bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homozygous missense variant in BMPR1A resulting in BMPR signaling disruption and syndromic features
Authors: Russell Bianca E. , Rigueur Diana , Weaver Kathryn N. , Sund Kristen , Basil Janet S. , Hufnagel Robert B. , Prows Cynthia A. , Oestreich Alan , Al‐Gazali Lihadh , Hopkin Robert J , Saal Howard M. , Lyons Karen , Dauber Andrew
Published: September 2019

Background

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is known to play an imperative role in bone, cartilage, and cardiac tissue formation. Truncating, heterozygous variants, and deletions of one of the essential receptors in this pathway, Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Type1A (BMPR1A), have been associated with autosomal dominant juvenile polyposis. Heterozygous deletions have also been associated with cardiac and minor skeletal anomalies. Populations with atrioventricular septal defects are enriched for rare missense BMPR1A variants.

Methods

We report on a patient with a homozygous missense variant in BMPR1A causing skeletal abnormalities, growth failure a large atrial septal defect, severe subglottic stenosis, laryngomalacia, facial dysmorphisms, and developmental delays.

Results

Functional analysis of this variant shows increased chondrocyte death for cells with the mutated receptor, increased phosphorylated R‐Smads1/5/8, and loss of Sox9 expression mediated by decreased phosphorylation of p38.

Conclusion

This homozygous missense variant in BMPR1A appears to cause a distinct clinical phenotype.
Exploring the effectiveness of structured language learning experiences for bilinguals in a language acquisition course
Authors: McCrocklin Shannon
Published: September 2019

Research has shown that preservice teachers’ beliefs are engrained and difficult to change through teacher education programs. Yet work to examine and improve teacher education shows programs can affect beliefs. Many programs use teaching practicums, but this research study examines a different experiential approach, structured language learning experiences (SLLEs), and its potential for enhancing teacher education. Whereas many SLLE studies have focused on monolinguals, this study examines bilinguals along the U.S.‐Mexico border. Participants’ (N = 70) changes in beliefs about language learning were examined through an SLLE using French embedded in a university course in language acquisition using pre‐ and post‐SLLE questionnaires and focus groups. The results show that participants’ beliefs changed during the course, including heightened recognition of the role of anxiety, self‐esteem, and introversion/extroversion, while decreasing the emphasis put on intelligence in language learning. Further, the participants showed greater recognition of the relative difficulty of language learning, a belief found resistant to change in previous research. Finally, participants reported that they enjoyed the SLLE experience, it helped make connections with course readings, and it increased their empathy for second language learners. Given the results, SLLEs are recommended as a potential experiential project for inclusion in teacher education programs serving bilinguals.
Building online writing labs: Recommendations for L2 writing content development
Authors: Gherwash Ghada , Paiz Joshua M.
Published: September 2019

Online writing labs (OWLs) have assisted writers since the mid‐1990s. Recently, increasing interest in creating OWLs outside of North America has arisen (Gu & Ding, 2002; Paiz, 2017, 2018; Tan, 2011). This interest in OWLs specially designed to address second language (L2) writers and their particular concerns, results from an interest in starting physical writing lab services in the traditionally defined English as a foreign language context (Reichelt et al., 2013). Despite renewed interest in OWLs, neither the TESOL nor writing centers literature has kept pace, so potential OWL designers and content developers lack research‐informed, practical guidance on OWL content development best practices. This article outlines five content development best practices based on a hybrid theoretical framework informed by L2 writing and writing centers theory as well as on the practical experiences of the authors, former content developers and graduate administrators of one of the world’s longest continually running OWLs. These best practices encourage would‐be OWL designers to consider how to maintain linguistic and global accessibility of their resources as well as ways to create value around the multilingual and multirhetorical resources of their local users. The article concludes by looking at the potential benefits of future OWL expansion outside of North America and applying these best practices for content development.
Negotiating Multilingual Resources in English Writing Instruction for Recent Immigrants to Norway
Authors: Beiler Ingrid Rodrick
Published: September 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated how teachers can draw on students' multilingual resources in teaching English writing, even in monolingually oriented policy settings. However, limited research has been conducted outside of countries where English is the majority language or in classes where few students share a language background. This article reports on a linguistic ethnography of English writing instruction in two introductory classes for newly arrived students in Norway (Grades 8–10, N = 22), where students and teachers negotiated the role of students' diverse language backgrounds and emerging Norwegian. Data reflect 3 months of participant observation, including classroom video recording, recording of students' computer screens, text collection, and creation of language portraits, followed by stimulated recall interviews. The teachers and students drew on multilingual resources in various ways during writing instruction, most extensively in receptive and oral uses. However, Norwegian assumed a privileged position among the language resources of the class while students sidelined their less formal or prestigious literacy resources. The study demonstrates teachers' and students' ability to reshape English writing instruction as a multilingual space but also concludes that multilingual literacy must be promoted as more than an instrumental resource in the service of English writing development.
LHC signals of a heavy doublet Higgs as dark matter portal: cut-based approach and improvement with gradient boosting and neural networks
Authors: Dey Atri , Lahiri Jayita , Mukhopadhyaya Biswarup
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Though the 125-GeV scalar, as the Higgs boson of the standard model, is disfavoured as a dark matter portal by direct searches and the observations on relic density, a heavier scalar in an extended electroweak sector can fit into that role. We explore this possibility in the context of two Higgs doublet models (2HDM). Taking Type I and Type II 2HDM as illustration, and assuming a scalar gauge singlet dark matter particle, we show that the heavy neutral CP-even scalar (H) can (a) serve as dark matter portal consistently with all data, and (b) have a substantial invisible branching ratio, over a wide region of the parameter space. Using this fact, we estimate rates of LHC signals where H is produced via (i) gluon fusion, in association with a hard jet, and (ii) vector boson fusion. Invisible decays of the H can then lead to monojet + E/

T
in (i), and two forward jets with large rapidity gap + E/T in (ii). The second kind of signal usually yields better significance for the high-luminosity run. We also supplement our cut-based analyses with those based on gradient boosted decision trees (XGboost) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques, where the statistical significance distinctly improves.
Holographic plasmon relaxation with and without broken translations
Authors: Baggioli Matteo , Gran Ulf , Alba Amadeo Jimenez , Tornsö Marcus , Zingg Tobias
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We study the dynamics and the relaxation of bulk plasmons in strongly coupled and quantum critical systems using the holographic framework. We analyze the dispersion relation of the plasmonic modes in detail for an illustrative class of holographic bottom-up models. Comparing to a simple hydrodynamic formula, we entangle the complicated interplay between the three least damped modes and shed light on the underlying physical processes. Such as the dependence of the plasma frequency and the effective relaxation time in terms of the electromagnetic coupling, the charge and the temperature of the system. Introducing momentum dissipation, we then identify its additional contribution to the damping. Finally, we consider the spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) of translational invariance. Upon dialing the strength of the SSB, we observe an increase of the longitudinal sound speed controlled by the elastic moduli and a decrease in the plasma frequency of the gapped plasmon. We comment on the condensed matter interpretation of this mechanism.
5d and 6d SCFTs have no weak coupling limit
Authors: Chang Chi-Ming
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We prove that there does not exist any weak coupling limit in the space of superconformal field theories in five and six dimensions, based on an analysis of the representation theory of the corresponding superconformal algebras. Holographically, this implies that superstring theories on AdS6 and AdS7 do not admit tensionless limits. Finally, we discuss the implications of our result on the existence of an action for coincident M5-branes.
Web construction of ABCDEFG and affine quiver gauge theories
Authors: Kimura Taro , Zhu Rui-Dong
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The topological vertex formalism for 5d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 gauge theories is not only a convenient tool to compute the instanton partition function of these theories, but it is also accompanied by a nice algebraic structure that reveals various kinds of nice properties such as dualities and integrability of the underlying theories. The usual refined topological vertex ormalism is derived for gauge theories with A-type quiver structure (and A-type gauge groups). In this article, we propose a construction with a web of vertex operators for all ABCDEF G-type and affine quivers by introducing several new vertices into the formalism, based on the reproducing of known instanton partition functions and qq-characters for these theories.
Gauge and gravitational instantons: from 3-forms and fermions to weak gravity and flat axion potentials
Authors: Hebecker Arthur , Henkenjohann Philipp
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We investigate the role of gauge and gravitational instantons in the context of the Swampland program. Our focus is on the global symmetry breaking they induce, especially in the presence of fermions. We first recall and make more precise the description of the dilute instanton gas through a 3-form gauge theory. In this language, the familiar suppression of instanton effects by light fermions can be understood as the decoupling of the 3-form. Even if all fermions remain massive, such decoupling may occur on the basis of an explicitly unbroken but anomalous global symmetry in the fermionic sector. This should be forbidden by quantum gravity, which leads us to conjecture a related, cutoff-dependent lower bound on the induced axion potential. Finally, we note that the gravitational counterpart of the above are K3 instantons. These are small fluctuations of Euclidean spacetime with K3 topology, which induce fermionic operators analogous to the ’t Hooft vertex in gauge theories. Although Planck-suppressed, they may be phenomenologically relevant if accompanied by other higher-dimension fermion operators or if the K3 carries appropriate gauge fluxes.
Almost inert Higgs bosons at the LHC
Authors: Gao Christina , Luty Markus A. , Neill Nicolás A.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Non-minimal Higgs sectors are strongly constrained by the agreement of the measured couplings of the 125 GeV Higgs with Standard Model predictions. This agreement can be explained by an approximate ℤ2 symmetry under which the additional Higgs bosons are odd. This allows the additional Higgs bosons to be approximately inert, meaning that they have suppressed VEVs and suppressed mixing with the Standard Model Higgs. In this case, single production of the new Higgs bosons is suppressed, but electroweak pair production is unsuppressed. We study the phenomenology of a minimal 2 Higgs doublet model that realizes this scenario. In a wide range of parameters, the phenomenology of the model is essentially fixed by the masses of the exotic Higgs bosons, and can therefore be explored systematically. We study a number of different plausible signals in this model, and show that several LHC searches can constrain or discover additional Higgs bosons in this parameter space. We find that the reach is significantly extended at the high luminosity LHC.
On asymptotic behaviour in truncated conformal space approach
Authors: Konechny Anatoly , McAteer Dermot
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The Truncated conformal space approach (TCSA) is a numerical technique for finding finite size spectrum of Hamiltonians in quantum field theory described as perturbations of conformal field theories. The truncation errors of the method have been systematically studied near the UV fixed point (when the characteristic energy related to the coupling is less than the truncation cutoff) where a good theoretical understanding has been achieved. However numerically the method demonstrated a good agreement with other methods for much larger values of the coupling when the RG flow approaches a new fixed point in the infrared. In the present paper we investigate this regime for a number of boundary RG flows testing the leading exponent and truncation errors. We also study the flows beyond the first fixed point which have been observed numerically but yet lack a theoretical understanding. We show that while in some models such flows approximate reversed physical RG flows, in other models the spectrum approaches a stable regime that does not correspond to any local boundary condition. Furthermore we find that in general the flows beyond the first fixed point are very sensitive to modifications of the truncation scheme.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 conformal dualities
Authors: Razamat Shlomo S. , Zafrir Gabi
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We consider on one hand the possibility that a supersymmetric

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 conformal gauge theory has a strongly coupled locus on the conformal manifold at which a different, dual, conformal gauge theory becomes a good weakly coupled description. On the other hand we discuss the possibility that strongly coupled theories, e.g. SCFTs in class

$$ \mathcal{S} $$

S

, having exactly marginal

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 deformations admit a weakly coupled gauge theory description on some locus of the conformal manifold. We present a simple algorithm to search for such dualities and discuss several concrete examples. In particular we find conformal duals for

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 SQCD models with G
2 gauge group and a model with SU(4) gauge group in terms of simple quiver gauge theories. We also find conformal weakly coupled quiver theory duals for a variety of class

$$ \mathcal{S} $$

S

theories: T
4, R
0,4, R
2,5, and rank 2n Minahan-Nemeschansky E
6 theories. Finally we derive conformal Lagrangians for four dimensional theories obtained by compactifying the E-string on genus g > 1 surface with zero flux. The pairs of dual Lagrangians at the weakly coupled loci have different symmetries which are broken on a general point of the conformal manifold. We match the dimensions of the conformal manifolds, symmetries on the generic locus of the conformal manifold, anomalies, and supersymmetric indices. The simplicity of the procedure suggests that such dualities are ubiquitous.
Spontaneous scalarization of boson stars
Authors: Brihaye Yves , Hartmann Betti
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We study the spontaneous scalarization of spherically symmetric, asymptoically flat boson stars in the (αℛ +γ$$ \mathcal{G} $$G)ϕ2scalar-tensor gravity model. These compact objects are made of a complex valued scalar field that has harmonic time dependence, while their space-time is static and they can reach densities and masses similar to that of supermassive black holes. We find that boson stars can be scalarized for both signs of the scalar-tensor coupling α andγ, respectively. This is, in particular, true for boson stars that area prioristable with respect to decay into individual bosonic particles. A fundamental difference between theα- andγ-scalarization exists, though: while we find an interval inα> 0 for which boson stars canneverbe scalarized whenγ= 0, there is no restriction onγ≠ 0 whenα= 0. Typically, two branches of solutions exist that differ in the way the boson star gets scalarized: either the scalar field is maximal at the center of the star, or on a shell with finite radius which roughly corresponds to the outer radius of the boson star. We also demonstrate that the former solutions can be radially excited.
Correction to: 18F-Fluciclovine (18F-FACBC) PET imaging of recurrent brain tumors
Authors: Michaud Laure , Beattie B. J. , Akhurst T. , Dunphy M. , Zanzonico P. , Finn R. , Mauguen A. , Schöder H. , Weber W. A. , Lassman A. B. , Blasberg R.
Published: September 2019

The article 18F-Fluciclovine (18F-FACBC) PET imaging of recurrent brain tumors written by Laure Michaud, B. J. Beattie, T. Akhurst, M. Dunphy, P. Zanzonico, R. Finn, A. Mauguen, H. Schöder, W. A. Weber, A. B. Lassman, R. Blasberg.
Microsatellite instability and immune checkpoint inhibitors: toward precision medicine against gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers
Authors: Eso Yuji , Shimizu Takahiro , Takeda Haruhiko , Takai Atsushi , Marusawa Hiroyuki
Published: September 2019

Recent innovations in the next-generation sequencing technologies have unveiled that the accumulation of genetic alterations results in the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Accurate and timely repair of DNA is, therefore, essential for maintaining genetic stability. Among various DNA repair pathways, the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway plays a pivotal role. MMR deficiency leads to a molecular feature of microsatellite instability (MSI) and predisposes to cancer. Recent studies revealed that MSI-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors, regardless of their primary site, have a promising response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), leading to the approval of the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab for the treatment of advanced or recurrent MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors that continue to progress after conventional chemotherapies. This new indication marks a paradigm shift in the therapeutic strategy of cancers; however, when considering the optimum indication for ICIs and their safe and effective usage, it is important for clinicians to understand the genetic and immunologic features of each tumor. In this review, we describe the molecular basis of the MMR pathway, diagnostics of MSI status, and the clinical importance of MSI status and the tumor mutation burden in developing therapeutic strategies against gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies.
The Back-Door Governance of Crime: Confiscating Criminal Assets in the UK
Authors: Chistyakova Yulia , Wall David S. , Bonino Stefano
Published: September 2019

The policy and practice of confiscating criminal assets to control crime and recover illicit wealth has come to occupy a central position in national and international policing and security agendas. However, this practice has raised many questions about agencies’ abilities to measure success and also the social impacts of asset confiscation. This article contributes to the crime control debates by exploring contemporary literature and drawing upon a subset of data from the Joint Asset Recovery Database (JARD). The first part of the article briefly outlines the key legislative provisions of asset recovery in the UK. The second part explores what the JARD data tells us about the performance of the confiscation of proceeds of crime approach and it will argue that seizing illicit wealth has not been the main priority for government. It will argue instead that the proceeds of crime approach, originally designed to target the most serious and organised crime, has effectively become a disciplining and symbolic tool against relatively lower level acquisitive crimes. It concludes that while technical measures of impact remain inconclusive, it is more important to subject the ideological underpinnings of the proceeds of crime law to critical scrutiny.
Tracking and managing deemed abilities
Authors: Troquard Nicolas
Published: September 2019

Information about the powers and abilities of acting entities is used to coordinate their actions in societies, either physical or digital. Yet, the commonsensical meaning of an acting entity being deemed able to do something is still missing from the existing specification languages for the web or for multi-agent systems. We advance a general purpose abstract logical account of evidence-based ability. A basic model can be thought of as the ongoing trace of a multi-agent system. Every state records systemic confirmations and disconfirmations of whether an acting entity is able to bring about something. Qualitative inductive reasoning is then used in order to infer what acting entities are deemed able to bring about in the multi-agent system. A temporalised modal language is used to talk about deemed ability, actual agency, and confirmation and disconfirmation of deemed ability. What constitutes a confirmation and a disconfirmation is left to the modeller as in general it depends on the application at hand. So to illustrate the methodology we propose two extended examples, one in practical philosophy, the other in system engineering. We first use a logic of agency and ability to obtain a version of Mele’s general practical abilities. Then, we look at the management of abilities in a supervised system.
A retrospective study of Newcastle disease in Kenya
Authors: Apopo Auleria A. , Kariithi Henry M. , Ateya Leonard O. , Binepal Yatinder S. , Sirya Jane H. , Dulu Thomas D. , Welch Catharine N. , Hernandez Sonia M. , Afonso Claudio L.
Published: September 2019

Newcastle disease (ND) is a major constraint to Kenya’s poultry production, which is comprised of approximately 80% indigenous chickens (ICs; caged and free-range system) and 20% exotic chickens (intensive system). This study analyzed cases reported as suspected ND in Kenya between 2005 and 2015. Of the suspected 332 ND reported cases from the three production systems in 27 locations within six Kenyan Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs), 140 diagnosed as infected with avian orthoavulavirus 1 (AOaV-1; formerly Newcastle disease virus) were present in every year in all AEZs. The numbers of AOaV-1-positive cases differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the production systems across the years depending on the season, climate, and location. In the free-range system, both ambient temperatures and season associated significantly (p = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively) with the number of cases, while in the intensive and caged systems, the positive cases correlated significantly with season and relative humidity, respectively (p = 0.05). Regardless of the production systems, the numbers of clinically sick birds positively correlated with the ambient temperatures (r = 0.6;p < 0.05). Failure to detect AOaV-1 in 58% of the ND cases reported, and mortalities exceeding the observed numbers of clinically sick birds suggest deficiencies in the current ND reporting and diagnostic system. Intensive farmers were the slowest in reporting the cases and diagnostic deficiencies were most evident by failure to test the exposure of ICs to natural infection with AOaV-1 and for the AOaV-1-negative cases lack of testing for other pathogens and/or AOaV-1 variants. This study indicates a need for improved surveillance and diagnostics in Kenyan domestic poultry.
Development of Children’s monitoring and control when learning from texts: effects of age and test format
Authors: Steiner Martina , van Loon Mariëtte H. , Bayard Natalie S. , Roebers Claudia M.
Published: September 2019

This study investigated elementary school children’s development of monitoring and control when learning from texts. Second (N = 138) and fourth (N = 164) graders were tested in the middle (T1) and end (T2) of the school year. The study focused on the cross-sectional and longitudinal development of monitoring and control, and aimed to investigate the development of metacognition for two test formats. After reading expository texts, children completed a comprehension test consisting of open-ended and true-false questions. They monitored their test performance by making confidence judgments, and controlled performance by deciding whether to maintain or withdraw their given answers. Overall, monitoring and control accuracy was higher for open-ended questions than for true-false questions. For open-ended questions, results indicated higher metacognitive accuracy for fourth graders than second graders. No such age effects were found for monitoring and control for true-false questions. Longitudinally, children of both age groups improved their monitoring and control accuracy from T1 to T2, for open-ended and true-false questions. For both test types, improvement mainly occurred for the monitoring and controlling of incorrect, rather than correct answers. Additionally, the results indicated inter-individual stability of performance, but no stability of monitoring and control accuracy over time. The findings indicate that developmental as well as task-related factors affect children’s metacognitive accuracy.
Verbal memory and hippocampal volume predict subsequent fornix microstructure in those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors:   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Yu Junhong , Lee Tatia M. C.
Published: September 2019

While strong cross-sectional evidence supported the use of fornix microstructure as a marker for detecting Alzheimer’s disease (AD), longitudinal data remains inconclusive on the sequential nature of fornix microstructure abnormalities and AD progression. An unequivocal longitudinal relationship between fornix microstructure and markers of AD progression –memory impairment and hippocampal atrophy, must be established to validate fornix microstructure as a marker of AD progression. We included 115 participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative across the non-demented AD spectrum— defined as those who had at least one AD risk marker at baseline (e.g., mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD diagnosis, amyloid or ApoE4 positivity) and/or ‘cognitively normal individuals who converted to MCI due to AD or AD, with structural and diffusion tensor imaging scans at baseline and two years follow-up. Hippocampal volumes (HV), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in the fornix were extracted. Memory was indexed via composite scores of verbal memory tests. Structural equation models tested the bidirectional cross-lagged effects of fornix microstructure, memory, and HV. Impaired memory and smaller HV at baseline significantly predicted worse fornix microstructure (decreased FA and increased MD) two years later. Baseline fornix microstructure was not associated with subsequent changes in memory and HV. Fornix microstructure is compromised likely at a later stage, where significant decline in memory and hippocampal atrophy have occurred. This limits the utility of fornix microstructure in the early detection of AD. Our findings inform the possible pathophysiology and refined the use of AD neural markers.
Piezo1 mechanosensitive channels: what are they and why are they important
Authors: Ridone Pietro , Vassalli Massimo , Martinac Boris
Published: September 2019

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels are integral membrane proteins which play a crucial role in fast signaling during mechanosensory transduction processes in living cells. They are ubiquitous and old in the evolutionary sense, given their presence in cells from all three kingdoms of life found on Earth, including bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic organisms. As molecular transducers of mechanical force, MS channels are activated by mechanical stimuli exerted on cellular membranes, upon which they rapidly and efficiently convert these stimuli into electrical, osmotic, and/or chemical intracellular signals. Most of what we know about the gating mechanisms of MS channels comes from the work carried out on bacterial channels. However, recent progress resulting from identification and structural information of eukaryotic K2P-type TREK and TRAAK as well as Piezo1 and Piezo2 MS channels has greatly contributed to our understanding of the common biophysical principles underlying the gating mechanism and evolutionary origins of these fascinating membrane proteins. Using Piezo1 channels as an example, we briefly describe in this review what we have learned about their biophysics, physiological functions, and potential roles in “mechanopathologies.”
The tetraspanin CD81 mediates the growth and metastases of human osteosarcoma
Authors: Mizoshiri Naoki , Shirai Toshiharu , Terauchi Ryu , Tsuchida Shinji , Mori Yuki , Hayashi Daichi , Kishida Tsunao , Arai Yuji , Mazda Osam , Nakanishi Tohru , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: September 2019

Purpose

CD81 is a member of the tetraspanin family of membrane proteins. Recently, it has been shown that CD81 may be involved in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. As yet, however, there have been few reports on the expression and role of CD81 in osteosarcoma.

Methods

The expression of CD81 was investigated in human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 and in human osteosarcoma cell lines Saos2, MG63 and 143B. The expression of CD81 was inhibited in osteosarcoma cells using siRNA after which cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed. We also used Western blotting to investigate the phosphorylation status of Akt, Erk, JNK and p38, and measured the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP. In addition, we used a CRISPR/Cas9 system to stably knock out CD81 expression in 143B cells, transplanted the cells into mice, and assessed tumor formation and lung metastasis in these mice compared to those in the control group.

Results

We found that CD81 was expressed in the human osteoblast cell line and in all osteosarcoma cell lines tested. The osteosarcoma cell line 143B exhibited a particularly high level of expression. In addition, we found that osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion were decreased after CD81 inhibition, and that the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk was suppressed. Also, the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP were found to be suppressed, with MMP-9 showing the greatest suppression. In vivo, we found that mice transplanted with CD81 knockout 143B cells exhibited significantly less tumor formation and lung metastasis than mice in the control group.

Conclusion

Based on our findings we conclude that inhibition of CD81 suppresses intracellular signaling and reduces tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in osteosarcoma cells.
Trajectory design for a solar-sail mission to asteroid 2016 HO3
Authors: Heiligers Jeannette , Fernandez Juan M. , Stohlman Olive R. , Wilkie W. Keats
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes the use of solar-sail technology currently under development at NASA Langley Research Center for a CubeSat rendezvous mission with asteroid 2016 HO3, a quasi-satellite of Earth. Time-optimal trajectories are sought for within a 2022–2023 launch window, starting from an assumed launcher ejection condition in the Earth-Moon system. The optimal control problem is solved through a particular implementation of a direct pseudo-spectral method for which initial guesses are generated through a relatively simple and straightforward genetic algorithm search on the optimal launch date and sail attitude. The results show that the trajectories take 2.16–4.21 years to complete, depending on the assumed solar-sail reflectance model and solar-sail technology. To assess the performance of solar-sail propulsion for this mission, the trajectory is also designed assuming the use of solar electric propulsion. The resulting fuel-optimal trajectories take longer to complete than the solar-sail trajectories and require a propellant consumption that exceeds the expected propellant capacity onboard the CubeSat. This comparison demonstrates the superior performance of solar-sail technology for this mission.
Nonlinear Jordan centralizer of strictly upper triangular matrices
Authors: Hadj Ahmed Driss Aiat
Published: September 2019

Let ℱ be a field of zero characteristic, let Nn(ℱ) denote the algebra of n×n strictly upper triangular matrices with entries in ℱ, and let f:Nn(ℱ)→Nn(ℱ) be a nonlinear Jordan centralizer of Nn(ℱ),that is, a map satisfying that f(XY+YX)=Xf(Y)+f(Y)X, for all X, Y∈Nn(ℱ). We prove that f(X)=λX+η(X) where λ∈ℱ and η is a map from Nn(ℱ) into its center 𝒵(Nn(ℱ)) satisfying that η(XY+YX)=0 for every X,Yin Nn(F).
Sexual Function, Quality of Life, and Experiences of Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Fischer Olivia J. , Marguerie Monique , Brotto Lori A.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Ovarian cancer impacts approximately 1 in 75 women. Sexual health is receiving increasing attention as a critical aspect of gynecologic cancer treatment and a component of quality of life. Therefore, investigating how women with ovarian cancer experience and express sexuality is an important area of inquiry.

Aims

To evaluate how women with ovarian cancer experience and express sexuality, a major determinant of quality of life, in the context of their illness.

Methods

In a mixed-methods approach, 6 validated self-report questionnaires (n = 64) and an in-depth focus group (n = 3) were used to gather data.

Results

The quantitative phase of the study showed that women with ovarian cancer have a poorer quality of life and higher rates of sexual dysfunction and sexual distress compared with published norms from the general population. They also have lower levels of relationship satisfaction and increased rates of depression. The qualitative phase of the study revealed 6 themes: (i) changes to relationship satisfaction; (ii) sexual difficulties; (iii) challenges with body image; (iv) gaps in communication with healthcare providers; (v) feelings of guilt, grief, resentment, anxiety, and fear; and (vi) strategies used for coping.

Conclusions

Ovarian cancer impacts women’s lives beyond mere survival, including their sexual function and quality of life. Healthcare providers are urged to prepare women with ovarian cancer for these challenges and offer information and resources to help improve their quality of life and sexuality.
Clustering suicides: A data-driven, exploratory machine learning
approach
Authors: Ludwig Birgit , König Daniel , Kapusta Nestor D. , Blüml Victor , Dorffner Georg , Vyssoki Benjamin
Published: September 2019

Methods of suicide have received considerable attention in suicide
research. The common approach to differentiate methods of suicide is the
classification into “violent” versus “non-violent” method. Interestingly,
since the proposition of this dichotomous differentiation, no further
efforts have been made to question the validity of such a classification of
suicides. This study aimed to challenge the traditional separation into
“violent” and “non-violent” suicides by generating a cluster analysis with a
data-driven, machine learning approach. In a retrospective analysis, data on
all officially confirmed suicides (N = 77,894) in Austria between 1970 and
2016 were assessed. Based on a defined distance metric between distributions
of suicides over age group and month of the year, a standard hierarchical
clustering method was performed with the five most frequent suicide methods.
In cluster analysis, poisoning emerged as distinct from all other methods –
both in the entire sample as well as in the male subsample. Violent suicides
could be further divided into sub-clusters: hanging, shooting, and drowning
on the one hand and jumping on the other hand. In the female sample, two
different clusters were revealed – hanging and drowning on the one hand and
jumping, poisoning, and shooting on the other. Our data-driven results in
this large epidemiological study confirmed the traditional dichotomization
of suicide methods into “violent” and “non-violent” methods, but on closer
inspection “violent methods” can be further divided into sub-clusters and a
different cluster pattern could be identified for women, requiring further
research to support these refined suicide phenotypes.
Reality-monitoring deficits and visual hallucinations in
schizophrenia
Authors: Mondino Marine , Dondé Clément , Lavallé Layla , Haesebaert Frédéric , Brunelin Jérôme
Published: September 2019

The presence of visual hallucinations in addition to auditory
hallucinations (V + AH) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with
schizophrenia. However, little consideration has been given to these
symptoms and their underlying cognitive bases remain unclear. Based on
cognitive models of hallucinations, we hypothesized that V + AH are
underpinned by an impairment in reality-monitoring processes. The objective
of the present study was to test whether reality-monitoring deficits were
associated with V + AH in schizophrenia. This study examined
reality-monitoring abilities in two groups of patients with schizophrenia: a
group of patients with V + AH (n = 24) and a group of patients with AH only
(n = 22). Patients with V + AH were significantly more likely to misremember
imagined words as being perceived from an external source, compared to
patients with AH only (p = 0.008, d = -0.82). In other words, V + AH
patients display a larger externalization bias than patients with AH only.
One explanation for these results could be that experiencing hallucinations
in two sensory modalities may contribute to increased vividness of mental
imagery and, in turn, lead to disruption in reality-monitoring processes.
This study helps to refine our understanding of the cognitive processes
underlying the presence of both auditory and visual hallucinations in
patients with schizophrenia.
Birth dimensions, severe mental illness and risk of type 2 diabetes in a
cohort of Danish men born in 1953
Authors: Garriga Marina , Wium-Andersen Marie K , Wium-Andersen Ida K , Nordentoft Merete , Osler Merete
Published: September 2019

Background:

Birth dimensions have been associated with increased risk of both,
severe mental illness and type 2 diabetes in adulthood, however, any
influence on their co-occurrence has never been examined. This cohort
study examine whether birth weight/ponderal index explain or modify the
later association between severe mental illness and risk of type 2
diabetes.

Methods:

The Metropolit cohort included 10,863 Danish men born in 1953 with
information from age at conscription (between1971-84) until February
15th, 2018. Severe mental illness was defined
as the exposure and information was retrieved from the national Danish
health registries. Information on type 2 diabetes diagnosis or oral
antidiabetic prescriptions was also obtained, as they were the outcome
of interest. Information on birth weight/ponderal index was available
from birth certificates. Cox proportional hazards regression models were
used to estimate the associations and interactions were tested.

Results:

After 47.1 years of follow-up, 848 (7.8%) and 1320 (12.2%) men
developed a severe mental illness or diabetes, respectively. Men with
severe mental illness presented higher risk of subsequent diabetes (HR =
1.92; 95%CI, 1.61–2.30). This association was stronger in severe mental
ill men with low birth weight (HR = 3.58; 95%CI, 2.11–6.07), than in
those normal birth weight (HR = 1.79; 95%CI, 1.45–2.20). This effect
modification was most evident for men diagnosed with
schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

Birth information on birth weight/ponderal index could be of
interest in diabetes screening on severe mental ill populations
(especially in schizophrenia) since they might play a critical role in
the increased risk of type 2 diabetes following severe mental
illness.
Genetic resilience to Alzheimer's disease in APOE ε4 homozygotes: A systematic review
Authors: Huq Aamira J. , Fransquet Peter , Laws Simon M. , Ryan Joanne , Sebra Robert , Masters Colin L. , Winship Ingrid M. , James Paul A. , Lacaze Paul
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Individuals with homozygosity for the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele are in the highest risk category for late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). However, some individuals in this category do not develop LOAD beyond the age of 75 years, despite being at elevated genetic risk. These “resilient” individuals may carry protective genetic factors.

Methods

This study aimed to systematically review any previous studies that involved resilient APOE ε4 homozygotes and to identify possible modifying or protective genetic factors.

Results

Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria and reported genetic factors contributing to reduced risk. We found that only two single nucleotide polymorphisms, CASP7 rs10553596 and SERPINA3 rs4934‐A/A, had strong evidence.

Discussion

We found a paucity of studies adequately designed to discover protective genetic factors against LOAD. Many studies combined APOE ε4 homozygotes and heterozygotes together because of small sample sizes and used control populations too young to be clearly defined as controls for LOAD.
A harmonized longitudinal biomarkers and cognition database for assessing the natural history of preclinical Alzheimer's disease from young adulthood and for designing prevention trials
Authors: Xiong Chengjie , Luo Jingqin , Agboola Folasade , Li Yan , Albert Marilyn , Johnson Sterling C. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Masters Colin L. , Soldan Anja , Villemagne Victor L. , Li Qiao‐Xin , McDade Eric M. , Fagan Anne M. , Massoumzadeh Parinaz , Benzinger Tammie , Hassenstab Jason , Bateman Randall J. , Morris John C. ,   Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Large longitudinal biomarkers database focusing on middle age is needed for Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention.

Methods

Data for cerebrospinal fluid analytes, molecular imaging of cerebral fibrillar β‐amyloid with positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging–based brain structures, and clinical/cognitive outcomes were harmonized across eight AD biomarker studies. Statistical power was estimated.

Results

The harmonized database included 7779 participants with clinical/cognitive data: 3542 were 18∼65 years at the baseline, 5865 had longitudinal cognitive data for a median of 4.7 years, 2473 participated in the cerebrospinal fluid studies (906 had longitudinal data), 2496 participated in the magnetic resonance imaging studies (1283 had longitudinal data), and 1498 participated in the positron emission tomography amyloid studies (849 had longitudinal data). The database provides adequate power for detecting early biomarker changes, and demonstrates the feasibility of AD prevention trials on middle‐aged individuals.

Discussion

The harmonized database is an optimum resource to design AD prevention trials decades before symptomatic onset.
Rectal cancer and chemoradiation in Iraq: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alshewered Ahmed Salih , Al-Naqqash Manwar abdulelah
Published: September 2019

Background Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of gastrointestinal tract. Combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy has a sound effect on its management.

Objectives Assessment the patterns of characterizations of rectal cancer. Evaluation of the efficacy, and long-term survival of pre-/ postoperative chemoradiation. Collecting all eligible evidence articles and summarize the results.

Methods By this systematic review and meta-analysis study, we include data of chemoradiation of rectal cancer articles from 2015 until 2019. The research was carried out at Baghdad Medical City oncology centers. Accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale used.

Results Starting with gender distribution as M:F ratio of 0.94:1.06. Regarding the age, recorded mean ± SD of 48.7 ± 14.2 years. Rectosigmoid represented the most common site as 50(49.5%), and adenocarcinoma was common histopathology as 76(75.2%) of patients, with localized stage in 50(49.5%). The moderate differentiation was most grade as 65(64.4%). The distant from anal verge mostly seen was 5–10 cm in 59(58.4%). The pulmonary was commonest site of metastasis in 11(10.9%). Most patients undergo APR operation, which has done in 41(40.6%). Adjuvant chemoradiation received by 40(39.6%) patients, whereas neoadjuvant chemoradiation gave to 25 patients. A total of 2609 articles from 12 databases met our search strategies. The highest Newcastle–Ottawa score (8) demonstrated in three studies, and median score (7) calculated in five studies.

Conclusions The incidence belonged to 5th and 6th decade of life. Rectosigmoid represented the most common site. Mostly, the 5–10 cm distant of tumor from anal verge was common finding. The pulmonary was most site of metastasis. We concluded the formulation of a novel point that survival benefit found in many pre or postoperative chemoradiation trials in rectal cancer.
An Assessment of the Tea Bag Index Method as a Proxy for Organic Matter Decomposition in Intertidal Environments
Authors: Marley AnnaClaire R.G. , Smeaton Craig , Austin William E.N.
Published: September 2019

Intertidal wetlands capture and store carbon (C) for long periods of time, helping to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Yet the processes, which govern the decomposition and subsequent long‐term storage of organic matter (OM) and C in these habitats, remain poorly understood. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) uses a standardized OM (green and Rooibos tea) and has the potential to shed light on OM decomposition across habitats, including saltmarshes. Here, we apply the TBI method at two saltmarshes within the same estuary with the aim of (i) reducing the influence of climatic variables and (ii) determining the role of the environment, including the soil characteristics, in the decomposition of OM. We extended the standard (3 months) incubation period over a full year in order to investigate the longer‐term decomposition processes at each site. The initial results partially support previous studies that the early stages of decomposition (leaching of the water‐soluble fraction) is governed by climatic conditions, but may be further enhanced by tidal flushing in saltmarshes. By extending the incubation period, we observed the initiation of midstage OM decomposition (cellulose degradation) upon which the soil characteristics appear to be the dominant control. These results highlight the importance of long‐term TBI incubations to understand early‐stage OM decomposition. The relationship between tea mass (OM) loss and C loss in these intertidal environments is not straightforward, and we would caution the use of the TBI as a direct universal proxy for soil C degradation in such intertidal wetlands.
Tinkering with Tectonics
Authors: Joel Lucas
Published: September 2019

A new view of plate tectonics is emerging.
A “Super” Solution for Modeling Clouds
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: September 2019

Climate models struggle to accurately portray clouds because the models cannot resolve the scales at which clouds form. A new study demonstrates a potential fix for the problem.
Charging Thunderclouds Affect Ionospheric Conductivity
Authors: Shultz David
Published: September 2019

As thunderstorm updrafts strengthen, electrification of clouds can heat the lower ionosphere, explaining prolonged disturbances to radio waves in the rarefied atmospheric layer.
Extreme Life and Where to Find It
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: September 2019

Life finds a way in the most extreme environments on Earth and sparks the imagination about far-off places where we may yet find it.
Artificial Intelligence Can Spot Plankton from Space
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: September 2019

Training an algorithm with satellite images of ocean color reveals the blooms and busts of phytoplankton communities.