bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive cruise control system with traffic jam tracking function based on multi-sensors and the driving behavior of skilled drivers
Authors: Zhang Guoxin , Wang Zengcai , Fan Baiwang , Zhao Lei , Qi Yazhou
Published: September 2018

The traditional adaptive cruise control system generally requires 25–40 km/h velocity to function. Moreover, the adaptive cruise control system cannot decelerate to the stop state, cannot adjust for stationary objects, and has limited scope of application. This study achieved the traffic jam tracking function of vehicles through the simultaneous use of millimeter wave and laser sensors and the analysis of the driving behavior of skilled drivers. The spacing and acceleration control of a vehicle is optimized based on the premise of ensuring safety and comfort by providing smooth, comfortable, safe, and radical control modes for driver selection, thereby increasing the probability that adaptive cruise control adopted by drivers. In addition, the collision avoidance function is added for safety reasons. Finally, actual vehicle experiments show that the distance and acceleration errors are in the expected range of errors of drivers. Moreover, the validity and practicability of the proposed adaptive cruise control algorithm are verified.
Footballer, rich man, celebrity, consumer: Media blindness and the denial of domestic abuse in the Stephanie Ward and Danny Simpson case
Authors: Yardley Elizabeth , Kennedy Morag , Brolan Liam
Published: September 2018

Mainstream media sense-making around domestic abuse perpetrated by soccer players within the English Premier League has not been examined to any significant degree by criminologists. Within this article, we describe our study of national news media reporting on the Stephanie Ward and Danny Simpson case. We discovered that media representations were blind to the domestic abuse perpetrated by Simpson, denying him the identity of the ‘abuser’ and presenting Ward as the aggressor. All of this played out against a structural backdrop of consumerism, which reinforces misogynistic expectations of who women in football circles are and how they should behave.
Activation of the P2X7 receptor in midbrain periaqueductal gray participates in the analgesic effect of tramadol in bone cancer pain rats
Authors: Li Pengtao , Zhang Quan , Xiao Zhi , Yu Shouyang , Yan Yan , Qin Ying
Published: September 2018

Background

Cancer pain is a well-known serious complication in metastatic or terminal cancer patients. Current pain management remains unsatisfactory. The activation of spinal and supraspinal P2X7 receptors plays a crucial role in the induction and maintenance mechanisms of various kinds of acute or chronic pain. The midbrain periaqueductal gray is a vital supraspinal site of the endogenous descending pain-modulating system. Tramadol is a synthetic, centrally acting analgesic agent that exhibits considerable efficacy in clinically relieving pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the activation of P2X7 receptor in the ventrolateral region of the periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) participates in the analgesic mechanisms of tramadol on bone cancer pain in rats. The bone cancer pain rat model was established by intratibial cell inoculation of SHZ-88 mammary gland carcinoma cells. The analgesic effects of different doses of tramadol (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were assessed by measuring the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency values in rats by using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer and radiant heat stimulation, respectively. Alterations in the number of P2X7 receptor-positive cells and P2X7 protein levels in vlPAG were separately detected by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay. The effect of intra-vlPAG injection of A-740003 (100 nmol), a selective competitive P2X7 receptor antagonist, on the analgesic effect of tramadol was also observed.

Results

The expression of P2X7 receptor in the vlPAG on bone cancer pain rats was mildly elevated, and the tramadol (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) dose dependently relieved pain-related behaviors in bone cancer pain rats and further upregulated the expression of P2X7 receptor in the vlPAG. The intra-vlPAG injection of A-740003 pretreatment partly but significantly antagonized the analgesic effect of tramadol on bone cancer pain rats.

Conclusions

The injection of tramadol can dose dependently elicit analgesic effect on bone cancer pain rats by promoting the expression of the P2X7 receptor in vlPAG.
Severe meningococcal serogroup W sepsis presenting as myocarditis: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Aung Myat , Raith Eamon , Williams Eloise , Burrell Aidan JC
Published: September 2018

The global incidence of invasive meningococcal disease due to serogroup W (MenW) has risen over the last decade. The following case emphasises the atypical features of MenW meningococcaemia, which included myocarditis, a rare but important complication. It also highlights the potential novel role that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can provide in the diagnosis of MenW myocarditis. Complications of these infections can be avoided with early recognition and susceptibility testing to prevent the use of inappropriate antibiotics and treatment failure.
Comparable efficacy and safety of dimethyl fumarate and teriflunomide treatment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: an Italian real-word multicenter experience
Authors: D’Amico Emanuele , Zanghì Aurora , Callari Graziella , Borriello Giovanna , Gallo Antonio , Graziano Giusi , Valentino Paola , Buccafusca Maria , Cottone Salvatore , Salemi Giuseppe , Ragonese Paolo , Bossio Roberto Bruno , Docimo Renato , Grimaldi Luigi Maria Edoardo , Pozzilli Carlo , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Zappia Mario , Patti Francesco
Published: September 2018

Background:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the achievement of ‘no evidence of disease activity’ (NEDA) over a 12-month period in a large multicenter population with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and teriflunomide (TRF) using a propensity-score adjustment.

Methods:

A time-to-event method was used to determine the percentages of patients with RRMS (pwRRMS) in both groups achieving NEDA 3 (no relapses, no 12-week confirmed disability progression, and no new T2/gadolinium-enhancing brain lesions). We described the safety profile of the investigated drugs.

Results:

Of the 587 pwRRMS treated with DMF and the 316 pwRRMS treated with TRF, 468 pwRRMS were successfully paired by propensity score: 234 on DMF and 234 on TRF. The percentages of pwRRMS who achieved NEDA 3 were 80.3% in the DMF group and 77.2% in the TRF group. Serious adverse events occurred in four (1.9%) pwRRMS on DMF and in three (1.3%) pwRRMS on TRF.

Conclusions:

DMF and TRF significantly impacted RRMS disease activity in our study. Serious safety concerns were recorded in less than 2% of the studied population.
Performance of a Factory-Calibrated, Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Pediatric Participants With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Welsh John B. , Zhang Xiaohe , Puhr Sarah A. , Johnson Terri Kang , Walker Tomas C. , Balo Andrew K. , Price David
Published: September 2018

Background:

The perceived value and consistent use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems depends in part on their accuracy. We assessed the performance of a sixth-generation CGM system (Dexcom G6) in children and adolescents.

Methods:

Forty-nine participants (6-17 years of age, mean ± SD of 13.5 ± 3.3 years), all with type 1 diabetes, enrolled and data were available from 37. Each participant wore 1 sensor for up to 10 days and was asked to undergo an in-clinic visit lasting 6-12 hours for frequent blood glucose (BG) sample testing on one of the sensor wear days. Estimated glucose values (EGVs) from the G6 system were compared with venous BG values measured with a laboratory reference instrument (YSI).

Results:

The overall mean absolute relative difference (MARD) for 1387 EGV-YSI pairs was 7.7%, and the overall percentage of EGVs within 20% or 20 mg/dL of the YSI reference value (for YSI > or ⩽100 mg/dL, respectively, the “%20/20”) was 96.2%. The %20/20 was 92.1% on Day 1 and 91.0% on Day 10 of sensor wear. For EGVs <70 mg/dL, 92.6% of the YSI values were within 20 mg/dL and for EGVs >250 mg/dL, 100% of the YSI values were within 20%. Differences between EGVs and YSI values in over 99.9% of the pairs posed no or only slight clinical risk as evaluated by surveillance error grid analysis.

Conclusions:

The accuracy of the G6 CGM system in pediatrics may encourage consistent use of the system and contribute to improved glycemic outcomes in this population.
Blue light exposure decreases systolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and improves endothelial function in humans
Authors: Stern Manuel , Broja Melanie , Sansone Roberto , Gröne Michael , Skene Simon S , Liebmann Joerg , Suschek Christoph V , Born Matthias , Kelm Malte , Heiss Christian
Published: September 2018

Aims

Previous studies have shown that ultraviolet light can lead to the release of nitric oxide from the skin and decrease blood pressure. In contrast to visible light the local application of ultraviolet light bears a cancerogenic risk. Here, we investigated whether whole body exposure to visible blue light can also decrease blood pressure and increase endothelial function in healthy subjects.

Methods

In a randomised crossover study, 14 healthy male subjects were exposed on 2 days to monochromatic blue light or blue light with a filter foil (control light) over 30 minutes. We measured blood pressure (primary endpoint), heart rate, forearm vascular resistance, forearm blood flow, endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), pulse wave velocity and plasma nitric oxide species, nitrite and nitroso compounds (secondary endpoints) during and up to 2 hours after exposure.

Results

Blue light exposure significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and increased heart rate as compared to control. In parallel, blue light significantly increased forearm blood flow, flow-mediated dilation, circulating nitric oxide species and nitroso compounds while it decreased forearm vascular resistance and pulse wave velocity.

Conclusion

Whole body irradiation with visible blue light at real world doses improves blood pressure, endothelial function and arterial stiffness by nitric oxide released from photolabile intracutanous nitric oxide metabolites into circulating blood.
Distal embolization of coronary calcified nodule after rotational atherectomy
Authors: Kobayashi Norihiro , Ito Yoshiaki , Yamawaki Masahiro , Araki Motoharu , Sakai Tsuyoshi , Sakamoto Yasunari , Mori Shinsuke , Tsutsumi Masakazu , Nauchi Masahiro , Honda Yohsuke , Makino Kenji , Shirai Shigemitsu , Fukagawa Tomoya , Kishida Toshihiko , Hirano Keisuke
Published: September 2018

A 62-year-old man with effort angina underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in our hospital. The target lesion was severely calcified at the mid part of the right coronary artery. Pre-procedural intravascular imaging and optical frequency domain imaging showed a calcified nodule at the lesion. We performed rotational atherectomy with a 2.0 mm burr and observed an increase in the lumen area; however, a large amount of calcified nodule persisted. We decided to perform rotational atherectomy with a burr size of 2.25 mm; however, distal embolization of the calcified nodule occurred. We failed to retrieve the embolus; hence, we performed balloon dilatation with a 2.0-mm balloon, which was successfully performed. Yet, the lesion with the embolus immediately recoiled. Finally, a drug-eluting stent was implanted in both the distal lesion with the embolus and the lesion with the calcified nodule. Final coronary angiography showed good results. We confirmed good stent expansion and that calcified nodule was compressed outside the stent. Atherectomy of a calcified nodule is effective at achieving sufficient stent expansion and reducing the risk of vessel perforation. However, we experienced distal embolization of the calcified nodule at the time of rotational atherectomy and so distal embolization should be considered at the time of treatment of calcified nodule.
Regional Television and Collective Ethnic Identity: Investigating the SNS Outlets of Arab TV Shows
Authors: Al-Rawi Ahmed
Published: September 2018

This article investigates the issue of Arab collective identity manifested in the mediated type of communication taking places on social media. The study employs multiple methodologies to provide a better understanding of Arab audiences’ online engagements with four MBC TV shows that are regarded as among the most popular throughout the MENA region as contestants from almost all Arab countries have the chance to participate in them. These shows use Arabic as a bond that unites Arab viewers from different national, religious, and racial backgrounds into distinct online communities. In total, the study offers an analysis of over 839,000 comments from four Facebook pages including Arab Idol, Arabs Got Talent, The Voice, and The Voice Kids. We argue that the notion of Arab identity is an imagined concept since the mediated communication on social media shows different identity affiliations especially toward the national one.
Punitiveness and Perceptions of Criminality
Authors: Costelloe Michael , Stenger Madeline , Arazan Christine
Published: September 2018

This study examines the effect of the residency status (undocumented immigrant, refugee, or U.S. citizen) and the country of origin-ethnicity of an offender on perceptions of criminality and on the level of punitiveness expressed by a random sample of college seniors attending a southwestern university. A factorial survey design was administered asking respondents to apply a punishment (incarceration or no incarceration) and to rate the level of criminality of a hypothetical offender. Results showed that while there were no differences in perceptions of the degree of criminality across the various offenders, there was significant variation in the severity of punishments meted out by the respondent based on offender country of origin-ethnicity. Moreover, an interaction effect was discovered, whereby the effect of residency status on punitiveness was dependent on the country of origin-ethnicity of the offender. It appears, then, that punitiveness is not uniformly directed toward all immigrants but is reserved for ethnic “others.”
Self and Group Racial/Ethnic Identification Among Emerging Adults
Authors: Blake Mary Kate
Published: September 2018

Emerging adulthood is a time of active identity exploration. Exploration of racial and ethnic identity is common in college and formational for adulthood. In this study, I use data from Latino, Asian, and multiracial emerging adults to explore the complexities of racial/ethnic self-identification and group belonging. I find that—when allowed to differentiate between the race with which one most identifies and the racial group one most feels a part—respondents’ choices don’t always align along a single racial or ethnic identity. This is true for those who are connected to just one or multiple racial/ethnic groups through ancestry or adoption, highlighting how elements of racial/ethnic identification may diverge even for those with only one reported racial or ethnic heritage. I use responses to open-ended questions to understand the discrepancies in some students’ self-identification and identify the factors that contribute to these different constituent parts of their identity.
Peer-reviewed Images: Image Consuming Selves as Visual CommoditiesNotes: All images used in this article are either part of the author's own archive or have been photographed by him, or he has been commissioned to do so. This article was initially prepared for presenting in a conference titled: ‘Creative Industries in Asia: Innovating within Constraints’, Bangkok University, 12 July 2016. The revised and advanced draft of this article was presented in ‘Visual South Asia Conference’, Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka, 10-11 May 2017. This essay is a part of the larger book project titled “Flirting with Images and Commodities” that maps our ephemeral encounters with the contemporary visual and material conditions.
Authors: Bhattacharya Sreedeep
Published: September 2018

The article addresses how popular imageries of ideal body types and their circulation inspires the construction of similar body ideals to be achieved through body work, body care and body control. While demonstrating a composite relationship between the ‘image’ and the ‘body’, it renders the interdependency and inseparability of these two entities, capturing the dual process of consuming images of the ideal body and transforming body into images for consumption.

The article also advances a theoretical model of image–body unification in contemporary India. Citing a wide range of visual representations of the body/image, the article illustrates how the imageries of the ideal body type are often negotiated through body work, and how the worked-out body is then converted to similar body-image for circulation, thereby creating replicas of predominant ideal types and inspiring the production of bodies and images that are identical to that type.

The article situates such practices of image production, circulation and emulation within the larger context of greater levels of tolerance, acceptance and dissemination of the eroticised body. It is argued that the acceptance of the eroticised body as lifestyle choice is an integral part of a larger global visual trend. The erosion of the stigma against representation of the body as a legitimate site of pleasure determines our temporal identities by inviting us to participate in the articulation of the desiring self through image-conscious bodies and through images that make the body more desirable.
Can urban metabolism models advance green infrastructure planning? Insights from ecosystem services research
Authors: Perrotti Daniela , Stremke Sven
Published: September 2018

Urban metabolism studies have gained momentum in recent years as a means to assess the environmental performance of cities and to point to more resource-efficient strategies for urban development. Recent literature reviews report a growing number of applications of the industrial ecology model for material flow analysis in the design of the built environment. However, applications of material flow analysis in green infrastructure development are scarce. In this article, we argue that: (i) the use of material flow analysis in green infrastructure practice can inform decision-making towards more resource-efficient urban planning; (ii) the ecosystem service concept is critical to operationalize material flow analysis for green infrastructure planning and design, and, through this, can enhance the impact of urban metabolism research on policy making and planning practice. The article draws from a systematic review of literature on urban ecosystem services and benefits provided by green infrastructure in urban regions. The review focuses on ecosystem services that can contribute to a more energy-efficient and less carbon-intensive urban metabolism. Using the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services as a baseline, we then discuss opportunities for integrating energy provision and climate regulation ecosystem services in material flow analysis. Our discussion demonstrates that the accounting of ecosystem services in material flow analysis enables expressing impacts of green infrastructure on the urban energy mix (renewable energy provision), the magnitude of energy use (mitigation of building energy demand) and the dynamics of biogeochemical processes in cities (carbon sequestration). We finally propose an expanded model for material flow analysis that illustrates a way forward to integrate the ecosystem service concept in urban metabolism models and to enable their application in green infrastructure planning and design.
Microbial erosion assessment on waterlogged archaeological woods (WAWs) from a Chinese ancient shipwreck, Nanhai No. 1
Authors: Gao Mengge , Zhang Qinfen , Feng Xinxin , Chen Dong , Sun Jian , Cui Yong , Xu Runlin
Published: September 2018

This article aims at identifying the timber species of Nanhai No. 1, an ancient shipwreck (Song Dynasty, 800 years ago) sunk in the South China Sea, finding out the types of bacteria that corrode the wood components of the shipwreck and analyzing the erosion level. The changes of the internal structure of wood under different erosion degrees are described as well. With light microscope and electron microscope technology, the microscopic and submicroscopic structures of 20 wooden components from the shipwreck were investigated. The shipwreck was built of 6 timber species, including Pinus massoniana, Fokienia hodginsii, Terminalia hainanensis, Mischocarpus oppositifolius, Alnus trabeculosa and Mussaendopsis beccariana. Based on analyzing the traces left after bacterial erosion, it was determined that the erosive microbes in the sunken ship were mainly erosion bacteria and tunneling bacteria. According to the criteria from relevant literature, the analysis on the bacterial erosion degree of each wood sample shows that most of the wood components present weak to moderate erosion, except a few samples which are totally degraded. Comparison with the bacterial erosion on the wooden components of different ancient shipwrecks, sunk in different years in the southeast China, it is noticed that due to the different seabed environments (sunk conditions), the wood structure of the Nanhai No. 1 sunken ship is the best preserved although its sunken time is longer than the others. The silt-covered anaerobic environment could be one of the protective measures which preserves the ancient sunken ships.
Comparative RNA-Seq analysis on the regulation of cucumber sex differentiation under different ratios of blue and red light
Authors: Song Jiali , Zhang Yiting , Song Shiwei , Su Wei , Chen Riyuan , Sun Guangwen , Hao Yanwei , Liu Houcheng
Published: September 2018

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a typical monoecism vegetable with individual male and female flowers, which has been used as a plant model for sex determination. It is well known that light is one of the most important environmental stimuli, which control the timing of the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive development. However, whether light controls sex determination remains elusive. To unravel this problem, we performed high-throughput RNA-Seq analyses, which compared the transcriptomes of shoot apices between R2B1(Red light:Blue light = 2:1)-treated and R4B1(Red light:Blue light = 4:1)-treated cucumber seedlings. Results showed that the higher proportion of blue light in the R2B1 treatment significantly induced the formation of female flowers and accelerated female flowering time in this whole study. The genes related to flowering time, such as flowering locus T (FT) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1 (SOC1), were up-regulated after R2B1 treatment. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis showed that up-regulation and down-regulation of specific DEGs (the differentially expressed genes) were primarily the result of plant hormone signal transduction after treatments. The specific DEGs related with auxin formed the highest percentage of DEGs in the plant hormone signal transduction. In addition, the expression levels of transcription factors also changed after R2B1 treatment. Thus, sex differentiation affected by light quality might be induced by plant hormone signal transduction and transcription factors. These results provide a theoretical basis for further investigation of the regulatory mechanism of female flower formation under different light qualities in cucumber seedlings.
Variance Estimation and Confidence Intervals for 11 Commonly Used Health Disparity Measures
Authors: Ahn Jaeil , Harper Sam , Yu Mandi , Feuer Eric J. , Liu Benmei , Luta George
Published: September 2018

There is increased interest in eliminating health disparities in the United States and worldwide. Broadly defined, health disparities refer to preventable inequalities in health status, such as cancer to ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, education, environment, and geographic locations. To make informed health policy decisions, it is essential to precisely measure the magnitude of disparities and assess trends over time. The Health Disparities Calculator (HD*Calc) is free statistical software that calculates 11 commonly used measures of health disparities and provides corresponding 95% CIs for the 11 measures using either an analytic method or a Monte Carlo simulation–based method; however, the derivation of SEs and coverage properties of the CIs have not been formally evaluated. We used simulation studies to assess the coverage properties of these CIs. We have also conducted bias analyses for measures implemented in HD*Calc using age-adjusted cancer incidence rates from national, state, and county level SEER data. The results of these analyses indicate that HD*Calc should be used with caution to construct CIs for some health disparity measures when the proportion of zero event counts is greater than 25%.
Efficacy and Tolerability of First-Line Cetuximab Plus Leucovorin, Fluorouracil, and Oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4) Versus FOLFOX-4 in Patients With RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The Open-Label, Randomized, Phase III TAILOR Trial
Authors: Qin Shukui , Li Jin , Wang Liwei , Xu Jianming , Cheng Ying , Bai Yuxian , Li Wei , Xu Nong , Lin Li-zhu , Wu Qiong , Li Yunfeng , Yang Jianwei , Pan Hongming , Ouyang Xuenong , Qiu Wensheng , Wu Kaichun , Xiong Jianping , Dai Guanghai , Liang Houjie , Hu Chunhong , Zhang Jun , Tao Min , Yao Qiang , Wang Junyuan , Chen Jiongjie , Eggleton S. Peter , Liu Tianshu
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy is a standard-of-care first-line treatment regimen for patients with RAS wild-type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC); however, the efficacy of cetuximab plus leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) has never before been proven in a controlled and randomized phase III trial. To our knowledge, the TAILOR trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01228734) is the first randomized, multicenter, phase III study of the addition of cetuximab to first-line FOLFOX prospectively choosing a RAS wt population and thus providing confirmative data for the efficacy and safety of cetuximab plus FOLFOX versus FOLFOX alone.

Patients and Methods

TAILOR is an open-label, randomized (1:1), multicenter, phase III trial in patients from China comparing FOLFOX-4 with or without cetuximab in RAS wt ( KRAS/ NRAS, exons 2 to 4) mCRC. The primary end point of TAILOR was progression-free survival time; secondary end points included overall survival time, overall response rate, and safety and tolerability.

Results

In the modified intent-to-treat population of 393 patients with RAS wt mCRC, adding cetuximab to FOLFOX-4 significantly improved the primary end point of progression-free survival time compared with FOLFOX-4 alone (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.89; P = .004; median, 9.2 v 7.4 months, respectively), as well as the secondary end points of overall survival time (current assessment after 300 events: hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.96; P = .02; median, 20.7 v 17.8 months, respectively) and overall response rate (odds ratio, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.61 to 3.61; P < .001; 61.1% v 39.5%, respectively). Treatment was well tolerated, and there were no new or unexpected safety findings.

Conclusion

The TAILOR study met all of its objectives and relevant clinical end points, confirming cetuximab in combination with FOLFOX as an effective standard-of-care first-line treatment regimen for patients with RAS wt mCRC.
The soluble transhydrogenase UdhA affecting the glutamate-dependent acid resistance system of Escherichia coli under acetate stress
Authors: Zhao Hanjun , Zhou Feng , Xing Quan , Cao Zhengyu , Liu Jie , Zhu Guoping
Published: September 2018

The soluble transhydrogenase (UdhA) is one of two transhydrogenases that play a role in maintaining the balance between NAD(H) pools and NADP(H) pools in Escherichia coli. Although UdhA has been extensively used in metabolic engineering and biocatalysis for cofactor regeneration, its role in acid resistance has not been reported. Here we used DNA microarray to explore the impact of UdhA on transcript levels. We demonstrated that during growth on acetate, the expression of genes involved in the respiratory chain and Gad acid resistance system was inhibited in the udhA-knockout strain. The deletion of udhA significantly repressed the expression of six genes (gadA, gadB, gadC, gadE, hdeA and hdeB) which are involved in Gad acid resistance and resulted in low survival of the bacterium at a low pH of 4.9. Moreover, UdhA was essential for NADH production which is important for the adaptive growth of E. coli on acetate, while NADH concentration in the udhA-knockout strain was quite low and supplemental NADH significantly increased the expression of acid resistance genes and survival of the udhA-knockout strain. These results demonstrated that UdhA is an important source of NADH of E. coli growth on acetate and affects Gad acid resistance system under acetate stress.
Lineage tracing axial progenitors using Nkx1-2CreERT2 mice defines their trunk and tail contributions
Authors: Albors Aida Rodrigo , Halley Pamela A. , Storey Kate G.
Published: September 2018

The vertebrate body forms by continuous generation of new tissue from progenitors at the posterior end of the embryo. The study of these axial progenitors has proved challenging in vivo largely due to the lack of unique molecular markers to identify them. Here, we elucidate the expression pattern of the transcription factor Nkx1-2 in the mouse embryo and show that it identifies axial progenitors throughout body axis elongation, including neuromesodermal progenitors and early neural and mesodermal progenitors. We create a tamoxifen-inducible Nkx1-2CreERT2 transgenic mouse and exploit the conditional nature of this line to uncover the lineage contributions of Nkx1-2-expressing cells at specific stages. We show that early Nkx1-2-expressing epiblast cells contribute to all three germ layers, mostly neuroectoderm and mesoderm, excluding notochord. Our data are consistent with the presence of some self-renewing axial progenitors that continue to generate neural and mesoderm tissues from the tail bud. This study identifies Nkx1-2-expressing cells as the source of most trunk and tail tissues in the mouse and provides a useful tool to genetically label and manipulate axial progenitors in vivo.
The effect of chronic and acute stressors, and their interaction, on testes function: an experimental test during testicular recrudescence
Authors: Abolins-Abols Mikus , Hanauer Rachel E. , Rosvall Kimberly A. , Peterson Mark P. , Ketterson Ellen D.
Published: September 2018

Organisms are expected to invest less in reproduction in response to a stressor, but theory predicts that this effect should depend on the frequency and duration of stressors in the environment. Here, we investigated how an acute stressor affected testes function in a songbird, and how chronic stressors influenced the acute stress response. We exposed male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) either to chronic or minimal (control) disturbance during testicular recrudescence, after which we measured baseline testosterone, testosterone after an acute handling stressor, and capacity to produce testosterone after hormonal stimulation. In a 2×2 design, we then killed males from the two chronic treatment groups either immediately or after an acute stressor to investigate the effect of long- and short-term stressors on the testicular transcriptome. We found that chronically disturbed birds had marginally lower baseline testosterone. The acute stressor suppressed testosterone in control birds, but not in the chronic disturbance group. The ability to elevate testosterone did not differ between the chronic treatments. Surprisingly, chronic disturbance had a weak effect on the testicular transcriptome, and did not affect the transcriptomic response to the acute stressor. The acute stressor, on the other hand, upregulated the cellular stress response and affected expression of genes associated with hormonal stress response. Overall, we show that testicular function is sensitive to acute stressors but surprisingly robust to long-term stressors, and that chronic disturbance attenuates the decrease in testosterone in response to an acute stressor.
Ο κίνδυνος πλημμύρων από τον χείμαρρο Διακονιάρη του πολεοδομικού συγκροτήματος της πόλεως των Πατρών, ΒΔ Πελοπόννησος, Ελλάδα
Authors: ΣΤΑΜΑΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Λ.
Published: September 2018

Natural hazards, on a national and international scale, have increased in the last years as a consequence of climatic changes and human activity resulting in an unfavourable impact on socioeconomic conditions. Catastrophic phenomena related to river floods or slopes instability are natural hazards originating from seismic, tectonic and volcanic activity, as well as, from erosional and meteorological events, and human intervention. The Vulnerability being particularly high in the regions intensely populated, like the analyzed case study, high is the Risk. The importance of geomorphological studies in assessing natural hazards due to river floods was brought into focus with recent floods event that occurred in the Patras urban area (NW Péloponnèse) and particular from Diakoniaris river. Diakoniaris river is about 11 Km long, with mouth in Patraikos gulf. His bed angle slope ranges from 17°degrees of the high basin to 1°degrees of his alluvial playing. Due to geological and geomorphological characteristics of his basin, Diakoniaris is a temporary river. During summer season it is completely dry, whereas in autumn and winter time discharge increases remarkably. The area of Patras has a mean annual rainfall ranging from 698,5 to 747.3 mm. It flows in E-W direction, traversing the Patras town. During the autumn and winter months intense rainfalls persisted for several hours producing severe flash flood mainly in the alluvial playing of Diakoniaris River. There were some loss of life and damage to buildings, transport infrastructure and agricultural crops. Similar events happened also in southwestern Patras town in 1997, October and 2001, December. The damages are mainly due to absence of good alluvial playing management practices in recent decades, concretely after the year 1960 during the urban growth of the Patras town.
Ένα παράδειγμα σύζευξης γεωγραφικών συστημάτων πληροφοριών (Γ.Σ.Π) με μεθόδους τεχνητής νοημοσύνης (ασαφής λογική & νευρωνικά δίκτυα): εφαρμογή στη γεωμορφολογία.
Authors: ΓΚΟΥΡΝΕΛΟΣ Θ. , ΕΥΕΛΠΙΔΟΥ Ν. , ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Α.
Published: September 2018

In this paper we are studying the erosional procedures on the basis of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (Al) methods. More precisely we use fuzzy logic rules to estimate the erosion risk index for the surface rocks and a model of neural networks to spatially categorise the erosion risk index. The described procedure is applied at Zakynthos island, where a complete spatial database already exists.
Γεωμορφολογική και μορφοτεκτονική ανάλυση της λεκάνης απορροής του Μαλακασιώτικου ρέματος (Δυτ. Θεσσαλία-νομός Τρικάλων).
Authors: ΜΠΑΘΡΕΛΛΟΣ Γ. , ΣΚΥΛΟΔΗΜΟΥ Χ. , ΛΕΙΒΑΔΙΤΗΣ Γ. , ΒΕΡΥΚΙΟΥ- ΠΑΠΑΣΠΥΡΙΔΑΚΟΥ Ε.
Published: September 2018

The Malakasiotiko stream is one of the tributaries of Pinios River in Western Thessaly. The drainage basin of Malakasiotiko stream is located in the northwestern part of the mountainous zone of Trikala Prefecture. In this paper, the drainage network of Malakasiotiko stream has been analyzed. Additionally, the relationship among the tectonism, the growth directions of the watershed lines, and the drainage network. The quantitative analysis of the drainage network has resulted that the geological and tectonic structure of the area affected, and potentially has been affecting its development. The morphotectonic analysis has shown that the watershed lines of the drainage basin and the streams of 1st to 4th order are influenced by alpine structure, whereas the 5th, 6th and the 7th order streams are influenced by neotectonic activity.
ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ, ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΩΝ ΣΤΡΩΜΑΤΟΤΥΠΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΑΠΟΛΥΤΩΝ ΟΡΙΩΝ. ΠΡΟΣΦΑΤΕΣ ΑΝΑΟΕΩΡΗΣΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΓΕΩΛΟΓΙΚΗΣ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΗΣ ΚΛΙΜΑΚΑΣ
Authors: Δερμιτζάκης Μ. Δ.
Published: September 2018

In the last 150 years, the limits of the so called "formal" geochronological/ chronostratigraphical units were determined by several rock researchers using geohistorical events in several ways. The lack of standardisation made them useless for a global scale correlation. During the last two decades, the development of the field and laboratories techniques, the studies of radiogenic and stable isotopes, the improved evaluation of fossil files, the evaluation of paleomagnetic data and the application of cyclostratigraphy, improved the quality of data and contributed to the creation of the most upto-date International Chronostratigraphic Scale, including new subdivisions and determination of the boundaries of geological periods. The compiled New Geological Time Scale GTS 2004 integrates the most recent results of these new methods and was constructed by the International Union of Stratigraphy (ICS), in 2004, presiding F.M. Gradstein, from the University of Oslo, along with 38 other specialists. The new revised Geological Scale encompasses selected new methods that provide the most reliable information. The last Geological Time Scale incorporates important changes and is based on the application of the Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). Almost 50 GSSP have been defined up to now. Despite the enormous efforts for the construction of the most complete Geological Time Scale, a modified version needs the support and consent of the entire geological science community.
A systematic performance evaluation of clustering methods for single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Duò Angelo , Robinson Mark D. , Soneson Charlotte
Published: September 2018

Subpopulation identification, usually via some form of unsupervised clustering, is a fundamental step in the analysis of many single-cell RNA-seq data sets. This has motivated the development and application of a broad range of clustering methods, based on various underlying algorithms. Here, we provide a systematic and extensible performance evaluation of 14 clustering algorithms implemented in R, including both methods developed explicitly for scRNA-seq data and more general-purpose methods. The methods were evaluated using nine publicly available scRNA-seq data sets as well as three simulations with varying degree of cluster separability. The same feature selection approaches were used for all methods, allowing us to focus on the investigation of the performance of the clustering algorithms themselves.

We evaluated the ability of recovering known subpopulations, the stability and the run time and scalability of the methods. Additionally, we investigated whether the performance could be improved by generating consensus partitions from multiple individual clustering methods. We found substantial differences in the performance, run time and stability between the methods, with SC3 and Seurat showing the most favorable results. Additionally, we found that consensus clustering typically did not improve the performance compared to the best of the combined methods, but that several of the top-performing methods already perform some type of consensus clustering.

All the code used for the evaluation is available on GitHub (https://github.com/markrobinsonuzh/scRNAseq_clustering_comparison). In addition, an R package providing access to data and clustering results, thereby facilitating inclusion of new methods and data sets, is available from Bioconductor (https://bioconductor.org/packages/DuoClustering2018).
PECULIARITIES OF TRPM8 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT OF ASTHMA PATIENTS
Authors: Наумов Денис , Naumov Denis , Гассан Дина , Gassan Dina , Килимиченко Ксения , Kilimichenko Kseniya , Афанасьева Евгения , Afanas'eva Evgeniya , Шелудько Елизавета , Shelud'ko Elizaveta , Колосов Виктор , Kolosov Viktor
Published: September 2018

The aim of the study was to analyze the peculiarities of TRPM8 receptor expression at protein level in induced sputum and nasal epithelium of asthma patients, and to evaluate their relationship to maintenance therapy and cold airway hyperresponsiveness. The study enrolled 43 patients, including those with persistent mild-to-moderate asthma and those with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis (control group). Analysis of TRPM8 expression was performed by indirect flow cytometry. In addition, patients underwent spirometry and a bronchoprovocation test with 3-minute cold air hyperventilation. As a result, we found that TRPM8 was expressed on macrophages of induced spleen and nasal epithelium. Its expression in patients with asthma who did not receive maintenance therapy was more pronounced as compared to the treated patients or the control group. Moreover, the relationship between increased expression of TRPM8 on macrophages and cold airway hyperresponsiveness was established. Further studies should reveal the possibility of TRPM8 usage as a prognostic biomarker of asthma at various stages of the disease development.
Portfolio Optimization with Nonparametric Value at Risk: A Block Coordinate Descent Method
Authors: Cui Xueting , Sun Xiaoling , Zhu Shushang , Jiang Rujun , Li Duan
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we investigate a portfolio optimization methodology using nonparametric value at risk (VaR). In particular, we adopt kernel VaR and quadratic VaR as risk measures. As the resulting models are nonconvex and nonsmooth optimization problems, albeit with some special structures, we propose some specially devised block coordinate descent (BCD) methods for finding approximate or local optimal solutions. Computational results show that the BCD methods are efficient for finding local solutions with good quality and they compare favorably with the branch-and-bound method-based global optimal solution procedures. From the simulation test and empirical analysis that we carry out, we are able to conclude that the mean-VaR models using kernel VaR and quadratic VaR are more robust compared to those using historical VaR or parametric VaR under the normal distribution assumption, especially when the information of the return distribution is limited.

The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2017.0793 .
CATTLEREVIEW
Authors: Barrett David C
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

This edition of Cattle Review considers recent publications regarding bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in Ireland, and the effect of teaching rectal palpation on stress levels in cows.
What is the evidence base for blanket antibiotic therapy in the control of footrot in sheep?
Authors: Groenevelt Margit , Grogono-Thomas Roase
Published: September 2018

In recent years whole flock antibiotic treatment has been applied in practice in order to eradicate footrot from individual flocks, however it is important to reflect on the evidence base supporting this protocol. If footrot can be eradicated by a one-off whole flock treatment, this could result in lower usages of antibiotics overall and would improve welfare on these farms. This review article aims to summarise the results that are being reported by both research papers and case reports and includes data from various other European countries as well as the UK.
Managing periocular sarcoids
Authors: Hollis Anna R
Published: September 2018

Periocular sarcoids are challenging to treat. There are multiple treatment modalities reported, with a variety of levels of evidence to support their use. Potential treatment options include topical creams, laser surgical excision, photodynamic therapy, intra-lesional injections, and radiotherapy. In all cases, ‘benign neglect’ is an inappropriate course of treatment — sarcoids are a type of tumour, and will only get worse with time.
Antenatal Hospitalization Among U.S. Women With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Mitra Monika , Parish Susan L. , Clements Karen M. , Zhang Jianying , Simas Tiffany A. Moore
Published: September 2018

This population-based retrospective cohort study examines the prevalence of hospital utilization during pregnancy and the primary reason for antenatal hospital utilization among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Massachusetts residents with in-state deliveries that were ≥ 20 weeks gestational age were included via data from the 2002-2009 Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal Data System. Among women with IDD, 54.8% had at least one emergency department (ED) visit during pregnancy, compared to 23% of women without IDD. Women with IDD were more likely to have an antenatal ED visit, observational stays, and non-delivery hospital stays. This study highlights the need for further understanding of the health care needs of women with IDD during pregnancy.
Employment, Income, and SSI Effects of Postsecondary Education for People With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Sannicandro Thomas , Parish Susan L. , Fournier Steve , Mitra Monika , Paiewonsky Maria
Published: September 2018

The low employment rates of individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are a major concern. This study examined the effect of postsecondary education on employment atrnd earnings for individuals with ID and the effect of state variation on those outcomes. Rehabilitation Services Administration 911 (RSA-911) files for 2008–2013 were analyzed (n = 11,280 individuals with ID). Multilevel modeling techniques were used to understand state variation, such as various economic and programmatic features that influence outcomes. Postsecondary education was associated with increased employment, increased weekly earnings, decreased reliance on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Policy implications are discussed.
Improvement of HER2I655V TARMS-PCR Performance by DNA Quality Analysis
Authors: Budiarto Bugi Ratno , Azamris Azamris , Desriani Desriani
Published: September 2018

Reliable TARMS-PCR is a prerequisite in constructing a solid conclusion in genetic diagnostics. The validity of data generated by this molecular technique is hampered by a false positive result. In attempt to develop a  TARMS-PCR for HER2I655V genotyping with no interfering of bias we used DNase I to eliminate DNA contaminant resided in PCR reagent. TARMS-PCR without enzyme treatment using recombinant plasmids that contained HER2I655V gene with represented its alleles was used to evaluate the presence of false positive  result while DNase I treated-PCR reagent was used in TARMS-PCR to evaluate the effective dose of the enzyme and further to adjust the TARMS-PCR conditions.  PCR master mix kit used in this study produced a false positive result on HER2I655V TARMS-PCR as proven by the presence of multiple PCR products in Non-Template Control (NTC) and 0.1 U of the enzyme could eliminate this DNA contaminant effectively, although this pretreatment altered the specificity of HER2I655V TARMS-PCR genotyping on certain genotype. Combination of touchdown TARMS-PCR with another allele-specific primer recovered specificity of detection on this model system. Interestingly, this optimized HER2I655V TARMS-PCR can only be used for genotyping the clinical samples if only further optimization was done using genomic DNA as template