bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt Stress-Induced Loss of Iron Oxidoreduction Activities and Reacquisition of That Phenotype Depend on
rus
Operon Transcription in Acidithiobacillus ferridurans
Authors: Bonnefoy Violaine , Grail Barry M. , Johnson D. Barrie
Published: January 2018

The type strain of the mineral-oxidizing acidophilic bacterium
Acidithiobacillus ferridurans
was grown in liquid medium containing elevated concentrations of sodium chloride with hydrogen as electron donor. While it became more tolerant to chloride, after about 1 year, the salt-stressed acidophile was found to have lost its ability to oxidize iron, though not sulfur or hydrogen. Detailed molecular examination revealed that this was due to an insertion sequence, IS
Afd1
, which belongs to the IS
Pepr1
subgroup of the IS
4
family, having been inserted downstream of the two promoters PI and PII of the
rus
operon (which codes for the iron oxidation pathway in this acidophile), thereby preventing its transcription. The ability to oxidize iron was regained on protracted incubation of the culture inoculated onto salt-free solid medium containing ferrous iron and incubated under hydrogen. Two revertant strains were obtained. In one, the insertion sequence IS
Afd1
had been excised, leaving an 11-bp signature, while in the other an ∼2,500-bp insertion sequence (belonging to the IS
66
family) was detected in the downstream inverted repeat of IS
Afd1
. The transcriptional start site of the
rus
operon in the second revertant strain was downstream of the two ISs, due to the creation of a new “hybrid” promoter. The loss and subsequent regaining of the ability of
A. ferridurans
T
to reduce ferric iron were concurrent with those observed for ferrous iron oxidation, suggesting that these two traits are closely linked in this acidophile.

IMPORTANCE
Iron-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria have primary roles in the oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals, a process that underpins commercial mineral-processing biotechnologies (“biomining”). Most of these prokaryotes have relatively low tolerance to chloride, which limits their activities when only saline or brackish waters are available. The study showed that it was possible to adapt a typical iron-oxidizing acidophile to grow in the presence of salt concentrations similar to those in seawater, but in so doing they lost their ability to oxidize iron, though not sulfur or hydrogen. The bacterium regained its capacity for oxidizing iron when the salt stress was removed but simultaneously reverted to tolerating lower concentrations of salt. These results suggest that the bacteria that have the main roles in biomining operations could survive but become ineffective in cases where saline or brackish waters are used for irrigation.
Validation of Active Surveillance Testing for Clostridium difficile Colonization Using the cobas Cdiff Test
Authors: Patel Parul A. , Schora Donna M. , Singh Kamaljit , Peterson Lance R.
Published: January 2018

Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI) is not declining in the United States. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are used as part of active surveillance testing programs to prevent health care-associated infection. The objective of this study was to validate the cobas Cdiff Test on the cobas 4800 System (cobas) within a four-hospital system using prospectively collected perirectal swabs from asymptomatic patients at admission and during monthly intensive care unit (ICU) screening in an infection control CDI reduction program. Performance of the cobas was compared to that of toxigenic culture. Each positive cobas sample and the next following negative patient swab were cultured. The study design gave 273 samples processed by both cobas (137 positive and 136 negative) and culture (one negative swab was not cultured). Discrepant analysis was performed using a second NAAT, the Xpert
C. difficile
Epi test (Xpert). This strategy was compared to a medical record review for antibiotic receipt that would inhibit growth of
C. difficile
in colonic stool. None of the cobas-negative samples were culture positive. The cobas positive predictive value was 75.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.9% to 82%) and positive percent agreement was 100% (95% CI, 96.0% to 100%). Overall agreement between cobas and direct toxigenic culture was 87.6% (95% CI, 83.1% to 91%). For the cobas-positive/culture-negative (discrepant) samples, 7 Xpert-positive samples were from patients receiving inhibitory antimicrobials; only 4 of 23 Xpert-negative samples received these agents (
P
= 0.00006). Our results support use of the cobas as a reliable assay for an active surveillance testing program to detect asymptomatic carriers of toxigenic
C. difficile
.
Stress-Induced Reorganization of the Mycobacterial Membrane Domain
Authors: Hayashi Jennifer M. , Richardson Kirill , Melzer Emily S. , Sandler Steven J. , Aldridge Bree B. , Siegrist M. Sloan , Morita Yasu S.
Published: January 2018

Cell elongation occurs primarily at the mycobacterial cell poles, but the molecular mechanisms governing this spatial regulation remain elusive. We recently reported the presence of an intracellular membrane domain (IMD) that was spatially segregated from the conventional plasma membrane in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. The IMD is enriched in the polar region of actively elongating cells and houses many essential enzymes involved in envelope biosynthesis, suggesting its role in spatially restricted elongation at the cell poles. Here, we examined reorganization of the IMD when the cells are no longer elongating. To monitor the IMD, we used a previously established reporter strain expressing fluorescent IMD markers and grew it to the stationary growth phase or exposed the cells to nutrient starvation. In both cases, the IMD was delocalized from the cell pole and distributed along the sidewall. Importantly, the IMD could still be isolated biochemically by density gradient fractionation, indicating its maintenance as a membrane domain. Chemical and genetic inhibition of peptidoglycan biosynthesis led to the delocalization of the IMD, suggesting the suppression of peptidoglycan biosynthesis as a trigger of spatial IMD rearrangement. Starved cells with a delocalized IMD can resume growth upon nutrient repletion, and polar enrichment of the IMD coincides with the initiation of cell elongation. These data reveal that the IMD is a membrane domain with the unprecedented capability of subcellular repositioning in response to the physiological conditions of the mycobacterial cell.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacteria include medically important species, such as the human tuberculosis pathogen
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. The highly impermeable cell envelope is a hallmark of these microbes, and its biosynthesis is a proven chemotherapeutic target. Despite the accumulating knowledge regarding the biosynthesis of individual envelope components, the regulatory mechanisms behind the coordinated synthesis of the complex cell envelope remain elusive. We previously reported the presence of a metabolically active membrane domain enriched in the elongating poles of actively growing mycobacteria. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of the membrane domain in response to stress have not been examined. Here, we show that the membrane domain is spatially reorganized when growth is inhibited in the stationary growth phase, under nutrient starvation, or in response to perturbation of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Our results suggest that mycobacteria have a mechanism to spatiotemporally coordinate the membrane domain in response to metabolic needs under different growth conditions.
Quality of family relationships and outcomes of dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Edwards Hannah B , Ijaz Sharea , Whiting Penny F , Leach Verity , Richards Alison , Cullum Sarah J , Cheston Richard IL , Savović Jelena
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the association between the quality of relationship between a person with dementia and their family carer and outcomes for the person with dementia.

Design

Systematic review.

Eligibility criteria

Cohort studies of people with clinically diagnosed dementia and their main carers. Exposures of interest were any elements of relationship quality, for example, attachment style, expressed emotion and coping style. Our primary outcome was institutionalisation, and secondary outcomes were hospitalisation, death, quality of life and behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (‘challenging behaviour’).

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library and Opengrey were searched from inception to May 2017.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. A narrative synthesis of results was performed due to differences between studies.

Results

Twenty studies were included. None of the studies controlled for all prespecified confounding factors (age, gender, socioeconomic status and severity of dementia). Reporting of results was inadequate with many studies simply reporting whether associations were ‘statistically significant’ without providing effect size estimates or CIs. There was a suggestion of an association between relationship factors and global challenging behaviour. All studies evaluating global challenging behaviour provided statistical evidence of an association (most P values below 0.02). There was no consistent evidence for an association for any other outcome assessed.

Conclusions

There is currently no strong or consistent evidence on the effects of relationship factors on institutionalisation, hospitalisation, death or quality of life for people with dementia. There was a suggestion of an association between relationship factors and challenging behaviour, although the evidence for this was weak. To improve our ability to support those with dementia and their families, further robust studies are needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015020518.
Validity of self-reported age at menarche in computer-assisted interview among Chinese schoolgirls: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mao Yanyan , Lian Qiguo , Zuo Xiayun , Zhang Yan , Luo Shan , Zhang Shucheng , Tu Xiaowen , Lou Chaohua , Zhou Weijin
Published: January 2018

Objective

The attitudes of girls regarding menarche vary according to their cultural backgrounds. Asian girls may hesitate to discuss menarche. Computer-assisted self-administered interviewing (CASI) is considered a valid and effective tool for investigating the timing of menarche; however, the validity of self-reported menarche data from CASI in Chinese culture is currently unknown. We aimed to validate the status and age of menarche attainment by comparing CASI with face-to-face interviewing (FFI).

Methods

Based on a cross-sectional study, we collected information regarding the status and age of menarche attainment using CASI and FFI among Chinese schoolgirls. We explored the tools of standard epidemiological indices, including sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy to examine the capacity of CASI for correctly classifying the status of menarche. Both Pearson and Spearman correlations were calculated for the correlation of age at menarche using CASI with FFI. A Bland-Altman plot was drawn to measure the agreement between the two interview techniques.

Results

In this study, CASI and FFI were conducted in 3478 schoolgirls with an average age (SD) of 14.3 years (2.46). Menarche attainment was reported in 2496 (71.2%) and 2538 (73.0%) girls using CASI and FFI, respectively. Compared with FFI, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value and the accuracy of CASI were 0.97, 0.80, 0.96 and 0.92, respectively. The correlation of age at menarche between CASI and FFI was 0.728. Approximately >95% and 76.3% of the difference in the age at menarche was within 12 months and 3 months, respectively, between the two interview methods. Among primary schoolgirls in grade 5, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, accuracy and the correlation (0.335) of CASI was lower than those in other subgroups.

Conclusions

Overall, the timing of menarche investigated using CASI was valid among all Chinese schoolgirls, except for those in grade 5 or lower.
The journey through care: study protocol for a longitudinal qualitative interview study to investigate the healthcare experiences and preferences of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families in the West Midlands, UK
Authors: Mitchell Sarah , Slowther Anne-Marie , Coad Jane , Dale Jeremy
Published: January 2018

Introduction

The number of children and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions is rising. Providing high-quality, responsive healthcare for them and for their families presents a significant challenge. Their conditions are often complex and highly unpredictable. Palliative care is advocated for people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, but these services for children are highly variable in terms of availability and scope. Little is known about the lived experiences and preferences of children and their families in terms of the palliative care that they do, or do not, receive. This study aims to produce an in-depth insight into the experiences and preferences of such children and families in order to develop recommendations for the future provision of services. The study will be carried out in the West Midlands, UK.

Methods and analysis

A qualitative study comprising longitudinal interviews over a 12-month period with children (aged 5–18 years) living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their family members. Data analysis will start with thematic analysis, followed by narrative and cross-case analysis to examine changing experiences and preferences over time, at the family level and within the wider healthcare system. Patient and public involvement (PPI) has informed the design and conduct of the study. Findings will be used to develop recommendations for an integrated model of palliative care for children in partnership with the patient and public involvement (PPI) group.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted in September 2016 by the National Health Service Health Research Authority (IRAS ID: 196816, REC reference: 16/WM/0272). Findings will be of immediate relevance to healthcare providers, policy-makers, commissioners and voluntary sector organisations in the UK and internationally. Reports will be prepared for these audiences, as well as for children and their families, alongside academic outputs.
Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST): a prospective study of determinants and pregnancy outcomes of maternal glycaemia in Malaysia
Authors: Yong Heng Yaw , Mohd Shariff Zalilah , Rejali Zulida , Mohd Yusof Barakatun Nisak , Yasmin Farah , Palaniveloo Lalitha
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hyperglycaemia less severe than GDM are associated with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We describe the study design of a prospective cohort of pregnant women recruited in early pregnancy with follow-ups of mothers and infants up to 2 years after birth. The primary aim of the study was to identify the determinants and outcomes of maternal glycaemia.

Methods and analysis

Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST) is an ongoing prospective cohort study in which eligible pregnant women in first trimester (<10 weeks of gestation) are recruited from Maternal and Child Health clinics in Seremban District, Negeri Sembilan with seven follow-ups during pregnancy through 2 years postnatally. Infants are followed up every 6 months after birth until 2 years old. A standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test is performed between 24 and 32 of weeks of gestation and as close to 28 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy and birth information are obtained from medical records. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, dietary, physical activity, smoking, depression, child feeding and other data of mothers and infants are obtained at follow-ups.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM/FPSK/100-9/2-MJKEtika) and MREC, Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM/NIHSEC/08/0804/P12- 613). Permission to conduct this study is also obtained from the Head of Seremban District Health Office. All participants are required to provide written informed consent prior to data collection. The research findings will be disseminated at journals and conference presentations.
Engaging older people in an internet platform for cardiovascular risk self-management: a qualitative study among Dutch HATICE participants
Authors: van Middelaar Tessa , Beishuizen Cathrien R L , Guillemont Juliette , Barbera Mariagnese , Richard Edo , Moll van Charante Eric P
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To study older peoples’ experiences with an interactive internet platform for cardiovascular self-management, to assess which factors influence initial and sustained engagement. To assess their views on future use within primary care.

Design

Qualitative semistructured interview study, with thematic analysis.

Setting

Primary care in the Netherlands.

Participants

People ≥65 years with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease who used the ‘Healthy Ageing Through Internet Counselling in the Elderly’ internet platform with remote support of a coach. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method based on gender, age, level of education, cardiovascular history, diabetes, duration of participation and login frequency.

Results

We performed 17 interviews with 20 participants, including three couples. In the initial phase, platform engagement was influenced by perceived computer literacy of the participants, user-friendliness, acceptability and appropriateness of the intervention and the initial interaction with the coach. Sustained platform use was mainly facilitated by a relationship of trust with the coach. Other facilitating factors were regular automatic and personal reminders, clear expectations of the platform, incorporation into daily routine, social support and a loyal and persistent attitude. Perceived lack of change in content of the platform could work both stimulating and discouraging. Participants supported the idea of embedding the platform into the primary care setting.

Conclusions

Human support is crucial to initial and sustained engagement of older people in using an interactive internet platform for cardiovascular self-management. Regular reminders further facilitate sustained use, and increased tailoring to personal preference is recommended. Embedding the platform in primary healthcare may enhance future adoption.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN48151589; Pre-results.
Patient experience of general practice and use of emergency hospital services in England: regression analysis of national cross-sectional time series data
Authors: Cowling Thomas E , Majeed Azeem , Harris Matthew J
Published: January 2018

Background

The UK Government has introduced several national policies to improve access to primary care. We examined associations between patient experience of general practice and rates of visits to accident and emergency (A&E) departments and emergency hospital admissions in England.

Methods

The study included 8124 general practices between 2011–2012 and 2013–2014. Outcome measures were annual rates of A&E visits and emergency admissions by general practice population, according to administrative hospital records. Explanatory variables included three patient experience measures from the General Practice Patient Survey: practice-level means of experience of making an appointment, satisfaction with opening hours and overall experience (on 0–100 scales). The main analysis used random-effects Poisson regression for cross-sectional time series. Five sensitivity analyses examined changes in model specification.

Results

Mean practice-level rates of A&E visits and emergency admissions increased from 2011–2012 to 2013–2014 (310.3–324.4 and 98.8–102.9 per 1000 patients). Each patient experience measure decreased; for example, mean satisfaction with opening hours was 79.4 in 2011–2012 and 76.6 in 2013–2014. In the adjusted regression analysis, an SD increase in experience of making appointments (equal to 9 points) predicted decreases of 1.8% (95% CI −2.4% to −1.2%) in A&E visit rates and 1.4% (95% CI −1.9% to −0.9%) in admission rates. This equalled 301 174 fewer A&E visits and 74 610 fewer admissions nationally per year. Satisfaction with opening hours and overall experience were not consistently associated with either outcome measure across the main and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Associations between patient experience of general practice and use of emergency hospital services were small or inconsistent. In England, realistic short-term improvements in patient experience of general practice may only have modest effects on A&E visits and emergency admissions.
Characterization of FtsY, its interaction with Ffh, and proteomic identification of their potential substrates in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Venkatesan Arunkumar , Palaniyandi Kannan , Sharma Divakar , Bisht Deepa , Narayanan Sujatha
Published: January 2018

The universally conserved signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway that mediates co-translational targeting of membrane and secretory proteins is essential for eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis SRP pathway consists of 2 proteins, Ffh and FtsY, and a 4.5S RNA molecule. Although the Escherichia coli SRP pathway is well studied, understanding of the M. tuberculosis SRP pathway components is very limited. In this study, we have overexpressed and characterized the M. tuberculosis SRP receptor (SR) FtsY as a GTP binding protein. Further, we established the direct protein–protein interaction between Ffh and FtsY. The Ffh–FtsY complex formation resulted in mutual stimulation of their GTP hydrolysis activity. We also attempted to biochemically characterize the SRP components by constructing the antisense gene knockdown strains of ffh and ftsY in M. tuberculosis. Loss of ffh and ftsY resulted in a decreased in vitro growth rate of the antisense ffh strain as compared with the antisense ftsY strain. Finally, 2-D gel electrophoresis of antisense depleted ffh and ftsY strains identified differential expression of 14 proteins.
Renormalization and radiative corrections to masses in a general Yukawa model
Authors: Fox M. , Grimus W. , Löschner M.
Published: January 2018

We consider a model with arbitrary numbers of Majorana fermion fields and real scalar fields [Formula: see text], general Yukawa couplings and a [Formula: see text] symmetry that forbids linear and trilinear terms in the scalar potential. Moreover, fermions become massive only after spontaneous symmetry breaking of the [Formula: see text] symmetry by vacuum expectation values (VEVs) of the [Formula: see text]. Introducing the shifted fields [Formula: see text] whose VEVs vanish, [Formula: see text] renormalization of the parameters of the unbroken theory suffices to make the theory finite. However, in this way, beyond tree level it is necessary to perform finite shifts of the tree-level VEVs, induced by the finite parts of the tadpole diagrams, in order to ensure vanishing one-point functions of the [Formula: see text]. Moreover, adapting the renormalization scheme to a situation with many scalars and VEVs, we consider the physical fermion and scalar masses as derived quantities, i.e. as functions of the coupling constants and VEVs. Consequently, the masses have to be computed order by order in a perturbative expansion. In this scheme, we compute the self-energies of fermions and bosons and show how to obtain the respective one-loop contributions to the tree-level masses. Furthermore, we discuss the modification of our results in the case of Dirac fermions and investigate, by way of an example, the effects of a flavor symmetry group.
A Study of Impact Point Detecting Method Based on Seismic Signal
Authors: Huo Pengju , Zhang Yu , Xu Lina , Huang Yong
Published: January 2018

The projectile landing position has to be determined for its recovery and range in the targeting test. In this paper, a global search method based on the velocity variance is proposed. In order to verify the applicability of this method, simulation analysis within the scope of four million square meters has been conducted in the same array structure of the commonly used linear positioning method, and MATLAB was used to compare and analyze the two methods. The compared simulation results show that the global search method based on the speed of variance has high positioning accuracy and stability, which can meet the needs of impact point location.
Modified Dynamic Time Warping Based on Direction Similarity for Fast Gesture Recognition
Authors: Choi Hyo-Rim , Kim TaeYong
Published: January 2018

We propose a modified dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm that compares gesture-position sequences based on the direction of the gestural movement. Standard DTW does not specifically consider the two-dimensional characteristic of the user’s movement. Therefore, in gesture recognition, the sequence comparison by standard DTW needs to be improved. The proposed gesture-recognition system compares the sequences of the input gesture’s position with gesture positions saved in the database and selects the most similar gesture by filtering out unrelated gestures. The suggested algorithm uses the cosine similarity of the movement direction at each moment to calculate the difference and reflects the characteristics of the gesture movement by using the ratio of the Euclidean distance and the proportional distance to the calculated difference. Selective spline interpolation assists in solving the issue of recognition-decline at instances of gestures. Through experiments with public databases (MSRC-12 and G3D), the suggested algorithm revealed an improved performance on both databases compared to other methods.
Digital Clubbing Is Associated with Higher Serum KL-6 Levels and Lower Pulmonary Function in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Shiraishi Kazushige , Jinta Torahiko , Nishimura Naoki , Nakaoka Hiroshi , Tsugitomi Ryosuke , Okafuji Kohei , Kitamura Atsushi , Tomishima Yutaka , Deshpande Gautam A. , Tamura Tomohide
Published: January 2018

Background. Although digital clubbing is a common presentation in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), little has been reported regarding its role in assessing patients with ILD. This study evaluated patients with ILD for the presence of clubbing and investigated its association with clinical data. Methods. We evaluated patients with ILD who visited the teaching hospital at which the study was conducted, between October 2014 and January 2015. Clubbing, evaluated using a Vernier caliper for individual patients, was defined as a phalangeal depth ratio > 1. We examined the association of clubbing with clinical data. Results. Of 102 patients with ILD, we identified 17 (16.7%) with clubbing. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood was lower (65.2 ± 5.9 mmHg versus 80.2 ± 3.1 mmHg; p=0.03), serum Krebs von den Lugen-6 (KL-6) levels were higher (1495.0 ± 277.4 U/mL versus 839.1 ± 70.2 U/mL; p=0.001), and the percent predicted diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide was lower (50.0 ± 6.0 versus 73.5 ± 3.1; p=0.002) in these patients with clubbing. Conclusions. Patients with clubbing had lower oxygen levels, higher serum KL-6 levels, and lower pulmonary function than those without clubbing.
A Novel Hybrid Algorithm for Solving Multiobjective Optimization Problems with Engineering Applications
Authors: Fan Lulu , Yoshino Tatsuo , Xu Tao , Lin Ye , Liu Huan
Published: January 2018

An effective hybrid algorithm is proposed for solving multiobjective optimization engineering problems with inequality constraints. The weighted sum technique and BFGS quasi-Newton’s method are combined to determine a descent search direction for solving multiobjective optimization problems. To improve the computational efficiency and maintain rapid convergence, a cautious BFGS iterative format is utilized to approximate the Hessian matrices of the objective functions instead of evaluating them exactly. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through a comparison study, which is based on numerical examples. Meanwhile, we propose an effective multiobjective optimization strategy based on the algorithm in conjunction with the surrogate model method. This proposed strategy has been applied to the crashworthiness design of the primary energy absorption device’s crash box structure and front rail under low-speed frontal collision. The optimal results demonstrate that the proposed methodology is promising in solving multiobjective optimization problems in engineering practice.
Feasibility and Safety of Pleuroscopic Cryobiopsy of the Pleura: A Prospective Study
Authors: Chen Chia-Hung , Cheng Wen-Chien , Wu Biing-Ru , Chen Chih-Yu , Chen Wei-Chun , Liao Wei-Chih , Tu Chih-Yen
Published: January 2018

Background. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the feasibility and safety of taking biopsy specimens by cryoprobe from the parietal pleura during semirigid pleuroscope.Methods. In a single-center, observational, prospective study, patients with exudative pleural effusion (EPE) were evaluated with a semirigid pleuroscope between January 2015 and July 2017. Each patient underwent pleural biopsy using flexible forceps and flexible cryoprobe through pleuroscope following diagnostic thoracentesis and closed pleural biopsy (CPB).Results. A total of 92 patients (median age 64 years) were included in the study, most of whom were men (65.2%). Cytological cell block (CCB) and CPB made definitive diagnoses in 32/92 (34.8%) and 25/92 (27.5%), respectively; flexible forceps biopsy (FFB) and cryoprobe biopsy (CB) established definitive diagnoses in 84/92 (91.3%) and 91/92 (98.9%), respectively. The sample obtained by CB (9.4 ± 4.9 mm) was significantly larger than the other two methods: FFB (4.2 ± 2.3 mm) or CPB (1.9 ± 1.0 mm) (P<0.0001). The immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was more easily performed with CB (98.9%) compared to either FFB (87.0%) or CPB (13.0%). There were no significant complications or procedure-related deaths.Conclusions. Based on these results, CB during semirigid pleuroscope has a high diagnostic yield, differentiating EPE of unknown etiology with satisfactory effectiveness and safety.
Incremental Graph Pattern Matching Algorithm for Big Graph Data
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Gao Jianliang
Published: January 2018

Graph pattern matching is widely used in big data applications. However, real-world graphs are usually huge and dynamic. A small change in the data graph or pattern graph could cause serious computing cost. Incremental graph matching algorithms can avoid recomputing on the whole graph and reduce the computing cost when the data graph or the pattern graph is updated. The existing incremental algorithm PGC_IncGPM can effectively reduce matching time when no more than half edges of the pattern graph are updated. However, as the number of changed edges increases, the improvement of PGC_IncGPM gradually decreases. To solve this problem, an improved algorithm iDeltaP_IncGPM is developed in this paper. For multiple insertions (resp., deletions) on pattern graphs, iDeltaP_IncGPM determines the nodes’ matching state detection sequence and processes them together. Experimental results show that iDeltaP_IncGPM has higher efficiency and wider application range than PGC_IncGPM.
A Mathematical Bridge between Discretized Gauge Theories in Quantum Physics and Approximate Reasoning in Pairwise Comparisons
Authors: Magnot Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2018

We describe a mathematical link between aspects of information theory, called pairwise comparisons, and discretized gauge theories. The link is made by the notion of holonomy along the edges of a simplex. This correspondence leads to open questions in both fields.
Phenotypic Variation in 46,XX Disorders of Sex Development due to the NR5A1 p.R92W Variant: A Sibling Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Takasawa Kei , Igarashi Maki , Ono Makoto , Takemoto Akira , Takada Shuji , Yamataka Atsuyuki , Ogata Tsutomu , Morio Tomohiro , Fukami Maki , Kashimada Kenichi
Published: January 2018

Recently, a heterozygous missense mutation in NR5A1, p.R92W, was identified as a cause of 46,XX testicular/ovo-testicular disorders of sexual development (DSD). We report a sibling pair with 46,XX DSD due to an NR5A1 mutation with distinct phenotypes, including external and internal genitalia and gonads, for whom different rearing sexes were selected. Thus, the phenotypes of p.R92W vary, even within a family. The father of the patients showed oligozoospermia with the p.R92W mutation, suggesting that in 46,XY individuals, the mutation would cause various gonadal phenotypes. We review and discuss the general role of the R92W mutation in sexual development.
‘Stabilising the Balkans’
Authors: Mulaj Jeta
Published: January 2018

This review essay discusses Welcome to the Desert of Post-Socialism: Radical Politics After Yugoslavia. This volume, edited by Srećko Horvat and Igor Štiks, critiques a reductive neoliberal narrative regarding the Balkans in relation to Western Europe by examining the disastrous consequences of the transition of post-socialist countries to capitalism. The volume provides a critical engagement with socialist Yugoslavia and an affirmation of the possibilities of radical anti-capitalist struggles. This review examines the critique of transition politics by focusing on concepts of stability, racism and questions of temporality.
Making Revolutionary Fire
Authors: Ritchie Genevieve B.
Published: January 2018

The edited collectionMarxism and Feminismtraces both the conceptual divides and political affinities between feminism and Marxism. Utilising a keywords-, or core-concepts approach, the book fleshes out the tensions and contradictions that organise and orient Marxist and feminist theories and practices of social transformation. The concepts discussed inMarxism and Feminismdo not try to bridge divergent theories of exploitation or oppression; rather the tensions between feminism and Marxism are used to generate new terrains of investigation. Although the topics discussed vary widely, the book is held together by a commitment to dialectical-materialist investigation and revolutionary social transformation.
A checklist and adult key to the Chinese stonefly (Plecoptera) genera
Authors: CHEN ZHI-TENG , DU YU-ZHOU
Published: January 2018

The first checklist of the known stonefly genera of China is presented. Using relevant literature and available specimens, a diagnostic key to the ten families representing 65 genera is provided. In addition, illustrations for the key characters are provided.
Multidecadal Variability in Global Surface Temperatures Related to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Stolpe Martin B. , Medhaug Iselin , Sedláček Jan , Knutti Reto
Published: January 2018

Multidecadal internal climate variability centered in the North Atlantic is evident in sea surface temperatures and is assumed to be related to variations in the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). In this study, the extent to which variations in the AMOC may also alter hemispheric and global surface air temperature trends and ocean heat content during the past century is examined.

Forty-seven realizations of the twentieth-century climate change from two large ensembles using the Community Earth System Model (CESM) are analyzed. One of the ensembles shows a much wider spread in global mean surface air temperature between its members. This ensemble simulates diverging trends of the AMOC strength during the twentieth century. The presence and strength of deep convection in the Labrador Sea controls these trends. The AMOC strength influences the air–sea heat flux into the high-latitude ocean, where a strengthening of the AMOC leads to decreased storage of heat in the Atlantic, and a larger fraction of the heat taken up by the global ocean accumulates in the top 300 m, compared to the case of a weakening AMOC. The spread in the amount of heat stored in the global ocean below 300 m is similar across the CESM members as in a set of CMIP5 models, confirming the AMOC as a “control knob” on deep-ocean heat storage. By influencing the ocean heat uptake efficiency and by shifting the pattern of heat uptake, global surface air temperatures are significantly altered on a multidecadal time scale by AMOC variability.
Postdisaster Reconstruction as a Cause of Intrastate Violence: An Instrumental Variable Analysis with Application to the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kikuta Kyosuke
Published: January 2018

Despite growing concerns about the effects of environmental changes, we only have disparate and seemingly contradictory findings about the relationship between natural disasters and intrastate violence. This article addresses that problem by introducing postdisaster reconstruction as a primary explanatory variable for intrastate violence. I extend bargaining theory to predict that postdisaster reconstruction causes a commitment problem, which in turn incentivizes warring parties to fight for the strategic opportunities of reconstruction. Using an instrumental variable approach, I provide an empirical test with a subnational data set for Sri Lanka before and after the 2004 Tsunami. Consistent with my expectations, housing reconstruction increased the number of violent events, while housing destruction had no discernible impact on violence.
Lifesaving in Every Way: The Role of Companion Animals in the Lives of Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adults Age 50 and Over
Authors: Muraco Anna , Putney Jennifer , Shiu Chengshi , Fredriksen-Goldsen Karen I.
Published: January 2018

This study uses mixed-methods data and a life-course perspective to explore the role of pets in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults age 50 and over and addresses the following research questions: (1) How does having a pet relate to perceived social support and social network size? and (2) how do LGBT older adults describe the meaning of pets in their lives? The qualitative data ( N = 59) were collected from face-to-face interviews, and the quantitative data ( N = 2,560) were collected via surveys from a sample across the United States. Qualitative findings show that pets are characterized as kin and companions and provide support; we also explore why participants do not have pets. The quantitative findings show that LGBT older adults with a pet had higher perceived social support; those with a disability and limited social network size, who had a pet had significantly higher perceived social support than those without a pet.
A Toxicological Assessment of Creatyl-l-Leucine
Authors: Reddeman Robin A. , Glávits Róbert , Endres John R. , Murbach Timothy S. , Hirka Gábor , Vértesi Adél , Béres Erzsébet , Szakonyiné Ilona Pasics
Published: January 2018

A battery of toxicological studies was conducted to investigate the genotoxicity and repeated-dose oral toxicity of creatyl-l-leucine, a synthetic compound, in rats in accordance with internationally accepted guidelines. There was no evidence of mutagenicity in a bacterial reverse mutation test and in an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test. There was no genotoxic activity observed in an in vivo mammalian micronucleus test at concentrations up to the limit dose of 2,000 mg/kg bw/d. Creatyl-l-leucine did not cause mortality or toxic effects in Hsd.Han Wistar rats in a 90-day repeated-dose oral (gavage) toxicity study at doses of 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg bw/d. The no observed adverse effect level from the 90-day study was determined to be 5,000 mg/kg bw/d, the highest dose tested, for both male and female rats.
Role of Risk of Bias in Systematic Review for Chemical Risk Assessment: A Case Study in Understanding the Relationship Between Congenital Heart Defects and Exposures to Trichloroethylene
Authors: Wikoff Daniele , Urban Jon D. , Harvey Seneca , Haws Laurie C.
Published: January 2018

The National Academy of Science has recommended that a risk of bias (RoB; credibility of the link between exposure and outcome) assessment be conducted on studies that are used as primary data sources for hazard identification and dose–response assessment. Few applications of such have been conducted. Using trichloroethylene and congenital heart defects (CHDs) as a case study, we explore the role of RoB in chemical risk assessment using the National Toxicology Program’s Office of Health Assessment and Translation RoB tool. Selected questions were tailored to evaluation of CHD and then applied to 12 experimental animal studies and 9 epidemiological studies. Results demonstrated that the inconsistent findings of a single animal study were likely explained by the limitations in study design assessed via RoB (eg, lack of concurrent controls, unvalidated method for assessing outcome, unreliable statistical methods, etc). Such limitations considered in the context of the body of evidence render the study not sufficiently reliable for the development of toxicity reference values. The case study highlights the utility of RoB as part of a robust risk assessment process and specifically demonstrates the role RoB can play in objectively selecting candidate data sets to develop toxicity values.
If you can beat them, confront them: Party-level analysis of opposition behavior in European national parliaments
Authors: Tuttnauer Or
Published: January 2018

This article explains the variation in opposition behavior by investigating parliamentary voting of opposition parties across 16 European national parliaments. It finds that features of an opposition party that increase its likelihood of winning office in future elections—its size and experience in government—increase the party’s tendency toward confrontation with the government, as do features that increase the party’s need to differentiate itself from the government. At the systemic level, features that increase the attractiveness of cooperation—such as an open structure of competition and considerable influence of the opposition on parliamentary decision-making—decrease tendencies toward confrontation. Together, party-specific and systemic features explain two-thirds of the observed variation in the behavior of opposition parties, even without controlling for vote-specific factors.
Vitamin A–coupled liposomes containing siRNA against HSP47 ameliorate skin fibrosis in chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Yamakawa Tomohiro , Ohigashi Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Daigo , Hayase Eiko , Takahashi Shuichiro , Miyazaki Miyono , Minomi Kenjiro , Onozawa Masahiro , Niitsu Yoshiro , Teshima Takanori
Published: January 2018

Key Points

HSP47+ myofibroblasts are accumulated in the fibrotic lesions of chronic GVHD and promote fibrosis in a CSF-1R+ macrophage-dependent manner. Vitamin A–coupled liposomes containing HSP47 siRNA abrogate HSP47 expression in myofibroblasts and ameliorate fibrosis in chronic GVHD.
Constraining electric resistivity tomography by direct push electric conductivity logs and vibracores: An exemplary study of the Fiume Morto silted riverbed (Ostia Antica, western Italy)
Authors: Wunderlich Tina , Fischer Peter , Wilken Dennis , Hadler Hanna , Erkul Ercan , Mecking Rebekka , Günther Thomas , Heinzelmann Michael , Vött Andreas , Rabbel Wolfgang
Published: January 2018

The inversion of geoelectric data is nonunique. Therefore, electric resistivity tomography (ERT) usually results in different subsurface models that fit observed apparent resistivity values equally well. To reduce the uncertainty, constraints on the geometry and resistivity of subsurface structures can be incorporated into the ERT inversion. We test different ways of constraining ERT by applying (1) improved starting models, (2) structural constraints, and (3) structural and resistivity constraints. A priori information is needed for these approaches, which is acquired from direct push electrical conductivity (DP-EC) logs and vibracores in our study. We found that adapting high vertical resolution of DP-EC logs to coarser ERT resolution requires blocking of the logs. These blocked logs can be used for constraining the ERT inversion with resistivity and structural constraints along so-called regions around the log locations, which was found to be the best approach. In this case, ground truthing with additional DP-EC logs that were not used for constraining showed the lowest root-mean-square error between logs and ERT model.
Two-way wave equation-based depth migration using one-way propagators on a bilayer sensor seismic acquisition system
Authors: You Jiachun , Wu Ru-Shan , Liu Xuewei , Zhang Pan , Han Wengong , Zhang Guangde
Published: January 2018

Conventional migration uses the seismic data set recorded at a given depth as one initial condition from which to implement wavefield extrapolation in the depth domain. In using only one initial condition to solve the second-order acoustic wave equation, some approximations are used, resulting in the limitation of imaging angles and inaccurate imaging amplitudes. We use an over/under bilayer sensor seismic data acquisition system that can provide the two initial conditions required to make the second-order acoustic wave equation solvable in the depth domain, and we develop a two-way wave equation depth migration algorithm by adopting concepts from one-way propagators, called bilayer sensor migration. In this new migration method, two-way wave depth extrapolation can be achieved with two one-way propagators by combining the wavefields at two different depths. It makes it possible to integrate the advantages of one-way migration methods into the bilayer sensor system. More detailed bilayer sensor migration methods are proposed to demonstrate the feasibility. In the impulse response tests, the propagating angle of the bilayer sensor migration method can reach up to 90°, which is superior to those of the corresponding one-way propagators. To test the performance, several migration methods are used to image the salt model, including the one-way generalized screen propagator, reverse time migration (RTM), and our bilayer sensor migration methods. Bilayer sensor migration methods are capable of imaging steeply dipping structures, unlike one-way propagators; meanwhile, bilayer sensor migration methods can greatly reduce the numbers of artifacts generated by salt multiples in RTM.
Computing near-surface velocity models for S-wave static corrections using raypath interferometry
Authors: Cova Raul , Henley David , Innanen Kristopher A.
Published: January 2018

A near-surface velocity model is one of the typical products generated when computing static corrections, particularly in the processing of PP data. Critically refracted waves are the input usually needed for this process. In addition, for the converted PS mode, S-wave near-surface corrections must be applied at the receiver locations. In this case, however, critically refracted S-waves are difficult to identify when using P-wave energy sources. We use the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] representation of the converted-wave data to capture the intercept-time differences between receiver locations. These [Formula: see text]-differences are then used in the inversion of a near-surface S-wave velocity model. Our processing workflow provides not only a set of raypath-dependent S-wave static corrections, but also a velocity model that is based on those corrections. Our computed near-surface S-wave velocity model can be used for building migration velocity models or to initialize elastic full-waveform inversions. Our tests on synthetic and field data provided superior results to those obtained by using a surface-consistent solution.