bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The vulnerability of fish, crabs and prawns resources in the Mahakam Estuary
Authors: Aisyah  , Triharyuni S
Published: January 2020

River estuary in coastal areas, is highly affected by inland water conditions such as freshwater and sediment flows, ocean water such as tides, waves, and the substitution of saltwater to land. Large ecological and economic potential causes logical consequences for ecosystem changes, including the condition of fish resources that have habitat and life cycles directly related to conditions that occur upstream. The purpose of this study was to examine ecological stresses and fishing activity in Mahakam Estuary represented by mangrove crabs, cat fish and giant prawns. The main analysis in this study was the calculation of vulnerability values with concepts and approaches to vulnerability of catfish populations, giant prawns and mangrove crabs, based on two functions of vulnerability, namely exposure and sensitivity. The vulnerability analysis of three types of fisheries commodities refers to the method used by NOAA with some modifications to the assessment component. It is known that catfish are in a low level of vulnerability, giant prawns are at a high level of vulnerability, mangrove crabs are in a very high level of vulnerability or very vulnerable.
Phytoplankton communities of the Barents Sea frontal zone during the early spring period
Authors: Vodopyanova V , Larionov V , Makarevich P , Vashenko P , Bulavina A
Published: January 2020

In April 2018, complex studies of phytoplankton communities were carried out in the northwestern Barents Sea in the region of the Polar Front (74.8°-76.2° N) in a layer of 0-50 m. The region under study encompassed surface Arctic water and Atlantic water of the Fram branch (which conditionally corresponds to the Arctic water mass) divided from the Atlantic water mass by the Polar Front. Phytoplankton community on both sides of the front were represented by early spring complex, 90% of biomass was formed by diatoms (Achnanthes taeniata, Nitzschia grunowii, Thalassiosira antarctica). In water of Atlantic origin Phaeocystis pouchetii were found among the dominants. However, the level of development of microplankton was significantly higher in water from the Arctic Basin. The highest chlorophyll-a concentrations referred to surface Arctic water (3.13±0.43 mg/m3) and Atlantic Fram water (2.04±0.29 mg/m3). The concentration of chlorophyll-a at the stations performed in the Atlantic water mass was an order of magnitude lower - 0.50±0.26 mg/m3. Thus, during the early-spring period, the Polar Front is a powerful boundary that limits exclusively the level of development and quantitative indicators of the early spring microphytoplankton complex. The front line separates the more productive Arctic water, with average chlorophyll-a concentrations of 2-3 mg/m3, from the Atlantic water, in which concentrations of this pigment are an order of magnitude lower.
Analysis of antioxidation activity for the small molecular biomass extracted from the waste of resources
Authors: Chung T-W , Wang M-Y , Chen M-T
Published: January 2020

The waste of peanut press cake from oil mill was powdered and used as the feedstock to extract the protein and the extract solution was further hydrolysed by using an enzyme mixture of alcalase and flavourzyme. The peanut protein was become the smaller molecules after enzymatic hydrolysis and the antioxidation activities were analysed by using experimental design. The response surface methodology was applied to analyse the parameters and the interaction between parameters of the enzymatic hydrolysis process for the variation of antioxidation activities of the small molecular protein. On the basis of the experimental results, the optimum responses of antioxidation activities were obtained as the DPPH free radical scavenging ability of 76.85%, reducing power (absorbance value) of 0.1 Abs, and Ferrous ion (Fe2+) chelating ability of 17.19% under the operating parameters in solid-liquid ratio of 1:10, enzyme concentration of 10%, and hydrolysis time of 8 hr.
Co-sorption of sulfamethoxazole and Cu onto several soils with different properties and their binding mechanism
Authors: Shao Yifei , Liu Xijuan , Liu Aiju , Dong Yuanpeng , Hu Xinxin
Published: January 2020

The present study aims to investigate the co-sorption characteristic of Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Cu(II) onto two typical soils with different properties in China. The sorption of SMX and Cu(II) onto soil is carried out by batch method. The results indicated that Cu(II) co-presence significantly increased SMX adsorption on Black soils, but decreased SMX adsorption on Brown soils. The further kinetic models fitting found, however, that Cu(II) co-presence had little effect on the sorption process of SMX onto soils. The co-sorption of SMX and Cu(II) on soil mineral surface was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Energy Spectrum Analysis based on the variation of elemental bonding energy after adsorption. The further Infrared Spectrometric Analysis proved that SMX and Cu(II) were bonded on soil mineral surface by coordination of Cu(II) with the N reactive groups of SMX. Finally, in view of the different sorption of SMX on Brown and Black soils after Cu(II) addition, it could conclude that the coordination is not favourable to SMX adsorption onto soil mineral phases.
Research on building energy efficiency based on energyplus software
Authors: Zhang Junxue
Published: January 2020

Energyplus is an important software in the field of building energy efficiency, which can accurately simulate building energy consumption. By comparing simulated situation of building energy consumption with actual usage of energy, the energy consumption can be shown in some buildings so as to optimize the building energy efficiency, especially for promoting the thermal performance of buildings. This paper utilizes the building energy simulated software-EnergyPlus to simulate the energy consumption of the dormitory of Southeast University so as to verify the key factors of building energy consumption.
Impact of Lymphovascular Invasion on Survival Outcome in Patients With Gastric Cancer
Authors: Mei Di , Zhao Bochao , Zhang Jiale , Luo Rui , Lu Huiwen , Xu Huimian , Huang Baojun
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) for patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

A total of 1,720 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastrectomy were retrospectively identified. The association between LVI and clinicopathologic characteristics was determined and its impact on survival outcome was evaluated.

Results

LVI was detected in 21.3% of GC patients, 5.9% of patients with early GC, 24.0% of patients with advanced GC, and 6.7% of node-negative patients using H&E staining. Tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 1.509; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.159-1.965; P < .01), differentiated type (OR, 1.817; 95% CI, 1.377-2.398; P < .001), and the depth of tumor invasion (OR, 3.011; 95% CI, 2.174-4.171; P < .001) were independent predictive factors for LVI. LVI-positive patients have a poorer prognosis than LVI-negative patients, irrespective of tumor stage or lymph node metastasis. LVI was an independent prognostic factor for patients with GC (hazard ratio, 1.299; 95% CI, 1.112-1.518; P < .001).

Conclusions

LVI provided additional prognostic information for GC patients, and LVI-positive patients should be considered candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Genesis and Gappa: processing, analyzing and visualizing phylogenetic (placement) data
Authors: Czech Lucas , Barbera Pierre , Stamatakis Alexandros
Published: January 2020

We present genesis, a library for working with phylogenetic data, and gappa, an accompanying command-line tool for conducting typical analyses on such data. The tools target phylogenetic trees and phylogenetic placements, sequences, taxonomies and other relevant data types, offer high-level simplicity as well as low-level customizability, and are computationally efficient, well-tested and field-proven.

Availability and implementation

Both genesis and gappa are written in modern C++11, and are freely available under GPLv3 at http://github.com/lczech/genesis and http://github.com/lczech/gappa.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FTIP: an accurate and efficient method for global protein surface comparison
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Sui Xing , Stagg Scott , Zhang Jinfeng
Published: January 2020

Motivation

Global protein surface comparison (GPSC) studies have been limited compared to other research works on protein structure alignment/comparison due to lack of real applications associated with GPSC. However, the technology advances in cryo-electron tomography (CET) have made methods to identify proteins from their surface shapes extremely useful.

Results

In this study, we developed a new method called Farthest point sampling (FPS)-enhanced Triangulation-based Iterative-closest-Point (ICP) (FTIP) for GPSC. We applied it to protein classification using only surface shape information. Our method first extracts a set of feature points from protein surfaces using FPS and then uses a triangulation-based efficient ICP algorithm to align the feature points of the two proteins to be compared. Tested on a benchmark dataset with 2329 proteins using nearest-neighbor classification, FTIP outperformed the state-of-the-art method for GPSC based on 3D Zernike descriptors. Using real and simulated cryo-EM data, we show that FTIP could be applied in the future to address problems in protein identification in CET experiments.

Availability and implementation

Programs/scripts we developed/used in the study are available at http://ani.stat.fsu.edu/∼yuan/index.fld/FTIP.tar.bz2.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Unifying the Basic Models of Ecology to Be More Complete and Easier to Teach
Authors: Lehman Clarence , Loberg Shelby , Clark Adam T , Schmitter Daniel
Published: January 2020

Population and basic community ecology are commonly presented to students through a set of distinct models, such as those for exponential growth, logistic growth, competition, predation, and so forth. This approach mirrors the historical development of the field, but it has several shortcomings as a way to present ecological theory. First, the classical equations can appear disconnected from one another. Second, differences in the parameters and styles of the equations do not lend themselves to comparison in a common graphical form. And third, the set of equations as they are commonly presented provides no easy way to see whether any concepts are left out. In fact, something is left out that is not commonly taught: the concept of faster-than-exponential growth approaching a singularity, which is important for understanding rapidly growing systems. In the present article, we demonstrate a unified approach that simplifies the traditional equations of ecology, expands their scope, and emphasizes their interconnections.
Impaired theta phase coupling underlies frontotemporal dysconnectivity in schizophrenia
Authors: Adams Rick A , Bush Daniel , Zheng Fanfan , Meyer Sofie S , Kaplan Raphael , Orfanos Stelios , Marques Tiago Reis , Howes Oliver D , Burgess Neil
Published: January 2020

Frontotemporal dysconnectivity is a key pathology in schizophrenia. The specific nature of this dysconnectivity is unknown, but animal models imply dysfunctional theta phase coupling between hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We tested this hypothesis by examining neural dynamics in 18 participants with a schizophrenia diagnosis, both medicated and unmedicated; and 26 age, sex and IQ matched control subjects. All participants completed two tasks known to elicit hippocampal-prefrontal theta coupling: a spatial memory task (during magnetoencephalography) and a memory integration task. In addition, an overlapping group of 33 schizophrenia and 29 control subjects underwent PET to measure the availability of GABAARs expressing the α5 subunit (concentrated on hippocampal somatostatin interneurons). We demonstrate—in the spatial memory task, during memory recall—that theta power increases in left medial temporal lobe (mTL) are impaired in schizophrenia, as is theta phase coupling between mPFC and mTL. Importantly, the latter cannot be explained by theta power changes, head movement, antipsychotics, cannabis use, or IQ, and is not found in other frequency bands. Moreover, mPFC-mTL theta coupling correlated strongly with performance in controls, but not in subjects with schizophrenia, who were mildly impaired at the spatial memory task and no better than chance on the memory integration task. Finally, mTL regions showing reduced phase coupling in schizophrenia magnetoencephalography participants overlapped substantially with areas of diminished α5-GABAAR availability in the wider schizophrenia PET sample. These results indicate that mPFC-mTL dysconnectivity in schizophrenia is due to a loss of theta phase coupling, and imply α5-GABAARs (and the cells that express them) have a role in this process.
Stable Encoding of Visual Cues in the Mouse Retrosplenial Cortex
Authors: Powell Anna , Connelly William M , Vasalauskaite Asta , Nelson Andrew J D , Vann Seralynne D , Aggleton John P , Sengpiel Frank , Ranson Adam
Published: January 2020

The rodent retrosplenial cortex (RSC) functions as an integrative hub for sensory and motor signals, serving roles in both navigation and memory. While RSC is reciprocally connected with the sensory cortex, the form in which sensory information is represented in the RSC and how it interacts with motor feedback is unclear and likely to be critical to computations involved in navigation such as path integration. Here, we used 2-photon cellular imaging of neural activity of putative excitatory (CaMKII expressing) and inhibitory (parvalbumin expressing) neurons to measure visual and locomotion evoked activity in RSC and compare it to primary visual cortex (V1). We observed stimulus position and orientation tuning, and a retinotopic organization. Locomotion modulation of activity of single neurons, both in darkness and light, was more pronounced in RSC than V1, and while locomotion modulation was strongest in RSC parvalbumin-positive neurons, visual-locomotion integration was found to be more supralinear in CaMKII neurons. Longitudinal measurements showed that response properties were stably maintained over many weeks. These data provide evidence for stable representations of visual cues in RSC that are spatially selective. These may provide sensory data to contribute to the formation of memories of spatial information.
Clinical Features of Human Metapneumovirus-Associated Community-acquired Pneumonia Hospitalizations
Authors: Howard Leigh M , Edwards Kathryn M , Zhu Yuwei , Grijalva Carlos G , Self Wesley H , Jain Seema , Ampofo Krow , Pavia Andrew T , Arnold Sandra R , McCullers Jonathan A , Anderson Evan J , Wunderink Richard G , Williams Derek J
Published: January 2020

Background

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections. Few studies have compared the clinical characteristics and severity of HMPV-associated pneumonia with other pathogens.

Methods

Active, population-based surveillance was previously conducted for radiographically confirmed, community-acquired pneumonia hospitalizations among children and adults in 8 United States hospitals. Clinical data and specimens for pathogen detection were systematically collected. We described clinical features of all HMPV-associated pneumonia and, after excluding codetections with other pathogen types, we compared features of HMPV-associated pneumonia with other viral, atypical, and bacterial pneumonia and modeled the severity (mild, moderate, and severe) and length of stay using multivariable proportional odds regression.

Results

HMPV was detected in 298/2358 (12.6%) children and 88/2320 (3.8%) adults hospitalized with pneumonia and was commonly codetected with other pathogens (125/298 [42%] children and 21/88 [24%] adults). Fever and cough were the most common presenting symptoms of HMPV-associated pneumonia and were also common symptoms of other pathogens. After excluding codetections in children (n = 1778), compared to HMPV (reference), bacterial pneumonia exhibited increased severity (odds ratio [OR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–9.40), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, .59–.99) and atypical (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, .19–.81) infections exhibited decreased severity, and other viral pneumonia exhibited similar severity (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, .55–1.39). In adults (n = 2145), bacterial (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.87–7.47) and RSV pneumonia (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32–2.50) were more severe than HMPV (reference), but all other pathogens had similar severity.

Conclusions

Clinical features did not reliably distinguish HMPV-associated pneumonia from other pathogens. HMPV-associated pneumonia was less severe than bacterial and adult RSV pneumonia, but was otherwise as or more severe than other common pathogens.
A Mass Spectrometry-Based Panel of Nine Thyroid Hormone Metabolites in Human Serum
Authors: Jongejan Rutchanna M S , Klein Theo , Meima Marcel E , Visser W Edward , van Heerebeek Ramona E A , Luider Theo M , Peeters Robin P , de Rijke Yolanda B
Published: January 2020

Background

While thyroxine (T4), 3,3’,5-triiodothyronine (T3), and 3,3’,5’-triiodothyronine (rT3) have routine methods available for evaluating patients with suspected thyroid disease, appropriate methods for the measurement of other thyroid hormone metabolites (THMs) are lacking. The effects of other iodothyronines or iodothyroacetic acids are therefore less explored. To better understand the (patho)physiological role of THMs, a robust method to measure iodothyronines and iodothyroacetic acids in serum in a single analysis is needed, including associated reference intervals.

Methods

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, European Medicines Agency guidelines, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology protocol were used for the method validation and reference intervals. Reference intervals were determined in 132 healthy males and 121 healthy females. Serum samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile, followed by anion-exchange solid phase extraction and analysis with LC-MS/MS, using eight 13C6-internal standards

Results

The analytical method validation was performed for all nine THMs. Reference intervals (2.5th to 97.5th percentile) were determined for L-thyronine (4.9–11.3 ng/dL), 3-monoiodothyronine (0.06 --0.41 ng/dL), 3,5-diiodothyronine (<0.13 ng/dL), 3,3’-diiodothyronine (0.25--0.77 ng/dL), T3 (66.4--129.9 ng/dL), rT3 (15.0--64.1 ng/dL), T4 (4.3--10.0 µg/dL), triac/3,3’,5-triiodothyroacetic acid (not detected), and tetrac/3,3’,5,5’-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (2.2--27.2 ng/dL).

Conclusions

A broad dynamic concentration range exists among the nine THMs. This method should help to develop a better understanding of the clinical relevance of other THMs, as well as an understanding of thyroid hormone metabolism in health and disease.
MapReduce and Optimized Deep Network for Rainfall Prediction in Agriculture
Authors: S Oswalt Manoj , J P Ananth
Published: January 2020

Rainfall prediction is the active area of research as it enables the farmers to move with the effective decision-making regarding agriculture in both cultivation and irrigation. The existing prediction models are scary as the prediction of rainfall depended on three major factors including the humidity, rainfall and rainfall recorded in the previous years, which resulted in huge time consumption and leveraged huge computational efforts associated with the analysis. Thus, this paper introduces the rainfall prediction model based on the deep learning network, convolutional long short-term memory (convLSTM) system, which promises a prediction based on the spatial-temporal patterns. The weights of the convLSTM are tuned optimally using the proposed Salp-stochastic gradient descent algorithm (S-SGD), which is the integration of Salp swarm algorithm (SSA) in the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm in order to facilitate the global optimal tuning of the weights and to assure a better prediction accuracy. On the other hand, the proposed deep learning framework is built in the MapReduce framework that enables the effective handling of the big data. The analysis using the rainfall prediction database reveals that the proposed model acquired the minimal mean square error (MSE) and percentage root mean square difference (PRD) of 0.001 and 0.0021.
The transcriptome of Escherichia coli O157: H7 reveals a role for oxidative stress resistance in its survival from predation by Tetrahymena
Authors: George Andree Sherlon , Rehfuss Marc Yi Ming , Parker Craig Thomas , Brandl Maria Theresa
Published: January 2020

Pathogenic E. coli remains undigested upon phagocytosis by Tetrahymena and is egested from the ciliate as viable cells in its fecal pellets. Factors that are involved in the survival of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli serovar O157: H7 (EcO157) from digestion by Tetrahymena were identified by microarray analysis of its transcriptome in the protozoan phagosome. Numerous genes belonging to anaerobic metabolism and various stress responses were upregulated significantly ≥ 2-fold in EcO157 cells in the food vacuoles compared with in planktonic cells that remained uningested by the protist. Among these were the oxidative stress response genes, ahpF and katG. Fluorescence microscopy and staining with CellROX® Orange confirmed the presence of reactive oxygen species in food vacuoles containing EcO157 cells. Frequency distribution analysis of the percentage of EcO157 viable cells in Tetrahymena fecal pellets revealed that the ΔahpCF and ΔahpCFΔkatG mutants were less fit than the wild type strain and ΔkatG mutant after passage through the protist. Given the broad use of oxidants as sanitizers in the food industry, our observation of the oxidative stress response in EcO157 during its interaction with Tetrahymena emphasizes the importance of furthering our knowledge of the physiology of this human pathogen in environments relevant to its ecology and to food safety.
Optimizing Small World Initiative service learning by focusing on antibiotics-producing actinomycetes from soil
Authors: de Groot Piet W J , Fernández-Pereira Jordan , Sabariegos Rosario , Clemente-Casares Pilar , Parra-Martínez Javier , Cid Víctor J , Moreno Diego A
Published: January 2020

Small World Initiative and Tiny Earth are popular citizen science programs that are implemented worldwide in response to the global antibiotic resistance crisis. When starting up the program in Albacete (Spain), we noted that rates of isolated antibiotic-producing bacteria are generally low. To make the activity more stimulating for participating students, we modified the protocol to obtain more positive results by focusing on isolation of actinomycetes, the main producers of most clinically used antibiotics. Adaptations involved redesigning culture media, incubation times and temperatures, and modification of the ESKAPE antibiosis experiment by employing an agar-transplantation step. Of 390 bacterial isolates tested, almost 6% tested positive in antibiosis experiments and DNA sequence analysis confirmed that all positives are actinomycetes, demonstrating that our protocol is efficient toward isolating antibiotic-producing actinomycetes from soil. Evaluation forms filled by participating students indicated that the program was received very positively and that our modifications contribute to make this educational program more stimulating and efficient.
Dynamic Evolution of the Cthrc1 Genes, a Newly Defined Collagen-Like Family
Authors: Leclère Lucas , Nir Tal S , Bazarsky Michael , Braitbard Merav , Schneidman-Duhovny Dina , Gat Uri
Published: January 2020

Collagen triple helix repeat containing protein 1 (Cthrc1) is a secreted glycoprotein reported to regulate collagen deposition and to be linked to the Transforming growth factor β/Bone morphogenetic protein and the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathways. It was first identified as being induced upon injury to rat arteries and was found to be highly expressed in multiple human cancer types. Here, we explore the phylogenetic and evolutionary trends of this metazoan gene family, previously studied only in vertebrates. We identify Cthrc1 orthologs in two distant cnidarian species, the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and the hydrozoan Clytia hemisphaerica, both of which harbor multiple copies of this gene. We find that Cthrc1 clade-specific diversification occurred multiple times in cnidarians as well as in most metazoan clades where we detected this gene. Many other groups, such as arthropods and nematodes, have entirely lost this gene family. Most vertebrates display a single highly conserved gene, and we show that the sequence evolutionary rate of Cthrc1 drastically decreased within the gnathostome lineage. Interestingly, this reduction coincided with the origin of its conserved upstream neighboring gene, Frizzled 6 (FZD6), which in mice has been shown to functionally interact with Cthrc1. Structural modeling methods further reveal that the yet uncharacterized C-terminal domain of Cthrc1 is similar in structure to the globular C1q superfamily domain, also found in the C-termini of collagens VIII and X. Thus, our studies show that the Cthrc1 genes are a collagen-like family with a variable short collagen triple helix domain and a highly conserved C-terminal domain structure resembling the C1q family.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Species Trees from Gene Trees in the Presence of Ancestral Population Structure
Authors: Koch Hillary , DeGiorgio Michael
Published: January 2020

Though large multilocus genomic data sets have led to overall improvements in phylogenetic inference, they have posed the new challenge of addressing conflicting signals across the genome. In particular, ancestral population structure, which has been uncovered in a number of diverse species, can skew gene tree frequencies, thereby hindering the performance of species tree estimators. Here we develop a novel maximum likelihood method, termed TASTI (Taxa with Ancestral structure Species Tree Inference), that can infer phylogenies under such scenarios, and find that it has increasing accuracy with increasing numbers of input gene trees, contrasting with the relatively poor performances of methods not tailored for ancestral structure. Moreover, we propose a supertree approach that allows TASTI to scale computationally with increasing numbers of input taxa. We use genetic simulations to assess TASTI’s performance in the three- and four-taxon settings and demonstrate the application of TASTI on a six-species Afrotropical mosquito data set. Finally, we have implemented TASTI in an open-source software package for ease of use by the scientific community.
Alternative techniques of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction for surgical repair of truncus arteriosus
Authors: Padalino Massimo A , Çelmeta Bleri , Vedovelli Luca , Castaldi Biagio , Vida Vladimiro L , Stellin Giovanni
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and feasibility of different techniques of reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in surgical repair of truncus arteriosus.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients with truncus arteriosus who underwent successful surgical repair in our centre between 1994 and 2017. We analysed late results according to the type of RVOT repair.

RESULTS

We collected data from 29 survivors after truncus arteriosus repair. Six (20%) of them were affected by DiGeorge syndrome. The RVOT reconstruction was achieved using a valved conduit in 58.6%, while a direct right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV–PA) anastomosis, with or without the interposition of the left atrial appendage, was performed in the remaining. At a median follow-up time of 7.9 years (interquartile range 1.8–13.1), 6 patients (3 affected by DiGeorge syndrome) died. Between the 2 groups, there were no differences in terms of the late mortality and onset of adverse events. However, the use of a conduit seemed more prone to reintervention and onset of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Different RVOT reconstruction techniques are safe and have similar late outcomes. However, use of a direct RV–PA anastomosis and left atrial appendage interposition may reduce the need for reoperation in the long term.
The Groupoids of Adaptable Separated Graphs and Their Type Semigroups
Authors: Ara Pere , Bosa Joan , Pardo Enrique , Sims Aidan
Published: January 2020

Given an adaptable separated graph, we construct an associated groupoid and explore its type semigroup. Specifically, we first attach to each adaptable separated graph a corresponding semigroup, which we prove is an $E^*$-unitary inverse semigroup. As a consequence, the tight groupoid of this semigroup is a Hausdorff étale groupoid. We show that this groupoid is always amenable and that the type semigroups of groupoids obtained from adaptable separated graphs in this way include all finitely generated conical refinement monoids. The first three named authors will utilize this construction in forthcoming work to solve the realization problem for von Neumann regular rings, in the finitely generated case.
Multiplex gene transfer by genetic transformation between isolated S. pneumoniae cells confined in microfluidic droplets
Authors: Lam Trinh , Maienschein-Cline Mark , Eddington David T , Morrison Donald A
Published: January 2020

Gene exchange via genetic transformation makes major contributions to antibiotic resistance of the human pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). The transfers begin when a pneumococcal cell, in a transient specialized physiological state called competence, attacks and lyses another cell, takes up fragments of the liberated DNA, and integrates divergent genes into its genome. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the pneumococcal cells can be enclosed in femtoliter-scale droplets for study of the transformation mechanism, offering the ability to characterize individual cell–cell interactions and overcome the limitations of current methods involving bulk mixed cultures. To determine the relevance and reliability of this new method for study of bacterial genetic transformation, we compared recombination events occurring in 44 recombinants recovered after competence-mediated gene exchange between pairs of cells confined in femtoliter-scale droplets vs. those occurring in exchanges in parallel bulk culture mixtures. The pattern of recombination events in both contexts exhibited the hallmarks of the macro-recombination exchanges previously observed within the more complex natural contexts of biofilms and long-term evolution in the human host.
High glucose inhibits osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via regulating miR-493-5p/ZEB2 signalling
Authors: Zhai Zhongshu , Chen Wanhong , Hu Qiaosheng , Wang Xin , Zhao Qing , Tuerxunyiming Muhadasi
Published: January 2020

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is attributed to the aberrant physiological function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under high glucose (HG) environment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathological processes of DOP. We aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of miRNA in DOP. BMSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium with HG to induce osteogenic differentiation, and the interaction between miR-493-5p and ZEB2 was assessed by luciferase assay. Herein, we found miR-493-5p is gradually reduced during osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. HG treatment inhibits osteogenic differentiation and induces an up-regulation of miR-493-5p leading to reduced level of its downstream target ZEB2. Inhibition of miR-493-5p attenuates HG-induced osteogenic differentiation defects by upregulation of ZEB2. Mechanistically, miR-493-5p/ZEB2 signalling mediates HG-inhibited osteogenic differentiation by inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. More importantly, knockdown of miR-493-5p therapeutically alleviated the DOP condition in mice. HG prevents BMSCs osteogenic differentiation via up-regulation of miR-493-5p, which results in reduced level of ZEB2 by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region of mRNA. Thus, miR-493-5p/ZEB2 is a potential therapeutic target and provides novel strategy for the treatment and management of DOP.
CFD analysis of flashing flow in two-phase geothermal turbine design
Authors: Rane Sham , He Li
Published: January 2020

A thermal power plant for the East African Rift countries is under study for combined energy and freshwater generation using geothermal water, available at above 500 kPa pressure and temperature exceeding 150°C. This article presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model and analysis of the two-phase turbine used for power generation in this total flow thermal plant. Flash boiling was implemented using a two-fluid multiphase model with the thermal phase-change criteria for heat, mass, and momentum transfer in the CFD solver ANSYS CFX. Initially, flashing flow in a converging–diverging nozzle was validated. This stationary nozzle model was then extended to a curved rotating nozzle reaction turbine and the results of flow and power were evaluated against available test data at 400 kPa feed water pressure under subcooled condition of 117°C and a very low backpressure of 6 kPa. Flow through this turbine was predicted within 8% deviation. An overestimate in thermodynamic power by 30–50% was predicted at speeds below 4000 rpm, while at the design speed of 4623 rpm the deviation was less than 5%. Rotor torque and hence power estimate was found to be dependent on the bubble size, bubble number density, and heat transfer parameters prescribed in the CFD model. The vapour dryness fraction at turbine exit was close to an isentropic expansion vapour quality. The isentropic efficiency was 7.5–17% for the analysed speed range.
Mass Rearing, Quality Parameters, and Bioconversion in Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) for Sterile Insect Technique Purposes
Authors: Aceituno-Medina Marysol , Ordoñez Alicia , Carrasco Morfa , Montoya Pablo , Hernández Emilio
Published: January 2020

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, has emerged as a major invasive insect pest of small and stone fruits in both the Americas and Europe in the last decade. Females oviposit in ripening fruit, and significant economic losses can occur. Control measures are mainly associated with the use of pesticides, but the sterile insect technique (SIT), an ecologically friendly pest-specific method, could be used against this species. The objective of this study was to estimate the mass rearing, quality control parameters, and bioconversion using four artificial larval diets and their economic aspects oriented to the SIT application. Diets were based on the combination of coconut fiber, corncob powder, Brewer’s and Torula yeast and were used as oviposition substrate and larval development. We found that a life cycle is completed in 10.19 ± 0.35 d and that adults live an average of 33.67 ± 0.76 d. The highest number of pupae per gram of diet and the maximum bioconversion (6%) were associated with flies developed in the coconut fiber + Brewer’s yeast diet. Under our conditions, the establishment of D. suzukii required at least four generations. The use of 30 × 40 × 30 cm Plexiglas cages, each loaded with 5,000 adults and stocked with 500 g of coconut fiber and Brewer’s yeast diet distributed in 15 × 5 × 10 cm plastic trays with a diet layer 3-cm thick, allows a minimum production of 84,000 pupae of D. suzukii per day.
Effect of Tannic Acid on Nutrition and Activities of Detoxification Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase of the Fall Webworm (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
Authors: Yuan Yufei , Li Lusha , Zhao Jingfen , Chen Min
Published: January 2020

Plant tannins, polyphenolic plant secondary metabolites are involved in important chemical defense processes in plants. In this study, tannic acid was used as the standard of plant tannins to determine the effects on nutritional indices and activities of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450), carboxylesterase (CarE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in fourth-instar larvae of Hyphantria cunea (Drury) by feeding on an artificial diet containing tannic acid under different treatments. We found that tannic acid significantly affected the digestive capacity and food utilization rate of H. cunea larvae. A tannic acid concentration of less than 2.0% promoted feeding and the utilization of undesirable food by H. cunea larvae, while inhibitory effects were observed at high concentrations (>2.5%). Tannic acid had a significant effect on the activity of detoxification enzymes and AChE in H. cunea larvae in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners (P < 0.05). These results provide new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying detoxification in H. cunea larvae against tannic acid in host plants.
Adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Motoi Fuyuhiko , Unno Michiaki
Published: January 2020

The prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is dismal. Hence, advances in multidisciplinary treatment strategies, including surgery, are urgently needed. Early recurrence of distant organ metastases suggests that there are occult metastases even in cases with resectable disease. Several randomized controlled trials on adjuvant chemotherapy have been conducted to prolong survival after resection. CONKO-001 study was the first to demonstrate significant improvement in disease-free survival after surgery with gemcitabine administration. The JASPAC-01 study showed the superiority of adjuvant S1 over gemcitabine in survival after resection. Based on the results, adjuvant S1 therapy is the prescribed standard of care in Japan. Recently, the PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA.6 study showed that survival of patients treated with a modified FOLFIRINOX regimen as adjuvant therapy was significantly longer than those treated with adjuvant gemcitabine therapy. Although the evidence from these trials on adjuvant chemotherapy have been the gold-standard treatment for curatively resected and fully recovered patients, resectable disease at diagnosis is not the status, resected disease after curative resection. Currently, neoadjuvant therapy is considered to be a promising alternative to surgery for pancreatic cancer. Although there are many reports regarding neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, so far there has been no solid evidence proving the advantage of this strategy versus standard up-front surgery. Newly obtained results from the Prep-02/JSAP05 randomized phase II/III study, comparing neoadjuvant therapy with up-front surgery, revealed significant improvement in overall survival with neoadjuvant chemotherapy by intention-to-treat analysis. Thus, neoadjuvant intervention might become a new standard strategy in cases undergoing planned resection for pancreatic cancer.
Professional employees and professional managers: conflicting logics, hybridity, and restratification
Authors: Adams Tracey L
Published: January 2020

A plethora of studies have documented the changing nature of professional work and the organizations in which it takes place. Among the most documented trends are the emergence of managerial–professional hybrid workers and professional (re)stratification. Although the links between these two trends have been noted, their interconnections have not been fully explored. This article analyzes data from a mixed-methods study of professional engineers in Ontario, Canada, to explore the extent to which they experience conflicting logics, hybridity, resistance, and restratification. Findings indicate that many engineers could be classified as hybrid, as they see managerial roles as an extension of engineering. At the same time, many others see managers as oppositional to engineers, with different priorities. On the whole, there is evidence of restratification as the work experiences, professional attitudes, and responses to conflicting logics (hybridity or resistance) vary between managers and employees. This restratification has the potential to undermine professional unity.
Orbital dynamics of highly probable but rare Orionid outbursts possibly observed by the ancient Maya
Authors: Kinsman J H , Asher D J
Published: January 2020

Using orbital integrations of particles ejected from Comet Halley’s passages between 1404 and 240 BC, the authors investigate possible outbursts of the Orionids (twin shower of the Eta Aquariids) that may have been observed in the Western hemisphere. In an earlier orbital integration study, the authors determined there was a high probability linking probable outbursts of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower with certain events recorded in inscriptions during the Maya Classic Period, AD 250–900. This prior examination was the first scientific inquiry of its kind into ancient meteor outbursts possibly recorded in the Western hemisphere where previously no pre-Columbian observations had existed. In the current paper, the aim is to describe orbital dynamics of rare but probable Orionid outbursts that would have occurred on or near applicable dates recorded in the Classic Maya inscriptions. Specifically, significant probable outbursts are found in AD 417 and 585 out of 30 possible target years. The driving mechanisms for outbursts in those two years are Jovian 1:6 and 1:7 mean motion resonances acting to maintain compact structures within the Orionid stream for over 1 kyr. Furthermore, an Orionid outburst in AD 585 recorded by China is confirmed.
Final report from Intergroup NCCTG 86-72-51 (Alliance): a phase III randomized clinical trial of high-dose versus low-dose radiation for adult low-grade glioma
Authors: Breen William G , Anderson S Keith , Carrero Xiomara W , Brown Paul D , Ballman Karla V , O’Neill Brian P , Curran Walter J , Abrams Ross A , Laack Nadia N , Levitt Ralph , Galanis Evanthia , Buckner Jan C , Shaw Edward G
Published: January 2020

Background

The optimal radiation dose for adult supratentorial low-grade glioma is unknown. The aim of this study was to provide a final update on oncologic and cognitive outcomes of high-dose versus low-dose radiation for low-grade glioma.

Methods

Between 1986 and 1994, 203 patients with supratentorial low-grade glioma were randomized (1:1) to 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions versus 64.8 Gy in 36 fractions after any degree of resection.

Results

For all patients, median overall survival (OS) was 8.4 years (95% CI: 7.2–10.8). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.2 years (95% CI: 4.3–6.6). Median follow-up is 17.2 years for the 33 patients still alive. High-dose radiation did not improve 15-year OS (22.4%) versus low-dose radiation (24.9%, log-rank P = 0.978) or 15-year PFS (high dose, 15.2% vs low dose, 9.5%; P = 0.7142). OS was significantly better for patients with preoperative tumor diameter <5 cm and baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) >27 and who underwent gross total resection. PFS was improved for patients with oligodendroglioma versus astrocytoma, preoperative tumor diameter <5 cm, patients who had gross total resection, and patients with baseline MMSE >27. For patients who had normal MMSE at baseline, at 7 years only 1 patient (5%) had a clinically significant decrease in MMSE from the previous time point, with the remainder (95%) stable. None had decrease in MMSE at 10, 12, or 15 years.

Conclusions

Long-term follow-up indicates no benefit to high-dose over low-dose radiation for low-grade gliomas. Cognitive function appeared to be stable after radiation as measured by MMSE.
Prevalence of extra-articular manifestations in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pittam Bradley , Gupta Sonal , Harrison Nicholas L , Robertson Selina , Hughes David M , Zhao Sizheng Steven
Published: January 2020

Objective

To describe the prevalence of extra-articular manifestations—enthesitis, dactylitis, nail disease, uveitis and IBD—in PsA, and their impact on longitudinal disease outcomes.

Methods

We searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies using imaging to define extra-articular manifestations (EAMs) were excluded. Where possible, we performed meta-analyses of prevalence estimates, reported as percentages (95% CI). Heterogeneity (I2 statistic) was examined according to study characteristics.

Results

We identified 65 studies amounting to a total of 163 299 PsA patients. Enthesitis was assessed in 29 studies with an average prevalence of 30% (95% CI: 24%, 38%). Dactylitis was reported in 35 studies with an average prevalence of 25% (95% CI: 20%, 31%). Nail disease was present in 60% (95% CI: 52%, 68%) across 26 studies, but definitions were often unclear. Uveitis (3.2%; 95% CI: 1.9%, 5.3%) and IBD (3.3%; 95% CI: 1.5%, 7.1%) were less common. Heterogeneity was high (>95%) in all meta-analyses, but could not be explained by study characteristics. No studies examined the impact of EAMs on longitudinal disease outcomes, except that dactylitis increases radiographic progression.

Conclusion

Enthesitis, dactylitis and nail disease are highly prevalent in PsA, but not uveitis and IBD. EAM patterns differ from axial SpA despite their shared disease mechanisms, which may help further understand differences between spondyloarthritides. More studies are needed on the impact of EAMs on disease outcomes such as response to treatment.
Examining Gene–Environment Interactions Using Aggregate Scores in a First-Episode Psychosis Cohort
Authors: Mas Sergi , Boloc Daniel , Rodríguez Natalia , Mezquida Gisela , Amoretti Silvia , Cuesta Manuel J , González-Peñas Javier , García-Alcón Alicia , Lobo Antonio , González-Pinto Ana , Corripio Iluminada , Vieta Eduard , Castro-Fornieles Josefina , Mané Anna , Saiz-Ruiz Jeronimo , Gassó Patricia , Bioque Miquel , Bernardo Miquel ,   PEPs Group
Published: January 2020

Gene–environment (GxE) interactions have been related to psychosis spectrum disorders, involving multiple common genetic variants in multiple genes with very small effect sizes, and several environmental factors that constitute a dense network of exposures named the exposome. Here, we aimed to analyze GxE in a cohort of 310 first-episode psychotic (FEP) and 236 healthy controls, by using aggregate scores estimated in large populations such as the polygenic risk score for schizophrenia and (PRS-SCZ) and the Maudsley environmental risk score (ERS). In contrast to previous findings, in our study, the PRS-SCZ did not discriminate cases from controls, but the ERS score explained a similar percentage of the variance as in other studies using similar approaches. Our study supports a positive additive interaction, indicating synergy between genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ dichotomized according to the highest quartile distribution of the control population) and the exposome (ERS > 75% of the controls). This additive interaction showed genetic and environmental dose dependence. Our study shows that the use of aggregate scores derived from large and powered studies instead of statistics derived from specific sample characteristics is a powerful tool for the study of the effects of GxE on the risk of psychotic spectrum disorders. In conclusion, by using a genetic risk score and an ERS we have provided further evidence for the role of GxE in psychosis.
Resolution of estate and trust disputes: mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution in Canada
Authors: Whaley Kimberly A
Published: January 2020

This article will start with a brief overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Canada and then focus on a Canadian perspective on mediating estate disputes with some tips and steps that lawyers can consider in improving the chances of a successful mediation. This article is written with a focus on estate mediation rules and procedures in the province of Ontario; however, all provinces and territories in Canada have their own corresponding mediation rules and procedures.