bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase‐based edge detection algorithms
Authors: Hu Xiao‐Xiao , Kou Kit Ian
Published: September 2017

Quaternion analytic signal is regarded as a generalization of analytic signal from 1D to 4D space. It is defined by an original signal with its quaternion partial and total Hilbert transforms. The quaternion analytic signal provides the signal features representation, such as the local amplitude and local phase angle, the latter includes the structural information of the original signal. The aim of the present study is twofold. Firstly, it attempts to analyze the Plemelj‐Sokhotzkis formula associated with quaternion Fourier transform and quaternion linear canonical transform. With these formulae, we show that the quaternion analytic signals are the boundary values of quaternion Hardy functions in the upper half space of 2 complex variables space. Secondly, the quaternion analytic signal can be extended to the quaternion Hardy function in the upper half space of 2 complex variables space. Two novel types of phase‐based edge detectors are proposed, namely, quaternion differential phase angle and quaternion differential phase congruency methods. In terms of peak signal‐to‐noise ratio and structural similarity index measure, comparisons with competing methods on real‐world images consistently show the superiority of the proposed methods.
Protein Digestion of Baby Foods: Study Approaches and Implications for Infant Health
Authors: Gan Junai , Bornhorst Gail M. , Henrick Bethany M. , German J. Bruce
Published: September 2017

Protein digestion is critical for infants. Dissimilarities between infants and adults in food intake and digestive physiology lead to distinct patterns of proteolysis between individuals. However, such differences are not well represented in many studies on protein digestion of baby foods. The complex biological structures of baby foods and the physiology of the infant digestive system are key factors affecting proteolysis during the first two years of life. Well‐controlled in vitro studies have demonstrated that varying digestion conditions alter the specificity, rate, and extent of proteolysis of baby foods. Nonetheless, these models do not completely replicate in vivo proteolysis or the complex biogeography of the gastrointestinal tract. Animal and clinical studies have revealed the fate of dietary proteins along the digestive tract and the overall health impact on subjects. Building comprehensive and annotated datasets from human infants will require innovative and standardized measurement. Now, more systematic evaluations of digestion are emerging to advance the knowledge and its translation as food design for effective diet and health management in infants.
Immune‐mediated diabetes due to pembrolizumab
Authors: Verlekar Pankaj , Price Hermione
Published: September 2017

Melanoma is one of the most commonly occurring skin cancers in the UK. As recommended by NICE, there are a number of drugs available to treat melanoma and immunotherapeutic drugs are widely used to improve survival in metastatic melanoma. Monoclonal antibodies can cause immune‐related side effects, including diabetes.

Pembrolizumab, an anti‐programmed cell death‐1 receptor monoclonal antibody (PD‐1 Ab), was given to a 63‐year‐old woman with metastatic melanoma. She developed osmotic symptoms with tiredness and confusion after pembrolizumab treatment cycles. She was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis; she was treated with intravenous insulin and started on insulin to control her hyperglycaemia.

Endocrine immune‐related side effects are common with immunotherapeutic agents, especially anti‐cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte associated protein‐4 monoclonal antibody (anti‐CTLA‐4) and PD‐1 Abs. They mainly affect thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands. Immune‐related diabetes is a rare side effect of immunotherapeutic agents. Therefore, clinical suspicion for immune‐related diabetes should be high in patients who are treated with these immunotherapeutic agents. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
Thrombolysis for Massive Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy
Authors: Heavner Mojdeh S. , Zhang Min , Bast Chelsea E. , Parker Lindsey , Eyler Rachel F.
Published: September 2017

Pregnant women are at high risk for venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism (PE), given expected changes in coagulation, fibrinolysis, and venous blood flow. In fact, PE is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. Nonpregnant patients who develop PE with hypotension or show signs of deterioration after anticoagulation receive thrombolytics as a standard of care. Pregnant women, however, have been excluded from clinical trials with thrombolytics, and all data available in this population are published as case reports or case series. We reviewed all reports of thrombolytics, systemic or catheter directed, used in pregnant patients with massive PE. This article summarizes the risks for thromboembolism in pregnancy, compares and contrasts thrombolytic agents in this setting, and provides a recommendation for management of massive PE in this special population. Overall, reports suggest that the use of these agents is associated with beneficial outcomes and a relatively low risk of complications. The quality of this evidence is low, and clinical judgment is required to assess individual patients for risks versus benefits of thrombolysis.
Opioid and Benzodiazepine Weaning in Pediatric Patients: Review of Current Literature
Authors: Fenn Norman E. , Plake Kimberly S.
Published: September 2017

Pediatric opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal are avoidable complications of pain and sedation management that is well described in the literature. To prevent withdrawal from occurring, practitioners regularly use a steady decrease of pain and sedation medications, also known as a weaning or tapering schedule. The weaning schedule is highly variable based on clinician preference and is usually dependent on the clinician. The purposes of this review are to evaluate the current literature on the process of opioid and benzodiazepine weaning in pediatric patients and to assess the various standardized protocols used to decrease withdrawal occurrences. We conducted a search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Academic Search Premier, and PsycInfo databases. Studies were included if they described a wean or taper in pediatric patients aged 18 years or younger. Studies describing neonatal abstinence syndrome were excluded from the review. A total of 97 studies published between 2000 and 2014 were retrieved; of those, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for selection of withdrawal assessment tool, wean protocol summary, preferred weaning agents, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and wean‐at‐home regimen. The most common opioid‐weaning protocol approaches described a 10–20% dose decrease per day. Benzodiazepine weaning was not regularly standardized or described. The use of a standardized opioid‐weaning protocol reduced withdrawal rates compared with nonstandardized weaning plans. Benzodiazepine weaning was inconsistently evaluated and may have affected study outcomes. Identified areas of improvement include the use of newer withdrawal assessment tools validated in the older pediatric population and standardized withdrawal assessment and reporting.
Dose/Exposure‐Response Modeling to Support Dosing Recommendation for Phase III Development of Baricitinib in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Chua Laiyi , Ernest Charles , Macias William , Rooney Terence , Tham Lai San
Published: September 2017

Baricitinib is an oral inhibitor of Janus kinases (JAKs), selective for JAK1 and 2. It demonstrated dose‐dependent efficacy in patients with moderate‐to‐severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a phase IIb study up to 24 weeks. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PopPK/PD) models were developed to characterize concentration‐time profiles and dose/exposure‐response (D/E‐R) relationships for the key efficacy (proportion of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology 20%, 50%, or 70% response rate) and safety endpoints (incidence of anemia) for the phase IIb study. The modeling suggested that 4 mg q.d. was likely to offer the optimum risk/benefit balance, whereas 2 mg q.d. had the potential for adequate efficacy. In addition, at the same total daily dose, a twice‐daily regimen is not expected to provide an advantage over q.d. dosing for the efficacy or safety endpoints. The model‐based simulations formed the rationale for key aspects of dosing, such as dose levels and dosing frequency for phase III development.
Predicted MAX Phase Sc2InC: Dynamical Stability, Vibrational and Optical Properties
Authors: Chowdhury A. , Ali M. A. , Hossain M. M. , Uddin M. M. , Naqib S. H. , Islam A. K. M. A.
Published: September 2017

First principles pseudopotential calculations have been performed for the first time to investigate the phonon dispersion, thermodynamic and optical properties including charge density, Fermi surface, Mulliken population analysis, theoretical Vickers hardness of predicted MAX phase Sc2InC. We revisited the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of the compound which assessed the reliability of our calculations. The analysis of the elastic constants and the phonon dispersion along with phonon density of states indicates the mechanical stability and dynamical stability of the Sc2InC. The Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, entropy specific heat capacity, and Debye temperature have also been calculated. Mulliken population analysis indicates the existence of prominent covalency in chemical bonding of Sc2InC. The electronic charge density mapping shows a combination of ionic, covalent and metallic bonding in the compound. The Fermi surface is comprised due to the low‐dispersive Sc 3d and C 2p states from the [ScC] blocks. The phase is expected to be a soft material and easily machinable due to its low Vickers hardness value. Furthermore, the analysis of various optical properties suggests that the nanolaminate Sc2InC is a promising candidate for optoelectronic devices in the visible and ultraviolet energy regions and as a coating material to avoid solar heating.
Detonation Nanodiamond‐Assisted Carbon Nanotube Growth by Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Kudarenko Ilya P. , Malykhin Sergei A. , Orekhov Andrey S. , Puzyr Aleksey P. , Kleshch Victor I. , Ismagilov Rinat R. , Obraztsov Alexander N.
Published: September 2017

Substrates pretreatment in suspensions of a detonation nanodiamond is widely used for nucleation of diamond growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). We found that iron inclusions in the nanodiamond provide catalytical growth of carbon nanotubes during CVD in a hot filament reactor (HF CVD). Carbon nanotubes grow in the area between two adjacent Si wafers. The diameters of such obtained nanotubes were in the range of 10–100 nm and the length of the tubes reaches about 10 µm. The proposed HF CVD method has convincing potential for the fabrication of carbon nanotube coatings on a large surface area.
Developmental Progress in Conducting Action Research
Authors: Sankaran Shankar , Rowe Wendy , Cady Phil
Published: September 2017

Action research is widely acknowledged as an effective framework of empowerment and emancipation to improve a social situation or condition—an intent that appeals to leaders wishing to create improvement, particularly in low socioeconomic and disadvantaged communities. Validity of such espousals has been substantially unexplored, and where evaluations have occurred, they have been focused more on process than impact. A group of international researchers were engaged in an evaluative study of more than 100 action research initiatives, using a variety of methods, tools and conceptual frameworks. The maturity model for action research is one of the conceptual frameworks adopted in this Evaluative Study of Action Research. Maturity models have their origins in the capability maturity model developed to address the poor performance of software projects delivered to the US Department of Defence in the 1980s. The purpose of the capability maturity model was to help contractors increase capability to improve their software engineering processes from an ad hoc state to a more formal and repeatable state and, eventually, to optimize the processes to deliver consistent outcomes. Maturity models have now found their way into many other organizational contexts, such as project management, knowledge management, process management and research capability. However, the term ‘maturity model’ is usually associated with business jargon and quantitative research. Therefore, the authors of this article felt the concept could be made more palatable to action researchers by rephrasing it as ‘maturity profile’ to improve the ways in which they manage their projects to deliver sustainable outcomes. This resulted in the development of the maturity profile described in this article. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of Mechanical Properties in Bainitic Steel Processed from Different Austenitization Temperatures
Authors: Mandal Gurudas , Tewary Nisith Kumar , Ghosh Swarup Kumar
Published: September 2017

A novel high strength steel has been thermo‐mechanically controlled processed (TMCP) with 750 °C finish rolling temperature followed by air cooling. Subsequently, the air‐cooled steel is partially and fully austenitised separately prior to isothermal bainitic treatment (IBT) followed by air cooling. TMCP steel reveals a congregation of ferrite–bainite–martensite microstructure resulting in an effective combination of strength and ductility. After IBT, multiphase microstructures comprising ferrite, carbide‐free lath microstructure (martensite and bainite), and retained austenite up to 12% are obtained which may be due to combined addition of Si and Al. The attractive combination of yield strength (575–699 MPa), tensile strength (1252–1262 MPa), and total elongation (14–16%), as well as continuous yielding behavior, are suitable for structural and automotive applications.
Colloidal Supercapattery: Redox Ions in Electrode and Electrolyte
Authors: Chen Kunfeng , Xue Dongfeng
Published: September 2017

Redox chemistry is the cornerstone of various electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, associated with ion diffusion process. To actualize both high energy and power density in energy storage devices, both multiple electron transfer reaction and fast ion diffusion occurred in one electrode material are prerequisite. The existence forms of redox ions can lead to different electrochemical thermodynamic and kinetic properties. Here, we introduce novel colloid system, which includes multiple varying ion forms, multi‐interaction and abundant redox active sites. Unlike redox cations in solution and crystal materials, colloid system has specific reactivity‐structure relationship. In the colloidal ionic electrode, the occurrence of multiple‐electron redox reactions and fast ion diffusion leaded to ultrahigh specific capacitance and fast charge rate. The colloidal ionic supercapattery coupled with redox electrolyte provides a new potential technique for the comprehensive use of redox ions including cations and anions in electrode and electrolyte and a guiding design for the development of next‐generation high performance energy storage devices.
Regulation of germ cell development by intercellular signaling in the mammalian ovarian follicle
Authors: Clarke Hugh J.
Published: September 2017

Prior to ovulation, the mammalian oocyte undergoes a process of differentiation within the ovarian follicle that confers on it the ability to give rise to an embryo. Differentiation comprises two phases—growth, during which the oocyte increases more than 100‐fold in volume as it accumulates macromolecules and organelles that will sustain early embryogenesis; and meiotic maturation, during which the oocyte executes the first meiotic division and prepares for the second division. Entry of an oocyte into the growth phase appears to be triggered when the adjacent granulosa cells produce specific growth factors. As the oocyte grows, it elaborates a thick extracellular coat termed the zona pellucida. Nonetheless, cytoplasmic extensions of the adjacent granulosa cells, termed transzonal projections (TZPs), enable them to maintain contact‐dependent communication with the oocyte. Through gap junctions located where the TZP tips meet the oocyte membrane, they provide the oocyte with products that sustain its metabolic activity and signals that regulate its differentiation. Conversely, the oocyte secretes diffusible growth factors that regulate proliferation and differentiation of the granulosa cells. Gap junction‐permeable products of the granulosa cells prevent precocious initiation of meiotic maturation, and the gap junctions also enable oocyte maturation to begin in response to hormonal signals received by the granulosa cells. Development of the oocyte or the somatic compartment may also be regulated by extracellular vesicles newly identified in follicular fluid and at TZP tips, which could mediate intercellular transfer of macromolecules. Oocyte differentiation thus depends on continuous signaling interactions with the somatic cells of the follicle. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e294. doi: 10.1002/wdev.294

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation

Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling

Early Embryonic Development > Gametogenesis
Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor co‐dependent signaling pathways in glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Feng , Mischel Paul S.
Published: September 2017

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that is critical for normal development and function. EGFR is also amplified or mutated in a variety of cancers including in nearly 60% of cases of the highly lethal brain cancer glioblastoma (GBM). EGFR amplification and mutation reprogram cellular metabolism and broadly alter gene transcription to drive tumor formation and progression, rendering EGFR as a compelling drug target. To date, brain tumor patients have yet to benefit from anti‐EGFR therapy due in part to an inability to achieve sufficient intratumoral drug levels in the brain, cultivating adaptive mechanisms of resistance. Here, we review an alternative set of strategies for targeting EGFR‐amplified GBMs, based on identifying and targeting tumor co‐dependencies shaped both by aberrant EGFR signaling and the brain's unique biochemical environment. These approaches may include highly brain‐penetrant drugs from non‐cancer pipelines, expanding the pharmacopeia and providing promising new treatments. We review the molecular underpinnings of EGFR‐activated co‐dependencies in the brain and the promising new treatments based on this strategy. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2018, 10:e1398. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1398

This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Cell Signaling

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
Learning Curve Characteristics for Caesarean Section Among Associate Clinicians: A Prospective Study from Sierra Leone
Authors: Waalewijn B. P. , van Duinen A. , Koroma A. P. , Rijken M. J. , Elhassein M. , Bolkan H. A.
Published: September 2017

Background

In response to the high maternal mortality ratio, Sierra Leone has adopted an associate clinician postgraduate surgical task‐sharing training programme. Little is known about learning curve characteristics for caesarean sections among associate clinicians. The aim of this study is to evaluate the number of caesarean sections needed to be performed by associate clinicians until there is no further significant reduction in operation time.

Methods

This prospective study evaluates the first 50 caesarean sections performed by trainees between January 2011 and June 2016. Primary outcome was total operating time in minutes (incision to suturing time). Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, surgical site infections, estimated operative bloodloss and in‐hospital postoperative mortality.

Results

A total of 1174 caesarean sections performed by 24 trainees were analysed. Total operation time significantly reduced during the first 15 operations from mean (SD) operation time 72 (27)–51 (18) min after 15 procedures (p < 0.001). Estimated bloodloss did not significantly vary among the first 50 caesarean sections. Surgical site infections were reported in 3.7% of the operations, which was higher during the first 15 operations (6.8%) compared to the following 35 operations (2.3%). Length of stay reduced from median (range) 9 (2–39)–6 (2–127) days after 15 operations, but there was no reduction in maternal mortality.

Conclusion

While gaining experience, the operation time of associate clinicians significantly reduced during the first 15 caesarean sections. Estimated bloodloss is not related to trainees experience.
Robot‐Assisted Transaxillary Thyroidectomy (RATT): A Series Appraisal of More than 250 Cases from Europe
Authors: Materazzi Gabriele , Fregoli Lorenzo , Papini Piermarco , Bakkar Sohail , Vasquez Malince Chicas , Miccoli Paolo
Published: September 2017

Background

Robot‐assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy (RATT) is widely accepted in Asian countries. However, concerns regarding the balance between its real advantages and safety and cost have been raised by North American authorities. In Europe, assessments have been limited by small numbers since now. The purpose here is to report a large European experience with RATT.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 257 patients who underwent RATT for nodular disease between February 2012 and September 2016. Data collected included patient demographics, diagnosis, ultrasound‐estimated mean thyroid volume and nodule size, type of resection, operative time, postoperative pain and morbidity, and the hospital length of stay. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale score 12 h postoperatively (on the first postoperative day, before discharge). Feasibility, effectiveness, and safety were the outcomes of interest. Follow‐up of thyroid carcinoma patients was carried out measuring thyroglobulin levels and ultrasound examination (median follow‐up 24 months (6–48 months)). First control after 12 months and successively once a year.

Results

There were 253 women and 4 men, with a mean age of 37.3 years. Indications included benign disease in 116, papillary carcinoma in 56, and indeterminate nodule in 85. Mean thyroid volume was 16.8 mL, and nodule size was 25.3 mm. A hemithyroidectomy was performed in 138 patients and total thyroidectomy in 118. The mean operative time was 77.5 min for the former and 99.7 min for the latter. One conversion was required. Complications included transient hypoparathyroidism in 7/118 (total thyroidectomy) patients (5.9%), transient vocal fold palsy in 3/257 (1.1%), 1 delayed tracheal injury (0.4%), and 3 postoperative hematoma (1.1%). Mean visual analog scale score was 1.79, and the mean length of stay was 1.6 days for hemithyroidectomy and 1.9 days for total thyroidectomy.

Conclusion

RATT is safe and effective and could serve as a viable treatment modality in selected cases.
The Prognostic Impact of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Following Curative Hepatectomy: A Retrospective Single Institution Study
Authors: Miyata Tatsunori , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Higashi Takaaki , Taki Katsunobu , Izumi Daisuke , Kosumi Keisuke , Tokunaga Ryuma , Nakagawa Shigeki , Okabe Hirohisa , Imai Katsunori , Hashimoto Daisuke , Chikamoto Akira , Baba Hideo
Published: September 2017

Background

Several studies have examined controlling nutritional status (CONUT), which is one of the useful biomarkers for predicting patients’ prognosis following cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of CONUT as a postoperative prognostic marker in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) following curative hepatectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 71 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for ICC between May 2002 and November 2016. Patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative CONUT score (i.e., CONUT ≧ 2 or CONUT < 2).

Results

The number of patients assigned to the normal, mild, moderate, or severe malnutrition groups was 40, 28, two, and one, respectively. The high CONUT group (CONUT ≧ 2) consisted of 31 patients (43.7%) and had a poor prognosis with regard to overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0149). A high CONUT score is also identified as one of the independent predictors of poor prognosis in OS (hazard ratio 3.02; 95% confidence interval 1.4–6.8; p = 0.007). However, in the current study, a high CONUT score was not associated with postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo classification ≧ III or more).

Conclusions

CONUT may be useful for the preoperative assessment of prognosis in patients with ICC who have undergone curative hepatectomy.
The Influence of Thermal Cycles on the Microstructure of Grade 92 Steel
Authors: Xu X. , West G. D. , Siefert J. A. , Parker J. D. , Thomson R. C.
Published: September 2017

The microstructure in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of welds made from the 9 wt pct chromium martensitic Grade 92 steel is complex and has not yet been completely understood. There is a lack of systematic microstructural investigations to define the different regions of the microstructure across the HAZ of Grade 92 steel welds as a function of the welding process. In this study, the microstructure in the HAZ of an as-fabricated single-pass bead-on-plate weld on a parent metal of Grade 92 steel was systematically investigated by using an extensive range of electron and ion-microscopy-based techniques. A dilatometer was used to apply controlled thermal cycles to simulate the microstructures in the different regions of the HAZ. A wide range of microstructural properties in the simulated materials were then characterized and compared with the experimental observations from the weld HAZ. It was found that the microstructure in the HAZ of a single-pass Grade 92 steel weld can be categorized as a function of a decreasing peak temperature reached as (1) the completely transformed (CT) region, in which the original matrix is completely reaustenitized with complete dissolution of the pre-existing secondary precipitate particles; (2) the partially transformed (PT) region, where the original matrix is partially reaustenitized along with a partial dissolution of the secondary precipitate particles from the original matrix; and (3) the overtempered (OT) region, where the pre-existing precipitate particles coarsen. The PT region is considered to be the susceptible area for damage in the commonly reported HAZ failures in weldments constructed from these types of steels.
Determination of Dodecanol and Short‐Chained Ethoxylated Dodecanols by LC–MS/MS (with Electrospray Ionization) After Their Derivatization (with Phenyl Isocyanate)
Authors: Zembrzuska Joanna
Published: September 2017

This report describes the application of LC–MS/MS for the separation of dodecanol (C12OH) and homogenous fatty alcohols ethoxylated (AE) containing a dodecyl moiety and 1–9 ethoxy groups. These ethoxylates and free alcohol were derivatized for LC–MS/MS analysis with phenyl isocyanate (PIC). The derivatives of analytes with PIC were separated using a C18 column. Gradient elution with a mixture of ethyl acetate and acetonitrile (5 mM) was employed. The described determination method is characterized by low detection limits (range from 0.005 µg L−1 for: C12OH, C12EO2–7 to 1 µg L−1 for C12EO1) and quantification limits (range from 0.01 µg L−1 for: C12EO5–7 to 2 µg L−1 for C12EO1). The developed and validated method was used in combination with liquid–liquid extraction (using ethyl acetate) in order to identify and quantitatively determine the C12OH and C12EO1–9 present in environmental samples collected from Warta river water in Poznan.
Is Thyroid Replacement Therapy Necessary in Fertility Patients with “Normal” TSH?
Authors: Bliddal Sofie , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla
Published: September 2017

Thyroid diseases are very common disorders in women, and thyroid hormones are crucial players in many aspects of fetal growth and neurodevelopment, both of which are dependent on an adequate supply of maternal thyroid hormones from early gestation onwards. It is therefore very important to keep women euthyroid during gestation. Globally, hypothyroidism is still frequently caused by iodine deficiency. In iodine sufficient areas, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is thyroid autoimmunity with positive anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) measurable in serum. It is well known that overt maternal and fetal hypothyroidism must be avoided during gestation as well as before assisted fertility. It is, however, less clear if milder forms or subclinical hypothyroidism requires thyroxine replacement therapy. Screening for thyroid disease is not recommended by guidelines, but case finding based on specific criteria form general practice among endocrinologists and fertility specialists. There are many different factors to be aware of including, how measurements and interpretations of the laboratory tests for thyroid related hormones are complicated by a combination of changes due to the physiology of pregnancy, and the difficulty of laboratory measurements to correct for these changes. A pragmatic algorithm for the management has been suggested, but there are still many inconsistencies and controversies in the field. Very importantly, all clinicians managing thyroid diseases should be aware of this and discuss it with the female patients of fertile age as soon as the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made in order to avoid negligence from the patient if she becomes pregnant.
Resisting behind the border talks in TTIP: The cases of GMOs and data privacy
Authors: Aggarwal Vinod K. , Evenett Simon J.
Published: September 2017

Despite initial intentions to better align transatlantic regulation and associated practices in the negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), this was not possible for rules concerning genetically modified organisms and data privacy. By 2016 both matters effectively fell off the TTIP negotiating agenda. This paper identifies the factors responsible, specifically the critical role played by independent regulatory agencies and associated bureaucratic politics, transnational coalitions of private sector organizations, and non-government organizations and contingency. These factors are not exclusive to the two salient regulations considered here, with the implication that the identification of cross-border spillovers is at best a necessary condition for the successful negotiation of binding trade rules on behind-the-border government policies.
Source of Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret planthopper (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) in southern France and potential effects of landscape
Authors: Hossard L. , Guimier S. , Vinatier F. , Barbier J.M. , Delmotte S. , Fontaine M. , Rivoal J.B.
Published: September 2017

Cixiid planthoppers are considered of major economic importance, as they can transmit phytoplasmas responsible for many plant diseases. While thorougly studied in vineyards, the epidemiology of stolbur phytoplasma, transmitted by Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret, was rarely investigated on minor crops as lavender, where it leads to ‘yellow decline’ disease and large economic losses. The objective of this paper is to understand the effect of the local landscape characteristics on the presence and density of H. obsoletus in the ‘Plateau de Valensole’, southern France. Potential host plants of H. obsoletus were surveyed in three contrasted zones (in terms of crops and disease intensity), by uprooting plants and capturing adults in emergence traps. The localization and potential movements of H. obsoletus from the host plants towards lavandin (infertile hybrid of lavender) were determined using yellow sticky traps. Clary sage plants were found as major hosts of H. obsoletus. Flying insects were also caught in fields of lavandin, although emergence traps and plant uprooting did not confirm this crop as a winter host, i.e., as a reservoir for the insect. Based on one zone, we showed that attractiveness may depend on crop (clary sage or lavandin) and on its age, as well as on the distance to the supposed source field. These results suggest that clary sage could be an important host of H. obsoletus, whose density largely varies between zones. Genetic studies would be required to confirm the role of clary sage in the dissemination of yellow decline of lavandin.
“You Can't Always Get What You Want”: Regime Politics, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Harper Government
Authors: Macfarlane Emmett
Published: September 2017

Applying the regime politics approach to the study of judicial behaviour, which regards the Supreme Court as largely operating to preserve the policy agenda of the existing lawmaking majority, this paper evaluates the Court's behaviour during the Conservative government's tenure. There is evidence to support the basic core of the regime politics thesis. The Court rarely invalidates laws passed by the sitting government. Nonetheless, the Court's behaviour during the Conservative government's tenure was distinctive. Incorporating a measure of issue salience—the relative importance of the policies affected—into the analysis demonstrates the Court's impact on the Conservatives' policy agenda stands in sharp contrast to previous governments. It is the only government of the Charter period to have policies in its election platforms blocked by judicial review and the only government in Canadian history to effectively lose all of the constitutional reference cases it posed to the Court.
‘UNITING AGAINST IMPUNITY: THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS A CATALYST FOR ACTION AT THE ICC’
Authors: Ramsden Michael , Hamilton Tomas
Published: September 2017

This article evaluates the role of the UN General Assembly (‘UNGA’) and its subsidiary organs in acting as a catalyst for action at the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’). The power of the UN Security Council (‘UNSC’) to make a referral to the ICC has been increasingly challenged in recent years, due to the perceived misuse of the veto by permanent members and general failings to enforce international criminal law in the face of documented atrocities. Meanwhile, the UNGA and its subsidiary organs have exerted meaningful pressure on the UNSC through the creation of commissions of inquiry and country-specific resolutions. There is the possibility for the UNGA to engage in dialogue with the ICC through ‘quasi-judicial’ resolutions, in coordinating collective responses to a recalcitrant State and individual perpetrators and also through the possible assumption of a referral power. This analysis reveals that the UNGA has become increasingly active in international justice and holds the potential for an enhanced role in addressing the failings of the current UNSC-dominated paradigm governing UN–ICC relations, thereby facilitating States in ‘uniting against impunity’.
Image reconstruction from radially incomplete spherical Radon data
Authors: AMBARTSOUMIAN GAIK , GOUIA-ZARRAD RIM , KRISHNAN VENKATESWARAN P. , ROY SOUVIK
Published: September 2017

We study inversion of the spherical Radon transform with centres on a sphere (the data acquisition set). Such inversions are essential in various image reconstruction problems arising in medical, radar and sonar imaging. In the case of radially incomplete data, we show that the spherical Radon transform can be uniquely inverted recovering the image function in spherical shells. Our result is valid when the support of the image function is inside the data acquisition sphere, outside that sphere, as well as on both sides of the sphere. Furthermore, in addition to the uniqueness result, our method of proof provides reconstruction formulas for all those cases. We present a robust computational algorithm and demonstrate its accuracy and efficiency on several numerical examples.
Explaining the timing of tulipmania's boom and bust: historical context, sequestered capital and market signals
Authors: McClure James E. , Thomas David Chandler
Published: September 2017

Framing tulipmania in terms of sequestered capital – capital whose quantities, usages and future yields are hidden from market participants – offers a richer and more straightforward explanation for this famous financial bubble than extant alternatives. Simply put, the underground planting of the tulip bulbs in 1636 blindfolded seventeenth-century Dutch speculators regarding the planted quantities and their development and future yields. The price boom began in mid November 1636, coinciding with the time of planting. The price collapse occurred in the first week of February 1637, coinciding with the time of bulb sprouting – signaling bulb quantities, development and future yields. Also consistent with our explanation is the initial price collapse location, in the Dutch city of Haarlem, where temperature and geography favored early sprouting and sprout visibility.
Unique levoatriocardinal veins in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and intact atrial septum
Authors: Iida Chiaki , Muneuchi Jun , Watanabe Mamie
Published: September 2017

We had two cases of neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and intact atrial septum who had unique levoatriocardinal veins. Contrast-enhanced CT and angiography revealed that previously unknown communicating vessels ran from the top of the left atrium and drained into the right atrium. We emphasise that transcatheter atrial septostomy should be performed not through these communicating vessels but using the trans-septal approach in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an intact atrial septum.
Confirmation of Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) in Montana Cereal Production and Response to POST Herbicides
Authors: Kumar Vipan , Jha Prashant , Jhala Amit J.
Published: September 2017

In recent years, horseweed has become an increasing problem in Montana. To confirm and characterize the level of glyphosate resistance, seeds were collected from putative glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed (GR-MT) plants in a wheat–fallow field in McCone County, MT. Known GR (GR-NE) and glyphosate-susceptible (GS-NE) horseweed accessions from Lincoln, NE, were included for comparison in dose–response and shikimate accumulation studies. Whole-plant glyphosate dose–response experiments conducted at the early- (5- to 8-cm diameter) and late- (12- to 15-cm diameter) rosette stages of horseweed indicated that GR-MT accessions had a 2.5- to 4.0-fold level of resistance to glyphosate relative to the GS-NE accession, on the basis of shoot dry weight (GR50values). The level of resistance was 3.1- to 7.9-fold on the basis of visually assessed injury estimates (I50values). At the whole-plant level, about 2.1- to 4.5-fold higher shikimate accumulation was observed in the GS-NE accession compared with the GR-MT and GR-NE accessions over a 10-d period after glyphosate was applied at 1,260 g ae ha−1. In a separate greenhouse study, all three horseweed accessions were also screened with alternate POST herbicides registered for use in wheat–fallow rotations. The majority of the tested herbicides provided ≥90% injury at the field-use rates for all three horseweed accessions 3 wk after treatment. This is the first published report on the occurrence of GR horseweed in Montana cereal production. Increased awareness and adoption of best management practices, including the use of diversified (based on multiple sites of action) herbicide programs highlighted in this study, would aid in mitigating the further spread of GR horseweed in the cereal production fields of the U.S. Great Plains.
Das mathematische Selbstkonzept als Moderator des Stereotype-Threat- und Stereotype-Lift-Effekts
Authors: Hermann Johanna M. , Vollmeyer Regina
Published: September 2017

Zusammenfassung. Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu untersuchen, ob Schüler/-innen durch die Aktivierung von Stereotypen in ihrer Mathematikleistung beeinflusst werden und inwiefern diese Prozesse durch das mathematische Selbstkonzept moderiert werden. Bei Mädchen gehen wir davon aus, dass bei schweren Aufgaben eine Stereotyp-Aktivierung nur bei hohem mathematischem Selbstkonzept zu einer schlechteren Leistung im Vergleich mit der weiblichen Kontrollgruppe führt. Für Jungen mit hohem mathematischem Selbstkonzept wird in der Stereotyp-Threat-Bedingung hingegen ein Leistungsanstieg im Vergleich mit der Kontrollgruppe erwartet. An der Studie nahmen 97 Schüler/-innen der 10. Jahrgangsstufe teil (Alter: M = 15.37, SD = .63). Erwartungskonform zeigte sich bei schweren Mathematikaufgaben eine signifikante Interaktion zwischen Geschlecht, Selbstkonzept und Versuchsbedingung. Mädchen mit hohem mathematischem Selbstkonzept schnitten in der Stereotype-Threat-Bedingung signifikant schlechter ab als Mädchen der Kontrollgruppe. Ein signifikanter Lift-Effekt bei Jungen mit hohem mathematischem Selbstkonzept ergab sich nicht. Die Befunde werden im Hinblick auf Erkenntnisse der Selbstkonzeptforschung und Interventionsstrategien in der Schule diskutiert.
Protein-driven RNA nanostructured devices that function in vitro and control mammalian cell fate
Authors: Shibata Tomonori , Fujita Yoshihiko , Ohno Hirohisa , Suzuki Yuki , Hayashi Karin , Komatsu Kaoru R. , Kawasaki Shunsuke , Hidaka Kumi , Yonehara Shin , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Endo Masayuki , Saito Hirohide
Published: September 2017

Nucleic acid nanotechnology has great potential for future therapeutic applications. However, the construction of nanostructured devices that control cell fate by detecting and amplifying protein signals has remained a challenge. Here we design and build protein-driven RNA-nanostructured devices that actuate in vitro by RNA-binding-protein-inducible conformational change and regulate mammalian cell fate by RNA–protein interaction-mediated protein assembly. The conformation and function of the RNA nanostructures are dynamically controlled by RNA-binding protein signals. The protein-responsive RNA nanodevices are constructed inside cells using RNA-only delivery, which may provide a safe tool for building functional RNA–protein nanostructures. Moreover, the designed RNA scaffolds that control the assembly and oligomerization of apoptosis-regulatory proteins on a nanometre scale selectively kill target cells via specific RNA–protein interactions. These findings suggest that synthetic RNA nanodevices could function as molecular robots that detect signals and localize target proteins, induce RNA conformational changes, and programme mammalian cellular behaviour.
Flexible supercapacitor electrodes based on real metal-like cellulose papers
Authors: Ko Yongmin , Kwon Minseong , Bae Wan Ki , Lee Byeongyong , Lee Seung Woo , Cho Jinhan
Published: September 2017

The effective implantation of conductive and charge storage materials into flexible frames has been strongly demanded for the development of flexible supercapacitors. Here, we introduce metallic cellulose paper-based supercapacitor electrodes with excellent energy storage performance by minimizing the contact resistance between neighboring metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles using an assembly approach, called ligand-mediated layer-by-layer assembly. This approach can convert the insulating paper to the highly porous metallic paper with large surface areas that can function as current collectors and nanoparticle reservoirs for supercapacitor electrodes. Moreover, we demonstrate that the alternating structure design of the metal and pseudocapacitive nanoparticles on the metallic papers can remarkably increase the areal capacitance and rate capability with a notable decrease in the internal resistance. The maximum power and energy density of the metallic paper-based supercapacitors are estimated to be 15.1 mW cm−2and 267.3 μWh cm−2, respectively, substantially outperforming the performance of conventional paper or textile-type supercapacitors.
Protein O-fucosylation in Plasmodium falciparum ensures efficient infection of mosquito and vertebrate hosts
Authors: Lopaticki Sash , Yang Annie S. P. , John Alan , Scott Nichollas E. , Lingford James P. , O’Neill Matthew T. , Erickson Sara M. , McKenzie Nicole C. , Jennison Charlie , Whitehead Lachlan W. , Douglas Donna N. , Kneteman Norman M. , Goddard-Borger Ethan D. , Boddey Justin A.
Published: September 2017

O-glycosylation of the Plasmodium sporozoite surface proteins CSP and TRAP was recently identified, but the role of this modification in the parasite life cycle and its relevance to vaccine design remain unclear. Here, we identify the Plasmodium protein O-fucosyltransferase (POFUT2) responsible for O-glycosylating CSP and TRAP. Genetic disruption of POFUT2 in Plasmodium falciparum results in ookinetes that are attenuated for colonizing the mosquito midgut, an essential step in malaria transmission. Some POFUT2-deficient parasites mature into salivary gland sporozoites although they are impaired for gliding motility, cell traversal, hepatocyte invasion, and production of exoerythrocytic forms in humanized chimeric liver mice. These defects can be attributed to destabilization and incorrect trafficking of proteins bearing thrombospondin repeats (TSRs). Therefore, POFUT2 plays a similar role in malaria parasites to that in metazoans: it ensures the trafficking of Plasmodium TSR proteins as part of a non-canonical glycosylation-dependent endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control mechanism.
Oligodendroglial excitability mediated by glutamatergic inputs and Nav1.2 activation
Authors: Berret Emmanuelle , Barron Tara , Xu Jie , Debner Emily , Kim Eun Jung , Kim Jun Hee
Published: September 2017

Oligodendrocyte (OL) maturation and axon-glial communication are required for proper myelination in the developing brain. However, physiological properties of OLs remain largely uncharacterized in different brain regions. The roles of oligodendroglial voltage-activated Na+ channels (Nav) and electrical excitability in relation to maturation to the myelinating stage are controversial, although oligodendroglial excitability is potentially important for promoting axon myelination. Here we show spiking properties of OLs and their role in axon-glial communication in the auditory brainstem. A subpopulation of pre-myelinating OLs (pre-OLs) can generate Nav1.2-driven action potentials throughout postnatal development to early adulthood. In addition, excitable pre-OLs receive glutamatergic inputs from neighboring neurons that trigger pre-OL spikes. Knockdown of Nav1.2 channels in pre-OLs alters their morphology, reduces axon-OL interactions and impairs myelination. Our results suggest that Nav1.2-driven spiking of pre-OLs is an integral component of axon-glial communication and is required for the function and maturation of OLs to promote myelination.
A systematic exploration of the interactions between bacterial effector proteins and host cell membranes
Authors: Weigele Bethany A. , Orchard Robert C. , Jimenez Alyssa , Cox Gregory W. , Alto Neal M.
Published: September 2017

Membrane-bound organelles serve as platforms for the assembly of multi-protein complexes that function as hubs of signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Microbial pathogens have evolved virulence factors that reprogram these host signaling responses, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we test the ability of ~200 type III and type IV effector proteins from six Gram-negative bacterial species to interact with the eukaryotic plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. We show that over 30% of the effectors localize to yeast and mammalian cell membranes, including a subset of previously uncharacterized Legionella effectors that appear to be able to regulate yeast vacuolar fusion. A combined genetic, cellular, and biochemical approach supports that some of the tested bacterial effectors can bind to membrane phospholipids and may regulate membrane trafficking. Finally, we show that the type III effector IpgB1 from Shigella flexneri may bind to acidic phospholipids and regulate actin filament dynamics.