bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I remember how I felt, but I don't remember the gene”: Families’ experiences of cancer‐related genetic testing in childhood
Authors: McGill Brittany C. , Wakefield Claire E. , Vetsch Janine , Lim Qishan , Warby Meera , Metcalfe Alison , Byrne Jennifer A. , Cohn Richard J. , Tucker Katherine M.
Published: April 2019

Background

Genetic testing in children for hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) involves unique psychosocial and family‐systems considerations. This retrospective study explored the perspectives and emotional reactions of parents and young adults about cancer‐related genetic counseling and testing offered to children in the family.

Methods

Families were eligible if they had considered genetic testing for a child (≤18 years) within the family. Parents and young adults ≥16 years participated in semistructured interviews that we coded and identified key themes. We also quantitively assessed emotional distress, quality of life, impact of receiving genetic cancer risk information, and service‐related satisfaction.

Results

From 35 interviews (26 parents, nine young adults), we identified themes spanning families’ experiences from referral to genetic services to the longer term impact of receiving information about family cancer risk from testing of children. Supported by quantitative data, families generally described positive experiences of genetic services and reported benefits to genetic testing. Nevertheless, families faced unique emotional and relational challenges that changed over the family lifecycle. Those challenges differed according to whether the child was asymptomatic or had a cancer diagnosis at testing. Parents of children with cancer described genetic consultations as a secondary concern to the immediate stressors of their child's treatment.

Conclusions

We conclude that the successful integration of cancer genetics into pediatric cancer care requires specialist pediatric genetic counseling and psychosocial support services that are able to respond to families’ changing needs.
Physicomechanical, dynamic mechanical, and morphological properties of Polyurethane/NCC/AgNP nanocomposites and their application in removal of heavy metals from wastewater
Authors: Pashaei Shahryar , Mohammadi‐Aghdam Sarvin , Hosseinzadeh Soleyman
Published: April 2019

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were rapidly synthesized using sugar beet leaf extract, and the formation of nanoparticles was observed within 3 h. AgNPs uniformly were reacted onto the surface of nanocrystal cellulose (NCC) via complexation leading to NCC/AgNPs, (NCC/Ag) nanohybrids with varying concentration of AgNPs (0, 1, 4, 8, and 10%) along with 2 wt% of NCC. Polyurethane (PU) and PU/NCC/AgNPs were synthesized via in situ polymerization by varying the concentration of AgNPs (0, 1, 4, 8, and 10%) along with 2 wt% of NCC. The results recorded from transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction support the biosynthesis and characterization of AgNPs. The effects of NCC/AgNP content on the physicomechanical properties involving density, tensile behavior, and surface hardness of the nanocomposites have been measured. The effects of the NCC/AgNP content on the viscoelastic properties of PU were investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). From DMA analysis, it has been noted that the incorporation of NCC/AgNPs leads to a change in Tg. The PU and PU/NCC/AgNP nanocomposites were employed as an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of nickel (II) and lead (II) ions. The results indicated that ion adsorption basically relies on adsorbing time, solution pH, initial nickel and lead concentration, and adsorbent dosage. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:4004–4012, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
The relationship between cellphone use and achievement goals in junior high school students: A cross‐lagged analysis
Authors: Bai Ruibei , Ma Yuting , Liu Yiyao , Zhang Baoshan , Rasool Abida
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between cellphone use and achievement goals in junior high school students. The participants were 282 students randomly selected from a secondary school in Xi'an, China. The Frequency of Cellphone Use Questionnaire and the Achievement Goal Questionnaire were used as measurement tools. The results showed that cellphone use at Time 1 (T1) was significantly associated with performance goals orientation and with mastery goals orientation at both times; cellphone use at Time 2 (T2) was not correlated with performance goals orientation or mastery goals orientation at T1. The cross‐lagged analysis showed a negative causal relationship between the frequency of cellphone use and mastery goals but no causal relationship between the frequency of cellphone use and performance goals. These results may be helpful for guiding adolescents to reduce cellphone use, pay attention to the mastery of knowledge, and establish mastery goals.
‐Bootstrap Approach to Non‐Commutative Gauge Theories
Authors: Kupriyanov Vladislav G.
Published: April 2019

A consistent description of gauge theories on coordinate dependent non‐commutative (NC) space‐time is a long‐standing problem with a number of solutions, none of which is free from criticism. In this work, we discuss the approach proposed in Blumenhagen et al. [1] based on the conjecture that any consistent gauge theory can be described in terms of the ‐structure. Starting with a well‐defined commutative gauge theory, we represent it, together with the non‐commutative deformation, as a part of a bigger ‐algebra by setting some initial brackets ℓ1, ℓ2, etc. Then, solving the ‐relations we determine the missing brackets and close the ‐algebra defining the NC gauge theory which reproduces in the commutative limit the original one. We provide the recurrence relations for the construction of the pure gauge algebra , using which we find an explicit form of the NC ‐like and non‐associative octonionic‐like deformations of the Abelian gauge transformations. The construction of the ‐algebra describing the dynamics is discussed using the example of the NC Chern–Simons theory. The obtained equations of motion are non‐Lagrangian, which indicates the difference between our approach and the previous ones.
Assessing crop damage from dicamba on non‐dicamba‐tolerant soybean by hyperspectral imaging through machine learning
Authors: Zhang Jingcheng , Huang Yanbo , Reddy Krishna N , Wang Bin
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Dicamba effectively controls several broadleaf weeds. The off‐target drift of dicamba spray or vapor drift can cause severe injury to susceptible crops, including non‐dicamba‐tolerant crops. In a field experiment, advanced hyperspectral imaging (HSI) was used to study the spectral response of soybean plants to different dicamba rates, and appropriate spectral features and models for assessing the crop damage from dicamba were developed.

RESULTS

In an experiment with six different dicamba rates, an ordinal spectral variation pattern was observed at both 1 week after treatment (WAT) and 3 WAT. The soybean receiving a dicamba rate ≥0.2X exhibited unrecoverable damage. Two recoverability spectral indices (HDRI and HDNI) were developed based on three optimal wavebands. Based on the Jeffries–Matusita distance metric, Spearman correlation analysis and independent t‐test for sensitivity to dicamba spray rates, a number of wavebands and classic spectral features were extracted. The models for quantifying dicamba spray levels were established using the machine learning algorithms of naive Bayes, random forest and support vector machine.

CONCLUSIONS

The spectral response of soybean injury caused by dicamba sprays can be clearly captured by HSI. The recoverability spectral indices developed were able to accurately differentiate the recoverable and unrecoverable damage, with an overall accuracy (OA) higher than 90%. The optimal spectral feature sets were identified for characterizing dicamba spray rates under recoverable and unrecoverable situations. The spectral features plus plant height can yield relatively high accuracy under the recoverable situation (OA = 94%). These results can be of practical importance in weed management. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
When natural enemies go to sleep: diapause induction and termination in the pear psyllid predator Pilophorus gallicus (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Ramírez‐Soria Maria J , Wäckers Felix , Sanchez Juan A
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Pilophorus gallicus Remane (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important predator of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in pear orchards (Pyrus communis L. ‐Rosaceae‐). In the Mediterranean area, it has a multivoltine lifecycle, and can establish resident populations by entering into a facultative embryonic diapause to survive the winter season. Facultative diapause is regulated by environmental factors, and its role in population dynamics is essential because it determines the presence of active individuals in the field. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of (i) photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in P. gallicus and (ii) photoperiod, temperature, and exposure time on diapause termination.

RESULTS

Diapause induction was triggered by a short photoperiod (9L:15D), whereas temperature did not influence it significantly. In contrast, diapause termination required a prolonged exposure to low temperature while photoperiod did not have a significant effect. At 6 °C, diapause termination increased significantly between 50 and 70 days of exposure, but not among 70, 90 and 150 days. The longer the exposure of diapausing eggs to 6 °C the shorter their hatching times. Additionally, three different reproductive classes were observed among the female population: diapause inducing, non‐diapause inducing, and mixed.

CONCLUSION

This work contributes to the knowledge of the reproductive and overwintering strategy of P. gallicus. Embryonic diapause may greatly determine the structure of populations according to environmental conditions and the response of the predator as biological pest control agent. In addition, knowledge of the factors regulating egg diapause may be a useful tool for the mass rearing industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
β‐sheet assembly in amyloidogenic glutamic acid nanostructures: Insights from X‐ray scattering and infrared nanospectroscopy
Authors: Mello Lucas R. , Hamley Ian W. , Miranda Antonio , Alves Wendel A. , Silva Emerson R.
Published: April 2019

Glutamic acid–rich peptides are crucial to a variety of biological processes, including glutamatergic neurotransmission and immunological defense. Glutamic acid sequences often exhibit unusual organization into β2‐type sheets, where bifurcated H bonds formed between glutamic acid side chains and NH in amide bonds on adjacent β‐strands play a paramount role for stabilizing the molecular assembly. Herein, we investigate the self‐assembly and supramolecular structure of simplified models consisting of alternating glutamic acid/phenylalanine residues. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering and atomic force microscopy show that the aggregation pathway is characterized by the formation of small oligomers, followed by coalescence into nanofibrils and nanotapes. Amyloidogenic features are further demonstrated through fiber X‐ray diffraction, which reveal molecular packing according to cross‐β patterns, where β‐strands appear perpendicularly oriented to the long axis of nanofibrils and nanotapes. Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy from individual nanoparticles on dried samples shows a remarkable decrease of β2‐sheet content, accompanied by growth of standard β‐sheet fractions, indicating a β2‐to‐β1 transition as a consequence of the release of solvent from the interstices of peptide assemblies. Our findings highlight the key role played by water molecules in mediating H‐bond formation in β2‐sheets commonly found in amyloidogenic glutamic acid–rich aggregates.
Evaluation of remotely sensed rainfall products over Central Africa
Authors: Camberlin Pierre , Barraud Geoffrey , Bigot Sylvain , Dewitte Olivier , Makanzu Imwangana Fils , Maki Mateso Jean‐Claude , Martiny Nadège , Monsieurs Elise , Moron Vincent , Pellarin Thierry , Philippon Nathalie , Sahani Muhindo , Samba Gaston
Published: April 2019

An intercomparison of seven gridded rainfall products incorporating satellite data (ARC, CHIRPS, CMORPH, PERSIANN, TAPEER, TARCAT, TMPA) is carried out over Central Africa, by evaluating them against three observed datasets: (a) the WaTFor database, consisting of 293 (monthly records) and 154 (daily records) rain‐gauge stations collected from global datasets, national meteorological services and monitoring projects, (b) the WorldClim v2 gridded database, and (c) a set of stations expanded from the FAOCLIM network, these two latter sets describing climate normals. All products fairly well reproduce the mean rainfall regimes and the spatial patterns of mean annual rainfall, although with some discrepancies in the east–west gradient. A systematic positive bias is found in the CMORPH product. Despite its lower spatial resolution, TAPEER shows reasonable skills. When considering daily rainfall amounts, TMPA shows best skills, followed by CMORPH, but over the central part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, TARCAT is amongst the best products. Skills ranking is however different at the interannual time‐scale, with CHIRPS and TMPA performing best, though PERSIANN has comparable skills when only fully independent stations are used as reference. A preliminary study of Southern Hemisphere dry season variability, from the example of Kinshasa, shows that it is a difficult variable to capture with satellite‐based rainfall products. Users should still be careful when using any product in the most data‐sparse regions, especially for trend assessment.
Phase‐I monitoring of log‐linear model‐based processes (a case study in health care: Kidney patients)
Authors: Kamranrad Reza , Amiri Amirhossein , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan
Published: April 2019

Processes with multiple correlated categorical quality characteristics are called multivariate categorical processes. These processes are usually shown by contingency tables and are characterized by log‐linear models. In this paper, two monitoring approaches including likelihood ratio test (LRT) and F test are developed to monitor multivariate categorical processes based on the contingency table in Phase I. In addition, a change point estimator for multivariate categorical processes is developed in Phase I. The performances of the two proposed approaches are evaluated in terms of probability of signal, while the performance of the proposed change point estimator is evaluated in terms of accuracy and precision criteria through simulation experiments. Meanwhile, we compare the performance of the two proposed control charts with an existing control chart called “−2LRT” control chart for multivariate categorical processes. In the end, a typical application of the proposed methods is illustrated in a real‐world health care system.
Modeling the time varying volatility of housing returns: Further evidence from the U.S. metropolitan condominium markets
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Payne James E.
Published: April 2019

This study extends the literature on modeling the volatility of housing returns to the case of condominium returns for five major U.S. metropolitan areas (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco). Through the estimation of ARMA models for the respective condominium returns, we find volatility clustering of the residuals. The results from an ARMA‐TGARCH‐M model reveal the absence of asymmetry in the conditional variance. Dummy variables associated with the housing market collapse unique to each metropolitan area were statistically insignificant in the conditional variance equation, but negative and statistically significant in the mean equation. Condominium markets in Los Angeles and San Francisco exhibit the greatest persistence to volatility shocks.
Does VC backing affect brand strategy in technology ventures?
Authors: Forti Enrico , Munari Federico , Zhang Chunxiang
Published: April 2019

Research Summary

The resource‐based view of the firm characterizes brands as important resources for firm growth and competitive advantage. Existing studies offer theory and evidence that venture capital (VC) backing enhances the growth of new technology ventures along different dimensions. It is not clear, however, whether and how VC backing affects the development of brand assets. In a study of VC‐backed and non‐VC‐backed nanotechnology ventures in the United Kingdom, we find a positive association between VC backing and the development of brand assets. We also find that VC‐backed technology ventures tend to create brand assets with a wider scope, which can be deployed across multiple different product‐markets.

Managerial Summary

Brand strategy is critical for the success of entrepreneurial firms and can be challenging for firms operating in nascent industries that aim to commercialize innovations stemming from general purpose technologies. Such firms face dilemmas on whether to diversify or not into different product‐markets, how many brand assets to develop, and whether to leverage a brand asset across multiple product categories. In a study of nanotechnology ventures, we find that VC‐backing can affect the development of brand strategy: VC‐backed ventures tend to develop more brand assets compared with non‐VC‐backed ventures and tend to create brand assets with a wider scope, which can be deployed across multiple different product‐markets.
Do investors actually value sustainability indices? Replication, development, and new evidence on CSR visibility
Authors: Durand Rodolphe , Paugam Luc , Stolowy Hervé
Published: April 2019

Research Summary

In this study, we replicate and expand Hawn et al.’s study (Strategic Management Journal, 2018, 39, 949–976) that used Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) events to measure variations in firms' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)‐activism and examined their effect on a firm's stock price. We use DJSI events to capture variations in firms' CSR visibility, holding CSR activism constant by restricting our analyses to CSR‐equivalent firms. First, we find similar results on stock price (i.e., no impact) and on trading volumes. Second, because professional market participants pay more attention to CSR‐oriented firms and use visible cues such as DJSI events, we study and find that additions to DJSI lead to more analysts following a firm, and that continuations on the DJSI lead to an increase in equity being held by long‐term investors.

Managerial Summary

We replicate and complement a recent study that showed that the events of a firm's addition, continuation, or deletion in a major sustainability index (DJSI) had little impact on stock market reactions (Hawn et al. Strategic Management Journal, 2018, 39, 949–976). We redefine the comparison set that was previously used and compare across observationally equivalent firms in terms of CSR orientation in order to isolate the visibility effect of DJSI events. We find that these events do not significantly impact stock price and trading volumes. However, we expand the analysis and find that sustainability events attract more attention from financial analysts and lead to an increase in the percentage of shares held by long‐term investors indicative of a trend that professional investors pay more attention to CSR‐visible firms over time.
Marginal maximum likelihood estimation of conditional autoregressive models with missing data
Authors: Suesse Thomas , Zammit‐Mangion Andrew
Published: April 2019

Maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of spatial autocorrelation models is well established for the case where each node in the graph is directly observed. When one or more nodes are not observed, the user has a variety of computational tools at her or his disposal ranging from the expectation–maximization algorithm, which has become a standard for missing‐data problems, to marginal likelihood estimation methods and to fully Bayesian approaches. In this article, we give a comprehensive overview of likelihood‐based computational frameworks for parameter estimation of the conditional autoregressive model, and we establish connections with several algorithms in the literature that are iterative and often computationally suboptimal. We show that a vanilla marginal ML approach, which we provide computational details for, is still generally orders of magnitude faster than the iterative approaches, even on large data sets and especially so when the number of unobserved units is relatively large.
Biometric and morphological features on magnetic resonance imaging of fetal bladder in lower urinary tract obstruction: new perspectives for fetal cystoscopy
Authors: Vinit N. , Grevent D. , Millischer‐Bellaiche A.‐E. , Pandya V. M. , Sonigo P. , Delmonte A. , Sarnacki S. , Aigrain Y. , Boddaert N. , Bessières B. , Benchimol G. , Salomon L. J. , Stirnemann J. J. , Blanc T. , Ville Y.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Incompatibility between currently available fetoscopes and the anatomical constraints of the distended fetal bladder, with the resulting curvature around the bladder neck, account for most technical difficulties during fetal cystoscopy in lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO). The aim of this anatomical study was to assess by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the variation in three bladder angles (bladder‐neck angle (BNA), vesicourethral angle (VUA) and angle between bladder dome and posterior urethra (DUA)), according to gestational age (GA), bladder volume and the presence of
LUTO.

Methods

From our fetal medicine database, we retrieved for review 46 MRI examinations of male fetuses between 2015 and 2019, including 17 with LUTO, examined at a mean GA of 28.1 (range, 17.3–35.0) weeks and 29 age‐matched controls, examined at 29.9 (range, 21.9–35.0) weeks. We measured bladder volume, bladder‐wall thickness and the three bladder angles, and used the Mann–Whitney U‐test to compare values between groups. Variations according to GA and bladder volume were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A reliability study was performed using the Bland–Altman method and Lin's correlation coefficient was calculated.

Results

Both bladder volume and bladder‐wall thickness were significantly greater in the LUTO group (P < 0.01). BNA was significantly larger in LUTO compared with control fetuses: the mean (range) was 127.1° (101.6–161.6°) vs 111.2° (88.5–157.3°) (P < 0.01). DUA averaged 117° and showed no difference between the groups (P = 0.92). No statistical comparison was performed on VUA since this was not measurable in most control fetuses. ANOVA showed no variation of any angle with bladder volume in both LUTO fetuses and control fetuses. BNA in LUTO fetuses was the only angle to vary with GA, being larger after, compared with at or before, 25 weeks (P = 0.04). The reliability study showed an acceptable bias for both intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility for all three angles.

Conclusion

The findings that BNA is increased by approximately 15° in fetuses with LUTO and DUA averages 117° could aid in development of a customized fetal cystoscope and help to overcome the current technical challenges of fetal cystoscopy. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Comparison of follicular development, timing of ovulation and serum progesterone, estradiol and luteinizing hormone concentrations in dairy heifers treated with 4‐ or 5‐day CoSynch + CIDR protocols
Authors: Fishman‐Holland Heidi , Stoskute Agne , Ferrer Maria S. , Veal Deana , Bittar Joao H. J. , Rollin Emmanuel , Lourenço Jeferson , Palomares Roberto A.
Published: April 2019

The use of 4‐day CoSynch + Controlled internal drug release (CIDR) + timed artificial insemination (TAI) in dairy heifers has resulted in adequate pregnancy rates compared with the 5‐day CoSynch + CIDR + TAI protocol. The objective of this study was to compare follicular growth, timing of ovulation and serum progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in dairy heifers treated with modified 4‐ or 5‐day CoSynch + CIDR protocols (CIDR for 4 or 5 days, PGF2α at CIDR removal and GnRH + TAI 72 h later). Twelve cycling Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to either the 4‐ or 5‐day Co‐Synch+CIDR (n = 6/treatment) to receive an intravaginal insert CIDR® containing 1.38 g of P4 for 4 or 5 days, respectively. At CIDR removal, 25 mg of PGF2α was injected IM; 72 h after CIDR removal, heifers received 100 μg of GnRH IM and timed artificial insemination (TAI). Follicular growth and timing of ovulation were assessed using transrectal ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected at the time of CIDR insertion and at frequent time points after CIDR removal for determination of P4 (at TAI), E2 (every 12 h) and LH (every 6 h during the first and second day and every 2 h on the third day). Heifers in the 4‐day group had smaller follicles from CIDR insert removal to ovulation compared with heifers in the 5‐day treatment. Five of six heifers (83.3%) in the 4‐day treatment ovulated at 90–96 h post CIDR insert removal, whereas most heifers in the 5‐day treatment (4/6; 66.6%) ovulated at 84–90 h post CIDR insert withdrawal. Heifers in the 5‐day treatment reached greater peak LH concentration between 48 and 72 h after CIDR insert removal and lesser E2 concentration at TAI than heifers in the 4‐day treatment. In conclusion, heifers in the 4‐day treatment had smaller follicular diameter at 0, 30, 36, 42 and 48 h after CIDR insert removal, longer interval from CIDR insert removal to ovulation, greater E2 concentrations at TAI, and lesser peak LH concentration than heifers in the 5‐day treatment. These results represent a baseline for further studies to determine if prolonging the interval to TAI by 6 h in the 4‐day CoSynch+CIDR would improve pregnancy risk.
Was the earliest documented account of tornado dynamics published by an Indian scientist in an Indian journal?
Authors: De S. , Sahai A. K.
Published: April 2019

The first documented meteorological research in India was carried out by the British in the eighteenth century. Who, then, was the first native Indian to publish a paper on meteorology in an Indian journal? A paper entitled Note on a whirlwind at Pundooah by Chunder Sikur Chatterjee, included in the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1865, was probably the first paper published by a native Indian in an Indian journal, indicating that meteorology, as a subject of academic study, has deep roots in India. The paper was in the form of note reporting a tornado at Pundooah to the Surveyor General's Office of India. The note was unique in that it was supported by a sketch that meticulously depicted the path of a tornado and its direction of rotation, and detailed the horizontal extent of the suction vortex and tornado cyclone, which were determined from observations of the trail of destruction. The spatial and temporal scales of the tornado recorded in the note matched those given in papers published more than 100 years later by Orlansky and Fujita, and it is possible that it constitutes the first meteorological record in which the horizontal scale of a tornado and its suction spot were accurately evaluated. The paper was the first of its kind in which tornado dynamics were ascertained via observations.
MicroRNAs as regulators and effectors of hematopoietic transcription factors
Authors: Kim MinJung , Civin Curt I. , Kingsbury Tami J.
Published: April 2019

Hematopoiesis is a highly‐regulated development process orchestrated by lineage‐specific transcription factors that direct the generation of all mature blood cells types, including red blood cells, megakaryocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Under homeostatic conditions, the hematopoietic system of the typical adult generates over 1011 blood cells daily throughout life. In addition, hematopoiesis must be responsive to acute challenges due to blood loss or infection. MicroRNAs (miRs) cooperate with transcription factors to regulate all aspects of hematopoiesis, including stem cell maintenance, lineage selection, cell expansion, and terminal differentiation. Distinct miR expression patterns are associated with specific hematopoietic lineages and stages of differentiation and functional analyses have elucidated essential roles for miRs in regulating cell transitions, lineage selection, maturation, and function. MiRs function as downstream effectors of hematopoietic transcription factors and as upstream regulators to control transcription factor levels. Multiple miRs have been shown to play essential roles. Regulatory networks comprised of differentially expressed lineage‐specific miRs and hematopoietic transcription factors are involved in controlling the quiescence and self‐renewal of hematopoietic stem cells as well as proliferation and differentiation of lineage‐specific progenitor cells during erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis, and lymphopoiesis. This review focuses on hematopoietic miRs that function as upstream regulators of central hematopoietic transcription factors required for normal hematopoiesis.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
K‐line X‐ray fluorescence from highly charged iron ions under dense astrophysical plasma conditions
Authors: Deprince Jérôme , Bautista Manuel , Fritzsche Stephan , García Javier , Kallman Timothy , Mendoza Claudio , Palmeri Patrick , Quinet Pascal
Published: April 2019

In the present work, we report an investigation of plasma environment effects on the atomic parameters associated with the K‐vacancy states in highly charged iron ions within the astrophysical context of accretion disks around black holes. More particularly, the sensitivity of K‐line X‐ray fluorescence parameters (wavelengths, radiative transition probabilities, and Auger rates) in Fe XVII–Fe XXV ions has been estimated for plasma conditions characterized by an electron temperature ranging from 105 to 107 K and an electron density ranging from 1018 to 1022 cm−3. In order to do this, relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac‐Fock atomic structure calculations have been carried out by considering a time averaged Debye‐Hückel potential for both the electron–nucleus and electron–electron interactions.
Bending of inflated curved hyperelastic tubes
Authors: Kolesnikov Alexey M. , Popov Alexander V. , Shubchinskaya Nataliya Yu.
Published: April 2019

We discuss large flexure of an inflated curved thin‐walled tube within the framework of the nonlinear theory of elastic membranes. Wrinkling of the membrane is taken into account by using a relaxed strain energy density derived from a strain energy function of incompressible hyperelastic material. We consider curved tubes with elliptical cross‐section and analyze the influence of a cross‐section shape and initial curvature of the tube at its deformation. Dependence of the bending moment on the tube curvature is obtained and discussed. In particular, the comparison with the pure bending of a cylindrical tube same material is made. We study the fact that the curving of the curved tube under in‐plane bending might be realized in two directions. Depending on the flexure direction the behavior of a curved tube can be similar or significantly different from the behavior of a cylindrical tube.
Higgs as heavy-lifted physics during inflation
Authors: Wu Yi-Peng
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Signals of heavy particle production during inflation are encoded as nonanalytic momentum scaling in primordial non-Gaussianity. These non-analytic signatures can be sourced by Standard Model particles with a modified Higgs scale uplifted by the slow-roll dynamics of inflation. We show that such a lifting mechanism becomes more efficient with the presence of a strong Higgs-inflaton mixing, where the Higgs mass scale is further increased by a small speed of sound in the effective theory of inflation. As a primary step towards detecting new particles in the cosmological collider program, non-Gaussianity due to heavy Higgs production in the strong-mixing regime can act as important background signals to be tested by future cosmological surveys.
Higgs-mediated bound states in dark-matter models
Authors: Harz Julia , Petraki Kalliopi
Published: April 2019

Abstract

It has been recently demonstrated that the 125 GeV Higgs boson can mediate a long-range force between TeV-scale particles, that can impact considerably their annihilation due to the Sommerfeld effect, and hence the density of thermal relic dark matter. In the presence of long-range interactions, the formation and decay of particle-antiparticle bound states can also deplete dark matter significantly. We consider the Higgs boson as mediator in the formation of bound states, and compute the effect on the dark matter abundance. To this end, we consider a simplified model in which dark matter co-annihilates with coloured particles that have a sizeable coupling to the Higgs. The Higgs-mediated force affects the dark matter depletion via bound state formation in several ways. It enhances the capture cross-sections due to the attraction it mediates between the incoming particles, it increases the binding energy of the bound states, hence rendering their ionisation inefficient sooner in the early universe, and for large enough couplings, it can overcome the gluon repulsion of certain colour representations and give rise to additional bound states. Because it alters the momentum exchange in the bound states, the Higgs-mediated force also affects the gluon-mediated potential via the running of the strong coupling. We comment on the experimental implications and conclude that the Higgs-mediated potential must be taken into account when circumscribing the viable parameter space of related models.
Nonparenchymal fluid is the source of increased mean diffusivity in preclinical Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sepehrband Farshid , Cabeen Ryan P. , Barisano Giuseppe , Sheikh‐Bahaei Nasim , Choupan Jeiran , Law Meng , Toga Arthur W. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Although increased mean diffusivity of the white matter has been repeatedly linked to Alzheimer's disease pathology, the underlying mechanism is not known.

Methods

Here, we used ADNI‐3 multishell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data to separate the diffusion signal of the parenchyma from less hindered fluid pools within the white matter such as perivascular space fluid and fluid‐filled cavities.

Results

We found that the source of the pathological increase of the mean diffusivity is the increased nonparenchymal fluid, often found in lacunes and perivascular spaces. In this cohort, the cognitive decline was significantly associated with the fluid increase and not with the microstructural changes of the white matter parenchyma itself. The white matter fluid increase was dominantly observed in the sagittal stratum and anterior thalamic radiation.

Discussion

These findings are positive steps toward understanding the pathophysiology of white matter alteration and its role in the cognitive decline.
Confusing terminology stunts the growth of cyber insurance
Authors: Hare-Brown Neil
Published: April 2019

The lack of standard terminology in cyber insurance policies causes confusion for brokers and customers and is ultimately stunting market growth. And while demand for cyber insurance is growing, the confusion about the policies available, the cover provided and the differing approaches by insurers are deterring many clients.
Optimisation and analysis of efficiency for contra-rotating propellers for high-altitude airships
Authors: Tang J. , Wang X. , Duan D. , Xie W.
Published: April 2019

An improved variational optimization approach is established to optimize and analyse the propulsion efficiency of the high-altitude contra-rotating propellers for high-altitude airships based on the Vortex Lattice Lifting Line Method. The optimum radial circulation distribution, chord and pitch distribution are optimized under the maximum lift-to-drag ratio of aerofoils. To consider the effects of the actual Reynolds number and the Mach number of each aerofoil section, aerodynamics such as lift coefficient, drag coefficient and lift-to-ratio are obtained by interpolating a CFD database, which is established by numerical simulations under different Reynolds number, Mach number and angles-of-attack. The improved method is verified by validation cases on a high-altitude CRP using the three-dimensional steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver and moving reference frames technique. The optimization results of thrust, torque and efficiency for both the individual front/rear propeller and CRP are shown to agree reasonably well with the CFD results. Using the improved approach, the influence of blade numbers, diameter, rotation speeds, axial distance and torque ratio on the optimum efficiency of CRPs is illustrated in detail by conducting parametric studies.
The maximal injective crossed product
Authors: BUSS ALCIDES , ECHTERHOFF SIEGFRIED , WILLETT RUFUS
Published: April 2019

A crossed product functor is said to beinjectiveif it takes injective morphisms to injective morphisms. In this paper we show that every locally compact group$G$admits a maximal injective crossed product$A\mapsto A\rtimes _{\text{inj}}G$. Moreover, we give an explicit construction of this functor that depends only on the maximal crossed product and the existence of$G$-injective$C^{\ast }$-algebras; this is a sort of ‘dual’ result to the construction of the minimal exact crossed product functor, the latter having been studied for its relationship to the Baum–Connes conjecture. It turns out that$\rtimes _{\text{inj}}$has interesting connections to exactness, the local lifting property, amenable traces, and the weak expectation property.
The remnant radio galaxy associated with NGC 1534
Authors: Duchesne S. W. , Johnston-Hollitt M.
Published: April 2019

We present new observations of the large-scale radio emission surrounding the lenticular galaxy NGC 1534 with the Australia Telescope Compact Array and Murchison Widefield Array. We find no significant compact emission from the nucleus of NGC 1534 to suggest an active core, and instead find low-power radio emission tracing its star-formation history with a radio-derived star-formation rate of 0.38±0.03 M⊙yr−1. The spectral energy distribution of the extended emission is well-fit by a continuous injection model with an ‘off’ component, consistent with dead radio galaxies. We find the spectral age of the emission to be 203 Myr, having been active for 44 Myr. Polarimetric analysis points to both a large-scale magneto-ionic Galactic foreground at +33 rad m−2and a component associated with the northern lobe of the radio emission at -153 rad m−2. The magnetic field of the northern lobe shows an unusual circular pattern of unknown origin. While such remnant sources are rare, combined low- and high-frequency radio surveys with high surface-brightness sensitivities are expected to greatly increase their numbers in the coming decade, and combined with new optical and infrared surveys should provide a wealth of information on the hosts of the emission.
Dietary intake in patients with peripheral arterial disease and concomitant periodontal disease
Authors: Horina Anja , Arefnia Behrouz , Wimmer Gernot , Brodmann Marianne , Mangge Harald , Gasser Robert , Holasek Sandra , Quehenberger Franz , Seinost Gerald
Published: April 2019

Nutrition plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology and management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and periodontal disease (PD). As PD can have profound effects on an individual’s functional ability to eat and can affect nutrient intake, we aimed to evaluate the role of PD severity on dietary intake (DI) and quality in PAD patients and compare it with current dietary recommendations for CVD. PD stages of 421 consecutive PAD patients were determined according to a standardised basic periodontal examination (Periodontal Screening and Recording Index) (‘healthy’, ‘gingivitis’, ‘moderate periodontitis’ and ‘severe periodontitis’). Dietary intake (24-h recall), dietary quality (food frequency index (FFI)) and anthropometrical data were assessed. Nutritional intake was stratified according to the severity of PD. No significant differences in DI of macronutrients, nutrients relevant for CVD and FFI were seen between the PD stages. Only median alcohol intake was significantly different between gingivitis and severe periodontitis (P = 0·001), and positively correlated with PD severity (P = 0·001; r 0·159). PD severity and the patient’s number of teeth showed no correlation with investigated nutritional parameters and FFI. Few subjects met the recommended daily intakes for fibre (5 %), SFA (10 %), Na (40 %) and sugar (26 %). Macronutrient intake differed from reference values. In our sample of patients with PAD and concomitant PD, we found no differences in DI of macronutrients, nutrients relevant for CVD and diet quality depending on PD severity. The patients’ nutrition was, however, poor, deviating seriously from dietary guidelines and recommendations.
CHALLENGING CONCEPTIONS OF ACCESSORY LIABILITY IN PRIVATE LAW
Authors: Ridge Pauline , Dietrich Joachim
Published: April 2019

This article concerns recent challenges to the utility of “accessory liability” as an organising principle or concept in private law and argues that accessory liability is a coherent body of law with common features that is worthy of separate, holistic treatment. We defend a conceptual framework for accessory liability which is dynamic in its operation and which does not dictate the precise legal content of accessory liability in different contexts. Such a conception of accessory liability has come under challenge from recent cases and commentary which either minimise the scope and analytical relevance of accessory liability altogether in equity and tort law or propound a conceptual framework for accessory liability that is fixed in its application and uniform in its content across the whole of private law. Our purpose in this article is to resist both the dismissal, and simplification, of accessory liability in private law.
PARENTAL RIGHTS, BEST INTERESTS AND SIGNIFICANT HARMS: WHO SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER A CHILD'S MEDICAL CARE?
Authors: Auckland Cressida , Goold Imogen
Published: April 2019

Who should have the ultimate say over a child's medical treatment? A series of high-profile withdrawal of care cases have highlighted the full extent of the courts’ authority to make decisions on behalf of children in the medical context. In both the Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans litigation, the courts have made clear that they have the power to make medical decisions for children at the point that child's welfare is engaged. All courts involved in both cases affirmed the orthodox position that the threshold for judicial intervention in disputes about medical care of children is the welfare of the child, often referred to as the “best interests” approach (referring to both the threshold and the test applied to determine what should be done). While no new point of law has been decided in these cases, they are important in that they confirm just how expansive the inherent jurisdiction of the courts in such cases is, extending as far as to prevent parents from removing their child to another jurisdiction to pursue alternative treatment. In this paper, we argue that the current threshold for intervention is too low. We argue that prima facie decision-making authority about a child's medical care should rest with the child's parents, affording them the ability to choose between the range of medical options available. This authority should yield only where the parents’ decision carries a “serious risk of significant harm” to the child, at which point the court then has the authority to intervene. When it does so, the court should then apply the best interests approach.
THE RHETORIC OF RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN ARNOBIUS’ADVERSVS NATIONES
Authors: Panegyres Konstantine
Published: April 2019

In this paper I discuss the ways in which the early Christian writer Arnobius of Sicca used rhetoric to shape religious identity inAduersus nationes. I raise questions about the reliability of his rhetorical work as a historical source for understanding conflict between Christians and pagans. The paper is intended as an addition to the growing literature in the following current areas of study: (i) the role of local religion and identity in the Roman Empire; (ii) the presence of pagan elements in Christian religious practices; (iii) the question of how to approach rhetorical works as historical evidence.
Effects of N top-dressing modes of panicle fertilization on soil enzymes activity and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhang Jing , Chen Xiaodong , Du Yanxiu , Li Junzhou , Sun Hongzheng , Peng Ting , Xin Zeyu , Zhao Quanzhi
Published: April 2019

A field study to optimize the nitrogen (N) top-dressing mode of panicle fertilization and improve rice yields was conducted in mid-eastern China. Japonica cultivar Yunongjing-6 was grown and panicle N fertilizer was applied at the beginning of the inverted fourth leaf stage using three different modes: manual broadcast application (BA) on the soil surface as a control treatment, deep application during ditching at a depth of 15 cm (DD) and manual BA on the soil surface during deep ditching (BAD). The activity of soil enzymes, including invertase, urease, phosphatase and catalase, was increased significantly at the jointing, booting and grain-filling stages with the DD and BAD treatments compared with the traditional BA mode. The DD and BAD treatments also increased basal internode and neck-panicle internode bleeding intensity. The DD treatment gave the highest crop yield, increasing the yield by 0.63 and 0.31 t/hm2 in 2011 and 2012, respectively, compared with BA. The results suggest that ditching during panicle N fertilizer application after sun-drying of the fields increases rice yields, most likely by improving the activity of soil enzymes and enhancing the physiological activity of roots and grain weight.
Images in Conflict: Union Soldier-Artists Picture the Battle of Stones River, 1862–1863
Authors: BROOKES JAMES
Published: April 2019

The Civil War marked a revolution in the use of visual culture, during which imagery became a soldier's tool. Engagement with imagery presented both an opportunity and a dilemma, forcing some soldier-artists to abandon existing artistic conventions, whilst others fortified them, in search of ways to represent both the war's violence and tedium. The visual idealization of war jarred uncomfortably with the depiction of the conflict's realities. The creation of a diverse grassroots archive ran parallel to the mainstream narrative, examination of which offers new insight into how some soldiers visualized the war in opposition to themes exhibited in popular culture.
Value of patient-reported symptoms in the follow up of patients potentially cured of laryngeal carcinoma
Authors: Brandstorp-Boesen J , Zätterström U , Evensen J F , Boysen M
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate the significance of patients’ ability to recognise symptoms that signify recurrence.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted in Norway of demographic, clinical and follow-up data for patients with laryngeal carcinoma considered free of disease following treatment. The study included clinical data from 732 patients with glottic tumours and 249 patients with supraglottic tumours who were considered cured of disease. Data on the site, time and type of recurrence (symptomatic or asymptomatic) were retrieved.

Results

Recurrence was observed in 127 patients with glottic tumours and 71 with supraglottic tumours. A total of 103 glottic recurrences and 53 supraglottic recurrences were symptomatic. For patients with glottic carcinoma, recurrence detection through symptoms was associated with a favourable post-salvage survival rate compared with asymptomatic recurrences (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

A patient's ability to self-detect ‘red flag’ symptoms and self-initiate visits represents a previously ignored prognostic factor, and may rationalise follow up and improve survival.