bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Target Of Rapamycin pathway in the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Vuong Nguyen Duy , Thomas Roret , Antonio Fernandez-Gonzalez , Annegret Kohler , Mélanie Morel-Rouhier , Eric Gelhaye , Rodnay Sormani
Published: October 2019

The Target Of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway is known to regulate growth in response to nutrient availability and stress in eukaryotic cells. In the present study, we have investigated the TOR pathway in the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Inhibition of TOR activity by rapamycin affects conidia germination and hyphal growth highlighting the conserved mechanism of susceptibility to rapamycin. Interestingly, the secreted protein content is also affected by the rapamycin treatment. Finally, homologs of the components of TOR pathway can be identified in P. chrysosporium. Altogether, those results indicate that the TOR pathway of P. chrysosporium plays a central role in this fungus.
USMPep: Universal Sequence Models for Major Histocompatibility Complex Binding Affinity Prediction
Authors: Vielhaben Johanna , Wenzel Markus , Samek Wojciech , Strodthoff Nils
Published: October 2019

Background

Immunotherapy is a promising route towards personalized cancer treatment. A key algorithmic challenge in this process is to decide if a given peptide (neoepitope) binds with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This is an active area of research and there are many MHC binding prediction algorithms that can predict the MHC binding affinity for a given peptide to a high degree of accuracy. However, most of the state-of-the-art approaches make use of complicated training and model selection procedures, are restricted to peptides of a certain length and/or rely on heuristics.

Results

We put forward USMPep, a simple recurrent neural network that reaches state-of-the-art approaches on MHC class I binding prediction with a single, generic architecture and even a single set of hyperparameters both on IEDB benchmark datasets and on the very recent HPV dataset. Moreover, the algorithm is competitive for a single model trained from scratch, while ensembling multiple regressors and language model pretraining can still slightly improve the performance. The direct application of the approach to MHC class II binding prediction shows a solid performance despite of limited training data.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that competitive performance in MHC binding affinity prediction can be reached with a standard architecture and training procedure without relying on any heuristics.
The latitudinal gradient in hand-wing-index: global patterns and predictors of wing morphology in birds
Authors: Sheard Catherine , Neate-Clegg Montague H. C. , Alioravainen Nico , Jones Samuel E. I. , Vincent Claire , MacGregor Hannah E. A. , Bregman Tom P. , Claramunt Santiago , Tobias Joseph A.
Published: October 2019

An organism’s ability to disperse influences many fundamental processes in ecology. However, standardised estimates of dispersal ability are rarely available, and thus the patterns and drivers of broad-scale variation in dispersal ability remain unclear. Here we present a global dataset of avian hand-wing index (HWI), an estimate of wingtip pointedness widely adopted as a proxy for flight efficiency and dispersal in birds. We show that HWI is correlated with geography and ecology across 10,391 (>99 %) bird species, increasing at higher latitudes and in migratory and/or non-territorial species. After controlling for these effects, the strongest predictor of HWI is temperature variability (i.e. seasonality), with secondary effects of diet and habitat type. Our analyses (1) reveal a prominent latitudinal gradient in HWI shaped by ecological and environmental factors, and (2) provide a global index of avian dispersal ability for wider use in community ecology, macroecology, and macroevolution.

Statement of authorship

The study was conceived by CS and JAT. Data collection was led by JAT, SC, and CS, with contributions from CS, MNC, NA, SEIJ, CV, HEAM, TPB, and SC. CS performed the analyses. CS and JAT wrote the manuscript and all authors revised the text.
The transcriptional signature associated with human motile cilia
Authors: Patir Anirudh , Fraser Amy M. , Barnett Mark W. , McTeir Lynn , Rainger Joe , Davey Megan G. , Freeman Tom C.
Published: October 2019

Cilia are complex microtubule-based organelles implicated in the aetiology of numerous diseases. Accordingly, many cilia-associated proteins have been described, while those distinguishing cilia subtypes are poorly defined. Here, we characterise the gene signature associated with human motile cilia that captures both known and unknown components of this class of cilia. To define the signature, we performed network deconvolution of transcriptomics data derived from tissues possessing motile ciliated cell populations. For each tissue, genes coexpressed with the motile cilia-associated transcriptional factor, FOXJ1, were identified. The consensus across tissues provided a transcriptional signature of 248 genes. For validation, we examined the literature, databases, single cell RNA-Seq data, and the localisation of mRNA and proteins in motile ciliated cells. To validate some of the many poorly characterised genes, we performed new localisation experiments on ARMC3, EFCAB6, FAM183A, MYCBPAP, RIBC2 and VWA3A. In summary, we report a highly validated set of motile cilia-associated genes that helps shape our understanding of these complex cellular organelles.

This work defines a conserved transcriptional signature associated with human motile cilia, including many genes with little or no previous association with these structures. These genes were compared with existing resources and a number of poorly characterised genes validated.

Graphical abstract
Tunable Fibrin-Alginate Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels to Guide Cell Behavior
Authors: Vorwald Charlotte E. , Gonzalez-Fernandez Tomas , Joshee Shreeya , Sikorski Pawel , Leach J. Kent
Published: October 2019

Hydrogels are effective platforms for use as artificial extracellular matrices, cell carriers, and to present bioactive cues. Two common natural polymers, fibrin and alginate, are broadly used to form hydrogels and have numerous advantages over synthetic materials. Fibrin is a provisional matrix containing native adhesion motifs for cell engagement, yet the interplay between mechanical properties, degradation, and gelation rate is difficult to decouple. Conversely, alginate is highly tunable yet bioinert and requires modification to present necessary adhesion ligands. To address these challenges, we developed a fibrin-alginate interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel to combine the desirable adhesion and stimulatory characteristics of fibrin with the tunable mechanical properties of alginate. We tested its efficacy by examining capillary network formation with entrapped co-cultures of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). We manipulated thrombin concentration and alginate crosslinking density independently to modulate the fibrin structure, mesh size, degradation, and biomechanical properties of these constructs. In IPNs of lower stiffness, we observed a significant increase in total cell area (1.72×105 ± 7.9×104 μm2) and circularity (0.56 ± 0.03) compared to cells encapsulated in stiffer IPNs (3.98×104 ± 1.49×104 μm2 and 0.77 ± 0.09, respectively). Fibrinogen content did not influence capillary network formation. However, higher fibrinogen content led to greater retention of these networks confirmed via increased spreading and presence of F-actin at 7 days. This is an elegant platform to decouple cell adhesion and hydrogel bulk stiffness that will be broadly useful for cell instruction and delivery.
What if I had a third arm? An EEG study of a supernumerary BCI system
Authors: Riascos Jaime A. , Villa David Steeven , Maciel Anderson , Nedel Luciana , Barone Dante
Published: October 2019

Motor imagery Brain-Computer Interface (MI-BCI) enables bodyless communication by means of the imagination of body movements. Since its apparition, MI-BCI has been widely used in applications such as guiding a robotic prosthesis, or the navigation in games and virtual reality (VR) environments. Although psychological experiments, such as the Rubber Hand Illusion - RHI, suggest the human ability for creating body transfer illusions, MI-BCI only uses the imagination of real body parts as neurofeedback training and control commands. The present work studies and explores the inclusion of an imaginary third arm as a part of the control commands for MI-BCI systems. It also compares the effectiveness of using the conventional arrows and fixation cross as training step (Graz condition) against realistic human hands performing the corresponding tasks from a first-person perspective (Hands condition); both conditions wearing a VR headset. Ten healthy subjects participated in a two-session EEG experiment involving open-close hand tasks, including a third arm that comes out from the chest. The EEG analysis shows a strong power decrease in the sensory-motor areas for the third arm task in both training conditions. Such activity is significantly stronger for Hands than Graz condition, suggesting that the realistic scenario can reduce the abstractness of the third arm and improve the generation of motor imagery signals. The cognitive load is also assessed both by NASA-TLX and Task Load index.
Isolating the sources of heterogeneity in nanoparticle-cell interactions
Authors: Johnston Stuart T , Faria Matthew , Crampin Edmund J
Published: October 2019

Nanoparticles have the potential to enhance therapeutic success and reduce toxicity-based treatment side effects via the targeted delivery of drugs to cells. This delivery relies on complex interactions between numerous biological, chemical and physical processes. The intertwined nature of these processes has thus far hindered attempts to understand their individual impact. Variation in experimental data, such as the number of nanoparticles inside each cell, further inhibits understanding. Here we present a mathematical framework that is capable of examining the impact of individual processes during nanoparticle delivery. We demonstrate that variation in experimental nanoparticle uptake data can be explained by three factors: random nanoparticle motion; variation in nanoparticle-cell interactions; and variation in the maximum nanoparticle uptake per cell. Without all three factors, the experimental data cannot be explained. This work provides insight into biological mecha-nisms that cause heterogeneous responses to treatment, and enables precise identification of treatment-resistant cell subpopulations.
Toward G protein-coupled receptor structure-based drug design using X-ray lasers
Authors: Ishchenko Andrii , Stauch Benjamin , Han Gye Won , Batyuk Alexander , Shiriaeva Anna , Li Chufeng , Zatsepin Nadia , Weierstall Uwe , Liu Wei , Nango Eriko , Nakane Takanori , Tanaka Rie , Tono Kensuke , Joti Yasumasa , Iwata So , Moraes Isabel , Gati Cornelius , Cherezov Vadim
Published: October 2019

Rational structure-based drug design (SBDD) relies on the availability of a large number of co-crystal structures to map the ligand-binding pocket of the target protein and use this information for lead-compound optimization via an iterative process. While SBDD has proven successful for many drug-discovery projects, its application to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been limited owing to extreme difficulties with their crystallization. Here, a method is presented for the rapid determination of multiple co-crystal structures for a target GPCR in complex with various ligands, taking advantage of the serial femtosecond crystallography approach, which obviates the need for large crystals and requires only submilligram quantities of purified protein. The method was applied to the human β2-adrenergic receptor, resulting in eight room-temperature co-crystal structures with six different ligands, including previously unreported structures with carvedilol and propranolol. The generality of the proposed method was tested with three other receptors. This approach has the potential to enable SBDD for GPCRs and other difficult-to-crystallize membrane proteins.
A novel three-dimensional copper(I) cyanide coordination polymer constructed from various bridging ligands: synthesis, crystal structure and characterization
Authors: Qin Ying-Lian , Sun Hong , Jing Yan , Jiang Xiu-Ping , Wang Gao-Feng , Qin Jian-Fang
Published: October 2019

The cyanide ligand can act as a strong σ-donor and an effective π-electron acceptor that exhibits versatile bridging abilities, such as terminal, μ2-C:N, μ3-C:C:N and μ4-C:C:N:N modes. These ligands play a key role in the formation of various copper(I) cyanide systems, including one-dimensional (1D) chains, two-dimensional (2D) layers and three-dimensional (3D) frameworks. According to the literature, numerous coordination polymers based on terminal, μ2-C:N and μ3-C,C,N bridging modes have been documented so far. However, systems based on the μ4-C:C:N:N bridging mode are relatively rare. In this work, a novel cyanide-bridged 3D CuI coordination framework, namely poly[(μ2-2,2′-biimidazole-κ2
N
3:N
3′)(μ4-cyanido-κ4
C:C:N:N)(μ2-cyanido-κ2
C:N)dicopper(I)], [Cu2(CN)2(C6H6N4)]
n
, (I), was synthesized hydrothermally by reaction of environmentally friendly K3[Fe(CN)6], CuCl2·2H2O and 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim). It should be noted that cyanide ligands may act as reducing agents to reduce CuII to CuI under hydrothermal conditions. Compound (I) contains diverse types of bridging ligands, such as μ4-C:C:N:N-cyanide, μ2-C:N-cyanide and μ2-biimidazole. Interestingly, the [Cu2] dimers are bridged by rare μ4-C:C:N:N-mode cyanide ligands giving rise to the first example of a 1D dimeric {[Cu2(μ4-C:C:N:N)]
n+}
n
infinite chain. Furthermore, adjacent dimer-based chains are linked by μ2-C:N bridging cyanide ligands, generating a neutral 2D wave-like (4,4) layer structure. Finally, the 2D layers are joined together via bidentate bridging H2biim to create a 3D cuprous cyanide network. This arrangement leads to a systematic variation in dimensionality from 1D chain→2D sheet→3D framework by different types of bridging ligands. Compound (I) was further characterized by thermal analysis, solid-state UV–Vis diffuse-reflectance and photoluminescence studies. The solid-state UV–Vis diffuse-reflectance spectra show that compound (I) is a wide-gap semiconductor with band gaps of 3.18 eV. The photoluminescence study shows a strong blue–green photoluminescence at room temperature, which may be associated with metal-to-ligand charge transfer.
Sales capabilities in the wine industry: an analysis of the current scenario and emerging trends
Authors: Mattiacci Alberto , Bruni Attilio , Magno Francesca , Cassia Fabio
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Although sales activities in the wine industry are becoming increasingly important, there has been little research on the sales capabilities in wine businesses. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by examining the most important salesperson and sales management capabilities and emerging trends related to the management of sales capabilities in the wine industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical analysis based on an explorative research design was conducted in the Italian wine industry. Sales directors from 4 of the 30 largest Italian wine producers were interviewed. Textual data were analysed using template analysis.

Findings

Analysis of the findings revealed the most important capabilities of salespeople and sales managers and identified four emerging trends related to sales capability management in the wine industry – capabilities enrichment, capabilities balance, capabilities specialisation and capabilities acquisition process.

Research limitations/implications

Given that only large wine producers in the Old World were interviewed, caution should be exercised before extending the findings to small and medium-sized players and to those in the New World.

Practical implications

The trends identified in this study provide actionable insights for designing strategies to manage sales capabilities in wine businesses.

Originality/value

This was one of the first studies to address the capabilities of salespeople and sales managers and to provide an in-depth examination of sales capability management trends in the wine industry.
Entrepreneurship as a preferred career option
Authors: Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Ramayah T. , Mahmud Imran , Musa Mohammad , Anika Johura Jabin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Building upon the theory of planned behaviour and the entrepreneurial event model, the purpose of this paper is to test the effects of the following covariates in predicting entrepreneurial intention among tourism students in Bangladesh, namely, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC), perceived desirability and perceived feasibility.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 137 private university students participated in the study by means of questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested using partial least squares (PLS) analysis.

Findings

Findings indicate that attitude and subjective norm significantly influence perceived desirability. It was also found that subjective norm and PBC positively influence perceived feasibility. Interestingly also, both perceived desirability and perceived feasibility predict entrepreneurial intention.

Originality/value

The study proves the robustness of the integration of the two intent models in explaining entrepreneurial intention in a developing country. The new PLS predict algorithm has been used to generate and evaluate predictions from the path model estimations.
Perspectives of scholars on the nature of sustainability: a survey study
Authors: Aminpour Payam , Gray Steven , Richardson Robert , Singer Alison , Castro-Diaz Laura , Schaefer Marie , Ramlan Mohd Aswad , Chikowore Noleen Rutendo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate different ways in which faculty members of sustainability-related departments in universities across the world perceive, understand and define sustainability and how these definitions are linked to their demographics and epistemological beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

Scholars from different disciplines investigate the sustainability of social-ecological systems from different perspectives. Such differences in the understanding of, and approaches to, sustainability have created ambiguity within the field and may weaken its effectiveness, impact and reputation as a field of research. To contribute to the discussion about sustainability definition, a survey was conducted involving university faculty members working in sustainability-related academic departments around the world. Participants’ responses were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 involving descriptive and inferential statistics and principle component analysis. Additionally, responses to open-ended questions were qualitatively analyzed.

Findings

Factor analysis on sustainability definition items reveal four emergent universal definitions of sustainability, labeled as Environmentalism concerns, Common understanding, neo-Malthusian environmentalism and Sustainability as well-being. Statistical analyses indicate that individuals from developed countries are more likely to define sustainability as Environmentalism and Common understanding; however, individuals from developing countries tend to define sustainability as well-being. Also, more heavily engaged scholars in interdisciplinary research of sustainability are more likely to perceive sustainability as Common understanding. Logistic Regression models demonstrate a connection between epistemological perspectives of researchers and sustainability definitions. Qualitative content analysis indicates that interdisciplinarity and collaboration are the most common challenges to sustainability research.

Originality/value

The findings of this study demonstrate disconnects between scholars from developing and developed countries in understanding and defining sustainability, and these disconnects may present further challenges for global sustainability scholarship.
Narratives of cooperation, resilience and resistance: workers’ self-recovery in times of crisis
Authors: Antonazzo Luca
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Worker-recuperated enterprises have appeared in Europe with increasing frequency since 2008, following the Great Recession that hit the western economies. The purpose of this paper is to depict the phenomenon of worker-recuperated enterprises in Italy, focusing on two different types of business recovery, that of workers buyouts and that of recovered social spaces. The paper compares these on the basis of four analytical dimensions: resilience/resistance, relationship with the market, relationship with the territory and workplace democracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The corpus of the research is based on the cross-sectional analysis of workers’ narratives. These were collected, within a small sample of theoretically relevant cases, in order to retrace and analyse the path from the crisis of the former companies to establishment of the workers’ cooperatives and their social and economic features.

Findings

The collected narratives allowed for a multi-level comparison between different types of worker-recuperated enterprises, providing some insights on their emergence, their features in terms of resilience and resistance, their relationship with the market economy and their outcomes in terms of workplace democracy and support to employment.

Originality/value

Worker buyouts are gaining ground in Europe as an effective mechanism to oppose the fall of the employment rate in consequence of economic crises. This research intends to offer some data and arguments to the current international debate on the effectiveness of these mechanisms in coping with economic shocks and opening up to a sustainable and cooperative work-driven economy.
“Spade sign” and inflammation/fibrosis limited to the upper and mid‐dermis as the pathognomonic features of acne keloidalis
Authors: Cheng An‐Yu , Lee Chaw‐Ning , Hsieh Fu‐Nien , Lo Tzu‐Kun , Huang Hsin‐Yu , Hsu Chao‐Kai , Lee Julia Yu‐Yun , Yang Chao‐Chun
Published: October 2019

Acne keloidalis (AK) is one of the primary cicatricial alopecias and predominantly affects men of African descent. Reports in Asians are scant. This study aimed to retrospectively review the clinical and histopathological features of AK patients in southern Taiwan and identify the pathognomonic features of AK. There were 15 patients with histopathologically confirmed AK in National Cheng Kung University Hospital between 1988 and 2018. The median onset age was 24 years (range, 14–71). The male : female ratio was 14:1. In the acute stage of AK, the lymphocytic and neutrophilic peri‐infundibular inflammatory infiltrates with microabscess formation and edema corresponded to the clinical finding of isolated papules or pustules. Subsequently, the inflammatory infiltrates involved the mid‐dermis and the isthmus of hair follicles. The “spade sign”, a thin and dilated space resembling the shape of a balloon or spade symbol of playing cards at the level of lower isthmus, was identified in eight biopsies from five patients and may be a pathognomonic sign in the subacute stage of AK. At the chronic stage, the segments of hair shafts remained in the upper to mid‐dermis and induced chronic inflammation and extensive fibrosis, resulting in the clinical keloid‐like appearance. The restriction of inflammation and fibrosis in the upper to mid‐dermis was another unique and pathognomonic feature of AK.
Random noise attenuation via the randomized canonical polyadic decomposition
Authors: Gao Wenlei , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: October 2019

Tensor algebra provides a robust framework for multi‐dimensional seismic data processing. A low‐rank tensor can represent a noise‐free seismic data volume. Additive random noise will increase the rank of the tensor. Hence, tensor rank‐reduction techniques can be used to filter random noise. Our filtering method adopts the Candecomp/Parafac decomposition to approximates a N‐dimensional seismic data volume via the superposition of rank‐one tensors. Similar to the singular value decomposition for matrices, a low‐rank Candecomp/Parafac decomposition can capture the signal and exclude random noise in situations where a low‐rank tensor can represent the ideal noise‐free seismic volume. The alternating least squares method is adopted to compute the Candecomp/Parafac decomposition with a provided target rank. This method involves solving a series of highly over‐determined linear least‐squares subproblems. To improve the efficiency of the alternating least squares algorithm, we uniformly randomly sample equations of the linear least‐squares subproblems to reduce the size of the problem significantly. The computational overhead is further reduced by avoiding unfolding and folding large dense tensors. We investigate the applicability of the randomized Candecomp/Parafac decomposition for incoherent noise attenuation via experiments conducted on a synthetic dataset and field data seismic volumes. We also compare the proposed algorithm (randomized Candecomp/Parafac decomposition) against multi‐dimensional singular spectrum analysis and classical prediction filtering. We conclude the proposed approach can achieve slightly better denoising performance in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement than traditional methods, but with a less computational cost.
The development of marriage and family therapy in East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong): past, present and future
Authors: Tseng Chi‐Fang , Wittenborn Andrea K. , Blow Adrian J. , Chao Wentao , Liu Ting
Published: October 2019

The discipline of marriage and family therapy (MFT) has been established around the world. Inspired by theories and models developed in Western countries, professionals in East Asian countries over the last two decades have been dedicated to introducing the concepts of MFT to local mental health professionals. This paper presents an overview of the cultural background of East Asian cultures, a summary of MFT development in East Asia, and a discussion of key challenges to advancing MFT in East Asia. We provide recommendations to overcome these obstacles, including bridging the gap between MFTs in the West and East Asia, developing country‐specific MFT development plans, establishing accreditation and licensing regulation, increasing the public awareness of MFT, increasing collaboration among training institutes and the number of qualified MFT trainers and training locations, and developing culturally attuned MFT training and practices.

Practitioner points

Direct application of Western approaches to the East Asian context can be detrimental if therapists do not carefully examine the cultural differences and adapt accordingly

A critical step in developing MFT in East Asia is to develop country/region‐specific plans including the recognition of the history, values, and distinctive features of Asian families
How the West was Won: A Deconstruction of Politicised Colonial Engineering
Authors: Eichhorn Stephen J.
Published: October 2019

History has taught us that the Global North's attempts to ‘civilise' the rest of the world's population, both now and in colonial times, have been fraught with difficulty. This paper argues that this difficulty is mainly owing to the political standpoint and positioning of our perceived engineering and technical superiority. A failure to recognise this viewpoint and to change the way in which we work together—in a global sense—to solve issues such as climate change, threatens our ability to survive as a species. Political standpoints on such issues still assume a superiority of governments in the Global North. This paper retraces colonial engineering projects, mainly directed from the UK, that failed to consider the development of other populations in the world, and their needs. It is also posited that our exploitation in the Global North, which assumes historical superiority as a basic premise, will fail in tackling major issues. Change is needed through a decolonisation of engineering projects, and western engineering curricula that are used to train future professionals. Evidence of the impact of decolonisation on the engineering discipline itself is scarce, but nevertheless, a response is needed to ensure that a more inclusive curriculum and narrative is developed.
Potential utility of anti‐TNF drugs in synovial chondromatosis associated with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Yu Shengyan , Wu Meifang , Zhou Gengmin , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Liang Jianle , Nallapothula Dhiraj , Singh Ram Raj , Wang Qingwen , Wang Meiying
Published: October 2019

We describe a previously unreported association of ankylosing spondylitis with synovial chondromatosis, and briefly review previously reported cases and treatment of synovial chondromatosis in patients with other immune‐mediated inflammatory arthritides. A 20‐year‐old man with ankylosing spondylitis whose axial disease was in remission with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and oral disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs developed recurrent right knee pain and swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging of his right knee revealed calcified loose bodies, suggestive of synovial chondromatosis. While waiting for the surgical intervention and other invasive therapy previously reported in patients with synovial chondromatosis, a trial of etanercept eliminated the pain and swelling of the knee; however, the loose bodies have persisted during the 2‐year follow‐up. Thus, synovial chondromatosis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of a refractory monoarticular pain and swelling in patients with otherwise controlled inflammatory arthritis. Our report advocates a trial of anti‐tumor necrosis factor drugs, which might delay the need for invasive therapy in patients with synovial chondromatosis.
Successful sleeve resection of bronchial carcinoid under veno‐venous ECMO
Authors: Kang Min Kyun , Kang Do Kyun , Hwang Youn‐Ho
Published: October 2019

Here, we report a case of a bronchial tumor in the proximal left mainstem bronchus in a 19‐year‐old male. Diagnosis of the tumor was typical carcinoid, which was established by bronchoscopic biopsy preoperatively. Under femoral veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the patient underwent left mainstem bronchus sleeve resection through median sternotomy. The surgical resection margins were confirmed to be tumor‐free on frozen section and all lymph nodes were free of tumor. This report describes a carcinoid in the proximal mainstem bronchus which was successfully resected without lobectomy or pneumonectomy and concludes that sleeve resection under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should be considered in the surgical treatment of mainstem bronchial carcinoid.
Is better banking performance associated with financial inclusion and mandated CSR expenditure in a developing country?
Authors: Bhattacharyya Asit , Wright Sue , Rahman Md Lutfur
Published: October 2019

Motivated by legislation mandating CSR expenditure to improve social equality and economic development in India, we examine the association of CSR expenditure and financial inclusion with the performance of banking firms in the period after introduction of the legislation. We study whether mandated CSR expenditure and/or financial inclusion measures are associated with better financial performance, using both accounting and stock market measures of performance, for Indian banks during 2015–2017. Our results demonstrate that level of CSR expenditure and degree of financial inclusion is not associated with banks’ financial performance when performance is measured in accounting terms. However, a significant negative association is found when performance is measured by stock market return. These results suggest that the current design of the legislation is unlikely to achieve its purpose. This is the first study to present clear evidence on the associations of mandatory CSR spending and firm‐level financial inclusion with accounting‐based and market‐based bank performance.
Normal range of complement components during pregnancy: A prospective study
Authors: He Ying‐dong , Xu Bing‐ning , Song Di , Wang Ya‐qin , Yu Feng , Chen Qian , Zhao Ming‐hui
Published: October 2019

Problem

The complement system plays a key role in normal placentation, and delicate regulation of complement system activation is critical for successful pregnancy. Therefore, establishing a normal range of complement components during pregnancy is important for clinical evaluation and research.

Methods

We performed a prospective study to investigate the normal range of complement components in circulation during different stages of pregnancy. Plasma concentrations of complement factor B (CFB), C1q, complement factor H (CFH), C3, C3c, and C4 were measured using an immunoturbidimetric assay; mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), C3a, C5a, and soluble C5b‐9 (sC5b‐9) levels at different time points of pregnancy were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A total of 733 plasma samples were collected from 362 women with a normal pregnancy and 65 samples from non‐pregnant women. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the levels of CFB, CFH, MBL, C3c, C4, and C3a were 414.5 ± 85.9 mg/L (95% CI for mean: 402.4‐426.6 mg/L), 381.0 ± 89.0 mg/L (95% CI for mean: 368.5‐393.6 mg/L), 4274.5 ± 2752 ng/mL (95% CI for mean: 3881.1‐4656.4 ng/mL), 1346.9 ± 419.8 mg/L (95% CI for mean: 1287.7‐1406.0 mg/L), 357.4 ± 101.8 mg/L (95% CI for mean: 343.0‐371.7 mg/L), and 182.5 ± 150.0 ng/mL (95% CI for mean: 186.9‐229.1 ng/mL), respectively. The levels of C3 and C4 increased gradually throughout pregnancy. The levels of C1q, C5a, and sC5b‐9 in the first and second trimesters were nearly the same as those in non‐pregnant women.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that pregnancy itself may influence the plasma levels of complement system components.
Driving in terrain
Authors: KRUGLOVA ANNA
Published: October 2019

The developing culture of mass private automobile ownership in Russia became a prominent platform for post‐Soviet citizen‐drivers to (re)negotiate their relationship with the state. The convergence of power, infrastructure, and modernity in automobility made salient the old Soviet promise of infrastructural and cultural development, delegitimizing the post‐Soviet contraction of the state's sphere of responsibility. On the other hand, the inherent danger and autonomy of automobile technology, combined with highly spatialized local politics, reveal a number of political mechanisms and imaginaries that make such withdrawals peculiarly legitimate. Finally, through the windshield of a private car in Russia, the state emerges as the ontology and a total social fact. This contradicts the anti‐statist, pluralist, and the localizing concepts of the state in contemporary anthropology. [automobility, accidents, the state, modernity, politics of statelessness, Russia]
A time‐dependent contribution of hippocampal CB1, CB2 and PPARγ receptors to cannabidiol‐induced disruption of fear memory consolidation
Authors: Raymundi Ana Maria , da Silva Thiago R. , Zampronio Aleksander R. , Guimarães Francisco S. , Bertoglio Leandro J. , Stern Cristina A.J.
Published: October 2019

Background and Purpose

In preclinical studies, cannabidiol (CBD) mitigates fear memories by facilitating their extinction or interfering with their generalization and reconsolidation. The brain regions and mechanisms underlying these effects, and their temporal window, are still poorly understood. Here, we have investigated related questions in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) during contextual fear consolidation.

Experimental Approach

Adult male Wistar rats received CBD (10–30 pmol) intra‐DH immediately, 1 or 3 hr after fear conditioning. Effects of CBD on consolidation were inferred behaviourally and by analysing expression of the activity‐regulated, cytoskeleton‐associated (Arc) protein. The contribution of anandamide, CB1, CB2, 5‐HT1A, A2A, and PPARγ receptors was also assessed.

Key Results

CBD impaired memory consolidation when given immediately or 1 hr after fear conditioning, but not after 3 hr. Expression of Arc protein in DH was reduced by systemic CBD treatment in both cases. Immediately after fear conditioning, CBD effects were abolished by CB1 or CB2 receptor blockade, partly reduced by 5‐HT1A or A2A antagonism, and remained unchanged after antagonism of PPARγ receptors. One hour after fear conditioning, CBD effects were prevented only by PPARγ receptor antagonism. Also, inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase by URB597, impaired memory consolidation when infused immediately, but not 1 hr after fear conditioning.

Conclusions and Implications

CBD disrupts memory consolidation up to 1 hr after fear conditioning, allowing an extended window of opportunity to mitigate aversive memories after their acquisition. Our results suggest time‐dependent participation of anandamide, CB1, CB2 and PPARγ receptors in the DH, during this process.
Early administration of pegfilgrastim for esophageal cancer treated with docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil: A phase II study
Authors: Ishikawa Takeshi , Yasuda Tomoyo , Okayama Tetsuya , Dohi Osamu , Yoshida Naohisa , Kamada Kazuhiro , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Takagi Tomohisa , Konishi Hirotaka , Shiozaki Atsushi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Konishi Hideyuki , Naito Yuji , Teramukai Satoshi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: October 2019

Preoperative or induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, plus 5‐fluorouracil (DCF) is a promising regimen for advanced esophageal cancer. However, the DCF regimen is associated with a high risk of severe neutropenia or febrile neutropenia (FN). However, the current guidelines fail to recommend an optimal dosing schedule of pegfilgrastim along with the DCF regimen to prevent FN. In the present study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of giving pegfilgrastim early on day 3 during DCF therapy for esophageal cancer. In this single‐arm phase II study, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were recruited. They were treated with the DCF therapy on days 1‐5, with pegfilgrastim given on day 3. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of grade 4 neutropenia. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of FN, grade 3 neutropenia, dose delays/reductions, antitumor effect, and safety. Between July 2016 and December 2018, 23 patients were enrolled. The incidence of grade 4 neutropenia was 8.7% (95% confidence interval 1.1%‐28.0%). No patient experienced FN. Of the 19 patients who received two cycles of DCF, one required a dose reduction/treatment delay due to hematological toxicity in the second treatment cycle. No serious adverse events, considered relevant to pegfilgrastim, were observed. This is the first prospective study that showed an efficacious dosing schedule of pegfilgrastim for preventing hematological toxicity during DCF therapy. The results might be generalized to other similar regimens where continuous infusions of 5‐fluorouracil are used.
Minds Under Siege: Cognitive Signatures of Poverty and Trauma in Refugee and Non‐Refugee Adolescents
Authors: Chen Alexandra , Panter‐Brick Catherine , Hadfield Kristin , Dajani Rana , Hamoudi Amar , Sheridan Margaret
Published: October 2019

The impacts of war and displacement on executive function (EF)—what we might call the cognitive signatures of minds under siege—are little known. We surveyed a gender‐balanced sample of 12‐ to 18‐year‐old Syrian refugees (n = 240) and Jordanian non‐refugees (n = 210) living in Jordan. We examined the relative contributions of poverty, trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and insecurity to variance in inhibitory control and working memory. We observed associations between poverty and WM, suggesting that, even in populations exposed to substantial violence and fear, poverty is a specific pathway to WM deficit. We did not, however, find associations between EFs and exposures to trauma. Careful distinction between childhood adversities may illuminate which neurocognitive pathways matter for measures of cognitive function.
The construction of maternal identity among Israeli mothers who are welfare clients
Authors: Sinai‐Glazer Hagit , Lipshes‐Niv Maya , Peled Einat
Published: October 2019

Dominant social, cultural, and professional discourses view motherhood as the core of a woman's identity. Thus, the identity of women who do not meet the general expectations of motherhood might be negatively affected. Specifically, mothers who are welfare clients may violate the prevailing norms concerning the maternal role. This qualitative study explores how Israeli mothers who are welfare clients construct their maternal identity. Studies of mothers who are clients of welfare services suggest that they feel blamed for being “bad” or “unfit” mothers. However, women occasionally negotiate or challenge the negative perceptions that are forced on them by hegemonic discourses of motherhood. We postulate that such women experience a troubled maternal identity that they negotiate through interactions with others. Accordingly, this study set to explore how Israeli mothers who are welfare clients negotiate their maternal identity in the context of motherhood and welfare discourses. Fourteen participants were interviewed, and the findings illustrate the vulnerability of the mothers and their strategies to construct a positive maternal identity. We discuss the findings in light of the concept of troubled identity.
Role of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the development of cervical metastases in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Bumber Boris , Marjanovic Kavanagh Marcel , Jakovcevic Antonia , Sincic Nino , Prstacic Ratko , Prgomet Drago
Published: October 2019

Objective

To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) in the development of cervical metastases in papillary thyroid cancer. Our hypothesis is that level of expression of MMPs and TIMPs is associated with the development of cervical metastases and the pattern of metastatic process in papillary thyroid cancer.

Design

This research retrospectively investigates the expression of MMP‐1, ‐2 and ‐9 as well as TIMP‐1 and ‐2 in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue. Tissue specimens were immunohistochemically treated with primary monoclonal antibodies against MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2.

Setting

Single‐centre study.

Participants

In total, samples of 159 patients were analysed. In all patients, total thyroidectomy was performed, whereas 102 patients underwent selective neck dissection of either central (level VI) or lateral neck (level II‐V). Subjects were divided into four groups.

Main outcome measures

Matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPs expression values were analysed in each group, and groups were compared to each other.

Results

Total number of patients was 159, of which 125 were women and 34 men. Comparing expression levels of MMPs and TIMPs in metastatic (study groups) and non‐metastatic (control group), papillary thyroid carcinomas yielded significant differences in MMP‐1 and TIMP‐1 expression levels, where the highest expression values were found in the group with metastasis in lateral neck. Expression levels of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and TIMP‐2 did not differ statistically significant among the groups.

Conclusion

Elevated expression of MMP‐1 and TIMP‐1 in tumour tissue can be considered a predictive factor for the development of metastases.
Non‐consumptive effects of predation: does perceived risk strengthen the genetic integration of behaviour and morphology in stickleback?
Authors: Dingemanse Niels J. , Barber Iain , Dochtermann Ned A.
Published: October 2019

Predators can shape genetic correlations in prey by altering prey perception of risk. We manipulated perceived risk to test whether such non‐consumptive effects tightened behavioural trait correlations in wild‐caught stickleback from high‐ compared to low‐risk environments due to genetic variation in plasticity. We expected tighter genetic correlations within perceived risk treatments than across them, and tighter genetic correlations in high‐risk than in low‐risk treatments. We identified genetic variation in plasticity, with genetic correlations between boldness, sociality, and antipredator morphology, as expected, being tighter within treatments than across them, for both of two populations. By contrast, genetic correlations did not tighten with exposure to risk. Tighter phenotypic correlations in wild stickleback may thus arise because predators induce correlational selection on environmental components of these traits, or because predators tighten residual correlations by causing environmental heterogeneity that is controlled in the laboratory. Our study places phenotypic integration firmly into an ecological context.
Reducing Domestic Violence and Improving Outcomes for Children: Funding Civil Legal Aid to Maximize Impact
Authors: Chiappetta Casey
Published: October 2019

Domestic violence survivors and children in foster care often experience significant unmet civil legal needs. Legal aid services, when adequately funded, can help close the justice gap for these two populations while improving safety, stability, and court efficiencies. However, despite ample literature demonstrating how legal aid can improve outcomes, almost half of those seeking legal aid services are turned away due to lack of resources. This article reviews the research and data about how legal aid can improve outcomes for people in the domestic violence and child welfare contexts. It also discusses how several state‐administered federal funding opportunities—including the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program, Title IV‐D child support funds, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) basic block grants—can fund the needed civil legal help.
Faster and as Satisfying: An Evaluation of Alaska's Early Resolution Triage Program
Authors: Marz Stacey
Published: October 2019

The Alaska Court Early Resolution Program (ERP) addresses many issues – self‐representation in divorce and custody cases, triaging to determine the appropriate resolution approach, the importance of early intervention and the desire to use a simplified process and a problem‐solving approach. This article reports on an evaluation of the Anchorage ERP. It found different outcomes for ERP cases that settled than comparable cases that proceeded on the regular trial process track with respect to the following outcomes:

time to disposition,

number of staff processing steps and associated completion time, and

number of motions to modify filed within two years of the disposition.
Perceptions of Remote and Walk‐In Service Delivery in Family Law Cases
Authors: Summers Lonni , Powers Bradley , Walter Jamie
Published: October 2019

In recent years, the number of litigants representing themselves without legal counsel has increased across the United States. Courts have responded by creating programs and services to help litigants represent themselves. Self‐help centers nationwide use different models to deliver legal advice and information to unrepresented litigants. Some offer court‐based, walk‐in self‐help centers. Others provide services remotely via phone, web, email, video conferencing, and live chat. In Maryland, self‐help center services are offered at walk‐in centers and remotely by phone and live chat. This article examines litigants' perceptions of in‐person and remote delivery of legal advice and information on family law matters. Results revealed that all three service delivery methods have high satisfaction rates, but chat users were less likely to feel as though they knew what to do next. They were also less optimistic about their case than were phone or in‐person users.