bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signaling mechanisms inducing hyporesponsiveness of phagocytes during systemic inflammation
Authors: Freise Nicole , Burghard Alina , Ortkras Theresa , Daber Niklas , Imam Chasan Achmet , Jauch Saskia-L. , Fehler Olesja , Hillebrand Julia , Schakaki Mosab , Rojas Jessica , Grimbacher Bodo , Vogl Thomas , Hoffmeier Andreas , Martens Sven , Roth Johannes , Austermann Judith
Published: May 2019

The inflammatory responsiveness of phagocytes to exogenous and endogenous stimuli is tightly regulated. This regulation plays an important role in systemic inflammatory response syndromes (SIRSs). In SIRSs, phagocytes initially develop a hyperinflammatory response, followed by a secondary state of hyporesponsiveness, a so-called “tolerance.” This hyporesponsiveness can be induced by endotoxin stimulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), resulting in an ameliorated response after subsequent restimulation. This modification of inflammatory response patterns has been described as innate immune memory. Interestingly, tolerance can also be triggered by endogenous TLR4 ligands, such as the alarmins myeloid-related protein 8 (MRP8, S100A8) and MRP14 (S100A9), under sterile conditions. However, signaling pathways that trigger hyporesponsiveness of phagocytes in clinically relevant diseases are only barely understood. Through our work, we have now identified 2 main signaling cascades that are activated during MRP-induced tolerance of phagocytes. We demonstrate that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/GSK-3β pathway interferes with NF-κB–driven gene expression and that inhibition of GSK-3β mimics tolerance in vivo. Moreover, we identified interleukin-10–triggered activation of transcription factors STAT3 and BCL-3 as master regulators of MRP-induced tolerance. Accordingly, patients with dominant-negative STAT3 mutations show no tolerance development. In a clinically relevant condition of systemic sterile stress, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, we confirmed the initial induction of MRP expression and the tolerance induction of monocytes associated with nuclear translocation of STAT3 and BCL-3 as relevant mechanisms. Our data indicate that the use of pharmacological JAK-STAT inhibitors may be promising targets for future therapeutic approaches to prevent complications associated with secondary hyporesponsiveness during SIRS.
Predictors of relapse and efficacy of rituximab in immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Sun Lova , Mack Johnathan , Li Ang , Ryu Justine , Upadhyay Vivek A. , Uhl Lynne , Kaufman Richard M. , Stowell Christopher P. , Dzik Walter S. , Makar Robert S. , Bendapudi Pavan K.
Published: May 2019

Patients with immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) often experience life-threatening relapses of the disease, and rituximab (RTX) can be used to mitigate relapse risk. However, the predictors of relapse in iTTP and the magnitude and duration of effect of RTX remain key unanswered questions. Using a multi-institutional cohort of consecutive adult patients with iTTP, we used survival analysis to compare relapse rates between patients who received RTX during the index presentation with acute iTTP and those who did not. Of 124 patients, 60 (48%) received RTX and 34 (27%) experienced relapse. Median time to relapse was 3.71 (interquartile range, 1.75-4.9) and 1.33 (interquartile range, 0.43-2.35) years for RTX-treated and untreated patients, respectively. RTX conferred protection from relapse at 1 year of follow-up (P = .01) but not at 5 years of follow-up. Extended Cox regression was then used to identify predictors of relapse and to estimate the protective effect of RTX. The following parameters were independently associated with increased risk for subsequent relapse: presenting in iTTP relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-6.4), age younger than 25 years (HR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.2-7.2), and non-O blood group (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.06-4.39). RTX initially provided protection from relapse (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.70), but this effect gradually diminished, returning to the baseline risk for untreated patients at approximately 2.6 years. Patients who are young, have non-O blood group, or present with relapsed iTTP are at increased risk for subsequent relapse. RTX appears to confer short-term protection from relapse.
Elimination of the fibrinogen integrin αMβ2-binding motif improves renal pathology in mice with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Nasimuzzaman Md , Arumugam Paritha I. , Mullins Eric S. , James Jeanne M. , VandenHeuvel Katherine , Narciso Marilou G. , Shaw Maureen A. , McGraw Sarah , Aronow Bruce J. , Malik Punam
Published: May 2019

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is caused by a point mutation in the β-globin gene that leads to devastating downstream consequences including chronic hemolytic anemia, episodic vascular occlusion, and cumulative organ damage resulting in death. SCA patients show coagulation activation and inflammation even in the absence of vascular occlusion. The coagulation factor fibrinogen is not only central to hemostasis but also plays important roles in pathologic inflammatory processes, in part by engaging neutrophils/macrophages through the αMβ2 integrin receptor. To determine whether fibrin(ogen)-mediated inflammation is a driver of SCA-associated pathologies, hematopoietic stem cells from Berkeley sickle mice were transplanted into homozygous Fibγ390-396A mice that express normal levels of a mutant form of fibrin(ogen) that does not engage αMβ2. Fibγ390-396A mice with SCA displayed an impressive reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in white blood cells (WBCs), decreased circulating inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and significantly improved SCA-associated glomerular pathology highlighted by reduced glomerulosclerosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, ischemic lesions, mesangial thickening, mesangial hypercellularity, and glomerular enlargement. In addition, Fibγ390-396A mice with SCA had improved glomerular protective responses and podocyte/mesangial transcriptional signatures that resulted in reduced albuminuria. Interestingly, the fibrinogen γ390-396A mutation had a negligible effect on cardiac, lung, and liver functions and pathologies in the context of SCA over a year-long observation period. Taken together, our data support that fibrinogen significantly contributes to WBC-driven inflammation and ROS production, which is a key driver of SCA-associated glomerulopathy, and may represent a novel therapeutic target against irreversible kidney damage in SCA.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Long non-coding RNA TPTEP1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation
Authors: Ding Hongda , Liu Junpeng , Zou Ruoyao , Cheng Pengrui , Su Yang
Published: May 2019

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still the most common cause of tumor-related death worldwide and accumulating studies report that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are closely related with HCC development, metastasis and prognosis. Cisplatinum, a well-known chemotherapeutic drug, has been widely used for treatment of numerous human cancers including HCC. This study aimed to investigate the differential expressions of LncRNAs in HCC cells treated with cisplatinum and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

The differential expressions of LncRNAs in HCC cells treated with cisplatinum were determined by RNA-seq. The roles of TPTEP1 in HCC development by applying gene function gain and loss analysis in MHCC97H and QYG-7703 cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), cell proliferation, colony formation, cell invasion and flow cytometry assays. The underlying mechanism of TPTEP1 sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatinum was examined by RNA-pull down, western blotting, subcellular fractionation, RNA immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays. The effect of TPTEP1 on tumorigenesis in vivo was performed with a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model of HCC. In addition, TPTEP1 expression was detected in clinical tumor tissue samples by qRT-PCR.

Results

LncRNA TPTEP1 was highly expressed in cisplatinum-treated HCC cells, which sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cell to cisplatinum-induced apoptosis. TPTEP1 overexpression inhibited, while TPTEP1 knockdown promoted HCC cell proliferation, tumorigenicity and invasion. Furthermore, TPTEP1 exerted its tumor suppressing activities by interacting with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to inhibit its phosphorylation, homodimerization, nuclear translocation and down-stream genes transcription. Moreover, TPTEP1 overexpression obviously inhibits tumor masses in vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model of HCC and TPTEP1 is frequently downregulated in HCC tissues, compared to its corresponding pre-tumor tissues.

Conclusion

LncRNA TPTEP1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cells progression by affecting IL-6/STAT3 signaling. Taken together, our findings suggest a tumor suppressing role of TPTEP1 in HCC progression and provide a novel understanding of TPTEP1 during the chemotherapy for HCC.
Correction to: One-step templated synthesis of chiral organometallic salicyloxazoline complexes
Authors: Luo Mei , Zhang Jing Cheng , Yin Hao , Wang Cheng Ming , Morris-Natschke Susan , Lee Kuo-Hsiung
Published: May 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in Schemes 1 and 2 and repeated line in subsection “Bis(ligand) nickel(II) chelate (NiL12)”.
Symbol spotting for architectural drawings: state-of-the-art and new industry-driven developments
Authors: Rezvanifar Alireza , Cote Melissa , Branzan Albu Alexandra
Published: May 2019

This review paper offers a contemporary literature survey on symbol spotting in architectural drawing images. Research on isolated symbol recognition is quite mature; the same cannot be said for recognizing a symbol in context. One important challenge is the segmentation/recognition paradox: a system should segment symbols before recognizing them, but some kind of recognition may be necessary to obtain a correct segmentation. Research has thus been recently directed toward symbol spotting, a way of locating possible symbol instances without using full recognition methods. In this paper, we thoroughly review symbol spotting methods with a focus on architectural drawings, an application domain providing the document image analysis and graphic recognition communities with an interesting set of challenges linked to the sheer complexity and density of embedded information, that have yet to be resolved. While most existing methods perform well in terms of recall, their performance is rather poor in terms of precision and false positives. In light of the review, we also propose a simple yet effective symbol spotting method based on template matching and a novel clutter-tolerant cross-correlation function that achieves state-of-the-art results with high precision, high recall, and few false positives, able to cope with “real-life clutter” found in industry-standard architectural drawings.
Geologic and geochemical characteristics of the Cambrian marine shale in the Tarim Basin of China and their implication for the prediction of shale-gas resources
Authors: Qiao Jinqi , Liu Luofu , Shen Baojian , Shang Xiaoqing
Published: May 2019

Although the Cambrian marine shale in the Tarim Basin is usually considered to be the source rocks for overlying conventional reservoirs, its unconventional shale-gas potential has not yet been evaluated. To indicate the unconventional resource play potential and highlight more favorable zones, we conducted a comprehensive lithologic, petrophysical, and geochemical analysis of 228 drill core samples from 14 wells and 167 outcrop samples from eight geologic sections in the basin. The results indicate that the Cambrian marine shale was deposited in basinal and slope environments dominated by shale and siliceous shale. The average total organic carbon (TOC) content of the Є1xd (Xidashan) and Є2m (Moheershan) Formations ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%, and that of the Є1y (Yuertusi) Formation ranges from 1.0% to 7.0%. Phytoplankton is dominant in the Є1xd and Є2m Formations, whereas benthic algae are more prevalent in the Є1y Formation. The organic matter ranges in maturity from high to postmature. The shale consists of abundant meso- and macropores. The mineral matter is mostly composed of quartz ([Formula: see text] in most samples) followed by carbonate minerals, with minor contributions made by clay minerals ([Formula: see text]). The analysis of methane adsorption isotherm indicates a positive correlation between the gas and TOC content and a negative correlation between the gas content and burial depth implying the good adsorption capacity of the shale-gas play. Resource estimation of the Middle-Lower Cambrian indicates that the Yuli and Ruoqiang areas contain a potential [Formula: see text] of shale gas, and they are the most favorable zones for further exploitation.
Actions and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Agonists
Authors: Schally Andrew V , Zhang Xianyang , Cai Renzhi , Hare Joshua M , Granata Riccarda , Bartoli Manuela
Published: May 2019

In this article, we briefly review the identification of GHRH, provide an abridged overview of GHRH antagonists, and focus on studies with GHRH agonists. Potent GHRH agonists of JI and MR class were synthesized and evaluated biologically. Besides the induction of the release of pituitary GH, GHRH analogs promote cell proliferation and exert stimulatory effects on various tissues, which express GHRH receptors (GHRH-Rs). A large body of work shows that GHRH agonists, such as MR-409, improve pancreatic β-cell proliferation and metabolic functions and facilitate engraftment of islets after transplantation in rodents. Accordingly, GHRH agonists offer a new therapeutic approach to treating diabetes. Various studies demonstrate that GHRH agonists promote repair of cardiac tissue, producing improvement of ejection fraction and reduction of infarct size in rats, reduction of infarct scar in swine, and attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy in mice, suggesting clinical applications. The presence of GHRH-Rs in ocular tissues and neuroprotective effects of GHRH analogs in experimental diabetic retinopathy indicates their possible therapeutic applications for eye diseases. Other effects of GHRH agonists, include acceleration of wound healing, activation of immune cells, and action on the central nervous system. As GHRH might function as a growth factor, we examined effects of GHRH agonists on tumors. In vitro, GHRH agonists stimulate growth of human cancer cells and upregulate GHRH-Rs. However, in vivo, GHRH agonists inhibit growth of human cancers xenografted into nude mice and downregulate pituitary and tumoral GHRH-Rs. Therapeutic applications of GHRH analogs are discussed. The development of GHRH analogs should lead to their clinical use.
The Role of Sexual Hormones on the Enteroinsular Axis
Authors: Handgraaf Sandra , Philippe Jacques
Published: May 2019

Sex steroid estrogens, androgens, and progesterone, produced by the gonads, which have long been considered as endocrine glands, are implicated in sexual differentiation, puberty, and reproduction. However, the impact of sex hormones goes beyond these effects through their role on energy metabolism. Indeed, sex hormones are important physiological regulators of glucose homeostasis and, in particular, of the enteroinsular axis. In this review, we describe the roles of estrogens, androgens, and progesterone on glucose homeostasis through their effects on pancreatic α- and β-cells, as well as on enteroendocrine L-cells, and their implications in hormonal biosynthesis and secretion. The analysis of their mechanisms of action with the dissection of the receptors implicated in the several protective effects could provide some new aspects of the fine-tuning of hormonal secretion under the influence of the sex. This knowledge paves the way to the understanding of transgender physiology and new potential therapeutics in the field of type 2 diabetes.
Sacubitril/Valsartan Augments Postprandial Plasma Concentrations of Active GLP-1 When Combined With Sitagliptin in Men
Authors: Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai J , Mark Peter D , Terzic Dijana , Hansen Lasse H , Andersen Ulrik Ø , Hartmann Bolette , Carr Richard D , Gustafsson Finn , Deacon Carolyn F , Holst Jens J , Goetze Jens P , Plomgaard Peter
Published: May 2019

Context

Combined inhibition of neprilysin and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) has been shown to augment plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) in animal models, but whether this occurs in humans is unknown.

Objective

To investigate the effects of inhibition of neprilysin by sacubitril/valsartan alone or in combination with a DPP-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin) on plasma concentrations of GLP-1 in healthy men.

Design

Two open-labeled crossover studies were performed in human subjects.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Nine and 10 healthy young men were included in study 1 and study 2, respectively.

Intervention

Study participants received a standardized meal (34% carbohydrates, 45% fat, 21% protein; total caloric content, 2106 kJ) combined with a prior dose of either sacubitril/valsartan (194/206 mg) or control in study 1 and in study 2, with a prior dose of sitagliptin (2 ×100 mg, given ∼10 hours apart) either alone or with sacubitril/valsartan (194/206 mg).

Main Outcome Measures

Plasma concentrations of total and intact GLP-1.

Results

Sacubitril/valsartan increased postprandial plasma concentrations of total GLP-1 by 67% [total area under the curve (tAUC)0–240min: 3929 ± 344 vs 2348 ± 181 minutes × pmol/L, P = 0.0023] and increased concentrations of intact GLP-1 plasma concentrations more than sitagliptin alone (tAUC0–240min: 1021 ± 114 vs 660 ± 80 minutes × pmol/L, P = 0.01). Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and GIP were not significantly (P > 0.10) changed upon sacubitril/valsartan treatment.

Conclusions

Sacubitril/valsartan combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor led to markedly higher concentrations of intact GLP-1 than DPP-4 inhibition alone, supporting a role for both neprilysin and DPP-4 in the metabolism of GLP-1 in humans, a finding that may have therapeutic implications.
OR04-6 Predictors of Clinical Outcome after Adrenalectomy for Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Moises Caio , Alencar Natalia , Castanheira Thaís , Vilela Leticia , Rassi-Cruz Marcela , Guimarães Augusto , Pereira Maria Adelaide , Silva Giovanio , Abreu Andrea , Zerbini Maria Claudia , Cavalcante Aline , Carnevale Francisco , Pilan Bruna , Yamauchi Fernando , Srougi Vitor , Chambo José , Latronico Ana Claudia , Mendonca Berenice , Fragoso Maria , Bortolotto Luiz , Drager Luciano , Almeida Madson
Published: May 2019

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension (HT) with an estimated prevalence of 10% in referred populations and 15-20% in patients with resistant hypertension. The most common cause of unilateral PA is aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs). HT and hypokalemia improve in nearly 100% of patients with unilateral PA after unilateral adrenalectomy. However, complete clinical success (defined as blood pressure ≤130x80 mmHg without anti-hypertensive drugs) has been reported in about 50% (range, 35-80%) of patients with unilateral PA after surgery. HT duration and severity have been associated with clinical outcome after adrenalectomy, but few reports with a limited number of cases evaluated the prognostic role of somatic KCNJ5 mutations. In this study, our aim was to determine clinical and molecular features associated with complete clinical success after unilateral adrenalectomy in unilateral PA patients. We retrospectively evaluated 103 PA patients (42 males; median age 49 yrs, 20-74) with a median follow-up of 25 months. Hypokalemia was present in 78% of the cases. Anatomopathological analysis revealed 94 APAs and 9 unilateral adrenal hyperplasias. All patients had biochemical cure after unilateral adrenalectomy. KCNJ5 mutations were identified in 27 out of 67 (40%) tumors: p.Gly151Arg (n= 13), p.Leu168Arg (n= 13) and p.Glu145Gln (n= 1). Complete clinical success was reported in 32 out of 103 (31%) patients. In univariate analysis, HT duration, body mass index (BMI kg/m2), female sex and somatic KCNJ5mutations were associated with HT resolution after adrenalectomy. Complete clinical success was reported in 50% of patients with HT duration ≤5 yrs (vs. 24% with HT duration >5 yrs; p= 0.011), in 40% of patients with BMI <25 (vs. 22% with BMI ≥25; p= 0.042), in 38% of women (vs. 21% of men; p= 0.079) and in 70% of the patients with tumors harboring KCNJ5 somatic mutations (vs. 30% with WT tumors; p= 0.003). According to a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the presence of a somatic KCNJ5 mutation was an independent predictor of complete success after adrenalectomy (relative risk 4.8, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 19.21; p= 0.023). In conclusion, the presence of a somatic KCNJ5 mutation was an independent predictor of complete clinical success after unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with unilateral PA.
Legacy Dysphoria
Authors: Hernandez Tina
Published: May 2019

This narrative, creative nonfiction piece is implicitly about epigenetics and explicitly about the oral tradition among multigenerational women in the author’s Cuban American family. How we see ourselves and each other is explored literally and metaphorically.
Liquid Echoes
Authors: Morris Johnson Nicole M.
Published: May 2019

The breast and its milk are of central importance in Maryse Condé’s Windward Heights, published in French in 1995 (English translation 1998) and set in Guadeloupe and Cuba at the turn of the century. This essay explores ways in which patriarchal order is being undermined by its upholders’ own attempts to silence, control, and erase both the black and white breast. Milk becomes a liquid catalyst that enables an ever-slippery, ever-morphing creolization, the process that leads to the creation of an alternative space for the collection and projection of female voice and history. Condé’s novel shows that while controlled métissage is attempted through the violation of the black and white breasts, creolization is undercutting this project, allowing the breast agency as well as space for rebellion. While the breast cannot be represented through the colonizer’s language, the voices submerged under it rise to the surface when breast milk flows are followed. This essay maps out these streams through an examination of alternative modes of family expansion that run counter to patriarchal lineage. Additionally the alternative network, or the many unheard voices that make up Conde’s text, is examined, as are the ways in which these women subvert and reimagine origin myths.
Sydney Brenner: a master of science and of wit
Authors: Lawrence Peter A.
Published: May 2019

Summary: Peter Lawrence reflects on the life and work of Sydney Brenner – ‘the Oscar Wilde of science’.
Purine-rich low complexity regions are potential RNA binding hubs in the human genome
Authors: Antonov Ivan , Medvedeva Yulia A.
Published: May 2019

Many long noncoding RNAs are bound to the chromatin and some of these interactions are mediated by triple helices. It is usually assumed that a transcript can form triplexes with a distinct set of genomic loci also known as triplex target sites (TTSs). Here we performed computational analyses of the TTSs that have been experimentally identified for particular RNAs. To assess the ability of these TTSs to bind other transcripts we developed a method to estimate the statistical significance of the predicted number of triplexes for a given RNA-DNA pair. We demonstrated that each DNA set included a subset of sequences that have a potential to form a statistically significant (adjusted p-value < 0.01) number of triplexes with the majority (>90%) of the analyzed transcripts. Due to the predicted ability of these DNA sequences to interact with a wide range of different RNAs, we called them "universal TTSs". While the universal TTSs were quite rare in the human genome (around 0.5%), they were  more frequent (>15%) among the MEG3 binding sites (ChOP-seq peaks) and especially among the shared Capture-seq peaks (40%). The universal TTSs were enriched with the purine-rich low complexity regions. Nowadays, the role of the chromatin bound RNAs in the formation of 3D chromatin structure is actively discussed. We speculated that such universal TTSs may contribute to establishing long-distance chromosomal contacts and may facilitate distal enhancer-promoter interactions. All the scripts and the data files related to this study are available at: https://github.com/vanya-antonov/universal_tts
Contemporary diagnosis of lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Authors: Rosier Peter
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Diagnosis of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction starts with categorization in clinical syndromes, and initial management is based on the assumptions about pathophysiology that these syndromes contain. However, clinical practice guidelines are ambiguous in clinical specialists’ diagnosis of dysfunction after failure of initial management. This is a narrative and critical review of the existing evidence, and the aim is to suggest practice improvements in the process of clinical specialists’ diagnosis for patients resistant to initial management.

Methods and Results: Evidence is collated on the basis of the author’s personal preference in combination with good clinical practice general principles. Statements and suggestions to improve reflect personal opinion. For two groups of patients with LUT dysfunction, the strategy of initial diagnosis is summarized and desirable principles of secondary care diagnosis are discussed. More specifically, a structure for the contemporary care of women with signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence is described and for that of the group of men older than 45 years with symptoms of LUT dysfunction.

Conclusions: Urodynamic testing is the undisputed gold standard for objective assessment and is the only way to stage and grade the dysfunction. Clinical practice guidelines and clinical specialists are too modest about the use and applicability of objective or urodynamic testing for referred persons with LUT dysfunction that is resistant to initial pragmatic management. Objective assessment and diagnosis are mainstays in secondary care, and the indication to perform objective assessments in patients with LUT dysfunction should be advised much more specifically in guidelines and practice recommendations.
Network-based Observability and Controllability Analysis of Dynamical Systems: the NOCAD toolbox
Authors: Leitold Dániel , Vathy-Fogarassy Ágnes , Abonyi János
Published: May 2019

Network science has become increasingly important in life science over the last decade. The proposed Octave and MATLAB-compatible NOCAD toolbox provides a set of methods which enables the structural controllability and observability analysis of dynamical systems. In this paper, the functionality of the toolbox is presented, and the implemented functions demonstrated.
Retailer-Direct Financing Contracts Under Consignment
Authors: Gupta Diwakar , Chen Yibin
Published: May 2019

Problem definition: Many small businesses (suppliers) use web platforms (retailers) to sell their products on a consignment basis. Suppliers are often financially constrained, which affects their profits. Academic/practical relevance: We derive the equilibrium terms of the loan that a retailer will offer to a supplier in a consignment selling environment and their implications for supply chain efficiency. Our model is inspired by the lending program initiated by a major web platform owner. Methodology: We formulate and solve a Stackelberg game. The retailer sets loan terms that may include a debt seniority requirement. The supplier may either accept the retailer’s offer or borrow only from the bank or rely solely on its own capital. A competitively priced bank loan is the supplier’s default option. Results: There exist parameter values for which the on-equilibrium loan terms include retailer debt seniority as well as parameter values that do not. In the latter case, the supplier makes the bank the senior lender. The retailer’s debt seniority choice depends on the supplier’s working capital. When the retailer chooses to be the senior lender, its loan terms may induce the supplier to produce more than the first-best quantity. Managerial implications: Direct financing under equilibrium loan terms weakly improves the expected profits of both the retailer and the supplier. However, it may induce the supplier to produce less than or equal to or greater than the first-best production quantity. Loan limits serve to reduce overproduction.
OR Forum—Public Health Preparedness: Answering (Largely Unanswerable) Questions with Operations Research—The 2016–2017 Philip McCord Morse Lecture
Authors: Brandeau Margaret L.
Published: May 2019

Public health security—achieved by effectively preventing, detecting, and responding to events that affect public health, such as bioterrorism, disasters, and naturally occurring disease outbreaks—is a key aspect of national security. However, effective public health preparedness depends on answering largely unanswerable questions such as determining the chance of a bioterror attack in the United States over a given time horizon, or chance of an anthrax attack, or the location and magnitude of such an attack. In “Public Health Preparedness: Answering (Largely Unanswerable) Questions with Operations Research—The 2016–2017 Philip McCord Morse Lecture,” Margaret Brandeau describes the important role that OR-based analyses can play in providing insight into complex public health preparedness planning problems, thereby supporting good decisions. The author presents three examples from her work: logistics of response to an anthrax attack, prepositioning of medical countermeasures for anthrax, and stockpiling decisions for the United States’ Strategic National Stockpile.
Older adults' views on their person-centred care needs in a long-term care setting in Ireland
Authors: Kelly Fiona , Reidy Mary , Denieffe Suzanne , Madden Catherine
Published: May 2019

Background:

Person-centred care should be responsive to the needs of older adults in long-term care. It is central to collaborative and high-quality healthcare delivery.

Aim:

To explore the perceptions of older Irish adults aged 65 years of age or more regarding the person-centred climate of the long-term care setting in which they live.

Method:

A cross-sectional study design using the Person-centered Climate Questionnaire–Patient (PCQ-P) was used to survey 56 older adults in a long-term care setting.

Results:

Overall, residents considered the setting to be hospitable, welcoming, clean and safe; the mean (SD) scale score was 5.39 (0.520). Psychosocial concerns about adapting to living in long-term care environments need to be addressed, particularly among the younger male residents when compared with older male residents (53.8% v 86.7%, P=0.018).

Conclusion:

Older people in long-term care may prioritise different facets of person-centredness to staff. Further research of approaches used in Irish older adult long-term person-centred care delivery is warranted.
Don't forget the foal
Authors: Harniman Suzannah
Published: May 2019

Suzannah Harniman REVN FHEA, senior lecturer and programme manager, veterinary nursing department, Hartpury university, discusses the nursing requirements of the hospitalised foal when the mare is the primary patient
Selecting heel-offloading devices: a clinical evaluation
Authors: Atherton Julia , Joannides Ross
Published: May 2019

Clinical standardisation is important when managing conditions such as pressure ulcers in care home groups. Julia Atherton and Ross Joannides describe how they organised an evaluation to select a heel-offloading device to be used across their homes
Autophagy: a treatment option in neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Palmer Sarah
Published: May 2019

Sarah Palmer discusses a recent study that looked into the property of the drug felodipine in inducing cells to clear up toxic proteins. The study found that there is some scope to repurpose the drug as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
Changes in employment law: mitigating the gig economy
Authors: Smedley David , Rayment Andrew
Published: May 2019

The emergence of the gig economy and the continuous erosion of workers' rights has led to the implementation of new employment regulations, setting out to protect ‘self-employed’ and agency workers. David Smedley and Andrew Rayment explain.
The prevalence of horse trypanosomiasis in Sumba Island, Indonesia and its detection using card agglutination tests
Authors: Nurcahyo Wisnu , Yowi Marlin R. K. , Hartati Sri , Prastowo Joko
Published: May 2019

Background and Aim: Horses have a strategic and vital role to play in the lives of the people of Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province. They act as social animals that are involved in death ceremonies, horse races, and during pasola, thereby supporting tourism, and are given away as dowry in wedding ceremonies. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of trypanosomiasis among horses in four districts of Sumba Island by examining clinical symptoms and detecting parasites, antibodies, and other factors that are related to Trypanosoma evansi infection in horses.

Materials and Methods: We studied a total of 211 horses that belonged to 88 clinical hobby breeders. Giemsa-colored smears and serum were examined in order to detect antibodies using card-agglutination tests (CATT). The study was conducted during the rainy season that lasted from January to March 2017. Potential risk factors such as the species, sex, origin of the livestock, how the livestock were maintained, and the farmers' knowledge concerning trypanosomiasis were recorded using questionnaires. Data were collected annually for three years from 2010-2012 and repeatedly analyzed by a Chi-square test.

Results: Clinical signs of trypanosomiasis were found in 34 horses; blood smears were examined using Giemsa staining and negative preparations were obtained at a frequency of 0.0% (0/211). The CATT results generally showed that 13.3% (28/211) of the samples were seropositive for antibodies to T. evansi; the highest percentage, 16.67% (8/48), of seropositivity was found in the West Sumba District, and the lowest, 12.0% (5/50), was found in Southwest Sumba. The incidence of trypanosomiasis was higher (75% [21/28]) among female hip horses; horses with 1-5 years of experience were more susceptible to a T. evansi infection (46.4% [13/28]). In general, farmers on Sumba Island knew of trypanosomiasis (89.8% [79/88]), and 69.3% (61/88) of the farmers reported that their livestock was sick. This study was the first serological study conducted on trypanosomiasis in horses of Sumba Island after the surra outbreak in 2010-2012. There were 3% of farmers who were willing to provide the government with information on implementing a prevention program and controlling the spread of surra on the island.

Conclusion: The diagnoses of surra disease were made based on clinical symptoms and parasitological examinations. CATTs could be used to diagnose T. evansi infection in horses.
Richard Rorty, Homo Academicus Politicus
Authors: Goldman Loren
Published: May 2019

This article explores Richard Rorty’s status in academic political theory in the decades after his conscious departure from disciplinary philosophy. Rorty found a receptive audience in this pluralistic field, and he became a point of orientation in a number of ongoing, research-agenda driving conversations, if often as an extreme example against which interlocutors could define themselves. In like fashion, Rorty refined his own self-conception as a patriotic liberal ironist in the course of his political theoretical engagements. I offer a sketch of political theory’s landscape as a contrast to the reductivism and esotericism Rorty criticized in disciplinary philosophy, and survey his presence in the field over the years substantively, qualitatively, and quantitatively.
Corporate Mobility – The Involvement of Employees
Authors: Roest Joti
Published: May 2019

In April 2018, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2017/1132 as regards cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions. This article discusses the proposed provisions to protect the interests of employees in a cross-border operation. Their position would be strengthened since employee representatives are granted information and consultation rights. As to the protection of existing board level employee representation rights, the Proposal follows the EU legal framework on the involvement of employees, consisting of a negotiation process between representatives of the employees and the management. As Standard Rules apply if no agreement can be reached, negotiations take place with the law as a sentinel. Practice has shown that this complicated legal framework is effective in protecting existing employee participation rights. The Proposal shows that in 2019, this carefully vetted political compromise leaves EU legislators little room to manoeuvre by simplifying the framework or strengthening the position of employees.
Bottom fire behaviour of thermally thick natural rubber latex foam
Authors: Wang Shuwen , Huang Dongmei , Guo Chenning , Yuan Qi , Chen Yongliang , Lin Peng , Shen Liming , Duan Pengzhen
Published: May 2019

In this paper, the bottom fire behaviour of 25 cm × 25 cm × 5 cm natural rubber (NR) latex foam with uniformly distributed 6 mm diameter holes was investigated experimentally in a small-scale experimental platform under bottom ventilation. The bottom fire behaviour was analysed. The results show that the burning process of the thermally thick NR latex foam under bottom ventilation conditions can be divided into three stages: initial growing, full development, and decay. A deflagration covered the entire rear surface was observed at 308 s. The burning balls moving at a speed of 0.15 m/s were observed after the bottom ignition and they moved from the center to the sides along with the expansion. The mass loss rate of the sample was accelerated dramatically from 0.2 g/s to 0.5 g/s when the bottom surface was ignited at 308 s.
The Liberal Illusion Is Not a Complete Delusion: The WTO Helps Member States Keep the Peace Only When It Increases Trade
Authors: Aaronson Susan Ariel , Abouharb M. Rodwan , Daniel Wang K.
Published: May 2019

We use both qualitative and quantitative tools to examine whether membership in the WTO reduces the likelihood of conflict. In our qualitative analysis, we show how WTO facilitates cooperation and transparency. Then we study what policymakers say and do to use trade to promote peace. We also examine whether and how members of the WTO respond to acceding states as well as member states experiencing inter-state conflict. We find member states do little to expand trade with states in conflict. Moreover, they continue to use trade sanctions. Hence, they are sending contradictory messages about the trade/peace relationship. Next we test whether the trust engendered through daily interactions and participation in a rules based system (our membership hypothesis) reduces the likelihood of conflict or whether membership in the WTO which in turn leads to expanded trade reduces the likelihood of conflict (our membership and trade hypothesis). We find no evidence that membership alone reduces the likelihood of either major interstate war or militarized interstate dispute among members. However, when states are both members of the GATT/WTO and benefit from increased trade, they are less likely to engage in militarized interstate disputes. Hence, the liberal illusion is not a complete delusion.
Revisiting the Place of Preparatory Documents in the Interpretation of Transformative Constitutions
Authors: Abungu Cecil
Published: May 2019

South Africa and Kenya are among some nations that have adopted what are referred to as ‘transformative constitutions’, with the aim of bringing about radical change that would repair the cumulatively deep fissures in their societies. In order to determine how to satisfactorily give these constitutions effect, judges may undertake to first understand the people’s past experiences and how that informed the constitutional provisions that were adopted. This will in turn allow them to grasp what sort of transformation the people sought.

One of the sources by which to undertake such a task is preparatory documents. In this study, these are the materials detailing the people’s views on the then-prospective constitutional provisions and discussions during constitutional conferences. By reference to the United States courts as a case study, this article seeks to find out the use to which judges interpreting provisions in the Constitution of Kenya and the Constitution of South Africa put preparatory documents. It does so through an empirical examination of select Human Rights decisions in both jurisdictions. It eventually finds that the examination of preparatory documents need not necessarily be viewed as an exercise that will restrain a judge, or fold back progress that has been made in progressive adjudication. At the very least, it will help a judge understand the transformation sought while in some cases, it may legitimize and enlighten a judge’s decision to interpret a provision in a more expansive manner.
The range of normative surface skin temperature changes in adolescents: prospective multicenter study
Authors: Roitblat Yulia , Buchris Noa , Hanai Jacob , Cohensedgh Sabrina , Frig-Levinson Eden , Burger Jacob , Shterenshis Michael
Published: May 2019

Aim

We aimed to establish a normative range of surface skin temperature (SST) changes due to blood redistribution in adolescents and to register the time needed for complete postural change-related blood redistribution.

Methods

The healthy volunteers (age 15–18, n = 500, M 217, F 283) were recruited for this prospective multicenter study. The volunteers were asked to keep one extremity down and another extremity up in supine rest, sitting with straight legs, and upright rest. We obtained temperature readings being taken from the tips of the middle fingers and temperature readings from the tips of the first toes at the ambient temperature of 25 °C and 30 °C. The control group consisted of a 100 of adult volunteers.

Results

The resting temperature of the middle fingers for a sitting participant was 28.6 ± 0.8 °C. The physiological change of this temperature during body position changes was 4.5 ± 1.1 °C and for most of the participants remained within the 26.5–31.5 °C range at 25 °C. For the toe, physiological skin temperature range was 25.5–33 °C. At 30 °C, these ranges were 27–33 °C for the fingers and 27–34 °C for the toes. On average, 2–3 min were needed for such temperature changes.

Conclusion

At normal room temperature, the SST of thermoneutral adolescents may vary within a range of approximately 5 °C only due to the blood redistribution in the body. This range is specific for each person due to individual peculiarities of the vasomotor activity. This normative range of SSTs should be taken into account during investigations of thermoregulation.
Wie verarbeiten Lernende Dozentenfeedback und welches Feedback ist für Lernende effektiv?
Authors: FANG Fan , FREUDENBERG-FINDEISEN Renate
Published: May 2019

Seit mehreren Jahren werden kontroverse Diskussionen über Dozentenfeedback geführt. Die Untersuchung wurde im Rahmen einer realen Unterrichtssituation durchgeführt. Die statistische SPSS-Analyse zeigt, dass die Gruppe, die indirektes Feedback bekommt, nachhaltigere Leistungen erzielen konnte, als die Gruppe, die direktes Feedback bekommt. Indirekte Feedbacks inspirieren die Studierenden zur selbstständigen Reflexion, zudem fördern Feedback-Gespräche mit Dozierenden das Verständnis der sprachlichen Strukturen. Um die Schreibkompetenz zu fördern und weiterzuentwickeln, sollten schriftliche Übungsformate daher in stärkerem Maße von indirekten Feedbacks begleitet werden.
Eine empirische Studie zur Stereotypisierung der deutschen Kultur in DaF-Lehrwerken des chinesischen Germanistikstudiums
Authors: ZHANG Xiaoling
Published: May 2019

Die vorliegende Studie geht von den DaF-Lehrwerken des chinesischen Germanistikstudiums aus, um die Stereotypisierung der deutschen Kultur bei Chinesen empirisch zu untersuchen. Dabei wird der Fokus dieser empirischen Untersuchung darauf gerichtet, wie die Stereotypisierung der deutschen Kultur in chinesischen DaF-Lehrwerken für Germanistikstudierende aussieht. Mittels einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse über alle kulturspezifischen Inhalte in den erforschten Lehrwerken stellt sich heraus, dass die DaF-Lehrwerke des chinesischen Germanistikstudiums eine Palette an Stereotypen über die deutsche Kultur aufweisen, wobei die chinesische Perspektive eine gewichtige Rolle spielt. Außerdem wird in den Lehrwerken bei der Herausbildung von Stereotypen ein Schwerpunkt auf das Germanistikstudium sowie das Deutschlernen gelegt. Schließlich stellt die ganze Stereotypisierung in den Lehrwerken ein Wechselspiel vielfältiger Elemente der Lehrwerke dar.
Wie kann der Erwerb von Prosodie bei chinesischen Deutschlernenden gefördert werden?
Authors: LI Xiang
Published: May 2019

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz werden die Bedeutung der Prosodie in der mündlichen Kommunikation hervorgehoben sowie suprasegmentale Ausspracheabweichungen chinesischer Deutschlernender und die muttersprachliche Interferenz durch kontrastive Sprachvergleiche diskutiert. Dazu wurden Erläuterungen und Übungen aus den aktuell am häufigsten verwendeten Lehrbüchern für chinesische DaF-Lernende analysiert. Die prosodischen Unterschiede beider Sprachen, die Relevanz und die Funktionen der Prosodie werden im DaF-Unterricht in großem Maße nicht berücksichtigt, was sich in den untersuchten Lehrwerken und Lehrbüchern zur Phonetik widerspiegelt. Damit der Erwerb der Prosodie bei chinesischen Deutschlernenden gefördert wird, werden in diesem Beitrag praktische Lösungsvorschläge anhand von drei Beispielen präsentiert.
Gender assignment strategies used by L1 and L2 speakers of Spanish
Authors: Martoccio Alyssa
Published: May 2019

This article compares gender assignment on known nouns by intermediate (n=15) and advanced (n=15) second language (L2) learners of Spanish (L1 English) and native Spanish speakers (n=15). Participants completed a written vocabulary task, which asked the meaning and gender of 63 nouns. Gender assignment scores revealed that only intermediate and native speaker groups scored significantly differently on known nouns, as shown by the vocabulary task. Results indicated that intermediate learners assigned the incorrect gender to known nouns significantly more than native speakers. Both L2 learner groups made errors on high frequency known nouns, whereas the few native speaker errors were on low frequency known nouns. Along with think-aloud data which showed the effectiveness of strategies that directly link the noun with its article, these results indicate that nouns need to be taught as units rather than bare nouns, using distributional co-occurrence relations.