bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community succession of the grapevine fungal microbiome in the annual growth cycle
Authors: Liu Di , Howell Kate
Published: July 2020

Microbial ecology and activity in wine production influences grapevine health and productivity, conversion of sugar to ethanol during fermentation, wine aroma, wine quality and distinctiveness. Fungi in the vineyard ecosystem are not well described. Here, we characterized the spatial and temporal dynamics of fungal communities associated with the grapevine (grapes, flowers, leaves, and roots) and soils over an annual growth cycle in two vineyards to investigate the influences of grape habitat, plant developmental stage (flowering, fruit set, veraison, and harvest), vineyards, and climatic conditions. Fungi were influenced by both the grapevine habitat and plant development stage. The core microbiome was prioritized over space and time, and the identified core members drove seasonal community succession. The developmental stage of veraison, where the grapes undergo a dramatic change in metabolism and start accumulating sugar, coincided with a distinct shift in fungal communities. Co‐occurrence networks showed strong correlations between the plant microbiome, the soil microbiome, and weather indices. Our study describes the complex ecological dynamics that occur in microbial assemblages over a growing season and highlight succession of the core community in vineyards.
Exploring corruption in fisheries
Authors: Yan Yifei , Graycar Adam
Published: July 2020

This paper explores corruption in global fisheries. While reducing corruption is critical for the effective management of the fisheries sector and the fulfilment of the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs, and SDGs14 and 16 in particular), to do so, it is necessary to first have a systematic and comprehensive understanding of what corruption is and how it is manifested in the sector. There is literature on illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, but not much on corruption. The paper proposes an analytical framework and applies it with six revelatory cases to improve the conceptual clarity of corruption in fisheries. Specific corruption problems found in licensing, negotiating access agreements, lax enforcement, extortion, political corruption, money laundering and tax manipulation, human trafficking, etc. can therefore be better identified through this analysis, which lays a base for systematic responses to tackling corruption in fisheries and accordingly furthering the sustainable development of the sector.
Juvenile Sexual Murderers: Examination and Classification of the Crime‐Commission Process
Authors: Chopin Julien , Beauregard Eric
Published: July 2020

This study aims to empirically explore the crime‐commission process of juvenile sexual homicide offenders (SHOs). First, a comparison between the crime‐commission process of juvenile and adult SHOs is undertaken, while as a second step, this study also provides an empirical classification specific to juvenile SHOs. The sample used in this study consists of 55 juvenile SHOs and 281 adult SHOs. A sequential binomial regression was used to compare at the multivariate level the two groups of offenders, while a latent class analysis was used to examine the relationships between each step of the crime‐commission process of juvenile SHOs. Our findings suggest that the crime‐commission process of juvenile SHOs present differences when compared with adult SHOs. Moreover, we identified four different patterns in juvenile sexual homicide: explosive opportunistic, sadistic, overcontrolled anger, and predator. Theoretical and practical implications in terms of criminal investigations as well as offenders’ management and treatment are discussed.
Initial Study for the Determination of the Sequence of Intersecting Lines between Gel Pens and Seals by Optical Coherence Tomography*
Authors: Zhang Ning , Jiang Peng , Wang Weixin , Wang Chengming , Xie Lanchi , Li Zhigang , Huang Wei , Shi Gaojun , Wang Lei , Yan Yuwen , Gao Shuhui
Published: July 2020

Determining the sequence of intersecting lines is a significant issue in the forensic document examination that can reveal the fraud or distinguish between different allegations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high‐resolution cross‐sectional imaging technique that has been introduced into forensic science field recently. The potential of OCT as a novel method to determine the sequence of intersecting lines was examined for the first time. In this study, a spectral‐domain OCT system with a center wavelength of 900 nm was employed to perform nondestructive examination on determining the sequence of 18 heterogeneous intersecting line samples produced using three types of gel pens and three brands of stamp pad ink seals. Two‐dimensional (2D) cross‐sectional, and three‐dimensional (3D) volumetric images of the intersecting lines were obtained by the OCT system. Several features were noted and analyzed to successfully determine the sequence of all the 18 samples. Blind tests were also conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of OCT technique. The results illustrate that OCT technology can provide an effective and accurate method for sequencing intersecting lines of gel pen ink and seal ink, which may complement the conventional methods used in the examination of questioned documents.
Gun victimization in the line of duty
Authors: Sierra‐Arévalo Michael , Nix Justin
Published: July 2020

Research Summary

Using open‐source data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), we analyze national‐ and state‐level trends in fatal and nonfatal firearm assaults of U.S. police officers from 2014 to 2019 (N  = 1,467). Results show that (a) most firearm assaults are nonfatal, (b) there is no compelling evidence that the national rate of firearm assault on police has substantially increased during the last 6 years, and (c) there is substantial state‐level variation in rates of firearm assault on police officers.

Policy Implications

GVA has decided strengths relative to existing data sources on police victimization and danger in policing. We consider the promises and pitfalls of this and other open‐source data sets in policing research and recommend that recent state‐level improvements in use‐of‐force data collection be replicated and expanded to include data on violence against police.
Sex differences in symptoms, high‐resolution manometry values and efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy in Chinese patients with achalasia
Authors: Xu Ying , Ye Bi Xing , Wang Yan , Bao Yun , Chen Xiao Su , Tang Yu Rong , Lin Lin , Jiang Liu Qin
Published: July 2020

Objective

We aimed to identify the differences in symptoms, high‐resolution manometry (HRM) characteristics, and the efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) regarding patients' sex in achalasia.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with achalasia by HRM who underwent POEM and were followed up for more than 6 months were included. The individual characteristics, symptoms and signs, POEM findings, HRM results and potentially related complications in male and female patients were reviewed.

Results

Prior to POEM, dysphagia was more severe in female than male patients (P = 0.044), while regurgitation was more severe (P = 0.013) and heartburn was more common in male patients (P = 0.003). Regarding HRM characteristics, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) was higher (P = 0.01) and length of esophagus was shorter in female patients than in male patients. Eckardt scores, LESP and integrated relaxation pressure were significantly improved after the POEM procedure (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the sexes regarding the efficacy of POEM, reflux symptoms, HRM data and complications after POEM.

Conclusions

Before they seek treatment, female patients with achalasia may experience severe dysphagia and male patients are more likely to experience heartburn and more severe regurgitation. POEM is a safe and effective option for treating both male and female patients with achalasia.
Invasion of a Widespread, Non‐Native Grass Causes Downstream Reductions in Bioavailable Silica
Authors: Triplett Laura D. , Tal Michal , Wagner Zachary , Kettenring Karin M.
Published: July 2020

This study shows that riverine riparian (shoreline) zones — and plant management decisions made therein — can measurably influence the availability of silica delivered to lower reaches of rivers, estuaries, and some coastal oceans. The aims were to determine how much silica is sequestered by riparian vegetation in a river, and what processes govern that effect. We used the invasion and rapid spread of the non‐native grass Phragmites australis (common reed) in the Platte River (central United States) to quantify the biochemical and physical mechanisms by which silica is removed from the river flow and stored in sediments. Specifically, we measured bioavailable silica in sediment, native and non‐native vegetation biomass, and river water over a period of four years. The robust biomass production and high silica content of Phragmites led to biochemical production of amorphous silica particles (ASi) that was 1.5× higher than native willow and 2× higher than native Phragmites. And, the denser growth habit of non‐native Phragmites contributed to more rapid physical sequestration of ASi than with other vegetation. Altogether, the rapid vegetation change due to this invasion caused sequestered silica to increase 1.5× in this reach, which is ~7% of the Platte’s annual silica load. Subsequent Phragmites eradication efforts, wherein the plants were sprayed with herbicide and left physically intact, allowed rapid silica remobilization but it was highly variable.
Probing SWATH‐MS as a tool for proteome level quantification in a nonmodel fish
Authors: Monroe Alison A. , Zhang Huoming , Schunter Celia , Ravasi Timothy
Published: July 2020

Quantitative proteomics via mass spectrometry can provide valuable insight into molecular and phenotypic characteristics of a living system. Recent mass spectrometry developments include data‐independent acquisition (SWATH/DIA‐MS), an accurate, sensitive and reproducible method for analysing the whole proteome. The main requirement for this method is the creation of a comprehensive spectral library. New technologies have emerged producing larger and more accurate species‐specific libraries leading to a progressive collection of proteome references for multiple molecular model species. Here, for the first time, we set out to compare different spectral library constructions using multiple tissues from a coral reef fish to demonstrate its value and feasibility for nonmodel organisms. We created a large spectral library composed of 12,553 protein groups from liver and brain tissues. Via identification of differentially expressed proteins under fish exposure to elevated pCO2 and temperature, we validated the application and usefulness of these different spectral libraries. Successful identification of significant differentially expressed proteins from different environmental exposures occurred using the library with a combination of data‐independent and data‐dependent acquisition methods as well as both tissue types. Further analysis revealed expected patterns of significantly up‐regulated heat shock proteins in a dual condition of ocean warming and acidification indicating the biological accuracy and relevance of the method. This study provides the first reference spectral library for a nonmodel organism. It represents a useful guide for future building of accurate spectral library references in nonmodel organisms allowing the discovery of ecologically relevant changes in the proteome.
Aberrant HDAC3 expression correlates with brain metastasis in breast cancer patients
Authors: Ma Li , Qi Lisha , Li Shuangjing , Yin Qiang , Liu Jinmei , Wang Jingyi , She Chunhua , Li Peng , Liu Qun , Wang Xiaoguang , Li Wenliang
Published: July 2020

Background

Brain metastasis is an unsolved clinical problem in breast cancer patients due to its poor prognosis and high fatality rate. Although accumulating evidence has shown that some pan‐histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can relieve breast cancer brain metastasis, the specific HDAC protein involved in this process is unclear. Thus, identifying a specific HDAC protein closely correlated with breast cancer brain metastasis will not only improve our understanding of the functions of the HDAC family but will also help develop a novel target for precision cancer therapy.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 in 161 samples from breast invasive ductal carcinoma patients, including 63 patients with brain metastasis, was performed using the standard streptavidin‐peroxidase method. The relationships between HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 and overall survival/brain metastasis‐free survival/post‐brain metastatic survival were evaluated using Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox regression analyses.

Results

HDAC1, HDAC2, and cytoplasmic HDAC3 all displayed typical oncogenic characteristics and were independent prognostic factors for the overall survival of breast cancer patients. Only cytoplasmic HDAC3 was an independent prognostic factor for brain metastasis‐free survival. Cytoplasmic expression of HDAC3 was further upregulated in the brain metastases compared with the matched primary tumors, while nuclear expression was downregulated. The HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 expression levels in the brain metastases were not correlated with survival post‐brain metastasis.

Conclusions

Our studies first demonstrate a critical role for HDAC3 in the brain metastasis of breast cancer patients and it may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the vigorously developing field of precision medicine.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Cytoplasmic HDAC3 is an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival and brain metastasis‐free survival of breast cancer patients.

What this study adds

Cytoplasmic expression of HDAC3 was further upregulated in the brain metastases compared with the matched primary tumours, while nuclear expression was downregulated.
Impact of white‐spotting alleles, including W20, on phenotype in the American Paint Horse
Authors: Brooks S. A. , Palermo K. M. , Kahn A. , Hein J.
Published: July 2020

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) records pedigree and performance information for their breed, a stock‐type horse valued as a working farm or ranch horse and as a pleasure horse. As the name implies, the breed is also valued for its attractive white‐spotting patterns on the coat. The APHA utilizes visual inspections of photographs to determine if coat spotting exceeds threshold anatomical landmarks considered characteristic of desirable patterns. Horses with sufficient white patterning enter the ‘Regular’ registry, rather than the ‘Solid Paint‐Bred’ division, providing a threshold modeled phenotype. Genetic studies previously defined sequence variants corresponding to 35 alleles for white spotting in the horse. Here, we calculate the allele frequencies for nine common white‐spotting alleles in the American Paint Horse using a sample of 1054 registered animals. The APHA spotting phenotype is altered by additive interactions among spotting loci, and epistatically by the MC1R and ASIP genes controlling pigment production. The W20 allele within the KIT gene, independent of other known spotting alleles, was strongly associated with the APHA‐defined white‐spotting phenotype (P = 1.86 × 10−18), refuting reports that W20 acts only as a modifier of other underlying white‐spotting patterns. The parentage of an individual horse, either American Paint or American Quarter Horse, did not alter the likelihood of its entering the APHA Regular Registry. An empirical definition of the action of these genetic loci on the APHA‐defined white‐spotting phenotype will allow more accurate application of genome‐assisted selection for improving color production and the marketability of APHA horses.
Ultrastructural characteristics of black marsh turtle spermatozoa obtained by electroejaculation
Authors: Kimsakulvech Sakdichod , Suttiyotin Peerasak
Published: July 2020

The black marsh turtle (Geoemydidae: Siebenrockiella crassicollis) is a freshwater turtle that occurs in equatorial tropical climates in South East Asia. The semen of S. crassicollis was investigated by electroejaculation. The spermatozoa of S. crassicollis are filiform in shape with curved heads. The entire length, midpiece to tail length, tail width and tail length of the spermatozoa were 71.33 ± 1.55 μm, 49.92 ± 1.13 μm, 0.43 ± 0.02 μm and 48.53 ± 0.25 μm, respectively. The head length, head width across the middle and head width across the base were 14.00 ± 0.38 μm, 0.79 ± 0.03 μm and 0.91 ±0.0.03 μm, respectively. The acrosomal region of the S. crassicollis spermatozoa was narrower than the head, with an acrosomal length and width at the annulus of 2.90 ± 0.13 μm and 0.43 ± 0.01 μm, respectively. The midpiece of the S. crassicollis spermatozoa was narrower than the head and contained 30–40 mitochondrial balls, each with a ball diameter of 0.16 ± 0.002 μm. The midpiece length, midpiece width and tail length were 4.92 ± 0.16, 0.78 ± 0.03 and 48.53 ± 0.25 μm, respectively. This study presents the characteristic appearance of a freshwater turtle spermatozoa in Southeast Asia, as observed under an electron microscope. The spermatozoa of Siebenrockiella crassicollis are morphologically different from those of other freshwater turtles from other regions described in previous studies.
On the Use of Virtual Reality in Mitigating Hypothetical Bias in Choice Experiments
Authors: Fang Di , Nayga Rodolfo M. , West Grant H. , Bazzani Claudia , Yang Wei , Lok Benjamin C. , Levy Charles E. , Snell Heather A.
Published: July 2020

Choice experiments have been extensively used in many stated preference studies and disciplines. In order to give external validity to stated preferences, participants must behave the same in an experiment setting as they do in reality. The difference between a decision made in a real experiment and a hypothetical experiment is commonly attributed to “hypothetical bias.” In this paper, we investigate whether virtual reality can reduce hypothetical bias in choice experiments. We conducted a set of experiments using the Food and Drug Administration's new Nutrition Facts Label for yogurts. Participants were randomly assigned to non‐hypothetical and hypothetical experiments, which differed in terms of visual presentations of the product in question: text, picture, and a virtual grocery store. Given the absence of real markets for the new label at the time of the research, we approximate the real market with a binding choice in our non‐hypothetical experiments. Our results suggest that although the hypothetical bias with virtual reality is not statistically significantly different from those using text or picture, it is the smallest. Among participants who did not exhibit high simulator discomfort, results suggest that virtual reality can significantly reduce hypothetical bias in choice experiments.
BAP1‐inactivated melanocytic tumour with borderline histopathological features (BAP1‐inactivated melanocytoma): A case report and a reappraisal
Authors: Ferrara Gerardo , Mariani Maria Paola , Auriemma Matteo
Published: July 2020

We describe a case of BRCA1‐associated protein (BAP1)‐inactivated melanocytic tumour (BIMT) in a 22‐year‐old woman, documenting for the first time with dermoscopy its sudden development with the onset of an atypical vascular pattern within a Miescher naevus. The tumour was histopathologically atypical because of the presence of confluent pleomorphism, solid sheets of cells and grouped mitotic figures: these features were consistent with a melanocytic neoplasm with intermediate morphology (‘BAP1‐inactivated melanocytoma’; BIM) between a BAP1‐inactivated melanocytic naevus and a BAP1‐inactivated melanoma. The atypical histopathological features of the present case were different from the criteria quoted for BIM in the World Health Organization 2018 classification of skin tumours.
Surgery triage during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Babidge Wendy J. , Tivey David R. , Kovoor Joshua G. , Weidenbach Kristin , Collinson Trevor G. , Hewett Peter J. , Hugh Thomas J. , Padbury Robert T. A. , Hill Nicola M. , Maddern Guy J.
Published: July 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, caused the COVID‐19 global pandemic. In response, the Australian and New Zealand governments activated their respective emergency plans and hospital frameworks to deal with the potential increased demand on scarce resources. Surgical triage formed an important part of this response to protect the healthcare system's capacity to respond to COVID‐19.

Method

A rapid review methodology was adapted to search for all levels of evidence on triaging surgery during the current COVID‐19 outbreak. Searches were limited to PubMed (inception to 10 April 2020) and supplemented with grey literature searches using the Google search engine. Further, relevant articles were also sourced through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons COVID‐19 Working Group. Recent government advice (May 2020) is also included.

Results

This rapid review is a summary of advice from Australian, New Zealand and international speciality groups regarding triaging of surgical cases, as well as the peer‐reviewed literature. The key theme across all jurisdictions was to not compromise clinical judgement and to enable individualized, ethical and patient‐centred care. The topics reported on include implications of COVID‐19 on surgical triage, competing demands on healthcare resources (surgery versus COVID‐19 cases), and the low incidence of COVID‐19 resulting in a possibility to increase surgical caseloads over time.

Conclusion

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, urgent and emergency surgery must continue. A carefully staged return of elective surgery should align with a decrease in COVID‐19 caseload. Combining evidence and expert opinion, schemas and recommendations have been proposed to guide this process in Australia and New Zealand.
Philanthropic zakat for the disadvantaged: Recipient perspectives from Indonesia
Authors: Lessy Zulkipli , Adamek Margaret , Khaja Khadija
Published: July 2020

Rumah Zakat, a charitable institution, is a proactive provider of charity, enabling sustainable progress in the lives of needy recipients. This study focused on three forms of philanthropic zakat assistance: economic empowerment, health care, and tuition‐free education. There were 21 participants—seven from each respective cluster. Interviewers were employed to elicit participants’ perspectives. Major findings showed economic empowerment recipients were the poor affected by the earthquake and the monetary crisis. Zakat helped them re‐open their businesses. As they grew, most felt satisfied and employed jobless individuals. Recipients of health care with elementary education had a five‐year grant of free health care and health education. Although the service lowered their expenses, some needed extra help with food. Participants benefitting from either program reported positive impacts on their income, health, and social lives. Most participants in the tuition‐free education were satisfied with their children's schooling, the extracurricular options, and the chances for parental involvement in the social engagement. Some stated the charitable schools emphasized moral education over science; thus, they were concerned about sufficient preparation for future competitive educational levels. Recipients would benefit from the charities if three programs were altogether offered. This study suggests the integrative community development programs should be reviewed for better services.
All in the Mind: Citizen Satisfaction and Financial Performance in the Victorian Local Government System
Authors: Tran Carolyn‐Dung Thi Thanh , Dollery Brian
Published: July 2020

While a significant body of literature exists on local government efficiency, much less is known about its effectiveness, especially financial performance and resident satisfaction. To address this gap in the empirical literature, the present paper uses system‐wide official annual data on resident satisfaction in the Victorian state local government system in Australia to investigate the relationship between annual net operating results and overall citizen satisfaction. In addition, in order to garner a deeper understanding of this relationship, we evaluated the assumption in the ‘near‐to‐zero balance’ public accounting literature that local residents prefer an insignificant annual balance in operating performance compared to substantial annual losses or surpluses. We found that there is a significant negative association between overall satisfaction and its components and financial performance for Victorian local government as a whole. However, this association is largely restricted to rural councils with surpluses. By contrast, we find no relationship between satisfaction and near‐to‐zero balances. We conclude by considering the implications of our findings for both the public accounting literature and local government policymaking.
A Bayesian multivariate mixture model for skewed longitudinal data with intermittent missing observations: An application to infant motor development
Authors: Allen Carter , Benjamin‐Neelon Sara E. , Neelon Brian
Published: July 2020

In studies of infant growth, an important research goal is to identify latent clusters of infants with delayed motor development—a risk factor for adverse outcomes later in life. However, there are numerous statistical challenges in modeling motor development: the data are typically skewed, exhibit intermittent missingness, and are correlated across repeated measurements over time. Using data from the Nurture study, a cohort of approximately 600 mother‐infant pairs, we develop a flexible Bayesian mixture model for the analysis of infant motor development. First, we model developmental trajectories using matrix skew‐normal distributions with cluster‐specific parameters to accommodate dependence and skewness in the data. Second, we model the cluster‐membership probabilities using a Pólya‐Gamma data‐augmentation scheme, which improves predictions of the cluster‐membership allocations. Lastly, we impute missing responses from conditional multivariate skew‐normal distributions. Bayesian inference is achieved through straightforward Gibbs sampling. Through simulation studies, we show that the proposed model yields improved inferences over models that ignore skewness or adopt conventional imputation methods. We applied the model to the Nurture data and identified two distinct developmental clusters, as well as detrimental effects of food insecurity on motor development. These findings can aid investigators in targeting interventions during this critical early‐life developmental window.
Analysis of noisy survival data with graphical proportional hazards measurement error models
Authors: Chen Li‐Pang , Yi Grace Y.
Published: July 2020

In survival data analysis, the Cox proportional hazards (PH) model is perhaps the most widely used model to feature the dependence of survival times on covariates. While many inference methods have been developed under such a model or its variants, those models are not adequate for handling data with complex structured covariates. High‐dimensional survival data often entail several features: (1) many covariates are inactive in explaining the survival information, (2) active covariates are associated in a network structure, and (3) some covariates are error‐contaminated. To hand such kinds of survival data, we propose graphical PH measurement error models and develop inferential procedures for the parameters of interest. Our proposed models significantly enlarge the scope of the usual Cox PH model and have great flexibility in characterizing survival data. Theoretical results are established to justify the proposed methods. Numerical studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed methods.
Segmentation’s failure to improve software video tutorials
Authors: Garrett Nathan
Published: July 2020

Segmentation reduces learners’ cognitive load by inserting system‐controlled pauses into instructional animations and video. However, many previous studies focus on conceptual knowledge, and do not allow users control over the pacing of instruction. This two‐part experiment attempted to validate segmentation in the context of procedural software instruction by applying it to an Excel conditional formatting tutorial. Learners assigned to segmented video failed to show either improved knowledge transfer or decreased cognitive load. Instead, learners using the videos were able to successfully use the pause and rewind features to manage their own cognitive load. This study shows the importance of providing users with control over the pacing of instruction, and with testing educational theories when applying them in a new context.
To be or not to be tolerant? A Terror Management perspective exploring the ideological dilemma of tolerance and prejudice
Authors: Fairlamb Samuel , Cinnirella Marco
Published: July 2020

Tolerance has been identified as a way to reduce prejudice. However, tolerance has also been posited as an ideological dilemma and may have its limits. The present research explores this idea, utilizing insights from Terror Management Theory. Three studies were conducted using online samples. Study 1 found that a tolerance prime led to less discrimination towards Muslims after being reminded of death, but increased discrimination when reminded of terrorism. Additionally, tolerance did not affect levels of affective prejudice. Study 2 found that reading an essay that threatened the norm of tolerance led to increased levels of death‐thought accessibility and worldview defence, particularly amongst liberal participants. Study 3 found that a tolerance prime attenuated mortality salience decreasing support for author rights, but not if the worldview critic was intolerant. Taken together, the present findings suggest that using tolerance to reduce prejudice and foster more positive intergroup relations has its boundaries. If others are perceived to not be tolerant themselves, then people may be more motivated to defend, rather than uphold the norm of tolerance.
Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species correlate with ABT‐263 sensitivity in non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Ohgino Keiko , Terai Hideki , Yasuda Hiroyuki , Nukaga Shigenari , Hamamoto Junko , Tani Tetsuo , Kuroda Aoi , Arai Daisuke , Ishioka Kota , Masuzawa Keita , Ikemura Shinnosuke , Kawada Ichiro , Naoki Katsuhiko , Fukunaga Koichi , Soejima Kenzo
Published: July 2020

ABT‐263 (Navitoclax) is a BH3‐mimetic drugs targeting anti‐apoptotic B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (BCL‐2) family proteins, including BCL‐2, BCL‐xL, and BCL‐w, thereby inducing apoptosis. In small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells, the response to ABT‐263 is associated with the expression of myeloid cell leukemia‐1 (MCL‐1) protein, however the efficacy of ABT‐263 in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been thoroughly evaluated. There are currently no established biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of ABT‐263 treatment in NSCLC. We screened a panel of different NSCLC cell lines and found that ABT‐263 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in Calu‐1, Calu‐3, and BID007 cells. Inconsistent with previous reports on SCLC, low levels of MCL‐1 did not predict the response to ABT‐263 in NSCLC cells, however we found that intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells were associated with sensitivity to ABT‐263 in NSCLC cells. We also showed that increasing the level of intracellular ROS could enhance the sensitivity to ABT‐263 in NSCLC cells. In summary, we propose that the intracellular levels of ROS could be used as a potential novel biomarker for predicting a response to ABT‐263 in NSCLC. Furthermore, we show some evidence supporting the further assessment of ABT‐263 as a new therapeutic strategy in patients with NSCLC combined with agents regulating ROS levels. We believe that our findings and follow‐up studies on this matter would lead to novel diagnostic and treatment strategies in patients with NSCLC.
A review of the tumour spectrum of germline succinate dehydrogenase gene mutations: Beyond phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: MacFarlane James , Seong Keat Cheah , Bisambar Chad , Madhu Basetti , Allinson Kieren , Marker Alison , Warren Anne , Park Soo‐Mi , Giger Olivier , Challis Benjamin G. , Maher Eamonn R. , Casey Ruth T.
Published: July 2020

The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, plays an integral role in cellular metabolism and aerobic respiration. Mutations in genes encoding the citric acid cycle enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, fumarate hydratase and malate dehydrogenase all predispose to hereditary tumour syndromes. The succinate dehydrogenase enzyme complex (SDH) couples the oxidation of succinate to fumarate in the citric acid cycle and the reduction of ubiquinone to ubiquinol in the electron transport chain. A loss of function in the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme complex is most commonly caused by an inherited mutation in one of the fourSDHxgenes (SDHA,SDHB,SDHCandSDHD). This mechanism was first implicated in familial phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma. However, over the past two decades the spectrum of tumours associated with SDH deficiency has been extended to include gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and pituitary adenomas. The aim of this review is to describe the extended tumour spectrum associated withSDHxgene mutations and to consider how functional tests may help to establish the role ofSDHxmutations in new or unexpected tumour phenotypes.
A Scalable and Production Ready Sky and Atmosphere Rendering Technique
Authors: Hillaire Sébastien
Published: July 2020

We present a physically based method to render the atmosphere of a planet from ground to space views. Our method is cheap to compute and, as compared to previous successful methods, does not require any high dimensional Lookup Tables (LUTs) and thus does not suffer from visual artifacts associated with them. We also propose a new approximation to evaluate light multiple scattering within the atmosphere in real time. We take a new look at what it means to render natural atmospheric effects, and propose a set of simple look up tables and parameterizations to render a sky and its aerial perspective. The atmosphere composition can change dynamically to match artistic visions and weather changes without requiring heavy LUT update. The complete technique can be used in real‐time applications such as games, simulators or architecture pre‐visualizations. The technique also scales from power‐efficient mobile platforms up to PCs with high‐end GPUs, and is also useful for accelerating path tracing.
Deep Kernel Density Estimation for Photon Mapping
Authors: Zhu Shilin , Xu Zexiang , Jensen Henrik Wann , Su Hao , Ramamoorthi Ravi
Published: July 2020

Recently, deep learning‐based denoising approaches have led to dramatic improvements in low sample‐count Monte Carlo rendering. These approaches are aimed at path tracing, which is not ideal for simulating challenging light transport effects like caustics, where photon mapping is the method of choice. However, photon mapping requires very large numbers of traced photons to achieve high‐quality reconstructions. In this paper, we develop the first deep learning‐based method for particle‐based rendering, and specifically focus on photon density estimation, the core of all particle‐based methods. We train a novel deep neural network to predict a kernel function to aggregate photon contributions at shading points. Our network encodes individual photons into per‐photon features, aggregates them in the neighborhood of a shading point to construct a photon local context vector, and infers a kernel function from the per‐photon and photon local context features. This network is easy to incorporate in many previous photon mapping methods (by simply swapping the kernel density estimator) and can produce high‐quality reconstructions of complex global illumination effects like caustics with an order of magnitude fewer photons compared to previous photon mapping methods. Our approach largely reduces the required number of photons, significantly advancing the computational efficiency in photon mapping.
An Adaptive BRDF Fitting Metric
Authors: Bieron J. , Peers P.
Published: July 2020

We propose a novel image‐driven fitting strategy for isotropic BRDFs. Whereas existing BRDF fitting methods minimize a cost function directly on the error between the fitted analytical BRDF and the measured isotropic BRDF samples, we also take into account the resulting material appearance in visualizations of the BRDF. This change of fitting paradigm improves the appearance reproduction fidelity, especially for analytical BRDF models that lack the expressiveness to reproduce the measured surface reflectance. We formulate BRDF fitting as a two‐stage process that first generates a series of candidate BRDF fits based only on the BRDF error with measured BRDF samples. Next, from these candidates, we select the BRDF fit that minimizes the visual error. We demonstrate qualitatively and quantitatively improved fits for the Cook‐Torrance and GGX microfacet BRDF models. Furthermore, we present an analysis of the BRDF fitting results, and show that the image‐driven isotropic BRDF fits generalize well to other light conditions, and that depending on the measured material, a different weighting of errors with respect to the measured BRDF is necessary.
Can't Invert the CDF? The Triangle‐Cut Parameterization of the Region under the Curve
Authors: Heitz E.
Published: July 2020

We present an exact, analytic and deterministic method for sampling densities whose Cumulative Distribution Functions (CDFs) cannot be inverted analytically. Indeed, the inverse‐CDF method is often considered the way to go for sampling non‐uniform densities. If the CDF is not analytically invertible, the typical fallback solutions are either approximate, numerical, or non‐deterministic such as acceptance‐rejection. To overcome this problem, we show how to compute an analytic area‐preserving parameterization of the region under the curve of the target density. We use it to generate random points uniformly distributed under the curve of the target density and their abscissae are thus distributed with the target density. Technically, our idea is to use an approximate analytic parameterization whose error can be represented geometrically as a triangle that is simple to cut out. This triangle‐cut parameterization yields exact and analytic solutions to sampling problems that were presumably not analytically resolvable.
Semi‐Procedural Textures Using Point Process Texture Basis Functions
Authors: Guehl P. , Allègre R. , Dischler J.‐M. , Benes B. , Galin E.
Published: July 2020

We introduce a novel semi‐procedural approach that avoids drawbacks of procedural textures and leverages advantages of data‐driven texture synthesis. We split synthesis in two parts: 1) structure synthesis, based on a procedural parametric model and 2) color details synthesis, being data‐driven. The procedural model consists of a generic Point Process Texture Basis Function (PPTBF), which extends sparse convolution noises by defining rich convolution kernels. They consist of a window function multiplied with a correlated statistical mixture of Gabor functions, both designed to encapsulate a large span of common spatial stochastic structures, including cells, cracks, grains, scratches, spots, stains, and waves. Parameters can be prescribed automatically by supplying binary structure exemplars. As for noise‐based Gaussian textures, the PPTBF is used as stand‐alone function, avoiding classification tasks that occur when handling multiple procedural assets. Because the PPTBF is based on a single set of parameters it allows for continuous transitions between different visual structures and an easy control over its visual characteristics. Color is consistently synthesized from the exemplar using a multiscale parallel texture synthesis by numbers, constrained by the PPTBF. The generated textures are parametric, infinite and avoid repetition. The data‐driven part is automatic and guarantees strong visual resemblance with inputs.
LncRNA GATA3‐AS1 facilitates tumour progression and immune escape in triple‐negative breast cancer through destabilization of GATA3 but stabilization of PD‐L1
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Ning , Song Peng , Fu Yingqiang , Ren Yanlv , Li Zhigao , Wang Jinsong
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated as crucial regulators in cancer, but whether they are involved in the immune response of cancer cells remains largely undiscovered. GATA3‐AS1 is a novel lncRNA that was upregulated in breast cancer (BC) according to online databases. However, its role in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) was elusive.

Methods

GATA3‐AS1 expression in BC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was obtained from online databases. Loss‐of‐function assays were designed and conducted to verify the functional role of GATA3‐AS1 in TNBC cells. Bioinformatic analysis and mechanism experiments were applied to explore the downstream molecular mechanism of GATA3‐AS1. Similarly, the upstream mechanism which led to the upregulation of GATA3‐AS1 in TNBC cells was also investigated.

Results

GATA3‐AS1 was markedly overexpressed in TNBC tissues and cells. Knockdown of GATA3‐AS1 suppressed TNBC cell growth and enhanced the resistance of TNBC cells to immune response. GATA3‐AS1 induced the deubiquitination of PD‐L1 through miR‐676‐3p/COPS5 axis. GATA3‐AS1 destabilized GATA3 protein by promoting GATA3 ubiquitination.

Conclusion

GATA3‐AS1 contributed to TNBC progression and immune evasion through stabilizing PD‐L1 protein and degrading GATA3 protein, offering a new target for the treatment of TNBC.
Phenotype of immunosuppression reduction after kidney transplantation
Authors: Posadas Salas Maria Aurora , Taber David , Soliman Karim , Nwadike Emmanuel , Srinivas Titte
Published: July 2020

Background

Immunosuppressive regimens are delivered without direct measure of the net state of immunosuppression. Besides therapeutic drug monitoring, adjustments in immunosuppressive medications are largely event‐driven.

Methods

We studied the clinical phenotype of immunosuppression reduction (ISR) among kidney transplant recipients from 2005 to 2012. Patients were grouped into: no ISR, ISR for infection, or ISR for intolerance. Outcome measures were rejection, rejection‐free survival, and IFTA‐free survival.

Results

1114 adult kidney transplant recipients were included: 57% had no ISR, 16% had ISR for infection, and 27% had ISR for intolerance. ISR for infection was mainly on MMF, while ISR for intolerance was mainly on FK. ISR was associated with higher rates of acute rejection. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed increased prevalence of rejection among patients with ISR due to infection (P = .003) or intolerance (P = .05). The risk of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy was increased in patients with ISR due to infection (P = .001) or intolerance (P = .018).

Conclusion

Immunosuppression reduction is associated with increased prevalence of rejection. The clinical phenotype of ISR is dominated by IFTA remote from the onset of ISR. Solely focusing on acute rejection may underestimate effects of ISR on long‐term graft function and survival.
Multiple calvarial lesions in an adult male: Cytodiagnosis of a rare presentation
Authors: Gupta Shruti , Gupta Parikshaa , Khalid Saifullah , Kumar Ajay , Lal Vivek , Rajwanshi Arvind
Published: July 2020

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal proliferative disorder of antigen‐presenting Langerhans’ cells, predominantly occurring in children with rare cases in adults. A definitive cytological diagnosis can be established on the basis of characteristic cytomorphology and immunocytochemical features.
The effects of prematurity and socioeconomic deprivation on early speech perception: A story of two different delays
Authors: Gonzalez‐Gomez Nayeli , O'Brien Frances , Harris Margaret
Published: July 2020

There is evidence showing that both maturational and environmental factors can impact on later language development. On the one hand, preterm birth has been found to increase the risk of deficits in the preschool and school years. Preterm children show poorer auditory discrimination, reading difficulties, poor vocabulary, less complex expressive language and lower receptive understanding than their matched controls. On the other hand, socioeconomic status (SES) indicators (i.e., income, education and occupation) have been found to be strongly related to linguistic abilities during the preschool and school years. However, there is very little information about how these factors result in lower linguistic abilities. The present study addresses this issue. To do so, we investigated early speech perception in full and preterm infants from families classed as high or low SES. Seventy‐six infants were followed longitudinally at 7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 months of age. At each test point, three studies explored infants' phonetic, prosodic and phonotactic development respectively. Results showed no significant differences between the phonetic or the phonotactic development of the preterm and the full‐term infants. However, a time‐lag between preterm and full‐term developmental timing for prosody was found. Socioeconomic status did not have a significant effect on prosodic development. Nonetheless, phonetic and phonotactic development was affected by SES, infants from lower SES showed phonetic discrimination of non‐native contrast and a preference for high‐probability sequences later than their more advantaged peers. Overall these results suggest that different constraints apply to the acquisition of different phonological subcomponents.
Culturally learned first impressions occur rapidly and automatically and emerge early in development
Authors: Eggleston Adam , Flavell Jonathan C. , Tipper Steven P. , Cook Richard , Over Harriet
Published: July 2020

Previous research indicates that first impressions from faces are the products of automatic and rapid processing and emerge early in development. These features have been taken as evidence that first impressions have a phylogenetic origin. We examine whether first impressions acquired through learning can also possess these features. First, we confirm that adults rate a person as more intelligent when they are wearing glasses (Study 1). Next, we show this inference persists when participants are instructed to ignore the glasses (Study 2) and when viewing time is restricted to 100 ms (Study 3). Finally, we show that 6‐year‐old, but not 4‐year‐old, children perceive individuals wearing glasses to be more intelligent, indicating that the effect is seen relatively early in development (Study 4). These data indicate that automaticity, rapid access and early emergence are not evidence that first impressions have an innate origin. Rather, these features are equally compatible with a learning model.
The hard way
Authors: Mercadante Linda
Published: July 2020

In order to model civility, progressive Christians must go against the grain and take “the hard way.”
Healing and reconciliation
Authors: Thomas James R.
Published: July 2020

The Christian Church is called to the ministry of reconciliation. Despite the pain and struggle of fractured communities today, there are also stories of hope lived and told by persons who are the recipients of the ministry of local congregations and church‐sponsored social service agencies. Reconciliation leads to hope, and hope leads to reconciliation.
Using linked registry data to examine co‐occurrence of congenital anomalies in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Kirby Russell S
Published: July 2020

This commentary is on the original article by Goldsmith et al. on pages 413–420 of this issue.