bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profile content and context of biology modules based analytical thinking skill on the material of the human reproductive system
Authors: Putri Kus Sundari Puput , Widoretno Sri , Ashadi
Published: June 2019

This research aims to analyze biology modules based on the analytical thinking skill on the material of the human reproductive system. Research procedure was conducted by making indicators are used to analyze the content and context of modules through observation of classroom learning activities. The results of the analysis are presented in the form of percentage graphs which show that: 1) the five modules display the aspect of attributing the lowest percentage, 2) content has a lower percentage than the context of modules.
Empirical Validity of Collaborative-Learning Student Worksheet on Ecology Material to Practice Student’s Scientific Literacy Skill of Tenth Grade Senior High School
Authors: Anfa Qurrotul , Rachmadiarti Fida , Winarsih  , Aminatun Tien
Published: June 2019

The demands of the 21st century emphasize the importance of cooperation and collaboration in problem solving. Besides that, the element of scientific literacy is also needed by students to have a comprehensive learning experience in aspects of social attitudes skills, cognitive and psychomotor. Therefore, a collaborative learning media in the form of worksheets is required. The purpose of this study was to create collaborative learning student worksheets that is proper empirically on ecology material. This study used 3D model of development; Define, Design and Develop. The instruments used for empirical validity included student collaborative observation activity sheets, student scientific process observation activity sheets, student learning outcomes completeness sheets and student response sheets. Empirically, the result of student collaborative activities was very proper with 93.48%, the activity of students’ scientific process was also proper with 85.15%, the completeness of student learning outcomes received 85.87% and the positive response of students got 84.44%.
The Analysis of Environmental Attitudes of Public Junior High School Students in Ngawi
Authors: Arifiantari R , Ashadi  , Dwiastuti S
Published: June 2019

Environmental attitudes need to be developed by the students in the 21st century due to the world’s worse condition nowadays. Environmental attitudes are defined as someone’s internal condition to be willing or unwilling to preserve and take care of the environment in order to keep it stable. Students who possess such attitudes make quite significant impacts on the environmental quality. Besides, environmental attitudes are able to increase problem solving and decision making especially on the environmental issues. The objective of this research is to analyse environmental attitudes of public junior high school students in Ngawi. The participants are 7 graders of public junior high schools in Ngawi. The data are collected by distributing questionnaire concerning environmental attitudes based on NEP by Dunlap. The result indicates that the percentage of students categorized as pro is 38.33%, ones categorized as middle is 60.83%, and ones categorized as anti is 0.83%. Based on the result, it is concluded that the majority of the environmental attitudes of public junior high school students in Ngawi are categorized as middle. It becomes a serious concern to create better environmental quality.
Development of Assessment Instruments In Measuring Critical Thinking Skills of Senior High School Participants of Biology Subject
Authors: Hidayat S , Fadillah E.N.
Published: June 2019

The purposes of this study are to determine the instrument assessment appropriateness in measuring critical thinking skills and understand the level of critical thinking skills at 10th-grade senior high school participants of biology subjects at Palembang. This study is about research and development (R & D). The instrument of development model used is a 4-D development model from Thiagarajan, namely; define, design, develop, and disseminate. Aiken’s V qualitative and quantitative analysis by using QUEST program was used in this study. The results showed that; 1) Biological assessment instruments used in developing critical thinking skills of senior high school participants of the 10th class of biology subject are worth to be reviewed in terms of test standard characteristics; and 2) the percentage of critical thinking skills mastery level on interpretation indicators: 46.78%; 44.86% analysis; 41.15% evaluation; 49.12% inference; 47.50% explanation; and self-regulation 54.27%.
A Preliminary Study of Students Initial Creative Thinking Skills in Surakarta High School
Authors: Riani U Y , Nurcahyo H
Published: June 2019

Often founded more emphasis on memorizing the educational word that makes high level thinking ability of the students seldom trained. The 2013 Curriculum implemented higher-order thinking that encourage students to think critically, logically, reflective and creative. This study aims to describe the questionnaire of preliminary study and creative thinking skills of high school students in Surakarta. This research’s type is descriptive qualitative. Sampling techniques used a Purposive Sampling based on the location of the school and the category of schools. Test instruments of students’ creative thinking are provided towards four school in Surakarta. Data obtained from questionnaire of preliminary study and creative thinking skills instrument of student`s creative thinking skills. The validity and reliability of the test instrument analyzed quantitatively using the Quest. Internal consistency value is 0.90, it means that the instrument has high reliability. The results of the preliminary study shows that the majority of learning methods used by teacher was discussion (31.9%), lecture (42.2%), and laboratory activities (7.1%). While, the results of the creative thinking skills is shows that the students had very less category (11.2%), had less category (73.9%), and had medium category (14.9%).
Instructional technique questions in the evaluating stage of project based learning to improve concept map score
Authors: Arum Dwi Rahayu Yacinta , Widoretno Sri , Dwiastuti Sri , Sajidan  , Rinanto Yudi
Published: June 2019

The study aimed to improve student’s Concept map (CM) scores teacher’s questions on evaluating data, arriving a conclusion, presenting the project in class as preferred and discussion (evaluating data) stage of Project Based Learning. This research was a classroom action research with 3 Cycles. Procedure of this research are planning to compile the lesson plan, implementation of actions, observation, reflection, and construct expert concept map. The subject of this research consisted of 36 students of senior high school. The research data is the concept map score. Validation use triangulation method. verification of CM scores suitability and documentation based on CM experts and interviews. Data obtained by reducing data, graph transformation, and drawing conclusions. The result of this research showed that the teacher’s questions functioned as instructional techniques that improve the CM scores of students.
The Validity of Item Tests of Scientific Method of Divergent Patterns in Biology Subject at Senior High Schools Viewed From The Number of Traits
Authors: Nur Cahyani Fajar , Subali Bambang
Published: June 2019

The initial stage of the research was developing a blue print based on learning continuum, formulating divergent test item models, assigning two experts on measurement and one expert on biological education assessment for reviewing, and performing a try out in the field. The population in this research is the hypothetical population that have characteristics such as selected samples by selecting five Public Senior High Schools in Bantul Regency ranging from schools which have gained highest national examination score to that of the lowest which consist of 954 testee. The data were analyzed using the Quest program referring to the Partial Credit Model (PCM). The analysis was performed to determine the validity of test items which have been developed viewed from single, double, and triple trait. The results of the try out show that all items are fitted with PCM for single and double trait based on INFITMNSQ acceptance limits. Meanwhile, one item is not fitted with PCM for triple trait precisely the trait to investigate. When INFIT-t acceptance limit is employed, some items are not fitted. They include 10 items of single trait, 3 items of double trait precisely the trait to design and perform an investigation and 2 items of the trait to report the results of the investigation. In addition, the non-fitted items for triple trait consist of 3 items of the trait to design an investigation, 2 items of the trait to perform an investigation, and 2 items of the trait to report the results of the investigation.
Weighbridge vibration analysis using 3 accelerometer sensors and single excitation
Authors: Syafri  , Darman
Published: June 2019

Weighbridge was a measuring instrument that was widely used by the Ministry of Transportation to scale the weight of loaded vehicles on the roadways. Due to being traversed by vehicles with various kind of weight and sizes, weighbridges often experience resonance due to the vibrations of vehicles above it. This will potentially cause damages to weighbridges. To anticipate it, researches regarding vibration analysis on weighbridge were needed to decrease resonance on weighbridges. The Vibration Analysis was done by Modal Analysis Method using three accelerometers and one shaker as the measurement sensor. In testing, weighbridge was modeled into a cylindrical beam shape with a length of 724 mm and a diameter of 16 mm. As the supports, Fix-fix Support was used at both ends of the beam. Next, Accelerometer measurement sensor mounted in three positions with a distance of 181 mm, 362 mm, 543 mm from beam supports. Then, Excitation force with four frequency variations (1 Hz, 3 Hz, 5 Hz, 10 Hz) was applied to the four measuring points located between the accelerometer sensor. The measurements result in the form of FRF graph can be obtained by QuickDAQ. From the FRF graph, the five lowest natural frequency of the weighbridge was obtained that equal to 89.9 Hz, 91 Hz, 69.9 Hz, 75 Hz, and 96.9 Hz.
Study of stinging nettle fibers as a reinforcing of composite materials based on its growing region
Authors: Suryawan I G P A , Suardana N P G , Winaya I N S , Suyasa I W B , Lokantara I P
Published: June 2019

Stinging nettle is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Urticaceae family, In Bali Indonesia called jelatang. This species is considered a weed in intensive agriculture as its fast vegetative growth and high densities enable increased spread and soil coverage. In Tabanan Bali Indonesia several places to grow are in Denbantas altitude 200-500 meters and in Bedugul altitude 1000 -1500 meters above sea level. Nettle fibers are natural fibers that can be utilized as reinforcement for composite materials. Natural fibers have been used worldwide as a potential replacement for glass fiber reinforced composites, over the last few years has been applied in the automotive sector, aircraft interior and interior of the building. Properties of the natural fiber is lighter, easier to handle, not abrasive, and low cost. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and the tensile strength of the fiber nettle based growing areas from Bedugul and Denbantas. The method used is a fiber tensile test equipment, fourier transformer infrared red (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the research of nettle fibers that stinging nettle from Denbantas has a better tensile strength than Bedugul nettle. The TGA test the visible fiber from Denbantas is superior when used as a composite reinforcement.
Observations of mechanical and manual forging on bronze as a gamelan material
Authors: Priambadi I G N , Sugita I K G
Published: June 2019

Gamelan is a traditional musical instrument used by Hindu Balinese in religious and cultural activities. The process of making gamelan begins with the manufacture of copper alloy composition (Cu) and lead (Sn), melting, casting, forging and tone forming by grinding on the surface of the blades. The process of forging on the manufacture of bronze gamelan (CuSn) with an open casting method absolutely must be done because the casting results tend to cause the occurrence of porosity. Porosity that occurs in the bronze as a gamelan material will affect the sound produced. The research conducted is to compare the results of manual forging and mechanical means, where the observations are made on the percentage of deformation that occurs, the density, the hardness and the microstructure of the bronze material. The observations show that mechanical forging provides better mechanical properties, deformation rates, and product microstructure.
Experimental study of an organic rankine cycle system using r134a as working fluid with helical evaporator and condenser
Authors: Martin A , Romy  , Agustina D , Ibra A M
Published: June 2019

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system is a modification of the conventional Rankine cycle to generate electricity from the utilization of low-grade temperature heat sources. Experiment on ORC systems was conducted to analyse the performance of a small scale ORC system with 1 kW capacity using R134a as working fluid. A helical type of evaporator and condenser were used as heat exchangers and a scroll type car compressor was used to generate power with variation in heat source temperatures of 75°C, 85°C, and 95°C. Turbine power is calculated theoretically based on the experimental data obtained due to the turbine was not able to rotate. This experiment results show the optimum efficiency and theoretical power of ORC is respectively 3.33% and 279.58 Watt with inlet pressure and temperature of turbine are respectively 1.25 MPa and 67.7°C.
Design and manufacturing of organic rankine cycle (orc) system using working fluid r-134a with helical evaporator and condenser
Authors: Martin A , Romy  , Agustina D , Ibra A M
Published: June 2019

Waste heat from industries such as steam power plants can be utilized to meet the world’s electricity need. However, it cannot be converted efficiently to electric power by using conventional power generation methods as opposed to a technology called Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). ORC is one of the power plant systems that is a modification of the Rankine Cycle using organic working fluid. In this research, ORC was designed and manufactured using R-134a as working fluid and helical heat exchanger as evaporator and condenser. The design of ORC systems based on simulation using Cycle Tempo 5.0 with evaporator temperature of 90°C, condenser temperature of 10°C, inlet pressure of pump of 0.55 MPa, and inlet pressure of turbine of 0.79 MPa. The results of this study showed the length of tube evaporator and condenser of 10.61 m and 10.56 m, respectively, with system efficiency achieved at 3.8%. Based on experiment, with evaporator temperature of 95°C, condenser temperature of 10°C, inlet pressure of pump of 0.48 MPa and inlet pressure of turbine of 0.52 MPa so resulted of system efficiency of 3.33%.
Thermal resistance analysis of central processing unit cooling system based on cascade straight heat pipe
Authors: Septiadi W N , Ula W A W , D Wulandari I G A A , Tnunay I A , Murti M R
Published: June 2019

The development of electronic device is moving toward Smart Technologies, But, the idea of Smart Technologies brings a new problem to heat flux management because the device produces more heat to be banished, especially CPU. So to solve those problems, heat pipe was chosen to be an alternative solution. Heat pipe was hoped to be a passive cooling system technology, but further research shows that goal can’t be achieved, due to the high condenser temperature, and the cooling system still needs fan support to banish the heat quickly from the device. So, this paper will discuss a research about new cascade system for heat pipe with variations of heat load and amount of condenser. The results were compared to non-cascade heat pipe to know its thermal performance, especially in thermal resistance. The results show that application of cascade straight heat pipe is effective to solve high condenser temperature problem. In thermal resistance, non-cascade heat pipe still better, but the differences only around 0.3-0.37 °C/W. For the comparison between single and double condenser, double condenser shows better thermal performance. In the end, this cascade heat pipe technology is effective to be applied for central processing unit cooling system technology.
Lowe syndrome–linked endocytic adaptors direct membrane cycling kinetics with OCRL inDictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Luscher Alexandre , Fröhlich Florian , Barisch Caroline , Littlewood Clare , Metcalfe Joe , Leuba Florence , Palma Anita , Pirruccello Michelle , Cesareni Gianni , Stagi Massimiliano , Walther Tobias C. , Soldati Thierry , De Camilli Pietro , Swan Laura E.
Published: June 2019

Mutations of the inositol 5-phosphatase OCRL cause Lowe syndrome (LS), characterized by congenital cataract, low IQ, and defective kidney proximal tubule resorption. A key subset of LS mutants abolishes OCRL’s interactions with endocytic adaptors containing F&H peptide motifs. Converging unbiased methods examining human peptides and the unicellular phagocytic organism Dictyostelium discoideum reveal that, like OCRL, the Dictyostelium OCRL orthologue Dd5P4 binds two proteins closely related to the F&H proteins APPL1 and Ses1/2 (also referred to as IPIP27A/B). In addition, a novel conserved F&H interactor was identified, GxcU (in Dictyostelium) and the Cdc42-GEF FGD1-related F-actin binding protein (Frabin) (in human cells). Examining these proteins in D. discoideum, we find that, like OCRL, Dd5P4 acts at well-conserved and physically distinct endocytic stations. Dd5P4 functions in coordination with F&H proteins to control membrane deformation at multiple stages of endocytosis and suppresses GxcU-mediated activity during fluid-phase micropinocytosis. We also reveal that OCRL/Dd5P4 acts at the contractile vacuole, an exocytic osmoregulatory organelle. We propose F&H peptide-containing proteins may be key modifiers of LS phenotypes.
Combinatorial diversity of Syk recruitment driven by its multivalent engagement with FcεRIγ
Authors: Travers Timothy , Kanagy William K. , Mansbach Rachael A. , Jhamba Elton , Cleyrat Cedric , Goldstein Byron , Lidke Diane S. , Wilson Bridget S. , Gnanakaran S.
Published: June 2019

Syk/Zap70 family kinases are essential for signaling via multichain immune-recognition receptors such as tetrameric (αβγ2) FcεRI. Syk activation is generally attributed to cis binding of its tandem SH2 domains to dual phosphotyrosines within FcεRIγ-ITAMs (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs). However, the mechanistic details of Syk docking on γ homodimers are unresolved. Here, we estimate that multivalent interactions for WT Syk improve cis-oriented binding by three orders of magnitude. We applied molecular dynamics (MD), hybrid MD/worm-like chain polymer modeling, and live cell imaging to evaluate relative binding and signaling output for all possible cis and trans Syk–FcεRIγ configurations. Syk binding is likely modulated during signaling by autophosphorylation on Y130 in interdomain A, since a Y130E phosphomimetic form of Syk is predicted to lead to reduced helicity of interdomain A and alter Syk’s bias for cis binding. Experiments in reconstituted γ-KO cells, whose γ subunits are linked by disulfide bonds, as well as in cells expressing monomeric ITAM or hemITAM γ-chimeras, support model predictions that short distances between γ ITAM pairs are required for trans docking. We propose that the full range of docking configurations improves signaling efficiency by expanding the combinatorial possibilities for Syk recruitment, particularly under conditions of incomplete ITAM phosphorylation.
The Impact of NuVal Shelf Nutrition Labels on Food Purchase
Authors: Zhen Chen , Zheng Xiaoyong
Published: June 2019

Summary shelf nutrition labels are one of a handful of practical strategies that hold the promise of improving nutrition and public health. We use a difference‐in‐differences approach to estimate the effect of the NuVal shelf label—an interpretive numeric score, now defunct, that rated the overall nutrition of foods from one (least healthful) to 100 (most healthful)—on consumer demand for yogurt. The results indicate that NuVal labels affected product sales through an information provision effect that increases with the value of the nutrition score on the product and a publicity (i.e., salience) effect that is unrelated to the level of the score. A one‐point increase in NuVal score on a yogurt product is estimated to increase demand by 0.23%.
Correlates of Reduced Alcohol Consumption among a Sample of Young Australians
Authors: Raggatt Michelle , Wright Cassandra , Dietze Paul , Pennay Amy , Caluzzi Gabriel , Lim Megan
Published: June 2019

Our findings contribute to understanding recent trends in alcohol reduction among young people. One in three young people reduced their alcohol consumption in the past year. Young people were more likely to reduce drinking if they were born overseas or had experienced alcohol-related harms.
PhenoScanner V2: an expanded tool for searching human genotype–phenotype associations
Authors: Kamat Mihir A , Blackshaw James A , Young Robin , Surendran Praveen , Burgess Stephen , Danesh John , Butterworth Adam S , Staley James R
Published: June 2019

PhenoScanner is a curated database of publicly available results from large-scale genetic association studies in humans. This online tool facilitates ‘phenome scans’, where genetic variants are cross-referenced for association with many phenotypes of different types. Here we present a major update of PhenoScanner (‘PhenoScanner V2’), including over 150 million genetic variants and more than 65 billion associations (compared to 350 million associations in PhenoScanner V1) with diseases and traits, gene expression, metabolite and protein levels, and epigenetic markers. The query options have been extended to include searches by genes, genomic regions and phenotypes, as well as for genetic variants. All variants are positionally annotated using the Variant Effect Predictor and the phenotypes are mapped to Experimental Factor Ontology terms. Linkage disequilibrium statistics from the 1000 Genomes project can be used to search for phenotype associations with proxy variants.

Availability and implementation

PhenoScanner V2 is available at www.phenoscanner.medschl.cam.ac.uk.
Multifocal origin of occupational cholangiocarcinoma revealed by comparison of multilesion mutational profiles
Authors: Mimaki Sachiyo , Watanabe Masahiko , Kinoshita Masahiko , Yamashita Riu , Haeno Hiroshi , Takemura Shigekazu , Tanaka Shogo , Marubashi Shigeru , Totsuka Yukari , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Nakagama Hitoshi , Ochiai Atsushi , Nakamori Shoji , Kubo Shoji , Tsuchihara Katsuya
Published: June 2019

Recently identified occupational cholangiocarcinoma among printing workers is characterized by chronic bile duct injuries and precancerous or early cancerous lesions at multiple sites of the bile ducts. These observations suggested the potential multifocal carcinogenesis of the disease. We performed whole-exome analysis of multiple lesions, including the invasive carcinomas and precancerous lesions of four occupational cholangiocarcinoma cases. A much higher mutation burden was observed in both the invasive carcinomas (mean 76.3/Mb) and precancerous lesions (mean 71.8/Mb) than in non-occupational cholangiocarcinomas (mean 1.6/Mb). Most somatic mutations identified in 11 of 16 lesions did not overlap with each other. In contrast, a unique trinucleotide mutational signature of GpCpY to GpTpY was shared among the lesions. These results suggest that most of these lesions are multiclonal in origin and that common mutagenic processes, which may be induced by exposure to haloalkanes or their metabolites, generated somatic mutations at different sites of the bile ducts. A similarly high mutation rate had already been identified in the precancerous lesions, implying an increased potential for carcinogenesis throughout the biliary tree. These genomic features support the importance of ongoing close follow-up of the patients as a group at high risk of recurrence.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Diverse Physical Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Observational Studies
Authors: Grabovac Igor , Veronese Nicola , Stefanac Sinisa , Haider Sandra , Jackson Sarah E , Koyanagi Ai , Meilinger Michael , Stubbs Brendon , Firth Joseph , Soysal Pinar , Di Gennaro Francesco , Demurtas Jacopo , McDermott Daragh T , Abbs Adam D , Yang Lin , Smith Lee
Published: June 2019

Background

Our aim was to assess both the credibility and strength of evidence arising from systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and physical health outcomes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Methods

We performed an umbrella review of observational studies. Evidence was graded as convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or nonsignificant.

Results

From 3413 studies returned, 20 were included, covering 55 health outcomes. Median number of participants was 18 743 (range 403–225 000 000). Overall, 45 (81.8%) of the 55 unique outcomes reported nominally significant summary results (P < .05). Only 5 outcomes (9.0%; higher likelihood of presence of breathlessness, higher chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] prevalence, maternal sepsis, higher risk of anemia, and higher risk of all fractures among people living with HIV [PLWHIV]) showed suggestive evidence, with P values < 10–3; only 3 (5.5%; higher prevalence of cough in cross-sectional studies, higher incidence of pregnancy-related mortality, and higher incidence of ischemic heart disease among PLWHIV in cohort studies) outcomes showed stronger evidence using a stringent P value (<10–6). None of the unique outcomes presented convincing evidence (Class I), yet 3 outcomes presented highly suggestive evidence, 5 outcomes presented suggestive evidence, and 37 outcomes presented weak evidence.

Conclusions

Results show highly suggestive and suggestive evidence for HIV and the presence of a cough, COPD, ischemic heart disease, pregnancy-related mortality, maternal sepsis, and bone fractures. Public health policies should reflect and accommodate these changes, especially in light of the increases in the life expectancy and the incidence of comorbidities in this population.
Overlap of Pink-footed Shearwaters and central Chilean purse-seine fisheries: Implications for bycatch risk
Authors: Carle Ryan D , Felis Jonathan J , Vega Rodrigo , Beck Jessie , Adams Josh , López Verónica , Hodum Peter J , González Andrés , Colodro Valentina , Varela Tiare
Published: June 2019

Understanding susceptibility of seabirds to fisheries bycatch requires quantifying overlap of seabird at-sea habitat with fisheries’ distribution and effort. Pink-footed Shearwaters (Ardenna creatopus) are vulnerable seabirds that breed only in Chile. Recently, high rates of Pink-footed Shearwater bycatch (i.e. >1,500 observed mortalities 2015–2017) were documented by observers in central Chilean purse-seine fisheries. We present analysis of Pink-footed Shearwater at-sea movements and overlap with central Chilean purse-seine fleets targeting common sardine (Strangomera bentincki), Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), and Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi). To determine overlap during 2015–2017, we paired locations from 49 Pink-footed Shearwaters rearing nestlings at Isla Mocha, Chile, with locations and number of observed purse-seine sets in central Chile. Pink-footed Shearwaters typically visited waters ≤30 km offshore throughout central Chile. Foraging trip durations varied interannually, with longer trips in 2016, but all years revealed persistent foraging hotspots near Valdivia, the Gulf of Arauco, and Isla Mocha, Chile. Greatest overlap between Pink-footed Shearwaters and fisheries occurred with the sardine/anchoveta fleet near Valdivia (artisanal and industrial) and the Gulf of Arauco (artisanal); overlap with the jack mackerel fleet was minimal. Given Pink-footed Shearwater bycatch documented in these fisheries, this overlap may indicate risk of bycatch for these birds, although we did not directly quantify shearwater–fisheries interaction. Our results can inform further fishery monitoring efforts, as well as collaboration among scientists, managers, and fishers to identify, quantify, and reduce fisheries bycatch of Pink-footed Shearwaters within Chile and internationally.
Frontiers in positron emission tomography imaging of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: MacAskill Mark G , Newby David E , Tavares Adriana A S
Published: June 2019

Rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques leading to an atherothrombotic event is the primary driver of myocardial infarction and stroke. The ability to detect non-invasively the presence and evolution of vulnerable plaques could have a huge impact on the future identification and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with an appropriate radiotracer has the potential to achieve this goal. This review will discuss the biological hallmarks of plaque vulnerability before going on to evaluate and to present PET imaging approaches which target these processes. The focus of this review will be on techniques beyond [18F]FDG imaging, some of which are clinically advanced, and others which are on the horizon. As inflammation is the primary driving force behind atherosclerotic plaque development, we will predominantly focus on approaches which either directly, or indirectly, target this process.
21 hands for playing: on resolving a puzzle from the ‘Krakow lute tablature’
Authors: Schöning Kateryna
Published: June 2019

The ‘Krakow lute tablature’ (c.1553–1592) is preserved among the little-explored collections of the Ivan Franco National University in Lviv, Ukraine. This article is devoted to the 21 unique hand drawings on the tablature folios. Did such illustrations have any significance for readers of tablature in the 16th century? Were the hand-signs intended to convey information about the pieces to which they were obviously assigned, or even about the manuscript as a whole? Were they of didactic importance, and do they relate to performance practice around 1550 in the Polish–Lithuanian region? Could they have been used to help with the memorization of pedagogical instructions, or were they perhaps entered alongside the tablature ‘just for fun’?
Coca-Cola’s political and policy influence in Mexico: understanding the role of institutions, interests and divided society
Authors: Gómez Eduardo J
Published: June 2019

In response to Mexico’s burgeoning industrial epidemics of obesity and type-2 diabetes, triggered in part by sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages’ ability to readily market their products and influence consumption, the government has responded through a variety of non-communicable disease (NCD) policies. Nevertheless, major industries, such as Coca-Cola, have been able to continuously obstruct the prioritization of those policies targeting the consumption, marketing and sale of their products. To better understand why this has occurred, this article introduces a political science agenda-setting framework and applies it to the case of Coca-Cola in Mexico. Devised from political science theory and subsequently applied to the case of Coca-Cola in Mexico, my framework, titled Institutions, Interests, and Industry Civic Influence (IPIC), emphasizes Coca-Cola’s access to institutions, supportive presidents and industry efforts to hamper civic mobilization and pressures for greater regulation of the soda industry. Methodologically, I employ qualitative single case study analysis, combining an analysis of 26 case study documents and seven in-depth stake-holder interviews. My proposed analytical framework helps to underscore the fact that Coca-Cola’s influence is not solely shaped by the corporation’s increased economic importance, but more importantly, its access to politicians, institutions and strategies to divide civil society. Additionally, my proposed framework provides several real-world policy recommendations for how governments and civil society can restructure their relationship with the soda industry, such as the government’s creation of laws prohibiting the industry’s ability to influence NCD policy and fund scientific research.
Responding to Threats Both Foreign and Domestic: NOD-Like Receptors in Corals
Authors: Dimos Bradford A , Butler Caleb C , Ricci Contessa A , MacKnight Nicholas J , Mydlarz Laura D
Published: June 2019

Historically mechanisms with which basal animals such as reef-building corals use to respond to changing and increasingly stressful environments have remained elusive. However, the increasing availability of genomic and transcriptomic data from these organisms has provided fundamental insights into the biology of these critically important ecosystem engineers. Notably, insights into cnidarians gained in the post-genomics age have revealed a surprisingly complex immune system which bears a surprising level of similarity with the vertebrate innate immune system. This system has been critically linked to how corals respond to the two most prominent threats on a global scale, emerging coral diseases and increasing water temperature, which are recognized cellularly as either foreign or domestic threats, respectively. These threats can arise from pathogenic microbes or internal cellular dysfunction, underscoring the need to further understand mechanisms corals use to sense and respond to threats to their cellular integrity. In this investigation and meta-analysis, we utilize resources only recently available in the post-genomic era to identify and characterize members of an underexplored class of molecules known as NOD-like receptors in the endangered Caribbean coral Orbicella faveolata. We then leverage these data to identify pathways possibly mediated by NLRs in both O. faveolata and the ecologically important branching coral Acropora digitifera. Overall, we find support that this class of proteins may provide a mechanistic link to how reef-building corals respond to threats both foreign and domestic.
Requirement for memory B-cell activation in protection from heterologous influenza virus reinfection
Authors: Leach Sarah , Shinnakasu Ryo , Adachi Yu , Momota Masatoshi , Makino-Okamura Chieko , Yamamoto Takuya , Ishii Ken J , Fukuyama Hidehiro , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Kurosaki Tomohiro
Published: June 2019

While two memory compartments, memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells, are thought to contribute to the successful establishment of memory recall responses, the unique roles of each cellular compartment are still unclear. Herein, by tracing influenza anti-hemagglutinin (HA)-specific antibodies in mice, we demonstrate that pre-existing antibodies secreted by long-lived plasma cells are essential for protection from reinfection with the same influenza virus, whereas protection from secondary infection with an antigenically distinct influenza virus requires memory B-cell activation. These activated memory B cells were largely specific for the conserved HA stem region, and generated sufficient levels of antibodies for protection from heterologous reinfection. Given that the anti-stem plasmablasts derived from the memory B cells were higher affinity than those from naive B cells, our results suggest that maturation of anti-stem memory B cells during primary influenza infection and their subsequent activation are required for protection from reinfection by mutant viruses.
Japan’s evolving threat perception: data from diet deliberations 1946–2017
Authors: Oren Eitan
Published: June 2019

Scholars have recently commented on Japan’s increasing threat perception, either in the context of an ‘increasingly complex security environment’, or in the context of its use by Japanese elites to advance their political goals. Yet, while references to Japan’s threat perception are ubiquitous, conceptual clarity and comprehensive empirical evidence are far less so. This article seeks to address these gaps by conducting a longitudinal study of threat perception in postwar Japan. Data are driven from content analysis of debates in Japan’s national parliament over a period of seven decades (1946–2017). The evolution of Japan’s threat perception is analyzed, and a revisionist account of Japan’s threat perception is put forward. Thus, this study serves both as a metric of threat perception in postwar Japan and as a model for the study of threat perception in international relations.
A preliminary report of head-to-head comparison of 18-gene-based clinical-genomic model and oncotype DX 21-gene assay for predicting recurrence of early-stage breast cancer
Authors: Yang Po-Sheng , Lee Yi-Hsuan , Chung Chi-Feng , Chang Yuan-Ching , Wang Ming-Yang , Lo Chiao , Tsai Li Wei , Shih Kuan-Hui , Lei Jason , Yu Ben-Long , Cheng Skye H , Huang Chiun-Sheng
Published: June 2019

Background

The information of Oncotype DX applied in Asian breast cancer patients is limited. A recurrence index for distant recurrence (RI-DR) has been developed for early-stage breast cancer (EBC) from tumor samples in Chinese patients. In this study, we compared the prognostic performance of the Oncotype DX (ODx) recurrence score (RS) with the RI-DR for any recurrence risk type.

Materials and methods

One hundred thirty-eight (138) patients with hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative EBC who were previously tested with ODx were included for testing with the RI-DR. The cutoff score to partition the low- and high-risk patients was 26 for RS and 36 for RI-DR. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

The concordance between the RI-DR and RS was 83% in N0 patients and 81% in node-positive patients when the RS score cutoff was set at 26. With a median follow-up interval of 36.8 months, the 4-year RFS for the high- and low-risk groups categorized by the RS were 61.9% and 95.0%, respectively (hazard ratio: 10.6, 95.0% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–62.9). The 4-year RFS in the high- and low-risk groups categorized by the RI-DR were 72.6% and 98.5%, respectively (hazard ratio: 18.9, 95% CI: 1.8–138.8).

Conclusion

This paper illustrated the performance of RI-DR and ODx RS in breast cancer women in Taiwan. There was high concordance between the RI-DR and RS. The RI-DR is not inferior to the RS in predicting RFS in EBC patients. This study will fill the gap between the current and best practice in Chinese patients.
Capital Assembly
Authors: Akerlof Robert , Holden Richard
Published: June 2019

This article explores the problem of assembling capital for projects. It can be difficult to assemble capital, when it is disaggregated, for a project that exhibits increasing returns. Small investors may be reluctant to participate, as they may question the ability of the project owner to raise the additional capital he requires. This suggests the possibility that agents with blocks of capital (capital that is already aggregated) might earn rents. Similarly, agents with “network capital”—that is, an ability to aggregate the capital of others—may earn rents. In this article, we develop a simple theory of capital assembly and discuss the implications for investment and rent distribution.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with concomitant Morgagni hernia repair
Authors: Alqahtani Awadh , Aljohani Emad , Almadi Fahad , Billa Srikar
Published: June 2019

A 36-year-old morbidly obese female with BMI 66 kg/m2, scheduled for elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Prior to the surgery patient had symptoms of mild dyspnea, vague abdominal discomfort. CAT scan of thorax and abdomen revealed a right-sided large morgagni diaphragmatic hernia containing omentum and portion of the transverse colon. Patient elected to undergo Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and concomitant morgagni diaphragmatic hernia repair. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on post-operative Day 2.

This case is an extremely rare case of super obese patient with Morgagni hernia who desires bariatric surgery and found to have incidental finding of morgagni hernia. This kind of combination can safely undergo concomitant laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh and sleeve gastrectomy.
Correlation between Osteoprotegerin Levels and Antiphospholipid Syndrome Parameters
Authors: Caraiola Simona , Dima Alina , Jurcut Ciprian , Jurcut Ruxandra , Baicus Cristian , Baicus Anda
Published: June 2019

Objective

To identify the osteoprotegerin (OPG) correlates with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) parameters.

Methods

Our cohort included 40 patients with primary APS disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (mean age, 43.7 years; 87% female). Data on cardiovascular risk factors and specific clinical events in APS were collected. Then we tested OPG and 10 criteria and noncriteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) on preserved specimens in all cases.

Results

A total of 26 patients (65%) had high serum OPG levels. Patients with high OPG were mostly overweight. In patients with SLE, the OPG levels were associated with anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and anti-Sm titers. However, we did not find significant correlations of the OPG with any of the 10 aPLs tested. Also, we found no relationship regarding venous APS events.

Conclusion

In APS, high OPG levels are not linked to serum aPL expression.
Constraining the duty cycle of transient low-mass X-ray binaries through simulations
Authors: Carbone D , Wijnands R
Published: June 2019

We performed simulations of a large number of so-called very faint X-ray transient sources from surveys obtained using the X-ray telescope aboard the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory on two Galactic globular clusters, and the Galactic Centre. We calculated the ratio between the duty cycle (DC) we input in our simulations and the one we measure after the simulations. We found that fluctuations in outburst duration and recurrence times affect our estimation of the DC more than non-detected outbursts. This biases our measures to overestimate the simulated DC of sources. Moreover, we determined that compact surveys are necessary to detect outbursts with short duration because they could fall in gaps between observations, if such gaps are longer than their duration. On the other hand, long surveys are necessary to detect sources with low DC because the smallest DC a survey can observe is given by the ratio between the shortest outburst duration and the total length of the survey. If one has a limited amount of observing time, these two effects are competing, and a compromise is required which is set by the goals of the proposed survey. We have also performed simulations with several artificial survey strategies in order to evaluate the optimal observing campaign aimed at detecting transients as well as at having the most accurate estimates of the DC. As expected, the best campaign would be a regular and dense monitoring that extends for a very long period. The closest real example of such a data set is the monitoring of the Galactic Centre.
The nature of submillimetre and highly star-forming galaxies in the EAGLE simulation
Authors: McAlpine Stuart , Smail Ian , Bower Richard G , Swinbank A M , Trayford James W , Theuns Tom , Baes Maarten , Camps Peter , Crain Robert A , Schaye Joop
Published: June 2019

We exploit EAGLE, a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation, to reproduce the selection of the observed submillimetre (submm) galaxy population by selecting the model galaxies at z ≥ 1 with mock submm fluxes $S_{850\, \mu \mathrm{m}}$ ≥ 1 mJy. We find a reasonable agreement between the model galaxies within this sample and the properties of the observed submm population, such as their star formation rates (SFRs) at z < 3, redshift distribution, and many integrated galaxy properties. We find that the median redshift of the $S_{850\, \mu \mathrm{m}}$ ≥ 1 mJy model population is z ≈ 2.5, and that they are massive galaxies (M* ∼ 1011 M⊙) with high dust masses (Mdust ∼ 108 M⊙), gas fractions (fgas ≈ 50 per cent), and SFRs ($\dot{M}_* \approx 100$ M⊙ yr−1). In addition, we find that they have major and minor merger fractions similar to the general population, suggesting that mergers are not the sole driver of the high SFRs in the model submm galaxies. Instead, the $S_{850\, \mu \mathrm{m}}$ ≥ 1 mJy model galaxies yield high SFRs primarily because they maintain a significant gas reservoir as a result of hosting an undermassive black hole relative to comparably massive galaxies. Not all ‘highly star-forming’ ($\dot{M}_* \ge 80$ M⊙ yr−1) eagle galaxies have submm fluxes $S_{850\, \mu \mathrm{m}}$ ≥ 1 mJy. We investigate the nature of these highly star-forming ‘Submm-Faint’ galaxies (i.e. $\dot{M}_* \ge 80$ M⊙ yr−1 but $S_{850\, \mu \mathrm{m}}$ < 1 mJy) and find that they are similar to the model submm galaxies, being gas rich and hosting undermassive black holes. However, they are also typically at higher redshifts (z > 4) and are lower mass (M* ∼ 1010 M⊙). These typically higher redshift galaxies show stronger evidence for having been triggered by major mergers, and critically, they are likely missed by most current submm surveys due to their higher dust temperatures and lower dust masses.
The dark matter profiles in the Milky Way
Authors: Lin Hai-Nan , Li Xin
Published: June 2019

We investigate the dark matter profile of the Milky Way using the observed rotation curve data out to 100 kpc. The baryonic matter of the Milky Way is divided into bulge, disc, and gas components, and each component is modelled using various possible mass profiles available in literature. The arbitrary combination of seven bulge profiles, four disc profiles, and two gas profiles results in 56 baryon models. These baryon models are combined with one of the four dark matter profiles: Burkert profile, core-modified profile, pseudo-isothermal profile, and NFW profile, to fit the observed rotation curve data. Results show that in general the NFW profile fits the data better than the Burkert profile, while the core-modified profile and the pseudo-isothermal profile are essentially ruled out. The best-fitting NFW model has the scale length r0 = 8.1 ± 0.7 kpc, and the corresponding local density of dark matter is ρdm(R = R⊙) = 0.51 ± 0.09 GeV cm−3.
Constraints on cosmic-ray transport in galaxy clusters from radio and γ-ray observations
Authors: Wiener Joshua , Zweibel Ellen G
Published: June 2019

The nature of cosmic rays (CRs) and their transport in galaxy clusters is probed by several observations. Radio observations reveal synchrotron radiation of cosmic-ray electrons (CRe) spiralling around cluster magnetic fields. γ-ray observations reveal hadronic reactions of cosmic-ray protons (CRp) with gas nuclei that produce pions. No such cluster-wide γ-ray signal has been measured, putting an upper limit on the density of CRp in clusters. But the presence of CRe implies some source of CRp, and consequently there must be some CRp-loss mechanism. We quantify the observational constraints on this mechanism assuming that losses are dominated by CR transport, ultimately deriving lower limits on this transport. Using the Coma cluster as an example, we find that bulk outward speeds of 10–100 km s−1 are sufficient to reduce γ-radiation below current upper limits. These speeds are sub-Alfvénic and are consistent with a self-confinement model for CR transport if the magnetic field is coherent on large scales. If the transport is diffusive, we require minimum diffusion coefficients of 1031–1032 cm2 s−1. This is consistent with CRs free streaming at the speed of light along a field tangled on length-scales of a few kpc. We find that a model of the Coma cluster with a tangled field and the self-confinement picture together can be consistent with observations if the relative acceleration efficiency of CR protons is less than 15 times more than that of electrons of the same energy. This value is 3–6 times lower than the same quantity for Galactic cosmic rays.