial Intravenous Immunoglobulin Preparations Contain Functional Neutralizing Antibodies against the Staphylococcus aureus Leukocidin LukAB (LukGH)
Authors: Wood James B. , Jones Lauren S. , Soper Nicole R. , Nagarsheth Meera , Creech C. Buddy , Thomsen Isaac P.
Published: September 2017

The pathogenesis of
Staphylococcus aureus
is mediated by an array of important virulence factors, including the two-component leukocidin family of toxins. LukAB (also known as LukGH), the most recently discovered leukocidin, is potently lethal to phagocytes, produced during invasive human disease, and present in all known clinical isolates of
S. aureus
. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is often used clinically in severe
S. aureus
infections. The primary aim of this study was to assess the binding and neutralization potential of IVIg against LukAB. A secondary aim was to examine the lot-to-lot variability of IVIg in the binding and neutralization of LukAB. We studied 24 distinct lots of IVIg and compared them to serum from children with invasive
S. aureus
infection (in the acute and convalescent phases) and from healthy, uninfected controls. We found that all lots of IVIg contained functional antibodies targeting LukAB. After adjusting for total antibody content per sample, we found that the amount of anti-LukAB antibody in IVIg was similar to that seen with healthy controls and less than that seen with patients with invasive
S. aureus
infection. IVIg samples had lower neutralization capacity than samples from healthy controls and children with invasive infection. IVIg had remarkably little lot-to-lot variation in LukAB binding but had significantly more variation in toxin neutralization. These results represent the first report of functional antibodies against the important
S. aureus
leukocidin LukAB in IVIg. Given the frequent clinical use of IVIg for severe
S. aureus
infections, improving our understanding of functional antibody properties exhibited by this therapeutic is essential.
Anaerobic Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cell Death Stems from Intracellular Acidification Mitigated by the DosR Regulon
Authors: Reichlen Matthew J. , Leistikow Rachel L. , Scobey Micah S. , Born Sarah E. M. , Voskuil Martin I.
Published: September 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is a strict aerobe capable of prolonged survival in the absence of oxygen. We investigated the ability of anaerobic
M. tuberculosis
to counter challenges to internal pH homeostasis in the absence of aerobic respiration, the primary mechanism of proton efflux for aerobic bacilli. Anaerobic
M. tuberculosis
populations were markedly impaired for survival under a mildly acidic pH relative to standard culture conditions. An acidic environmental pH greatly increased the susceptibilities of anaerobic bacilli to the collapse of the proton motive force by protonophores, to antimicrobial compounds that target entry into the electron transport system, and to small organic acids with uncoupling activity. However, anaerobic bacilli exhibited high tolerance against these challenges at a near-neutral pH. At a slightly alkaline pH, which was near the optimum intracellular pH, the addition of protonophores even improved the long-term survival of bacilli. Although anaerobic
M. tuberculosis
bacilli under acidic conditions maintained 40% lower ATP levels than those of bacilli under standard culture conditions, ATP loss alone could not explain the drop in viability. Protonophores decreased ATP levels by more than 90% regardless of the extracellular pH but were bactericidal only under acidic conditions, indicating that anaerobic bacilli could survive an extreme ATP loss provided that the external pH was within viable intracellular parameters. Acidic conditions drastically decreased the anaerobic survival of a DosR mutant, while an alkaline environment improved the survival of the DosR mutant. Together, these findings indicate that intracellular acidification is a primary challenge for the survival of anaerobic
M. tuberculosis
and that the DosR regulon plays a critical role in sustaining internal pH homeostasis.

IMPORTANCE
During infection,
M. tuberculosis
bacilli are prevalent in environments largely devoid of oxygen, yet the factors that influence the survival of these severely growth-limited and metabolically limited bacilli remain poorly understood. We determined how anaerobic bacilli respond to fluctuations in environmental pH and observed that these bacilli were highly susceptible to stresses that promoted internal acidic stress, whereas conditions that promoted an alkaline internal pH promoted long-term survival even during severe ATP depletion. The DosR regulon, a major regulator of general hypoxic stress, played an important role in maintaining internal pH homeostasis under anaerobic conditions. Together, these findings indicate that in the absence of aerobic respiration, protection from internal acidification is crucial for long-term
M. tuberculosis
survival.
Isolation of a Membrane Protein Complex for Type VII Secretion in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Aly Khaled A. , Anderson Mark , Ohr Ryan Jay , Missiakas Dominique
Published: September 2017

The ESAT6-like secretion system (ESS) of
Staphylococcus aureus
promotes effector protein transport across the bacterial envelope. Genes in the ESS cluster are required for
S. aureus
establishment of persistent abscess lesions and the modulation of immune responses during bloodstream infections. However, the biochemical functions of most of the ESS gene products, specifically the identity of secretion machine components, are unknown. Earlier work demonstrated that deletion of
essB
, which encodes a membrane protein, abolishes
S. aureus
ESS secretion. Loss-of-function mutations truncating the
essB
gene product cause dominant-negative phenotypes on ESS secretion, suggesting that EssB is a central component of the secretion machinery. To test this prediction, we purified native and affinity-tagged EssB from staphylococcal membranes via dodecyl-maltoside extraction, identifying a complex assembled from five proteins, EsaA, EssA, EssB, EssD, and EsxA. All five proteins are essential for secretion, as knockout mutations in the corresponding genes abolish ESS transport. Biochemical and bacterial two-hybrid analyses revealed a direct interaction between EssB and EsaA that, by engaging a mobile machine component, EsxA, may also recruit EssA and EssD.

IMPORTANCE
Type VII secretion systems support the lifestyle of Gram-positive bacteria, including important human pathogens such as
Bacillus anthracis
,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
. Genes encoding SpoIIIE-FtsK-like ATPases and WXG100-secreted products are conserved features of type VII secretion pathways; however, most of the genes in T7SS clusters are not conserved between different bacterial species. Here, we isolate a complex of proteins from the membranes of
S. aureus
that appears to represent the core secretion machinery, designated ESS. These results suggest that three membrane proteins, EsaA, EssB, and EssA, form a secretion complex that associates with EssC, the SpoIIIE-FtsK-like ATPase, and with EsxA, a mobile machine component and member of the WXG100 protein family.
ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING, INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE OF TECHNOLOGY START-UPS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
Authors: IBEKU STANLEY
Published: September 2017

Innovation and performance are increasingly being considered important to the success or otherwise of firms especially technology start-ups. The study investigated the effect of organisational learning on innovation as well as the effect of innovation on performance of technology start-up firms in Lagos, Nigeria. Data was collected from 101 technology start-ups with the aid of a questionnaire. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple stepwise regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Results of the study support both hypotheses. The study confirms that organisational learning contributes to innovation. Also, findings from the study show that innovation is positively related to firm performance. Understanding the importance of innovation will provide more insight on how technology start-ups can achieve better performance and retain market share.
Phylogenetics of Allopolyploids
Authors: Oxelman Bengt , Brysting Anne Krag , Jones Graham R. , Marcussen Thomas , Oberprieler Christoph , Pfeil Bernard E.
Published: September 2017

We give an overview of recently developed methods to reconstruct phylog-enies of taxa that include allopolyploids that have originated in relatively recent times—in other words, taxa for which at least some of the parental lineages of lower ploidy levels are not extinct and for which ploidy information is clearly shown by variation in chromosome counts. We review how these methods have been applied to empirical data, discuss challenges, and outline prospects for future research. In the absence of recombination between parental subgenomes, the allopolyploid phylogenetic histories can in principle be treated as genome tree inference. However, without whole genome or whole chromosome data, sequences must be assigned from genes sampled to parental subgenomes. The new version of the AlloppNET method, which now can handle any number of species at the diploid and tetraploid level and any number of hybridizations, is a promising attempt that can also treat gene tree discordance due to the coalescent process. The ongoing development of models that take migration, paralogy, and uncertainties in species delimitations into account offers exciting opportunities for the future of inference of species networks.
Reduced obesity, diabetes, and steatosis upon cinnamon and grape pomace are associated with changes in gut microbiota and markers of gut barrier
Authors: Van Hul Matthias , Geurts Lucie , Plovier Hubert , Druart Céline , Everard Amandine , Ståhlman Marcus , Rhimi Moez , Chira Kleopatra , Teissedre Pierre-Louis , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Maguin Emmanuelle , Guilbot Angèle , Brochot Amandine , Gérard Philippe , Bäckhed Fredrik , Cani Patrice D.
Published: September 2017

Increasing evidence suggests that polyphenols have a significant potential in the prevention and treatment of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to assess the metabolic outcomes of two polyphenol-containing extracts from cinnamon bark (CBE) and grape pomace (GPE) on C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 wk. Both CBE and GPE were able to decrease fat mass gain and adipose tissue inflammation in mice fed a HFD without reducing food intake. This was associated with reduced liver steatosis and lower plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels. We also observed a beneficial effect on glucose homeostasis, as evidenced by an improved glucose tolerance and a lower insulin resistance index. These ameliorations of the overall metabolic profile were associated with a significant impact on the microbial composition, which was more profound for the GPE than for the CBE. At the genus level, Peptococcus were decreased in the CBE group. In the GPE-treated group, several key genera that have been previously found to be linked with HFD, metabolic effects, and gut barrier integrity were affected: we observed a decrease of Desulfovibrio, Lactococcus, whereas Allobaculum and Roseburia were increased. In addition, the expression of several antimicrobial peptides and tight junction proteins was increased in response to both CBE and GPE supplementation, indicating an improvement of the gut barrier function. Collectively, these data suggest that CBE and GPE can ameliorate the overall metabolic profile of mice on a high-fat diet, partly by acting on the gut microbiota.
Hyperbolic Modeling of Subthalamic Nucleus Cells to Investigate the Effect of Dopamine Depletion
Authors: Daneshzand Mohammad , Faezipour Miad , Barkana Buket D.
Published: September 2017

To investigate how different types of neurons can produce well-known spiking patterns, a new computationally efficient model is proposed in this paper. This model can help realize the neuronal interconnection issues. The model can demonstrate various neuronal behaviors observed in vivo through simple parameter modification. The behaviors include tonic and phasic spiking, tonic and phasic bursting, class 1 and class 2 excitability, rebound spike, rebound burst, subthreshold oscillation, and accommodated spiking along with inhibition neuron responses. Here, we investigate the neuronal spiking patterns in Parkinson’s disease through our proposed model. Abnormal pattern of subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease can be studied through variations in the shape and frequency of firing patterns. Our proposed model introduces mathematical equations, where these patterns can be derived and clearly differentiated from one another. The irregular and arrhythmic behaviors of subthalamic nucleus firing pattern under normal conditions can easily be transformed to those caused by Parkinson’s disease through simple parameter modifications in the proposed model. This model can explicitly show the change of neuronal activity patterns in Parkinson’s disease, which may eventually lead to effective treatment with deep brain stimulation devices.
A Parameter Estimation Algorithm for Multiple Frequency‐Hopping Signals Based on Sparse Bayesian Method
Authors: Zhang Kun-feng , Guo Ying , Qi Zisen
Published: September 2017

Parameter estimation and network sorting for noncooperative wideband frequency‐hopping (FH) signals have been essential and challenging tasks, especially in the case with little or even no prior information at all. In this paper, we propose a nearly blind estimation approach to estimate signal parameters based on sparse Bayesian reconstruction. Taking the sparsity in the spatial frequency domain of multiple FH signals into account, we propose a sparse Bayesian algorithm to estimate the spatial frequency parameters. As a result, the frequency and direction of arrival (DOA) parameters can be obtained. In order to improve the accuracy of the estimation parameters, we employ morphological filter methods to further clean the data poisoned by the noise. Moreover, our method is applicable to the wideband signal models with little prior information. We also conduct extensive numerical simulations to verify the performance of our method. Notably, the proposed method works well even in low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) environment.
Nonnegative Periodic Solutions of a Three-Term Recurrence Relation Depending on Two Real Parameters
Authors: Chang Yen Chih , Cheng Sui Sun , Yeh Wei Chang
Published: September 2017

Simple dynamic systems representing time varying states of interconnected neurons may exhibit extremely complex behaviors when bifurcation parameters are switched from one set of values to another. In this paper, motivated by simulation results, we examine the steady states of one such system with bang-bang control and two real parameters. We found that nonnegative and negative periodic states are of special interests since these states are solutions of linear nonhomogeneous three-term recurrence relations. Although the standard approach to analyse such recurrence relations is the method of finding the general solutions by means of variation of parameters, we find novel alternate geometric methods that offer the tracking of solution trajectories in the plane. By means of this geometric approach, we are then able, without much tedious computation, to completely characterize the nonnegative and negative periodic solutions in terms of the bifurcation parameters.
Please Smoke Your E-Cigarette Proportionally
Authors: Inglese Marco
Published: September 2017

Directive 2014/40/eu harmonises the manufacture, sales and presentation of tobacco and related products, notably, electronic cigarettes. As its predecessors, Directive 2014/40/eu has already been challenged on three occasions. This article will tackle the Pilbox case and assesses the impact of the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity on market harmonisation and health protection. It seeks to demonstrate that, contrary to the old-fashioned stream of case law on this subject, the battlefield has been shifted from the scope of Art. 114 tfeu to the impact of general principles of eu law. It then assesses how health protection increasingly permeates internal market legislations, leading to a sort of ‘paternalistic’ harmonisation. Finally, it argues that after two decades of disputes concerning tobacco products, the Court of Justice of the European Union (cjeu) has successfully ended litigations on Directive 2014/40/eu, holding that its compliance with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity is beyond doubt.
Thermo-oxidative aging resistance and mechanism of a macromolecular hindered phenol antioxidant for natural rubber
Authors: Wu Wenjian , Li Hongqiang , Yang Shuyan , Lai Xuejun , Fan Hongbo , Zeng Xingrong
Published: September 2017

Macromolecular antioxidant due to its low physical loss, high thermal stability, and good compatibility has been considered to be a promising candidate to inhibit polymer aging. In this study, thermo-oxidative aging resistance and antioxidative mechanism of a macromolecular hindered phenol antioxidant, namely, polyhydroxylated polybutadiene containing thioether binding 2, 2′-thiobis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (PHPBT-b-TPH) for natural rubber (NR) vulcanizate was studied in detail by oxidation induction time and accelerated thermal aging tests. The results showed that the antioxidative efficiency of PHPBT-b-TPH was very high. When the amount of PHPBT-b-TPH was only 1 phr, the NR vulcanizate could exhibit excellent thermo-oxidative aging resistance, obviously higher than that of NR vulcanizate with low-molecular-weight antioxidant TPH. After aged at 100°C for 168 h, the retentions of tensile strength and elongation at break of NR vulcanizate with PHPBT-b-TPH were 43.6% and 58.6%, respectively. However, those of NR vulcanizate with TPH were 35.6% and 54.5%. In addition, it was found that both thioether and urethane groups in PHPBT-b-TPH had antioxidative ability and had synergistic effect with hindered phenol. Through our findings, new strategy to design and synthesize the macromolecular antioxidant with multi-antioxidative groups for rubber materials and other polymer materials could be developed.
Prognostic significance of baseline metabolic tumor volume in relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Moskowitz Alison J. , Schöder Heiko , Gavane Somali , Thoren Katie L. , Fleisher Martin , Yahalom Joachim , McCall Susan J. , Cadzin Briana R. , Fox Stephanie Y. , Gerecitano John , Grewal Ravinder , Hamlin Paul A. , Horwitz Steven M. , Kumar Anita , Matasar Matthew , Ni Andy , Noy Ariela , Palomba M. Lia , Perales Miguel-Angel , Portlock Carol S. , Sauter Craig , Straus David , Younes Anas , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Moskowitz Craig H.
Published: September 2017

Key Points

Baseline metabolic tumor volume and the presence of refractory disease predict outcome for patients with relapsed/refractory HL. Metabolic tumor volume improves the predictive power of pretransplantation PET in relapsed/refractory HL.
Molecular recognition of pre-tRNA by Arabidopsis protein-only Ribonuclease P
Authors: Klemm Bradley P. , Karasik Agnes , Kaitany Kipchumba J. , Shanmuganathan Aranganathan , Henley Matthew J. , Thelen Adam Z. , Dewar Allison J.L. , Jackson Nathaniel D. , Koutmos Markos , Fierke Carol A.
Published: September 2017

Protein-only ribonuclease P (PRORP) is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the 5′ end maturation of precursor transfer ribonucleic acids (pre-tRNAs) encoded by various cellular compartments in many eukaryotes. PRORPs from plants act as single-subunit enzymes and have been used as a model system for analyzing the function of the metazoan PRORP nuclease subunit, which requires two additional proteins for efficient catalysis. There are currently few molecular details known about the PRORP–pre-tRNA complex. Here, we characterize the determinants of substrate recognition by the single subunit Arabidopsis thaliana PRORP1 and PRORP2 using kinetic and thermodynamic experiments. The salt dependence of binding affinity suggests 4–5 contacts with backbone phosphodiester bonds on substrates, including a single phosphodiester contact with the pre-tRNA 5′ leader, consistent with prior reports of short leader requirements. PRORPs contain an N-terminal pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) domain, truncation of which results in a >30-fold decrease in substrate affinity. While most PPR-containing proteins have been implicated in single-stranded sequence-specific RNA recognition, we find that the PPR motifs of PRORPs recognize pre-tRNA substrates differently. Notably, the PPR domain residues most important for substrate binding in PRORPs do not correspond to positions involved in base recognition in other PPR proteins. Several of these residues are highly conserved in PRORPs from algae, plants, and metazoans, suggesting a conserved strategy for substrate recognition by the PRORP PPR domain. Furthermore, there is no evidence for sequence-specific interactions. This work clarifies molecular determinants of PRORP–substrate recognition and provides a new predictive model for the PRORP–substrate complex.
Grammaticalization of complex items: Estonian nii et ‘so that’, ‘so’
Authors: Jürine Anni , Habicht Külli
Published: September 2017

The article discusses the development of complex items that may carry grammatical as well as pragmatic functions. We describe the development of the Estonian complex conjunction nii et ‘so that’ which started out as the free combination of the proadverb nii ‘so’ and the conjunction et ‘that’, and has currently reached the stage of pragmatic marker located at the sentence-peripheral position and expressing CONCLUSION. The synchronic corpus study analyzes 862 examples and observes the functional and the formal variation of nii et ‘so that’, ‘so’ as well as the association between them. The data suggests that nii et has four formal variants (nii, et; nii et; niiet; niet) and its functions have developed in the following chain: MANNER > CONSEQUENCE > CONCLUSION. The data suggest an association between the functional and formal variation. The development of nii et displays the main mechanisms of grammaticalization (desemanticization, decategorialization, extension, erosion) and is associated with re-cycling of grammar, and pragmatic roles of sentence peripheries.Kokkuvõte. Anni Jürine ja Külli Habicht: Liitsete üksuste grammatiseerumine: eesti keele nii et. Artiklis käsitletakse liitüksuste grammatiseerumist (pragmatiseerumist) eesti ühendsidesõna nii et näitel. See algselt eri lauseosadesse kuulunud sidendav üksus on reanalüüsitud esmalt alistatud osalauset alustavaks ühendsidesõnaks ja lõpuks lause perifeeriatesse paiknevaks pragmaatiliseks partikliks. Sünkroonilises korpusuuringus analüüsitakse 862 kasutusjuhtu ning selgitatakse välja vormi ja funktsiooni seosed grammatiseerumisprotsessis. Üksusel on neli vormivarianti (nii, et; nii et; niiet; niet) ja tema funktsioonid on kujunenud ahelas VIIS > TAGAJÄRG > JÄRELDUS. Üksuse areng järgib grammatiseerumise keskseid mehhanisme (desemantiseerumine, dekategoriseerumine, ekstensioon, erosioon) ja on seotud grammatika taaskasutuse, insubordinatsiooni ning lause perifeeriate pragmaatiliste rollidega.Võtmesõnad: liitne grammatikaüksus; pragmaatiline partikkel; grammatiseerumine; pragmatiseerumine; grammatika taaskasutus; lause perifeeriad; insubordinatsioon; eesti keel
Dependency profiles as a tool for big data analysis of linguistic constructions: a case study of emoticons
Authors: Laippala Veronika , Kyröläinen Aki-Juhani , Kanerva Jenna , Luotolahti Juhani , Ginter Filip
Published: September 2017

This study presents a methodological toolbox for big data analysis of linguistic constructions by introducing dependency profiles, i.e., co-occurrences of linguistic elements with syntax information. These were operationalized by reconstructing sentences as delexicalized syntactic biarcs, subtrees of dependency analyses. As a case study, we utilize these dependency profiles to explore usage patterns associated with emoticons, the graphic representations of facial expressions. These are said to be characteristic of Computer-Mediated Communication, but typically studied only in restricted corpora. To analyze the 3.7-billion token Finnish Internet Parsebank we use as data, we apply clustering and support vector machines. The results show that emoticons are associated with three typical usage patterns: stream of the writer’s consciousness, narrative constructions and elements guiding the interaction and expressing the writer’s reactions by means of interjections and discourse particles. Additionally, the more frequent emoticons, such as :), are used differently than the less frequent ones, such as ^_^.Kokkuvõte. Veronika Laippala, Aki-Juhani Kyröläinen, Jenna Kanerva, Juhani Luotolahti ja Filip Ginter: Sõltuvusprofiilid kui vahend suurandmete keeleliste konstruktsioonide analüüsimiseks: uurimus emotikonidest. Uurimuses esitame metodoloogilise “tööriistakomplekti” keelekonstruktsioonide analüüsimiseks suurandmete põhjal, rakendades sõltuvusprofiile. Sõltuvusprofiil on lingvistiliste elementide koosesinemise esitusviis, kuhu on kaasatud süntaktiline informatsioon. Selleks on laused konstrueeritud sõltuvusanalüüsi alampuudena, kus süntaktiline info on esitatud sõnadevaheliste (kaksik-)kaarte abil. Artiklis rakendame sõltuvusprofiile selleks, et selgitada välja emotikonide kasutusmustrid. Näomiimika graafilised esitused on iseloomulikud arvuti suhtlusele, mida tavaliselt uuritakse piiratud korpuse põhjal, kuid meie kasutame klasterdamist ja tugivektor-masinaid 3,7 miljardi sõna suuruse Soome Interneti Puudepangal. Selgub, et emotikonide kasutus seostub kolme peamise kasutusmustriga: kirjutaja teadvuse vooluga, narratiivsete konstruktsioonidega ning hüüdsõnade ja diskursusepartiklitega, mis juhivad suhtlust ja väljendavad kirjutaja reaktsioone. Lisaks selgub, et sagedastel emotikonidel nagu :), on rohkem erinevaid kasutusi kui harvadel emotikonidel nagu ^_^.Võtmesõnad: sõltuvusprofiilid; kasutuspõhine süntaks; arvutisuhtlus; emotikonid; veebikorpus; soome keel
The funded hours: very much a work in progress
Authors: Lester Georgina
Published: September 2017

Northumberland was chosen to be part of the pilot for the extended entitlement, with particular emphasis on rurality and flexibility. This is one provider's assessment of the trial and what the future might hold.
Supporting literacy development
Authors: Newman Sue
Published: September 2017

Sue Newman, director of Boogie Mites, explains how science provides evidence of the power of music to engage all of a child's senses as part of a rich and influential early years learning environment.
Providing spaces to get our boys up and running
Authors: Cigman Julie
Published: September 2017

When we get the learning environment right for boys, we get it right for all children. So, if we want everyone to become confident, competent and independent learners, we must adapt accordingly.
The process that makes the product possible
Authors: Dubiel Jan
Published: September 2017

The work of Professor Dr Ferre Laevers has been an influence on the UK's early years settings for many years, addressing key issues, such as how we support children in achieving good outcomes.
Prosopagnosia severely affects a child's wellbeing
Authors: Francis-Pester Dawn
Published: September 2017

Facial recognition is the key to healthy relationships and social interaction. Here, we outline some of the challenges a child with face blindness must overcome and aim to raise awareness among professionals.
Book Review
Authors: Allmann Kira
Published: September 2017

Networked Publics and Digital Contention: The Politics of Everyday Life in Tunisia, Mohamed Zayani (2015) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 304 pp., ISBN 9780190239770, p/bk, £18.99
Niños y adolescentes agresivos
Authors: Andreu Rodríguez José Manuel
Published: September 2017

El artículo describe la agresividad en niños y adolescentes analizando su conceptualización, diferente tipología y manifestaciones, evaluación y modelos teóricos que nos permiten comprender por qué nuestros hijos pueden llegar a ser agresivos. Desde estos planteamientos, se llega a una serie de reflexiones sobre diferentes estrategias que permiten reducir y controlar la agresividad infantil en contextos escolares y familiares.
Applying the smart city philosophy in Brazil for improving urban traffic condition by agent-based simulation
Authors: Pereira Wilson Inacio , Chwif Leonardo
Published: September 2017

Urban mobility improvement as part of smart city philosophy is an extreme importance issue in large urban centers, mainly for its influence over economic and social development. The main objective of this work is to develop a mobility study of automotive vehicles in Goiás Avenue, the main avenue of São Caetano do Sul, Brazilian city with the highest Human Development Index (HDI). Three alternative scenarios for traffic improvement were studied using an agent-based simulation model: Speed Reduction, Green Wave Implementation and a mixed scenario that combines these two approaches. The main results evaluated were average vehicle crossing time, average time spent in queues and total number of vehicles that leave the system during rush hours. It was concluded that, among the proposed scenarios, a mixed one should be implemented as it has favorable results in all of the studied performance indicators and maximizes the benefits generated by the other two scenarios. It is expected that the results of this study will serve to encourage further research in this area and give continuity to the idea of a digital city.
Competitive dysfunction in pharmacies compounding: a Brazilian experience
Authors: Cukier Rubens , Da Silva Orlando Roque , Venanzi Délvio , Hasegawa Haroldo Lhou
Published: September 2017

This research aims to investigate the level of gaps in services offered by compounding pharmacies in Brazil. The research was conducted with a sample of 306 respondents comprised of owners, pharmacists and customers. We sought to assess the extent of gaps regarding competitive, strategic and operational dysfunctions, checking which are significant and the results of the service provided in relation to competitive factors valued by customers. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire validated model as SERVQUAL, published by Parasuraman et al. (1988). The statistical analysis used the software BioEstat v.05. The results demonstrate that there is a strong adhesion of the samples obtained and the quality dimension that stood out was reliability. In relation to the dysfunctions researched, the results pointed to a perfect interaction between agents which led us to accept that, as part of the pharmacies researched, there is no significant competitive dysfunction.
SERVQUAL model applied to higher education public administrative services
Authors: Soares Mauri Cesar , Novaski Olívio , Anholon Rosley
Published: September 2017

Objective: This article aims to report the application of the SERVQUAL model in a public higher education institution from the student body's perspective, in order to assess the Quality of administrative services. Methods: The SERVQUAL Model, which was developed by Parasuraman Zeithaml and Berry, was applied and the "expectation" and the "perception" of respondents were evaluated, resulting in Perceived Quality. Results: The results show that, between five proposed and evaluated dimensions in the Model, the "tangibility" was the only one with positive results. Limitations: The study took place in a Brazilian public higher education unit, whose results cannot be considered to all units. Data were collected by the student body, since these services are exclusively provided to them. Originality/value: The use of the SERVQUAL method to evaluate services provided by education institutions is not trivial, thus their analysis can collaborate with managers in preparing the unit strategic planning as well as demonstrating that the method can be used by other institutions wishing to evaluate the quality of services offered to their students.
Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia’s presence in The Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR) and The Registry of Open Access Repositories (ROAR): A comparative study of their ratio of open access material
Authors: Hachani Samir
Published: September 2017

Open access has seen a great many developments since its inception some twenty five years ago. From an individual initiative it evolved into an institutional then a governmental action that gave it more weight. These initiatives that took place in the last decade of the twentieth century, and are still going on, have coincided with a revolution that has impacted our daily lives and more precisely our lives as researchers: the Internet which changed our ways of doing scientific research and whose influence could be seen live under our own eyes. While open access in the developed world has thrived, in the developing world to which Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia belong it seems to lag behind. As an example of this, the three countries have together only fifteen and thirteen open repositories in The Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR) and The Registry of Open Access Repositories (ROAR) respectively. Beside this quantitative weakness, these open repositories do not seem to implement a clear open access policy as most of them do restrict access to registered users with an account and a password which contravenes the most primary open access philosophy allowing access to scientific literature pending only an Internet connection. Additionally, previous studies have shown that the most basic open access concepts seem to be misconstrued by those in charge for a national open access policy. In consequence, this has impacted negatively on the performance of these open repositories and the ratio of its open access literature. It is suggested that bigger importance and means be given to the question by the people in charge. Cooperative projects such as ISTeMAG should be encouraged and should be the basis of a sound open access policy and allow these countries to attain the much coveted title of The Information Society.
Utility Misperception in a Vertically Differentiated Duopoly
Authors: Bienenstock Sophie
Published: September 2017

When choosing between two goods, consumers anticipate the utility they expect to derive from each product. However, such anticipations are subject to several sources of error, such as quality or price misperception and overoptimism about one’s capacity to use a product. The present paper studies the effect of inaccurate utility anticipations on consumer choice and ultimately on the market outcome in a vertically differentiated duopoly. I come to the conclusion that utility misperception can lead consumers to make suboptimal decisions ex post, although the choice seemed rational at the time of purchase. I show that in a vertically differentiated duopoly, firms are subject to two opposite incentives regarding consumer education. Moreover, the firms’ incentives to educate consumers are not necessarily aligned with the socially efficient outcome. Therefore, this paper also explores several policies aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of consumer misperception.
Looking beyond the thyroid: advances in the understanding of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism phenotypes in MEN2 and of non-MEN2 familial forms
Authors: Guerin Carole , Romanet Pauline , Taieb David , Brue Thierry , Lacroix André , Sebag Frederic , Barlier Anne , Castinetti Frederic
Published: September 2017

Over the last years, the knowledge of MEN2 and non-MEN2 familial forms of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) has increased. In MEN2, PHEO is the second most frequent disease: the penetrance and age at diagnosis depend on the mutation ofRET. Given the prevalence of bilateral PHEO (50% by age 50), adrenal sparing surgery, aimed at sparing a part of the adrenal cortex to avoid adrenal insufficiency, should be systematically considered in patients with bilateral PHEO. Non-MEN2 familial forms of PHEO now include more than 20 genes: however, only small phenotypic series have been reported, suggesting that phenotypic features of isolated hereditary PHEO must be better explored, and follow-up series are needed to better understand the outcome of patients carrying mutations of these genes. The first part of this review will mainly focus on these points. In the second part, a focus will be given on MEN2 and non-MEN2 familial forms of hyperparathyroidism (HPTH). Again, the management of MEN2 HPTH should be aimed at curing the disease while preserving an optimal quality of life by a tailored parathyroidectomy. The phenotypes and outcome of MEN1-, MEN4- and HRPT2-related HPTH are briefly described, with a focus on the most recent literature data and is compared with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.