bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First‐year GFR slope and long‐term renal outcome in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Lee Kyungho , Shin Jungho , Park Jeeeun , Hwang Subin , Jang Hye Ryoun , Huh Wooseong , Kwon Ghee Young , Kim Yoon‐Goo , Oh Ha Young , Lee Jung Eun , Kim Dae Joong
Published: April 2018

Background

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most frequent primary glomerular disease and the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. We investigated clinicopathologic predictors of renal survival in patients with IgAN with a focus on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline slope.

Materials and methods

We screened all patients with primary IgAN between 1995 and 2012. Renal progression was defined as doubling of serum creatinine. Using serial serum creatinine levels during the first‐year, we calculated the GFR decline slopes. Further, we defined patients in the steepest GFR slope quartile as rapid decliners and those in the second steepest GFR slope quartile as slow decliners. Others were defined as nondecliners.

Results

Of 214 participants, baseline GFR was 81 (62, 100) mL/min/1.73 m2, which was not different among the 3 groups. Rapid decliners and slow decliners had higher levels of urinary protein/creatinine ratio (0.88, 0.89 and 0.58 g/gCr, respectively, P < .001). Five‐year renal survival was 76% in rapid decliners, 91% in slow decliners and 100% in nondecliners (P < .001, rapid or slow decliners vs nondecliners). After adjustment for clinicopathologic variables, slow decliners were associated with an 8.8‐fold higher risk of progression (P = .011), and rapid decliners were associated with a 10.2‐fold increased risk of progression (P = .007) compared with nondecliners.

Conclusions

First‐year GFR slope was associated with increased risk of renal progression, independent of proteinuria and histologic findings. Further studies are needed to investigate whether early GFR change can identify high‐risk patients who benefit from immunosuppressive treatment in IgAN.
The role of radiotherapy as salvage and/or consolidation treatment in relapsed/refractory and high‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Grignano Eric , Laurent Jérémy , Deau Bénédicte , Burroni Barbara , Bouscary Didier , Kirova Youlia M.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Many salvage therapies have been proposed for relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas or for consolidation in the case of suboptimal response. Radiotherapy (RT) is one modality of salvage therapy, but its place is currently not well defined.

Method

This study reports a retrospective review of patients receiving unplanned radiotherapy for R/R diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or as consolidation therapy after second‐line chemotherapy, treated in our hospital.

Results

Fifty‐one patients with a median age of 53.5 years [19‐89] were selected. The histologic type was DLBCL in 35 cases (68%), PMBCL in 8 cases (16%), and secondary transformed NHL in 8 cases (16%). Median aaIPI was 1 [0‐4], and 17 patients (33%) had a high tumor burden (bulky disease). Sixteen patients (31%) were irradiated for a response considered to be insufficient, 18 patients (36%) were refractory, and 17 patients (33%) had relapsed. Patients were irradiated with a median dose of 40 Gy [15‐44], 29 (57%) by a conformal 3D technique and 22 (43%) by tomotherapy. With a median follow‐up of 36 months [1.0‐127.8] after irradiation, 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 62% and 72%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, adverse factors associated with PFS and OS in our cohort were age >70 years (HR = 5.06, P = .02) and post‐RT relapse (HR = 12.24, P = .002), whereas favorable factors were number of lines of chemotherapy <3 (HR = 0.02, P = .03) and bulky disease (HR = 0.02, P = .009).

Conclusion

Due to its low toxicity and ease of use, radiotherapy should therefore remain an available option in patients with R/R DLBCL or as consolidation therapy in patients with high‐risk disease, mostly in patients with chemo‐sensitive disease or bulky disease.
Severe adverse events by tyrosine kinase inhibitors decrease survival rates in patients with newly diagnosed chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ota Shuichi , Matsukawa Toshihiro , Yamamoto Satoshi , Ito Shinichi , Shindo Motohiro , Sato Kazuya , Kondo Takeshi , Kohda Kyuhei , Sakai Hajime , Mori Akio , Takahashi Tohru , Ikeda Hiroshi , Kuroda Hiroyuki , Haseyama Yoshihito , Yamamoto Masaki , Sarashina Takeo , Yoshida Makoto , Kobayashi Ryoji , Nishio Mitsufumi , Ishihara Toshimichi , Hirayama Yasuo , Kakinoki Yasutaka , Kobayashi Hajime , Fukuhara Takashi , Imamura Masahiro , Kurosawa Mitsutoshi
Published: April 2018

Objective

This multicenter cooperative study aimed to analyze the adverse events (AEs) associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) used as initial treatment for chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML‐CP) and their impact on outcome.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 450 patients with CML‐CP who received TKIs between 2004 and 2014.

Results

The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) rates were 95.1% and 89.0%, respectively. Patients with comorbidities (46.4%) and aged ≥60 years (50.4%) at diagnosis had significantly inferior OS to those without comorbidities and aged <60. Patients achieved higher rates of major molecular response (MMR) at 6 and 12 months after initial treatment with dasatinib or nilotinib compared to imatinib, but final MMR rates were almost the same. Sixty‐six percent of patients required treatment modifications from first‐line TKI therapy; the main reasons were AEs (48.4%) and failure (18%). Grade III‐IV AEs in first‐line TKI therapy were significantly correlated to inferior OS/EFS compared to grade 0‐II AEs.

Conclusion

Although long‐term outcomes were similar in CML‐CP patients treated with each TKI regardless of first‐line TKI selection, severe AEs in first‐line TKI therapy decreased their survival rates. Early change in TKIs is recommended, when faced with severe AEs of specific TKIs.
Topography shapes the structure, composition and function of tropical forest landscapes
Authors: Jucker Tommaso , Bongalov Boris , Burslem David F. R. P. , Nilus Reuben , Dalponte Michele , Lewis Simon L. , Phillips Oliver L. , Qie Lan , Coomes David A.
Published: April 2018

Topography is a key driver of tropical forest structure and composition, as it constrains local nutrient and hydraulic conditions within which trees grow. Yet, we do not fully understand how changes in forest physiognomy driven by topography impact other emergent properties of forests, such as their aboveground carbon density (ACD). Working in Borneo – at a site where 70‐m‐tall forests in alluvial valleys rapidly transition to stunted heath forests on nutrient‐depleted dip slopes – we combined field data with airborne laser scanning and hyperspectral imaging to characterise how topography shapes the vertical structure, wood density, diversity and ACD of nearly 15 km2 of old‐growth forest. We found that subtle differences in elevation – which control soil chemistry and hydrology – profoundly influenced the structure, composition and diversity of the canopy. Capturing these processes was critical to explaining landscape‐scale heterogeneity in ACD, highlighting how emerging remote sensing technologies can provide new insights into long‐standing ecological questions.
The identification of persons in Frankish Europe
Authors: Dutton Paul Edward
Published: April 2018

Though the issue of identity in the early Middle Ages has attracted considerable attention, the identification of persons deserves some, for identification is a matter of both social and state importance. While both the Greek and Islamic worlds had more advanced techniques for identifying and accrediting persons, the Franks, early and late, held fast to name, place, and function. And while the early Franks had problems with imposture and identification, the late Franks seem to have had few, which remains something of a mystery. The issue of identification is approached here through an examination of different kinds of persons: reputational (in the major annals), parchment (in polyptyques), and displaced (as in Einhard's lists of the miraculously cured). A series of questions arise. Why, for instance, did physical appearance play so small a part in identification in the Frankish world? And how did western travellers respond to other identification practices when they left Europe? Not all of the many questions concerning identification can at present be answered, but we need to make a start.
Hypocrisy, performativity, and the Carolingian pursuit of truth
Authors: Booker Courtney M.
Published: April 2018

By employing the notion of hypocrisy and its association with theatrical acting, this article makes the case for a re‐examination of the Carolingian understanding and use of the artefacts of ancient drama. It illuminates how, within a culture lacking formal theatre yet highly sensitive to performance and self‐fashioning, ceremony and comportment, early medieval authors and exegetes drew upon such pagan remnants (despite, or perhaps due to, their pejorative connotations) to conceptualize and frame the problems of duplicity, dissimulation, and hidden sin – problems that assumed a special urgency within the Carolingian ‘penitential state’.
‘Go humbly dressed as befits servants of God’: Alcuin, clerical identity, and sartorial anxieties
Authors: Garver Valerie L.
Published: April 2018

Employing clothing as a means to investigate the letters of Alcuin (d. 804) reveals not only his great interest in dress as a subject for moral instruction but also ways in which the clothing and textiles of his time shaped Alcuin's discussion of attire. Alcuin perceived garments as both powerful tools and moral dangers with material consequences, particularly in his letters to Anglo‐Saxon correspondents. His epistolary corpus demonstrates sartorial tensions in a period that witnessed changes to clerical dress, increased concern to demarcate clerical from lay, and broader use of silk both in Anglo‐Saxon England and Carolingian Francia.
Can mutation‐mediated effects occurring early in development cause long‐term seizure susceptibility in genetic generalized epilepsies?
Authors: Reid Christopher Alan , Rollo Ben , Petrou Steven , Berkovic Samuel F.
Published: April 2018

Epilepsy has a strong genetic component, with an ever‐increasing number of disease‐causing genes being discovered. Most epilepsy‐causing mutations are germ line and thus present from conception. These mutations are therefore well positioned to have a deleterious impact during early development. Here we review studies that investigate the role of genetic lesions within the early developmental window, specifically focusing on genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). Literature on the potential pathogenic role of sub‐mesoscopic structural changes in GGE is also reviewed. Evidence from rodent models of genetic epilepsy support the idea that functional and structural changes can occur in early development, leading to altered seizure susceptibility into adulthood. Both animal and human studies suggest that sub‐mesoscopic structural changes occur in GGE. The existence of sub‐mesoscopic structural changes prior to seizure onset may act as biomarkers of excitability in genetic epilepsies. We also propose that presymptomatic treatment may be essential for limiting the long‐term consequences of disease‐causing mutations in genetic epilepsies.
Lottery preferences and the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle
Authors: Chichernea Doina C. , Kassa Haimanot , Slezak Steve L.
Published: April 2018

We investigate the empirical implications of investors’ heterogeneous preferences for skewness with respect to the idiosyncratic volatility (IVOL) puzzle, that is, the negative correlation between IVOL and mean returns. We show that the IVOL puzzle is stronger: (1) within stocks held primarily by agents with a preference for lottery‐like payoffs; and (2) during economic downturns, when the demand for lottery‐like payoffs is high. These results support recent theories that suggest lottery preferences could be a significant source of the IVOL puzzle.
Equine acupuncture methods and applications: A review
Authors: Pellegrini D. Z. , Müller T. R. , Fonteque J. H. , de Souza L. P. , de Souza A. F. , Joaquim J. G. F.
Published: April 2018

This review discusses the applications of acupuncture (AP) and its eastern medical philosophy in equine health, and the main techniques used to stimulate acupoints in equine practice. These methods include dry needling, electroacupuncture (EA), moxibustion, laser therapy, haemopuncture, aquapuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupressure and gold implants.
Coagulation parameters following equine herpesvirus type 1 infection in horses
Authors: Wilson M. E. , Holz C. L. , Kopec A. K. , Dau J. J. , Luyendyk J. P. , Soboll Hussey G.
Published: April 2018

Background

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) is the cause of respiratory disease, abortion storms, and outbreaks of herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Infection of the spinal cord is characterised by multifocal regions of virally infected vascular endothelium, associated with vasculitis, thrombosis and haemorrhage that result in ischaemia and organ dysfunction. However, the mechanism of thrombosis in affected horses is unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate tissue factor (TF) procoagulant activity and thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) levels in horses following infection with EHV‐1.

Study design

In vitro and in vivo studies following experimental EHV‐1 infection.

Methods

Horses were infected with EHV‐1 and levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)‐associated TF activity; plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐derived microvesicle (MV)‐associated TF activity and TAT complexes in plasma were examined.

Results

EHV‐1 infection increased PBMC TF procoagulant activity in vitro and in vivo. In infected horses, this increase was observed during the acute infection and was most marked at the onset and end of viraemia. However, no significant differences were observed between the horses that showed signs of EHM and the horses that did not develop EHM. Significant changes in MV‐associated TF procoagulant activity and TAT complexes were not observed in infected horses.

Main limitations

A small number of horses typically exhibit clinical EHM following experimental infection.

Conclusions

The results indicate that EHV‐1 infection increases PBMC‐associated TF procoagulant activity in vivo and in vitro. Additional in vivo studies are needed to better understand the role of TF‐dependent coagulation during EHM pathogenesis in horses.
Subchondral bone microdamage accumulation in distal metacarpus of Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Whitton R. C. , Ayodele B. A. , Hitchens P. L. , Mackie E. J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Microdamage accumulation leads to subchondral bone injury and/or fracture in racehorses. An understanding of this process is essential for developing strategies for injury prevention.

Objectives

To quantify subchondral bone microdamage in the third metacarpal bone of Thoroughbred racehorses at different stages of the training cycle.

Study design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

Bone blocks from the palmar aspect of the medial condyles of third metacarpal bones from 46 racing Thoroughbred horses undergoing post‐mortem were examined with micro computed tomography (microCT) to detect calcified microcracks, and light microscopy to quantify bulk stained microcracks. Racing and training histories were obtained for comparison with microdamage data using regression modelling.

Results

Subchondral bone microcracks were observed in all bones with at least one method. Microdamage grade was greater in older horses, levelling‐off for horses 5 years and older (quadratic term P = 0.01), and with lower bone material density in the parasagittal groove (P = 0.02). Microcrack density was higher in older horses (P = 0.004), and with higher bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the parasagittal groove in horses in training (interaction effect, P = 0.01) and lower in horses resting from training (P = 0.02).

Main limitations

Cross‐sectional data only. Incomplete detection of microdamage due to the limits of resolution of microCT and lack of three‐dimensional imaging with microscopy. Multicollinearity between variables that indicated career progression (e.g. age, number of career starts, duration of training period) was detected.

Conclusions

Fatigue damage in the distal metacarpal subchondral bone is common in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing post‐mortem and appears to accumulate throughout a racing career. Reduced intensity or duration of training and racing and/or increased duration of rest periods may limit microdamage accumulation. Focal subchondral bone sclerosis indicates the presence of microdamage.
Texture analysis of second‐harmonic‐generation images for quantitative analysis of reticular dermal collagen fibre in vivo in human facial cheek skin
Authors: Ogura Yuki , Tanaka Yuji , Hase Eiji , Yamashita Toyonobu , Yasui Takeshi
Published: April 2018

Second‐harmonic‐generation (SHG) microscopy is a powerful tool for in vivo visualisation of collagen fibres in human skin because of its specific collagen selectivity without the need for staining, non‐invasiveness and high‐resolution three‐dimensional imaging. Although texture analysis of SHG images is a promising method for the quantitative analysis of well‐orientated collagen fibre structure in the tendon and cornea, there are few attempts to assess cutaneous ageing. In this study, we applied two texture analysis techniques, namely autocorrelation (2D‐AC) analysis and two‐dimensional Fourier transform (2D‐FT), to evaluate the age‐dependent changes in reticular dermal collagen fibres in in vivo human cheek skin. Age‐dependent changes in the reticular dermal collagen fibres of female subjects in their 20s, 40s and 60s clearly appeared in these texture analyses. Furthermore, the parameter from 2D‐AC analysis showed a significantly higher correlation with skin elasticity measured by a Cutometer®. These results clearly indicate that 2D‐AC analysis of SHG images is highly promising for the quantitative evaluation of age‐dependent change in facial collagen fibres as well as skin elasticity. An appropriate texture analysis will help to provide quantitative insight into collagen fibre structure and will be useful for the diagnosis of pathological conditions as well as cutaneous ageing in skin.
UVA, metabolism and melanoma: UVA makes melanoma hungry for metastasis
Authors: Kamenisch York , Ivanova Irina , Drexler Konstantin , Berneburg Mark
Published: April 2018

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a plethora of effects on human tissues. In the UV spectrum, wavelengths above 320 nm fall into the UVA range, and for these, it has been shown that they induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA mutations and are capable to induce melanoma in mice. In addition to this, it was recently shown that UVA irradiation and UVA‐induced ROS also increase glucose metabolism of melanoma cells. UVA irradiation causes a persistent increase in glucose consumption, accompanied by increased glycolysis, increased lactic acid production and activation of the pentose phosphate pathway. Furthermore, it was shown that the enhanced secretion of lactic acid is important for invasion of melanoma in vitro. The current knowledge of this link between UVA, metabolism and melanoma, possible mechanisms of UVA‐induced glucose metabolism and their starting points are discussed in this review with focus on ROS‐ and UVA‐induced cellular stress signalling, DNA damage signalling and DNA repair systems. When looking at the benefits of UVA‐induced glucose metabolism, it becomes apparent that there are more advantages of these metabolic changes than one would expect. Besides the role of lactic acid as initiator of protease expression and invasion, its role for immune escape of melanoma cells and the pentose phosphate pathway‐derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as part of a ROS detoxification strategy are discussed.
An empirical study on evolutionary feature selection in intelligent tutors for learning concept detection
Authors: Gunel Korhan , Erdogdu Kazim , Polat Refet , Ozarslan Yasin
Published: April 2018

Concept map mining (CMM) has emerged as a new research area with recent developments in computational intelligence in educational technology. CMM includes the following steps: extracting the learning concepts from educational content, specifying relations among them, and generating a concept map as a result. The purpose of this study was to develop a mechanism using data mining technique to determine the features that characterize a learning concept extracted automatically from a single educational text. The 3 major features that distinguish the real learning concepts from other sequences of strings are detected by using a hybrid system of a feed‐forward neural network and some evolutionary algorithms. Ant colony optimization and genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization are used as a binary feature selection method. In addition, the aforementioned methods are hybridized to get better accuracy and precision. The performance comparisons with two different state‐of‐the‐art algorithms have been made from the viewpoint of a typical classification problem.
South–South volunteering and development
Authors: Baillie Smith Matt , Laurie Nina , Griffiths Mark
Published: April 2018

While research to date on volunteering and development has largely focused attention on the global South as a place that “hosts” volunteers and the global North as a place that “sends”, in this article we focus on movements of volunteers between countries in the South. Our objective is thus to consider “South–South” flows of volunteers in order to provide a counter to dominant North–South imaginaries of international volunteering. However, we do not declare or celebrate South–South volunteering as “new”, rather our approach critically engages with the framing of this geography of international volunteering as offering benefits similar to those of wider South–South development cooperation. Drawing on interviews with volunteers and stakeholders in South–South volunteering, we draw out and explore three prominent themes: (1) how volunteers echo some of the wider discursive formulations of South–South development cooperation premised on commonalities within the global South; (2) how these commonalities meet limits at which a heterogeneity of the South is articulated through hierarchical orderings of relations between Southern constituents; and (3) the ways that racialised development imaginaries bring challenges to South–South volunteers. We thus argue that South–South volunteering works, re‐works and contests established imaginaries of development, and their construction and ordering of sameness and difference. We argue further that caution is needed around claims of “newness” of, or unqualified advocacy for, South–South volunteering, which instead needs to be subject to critical attention in the areas we highlight.
Digital image analysis improves precision of PD‐L1 scoring in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Koelzer Viktor H , Gisler Aline , Hanhart Jonathan C , Griss Johannes , Wagner Stephan N , Willi Niels , Cathomas Gieri , Sachs Melanie , Kempf Werner , Thommen Daniela S , Mertz Kirsten D
Published: April 2018

Aims

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become a successful treatment in metastatic melanoma. The high response rates in a subset of patients suggest that a sensitive companion diagnostic test is required. The predictive value of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) staining in melanoma has been questioned due to inconsistent correlation with clinical outcome. Whether this is due to predictive irrelevance of PD‐L1 expression or inaccurate assessment techniques remains unclear. The aim of this study was to develop a standardised digital protocol for the assessment of PD‐L1 staining in melanoma and to compare the output data and reproducibility to conventional assessment by expert pathologists.

Methods and results

In two cohorts with a total of 69 cutaneous melanomas, a highly significant correlation was found between pathologist‐based consensus reading and automated PD‐L1 analysis (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001). Digital scoring captured the full diagnostic spectrum of PD‐L1 expression at single cell resolution. An average of 150 472 melanoma cells (median 38 668 cells; range = 733–1 078 965) were scored per lesion. Machine learning was used to control for heterogeneity introduced by PD‐L1‐positive inflammatory cells in the tumour microenvironment. The PD‐L1 image analysis protocol showed excellent reproducibility (r = 1.0, P < 0.0001) when carried out on independent workstations and reduced variability in PD‐L1 scoring of human observers. When melanomas were grouped by PD‐L1 expression status, we found a clear correlation of PD‐L1 positivity with CD8‐positive T cell infiltration, but not with tumour stage, metastasis or driver mutation status.

Conclusion

Digital evaluation of PD‐L1 reduces scoring variability and may facilitate patient stratification in clinical practice.
Knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals relating to oral medicine use in swallowing-impaired patients: a scoping review
Authors: Masilamoney Mehrusha , Dowse Ros
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Swallowing impairment is a growing problem that affects 16% of the overall population and can significantly affect medicine-taking. However, little is known about the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) relating to swallowing-impaired (SI) patients. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the knowledge and practice of HCPs in supporting SI patients with their medicine-taking, to identify their reference sources, and to describe their training and information needs.

Method

Databases searched included Scopus, Web of Science, Medline and Google Scholar from inception to August 2017. Qualitative and quantitative studies describing knowledge and practice of HCPs relating to medicine use in SI patients were included.

Key findings

The nine included studies, from an initial 142, involved nurses (nine studies), pharmacists (one study) and doctors (two studies) in hospitals or aged-care facilities. A knowledge deficit linked to lack of training was revealed, particularly with identification of modified-release dosage forms, medication that can/cannot be crushed, vehicle for safe dispersion, consequences of inappropriate modification, drug stability and legal aspects. Written information sources were named, but not used in practice. Pharmacists were the primary experts for consultation, and were involved in nurse education, and were members of multidisciplinary teams.

Conclusions

Knowledge in nurses was inadequate, with practice indicating potentially serious medication-related errors. Additional training, either undergraduate or as continuing professional development, is recommended. Information to guide safe medicine modification practice should be accessible to all practitioners. Pharmacists could take the lead role in offering training to nurses.
Identification and characterization of doublesex in Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Guo L. , Xie W. , Liu Y. , Yang Z. , Yang X. , Xia J. , Wang S. , Wu Q. , Zhang Y.
Published: April 2018

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Although B. tabaci is known to have a unique haplodiploid reproductive strategy, its sex determination mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we cloned the full‐length sequence of B. tabaci doublesex (Btdsx) and found that Btdsx has 28 splicing isoforms. We found two new splicing isoforms of transformer 2 (Bttra2), which encode two proteins. We also confirmed that both genes lack sex‐specific splicing isoforms. Real‐time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of Btdsx and Bttra2 is higher in males than in females. RNA interference of Bttra2 affected the expression of Btdsx and vice versa. Furthermore, silencing of Bttra2 or Btdsx caused malformation of the male genitalia (anal style). It did not affect the female phenotype, but reduced the expression of vitellogenin gene in females. These results indicate that Btdsx is associated with sex determination in B. tabaci and that Btdsx and Bttra2 affect each other and are important for male genitalia formation. In addition to increasing our understanding of the roles of dsx and tra2 in the sex determination of B. tabaci, the results will be useful for studies of sex determination in other haplodiploid species.
Mapping the tumour human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligandome by mass spectrometry
Authors: Freudenmann Lena Katharina , Marcu Ana , Stevanović Stefan
Published: April 2018

The entirety of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐presented peptides is referred to as the HLA ligandome of a cell or tissue, in tumours often termed immunopeptidome. Mapping the tumour immunopeptidome by mass spectrometry (MS) comprehensively views the pathophysiologically relevant antigenic signature of human malignancies. MS is an unbiased approach stringently filtering the candidates to be tested as opposed to epitope prediction algorithms. In the setting of peptide‐specific immunotherapies, MS‐based strategies significantly diminish the risk of lacking clinical benefit, as they yield highly enriched amounts of truly presented peptides. Early immunopeptidomic efforts were severely limited by technical sensitivity and manual spectra interpretation. The technological progress with development of orbitrap mass analysers and enhanced chromatographic performance led to vast improvements in mass accuracy, sensitivity, resolution, and speed. Concomitantly, bioinformatic tools were developed to process MS data, integrate sequencing results, and deconvolute multi‐allelic datasets. This enabled the immense advancement of tumour immunopeptidomics. Studying the HLA‐presented peptide repertoire bears high potential for both answering basic scientific questions and translational application. Mapping the tumour HLA ligandome has started to significantly contribute to target identification for the design of peptide‐specific cancer immunotherapies in clinical trials and compassionate need treatments. In contrast to prediction algorithms, rare HLA allotypes and HLA class II can be adequately addressed when choosing MS‐guided target identification platforms. Herein, we review the identification of tumour HLA ligands focusing on sources, methods, bioinformatic data analysis, translational application, and provide an outlook on future developments.
Analysing energy consumption in the Philippines using vector error correction
Authors: Cabauatan Ronaldo , Tatlonghari Virgilio M.
Published: April 2018

This research examines the causality between energy consumption and economic growth in the Philippines, and determines their long‐run relationship by including labour force and gross fixed capital formation. Results show that the variables were found to be stationary at first difference and that cointegration existed among the variables, suggesting causality in at least one direction. They also show that GDP is dependent on energy consumption, indicating that the growth hypothesis applies in the Philippines. Moving from non‐renewable to renewable energy without securing the supply of energy can possibly limit economic growth. This inference is crucial in policy development, particularly when it comes to energy conservation and switching to renewable energy sources. Considering that the Philippines remains a developing country and needs to produce energy at least cost, policy‐makers must ensure the supply of energy before deciding to switch to renewable energy and must also consider the high cost of generating renewable energy.
Trust and Value: The UK Statistics Authority at 10
Authors: Tarran Brian
Published: April 2018

As the UK statistics watchdog celebrates its tenth anniversary, Brian Tarran meets Sir David Norgrove and Ed Humpherson to take stock of the past decade and reflect on the tasks ahead
Is it Time for GDP to be Dethroned?
Authors: Tarran Brian
Published: April 2018

Gross domestic product reveals the size of a country's economy but says little about the economic welfare of citizens. Brian Tarran listens in as experts debate new ways to measure what matters
How to Save Bergen from the Sea? Decisions under Uncertainty
Authors: Guttorp Peter , Thorarinsdottir Thordis L.
Published: April 2018

Sea level rise poses a threat to the Norwegian coastal city of Bergen and its historic harbour. The threat could be reduced, but greater flood protection comes at greater cost. And, of course, no one knows for certain how far sea level will rise in future. Decision-makers must therefore decide what to do, and how much to spend, without knowing exactly how bad things could get. Peter Guttorp and Thordis L. Thorarinsdottir explain the problem, and how to deal with the uncertainty
Graphical Interpretations of Data: Know What I mean?
Authors: Reese R. Allan
Published: April 2018

There are several reasons to present results as graphs, but it is not always true that graphs show the author's intent. In this column, R. Allan Reese considers examples from a popular science show
Molten core fabrication of bismuth germanium oxide Bi4Ge3O12 crystalline core fibers
Authors: Faugas Benoît , Hawkins Thomas , Kucera Courtney , Bohnert Klaus , Ballato John
Published: April 2018

Optical fibers possessing a crystalline oxide core have significant potential for novel and useful electro‐ or nonlinear‐optic waveguides. Presently, however, their utility suffers from the slow speed and limited cladding materials afforded by conventional crystal‐fiber‐growth techniques. Described herein is the development of single phase bismuth germanium oxide crystalline core fibers using conventional glass fiber drawing. More specifically, fibers were fabricated and evaluated based on 2 embodiments of the molten core method. In a first approach, a Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal was employed as the precursor and sleeved inside a borosilicate glass cladding. In the second approach, additional Bi2O3 was included along with the Bi4Ge3O12 precursor single crystal. Glass clad fibers drawn from the precursor Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal resulted in a polycrystalline core with various crystal morphologies (line‐like, dendrite‐like, and uniform grains) as will be discussed, while fibers drawn from the Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal surrounded by Bi2O3 resulted in a more homogeneous microstructure. The eulytine crystal structure was crystallized using both approaches, with the formation of a secondary crystal phase using the second approach. More particularly, this work aims at showing that single phase and phase pure crystalline oxide core optical fibers can be achieved using conventional glass fiber draw processes, although further optimization is necessary for obtaining single crystalline core fibers.
Nrf2 attenuates inflammatory response in COPD/emphysema: Crosstalk with Wnt3a/β‐catenin and AMPK pathways
Authors: Cui Wenhui , Zhang Zhihui , Zhang Panpan , Qu Jiao , Zheng Cheng , Mo Xiaoting , Zhou Wencheng , Xu Liang , Yao Hongwei , Gao Jian
Published: April 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and abnormal inflammatory response. Wnt/β‐catenin and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been shown to modulate lung inflammatory responses and injury. However, it remains elusive whether Wnt/β‐catenin and AMPK modulate nuclear factor erythroid‐2 related factor‐2 (Nrf2)‐mediated protective responses during the development of emphysema. Here we showed that treatment with a Wnt pathway activator (LiCl) reduced elastase‐induced airspace enlargement and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‐induced lung inflammatory responses in WT mice, which was associated with increased activation of Nrf2 pathway. Interestingly, these effects of LiCl were not observed in Nrf2−/− mice exposed to elastase. In normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells, Wnt3a overexpression up‐regulated, whereas Wnt3a knockdown further down‐regulated the levels of Nrf2 and its target proteins heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) by CSE treatment. In contrast, Nrf2 deficiency did not have any effects on Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in mouse lungs and NHBE cells. Both elastase and CSE exposures reduced AMPK phosphorylation. A specific AMPK activator metformin increased Wnt3a, β‐catenin, Nrf2 phosphorylation and activation but reduced the levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in NHBE cells and mouse lungs exposed to CSE. Furthermore, Nrf2 deficiency abolished the protection of metformin against CSE‐induced increase in IL‐6 and IL‐8 in NHBE cells. In conclusion, Nrf2 mediates the protective effects of both Wnt3a/β‐catenin and AMPK on lung inflammatory responses during the development of COPD/emphysema. These findings provide potential therapeutic targets for the intervention of COPD/emphysema.
Early development of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi (Syngnathidae) within the male brood pouch
Authors: Novelli B. , Otero Ferrer F. , Socorro J. A. , Molina Domínguez L.
Published: April 2018

Fertilized and unfertilized eggs and embryos of the longsnout seahorse Hippocampus reidi were collected at different stages of development and provided the basis for a description of morphological development from fertilization until release from the paternal pouch. Images of fertilized eggs, as well as their rupture after a few minutes in seawater are reported for the first time. The yolk sac transitioned from ovoid to spherical shape and was reabsorbed progressively until release. The tail began rising from the surface of the deuteroplasm while embryos were in the egg envelope. Embryos lacked a primordial fin fold and developed some species characteristics, such as rays in the dorsal fin, before resorption of the yolk sac. At release, juvenile seahorses were in an advanced stage of development even if they lacked important adult characteristics, such as ring plates and coronet. The tail was not prehensile in juveniles at release; a small caudal fin was present, although this fin is lost in adults.
A Life Cycle Assessment on the Dehairing of Rawhides: Chemical Treatment versus Enzymatic Recovery through Solid State Fermentation
Authors: Catalán Eva , Komilis Dimitrios , Sánchez Antoni
Published: April 2018

The leather industry needs to switch from the traditional chemically based dehairing process to an environmentally friendly one so that the overall burdens to the environment are reduced. The primary goal of the work was thus to compare the chemical leather dehairing process to an enzymatically based one using the enzymes that are extracted after the application of solid state fermentation (SSF) on hair wastes generated after dehairing. The environmental burdens of the dehairing stage were determined using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach by comparing the two aforementioned management scenarios. The first scenario was the commonly used technology in which hair is removed via a chemical process and then composted in open piles. This scenario included two subscenarios where hair waste is either incinerated or landfilled. In the second scenario, the proteolytic enzymes extracted during the SSF of the residual hair are used to dehair the new rawhides instead of chemicals. Industrial and laboratory data were combined with international databases using the SimaPro 8.0 LCA software to make comparisons. The environmental impacts associated with the enzymatic dehairing were significantly lower than the ones associated to the conventional chemical dehairing process. This difference is attributed to the impacts associated with the original production of the chemicals and to the electricity consumed in the conventional method. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the results are affected by the amounts of chemicals used during dehairing.
Efforts for a Circular Economy in China: A Comprehensive Review of Policies
Authors: Zhu Junming , Fan Chengming , Shi Haijia , Shi Lei
Published: April 2018

Circular economy concepts, practices, and policies are increasingly drawing attention as important means for the pursuit of sustainable development. This article uses a conceptual framework to catalogue and investigate policy efforts for the circular economy in China. Based on the framework, policy prototypes and specific examples are identified: resource‐oriented, production‐oriented, waste, and use‐oriented and life cycle policies. A comprehensive review of 280 related policies shows that China has a long history of resource‐oriented policies and implemented production‐oriented policies very quickly after the year 2000. China's policies toward the circular economy became more comprehensive through time, with a broad engagement of government agencies, an extensive and progressive coverage of recycling opportunities, production initiatives across multiple scales, and use of different policy instruments. The continuous progress has been driven by proactive state actors and their learning from the international society. The current policy framework, however, is concerned more with the means rather than the ends of the circular economy, and relies too much on direct subsidies and other financial incentives. Policy making can be improved by more explicit consideration of the whole production life cycle and use of market‐based policy design.
Corporate and Product Carbon Footprint under Compound Hybrid Analysis: Application to a Spanish Timber Company
Authors: Alvarez Sergio , Tobarra Maria‐Angeles , Zafrilla Jorge‐Enrique
Published: April 2018

The European Union (EU) is advancing steadily toward the stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Various sectors are now obliged to make reductions, and new policies based on the carbon footprint are being encouraged. However, voluntary reporting of so‐called scope 3 emissions is hindering successful implementation of these policies. In this study, we present a tiered hybrid analysis to report emissions according to the ISO/TR 14069 standards and to obtain complete measures of scope 3 emissions. A process analysis for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions is complemented with a multiregional input‐output analysis for upstream scope 3 emissions. This novel approach is applied to the case study of a Spanish timber company. Its total carbon footprint in 2011 was 783,660 kilograms of carbon‐dioxide equivalent, of which 88% correspond to scope 3 emissions. These emissions are globally distributed; 71% are from European countries, followed by 8% from emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, Australia, and Turkey), 5% from China, and, finally, 16% from the rest of the world. We identify and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this novel approach, the European implementation of which could be highly effective in reducing global carbon emissions.
From SLCA to Positive Sustainability Performance Measurement: A Two‐Tier Delphi Study
Authors: Kühnen Michael , Hahn Rüdiger
Published: April 2018

Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) currently has a preoccupation with capturing and repairing negative dysfunctions and pathologies instead of fostering positive features that make a human life sustainable and worth living. With the intention to overcome this imbalance, this paper aims at transferring the shift to a positive sustainability performance measurement (PSPM) perspective in industrial ecology. We argue that positive performance is likely to develop from the lens of social life cycle assessment (SLCA), because sustainability is an anthropocentric concept that puts positive benefits to human well‐being (i.e., the social dimension of sustainability) at the center of the analysis. However, the field of SLCA is highly fragmented, without a coherent theoretical understanding and without a clear prioritization of problems and future research directions. Therefore, we engage in an extensive Delphi study with experts from academia and practice to foster a discussion of lessons learned from SLCA for PSPM. In this way, the paper contributes to a more coherent and deeper understanding of both connected fields. The results emphasize that SLCA has become a defensive risk management instrument against reputational damages, whereas PSPM offers the potential to proactively measure and manage positive contributions to sustainable development. We identify three main challenges (definitional, methodological, and managerial) and two main areas of benefits (organizational and societal) and use them to consolidate the debate on SLCA and PSPM and to provide a roadmap for future research.
The Global Flow of Hard Disk Drives: Quantifying the Concept of Value Leakage in E‐waste Recovery Systems
Authors: Sabbaghi Mostafa , Cade Willie , Olson William , Behdad Sara
Published: April 2018

The remaining value within end‐of‐use/life hard disk drives (EoU/L HDDs) is often not optimally recovered. The improper collection and recovery of HDDs contribute not only to rising environmental and social concerns worldwide, but also to the transformation of the economy and a significant loss of value. Currently, the most preferred treatment option for used hard drives is to recover the metals with the highest recycling effectiveness, such as steel and aluminum, via a shredding‐based recycling process that results in both value and material leakages. The complexity of retrieving the remaining values within EoU/L HDDs demands a larger view of the global supply of HDDs available for recovery. The aim of this paper is to first identify the geographical patterns of transboundary global shipments of new and used HDDs between developing and developed regions, and then capture and quantify the value leakage by bringing several unique perspectives. Two analyses have been conducted. First, the loss of value due to the insufficient recovery of neodymium (Nd) at the global level is quantified. Second, the value leakage as a result of the delay on on‐time reuse of HDDs is captured. Furthermore, the central challenges toward proper recovery of HDDs, where consumer electronic industry can make significant contributions, have been identified. HDDs are well positioned to contribute important insights to the recovery of other electronic devices, so the findings from HDDs can be adopted for other types of electronics.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Wood Use in Japan through 2050 Using Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Kayo Chihiro , Dente Sébastien M.R. , Aoki‐Suzuki Chika , Tanaka Daisuke , Murakami Shinsuke , Hashimoto Seiji
Published: April 2018

In this study, we used material flow analysis and life cycle assessment to quantify the environmental impacts and impact reductions related to wood consumption in Japan from 1970 to 2013. We then conducted future projections of the impacts and reductions until 2050 based on multiple future scenarios of domestic forestry, wood, and energy use. An impact assessment method involving characterization, damage assessment, and integration with a monetary unit was used, and the results were expressed in Japanese yen (JPY). We found that environmental impacts from paper consumption, such as climate change and urban air pollution, were significant and accounted for 56% to 83% of the total environmental impacts between 1970 and 2013. Therefore, reductions of greenhouse gas, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide emissions from paper production would be an effective measure to reduce the overall environmental impacts. An increase in wood use for building construction, civil engineering, furniture materials, and energy production could lead to reductions of environmental impacts (via carbon storage, material substitution, and fuel substitution) amounting to 357 billion JPY in 2050, which is equivalent to 168% of the 2013 levels. Particularly, substitution of nonwooden materials, such as cement, concrete, and steel, with wood products in building construction could significantly contribute to impact reductions. Although an increase of wood consumption could reduce environmental impacts, such as climate change, resource consumption, and urban air pollution, increased wood consumption would also be associated with land‐use impacts. Therefore, minimizing land transformations from forest to barren land will be important.