bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Genetic Basis of C4 Kranz Anatomy with a View to Engineering C3 Crops
Authors: Sedelnikova Olga V. , Hughes Thomas E. , Langdale Jane A.
Published: September 2018

One of the most remarkable examples of convergent evolution is the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis, an event that occurred on over 60 independent occasions. The evolution of C4 is particularly noteworthy because of the complexity of the developmental and metabolic changes that took place. In most cases, compartmentalized metabolic reactions were facilitated by the development of a distinct leaf anatomy known as Kranz. C4 Kranz anatomy differs from ancestral C3 anatomy with respect to vein spacing patterns across the leaf, cell-type specification around veins, and cell-specific organelle function. Here we review our current understanding of how Kranz anatomy evolved and how it develops, with a focus on studies that are dissecting the underlying genetic mechanisms. This research field has gained prominence in recent years because understanding the genetic regulation of Kranz may enable the C3-to-C4 transition to be engineered, an endeavor that would significantly enhance crop productivity.
Skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction in breast cancer patients: role for chemotherapy-derived oxidant stress
Authors: Guigni Blas A. , Callahan Damien M. , Tourville Timothy W. , Miller Mark S. , Fiske Brad , Voigt Thomas , Korwin-Mihavics Bethany , Anathy Vikas , Dittus Kim , Toth Michael J.
Published: September 2018

How breast cancer and its treatments affect skeletal muscle is not well defined. To address this question, we assessed skeletal muscle structure and protein expression in 13 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy following tumor resection and 12 nondiseased controls. Breast cancer patients showed reduced single-muscle fiber cross-sectional area and fractional content of subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria. Drugs commonly used in breast cancer patients (doxorubicin and paclitaxel) caused reductions in myosin expression, mitochondrial loss, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in C2C12 murine myotube cell cultures, supporting a role for chemotherapeutics in the atrophic and mitochondrial phenotypes. Additionally, concurrent treatment of myotubes with the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant MitoQ prevented chemotherapy-induced myosin depletion, mitochondrial loss, and ROS production. In patients, reduced mitochondrial content and size and increased expression and oxidation of peroxiredoxin 3, a mitochondrial peroxidase, were associated with reduced muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Our results suggest that chemotherapeutics may adversely affect skeletal muscle in patients and that these effects may be driven through effects of these drugs on mitochondrial content and/or ROS production.
Neurovascular unit transport responses to ischemia and common coexisting conditions: smoking and diabetes
Authors: Sifat Ali E. , Vaidya Bhuvaneshwar , Villalba Heidi , Albekairi Thamer H. , Abbruscato Thomas J.
Published: September 2018

Transporters at the neurovascular unit (NVU) are vital for the regulation of normal brain physiology via ion, water, and nutrients movement. In ischemic stroke, the reduction of cerebral blood flow causes several complex pathophysiological changes in the brain, one of which includes alterations of the NVU transporters, which can exacerbate stroke outcome by increased brain edema (by altering ion, water, and glutamate transporters), altered energy metabolism (by altering glucose transporters), and enhanced drug toxicity (by altering efflux transporters). Smoking and diabetes are common risk factors as well as coexisting conditions in ischemic stroke that are also reported to change the expression and function of NVU transporters. Coexistence of these conditions could cause an additive effect in terms of the alterations of brain transporters that might lead to worsened ischemic stroke prognosis and recovery. In this review, we have discussed the effects of ischemic stroke, smoking, and diabetes on some essential NVU transporters and how the simultaneous presence of these conditions can affect the clinical outcome after an ischemic episode. Further scientific investigations are required to elucidate changes in NVU transport in cerebral ischemia, which can lead to better, personalized therapeutic interventions tailor-made for these comorbid conditions.
Podocytes contribute, and respond, to the inflammatory environment in lupus nephritis
Authors: Wright Rachael D. , Beresford Michael W.
Published: September 2018

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects up to 80% of juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, leading to end stage renal failure requiring dialysis or transplantation in 10–15%. Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells of the glomerulus known to be a key site of damage in glomerular diseases. However, their roles in LN have yet to be fully identified. This project aims to identify structural and functional roles of podocytes in an in vitro model of LN. Conditionally immortalized podocytes were treated with proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-α, and IFN-γ) alone and in combination in an in vitro model of LN and were assessed for their structural and functional characteristics. Podocytes produce TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) at relatively low levels under basal conditions; stimulation with IL-1β led to increased secretion of IL-6 ( P = 0.011), IL-8 ( P = 0.05), VEGF ( P = 0.02), and M-CSF ( P = 0.03). Stimulation with TNF-α led to increased secretion of M-CSF ( P = 0.049) and stimulation with IFN-γ led to novel production of IL-10 ( P = 0.036) and interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 ( P = 0.036). Podocytes demonstrate a reduction in the area covered by filamentous-actin in response to IL-1β treatment within 1 h ( P = 0.011), which is restored by 24 h, associated with an increase in the level of intracellular calcium but not with increased cell death. Podocytes contribute to the inflammatory milieu in LN through cytokine/chemokine secretion and respond to the inflammatory milieu via rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton leading to effacement, a well-known method of protection against apoptosis in these cells. This demonstrates that podocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of LN.
Motor imagery in multiple sclerosis: exploring applications in therapeutic treatment
Authors: Hanson Moriah , Concialdi Maura
Published: September 2018

Motor imagery (MI) is a promising rehabilitation technique that has received significant interest for use in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Through alterations in neural networks, MI has the potential to improve measures of walking speed, walking distance, and fatigue in people with MS. Further research is required to assess the validity of MI in conjunction with other therapeutic MS treatments and provide objective outcome measures of motor improvements.
Learning the Structure of Bayesian Networks: A Quantitative Assessment of the Effect of Different Algorithmic Schemes
Authors: Beretta Stefano , Castelli Mauro , Gonçalves Ivo , Henriques Roberto , Ramazzotti Daniele
Published: September 2018

One of the most challenging tasks when adopting Bayesian networks (BNs) is the one of learning their structure from data. This task is complicated by the huge search space of possible solutions and by the fact that the problem is NP‐hard. Hence, a full enumeration of all the possible solutions is not always feasible and approximations are often required. However, to the best of our knowledge, a quantitative analysis of the performance and characteristics of the different heuristics to solve this problem has never been done before. For this reason, in this work, we provide a detailed comparison of many different state‐of‐the‐art methods for structural learning on simulated data considering both BNs with discrete and continuous variables and with different rates of noise in the data. In particular, we investigate the performance of different widespread scores and algorithmic approaches proposed for the inference and the statistical pitfalls within them.
Decentralized Robust Saturated Control of Power Systems Using Reachable Sets
Authors: Soliman Hisham M. , Yousef Hassan A. , Al-Abri Rashid , El-Metwally Khaled A.
Published: September 2018

Electric power grids are highly nonlinear complex systems. This manuscript presents a novel approach to the stabilization of large power systems. The proposed control satisfied three constraints: decentralization, input saturation imposed in practice, and robustness against load changes. The large power system is decomposed into subsystems, for each a decentralized controller is designed. The effect of the rest of the system on each subsystem is considered as an external disturbance and represented in norm‐bounded form. A new approach to solve this problem is proposed in the present paper. The approach is based on the method of invariant ellipsoids, and the tool of linear matrix inequalities (LMI) is utilized to solve the resulting optimization problem. Control of multimachine power system is studied using the proposed control. Comparison with other techniques is also given.
Surgical Synechiolysis of Iridocapsular Adhesion and Sulcus Placement of a Rigid Intraocular Lens on an Oversized Residual Capsular Rim
Authors: Lyu Jiao , Zhang Qi , Jin Haiying , Liang Tingyi , Chen Jili , Zhao Peiquan
Published: September 2018

Purpose. To report the surgical outcomes of surgical synechiolysis of iridocapsular adhesion and sulcus placement of a polymethyl methacrylate scleral-sutured intraocular lens (IOL) in aphakic eyes with an oversized residual capsular rim. Methods. Eight aphakic eyes from eight consecutive patients were studied retrospectively. Synechiolysis was performed to maximally expose the residual capsulorhexis. Then, the rigid IOL was placed on the preserved capsulorhexis into the ciliary sulcus. Results. Synechiolysis of iridocapsular adhesion was achieved in all eight eyes intraoperatively. Six eyes had extensive dissection to facilitate IOL sulcus placement. Consequently, seven of the eight eyes had the IOL secured by the residual capsulorhexis, and the other eye had the IOL haptics supported by the narrow residual capsular rim. A visual acuity of 0.25 or above was achieved in four of eight patients, and a well-centered IOL was observed in seven of the eight eyes 26 to 53 months after surgery. A mild IOL decentration was detected in the eye whose capsular rim was not securing the IOL optic. Conclusions. A large-optic and rigid IOL in the sulcus is a feasible alternative when a sulcus-based IOL is considered for aphakic eyes with an oversized residual capsulorhexis. A preserved capsulorhexis after sufficient synechiolysis, which can secure the IOL optic intraoperatively, may yield better stability of the IOL position.
(+)‐Usnic Acid Inhibits Migration of c‐KIT Positive Cells in Human Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wu Wei , Hou Bing , Tang Changli , Liu Fucheng , Yang Jie , Pan Tao , Si Ke , Lu Deyun , Wang Xiaoxiang , Wang Jing , Xiong Xing , Liu Ji , Xie Chunguang
Published: September 2018

Inhibition of tumor cell migration is a treatment strategy for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). SCF‐dependent activation of c‐KIT is responsible for migration of c‐KIT positive [c‐KIT(+)] cells of CRC. Drug resistance to Imatinib Mesylate (c‐KIT inhibitor) has emerged. Inhibition of mTOR can induce autophagic degradation of c‐KIT. (+)‐usnic acid [(+)‐UA], isolated from lichens, has two major functions including induction of proton shuttle and targeting inhibition of mTOR. To reduce hepatotoxicity, the treatment concentration of (+)‐UA should be lower than 10 μM. HCT116 cells and LS174 cells were employed to investigate the inhibiting effect of (+)‐UA (<10 μM) on SCF‐mediated migration of c‐KIT(+) CRC cells. HCT116 cells were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that firstly, 8 μM (+)‐UA decreased ATP content via uncoupling; secondly, 8 μM (+)‐UA induced mTOR inhibition, thereby mediated activation suppression of PKC‐A, and induced the autophagy of the completed autophagic flux that resulted in the autophagic degradation and transcriptional inhibition of c‐KIT and the increase in LDH release; ultimately, 8 μM (+)‐UA inhibited SCF‐mediated migration of CRC c‐KIT(+) cells. Taken together, 8 μM could be determined as the effective concentration for (+)‐UA to inhibit SCF‐mediated migration of CRC c‐KIT(+) cells.
Hopf Bifurcation of a Delayed Ecoepidemic Model with Ratio-Dependent Transmission Rate
Authors: Xia Wanjun , Kundu Soumen , Maitra Sarit
Published: September 2018

A delayed ecoepidemic model with ratio-dependent transmission rate has been proposed in this paper. Effects of the time delay due to the gestation of the predator are the main focus of our work. Sufficient conditions for local stability and existence of a Hopf bifurcation of the model are derived by regarding the time delay as the bifurcation parameter. Furthermore, properties of the Hopf bifurcation are investigated by using the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out in order to validate our obtained theoretical results.
Experimental Investigations of the Process of Carbonate Fracture Dissolution Enlargement under Reservoir Temperature and Pressure Conditions
Authors: Wang Jingxia , Yu Qingchun
Published: September 2018

Karst is a central focus in the field of carbonate reservoir geology. Fracture dissolution enlargement is an important mechanism for the formation of high-quality reservoirs. This study performed four carbonate fracture dissolution enlargement (CFDE) experiments under a confining pressure of 20 MPa, and temperatures ranged from 40 to 60°C. CO2-saturated deionized water was injected into artificial carbonate fractures at approximately 11.5 ml/h for 96, 208, 216, and 216 hours. The water flowing out of the fractures was sampled every 8 h to monitor the concentration of Ca2+. SEM photomicrographs and 3D laser scanning images were taken before and after the CFDE experiments to observe the dissolution process of the fracture surfaces. After the CFDE experiment, the hydraulic apertures (Bh) of sample 1 (S1), sample 3 (S3), and sample 4 (S4) were enlarged by 3.4, 1.4, and 1.2 times, respectively. The aperture of sample 2 (S2) was slightly reduced in the early stage of the experiment. The experimental results of this study demonstrate that Bh can be divided into three categories as a function of time: S type, logarithmic type, and polynomial type. The laboratory dissolution rate of S1, S2, S3, and S4 were 2.50 × 10−6, 3.11 × 10−6, 2.70 × 10−6, and 3.04 × 10−6 mol/m2/s. The pattern of fracture dissolution is closely related to the Peclet and Damkohler numbers. The dissolution processes of high Peclet and Damkohler numbers lead to a pattern of obvious channelization. The Peclet and Damkohler numbers of the S3 CFDE experiment were the highest, and the channelizing dissolution is the most notable in S3 of the four fractures. A dissolution process at low temperature has a higher Peclet number and thus leads to obvious channelizing dissolution. Mineral heterogeneities in the rock also play a significant role in channelizing dissolution. A preferential channel typically develops in places where bioclasts are accumulated or the calcite veins are distributed.
H∞ Synchronization of Semi‐Markovian Jump Neural Networks with Randomly Occurring Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Xing Mengping , Shen Hao , Wang Zhen
Published: September 2018

Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, this paper mainly investigates the H∞ synchronization problem for semi‐Markovian jump neural networks (semi‐MJNNs) with randomly occurring time‐varying delays (TVDs). The continuous‐time semi‐MJNNs, where the transition rates are dependent on sojourn time, are introduced to make the issue under our consideration more general. One of the main characteristics of our work is the handling of TVDs. In addition to using the improved Jensen inequality and the reciprocal convexity lemma to deal with the integral inequality, we also employ Schur complement and the projection lemma to achieve the decoupling between the square term of TVDs. Finally, we verify the validity and feasibility of our method by a couple of simulation examples.
A Mechanical Model of the Overlying Rock Masses in Undersea Coal Mining and a Stress‐Seepage Coupling Numerical Simulation
Authors: Fang Jie , Tian Lei , Cai Yanyan , Cao Zhiguo , Wen Jinhao , Wen Zhijie
Published: September 2018

The water inrush of a working face is the main hidden danger to the safe mining of underwater coal seams. It is known that the development of water‐flowing fractured zones in overlying strata is the basic path which causes water inrushes in working faces. In the engineering background of the underwater mining in the Longkou Mining Area, the analysis model and judgment method of crack propagation were created on the basis of the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. Fish language was used to couple the extension model into the FLAC3d software, in order to simulate the mining process of the underwater coal seam, as well as to analyze the initiation evolutionary characteristics and seepage laws of the fractured zones in the overlying strata during the advancing processes of the working face. The results showed that, during the coal seam mining process, the mining fractured zones which had been caused by the compression‐shear and tension‐shear were mainly concentrated in the overlying strata of the working face. Also, the open‐off cut and mining working face were the key sections of the water inrush in the rock mass. The condition of the water disaster was the formation of a water inrush channel. The possible water inrush channels in underwater coal mining are mainly composed of water‐flowing fractured zones which are formed during the excavation processes. The numerical simulation results were validated through the practical engineering of field observations on the height of water‐flowing fractured zone, which displayed a favorable adaptability.
Preparation of Miscible PVA/PEG Blends and Effect of Graphene Concentration on Thermal, Crystallization, Morphological, and Mechanical Properties of PVA/PEG (10 wt%) Blend
Authors: Falqi Fahad H. , Bin-Dahman Osamah A. , Hussain M. , Al-Harthi Mamdouh A.
Published: September 2018

Water-soluble polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and their nanocomposites with graphene were prepared by using a solution mixing and casting technique. The effect of different PEG loadings was investigated to determine the optimum blend ratio. The films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) methods. Also, the mechanical properties including tensile strength and elongation at break were measured using a universal tensile testing machine. FTIR results confirmed the formation of the H-bond between PEG and PVA. DSC studies revealed that PEG has a significant plasticization effect on PVA as seen by the drop in the glass transition temperature (Tg). The blend with 10 wt% PEG loading was found to be the optimum blend because of good compatibility as shown by FTIR and SEM results and improved thermal properties. PVA/PEG (10%) nanocomposites were prepared using graphene as a nanofiller. It was found that the elongation at break increased by 62% from 147% for the PVA/PEG (10%) blend to 209% for the nanocomposite with graphene loading of 0.2 wt%. The experimental values of tensile strength were compared using the predictive model of Nicolais and Narkis.
A New Method of Hypothesis Test for Truncated Spline Nonparametric Regression Influenced by Spatial Heterogeneity and Application
Authors: Sifriyani  , Budiantara I. N. , Kartiko S. H. , Gunardi
Published: September 2018

This study developed a new method of hypothesis testing of model conformity between truncated spline nonparametric regression influenced by spatial heterogeneity and truncated spline nonparametric regression. This hypothesis test aims to determine the most appropriate model used in the analysis of spatial data. The test statistic for model conformity hypothesis testing was constructed based on the likelihood ratio of the parameter set under H0 whose components consisted of parameters that were not influenced by the geographical factor and the set under the population parameter whose components consisted of parameters influenced by the geographical factor. We have proven the distribution of test statistics V and verified that each of the numerators and denominators in the statistic test V followed a distribution of χ2. Since there was a symmetric and idempotent matrix S, it could be proved that Y~TS  Y~/σ2~χn-lm-12. Matrix Dui,vi was positive semidefinite and contained weighting matrix Wui,vi which had different values in every location; therefore matrix Dui,vi was not idempotent. If Y~TDui,viY~≥0 and Dui,vi was not idempotent and also Y~ was a N0,I distributed random vector, then there were constants k and r; hence Y~TDui,viY~~kχr2; therefore it was concluded that test statistic V followed an F distribution. The modeling is implemented to find factors that influence the unemployment rate in 38 areas in Java in Indonesia.
Combined Analysis of Antigen Presentation and T-cell Recognition Reveals Restricted Immune Responses in Melanoma
Authors: Kalaora Shelly , Wolf Yochai , Feferman Tali , Barnea Eilon , Greenstein Erez , Reshef Dan , Tirosh Itay , Reuben Alexandre , Patkar Sushant , Levy Ronen , Quinkhardt Juliane , Omokoko Tana , Qutob Nouar , Golani Ofra , Zhang Jianhua , Mao Xizeng , Song Xingzhi , Bernatchez Chantale , Haymaker Cara , Forget Marie-Andrée , Creasy Caitlin , Greenberg Polina , Carter Brett W. , Cooper Zachary A. , Rosenberg Steven A. , Lotem Michal , Sahin Ugur , Shakhar Guy , Ruppin Eytan , Wargo Jennifer A. , Friedman Nir , Admon Arie , Samuels Yardena
Published: September 2018

The quest for tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and neoantigens is a major focus of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we combine a neoantigen prediction pipeline and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) peptidomics to identify TAAs and neoantigens in 16 tumors derived from seven patients with melanoma and characterize their interactions with their tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Our investigation of the antigenic and T-cell landscapes encompassing the TAA and neoantigen signatures, their immune reactivity, and their corresponding T-cell identities provides the first comprehensive analysis of cancer cell T-cell cosignatures, allowing us to discover remarkable antigenic and TIL similarities between metastases from the same patient. Furthermore, we reveal that two neoantigen-specific clonotypes killed 90% of autologous melanoma cells, both in vitro and in vivo, showing that a limited set of neoantigen-specific T cells may play a central role in melanoma tumor rejection. Our findings indicate that combining HLA peptidomics with neoantigen predictions allows robust identification of targetable neoantigens, which could successfully guide personalized cancer immunotherapies.

Significance: As neoantigen targeting is becoming more established as a powerful therapeutic approach, investigating these molecules has taken center stage. Here, we show that a limited set of neoantigen-specific T cells mediates tumor rejection, suggesting that identifying just a few antigens and their corresponding T-cell clones could guide personalized immunotherapy. Cancer Discov; 8(11); 1366–75. ©2018 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1333
On Stockhausen’s Solo(s): Beyond Interpretation
Authors: Cancino Juan Parra , Mulder Johannes
Published: September 2018

Using Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Solo für Melodieinstrument und Rückkopplung (1965–1966) as a starting point, the authors investigate the affect and effect of technological transference when reproducing historical repertoire with live electronics. A suggestion of technical transparency often accompanies digital sound technologies; we aim to challenge this notion. We argue that the coloring that emerges with digital media can (and perhaps should be) used to inject new life into, and ask new questions of, the works that are being preserved.
Sound Straight Ahead: Parametric Speakers in Two Soundscape Installations
Authors: Alunno Marco
Published: September 2018

This article concerns the realization of two sound installations that use a parametric (directional) loudspeaker as a central element of their working systems. The Soundhouse is a rotating structure that projects sounds in a directional way. El bosque y las sombras is instead an interactive multimedia setting where the visitors can trigger sounds and affect a video projection by moving in an enclosed, soundproofed space. A short introduction to parametric loudspeakers is provided; then the concept and the construction aspects of both installations are presented. Finally, an overall aesthetic assessment of the use of parametric loudspeakers in the above works is given.
Notation by Context: Digital Scenography as Artifact of Authorial Intent
Authors: Vincent Caitlin , Vincent Jordan Beth
Published: September 2018

Digital technology can be used as a scenographic tool to project visual settings in the theatrical space. However, digital scenography that incorporates “faux-interactivity,” or the illusion of a causal relationship between live performers and digital elements, can also serve as a form of notation that digitally preserves the physical movement of live performers through scenographic context. This paper explores the potential for faux-interactive scenography as a method of spatial notation through which scenographic environments might contribute to understandings of authorial intent in a traditionally ephemeral space.
The Scribe of 1QS, 1QSa, 1QSb, 4Q53 (4QSamc), 4Q175 and Three Features of Orthography and Phonology
Authors: Reymond Eric D.
Published: September 2018

That a single scribe copied 1QS, 1QSa, 1QSb, 4Q53 (4QSamc), 4Q175 is commonly recognized. However, what has not been emphasized previously is that certain orthographic / phonological idiosyncrasies appear prominently, if not exclusively, in only one of these texts, 1QS, even though these idiosyncrasies would seem to be involuntary and, for this reason, should appear evenly distributed throughout the texts. Instead, one finds the greatest correspondence in type and concentration in 1QIsaa, though this was copied by different scribes. The three idiosyncratic features studied are the Aramaic והי- suffix on plural nouns, the he in the prefix of hiphil yiqṭol verbs, and the interchange of gutturals.
Morphometric characteristics of Alpine salamanders: a support for subspecies validation and conservation?
Authors: Šunje Emina , Van Damme Raoul , Jelić Dušan , Mueller Maria , Škrijelj Rifat , Helfer Véronique
Published: September 2018

The subspecies concept is not only useful to assess the evolutionary history of species and therefore describe their evolutionary potential, but it also has corollaries for defining conservation units and their management. Within Alpine salamanders, the subspecies status of Salamandra atra prenjensis, isolated in the Dinarides from its nominal subspecies Salamandra atra atra that occurs in the Alps, has been under debate. To remediate this fuzzy taxonomy, the present study investigates 14 morphological traits of Alpine salamanders originating from Austria and from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Multivariate analyses support a geographical structuring of morphological variation and the differentiation between the Dinaric (B&H) and Alpine (Austrian) populations. Within populations, a different correlation pattern among traits is registered, reflecting the distinct genetic architecture of multivariate phenotypes. This morphometric study supports recent molecular evidences of a strong differentiation between the Dinaric and Alpine populations and pleads in favour of the separate subspecies status, although a wider sampling of other populations and the inclusion of additional characters would be necessary to reinforce this conclusion. The recognition of Salamandra atra prenjensis as a distinct subspecies would highly contribute to the better conservation of this emblematic salamander.
Comparison of GPM Core Observatory and Ground-Based Radar Retrieval of Mass-Weighted Mean Raindrop Diameter at Midlatitude
Authors: D’Adderio Leo Pio , Vulpiani Gianfranco , Porcù Federico , Tokay Ali , Meneghini Robert
Published: September 2018

One of the main goals of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is to retrieve parameters of the raindrop size distribution (DSD) globally. As a standard product of the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) on board the GPM Core Observatory satellite, the mass-weighted mean diameter Dm and the normalized intercept parameter Nw are estimated in three dimensions at the resolution of the radar. These are two parameters of the three-parameter gamma model DSD adopted by the GPM algorithms. This study investigates the accuracy of the Dm retrieval through a comparative study of C-band ground radars (GRs) and GPM products over Italy. The reliability of the ground reference is tested by using two different approaches to estimate Dm. The results show good agreement between the ground-based and spaceborne-derived Dm, with an absolute bias being generally lower than 0.5 mm over land in stratiform precipitation for the DPR algorithm and the combined DPR–GMI algorithm. For the DPR–GMI algorithm, the good agreement extends to convective precipitation as well. Estimates of Dm from the DPR high-sensitivity (HS) Ka-band data show slightly worse results. A sensitivity study indicates that the accuracy of the Dm estimation is independent of the height above surface (not shown) and the distance from the ground radar. On the other hand, a nonuniform precipitation pattern (interpreted both as high variability and as a patchy spatial distribution) within the DPR footprint is usually associated with a significant error in the DPR-derived estimate of Dm.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty: University Institutional Review Board Policies and Guidelines and Research with American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Authors: Marley Tennille L.
Published: September 2018

American Indians, Alaska Native, and other Indigenous people throughout the world have undergone and continue to experience research abuses. Qualitative data such as intellectual property, Indigenous knowledge, interviews, cultural expressions including songs, oral histories/stories, ceremonies, dances, and other texts, images, and recordings are at risk of exploitation, appropriation, theft, and misrepresentation and threaten the cultural sovereignty of American Indians, Alaska Native, and other Indigenous people. These issues are potentially magnified with the increasing use of big data. Partly as a result of past and current research abuse, the Indigenous data sovereignty, the control, ownership, and governance of research and data, is growing. In this article, I discuss American Indian political sovereignty, cultural sovereignty, and Indigenous data sovereignty, with an emphasis on qualitative data sovereignty. In addition, I explore whether Arizona’s public universities—Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona—policies and guidelines support Indigenous data sovereignty and the extent to which they align with the Arizona Board of Regent’s tribal consultation policy that governs relations between the three Arizona universities and Arizona American Indian nations. Overall expectations, requirements, and processes do not go far enough in supporting Indigenous data sovereignty. Although each university has specific research policies that follow the Arizona Board of Regent’s tribal consultation policy, the university guidelines differ in scope in term of supporting Indigenous data sovereignty. In addition, none of the policies address qualitative data sharing, including those in big data sets. Based on the findings I make several recommendations for researchers, including supporting the Indigenous sovereignty movement and to reconsider big data use and past positions about qualitative data ownership and sharing with regard to American Indians, Alaska Native, and other Indigenous people.
An infrared thermography-based method for the evaluation of the thermal response of tooling for composites manufacturing
Authors: Zobeiry Navid , Park John , Poursartip Anoush
Published: September 2018

The manufacture of large complex aircraft structures made of advanced composites is done by heating the parts on complex, thermally massive tools using convective heating inside autoclaves. In recent years, numerical simulation of the process has shown great value, but lack of knowledge of the convective heat transfer boundary conditions remains a major obstacle to widespread adoption. An infrared thermography method is presented, suitable for evaluating the thermal response of these processing conditions. The method is based on increasing the emissivity of a tool surface with a painted vacuum bag before thermal imaging. Accurate readings with an average temperature difference of 1.1℃ compared to thermocouple data were achieved. The benefit of the thermography method is the highly detailed surface temperature map. Three tools with very similar geometries but made of Invar, aluminum and carbon fibre composite, respectively, were tested, and results interpreted using analytical solutions for the different tooling feature and convective boundary condition combinations. Analytical simulations, which were validated by comparison to numerical models, explain well the effect of autoclave airflow, tooling material and sub-structure variation on the temperature profiles measured by this infrared thermography method.
Structure and resultant mechanical and tribological performance of PP/PLA/carbon fiber/ethylene-butyl acrylate composites
Authors: Savaş Soner , Üvez Hamit
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study is to put forth the synergistic effect of carbon fiber reinforcement and ethylene-butyl acrylate compatibilization on the mechanical and wear performance of polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) blend composites and to find an inspiration about their availability for diverse applications as stronger renewable composites. Crystalline morphologies are greatly affected by these concentrations. Synergistic inclusion of both poly(lactic acid) and ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer in polypropylene matrix was found to effectively enhance the nucleation of β-crystals which may provide secondary mechanism of reinforcement. Despite the island-sea type immiscible morphology, ethylene-butyl acrylate incorporation offered potential toughening effect for polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) system due to its ethylene molecules which have more flexibility and an elongation than poly(lactic acid). As expected, the increase in carbon fiber concentration in the composites indicated a positive correlation with mechanical test results. However, contrary to ethylene-butyl acrylate compatibilization, high rigidity obtained by carbon fiber contribution was not beneficial from the abrasive wear resistance point of view, due to repeated ploughing effect of the counterpart material.
Gender, Family Norms, and Male-Factor Infertility in Japan: An Analysis of Internet Blogs
Authors: Tanaka Kimiko , Johnson Nan E. , Lowry Deborah
Published: September 2018

This study analyzes blogs about male-factor infertility posted on a Japanese blogsite on a certain day in April 2014. It focuses on an understudied topic and is the first study of Japanese male infertility based on blogs. The blog format afforded anonymity to the bloggers, and our sample of 97 adults yields the largest number of individual respondents of all cross-cultural studies cited in our literature review. We extract three major themes from the analysis of the blogs, offer suggestions for a redirection of family and infertility policy in Japan, and suggest lines for further research.
Contribution of 18F-FDG PET/CT in a case-mix of fever of unknown origin and inflammation of unknown origin: a meta-analysis
Authors: Kan Ying , Wang Wei , Liu Jie , Yang Jigang , Wang Zhenchang
Published: September 2018

Background

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) are challenging medical problems. Previous studies have shown that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis of FUO, but few studies have explored this diagnostic technique in relation to IUO.

Purpose

To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of PET/CT in the diagnosis of FUO and IUO.

Material and Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines published in March 2018. Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance was performed using STATA 12.0 software. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratification based on study design, number of patients, geographic area, and final diagnosis based on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Meta-regression analyses were performed to recognize heterogeneity.

Results

Our meta-analysis included 23 studies, comprising a total sample size of 1927 patients. The pooled diagnosis performance was calculated with a per-patient-based analysis: sensitivity = 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79–0.89), specificity = 0.63 (95% CI = 0.49–0.75), positive likelihood ratio = 2.3 (95% CI = 1.5–3.4), negative likelihood ratio = 0.25 (95% CI = 0.16–0.38), diagnostic odds ratio = 9 (95% CI = 4.0–20), and AUC = 0.84 (95% CI = 0.81–0.87).

Conclusion

In patients with non-specific symptoms and signs, 18F-FDG PET/CT is very helpful for recognizing and excluding diseases, directing further diagnostic decisions, and avoiding unnecessary invasive examinations. We recommend that 18F-FDG PET/CT should be considered among the first-line diagnostic tools for patients with FUO and IUO.
In vitro T2 relaxivities of the Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in human blood at 1.5 and 3 T
Authors: Shen Yaqi , Goerner Frank L , Heverhagen Johannes T , Snyder Christopher , Hu Daoyu , Li Xiaoming , Runge Val M
Published: September 2018

Background

The availability of data in the medical literature for the T2 relaxivities of the Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) is limited. A comprehensive comparison between the agents available commercially (other than in Europe) is lacking, with no data available that most closely reflect the clinic, which is in human whole blood at body temperature.

Purpose

To complement the existing literature by determining T2 relaxivity data for eight GBCAs in vitro.

Material and Methods

The relaxivities of eight GBCAs diluted in human whole blood at 1.5 and 3 T were determined at 37 ± 0.5 °C. Gd was in the range of 0–4 mM. Multi-echo sequences with variable echo times were acquired using a phantom containing a dilution series with each agent, and SigmaPlot 12.0 was used to calculate the R2 relaxation rate and finally r2. Statistical comparisons between agents and field strengths were conducted.

Results

The relationship between R2 vs. Gd was observed to be linear at 1.5 and 3 T, with a mild increase in r2 from 1.5 to 3 T for all GBCAs. T2 relaxivity data were compared with prior results. The GBCAs are closely clustered into two groups, with higher r2 noted for the two lipophilic (those with partial hepatobiliary excretion) compounds.

Conclusion

The r2 values at 1.5 and 3 T, determined for the eight GBCAs still clinically available (other than in Europe), provide a definitive baseline for future evaluations, including theoretical calculations of signal intensity and their clinical impact on T2-weighted scans.
College Stress, Minority Status Stress, Depression, Grades, and Persistence Intentions Among Hispanic Female Students: A Mediation Model
Authors: Arbona Consuelo , Fan Weihua , Olvera Norma
Published: September 2018

The present study examined the mediating role of depression symptoms in the relation of college stress and minority status stress to cumulative grade point average (GPA) and persistence intentions among Hispanic women ( n = 426) enrolled in a 4-year major research public institution. Results of path analyses indicated a strong model-data fit for the proposed model. When controlling for each other, both typical college stress and minority status stress positively predicted depression and, in turn, depression negatively predicted college persistence intentions. Tests of indirect effects revealed that depression mediated the relation of college stress and minority status stress to persistence. No mediation effects were present in the relation of the stress variables to cumulative GPA. Findings suggest that depression symptoms is one of the pathways through which college stress and minority status stress may result in lower levels of persistence intentions and, possibly, dropout behavior among Hispanic college women in 4-year institutions.
Multimodality Monitoring in Neurocritical Care: Decision-Making Utilizing Direct And Indirect Surrogate Markers
Authors: Al-Mufti Fawaz , Lander Megan , Smith Brendan , Morris Nicholas A. , Nuoman Rolla , Gupta Rajan , Lissauer Matthew E. , Gupta Gaurav , Lee Kiwon
Published: September 2018

Substantial progress has been made to create innovative technology that can monitor the different physiological characteristics that precede the onset of secondary brain injury, with the ultimate goal of intervening prior to the onset of irreversible neurological damage. One of the goals of neurocritical care is to recognize and preemptively manage secondary neurological injury by analyzing physiologic markers of ischemia and brain injury prior to the development of irreversible damage. This is helpful in a multitude of neurological conditions, whereby secondary neurological injury could present including but not limited to traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and, specifically, subarachnoid hemorrhage, which has the potential of progressing to delayed cerebral ischemia and monitoring postneurosurgical interventions. In this study, we examine the utilization of direct and indirect surrogate physiologic markers of ongoing neurologic injury, including intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow, and brain metabolism.
Influence of Maternity Leave on Exclusive Breastfeeding: Analysis from Two Surveys Conducted in the Federal District of Brazil
Authors: Monteiro Fernanda Ramos , Buccini Gabriela dos Santos , Venâncio Sônia Isoyama , da Costa Teresa H. M.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Since the 1980s, Brazil has implemented several initiatives to support breastfeeding. Maternity leave, paid in full for 16 weeks, has been available since 1988. However, few studies in Brazil have analyzed the impacts of maternity leave on breastfeeding using population-based indicators.

Research aim:

The aim was to analyze the association between maternity leave and exclusive breastfeeding interruption in children younger than 4 months residing in the Federal District of Brazil, in 2008 and 2014.

Methods:

Data from two surveys were used: the 2008 Second National Survey on Prevalence of Breastfeeding and the 2014 Monitoring of Infant Feeding Practices. The sample included 1,742 mothers with children younger than 4 months residing in the Federal District and using the Public Unified Health System. The main independent variable was the mother being on maternity leave and the outcome was interruption of exclusive breastfeeding. Multiple analyses were performed to test the association between maternity leave and the risk of interrupting exclusive breastfeeding, adjusting for socioeconomic, demographic, and biomedical characteristics.

Results:

In 2008 and 2014, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 60% and 71.4% and prevalence of maternity leave was 27% and 41%, respectively. The lack of maternity leave was strongly associated with interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in 2008 (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.12, 2.82]) and in 2014 (PR = 3.95, 95% CI [1.88, 8.31]) after adjusting for confounding variables.

Conclusion:

Not being on maternity leave was strongly associated with the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding among employed women residing in the Federal District.
Friction stir welding of nuclear grade SA508Gr.3Cl.1 and SS304LN dissimilar steels
Authors: Singh Ratnesh Kumar Raj , Rathod Dinesh W , Pandey Sunil
Published: September 2018

The present work has been carried out to justify the feasibility of dissimilar metal welds between nuclear grade SA508Gr.3Cl.1 ferritic steel and SS304LN stainless steel using friction stir welding. The evaluation has been made by analysing the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the friction stir welded dissimilar joint. Martensite formation and chemical variations in the weld nugget have been confirmed with optical microscopy, micro-hardness measurement and X-ray diffraction. The resultant chemistry variations owing to solid-state mixing on metallurgical and associated mechanical properties are significant. Transverse tensile tests and Charpy impact tests suggest the required strength of the joint. The tensile specimens were fractured from the SS304LN side, and similar sections of stainless steel have been torn with severe plastic deformation. The significant formation of martensite has not shown any adverse effect on the joint properties. The tool wear rate of tungsten carbide was high for this dissimilar weld.
Pneumonia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Epidemiology, microbiology and outcomes
Authors: García-Guevara G , Ríos-Corzo R , Díaz-Mora A , López-López M , Hernández-Flores J , Fragoso-Loyo H , Ávila-Vázquez J , Pulido-Ramírez A L , Carrillo-Maravilla E , Jakez-Ocampo J , Sifuentes-Osornio J , Llorente L , Atisha-Fregoso Y
Published: September 2018

Background and objective

Pneumonia remains the main cause of mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of the study was to establish the clinical characteristics, microbiology and risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with SLE and pneumonia.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria) and pneumonia who attended the emergency room in a single tertiary care center (January 2010–March 2015). We collected demographics, treatment and disease activity (SLEDAI-2K) data. Severity scales of pneumonia (CURB-65 (acronym for risk factors measured: confusion, urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, 65 years of age and older) and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI)) were obtained. A negative composite outcome was defined as need for mechanical ventilation, septic shock or death secondary to pneumonia up to 30 days after discharge. We conducted a univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results

We studied 158 patients (76% women) with 187 episodes of pneumonia. There were no differences in age, SLE duration, SLE activity, treatment or comorbidities between patients with negative composite outcome vs the other group. In 53 episodes, patients presented with a negative composite outcome. Of these, 46 (24.6%) required intubation, 13 (7%) developed shock and 12 (6.4%) died. The most common bacteria isolated was S. aureus, and we observed a high percentage of nonhabitual microorganisms. Fifteen percent of patients who presented with a negative outcome had low values on CURB-65 and PSI scales.

Conclusion

Patients with SLE and pneumonia have a high risk of complications and present with a high percentage of nonhabitual microorganisms. Severity scales for pneumonia can misclassify as low risk SLE patients with poor prognosis.