bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of SIMPLE Index for Lupus Disease Activity
Authors: Gandhi Nisarg , Arora Shilpa , Sengupta Mondira , Sequeira Winston , Jolly Meenakshi , Block Joel A. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveAn easy, quick tool requiring minimal training or health care provider input would potentially have greater uptake for clinical use among rheumatologists and primary care physicians for assessment of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SIMPLE (SIMple Disease Assessment forPeople withLupusErythematosus) index is a composite numeric tool that is easy and quick to calculate. We prospectively assessed the performance of the SIMPLE index as a disease activity surrogate against physician-based disease activity measures.MethodsNinety-nine consenting patients meeting American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria were recruited. Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI), physician global assessment, and SIMPLE index were obtained during routine visits. SIMPLE index is a 17-item patient-reported questionnaire that includes 2 laboratory tests. Health care provider input is needed only to provide laboratory results (normal/abnormal) and confirming patient-reported current use and dosing of glucocorticoids. We performed Spearman test to assess correlation of SIMPLE index with SELENA-SLEDAI and physician global assessment.ResultsMean age (SD) was 39.7 (12.3) years. The correlation coefficient between SIMPLE index and SELENA-SLEDAI was 0.56 (P= 0.0001), and that between SIMPLE index and physician global assessment was 0.54 (P= 0.0001). In SLE patients without fibromyalgia (FM), the correlation of SIMPLE index with SELENA-SLEDAI and physician global assessment was 0.58 (P= 0.0001) and 0.57 (P= 0.0001), respectively.ConclusionsSIMPLE index is strongly correlated with formal physician assessments of disease activity in SLE, and correlation was marginally higher among those without FM. SIMPLE index can be performed easily in places with limited physician and laboratory resources.
Fibrous Dysplasia of the Rib Mimicking a Malignant Bone Tumor at SPECT/CT with 99mTc-MDP
Authors: Fournel Ludovic , Rapicetta Cristian , Fraternali Alessandro , Bellafiore Salvatore , Paci Massimiliano , Lococo Filippo 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
We herein report a case of a 43-year-old man with a right 8th-rib bone tumor exhibiting features of malignancy at CT-scan. Considering that a SPECT/CT with 99mTc-MDP showed solitary intense radio-tracer uptake and the inconclusive results from a fine-needle biopsy, surgical en bloc tumor resection was performed. Pathologic analysis revealed a well-limited benign bone lesion (“fibrous rib dysplasia”) composed by a cellular fibrous proliferation. Since benign osseous diseases may present an intense scintigraphic tracer uptake (as in this case), we suggest a certain caution when interpreting the results of SPECT/CT with 99mTc-MDP in order to avoid misdiagnosis and wrong treatments.
Assessment of cognitive reserve using near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Medvedev Andrei V. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCognitive reserve (CR) is the ability to preserve cognitive functions in the presence of brain pathology. One commonly used proxy measure of CR is IQ. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), patients with higher CR show better cognitive performance relative to brain damage therefore higher CR reduces the risk of dementia. There is a strong need to develop a reliable biomarker of CR given the growing interest in understanding protective brain mechanisms in AD. Recent fMRI studies indicate that frontoparietal network may play an important role in the maintenance of cognitive reserve. The goal of this study was to measure functional connectivity (FC) of the prefrontal cortex using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and to study the relationship of prefrontal FC with cognitive abilities and motoric skills.We analyzed resting state optical data recorded from prefrontal cortex in 13 healthy individuals who were also assessed by Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) test and the Purdue Pegboard test (PPT). For each participant, activity of each prefrontal channel was correlated with all other channels and positive correlation coefficients were Fisher-transformed and averaged over all PFC channels giving the Global Functional Connectivity (GFC) of PFC. The resulting GFC number for each individual was then correlated with the corresponding IQ (WASI full score) and the PPT scores.Prefrontal connectivity was found to positively correlate with IQ while showing the lack of or negative correlation with the Purdue Pegboard subtests. These results demonstrate that the cost-effective and noninvasive NIRS technology can be used to evaluate prefrontal functional connectivity thus providing a neurophysiological measure of cognitive reserve.E-mail address for correspondence:am236@georgetown.edu
NanoMod: a computational tool to detect DNA modifications using Nanopore long-read sequencing data
Authors: Liu Qian , Georgieva Daniela C. , Egli Dieter , Wang Kai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent advances in single-molecule sequencing techniques, such as Nanopore sequencing, improved read length, increased sequencing throughput, and enabled direct detection of DNA modifications through the analysis of raw signals. These DNA modifications include naturally occurring modifications such as DNA methylations, as well as modifications that are introduced by DNA damage or through synthetic modifications to one of the four standard nucleotides.MethodsTo improve the performance of detecting DNA modifications, especially synthetically introduced modifications, we developed a novel computational tool called NanoMod. NanoMod takes raw signal data on a pair of DNA samples with and without modified bases, extracts signal intensities, performs base error correction based on a reference sequence, and then identifies bases with modifications by comparing the distribution of raw signals between two samples, while taking into account of the effects of neighboring bases on modified bases (“neighborhood effects”).ResultsWe evaluated NanoMod on simulation data sets, based on different types of modifications and different magnitudes of neighborhood effects, and found that NanoMod outperformed other methods in identifying known modified bases. Additionally, we demonstrated superior performance of NanoMod on an E. coli data set with 5mC (5-methylcytosine) modifications.ConclusionsIn summary, NanoMod is a flexible tool to detect DNA modifications with single-base resolution from raw signals in Nanopore sequencing, and will greatly facilitate large-scale functional genomics experiments in the future that use modified nucleotides.
Distance-dependent changes in courtship song amplitude reflect song state changes
Authors: Suri Harini , Rajan Raghav 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTMany animals increase the amplitude of their vocalizations as distance from a receiver increases. However, behavioral mechanisms underlying this increase remain unclear. Here, we addressed this using head-attached microphones to accurately record song amplitude in male zebra finches while presenting a female at difference distances. We show that individual courtship song syllables either increased (5/13) or decreased their amplitude (4/13) as distance from the female increased. Both increases and decreases were part of more general acoustic changes that resulted in properties more similar to those of “undirected” songs typically produced in the absence of a female. Increasing distance also reduced female responses to songs and absence of female responses reduced courtship song amplitude and number of songs per bout. These data suggest a simple behavioral mechanism where distance-dependent song amplitude changes reflect song state changes. Such state changes may be a general mechanism underlying distance-dependent amplitude changes in other organisms.
The Staphylococcus aureus Two-Component System AgrAC Displays Four Distinct Genomic Arrangements That Delineate Genomic Virulence Factor Signatures
Authors: Choudhary Kumari Sonal , Mih Nathan , Monk Jonathan , Kavvas Erol , Yurkovich James T. , Sakoulas George , Palsson Bernhard O. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwo-component systems (TCSs) consist of a histidine kinase and a response regulator. Here, we evaluated the conservation of the AgrAC TCS among 149 completely sequenced S. aureus strains. It is composed of four genes: agrBDCA. We found that: i) AgrAC system (agr) was found in all but one of the 149 strains; ii) The agr positive strains were further classified into four agr types based on AgrD protein sequences, iii) the four agr types not only specified the chromosomal arrangement of the agr genes but also the sequence divergence of AgrC histidine kinase protein, which confers signal specificity, iv) the sequence divergence was reflected in distinct structural properties especially in the transmembrane region and second extracellular binding domain, and v) there was a strong correlation between the agr type and the virulence genomic profile of the organism. Taken together, these results demonstrate that bioinformatic analysis of the agr locus leads to a classification system that correlates with the presence of virulence factors and protein structural properties.
Deficiency of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase RBCK1 Causes Diffuse Brain Polyglucosan Accumulation and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Sullivan Mitchell A. , Nitschke Felix , Chown Erin E. , DiGiovanni Laura F. , Chown Mackenzie , Perri Ami M. , Mitra Sharmistha , Zhao Xiaochu , Ackerley Cameron A. , Israelian Lori , Ahonen Saija , Wang Peixiang , Minassian Berge A. 
Published: March 2018

SUMMARYGlycogen synthesis is vital, malstructure resulting in precipitation and accumulation into neurotoxic polyglucosan bodies (PBs). One well-understood mechanism of PB generation is glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED). Less understood is Lafora disease (LD), resulting from absence of the glycogen phosphatase laforin or the E3 ubiquitin ligase malin, and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated PBs. LD afforded first insight that glycogen sphericity depends on more than adequate branching activity. Unexpectedly, deficiencies of the Linear Ubiquitin Chain Assembly Complex (LUBAC) components RBCK1 and HOIP result in PBs in muscle tissues. Here we analyzed nervous system phenotypes of mice lacking RBCK1 and find profuse PB accumulations in brain and spinal cord with extensive neurodegeneration and neurobehavioral deficits. Brain glycogen in these mice is characterized by long chains and hyperphosphorylation, similar to LD. Like in LD, glycogen synthase and branching enzyme are unaltered. Regional PB distribution mirrors LD and not GBED. Perisynaptic PB localization is unlike LD or GBED. The results indicate that RBCK1 is part of a system supplementing laforin-malin in regulating glycogen architecture including in unique neuronal locales.
Pyridine 1:1 adducts of urea (Z′ = 1) and thiourea (Z′ = 8)
Authors: Strey Mark , Jones Peter G. 
Published: March 2018

During our studies of urea and thiourea adducts, we noticed that no adducts with unsubstituted pyridine had been structurally investigated. The 1:1 adduct of pyridine and urea, C5H5N·CH4N2O, crystallizes in the P21/c space group with Z = 4. The structure is of a standard type for urea adducts, whereby the urea molecules form a ribbon, parallel to the a axis, consisting of linked R
2
2(8) rings, and the pyridine molecules are attached to the periphery of the ribbon by bifurcated (N—H...)2N hydrogen bonds. The 1:1 adduct of pyridine and thiourea, C5H5N·CH4N2S, crystallizes in the P21/n space group, with Z = 32 (Z′ = 8). The structure displays similar ribbons to those of the urea adduct. There are two independent ribbons parallel to the b axis at z ≃ 0 and 1 \over 2, and three at z ≃ 1 \over 4 and 3 \over 4; the latter are crosslinked to form a layer structure by additional long N—H...S interactions, which each formally replace one branch of a bifurcated hydrogen-bond system.
A need to help: stories of emergent behaviour from the scene of accident
Authors: Kvarnlöf Linda 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how spontaneous volunteers make sense of their actions at the scene of accident. More specifically, this paper focusses on the moral aspects of this sense-making process in terms of how spontaneous volunteers justify their own and others actions at the scene of accident through moral positioning.Design/methodology/approachThis is done through a narrative analysis of volunteers’ retrospective stories from the scene of accident. The empirical material consists of interviews with 12 witnesses to traffic accidents.FindingsThe narrative analysis identifies two central storylines: the interviewees frame their own and others’ actions through norms of how one should act, and the interviewees frame their own actions by presenting themselves as a person of a certain type, sometimes positioned against an real or imaginative “other”.Originality/valueDisaster sociologists have long argued that emergent behaviours and norms are one of the phenomena distinguishing disasters from everyday emergencies. However, as this paper shows, emergent behaviours and norms are also present at everyday emergencies such as traffic accidents where spontaneous volunteers can play an important role by filling the void before the arrival of emergency services.
Influence of different brine water salinity on mechanical properties of fly ash-based geopolymer cement
Authors: Ridha Syahrir , Abd Hamid Afif Izwan , Che Ku Mazuan Che Ku Afiza Hanim 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties changing of geopolymer cement under different brine salinity.Design/methodology/approachGeopolymer Cement of Class F Fly Ash and Class G Cement slurries were prepared according to API RP 10B. The optimum alkaline activator/cement and water/cement ratio of 0.44 was used for geopolymer and Class G cement samples, respectively. The alkaline activator was prepared by mixing the proportion of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solutions of 8 M and Sodium Silicate (Na2SiO3) using ratio of 1:2.5 by weight. The slurries were cured for 24 hours at 130oC and 3,000 psi in HPHT Curing Chamber followed by coring process. Both cement sample were immersed in brine water salinity up to 28 days with different brine salinity up to 30 per cent of NaCl. The mechanical properties were investigated using OYO Sonic Viewer-SX and Uniaxial Compressive Strength. The surfaces of the cement samples were extracted for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and EDS tests to evaluate the morphology and chemical compositions of the cured samples.FindingsThe paper shows that geopolymer samples experiences strength reduction in brine water but the reduction rate of geopolymer is about half of the Ordinary Portland cement based oil well cement. The finding was also verified by SEM and EDS result.Originality/valueThis paper investigates the mechanical property changes of emerging geopolymer cement due to different water salinity. The results provide potential application of geopolymer cement for oil well cementing.
Effect of two-phase flow on transmission characteristics of oil film between friction pair
Authors: Chen Haibin , Zhu Jie , Xie Fangwei , Guo Xinjian , Zheng Xudong 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use the viscosity of fluid to transmit power known as the hydro-viscous drive (HVD) to research the effect of two-phase flow on transmission characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a 3D computational model of oil film between friction pair was built to study the transmission characteristics of a two-phase oil film, and the distribution contours of pressure and temperature of oil film were investigated using the computational fluid dynamics technology.

Findings
The finding of the paper suggests that the distribution law of pressure and temperature of two-phase oil film is almost linear along the radial direction. However, since the physical phenomena near the outlet of the oil film are entirely different, there exists fluctuation. Meanwhile, the volume fraction of air was obtained at different rotation speeds, and the maximum value is 10.55 percent. Compared to the single-phase oil film, the torque transferred by the oil film is not linear with the rotation speed, its value decreases gradually.

Originality/value
This paper’s conclusions are very important for the study of HVD and its applications, which provide a new idea to further study the mechanism of oil film transmission and its cavitation. The development of fluid viscous speed clutch is dedicated to a large industrial fan and water pump speed regulation and energy saving. With the successful application of the technology, it will have more wide applications in different fields, such as, in steel, water, petrochemical, power plant of slag pump and exhaust fan.
Regulating virtual currencies – the challenges of applying fiat currency laws to digital technology services
Authors: Naheem Mohammed Ahmad 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider the recent (Dec`15) introduction of the Bitlicensing rules in New York and consider from a banking perspective how this will impact on their own risk assessment processes. The paper also outlines the challenges of applying financial regulation to companies that have an area of expertise and business that is more aligned to software development, rather than financial service provision.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a viewpoint paper, which offers a critical discussion on the FATF guidelines on virtual currencies. The paper compares developments that are currently occurring within the virtual currency sector in particularly the new Bitlicensing process in New York State and discusses the implications to the banking sector on risk assessment processes for virtual currency transactions.

Findings
This paper will benefit the banking and regulation industries as well as economic and banking academics and anyone with an interest in virtual and digital currency technology.

Originality/value
This paper is unique in that it examines the issue of virtual currency regulation from a banking perspective. It explains the virtual currency technology as a means to be enhancing banking risk assessment, for clients seeking to incorporate virtual currency transactions into their business. This paper impacts on the banking and regulatory sectors because it critically examines the current practice of over regulation and the impact that this has on alternative financial systems, such as digital and virtual currencies. The paper offers a theoretical framework as well as citing current practical reports of how regulation has already started to affect the financial services landscape. The impact of getting this wrong can lead to increased criminal activity, and this paper highlights how susceptible the financial sector is to this.
Police corruption: a comparison between China and India
Authors: Lee George Chak man 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
There is no comparative research into the Chinese (PSB) police and the Indian police generally and none on police corruption in particular. This paper aims to show what police corruption and malpractices look like in China and India and offer up some suggestions as to why wide spread malpractices persists.

Design/methodology/approach
Horses’ mouth qualitative research is supported by primary public and police survey data.

Findings
There are many similarities in corruption “tricks of the trade” in both the countries, as well as in the reasons for its persistence. However, petty police corruption is more pervasive and less subtle in India. But both the forces suffer from politicization of policing, criminalization of politics, culture of tolerance towards substantive justice over procedural justice and master/servant attitude towards the public. In China, the police have administrative powers beyond criminal legislation, and Indian corruption is underscored by the culture of “Jugaad”.

Research limitations/implications
This is largely a qualitative research, so the usual arguments regarding limitations on its generalization applies. However, the insights in this article may provide some understanding of this under-researched topic and may stimulate further research in this field. It may also offer pointers to potential solutions for practitioners and policymakers.

Practical implications
By providing data on what corruption looks like and why it persists, policymakers can use the findings of this study to develop measures to address them. In so doing they would create a police service in India and China that is less prone to corruption and misconduct, thereby increasing public trust in these institutions.

Social implications
Peace and security is a prerequisite condition for economic and social modernization through the rule of law. Reform of the police is a critical success factor in this process. Therefore, by reforming the police, India and China stand a better chance of eradicating poverty and reducing inequality.

Originality/value
There is little in the way of research into the Chinese Police and none into Chinese police corruption. There is also no comparative study of the Chinese and Indian police generally and none on police corruption in particular.
Borderless crimes and digital forensic: Nigerian perspectives
Authors: Arewa Adebisi 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to determine the extent to which the myriad of cybercrimes is within the purview of extant Nigerian laws against the backdrop of the modicum of legal and institutional mechanisms available at international law for combating cybercrimes.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is library based. It relies on secondary data generated by the variegated multilateral agencies, law reports of international and municipal tribunals, relevant books, journals, monographs policy papers and so forth as the basis of analysis.

Findings
Findings suggest that cybercrimes are very difficult to unravel because their traces are imperceptible and require highly specialised skills and digital protocols to find, store and save them for evidential purposes. Such gathered evidence are in the form of digital data stored in variegated hardware and software media, such as storage peripherals, electronic components, working memory, hard discs and external discs. The difficulty is how to identify, weigh for evidential value and capture the multiplicity of evidence unearthed in a digital forensic investigation. The foregoing underscores the digital forensic problematic which is engendered by the difficulties of contriving a thoroughgoing concept of digital evidence given the malleable nature of the variegated storage media.

Practical implications
This paper engenders considerable acquaintance of the entire sphere of digital crimes and cyber threats, which is contended with in the information epoch, and recommends both legal and institutional mechanisms to counter the clear, real and present danger, which digital crimes represent for the survival of human civilisation, sustainable economic growth and development.

Originality/value
This paper dwells on the infinite potentiality of deploying the instrumentality of national and international law to deter, control and prosecute the myriad of cybercrimes.