bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steady Darcian Flow in Subsurface Irrigation of Topsoil Impeded by a Substratum: Kornev–Riesenkampf–Philip Legacies Revisited
Authors: Obnosov Yu.V. , Kacimov A.R.
Published: February 2018

Flows in homogeneous topsoils with a subjacent substratum or horizontal groundwater table generated by line‐point emitters are studied and tracked back to the Kornev method of subsurface irrigation. Laplace's equation governs flow in a saturated or tension‐saturated hat‐shaped zone subtended by the substratum, provided pressure in a porous pipe or mole hole is positive. For low capillarity a free surface (phreatic line or capillary fringe) and a layer–substratum interface of a constant vertical component of velocity bound the flow domain. The free surface is found for various values of source strengths, emitter elevation above the substratum and the ratio of hydraulic conductivities of the topsoil and substratum. Subcritical and supercritical regimes are distinguished. In the limit of an impermeable substratum, the Riesenkampf solution for a line source is analysed. In soils of high capillarity, the J.R. Philip model of a point source and ‘exponential mirror principle’ give a series solution for a vertical array of alternating sources and sinks. Four topological situations emerge, depending on the layer thicknesses, topsoil potential, source depths strengths, saturated conductivity and sorptive number. The point source, groundwater table and soil surface are hydrologically intertwined, with formation of dividing surfaces (separatrices) and critical lines. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Drug–Drug Interaction Profile of Presatovir
Authors: Xin Yan , Weng Winnie , Murray Bernard P. , Eisenberg Eugene J. , Chien Jason W. , Ling John , Silverman Jeffrey A.
Published: February 2018

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. Presatovir (previously GS‐5806) is a novel, orally administered RSV fusion inhibitor with a favorable safety profile and proven antiviral efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. In vitro, presatovir is a substrate of the efflux transporters P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and hepatic uptake transporters organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and OATP1B3 and is slowly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP3A5. This study enrolled 64 healthy subjects to evaluate the effect of cyclosporine, a P‐gp, BCRP, and OATP1B1/1B3 inhibitor; rifampin, a strong CYP3A4 and P‐gp inducer; efavirenz, a moderate CYP3A4 inducer; and cobicistat, a potent CYP3A inhibitor, on presatovir pharmacokinetics. Presatovir plasma exposures (maximum observed plasma concentration [Cmax] and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity [AUCinf]) were not affected by coadministration of cyclosporine, suggesting presatovir is not a sensitive substrate of P‐gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1/1B3. As expected, based on the role of CYP3A in presatovir metabolism, presatovir exposure was increased by cobicistat (122% in AUCinf), and decreased by rifampin (40.3% in Cmax and 82.5% in AUCinf) and efavirenz (55.7% in AUCinf). These data support coadministration of presatovir with inhibitors of P‐gp, BCRP, OATP1B1/1B3, or CYP3A, but not with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers. Presatovir was well‐tolerated with the most common drug‐related adverse events of dizziness (n = 12) and somnolence (n = 4) reported during efavirenz treatment.
Risk factors for failure of early recovery from pancreatoduodenectomy despite the use of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and a physical aging score to predict postoperative risks
Authors: Kobayashi Shinjiro , Segami Kohei , Hoshino Hiroyuki , Nakahara Kazunari , Katayama Masafumi , Koizumi Satoshi , Otsubo Takehito
Published: February 2018

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are beneficial for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Our aim was to evaluate risk factors associated with ERAS protocol failure after PD.

Methods

Clinical variables of 187 patients managed using ERAS protocols between April 2011 and April 2017, including non‐early recovery (non‐ER) patients, with complications or requiring a hospital stay ≥15 days, and early recovery (ER) patients, were compared. A physical aging (PA) score was devised to predict postoperative risks.

Results

Independent risk factors of complications were a pre‐albumin level ≤18 mg/dl (odds ratio (OR) 2.197; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.052–4.622), and an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥II (OR 2.195; 95% CI 1.052–4.746). Independent risk factors for hospital stay ≥15 days (P < 0.001) were age ≥70 years (OR 2.438; 95% CI 1.122–5.299) and an ASA score ≥II (OR 2.348; 95% CI 1.109–4.968). The PA score included age, ASA score, and pre‐albumin level. The complication rate for each PA score was as follows: score “0”, 12.1%; score “1”, 18.2%; score “2”, 26.9%; score “3”, 30.8%; and score “≥4”, 47.2%.

Conclusions

Advanced age, poor nutrition, and serious illnesses can cause ERAS protocol failure. The PA score is effective for predicting postoperative progress.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Some New Benzo[f]coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Mohamed Khaled S. , Elbialy Engy E.
Published: February 2018

Interaction of 2‐(bromoacetyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (1) with salicylaldehyde afforded 2‐(2‐oxo‐2‐(3H‐benzo[f]coumarin‐2‐yl)ethoxy)benzaldehyde (2) which underwent self‐condensation in refluxing dimethylformamide (DMF) to afford 2‐(2‐benzofuroyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (3). Treatment of 1 with o‐aminothiophenol (4) gave 2‐(2‐((2‐aminophenyl)thio)acetyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (5). Refluxing of 5 in DMF led to formation of 2‐(4H‐[1,4]‐benzothiazin‐3‐yl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (6). Treatment of 1 with aryl amines 7a–d in boiling DMF gave 1‐aryl‐3‐hydroxybenzo[5,6]chromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrol‐4(1H)‐one (10a–d). Condensation of 11 with o‐phenylenediamine gave 2‐(2‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (12). Interaction of 2‐acetyl‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (11) with arylidene malonononitrile gave 4‐hydroxy‐2‐(3H‐benzo[f]coumarin‐2‐yl)‐5H‐dibenzo[c,f]chromen‐5‐one (16). All reaction products were characterized by analytical and spectral data. Novel compounds bioactivity as antitumor were examined for in vitro cytotoxicity against HepG‐2 and MCF‐7.
Suicide in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Li Wei , Abbas Masoom M. , Acharyya Sanchalika , Ng Hwee Lan , Tay Kay Yaw , Au Wing Lok , Tan Louis C. S.
Published: February 2018

Background

Suicide is a potentially preventable event. Suicidal ideation is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), but literature on completed suicides is scarce. In this case‐control study, we compared the clinical characteristics of PD subjects who completed suicide (case) with those who died from natural causes (control).

Methods

PD patients from the National Neurosciences Institute's movement disorders database from 2002 till 2012 were identified. The database was linked to the Singapore National Registry of Disease Office for mortality information, and suicide deaths were confirmed with the coroner's office. The demographic and clinical variables were compared between the cases and controls and the significant factors were further analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

During the study period, 366 deaths were recorded and suicide accounted for 11 deaths. Ten subjects with suicide deaths with complete clinical information were compared with randomly selected 30 PD subjects who had died from natural causes. PD suicide patients were younger (65.9 vs. 74.48 years), had less comorbidities (CWI: 2.6 vs. 4.63), better cognition (MMSE: 25.75 vs. 21.36), lower ‘ON’ UPDRS motor scores (20.83 vs. 41.63), lower H &Y stage (2.16 vs. 3.86), and higher use of Entacapone than the PD non‐suicide group.

Conclusion

Suicide is potentially preventable tragedy. PD patients with the identified clinical characteristics should be closely monitored for suicide ideations. Motor fluctuation is a treatable factor in such patients and should be aggressively managed.
Relationship between cancer‐related traumatic stress and family milestone achievement in adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Tillery Rachel , Beal Sarah J. , Thompson Aimee N. , Pai Ahna L.H.
Published: February 2018

Late physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment pose a burden for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer, including family milestone achievement. This brief report examined links between ongoing cancer‐related post‐traumatic stress symptoms (CR‐PTSS) and family milestone achievement. Survivors (n = 51; Mage = 24.73, SD = 8.20) completed CR‐PTSS and family formation questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, univariate parameter‐constraints, and correlation analyses examined relations among study variables. Ongoing intrusive thoughts and hyperarousal were negatively linked to family identity development and family achievement. Findings from the present study provide support that ongoing CR‐PTSS may be a barrier to family formation.
Mechanical properties and slurry erosion resistance of a hybrid composite SiC foam/SiC particles/EP
Authors: Ren Z.H. , Zheng Y.G. , Jiang C.H. , Cao X.M. , Jin P. , Zhang J.S.
Published: February 2018

A novel hybrid composite SiC foam/SiC particles/EP (denoted as SiCfoam/SiCp/EP), consisting of E‐51 epoxy resin as the matrix, SiC foam and SiC particles as the reinforcements, was prepared in this work. The slurry erosion properties of SiCfoam/SiCp/EP composite and SiCfoam/EP (SiC foam/epoxy resin) composite were investigated by using a rotating disc rig. It was found out that SiCfoam/SiCp/EP exhibited better mechanical and anti‐erosive performance as compared with SiCfoam/EP. SiC particle size had great influence on the mechanical and anti‐erosive properties of the hybrid composites. Smaller SiC particles were beneficial to improve the mechanical strength, but inclined to decrease the anti‐erosive performance of the composite. In general, the hybrid composite SiCfoam/SiCp/EP can be applied potentially with the excellent anti‐erosive performance under the solid particle erosion conditions. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2277–2286, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Plasma Proteomic Signatures in Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Baralla Angela , Fois Alessandro G. , Sotgiu Elisabetta , Zinellu Elisabetta , Mangoni Arduino A. , Sotgia Salvatore , Zinellu Angelo , Pirina Pietro , Carru Ciriaco
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to inhaled noxious particles or gases. We used a proteomic approach with 2‐DE followed by MALDI TOF‐MS analyses in order to identify potential biomarkers in the early stages of the disease: global initiative for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (GOLD) stage mild and moderate.

Experimental design

Blood plasma was collected from 43 patients with mild and moderate COPD as well as from 43 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Proteome analysis was based on 2D‐Page followed by MALDI‐TOF MS identifications. Validation was made on two significant proteins by western blotting.

Results

The analyses revealed 29 between‐group differences in expressed spots, belonging to 20 unique proteins. These proteins are involved in inflammation (haptoglobin, Ig alpha‐1 chain C), blood coagulation and complement pathways (prothrombin, complement 4‐B, ApoH), oxidative stress (ceruloplasmin, vitamin D binding protein, and serotransferrin), and lipoprotein/lipid metabolism (apolipoprotein A‐I, and apolipoprotein E).

Conclusion and clinical relevance

These results indicate that specific proteomic signatures can be detected and useful in terms of treatment selection and in early COPD patient monitoring.
Performance of Preformed Au/Cu Nanoclusters Deposited on MgO Powders in the Catalytic Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol in Solution
Authors: Cai Rongsheng , Ellis Peter R. , Yin Jinlong , Liu Jian , Brown Christopher M. , Griffin Ross , Chang Guojing , Yang Dongjiang , Ren Jun , Cooke Kevin , Bishop Peter T. , Theis Wolfgang , Palmer Richard E.
Published: February 2018

The deposition of preformed nanocluster beams onto suitable supports represents a new paradigm for the precise preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. The performance of the new materials must be validated in model catalytic reactions. It is shown that gold/copper (Au/Cu) nanoalloy clusters (nanoparticles) of variable composition, created by sputtering and gas phase condensation before deposition onto magnesium oxide powders, are highly active for the catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol in solution at room temperature. Au/Cu bimetallic clusters offer decreased catalyst cost compared with pure Au and the prospect of beneficial synergistic effects. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy coupled with aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging confirms that the Au/Cu bimetallic clusters have an alloy structure with Au and Cu atoms randomly located. Reaction rate analysis shows that catalysts with approximately equal amounts of Au and Cu are much more active than Au‐rich or Cu‐rich clusters. Thus, the interplay between the Au and Cu atoms at the cluster surface appears to enhance the catalytic activity substantially, consistent with model density functional theory calculations of molecular binding energies. Moreover, the physically deposited clusters with Au/Cu ratio close to 1 show a 25‐fold higher activity than an Au/Cu reference sample made by chemical impregnation.
The Water‐Sensitive City: Implications of an urban water management paradigm and its globalization
Authors: Bichai Françoise , Cabrera Flamini Andres
Published: February 2018

The urban water management (UWM) community is embracing a paradigm shift to tackle the escalating water stress experienced in several cities globally, as existing challenges are predicted to be exacerbated by climate change and population growth. The term “Water Sensitive City” (WSC) is widely used in literature to describe this new ideal to aim for, where cities will successfully deliver safe and reliable water services to all, now and in the future, in an eco‐friendly manner. This green, long‐term vision implies a large amount of stakeholder coordination and institutional support, as well as participatory community engagement. Examining the foundations and principles of the WSC as well as the experiences in its application, impacts and limitations, particularly in the Global South, provides a space to further contribute to the dynamic field of UWM and governance. This article provides a condensed overview of the WSC approach and related emerging conversations in the urban water sector across a range of disciplines: the objective is to nurture reflection from young professionals entering the field of UWM, but also to offer an opportunity for more experienced scholars and practitioners to take a step back in considering this rising approach from different perspectives.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Predicting Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy: A Single Institution Retrospective Study
Authors: Al Masri Samer , Shaib Yaser , Edelbi Mostapha , Tamim Hani , Jamali Faek , Batley Nicholas , Faraj Walid , Hallal Ali
Published: February 2018

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard surgical treatment for benign gallbladder disease. Nevertheless, conversion to open cholecystectomy (OC) is needed in some cases. The aim of this study is to calculate our institutional conversion rate and to identify the variables that are implicated in increasing the risk of conversion (LC–OC).

Materials and methods

We carried out a retrospective study of all cases of LC performed at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 2000 and 2015. Each (LC–OC) case was randomly matched to a laparoscopically completed case by the same consultant within the same year of practice, as the LC–OC case, in a 1:5 ratio. Forty‐eight parameters were compared between the two study groups.

Results

Forty‐eight out of 4668 LC were converted to OC over the 15‐year study period; the conversion rate in our study was 1.03%. The variables that were found to be most predictive of conversion were male gender, advanced age, prior history of laparotomy, especially in the setting of prior gunshot wound, a history of restrictive or constrictive lung disease and anemia (Hb < 9 g/dl). The most common intraoperative reasons for conversion were perceived difficult anatomy or obscured view secondary to severe adhesions or significant inflammation. Patients who were in the LC–OC arm had a longer length of hospital stay.

Conclusion

Advance age, male gender, significant comorbidities and history of prior laparotomies have a high risk of conversion. Patients with these risk factors should be counseled for the possibility of conversion to open surgery preoperatively. Further research is needed to determine whether these high risks patients should be operated on by surgeons with more extensive experience in minimal invasive surgery.
Re‐examination of the elemental composition of some Caryophyllaceae on North American ultramafic soils
Authors: Reeves Roger D. , Kruckeberg Arthur R.
Published: February 2018

A paper of Kruckeberg et al. (1993) reported the hyperaccumulation of nickel by Arenaria rubella at an ultramafic site at Olivine Bridge in the state of Washington, USA. Several aspects of the publication led the present authors to doubt the reliability of the data, leading to a reinvestigation of the behaviour of this species at this site. Extensive sampling of two species of the Caryophyllaceae, A. rubella and Cerastium arvense, was then carried out at Olivine Bridge in two different years, together with the collection of soil samples. The plant samples were treated in various ways in an attempt to reduce the potential influence of soil contamination. The results of this work indicate that A. rubella and C. arvense both behave in a normal way in respect of their nickel uptake from ultramafic soil. The elements nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium and magnesium have been found at levels only 1/10–1/100 of those reported in the earlier work. The weaknesses in the earlier study have led to a consideration of several aspects of putative nickel hyperaccumulation, especially as applied to species in the Caryophyllaceae. Particularly important are washing procedures, selection of material for analysis, and the use of various criteria for assessing the likelihood of soil contamination of plant samples. A careful re‐examination of several other reported cases of nickel hyperaccumulation by members of the Caryophyllaceae is now recommended.
Magnetism from Fe2O3 nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO2 matrix
Authors: Sendil Kumar A. , Bhatnagar Anil K.
Published: February 2018

Fe2O3 nanoparticles are embedded in amorphous SiO2 matrix by coprecipitation method with varying concentrations. Conditions are optimized to get almost monodispersed Fe2O3 nanoparticles with high chemical stability. Microstructure of synthesized nanoparticles is well characterized and found that Fe2O3 is in nanocrystalline form and embedded uniformly in amorphous SiO2 matrix. Enhanced surface reactivity is found for nanoparticles which influences physical properties of the SiO2 supported Fe2O3 system due to adsorption. In oxide nanoparticles, significant number of defect sites at the surface is expected but when supported medium such as SiO2 it reduces this defect concentration. Field- and temperature-dependent magnetisation studies on these samples show superparamagnetic behaviour. Superparamagnetic behaviour is seen in all the concentration systems but the coercivity observed in the lower concentration systems is found to be anomalous compared to that of higher concentrations. The observed magnetic behaviour comes from either unsaturated bond existing due to the absence of anions at the surface of nanoparticles or reconstruction of atomic orbitals taking place at interface of Fe2O3–SiO2 system.
Resolving conflicts with friends: Adolescents' strategies and reasons behind these strategies
Authors: Tamm Anni , Tulviste Tiia , Urm Ada
Published: February 2018

The study examined adolescents' strategies for managing hypothetical conflicts with the same‐sex best friend and their reasons behind these strategies. The sample included 905 14‐year‐old Estonian adolescents. The findings indicated that negotiation was the most frequently suggested strategy by adolescents. At the same time, adolescents' strategies and reasons strongly depended on the source of conflict. Coercive strategies and self‐oriented reasons were more common in case of severe conflicts that could damage interpersonal relatedness or pose a threat to the attainment of autonomy. Girls reported having conflicts more frequently and suggested more negotiation than boys in all conflict situations. Sex differences did, however, occur only in adolescents' strategies. Boys' and girls' reasons behind their strategies were similar. Implications will be discussed.
Resiliencia, recursos familiares y espirituales en cuidadores de niños con discapacidad
Authors: Huerta Ramírez Yolanda , Rivera Heredia María Elena
Published: February 2018

La discapacidad de un hijo es una condición de vida que produce estrés emocional constante, influye en la interacción familiar, y genera cambiosy crisis en las funciones y roles familiares. De allí la importancia de identificar la resiliencia y los recursos familiares y espirituales que favorecenpositivamente el afrontamiento de la discapacidad. El presente estudio identificó el tipo de correlación existente entre la resiliencia, las relacionesintrafamiliares y los recursos espirituales en cuidadores/as primarios de ni˜nos/as con una discapacidad neuromusculoesquelética del Centro deRehabilitación Infantil Teletón (CRIT) Michoacán. Participaron 154 cuidadores/as primarios, en su mayoría mujeres (85.7%), quienes respondieronla Escala de Recursos Espirituales, la Escala de Evaluación de las Relaciones Intrafamiliares (ERI) y la Escala de Medición de la Resiliencia conMexicanos (RESI-M). Contrario a lo hipotetizado, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los distintos grupos de discapacidad, lo cualindica un perfil homogéneo del cuidador primario; dicho perfil presenta relaciones intrafamiliares positivas, de unión y cercanía, en un ambientefamiliar que se percibe cordial y afectuoso. Se sugiere crear programas de intervención para fortalecer el apoyo familiar, impulsar la participacióne involucramiento de los diferentes miembros de la familia, y así reducir el desgaste de un solo/a cuidador/a primario.© 2018 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Asociación Mexicana de Comportamiento y Salud. Este es un artículo Open Access bajo lalicencia CC BY-NC-ND (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Prevención de burnout y fatiga por compasión: evaluaciónde una intervención grupal
Authors: Marín-Tejeda Miguel
Published: February 2018

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención grupal dise˜nada para disminuir los síntomas de burnout y fatiga porcompasión. A través de un muestreo no probabilístico se seleccionaron 24 participantes voluntarios, 21 mujeres y 3 hombres (promedio de edad de43.5 ± 7.9 a˜nos), quienes ejercían funciones directivas en organizaciones que atienden a población en condiciones de vulnerabilidad. Por cuota, seformaron 3 grupos terapéuticos independientes de 8 participantes cada uno y se administró un paquete de instrumentos para medir burnout, fatigapor compasión, depresión y ansiedad en 3 momentos: línea base, postratamiento y seguimiento a los 3 meses. La intervención fue preventiva y con2 ejes: uno terapéutico (terapia grupal interpersonal con componentes cognitivo-conductuales) y otro psicoeducativo; fue implementada por el autora través de 20 sesiones quincenales de 3 h cada una más una sesión adicional de seguimiento. Se observó una disminución significativa (p < 0.05) ensíntomas de agotamiento emocional, depresión, burnout y ansiedad, cambio que se mantuvo estable en las 2 primeras variables después de 3 meses.En conclusión, la intervención grupal fue eficiente y específica para disminuir síntomas clave de desgaste en profesionales que experimentan altosgrados de estrés laboral.© 2018 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Asociación Mexicana de Comportamiento y Salud. Este es un artículo Open Access bajo lalicencia CC BY-NC-ND (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Self-similar kinematics among efficient slender swimmers
Authors: Wiens A. J. , Hosoi A. E.
Published: February 2018

We present an analysis of efficient undulatory propulsion for slender animals swimming at high Reynolds number. Using Lighthill’s large-amplitude elongated-body theory, we show that optimally efficient swimming kinematics can be characterized through a single dimensionless variable$\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}$. This variable,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}$, is defined by a simple function of a swimming animal’s body wave properties. Physically,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}$characterizes how the velocity of an animal’s tail varies throughout its swimming stroke. Lighthill’s model predicts that swimming efficiency is near optimal in the range$0.3<\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}<1.0$and peaks at$\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}=0.87$. At this point, the average magnitude of the tail velocity is minimized and swimming kinematics are tuned such that the thrust coefficient is as close to constant as possible throughout the swimming stroke. We use a compiled dataset of over 250 unique measurements to show that species across a wide range of size and shape fall within the optimal region.
A clinimetric analysis of a BPRS-6 scale for schizophrenia severity
Authors: Bech Per , Austin Stephen F , Timmerby Nina , Ban Thomas A , Møller Stine Bjerrum
Published: February 2018

Objective

A restricted Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-6) with the six schizophrenia specific items from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) has been investigated. These six items from the PANSS have recently been found to have both clinical validity and ‘unidimensionality’ in measuring the severity of schizophrenic states. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical validity of the BPRS-6. The secondary objective was to evaluate the ‘unidimensionality’ of the BPRS-6 by an ‘item response theory’ model.

Methods

The BPRS-6 was scored independently by two psychiatrists and two psychologists while viewing six open-ended videotaped interviews in patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of schizophrenia. The interviews were conducted by Heinz E. Lehmann, an experienced psychiatrist. They were focused on the psychopathology that contributed most to the ‘severity’ of the patient’s clinical state.

Results

The BPRS-6 with three positive symptoms (delusions, conceptual disorganisation, hallucinations) and three negative symptoms (blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, poverty of speech) was found to be clinically valid and captured the variables that contribute most to the severity of schizophrenia. The BPRS-6 was also found to have acceptable ‘unidimensionality’ (coefficient of homogeneity 0.45) and inter-rater reliability (inter-class-coefficient 0.81).

Conclusion

The BPRS-6 was found to capture the information that translates into the severity of schizophrenia. It has also acceptable psychometric validity.
ON THE ASSOCIATED PRIMES OF LOCAL COHOMOLOGY
Authors: DAO HAILONG , QUY PHAM HUNG
Published: February 2018

Let $R$ be a commutative Noetherian ring of prime characteristic $p$. In this paper, we give a short proof using filter regular sequences that the set of associated prime ideals of $H_{I}^{t}(R)$ is finite for any ideal $I$ and for any $t\geqslant 0$ when $R$ has finite $F$-representation type or finite singular locus. This extends a previous result by Takagi–Takahashi and gives affirmative answers for a problem of Huneke in many new classes of rings in positive characteristic. We also give a criterion about the singularities of $R$ (in any characteristic) to guarantee that the set $\operatorname{Ass}H_{I}^{2}(R)$ is always finite.
FRAME-LESS HILBERT C*-MODULES
Authors: ASADI M. B. , FRANK M. , HASSANPOUR-YAKHDANI Z.
Published: February 2018

We show that if A is a compact C*-algebra without identity that has a faithful *-representation in the C*-algebra of all compact operators on a separable Hilbert space and its multiplier algebra admits a minimal central projection p such that pA is infinite-dimensional, then there exists a Hilbert A1-module admitting no frames, where A1 is the unitization of A. In particular, there exists a frame-less Hilbert C*-module over the C*-algebra $K(\ell^2) \dotplus \mathbb{C}I_{\ell^2}$.
Administrative Justice in Kenya: Learning from South Africa's Mistakes
Authors: Hoexter Cora
Published: February 2018

The wording of article 47 of Kenya's Constitution of 2010 is almost identical to that of the section 33 rights to just administrative action in South Africa's 1996 Constitution. Like section 33, article 47 mandates the enactment of legislation to give effect to these constitutional rights, and Kenya's Fair Administrative Action Act 4 of 2015 was strongly influenced by the equivalent South African legislation, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA). South Africa can thus be regarded as a sort of laboratory for Kenyan administrative justice. The aim of this article is to highlight some of the South African experience in relation to section 33 and the PAJA in the hope that Kenya will learn from some of South Africa's mistakes. It argues that the Kenyan courts should avoid following the example of their South African counterparts in allowing their mandated legislation to become almost redundant.
Incubation period for outbreak-associated, non-typhoidal salmonellosis cases, Minnesota, 2000–2015
Authors: Eikmeier D. , Medus C. , Smith K.
Published: February 2018

Incubation period for non-typhoidalSalmonella(NTS) infections is generally reported as 6–72 h despite numerous reports of foodborne NTS outbreaks with median incubation periods >3 days. We summarised 16 years of Minnesota foodborne NTS outbreaks to better estimate the expected range of incubation periods for NTS infections. Of the 1517 NTS outbreak cases, 725 had enough data to calculate a precise incubation period. The median incubation period was 45 h; 77 (11%) cases had incubations ⩽12 h and 211 (29%) cases had incubations >72 h. Incubation period length varied by outbreak vehicle type,Salmonellaserotype and outbreak setting. Based on our data, a more accurate description would be that the incubation of NTS infection is usually from 12 to 96 h, that incubations in >96 to 144 h (>4 to 6-day) range are not unusual and that incubations from 7 to 9 days and occasionally longer also occur.
Validation of the register-based lifetime antimicrobial usage measurement for finisher batches based on comparison with recorded antimicrobial usage at farm level
Authors: Andersen V. D. , Munk P. , de Knegt L. V. , Jensen M. S. , Aarestrup F. M. , Vigre H.
Published: February 2018

Assessing the relationship between antimicrobial usage (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires the accurate and precise utilisation of register data. Therefore, validation of register-based data is essential for evaluating the quality and, subsequently, the internal validity of studies based on the data.

In this study, different smoothing methods for Veterinary Medicine Statistic Program database (VetStat)-records were validated by comparing these with farm-records. Comparison between measurements included accuracy as; completeness and correctness, and precision as; a relative difference of the error, correlation with Fisher's z transformation and reliability coefficient. The most valid methods of those examined were then used in re-analyses of the abundance of AMR genes in 10 finisher batches from a previous study.

Improved accuracy was found when detailed smoothing methods were applied. Although the precision also increased, the effect was not as pronounced, as the usage estimate of all smoothing methods deviated moderately compared with the farm-registrations. Applying the most valid methods to the 10 finisher batches increased estimates of statistical model fit for aminoglycosides, lincosamides, tetracyclines and decreased estimates of statistical model fit for macrolides. The estimates of statistical model fit for sulfonamides and broad-spectrum penicillins remained the same.

Through refined data transformation, VetStat-records can be used to calculate a daily amount of AMU per pig reflecting the true usage accurately and moderately precisely, which is the foundation for calculating lifetime AMU.
Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance did not affect supermarket food prices by food processing category
Authors: Spoden Amanda L , Buszkiewicz James H , Drewnowski Adam , Long Mark C , Otten Jennifer J
Published: February 2018

Objective

To examine the impacts of Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance on food prices by food processing category.

Design

Supermarket food prices were collected for 106 items using a University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition market basket at affected and unaffected supermarket chain stores at three times: March 2015 (1-month pre-policy enactment), May 2015 (1-month post-policy enactment) and May 2016 (1-year post-policy enactment). Food items were categorized into four food processing groups, from minimally to ultra-processed. Data were analysed across time using a multilevel, linear difference-in-differences model at the store and price level stratified by level of food processing.

Setting

Six large supermarket chain stores located in Seattle (‘intervention’) affected by the policy and six same-chain but unaffected stores in King County (‘control’), Washington, USA.

Subjects

One hundred and six food and beverage items.

Results

The largest change in average price by food item was +$US 0·53 for ‘processed foods’ in King County between 1-month post-policy and 1-year post-policy enactment (P < 0·01). The smallest change was $US 0·00 for ‘unprocessed or minimally processed foods’ in Seattle between 1-month post-policy and 1-year post-policy enactment (P = 0·94). No significant changes in averaged chain prices were observed across food processing level strata in Seattle v. King County stores at 1-month or 1-year post-policy enactment.

Conclusions

Supermarket food prices do not appear to be differentially impacted by Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance by level of the food’s processing. These results suggest that the early implementation of a city-level minimum wage policy does not alter supermarket food prices by level of food processing.
Universal Parenting Support in Norway – An Unfulfilled Promise
Authors: Sundsbø Astrid Ouahyb
Published: February 2018

This article examines the expansion and underlying aims of structured parenting support in Norway. Norway's approach to parenting support differs from that of most other countries (Glavin and Schaffer, 2014), in supposedly being universal and offered to all parents (Eng et al., 2017). However, it is difficult to determine whether parenting support in Norway is actually unique, since little is known about how it is implemented in practice (Bråten and Sønsterudbråten, 2016; Wesseltoft-Rao et al., 2017). This article contributes further knowledge of how parenting support travels from national-level policy-making down to the level of municipal institutions where it is implemented. The analysis draws upon insights from a comprehensive case study in Bergen, Norway's second largest city, that included fieldwork observations and service mapping over a period of two years (2015–2017), a large number of in-depth interviews with various stakeholders, and analysis of relevant documents (advertisements, project applications and project reports, budgets, etc.).
A DEMOCRATIC CONSENSUS? ISAIAH BERLIN, HANNAH ARENDT, AND THE ANTI-TOTALITARIAN FAMILY QUARREL
Authors: Hiruta Kei
Published: February 2018

Amid the ongoing political turmoil, symbolized by the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, books and articles abound today to encourage us to re-read anti-totalitarian classics ‘for our times’. But what do we find in this body of work originally written in response to Nazism and Stalinism? Do we find a democratic consensus forged by a shared anti-totalitarian commitment? I doubt it. Considering the cases of Isaiah Berlin and Hannah Arendt, this article highlights discord beneath what may today appear like a post-war democratic consensus. I argue that the anti-totalitarian literature of the last century encompassed multiple political philosophies, which sometimes differed irreconcilably from each other.
ARISTOTLE ON EUDAIMONIA (‘HAPPINESS’)
Authors: Moran Jerome
Published: February 2018

Most people believe that happiness is the supreme good; that it is achievable by everyone and that everyone has a right to it. It is usually identified with the passive possession of some other material or non-material good or goods and the state of being these confer. Aristotle was one of the first thinkers to attempt an analysis of happiness. For him it consists of the active exercise of characteristic human excellence as manifested in intellectual activity and moral action. This article sets out to explain Aristotle's views and to suggest what is wrong with them.
THE ATHEISTIC ARGUMENT FROM OUTRAGEOUSNESS
Authors: Frances Bryan
Published: February 2018

When pressed, many atheists offer three reasons why they reject theism: there is strong evidence against theism, there is no strong evidence for theism, and theism is so outrageous that it needs a great deal of support in order for us to believe it in a reasonable manner. I examine the third reason, arguing that it fails.
The Importance of Public Meaning for Political Persuasion
Authors: Woodly Deva
Published: February 2018

There have been many retrospective analyses written about the marriage-equality movement since the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling that made marriages between people of the same sex legal in all 50 states. Most attribute that triumph to a stunningly swift turnaround in public comfort with and approval of same-sex relationships. However, public opinion data indicates that this narrative is inaccurate. In 2015, 51% of General Social Survey respondents declared that they found sexual relationships between people of the same sex to be “wrong” at least “some of the time.” Nevertheless, at the same time, 56% of respondents affirmed that people of the same sex ought to have the legal right to marry. This dissonance suggests that the most common narrative about the success of the movement misses something crucial about how political persuasion happened in this case, as well as the way that political persuasion happens in general. In this article, I show that the massive shift in support for same-sex marriage was likely not the result of large majorities changing their underlying attitudes regarding gay sexual relationships, but was instead the result of activists inserting new criteria for evaluating same-sex marriage into popular political discourse by consistently using resonant arguments. These arguments reframed the political stakes, changed the public meaning of the marriage debate, and altered the decisional context in which people determine their policy preferences.
Real-time Bayesian non-parametric prediction of solvency risk
Authors: Hong Liang , Martin Ryan
Published: February 2018

Insurance regulation often dictates that insurers monitor their solvency risk in real time and take appropriate actions whenever the risk exceeds their tolerance level. Bayesian methods are appealing for prediction problems thanks to their ability to naturally incorporate both sample variability and parameter uncertainty into a predictive distribution. However, handling data arriving in real time requires a flexible non-parametric model, and the Monte Carlo methods necessary to evaluate the predictive distribution in such cases are not recursive and can be too expensive to rerun each time new data arrives. In this paper, we apply a recently developed alternative perspective on Bayesian prediction based on copulas. This approach facilitates recursive Bayesian prediction without computing a posterior, allowing insurers to perform real-time updating of risk measures to assess solvency risk, and providing them with a tool for carrying out dynamic risk management strategies in today’s “big data” era.
ETV2 mediates endothelial transdifferentiation of glioblastoma
Authors: Zhao Chengjian , Gomez Gustavo A. , Zhao Yuwei , Yang Yu , Cao Dan , Lu Jing , Yang Hanshuo , Lin Shuo
Published: February 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by extensive endothelial hyperplasia. Recent studies suggest that a subpopulation of endothelial cells originates via vasculogenesis by the transdifferentiation of GBM tumor cells into endothelial cells (endo-transdifferentiation). The molecular mechanism underlying this process remains poorly defined. Here, we show that the expression of ETS variant 2 (ETV2), a master regulator of endothelial cell development, is highly correlated with malignancy. Functional studies demonstrate that ETV2 is sufficient and necessary for the transdifferentiation of a subpopulation of CD133+/Nestin+ GBM/neural stem cells to an endothelial lineage. Combinational studies of ChIP-Seq with gain-of-function RNA-Seq data sets suggest that ETV2, in addition to activating vascular genes, represses proneural genes to direct endo-transdifferentiation. Since endo-transdifferentiation by ETV2 is VEGF-A independent, it likely accounts for the observed resistance of GBM tumor cells to anti-angiogenesis therapy. Further characterization of the regulatory networks mediated by ETV2 in endo-transdifferentiation of GBM tumor cells should lead to the identification of more effective therapeutic targets for GBM.
Regulation of senescence escape by the cdk4–EZH2–AP2M1 pathway in response to chemotherapy
Authors: Le Duff Mélanie , Gouju Julien , Jonchère Barbara , Guillon Jordan , Toutain Bertrand , Boissard Alice , Henry Cécile , Guette Catherine , Lelièvre Eric , Coqueret Olivier
Published: February 2018

Senescence is a tumor suppressive mechanism that induces a permanent proliferative arrest in response to an oncogenic insult or to the genotoxic stress induced by chemotherapy. We have recently described that some cells can escape this arrest, either because senescence was incomplete or as a consequence of a phenotypic adaptation. Malignant cells which resisted senescence emerged as more transformed cells that resist anoikis and rely on survival pathways activated by Akt and Mcl-1. In this study, we further characterize senescence escape, investigating how emergent cells could reproliferate. During the initial step of chemotherapy-induced senescence (CIS), we found that cyclin D1 was upregulated and that cell emergence was prevented when its main partner cdk4 was inactivated. Results indicate that this kinase induced the upregulation of the EZH2 methylase, a component of the polycomb PRC2 complex. Downregulated during the early step of treatment, the methylase was reactivated in clones that escaped senescence. The inactivation of EZH2, either by siRNA or by specific inhibitors, led to a specific inhibition of cell emergence. We used quantitative proteomic analysis to identify new targets of the methylase involved in senescence escape. We identified proteins involved in receptor endocytosis and described new functions for the AP2M1 protein in the control of chemotherapy-mediated senescence. Our results indicate that AP2M1 is involved in the transmission of secreted signals produced by senescent cells, suggesting that this pathway might regulate specific receptors involved in the control of CIS escape. In light of these results, we therefore propose that the cdk4–EZH2–AP2M1 pathway plays an important role during chemotherapy resistance and senescence escape. Since targeted therapies are available against these proteins, we propose that they should be tested in the treatment of colorectal or breast cancers that become resistant to first-line genotoxic therapies.
Sphingolipid de novo biosynthesis is essential for intestine cell survival and barrier function
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Kabir Inamul , Tietelman Gladys , Huan Chongmin , Fan Jianglin , Worgall Tilla , Jiang Xian-Cheng
Published: February 2018

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme for sphingolipid biosynthesis. SPT has two major subunits, SPTLC1 and SPTLC2. We previously found that liver Sptlc2 deficiency in early life impairs the development of adherens junctions. Here, we investigated the role of Sptlc2 deficiency in intestine. We treated Sptlc2-Flox/villin-Cre-ERT2 mice with tamoxifen (days 1, 2, and 3) to ablate Sptlc2 specifically in the intestine. At day 6 after tamoxifen treatment, Sptlc2-deficient mice had significantly decreased body weight with concurrent diarrhea and rectal bleeding. The number of goblet cells was reduced in both large and small intestine of Sptlc2-deficient mice compared with controls. Sptlc2 deficiency suppressed the level of mucin2 in the colon and increased circulating lipopolysaccharides, suggesting that SPT activity has a housekeeping function in the intestine. All Sptlc2-deficient mice died 7–10 days after tamoxifen treatment. Notably, supplementation with antibiotics and dexamethasone reduced lethality by 70%. We also found that colon specimens from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases had significantly reduced Sptlc2 expression, SPTLC2 staining, and goblet cell numbers. SPT activity is crucial for intestinal cell survival and barrier function.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 promotes human trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating N-cadherin via non-canonical SMAD2/3 signaling
Authors: Zhao Hong-Jin , Klausen Christian , Li Yan , Zhu Hua , Wang Yan-Ling , Leung Peter C. K.
Published: February 2018

BMP2 expression is spatiotemporally correlated with embryo implantation and is crucial for endometrial decidualization and fertility in mice. BMP2 has been reported to increase the mesenchymal adhesion molecule N-cadherin and enhance cell invasion in cancer cells; moreover, studies suggest that N-cadherin promotes placental trophoblast invasion. However, whether BMP2 can promote trophoblast cell invasion during placentation remains unknown. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of BMP2 on human trophoblast cell invasion and the involvement of N-cadherin and SMAD signaling. Primary and immortalized (HTR8/SVneo) cultures of human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells were used as study models. Treatment with recombinant human BMP2 increased HTR8/SVneo cell transwell Matrigel invasion as well as N-cadherin mRNA and protein levels, but had no significant effect on cell proliferation. Likewise, BMP2 treatment enhanced primary human EVT cell invasion and N-cadherin production. Basal and BMP2-induced invasion were attenuated by small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of N-cadherin in both HTR8/SVneo and primary EVT cells. Intriguingly, BMP2 induced the phosphorylation/activation of both canonical SMAD1/5/8 and non-canonical SMAD2/3 signaling in HTR8/SVneo and primary EVT cells. Knockdown of SMAD2/3 or common SMAD4 totally abolished the effects of BMP2 on N-cadherin upregulation in HTR8/SVneo cells. Upregulation of SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and N-cadherin were totally abolished by type I receptor activin receptor-like kinases 2/3 (ALK2/3) inhibitor DMH1; moreover, knockdown of ALK2 or ALK3 inhibited N-cadherin upregulation. Interestingly, activation of SMAD2/3 and upregulation of N-cadherin were partially attenuated by ALK4/5/7 inhibitor SB431542 or knockdown of ALK4, but not ALK5. Our results show that BMP2 promotes trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating N-cadherin via non-canonical ALK2/3/4-SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling.