bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous production of commercial enzymes using agro industrial residues by statistical approach
Authors: Viayaraghavan Ponnuswamy , Jeba Kumar Sujin , Valan Arasu Mariadhas , Al‐Dhabi Naif Abdullah
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Simultaneous production of commercial enzymes using agro‐industrial residues by statistical approach is an important perspective in an industrial point of view. Despite the advantages of statistical methods optimization, the report on simultaneous production of pectinase and amylases are limited. The accumulation of agro‐industrial residues causes serious environmental problems; however, citrus peel can be the important substrate for various enzymes production, including pectinase. These enzymes involving saccharification process and act as clarifying agent.

RESULTS

In this study, orange peel and banana peel mixture were used as the suitable substrate for pectinase and amylase production using Bacillus pumilus in solid‐state culture. The process parameters were optimized for simultaneous production of enzymes by a traditional‐one‐variable‐at‐a‐time approach, a two level full factorial design, central composite design and response surface methodology. Among the selected variables, moisture content of the medium, pH and mineral supplement significantly influenced pectinase and amylase production. Pectinase production increased over 3‐fold, whereas, 2‐fold increase on amylase production was achieved after optimization by statistical approach. The purified pectinase exhibited maximal activity at pH 8.0, temperature of 60 °C and the molecular weight was 60 kDa. The purified amylase was highly active at pH 8.0, at 50 °C and the molecular weight was 37 kDa. The enzyme showed activity on fruit pulp in increasing clarity in orange and carrot juice and the saccharification of starch.

CONCLUSION

Orange peel and banana peel mixture was effective as a solid medium for the simultaneous production of pectinase and amylase by Bacillus pumilus. Also, our statistical approach to optimize the medium components to yield more pectinase and amylase was fruitful and these enzymes showed appreciable results suitable for various applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Amid housing crisis, BH organization moves to provide placement, service
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2018

In their effort to address the skyrocketing homelessness rate in their state, program leaders at Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare in Oregon are providing outreach to connect with individuals and families and help them transition into housing and mainstream health care services. At 37 percent, Oregon has one of the highest homelessness rates in the country.
The Development of a Weighted Index to Optimise Compound Libraries for High Throughput Screening
Authors: Eurtivong Chatchakorn , Reynisson Jóhannes
Published: October 2018

1880 known drugs were collected and analysed for their mainstream molecular descriptors: MW, log P, HA, HD, RB and PSA. The statistical distributions were fitted to Gaussian functions for each of the descriptors. This gave a mathematical tool to calculate a weighted score, or an Index, for each descriptor. Known Drug Indexes (KDIs) were derived either by summation or multiplication of the Indexes, giving one number for each molecule calculated. The KDI summation and multiplication methods give a theoretical maxima of 6 and 1 respectively. According to both methods, methysergide (5.89/0.90), amsacrine (5.89/0.89) and fluorometholone (5.88/0.88) have the scores of the most well‐balanced pharmaceuticals. The KDIs are advantageous tools in identifying the most well‐balanced screening compounds based on the properties of known drugs; the screening collection can be optimised to only include quality compounds, which in turn produce tractable hit and lead compounds from the screening campaign.
Quaternion fourier integral operators for spaces of generalized quaternions
Authors: Al‐Omari Shrideh K. Q. , Baleanu D.
Published: October 2018

This article aims to discuss a class of quaternion Fourier integral operators on certain set of generalized functions, leading to a method of discussing various integral operators on various spaces of generalized functions. By employing a quaternion Fourier integral operator on points closed to the origin, we introduce convolutions and approximating identities associated with the Fourier convolution product and derive classical and generalized convolution theorems. Working on such identities, we establish quaternion and ultraquaternion spaces of generalized functions, known as Boehmians, which are more general than those existed on literature. Further, we obtain some characteristics of the quaternion Fourier integral in a quaternion sense. Moreover, we derive continuous embeddings between the classical and generalized quaternion spaces and discuss some inversion formula as well.
Fast technetium‐99m liver SPECT for evaluation of the pretreatment procedure for radioembolization dosimetry
Authors: van der Velden Sandra , Dietze Martijn M. A. , Viergever Max A. , de Jong Hugo W. A. M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The efficiency of radioembolization procedures could be greatly enhanced if results of the 99mTc‐MAA pretreatment procedure were immediately available in the interventional suite, enabling 1‐day procedures as a result of direct estimation of the hepatic radiation dose and lung shunt fraction. This would, however, require a relatively fast, but still quantitative, SPECT procedure, which might be achieved with acquisition protocols using nonuniform durations of the projection images.

Methods

SPECT liver images of the 150‐MBq 99mTc‐MAA pretreatment procedure were simulated for eight different lesion locations and two different lesion sizes using the digital XCAT phantom for both single‐ and dual‐head scanning geometries with respective total acquisition times of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 30 min. Three nonuniform projection‐time acquisition protocols (“half‐circle SPECT (HCS),” “nonuniform SPECT (NUS) I,” and “NUS II”) for fast quantitative SPECT of the liver were designed and compared with the standard uniform projection‐time protocol. Images were evaluated in terms of contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), activity recovery coefficient (ARC), tumor/non‐tumor (T/N) activity concentration ratio, and lung shunt fraction (LSF) estimation. In addition, image quality was verified with a physical phantom experiment, reconstructed with both clinical and Monte Carlo‐based reconstruction software.

Results

Simulations showed no substantial change in image quality and dosimetry by usage of a nonuniform projection‐time acquisition protocol. Upon shortening acquisition times, CNR dropped, but ARC, T/N ratio, and LSF estimates were stable across all simulated acquisition times. Results of the physical phantom were in agreement with those of the simulations.

Conclusion

Both uniform and nonuniform projection‐time acquisition liver SPECT protocols yield accurate dosimetric metrics for radioembolization treatment planning in the interventional suite within 10 min, without compromising image quality. Consequently, fast quantitative SPECT of the liver in the interventional suite is feasible.
Echo time‐range effects on gradient‐echo based myelin water fraction mapping at 3T
Authors: Lee Hongpyo , Nam Yoonho , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: October 2018

Purpose

To investigate the effect of the range of TE on multi‐echo gradient echo–based myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping at 3 T.

Methods

Myelin water fraction estimation was performed using 3 widely used models: magnitude multipool, magnitude 3‐pool, and complex 3‐pool model. Simulations were conducted using a hollow cylinder model with susceptibility anisotropy. The TE range was varied, and its effect on MWF estimation was observed. The same analysis was also performed with in vivo data from 4 healthy volunteers.

Results

Different MWFs were obtained depending on the range of TE data acquired. In the simulations, the results of both magnitude models had a bias with respect to the true values: a maximum bias of up to 20% for the multipool model, and a maximum bias of up to 8% for the 3‐pool model. This bias was reduced using the complex 3‐pool model (maximum bias was under 2%). These effects were also found in the in vivo data. The MWF values using the complex model was most stable with respect to the TE range.

Conclusion

The results of the simulation and in vivo data suggest that MWF values fitted using magnitude models are more influenced by the TE range collected for fitting than using the complex model. The complex model is helpful in mitigating bias due to dependencies over the TE range selection.
Risk of subsequent colorectal cancers after a solid tumor in childhood: Effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy
Authors: Allodji Rodrigue S. , Haddy Nadia , Vu‐Bezin Giao , Dumas Agnès , Fresneau Brice , Mansouri Imene , Demoor‐Goldschmidt Charlotte , El‐Fayech Chiraz , Pacquement Hélène , Munzer Martine , Bondiau Pierre‐Yves , Berchery Delphine , Oberlin Odile , Rubino Carole , Diallo Ibrahima , de Vathaire Florent
Published: October 2018

Background

Very few previous studies have addressed the question of colorectal cancer (CRC) after childhood cancer treatment. We aimed to quantify the roles of radiation therapy and chemotherapy agents in the occurrence of subsequent CRC.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted using 36 CRC cases and 140 controls selected from 7032 five‐year survivors of the French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (FCCSS) cohort, treated from 1945 to 2000 in France. The radiation dose‐distribution metrics at the site of CRC and doses of individual chemotherapeutic agents were calculated. Conditional logistic regressions were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Overall, patients who received radiotherapy with estimated dose to colon had a 4.3‐fold (95% CI, 1.3–17.6) increased risk for CRC compared with patients who did not receive radiotherapy, after adjustment for chemotherapy. This risk increased to 8.9‐fold and 19.3‐fold among patients who received radiation doses ranging from 20 to 29.99 Gy and ≥30 Gy, respectively. Our data reported a significantly elevated OR for anthracyclines, after controlling for radiotherapy and MOPP regimen. But, restricted analyses excluding patients who had received ≥30 Gy showed that only radiation doses ranging from 20 to 29.99 Gy produced a significant increase in subsequent CRC risk (OR = 7.8; 95% CI, 1.3–56.0), after controlling for anthracyclines and MOPP regimen.

Conclusions

The risk of subsequent CRC was significantly increased after radiation dose (even < 30 Gy). This novel finding supports the need to update monitoring guidelines for CRC to optimize the long‐term follow‐up for subsequent CRC in survivors of childhood cancer.
Risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in children with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea: MRI evaluation
Authors: Adekile Adekunle D. , Gupta Renu , Al‐Khayat Abdullah , Mohammed Ahmed , Atyani Said , Thomas Diana
Published: October 2018

Background

There are conflicting reports on the role of hydroxyurea (HU) in the pathogenesis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Procedure

The present study is a prospective cohort study of Kuwaiti children with SCD who were treated with HU. They had magnetic resonance imaging of the hips before starting HU and at regular intervals during a follow‐up period, ranging from 1 to 15 years.

Results

There were 40 patients (18 SS, 19 Sβ0‐thalassemia, and three SD genotypes), aged 6–20 years. Pre‐HU, 11 (27.5%) had varying grades of AVNFH, while post HU, the prevalence was 32.5%. Two patients developed new lesions during the study, while five (45.5%) that had lesions pre‐HU remained static, another five (45.5%) progressed, and one (9%) improved radiologically. The older patients who had been on HU the longest were more likely to deteriorate. The only hematological parameter that was consistently associated with AVNFH was the reticulocyte count.

Conclusions

The frequency and rate of progression of AVNFH in this study is much less than that previously reported for our patients not treated with HU. There is no evidence that HU therapy is a risk factor for AVNFH. It may, in fact, prevent new lesions and deter the progression of existing AVNFH.
Thermal Safety of a Gun‐Launched Missile's Solid Rocket Motor Under Conditions of High Environm. Temp. and Overloaded Forces
Authors: Ma Weihua , Wang Ningfei , Sui Xin , Li Shipeng , Xie Kan
Published: October 2018

To verify a hypothetical failure cause of a gun‐launched missile's solid rocket motor (SRM) under conditions of high environmental temperatures and overloaded forces of up to 6000∼12000 g, experiments and simulations were conducted and a new criterion variable was proposed. Uniaxial compression tests of the composite modified double base (CMDB) propellant used in the gun‐launched missile were carried out at low and intermediate strain rates at 50 °C to characterize the CMDB propellant's dynamic properties. The Schapery nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model was employed and applied in finite element analyses. Contact and an oscillating frictional direction between the grain and the case were observed when the overload curve oscillated with time. Three key variables of the process were researched: the contact pressure, the relative velocity, and the total contact time. Based on these, a new criterion variable q is proposed for judgements regarding the SRM's thermal safety. By comparing the results with those from friction sensitivity tests, it was discovered that the grain had a possibility of self‐ignition that cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, the gap width between the case and the grain was determined to be a key influencing factor.
Signaling mechanisms and physiological functions of G‐protein Gα13 in blood vessel formation, bone homeostasis, and cancer
Authors: Syrovatkina Viktoriya , Huang Xin‐Yun
Published: October 2018

Heterotrimeric G‐proteins are cellular signal transducers. They mainly relay signals from G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs function as guanine nucleotide‐exchange factors to active these G‐proteins. Based on the sequence and functional similarities, these G‐proteins are grouped into four subfamilies: Gs, Gi, Gq, and G12/13. The G12/13 subfamily consists of two members: G12 and G13. G12/13‐mediated signaling pathways play pivotal roles in a variety of physiological processes, while aberrant regulation of this pathway has been identified in various human diseases. Here we summarize the signaling mechanisms and physiological functions of Gα13 in blood vessel formation and bone homeostasis. We further discuss the expanding roles of Gα13 in cancers, serving as oncogenes as well as tumor suppressors.
Blinded continuous monitoring in clinical trials with recurrent event endpoints
Authors: Friede Tim , Häring Dieter A. , Schmidli Heinz
Published: October 2018

In studies with recurrent event endpoints, misspecified assumptions of event rates or dispersion can lead to underpowered trials or overexposure of patients. Specification of overdispersion is often a particular problem as it is usually not reported in clinical trial publications. Changing event rates over the years have been described for some diseases, adding to the uncertainty in planning. To mitigate the risks of inadequate sample sizes, internal pilot study designs have been proposed with a preference for blinded sample size reestimation procedures, as they generally do not affect the type I error rate and maintain trial integrity. Blinded sample size reestimation procedures are available for trials with recurrent events as endpoints. However, the variance in the reestimated sample size can be considerable in particular with early sample size reviews. Motivated by a randomized controlled trial in paediatric multiple sclerosis, a rare neurological condition in children, we apply the concept of blinded continuous monitoring of information, which is known to reduce the variance in the resulting sample size. Assuming negative binomial distributions for the counts of recurrent relapses, we derive information criteria and propose blinded continuous monitoring procedures. The operating characteristics of these are assessed in Monte Carlo trial simulations demonstrating favourable properties with regard to type I error rate, power, and stopping time, ie, sample size.
A Colloidal‐Quantum‐Dot Infrared Photodiode with High Photoconductive Gain
Authors: Tang Yicheng , Wu Feng , Chen Fansheng , Zhou Yi , Wang Peng , Long Mingsheng , Zhou Wenjia , Ning Zhijun , He Jiawei , Gong Fan , Zhu Zhihong , Qin Shiqiao , Hu Weida
Published: October 2018

The photodiode is a prevailing architecture for photodetection with the merits of fast response and low dark current. However, an ideal photodiode is also desired for both high responsivity and high external quantum efficiency (EQE), which may facilitate more applications. Here the photoconducting effect in a photodiode is discussed and an Au–PbS colloidal quantum dot (CQD)–indium tin oxide Schottky junction photodiode is fabricated. The long carrier lifetime and improved carrier mobility in tetrabutylammonium iodide–modified PbS CQDs cooperating with the proper band structure and an ultrashort channel in the diode enable the photodiode with high photoconductive gain, realizing an EQE of ≈400% and a responsivity (R) of 5.15 A W−1 while simultaneously achieving a response time of 110 µs and a specific detectivity of 1.96 × 1010 Jones under 1550 nm illumination. In addition, this CQD‐based photodiode is stable, low cost, and compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. All of these promise this device great potential in applications.
Fe2N/S/N Codecorated Hierarchical Porous Carbon Nanosheets for Trifunctional Electrocatalysis
Authors: Mahmood Asif , Tabassum Hassina , Zhao Ruo , Guo Wenhan , Aftab Waseem , Liang Zibin , Sun Zhili , Zou Ruqiang
Published: October 2018

Construction of multifunctional highly active earth‐abundant electrocatalysts on a large scale is a great challenge due to poor control over nanostructural features and limited active sites. Here, a simple methodology to tailor metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to extract highly active multifunctional electrocatalysts on a large scale for oxygen reduction (ORR), oxygen evolution (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is presented. The N, S codoped Fe2N decorated highly porous and defect‐rich carbon nanosheets are grown using MOF xerogels, melamine, and polyvinylpyrollidone. The resulting catalyst exhibits excellent activity for ORR with an onset (0.92 V) and half‐wave (0.81 V) potential similar to state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalysts. The catalyst also shows outstanding OER and HER activities with a small overpotential of 360 mV in 1 m KOH and −123 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4 at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Excellent catalytic properties are further supported by theoretical calculations where relevant models are built and various possible activation sites are identified by first‐principles calculations. The results suggest that the carbon atoms adjacent to heteroatoms as well as Fe2–N sites present the active sites for improved catalytic response, which is in agreement with the experimental results.
Developing a Systemic Program Evaluation Methodology: A Critical Systems Perspective
Authors: Torres‐Cuello Maria Alejandra , Pinzón‐Salcedo Luis , Midgley Gerald
Published: October 2018

In recent years, there has been an increased interest within the program evaluation field in the introduction of systems thinking concepts. However, most of these introductions have been primarily directed towards supporting the practice of evaluation and not towards making theoretical advancements. This article is focused on introducing systems thinking, and specifically perspectives and concepts from the work in critical systems thinking (CST), at a theoretical level in the program evaluation field, towards a reframing of Fourth Generation Evaluation methodology. The process for carrying out such a reframing is introduced, as well as a description of the major changes produced in the evaluation methodology from incorporating the CST perspective. A new model is proposed, and how this model may be beneficial for conducting an evaluation is discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for future developments. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The complex enzymology of mRNA decapping: Enzymes of four classes cleave pyrophosphate bonds
Authors: Kramer Susanne , McLennan Alexander G.
Published: October 2018

The 5′ ends of most RNAs are chemically modified to enable protection from nucleases. In bacteria, this is often achieved by keeping the triphosphate terminus originating from transcriptional initiation, while most eukaryotic mRNAs and small nuclear RNAs have a 5′→5′ linked N7‐methyl guanosine (m7G) cap added. Several other chemical modifications have been described at RNA 5′ ends. Common to all modifications is the presence of at least one pyrophosphate bond. To enable RNA turnover, these chemical modifications at the RNA 5′ end need to be reversible. Dependent on the direction of the RNA decay pathway (5′→3′ or 3′→5′), some enzymes cleave the 5′→5′ cap linkage of intact RNAs to initiate decay, while others act as scavengers and hydrolyse the cap element of the remnants of the 3′→5′ decay pathway. In eukaryotes, there is also a cap quality control pathway. Most enzymes involved in the cleavage of the RNA 5′ ends are pyrophosphohydrolases, with only a few having (additional) 5′ triphosphonucleotide hydrolase activities. Despite the identity of their enzyme activities, the enzymes belong to four different enzyme classes. Nudix hydrolases decap intact RNAs as part of the 5′→3′ decay pathway, DXO family members mainly degrade faulty RNAs, members of the histidine triad (HIT) family are scavenger proteins, while an ApaH‐like phosphatase is the major mRNA decay enzyme of trypanosomes, whose RNAs have a unique cap structure. Many novel cap structures and decapping enzymes have only recently been discovered, indicating that we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms of RNA decapping.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability

RNA Processing > Capping and 5′ End Modifications
Socialism, capitalism, or Chinism?
Authors: Kolodko Grzegorz W.
Published: October 2018

Is China still building socialism or has it already built capitalism? Or maybe both? Or maybe none of those two systems? Or maybe with the market reforms that deviate from the traditional socialism, it has created something different from the classical types of political and socio-economic regimes known from the 20th century? Some authors have proclaimed that there has been capitalism in China for some time; others claim that socialism has developed there, of course one with Chinese characteristics. Shortages have been successfully eliminated, but the economic system is unbalanced, showing surpluses this time. So, is it socialism, as the official Chinese authorities claim, or capitalism, as asserted by numerous economists? Tertium non datur? By no means, as there are yet other possibilities of system interpretations and the most fascinating of them is being offered by the present-day China, where a unique internal convergence is taking place. Features of socialism intermingle with essentials of capitalism and vice versa, creating a new, different quality. Tertium datur.
Love and marriage: why security and SD-WAN need to go together
Authors: Sollars Marc
Published: October 2018

Thanks to the relentless rise of cloud computing and remote working, the demand for high-bandwidth wide area network (WAN) links over the past few years has never been so high. Analyst firm Forrester predicts that the public cloud market will grow to $236bn by 2020, increasing by 23% in six years. 1 A growth in the use of cloud applications to suit the needs of a mobile workforce has meant that WAN pipes have filled up enormously. Not only that, with companies seeking greater agility and local office autonomy, there is far greater demand to connect work apps to the WAN. All of these factors are putting a strain on organisations and their WANs, and sparking security concerns.

Thanks to the relentless rise of cloud computing and remote working, the demand for high-bandwidth wide area network (WAN) links over the past few years has never been higher.

The strain on connectivity to the WAN can increase organisations’ vulnerability to a cyber-attack. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is a technology that allows organisations to centralise control or intelligently direct their WAN traffic. A security solution that ties into SD-WAN means that organisations can protect their data and ensure that a new approach to networking doesn’t mean greater risk, says Marc Sollars of Teneo.
Polio Across the Iron Curtain
Authors: Vargha Dóra
Published: October 2018

By the end of the 1950s, Hungary became an unlikely leader in what we now call global health. Only three years after Soviet tanks crushed the revolution of 1956, Hungary became one of the first countries to introduce the Sabin vaccine into its national vaccination programme. This immunization campaign was built on years of scientific collaboration between East and West, in which scientists, specimens, vaccines and iron lungs crossed over the Iron Curtain. Dóra Vargha uses a series of polio epidemics in communist Hungary to understand the response to a global public health emergency in the midst of the Cold War. She argues that despite the antagonistic international atmosphere of the 1950s, spaces of transnational corporation between blocs emerged to tackle a common health crisis. At the same time, she shows that epidemic concepts and policies were influenced by the very Cold War rhetoric that medical and political cooperation transcended. This title is also available as Open Access.
The Neotoma Paleoecology Database
Authors: Goring Simon James , Graham Russell , Oeffler Shane , Myrbo Amy , Oliver James S. , Ormond Carol , Williams John W.
Published: October 2018

Paleoecological data from the Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago to present) provides an opportunity for educational outreach for the earth and biological sciences. Paleoecology data repositories serve as technical hubs and focal points within their disciplinary communities and so are uniquely situated to help produce teaching modules and engagement resources.

The Neotoma Paleoecology Database provides support to educators from primary schools to graduate students. In collaboration with pedagogical experts, the Neotoma Paleoecology Database team has developed teaching modules and model workflows. Early education is centered on discovery; higher-level educational tools focus on illustrating best practices for technical tasks.

Collaborations among pedagogic experts, technical experts and data stewards, centered around data resources such as Neotoma, provide an important role within research communities, and an important service to society, supporting best practices, translating current research advances to interested audiences, and communicating the importance of individual research disciplines.
Cognitive Biases and Communication Strength in Social Networks: The Case of Episodic Frames
Authors: Aarøe Lene , Petersen Michael Bang
Published: October 2018

Media stories often reach citizens via a two-step process, transmitted to them indirectly via their social networks. Why are some media stories strongly transmitted and impact opinions powerfully in this two-step flow while others quickly perish? Integrating classical research on the two-step flow of political communication and novel theories from cognitive psychology, this article outlines a model for understanding the strength of political frames in the two-step flow. It argues that frames that resonate with cognitive biases (that is, deep-seated psychological decision rules) will be transmitted more and have a stronger influence on opinion when citizens recollect media frames in their social networks. Focusing on the case of episodic and thematic frames, the study tests this model. It introduces a novel research design: implementing the children’s game ‘Telephone’ in consecutive experimental online surveys fielded to nationally representative samples. This design helps gauge the reliability of transmission and the degree of persuasiveness in actual chains of transmission.
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: a single centre's 11-year experience
Authors: Pamuk A E , Özer S , Süslü A E , Akgöz A , Önerci M
Published: October 2018

Objective

This study aimed to present the clinical features and surgical outcomes of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma patients who were surgically treated.

Methods

The medical records of 48 male patients histologically confirmed as having juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, who underwent transnasal endoscopic surgery between 2005 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The overall recurrence rate was 20.8 per cent; however, the recurrence rate differed significantly between patients diagnosed aged less than 14 years (34.7 per cent) and more than 14 years (8 per cent) (p < 0.05). Advanced-stage tumours (Radkowski stage of IIC or more, and Önerci stage of III or more) were more aggressive than earlier stage tumours (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Pre-operative embolisation significantly prolonged mean hospitalisation duration, but had no effect on intra-operative blood loss in patients with advanced-stage tumours (p < 0.001 and p = 0.09, respectively).

Conclusion

The findings show that transnasal endoscopic surgery could be considered the treatment of choice for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Patients diagnosed when aged less than 14 years and those with advanced-stage tumours are at risk of recurrence, and should be monitored with extreme care.
Changing patterns of mental health knowledge in rural Kenya after intervention using the WHO mhGAP-Intervention Guide
Authors: Mutiso V. N. , Pike K. M. , Musyimi C. N. , Rebello T. J. , Tele A. , Gitonga I. , Thornicroft G. , Ndetei D. M.
Published: October 2018

Background

Despite the high prevalence of mental disorders, mental health literacy has been comparatively neglected. People's symptom-management strategies will be influenced by their mental health literacy. This study sought to determine the feasibility of using the World Health Organization mhGAP-Intervention Guide (IG) as an educational tool for one-on-one contact in a clinical setting to increase literacy on the specified mental disorders.

Methods

This study was conducted in 20 health facilities in Makueni County, southeast Kenya which has one of the poorest economies in Kenya. It has no psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. We recruited 3267 participants from a community that had already been exposed to community mental health services. We used Mental Health Knowledge Schedule to measure the changing patterns of mental health knowledge after a period of 3 months, following a training intervention using the WHO mhGAP-IG.

Results

Overall, there was a significant increase in mental health related knowledge [mean range 22.4–23.5 for both post-test and pre-test scores (p < 0.001)]. This increase varied with various socio-demographic characteristics such as sex, marital status, level of education, employment status and wealth index.

Conclusions

mhGAP-IG is a feasible tool to increase mental health literacy in low-resource settings where there are no mental health specialists. Our study lends evidence that the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 and reduction of the treatment gap may be accelerated by the use of mhGAP-IG through improving knowledge about mental illness and potentially subsequent help seeking for early diagnosis and treatment.
Can policy forums overcome echo chamber effects by enabling policy learning? Evidence from the Irish climate change policy network
Authors: Wagner Paul M. , Ylä-Anttila Tuomas
Published: October 2018

Research has repeatedly shown that individuals and organisations tend to obtain information from others whose beliefs are similar to their own, forming “echo chambers” with their network ties. Echo chambers are potentially harmful for evidence-based policymaking as they can hinder policy learning and consensus building. Policy forums could help alleviate the effects of echo chambers if organisations with different views were to participate and to use the opportunities that forums provide to learn from those outside their networks. Applying exponential random graph models on survey data of the Irish climate change policy network, we find that policy actors do indeed tend to obtain policy advice from those whose beliefs are similar to their own. We also find that actors tend not to obtain policy advice from the those that they encounter at policy forums, suggesting forums are not enabling policy learning.
Non-human humanitarians
Authors: Meiches Benjamin
Published: October 2018

The study of humanitarian intervention typically focuses on the human victims and saviours in armed conflict and natural disasters. Moreover, explanations of the virtues of humanitarian norms and ethics emphasise the importance of the university of suffering and the empathic nature of humanitarian efforts. In contrast, this article explores the neglected world of ‘non-human humanitarians’. Specifically, the article outlines three cases of non-human actors that expand and complicate international humanitarian practices: dogs, drones, and diagrams. Drawing on new materialist and posthuman literatures, the article argues that non-humans possess distinct capacities that vastly expand and transform humanitarian efforts in ranging from relief, to medicine, to conflict resolution. Highlighting non-human humanitarians thus offers a new perspective on the resources available for redressing mass violence and conflict, but also complicates existing definitions of humanitarian norms. To the contrary, the article demonstrates that non-humans often maximise humanitarian services to a degree greater than their human counterparts, but have also introduced changes into humanitarian practices that have problematic unintended consequences. Non-human humanitarians reveals previously discounted participants in international politics and the key roles they play in various international interventions.
Bathymetry and glacial geomorphology in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands
Authors: Tidey Emily J. , Hulbe Christina L.
Published: October 2018

New high-resolution multibeam swath bathymetry along the east coast of the Auckland Islands is combined with subaerial topography and evaluated in the context of Quaternary glaciation of the islands. The marine geomorphology represents a mixture of past and current processes so that submerged glacial features are more evident in some areas than others. Fjords in the central and southern parts of the coastline are characterized by well-preserved terminal moraines and other glacial features while fjords to the north tend to have more subdued glacial features and a smoother seabed. This is the farthest north record yet established of extensive sub-Antarctic glaciation, relative to the position of the modern sub-Antarctic and Polar Front. This is the first analysis of detailed sea floor geomorphology in the area and provides a starting point for new studies of paleoclimate and past glaciations.
Controlled and automatic perceptions of a sociolinguistic marker
Authors: D'Onofrio Annette
Published: October 2018

This paper explores the relation between controlled and automatic perceptions of a sociolinguistic variable that yields no metalinguistic commentary—a marker (Labov, 1972). Two experiments examine links between the backed trap vowel and its social meanings. The first, a matched guise task, measures social evaluations of the feature in a relatively controlled, introspective task. In the second, two measures are used that access different points in online processing and different degrees of listener control: (a) lexical categorization of an ambiguous stimulus, measured by a mouse click, and (b) automatic, early responses to this ambiguous stimulus, measured by eye movements. While listeners perceptually link trap-backing with social information in all three measures, specific social effects differ across the measures. Findings illustrate that the task and time course of a response influence how listeners link a linguistic marker with social information, even when this sociolinguistic knowledge is below the level of conscious awareness.
THE HALL ALGEBRAS OF SURFACES I
Authors: Cooper Benjamin , Samuelson Peter
Published: October 2018

We study the derived Hall algebra of the partially wrapped Fukaya category of a surface. We give an explicit description of the Hall algebra for the disk with$m$marked intervals and we give a conjectural description of the Hall algebras of all surfaces with enough marked intervals. Then we use a functoriality result to show that a graded version of the HOMFLY-PT skein relation holds among certain arcs in the Hall algebras of general surfaces.
Single Intrauterine Death in Twins: The Importance of Fetal Order
Authors: Ward Penelope L. , Reidy Karen L. , Palma-Dias Ricardo , Doyle Lex W. , Umstad Mark P.
Published: October 2018

Perinatal mortality is higher in twins. Effects of twin order have not previously been studied in the context of single fetal demise. Our objective was to determine whether death of the fetus more proximal to the cervix will result in worse perinatal outcomes. Our population included multiple pregnancies with two viable fetuses confirmed prior to 20 weeks’ gestation with the subsequent death of at least one twin. All the pregnancies were managed at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne between 2006 and 2014. We excluded pregnancies of higher order multiples, the death of both twins simultaneously, and cases with incomplete outcome data. Maternal and neonatal data were reviewed. Of 46 pregnancies included, in 24 (52%), the dead twin was presenting. Gestational age at delivery was significantly earlier in these cases (mean difference: -5.0 weeks, 95% CI [-7.4, -2.6], p < .001), and emergency cesarean rates were higher 67% versus 32% (OR 4.29, 95% CI [1.25, 14.7], p = .02). There were no differences in the frequency of chorioamnionitis, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, or placental abruption. Survival rates for co-twins were similar in both groups (presenting 83%; not presenting 91%; OR 0.41, 95% CI [0.07, 2.50], p = .29). The increase in neonatal morbidities was related to prematurity rather than to order. Findings were more common in dichorionic twins. Analysis was limited by a small sample size. If the dead twin is presenting, delivery is likely to occur earlier, with associated morbidity for the survivors. This is especially relevant for dichorionic twin pregnancies.
A Dynamic Explanation for the Ruptures of Repeating Earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault at Parkfield
Authors: Wen Jian , Chen Xiaofei , Xu Jiankuan
Published: October 2018

Analyzing the relative source time functions (STFs) of repeating earthquakes (REs) at Parkfield and their spectra indicates that there are two groups of REs. One group of REs (G1) displays simple relative STFs and smooth spectra, whereas the other group (G2) displays complex relative STFs and spectra with obviousholes. We use the boundary integral equation method with different configurations of parameters to simulate the spontaneous dynamic ruptures and fit the observed characteristics. Finally, we find that the differences in the observed characteristics are due to the different configurations of the dynamic parameters. Earthquakes in G1 are self‐arresting ruptures, and earthquakes in G2 are runaway ruptures. Moreover, holes in the spectra of G2 are caused by the dynamic rupture propagation, and the frequency of the holes is a function of the radius of the circular fault, the angle between the station azimuth and the rupture propagation, and the rupture velocity.
Statistical Analysis of SAR Arc Detachment From the Main Oval Based on 11‐Year, All‐Sky Imaging Observation at Athabasca, Canada
Authors: Takagi Yuki , Shiokawa Kazuo , Otsuka Yuichi , Connors Martin , Schofield Ian
Published: October 2018

We report the first statistical analysis of stable auroral red (SAR) arc detachments from the main auroral oval, using 630‐nm all‐sky cooled‐Charge Coupled Device images obtained at Athabasca (magnetic latitude = 61.7°N), Canada. SAR arc detachments from the main oval can be an important way of monitoring the characteristics of ring current particle injection in the inner magnetosphere. We analyzed all‐sky images obtained for 11 years from 2006 to 2016 and found 163 SAR arc detachment events. The SAR arc detachments tend to occur in the premidnight sector, indicating the ring current ion drift to the dusk sector. The SAR arc detachments also tend to occur at the beginning of the substorm recovery phase, suggesting that the SAR arcs detach from the main oval as the main auroral oval returns to higher latitudes. The equatorward velocities of detached SAR arcs are from −100 m/s (poleward) to +200 m/s (equatorward), corresponding to magnetospheric electric fields from −1 to +2 mV/m.
A role for genes in the ‘caregiver stress process’?
Authors: Wolf Douglas A. , Middleton Frank A.
Published: October 2018

The stress that accompanies caring for one’s parent, and the contribution of that stress to adverse physical and mental-health outcomes, is extensively studied and widely acknowledged. Yet there has been almost no attempt to incorporate the well-documented role of genetic variation in psychological distress into research on caregiving. We use phenotypic data from a large, population-based sample linked to extensive genotype data to develop a polygenic risk score (PRS) for depression, and test for both direct and interactive effects of the PRS in a multilevel repeat-measures model of caregiver-related stress. We distinguish three groups: potential caregivers (those with a living parent who does not need care), noncaregivers (those who do not provide care to their parent that needs care), and caregivers. We also obtain separate estimates according to the gender of both the parent and child. We found that a parent’s need for care, and the child’s provision of care, are associated with depression in some but not all cases; in contrast the PRS was significantly associated with the risk for increased depressive symptoms (with P ≤ 0.01) in all cases. These findings support an additive genetic contribution to the diathesis-stress model of depression in the context of caregiving.
Lon protease inactivation in Drosophila causes unfolded protein stress and inhibition of mitochondrial translation
Authors: Pareek Gautam , Thomas Ruth E. , Vincow Evelyn S. , Morris David R. , Pallanck Leo J.
Published: October 2018

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a frequent participant in common diseases and a principal suspect in aging. To combat mitochondrial dysfunction, eukaryotes have evolved a large repertoire of quality control mechanisms. One such mechanism involves the selective degradation of damaged or misfolded mitochondrial proteins by mitochondrial resident proteases, including proteases of the ATPase Associated with diverse cellular Activities (AAA+) family. The importance of the AAA+ family of mitochondrial proteases is exemplified by the fact that mutations that impair their functions cause a variety of human diseases, yet our knowledge of the cellular responses to their inactivation is limited. To address this matter, we created and characterized flies with complete or partial inactivation of the Drosophila matrix-localized AAA+ protease Lon. We found that a Lon null allele confers early larval lethality and that severely reducing Lon expression using RNAi results in shortened lifespan, locomotor impairment, and respiratory defects specific to respiratory chain complexes that contain mitochondrially encoded subunits. The respiratory chain defects of Lon knockdown (LonKD) flies appeared to result from severely reduced translation of mitochondrially encoded genes. This translational defect was not a consequence of reduced mitochondrial transcription, as evidenced by the fact that mitochondrial transcripts were elevated in abundance in LonKD flies. Rather, the translational defect of LonKD flies appeared to be derived from sequestration of mitochondrially encoded transcripts in highly dense ribonucleoparticles. The translational defect of LonKD flies was also accompanied by a substantial increase in unfolded mitochondrial proteins. Together, our findings suggest that the accumulation of unfolded mitochondrial proteins triggers a stress response that culminates in the inhibition of mitochondrial translation. Our work provides a foundation to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Extremely rapid isotropic irradiation of nanoparticles with ions generated in situ by a nuclear reaction
Authors: Havlik Jan , Petrakova Vladimira , Kucka Jan , Raabova Helena , Panek Dalibor , Stepan Vaclav , Zlamalova Cilova Zuzana , Reineck Philipp , Stursa Jan , Kucera Jan , Hruby Martin , Cigler Petr
Published: October 2018

Energetic ions represent an important tool for the creation of controlled structural defects in solid nanomaterials. However, the current preparative irradiation techniques in accelerators show significant limitations in scaling-up, because only very thin layers of nanoparticles can be efficiently and homogeneously irradiated. Here, we show an easily scalable method for rapid irradiation of nanomaterials by light ions formed homogeneously in situ by a nuclear reaction. The target nanoparticles are embedded in B2O3 and placed in a neutron flux. Neutrons captured by 10B generate an isotropic flux of energetic α particles and 7Li+ ions that uniformly irradiates the surrounding nanoparticles. We produced 70 g of fluorescent nanodiamonds in an approximately 30-minute irradiation session, as well as fluorescent silicon carbide nanoparticles. Our method thus increased current preparative yields by a factor of 102–103. We envision that our technique will increase the production of ion-irradiated nanoparticles, facilitating their use in various applications.
Deacetylation of serine hydroxymethyl-transferase 2 by SIRT3 promotes colorectal carcinogenesis
Authors: Wei Zhen , Song Jinglue , Wang Guanghui , Cui Ximao , Zheng Jun , Tang Yunlan , Chen Xinyuan , Li Jixi , Cui Long , Liu Chen-Ying , Yu Wei
Published: October 2018

The conversion of serine and glycine that is accomplished by serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) in mitochondria is significantly upregulated in various cancers to support cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we observed that SHMT2 is acetylated at K95 in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. SIRT3, the major deacetylase in mitochondria, is responsible for SHMT2 deacetylation. SHMT2-K95-Ac disrupts its functional tetramer structure and inhibits its enzymatic activity. SHMT2-K95-Ac also promotes its degradation via the K63-ubiquitin–lysosome pathway in a glucose-dependent manner. TRIM21 acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for SHMT2. SHMT2-K95-Ac decreases CRC cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo through attenuation of serine consumption and reduction in NADPH levels. Finally, SHMT2-K95-Ac is significantly decreased in human CRC samples and is inversely associated with increased SIRT3 expression, which is correlated with poorer postoperative overall survival. Our study reveals the unknown mechanism of SHMT2 regulation by acetylation which is involved in colorectal carcinogenesis.