bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in unilateral sinus disease
Authors: Mielcarek-Kuchta Daniela , Simon Karolina , Kondratowicz Dawid , Łukomska Zofia , Rybak-Korytowska Aleksandra
Published: October 2017

Background: Unilateral sinus disease (USD) occurs in 23 % of all cases. It is believed that it is mainly associated with
cancer development. Retrospective data from large rhinological centers show that the most common USD is chronic
rhinosinusitis (CRS), followed by mycosis, inverted papilloma and finally cancer, but only in a small percent of cases.
The aim of the study: The analysis of USD in the group of patients who underwent FESS at the secondary referral center. Material and Method: The retrospective study of patients treated for USD in the Department of Otolaryngology in
the Provincial Hospital in Poznan between June 2014 and June 2016. The analysis includes age, sex, the localization of
lesions, histopathological and microbiological results, an extension of the surgery and treatment results.
Results: Over the analyzed period of time, 415 FESS for chronic sinusitis were performed. In this group, 83 patients underwent
surgery for USD. There were 35 women and 48 men.CRS was found in 48 cases, mycosis in nine cases, 12 patients were operated
for non-malignant tumors, such as inverted papilloma (9), osteoma (2) and fibrosis tumor(1); seven patients had a choanal
polyp and two of them had a foreign body in maxillary sinus – a tooth root lying loose. Four patients were diagnosed with a hypoplastic
maxillary sinus and one patient suffered from frontal sinus pyocele. One side endoscopic opening of all sinuses was
performed in the group with CRS, endoscopic medial maxillectomy was conducted in patients with inverted papilloma, and an
isolated opening of the affected sinus was performed in the cases with mycosis.
Conclusions: USD must be always suspected of malignant degeneration until proven otherwise. Endoscopic sinus surgery
with the use of angled scope allows for the removal of even very extensive lesions. In our opinion, the extent of
operation is determined by the nature of pathology. While extensive surgery is recommended in patients with inverted
papilloma, a limited procedure should be performed in those with isolated mycosis.
DEVELOPMENT OF LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDERS
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VALUE-BUILDING
GROWTH MODEL
Authors: Płaczek Ewa
Published: October 2017

The primary objective of any logistics service provider is to develop. Although
it appears natural, the challenges that it poses are bigger than we think. The concept
of development – generally seen as a process of changes – is ambiguous and can
mean something else for each service provider. The aim of this article is to attempt
to verify, based on the value-building growth model (VBG), whether the financial
results achieved by logistics service providers translate into their success, which
is equated with development.
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN E-COMMERCE
Authors: Weiland Dariusz
Published: October 2017

The article presents different definitions of e-commerce and discusses the impact
of technology development, the Internet, globalization, and changes in public
awareness on its current form. It also indicates the functions of information and its
pathologies most frequently encountered in e-commerce and presents the role
of logistics information in building its competitive advantage.
E-LOGISTICS AS A SOURCE OF MODERN TOOLS
AFFECTING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES
Authors: Wieczorek Adam
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, the competitive position of enterprises depends not only on prices,
but also on factors such as quality, customer service, and execution time, which can
be improved by implementing modern solutions into the logistics processes. This
paper presents the influence of e-logistics on competitiveness. It also describes several
e-logistics technologies and points out the benefits of using such technologies
as wearables, 3D vision, or Pick-by-Voice and Pick-by-Light systems.
Jmenování vysokoškolským profesorem – správněprávní a ústavněprávní otázky
Authors: Kopecký Martin
Published: October 2017

Profesor je vědecko-pedagogickým titulem, který získá v podmínkách České republiky uchazeč po úspěšném absolvování řízení na vysoké škole a po jmenování prezidentem republiky. Zatímco řízení ke jmenování profesorem je projevem samosprávné působnosti vysoké školy, pouze vysoká škola, která je k tomu akreditována, je oprávněna vést takové jmenovací řízení pro stanovený obor, pravomoc jmenovat vysokoškolského profesora je zákonem o vysokých školách svěřena prezidentu republiky, který rozhoduje o návrhu vědecké rady veřejné vysoké školy na jmenování určitého kandidáta profesorem. Návrh je prezidentu republiky přitom podáván prostřednictvím ministra školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy, kterému zákon svěřuje pravomoc vrátit ve stanovených případech vědecké radě vysoké školy návrh na jmenování profesorem. Článek rozebírá nejen zákonnou úpravu řízení o jmenování profesorem a zákonná pravidla o jmenování, ale i ústavněprávní otázky s tím spojené, tedy zejména roli prezidenta republiky a dalších správních orgánů při jmenování profesorem. Článek se věnuje aktuální judikatuře ve správním soudnictví týkající se případů osob, které sice byly navrženy vědeckou radou vysoké školy na jmenování profesorem, ale které prezident republiky odmítl jmenovat.
Extrémy slobody prejavu a úloha právnej regulácie
Authors: Steuer Max
Published: October 2017

Nové možnosti komunikácie a prezentácie ideí rozšírili priestor pre vyjadrenie názorov, vrátane takých, ktoré zasahujú do ľudskej dôstojnosti. Reakcie na tento fenomén majú neraz právny charakter, umožňujúci sankcionovať pôvodcov „nenávistných prejavov“. Slovenská republika, kde sa v roku 2016 po prvýkrát v postkomunistickej histórii do zákonodarného zboru dostala strana s cieľom zvrhnutia demokratického režimu, v tomto ohľade nie je výnimkou. Predkladaná konceptuálna analýza ukazuje, ako uvedené reakcie, vrátane „protiextrémistickej“ novely slovenských trestných kódexov z októbra 2016, zapadajú do rámca „militantnej demokracie“. Najskôr predstaví koncept militantnej demokracie ako jeden z možných reakcií (nielen) k extrémnym prejavom, pričom sa zameriava na úlohu práva ako ochrancu demokracie v chápaní tohto prístupu. Následne charakterizuje niektoré riziká obsiahnuté v tomto prístupe a na ich základe uvedie alternatívny prístup, chápajúci právo ako facilitátora slobody. V závere vysvetľuje, ako druhý prístup, ktorý právne reguluje iba prejavy podnecujúce k násiliu, vo zvyšku ponechávajúc priestor neprávnym opatreniam, zabraňuje nezamýšľaným negatívnym dôsledkom prvého, „militantno-demokratického“ prístupu.
Disenty jako budoucí většinová stanoviska
Authors: Stypa Ondřej
Published: October 2017

Článek pojednává o transformaci soudcovských disentů na většinová stanoviska. Vymezuje tři druhy přeměny disentů ve většinová stanoviska, zkoumá hlavní znaky každého druhu transformace a rozebírá jeho výhody a nevýhody pro disentujícího soudce. Teoretické poznatky jsou doplněny konkrétními příklady transformace disentu ve většinové stanovisko, které pocházejí především z judikatury Nejvyššího soudu USA.
Participação da família na gestação: revisão integrativa
Authors: Wilhelm Laís Antunes , Cremonese Luiza , Castiglioni Críslen Malavolta , Souza Martha Helena Teixeira de , Schimith Maria Denise , Ressel Lúcia Beatriz
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: identificar na produção científica, aparticipação da família na gestação. Método: revisão integrativa, que realizou uma busca em abril de 2017, com os descritores relações familiares e gravidez, nas bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Base de Dados em Enfermagem e U.S. National Library of Medicine. Foram selecionados 12 artigos publicados no período de 2004-2016, que abordassem sobre relações familiares e gravidez, provenientes de pesquisas originais e disponíveis online gratuitos e na íntegra. Resultados: a família participa da gestação como: fonte de proteção e apoio, incentivando as gestantes a realizarem o autocuidado por meio de informações e orientações, transmitindo suporte emocional e psicológico e com ajuda financeira. Conclusão: a gravidez é um evento familiar e a compreensão da participação da família no processo gestacional, pode contribuir para uma assistência de qualidade.
Conhecimento de mulheres sobre fatores relacionados ao câncer de mama
Authors: Derenzo Neide , Costa Maria Antonia Ramos , Melo Willian Augusto de , Costa Cassia Kely Favoretto , Francisqueti Verônica , Bernuci Marcelo Picinin
Published: October 2017

RESUMO: Objetivo: descrever o perfil e conhecimento de mulheres atendidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família sobre fatores relacionados ao câncer de mama. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, desenvolvido em município do noroeste Paranaense onde participaram, por amostragem aleatória, 193 mulheres. A coleta de dados ocorreu de agosto de 2014 a outubro de 2015, por meio de entrevista e foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, verificando-se medidas de proporções simples e de tendência central. Resultados: prevaleceram mulheres entre 50-60 anos, com baixa escolaridade, maioria casadas e etnia branca. Negaram história familiar de câncer 81%, porém 52,1% consideraram como maior fator de risco, 82,3% utilizaram anticoncepcionais. Conclusão: Observou que a maioria apreendia conhecimentos sobre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer de mama, respectivamente nos quesitos história familiar, estilo de vida e história reprodutiva.
Ações de cuidado para a promoção da segurança ao paciente em ventilação mecânica invasiva
Authors: Pires Fabiana Cristina , Fanan Julia Maria Vergani , Nascimento Juliana Silva Garcia
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: verificar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem e fisioterapia sobre as ações de cuidado relacionadas ao uso de ventilação mecânica. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, quantitativo, realizado na unidade de terapia intensiva com 32 participantes da equipe multiprofissional, no período de setembro a novembro de 2016, por meio de questionário autoexplicativo. Resultados: foram identificadas duas principais vertentes sobre as ações de cuidado relacionadas ao uso de ventilação mecânica invasiva. A primeira abordou quatro estratégias de cuidado direcionadas ao ventilador mecânico e a segunda relacionou quatro cuidados específicos voltados ao paciente critico ventilado mecanicamente. Conclusão: o conhecimento sobre as estratégias de cuidado foi satisfatório quanto às condutas referentes ao ventilador mecânico e ao paciente, valorizando a adoção de protocolos baseados em evidências científicas sobre a temática.
Uso de software livre como recurso para mensuração de área de úlceras venosas
Authors: Eberhardt Thaís Dresch , Lima Suzinara Beatriz Soares de , Lopes Luis Felipe Dias , Fonseca Dienifer Fortes da , Carvalho Jordana Lopes , Fonseca Graziele Gorete Portella da
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: verificar a reprodutibilidade do uso do software Image tool para mensuração em área de úlceras venosas. Método: estudo de avaliação de reprodutibilidade de testes realizado em ambulatório de angiologia de hospital universitário do sul do Brasil. Foram selecionados pacientes com úlceras venosas, os quais tiveram suas úlceras fotografadas e mensuradas por meio do software supracitado. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente. Resultados: não se observou diferença (p = 0,51) entre as mensurações. Observaram-se valores excelentes de Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse e Coeficiente de Correlação de Concordância. O software parece ser mais preciso quando utilizado para mensurar feridas grandes (com área > 10 cm). Conclusão: o software é reprodutível para mensuração de área de úlceras venosas, sendo mais preciso para mensurar úlceras venosas com área > 10 cm².
Impacts of psychological security, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy on undergraduates’ life satisfaction
Authors: Afolabi Olukayode Ayooluwa , Balogun Anthony Gbenro
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of psychological security, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy on life satisfaction. The study was conducted among undergraduates in Nigeria where evidence of low life satisfaction has been established. Data were collected from 273 (178 males and 95 females) participants purposively selected from a southwest State in Nigeria. Results of the study showed that psychological security, β = .27, p < .05, emotional intelligence, β = .19, p < .01, and self-efficacy, β = .21, p < .01, independently predicted life satisfaction. Furthermore, the result indicated that psychological security, emotional intelligence and self-efficacy jointly predicted life satisfaction, R² = .13, F(3, 270) = 13.63, p < .01. Based on these findings, we suggest that psycho-educational interventions that would increase undergraduates’ feelings of psychological security and enhance their emotional intelligence and self-efficacy should be organized.
The Publicness Paradox: Young People And The Production Of Parochial Places
Authors: De Backer Mattias
Published: October 2017

Many assumptions underlie a concept such as public space but seldom are they made explicit in the public debate. In this paper I will investigate what constitutes ‘publicness’ by building on research with young people hanging out in public space in Brussels. I will argue that young people, by meeting in public space, produce parochial places (Lofland, 1998). By doing so they transgress certain rules in public space. I will argue that the paradox embedded in ‘publicness’ is that in order for young people to truly be in public they have to break or bend the rules of that public; a person can only be in space when that space becomes of that person. The question then becomes if these forms of parochiality allow us to overcome the boundaries between people and communities, and between public and private.
The right to write the city: Lefebvre and graffiti
Authors: Zieleniec Andrzej
Published: October 2017

Modern graffiti has become a universal urban phenomenon, an almost ubiquitous feature of towns and cities across the world. This paper will situate the practice and production of graffiti within various urban contexts (aesthetic, political, economic, social and semiotic) through the seminal works Henri Lefebvre as a means for analysing and understanding the complexity of the modern urban and to contextualize and explore graffiti’s role in challenging and contesting the socio-spatial norms of increasingly privatized and commodified public and social space. That is, to read graffiti as a means for reclaiming and remaking the city as a more humane and just, social space.
Une petite lorgnette pour élargir la focale : questionner le droit à la ville des femmes âgées à partir de leurs pratiques des promenades balnéaires
Authors: Bigo Mathilde , Séchet Raymonde
Published: October 2017

L’article part des modalités de rencontres entre les personnes âgées, les villes balnéaires et les promenades de bord de mer pour questionner le concept de « droit à la ville ». Son usage est élargi au vieillissement, un enjeu social devenu majeur mais qui était absent chez Lefebvre. Largement investies par les femmes âgées dans les communes littorales, les promenades balnéaires sont des ressources pour le maintien de leur présence en ville. L’accès à ces espaces d’interactions sociales en fait un cadre favorable à l’inclusion sociale et un garant du droit à la ville à l’heure de la vieillesse.
The social dynamics of community development in a suburban Johannesburg public open space: Verity Park
Authors: Hoenderdos René
Published: October 2017

The use of a public space in suburban Johannesburg, South Africa, is the main focus of this research. The study area is Verity Park, a small park located in the neighbourhood of Parkhurst. The park is used by the residents of the area and the users are from a diversity of genders, ages, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Through an examination of Lefebvre’s ‘right to the city’ and his theories about the production of space, this research looks at how the park contributes to the development and maintenance of community.
Exclusion et renouvellement urbains : la question des déplacements d’habitants explorée à partir du projet Euroméditerranée à Marseille
Authors: Becciu Vanessa
Published: October 2017

Les déplacements d’habitants causés par la gentrification ont fait l’objet de nombreuses recherches depuis les années 1970. Les controverses qui en résultent portent aussi bien sur leur issue en matière de trajectoire résidentielle que sur leur existence même. S’il s’agit d’un objet d’étude difficile à appréhender, cela est moins lié à des raisons conceptuelles que méthodologiques. L’hypothèse proposée ici est que le projet urbain est un moment propice à l’observation et à l’identification de tels déplacements. Se pose alors la question de savoir si les déplacements occasionnés par la gentrification et ceux occasionnés par le projet urbain sont un seul et même objet d’étude. Cet article explore cette perspective à partir d’une enquête préliminaire réalisée, dans le cadre d’une thèse de doctorat, sur le périmètre du projet Euroméditerranée à Marseille.
Engaging with Professional Practice across Domains through the Lens of Applied Linguistics
Authors: Paola Catenaccio  , Giuliana Elena Garzone  , Srikant Sarangi
Published: October 2017

This editorial outlines the theoretical framework in which the papers included in the present issue are set. The guiding principle laid out is that investigations of professional practice cannot be limited to the analysis of language use in itself. The inherent diversity of applied linguistic research is discussed, and it is pointed out that what binds much of this research together is the identification of societal problems that are linguistically and discursively manifest, with a conviction that the researcher-analyst has the necessary tools to approach the data, resulting in insights that would be practically relevant. The difficulty achieving this practical relevance leads researchers to position themselves differently and draw upon different research paradigms, some of which are then discussed. The editorial concludes that challenges remain with regard to how to strengthen the interface between professional practice research and applied linguistics, including the occasioning of critical reflections about applied linguists’ professional practice.
Between Professionalism and Amateurship: Makeup Discourse on YouTube
Authors: Giorgia Riboni
Published: October 2017

Over the last few years, brands have become increasingly aware of the marketing potential of social media and have been exploiting them as a component of their marketing effort. A strategy adopted in various industries is to co-opt social media celebrities and either employ or pay them to promote products, often without explicitly declaring it. This is common in the makeup industry, where a number of social media users are so popular that they have become (corporate) ‘makeup gurus’. Their alleged amateur status is key to their success: by appearing economically disinterested they seem more trustworthy than corporations, thus being able to attract a wide follower base. On the other hand, makeup gurus have to depict themselves as valuable experts in order to appear credible both to the companies that supposedly hire them and to their fans. This study sets out to investigate the linguistic representation of makeup gurus’ identity in texts collected from their YouTube channels in order to analyse the way in which their ‘persona’ (or ‘edited self ’) discursively stems from an ongoing negotiation between professionalism and amateurship. A critical discourse analytical approach is adopted as it arguably represents the most suitable tool to investigate social and, as in this case, professional (or amateurish) identities.
A novel central nervous system-penetrating protease inhibitor overcomes human immunodeficiency virus 1 resistance with unprecedented aM to pM potency
Authors: Aoki Manabu , Hayashi Hironori , Rao Kalapala Venkateswara , Das Debananda , Higashi-Kuwata Nobuyo , Bulut Haydar , Aoki-Ogata Hiromi , Takamatsu Yuki , Yedidi Ravikiran S , Davis David A , Hattori Shin-ichiro , Nishida Noriko , Hasegawa Kazuya , Takamune Nobutoki , Nyalapatla Prasanth R , Osswald Heather L , Jono Hirofumi , Saito Hideyuki , Yarchoan Robert , Misumi Shogo , Ghosh Arun K , Mitsuya Hiroaki
Published: October 2017

Antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection/AIDS has significantly extended the life expectancy of HIV-1-infected individuals and reduced HIV-1 transmission at very high rates. However, certain individuals who initially achieve viral suppression to undetectable levels may eventually suffer treatment failure mainly due to adverse effects and the emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. Here, we report GRL-142, a novel HIV-1 protease inhibitor containing an unprecedented 6-5-5-ring-fused crown-like tetrahydropyranofuran, which has extremely potent activity against all HIV-1 strains examined with IC50 values of attomolar-to-picomolar concentrations, virtually no effects on cellular growth, extremely high genetic barrier against the emergence of drug-resistant variants, and favorable intracellular and central nervous system penetration. GRL-142 forms optimum polar, van der Waals, and halogen bond interactions with HIV-1 protease and strongly blocks protease dimerization, demonstrating that combined multiple optimizing elements significantly enhance molecular and atomic interactions with a target protein and generate unprecedentedly potent and practically favorable agents.
Patient-specific mutations impair BESTROPHIN1’s essential role in mediating Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents in human RPE
Authors: Li Yao , Zhang Yu , Xu Yu , Kittredge Alec , Ward Nancy , Chen Shoudeng , Tsang Stephen H , Yang Tingting
Published: October 2017

Mutations in the human BEST1 gene lead to retinal degenerative diseases displaying progressive vision loss and even blindness. BESTROPHIN1, encoded by BEST1, is predominantly expressed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), but its physiological role has been a mystery for the last two decades. Using a patient-specific iPSC-based disease model and interdisciplinary approaches, we comprehensively analyzed two distinct BEST1 patient mutations, and discovered mechanistic correlations between patient clinical phenotypes, electrophysiology in their RPEs, and the structure and function of BESTROPHIN1 mutant channels. Our results revealed that the disease-causing mechanism of BEST1 mutations is centered on the indispensable role of BESTROPHIN1 in mediating the long speculated Ca2+-dependent Cl- current in RPE, and demonstrate that the pathological potential of BEST1 mutations can be evaluated and predicted with our iPSC-based ‘disease-in-a-dish’ approach. Moreover, we demonstrated that patient RPE is rescuable with viral gene supplementation, providing a proof-of-concept for curing BEST1-associated diseases.
Fra behandling til recovery. En review-studie av forskning på dagsentra for mennesker med psykiske lidelser
Authors: Bachke Carl Christian , Larsen Inger Beate
Published: October 2017

This study reviews research publications topically related to day centres for people with mental health problems. The purposes are to give a general overview of the evidence-based knowledge in the field, to detect gaps of knowledge, and to throw light on the following research questions: (1) Which ideologies about day centres may be revealed in Scandinavian- and English-speaking research on day centres for people with mental health problems; and (2) What significance do the day centres have for the users?Both questions are answered by examining 34 research publications, printed in either Scandinavian or English languages during the period 1962-2015. An integrative literature review was used as method. The topical knowledge revealed is categorized under two headings: (a) the day centres’ organization, and (b) their materiality and internal life. The results and the discussion show that the day centres in the 1960s started out as arenas based on treatment ideology, dominated by psychiatric, medical knowledge. Slowly and gradually the ideology changed towards recovery approaches. However, this change in ideology does not mean that the day centres have succeeded in implementing the idea of integrating the users in the general society.
Exploring the psychological health of emergency dispatch centre operatives: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Golding Sarah E. , Horsfield Claire , Davies Annette , Egan Bernadette , Jones Martyn , Raleigh Mary , Schofield Patricia , Squires Allison , Start Kath , Quinn Tom , Cropley Mark
Published: October 2017

Background

The study objective was to investigate and synthesize available evidence relating to the psychological health of Emergency Dispatch Centre (EDC) operatives, and to identify key stressors experienced by EDC operatives.

Methods

Eight electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, The Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, and Google Scholar) were searched. All study designs were included, and no date limits were set. Studies were included if they were published in English, and explored the psychological health of any EDC operatives, across fire, police, and emergency medical services. Studies were excluded if they related solely to other emergency workers, such as police officers or paramedics. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using checklists adapted from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. A narrative synthesis was conducted, using thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 16 articles were included in the review. Two overarching themes were identified during the narrative synthesis: ‘Organisational and Operational Factors’ and ‘Interactions with Others’. Stressors identified included being exposed to traumatic calls, lacking control over high workload, and working in under-resourced and pressured environments. Lack of support from management and providing an emotionally demanding service were additional sources of stress. Peer support and social support from friends and family were helpful in managing work-related stress.

Discussion

EDC operatives experience stress as a result of their work, which appears to be related to negative psychological health outcomes. Future research should explore the long-term effects of this stress, and the potential for workplace interventions to alleviate the negative impacts on psychological health.

PROSPERO Registration Number

CRD42014010806.
Bacterial and fungal communities respond differently to varying tillage depth in agricultural soils
Authors: Anderson Craig , Beare Mike , Buckley Hannah L. , Lear Gavin
Published: October 2017

In arable cropping systems, reduced or conservation tillage practices are linked with improved soil quality, C retention and higher microbial biomass, but most long-term studies rarely focus on depths greater than 15 cm nor allow comparison of microbial community responses to agricultural practices. We investigated microbial community structure in a long-term field trial (12-years, Lincoln, New Zealand) established in a silt-loam soil over four depth ranges down to 30 cm. Our objectives were to investigate the degree of homogenisation of soil biological and chemical properties with depth, and to determine the main drivers of microbial community response to tillage. We hypothesised that soil microbiological responses would depend on tillage depth, observed by a homogenisation of microbial community composition within the tilled zone. Tillage treatments were mouldboard plough and disc harrow, impacting soil to ∼20 and ∼10 cm depth, respectively. These treatments were compared to a no-tillage treatment and two control treatments, both permanent pasture and permanent fallow. Bacterial and fungal communities collected from the site were not impacted by the spatial location of sampling across the study area but were affected by physicochemical changes associated with tillage induced soil homogenisation and plant presence. Tillage treatment effects on both species richness and composition were more evident for bacterial communities than fungal communities, and were greater at depths <15 cm. Homogenisation of soil and changing land management appears to redistribute both microbiota and nutrients deeper in the soil profile while consequences for soil biogeochemical functioning remain poorly understood.
lncRNA H19 is involved in TGF-β1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in bovine epithelial cells through PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yang Wei , Li Xuezhong , Qi Shaopei , Li Xueru , Zhou Kun , Qing Suzhu , Zhang Yong , Gao Ming-Qing
Published: October 2017

Increased levels of long noncoding RNA H19 (H19) have been observed in many inflammatory and organ fibrosis diseases including ulcerative colitis, osteoarthritis, liver fibrosis, renal fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of H19 in bovine mastitis and mastitis-caused fibrosis is still unclear. In our study, H19 was characterized as a novel regulator of EMT induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in bovine mammary alveolar cell-T (MAC-T) cell line. We found that H19 was highly expressed in bovine mastitis tissues and inflammatory MAC-T cells induced by virulence factors of pathogens. TGF-β1 was also highly expressed in inflammatory MAC-T cells, and exogenous TGF-β1 could induce EMT, enhance extracellular matrix protein expression, and upregulate H19 expression in epithelial cells. Stable expression of H19 significantly promotes EMT progression and expression of ECM protein induced by TGF-β1 in MAC-T cells. Furthermore, by using a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway, we demonstrated that TGF-β1 upregulated H19 expression through PI3K/AKT pathway. All these observations imply that the lncRNA H19 modulated TGF-β1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in bovine epithelial cells through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which suggests that mammary epithelial cells might be one source for myofibroblasts in vivo in the mammary glands under an inflammatory condition, thereby contributing to mammary gland fibrosis.
Recent Very Hot Summers in Northern Hemispheric Land Areas Measured by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Will Be the Norm Within 20 Years
Authors: Li Chao , Zhang Xuebin , Zwiers Francis , Fang Yuanyuan , Michalak Anna M.
Published: October 2017

Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) accounts for the effect of environmental temperature and humidity on thermal comfort, and can be directly related to the ability of the human body to dissipate excess metabolic heat and thus avoid heat stress. Using WBGT as a measure of environmental conditions conducive to heat stress, we show that anthropogenic influence has very substantially increased the likelihood of extreme high summer mean WBGT in northern hemispheric land areas relative to the climate that would have prevailed in the absence of anthropogenic forcing. We estimate that the likelihood of summer mean WGBT exceeding the observed historical record value has increased by a factor of at least 70 at regional scales due to anthropogenic influence on the climate. We further estimate that, in most northern hemispheric regions, these changes in the likelihood of extreme summer mean WBGT are roughly an order of magnitude larger than the corresponding changes in the likelihood of extreme hot summers as simply measured by surface air temperature. Projections of future summer mean WBGT under the RCP8.5 emissions scenario that are constrained by observations indicate that by 2030s at least 50% of the summers will have mean WBGT higher than the observed historical record value in all the analyzed regions, and that this frequency of occurrence will increase to 95% by mid‐century.
Detection of Intact Lava Tubes at Marius Hills on the Moon by SELENE (Kaguya) Lunar Radar Sounder
Authors: Kaku T. , Haruyama J. , Miyake W. , Kumamoto A. , Ishiyama K. , Nishibori T. , Yamamoto K. , Crites Sarah T. , Michikami T. , Yokota Y. , Sood R. , Melosh H. J. , Chappaz L. , Howell K. C.
Published: October 2017

Intact lunar lava tubes offer a pristine environment to conduct scientific examination of the Moon's composition and potentially serve as secure shelters for humans and instruments. We investigated the SELENE Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) data at locations close to the Marius Hills Hole (MHH), a skylight potentially leading to an intact lava tube, and found a distinctive echo pattern exhibiting a precipitous decrease in echo power, subsequently followed by a large second echo peak that may be evidence for the existence of a lava tube. The search area was further expanded to 13.00–15.00°N, 301.85–304.01°E around the MHH, and similar LRS echo patterns were observed at several locations. Most of the locations are in regions of underground mass deficit suggested by GRAIL gravity data analysis. Some of the observed echo patterns are along rille A, where the MHH was discovered, or on the southwest underground extension of the rille.
The T‐Reflection and the Deep Crustal Structure of the Vøring Margin, Offshore mid‐Norway
Authors: Abdelmalak M. M. , Faleide J. I. , Planke S. , Gernigon L. , Zastrozhnov D. , Shephard G. E. , Myklebust R.
Published: October 2017

Seismic reflection data along volcanic passive margins frequently provide imaging of strong and laterally continuous reflections in the middle and lower crust. We have completed a detailed 2‐D seismic interpretation of the deep crustal structure of the Vøring Margin, offshore mid‐Norway, where high‐quality seismic data allow the identification of high‐amplitude reflections, locally referred to as the T‐Reflection. Using a dense seismic grid, we have mapped the geometry of the T‐Reflection in order to compare it with filtered Bouguer gravity anomalies and seismic refraction data. The T‐Reflection is identified between 7 and 10 s. Sometimes it consists of one single smooth reflection. However, it is frequently associated with a set of rough multiple reflections displaying discontinuous segments with varying geometries, amplitudes, and contact relationships. The T‐Reflection seems to be connected to deep sill networks and is locally identified at the continuation of basement high structures or terminates over fractures and faults. The T‐Reflection presents a low magnetic signal. The spatial correlation between the filtered positive Bouguer gravity anomalies and the deep dome‐shaped reflections indicates that the latter represent a high‐impedance boundary contrast associated with a high‐density and high‐velocity body. In ~50% of the outer Vøring Margin, the depth of the mapped T‐Reflection is found to correspond to the depth of the top of the Lower Crustal Body (LCB), which is characterized by high P wave velocities (>7 km/s). We present a tectonic scenario, where a large part of the deep crustal structure is composed of preserved upper continental crustal blocks and middle to lower crustal lenses of inherited high‐grade metamorphic rocks. Deep intrusions into the faulted crustal blocks are responsible for the rough character of the T‐Reflection, whereas intrusions into the ductile lower crust and detachment faults are likely responsible for its smoother character. Deep magma intrusions can be responsible for regional metamorphic processes leading to an increasing velocity of the lower crust to more than 7 km/s. The result is a heterogeneous LCB that likely represents a complex mixture of pre‐ to syn‐breakup mafic and ultramafic rocks (cumulates and sills) and old metamorphic rocks such as granulites and eclogites. An increasing degree of melting toward the breakup axis is responsible for an increasing proportion of cumulates and sill intrusions in the lower crust.
4‐Hydroxybenzoic acid restores CoQ10 biosynthesis in human COQ2 deficiency
Authors: Herebian Diran , Seibt Annette , Smits Sander H. J. , Rodenburg Richard J. , Mayatepek Ertan , Distelmaier Felix
Published: October 2017

The clinical phenotypes of human CoQ10‐deficiency caused by COQ2 mutations range from fatal neonatal disease to adult‐onset multisystem atrophy. So far, treatment options for these diseases are unsatisfactory. Here, we demonstrate that supplementation of 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (4‐HBA) fully restores endogenous CoQ10‐biosynthesis in COQ2‐deficient cell lines. This was accompanied by increased protein expression of CoQ10‐biosynthesis‐enzymes as well as a rescue of cell viability during stress conditions. In silico analysis suggested a ligand transportation path for 4‐HBA through the COQ2 protein towards the mitochondrial matrix side. This process is apparently hindered by disease‐causing mutations, which can be overcome by increasing 4‐HBA concentrations.
Minimum Performance on Clinical Tests of Physical Function to Predict Walking 6,000 Steps/Day in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Observational Study
Authors: Master Hiral , Thoma Louise M. , Christiansen Meredith B. , Polakowski Emily , Schmitt Laura A. , White Daniel K.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Evidence of physical function difficulties, such as difficulty rising from a chair, may limit daily walking for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to identify minimum performance thresholds on clinical tests of physical function predictive to walking ≥6,000 steps/day. This benchmark is known to discriminate people with knee OA who develop functional limitation over time from those who do not.

Methods

Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, we quantified daily walking as average steps/day from an accelerometer (Actigraph GT1M) worn for ≥10 hours/day over 1 week. Physical function was quantified using 3 performance‐based clinical tests: 5 times sit‐to‐stand test, walking speed (tested over 20 meters), and 400‐meter walk test. To identify minimum performance thresholds for daily walking, we calculated physical function values corresponding to high specificity (80–95%) to predict walking ≥6,000 steps/day.

Results

Among 1,925 participants (mean ± SD age 65.1 ± 9.1 years, mean ± SD body mass index 28.4 ± 4.8 kg/m2, and 55% female) with valid accelerometer data, 54.9% walked ≥6,000 steps/day. High specificity thresholds of physical function for walking ≥6,000 steps/day ranged 11.4–14.0 seconds on the 5 times sit‐to‐stand test, 1.13–1.26 meters/second for walking speed, or 315–349 seconds on the 400‐meter walk test.

Conclusion

Not meeting these minimum performance thresholds on clinical tests of physical function may indicate inadequate physical ability to walk ≥6,000 steps/day for people with knee OA. Rehabilitation may be indicated to address underlying impairments limiting physical function.
Autoantibodies Targeting Ficolin‐2 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients With Active Nephritis
Authors: Colliard Sophie , Jourde‐Chiche Noémie , Clavarino Giovanna , Sarrot‐Reynauld Françoise , Gout Evelyne , Deroux Alban , Fougere Mélanie , Bardin Nathalie , Bouillet Laurence , Cesbron Jean‐Yves , Thielens Nicole M. , Dumestre‐Pérard Chantal
Published: October 2017

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by the production of various autoantibodies. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti–ficolin‐2 antibodies in SLE patients and to evaluate the association between the levels of these autoantibodies, clinical manifestations, and disease activity.

Methods

This is a comparative study using a cohort of 165 SLE patients and 48 healthy subjects. SLE patients were further divided into 2 groups (low disease activity [SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score ≤4, n = 88] and high disease activity [SLEDAI score >4, n = 77]). Clinical manifestations were defined according to the physician in charge. Active lupus nephritis (LN) was documented by kidney biopsy. Detection of anti–ficolin‐2 antibodies was performed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Levels of anti–ficolin‐2 autoantibodies were significantly higher in SLE patients as compared to healthy subjects and associated with SLEDAI score. They were found to be positive in 61 of 165 SLE patients (37%). The presence of anti–ficolin‐2 antibodies was significantly related only to renal involvement, with a very high prevalence (86%) of anti–ficolin‐2 antibodies in SLE patients with active LN. Patients with active proliferative LN had significantly more positive anti–ficolin‐2 antibodies than those with nonproliferative LN. The combination of anti–ficolin‐2, anti–ficolin‐3, and anti‐C1q demonstrated a very high specificity (98%) for the diagnosis of active LN.

Conclusion

Our results support the usefulness of anti–ficolin‐2 as a complementary serologic biomarker for the diagnosis of active lupus with renal manifestations.
Reactive Structural Materials: Preparation and Characterization
Authors: Hastings Daniel L. , Dreizin Edward L.
Published: October 2017

Reactive structural materials, which can serve both as structural elements as well as a source of chemical energy released upon initiation have emerged as an important class of metal‐based composites for use in various energetic systems. Such materials rely on a variety of exothermic reactions, from oxidation to formation of metal‐metalloid and intermetallic phases. The rates of these reactions are as important as the energy that may be released, in order for them to occur at the time scales compatible with the requirements of applications. Therefore, chemical composition, scale at which reactive components are mixed, and the structure and morphology of materials are important and can be controlled by the method of preparation and compaction of the composite materials. Methods of preparation of the composite structures are briefly reviewed as well as methods of characterization of their mechanical and energetic properties. In addition to common thermo‐analytical and static mechanical property measurements, dynamic tests of mechanical properties as well as ignition and combustion experiments are necessary to understand the fragmentation, initiation, and heat release expected for these materials when they are stimulated by an impact, shock, or rapid heating. Reaction mechanisms are studied presently for the thin layers and small samples of reactive materials initiated in carefully designed experiments. In other experiments, impact and explosive initiation are characterized for larger material compacts in the conditions imitating practical scenarios. Examples of results describing thermal, impact, and explosive initiation of some of the reactive materials are presented.
Lateral Graphene‐Contacted Vertically Stacked WS2/MoS2 Hybrid Photodetectors with Large Gain
Authors: Tan Haijie , Xu Wenshuo , Sheng Yuewen , Lau Chit Siong , Fan Ye , Chen Qu , Tweedie Martin , Wang Xiaochen , Zhou Yingqiu , Warner Jamie H.
Published: October 2017

A demonstration is presented of how significant improvements in all‐2D photodetectors can be achieved by exploiting the type‐II band alignment of vertically stacked WS2/MoS2 semiconducting heterobilayers and finite density of states of graphene electrodes. The photoresponsivity of WS2/MoS2 heterobilayer devices is increased by more than an order of magnitude compared to homobilayer devices and two orders of magnitude compared to monolayer devices of WS2 and MoS2, reaching 103 A W−1 under an illumination power density of 1.7 × 102 mW cm−2. The massive improvement in performance is due to the strong Coulomb interaction between WS2 and MoS2 layers. The efficient charge transfer at the WS2/MoS2 heterointerface and long trapping time of photogenerated charges contribute to the observed large photoconductive gain of ≈3 × 104. Laterally spaced graphene electrodes with vertically stacked 2D van der Waals heterostructures are employed for making high‐performing ultrathin photodetectors.
Effective Synthesis of Guanosine 5′‐Diphospho‐β‐l‐galactose Using Bacterial l‐Fucokinase/Guanosine 5′‐Diphosphate‐l‐fucose Pyrophosphorylase
Authors: Ohashi Hiroyuki , Wahl Claudia , Ohashi Takao , Elling Lothar , Fujiyama Kazuhito
Published: October 2017

The nucleotide sugar guanosine 5′‐diphospho‐β‐l‐galactose (GDP‐l‐Gal) is known as a key intermediate of the l‐ascorbic acid biosynthesis pathway of plants and algae. In addition, GDP‐l‐Gal serves as a donor substrate of l‐galactosyltransferase, which transfers l‐Gal on the non‐reducing ends of glycoconjugates. To synthesize varieties of l‐Gal‐containing glycoconjugates and explore the novel l‐galactosyltransferases, GDP‐l‐Gal needs to be prepared since it is not commercially available. In plants, GDP‐d‐mannose‐3′,5′‐epimerase (GME) converts GDP‐α‐d‐mannose (GDP‐d‐Man) to GDP‐l‐Gal and GDP‐l‐gulose. GDP‐l‐Gal has been previously prepared using GME and GDP‐d‐Man, for which the equilibrium ratio was biased to GDP‐d‐Man. In this study, the efficient GDP‐l‐Gal production from l‐Gal was established using bacterial l‐fucokinase/GDP‐l‐fucose pyrophosphorylase (FKP), l‐fucose (l‐Fuc), adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine 5′‐triphosphate (GTP). A high synthesis yield was obtained after screening of the optimum FKP reaction conditions in a 96‐well format and analysis by multiplexed capillary electrophoresis (MP‐CE). Conversion of l‐Gal substrate yielded 97% GDP‐l‐Gal using purified recombinant FKP expressed in E. coli. Moreover, GDP‐l‐Gal was successfully purified with 92% (34.5 mg) overall yield from the FKP reaction mixture. GDP‐l‐Gal is now readily available for studies on l‐galactosyltransferases and l‐fucosyltransferases.

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Toughening of polyamide 12/nanoclay nanocomposites by incompatible styrene‐butadiene‐styrene rubber through tailoring interfacial adhesion and fracture mechanism
Authors: Naeim Abadi Ali , Garmabi Hamid , Hemmati Farkhondeh
Published: October 2017

The main drawback of polyamide 12 (PA 12)/nanoclay nanocomposites in their wide range of potential engineering applications known as diminished toughness was overcome using incompatible styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SBS) rubber. Applying optimal processing parameters for co‐rotating twin‐screw extrusion resulted in strong interfacial adhesion of matrix and rubber and intercalated and delaminated nanoclay stacks confined in the matrix. The formulation of compatibilized PA 12/SBS/nanoclay nanocomposites was optimized by employing response surface Box–Behnken methodology. A combination of microscopic methods, that is, atomic force microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and transmission optical microscopy, along with single‐edge‐double‐notch four‐point‐bending technique, was exploited to exhaustively explore the toughening mechanisms and microstructure. The findings verify that by tailoring the rubber/matrix interfacial strength and nanocomposite morphology, the Izod impact strength of PA 12/nanoclay nanocomposites is noticeably improved even by incorporating an incompatible rubber and tough fracture mechanisms including rubber particle cavitation and large‐scale shear yielding are attained.