bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setting the agenda for social science research on the human microbiome
Authors: Greenhough Beth , Read Cressida Jervis , Lorimer Jamie , Lezaun Javier , McLeod Carmen , Benezra Amber , Bloomfield Sally , Brown Tim , Clinch Megan , D’Acquisto Fulvio , Dumitriu Anna , Evans Joshua , Fawcett Nicola , Fortané Nicolas , Hall Lindsay J. , Giraldo Herrera César E. , Hodgetts Timothy , Johnson Katerina Vicky-Ann , Kirchhelle Claas , Krzywoszynska Anna , Lambert Helen , Monaghan Tanya , Nading Alex , Nerlich Brigitte , Singer Andrew C. , Szymanski Erika , Wills Jane
Published: January 2020

The human microbiome is an important emergent area of cross, multi and transdisciplinary study. The complexity of this topic leads to conflicting narratives and regulatory challenges. It raises questions about the benefits of its commercialisation and drives debates about alternative models for engaging with its publics, patients and other potential beneficiaries. The social sciences and the humanities have begun to explore the microbiome as an object of empirical study and as an opportunity for theoretical innovation. They can play an important role in facilitating the development of research that is socially relevant, that incorporates cultural norms and expectations around microbes and that investigates how social and biological lives intersect. This is a propitious moment to establish lines of collaboration in the study of the microbiome that incorporate the concerns and capabilities of the social sciences and the humanities together with those of the natural sciences and relevant stakeholders outside academia. This paper presents an agenda for the engagement of the social sciences with microbiome research and its implications for public policy and social change. Our methods were informed by existing multidisciplinary science-policy agenda-setting exercises. We recruited 36 academics and stakeholders and asked them to produce a list of important questions about the microbiome that were in need of further social science research. We refined this initial list into an agenda of 32 questions and organised them into eight themes that both complement and extend existing research trajectories. This agenda was further developed through a structured workshop where 21 of our participants refined the agenda and reflected on the challenges and the limitations of the exercise itself. The agenda identifies the need for research that addresses the implications of the human microbiome for human health, public health, public and private sector research and notions of self and identity. It also suggests new lines of research sensitive to the complexity and heterogeneity of human–microbiome relations, and how these intersect with questions of environmental governance, social and spatial inequality and public engagement with science.
Ethics of quantification: illumination, obfuscation and performative legitimation
Authors: Sareen Siddharth , Saltelli Andrea , Rommetveit Kjetil
Published: January 2020

The increasing use of quantification in all spheres of society is paralleled by the rise of digitalisation. These intertwining developments not only revolutionise data treatment, but also its societal effects. On the one hand, they have wonderfully enabling societal effects. On the other hand, they give rise to complex ethical dilemmas that motivate this call for an ethics of quantification. The central claim of this Comment is that quantification necessarily has two faces: illumination and obfuscation. Aspects that can be socially legitimated are illuminated, while those that cannot be so legitimated are obfuscated. This obfuscation poses ethical problems, hence its effects require rigorous analysis. Three ontologies of quantification are delineated to enable such examination: (i) as the disembodied practice of data processing in the ‘ether’—this foregrounds elements of big data and artificial intelligence; (ii) as the situated practice and effects of quantification within societal contexts—this attends to governing subjects through numbers; and (iii) as increasingly incorporated in physical reality—this focuses on governmentality of behaviours and behavioural change as mediated through everyday objects through an ‘Internet of Things’. Drawing on scholarship from the emerging sociology of quantification, the ethics of quantification is defined as the iterative illumination of obfuscation in legitimation by quantification. This is key for ensuring contextually desirable illuminating functions of quantification in all three ontologies.
Detection of surface cracks in ferromagnetic materials by C-scan mapping of residual stresses using Barkhausen emissions
Authors: Gaunkar N. Prabhu , Jiles D. C. , Gaunkar G. V. Prabhu
Published: January 2020

Surface cracks can develop in components due to residual stresses, fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, etc, during service exposure. Different non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are employed to detect and monitor such cracks. Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) analysis is one such technique that is used for in situ examination of microstructural anomalies or stress patterns. In the present work, we study the applicability of MBN for the detection of surface cracks. A part through surface crack was created by controlled fatigue loading of a martensitic stainless steel plate. The surface of the sample was scanned for BN emissions in incremental steps parallel and perpendicular to the crack. Measurements of MBN signal strength were recorded and assessed. Localized peaks in the MBN values observed whilst scanning sample surface can reveal the presence of flaws. Furthermore, the remnant stress pattern ahead of the crack tip as well as in the wake of the crack can get reflected in the measured MBN values. The observations carried out show that the surface scan carried out with MBN measurements can be a good non-destructive method for in situ NDT to detect and characterize surface cracks.
On superscattering of sound waves by a lattice of disk-shaped cavities in a soft material
Authors: Sharma Gyani Shankar , Skvortsov Alex , MacGillivray Ian , Kessissoglou Nicole
Published: January 2020

A metasurface comprising cavities in a soft medium has been proven to be highly efficient for control of water-borne sound waves. We formulate an analytical model to predict the acoustic performance of a soft elastic medium embedded with disk-shaped cavities and submerged in water. Each layer of cavities is approximated as an effective boundary that incorporates the effect of multiple scattering of waves and accounts for different damping mechanisms. The results from our analytical model are compared with numerical and experimental results from the literature.
New species of xeromorphic Banksia (Proteaceae) foliage and Banksia-like pollen from the late Eocene of Western Australia
Authors: Carpenter Raymond J. , Milne Lynne A.
Published: January 2020

Banksia microphylla leaf fossils and Banksieaeidites zanthus pollen are newly described from late Eocene lignite of the Zanthus-11 borehole, drilled east of Norseman in Western Australia. The leaf fossils are the first known in Banksia to show extreme narrowness (<1.5 mm wide) combined with the xeromorphic trait of margins rolled onto the lower surface so that the diffusely placed stomata are exposed to the outside environment only via grooves on each side of a thick, abaxial midrib. Both this Banksia leaf type and another with encrypted stomata evolved before the widespread initiation of severe climatic aridity in the late Neogene, likely in regions of edaphic infertility and periodic water stress. New interpretations of leaf morphology and foliar evolutionary pathways in Banksia are proposed. Banksia microphylla probably belongs to subgenus Spathulatae, where it strongly resembles many species in the large, wholly Western Australian clade that includes most species in section Oncostylis, series Abietinae. Banksieaeidites zanthus is morphologically consistent with Banksia pollen, and its extremely small size also suggests placement in Spathulatae. The new fossils and other evidence from Zanthus-11 indicate the local presence of quite open, sclerophyll vegetation with conifers, which was unlikely to have been frequently burnt.
Survey of microcystins in Singapore's reservoirs using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Authors: Porojan Cristina , Abbas Feras , Mowe Maxine A. D. , Lehane Mary , Mitrovic Simon M. , Lim Richard P. , Yeo Darren C. J. , Furey Ambrose
Published: January 2020

Microcystins (MCs) are a group of toxins produced by certain cyanobacteria that occur naturally in fresh waters and can cause acute poisoning in humans and animals. Because cyanobacteria have been found in the freshwater reservoirs of Singapore, a comprehensive survey for cyanotoxins was undertaken over a 12-month period in 17 reservoirs from November 2012 to October 2013. For the quantitative analysis of the reservoir samples, an liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed that targeted the following hepatotoxins: MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-LW, MC-LF, MC-WR and MC-LY. The most prevalent MC variants identified were MC-LR and MC-RR. Results showed that the level of intracellular MC-LR in the raw or untreated water was close to the World Health Organisation (WHO) provisional MC-LR drinking water guideline of 1μgL–1 for 1 of 200 samples tested (0.8μgL–1), and that intracellular MC concentrations were above 0.3μgL–1 in samples collected from four reservoirs. Based on random forest analysis, total monthly rainfall and total nitrogen concentrations were found to be the most important factors affecting intracellular MC concentrations for these four reservoirs. The toxin levels for the other reservoirs were relatively low compared with the WHO provisional MC-LR guideline limit of 1.0μgL–1.
The distribution and use of present and past progressive forms in
Spanish-English and Spanish-Brazilian Portuguese bilinguals
Authors: López Otero Julio César , Cuza Alejandro
Published: January 2020

This study examines the distribution and use of
simple and progressive forms in two groups: English-speaking
heritage speakers of Spanish in the U.S. (n = 9)
and Brazilian Portuguese-speaking heritage speakers of Spanish in
Brazil (n = 15). We hypothesized that the groups
would show different crosslinguistic influence from their dominant
languages in their choice of verb forms. We collected semi-spontaneous
production data via oral narratives and analyzed group differences
in verb form, either simple or progressive, in activity and
accomplishment verbs (Vendler,
1967). The results show a main effect for group,
confirming that English-Spanish bilinguals favor progressive verb
forms in such contexts, while Brazilian Portuguese-Spanish
bilinguals opt for simple verb forms. We discuss our findings
following previous work by Jiang
(2000) and Putnam
& Sánchez (2013).
Right-dislocated complement clauses in German
talk-in-interaction
Authors: Proske Nadine , Deppermann Arnulf
Published: January 2020

This contribution deals with
right-dislocated complement clauses with the
subordinating conjunction dass
(‘that’) in German talk-in-interaction. The
bi-clausal construction we analyze is as follows:
The first clause, in which one argument is realized
by the demonstrative pronoun das
(‘this/that’), is syntactically and semantically
complete; the reference of the pronoun is
(re-)specified by adding a
dass-complement clause after a
point of possible completion (e.g., aber das
hab ich nich MITbekommen. (0.32) dass es da so
YOUtubevideos gab. (‘But I wasn’t aware
of that. That there were videos about that on
YouTube.’). The first clause always performs a
backward-oriented action (e.g., an assessment) and
the second clause (re-)specifies the propositional
reference of the demonstrative, allowing for a
(strategic) perspective shift. Based on a collection
of 93 cases from everyday conversations and
institutional interactions, we found that the
construction is used close to the turn-beginning for
referring to and (re-)specifying (parts of) another
speaker’s prior turn; turn-internal uses tie
together parts of a speaker’s multi-unit turn. The
construction thus facilitates an incremental
constitution of meaning and reference.
Perception and production of language in the visual modality
Authors: Dye Matthew W. G. , Thompson Robin L.
Published: January 2020

Sign language acquisition requires learning how to comprehend and produce a linguistic system that is visual in nature, as opposed to spoken language acquisition which uses the auditory-visual modality. In this chapter, we consider the impact this has for a child acquiring a sign language. We summarize the research literature on sign language production and comprehension, and attempt to integrate psycholinguistic studies with work documenting the visual perceptual abilities of deaf children. While much of this research emphasizes the experience-dependent nature of language processing abilities, reinforcing the importance of early exposure for native-like acquisition, we caution against overgeneralizing from studies of adult processing and call for more child-specific language studies related to comprehension and production within varying acquisition environments.
Educating bilingual and multilingual deaf children in the 21st century
Authors: Tang Gladys , Adam Robert , OBE Karen Simpson
Published: January 2020

This chapter offers an overview of sign bilingual education and some of the complex issues and challenges that impacted the evolution of sign bilingual practices in Europe, Australia and Asia. One such challenge is the promotion of inclusive education in recent years, which triggers a new thinking of partnering sign bilingualism with co-enrolment education for deaf and hearing children. The chapter ends with a summary of factors surrounding the future development of sign bilingual education, from the perspective of empirical research and pedagogy.
Cortical contraction drives the 3D patterning of epithelial cell surfaces
Authors: van Loon Aaron P. , Erofeev Ivan S. , Maryshev Ivan V. , Goryachev Andrew B. , Sagasti Alvaro
Published: January 2020

Cellular protrusions create complex cell surface topographies, but biomechanical mechanisms regulating their formation and arrangement are largely unknown. To study how protrusions form, we focused on the morphogenesis of microridges, elongated actin-based structures that are arranged in maze-like patterns on the apical surfaces of zebrafish skin cells. Microridges form by accreting simple finger-like precursors. Live imaging demonstrated that microridge morphogenesis is linked to apical constriction. A nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) reporter revealed pulsatile contractions of the actomyosin cortex, and inhibiting NMII blocked apical constriction and microridge formation. A biomechanical model suggested that contraction reduces surface tension to permit the fusion of precursors into microridges. Indeed, reducing surface tension with hyperosmolar media promoted microridge formation. In anisotropically stretched cells, microridges formed by precursor fusion along the stretch axis, which computational modeling explained as a consequence of stretch-induced cortical flow. Collectively, our results demonstrate how contraction within the 2D plane of the cortex can pattern 3D cell surfaces.
Preparation of 13X zeolite powder and membrane: investigation of synthesis parameters impacts using experimental design
Authors: Pourazar Majid Badini , Mohammadi Toraj , Jafari Nasr Mohamad Reza , Javanbakht Mehran , Bakhtiari Omid
Published: January 2020

The Plackett—Burman method was used to identify and rank most affective parameters on hydrothermal synthesis and properties of the 13X zeolite powder with gel composition of Al2O3:aSiO2:bNa2O:cH2O. The affective parameters of SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, synthesis mixture alkalinity, synthesis temperature, and water content were selected for further study of their impacts and gel composition optimization using the Taguchi method. The synthesized powders were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. Synthesis temperature and mixture alkalinity were found as the most affecting parameters on the 13X zeolite synthesis at the best gel composition of Al2O3:5.4SiO2: 13Na2O: 840H2O. Then 13X zeolite membranes were synthesized on the seeded supports using the optimum gel composition and impacts of synthesis temperature and time and coating layer number on their H2 and CO2 permeances and ideal H2/CO2 selectivity were studied. The optimum 13X zeolite membrane for H2/CO2 separation was obtained by three layer coatings at 80 °C for 16 h with H2 permeance of 2.88 cm3 cm−2.Pa.s and ideal H2/CO2 selectivity of 4.72.
Influence of displacement constraints to the surface reconstruction of stressed bicrystal thin films
Authors: Akyildiz Oncu
Published: January 2020

In this work, surface morphology evolution of bicrystal thin films under the combined action of grain boundary and surface diffusion is investigated by considering different mechanical constraints. 2D surface topographies of thin films, that are (a) freestanding, (b) strongly bonded to its substrate and (c) strongly bonded to its substrate and one of sidewalls, are simulated using a numerical implementation of an irreversible thermo-kinetics model. Relationships which give the groove depth as a function of time are obtained. Results show that mechanical loading conditions are effective in determining the morphology and kinetics of grooving. For the three scenarios that had been investigated, it was found that the groove depth evolves linearly with different tip velocities under the same level of uniaxial tension. In freestanding films groove tip evolves faster; i.e. as the film gets constrained from its substrate and/or one of its sidewalls, the tip velocity slows down. It was also observed that high triple junction mobilities at low levels of applied stress hinder the effects of displacement constraints to groove shape, even in the case of asymmetric stress distributions inside the film. On the other hand, low triple junction mobilities at moderate applied stresses allow formation of asymmetric grain boundary grooves due to the induced asymmetry in the driving force for surface diffusion with respect to the grain boundary.
Pneumothorax as a Complication of Liposuction
Authors: Mentz James A , Mentz Henry A , Nemir Stephanie
Published: January 2020

Background

Pneumothorax is a rare complication of liposuction resulting from injury to the lung parenchyma.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the incidence of pneumothorax complicating liposuction, describe an archetypal presentation, identify risk factors, and propose options for risk reduction.

Methods

In a retrospective chart review, liposuction procedures performed over a 16-year period by 8 surgeons in 1 practice were screened for pneumothorax. Cases featuring pneumothorax were analyzed to ascertain risk factors, presentation, and pathogenesis.

Results

Among the 16,215 liposuction procedures performed during the study period, 7 pneumothoraxes were identified (0.0432%). Six (85.7%) were female. Three (42.9%) had previous liposuction. Six cases (85.7%) included liposuction of the axillary region. All cases featured depression of intra/postoperative oxygen saturations as the initial sign. Three (42.9%) were identified intraoperatively. All patients were transferred to a hospital for imaging. Five (71.4%) underwent chest tube placement. Two (28.6%) were treated with observation alone. Pneumothoraxes were left-sided in 4 cases (57.1%), and right-sided in 3 cases (42.9%). In early cases, 1.5-mm infiltration cannulas were used; in 2016 cannula size was changed to 3-4 mm for infiltration and 4-5 mm for liposuction.

Conclusions

Possible risk factors for pneumothorax include liposuction of the axilla, use of flexible infiltration cannulas, and scarring from previous liposuction. We recommend including pneumothorax as a potential complication during informed consent, performing infiltration with a stiff >3.5-mm cannula, minimizing positive-pressure ventilation, emphasized awareness of cannula tip location in all patients but particularly in patients with previous liposuction or scar tissue, and increased caution when operating in the axillary area.

Level of Evidence: 4
Minimally Invasive Auricoloplasty With an Anterior Approach: A 15-Year Experience
Authors: Bellinvia Giacomo , Bellinvia Pietro
Published: January 2020

Background

The otoplasty technique, independently conceived by Kaye and Lewis, is a simple and effective method for correcting prominent ears with an underdeveloped antihelical fold, but it is inappropriate for correcting ears with conchal hypertrophy.

Objectives

To describe an anterior approach to otoplasty that can correct prominent ears, even for those with conchal hypertrophy.

Methods

The 100 most recent otoplasty interventions to correct prominent ears were analyzed retrospectively. Indications, aesthetic results, complications and corrections were evaluated.

Results

The 100 patients who underwent otoplasty included 40 males and 60 females with a mean age of 18 years (range, 8–62 years). Sixty-five patients underwent correction of an underdeveloped antihelical fold, 30 underwent correction of conchal hypertrophy and 5 required resection of a conchal cartilage crescent. Intervention was bilateral in 96 patients and monolateral in 4 patients. Two patients required secondary corrections, including 1 requiring monolateral correction for a trauma after 10 days. No patient experienced hematomas or infections, despite the absence of antibiotic coverage.

Conclusions

This minimally invasive otoplasty technique is a simple, quick, and effective method, even in patients with conchal hypertrophy.

Level of Evidence: 4
RAS Awards 2020
Authors:   RAS staff
Published: January 2020

Each year the RAS recognizes outstanding achievement in astronomy and geophysics by the award of medals and prizes, celebrating scientists who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers.
The case for a closed universe
Authors: Ellis George , Larena Julien
Published: January 2020

George Ellis and Julien Larena highlight the possibility that the universe could be curved and closed, and explore the theoretical importance of this possibility.
Improved detection of RNA foci in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis post-mortem tissue using BaseScope™ shows a lack of association with cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Mehta Arpan R , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T , Barton Samantha K , McDade Karina , Abrahams Sharon , Chandran Siddharthan , Smith Colin , Gregory Jenna M
Published: January 2020

The C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion is the commonest known genetic mutation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A neuropathological hallmark is the intracellular accumulation of RNA foci. The role that RNA foci play in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is widely debated. Historically, C9orf72 RNA foci have been identified using in situ hybridization. Here, we have implemented BaseScope™, a high-resolution modified in situ hybridization technique. We demonstrate that previous studies have underestimated the abundance of RNA foci in neurons and glia. This improved detection allowed us to investigate the abundance, regional distribution and cell type specificity of sense C9orf72 RNA foci in post-mortem brain and spinal cord tissue of six deeply clinically phenotyped C9orf72 patients and six age- and sex-matched controls. We find a correlation between RNA foci and the accumulation of transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa in spinal motor neurons (rs = 0.93; P = 0.008), but not in glia or cortical motor neurons. We also demonstrate that there is no correlation between the presence of RNA foci and the accumulation of transactive response DNA binding protein of 43 kDa in extra-motor brain regions. Furthermore, there is no association between the presence of RNA foci and cognitive indices. These results highlight the utility of BaseScope™ in the clinicopathological assessment of the role of sense RNA foci in C9orf72.
The Impact of Ovariectomy on Olfactory Neuron Regeneration in Mice
Authors: Yamada Kentaro , Shiga Hideaki , Noda Takuya , Harita Masayuki , Ishikura Tomoko , Nakamura Yukari , Hatta Toshihisa , Sakata-Haga Hiromi , Shimada Hiroki , Miwa Takaki
Published: January 2020

Estrogen has been shown to affect differentiation and proliferation as a mitogen in various neural systems. Olfactory receptor cells are unique within the nervous system, and have the ability to regenerate even after an individual has reached maturity. Olfactory receptor cells also regenerate after experimentally induced degeneration. The purpose of this study is to observe the influence of estrogen depletion induced by ovariectomy on olfactory nerve regeneration. Female mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy at 8 weeks of age and received intraperitoneal administration of methimazole 1 week later. At 2, 4, and 6 weeks after methimazole administration, the olfactory mucosa was analyzed histochemically to determine olfactory epithelium (OE) thickness, olfactory marker protein distribution, and Ki-67 immunoreactivity. Furthermore, 2 weeks after ovariectomy, trkA protein distribution in the OE and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the olfactory bulb were determined by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Our results showed that in ovariectomized mice OMP, Ki-67, and trkA-immunopositive cells expression decreased at 2 weeks after methimazole injection, a time point at which regeneration is underway. At this same time point, although NGF production in the olfactory bulb had increased before methimazole administration, no differences were observed between the ovx and control groups. These results suggest that estrogen depletion induces a suppressive effect on regeneration of olfactory neurons, and that estrogen may have a potential use in the treatment of sensorineural olfactory dysfunction.
TELEmedicine for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TELE-IBD) Does Not Improve Depressive Symptoms or General Quality of Life Compared With Standard Care at Tertiary Referral Centers
Authors: Schliep Matthew , Chudy-Onwugaje Kenechukwu , Abutaleb Ameer , Langenberg Patricia , Regueiro Miguel , Schwartz David A , Tracy J Kathleen , Ghazi Leyla , Patil Seema A , Quezada Sandra , Russman Katharine , Horst Sara , Beaulieu Dawn , Quinn Charlene , Jambaulikar Guruprasad , Cross Raymond K
Published: January 2020

Background

Depression is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and contributes to poor quality of life (QoL). The use of information technology for the remote management of patients with IBD is growing, but little is known about its impact on depressive symptoms (DS) and QoL. We aimed to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on DS and generic QoL in IBD patients.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Telemedicine for Patients with IBD (TELE-IBD) study. During this 12-month clinical trial, patients were randomized to receive text message-based telemedicine weekly (TELE-IBD W), every other week (TELE-IBD EOW), or to standard care. Depressive symptoms and QoL were assessed over time with the Mental Health Inventory 5 (MHI-5) and the Short Form 12 (SF-12), respectively. We compared the change in MHI-5 and SF-12 (with separate physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores) between the study arms.

Results

A total of 217 participants were included in this analysis. After 1 year, there was no significant difference in the change in MHI-5 (TELE-IBD W +3.0 vs TELE-IBD EOW +0.7 vs standard care +3.4; P = 0.70), MCS (TELE-IBD W +1.4 vs TELE-IBD EOW +1.0 vs standard care +2.5; P = 0.89), and PCS scores (TELE-IBD W +0.4 vs TELE-IBD EOW +0.6 vs standard care +3.7; P = 0.06) between the groups.

Conclusions

Text message-based telemedicine does not improve DS or QoL when compared with standard care in IBD patients treated at tertiary referral centers. Further studies are needed to determine whether telemedicine improves DS or QoL in settings with few resources.
Prognostic significance of cardiac I-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging in patients with reduced, mid-range, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction admitted for acute decompensated heart failure: a prospective study in Osaka Prefectural Acute Heart Failure Registry (OPAR)
Authors: Seo Masahiro , Yamada Takahisa , Tamaki Shunsuke , Watanabe Tetsuya , Morita Takashi , Furukawa Yoshio , Kawasaki Masato , Kikuchi Atsushi , Kawai Tsutomu , Abe Makoto , Nakamura Jun , Yamamoto Kyoko , Kayama Kiyomi , Kawahira Masatsugu , Tanabe Kazuya , Kimura Takanari , Ueda Kunpei , Sakamoto Daisuke , Sakata Yasushi , Fukunami Masatake
Published: January 2020

Aims

Cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) imaging provides prognostic information in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). However, there is little information available on the prognostic role of cardiac 123I-MIBG imaging in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), especially relating to reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%], mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF; 40% ≤ LVEF < 50%) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; LVEF ≥ 50%).

Methods and results

We studied 349 patients admitted for ADHF and discharged with survival. Cardiac 123I-MIBG imaging, echocardiography, and venous blood sampling were performed just before discharge. The cardiac 123I-MIBG heart-to-mediastinum ratio (late H/M) was measured on the chest anterior view images obtained at 200 min after the isotope injection. The endpoint was cardiac events defined as unplanned HF hospitalization and cardiac death. During a follow-up period of 2.1 ± 1.4 years, 128 patients had cardiac events (45/127 in HFrEF, 28/78 in HFmrEF, and 55/144 in HFpEF). On multivariable Cox analysis, late H/M was significantly associated with cardiac events in overall cohort (P = 0.0038), and in subgroup analysis of each LVEF subgroup (P = 0.0235 in HFrEF, P = 0.0119 in HFmEF and P = 0.0311 in HFpEF). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with low late H/M (defined by median) had significantly greater risk of cardiac events in overall cohort (49% vs. 25% P < 0.0001) and in each LVEF subgroup (HFrEF: 48% vs. 23% P = 0.0061, HFmrEF: 51% vs. 21% P = 0.0068 and HFpEF: 50% vs. 26% P = 0.0026).

Conclusion

Cardiac sympathetic nerve dysfunction was associated with poor outcome in ADHF patients irrespective of HFrEF, HFmrEF, or HFpEF.
A rare finding of giant accessory mitral valve tissue: a case report
Authors: Okafor Joseph , Kanaganayagam Gajen Sunthar , Patel Ketna
Published: January 2020

Background

Accessory mitral valve tissue (AMVT) is a rare anomaly that can be detected in the first decade. It is associated with other congenital cardiac abnormalities, such as ventricular septal defect. When detected in adulthood, it is usually an incidental finding on echocardiography. Symptomatic individuals can present with breathlessness, syncope, and features of distal tissue embolization. Cardiac surgery is indicated in those with significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Case summary 

A 45-year-old man without any significant medical history was referred due to an abnormal electrocardiogram. He was asymptomatic from a cardiac perspective. Echocardiography revealed the presence of a giant mobile mass attached to the anterior mitral valve leaflet and prolapsing into the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). This was classified as Type IIB2 AMVT. As there was no dynamic outflow tract obstruction on subsequent treadmill stress echocardiography, and in the absence of other coexistent congenital abnormality, surgical excision was not performed.

Discussion 

It is important to exclude significant obstruction when a large AMVT is seen to be prolapsing into the LVOT. Three-dimensional echocardiography is the tool of choice for anatomical classification and to assess for concomitant congenital cardiac abnormalities.
Aortic dissection during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with Marfan syndrome: a 21-year clinical experience in 30 patients
Authors: Ma Wei-Guo , Zhu Jun-Ming , Chen Yu , Qiao Zhi-Yu , Ge Yi-Peng , Li Cheng-Nan , Zheng Jun , Liu Yong-Min , Sun Li-Zhong
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy-related aortic dissection (AoD) in Marfan syndrome is a lethal catastrophe. Due to its rarity and limited clinical experience, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management strategy. We seek to present our 21-year experience in such patients , focusing on management strategies and early and late outcomes.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2019, we managed 30 pregnant women with Marfan syndrome (mean age 30.7 ± 4.3 years) who sustained AoD at a mean of 28.3 ± 8.8 weeks of gestation (GWs). AoD was acute in 21 (70%), type A (TAAD) in 24 (80%) and type B (TBAD) in 6 (20%). Fourteen TAADs (58.3%, 14/24) and 2 TBADs (33.3%, 2/6) occurred in the third trimester or postpartum. The maximal aortic size was < 45 mm in 26.7% (8/30; 3 TAADs, 5 TBADs). Management strategy was based on the types of dissection and GWs (i.e. surgical versus medical treatment, surgery or delivery first).

RESULTS

TAADs were treated medically in 1 and surgically in 23. The timing of delivery and surgery were caesarean first at 35.4 ± 6.1 GWs in 7 (29.2%), followed by surgery after mean 46 days; single-stage C-section and surgery at 32.0 ± 5.0 GWs in 10 (41.7%); and surgery first at 18.0 ± 5.8 GWs in 6 (25%), followed by C-section after 20 days. Maternal and foetal mortality were 28.6% (2/7) and 14.3% (1/7), 10.0% (1/10) and 20.0% (2/10) and 16.7% (1/6) and 83.3% (5/6), respectively. Five TBADs (83.3%) were managed with C-section followed by surgery in 2 and medical treatment in 3. The respective maternal and foetal mortality were 50% (1/2) and 100% (2/2) and 33.3% (1/3) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively. One TBAD was managed surgically first followed by C-section, resulting in maternal survival and foetal death. Follow-up was complete in 95.8% (23/24) at 3.7 ± 2.9 years. Four late deaths occurred and reoperation was performed in 1 patient. Maternal and foetal survival were 64.3% and 54.1% at 6 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of AoD in pregnant women with Marfan syndrome should be based on types of dissection (surgical versus medical) and gestational age (delivery or surgery first), which largely determine maternal and foetal survival. Aortic repair should be considered prior to conception in women with Marfan syndrome even at diameters smaller than recommended by current guidelines.
Nonspecific toxicities of Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus dCas9 in Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Wurihan Wurihan , Huang Yehong , Weber Alec M , Wu Xiang , Fan Huizhou
Published: January 2020

Chlamydiae are common, important pathogens for humans and animals alike. Despite recent advancement in genetics, scientists are still searching for efficient tools to knock out or knock down the expression of chromosomal genes. We attempted to adopt a dCas9-based CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology to conditionally knock down gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using an anhydrotetracycline (ATC)-inducible expression system. Surprisingly, expression of the commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9 in C. trachomatis causes strong inhibition in the absence of any guide RNA (gRNA). Staphylococcus aureus dCas9 also shows strong toxicity in the presence of only an empty gRNA scaffold. Toxicity of the S. pyogenes dCas9 is readily observed with as little as 0.2 nM ATC. Growth inhibition by S. aureus dCas9 is evident starting at 1.0 nM ATC. In contrast, C. trachomatis growth was not affected by methionine-tRNA ligase overexpression induced with 10 nM ATC. We conclude that S. pyogenes and S. aureus dCas9 proteins in their current forms have limited utility for chlamydial research and suggest strategies to overcome this problem.
Marchenko multiple elimination of a laboratory example
Authors: Zhang Lele , Slob Evert
Published: January 2020

The Marchenko multiple elimination (MME) scheme is derived from the coupled Marchenko equations. It is proposed for filtering primary reflections with two-way traveltime from the measured acoustic data. The measured acoustic reflection data are used as its own filter and no model information or adaptive subtraction is required to apply the method. The data obtained after MME are better suited for velocity model construction and artefact-free migration than the measured data. We apply the MME scheme to a measured laboratory data set to evaluate the success of the method. The results suggest that the MME scheme can be the appropriate choice when high-quality pre-processing is performed successfully.
Association between the pregnancy exposome and fetal growth
Authors: Agier Lydiane , Basagaña Xavier , Hernandez-Ferrer Carles , Maitre Léa , Tamayo Uria Ibon , Urquiza Jose , Andrusaityte Sandra , Casas Maribel , de Castro Montserrat , Cequier Enrique , Chatzi Leda , Donaire-Gonzalez David , Giorgis-Allemand Lise , Gonzalez Juan R , Grazuleviciene Regina , Gützkow Kristine B , Haug Line S , Sakhi Amrit K , McEachan Rosemary R C , Meltzer Helle M , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Robinson Oliver , Roumeliotaki Theano , Sunyer Jordi , Thomsen Cathrine , Vafeiadi Marina , Valentin Antonia , West Jane , Wright John , Siroux Valérie , Vrijheid Martine , Slama Rémy
Published: January 2020

Background

Several environmental contaminants were shown to possibly influence fetal growth, generally from single exposure family studies, which are prone to publication bias and confounding by co-exposures. The exposome paradigm offers perspectives to avoid selective reporting of findings and to control for confounding by co-exposures. We aimed to characterize associations of fetal growth with the pregnancy chemical and external exposomes.

Methods

Within the Human Early-Life Exposome project, 131 prenatal exposures were assessed using biomarkers and environmental models in 1287 mother–child pairs from six European cohorts. We investigated their associations with fetal growth using a deletion-substitution-addition (DSA) algorithm considering all exposures simultaneously, and an exposome-wide association study (ExWAS) considering each exposure independently. We corrected for exposure measurement error and tested for exposure–exposure and sex–exposure interactions.

Results

The DSA model identified lead blood level, which was associated with a 97 g birth weight decrease for each doubling in lead concentration. No exposure passed the multiple testing-corrected significance threshold of ExWAS; without multiple testing correction, this model was in favour of negative associations of lead, fine particulate matter concentration and absorbance with birth weight, and of a positive sex-specific association of parabens with birth weight in boys. No two-way interaction between exposure variables was identified.

Conclusions

This first large-scale exposome study of fetal growth simultaneously considered >100 environmental exposures. Compared with single exposure studies, our approach allowed making all tests (usually reported in successive publications) explicit. Lead exposure is still a health concern in Europe and parabens health effects warrant further investigation.
Visualization of user’s attention on objects in 3D environment using only eye tracking glasses
Authors: Li Ting-Hao , Suzuki Hiromasa , Ohtake Yutaka
Published: January 2020

Eye tracking technology is widely applied to detect user’s attention in a 2D field, such as web page design, package design, and shooting games. However, because our surroundings primarily consist of 3D objects, applications will be expanded if there is an effective method to obtain and display user’s 3D gaze fixation. In this research, a methodology is proposed to demonstrate the user’s 3D gaze fixation on a digital model of a scene using only a pair of eye tracking glasses. The eye tracking glasses record user’s gaze data and scene video. Thus, using image-based 3D reconstruction, a 3D model of the scene can be reconstructed from the frame images; simultaneously, the transformation matrix of each frame image can be evaluated to find 3D gaze fixation on the 3D model. In addition, a method that demonstrates multiple users’ 3D gaze fixation on the same digital model is presented to analyze gaze distinction between different subjects. With this preliminary development, this approach shows potential to be applied to a larger environment and conduct a more reliable investigation.
The Role of Deposit Insurance in Bank Resolution
Authors: Hofmann Christian
Published: January 2020

Deposit Insurance Schemes (DIS) are mechanisms that reimburse depositors when banks default; however, they also serve important functions in bank resolution proceedings. Whereas it is evident that DIS should contribute to the rescue of banks’ critical financial functions in such resolution scenarios, the resulting questions of who should benefit from their payments and whether these payments result in any repayment obligations have so far remained unaddressed. In response to these questions, the article suggests distinguishing between scenarios in which banks’ critical financial functions are transferred to other institutions and scenarios in which the critical financial functions remain with recapitalized banks. The latter is the more complex situation because it leads to the survival of the bank in resolution and raises the question of hierarchies among several groups of contributors to recapitalizations. The article argues for a subordinate role for DIS in these hierarchies and suggests that DIS payments should lead to holdings of Tier 2 regulatory capital in recapitalized banks.
Patriot Games, War Games, and Political Football: A Constructivist Analysis of Militarization in an American Sport
Authors: Vasquez Joseph Paul
Published: January 2020

I argue that constructivism can help us understand the political dimension of sports generally and specifically the norms, meaning, and social identity of American football. More specifically, I contend that football’s development in the United States built it into a cultural force associated with militarist and patriotic norms that politicians could leverage for political support when deep domestic divisions existed concerning national security. This phenomenon resulted from the game’s social transformation from a primarily civilian, leisure-time form of recreation and entertainment into a socially constructed symbol for military recruitment by a reinforcing “gridiron triangle” comprised of actors from the military bureaucracy, football teams and leagues, and the sports media. Because of this social phenomenon, American presidents such as Richard Nixon and Donald Trump have attempted to use football as a cultural asset for bolstering support when their national security credentials were seriously questioned. In the case of Nixon, it happened when the United States was divided over the Vietnam War. As for the Trump administration, a similar situation emerged amid investigations of collusion between the Russian government and the Trump campaign and the subsequent manipulation of military aid designed to contain Russian expansion in Ukraine for partisan, electoral gains.
‘Attention, attention, exploring minds acknowledge digital structure!’ The shift to digital humanities has happened, so what should information scientists do in response?
Authors: Engerer Volkmar P
Published: January 2020

This article examines the impact of the digital humanities on information science and information scientists and how information scientists can contribute to digital collaborations in the digital humanities. This article uses three basic concepts—user-researcher, digital information system, and digital research object—as the framework for a description of the digital humanities shift and discusses the consequences of this shift for information science with reference to these concepts. The second part of the article investigates the two pillars of the digital humanities shift, acknowledgement of digital structure and the exploring mind, in more detail. In the case of correspondences, acknowledgement of digital structure involves respecting the ‘thing-like’ properties of letters that cannot be handled (searched, classified, etc.) unless they are translated into digitized metadata; this elevates metadata to genuine digital research objects. These theoretical issues are illustrated by the Prior archive, a collection of digitized letters, manuscript drafts, and other ‘grey’ material bequeathed from the New Zealand logician-philosopher Arthur Norman Prior. The concept of the ‘exploring mind’ is connected to a movement in information science, away from the needful user and information gap paradigm towards more open and exploratory information behaviour in the digital humanities. A concluding literature review examines selected works of information science that deals with non-standard, serendipitous information behaviour and identifies exploratory and serendipitous design features of information systems for the digital humanities. These features are represented in a taxonomy consisting of six design categories.
Formation sites of Population III star formation: The effects of different levels of rotation and turbulence on the fragmentation behaviour of primordial gas
Authors: Wollenberg Katharina M J , Glover Simon C O , Clark Paul C , Klessen Ralf S
Published: January 2020

We use the moving-mesh code arepo to investigate the effects of different levels of rotation and turbulence on the fragmentation of primordial gas and the formation of Population III stars. We consider nine different combinations of turbulence and rotation and carry out five different realizations of each setup, yielding one of the largest sets of simulations of Population III star formation ever performed. We find that fragmentation in Population III star-forming systems is a highly chaotic process and show that the outcomes of individual realizations of the same initial conditions often vary significantly. However, some general trends are apparent. Increasing the turbulent energy promotes fragmentation, while increasing the rotational energy inhibits fragmentation. Within the ∼1000 yr period that we simulate, runs including turbulence yield flat protostellar mass functions while purely rotational runs show a more top-heavy distribution. The masses of the individual protostars are distributed over a wide range from a few $10^{-3} \, {\rm M_{\odot }}$ to several tens of M⊙. The total mass growth rate of the stellar systems remains high throughout the simulations and depends only weakly on the degree of rotation and turbulence. Mergers between protostars are common, but predictions of the merger fraction are highly sensitive to the criterion used to decide whether two protostars should merge. Previous studies of Population III star formation have often considered only one realization per set of initial conditions. However, our results demonstrate that robust trends can only be reliably identified by considering averages over a larger sample of runs.