bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive factors in identifying operative risks in cholecystectomies
Authors: Kanlioz Murat , Ekici Ugur
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aims to forecast findings showing the difficulty of operation in cholecystectomy through pre-operative examinations and reduce morbidity and mortality with the predictive data obtained.

Materials and Methods

In the preoperative period, the followings were measured in patients who will undergo cholecystectomy: C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), WBC, Neutrophil ratio (NR), erythrocyte distribution range (RDW), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB). Following the preoperative ultrasound (USG), the patients were recorded in two groups as patients with “normal” and “increased” gallbladder wall thickness. Also, the patients were asked if they underwent ERCP and whether they received antibiotic treatment in the last 10 days due to their disease in the preoperative period. The appearance of the peroperative gallbladder was recorded in two groups as “has a normal appearance” or “edematous and/or adherent to peripheral tissues”. Whether or not there is a correlation between the preoperative findings and peroperative appearance was evaluated. The recordings and analyzes were made using SPSS statistics program. Correlation between the data were analyzed by Chi-square test. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The study achieved statistically significant results for the correlation between the “gallbladder edema and/or adhesion to peripheral tissues” in the peroperative period and the following five parameters: increased WBC, increased NR, increased gallbladder wall thickness at USG, compulsory ERCP and receipt of antibiotic treatment for the disease in the last 10 days.(p<0,05).

Conclusion

Taking into consideration the presence, in the preoperative period, of some or all of the five criteria-namely, increased WBC, increased NR, increased gallbladder wall thickness at USG, receiving antibiotic treatment for the disease in the last 10 days and undergoing ERCP-in patients with cholelithiasis for whom cholecystectomy is envisaged would make it easier to estimate the degree of difficulty of the surgery and the possibility of encountering difficult and complicated cases.
Comparing the Performance of mScarlet-I, mRuby3, and mCherry as FRET Acceptors for mNeonGreen
Authors: McCullock Tyler W. , MacLean David M. , Kammermeier Paul J.
Published: July 2019

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) has become an immensely powerful tool to profile intra- and inter-molecular interactions. Through fusion of genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (FPs) researchers have been able to detect protein oligomerization, receptor activation, and protein translocation among other biophysical phenomena. Recently, two bright monomeric red fluorescent proteins, mRuby3 and mScarlet-I, have been developed. These proteins offer much improved physical properties compared to previous generations of monomeric red FPs that should help facilitate more general adoption of Green/Red FRET. Here we assess the ability of these two proteins, along with mCherry, to act as a FRET acceptor for the bright, monomeric, green-yellow FP mNeonGreen using intensiometric FRET and 2-photon Fluorescent Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) FRET techniques. We first determined that mNeonGreen was a stable donor for 2-photon FLIM experiments under a variety of imaging conditions. We then tested the red FP’s ability to act as FRET acceptors using mNeonGreen-Red FP tandem construct. With these constructs we found that mScarlet-I and mCherry are able to efficiently FRET with mNeonGreen in spectroscopic and FLIM FRET. In contrast, mNeonGreen and mRuby3 FRET with a much lower efficiency than predicted in these same assays. We explore possible explanations for this poor performance but are unable to definitively determine the cause, all though protein maturation seems to play a role. Overall, we find that mNeonGreen is an excellent FRET donor, and both mCherry and mScarlet-I, but not mRuby3, act as practical FRET acceptors, with mScarlet-I out performing mCherry due it’s higher brightness.
Spectral, structural and theoretical study of the effects of thiocyanato and dicyanamido ligands on the geometry of PbIIcomplexes containing a triazinic ligand
Authors: Marandi Farzin , Moeini Keyvan , Mardani Zahra , Krautscheid Harald
Published: July 2019

Two lead(II) complexes of 5,6-bis(furan-2-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine (DFPT), namely one-dimensional (1D)catena-poly[[bis[5,6-bis(furan-2-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)-1,2,4-triazine-κN2]lead(II)]-di-μ-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N], [Pb(NCS)2(C16H10N4O2)2]n,1, and binuclear di-μ-dicyanamido-κ2N1:N5;κ2N5:N1-bis{[5,6-bis(furan-2-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)-1,2,4-triazine-κN2](nitrato-κ2O,O′)lead(II)}, [Pb2(C2N3)2(NO3)2(C16H10N4O2)4],2, as well as DFPT itself, were prepared and identified by elemental analysis, FT–IR,1H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structural analyses. In the double-chain 1D coordination polymer of1and the binuclear structure of2, the Pb atom has ahemidirected-PbN6S2and a rareholodirected-PbN6O2environment, respectively, with a distorted cubic geometry. All the coordination modes of dicyanamide ligands within lead complexes were studied using the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) to compare them with the structures of1and2. In addition to hydrogen bonds, the crystal networks are stabilized by π–π stacking interactions between the triazine, furyl and pyridine aromatic rings. The most stable theoretical structures of the title compounds predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations were compared with the solid-state results.
Differences and similarities among hypoxanthinium nitrate hydrate structures
Authors: Cabaj Małgorzata Katarzyna , Gajda Roman , Hoser Anna , Makal Anna , Dominiak Paulina Maria
Published: July 2019

Crystals of hypoxanthinium (6-oxo-1H,7H-purin-9-ium) nitrate hydrates were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction at different temperatures. The data for hypoxanthinium nitrate monohydrate (C5H5N4O+·NO3
−·H2O, Hx1) were collected at 20, 105 and 285 K. The room-temperature phase was reported previously [Schmalle et al. (1990). Acta Cryst. C46, 340–342] and the low-temperature phase has not been investigated yet. The structure underwent a phase transition, which resulted in a change of space group from Pmnb to P21/n at lower temperature and subsequently in nonmerohedral twinning. The structure of hypoxanthinium dinitrate trihydrate (H3O+·C5H5N4O+·2NO3
−·2H2O, Hx2) was determined at 20 and 100 K, and also has not been reported previously. The Hx2 structure consists of two types of layers: the `hypoxanthinium nitrate monohydrate' layers (HX) observed in Hx1 and layers of Zundel complex H3O+·H2O interacting with nitrate anions (OX). The crystal can be considered as a solid solution of two salts, i.e. hypoxanthinium nitrate monohydrate, C5H5N4O+·NO3
−·H2O, and oxonium nitrate monohydrate, H3O+(H2O)·NO3
−.
Crystal structures of the closed form ofMycobacterium tuberculosisdihydrofolate reductase in complex with dihydrofolate and antifolates
Authors: Ribeiro João Augusto , Chavez-Pacheco Sair Maximo , de Oliveira Gabriel Stephani , Silva Catharina dos Santos , Giudice João Henrique Pimenta , Libreros-Zúñiga Gerardo Andres , Dias Marcio Vinicius Bertacine
Published: July 2019

Tuberculosis is a disease caused byMycobacterium tuberculosisand is the leading cause of death from a single infectious pathogen, with a high prevalence in developing countries in Africa and Asia. There still is a need for the development or repurposing of novel therapies to combat this disease owing to the long-term nature of current therapies and because of the number of reported resistant strains. Here, structures of dihydrofolate reductase fromM. tuberculosis(MtDHFR), which is a key target of the folate pathway, are reported in complex with four antifolates, pyrimethamine, cycloguanil, diaverdine and pemetrexed, and its substrate dihydrofolate in order to understand their binding modes. The structures of all of these complexes were obtained in the closed-conformation state of the enzyme and a fine structural analysis indicated motion in key regions of the substrate-binding site and different binding modes of the ligands. In addition, the affinities, throughKdmeasurement, of diaverdine and methotrexate have been determined; MtDHFR has a lower affinity (highestKd) for diaverdine than pyrimethamine and trimethoprim, and a very high affinity for methotrexate, as expected. The structural comparisons and analysis described in this work provide new information about the plasticity of MtDHFR and the binding effects of different antifolates.
Performance assessment of steel structures with semi-rigid joints in seismic areas
Authors: Boukhalkhal Said Hicham , Ihaddoudène Abd Nacer Touati , Da Costa Neves Luis Filipe , Vellasco Pedro Colmar Gonçalves da Silva , Madi Wafa
Published: July 2019

Purpose

It is well known that the real behaviour of joints lies between the ideal pinned or rigid joint responses. Additionally the influence of this behaviour on the global structural response has been widely studied in the past centred on the plastic resistance or the critical load. On the other hand, there are relatively few studies focusing on the dynamical response of these structures. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of structures with rigid and semi-rigid joints were considered. Their inelastic response was evaluated using the N2 conventional pushover method, and were later compared to the results from a full non-linear dynamic analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that increasing joint flexibility makes the structure less rigid, lengthening its fundamental period and enhancing its horizontal displacement. Furthermore, a parametric study showed that joint flexibility might be of paramount importance to low to medium rise buildings response.

Originality/value

The evaluation of the influence of joint flexibility on the inelastic behaviour of steel structures located in seismic zone is of paramount importance, and is tackled in this paper.
Soundscape preferences of tourists in historical urban open spaces
Authors: Montazerolhodjah Mahdi , Sharifnejad Mojtaba , Montazerolhodjah MohammadReza
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Considering that the historic city of Yazd was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and given the necessity of improving the environmental qualities due to the increased number of domestic and foreign tourists, the concept of acoustic comfort seems to be of considerable importance. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the role of sound space components affecting acoustic comfort in the historic urban spaces of the City of Yazd and its two historic squares named Khan Square and Fahadan Square.

Design/methodology/approach

Accordingly, a total of 632 foreign tourists visiting these squares were asked to enumerate different sounds they could hear in the square and identify their relation with acoustic comfort. In terms of the objectives, this is an applied research using survey and correlation methods. In addition, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of this study indicated that motorcycle and automobile noises were considered as the most important sounds disturbing the acoustic comfort, and sounds of children’s play, water, talking and businesses were the most important factors promoting the acoustic comfort in the historic squares.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the soundscape and acoustic conditions that affect the tourisms in the traditional and tourism square in historical context of Yazd city.
Selling the consumer: the marketing of advertising space in Sweden, ca. 1880-1939
Authors: Arnberg Klara
Published: July 2019

Purpose

By studying the marketing of advertising space, this paper aims to study how class, gender and region were portrayed in terms of economic considerations in adverts selling advertising space to potential advertisers. The paper studies how readers were discursively transformed into consumers in this material and how different consumer groups were depicted, divided and framed during Sweden’s early consumer culture. By doing so, the paper highlights the tensions between aiming at a mass audience, on the one hand, and striving to reach more and more specific consumer groups on the other hand.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative analyses are made in order to follow the changes of highlighted consumer groups in the ads. Intersectional analysis is used to see how notions of class and gender intersected during the analysed period.

Findings

The sectioning of the press is in the paper stressed as a prerequisite for market segmentation and the economic history of mass media is lifted as essential for understanding it. The gendering and classing of market segments were also based on how common interests were interpreted by political movements and their press forums. For surviving in the long run, however, the paper argues that the political press needed to commercialise their readerships to attract advertisers and survive economically.

Originality/value

The paper concludes that mass marketing and segmentation processes were in many senses parallel in the studied material. Statements of reaching all social classes diminished over time, but notions of the masses were prevalent in both the worker and the women categories. However, how advertisers choose between different media for their advertising campaigns or how they adopted different marketing methods towards different segments are beyond the scope of this paper.
Nurturing the historic turn: “history as theory” versus “history as method”
Authors: Van Lent Wim , Durepos Gabrielle
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the turn in management and organization studies (MOS) and reflect on “history as theory” versus “history as method”.

Design/methodology/approach

Looking at previous research and the evolution of MOS, this paper situates the special issue papers in the current climate of this area of research.

Findings

The special issue papers included here each make a theoretical contribution to methodology in historical organization studies.

Originality/value

The eight articles featured in the special issue offer examples of innovative and historically sensitive methodology that, according to the authors, increase the management historian toolkit and ultimately enhance the methodological pluralism of historical organization studies as a field.
What is the value of Facebook? Evidence from the Schwartz/Moon model
Authors: Schosser Josef , Ströbele Heiko
Published: July 2019

Purpose

On May 17, 2012, the social networking company Facebook Inc. fixes its initial public offering (IPO) price at $38.00 a share. Over the next couple of months, contrary to expectations raised by previous IPOs, the stock price crashes more than 50 per cent. Immediately, the question arises whether the issuer’s or the stock market’s pricing of the share are in line with the firm’s fundamentals. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to determine the company value in close proximity to the date of IPO.

Design/methodology/approach

As Facebook is an archetypal internet growth company, it is evaluated using the Schwartz/Moon model. This approach features significant advantages over traditional valuation models and more adequately captures the characteristics of growth companies.

Findings

As of September 30, 2012, the fundamental share value determined was $26.53, which exceeded the market price per share of $22.66 by 22.48 per cent, but was far less than the IPO stock price. The subsequent sensitivity analysis reveals the robustness of the result to key input parameters.

Originality/value

The results raise doubts about the IPO price of Facebook. Furthermore, this paper is of value from a more conceptual perspective in that an extended version of the Schwartz/Moon model is provided. Beyond extensions previously discussed in the subject-based literature, the authors include stochastic interest rates (as an additional source of uncertainty) and investigate their valuation effects.
Spillover effects in the European financial services industry from internal fraud events
Authors: Eckert Christian , Gatzert Nadine , Pisula Alexander
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Previous research observed that large internal fraud events in the general financial services industry imply negative spillover effects, whereas internal fraud in investment banks can imply significantly positive effects for other banks. This paper aims to shed further light on this contradictory result.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors compare the spillover effects of the three largest cases of rogue trader events in investment banks (Company 1, 1995; Company 2, 2008; Company 3, 2011) on the largest competing non-announcing banks and insurance companies in Europe based on an event study.

Findings

The results show that while the respective announcing firm suffered significant market value losses that even led to bankruptcy in case of Company 1, spillover effects on other banks and insurers were twofold. In particular, in case of Company 2 and Company 3, spillover effects on other financial firms were significantly positive depending on the event window, indicating a dominating competitive effect, whereas the Company 1 event with its resulting bankruptcy led to significantly negative spillover effects and thus contagion.

Originality/value

The results offer a first indication that the severity of the event in terms of its consequences for the announcing firm is crucial, as internal fraud events have the potential to significantly worsen the market values of other financial services firms, which is in contrast to the typically observed positive effects.
Seismic amplitude inversion for the transversely isotropic media with vertical axis of symmetry
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhang Tuo , Li Xiang‐Yang
Published: July 2019

Transverse isotropy with a vertical axis of symmetry is a common form of anisotropy in sedimentary basins, and it has a significant influence on the seismic amplitude variation with offset. Although exact solutions and approximations of the PP‐wave reflection coefficient for the transversely isotropic media with vertical axis of symmetry have been explicitly studied, it is difficult to apply these equations to amplitude inversion, because more than three parameters need to be estimated, and such an inverse problem is highly ill‐posed. In this paper, we propose a seismic amplitude inversion method for the transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry based on a modified approximation of the reflection coefficient. This new approximation consists of only three model parameters: attribute A, the impedance (vertical phase velocity multiplied by bulk density); attribute B, shear modulus proportional to an anellipticity parameter (Thomsen's parameter ε−δ); and attribute C, the approximate horizontal P‐wave phase velocity, which can be well estimated by using a Bayesian‐framework‐based inversion method. Using numerical tests we show that the derived approximation has similar accuracy to the existing linear approximation and much higher accuracy than isotropic approximations, especially at large angles of incidence and for strong anisotropy. The new inversion method is validated by using both synthetic data and field seismic data. We show that the inverted attributes are robust for shale‐gas reservoir characterization: the shale formation can be discriminated from surrounding formations by using the crossplot of the attributes A and C, and then the gas‐bearing shale can be identified through the combination of the attributes A and B. We then propose a rock‐physics‐based method and a stepwise‐inversion‐based method to estimate the P‐wave anisotropy parameter (Thomsen's parameter ε). The latter is more suitable when subsurface media are strongly heterogeneous. The stepwise inversion produces a stable and accurate Thomsen's parameter ε, which is proved by using both synthetic and field data.
Growth–trait relationships in subtropical forest are stronger at higher diversity
Authors: Bongers Franca J. , Schmid Bernhard , Sun Zhenkai , Li Yin , Härdtle Werner , von Oheimb Goddert , Li Ying , Li Shan , Staab Michael , Ma Keping , Liu Xiaojuan
Published: July 2019

Understanding how species diversity affects plant performance is a central question in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) research. At the community level, functional trait means and trait dissimilarities have been used to explain biodiversity effects, but with mixed success. To disentangle how functional traits explain community growth and underpin biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, we should elucidate how plant traits affect individual growth across species richness levels, because the role of functional traits on growth depends on the ecological context of the individual.

We addressed this topic by using detailed data of twelve functional traits and annual growth for 529 individual trees of 31 species at five species‐richness levels in a large forest biodiversity experiment in south‐east China from 4 to 9 years after planting.

Our analyses show first that individual trait values can change with species richness, indicating that trait values can change due to the biotic context. Secondly, we show that early tree growth is more strongly affected by traits than by species richness. Finally, our data show that growth–trait relationships can change with species richness and with forest age. Trait effects on growth are more pronounced at higher richness levels, indicating that measuring traits on individual trees across richness levels can improve growth predictions and inference of BEF relationships that are shaped by functional traits.

Synthesis. This study shows that functional trait values and their effect on individual tree growth depend on species richness. Our data support the notion that to elucidate how functional traits shape biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, an important step is to consider the biotic context of individual trees within a community. We have made an initial step by analysing how functional traits affect individual‐tree growth in a diversity‐dependent manner and future research should continue by elucidating the role of traits on tree–tree interactions across diversity levels.
Understanding the determinants of rooftop solar installation: evidence from household surveys in Australia
Authors: Best Rohan , Burke Paul J. , Nishitateno Shuhei
Published: July 2019

Australia is a world leader in household uptake of solar photovoltaic systems. In this paper, we use household‐level data to identify economic, social, and environmental factors that influence actual uptake and the intention to install. We find that higher net wealth is generally associated with higher likelihood to install. Households that have mortgages, that spend more on electricity, and that pay higher average electricity prices are more likely to intend to install. Environmental preferences and related behaviours, property tenure, and space constraints are associated with both actual uptake and intention to install. We use data from the Survey of Income and Housing of 2015‐16 and the Household Energy Consumption Survey of 2012.
Research on the impact of career management fit on career success
Authors: Guo Wenchen , Wang Lin , Wang Nannan
Published: July 2019

Individuals who hold protean and boundaryless career attitudes tend to manage their careers by themselves, which brings new challenges to traditional organizational career management (OCM). Combined with the lag and reform requirements of OCM, we put forward the concept and structure of career management fit (CMF) based on person–organization fit theory and career management theory. Through interviews, questionnaire surveys, exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses, this research establishes a scale with four dimensions and 15 items to measure CMF and proves its reliability and validity. Moreover, we validate that CMF is positively and significantly correlated with career success. Overall, this study expands person–organization fit theory, provides theoretical guidance for career management and highlights a good employment relationship in the new context.
De novo assembly of the transcriptome for Greenbug (Schizaphis graminum Rondani) and analysis on insecticide resistance‐related genes
Authors: Liu Jun‐Jie , Lu Liu‐Yang , Liu Hui‐Hui , Li Ya‐She , Su Xu , Zhang Bai‐Zhong , Chen Xi‐Ling
Published: July 2019

The greenbug, Schizaphis graminum Rondani is a major pest species of wheat crops. In this study, a transcriptome sequencing, and the expression of the 12 genes related to insecticide resistance were conducted in S. graminum. The sequencing and subsequent bioinformatics analysis outputed 46,593 unigenes, among which 28,289 unigenes were annotated to corresponding functions by blasting with high homologous genes in database, giving annotation rate of 60.72%. To gain insight into the mechanism of insecticide resistance, the expression of the 12 genes related to insecticide resistance for S. graminum was investigated. The expression level of aminopeptidase N (AN), cytochrome P450 (CYP), acetylcholinesterase 1 (AC), catalase (CAT), cytochrome c oxidas (CCC), GABA receptor (GABA), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) were highest in the apterous nymphs among different developmental stages; The expression level of AN, CBL, CYP, CA, SD, and GST were relatively more abundant in the abdomen compared to head and throax. The results could give out the key information about the relationship between the expression of these genes in different developmental stages, tissues, treatments and metabolism of insecticides. These genes that were co‐up‐regulated significantly in third instar nymphs of S. graminum induced by imidacloprid, were consistent with their putative involvement in insecticide resistance. This provides most comprehensive transcriptome data for S. graminum to further study and managenment.
The associations of TNF‐α gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density and risk of osteoporosis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Fu Suo‐Chao , Wang Ping , Qi Ming‐Xing , Peng Jing‐Ping , Lin Xiao‐Qian , Zhang Cai‐Yun , Zhao Gui‐Xin , He Gong‐Hao
Published: July 2019

Objective

Fracture is a common consequence of osteoporosis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) gene were associated with osteoporosis risk and bone mineral density (BMD), but results remain conflicting. We herein performed a meta‐analysis based on evidence currently available from the literature to make a more precise estimation of these relationships.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Wan Fang databases were searched for eligible studies. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were comprehensively reviewed and all available data were accumulated. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the strength of the relationships.

Results

A total of 15 studies involving 5273 subjects were included in our meta‐analysis. The GG genotype of TNF‐α G308A was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis under a mutant model (GG vs GA+AA: OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.51‐0.77, P < 0.0001, I2 = 31%). Additionally, we also observed a significant association between G308A polymorphism and BMD of lumbar spine (AA vs GG: P = 0.01, I2 = 53%). However, TNF‐α T1031C, C857T and C863A polymorphisms had no obvious impacts on osteoporosis risk.

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis demonstrated that TNF‐α G308A polymorphism may act as a potential candidate biomarker for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis, which will help improve individualized therapy of osteoporosis patients in clinics.
Multivariate comparison of variance in R
Authors: Le Maître Anne , Mitteroecker Philipp
Published: July 2019

Comparisons of pattern and magnitude of phenotypic variation are central to many studies in evolution and ecology, but a meaningful comparison of multivariate variance patterns can be challenging. Here, we review an effective exploratory strategy, relative principal component analysis (relative PCA), for the comparison of variance–covariance matrices based on their relative eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Relative PCA allows for the identification of multivariate traits (linear combinations of variables) with maximal or minimal variance ratios between two groups. It can be used to explore the generation and canalization of phenotypic variance throughout ontogeny and phylogeny. Relative PCA also gives rise to a natural metric for the ordination of a sample of covariance matrices. We present a novel biometric justification of these approaches and discuss numerical difficulties as well as strategies for statistical inference, along with a new implementation of these methods in R.

In an application of relative PCA to geometric morphometric data on cichlid body shape, we found that the phenotypic variance–covariance structure differs between males and females as well as between allopatric and sympatric populations of Tropheus moorii. Divergent selection in these populations mainly affected shape features related to swimming ability, whereas tropic morphology appears to be under stabilizing selection.

In biology and biomedicine, individual variation is a key signal. Standard ordination methods as well as scalar summary statistics of multivariate variation often pool different biological factors with heterogeneous variational dynamics and thus conceal differences in variance–covariance pattern among groups. Relative PCA complements existing tests for the proportionality of covariance matrices and is an effective exploratory method to identify multivariate traits that differ in variance between populations, age groups, or treatment groups. By comparing within‐ and between‐population covariance matrices, relative PCA can reveal traits under divergent or stabilizing selection.
A randomised controlled trial of the pectoral nerves‐2 (PECS‐2) block for radical mastectomy
Authors: Al Ja'bari A. , Robertson M. , El‐Boghdadly K. , Albrecht E.
Published: July 2019

We randomly allocated 50 women scheduled for radical mastectomy to pectoral nerves‐2 (PECS‐2) block (n = 25) or no block (n = 25), 20 and 22 of whom we analysed for the primary outcome of a cumulative 24‐h postoperative morphine dose. We gave intra‐operative sufentanil, magnesium, dexamethasone and droperidol. Participants received regular postoperative paracetamol, ibuprofen and patient‐controlled intravenous morphine. Pectoral nerves‐2 block reduced mean (SD) cumulative 24 h postoperative morphine dose from 9.7 (8.9) mg to 5.0 (5.4) mg and 48 h morphine dose from 12.8 (12.5) mg to 6.0 (6.5) mg, p = 0.04 for both. The mean (SD) pain scores 24 h and 48 h after surgery were similar with or without block: 0.8 (1.4) vs. 1.2 (1.9), p = 0.39; and 0.2 (0.4) vs. 0.9 (1.8), p = 0.09, respectively. Rates of postoperative nausea, vomiting and pruritus were unaffected. Rates of chronic pain at six postoperative months were 2/19 and 2/18 after block and no block, respectively, p = 0.95.
3 Households and Institutions: A Late 3rd Millennium BCE Neighborhood at Tell Asmar, Iraq (Ancient Eshnunna)
Authors: Truex Lise A.
Published: July 2019

To test the value of the neighborhood and community concepts for understanding the archaeology of neighborhoods in the urban landscapes of the late Early Dynastic city‐states and the Akkadian state in ancient Mesopotamia, this chapter examines socioeconomic changes in the material culture across occupation levels in a residential area at Tell Asmar (ancient Eshnunna), Iraq and investigates processes by which the area became a more uniformly elite set of households. Tell Asmar was one of several major urban settlements in the lower Diyala River region, with occupation of the site extending back into late prehistory. The research dataset comprises a limited subset of archaeological evidence recovered from the Tell Asmar Northern Palace Area and the Private Houses Area by the 1930s Oriental Institute of Chicago Diyala Expedition excavations and concentrates on late 3rd millennium BCE residential occupation levels, architecture, and artifacts, as well as ancient texts. A detailed analysis compares one household with a life cycle that spanned the late 3rd millennium with the households of three late Akkadian houses that appeared alongside the architectural reorganization of the Northern Palace Building. This chapter seeks not only to explore the roles of private households within an urban Mesopotamian neighborhood but also to show that the Private Houses Area and the Northern Palace Building continually evolved as a neighborhood because residents were constantly negotiating and maintaining interconnected private and official relationships, and as one community, they shared in the growth, decline, and resurgence that connected them to broader socioeconomic and political developments.
11 The Archaeology of Intermediate‐Scale Socio‐Spatial Units in Urban Landscapes
Authors: Fargher Lane F. , Blanton Richard E. , Antorcha‐Pedemonte Ricardo R.
Published: July 2019

In this chapter, we argue that research on intermediate‐scale socio‐spatial units can benefit from collective action theory. Accordingly, we posit that institutions developed to promote cooperation help shape urban landscapes. A cross‐cultural sample of 30 premodern states from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, Mesoamerica, and South America is used to evaluate this hypothesis. The results indicate that highly collective cities tended to be large and dense with public investment in road networks, canal systems, public drinking water, and uniform administrative wards (neighborhoods) centered on public buildings or spaces. In cases with lower collectivity, centralized investment in public goods tended to be comparatively lower. Cities varied from dispersed, low‐density settlements to disordered, large, dense aggregations. In the dense settlements, some residents organized at the neighborhood scale to solve collective action problems associated with public goods supplies, whereas others did not. In dispersed urban landscapes, neither the state nor local social groups organized to solve collective action problems. In low‐collectivity cases, other factors such as patron–client relationships, forced resettlement, kinship, etc. predominate. Thus, we conclude that archaeological analysis of urban landscapes can provide information on the political‐economic strategies employed by the state and other members of society.
13 Neighborhood as an Archaeological Concept
Authors: Stone Elizabeth C.
Published: July 2019

There is no question that traditional cities, including most urban centers studied by archaeologists, are and were typically sub‐divided into numerous face‐to‐face communities or neighborhoods. However, the large size of even the smallest of these urban centers impedes the ability of archaeologists to generate the data needed for their full assessment. As a result, all of the papers in this volume consider the interaction between neighbors—which is certainly an important issue for understanding the structure of early urban societies—but an overall analysis of the structure of whole neighborhoods is rarely achievable.
Effect of single‐dose injection of vitamin D on immune cytokines in ulcerative colitis patients: a randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Sharifi Amrollah , Vahedi Homayoon , Nedjat Saharnaz , Rafiei Hossein , Hosseinzadeh‐Attar Mohammad Javad
Published: July 2019

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammation of the colon. It has been proposed that the UC pathogenesis may be related to vitamin D deficiency and/or vitamin D administration in UC patients may have an ameliorating effect on the intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on the serum levels of immune cytokines in UC patients. In this double‐blind randomized controlled trial, 90 mild‐to‐moderate UC patients were assigned to get either a single muscular injection of 7.5 mg vitamin D3 or 1 mL normal saline as placebo. Three months later serum levels of IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α were measured. Two group variables were compared using independent t‐test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There was a significant increase in vitamin D only in the vitamin D group. Compared to placebo, vitamin D had significant decreasing effects on serum TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, and IL12p70 levels, but it had no significant effect on serum levels of IL4 and IL10. Vitamin D seems to inhibit Th1 immune responses and have no effect on Th2 responses. The findings of this study support several in vitro studies, which suggest a therapeutic immunomodulatory potential of vitamin D.
“Illegal” by Association: Do Negative Stereotypes Divide or Unite Latinxs in the United States?
Authors: Serrano‐Careaga Jesús , Huo Yuen J.
Published: July 2019

In current American political discourse, individuals tend to mistakenly conflate being an undocumented immigrant with being Latinx. This conflation puts Latinxs who are legal residents or citizens (Latinx‐Americans) at risk of being negatively impacted by policies intended to deter undocumented immigrants. We examine whether being the target of anti‐immigration policies would lead Latinx‐Americans to politically engage on behalf of undocumented immigrants. Study 1 found that when Latinx‐Americans were led to believe that what happens to undocumented immigrants will affect them personally (linked fate), those who were primed with greater conflation of the two groups expressed more positive attitudes toward undocumented immigrants and other Latinxs. Study 2 found that this pattern of effects extended to the willingness to engage in collective action on behalf of undocumented immigrants. Study 2 also examined the role of emotions (anger and fear) in mediating the relationship between the conflation of Latinxs with undocumented immigrants and collective action intentions. Together, the findings shed light on how current immigration policies affect relations among key subgroups within the Latinx community and the conditions under which Latinx‐Americans will mobilize on behalf of undocumented immigrants.
International trends impacting antimicrobial stewardship in animal health
Authors: Nind LS
Published: July 2019

The Tripartite collaboration (World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the World Organisation for Animal Health) produced two documents for consultation with Member Countries in 2017 ‐ Monitoring and Evaluation of the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance: Proposed approach and the Global Framework for Development & Stewardship to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance: Draft Roadmap. These documents intend to support a strategic whole‐of‐system approach towards the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.

This paper outlines the recent thinking in antimicrobial stewardship being developed by the major international organisations involved with mitigating global antimicrobial resistance. The directions being set in key frameworks will need to be considered by Australian stakeholders as their own antimicrobial stewardship approaches and activities are formulated.
Optimising low‐dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis—A review
Authors: Lucas Catherine J. , Dimmitt Simon B. , Martin Jennifer H.
Published: July 2019

Methotrexate at low doses (5–25 mg/week) is first‐line therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is inter‐ and intrapatient variability in response, with contribution of variability in concentrations of active polyglutamate metabolites, associated with clinical efficacy and toxicity. Prescribing remains heterogeneous across population groups, disease states and regimens. This review examines current knowledge of dose–response of oral methotrexate in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis, and how this could help inform dosage regimens.
Characterization of the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) expression in post‐mortem normal and Alzheimer's disease brains
Authors: Gui Yaxing , Marks Jordan D. , Das Sudeshna , Hyman Bradley T. , Serrano‐Pozo Alberto
Published: July 2019

The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a widely used target for microglial PET imaging radioligands, but its expression in post‐mortem normal and diseased human brain is not well described. We aimed at characterizing the TSPO expression in human control (CTRL) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. Specifically, we sought to: (1) define the cell type(s) expressing TSPO; (2) compare tspo mRNA and TSPO levels between AD and CTRL brains; (3) correlate TSPO levels with quantitative neuropathological measures of reactive glia and AD neuropathological changes; and (4) investigate the effects of the TSPO rs6971 SNP on tspo mRNA and TSPO levels, glial responses and AD neuropathological changes. We performed quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blot in post‐mortem brain samples from CTRL and AD subjects, as well as analysis of publicly available mouse and human brain RNA‐Seq datasets. We found that: (1) TSPO is expressed not just in microglia, but also in astrocytes, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells; (2) there is substantial overlap of tspo mRNA and TSPO levels between AD and CTRL subjects and in TSPO levels between temporal neocortex and white matter in both groups; (3) TSPO cortical burden does not correlate with the burden of activated microglia or reactive astrocytes, Aβ plaques or neurofibrillary tangles, or the cortical thickness; (4) the TSPO rs6971 SNP does not significantly impact tspo mRNA or TSPO levels, the magnitude of glial responses, the cortical thickness, or the burden of AD neuropathological changes. These results could inform ongoing efforts toward the development of reactive glia‐specific PET radioligands.
Potent, selective, and subunit‐dependent activation of TRPC5 channels by a xanthine derivative
Authors: Minard Aisling , Bauer Claudia C. , Chuntharpursat‐Bon Eulashini , Pickles Isabelle B. , Wright David J. , Ludlow Melanie J. , Burnham Matthew P. , Warriner Stuart L. , Beech David J. , Muraki Katsuhiko , Bon Robin S.
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose

The TRPC1, TRPC4, and TRPC5 proteins form homotetrameric or heterotetrameric, calcium‐permeable cation channels that are involved in various disease states. Recent research has yielded specific and potent xanthine‐based TRPC1/4/5 inhibitors. Here, we investigated the possibility of xanthine‐based activators of these channels.

Experimental Approach

An analogue of the TRPC1/4/5 inhibitor Pico145, AM237, was synthesized and its activity was investigated using HEK cells overexpressing TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC4–C1, TRPC5–C1, TRPC1:C4 or TRPC1:C5 channels, and in A498 cells expressing native TRPC1:C4 channels. TRPC1/4/5 channel activities were assayed by measuring intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and by patch‐clamp electrophysiology. Selectivity of AM237 was tested against TRPC3, TRPC6, TRPV4, or TRPM2 channels.

Key Results

AM237 potently activated TRPC5:C5 channels (EC50 15–20 nM in [Ca2+]i assay) and potentiated their activation by sphingosine‐1‐phosphate but suppressed activation evoked by (−)‐englerin A (EA). In patch‐clamp studies, AM237 activated TRPC5:C5 channels, with greater effect at positive voltages, but with lower efficacy than EA. Pico145 competitively inhibited AM237‐induced TRPC5:C5 activation. AM237 did not activate TRPC4:C4, TRPC4–C1, TRPC5–C1, TRPC1:C5, and TRPC1:C4 channels, or native TRPC1:C4 channels in A498 cells, but potently inhibited EA‐dependent activation of these channels with IC50 values ranging from 0.9 to 7 nM. AM237 (300 nM) did not activate or inhibit TRPC3, TRPC6, TRPV4, or TRPM2 channels.

Conclusions and Implications

This study suggests the possibility for selective activation of TRPC5 channels by xanthine derivatives and supports the general principle that xanthine‐based compounds can activate, potentiate, or inhibit these channels depending on subunit composition.
Circulating exosomes from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma mediate the generation of B10 and PD‐1high Breg cells
Authors: Mao Yu , Wang Yimin , Dong Lixin , Zhang Qiang , Wang Chao , Zhang Yanqiu , Li Xin , Fu Zhanzhao
Published: July 2019

As one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains the leading cause of malignancy‐related death worldwide. Many studies have focused on the potential role of cancer cells in educating B cells during cancer progression. Here, we aim to explore the role of circulating exosomes from ESCC in the generation of two main regulatory B (Breg) subsets, including interleukin‐10+ Bregs (B10) and programmed cell death (PD)‐1high Bregs. Firstly, we observed an elevated percentage of B10 cells in peripheral blood of ESCC patients compared with healthy controls. Then we isolated and characterized exosomes from the peripheral blood of ESCC patients and an ESCC cell line. Exosomes from ESCC patients and the ESCC cell line suppressed the proliferation of B cells and induced the augmentation of B10 and PD‐1high Breg cells. By comparing the long non‐coding RNA and mRNA expression profiles in exosomes from ESCC patients or healthy controls, we identified a series of differentially expressed genes. Finally, we undertook gene annotation and pathway enrichment analyses on differentially expressed genes to explore the potential mechanism underlying the modulatory role of cancer exosomes in B cells. Our findings contribute to the study on B cell‐mediated ESCC immunosuppression and shed light on the possible application of exosomes in anticancer therapies.
Is sarcopenia a better predictor of complications than body mass index? Sarcopenia and surgical outcomes in patients with rectal cancer
Authors: Jochum S. B. , Kistner M. , Wood E. H. , Hoscheit M. , Nowak L. , Poirier J. , Eberhardt J. M. , Saclarides T. J. , Hayden D. M.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Sarcopenia, or a reduction of lean muscle mass, is associated with poorer outcomes in cancer patients. Few previous studies have examined this potentially correctable risk factor in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Method

Skeletal muscle mass index was measured retrospectively on initial staging CT scans of patients undergoing chemoradiation followed by radical resection for rectal cancer for the period 2007–2013. Patients were categorized as sarcopenic or nonsarcopenic and differences in terms of demographics, pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative outcomes were examined.

Results

Forty‐seven patients were included; their mean age was 59.3 (36–82) years and 61.7% were men. We considered that 55.2% of men and 44.4% of women were sarcopenic; the overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 51.1%. Age, preoperative haemoglobin and albumin were significantly related to sarcopenia. Body mass index (BMI) and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) were not associated with sarcopenia. Blood transfusions were more frequent in sarcopenic patients (P = 0.001). Although readmissions and length of stay were not increased, overall postoperative complications were significantly higher in sarcopenic patients (P = 0.03). Neither BMI nor obesity was associated with postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia was present in over 50% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer at diagnosis. It was associated with a higher incidence of both blood transfusion and postoperative complications. BMI did not correlate with these negative outcomes. Sarcopenia may be a better predictor of surgical outcomes than BMI or obesity.