bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomistic simulations of charge transport in photoswitchable organic-graphene hybrids
Authors: Tonnelé Claire , Pershin Anton , Gali Sai Manoj , Lherbier Aurélien , Charlier Jean-Christophe , Castet Frédéric , Muccioli Luca , Beljonne David
Published: March 2019

Photoswitchable self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) in contact with a conductive or semiconductive layer can be used to remotely trigger changes in electrical current using light. In this study, we apply full-atomistic simulations to assess the changes in electronic structure and charge-transport properties of a graphene sheet in contact with an amorphous silica dielectric decorated by an azobenzene SAM. The simulations explicitly account for the structural and electrostatic disorder sourced by the dielectric, which turns out to be weakly affected by photoisomerization and spatially correlated over a length scale of 4–5 nm. Most interestingly, by combining large-scale (tight binding) density functional theory with Kubo–Greenwood quantum transport calculations, we predict that the trans-cis isomerization should induce a shift in surface electrostatic potential by a few tenths of a volt, accompanied by a variation in conductivity by a factor of about 3.
Analytical Performance and Clinicopathologic Correlation of Four Fecal Calprotectin Methods
Authors: Pelkmans Leonie P J , de Groot Monique J M , Curvers Joyce
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Calprotectin is a noninvasive biomarker that can distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from irritable bowel syndrome. We investigated four automated fecal calprotectin methods on five different platforms for their preanalytical process, analytical performance, and clinicopathologic correlation.

Methods

Four calprotectin methods (Bühlmann, EliA CN, EliA CN2, and DiaSorin) were performed on five platforms (Cobas 8000 E502, Phadia Immunocap 100 and 250, and Liaison and Liaison XL) in two hospital laboratories.

Results

Overall variation for the different extraction devices was less than 19% when feces were of normal consistency. Freeze-thawing of samples resulted in comparable results compared with fresh samples. The different methods had a good analytic correlation (R = 0.83-0.95). Their clinicopathologic correlation was comparable, but the Bühlmann method showed significantly higher calprotectin values in every patient category.

Conclusions

The automated calprotectin methods showed a good performance and comparable clinicopathologic correlation. Due to lack of standardization, the numerical values differ for the various methods.
PD-L1 Expression Patterns in Microsatellite Instability-High Intestinal Adenocarcinoma Subtypes
Authors: Roberts Jordan , Salaria Safia N , Cates Justin , Wang Yang , Vnencak-Jones Cindy , Berlin Jordan , Shi Chanjuan
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To investigate patterns of programmed death protein-1 (PD-L1) expression in microsatellite instability (MSI)-high intestinal carcinomas and correlate them with pathologic and molecular features.

Methods

One hundred and fifteen MSI-high and 41 microsatellite stable carcinomas were included. Tumor sections were immunohistochemically labeled for PD-L1. The results were correlated with histologic subtypes, MSI, and BRAF status.

Results

As expected, MSI status was associated with PD-L1 expression. Among 115 MSI-high tumors, PD-L1 expression was observed on tumor cells in 28 tumors and on tumor-associated inflammatory cells in 77 tumors. Medullary carcinoma demonstrated more frequent PD-L1 expression on tumor cells than mucinous and typical adenocarcinoma. PD-L1 expression was more frequent in medullary and typical adenocarcinoma than in mucinous adenocarcinoma based on combined positive scores. Tumors with more nucleotide shifts by PCR-based MSI testing were more likely to express PD-L1.

Conclusions

Expression of PD-L1 is different among different histologic subtypes of MSI-high intestinal carcinomas.
The Exhaustion of Authenticity: Biopolitical Aural Regimes and American Popular Music
Authors: Moreno Jairo
Published: March 2019

Jeffrey T. Nealon proposes that “twenty-first-century American biopolitical subjectivity” has as its “overarching logic” an arrangement in which being for something signifies a content-less affirmation: “I’m not like everyone else.” For Nealon, this “excorporative” logic grows out of, coincides with, and exhausts rock music’s discourses of authenticity from the second half of the twentieth century. Today, an endlessly interconnected network emerges in which old forms of cultural “individualism” become ever-interchangeable modes of “hip commodity consumption,” indexing a neoliberal regime that renders “everybody” into “prosumers” (producers-consumers). This review-essay considers the extent and limits of this proposal, querying Nealon’s understanding of listening and aurality and indicating the challenges presented by bypassing the mesopolitical in an effort to outline the macropolitics of consumption and the micropolitics of individuality.
Single primer enrichment technology as a tool for massive genotyping: a benchmark on black poplar and maize
Authors: Scaglione Davide , Pinosio Sara , Marroni Fabio , Di Centa Eleonora , Fornasiero Alice , Magris Gabriele , Scalabrin Simone , Cattonaro Federica , Taylor Gail , Morgante Michele
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

The advent of molecular breeding is advocated to improve the productivity and sustainability of second-generation bioenergy crops. Advanced molecular breeding in bioenergy crops relies on the ability to massively sample the genetic diversity. Genotyping-by-sequencing has become a widely adopted method for cost-effective genotyping. It basically requires no initial investment for design as compared with array-based platforms which have been shown to offer very robust assays. The latter, however, has the drawback of being limited to analyse only the genetic diversity accounted during selection of a set of polymorphisms and design of the assay. In contrast, genotyping-by-sequencing with random sampling of genomic loci via restriction enzymes or random priming has been shown to be fast and convenient but lacks the ability to target specific regions of the genome and to maintain high reproducibility across laboratories.

Methods

Here we present a first adoption of single-primer enrichment technology (SPET) which provides a highly efficient and scalable system to obtain targeted sequence-based large genotyping data sets, bridging the gaps between array-based systems and traditional sequencing-based protocols. To fully explore SPET performance, we conducted a benchmark study in ten Zea mays lines and a large-scale study of a natural black poplar population of 540 individuals with the aim of discovering polymorphisms associated with biomass-related traits.

Key Results

Our results showed the ability of this technology to provide dense genotype information on a customized panel of selected polymorphisms, while yielding hundreds of thousands of untargeted variable sites. This provided an ideal resource for association analysis of natural populations harbouring unexplored allelic diversities and structure such as in black poplar.

Conclusion

The improvement of sequencing throughput and the development of efficient library preparation methods has made it feasible to carry out targeted genotyping-by-sequencing experiments cost-competitively with either random complexity reduction systems or traditional array-based platforms, while maintaining the key advantages of both technologies.
Competition, seed dispersal and hunting: what drives germination and seedling survival in an Afrotropical forest?
Authors: Olsson Ola , Nuñez-Iturri Gabriela , Smith Henrik G , Ottosson Ulf , Effiom Edu O
Published: March 2019

Disentangling the contributions of different processes that influence plant recruitment, such as competition and seed dispersal, is important given the increased human-mediated changes in tropical forest ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that seedling communities in an Afrotropical rainforest in southeastern Nigeria are strongly affected by the loss of important seed-dispersing primates, including Cross River gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes elioti) and drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus). Here we study how germination and survival of tree seedlings are affected by competition and reduced seed dispersal in three contiguous forest reserves, in southeastern Nigeria, with similar mature tree species composition and structure. We use an experimental design aimed at manipulating the effect of competition among seedlings in three protected and three hunted sites within the reserves. We use a total of sixty 5 × 5 m plots of three types: plots cleared of all seedlings, plots selectively cleared of all primate-dispersed seedlings and control plots. All seedlings were identified, measured, assigned to dispersal mode and tagged, and after 1 year we evaluated survival, mortality and new recruits. We found that in hunted sites germination of abiotically dispersed species was over four times higher in cleared plots compared to control plots, whereas germination of primate-dispersed species was the same, which indicated that dispersal limitation was the dominant force in seedling recruitment in hunted sites. This was supported by the fact that the germination of all dispersal modes in the selectively cleared plots in protected sites was similar to the control plots in the same sites, but germination of abiotically dispersed species was significantly lower than in cleared plots in hunted sites. Competition among seedlings was mostly evident from the fact that 75 % more seedlings of primate-dispersed species germinated in cleared compared to control plots in protected sites. We conclude that inter-seedling competition may be irrelevant to seedling recruitment in hunted sites, where dispersal limitation appears to be a much stronger force shaping the seedling plant community, and thus hunting indirectly reverses the importance of competition and dispersal limitation in structuring seedling communities.
Carotid intraplaque neovascularization predicts coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events
Authors: Mantella Laura E , Colledanchise Kayla N , Hétu Marie-France , Feinstein Steven B , Abunassar Joseph , Johri Amer M
Published: March 2019

Aims

It is thought that the majority of cardiovascular (CV) events are caused by vulnerable plaque. Such lesions are rupture prone, in part due to neovascularization. It is postulated that plaque vulnerability may be a systemic process and that vulnerable lesions may co-exist at multiple sites in the vascular bed. This study sought to examine whether carotid plaque vulnerability, characterized by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-assessed intraplaque neovascularization (IPN), was associated with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and future CV events.

Methods and results

We investigated carotid IPN using carotid CEUS in 459 consecutive stable patients referred for coronary angiography. IPN was graded based on the presence and location of microbubbles within each plaque (0, not visible; 1, peri-adventitial; and 2, plaque core). The grades of each plaque were averaged to obtain an overall score per patient. Coronary plaque severity and complexity was also determined angiographically. Patients were followed for 30 days following their angiogram. This study found that a higher CEUS-assessed carotid IPN score was associated with significant CAD (≥50% stenosis) (1.8 ± 0.4 vs. 0.5 ± 0.6, P < 0.0001) and greater complexity of coronary lesions (1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.8, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, an IPN score ≥1.25 could predict significant CAD with a high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (89%). The Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of participants having CV events with an IPN score ≥1.25 (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Carotid plaque neovascularization was found to be predictive of significant and complex CAD and future CV events. CEUS-assessed carotid IPN is a clinically useful tool for CV risk stratification in high-risk cardiac patients.
External applicability of the COMPASS trial: the Western Denmark Heart Registry
Authors: Würtz Morten , Olesen Kevin Kris Warnakula , Thim Troels , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Eikelboom John W , Maeng Michael
Published: March 2019

Aims

In the COMPASS trial, combined aspirin and rivaroxaban treatment reduced ischaemic events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). We estimated the proportion of COMPASS eligible patients among unselected patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and compared outcome rates among COMPASS eligible and non-eligible patients.

Methods and results

We applied the COMPASS study criteria on patients undergoing CAG in Western Denmark (2004–11). Both COMPASS eligible and non-eligible patients had CAD/PAD and met no exclusion criteria, but only COMPASS eligible patients met the inclusion criteria. We assessed the COMPASS primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, or myocardial infarction (MI). We computed event rates and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs). Of 80 071 patients undergoing CAG, 27 939 did not have CAD or PAD and were not considered. Of the 52 132 patients remaining, 11 930 were COMPASS eligible. Rates of the primary endpoint were 4.8 (95% confidence interval 4.6–5.0) events per 100 person-years among COMPASS eligible patients and 2.3 (2.2–2.4) among COMPASS non-eligible patients [aIRR 1.7 (1.6–1.9)]. COMPASS eligible patients also had higher risks of cardiovascular death [aIRR 2.5 (2.1–3.0)], ischaemic stroke [aIRR 1.4 (1.2–1.6)], and MI [aIRR 1.9 (1.7–2.1)].

Conclusion

In this all-comers CAG cohort, 15% were eligible for combined aspirin and rivaroxaban treatment. COMPASS eligible patients had up to 2.5-fold higher rates of cardiovascular events than non-eligible patients. The higher incidence of ischaemic events in COMPASS eligible patients highlights an unmet need for additional preventive measures.
Early silent graft failure in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a computed tomography analysis†
Authors: Zientara Alicja , Rings Laura , Bruijnen Hans , Dzemali Omer , Odavic Dragan , Häussler Achim , Gruszczynski Michal , Genoni Michele
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES

The purpose was to assess predictors of early silent graft failure prior to discharge by multislice computed tomography in patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

From January 2017 until April 2018, 192 computed tomographic scans of consecutive asymptomatic patients were performed (seventh postoperative day ± 4 days) and analysed retrospectively. In total, 359 arterial and 278 venous anastomoses were evaluated. Two patient groups (overall patent anastomoses versus at least 1 occluded anastomosis) were compared. Cardiovascular risk factors, collateralization according to Rentrop, grade of native vessel stenosis and intraoperative flow measurements were analysed. Inferential statistics were performed with the Mann–Whitney U-test. Nominal and categorical variables were tested with the Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact test.

RESULTS

In 33 patients, at least 1 occluded anastomosis could be identified, predominantly in women (P = 0.04). The patency of the arterial anastomoses was 96.4% and 88.9% for the venous anastomoses. In 14 patients with occluded anastomoses, a successful interventional revascularization was performed before discharge. There were significant differences in lower bypass flow [P = 0.02, odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–6.0] and higher pulsatility index (P < 0.001, odds ratio 4.5, 95% CI 2.4–8.5) in the occluded group. A calculated cut-off value identified an increased probability for graft occlusion at a flow under 23 ml/min and a pulsatility index greater than 2.3.

CONCLUSIONS

Early silent graft failure occurred predominantly in venous grafts, with a tendency to female gender. A lower flow rate and a higher pulsatility index were significantly associated with graft occlusion, whereas collateralization and the degree of native vessel stenosis seem to play a tangential role. Fourteen patients had a successful percutaneous revascularization before discharge.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT03657199.
Uninterrupted edoxaban vs. vitamin K antagonists for ablation of atrial fibrillation: the ELIMINATE-AF trial
Authors: Hohnloser Stefan H , Camm John , Cappato Riccardo , Diener Hans-Christoph , Heidbüchel Hein , Mont Lluís , Morillo Carlos A , Abozguia Khalid , Grimaldi Massimo , Rauer Heiko , Reimitz Paul-Egbert , Smolnik Rüdiger , Mönninghoff Christoph , Kautzner Josef
Published: March 2019

Aims

Edoxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor approved for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Uninterrupted edoxaban therapy in patients undergoing AF ablation has not been tested.

Methods and results

The ELIMINATE-AF trial, a multinational, multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study, was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of once-daily edoxaban 60 mg (30 mg in patients indicated for dose reduction) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation. Patients were randomized 2:1 to edoxaban vs. VKA. The primary endpoint (per-protocol population) was time to first occurrence of all-cause death, stroke, or International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis-defined major bleeding during the period from the end of the ablation procedure to end of treatment (90 days). Overall, 632 patients were enrolled, 614 randomized, and 553 received study drug and underwent ablation; 177 subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to assess silent cerebral infarcts. The primary endpoint (only major bleeds occurred) was observed in 0.3% (1 patient) on edoxaban and 2.0% (2 patients) on VKA [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.16 (0.02–1.73)]. In the ablation population (modified intent-to-treat population including patients with ablation), the primary endpoint was observed in 2.7% of edoxaban (N = 10) and 1.7% of VKA patients (N = 3) between start of ablation and end of treatment. There were one ischaemic and one haemorrhagic stroke, both in patients on edoxaban. Cerebral microemboli were detected in 13.8% (16) patients who received edoxaban and 9.6% (5) patients in the VKA group (nominal P = 0.62).

Conclusion

Uninterrupted edoxaban therapy represents an alternative to uninterrupted VKA treatment in patients undergoing AF ablation.
Psychological profile of teenagers toward organ donation: a multicentric study in Spain
Authors: Febrero B , Ríos A , López-Navas A , Martínez-Alarcón L , Almela-Baeza J , Sánchez J , Parrilla J J , Parrilla P , Ramírez P
Published: March 2019

Background

It is important for teenagers to have a favorable attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in order to increase the number of future donors. To determine the attitude of teenagers in the South East of Spain toward ODT and to analyze the psychosocial variables related to this attitude.

Methods

The study population consisted of young teenagers in the South East of Spain. A stratified sample was selected by geographical location, sex and age (n = 4, 117). Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire about ODT (PCID-ODT Ríos). Statistical analysis: Student’s t-test, Chi-squared test and a multivariate analysis.

Results

The questionnaire completion rate was 87% (n = 3572). Attitude toward ODT was favorable in 46% of cases (n = 1633) and undecided in 43% (n = 1543). Several psychosocial variables had a favorable effect on donation: believing that one has good information about ODT (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.706); discussing the subject with the family (OR 1.543) and friends (OR 1.818); carrying out pro-social activities (OR 1.642); having a favorable attitude toward cremation (OR 1.466) and autopsy (OR 1.470); and, finally, not being afraid of scars (OR 4.184).

Conclusions

Teenagers in the South East of Spain are not currently inclined to support organ donation. This attitude is related to many psychosocial factors, mainly connected to not having good information about the subject, not discussing it in social circles and the fear of body mutilation. It would be appropriate to create educational interventional strategies in this group to prevent a negative impact on future donation rates.
Social support and cognitive function in middle- and older-aged adults: descriptive analysis of CLSA tracking data
Authors: Oremus Mark , Konnert Candace , Law Jane , Maxwell Colleen J , O’Connell Megan E , Tyas Suzanne L
Published: March 2019

Background

Cognitive function is important for healthy aging. Social support availability (SSA) may modify cognitive function. We descriptively examined the association between SSA and cognitive function in a population-level sample of middle- and older-aged adults.

Methods

We analyzed the tracking dataset of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Participants aged between 45 and 85 years answered questions about SSA and performed three cognitive tests (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Animal Fluency Test and Mental Alternation Test) via telephone. We divided global SSA and global cognitive function scores into tertiles and generated contingency tables for comparisons across strata defined by sex, age group, region of residence, urban vs. rural residence and education.

Results

The proportion of participants with low global cognitive function was often greater among persons who reported low global SSA. The proportion of persons with high cognitive function was greater in participants with high SSA. The findings were most pronounced for females, 45- to 54-year olds, all regions (especially Québec) except Atlantic Canada, urban dwellers and persons with less than high school education.

Conclusions

Our results can help public health officials focus on providing social supports to subgroups of the population who would benefit the most from policy interventions.
The Ecomechanics of Gecko Adhesion: Natural Surface Topography, Evolution, and Biomimetics
Authors: Higham Timothy E , Russell Anthony P , Niewiarowski Peter H , Wright Amber , Speck Thomas
Published: March 2019

The study of gecko adhesion is necessarily interdisciplinary due to the hierarchical nature of the adhesive system and the complexity of interactions between the animals and their habitats. In nature, geckos move on a wide range of surfaces including soft sand dunes, trees, and rocks, but much of the research over the past two decades has focused on their adhesive performance on artificial surfaces. Exploring the complex interactions between geckos and their natural habitats will reveal aspects of the adhesive system that can be applied to biomimetic research, such as the factors that facilitate movement on dirty and rough surfaces with varying microtopography. Additionally, contrasting suites of constraints and topographies are found on rocks and plants, likely driving differences in locomotion and morphology. Our overarching goals are to bring to light several aspects of ecology that are important for gecko–habitat interactions, and to propose a framework for how they can inspire material scientists and functional ecologists. We also present new data on surface roughness and topography of a variety of surfaces, and adhesive performance of Phelsuma geckos on surfaces of varying roughness. We address the following key questions: (1) why and how should ecology be incorporated into the study of gecko adhesion? (2) What topographical features of rocks and plants likely drive adhesive performance? (3) How can ecological studies inform material science research? Recent advances in surface replication techniques that eliminate confounding factors among surface types facilitate the ability to address some of these questions. We pinpoint gaps in our understanding and identify key initiatives that should be adopted as we move forward. Most importantly, fine details of locomotor microhabitat use of both diurnal and nocturnal geckos are needed.
Hypothesized Evolutionary Consequences of the Alternative Oxidase (AOX) in Animal Mitochondria
Authors: Weaver Ryan J
Published: March 2019

The environment in which eukaryotes first evolved was drastically different from what they experience today, and one of the key limiting factors was the availability of oxygen for mitochondrial respiration. During the transition to a fully oxygenated Earth, other compounds such as sulfide posed a considerable constraint on using mitochondrial aerobic respiration for energy production. The ancestors of animals, and those that first evolved from the simpler eukaryotes have mitochondrial respiratory components that are absent from later-evolving animals. Specifically, mitochondria of most basal metazoans have a sulfide-resistant alternative oxidase (AOX), which provides a secondary oxidative pathway to the classical cytochrome pathway. In this essay, I argue that because of its resistance to sulfide, AOX respiration was critical to the evolution of animals by enabling oxidative metabolism under otherwise inhibitory conditions. I hypothesize that AOX allowed for metabolic flexibility during the stochastic oxygen environment of early Earth which shaped the evolution of basal metazoans. I briefly describe the known functions of AOX, with a particular focus on the decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during stress conditions. Then, I propose three evolutionary consequences of AOX-mediated protection from ROS observed in basal metazoans: 1) adaptation to stressful environments, 2) the persistence of facultative sexual reproduction, and 3) decreased mitochondrial DNA mutation rates. Recognizing the diversity of mitochondrial respiratory systems present in animals may help resolve the mechanisms involved in major evolutionary processes such as adaptation and speciation.
Space–time discontinuous Galerkin methods for the ε-dependent stochastic Allen–Cahn equation with mild noise
Authors: Antonopoulou Dimitra C
Published: March 2019

We consider the $\varepsilon $-dependent stochastic Allen–Cahn equation with mild space–time noise posed on a bounded domain of $\mathbb{R}^2$. The positive parameter $\varepsilon $ is a measure for the inner layers width that are generated during evolution. This equation, when the noise depends only on time, has been proposed by Funaki (1999, Singular limit for stochastic reaction–diffusion equation and generation of random interfaces. Acta Math. Sin., 15, 407–438). The noise, although smooth, becomes white on the sharp interface limit $\varepsilon \rightarrow 0^+$. We construct a nonlinear discontinous Galerkin scheme with space–time finite elements of general type that are discontinuous in time. Existence of a unique discrete solution is proven by application of Brouwer’s Theorem. We first derive abstract error estimates and then, for the case of piecewise polynomial finite elements, we prove an error in expectation of optimal order. All the appearing constants are estimated in terms of the parameter $\varepsilon $. Finally, we present a linear approximation of the nonlinear scheme, for which we prove existence of solution and optimal error in expectation in piecewise linear finite element spaces. The novelty of this work is based on the use of a finite element formulation in space and in time in $2+1$-dimensional subdomains for a nonlinear parabolic problem. In addition this problem involves noise. These types of schemes avoid any Runge–Kutta-type discretization for the evolutionary variable, and seem to be very effective when applied to equations of such a difficulty.
Control of Three Species of Stored-Product Insects in Wheat Treated With Steam and Hot Air
Authors: Divagar Darsana , Jian Fuji , Cenkowski Stefan
Published: March 2019

The effect of 105°C steam or hot air on adult mortality of three species of stored-product insect pests outside wheat kernels of 12.5, 14.5 and 16.5% moisture content was investigated. The species were Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). In the case of S. oryzae, young adults and immature stages inside wheat kernels were also tested. The mortality of insects inside kernels was higher at lower moisture contents of wheat treated with hot air, whereas moisture content did not significantly affect mortality of insects treated with steam. In the hot air treatment, all adults of the three species outside kernels had 100% mortality when the treatment time was 75 s for wheat with 16.5% moisture content, and 60 s for 12.5 and 14.5% wheat. In the steam treatment, the time to reach 100% mortality of adults outside kernels was 1 s at any moisture content and without significantly affecting germination. The young adults and immature stages of S. oryzae inside kernels required 90 s to reach 100% mortality in hot air, whereas 3 s was needed in steam. The treatment to reach 100% mortality of insects inside kernels caused a 20% drop in germination in steam and 81% drop in hot air.
Impact of pegfilgrastim as primary prophylaxis for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing cabazitaxel treatment: an open-label study in Japan
Authors: Kosaka Takeo , Uemura Hiroji , Sumitomo Makoto , Harada Kenichi , Sugimoto Mikio , Hayashi Narihiko , Yoshimura Kazuhiro , Fukasawa Satoshi , Ecstein-Fraisse Evelyne , Sunaga Yoshinori , Oya Mototsugu
Published: March 2019

Primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduced incidence of febrile neutropenia in Japanese metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Cabazitaxel+G-CSF therapy was a safe and effective treatment option.
The Threshold GARCH Model: Estimation and Density Forecasting for Financial Returns*
Authors: Cai Yuzhi , Stander Julian
Published: March 2019

We consider multiple threshold value-at-risk (VaRt) estimation and density forecasting for financial data following a threshold GARCH model. We develop an α-quantile quasi-maximum likelihood estimation (QMLE) method for VaRt by showing that the associated density function is an α-quantile density and belongs to the tick-exponential family. This establishes that our estimator is consistent for the parameters of VaRt. We propose a density forecasting method for quantile models based on VaRt at a single nonextreme level, which overcomes some limitations of existing forecasting methods with quantile models. We find that for heavy-tailed financial data our α-quantile QMLE method for VaRt outperforms the Gaussian QMLE method for volatility. We also find that density forecasts based on VaRt outperform those based on the volatility of financial data. Empirical work on market returns shows that our approach also outperforms some benchmark models for density forecasting of financial returns.
Current Treatment Landscape of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Potential Trials Evaluating the Value of Immunotherapy
Authors: Le Quynh Thu , Colevas A Dimitrios , O’Sullivan Brian , Lee Anne W M , Lee Nancy , Ma Brigette , Siu Lillian L , Waldron John , Lim Chwee-Ming , Riaz Nadeem , Lynn Jean , Malik Shakun
Published: March 2019

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of head and neck cancer with a distinctive regional and racial prevalence. It is associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection and has a high propensity for regional and distant metastases, while it is very sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy. A common feature of Epstein-Barr virus-positive NPC is the dense infiltration of lymphocytes in the tumor stroma and positive programmed death-ligand 1 expression in tumor cells, making it an attractive target for immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors. As new immunotherapeutic agents are being rapidly adopted in many cancers, including head and neck cancer, the National Cancer Institute sponsored a clinical trial planning meeting to identify opportunities for developing phase II and III trials testing immunotherapy in different stages of NPC. The meeting started with the summary of the biology of the disease, current standards of care, and evidence of immunotherapy in this cancer. Three subcommittees were tasked to develop clinical trials: loco regionally advanced, nonmetastatic NPC; widely metastatic NPC; and either local recurrence after initial treatment or presenting with oligometastatic disease. This article summarizes the proceedings of this clinical trial planning meeting and provides a road map for future trials incorporating immune checkpoint inhibitors for therapeutic management of NPC. This road map, though specific for NPC, may also be applicable to other virally driven cancers that have similar ability to evade the host’s immune system.
Quantum Dots-Based Point-of-Care Measurement of Procalcitonin in Finger-Prick Blood and Venous Whole Blood Specimens
Authors: Tang Junming , Jiang Yan , Ge Zhijun , Wu Haifeng , Chen Huajun , Dai Ji , Gu Yinjie , Mao Xuhua , Lu Junjie
Published: March 2019

Objective

To determine whether the performance of a new quantum dots–based point-of-care test (POCT) devices is qualified for procalcitonin testing.

Methods

Finger-prick and venous blood specimens from 153 patients were measured with a quantum dots–based POCT device; the results were compared with those from the reference method.

Results

The quantum dots–based POCT device correlated well with the reference method in measuring plasma, venous whole blood, and finger-prick blood. No significant bias was observed (−0.08 ng/mL). At 0.5 ng per mL cutoff value, the concordances were 96.6%, 94.6%, and 90.5% for plasma, venous whole blood, and finger-prick blood, respectively. And at 2 ng per mL cutoff value, the concordances were 98.0%, 96.6%, and 95.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

The quantum dots–based POCT device measured procalcitonin with multiple specimen types, high sensitivity, wide detection range, and short turnaround time. It would allow a more widespread use of procalcitonin and help lessen the burden of overcrowding in healthcare facilities in China.
4 The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Authors: Brice Dickson
Published: March 2019

This chapter focuses on explaining the kinds of cases which Ireland’s Supreme Court is authorised to deal with and how it has had very little choice over which cases are brought to it. It analyses relevant legislative provisions, some of which date back to 1924. The relationship between the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal is covered, as are the reasons for the rise in the Supreme Court’s workload since the 1990s. The history of reform proposals is set out and the impact of the new Court of Appeal is considered. The chapter also examines the point that pre-1922 legislation is presumed to continue to apply in Ireland unless Parliament has changed it and shows how the Supreme Court has been careful to ensure that people other than judges do not exercise what is in effect a judicial function. The ‘non-justiciable’ principle is also considered.
7 The Supreme Court and Northern Ireland
Authors: Brice Dickson
Published: March 2019

This chapter begins by considering the arms trial in the early 1970s and outlines the gist of the Sunningdale Agreement in 1973 before considering the challenge to that Agreement dealt with by the Supreme Court in the Boland case. There follows an examination of the Court’s views on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland in McGimpsey v Ireland, decided in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, and on the constitutionality of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in the Riordan case. There is an analysis of Law Enforcement Commission’s report and of the Court’s views on resulting Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Bill 1975. The focus next moves to the shifting views of the Supreme Court on when it is appropriate to extradite suspected terrorists to Northern Ireland. Cases concerning Dominic McGlinchey, Séamus Shannon, Robert Russell, Dermot Finucane and Owen Carron are examined, as is the state of extradition law today.
The sub-Jupiter/Neptune desert of exoplanets: parameter dependent boundaries and implications on planet formation
Authors: Szabó Gy M , Kálmán Sz
Published: March 2019

The period–mass and period–radius distributions of exoplanets are known to exhibit a desert. Unlike the existence of very hot (Porb < 3 d) super-Earths and hot Jupiters, no planets are known between super-Earths and sub-Jupiters with orbital periods as short as a day or two. In this letter, we show that the period boundary of this desert is dependent on stellar parameters (Teff, [M/H], log g in order of significance), there is conclusive dependence on the incident stellar irradiation, and dependence on the stellar mass acting only on planets around Teff < 5600 K host stars. We found a significant lack of very inflated planets on the closest orbits to the host star. There is no significant dependence on tidal forces currently acting on the planet, the planet’s surface gravity, or current filling factor of the Roche lobe. These distributions are most compatible with the dominant role of photoevaporation in forming the desert.
DECIPHER pooled shRNA library screen identifies PP2A and FGFR signaling as potential therapeutic targets for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas
Authors: Schramm Kathrin , Iskar Murat , Statz Britta , Jäger Natalie , Haag Daniel , Słabicki Mikołaj , Pfister Stefan M , Zapatka Marc , Gronych Jan , Jones David T W , Lichter Peter
Published: March 2019

Background

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are highly aggressive pediatric brain tumors that are characterized by a recurrent mutation (K27M) within the histone H3 encoding genes H3F3A and HIST1H3A/B/C. These mutations have been shown to induce a global reduction in the repressive histone modification H3K27me3, which together with widespread changes in DNA methylation patterns results in an extensive transcriptional reprogramming hampering the identification of single therapeutic targets based on a molecular rationale.

Methods

We applied a large-scale gene knockdown approach using a pooled short hairpin (sh)RNA library in combination with next-generation sequencing in order to identify DIPG-specific vulnerabilities. The therapeutic potential of specific inhibitors of candidate targets was validated in a secondary drug screen.

Results

We identified fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling and the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as top depleted hits in patient-derived DIPG cell cultures and validated their lethal potential by FGF ligand depletion and genetic knockdown of the PP2A structural subunit PPP2R1A. Further, pharmacological inhibition of FGFR and PP2A signaling through ponatinib and LB-100 treatment, respectively, exhibited strong tumor-specific anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in cultured DIPG cells.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest FGFR and PP2A signaling as potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of DIPGs.
Perils of the Subjective Approach: A Critical Analysis of the UK National Crime Recording Standards
Authors: McFadzien Kent , Phillips John M
Published: March 2019

It is now more than 15 years since the Home Office introduced a standardized methodology for crime recording in the UK. The April 2018 edition of the Home Office Crime Recording Standards sets out six purposes, which continue to inform the broad aim of the standards. These purposes include: the provision of a high-quality service to crime victims; promoting effective and ethical investigations; accurately informing the public about the risk of crime; and supporting police management and national policy development. These relatively lofty objectives might fairly be considered the success criteria against which the standards themselves can reasonably be judged. This article turns a critical eye to the performance of the existing regime against each objective in turn. In several key areas, it suggests that the crime recording standards have actually been counter-productive in application and now threaten both police efficiency and police legitimacy.
Competing Teams
Authors: Chade Hector , Eeckhout Jan
Published: March 2019

In many economic applications of matching, the teams that form compete later in market structures with strategic interactions or with knowledge spillovers. Such post-match competition introduces externalities at the matching stage: a team’s payoff depends not only on their members’ attributes but also on those of other matched teams. This article develops a large market model of matching with externalities, in which first teams form, and then they compete. We analyse the sorting patterns that ensue under competitive equilibrium as well as their efficiency properties. Our main results show that insights substantially differ from those of the standard model without externalities: there can be multiple competitive equilibria with different sorting patterns; both optimal and competitive equilibrium matching can involve randomization; and competitive equilibrium can be inefficient with a matching that can drastically deviate from the optimal one. We also shed light on the economic relevance of our matching model with externalities. We analyse two economic applications that illustrate how our model can rationalize the trend in within- and between-firm inequality, and also the evolution of markups of sectors where firms have market power.
Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Foong Ru-Xin , Giovannini Mattia , du Toit George
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

The following article provides an overview of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FD-EIAn). The review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical findings of FD-EIAn and details current practice in terms of the investigation, management, and treatment options available.

Recent findings

The management of FD-EIAn has not changed significantly over the last few years and still requires careful investigation by an experienced clinician to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is given. Although new therapies such as synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogs and IgE monoclonal antibodies have been trialed as treatment options for FD-EIAn, the mainstay of treatment remains the graded reintroduction to exercise in a supervised setting.

FD-EIAn is a rare but serious condition that can have a significant impact on patients’ lives. This review aims to discuss new relevant research into this field to help guide clinicians in managing this condition.
Promoting Shared Decision-Making Behaviors During Inpatient Rounds: A Multimodal Educational Intervention
Authors: Harman Stephanie M. , Blankenburg Rebecca , Satterfield Jason M. , Monash Brad , Rennke Stephanie , Yuan Patrick , Sakai Debbie S. , Huynh Eric , Chua Ian , Hilton Joan F.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To estimate the effectiveness of a multimodal educational intervention to increase use of shared decision-making (SDM) behaviors by inpatient pediatric and internal medicine hospitalists and trainees at teaching hospitals at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco.

Method

The 8-week Patient Engagement Project Study intervention, delivered at four services between November 2014 and January 2015, included workshops, campaign messaging, report cards, and coaching. For 12-week pre- and postintervention periods, clinician peers used the nine-point Rochester Participatory Decision-Making Scale (RPAD) to evaluate rounding teams’ SDM behaviors with patients during ward rounds. Eligible teams included a hospitalist and at least one trainee (resident, intern, medical student), in addition to nonphysicians. Random-effects models were used to estimate intervention effects based on RPAD scores that sum points on nine SDM behaviors per patient encounter.

Results

In total, 527 patient encounters were scored during 175 rounds led by 49 hospitalists. Patient and team characteristics were similar across pre- and postintervention periods. Improvement was observed on all nine SDM behaviors. Adjusted for the hierarchical study design and covariates, the mean RPAD score improvement was 1.68 points (95% CI, 1.33–2.03; P < .001; Cohen d = 0.82), with intervention effects ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 points per service. Improvements were associated with longer patient encounters and a higher percentage of trainees per team.

Conclusions

The intervention increased behaviors supporting SDM during ward rounds on four independent services. The findings recommend use of clinician-focused interventions to promote SDM adoption in the inpatient setting.
Cannabis Use Based on Urine Drug Screens in Pregnancy and Its Association With Infant Birth Weight
Authors: Howard D. Scott , Dhanraj David N. , Devaiah C. Ganga , Lambers Donna S.
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

This study aims to clarify any association between infant birth weight and cannabis use in pregnancy based on urine drug screens.

Methods:

A retrospective medical record review of singleton births from August 2013 through December 2014 with available urine drug screens (UDS) at initiation of prenatal care and delivery was conducted at a large tertiary academic referral center. Patients who used drugs other than cannabis were excluded.

Results:

The prevalence of cannabis use in pregnancies not complicated by use of other drugs as evidenced by tetrahydrocannabinol in the urine of 2173 patients was 22.6%. Infants born to mothers who tested positive for only tetrahydrocannabinol in urine at both presentation for prenatal care and delivery were of lower median birth weight compared with those who tested negative [2925 g (IQR 2522–3265) vs 3235 g (IQR 2900–3591), P = <0.001]. There was no clinically relevant difference in gestational age at birth [39.0 weeks (IQR 37.1–40.0) vs 39.3 weeks (IQR 38.3–40.0), P = 0.012] between those positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and those who tested negative. Concomitant tobacco use during pregnancy was not noted to impact infant birth weight using the analysis of covariance. Higher perinatal mortality was observed among those who used cannabis with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.2 (95% CI, 1.53–11.49).

Conclusions:

Cannabis use is negatively correlated with fetal birth weight (up to 450 g less) in patients who tested positive for THC when compared with those who did not as documented in the urine drug screens. On the basis of these findings, additional patient education and cessation interventions should be explored with regard to cannabis use in pregnancy.
The Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (IF-CPPQ)
Authors: Al-Abbadey Miznah , Liossi Christina , Graham Cynthia A.
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (IF-CPPQ).

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study that was administered online. To be eligible to participate, women had to have experienced chronic pelvic pain for a minimum of 6 months and be at least 18 years of age. A total of 969 women (mean age: 35.4 y, SD=12.0) took part. The main outcome measure was the IF-CPPQ. Additional validated measures that assessed related constructs were also administered. Principal axis factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the IF-CPPQ. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach α. Convergent and discriminant validity was assessed using Pearson correlations between factor scores on the IF-CPPQ and measures of related constructs. The consistency and model fit of the resulting factor structure was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results:

The final 26-item questionnaire comprised 5 factors (Psychological Impact, Sexual Impact, Relationship Impact, Occupational Impact, and Emotional Impact). Findings suggested good convergent and discriminant validity and internal consistency.

Discussion:

The findings indicate that the IF-CPPQ is a reliable and valid measure of the impact of chronic pelvic pain on women. While the IF-CPPQ has the potential for multiple uses within research and clinical practice, further research is needed to determine the questionnaire’s ability to detect clinically meaningful changes with treatment.