bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Routine first‐trimester screening for fetal trisomies in twin pregnancy: cell‐free DNA test contingent on results from combined test
Authors: Galeva S. , Konstantinidou L. , Gil M. M. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo report on the routine clinical implementation of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) analysis of maternal blood for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, contingent on the results of the first‐trimester combined test in twin pregnancy.MethodsScreening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 was carried out in 959 twin pregnancies by assessment of a combination of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency thickness, and serum free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A at 11–13 weeks' gestation in two UK NHS hospitals. Women in the high‐risk group (risk ≥ 1 in 100) were offered the option of invasive testing, cfDNA testing or no further testing, and those in the intermediate‐risk group (risk 1 in 101 to 1 in 2500 in the first phase of the study and 1 in 101 to 1 in 500 in the second phase) were offered cfDNA or no further testing. The trisomic status of the pregnancies was determined by prenatal or postnatal karyotyping or examination of the neonates.ResultsIn 42 (4.4%) of the 959 pregnancies, there was termination, miscarriage or stillbirth with no known karyotype or there was loss to follow‐up. The 917 pregnancies with known trisomic status of both twins included six that were discordant for trisomy 21, four that were discordant for trisomy 18 and 907 with no trisomy 21, 18 or 13. Following combined screening, 47 (5.1%), 203 (22.1%) and 667 (72.7%) of the pregnancies were classified as high risk, intermediate risk and low risk, respectively. The high‐risk group included five (83.3%) cases of trisomy 21 and three (75.0%) of trisomy 18. The cfDNA test was carried out in 224 pregnancies and results were provided in 214 (95.5%); this group included six pregnancies with trisomy 21, three with trisomy 18 and 206 with no trisomy 21, 18 or 13. The cfDNA test classified correctly as screen positive all six cases of trisomy 21 and two of the three with trisomy 18, and as screen negative for each of the trisomies all 206 unaffected pregnancies. Contingent screening led to prenatal detection of all cases of trisomy 21 and three of four with trisomy 18.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated the feasibility of introducing cfDNA testing, contingent on the results of the first‐trimester combined test for major trisomies, in a routine population of twin pregnancies. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The twistor Wilson loop and the amplituhedron
Authors: Heslop Paul , Stewart Alastair 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe amplituhedron provides a beautiful description of perturbative superamplitude integrands in$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$N=4SYM in terms of purely geometric objects, generalisations of polytopes. On the other hand the Wilson loop in supertwistor space also gives an explicit description of these superamplitudes as a sum of planar Feynman diagrams. Each Feynman diagram can be naturally associated with a geometrical object in the same space as the amplituhedron (although not uniquely). This suggests that these geometric images of the Feynman diagrams give a tessellation of the amplituhedron. This turns out to be the case for NMHV amplitudes. We argue however that beyond NMHV this is not true. Specifically, each Feynman diagram leads to an image with a physical boundary and spurious boundaries. The spurious ones should be “internal”, matching with neighbouring diagrams. We however show that there is no choice of geometric image of the Wilson loop Feynman diagrams which yields a geometric object without leaving unmatched spurious boundaries.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) accumulation by Azotobacter vinelandii under different oxygen transfer strategies
Authors: Díaz-Barrera Alvaro , Urtuvia Viviana , Padilla-Córdova Claudio , Peña Carlos 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Azotobacter vinelandii OP is a bacterium that produces poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). PHB production in a stirred bioreactor, at different oxygen transfer strategies, was evaluated. By applying different oxygen contents in the inlet gas, the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) was changed under a constant agitation rate. Batch cultures were performed without dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) control (using 9% and 21% oxygen in the inlet gas) and under DOT control (4%) using gas blending. The cultures that developed without DOT control were limited by oxygen. As result of varying the oxygen content in the inlet gas, a lower OTR (4.6 mmol L−1 h−1) and specific oxygen uptake rate (11.6 mmol g−1 h−1) were obtained using 9% oxygen in the inlet gas. The use of 9% oxygen in the inlet gas was the most suitable for improving the intracellular PHB content (56 ± 6 w w−1). For the first time, PHB accumulation in A. vinelandii OP cultures, developed with different OTRs, was compared under homogeneous mixing conditions, demonstrating that bacterial respiration affects PHB synthesis. These results can be used to design new oxygen transfer strategies to produce PHB under productive conditions.
Psychometric Evaluation of PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measures in a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort of Men With Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Reeve Bryce B. , Wang Mian , Weinfurt Kevin , Flynn Kathryn E. , Usinger Deborah S. , Chen Ronald C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere are multiple treatment options for men with localized prostate cancer that provide similar curative efficacy but differ in their impact on sexual functioning.AimTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sexual Function and Satisfaction (SexFS) measures, including items from versions 1 and 2 of the short forms.MethodsA population-based cohort of men across North Carolina completed surveys via phone interviews at baseline (prior to treatment) and at 3, 12, and 24 months after cancer treatment initiation. Surveys included the PROMIS SexFS domains of interest in sexual activity, erectile function, orgasm, and satisfaction and the Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices. Analyses included descriptive statistics, assessment of structural validity using confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory, tests for differential item functioning, assessment of convergent validity using correlations, and evaluation of responsiveness of the PROMIS SexFS measures over time. We hypothesized that men undergoing surgery (prostatectomy) would report the poorest sexual function at the 3-month survey.ResultsSample size varied by assessment point and ranged from 332‒939 men, consisting of 30% non-white men, and 30% of the sample had a high school degree or less. The items within the PROMIS orgasm domain did not form a unidimensional scale. PROMIS measures of interest in sexual activity, erectile function, and satisfaction were unidimensional and highly correlated with related Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices measures (eg, erectile function, r = 0.84‒0.95). Erectile function in the surgery group declined more at 3 months compared to the no-surgery group (2 points); this difference narrowed at 12 and 24 months after surgery, as the surgery group recovered over time. Results were similar for PROMIS Interest in Sexual Activity and PROMIS Satisfaction scales.Clinical ImplicationsThe PROMIS SexFS measures may be used to identify effective interventions to treat sexual dysfunction and monitor sexual functioning in men with prostate cancer over time.Strength & LimitationsThis study was limited to men living in North Carolina who could self-report their health-related quality of life in English. However, this study was able to include more men from vulnerable populations by allowing them to self-report over the phone.ConclusionThis study provided strong support for use of the PROMIS SexFS (version 2) measures in men with localized prostate cancer to assess sexual interest, erectile function, and satisfaction over time.
CONTEXTUALISM AND THE AMBIGUITY THEORY OF ‘KNOWS’
Authors: Satta Mark 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTTheambiguity theory of ‘knows’is the view that ‘knows’ and its cognates have more than one sense, and that which sense of ‘knows’ is used in a knowledge ascription or denial determines, in part, the meaning (and as a result the truth conditions) of that knowledge ascription or denial. In this paper, I argue that the ambiguity theory of ‘knows’ ought to be taken seriously by those drawn to epistemic contextualism. In doing so I first argue that the ambiguity theory of ‘knows’ is a distinct view from epistemic contextualism. Second, I provide independent philosophical and linguistic considerations to motivate the ambiguity theory. Third, I argue that the ambiguity theory has the same central, generally agreed upon virtues ascribed to epistemic contextualism (namely, the ability to solve certain persistent epistemological problems relating to skeptical arguments and the ability to preserve the truth of most of our everyday, ordinary usages of ‘knows’ and its cognates). Finally, I provide an ambiguity-theory-friendly account of why contextualism may be initially appealing, and why this shouldn't dissuade us from taking the ambiguity theory seriously nonetheless.
Association between early life antibiotic use and childhood overweight and obesity: a narrative review
Authors: Partap Uttara , Allcock Sophie H. , Parker Edyth , Gurdasani Deepti , Young Elizabeth H. , Sandhu Manjinder S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent research implicates antibiotic use as a potential contributor to child obesity risk. In this narrative review, we examine current observational evidence on the relation between antibiotic use in early childhood and subsequent measures of child body mass.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library to identify studies that assessed antibiotic exposure before 3 years of age and subsequent measures of body mass or risk of overweight or obesity in childhood.ResultsWe identified 13 studies published before October 2017, based on a total of 6 81 332 individuals, which examined the relation between early life antibiotic exposure and measures of child body mass. Most studies did not appropriately account for confounding by indication for antibiotic use. Overall, we found no consistent and conclusive evidence of associations between early life antibiotic use and later child body mass [minimum overall adjusted odds ratio (aOR) reported: 1.01, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.98–1.04, N = 2 60 556; maximum overall aOR reported: 2.56, 95% CI 1.36–4.79, N = 616], with no clinically meaningful increases in weight reported (maximum increase: 1.50 kg at 15 years of age). Notable methodological differences between studies, including variable measures of association and inclusion of confounders, limited more comprehensive interpretations.ConclusionsEvidence to date is insufficient to indicate that antibiotic use is an important risk factor for child obesity, or leads to clinically important differences in weight. Further comparable studies using routine clinical data may help clarify this association.
BetweenConsentedandUn-ContestedOccupation
Authors: Arai Kyo 
Published: October 2018

It has long been recognised that ‘non-consent’ is a fundamental element of the law of occupation. Under modern international humanitarian law (IHL), the consensual presence of foreign military forces is generally not seen as belligerent occupation.However, if we accept the principle that the application of IHL should rely on the objective situation on the ground and not on the subjective judgment of the situation of parties to the conflict, it may be natural to diminish the significance of consent by the territorial states in relation to the application of the law of occupation. It may be somewhat harmful to deny such protection based solely on the existence of the territorial states’ consent without considering the relationship, in reality, between the occupier and the population in the occupied area. According to a teleological interpretation of IHL, especially when it is obvious that the latter has no allegiance to the former, the tense relationship between them should be regulated by the law of occupation.This article discusses whether and how state consent could be a humanitarian ground to negate the legal protection for its own people, and highlights situations where the local population needs protection by the law of occupation (or comparable rules) in consensual military occupations.
Predicting the flowering date of Portuguese grapevine varieties using temperature-based phenological models: a multi-site approach
Authors: Reis Pereira Mafalda , Ribeiro Helena , Abreu Ilda , Eiras-Dias José , Mota Teresa , Cunha Mário 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPhenological models for predicting the grapevine flowering were tested using phenological data of 15 grape varieties collected between 1990 and 2014 in Vinhos Verdes and Lisbon Portuguese wine regions. Three models were tested: Spring Warming (Growing Degree Days – GDD model), Spring Warming modified using a triangular function – GDD triangular and UniFORC model, which considers an exponential response curve to temperature. Model estimation was performed using data on two grape varieties (Loureiro and Fernão Pires), present in both regions. Three dates were tested for the beginning of heat unit accumulation (t0date): budburst, 1 January and 1 September. The best overall date was budburst. Furthermore, for each model parameter, an intermediate range of values common for the studied regions was estimated and further optimized to obtain one model that could be used for a diverse range of grape varieties in both wine regions. External validation was performed using an independent data set from 13 grape varieties (seven red and six white), different from the two used in the estimation step. The results showed a high coefficient of determination (R2: 0.59–0.89), low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE: 3–7 days) and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD: 2–6 days) between predicted and observed values. The UniFORC model overall performed slightly better than the two GDD models, presenting higherR2(0.75) and lower RMSE (4.55) and MAD (3.60). The developed phenological models presented good accuracy when applied to several varieties in different regions and can be used as a predictor tool of flowering date in Portugal.
The pursuit of the magic pill: the overuse of psychotropic medications in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the USA
Authors: McLaren J. L. , Lichtenstein J. D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractChildren with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are likely to receive high-risk prescribing practices, such as polypharmacy, long-term use of psychotropic medications, and overuse of antipsychotics. Behavioural interventions, such as applied behavioural analysis, are evidence-based practices for children with IDD and should be the first-line treatment. Short-term use of psychotropic medications may be helpful in reducing the severity and frequency of challenging behaviours while evidence-based behavioural interventions are pursued. In this essay, we offer practical guidelines for better care.
Full-duplex light communication with a monolithic multicomponent system
Authors: Wang Yongjin , Wang Xin , Zhu Bingcheng , Shi Zheng , Yuan Jialei , Gao Xumin , Liu Yuhuai , Sun Xiaojuan , Li Dabing , Amano Hiroshi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA monolithic multicomponent system is proposed and implemented on a III-nitride-on-silicon platform, whereby two multiple-quantum-well diodes (MQW-diodes) are interconnected by a suspended waveguide. Both MQW-diodes have an identical low-In-content InGaN/Al0.10Ga0.90N MQW structure and are produced by the same fabrication process flow. When appropriately biased, both MQW-diodes operate under a simultaneous emission-detection mode and function as a transmitter and a receiver at the same time, forming an in-plane full-duplex light communication system. Real-time full-duplex audio communication is experimentally demonstrated using the monolithic multicomponent system in combination with an external circuit.
Predictive multiphase evolution in Al-containing high-entropy alloys
Authors: Santodonato L. J. , Liaw P. K. , Unocic R. R. , Bei H. , Morris J. R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe ability to predict and understand phases in high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is still being debated, and primarily true predictive capabilities derive from the known thermodynamics of materials. The present work demonstrates that prior work using high-throughput first-principles calculations may be further utilized to provide direct insight into the temperature- and composition-dependent phase evolution in HEAs, particularly Al-containing HEAs with a strengthening multiphase microstructure. Using a simple model with parameters derived from first-principles calculations, we reproduce the major features associated with Al-containing phases, demonstrating a generalizable approach for exploring potential phase evolution where little experimental data exists. Neutron scattering, in situ microscopy, and calorimetry measurements suggest that our high-throughput Monte Carlo technique captures both qualitative and quantitative features for both intermetallic phase formation and microstructure evolution at lower temperatures. This study provides a simple approach to guide HEA development, including ordered multi-phase HEAs, which may prove valuable for structural applications.
SUMOylation of ROR-γt inhibits IL-17 expression and inflammation via HDAC2
Authors: Singh Amir Kumar , Khare Prashant , Obaid Abeer , Conlon Kevin P. , Basrur Venkatesha , DePinho Ronald A. , Venuprasad K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDysregulated ROR-γt-mediated IL-17 transcription is central to the pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders, yet the molecular mechanisms that govern the transcription factor activity of ROR-γt in the regulation of IL-17 are not fully defined. Here we show that SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 interacts with a conserved GKAE motif in ROR-γt to induce SUMOylation of ROR-γt and suppress IL-17 expression. Th17 cells expressing SUMOylation-defective ROR-γt are highly colitogenic upon transfer to Rag1–/– mice. Mechanistically, SUMOylation of ROR-γt facilitates the binding of HDAC2 to the IL-17 promoter and represses IL-17 transcription. Mice with conditional deletion of HDAC2 in CD4+ T cells have elevated IL-17 expression and severe colitis. The identification of the Ubc9/ROR-γt/HDAC2 axis that governs IL-17 expression may open new venues for the development of therapeutic measures for inflammatory disorders.
Brain Sensitivity to Exclusion is Associated with Core Network Closure
Authors: Bayer Joseph B. , O’Donnell Matthew Brook , Cascio Christopher N. , Falk Emily B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHumans are driven to pursue and preserve social relationships, and these motivations are reinforced through biological systems. In particular, individual differences in the tuning of biological systems that respond to social threats may motivate individuals to seek out differently structured social environments. Drawing on a sample of adolescent males who underwent fMRI brain imaging (n = 74) and contributed Facebook data, we examined whether biological responses to a common scenario – being excluded from an activity with peers – was associated with their social network structure. We find that neural responses during social exclusion in a priori hypothesized “social pain” regions of the brain (dACC, AI, subACC) are associated with the density and transitivity of core friendship networks. These findings suggest that neural reactivity to exclusion may be one factor that underlies network “safety”. More broadly, the study shows the potential of linking social cognitive tendencies to social structural properties.
Polyploidy and introgression in invasive giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis) during the colonization of remote volcanic islands
Authors: Park Chong-Wook , Bhandari Gauri Shankar , Won Hyosig , Park Jin Hee , Park Daniel Sangsoon 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInvasive giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis) is native to northeastern Asia. In Korea, F. sachalinensis is confined to two volcanic islands, Ullung and Dok islands, where it occurs as dodecaploids (2n = 132). We investigated the molecular variation in 104 accessions from 94 populations of F. sachalinensis and its relatives throughout their native range to elucidate the origin of these island populations. All F. sachalinensis plants on Ullung and Dok islands were uniquely dodecaploid, whereas other populations were tetraploid (2n = 44). Among the 39 cpDNA haplotypes identified, the accessions from these islands shared two unique haplotypes, and were resolved as a well-supported monophyletic clade. However, this clade was sister to a clade comprising F. japonica accessions from southwestern Japan and separated from the clade comprising F. sachalinensis from other areas; this relationship is inconsistent with morphological evidence. The monophyly of the F. sachalinensis populations on Ullung and Dok islands suggests a single colonization event. The progenitor was likely from Japan, where it possibly captured F. japonica var. japonica cpDNA via introgression. The Ullung Island populations subsequently differentiated through polyploidization and mutations post-introduction. Our results also indicate that giant knotweed in Europe and North America likely originated from northern Japan and/or Sakhalin Island.
The Lhx1-Ldb1 complex interacts with Furry to regulate microRNA expression during pronephric kidney development
Authors: Espiritu Eugenel B. , Crunk Amanda E. , Bais Abha , Hochbaum Daniel , Cervino Ailen S. , Phua Yu Leng , Butterworth Michael B. , Goto Toshiyasu , Ho Jacqueline , Hukriede Neil A. , Cirio M. Cecilia 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe molecular events driving specification of the kidney have been well characterized. However, how the initial kidney field size is established, patterned, and proportioned is not well characterized. Lhx1 is a transcription factor expressed in pronephric progenitors and is required for specification of the kidney, but few Lhx1 interacting proteins or downstream targets have been identified. By tandem-affinity purification, we isolated FRY like transcriptional coactivator (Fryl), one of two paralogous genes, fryl and furry (fry), have been described in vertebrates. Both proteins were found to interact with the Ldb1-Lhx1 complex, but our studies focused on Lhx1/Fry functional roles, as they are expressed in overlapping domains. We found that Xenopus embryos depleted of fry exhibit loss of pronephric mesoderm, phenocopying the Lhx1-depleted animals. In addition, we demonstrated a synergism between Fry and Lhx1, identified candidate microRNAs regulated by the pair, and confirmed these microRNA clusters influence specification of the kidney. Therefore, our data shows that a constitutively-active Ldb1-Lhx1 complex interacts with a broadly expressed microRNA repressor, Fry, to establish the kidney field.