bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viele Wege führen zum Methacrylsäuremethylester
Authors: Krill Steffen , Offermanns Heribert , Rühling Andreas
Published: February 2019

Während es für die wirtschaftliche Herstellung von Acrolein, Acrylsäure und Acrynitril durch katalytische Oxidation bzw. Ammonoxidation ausgehend von Propylen jeweils nur eine Route gibt, existieren für die Herstellung von Methacrylsäure und deren Methylester (Methacrylsäuremethylester, MMA) verschiedene konkurrierende Verfahren. Diese gehen von verschiedenen Bausteinen aus, etwa von Acetoncyanhydrin (ACH) – entsteht aus Umsetzung von Aceton mit Blausäure – Ethylen, Propylen, Isobuten oder Methyl‐tert.‐butylether (MTBE).

MMA ist das Monomer für Polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA), das vielfältige Anwendung findet etwa in den Bereichen Optoelektronik, Bauindustrie sowie im Automobil‐, Transport‐ und Verkehrssektor. Unverzichtbar ist MMA vor allem als Basisrohstoff für die Herstellung von Bindemitteln für Farben und Lacke. Nach wie vor wird die globale Produktionslandschaft von C3‐basierten MMA‐Verfahren dominiert, die von Aceton als Rohstoff ausgehen. C4‐basierte Verfahren haben vor allem im asiatischen Raum Bedeutung. Wesentliche, neue Entwicklungen von MMA‐Produktionsprozessen finden im Bereich der C2‐basierten Verfahren mit Ethylen als Ausgangsstoff statt, allen voran das ALPHA‐Verfahren der Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. („MCC“) und Evoniks neues LIMA‐Verfahren
Evolutionarily conserved and divergent functions for cell adhesion molecules in neural circuit assembly
Authors: Kim Byunghyuk
Published: February 2019

The developing nervous system generates remarkably precise synaptic connections between neurons and their postsynaptic target cells. Numerous neural cell adhesion proteins have been identified to mediate cell recognition between synaptic partners in several model organisms. Here, I review the role of protein interactions of cell adhesion molecules in neural circuit assembly and address how these interactions are utilized to form different neural circuitries in different species. The emerging evidence suggests that the extracellular trans‐interactions of cell adhesion proteins for neural wiring are evolutionarily conserved across taxa, but they are often used in different steps of circuit assembly. I also highlight how these conserved protein interactions work together as a group to specify neural connectivity.
Chromatic interior environments for the elderly: A literature review
Authors: Delcampo‐Carda Anna , Torres‐Barchino Ana , Serra‐Lluch Juan
Published: February 2019

The impact of the physical environment on individuals has arisen as a growing body of research in population wellbeing. Yet, most of studies in this area do not focus on elderly even though they are particularly susceptible to the characteristics of their interior spaces. It is a well‐known fact that to be old is to acquire a tolerance of disabilities based on the gradual degeneration. A common problem is a dysfunction in visual sensitivity and accordingly, the alteration of their environmental color perception. That is why these impairments need to be understood in order to minimize the elderly spatial difficulties. To know at what point there is a loss in the ability to perceive color is necessary to understand how should we take these facts into consideration. A state‐of‐the‐art literature review of current studies from the last 20 years is carried out. The aim is to analyze existing practices on Evidence‐Based Research through a multidisciplinary approach in order to create knowledge about chromatic built environments for the elderly. Data are identified and considered together with empirical experience about color, perception, built environment and elderly. Thus, the way in which elderly perceive the space is explored. The adjustments in the formulation of these impairments throughout any design strategy to adapt the environment to their physiological changes are determined. This article aims to determine a design interpretation of the various findings, demonstrating that color, as a parameter of the visual performance, influences visual comfort and helps performance in architecture for old people.
Multi‐criteria workflow scheduling on clouds under deadline and budget constraints
Authors: Kalra Mala , Singh Sarbjeet
Published: February 2019

Cloud Computing is increasingly favored by scientists for executing large‐scale workflow applications due to its appealing features such as availability of huge infrastructure, low operating costs, easy accessibility, and high scalability. Moreover, the resources in cloud are provisioned as per user's requirement following pay‐per‐use model. Scheduling workflows in cloud requires orchestration of tasks onto heterogeneous resources while complying with the task dependencies as well as user's Quality of Service (QoS) demands. The problem becomes challenging if there are multiple QoS requirements which conflict with each other. Recent studies attempted to minimize the makespan and execution cost under deadline and/or budget constraints. However, the failure of resources in cloud poses a serious threat to successful execution of these applications. Hence, it becomes essential to consider reliability of resources in addition to other parameters. This paper presents a workflow scheduling policy which minimizes makespan and execution cost while maximizing the reliability of executing workflows under user specified deadline and budget restraints. We have devised a hybrid of Intelligent Water Drops algorithm and Genetic Algorithm (IWD‐GA) to accomplish the desired goal. It provides a set of non‐dominated solutions with different makespan, cost, and reliability to offer users more flexibility in selecting a solution as per their preferences. The evaluation of the proposed algorithm has been carried based on two performance metrics, ie, hypervolume and two set coverage. The simulation results thus obtained using four diverse scientific workflows confirm that IWD‐GA outperforms non‐dominated sort genetic algorithm (NSGA‐II) and hybrid particle swarm optimization (HPSO) with regard to accuracy and diversity.
Light‐Switchable Self‐Healing Dynamic Linear Polymers: Reversible Cycloaddition Reactions of Thymine‐Containing Units
Authors: Abdallh Mustafa , He Peter , Hearn Milton T. W. , Simon George P. , Saito Kei
Published: February 2019

A dynamic linear polymer was formed by the [2π+2π] reversible cycloaddition reaction of a thymine‐based monomer under topochemical conditions and was used in self‐healing applications. The reversible polymerisation of the thymine monomer was confirmed by UV and GPC analysis. Irradiation at 302 nm resulted in polymerisation of the monomer, and irradiation with wavelengths lower than 240 nm resulted in depolymerisation and the production of oligomeric units. This leads to a reduction in the glass transition temperature, and promoted healing of surface scratches due to the increased chain mobility. The self‐healing ability of scratched samples was assessed based on the visual disappearance of the damage. In addition, the mechanical properties of the polymer before and after healing were found to be similar.
Corporate social responsibility strategies: Past research and future challenges
Authors: Nave Ana , Ferreira João
Published: February 2019

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only increasingly valued by companies but also plays an extremely important role in the development of their strategies. This study systematically reviews literature that seeks to ascertain just which CSR strategies feature in the literature and their means of implementation by companies. We made recourse to the ISI Web of Science database for the search and collected 119 articles spanning a 25‐year period. The results enable the identification and categorization of CSR strategies into four key categories: (a) dimensions, (b) benefits, (c) value creation and stakeholders, and (d) motivations. We also identify that major companies around the world are ensured the implementation of their CSR strategies throughout their organizational structures with specialized resources. This systematic review provides a path for future research.
Corporate social responsibility in higher education
Authors: Rahman Aminah Abdul , Castka Pavel , Love Tyron
Published: February 2019

Internationally, higher education establishments have faced strong institutional pressures to embrace socially responsible practices. The body of literature, which has offered the theoretical and conceptual guidance in this space, has been the work on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Taking an organisation‐centric perspective, this study aims to empirically examine the institutionalisation of CSR in six Malaysian universities. An in‐depth case study approach was utilised using the data from two external sources (an external measure of university research performance and university self‐reporting) as well as collecting data on side (interviews). Using qualitative and configurational analyses, a set of propositions about the institutionalisation of CSR in universities is formulated. The analysis depicts the pathways that lead to CSR outcomes.
Hospital course of underweight youth with ARFID treated with a meal‐based behavioral protocol in an inpatient‐partial hospitalization program for eating disorders
Authors: Makhzoumi Saniha H. , Schreyer Colleen C. , Hansen Jennifer L. , Laddaran Lori A. , Redgrave Graham W. , Guarda Angela S.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Information on nutritional rehabilitation for underweight patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is scarce. This study characterized hospitalized youth with ARFID treated in an inpatient (IP)‐partial hospitalization behavioral eating disorders (EDs) program employing an exclusively meal‐based rapid refeeding protocol and compared weight restoration outcomes to those of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method

Data from retrospective chart review of consecutive underweight admissions (N = 275; age 11–26 years) with ARFID (n = 27) were compared to those with AN (n = 248) on clinical features, reason for discharge, and weight restoration variables. For patients with ARFID, presenting phenomenology was further characterized by detailed chart review.

Results

At admission, 53% of patients with ARFID were vomiting regularly. The predominant ARFID subtype was ARFID‐aversive, with close to a third being mixed subtype. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptomatology (81.5%) was the most commonly endorsed reason for restriction. A third had undergone unsuccessful parenteral or enteral tube feeding. Patients with ARFID were more likely male, had higher admission BMI, and slower IP weight gain (1.36 kg /week vs 1.92) compared to patients with AN. Fewer patients with ARFID transitioned to the partial hospitalization program, although the proportion discharged for clinical improvement did not differ and both groups had a mean program discharge BMI >18.5.

Discussion

GI symptoms appear a common contributor to restrictive eating amongst hospitalized youth with ARFID. Despite a slightly lower rate of IP weight gain, clinical improvement and weight restoration at discharge were similar for patients with ARFID compared to AN.
The role of age of first breeding in modeling raptor reintroductions
Authors: Morandini Virginia , Dietz Sabrina , Newton Ian , Ferrer Miguel
Published: February 2019

The present biodiversity crisis has led to an increasing number of reintroduction programs, and this conservation method is likely to be increasingly used in the future, especially in the face of climate change. Many fundamental questions in population ecology are focused on the mechanisms through which populations escape extinction.

Population viability analysis (PVA) is the most common procedure for analyzing extinction risk. In the use of PVA to model the trajectories of reintroduced populations, demographic values are sometimes taken from other existing wild populations or even from individuals in captivity.

Density dependence in productivity is usually considered in viability models, but density‐dependent variation in age of first breeding is usually ignored. Nevertheless, age of first breeding has a buffering effect on population fluctuations and in consequence on population persistence.

We simulated the viability of Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) populations using data from established and reintroduced populations in southern Spain.

Our results show that reduction in the age of first breeding is critical in the success of reintroductions of such long‐lived birds. Additionally, increases in productivity allow populations to growth at maximum rate. However, without considering variation in age of breeding, and the associated increasing overall productivity, reintroduced populations seem nonviable.

To ignore density dependence in age of breeding in PVA means that we are seriously limiting the potential of the model population to respond to fluctuations in density, thereby reducing its resilience and viability. Variation in age of first breeding is an important factor that must be considered and included in any simulation model involving long‐lived birds with deferred maturity.
Intergenerational paternal effect of adult density inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Dasgupta Purbasha , Sarkar Saubhik , Das Akankshya A. , Verma Tanya , Nandy Bodhisatta
Published: February 2019

Notwithstanding recent evidences, paternal environment is thought to be a potential but unlikely source of fitness variation that can affect trait evolution. Here we studied intergenerational effects of males’ exposure to varying adult density inDrosophila melanogasterlaboratory populations.

We held sires at normal (N), medium (M) and high (H) adult densities for 2 days before allowing them to mate with virgin females. This treatment did not introduce selection through differential mortality. Further, we randomly paired males and females and allowed a single round of mating between the sires and the dams. We then collected eggs from the dams and measured the egg size. Finally, we investigated the effect of the paternal treatment on juvenile and adult (male) fitness components.

We found a significant treatment effect on juvenile competitive ability where the progeny sired by the H‐males had higher competitive ability. Since we did not find the treatment to affect egg size, this effect is unlikely to be mediated through variation in female provisioning.

Male fitness components were also found to have a significant treatment effect: M‐sons had lower dry weight at eclosion, higher mating latency, and lower competitive mating success.

While being the first study to show both adaptive and non‐adaptive effect of the paternal density inDrosophila, our results highlight the importance of considering paternal environment as important source of fitness variation.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index and heart failure incidence
Authors: Kokkinos Peter , Faselis Charles , Franklin Barry , Lavie Carl J. , Sidossis Labros , Moore Hans , Karasik Pamela , Myers Jonathan
Published: February 2019

Aims

Obesity is associated with increased risk of heart failure (HF). This risk may be modulated by improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as CRF is associated with favourable health outcomes. Thus, we assessed the interaction between body mass index (BMI), CRF and HF.

Methods and results

Cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI were assessed in 20 254 US male veterans (mean age 58.0 ± 11.3 years), who completed a maximal exercise treadmill test between 1987 and 2017. All had no evidence of ischaemia or HF prior to the exercise test. They were classified based on age‐stratified quartiles of peak metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved as: least‐fit (4.5 ± 1.3), low‐fit (6.7 ± 1.3), moderate‐fit (8.1 ± 1.1), and high‐fit (11.2 ± 2.4); and according to BMI as normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥ 30.0 kg/m2). During a median follow‐up of 13.4 years, there were 2979 HF events (10.8 events/1000 person‐years). HF risk was significantly higher in the obese category [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–1.36; P < 0.001], but was no longer significant after further adjustment for METs. When compared to the least‐fit, HF risk declined progressively with increased CRF within all BMI categories. The risk was 63% (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.30–0.47; P < 0.001), 66% (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.28–0.40; P < 0.001), and 73% (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.22–0.34; P < 0.001) lower for high‐fit individuals within normal weight, overweight and obese categories, respectively.

Conclusions

Increased CRF was associated with progressively lower HF risk regardless of BMI, suggesting that the elevated HF risk associated with obesity may be modulated by improved CRF.
Axial Ligand Effects of Ru‐BDA Complexes in the O–O Bond Formation via the I2M Bimolecular Mechanism in Water Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Richmond Craig J. , Escayola Sílvia , Poater Albert
Published: February 2019

A detailed computational investigation of the mechanistic aspects of the water oxidation catalysis (WOC) for ruthenium‐based catalysts [Ru(bda)(isoq)2] (H2bda = 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylic acid; isoq = isoquinoline). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations describe the kinetics by means of the energy barrier that leads to the O–O coupling, the rate‐limiting step for WOC. To test the effect of the axial ligand environment, we investigated bda complexes with para‐substituted isoquinolines, phthalazines and pyridines. Since previous screening analyses of the potential energy surface revealed a face to face orientation of metal‐oxo species to be best for facilitating the O–O bond formation, this paper probes the deeper role of the axial ligands that saturate the Ru(bda) based complexes from a computational point of view.
TEMPO and Silver‐Mediated Intermolecular Phosphonylation of Alkenes: Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)‐Alkenylphosphonates
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Zhen , Zhu Huijuan , Liu Haitao , Lv Shuaipeng , Xu Yue
Published: February 2019

An efficient method was developed towards the synthesis of alkenylphosphonates from simple olefins and phosphonate diesters. This method was enabled by the use of cheap and commercially available silver salts and TEMPO. This method exhibits of good functional group tolerance, specific (E)‐selectivity for all olefins and vinyl selectivity for aliphatic olefins. A radical mechanism was proposed, and TEMPO was involved in the product formation step.
Factors Affecting the Growth of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in Single-Species Tests: Lessons for the Experimental Design and the Reproducibility of a Multitrophic Laboratory Microcosm
Authors: Riedl Verena , Agatz Annika , Benstead Rachel , Ashauer Roman
Published: February 2019

The need for an integrated risk assessment at an ecologically relevant scale (e.g., at the population/community levels) has been acknowledged. Multispecies systems with increased ecological complexity, however, are difficult if not impossible to reproduce. The laboratory-scale microcosm TriCosm (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hydra viridissima) of intermediate complexity was developed for the reproducible assessment of chemical effects at the population/community levels. The system dynamics were repeatable in the short term, but interexperimental variation of algal dynamics in the long term triggered knock-on effects on grazer and predator populations. We present 20 experiments to assess the effects of 12 factors (test medium, vessel type/condition, shaking speed, light intensity/regime, inoculation density, medium preparation components, metal concentration/composition, buffering salt type/concentration) on algal growth in the TriCosm enclosure. Growth rates varied between ≤ 0 and 1.40 (± 0.21) and generally were greatest with increased shaking speed, light exposure, medium buffer, or aeration time. Treatments conducted in dishes with aseptically prepared, lightly buffered, and/or hardly aerated medium resulted in low growth rates. We found that inter-experimental variation of algal dynamics in the TriCosm was caused by a modification of medium preparation (omission of medium aeration) with the aim of reducing microbial contamination. Our findings highlight the facts that consistency in experimental procedures and in-depth understanding of system components are indispensable to achieve repeatability. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1–13. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Algal growth dynamics closely resembled those of the reference system (TriCosm) only after the test medium (T82MV) was aerated for ≥ 24 h and used approximately 48 h after medium preparation or the buffering salt concentration was increased. Shown are mean values ± 95% confidence intervals.
Children show hemispheric differences in the basic auditory response properties
Authors: Parviainen Tiina , Helenius Päivi , Salmelin Riitta
Published: February 2019

Auditory cortex in each hemisphere shows preference to sounds from the opposite hemifield in the auditory space. Besides this contralateral dominance, the auditory cortex shows functional and structural lateralization, presumably influencing the features of subsequent auditory processing. Children have been shown to differ from adults in the hemispheric balance of activation in higher‐order auditory based tasks. We studied, first, whether the contralateral dominance can be detected in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children and, second, whether the response properties of auditory cortex in children differ between hemispheres. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) responses to simple tones revealed adult‐like contralateral preference that was, however, extended in time in children. Moreover, we found stronger emphasis towards mature response properties in the right than left hemisphere, pointing to faster maturation of the right‐hemisphere auditory cortex. The activation strength of the child‐typical prolonged response was significantly decreased with age, within the narrow age‐range of the studied child population. Our results demonstrate that although the spatial sensitivity to the opposite hemifield has emerged by 7 years of age, the population‐level neurophysiological response shows salient immature features, manifested particularly in the left hemisphere. The observed functional differences between hemispheres may influence higher‐level processing stages, for example, in language function.
Staging soft tissue sarcoma of the head and neck: Evaluation of the AJCC 8th edition revised T classifications
Authors: Cates Justin M.M.
Published: February 2019

Background

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has proposed new T classifications for head and neck sarcomas in the 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, but these classifications have not been evaluated for prognostic utility in tumor staging.

Methods

The predictive ability of revised AJCC T classifications was evaluated by nonlinear multivariable regression using records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (N = 2756). A proposed staging algorithm was developed using a subset of records and compared to the AJCC 7th edition using a separate validation dataset.

Results

Categorization of tumor size using revised AJCC 8th edition T classifications accurately reflected the predictive information of this intrinsically continuous variable. A proposed staging system based on revised AJCC T classifications showed significant improvement in clinical performance compared to the previous AJCC 7th edition staging system.

Conclusions

Stratifying risk of sarcoma‐specific death by categorization of tumor size is informative for head and neck sarcoma. A staging algorithm based on revised AJCC 8th edition T classifications is validated and proposed for further evaluation in staging sarcomas of the head and neck.
Are There Upper Limits in Tumor Burden for Down‐Staging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Liver Transplant? Analysis of the All‐Comers Protocol
Authors: Sinha Jasmine , Mehta Neil , Dodge Jennifer L. , Poltavskiy Eduard , Roberts John , Yao Francis
Published: February 2019

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the University of California, San Francisco down‐staging (UCSF‐DS) criteria (one lesion > 5 cm and ≤ 8 cm; two to three lesions each ≤ 5 cm; or four to five lesions each ≤ 3 cm with total tumor diameter ≤ 8 cm) who achieved successful down‐staging (DS) to Milan criteria had similar outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) compared with HCC initially meeting the Milan criteria. Nevertheless, little is known about the outcome of DS in patients with initial tumor burden exceeding the UCSF‐DS criteria, defined as “all‐comers” (AC). We compared the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) outcomes of DS in 74 patients in the AC group and 133 patients in the UCSF‐DS group. Successful DS to Milan was observed in 64.8% of the AC group versus 84.2% of the UCSF‐DS group (P < 0.001). The sum of tumor number and largest tumor diameter was significantly associated with successful DS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, P < 0.05). The cumulative probability of dropout within 1 year and 3 years was 53.5% and 80.0%, respectively, for AC versus 25.0% and 36.1%, respectively, for UCSF‐DS (P < 0.0001). Factors predicting dropout included sum of tumor number and largest tumor diameter greater than 8 (HR 1.79, P = 0.049) and Child class B and C (HR 2.54, P = 0.001). The AC group also had a significantly lower liver transplant (LT) rate (13.5% versus 59.0%, P < 0.001). ITT survival at 1 year and 5 years was 77.4% and 21.1%, respectively, in AC versus 85.5% and 56.0%, respectively, in UCSF‐DS (P < 0.001). Three of 10 patients in the AC group who underwent LT developed HCC recurrence. Conclusion: We observed a significantly lower LT probability and inferior ITT survival with DS in the AC group versus the UCSF‐DS group. Our results suggest that an upper limit in tumor burden exists beyond which successful LT after DS becomes an unrealistic goal.
Focusing on what matters: Modulation of the human hippocampus by relational attention
Authors: Córdova Natalia I. , Turk‐Browne Nicholas B. , Aly Mariam
Published: February 2019

Hippocampal episodic memory is fundamentally relational, comprising links between events and the spatiotemporal contexts in which they occurred. Such relations are also important over shorter timescales, during online perception. For example, how do we assess the relative spatial positions of objects, their temporal order, or the relationship between their features? Here, we investigate the role of the hippocampus in online relational processing by manipulating attention to different kinds of relations. While undergoing fMRI, participants viewed two images in rapid succession on each trial and performed one of three relational tasks, judging the images’ relative: spatial positions, temporal onsets, or sizes. Additionally, they sometimes judged whether one image was tilted, irrespective of the other. This served as a baseline item task with no demands on relational processing. The hippocampus showed reliable deactivation when participants attended to relational vs. item information. Attention to temporal relations was associated with the most robust deactivation. One interpretation of such deactivation is that it reflects hippocampal disengagement. If true, there should be reduced information content and noisier activity patterns for the temporal vs. other tasks. Instead, multivariate pattern analysis revealed more stable hippocampal representations in the temporal task. This increased pattern similarity was not simply a reflection of lower univariate activity. Thus, the hippocampus differentiates between relational and item processing even during online perception, and its representations of temporal relations are particularly robust. These findings suggest that the relational computations of the hippocampus extend beyond long‐term memory, enabling rapid extraction of relational information in perception.
Genotyping of circulating cell‐free DNA enables noninvasive tumor detection in myxoid liposarcomas
Authors: Braig David , Becherer Caroline , Bickert Christiane , Braig Moritz , Claus Rainer , Eisenhardt Anja E. , Heinz Juergen , Scholber Jutta , Herget Georg W. , Bronsert Peter , Fricke Alba , Follo Marie , Stark G. Bjoern , Bannasch Holger , Eisenhardt Steffen U.
Published: February 2019

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors of mesenchymal origin. About 50% of patients with STS experience relapse and more than 30% will die within 10 years after diagnosis. In this study we investigated circulating free DNA (cfDNA) and tumor‐specific genetic alterations therein (circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA) as diagnostic biomarkers. Plasma concentrations and fragmentation of cfDNA was analyzed with quantitative PCR. Patients with STS (n = 64) had significantly higher plasma concentrations and increased fragmentation of cfDNA when compared to patients in complete remission (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 41) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Due to overlapping values between patients with STS and controls, the sensitivity and specificity of these assays is limited. Sensitive assays to detect genomic alterations in cfDNA of synovial sarcomas (t(X;18)), myxoid liposarcomas (t(12;16) and TERT C228T promoter mutation) and well‐differentiated/de‐differentiated liposarcomas (MDM2 amplifications) were established. ctDNA was quantified in nine liposarcoma patients during the course of their treatment. Levels of breakpoint t(12;16) and TERT C228T ctDNA correlated with the clinical course and tumor burden in patients with myxoid liposarcomas (n = 4). ctDNA could detect minimal residual disease and tumor recurrence. In contrast, detection of MDM2 amplifications was not sensitive enough to detect tumors in patients with well‐differentiated/de‐differentiated liposarcomas (n = 5). Genotyping of cfDNA for tumor specific genetic alterations is a feasible and promising approach for monitoring tumor activity in patients with myxoid liposarcomas. Detection of ctDNA during follow‐up examinations despite negative standard imaging studies might warrant more sensitive imaging (e.g. PET‐CT) or closer follow‐up intervals to timely localize and treat recurrences.
Identification of DNA mutations in gastric washes from gastric adenocarcinoma patients: Possible implications for liquid biopsies and patient follow‐up
Authors: Pizzi Melissa Pool , Bartelli Thais Fernanda , Pelosof Adriane Graicer , Freitas Helano Carioca , Begnami Maria Dirlei , de Abrantes Lais Lie Senda , Sztokfisz Claudia , Valieris Renan , Knebel Franciele Hinterholz , Coelho Luiz Gonzaga Vaz , da Costa Wilson Luiz , Coimbra Felipe J.F. , da Silva Israel Tojal , de Amorim Maria Galli , Nunes Diana Noronha , Dias‐Neto Emmanuel
Published: February 2019

Whereas cancer patients have benefited from liquid biopsies, the scenario for gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is still dismal. We used next‐generation deep sequencing of TP53—a highly mutated and informative gene in GAC—to assess mutations in tumor biopsies, plasma (PL) and stomach fluids (gastric wash—GW). We evaluated their potential to reveal tumor‐derived mutations, useful for monitoring mutational dynamics at diagnosis, progression and treatment. Exon‐capture libraries were constructed from 46 patients including tumor biopsies, GW and PL pre and post‐treatment (196 samples), with high vertical coverage >8,000×. At diagnosis, we detected TP53 mutations in 15/46 biopsies (32.6%), 7/46 GW‐ (15.2%) and 6/46 PL‐samples (13%). Biopsies and GW were concordant in 38/46 cases (82.6%) for the presence/absence of mutations and, furthermore, four GW‐exclusive mutations were identified, suggesting tumor heterogeneity. Considering the combined analysis of GW and PL, TP53 mutations found in biopsies were also identified in 9/15 (60%) of cases, the highest detection level reported for GAC. Our study indicates that GW could be useful to track DNA alterations, especially if anchored to a comprehensive gene‐panel designed for this malignancy.
Prospective serum metabolomic profiling of lethal prostate cancer
Authors: Huang Jiaqi , Mondul Alison M. , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Derkach Andriy , Moore Steven C. , Sampson Joshua N. , Albanes Demetrius
Published: February 2019

Impaired metabolism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lethal prostate cancer, yet there is a paucity of evidence regarding the association. We conducted a large prospective serum metabolomic analysis of lethal prostate cancer in 523 cases and 523 matched controls nested within the Alpha‐Tocopherol, Beta‐Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. Median time from baseline fasting serum collection to prostate cancer death was 18 years (maximum 30 years). We identified 860 known biochemicals through an ultrahigh‐performance LC–MS/MS platform. Conditional logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk associated with 1‐standard deviation (s.d.) increases in log‐metabolite signals. We identified 34 metabolites associated with lethal prostate cancer with a false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.15. Notably, higher serum thioproline, and thioproline combined with two other cysteine‐related amino acids and redox metabolites, cystine and cysteine, were associated with reduced risk (1‐s.d. OR = 0.75 and 0.71, respectively; p ≤ 8.2 × 10−5). By contrast, the dipeptide leucylglycine (OR = 1.36, p = 8.2 × 10−5), and three gamma‐glutamyl amino acids (OR = 1.28–1.30, p ≤ 4.6 × 10−4) were associated with increased risk of lethal prostate cancer. Cases with metastatic disease at diagnosis (n = 179) showed elevated risk for several lipids, including especially the ketone body 3‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), acyl carnitines, and dicarboxylic fatty acids (1.37 ≤ OR ≤ 1.49, FDR < 0.15). These findings provide a prospective metabolomic profile of lethal prostate cancer characterized by altered biochemicals in the redox, dipeptide, pyrimidine, and gamma‐glutamyl amino acid pathways, whereas ketone bodies and fatty acids were associated specifically with metastatic disease.
Female genital mutilation/cutting in Africa: A complex legal and ethical landscape
Authors: Nabaneh Satang , Muula Adamson S.
Published: February 2019

While international and regional human rights instruments have recognized female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) as one of the most prevalent forms of violence against women and girls, in many African states FGM/C is a deeply entrenched cultural practice. There is a consensus against FGM, as evidenced by its criminalization in several African countries. The mere fact that the practice continues despite legislative measures to protect women and girls against FGM raises the question of whether change can be legislated. The present article summarizes the trends and effectiveness of FGM criminalization in Africa, including prohibition of medicalization of FGM. Against the backdrop of emerging debate on medicalization of FGM as a harm reduction strategy, we also examine its complex legal and ethical implications. The article argues that while criminalization may not be the best means of stopping FGM, it creates an enabling environment to facilitate the overall strategy of African governments in eradication of the practice.
The effect of exposure to thin models and digital modification disclaimers on women's body satisfaction
Authors: Lewis Nehama , Pelled Ayellet , Tal‐Or Nurit
Published: February 2019

This study tests the effectiveness of public health initiatives aimed at reducing the adverse effects of exposure to thin images in advertising on women's body satisfaction. Using an online experiment with 195 Israeli adult women, we test the effects of message factors that are expected to influence body satisfaction—the model's body size, and the presence and size of disclaimers. Compared with advertisements featuring a thin model, exposure to an average sized model was indirectly and positively associated with body size satisfaction, through the perception of the model's body size. However, exposure to disclaimers regarding digital modification of the model did not influence body satisfaction. Moreover, irrespective of whether they were exposed to a disclaimer or not, most participants who viewed ads featuring thin models thought that the image had been digitally modified. The results call for further research on the effectiveness of disclaimer labels for promoting body satisfaction.
What constitutes globalised evidence? Cultural tensions and critical reflections of the evidence‐based movement in New Zealand
Authors: Bullen Pat , Deane Kelsey L. , Meissel Kane , Bhatnagar Sukriti
Published: February 2019

The evidence‐based movement (EBM) is grounded in a well‐intentioned desire to ensure resources are invested in high quality initiatives that generate the intended impact. Nevertheless, recent critiques contest the appropriateness of translating an approach rooted in a medical model to socially complex initiatives. Globalised notions of evidence can also be damaging for programs operating in small, culturally diverse countries with limited resources. Given these polemic views, our aim was to examine local perceptions of the EBM in New Zealand, a small, vibrant, bicultural society with a mix of homegrown and imported programs. Using a snowball sampling approach, 79 professionals working in the education and social sectors completed an anonymous online survey that contained a series of closed and open‐ended questions. The results show that although participants positively endorsed a variety of quality evidence markers, traditionally positivist methodological leanings received lower and more varied endorsements compared to more inclusive and pluralistic approaches. Many also expressed concern that the EBM emphasises a narrow and colonised view of evidence that does not align with Māori and Pacific worldviews, and undermines innovation. We discuss the implications as an avenue for advancing intervention and social programming research in an increasingly multicultural and globalised world.
Infant withdrawal and behavior problems in urban Chinese toddlers: Roles of maternal sensitivity to infant distress and emerging delay ability
Authors: Liang Xi , Liu Min , Wang Meifang , Yu Jie , Wang Zhengyan , Lu Shan
Published: February 2019

Using a longitudinal design, this study examined the associations between infant temperamental withdrawal and behavior problems during toddlerhood and tested the moderating effects of maternal sensitivity to infant distress (MSID) and toddlers’ ability to delay gratification (ADG) in urban Chinese families. Participants were 84 Chinese children (37 boys, 47 girls) and their mothers. When the infants were 6 months old (T1: infancy), their mothers reported their temperamental withdrawal, and research assistants observed and coded MSID by using a subscale of the Maternal Behavior Q‐Sort during free‐play interaction. When the toddlers were 1 year old (T2: early toddlerhood), their mothers reported their internalizing and externalizing problems. When the toddlers were 2 years old (T3: late toddlerhood), their mothers again reported their internalizing and externalizing problems, and their abilities of delay gratification were assessed through a laboratory‐based procedure. Infant temperamental withdrawal was associated with increased internalizing problems in early toddlerhood and increased externalizing problems during middle to late toddlerhood; infants whose mothers were extremely high sensitive or low sensitive to their distress or those with late poor ability of delay gratification were at particular risk. The findings highlight the importance of matching parenting and promotion of self‐control for temperamental withdrawn children's optimal development.
A semantic pattern for trusted orchestration in IoT edge clouds
Authors: Pahl Claus , El Ioini Nabil , Helmer Sven , Lee Brian
Published: February 2019

Edge cloud architectures provide a layer between centralized clouds and the IoT and sensor space. In this intermediate layer, we find devices of different types that manage the communication with sensors and cloud services, but also process data from sensors locally without access to the cloud. In order to support the flexible creation, placement and usage of data and software resources in this layer, advanced orchestration techniques need to include communication and processing activities. These architectures often stretch cross organizational boundaries, causing trust concerns regarding secure data storage and the management of the identity of sensors and also the origin of data. We present an ontology‐based semantic pattern that semantically defines trusted orchestration for edge clouds by linking a trust ontology to an architecture pattern and that allows reasoning about essential trust properties.
Osteogenic ability of rat bone marrow concentrate is at least as efficacious as mesenchymal stem cellsin vitro
Authors: Kohno Yusuke , Lin Tzuhua , Pajarinen Jukka , Romero‐Lopez Monica , Maruyama Masahiro , Huang Jhih‐Fong , Nathan Karthik , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: February 2019

Cell therapy using bone marrow concentrate (BMC) or purified and expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to have a promising osteogenic capacity. However, few studies have directly compared their relative osteogenic ability. The aim of this study was to compare the osteogenic ability of BMC isolated by density gradient centrifugation with bone marrow‐derived MSCsin vitrousing the cells of 3‐month‐old Sprague–Dawley rats. The isolated cells were seeded onto 24‐well plates (1 × 105 cells/well) and cultured in control growth media, osteogenic media with dexamethasone, or media without dexamethasone (which simulated thein vivotissue environment). Alkaline phosphatase activity at week 2, osteocalcin using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction at week 4, and Alizarin red staining at week 4 were evaluated. In the osteogenic media with dexamethasone, BMC showed equivalent (osteocalcin) or even greater (Alizarin red staining) osteogenic ability compared to MSCs, suggesting that cross‐talk among various cells in the BMC leads to greater osteogenesis. Furthermore, in the osteogenic media without dexamethasone, BMC showed equivalent (osteocalcin) or a trend for greater (Alizarin red staining) bone formation than MSCs alone. Our results suggest that BMC has at least comparable bone regeneration potential to MSCs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2500–2506, 2019
Cost-Effectiveness of Osteoporosis Interventions to Improve Quality of Care After Upper Extremity Fracture: Results From a Randomized Trial (C-STOP Trial)
Authors: Majumdar Sumit R , Lier Douglas A , McAlister Finlay A , Johnson Jeffrey A , Rowe Brian H , Beaupre Lauren A
Published: February 2019

We assessed the cost-effectiveness of two models of osteoporosis care after upper extremity fragility fracture using a high-intensity Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) Case-Manager intervention versus a low-intensity FLS (ie, Active Control), and both relative to usual care. This analysis used data from a pragmatic patient-level parallel-arm comparative effectiveness trial of 361 community-dwelling participants 50 years or older with upper extremity fractures undertaken at a Canadian academic hospital. We used a decision-analytic Markov model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the three treatment alternatives. The perspective was health service payer; the analytical horizon was lifetime; costs and health outcomes were discounted by 3%. Costs were expressed in 2016 Canadian dollars (CAD) and the health effect was measured by quality adjusted life years (QALYs). The average age of enrolled patients was 63 years and 89% were female. Per patient cost of the Case Manager and Active Control interventions were $66CAD and $18CAD, respectively. Compared to the Active Control, the Case Manager saved $333,000, gained seven QALYs, and averted nine additional fractures per 1000 patients. Compared to usual care, the Case Manager saved $564,000, gained 14 QALYs, and incurred 18 fewer fractures per 1000 patients, whereas the Active Control saved $231,000, gained seven QALYs, and incurred nine fewer fractures per 1000 patients. Although both interventions dominated usual care, the Case Manager intervention also dominated the Active Control. In 5000 probabilistic simulations, the probability that the Case Manager intervention was cost-effective was greater than 75% whereas the Active Control intervention was cost-effective in less than 20% of simulations. In summary, although the adoption of either of these approaches into clinical settings should lead to cost savings, reduced fractures, and increased quality-adjusted life for older adults following upper extremity fracture, the Case Manager intervention would be the most likely to be cost-effective. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Excellent response to therapeutic plasma exchange in myasthenia gravis patients irrespective of antibody status
Authors: Usmani Amena , Kwan Laura , Wahib‐Khalil Dina , Trivedi Jaya , Nations Sharon , Sarode Ravi
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The primary objective of this study was to assess response to plasma exchange (PLEX) in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with and without autoantibodies (Ab) to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK). Analysis was also done to determine if correlation existed between sex, early or late onset MG, thymoma, or thymectomy and response to PLEX.

Materials and Methods

Data was analyzed on 58 consecutive MG patients treated with PLEX. Responses were categorized as complete response, clinical improvement requiring maintenance PLEX, or no/minimal response to PLEX.

Results

Eighty‐eight percent (51/58) of patients were Ab‐positive; 44 had AChR and 7 had MuSK Ab. Complete response was seen in 26 patients (24 Ab+), 24 remain on maintenance PLEX (19 Ab+), and 2 had no/minimal response (both AChR Ab+). Ab status (P = 0.43), AChR Ab (P = 0.10), MuSK Ab (P = 0.45), early onset MG (P = 0.63), thymoma (P = 0.46), and thymectomy (P = 0.16) were not significantly associated with outcome. Patient sex did show significant association with outcome (P = 0.01), with men more likely to have complete response and women more likely to require maintenance. Late onset MG is significantly associated with higher likelihood of complete response (P = 0.03). Antibody titers declined after PLEX in 83% of patients with complete response, in whom pre‐ and post‐PLEX titers were available (n = 6).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study showed 96% response rate to PLEX in MG; however, only patient gender and late onset MG were significantly associated with treatment response.