bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spring-loaded inverted pendulum goes through two contraction-extension cycles during the single stance phase of walking
Authors: Antoniak Gabriel , Biswas Tirthabir , Cortes Nelson , Sikdar Siddhartha , Chun Chanwoo , Bhandawat Vikas
Published: January 2019

Despite the overall complexity of legged locomotion, the motion of the center of mass (COM) itself is relatively simple, and can be qualitatively described by simple mechanical models. The spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) is one such model, and describes both the COM motion and the ground reaction forces (GRFs) during running. Similarly, walking can be modeled by two SLIP-like legs (double SLIP or DSLIP). However, DSLIP has many limitations and is unlikely to serve as a quantitative model for walking. As a first step to obtaining a quantitative model for walking, we explored the ability of SLIP to model the single stance phase of walking across the entire range of walking speeds. We show that SLIP can be employed to quantitatively model the single stance phase except for two exceptions: first, it predicts larger horizontal GRFs than empirically observed. A new model - angular and radial spring-loaded inverted pendulum (ARSLIP) can overcome this deficit. Second, even the single stance phase has active elements, and therefore a quantitative model of locomotion would require active elements. Surprisingly, the leg spring undergoes a contraction-extension-contraction-extension (CECE) during walking; this cycling is partly responsible for the M-shaped GRFs produced during walking. The CECE cycle also lengthens the stance duration allowing the COM to travel passively for a longer time, and decreases the velocity redirection between the beginning and end of a step. A combination of ARSLIP along with active mechanisms during transition from one step to the next is necessary to describe walking.
Base-pair mismatch can destabilize small DNA loops through cooperative kinking
Authors: Jeong Jiyoun , Kim Harold D.
Published: January 2019

Base pair mismatch can relieve mechanical stress in highly strained DNA molecules, but how it affects their kinetic stability is not known. Using single-molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), we measured the lifetimes of tightly bent DNA loops with and without base pair mismatch. Surprisingly, for loops captured by stackable sticky ends, the mismatch decreased the loop lifetime despite reducing the overall bending stress, and the decrease was largest when the mismatch was placed at the DNA midpoint. These findings show that base pair mismatch transfers bending stress to the opposite side of the loop through an allosteric mechanism known as cooperative kinking. Based on this mechanism, we present a three-state model that explains the apparent dichotomy between thermodynamic and kinetic stability of DNA loops.
Cognitive vulnerability to sleep deprivation is robustly associated with two dynamic connectivity states
Authors: Teng James , Ong Ju Lynn , Patanaik Amiya , Tandi Jesisca , Zhou Juan Helen , Chee Michael W.L. , Lim Julian
Published: January 2019

Robustly linking dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) states to behaviour is an important goal of the fledgling research using these methods. Previously, using a sliding window approach, we identified two dynamic connectivity states (DCS) linked to arousal. Here, in an independent dataset, 32 healthy participants underwent two sets of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, once in a well-rested state and once after a single night of total sleep deprivation. Using a temporal differencing method, DFC and clustering analysis on the resting state fMRI data revealed five centroids that were highly correlated with those found in previous work, including the two states associated with high and low arousal. Individual differences in cognitive vulnerability to sleep deprivation were measured using changes in Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) performance (lapses and median reaction speed), Changes in the percentage of time spent in the arousal states from the well-rested to the sleep-deprived condition specifically were correlated with declines in PVT performance. Our results provide good evidence of the validity and reproducibility of DFC measures, particularly with regard to measuring arousal and attention, and are an encouraging base from which to build a chronnectome mapping DCS to cognition.
Exploring Frequency-dependent Brain Networks from ongoing EEG using Spatial ICA during music listening
Authors: Zhu Yongjie , Zhang Chi , Toiviainen Petri , Huotilainen Minna , Mathiak Klaus , Ristaniemi Tapani , Cong Fengyu
Published: January 2019

Recently, exploring brain activity based on functional networks during naturalistic stimuli especially music and video represents an attractive challenge because of the low signal-to-noise ratio in collected brain data. Although most efforts focusing on exploring the listening brain have been made through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), sensor-level electro- or magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG) technique, little is known about how neural rhythms are involved in the brain network activity under naturalistic stimuli. This study exploited cortical oscillations through analysis of ongoing EEG and musical feature during free-listening to music. We used a data-driven method that combined music information retrieval with spatial Independent Components Analysis (ICA) to probe the interplay between the spatial profiles and the spectral patterns. We projected the sensor data into cortical space using a minimum-norm estimate and applied the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) to obtain frequency information. Then, spatial ICA was made to extract spatial-spectral-temporal information of brain activity in source space and five long-term musical features were computationally extracted from the naturalistic stimuli. The spatial profiles of the components whose temporal courses were significantly correlated with musical feature time series were clustered to identify reproducible brain networks across the participants. Using the proposed approach, we found brain networks of musical feature processing are frequency-dependent and three plausible frequency-dependent networks were identified; the proposed method seems valuable for characterizing the large-scale frequency-dependent brain activity engaged in musical feature processing.
Chandipura virus requires pro-survival RelA NF-κB function for its propagation
Authors: Bais Sachendra S. , Ratra Yashika , Kushawaha Pramod K. , Basak Soumen
Published: January 2019

In response to infection by RNA viruses, mammalian cells typically activate RelA-containing NF-κB heterodimers, which induce genes encoding interferon-β and other antiviral mediators. Therefore, RelA is commonly thought to function as an anti-viral transcription factor. Notably, virus-specific mechanisms often modify mainstay immune pathways. Despite its human health relevance, how Chandipura virus (CHPV) per se interacts with the cellular signaling machinery has not been investigated. Here, we report that RelA deficiency abrogated antiviral gene expressions and yet surprisingly caused diminished growth of CHPV in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our experimental studies clarified that RelA-dependent synthesis of pro-survival factors restrained infection-inflicted cell death, and that exacerbated cell death processes prevented multiplication of CHPV in RelA-deficient cells. In sum, we identify a pro-viral function of the immune-activating transcription factor RelA NF-κB linked to its pro-survival properties.

Highlights

Lack of RelA NF-κB leads to reduced growth of CHPV ex vivo

RelA deficiency exacerbates cell-death processes upon CHPV infection

Inhibition of cell-death processes restores CHPV multiplication in RelA-deficient MEFs
Context-specific modulation of intrinsic coupling modes shapes multisensory processing
Authors: Galindo-Leon Edgar E. , Stitt Iain , Pieper Florian , Stieglitz Thomas , Engler Gerhard , Engel Andreas K.
Published: January 2019

Intrinsically generated patterns of coupled neuronal activity are associated with the dynamics of specific brain states. Sensory inputs are extrinsic factors that can perturb these intrinsic coupling modes, creating a complex scenario in which forthcoming stimuli are processed. Studying this intrinsic-extrinsic interplay is necessary to better understand perceptual integration and selection. Here, we show that this interplay leads to a reconfiguration of functional cortical connectivity that acts as a mechanism to facilitate stimulus processing. Using audiovisual stimulation in anesthetized ferrets, we found that this reconfiguration of coupling modes is context-specific, depending on long-term modulation by repetitive sensory inputs. These reconfigured coupling modes, in turn, lead to changes in latencies and power of local field potential responses that support multisensory integration. Our study demonstrates that this interplay extends across multiple time scales and involves different types of intrinsic coupling. These results suggest a novel large-scale mechanism that facilitates multisensory integration.
Fanconi anemia proteins are required to maintain nucleolar homeostasis
Authors: Gueiderikh Anna , Rouvet Guillaume , Souquère-Besse Sylvie , Apcher Sébastien , Diaz Jean-Jacques , Rosselli Filippo
Published: January 2019

The majority of inherited bone marrow failure (iBMF) syndromes are associated to nucleolar and/or ribosomal abnormalities, but Fanconi anemia (FA), the most common iBMF, is attributed to alterations in DNA damage responses. However, the involvement, if any, of the FA (FANC) proteins in the maintenance of nucleolar functions and/or ribosome biogenesis is yet unexplored. Here, we report that FANC pathway loss-of-function is associated to a loss of the nucleolar homeostasis, demonstrating increased rDNA rearrangements, accumulation of nucleolar DNA damage, nucleolar protein mislocalization, and a p53-independent induction of the growth inhibitory protein p21. Moreover, specifically associated to FANCA loss-of-function, which is responsible for approximately 65% of FA cases, we observed reduced rDNA transcription and rRNA processing as well as alteration in protein synthesis and polysome profiles. Thus, we have identified nucleolar consequences associated with FANC pathway deficiency, challenging current hypothesis on the physiopathology of FA.
Fecal microbiota dysbiosis in macaques and humans within a shared environment
Authors: Grant Erica , Kyes Randall C. , Kyes Pensri , Trinh Pauline , Ramirez Vickie , Tanee Tawatchai , Pinlaor Porntip , Dangtakot Rungtiwa , Rabinowitz Peter M.
Published: January 2019

Traditional zoonotic disease research focuses on detection of recognized pathogens and may miss opportunities to understand broader microbial transmission dynamics between humans, animals, and the environment. We studied human-macaque microbiome overlap in Kosum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand, where a growing population of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Kosumpee Forest Park interact with humans from an adjacent village. We surveyed workers in or near the park with elevated exposure to macaques to characterize tasks resulting in exposure to macaque feces in addition to dietary and lifestyle factors that influence gut microbiome composition. Fecal samples were collected from 12 exposed workers and 6 controls without macaque exposure, as well as 8 macaques from Kosumpee Forest Park and 4 from an isolated forest patch with minimal human contact. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene from fecal sample extracted DNA was amplified and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq to characterize the microbial community. A permuted betadisper test on the weighted UniFrac distances revealed significant differences in the dispersion patterns of gut microbiota from exposed and control macaques (p=0.03). The high variance in gut microbiota composition of macaques in contact with humans has potential implications for gut microbiome stability and susceptibility to disease, described by the Anna Karenina principle (AKP). Human samples had homogenous variance in beta diversity but different spatial medians between groups (p=0.02), indicating a shift in microbial composition that may be explained by fundamental lifestyle differences between the groups unrelated to exposure status. SourceTracker was used to estimate the percent of gut taxa in exposed humans that was contributed by macaques. While one worker showed evidence of elevated contribution, the overall trend was not significant. Task observations among workers revealed opportunities to employ protective measures or training to reduce exposure to occupational hazards. These results suggest the potential for hygiene measures to mitigate negative aspects of contact between humans and macaques in order to optimize the health of both populations.
High prevalence and diversity of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase and emergence of Carbapenemase producingEnterobacteriaceaespp in wildlife in Catalonia
Authors: Darwich Laila , Vidal Anna , Seminati Chiara , Albamonte Andreu , Casado Alba , López Ferrán , Molina-López Rafael A. , Migura-Garcia Lourdes
Published: January 2019

In wildlife, most of the studies focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) describeEscherichia colias the principal indicator of the selective pressure. In the present study, new species ofEnterobacteriaceaewith a large panel of cephalosporin resistant (CR) genes have been isolated from wildlife in Catalonia. A total of 307 wild animals were examined to determine CR enterobacteria prevalence, AMR phenotypes and common carbapenem and CR gene expression. The overall prevalence of CR-phenotype was 13% (40/307): 17.3% in wild mammals (18/104) and 11.5% in wild birds (22/191) (p<0.01)). Hedgehogs presented the largest prevalence with 13.5% (14/104) of the mammal specimens, followed by raptors with 7.3% (14/191) of the total bird specimens. Although CRE. coliwas obtained most frequently (45%), other CR-Enterobacteriaceaespp likeKlebsiella pneumoniae(20%),Citrobacter freundii(15%),Enterobacter cloacae(5%),Proteus mirabilis(5%),Providenciaspp (5%) andSerratia marcescens(2.5%) were isolated. A high diversity of CR genes was identified among the isolates, with 50% yieldingblaCMY-2, 23%blaSHV-12, 20%blaCMY-1 and 18%blaCTX-M-15. Additionally, new CR-gene variants and resistance to carbapenems associated to OXA-48 were found. Most of the CR isolates, principallyK. pneumoniaeandC. freundii, were multiresistant with co-resistance to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides. This study describes for the first time in wildlife a high prevalence ofEnterobacteriaceaespp harbouring a large variety of carbapenem and CR genes frequently associated to nosocomial human infections. Implementation of control measures to reduce the impact of anthropogenic pressure in the environment is urgently needed.
Structure-Unbinding Kinetics Relationship of p38α MAPK Inhibitors
Authors: Ge Xiaoxia , Tan Hepan , Xie Lei
Published: January 2019

Rational Drug Design still faces a major hurdle for the prediction of drug efficacyin vivosolely based on its binding affinity for the targetin vitro. The traditional perspective has proven to be inadequate as it lacks the consideration of essential aspects such as pharmacokinetics and binding kinetics in determining drug efficacy and toxicity. Residence time, the average lifetime of drug-target complex, has gained broader recognition as a better predictor for lead optimization. Long residence time could contribute to sustained pharmacological effect and may mitigate off-target toxicity as well. To unravel the underlining mechanism for variation of residence time and determine the ligand features governing the unbinding kinetics, unbinding kinetics of two distinct type II inhibitors of p38α MAP kinase were investigated and compared by molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulation approaches. Free energy landscape of key motions associated with unbinding was constructed for both inhibitors. Multiple unbinding pathways and rebinding were revealed during the drug-target dissociation process of faster unbinder Lig3 and slower unbinder Lig8 respectively, suggesting a novel mechanism of unbinding kinetics. This comparative study implies that hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions in the R1 group of ligands are crucial for slow unbinding. Such kind of structure-kinetics relationship approaches could also be applied to predict unbinding pathways and kinetics of many other small molecules, and facilitate the design of efficient kinase inhibitors.
ZNF445 is a primary regulator of genomic imprinting
Authors: Takahashi Nozomi , Coluccio Andrea , Thorball Christian W. , Planet Evarist , Shi Hui , Offner Sandra , Turelli Priscilla , Imbeault Michael , Ferguson-Smith Anne C. , Trono Didier
Published: January 2019

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process regulated by germline-derived DNA methylation, causing parental origin-specific monoallelic gene expression. Zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57) is critical for maintenance of this epigenetic memory during post-fertilization reprogramming, yet incomplete penetrance of ZFP57 mutations in humans and mice suggests additional effectors. We reveal that ZNF445/ZFP445, which we trace to the origins of imprinting, binds imprinting control regions (ICRs) in mice and humans. In mice, ZFP445 and ZFP57 act together, maintaining all but one ICR in vivo, whereas earlier embryonic expression of ZNF445 and its intolerance to loss-of-function mutations indicate greater importance in the maintenance of human imprints.
Is it time to take R(epressive) out of PRC1?
Authors: Wang Dongmei , Yi Rui
Published: January 2019

All of the cells in our body share largely identical DNA, yet functionally distinct cells are generated to give rise to different tissues and organs. A fundamental question in biology is how different cell fates are specified and maintained. Epigenetic mechanisms hold a key answer to the question. Without changing the sequence of DNA but through modifying DNA, histones, or RNA, epigenetic mechanisms can decide which genes to express and which to suppress. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins that can regulate gene expression through histone modification. Although PcG proteins have been traditionally described as epigenetic repressors, emerging evidence suggests a more complex scenario in which PcG proteins can have a dynamic effect on gene expression. In this issue of Genes & Development, Cohen and colleagues (pp. 55–60) studied the function of Polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) in mouse skin development and identified PRC1's unique function independent of PRC2. Notably, the total loss of PRC1 but not canonical PRC1 in the skin leads to widespread down-regulation of genes involved in cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization, resulting in skin fragility. This new study lays a foundation to examine the role of PRC1 in activating gene expression.
Protein A and Protein G Purification of Antibodies
Authors: Fishman Jordan B. , Berg Eric A.
Published: January 2019

Protein A and Protein G are immunoglobulin-binding proteins expressed in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp., respectively, that have been adapted for use in purifying large amounts of IgG. They are available covalently attached to affinity resins such as 4% cross-linked agarose, making them suitable for low-pressure antibody isolation. Protein A is not recommended for the isolation of mouse mAbs because it lacks affinity for mouse IgG1, or for the isolation of antibodies from sheep, goat, chicken, hamster, or rat. IgGs from most species bind to Protein G at near physiological pH and ionic strength with a higher affinity than IgG binding to Protein A. Therefore, the pH required to dissociate bound IgG is lower, resulting in the loss of activity for some antibodies. If this is observed, Protein A may be an alternative if the IgG from the species being isolated can be purified using Protein A. Neither Protein A nor Protein G can be used for the isolation of chicken antibodies.
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: January 2019

This protocol describes steps for the preparation and running of agarose gels and for staining and visualization of DNA in gels using three dyes: ethidium bromide, SYBR Gold, and SYBR Green 1.
An information system architecture for ensuring anonymity of student survey responses
Authors: Ardalan Alireza , Ardalan Roya K. , Rao Shailaja , Alexander Kay B.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

There has been a lack of an information systems architecture which explicitly illustrates processes that make and maintain the anonymity of student responses in an online system for student opinion survey of faculty teaching. The purpose of this paper is to present an information systems architecture which explicitly shows the process of disassociation of student credentials and their responses. It also shows that the process guarantees a complete anonymity of student responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The system was developed to satisfy the needs of students, faculty and administrators of a higher education institution with several objectives, one of which is the complete anonymity of student responses.

Findings

The system developers were successful in designing and developing a student opinion survey system that keeps student responses completely anonymous.

Research limitations/implications

The anonymity of student responses improves students’ trust in the survey system and may increase student response rate. Other factors that affect student response rate should be analyzed to determine their effect on student response rate and adjust those factors to improve student response rate.

Practical implications

This paper shares the success of developing an information system that makes student responses anonymous. The goal is to increase the discussion of this topic among researchers and practitioners to further improve the system to increase student response rate.

Originality/value

The proposed information system architecture is novel because it keeps student responses completely anonymous.
Design and performance analysis of an industrial robot arm for robotic drilling process
Authors: Sun Longfei , Liang Fengyong , Fang Lijin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a robotic arm that can offer better stiffness than traditional industrial robots for improving the quality of holes in robotic drilling process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces a five-degree of freedom (DOF) robot, which consists of a waist, a big arm, a small arm and a wrist. The robotic wrist is composed of two DOFs of pitching and tilting. A parallelogram frame is used for robotic arms, and the arm is driven by a linear electric cylinder in the diagonal direction. Double screw nuts with preload are used in the ball screw to remove the reverse backlash. In addition, dual-motor drive is applied for each DOF in the waist and the wrist to apply anti-backlash control method for eliminating gear backlash.

Findings

The proposed robotic arm has the potential for improving robot stiffness because of its truss structure. The robot can offer better stiffness than industrial robots, which is beneficial to improve the quality of robotic drilling holes.

Originality/value

This paper includes the design of a five-DOF robot for robotic drilling tasks, and the stiffness modeling of the robot is presented and verified by the experiment. The robotic system can be used instead of traditional industrial robots for improving the hole quality to a certain extent.
Market distance and insider-ownership strategies: a resource-dependence perspective
Authors: Lin Wen-Ting
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Ownership issues are an important feature of corporate governance when firms focus on global expansion in multiple and diverse regions. Drawing on resource dependence theory (RDT), the purpose of this paper is to address the phenomenon regarding the extent to which international market distance affects equity stakes in group-affiliated firms held by business group headquarters.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses longitudinal data on foreign direct investments by 106 business groups (BGs), including 561 group-affiliated firms, from Taiwan over a five-year period from 2006 to 2010.

Findings

The results show that the equity stakes of the BG headquarters in the group-affiliated firms in foreign markets were positively associated with the geographic distance between the country of the BG headquarters and the host country of the foreign group-affiliated firms, the cultural distance between the country of the BG headquarters and the host country of the foreign group-affiliated firms and institutional distance between the country of the BG headquarters and the host country of the foreign group-affiliated firms.

Research limitations/implications

Most studies of corporate governance and international business are based on a transaction cost economics approach, a resource-based perspective and agency and institutional theories. In contrast, this study, by using RDT, provides an alternative explanation regarding the factors that affect the equity stakes of parent firms in group-affiliated firms.

Practical implications

This study presents two basic pieces of advice for consideration. First, at the managerial level, group-affiliated firms should develop their own resources and capabilities in order to become more autonomous in pursuing advantageous international activities that the parent firms may not foresee. Second, and again at the managerial level, business group headquarters should adopt a strategy to balance the dependency relationship between group-affiliated firms and business group headquarters.

Originality/value

This study provides the most finely grained analysis, to date, regarding how international market distance affects business group headquarters from newly industrialized economies in terms of diverse equity stakes in foreign affiliates, the unique attributes of BGs and international market distances’ relationship with both the operations and the expansion opportunities of BGs.
Drivers and barriers to circular economy implementation
Authors: Agyemang Martin , Kusi-Sarpong Simonov , Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed , Mani Venkatesh , Rehman Syed Tahaur , Kusi-Sarpong Horsten
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Circular economy (CE) has gained considerable attention from researchers and practitioners over the past few years because of its potential social and environmental benefits. However, limited attention has been given in the literature to explore the drivers and barriers in CE implementation in emerging and developing countries besides China. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the drivers and barriers to implementing a CE in Pakistan’s automobile manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an explorative approach to understand the drivers and barriers at the micro-level CE implementation in Pakistan’s automobile industry. The research design includes both qualitative and quantitative methods using a survey instrument and interviews to gather data. The use of the two main sources of data provides the opportunity for triangulation of the data to improve the validity of the findings, and enables greater inferences from the results.

Findings

This study shows that “profitability/market share/benefit” (30 percent), “cost reduction” (22 percent) and “business principle/concern for environment/appreciation” (19 percent) are the top three drivers. Similarly, “unawareness” (22 percent), “cost and financial constraint” (20 percent) and “lack of expertise” (17 percent) are the top three barriers in implementing CE principles in Pakistan automobiles industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers only Pakistan automobiles industry, and the practical implications potentially limit to emerging Asian economies.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind that has investigated the drivers and barriers of CE at the organizational level in the automobile industry of Pakistan. Thus, it helps to advance the understanding of the subject matter and enables the formulation of effective policies and business strategies by practitioners for upscaling CE and sustainability.
Efficacy of pembrolizumab for patients with both high PD‐L1 expression and an MET exon 14 skipping mutation: A case report
Authors: Baba Keisuke , Tanaka Hisashi , Sakamoto Hiroaki , Shiratori Toshihiro , Tsuchiya Junichiro , Ishioka Yoshiko , Itoga Masamichi , Taima Kageaki , Tasaka Sadatomo
Published: January 2019

Pembrolizumab has become the standard first‐line treatment for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high PD‐L1expression. MET exon 14 skipping is a rare mutation typically found in older, female, and non‐smoking patients with NSCLC. Herein, we report the case of a 71‐year‐old non‐smoking woman who was diagnosed with NSCLC in the left lung. EGFR mutation and ALK fusion were not detected. Because the biopsy specimen showed high PD‐L1 expression with a tumor proportion score of 95%, pembrolizumab was introduced as first‐line therapy, but resulted in no clinical benefit. The patient was subsequently administered chemotherapy with carboplatin and pemetrexed, leading to remarkable tumor shrinkage. A next‐generation sequencing panel analysis revealed a MET exon 14 skipping mutation. Thus, pembrolizumab might not be effective for NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations, even if PD‐L1 expression is high.
Prognostic significance of basal versus superior segment in patients with completely resected lung adenocarcinoma in the lower lobe
Authors: Lin Yi‐Han , Hung Jung‐Jyh , Yeh Yi‐Chen , Hsu Wen‐Hu
Published: January 2019

Background

Although the lower lobes of the lungs occupy half of the chest on both sides, the prognostic value of tumor location in lung cancer in the lower lobe has not been well demonstrated. This study investigated the prognostic value of tumor location (basal vs. superior) in patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma in the lower lobe.

Methods

A total of 207 patients undergoing lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma in the lower lobe were included in the study. The association between tumor location and mediastinal lymph node metastasis was analyzed. Prognostic factors of overall survival and probability of freedom from recurrence (FFR) were also investigated.

Results

During follow‐up, 71 (34.3%) patients developed recurrence. Patients with basal segment tumors had a significantly higher possibility of developing N2 lymph node metastasis than those with superior segment tumors (P = 0.025). Univariate analysis showed that location in the basal (vs. superior) segment was a significant prognostic factor for a lower probability of FFR (P = 0.013). Basal (vs. superior) segment remained a significant prognostic factor for a lower probability of FFR (P = 0.010) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Basal segment tumors have a significantly higher possibility of developing N2 lymph node metastasis than superior segment tumors in resected lung adenocarcinoma in the lower lobe. Tumor location at the basal segment was a significant prognostic factor for a lower probability of FFR. This information is useful for patient stratification of risk of postoperative recurrence.
Predictive value of skeletal muscle mass for immunotherapy with nivolumab in non‐small cell lung cancer patients: A “hypothesis‐generator” preliminary report
Authors: Cortellini Alessio , Verna Lucilla , Porzio Giampiero , Bozzetti Federico , Palumbo Pierpaolo , Masciocchi Carlo , Cannita Katia , Parisi Alessandro , Brocco Davide , Tinari Nicola , Ficorella Corrado
Published: January 2019

Sarcopenia represents one of the hallmarks of all chronic disease, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A computed tomography scan is an easy modality to estimate the skeletal muscle mass through cross‐sectional image analysis at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Baseline skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was evaluated using gender‐specific cutoffs for skeletal muscle index in NSCLC patients administered immunotherapy with nivolumab to evaluate its possible correlations with clinical outcomes. From April 2015 to August 2018, 23 stage IV NSCLC patients were eligible for image analysis. Nine patients (39.1%) had low SMM. Among patients with baseline low and non‐low SMM, median progression free survival was 3.1 and 3.8 months, respectively (P = 0.0560), while median overall survival was 4.1 and 13 months, respectively (P = 0.2866). This hypothesis‐generating preliminary report offers the opportunity to speculate about the negative influence of sarcopenia on immune response. In our opinion, nutritional status could affect the clinical outcomes of immunotherapy, even if we cannot make definitive conclusions here. Further studies on the topic are required.
Urban Political Ecology from Below: Producing a “Peoples’ History” of the Portland Harbor
Authors: Goodling Erin
Published: January 2019

Urban political ecology scholars recognise that a historical perspective is central to elucidating processes of racialised uneven development. In this paper, I articulate a collectively produced “peoples’ history” of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site, recounting how over a century of industrial pollution in Portland, Oregon has disproportionately impacted Native, Black, immigrant and refugee, and houseless residents of all backgrounds—and has spawned collective work for a more just future. I argue that it is imperative for scholars to not only articulate such racialised pasts, however, but also to recognise how those working on the front lines of change draw on their own personal and group experiences to produce shared narratives, particularly across difference and in a context of depoliticised, ahistorical sustainability discourse. The case of the Portland Harbor Community Coalition reveals how the production of a shared history can be an important part of work to redress racialised dispossession and displacement in so‐called green cities.
The impact of bilingual environments on selective attention in infancy
Authors: Comishen Kyle J. , Bialystok Ellen , Adler Scott A.
Published: January 2019

Bilingualism has been observed to influence cognitive processing across the lifespan but whether bilingual environments have an effect on selective attention and attention strategies in infancy remains an unresolved question. In Study 1, infants exposed to monolingual or bilingual environments participated in an eye‐tracking cueing task in which they saw centrally presented stimuli followed by a target appearing on either the left or right side of the screen. Halfway through the trials, the central stimuli reliably predicted targets' locations. In Study 2, the first half of the trials consisted of centrally presented cues that predicted targets' locations; in the second half, the cue–target location relation switched. All infants performed similarly in Study 1, but in Study 2 infants raised in bilingual, but not monolingual, environments were able to successfully update their expectations by making more correct anticipatory eye movements to the target and expressing faster reactive eye latencies toward the target in the post‐switch condition. The experience of attending to a complex environment in which infants simultaneously process and contrast two languages may account for why infants raised in bilingual environments have greater attentional control than those raised in monolingual environments.
Impaired left ventricular mechanics and functional reserve are associated with reduced exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Peng , Li Yi‐Dan , Zhang Miao , Zhu Wei‐Wei , Cai Qi‐Zhe , Jiang Wei , Sun Lan‐Lan , Ding Xue‐Yan , Ye Xiao‐Guang , Qin Yun‐Yun , Lu Xiu‐Zhang
Published: January 2019

Background

Reduced metabolic equivalents (METs) are an indicator of exercise intolerance, which predicts poor prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. We sought to evaluate the changes in left ventricular (LV) mechanics and functional reserves, as well as their association with functional capacity in HCM patients.

Methods

Seventy HCM patients and thirty controls were included in this study. LV mechanics were evaluated at rest and during exercise by echocardiography and two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking imaging to obtain parameters of functional reserve, LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), strain rate (SR), and circumferential strain.

Results

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients had lower LVGLS, systolic SR, early and late diastolic SR at rest and during exercise, and reduced absolute and relative systolic and diastolic reserve compared to controls. LV circumferential strain was significantly higher at rest but lower during exercise in HCM patients. Exercise capacity was markedly reduced in HCM patients, and peak exercise LVGLS (LVGLS‐exe) significantly correlated with exercise capacity. Multivariate regression analyses showed that LVGLS‐exe, LV filling pressure during exercise (E/e'‐exe), and LV mass index (LVMI) were independent predictors of exercise capacity. Moreover, LVGLS‐exe displayed incremental predictive value over E/e'‐exe and LVMI for exercise intolerance. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed LVGLS‐exe had optimal accuracy for predicting exercise intolerance in HCM patients.

Conclusions

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients have reduced LV mechanics at rest and during exercise and impaired mechanical reserve. LVGLS‐exe is associated with exercise capacity and is an optimal predictive value for reduced exercise capacity in HCM patients.
LIMD1 phosphorylation in mitosis is required for mitotic progression and its tumor‐suppressing activity
Authors: Zhou Jiuli , Zhang Lin , Zhou Wei , Chen Yuanhong , Cheng Yufeng , Dong Jixin
Published: January 2019

LIM domains containing 1 (LIMD1) is a member of the Zyxin family proteins and functions as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer. LIMD1 has been shown to regulate Hippo‐YAP signaling activity. Here, we report a novel regulatory mechanism for LIMD1. We found that cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinases 1/2 (JNK1/2) phosphorylate LIMD1 in vitro and in cells during anti‐tubulin drug‐induced mitotic arrest. Phosphorylation also occurs during normal mitosis. S272, S277, S421, and S424 were identified as the main phosphorylation sites in LIMD1. Deletion of LIMD1 resulted in a shortened mitotic cell cycle and phosphorylation of LIMD1 is required for proper mitotic progression. We further showed that the phosphorylation‐deficient mutant LIMD1‐4A is less active in suppressing cell proliferation, anchorage‐independent growth, cell migration, and invasion in lung cancer cells. Together, our findings suggest that LIMD1 is a key regulator of mitotic progression, and that dysregulation of LIMD1 contributes to tumorigenesis.
Stress intensity factors for circumferential through‐wall cracks in thin‐walled cylindrical shells subjected to tension and torsion
Authors: Rege Kristen , Pavlou Dimitrios G.
Published: January 2019

In order to assess the structural integrity of tubular members or pipes containing circumferential through‐wall cracks, their stress intensity factor solutions are required. While stress intensity factors for tension and bending are available, few solutions exist for the case of torsion, even though these components may also be subjected to torque. In this paper, the finite element method is used to compute the stress intensity factors for this geometry under tension and torsion. Shell elements are employed to compute the results for thin shells by the means of the displacement extrapolation technique. The computed results indicate that the available analytical solution for torsional loading, which is based on shallow shell theory, is nonconservative for long cracks in thin shells. Shallow shell theory is in general not applicable to long cracks, and the present work is therefore able to provide solutions for a wider range of crack lengths than what is currently available.
Analysis of the stress intensity factor dependence with the crack velocity using a lattice model
Authors: Braun Matías , González Albuixech Vicente Francisco
Published: January 2019

In this work, the influence of crack propagation velocity in the stress intensity factor has been studied. The analysis is performed with a lattice method and a linear elastic constitutive model. Numerous researchers determined the relationship between the dynamic stress intensity factor and crack propagation velocity with experimental and analytical results. They showed that toughness increases asymptotically when the crack tip velocity is near to a critical. However, these methods are very complex and computationally expensive; furthermore, the model requires the use of several parameters that are not easily obtained. Moreover, its practical implementation is not always feasible. Hence, it is usually omitted. This paper aims to capture the physics of this complex problem with a simple fracture criterion. The selected criterion is based on the maximum principal strain implemented in a lattice model. The method used to calculate the stress intensity factor is validated with other numerical methods. The selected example is a finite 2D notched under mode I fracture and different loads rates. Results show that the proposed model captures the asymptotic behaviour of the SIF in function of crack speed, as reported in the aforementioned models.
When two worlds collude: Working from home and family functioning in Australia
Authors: DOCKERY Alfred M. , BAWA Sherry
Published: January 2019

This article analyses the effect of employees working from home on their partners' assessments of family functioning using Australian household panel data collected from 2001 to 2013 in 48 multivariate models. Some evidence is found that working from home contributes to better relationships and a more equitable division of household responsibilities for couples with children. Limited evidence of negative externalities is observed, notably where male employees work substantial hours from home. Overall the findings contribute to the weight of evidence that working from home is conducive to families achieving a better work‐life balance.
Gendered costs of austerity: The effects of welfare regime and government policies on employment across the OECD, 2000–13
Authors: KUSHI Sidita , McMANUS Ian P.
Published: January 2019

This article proposes a thorough analysis of the gendered impact of government policies applied during the Great Recession on unemployment across 28 OECD countries following an empirical estimation using random effects modelling with data from 2000 to 2013 to test the influence of welfare systems. Results point to a significant effect of welfare regime even beyond the crisis, primarily through social expenditure levels and public sector employment dynamics, which mainly affect women. The detailed policy analysis highlights the need to look for alternatives to austerity policies, and the authors conclude with some suggestions in that regard.
Portable, visual, and nondestructive detector integrating Vis/NIR spectrometer for sugar content of kiwifruits
Authors: Yang Biao , Guo Wenchuan , Li Weiqiang , Li Qianqian , Liu Dayang , Zhu Xinhua
Published: January 2019

A portable sugar content detector for intact kiwifruits was developed using a visible/near‐infrared spectrometer over the wavelength of 350–1,100 nm as spectra collector, a tablet computer as controller, a micro‐halogen lamp as light source, and a self‐made “Y” shape optical fiber as light transmitter and light receiver. The software applied to collect spectra, to establish sugar content prediction model, and to predict sugar content of kiwifruits was developed by Java language. Partial least square regression model was established to determine sugar content of kiwifruits. Contrasted with the sugar content obtained by digital refractometer, the root‐mean‐square error of the developed detector was 0.93% in soluble solids content. The obtained sugar content using the developed detector could be given in 2.5 s. The study shows that the developed portable sugar content detector is a promising tool for on‐site or in field nondestructive measurement on sugar content of kiwifruits.

Practical applications

The study developed a portable sugar content detector for intact kiwifruits by a handheld visible/near‐infrared spectrometer, a tablet computer, a micro‐halogen lamp, and a self‐made “Y” shape optical fiber. The root‐mean‐square error of the developed detector was 0.93% in soluble solids content, and the obtained sugar content could be given in 2.5 s. The study makes nondestructively detecting the sugar content of kiwifruits in orchard and in‐situ be possible.
Knowledge regarding medicines management of type 2 diabetes amongst patients attending a Community Health Centre in South Africa
Authors: Moosa Afsana , Bezuidenhout Selente , Meyer Johanna C. , Godman Brian
Published: January 2019

Objective

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is growing in Sub-Saharan countries including South Africa. This is a concern given its appreciable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs with the recent introduction of universal health care in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of patients with T2DM attending a typical community health centre (CHC) regarding the management of their disease including risk factors and prevention to guide future initiatives. Typically, patients with T2DM in South Africa are managed in ambulatory care including CHCs.

Method

A quantitative, descriptive study in a CHC. The sample included 217 adults with T2DM who have visited a physician as well as the pharmacy. Face-to-face patient exit interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire.

Key findings

Females predominated (65%), with the majority of patients >60 years (38.2%) and more than half from the Indian racial category. Most patients did not know how their medication controls their diabetes (79.3%) or did not know any of the side effects (83.9%) from their medication. Less than half of the patients knew how to take their medication, and more than a third of patients indicated that they were not practicing any form of self-care.

Conclusion

The results indicate that these T2DM patients lacked sufficient knowledge regarding the management of their disease. Healthcare managers should consider instigating programmes to improve patients’ knowledge about the management of their disease as part of general initiatives within South Africa to improve the management of patients with chronic diseases in the public sector.