bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes after surgery and/or radiotherapy for spinal metastases
Authors: Versteeg Anne L. , Sahgal Arjun , Kawahara Norio , Rhines Laurence D. , Sciubba Daniel M. , Weber Michael H. , Lazary Áron , Fehlings Michael G. , Schuster James M. , Clarke Michelle J. , Arnold Paul M. , Boriani Stefano , Bettegowda Chetan , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Fisher Charles G. ,   for the AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor
Published: September 2019

Background

Patient satisfaction is infrequently investigated despite its importance in assessing efficacy and patient comprehension. The purpose of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes after surgery and/or radiotherapy for spinal metastases and to evaluate how health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is related to patient satisfaction.

Methods

Patients with spinal metastases treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy were enrolled in a prospective, international, observational study. Demographic, histologic, treatment, and HRQOL data were collected. HRQOL was evaluated with the Numeric Rating Scale pain score, the 3‐level version of the EuroQol 5‐Dimension (EQ‐5D‐3L) instrument, and the Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire (SOSGOQ2.0). Patient satisfaction was derived from the SOSGOQ2.0 at 6, 12, and 26 weeks after treatment. Patients were classified as satisfied, neutral, or dissatisfied.

Results

Twelve weeks after treatment, 183 of the surgically treated patients (84%) were satisfied, and only 11 (5%) were dissatisfied; in contrast, 101 of the patients treated with radiotherapy alone (77%) were satisfied, and only 7 (5%) were dissatisfied. Significant improvements in pain, physical function, mental health, social function, leg function, and EQ‐5D were associated with satisfaction after surgery. Satisfaction after radiotherapy was associated with significant improvements in pain, mental health, and overall SOSGOQ2.0 scores. Dissatisfaction after treatment was associated with lower baseline values for leg strength and lower social functioning scores for surgically treated patients and with lower social functioning scores and being single for patients treated with radiotherapy.

Conclusions

High levels of satisfaction with treatment outcomes are observed after surgery and/or radiotherapy for spinal metastases. Posttreatment satisfaction is associated with significant improvements in pain and different dimensions of HRQOL.
Early life stress sensitizes individuals to the psychological correlates of mild fluctuations in inflammation
Authors: Kuhlman Kate R. , Robles Theodore F. , Haydon Marcie D. , Dooley Larissa , Boyle Chloe C. , Bower Julienne E.
Published: September 2019

Background

Early life stress (ELS) has been linked to health disparities across the human lifespan, particularly increased risk for depression and its recurrence. In this study we explore two plausible and competing pathways through which ELS may lead to depression via inflammation.

Methods

Participants (ages 18–22; n = 41) completed the Early Trauma Inventory as a measure of ELS. Participants then completed consecutive daily diaries of mood and other sickness behavior for the 7 days prior to and 7 days after receiving the annual influenza vaccine. Circulating concentrations of plasma interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured immediately before and 24 hr after vaccination.

Results

ELS was not associated with the magnitude of change in IL‐6 from pre‐ to post‐vaccine, however, exposure to ELS moderated the association between change in IL‐6 from pre‐ to post‐vaccine and changes in both cognitive difficulty and depressed mood. Individuals exposed to greater ELS showed greater psychological sensitivity to increases in IL‐6.

Conclusions

Exposure to ELS may increase sensitivity to peripheral inflammation in the central nervous system. Future studies elaborating on the impact of ELS on the sensitivity of specific neural circuits and cells to inflammation are needed.
Incidence of and Risk Factors for Hepatic Encephalopathy in a Population‐Based Cohort of Americans With Cirrhosis
Authors: Tapper Elliot B. , Henderson James B. , Parikh Neehar D. , Ioannou George N. , Lok Anna S.
Published: September 2019

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a devastating complication of cirrhosis. Data are limited regarding the incidence of and risk factors for HE among contemporary patients in the context of the shifting epidemiology of cirrhosis. We examined a 20% random sample of U.S. Medicare enrollees with cirrhosis and Part D prescription coverage from 2008 to 2014. We modelled incident HE using demographic, clinical, and pharmacologic data. Risk factors for HE were evaluated, including demographics/socioeconomics, cirrhosis etiology, severity of liver disease, and pharmacotherapy, along with gastroenterology consultation, as time‐varying covariates. Among 166,192 Medicare enrollees with cirrhosis followed for 5.25 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.00‐7.00) years, the overall incidence of HE was 11.6 per 100 patient‐years. The cohort's median age was 65 years (IQR, 57‐72), 31% had alcohol‐related cirrhosis, and 49% had likely nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cirrhosis. The two strongest associations with HE were alcohol‐related cirrhosis (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40, 1.47, relative to nonalcoholic nonviral cirrhosis) and the presence of portal hypertension (AHR, 3.42; 95% CI, 3.34, 3.50). Adjusting for confounders, benzodiazepines (AHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.21, 1.27), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergics (AHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14, 1.21), opioids (AHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.21, 1.27), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (AHR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.38, 1.45) were all associated with incident HE. Only benzodiazepines, however, were associated with the risk of hospitalization with HE (incidence‐rate ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.20, 1.26). Conclusion: Novel data regarding the risk of HE for contemporary patients with cirrhosis are provided. The incidence of HE in an older population of Americans with cirrhosis is high, particularly among those with alcohol‐related cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Several medication classes, namely PPIs, opiates, GABAergics, and benzodiazepines, represent potentially modifiable risk factors for HE.
Long intergenic noncoding RNA 00641 inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by sponging miR‐194‐5p
Authors: Mao Qixin , Lv Minhao , Li Lianfang , Sun Yadong , Liu Shanqing , Shen Yan , Liu Zhenzhen , Luo Suxia
Published: September 2019

Long noncoding RNAs have an essential role in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer (BC). Nonetheless, the consequences of long intergenic noncoding RNA 00641 (LINC00641) in BC remain unidentified. This study shows that LINC00641 expression level was decreased in BC tissues. LINC00641 expression level was negatively related to tumor size, lymph‐node metastasis, as well as clinical stage. LINC00641 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but stimulated apoptosis in BC cells. LINC00641 overexpression also remarkably reduced BC growth and metastasis in vivo. LINC00641 acts as a competitive endogenous RNA to sponge miR‐194‐5p. miR‐194‐5p level was higher in BC tissues and cells compared with normal‐adjacent tissues and normal breast epithelial cell. miR‐194‐5p expression was negatively correlated with LINC00641 expression in BC tissues. miR‐194‐5p overexpression reversed the effects of LINC00641 on cell proliferation, cycle, apoptosis, migration, as well as invasion. In conclusion, LINC00641 inhibits BC cell proliferation, migration, as well as invasion by sponging miR‐194‐5p.
Detection and identification of canker and blight on orange trees using a hand‐held Raman spectrometer
Authors: Sanchez Lee , Pant Shankar , Irey Mike , Mandadi Kranthi , Kurouski Dmitry
Published: September 2019

Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, is a devastating disease of citrus that is debilitating the U.S. citrus industry. The infected trees exhibit yellowing leaves, premature defoliation, and ultimately death of the entire plant. In addition to the devastating impact of HLB alone, infected trees become an easy target for other diseases. This further decreases the fruit yield, shortens the tree life, and complicates management practices. Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive and nondestructive analytical technique that provides insight on the chemical structure of a specimen. In this study, we demonstrate that utilization of a hand‐held Raman spectrometer in combination with chemometric analyses enables detection and identification of the secondary disease such as blight on HLB‐infected orange trees (HLB + BL). We also showed that using this spectroscopic approach, we could detect and identify canker and distinguish this disease from healthy trees, HLB, and HLB + BL with high accuracy.
Use of the pathfinder network scaling to measure online customer reviews: A theme park study
Authors: Ren Qun , Xu Feifei , Ji Xiaowei
Published: September 2019

We use pathfinder network scaling (PENETS) approach to measure and evaluate theme park visitors' online reviews. PFNETS as an effective tool of big data analytics can be used to identify unobserved meaningful interrelationships between concepts. Although there are many research analyzing online reviews, this study is the first attempt to use an analytical approach of PFNETS to explore online reviews in theme park visitor experiences. The article collects 14,142 effective reviews of the world's first Disneyland in California from TripAdvisor. Using parallel and similarity comparison in pathfinder scaling, four individually but fully connected networks were generated to reveal different visitors' experiences in different segments. The findings indicate the dissimilarity of concept relatedness between different segments and revealed the knowledge gap of marketing to different segments in theme parks.
Energy Intake and Plasma Adiponectin as Potential Determinants of Lipoprotein‐Associated Phospholipase A2 Activity: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Ntzouvani Agathi , Giannopoulou Efstathia , Fragopoulou Elizabeth , Nomikos Tzortzis , Antonopoulou Smaragdi
Published: September 2019

Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lp‐PLA2 activity is positively associated with male sex, Caucasian race, the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol, but it is negatively associated with high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol. Associations with other cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammation markers, and lifestyle factors are few or inconsistent. We investigated potential determinants of Lp‐PLA2 activity among both nonmodifiable and modifiable CVD risk factors in a middle‐aged Greek cohort without overt CVD. Two hundred eighty four subjects (159 men, 53 ± 9 years and 125 women 52 ± 9 years) participated in a cross‐sectional study carried out during 2011–2012 in Athens, Attica. Cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammation markers, lifestyle factors, and Lp‐PLA2 activity were evaluated with established methods. The American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria were used to define MetS. Lp‐PLA2 activity was not associated with MetS, but was associated with MetS components, markers of liver function, and macronutrient intake. Increased total energy intake was associated with increased Lp‐PLA2 activity (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.01–1.14 and 1.10, 1.03–1.16 for the 4th and 3rd quartiles, respectively, compared to the 1st quartile) after adjustments for sex, pack‐years of smoking, LDL‐cholesterol, and statin treatment. Adiponectin tended to be inversely associated with Lp‐PLA2 activity (0.91, 0.82–1.00, and 4th versus 1st quartile). Our results suggested that total energy intake and adiponectin levels are potential determinants of Lp‐PLA2 activity.
Evidence that downregulation of Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) is involved in cortical stromal cell differentiation into theca cells in adult bovine ovaries
Authors: Meng Kai , Wang Xiaomei , He Yuanyuan , Wang Hengqin , Xie Xiaogang , Zhang Yong , Quan Fusheng
Published: September 2019

Bovine theca cells are thought to differentiate from cortical stromal cells, and ovary‐derived Wilms’ tumor 1+ (WT1+) cells are the primary source of mouse theca cells. However, it is not known whether the differentiation of cortical stromal cells is regulated by WT1. Here, we identified WT1 in the cortical stroma and theca layer of the bovine ovary and analyzed the theca cell functional markers in cortical stromal cells and theca cells; in addition, we determined the effects of this gene on the secretion of androstenedione and progesterone by cortical stromal cells and the responsiveness of cortical stromal cells to luteinizing hormone (LH) in vitro. We used quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry to discover that the cortical stroma had higher WT1 expression than the theca layer. We used RT‐qPCR and ELISA analyses to determine that the cortical stromal cells had lower levels of androstenedione and progesterone secretion and LHR messenger RNA expression than the levels of the theca cells. In cultured bovine cortical stromal cells, we found that WT1 downregulation increased androstenedione and progesterone secretion but had no effect on the LH responsiveness. Notably, the increase in androstenedione and progesterone secretion was associated with an increase in 3‐β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression. In conclusion, the results suggest that WT1 is involved in the differentiation of cortical stromal cells into cells with characteristics similar to theca cells of antral follicles in adult bovine ovaries.
The gender pay gap in nonprofit executive compensation in South Florida
Authors: L'Herrou Todd , Tynes Adriene
Published: September 2019

In general, systemic imbalance in pay between men and women is well established, but the literature on pay imbalance is mixed for nonprofit executives. Difference in organizational size could be a relevant factor in explaining pay imbalance, as previous research suggests average female nonprofit executives lead smaller organizations. The present study examines the role of governance accreditation on the gender gap in chief executive pay, using a 2 × 2 analysis of covariance to control for organizational size (as measured by annual revenue) when comparing samples of accredited and nonaccredited organizations in South Florida. We found a wage gap for gender, with female executives averaging 12% less compensation than male executives, after controlling for organizational size. No significant effect was found for accreditation; although the only significant difference between genders was in the nonaccredited sample, the findings hint that any trend towards pay equity would be due to a pattern of the male executives in the accredited sample being paid less than their counterparts in nonaccredited organizations.
Effects of carbon nanotube/polymer interfacial bonding on the long‐term creep performance of nanophased glass fiber/epoxy composites
Authors: Fulmali Abhinav O. , Sen Bhaskar , Ray Bankim C. , Prusty Rajesh K.
Published: September 2019

This article is focused on prediction of the long‐term creep performance of glass fiber/epoxy (GE) composites reinforced with pristine carbon nanotube (CNT) and functionalized carbon nanotube (FCNT). 0.1 wt% of CNT and FCNT are added to GE composites to fabricate CNT‐GE and FCNT‐GE composite laminates, respectively. Flexural tests were carried out at room temperature (RT) and 120°C to assess the effect of environment temperature on the flexural properties of the aforesaid materials. FCNT‐GE showed highest improvement in flexural properties at RT followed by CNT‐GE composite and control GE composite, due to better stress transfer with strong chemical interfacial bonding. By using accelerated deformation at elevated temperature and time‐temperature superposition principle, long‐term creep behavior of GE, CNT‐GE, and FCNT‐GE composites at various reference temperatures (30°C, 60°C, 90°C, and 110°C) has been anticipated. Positive reinforcement efficiency is noted up to ~1010.5 and ~1012.5 years for CNT‐GE and FCNT‐GE, respectively at reference temperature of 30°C, following which it neutralized and moderately became negative. However, at higher temperature this time period is reduced abruptly due to unfavorable thermal stress generation at the CNT/polymer interface. Evaluation of thermomechanical properties were also carried out using dynamic mechanical analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the variation in glass transition temperature due to CNT/FCNT addition to GE composite. Fractographic study was also carried out to know the mode of failure for CNT‐GE and FCNT‐GE composite flexural tested at room temperature.
A Quantitative Proteomics Study of Early Heat‐Regulated Proteins by Two‐Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis Identified OsUBP21 as a Negative Regulator of Heat Stress Responses in Rice
Authors: Zhou Hangfan , Wang Xiaolong , Huo Chenmin , Wang Hui , An Zhichao , Sun Daye , Liu Jingze , Tang Wenqiang , Zhang Baowen
Published: September 2019

To understand the early heat shock (HS)‐regulated cellular responses that influence the tolerance of rice plant to high environmental temperatures, two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE) is performed to explore the early HS‐regulated proteome. Multiple proteins that show abundance changes after 1 and 5 min of HS treatment are identified. Of the early HS‐regulated proteins identified, the abundance of a ubiquitin‐specific protease, OsUBP21, and its Arabidopsis homolog, AtUBP13, is found to be upregulated by 5 min of HS treatment. Further, knocking the expression of OsUBP21 or AtUBP13 down or out increases the tolerance of rice and Arabidopsis plants to HS stress, suggesting that the function of these ubiquitin‐specific proteases in regulating plant HS responses is conserved between monocots and dicots. 2D‐DIGE showed a group of proteins are differentially regulated in wild‐type and ubp21 mutant after 30 min of HS treatment. Among these proteins, 11 are found to interact directly with OsUBP21; thus, they may be targets of OsUBP21. Future analyses of the roles of these OsUBP21‐interacting proteins in plant HS responses will help reveal the protein ubiquitination/deubiquitination‐regulated cellular responses induced by HS in rice.
Immunity of an insect herbivore to an entomovirus is affected by different host plants
Authors: Wang Jin‐Yan , Zhang Hao , Siemann Evan , Ji Xiang‐Yun , Chen Yi‐Juan , Wang Yi , Jiang Jie‐Xian , Wan Nian‐Feng
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Interactions between herbivorous insects and entomoviruses may depend on host plant, perhaps mediated through changes in herbivore innate immunity.

RESULTS

Caterpillars (Spodoptera exigua) fed Glycine max had high viral loads and low melanization rates together with low melanization enzyme [PO, DDC, TH] activities and gene expressions. Caterpillars fed Ipomoea aquatica had low viral loads and high melanization, gene activities and gene expressions while those fed Brassica oleracea or artificial diet had intermediate levels of each. Melanization rates were negatively correlated with viral loads and positively correlated with activity and expression of each of the three enzymes. Some diet effects on enzymes were constitutive because the same diets led to low (G. max) or high (I. aquatica) melanization related gene activities and expressions without infection.

CONCLUSION

Diet influences the interactions between insect herbivores and viruses by shaping the innate immune response both at the onset of infection and afterwards as viral loads accumulate over a period of days. In addition, diets that lead to low viral loads are associated with high activities and gene expressions of a variety of melanization related enzymes suggesting a common causative mechanism. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Growth and Magnetotransport in Thin‐Film α‐Sn on CdTe
Authors: Vail Owen , Taylor Patrick , Folkes Patrick , Nichols Barbara , Haidet Brian , Mukherjee Kunal , de Coster George
Published: September 2019

Devices made on α‐Sn thin films on CdTe(111) are of particular interest in the context of topological electronics due to the insulating nature and hexagonal projection of the epitaxial substrate. Ultrathin topological insulating films require pristine preparation of the CdTe surface, and a capping layer before ex situ fabrication can be performed. Theoretical studies have identified a topological semimetal regime that can be addressed with intermediate thin‐film thicknesses that are robust enough to process into devices. Magnetotransport devices using uncapped epitaxial α‐Sn thin films grown on CdTe(111)B and characterization of the growth that provides context for these results are reported. Noninvasive techniques verify the pseduomorphic growth of the films before fabrication of mesoscopic devices. A transition to a 3D metallic scaling behavior at low temperature—with large magnetoresistance, high mobility, and quantum oscillations with anomlous transport characteristics that are significantly different from previous results on α‐Sn thin films—is identified. A parallel p‐type dopant channel with high carrier density is seen to dominate at thinner film thicknesses, indicating that careful preparation of the CdTe surface before growth is crucial to attain a low dopant density and accessible topological states on an insulating substrate.
Rapid quantification of acetaminophen in plasma using solid‐phase microextraction coupled with thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Shiea Jentaie , Bhat Suhail Muzaffar , Su Hung , Kumar Vinoth , Lee Chi‐Wei , Wang Chin‐Hsiung
Published: September 2019

Rationale

Solid‐phase microextraction coupled with thermal desorption electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (SPME‐TD‐ESI‐MS/MS) is proposed as a novel method for the rapid quantification of acetaminophen in plasma samples from a pharmacokinetics (PK) study.

Methods

Traces of acetaminophen were concentrated on commercial fused‐silica fibers coated with a polar polyacrylate (PA) polymer using direct immersion SPME. No agitation, heating, addition of salt, or adjustment of the pH of the sample solution was applied during the extraction. Any acetaminophen absorbed on the SPME fibers was subsequently desorbed and detected by TD‐ESI‐MS/MS.

Results

Parameters of the absorption, sensitivity, reproducibility, and linearity for the SPME‐TD‐ESI‐MS/MS method were evaluated. The time required to complete a TD‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis was less than 30 seconds. Matrix‐matching calibration was performed to calculate the concentration of acetaminophen in the sample. A linear calibration curve with a concentration range of 100–10,000 ng/mL was constructed to calculate the quantity of acetaminophen. The SPME‐TD‐ESI‐MS quantification results for acetaminophen in plasma were in good agreement with those obtained by the conventional LC/MS/MS method.

Conclusions

With the proposed method, a 10‐min SPME time was enough to achieve the lower limit of quantitation (i.e. 100 ng/mL) and for a complete PK profiling of acetaminophen. A shorter extraction time could be achieved by applying agitation, heating, adding salt, or adjusting the pH of the sample solution to enhance analyte absorption efficiency. The time required to detect acetaminophen on the SPME fiber was less than 30 s, allowing the rapid quantification of acetaminophen in plasma with good accuracy.
The Itinerant 2D Electron Gas of the Indium Oxide (111) Surface: Implications for Carbon‐ and Energy‐Conversion Applications
Authors: Jovic Vedran , Moser Simon , Papadogianni Alexandra , Koch Roland J. , Rossi Antonio , Jozwiak Chris , Bostwick Aaron , Rotenberg Eli , Kennedy John V. , Bierwagen Oliver , Smith Kevin E.
Published: September 2019

Transparent conducting oxides (TCO) have integral and emerging roles in photovoltaic, thermoelectric energy conversion, and more recently, photocatalytic systems. The functional properties of TCOs, and thus their role in these applications, are often mediated by the bulk electronic band structure but are also strongly influenced by the electronic structure of the native surface 2D electron gas (2DEG), particularly under operating conditions. This study investigates the 2DEG, and its response to changes in chemistry, at the (111) surface of the model TCO In2O3, through angle resolved and core level X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. It is found that the itinerant charge carriers of the 2DEG reside in two quantum well subbands penetrating up to 65 Å below the surface. The charge carrier concentration of this 2DEG, and thus the high surface n‐type conductivity, emerges from donor‐type oxygen vacancies of surface character and proves to be remarkably robust against surface absorbents and contamination. The optical transparency, however, may rely on the presence of ubiquitous surface adsorbed oxygen groups and hydrogen defect states that passivate localized oxygen vacancy states in the bandgap of In2O3.
Attention and Consciousness
Authors: O’Conaill Donnchadh ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2019

Sebastian Watzl has recently presented an attentional account of consciousness, on which it essentially involves subjects attending to the world as it appears to them. On this conception, consciousness has three structural features: unity, subjectivity and perspectivity. Watzl argues that the attentional account provides the best explanation of these features, and thus of consciousness conceived in this way. I outline problems with Watzl’s proposed explanation of each of these structural features, and argue that these undermine his attentional theory of consciousness.
Sugar palm fiber/polyester nanocomposites: Influence of adding nanoclay fillers on thermal, dynamic mechanical, and physical properties
Authors: Shahroze Rao M. , Ishak Mohamad R. , Salit Mohamad S. , Leman Zulkiflle , Chandrasekar Muthukumar , Munawar Nur S. Z. , Asim Mohd
Published: September 2019

In this research, nanoclay used as filler in sugar palm‐reinforced composites was investigated by the physical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties. Various concentrations of nanoclay were used to fabricate composites by using hand lay‐up technique, followed by hot compression molding with naturally woven sugar palm fiber‐reinforced in polyester matrix. Among various weight concentrations such as 1–5% of nanoclay, it was found that 2% nanoclay‐filled composite (NC) demonstrated the best balance of thermomechanical properties and significantly enhanced the composite. DMA demonstrated that 2% nanoclay content resulted in improved viscoelastic behavior and higher glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composites. TGA also showed improvement in properties, whereas 3% nanoclay‐filled composite showed superior onset temperature, and 5% nanoclay‐filled composite exhibited highest remaining residue. The nanoclay filler was very effective to fill the porous structure and maintain the thickness stability. The thickness swelling was reduced with increasing amount of nanoclay in composites. Overall, the addition of nano clay improved thermal and physical properties of sugar palm‐reinforced polyester composite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:236–243, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Highlighting transcribed ultraconserved regions in human diseases
Authors: Pereira Zambalde Erika , Mathias Carolina , Rodrigues Ana Carolina , de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro Enilze M. , Fiori Gradia Daniela , Calin George A. , Carvalho de Oliveira Jaqueline
Published: September 2019

Ultraconserved regions (UCRs) are 481 DNA segments longer than 200 bp in length that are completely conserved among human, mouse, and rat and, extremely conserved across disparate taxa. More than 90% of UCRs are transcribed (T‐UCRs) in normal tissues, but most of them remain uncharacterized. In addition, it was demonstrated that T‐UCRs have a tissue‐specific expression, and a differential expression profile between tumors and other diseases, which suggests that most of T‐UCRs may have an important role in cell processes. However, there is little information about T‐UCR characterization or about their molecular mechanisms of action. Taking this into account, in this study, we aim to summarize deregulated T‐UCRs in human diseases, emphasizing the ones with stronger functional evidences that are associated with important cell pathways and have a detailed molecular characterization.

This article is characterized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Historical Evolution of India’s Patent Regime and Its Impact on Innovation in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Racherla Uday S.
Published: September 2019

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees every person and citizen of India the right to life and the right to personal liberty. Further, Article 47 of the Indian Constitution declares that it is the duty and obligation of the Indian state to improve public health. In addition, Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) adopted by India asserts that nations have an obligation to facilitate the right to health. Thus, the Indian government operates under the premise that medicines critical to the important healthcare needs of India’s population must be both available and affordable. Indeed, this paradigm is the foundational basis for India’s vision for the right to health under the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Thus, the Indian policy makers strive to meet India’s constitutional obligations for the right to health while promoting its innovation ecosystem and safeguarding the legitimate business interests of MNCs. Indeed, this powerful undercurrent has been shaping the evolution of the Indian patent regime since India’s independence in 1947, through the 1970s, the economic liberalization era initiated in the 1990s, through the membership of WTO and TRIPs Agreement in 1995, post-TRIPS in 2005 and all the way up to today. In this context, this chapter analyzes how the Indian patent regime has been leveraging the flexibilities afforded under the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention of evergreening, award of compulsory licenses, retention of pre-grant opposition, and introduction of post-grant opposition and discusses how these dynamic changes are having a global impact.
Information Technology Industry in China
Authors: Chen Xiangdong , Li Ruixi , Lv Miaochen , Chen Dian , Yang Lingzi
Published: September 2019

By summarizing research literature in both international sources and Chinese local journals on the information technology (IT) industries, and comparing the progress and development between China and India, this chapter provides a picture of the development patterns and their similarities and differences in the IT industries in the two countries. There are two kinds of IT industries, namely, hardware-based IT (primarily manufacturing and strongly protected by IP, especially patents) and software-based IT (primarily service, either separate or combined with manufacturing sectors, partially protected by the patent system), while Chinese firms are well developed in the first, Indian firms specialize in the second. In addition, the industrial culture (training system and language used, etc.) and organizational structure embedded in the industries provide unique advantages to Indian firms, making them internationally competitive but less so in the domestic market. In contrast, Chinese companies are developing faster in the domestic market and comparatively weak internationally. Throughout the chapter, a 2×2 situation is analyzed to contrast differences in terms of manufacturing vs. service, and of upstream sectors (industrial market) vs. downstream sectors (consumer market), with particular focus on IT software industries and on finding explanations for different IP functions in the two countries: IP functions in IT industry may be comparable with the pharmaceutical industry in China; however, this function is totally different from the situation in the pharmaceutical sector in India.
Chinese Film Industry Under the Lens of Copyright, Policy, and Market
Authors: Wei Lizhou , Li Yanbing
Published: September 2019

The development history of the Chinese film industry can generally be divided into three stages: early cinema, policy-controlled cinema, and contemporary cinema. The Chinese cinema is an instructive story. On the one hand, it had been under the radar of the copyright law for 95 years, and its main constraints were underdeveloped technology, private capital deficiency, wartime disruption, and ideological and political concerns. On the other, contemporary Chinese film copyright has been greatly influenced by both the author’s right system and the copyright system. Despite high piracy and weak enforcement, it managed to complete a dramatic shift from a policy-controlled to market-driven and even copyright-based industry within just decades. This chapter will place the film industry under the lens of copyright, policy, and market in the context of China.
Contemporary Challenges of Online Copyright Enforcement in India
Authors: Banerjee Arpan
Published: September 2019

This chapter discusses legal strategies to enforce copyright online in India, with a focus on the film industry. The chapter begins by acknowledging various limitations of online copyright enforcement. Then, in Sect. 2, the chapter provides a broad overview of the landscape concerning film piracy in India. In Sect. 3, the chapter discusses a proposed (and unimplemented) recommendation to target end-users in India. In Sect. 4, the chapter discusses recent developments concerning website-blocking injunctions, which is a strategy that the industry has consistently pursued in recent years. In Sect. 5, the chapter discusses the ad-supported financial model of pirate websites, referencing a study conducted in India. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the efficacy of non-litigious measures, such as the targeting of ad-supported piracy and negotiations with search engines.
Laparoscopic Central Bisectionectomy and Right Anterior Sectionectomy Using Two Retraction Methods: Technical Aspects with Video
Authors: Jeung Il Han , Choi Sung Hoon , Kim Seungki , Kwon Sung Won
Published: September 2019

Background

Laparoscopic central bisectionectomy and right anterior sectionectomy for centrally located tumors are technically demanding surgeries. Here, we introduce our laparoscopic technique and present the associated perioperative outcomes relative to an open approach.

Methods

From April 2014 to November 2017, 26 patients underwent central bisectionectomy or right anterior sectionectomy. A total of 17 patients underwent the laparoscopic approach and nine underwent an open approach. We used a perihilar Glissonian approach to determine each anatomical resection plane and employed a rubber band self‐retraction technique to ensure proper exposure of the two resection planes. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, video, and perioperative outcomes of the approach are presented.

Results

Among patients who underwent the laparoscopic approach, there were no cases of conversion to open surgery. The mean operative times for the laparoscopic and open groups were similar (333 ± 76 vs. 305 ± 62 min, respectively, p = 0.345). Intraoperative blood loss (535 ± 443 vs. 966 ± 650, p = 0.056) and postoperative complications (1 vs. 3, p = 0.065) were slightly less in the laparoscopic group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Surgical margins of both approaches were comparable (0.8 ± 0.6 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 cm, p = 0.671). The length of hospital stay after surgery was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (8.8 ± 2.6 vs. 17.1 ± 12.7 days, p = 0.015).

Conclusion

The laparoscopic approach for central bisectionectomy and right anterior sectionectomy described in this study is feasible and safe with respect to short‐term perioperative outcomes and may provide several benefits commonly attributed to minimally invasive surgery in selected patients.
In vivo measures of tau burden are associated with atrophy in early Braak stage medial temporal lobe regions in amyloid‐negative individuals
Authors: Das Sandhitsu R. , Xie Long , Wisse Laura E.M. , Vergnet Nicolas , Ittyerah Ranjit , Cui Salena , Yushkevich Paul A. , Wolk David A. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2019

Introduction

It is unclear the degree to which tau pathology in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) measured by 18F‐flortaucipir positron emission tomography relates to MTL subregional atrophy and whether this relationship differs between amyloid‐β–positive and amyloid‐β–negative individuals.

Methods

We analyzed correlation of MTL 18F‐flortaucipir uptake with MTL subregional atrophy measured with high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging in a region of interest and regional thickness analysis and determined the relationship between memory performance and positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging measures.

Results

Both groups showed strong correlations between 18F‐flortaucipir uptake and atrophy, with similar spatial patterns. Effects in the rhinal cortex recapitulated Braak staging. Correlations of memory recall with atrophy and tracer uptake were observed.

Discussion

Correlation patterns between tau burden and atrophy in the amyloid‐β–negative group mimicking early Braak stages suggests that 18F‐flortaucipir is sensitive to tau pathology in primary age‐related tauopathy. Correlations of imaging measures with memory performance indicate that this pathology is associated with poorer cognition.
Surgical Outcomes of Neoscrotal Augmentation with Testicular Prostheses in Transgender Men
Authors: Pigot Garry L.S. , Al-Tamimi Muhammed , Ronkes Brechje , van der Sluis Tim M. , Özer Müjde , Smit Jan Maerten , Buncamper Marlon E. , Mullender Margriet G. , Bouman Mark-Bram , van der Sluis Wouter B.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Testicular prosthesis implantation may be used for neoscrotal augmentation in transgender men.

Aim

Assess the clinical outcomes and risk factors for postoperative complications of this procedure in transgender men.

Methods

All transgender men who underwent neoscrotal augmentation with testicular implants between January 1992 and December 2018 were retrospectively identified. A retrospective chart study was performed that recorded surgical characteristics and postoperative complications. Risk factors on complications were identified using uni- and multivariate analyses.

Main Outcome Measure

Surgical outcomes included explantation due to infection, extrusion, discomfort, or leakage.

Results

We identified 206 patients, and the following prostheses were placed: Dow Corning (n = 22), Eurosilicone (n = 2), Nagor (n = 205), Polytech (n = 10), Promedon (n = 105) , Prometel (n = 22), Sebbin (n = 44), and unknown (n = 2). The mean clinical follow-up time was 11.5 ± 8.3 years. In 43 patients (20.8%), one or both prostheses were explanted due to infection, extrusion, discomfort, prosthesis leakage, or urethral problems. Currently, scrotoplasty according to Hoebeke is the most frequently performed technique. Our review found that for this technique explantation occurred in 6 of 52 patients (11.5%). A history of smoking was a risk factor for postoperative infections and prosthesis explantation. In earlier years, larger prostheses were immediately placed at scrotal reconstruction; however, a trend can be seen toward smaller and lighter testicular prostheses and delayed implantation.

Clinical Implications

Patients wanting to undergo this procedure can be adequately informed on postoperative outcomes.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths of this study include the number of patients, long clinical follow-up time, and completeness of data. Weaknesses of this study include its retrospective nature and the high variability of prostheses and surgical techniques used.

Conclusion

Over the years, scrotoplasty techniques and testicular prostheses preferences have changed. Explantation rates have dropped over the last decade.
BANACH ALGEBRAS OF VECTOR-VALUED FUNCTIONS – CORRIGENDUM
Authors: NIKOU AZADEH , O’FARRELL ANTHONY G.
Published: September 2019

We correct an error in our paper published in volume 56 of this journal.
Die Berufung des Andreas und des Philippus nach dem Johannesevangelium (Joh 1.35–46)
Authors: Beutler Johannes
Published: September 2019

In the Gospel of John, the apostles Andrew and Philip enjoy a privileged position right from the beginning. The reason seems to lie in the fact that they, being from Bethsaida in Galilee and probably fluent in Greek, could serve as intermediaries between ‘Greeks’ and Jesus, whom they wanted to ‘see’. Such an encounter happens in John 12.20–2. According to John, Jesus called Andrew before his brother Peter, whom Andrew then led to Jesus. Philip is the second person directly called by Jesus, himself leading another future disciple to Jesus: Nathanael (John 1.35–46). James and John are completely missing not only in the Johannine scene of the calling of disciples but also in the whole of the Fourth Gospel. The importance of Andrew and Philip follows also from the rest of the Gospel of John. The evangelist seems to depend on an early tradition attested in Asia Minor and to modify the synoptic tradition on its basis.
Origen on Paul's Authorship of Hebrews
Authors: Thomas Matthew J.
Published: September 2019

It is a common notion among modern biblical scholars that Origen doubted Paul's authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews. This article offers an examination of Origen's writings on this question, and shows that the evidence is wildly misrepresented in contemporary discussions. It does this by beginning with Origen's Letter to Africanus, continuing with an overview of his Hebrews citations across his writing career, and concluding with an analysis of his oft-cited comments in Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History. This examination shows that while Origen suspects Hebrews’ composition to involve more than Paul alone, his surprisingly consistent testimony is that the epistle is indeed Paul's.
Heterogeneity in helminth infections: factors influencing aggregation in a simple host–parasite system
Authors: Tinsley Richard C. , Rose Vineer Hanna , Grainger-Wood Rebecca , Morgan Eric R.
Published: September 2019

The almost universally-occurring aggregated distributions of helminth burdens in host populations have major significance for parasite population ecology and evolutionary biology, but the mechanisms generating heterogeneity remain poorly understood. For the direct life cycle monogeneanDiscocotyle sagittatainfecting rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, variables potentially influencing aggregation can be analysed individually. This study was based at a fish farm where every host individual becomes infected byD. sagittataduring each annual transmission period. Worm burdens were examined in one trout population maintained in isolation for 9 years, exposed to self-contained transmission. After this year-on-year recruitment, prevalence was 100% with intensities 10–2628, mean 576, worms per host. Parasite distribution, amongst hosts with the same age and environmental experience, was highly aggregated with variance to mean ratio 834 and negative binomial parameter,k, 0.64. The most heavily infected 20% of fish carried around 80% of the total adult parasite population. Aggregation develops within the first weeks post-infection; hosts typically carried intensities of successive age-specific cohorts that were consistent for that individual, such that heavily-infected individuals carried high numbers of all parasite age classes. Results suggest that host factors alone, operating post-infection, are sufficient to generate strongly overdispersed parasite distributions, rather than heterogeneity in exposure and initial invasion.
The Ethics of (Un)Civil Resistance
Authors: Smith William
Published: September 2019

Civil disobedience is a conscientious, unlawful, and broadly nonviolent form of protest, which most political philosophers and many non-philosophers are inclined to treat as potentially defensible in democratic societies. In recent years, philosophers have become more receptive to long-standing complaints from activists that civil disobedience is an unduly restrictive framework for considering the ethics of dissent. Candice Delmas and Jason Brennan have written important books that illustrate and strengthen this trend, both defending forms of “uncivil” resistance that go beyond the narrow confines of civil disobedience. Their books offer contrasting but complementary philosophical defences of incivility as a tactic of resistance, but it is nonetheless a mistake to conclude that the rich tradition associated with civil disobedience no longer has any relevance for resistance in national, transnational, and global contexts.
Introduction
Authors: Gordon Joy
Published: September 2019

It is hard to imagine a threat to international security or a tension within U.S. foreign policy that does not involve the imposition of economic sanctions. The United Nations Security Council has fourteen sanctions regimes currently in place, and all member states of the United Nations are obligated to participate in their enforcement. The United States has some thirty sanctions programs, which target a range of countries, companies, organizations, and individuals, and many of these are autonomous sanctions that are independent of the measures required by the United Nations. Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and others also have autonomous sanctions regimes, spanning a broad range of contexts and purpose. Most well-known are those concerning weapons proliferation, terrorism, and human rights violations; but sanctions are also imposed in such contexts as money laundering, corruption, and drug trafficking. States may also impose sanctions as a means to achieve foreign policy goals: to pressure a foreign state to bend to the sanctioner's will, to punish those who represent a threat to the sanctioner's economic or political interests, or to seek the end of a political regime toward which the sanctioner is hostile, to give but a few examples.
Terrestrial Energetic Neutral Atom Emissions and the Ground‐Based Geomagnetic Indices: Implications From IBEX Observations
Authors: Ogasawara K. , Dayeh M. A. , Fuselier S. A. , Goldstein J. , McComas D. J. , Valek P.
Published: September 2019

We report the first daylong continuous observations of bright terrestrial energetic neutral atom (ENA) emissions by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). The unique vantage point of IBEX, up to ∼48 Earth radii (Re) from the dawn‐dusk side, allowed it to monitor ENAs from 0.3 to 6.0 keV over an unprecedented length of time. We have taken advantage of this capability to discover correlations between auroral electrojet (AE) indices and ENA emissions. Although it was difficult to separate the source from low‐altitude emissions and ring current emissions using IBEX's one‐pixel observations, the characteristics of these correlations and e‐folding times hint at the processes behind the ENA emissions. By introducing exponential e‐folding times ranging from 2 to 4 hr in the AE index temporal profiles, the correlation coefficient was maximized to around 0.75−0.85. This indicates (1) that the building and trapping of parent ions, accompanied by injections, cause AE enhancements and (2) that the shorter e‐folding time (typically ∼7–8 hr for energetic ring current ions, assuming charge exchange reactions) supports a more efficient decay process by Coulomb collisions in this energy range. On the other hand, no correlation was found with Sym‐H, while Asy‐H correlated for one orbit. Long‐term continuous ENA observations can also be applied to future space weather monitoring outside the magnetosphere. Based on our results, we suggest that comparisons among multiple spacecraft observations with high‐angular‐resolution ENA sensors or ENA imagers will be required to determine magnetospheric activity more accurately due to the expected asymmetry of the ENA sources.