bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topic Tomographies (TopTom): a visual approach to distill information from media streams
Authors: Gobbo B. , Balsamo D. , Mauri M. , Bajardi P. , Panisson A. , Ciuccarelli P.
Published: July 2019

In this paper we present Top Tom, a digital platform whose goal is to provide analytical and visual solutions for the exploration of a dynamic corpus of user‐generated messages and media articles, with the aim of i) distilling the information from thousands of documents in a low‐dimensional space of explainable topics, ii) cluster them in a hierarchical fashion while allowing to drill down to details and stories as constituents of the topics, iii) spotting trends and anomalies. Top Tom implements a batch processing pipeline able to run both in near‐real time with time stamped data from streaming sources and on historical data with a temporal dimension in a cold start mode. The resulting output unfolds along three main axes: time, volume and semantic similarity (i.e. topic hierarchical aggregation). To allow the browsing of data in a multiscale fashion and the identification of anomalous behaviors, three visual metaphors were adopted from biological and medical fields to design visualizations, i.e. the flowing of particles in a coherent stream, tomographic cross sectioning and contrast‐like analysis of biological tissues. The platform interface is composed by three main visualizations with coherent and smooth navigation interactions: calendar view, flow view, and temporal cut view. The integration of these three visual models with the multiscale analytic pipeline proposes a novel system for the identification and exploration of topics from unstructured texts. We evaluated the system using a collection of documents about the emerging opioid epidemics in the United States.
Augmenting Tactile 3D Data Navigation With Pressure Sensing
Authors: Wang Xiyao , Besançon Lonni , Ammi Mehdi , Isenberg Tobias
Published: July 2019

We present a pressure‐augmented tactile 3D data navigation technique, specifically designed for small devices, motivated by the need to support the interactive visualization beyond traditional workstations. While touch input has been studied extensively on large screens, current techniques do not scale to small and portable devices. We use phone‐based pressure sensing with a binary mapping to separate interaction degrees of freedom (DOF) and thus allow users to easily select different manipulation schemes (e. g., users first perform only rotation and then with a simple pressure input to switch to translation). We compare our technique to traditional 3D‐RST (rotation, scaling, translation) using a docking task in a controlled experiment. The results show that our technique increases the accuracy of interaction, with limited impact on speed. We discuss the implications for 3D interaction design and verify that our results extend to older devices with pseudo pressure and are valid in realistic phone usage scenarios.
A Random Sampling O(n) Force‐calculation Algorithm for Graph Layouts
Authors: Gove R.
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes a linear‐time repulsive‐force‐calculation algorithm with sub‐linear auxiliary space requirements, achieving an asymptotic improvement over the Barnes‐Hut and Fast Multipole Method force‐calculation algorithms. The algorithm, named random vertex sampling (RVS), achieves its speed by updating a random sample of vertices at each iteration, each with a random sample of repulsive forces. This paper also proposes a combination algorithm that uses RVS to derive an initial layout and then applies Barnes‐Hut to refine the layout. An evaluation of RVS and the combination algorithm compares their speed and quality on 109 graphs against a Barnes‐Hut layout algorithm. The RVS algorithm performs up to 6.1 times faster on the tested graphs while maintaining comparable layout quality. The combination algorithm also performs faster than Barnes‐Hut, but produces layouts that are more symmetric than using RVS alone. Data and code: https://osf.io/nb7m8/
State‐of‐the‐Art Report: Visual Computing in Radiation Therapy Planning
Authors: Schlachter M. , Raidou R.G. , Muren L.P. , Preim B. , Putora P.M. , Bühler K.
Published: July 2019

Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the major curative approaches for cancer. It is a complex and risky treatment approach, which requires precise planning, prior to the administration of the treatment. Visual Computing (VC) is a fundamental component of RT planning, providing solutions in all parts of the process—from imaging to delivery. Despite the significant technological advancements of RT over the last decades, there are still many challenges to address. This survey provides an overview of the compound planning process of RT, and of the ways that VC has supported RT in all its facets. The RT planning process is described to enable a basic understanding in the involved data, users and workflow steps. A systematic categorization and an extensive analysis of existing literature in the joint VC/RT research is presented, covering the entire planning process. The survey concludes with a discussion on lessons learnt, current status, open challenges, and future directions in VC/RT research.
A Review of Guidance Approaches in Visual Data Analysis: A Multifocal Perspective
Authors: Ceneda Davide , Gschwandtner Theresia , Miksch Silvia
Published: July 2019

Visual data analysis can be envisioned as a collaboration of the user and the computational system with the aim of completing a given task. Pursuing an effective system‐user integration, in which the system actively helps the user to reach his/her analysis goal has been focus of visualization research for quite some time. However, this problem is still largely unsolved. As a result, users might be overwhelmed by powerful but complex visual analysis systems which also limits their ability to produce insightful results. In this context, guidance is a promising step towards enabling an effective mixed‐initiative collaboration to promote the visual analysis. However, the way how guidance should be put into practice is still to be unravelled. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive literature research and provide an overview of how guidance is tackled by different approaches in visual analysis systems. We distinguish between guidance that is provided by the system to support the user, and guidance that is provided by the user to support the system. By identifying open problems, we highlight promising research directions and point to missing factors that are needed to enable the envisioned human‐computer collaboration, and thus, promote a more effective visual data analysis.
State‐of‐the‐art in Multi‐Light Image Collections for Surface Visualization and Analysis
Authors: Pintus R. , Dulecha T. G. , Ciortan I. , Gobbetti E. , Giachetti A.
Published: July 2019

Multi‐Light Image Collections (MLICs), i.e., stacks of photos of a scene acquired with a fixed viewpoint and a varying surface illumination, provide large amounts of visual and geometric information. In this survey, we provide an up‐to‐date integrative view of MLICs as a mean to gain insight on objects through the analysis and visualization of the acquired data. After a general overview of MLICs capturing and storage, we focus on the main approaches to produce representations usable for visualization and analysis. In this context, we first discuss methods for direct exploration of the raw data. We then summarize approaches that strive to emphasize shape and material details by fusing all acquisitions in a single enhanced image. Subsequently, we focus on approaches that produce relightable images through intermediate representations. This can be done both by fitting various analytic forms of the light transform function, or by locally estimating the parameters of physically plausible models of shape and reflectance and using them for visualization and analysis. We finally review techniques that improve object understanding by using illustrative approaches to enhance relightable models, or by extracting features and derived maps. We also review how these methods are applied in several, main application domains, and what are the available tools to perform MLIC visualization and analysis. We finally point out relevant research issues, analyze research trends, and offer guidelines for practical applications.
Lizards possess the most complete tetrapod Hox gene repertoire despite pervasive structural changes in Hox clusters
Authors: Feiner Nathalie , Wood Natalie J.
Published: July 2019

Hox genes are a remarkable example of conservation in animal development and their nested expression along the head‐to‐tail axis orchestrates embryonic patterning. Early in vertebrate history, two duplications led to the emergence of four Hox clusters (A‐D) and redundancy within paralog groups has been partially accommodated with gene losses. Here we conduct an inventory of squamate Hox genes using the genomes of 10 lizard and 7 snake species. Although the HoxC1 gene has been hypothesized to be lost in the amniote ancestor, we reveal that it is retained in lizards. In contrast, all snakes lack functional HoxC1 and ‐D12 genes. Varying levels of degradation suggest differences in the process of gene loss between the two genes. The vertebrate HoxC1 gene is prone to gene loss and its functional domains are more variable than those of other Hox1 genes. We describe for the first time the HoxC1 expression patterns in tetrapods. HoxC1 is broadly expressed during development in the diencephalon, the neural tube, dorsal root ganglia, and limb buds in two lizard species. Our study emphasizes the value of revisiting Hox gene repertoires by densely sampling taxonomic groups and its feasibility owing to growing sequence resources in evaluating gene repertoires across taxa.
The cost and the value of treatment of medication overuse headache in Italy: a longitudinal study based on patient‐derived data
Authors: Raggi A. , Leonardi M. , Sansone E. , Curone M. , Grazzi L. , D'Amico D.
Published: July 2019

Background and purpose

The cost of medication overuse headache (MOH) is underestimated. Our aim was to address the cost‐effectiveness of a structured treatment protocol and to present annual cost estimates.

Methods

Patients were enrolled on the occasion of a structured treatment protocol, were administered a research protocol addressing direct and indirect costs and were followed up for 3 months.

Results

Of 176 enrolled patients, 138 completed the study. The 3‐month cost per patient fell from €2989 to €1160: the difference was €696 per month for patients treated in the ward and €466 for those treated in day‐hospital; thus it takes 2–3 months to compensate for the protocol's cost. The per‐person annual costs of MOH were €10 533 (95% confidence interval €8700–12 406): direct healthcare costs accounted for 44.8% and indirect costs for 51.5% of the total MOH cost. The annual MOH cost for Italy is estimated at €13.5 billion (95% confidence interval €11.1–15.9 billion).

Conclusion

The cost of MOH around the period of a structured treatment protocol is much higher compared to previous estimates. Our protocol is cost‐effective for reducing the economic burden of MOH.
Targeting CGRP for the Prevention of Migraine and Cluster Headache: A Narrative Review
Authors: Yuan Hsiangkuo , Spare Nicole M. , Silberstein Stephen D.
Published: July 2019

Calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide broadly distributed in neuronal and non‐neuronal regions throughout the body, plays a fundamental role in migraine and cluster headache (CH) pathophysiology. CGRP functional blockade alleviates neurogenic inflammation and reduces pain pathway sensitization. Two types of CGRP function‐blocking modalities, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and small molecules (gepants), have been designed to target the CGRP ligands and CGRP receptors. In this narrative review, we summarized the latest clinical trials on gepants and CGRP function‐blocking MAbs for migraine and CH prevention. At the time of writing, newer gepants are currently under Federal Drug Administration (FDA) review for migraine management, but there is no study yet on the usage of gepants for CH. Erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab have been approved by the FDA for migraine prevention while eptinezumab is under FDA review. CGRP MAbs are as effective as and more tolerable than conventional migraine preventives. For CH prevention, galcanezumab has shown some promising findings and was recently approved for use in episodic cluster prevention. CGRP function‐blocking therapy not only demonstrates high efficacy and superior safety profile, but also improves headache frequency and quality of life. Convenient monthly dosing for the MAbs can further improve medication adherence, hence better headache control. With CGRP function‐blocking therapy showing efficacy even in individuals who failed other preventives, it has become an exciting new therapeutic option in the field of migraine and CH.
Thirteen years of medication alerts issued by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA): What is the profile?
Authors: Ferreira Vitor Costa , Ferreira Gustavo Costa , Baldoni André Oliveira
Published: July 2019

Rationale, aims, and objectives

As a pharmacovigilance measure, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) monitors the postmarketing events of medication and issues alerts on actions to be taken and information updates. The present study has the objective of analysing the profile of all the alerts on medication issued by ANVISA between 2006 and 2018.

Methods

A descriptive documentary analysis was carried out through the ANVISA website and double checked with two researchers in order to avoid discrepancies in data collection and interpretation of information.

Results

A total of 79 alerts available in the period were analysed, the mean being 6.07 alerts/year and standard deviation of 3.81. The medications most cited in the alerts were antivirals (9.7%), followed by antidiabetics (7.3%) and contraceptives (7.3%). The main problems identified were adverse reactions (50%) and other problems related to safety (15%). The main actions directed by ANVISA were generation of a new contraindication (37.3%) and alteration in the package insert (22.3%).

Conclusion

Alerts are an important means of communicating new information to health professionals and to society. However, they need better standardization in order to facilitate understanding, dissemination in order to broaden access to information, and studies to corroborate the current literature and improve current pharmacovigilance.
IGF2 enhanced the osteo‐/dentinogenic and neurogenic differentiation potentials of stem cells from apical papilla
Authors: Diao Shu , Yang Haoqing , Cao Yangyang , Yang Dongmei , Fan Zhipeng
Published: July 2019

Objectives

In dental tissue engineering, niche is important for maintaining stem cell function and regenerating the dental tissues. However, there is limited knowledge for the growth factors in niche to maintain the function of stem cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of IGF2, a growth factor in stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) niche, on differentiation and proliferation potentials of SCAPs.

Materials and methods

Recombinant human IGF2 protein (rhIGF2) was used. Cell counting kit‐8 assay, Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red staining, quantitative calcium analysis, immunofluorescence staining and real‐time RT‐PCR were performed to investigate the cell proliferation and differentiation potentials of SCAPs. And proteomic analysis was used to identify the differential secreted proteins.

Results

By ALP activity assay, we found that 5 ng/mL rhIGF2 might be the optimal concentration for treatment. Then, Alizarin Red staining, quantitative calcium analysis and osteogenesis‐related gene expression results showed that 5 ng/mL rhIGF2 could enhance the osteo‐/dentinogenic differentiation potentials in SCAPs. Immunofluorescence staining and real‐time RT‐PCR results showed that neurogenic markers were significantly induced by 5 ng/mL rhIGF2 in SCAPs. Then, CCK‐8 assay and CFSE assay results showed that 5 ng/mL rhIGF2 could enhance the cell proliferation in SCAPs. Furthermore, proteomic analysis showed that IGF2 could induce some secreted proteins which function related to the osteogenesis, neurogenesis and cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Our results identified that IGF2 might be the potential mediator in niche to promote SCAP function and dental tissue regeneration.
Elucidating the functional evolution of heat sensors amongXenopusspecies adapted to different thermal niches by ancestral sequence reconstruction
Authors: Saito Shigeru , Saito Claire T. , Nozawa Masafumi , Tominaga Makoto
Published: July 2019

Ambient temperature fluctuations are detected via the thermosensory system which allows animals to seek preferable thermal conditions or escape from harmful temperatures. Evolutionary changes in thermal perception have thus potentially played crucial roles in niche selection. The genusXenopus(clawed frog) is suitable for investigating the relationship between thermal perception and niche selection due to their diverse latitudinal and altitudinal distributions. Here we performed comparative analyses of the neuronal heat sensors TRPV1 and TRPA1 among closely relatedXenopusspecies (X. borealis,X. muelleri,X. laevis, andX. tropicalis) to elucidate their functional evolution and to assess whether their functional differences correlate with thermal niche selection among the species. Comparison of TRPV1 among four extantXenopusspecies and reconstruction of the ancestral TRPV1 revealed that TRPV1 responses to repeated heat stimulation were specifically altered in the lineage leading toX. tropicaliswhich inhabits warmer niches. Moreover, the thermal sensitivity of TRPA1 was lower inX. tropicalisthan the other species, although the thermal sensitivity of TRPV1 and TRPA1 was not always lower in species that inhabit warmer niches than the species inhabit cooler niches. However, a clear correlation was found in species differences in TRPA1 activity. Heat‐evoked activity of TRPA1 inX. borealisandX. laevis, which are adapted to cooler niches, was significantly higher than inX. tropicalisandX. muelleriwhich are adapted to warmer niches. These findings suggest that the functional properties of heat sensors changed duringXenopusevolution, potentially altering the preferred temperature ranges among species.
Comparative morphometry as a diagnostic tool applied to species delimitation in the genus Gastridium P. Beauv. (Poaceae)
Authors: Scoppola Anna , Cancellieri Laura
Published: July 2019

Based on critical examination of both fresh and dried specimens and a morphometric analysis of herbarium specimens we performed a comparative study of the three closely related Gastridium (Poaceae, Tribe: Poeae, Subtribe: Agrostidinae) species G. ventricosum, G. phleoides and G. scabrum collected in Italy. The study aimed to provide new diagnostic tools to improve the taxonomy of the genus and confirm species delimitation. Variation in floral morphology in the three species was explored using seven quantitative and ten qualitative characters measured on 318 spikelets, both awned and unawned. Statistical methods, including principal components analysis (PCA) and non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), were used. Numerical analyses showed a general distinctness of spikelets and florets, consistent with the three studied species, and revealed among and within species variation patterns in both spikelet types. Accordingly, the most informative quantitative characters appeared to be the width and length of glumes and the length of awns, useful to distinguish G. phleoides which has the narrowest glumes and longer awns than the other species, while G. scabrum has the widest glumes. The most informative qualitative characters appeared to be the presence/absence of thick hairs or minute tubercles on the upper side of the lemma. The autonomy of the three studied species was confirmed. The taxonomic significance of the results is briefly discussed, and notes on the species distribution are included. Some nomenclatural and taxonomic notes on G. scabrum, of which literature still showed evidence of a general unawareness, are provided.
The Rationality of Emotional Change: Toward a Process View*
Authors: Na'aman Oded
Published: July 2019

The paper argues against a widely held synchronic view of emotional rationality. I begin by considering recent philosophical literature on various backward‐looking emotions, such as regret, grief, resentment, and anger. I articulate the general problem these accounts grapple with: a certain diminution in backward‐looking emotions seems fitting while the reasons for these emotions seem to persist. The problem, I argue, rests on the assumption that if the facts that give reason for an emotion remain unchanged, the emotion remains fitting. However, I argue there are rationally self‐consuming attitudes: affective attitudes that become less fitting the longer they endure while the facts that give reason for them persist. A widely held synchronic view of fitting affective attitudes denies that fittingness at a time depends on the agent's attitudes at different times and therefore denies that the fittingness of an affective attitude can depend on its duration. Once we reject the synchronic view, we may see that affective attitudes are often fitting due to the fitting processes of which they are part. These fitting processes explain the fitting diminution of backward‐looking emotions as well as other diachronic aspects of the fittingness of emotions.
Alterations in cellular RNA decapping dynamics affect tomato spotted wilt virus cap snatching and infection in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ma Xiaofang , Zhou Yijun , Moffett Peter
Published: July 2019

RNA processing and decay pathways have important impacts on RNA viruses, particularly animal‐infecting bunyaviruses, which utilize a cap‐snatching mechanism to translate their mRNAs. However, their effects on plant‐infecting bunyaviruses have not been investigated.

The roles of mRNA degradation and non‐sense‐mediated decay components, including DECAPPING 2 (DCP2), EXORIBONUCLEASE 4 (XRN4), ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2) and UP‐FRAMESHIFT 1 (UPF1) were investigated in infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by several RNA viruses, including the bunyavirus, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV).

TSWV infection on mutants with decreased or increased RNA decapping ability resulted in increased and decreased susceptibility, respectively. By contrast, these mutations had the opposite, or no, effect on RNA viruses that use different mRNA capping strategies. Consistent with this, the RNA capping efficiency of TSWV mRNA was higher in a dcp2 mutant. Furthermore, the TSWV N protein partially colocalized with RNA processing body (PB) components and altering decapping activity by heat shock or coinfection with another virus resulted in corresponding changes in TSWV accumulation.

The present results indicate that TSWV infection in plants depends on its ability to snatch caps from mRNAs destined for decapping in PBs and that genetic or environmental alteration of RNA processing dynamics can affect infection outcomes.
Plant water uptake along a diversity gradient provides evidence for complementarity in hydrological niches
Authors: O'Keefe Kimberly , Nippert Jesse B. , McCulloh Katherine A.
Published: July 2019

Biodiversity enhances a variety of ecosystem processes, and yet the underlying mechanisms through which these relationships occur remain a critical knowledge gap. Here, we used the natural abundance of stable isotopes to measure depth of water uptake in five common grassland species (Asclepias tuberosa, Lespedeza capitata, Liatris aspera, Schizachyrium scoparium and Sorghastrum nutans) growing across an experimental grassland diversity gradient. Using this approach, we addressed the following questions: 1) does the depth‐specific provenance of water uptake differ among species and/or do interspecific differences in water source manifest with increasing community diversity? 2) Does the isotopic niche space occupied by plants change with increasing diversity? 3) Is plasticity in water uptake depth across a diversity gradient associated with functional plant responses? We found that the depth of soil water used by plants was inherently different among species when grown in monocultures. All species used less shallow soil water and more intermediate‐depth soil water in mixed assemblages than in monocultures, resulting in similar interspecific differences in water source across the diversity gradient. However, plasticity in the locations of water used were positively associated with increases in plant growth in higher diversity treatments. These results indicate that plasticity in water‐use may contribute to positive biodiversity–productivity relationships commonly observed in temperate grasslands.
Preoperative Plan with 3D Printing in Internal and External Fixation for Complex Tibial Plateau Fractures
Authors: Wu Wei‐yong , Xu Wei‐guo , Wan Chun‐you , Fang Min
Published: July 2019

Objective

To compare short‐term treatment effects of internal and external fixation in the treatment of complicated tibial plateau fractures by preoperative planning with 3D printing.

Methods

Sixty‐nine patients with tibial plateau fractures were examined. 3D printing was used to establish the model in all patients before the operation. Thirty‐four patients were treated with an external fixator (9‐Schatzker Type V, 25‐Schatzker Type VI) and 35 patients were treated with internal fixation (12‐Schatzker Type V, 23‐Schatzker Type VI). The time span of the study was 2 years after the operation. All patients were followed up in the clinic of the attending physician who recorded patient follow‐up information at the same time. Finally, the Rasmussen functional score, radiographic parameters, complication rates, hospital days and operative parameters of the two groups were analyzed.

Results

The short‐term (within 2 years) Rasmussen score in the external fixation group was close to that of the internal fixation group; the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). The fractures were reduced adequately using both forms of surgical treatment. There is no significant difference between internal and external fixation in terms of radiographic parameters after 2 years (Mann–Whitney U‐tests, P > 0.05). Thrombosis was detected in 7 cases (2 external fixation, 5 internal fixation). Superficial infection was detected in 3 cases (1 external fixation, 2 internal fixation). Deep infection was detected in 3 cases (0 external fixation, 3 internal fixation). Knee stiffness was detected in 4 cases (2 external fixation, 2 internal fixation); 1 (2.7%) case of screw pullout occurred in the internal fixation group. The external fixation group had shorter operation times (172.94 ± 50.00 min vs 253.86 ± 64.59 min), less bleeding volume (395.88 ± 121.10 mL vs 864.29 ± 238.12 mL), and fewer days (17.03 ± 5.03 days vs 30.17 ± 8.64 days) of hospitalization compared to the internal fixation (t‐test, P = 0.00); subgroup analysis of all patients with complex tibial plateau fractures revealed that for patients with tibial plateau fracture type VI, the functional score of external fixation (26.79 ± 2.04) is better than that (25.54 ± 1.69) of internal fixation (t‐ test, P = 0.026) and the overall infection rate of external fixation is lower than that of internal fixation (χ2‐ test, P = 0.047).

Conclusion

Using 3D printed models in combination with external fixation has more advantages for short‐term treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures. In particular, relatively better functional recovery and lower rates of infection can be achieved for Schatzker type VI fractures. The external fixation treatment was preferred in cases of Schatzker VI tibial plateau fractures.
Whole‐lung pathology of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) in an explanted lung: Significance of elastic fiber‐rich, non‐specific interstitial pneumonia‐like change in chemotherapy‐related PPFE
Authors: Tsubosaka Ayumu , Matsushima Jun , Ota Masayuki , Suzuki Masaki , Yonemori Yoko , Ota Satoshi , Yoshino Ichiro , Tsushima Kenji , Tatsumi Koichiro , Nakatani Yukio
Published: July 2019

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is characterized by upper lobe‐predominant subpleural fibroelastosis. Despite its characteristic uneven distribution, detailed whole‐lung pathological features of PPFE have rarely been studied. We investigated PPFE in the explanted lungs from a 19‐year‐old male patient with a history of chemotherapy. Grossly, the explanted lungs showed upper lobe‐predominant shrinkage with subpleural and central consolidation. Histologically, fibroelastosis was prominent in the perilobular areas and along the bronchovascular bundles. The other areas of the lung showed diffuse, non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)–like change with a characteristic increase of septal elastic fibers. In the digital image analysis, the ratio of elastic fibers to whole fibrosis (EF score) was lower in the subpleural areas than in the NSIP‐like lesions, but the EF scores of the latter showed no significant difference between upper and middle/lower lobes. In the present case, the diffusely distributed elastic fiber‐rich NSIP‐like change, probably caused by the earlier chemotherapy, may have been conducive to the development of PPFE. This suggests that some unknown vulnerability of the upper lobe may exist, various primary lesions converging to the upper lobe predominance of PPFE.
The Popular Kids Don't Matter: Centrality and Influence on Adolescent Behavior
Authors: Malacarne Timothy
Published: July 2019

This study examines the widely held belief that socially central individuals are disproportionately influential in their networks. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, it models the association between four behavioral outcomes and two distinct specifications of the behaviors' relationship to network prominence. This study finds little evidence that sociometrically central individuals are more influential than randomly chosen peers from the same network when predicting drinking, smoking, and sports participation. Students resemble their peers in systematic ways, but it is unlikely that this is because central students serve as a reference for the group or because students adjust their actions based on the social rewards that they observe given their position in a social network.
Interaction of N‐acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline with the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2–angiotensin‐(1–7)–Mas axis attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in silicotic rats
Authors: Gao Xuemin , Xu Hong , Zhang Bonan , Tao Tao , Liu Yalou , Xu Dingjie , Cai Wenchen , Wei Zhongqiu , Li Shifeng , Zhang Hui , Mao Na , Zhang Guizhen , Li Dan , Jin Fuyu , Li Shumin , Zhang Lijuan , Liu Heliang , Hao Xiaohui , Yang Fang
Published: July 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the effects of the antifibrotic peptide acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline (Ac‐SDKP) on the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)–angiotensin‐(1–7)–Mas axis during the occurrence and progression of silicosis?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Ac‐SDKP inhibited lung fibrosis in rats exposed to silica by activation of the ACE2–angiotensin‐(1–7)–Mas axis. Angiotensin‐(1–7) potentially promotes Ac‐SDKP by increasing the level of meprin α, the major synthetase of Ac‐SDKP. Thus, the interaction Ac‐SDKP and angiotesin‐(1–7) in silicosis could provide a new therapeutic strategy.

The central role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) in the occurrence and progression of silicosis has been established. The antifibrotic peptide acetyl‐seryl‐aspartyl‐lysyl‐proline (Ac‐SDKP) can be degraded by ACE. The ACE2–angiotensin‐(1–7)–Mas axis is protective and acts to counterbalance the detrimental effects of ACE–angiotensin II (Ang II)–Ang II type 1 receptor and exerts antifibrotic effects. Here, we demonstrate an interaction between Ac‐SDKP and Ang‐(1–7) in the inhibition of collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation in rats exposed to silica. Treatment with Ac‐SDKP increased the level of ACE2–Ang‐(1–7)–Mas in rats or in cultured fibroblasts and decreased the levels of collagen type I and α‐smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, exogenous Ang‐(1–7) had similar antifibrotic effects and increased the level of meprin α, a major Ac‐SDKP synthetase, both in vivo and in vitro. Compared with non‐silicotic patients exposed to silica, the level of serum ACE was increased in patients with silicosis phase III; the levels of Ang II and Ang‐(1–7) were high in patients with silicosis phase II; and the level of Ac‐SDKP was high in the silicosis phase III group. These data imply that Ac‐SDKP and Ang‐(1–7) have an interactive effect as regulatory peptides of the renin–angiotensin system and exert antifibrotic effects.
HCN3 ion channels: roles in sensory neuronal excitability and pain
Authors: Lainez Sergio , Tsantoulas Christoforos , Biel Martin , McNaughton Peter A
Published: July 2019

Key points

HCN ion channels conducting the Ih current control the frequency of firing in peripheral sensory neurons signalling pain.

Previous studies have demonstrated a major role for the HCN2 subunit in chronic pain but the potential involvement of HCN3 in pain has not been investigated.

HCN3 was found to be widely expressed in all classes of sensory neurons (small, medium, large) where it contributes to Ih.

HCN3 deletion increased the firing rate of medium but not small, sensory neurons.

Pain sensitivity both acutely and following neuropathic injury was largely unaffected by HCN3 deletion, with the exception of a small decrease of mechanical hyperalgesia in response to a pinprick.

We conclude that HCN3 plays little role in either acute or chronic pain sensation.

HCN ion channels govern the firing rate of action potentials in the pacemaker region of the heart and in pain‐sensitive (nociceptive) nerve fibres. Intracellular cAMP promotes activation of the HCN4 and HCN2 isoforms, whereas HCN1 and HCN3 are relatively insensitive to cAMP. HCN2 modulates action potential firing rate in nociceptive neurons and plays a critical role in all modes of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, although the role of HCN3 in nociceptive excitability and pain is less studied. Using antibody staining, we found that HCN3 is expressed in all classes of somatosensory neurons. In small nociceptive neurons, genetic deletion of HCN2 abolished the voltage shift of the Ih current carried by HCN isoforms following cAMP elevation, whereas the voltage shift was retained following deletion of HCN3, consistent with the sensitivity of HCN2 but not HCN3 to cAMP. Deletion of HCN3 had little effect on the evoked firing frequency in small neurons but enhanced the firing of medium‐sized neurons, showing that HCN3 makes a significant contribution to the input resistance only in medium‐sized neurons. Genetic deletion of HCN3 had no effect on acute thresholds to heat or mechanical stimuli in vivo and did not affect inflammatory pain measured with the formalin test. Nerve‐injured HCN3 knockout mice exhibited similar levels of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia to wild‐type mice but reduced mechanical hyperalgesia in response to a pinprick. These results show that HCN3 makes some contribution to excitability, particularly in medium‐sized neurons, although it has no major influence on acute or neuropathic pain processing.
Quantification of Measurement Errors in the Lengths of Metal-Loss Corrosion Defects Reported by Inline Inspection Tools
Authors: Siraj T. , Zhou W.
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes a framework to quantify the measurement error associated with lengths of corrosion defects on oil and gas pipelines reported by inline inspection (ILI) tools based on a relatively large set of ILI-reported and field-measured defect data collected from different in-service pipelines in Canada. A log-logistic model is proposed to quantify the likelihood of a given ILI-reported defect being a type I defect (without clustering error) or a type II defect (with clustering error). The measurement error associated with the ILI-reported length of the defect is quantified as the average of those associated with the types I and II defects, weighted by the corresponding probabilities obtained from the log-logistic model. The implications of the proposed framework for the reliability analysis of corroded pipelines given the ILI information are investigated using a realistic pipeline example.
Parasites in Spanish populations of Psammodromus algirus (Algerian sand lizard, lagartija colilarga) and Psammodromus occidentalis (Western sand lizard, lagarto de arena occidental) (Squamata, Lacertidae, Gallotiinae)
Authors: Busack Stephen D , Bursey Charles R. , Durden Lance A
Published: July 2019

Psammodromus algirus from Madrid, Ávila, and Cádiz provinces, Spain, and P. occidentalis from Cádiz province were examined for the presence of external and internal parasites. Among those parasites represented were: Ixodes inopinatus (Arthropoda, Arachnida, Acari, Ixodidae); Haemaphysalis punctata (Arthropoda, Arachnida, Acari, Ixodidae); Skrjabinelazia cf. taurica (Nematoda, Secernentea, Ascaridida, Seuratidae); Spauligodon carbonelli (Nematoda: Secernentea, Oxyurida, Pharyngodonidae); Parapharyngodon psammodromi (Nematoda, Secernentea, Oxyurida, Pharyngodonidae); Abbreviata abbreviata (Nematoda, Secernentea, Physalopteroidea, Physalopteridae); Mesocestoides sp. (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Mesocestoididae); and Oochoristica cf. tuberculata (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Davaineidae). Details regarding localities from which host species were collected, number of parasites and sites of attachment, and estimates of prevalence and intensities of infection are presented. Nematode diversity, along with parasite prevalence, parasitaemia, and relationship to elevation are also discussed. A table of Psammodromus parasites in Spain is also included
Broadband wave packet dynamics of minimally diffractive ultrasonic fields from axicon and stepped fraxicon lenses
Authors: Lirette Robert , Mobley Joel
Published: July 2019

A fraxicon is a stepped phase plate lens designed to be a discrete approximation of the axicon, a refractive cone-shaped lens. Both lenses generate minimally diffractive Bessel beams with long depths of focus. Here the characteristics of broadband pulses modified by these lenses to compare and contrast the dynamics of the propagating wave packets were examined. Pulses from a spherically focused Fresnel lens are also examined to provide the context of a conventional design. The wave packets generated through the fraxicon exhibit many of the same characteristics of those from the axicon such as lateral compactness and axial integrity, although the fraxicon packets do exhibit noticeable dispersion in comparison. Both the fraxicon and axicon wave packets have a much tighter lateral extent than those of the Fresnel throughout the propagation region. The most significant difference between the fraxicon and axicon is with the group speeds of the packets with the fraxicon group subsonic and the axicon supersonic across a 50 mm path. Supplemental movies are provided for direct visualization of the propagation (for movies of the waveforms and energy profiles of the wave packet propagation that was experimentally obtained). To assess the conformity of the low profile lenses to their design parameters, frequency domain comparisons of measurements with simulations are also presented and are in good agreement.
Comparing Muscle Function of Children and Adults: Effects of Scaling for Muscle Size
Authors: Barrett Ursula , Harrison Drew
Published: July 2019

This study examined the force-velocity and power-velocity relationships of the quadriceps muscles of children and adults. Measurements of muscle function were collected using the Con-Trex isokinetic dynamometer. Twenty adults and twenty children performed maximal effort knee extensions at nine different velocities. The mean force-velocity curves of children and adults revealed obvious differences between the groups. The curves remained different following corrections of torque for CSA and velocity for length. ANOVA revealed significant differences in the uncorrected values of power between the two groups. When power values were corrected for lean thigh muscle volume, no significant differences were found between the groups. These findings suggest that differences in muscle strength between children and adults are a function of muscle size and imply that muscle function remains relatively unchanged from childhood to early adulthood.
Temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition governed by aggregate protection and microbial communities
Authors: Qin Shuqi , Chen Leiyi , Fang Kai , Zhang Qiwen , Wang Jun , Liu Futing , Yu Jianchun , Yang Yuanhe
Published: July 2019

A multiple approach–based analysis elucidates mechanisms underlying temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition.
Imaging striatal dopamine release using a nongenetically encoded near infrared fluorescent catecholamine nanosensor
Authors: Beyene Abraham G. , Delevich Kristen , Del Bonis-O’Donnell Jackson Travis , Piekarski David J. , Lin Wan Chen , Thomas A. Wren , Yang Sarah J. , Kosillo Polina , Yang Darwin , Prounis George S. , Wilbrecht Linda , Landry Markita P.
Published: July 2019

A near infrared fluorescent probe enables high spatial resolution imaging of dopamine release in striatal brain tissue.
Nerve injury drives a heightened state of vigilance and neuropathic sensitization in
Drosophila
Authors: Khuong Thang M. , Wang Qiao-Ping , Manion John , Oyston Lisa J. , Lau Man-Tat , Towler Harry , Lin Yong Qi , Neely G. Gregory
Published: July 2019

Nerve injury leads to loss of central inhibition and neuropathic pain in the fruit fly.
The NIH Common Fund/Roadmap Epigenomics Program: Successes of a comprehensive consortium
Authors: Satterlee John S. , Chadwick Lisa H. , Tyson Frederick L. , McAllister Kim , Beaver Jill , Birnbaum Linda , Volkow Nora D. , Wilder Elizabeth L. , Anderson James M. , Roy Ananda L.
Published: July 2019

We outline the reasons why the Roadmap Epigenomics Program, as a group science effort, is a success story.
Stress, novel sex genes, and epigenetic reprogramming orchestrate socially controlled sex change
Authors: Todd Erica V. , Ortega-Recalde Oscar , Liu Hui , Lamm Melissa S. , Rutherford Kim M. , Cross Hugh , Black Michael A. , Kardailsky Olga , Marshall Graves Jennifer A. , Hore Timothy A. , Godwin John R. , Gemmell Neil J.
Published: July 2019

Ovary-to-testis transformation in a sex-changing fish involves transcriptomic and epigenomic reprogramming.
Mechanical spectroscopy of insect swarms
Authors: van der Vaart Kasper , Sinhuber Michael , Reynolds Andrew M. , Ouellette Nicholas T.
Published: July 2019

Collective behavior in midge swarms renders them resilient to perturbations via emergent viscous and inertial damping.
A primate resource for autism research
Authors: Osterweil Emily K.
Published: July 2019

A macaque model of
SHANK3
mutation exhibits neurological phenotypes similar to patients with autism and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.
Identification of Novel Trypanosoma cruzi Proteasome Inhibitors Using a Luminescence-Based High-Throughput Screening Assay
Authors: Zmuda Filip , Sastry Lalitha , Shepherd Sharon M. , Jones Deuan , Scott Alison , Craggs Peter D. , Cortes Alvaro , Gray David W. , Torrie Leah S. , De Rycker Manu
Published: July 2019

Chagas’ disease, caused by the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
, is a potentially life-threatening condition that has become a global issue. Current treatment is limited to two medicines that require prolonged dosing and are associated with multiple side effects, which often lead to treatment discontinuation and failure. One way to address these shortcomings is through target-based drug discovery on validated
T. cruzi
protein targets.
Interference with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing and Virulence by the Mycobacterial
Pseudomonas
Quinolone Signal Dioxygenase AqdC in Combination with the
N
-Acylhomoserine Lactone Lactonase QsdA
Authors: Birmes Franziska S. , Säring Ruth , Hauke Miriam C. , Ritzmann Niklas H. , Drees Steffen L. , Daniel Jens , Treffon Janina , Liebau Eva , Kahl Barbara C. , Fetzner Susanne
Published: July 2019

The nosocomial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
regulates its virulence via a complex quorum sensing network, which, besides
N
-acylhomoserine lactones, includes the alkylquinolone signal molecules 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1
H
)-quinolone (
Pseudomonas
quinolone signal [PQS]) and 2-heptyl-4(1
H
)-quinolone (HHQ).
Mycobacteroides abscessus
subsp.
abscessus
, an emerging pathogen, is capable of degrading the PQS and also HHQ. Here, we show that although
M. abscessus
subsp.
Staphylococcus aureus Lipoic Acid Synthesis Limits Macrophage Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Production To Promote Survival during Infection
Authors: Grayczyk James P. , Alonzo Francis
Published: July 2019

Macrophages are critical mediators of innate immunity and must be overcome for bacterial pathogens to cause disease. The Gram-positive bacteriumStaphylococcus aureusproduces virulence factors that impede macrophages and other immune cells. We previously determined that production of the metabolic cofactor lipoic acid by the lipoic acid synthetase, LipA, blunts macrophage activation. A ΔlipAmutant was attenuated during infection and was more readily cleared from the host.
Primary Human B Cells at Different Differentiation and Maturation Stages Exhibit Distinct Susceptibilities to Vaccinia Virus Binding and Infection
Authors: Shepherd Nicole , Lan Jie , Li Wei , Rane Sushmita , Yu Qigui
Published: July 2019

Our results provide critical information to the field of poxvirus binding and infection tropism. We demonstrate that VACV preferentially infects memory B cells that play an important role in a rapid and vigorous antibody-mediated immune response upon reinfection by a pathogen. Additionally, this work highlights the potential of B cells as natural cellular models to identify VACV receptors or dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying key steps of the VACV life cycle, such as binding, penetration, entry, and replication in primary human cells. The understanding of VACV biology in human primary cells is essential for the development of a safe and effective live-virus vector for oncolytic virus therapy and vaccines against smallpox, other pathogens, and cancer.
The Leader Protein of Theiler's Virus Prevents the Activation of PKR
Authors: Borghese Fabian , Sorgeloos Frédéric , Cesaro Teresa , Michiels Thomas
Published: July 2019

The leader (L) protein encoded by cardioviruses is a very short multifunctional protein that contributes to evasion of the host innate immune response. This protein notably prevents the formation of stress granules in infected cells. Using Theiler’s virus as a model, we show that L proteins can act at two levels in the stress response pathway leading to stress granule formation, the most striking one being the inhibition of eucaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2 (PKR) activation. Interestingly, the leader protein appears to inhibit PKR via a novel mechanism by rendering this kinase unable to detect double-stranded RNA, its typical activator. Unlike other viral proteins, such as influenza virus NS1, the leader protein appears to interact with neither PKR nor double-stranded RNA, suggesting that it acts indirectly to trigger the inhibition of the kinase.
Draft Genome Sequences of 42 Environmental Vibrio vulnificus Strains Isolated from the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Mullis Megan M. , Huang I-Shuo , Planas-Costas Githzette M. , Pray Reavelyn , Buck Gregory W. , Nassiri Arian , Fuentes Courtney , Turner Lauren , Ramirez Gabriel D. , Mott Joanna B. , Turner Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2019

Vibrio vulnificus
is a Gram-negative bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen that can cause septicemia or necrotizing fasciitis. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 42 environmental
V. vulnificus
strains collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico. These data will allow for more robust comparisons between clinical and environmental strains.