bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Monitoring and Forecasting of the Soundness of U.S. Insurers in a Cyclical Environment
Authors: Mao Hong , Hao Wei 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
This paper presents a model of dynamic monitoring and forecasting of key financial indices of U.S. insurers. The key financial indices are assumed to be cyclically time-varying correlated and are selected according to their impact on the soundness of the insurers. It also presents a new kind of control chart,

μ
r

{\mu _r}

chart, based on the weighted average of standardized financial indices. Three kinds of objective functions are applied to determine the optimal weights: (1) minimizing the probability of a missed alarm; (2) minimizing the volatility of the weighted average of standardized financial indices; and (3) minimizing the expected shortfall of the weighted average of standardized financial indices. We note that the optimal weights are equal weights no matter which objective function is selected. The control technique presented in this paper can be extended to monitor the soundness of other insurance firms in a cyclical environment.
Geographic Process Modeling Based on Geographic Ontology
Authors: Cao Yuwei , Huang Yi , Chen Jing , Sheng YeHua 
Published: January 2019

AbstractConsiderable attention has been paid to geographic process-based studies in geographic information science research. Finding appropriate methods to express geographic processes is challenging, and working to reveal the dynamic evolution and underlying mechanisms behind these processes is worthwhile. This research proposes a process-centric ontology model that describes the geographical environment from three perspectives, namely, geographic scenes, geographic processes and geographic elements. These three aspects are combined to represent the dynamic changes of geographic phenomena. This research proposes a framework and constructs ten sub-ontologies. These sub-ontologies include the Element ontology, Scene ontology, and Process ontology. A soil erosion process is then selected to demonstrate the applicability of this framework. The entire process is divided into three sub-processes (detachment, transport and deposition), and each sub-process is described by identifying when and where the process occurred, the elements and their reactions, and the changes in the geographic scene. Different relationships among elements, scenes and processes are defined to explain how and why soil erosion occurred. This proposed approach can reveal the underlying mechanisms of geographic scenes, can be used to explore the occurrence and causes of geographic processes and support the complex representation of geographic elements.
Gravity Structure around Mt. Pandan, Madiun, East Java, Indonesia and Its Relationship to 2016 Seismic Activity
Authors: Santoso D. , Wahyudi E.J. , Kadir W.G.A. , Alawiyah S. , Nugraha A. D. , Supendi P. , Parnadi W.W. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Java Island is part of the island arc influenced by subducting Indo-Australian beneath Eurasian tectonic plates, therefore there is high seismic activity and an active volcanic chain trending East-West. One of the volcanoes in Java Island is Mt. Pandan, northern part of Madiun, East Java region, which is known as one of the dormant volcano in the region. According to the list of volcanoes in Indonesia Mt. Pandan is not classified as an active volcano. The previous studies mentioned that Mt. Pandan is a modern volcano which is located in the Kendeng zone. On June 25, 2015, there was felt earthquake (M 4.2) causing several houses damaged around Mt. Pandan as reported by Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, Geophysics (BMKG), Indonesia and then in February 2016, more than twenty small earthquakes (M < 4) occurred again in the area. In order to understand the structure beneath Mt. Pandan, we have conducted gravity measurement and seismicity analysis through hypocenter relocation. Our results show prominent low gravity and density anomalies by forward modeling derived from residual anomaly around Mt. Pandan area. The clusters of small earthquakes appear at depths of less than 30 km beneath Mt. Pandan. The selected focal mechanism of the event in the area is left-lateral faulting in the north and oblique dominant thrust in the south of Mt. Pandan. Some indications related to submagmatic activities such as hot springs and warm ground is found. Our interpretation is this phenomenon may be related to tectonic and magmatic activities. On the other hand, it confirms also that Mt. Pandan is probably a modern volcanic center.
Activation of Dopamine Receptor 2 Prompts Transcriptomic and Metabolic Plasticity in Glioblastoma
Authors: Caragher Seamus P. , Shireman Jack M. , Huang Mei , Miska Jason , Atashi Fatemeh , Baisiwala Shivani , Hong Park Cheol , Saathoff Miranda R. , Warnke Louisa , Xiao Ting , Lesniak Maciej S. , James C. David , Meltzer Herbert , Tryba Andrew K. , Ahmed Atique U. 
Published: January 2019

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal tumor types. Evidence continues to accrue indicating that the complex relationship between GBM and the brain microenvironment contributes to this malignant phenotype. However, the interaction between GBM and neurotransmitters, signaling molecules involved in neuronal communication, remains incompletely understood. Here we examined, using human patient-derived xenograft lines, how the monoamine dopamine influences GBM cells. We demonstrate that GBM cells express dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2), with elevated expression in the glioma-initiating cell (GIC) population. Stimulation of DRD2 caused a neuron-like hyperpolarization exclusively in GICs. In addition, long-term activation of DRD2 heightened the sphere-forming capacity of GBM cells, as well as tumor engraftment efficiency in both male and female mice. Mechanistic investigation revealed that DRD2 signaling activates the hypoxia response and functionally alters metabolism. Finally, we found that GBM cells synthesize and secrete dopamine themselves, suggesting a potential autocrine mechanism. These results identify dopamine signaling as a potential therapeutic target in GBM and further highlight neurotransmitters as a key feature of the pro-tumor microenvironment.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis work offers critical insight into the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the progression of GBM. We show that dopamine induces specific changes in the state of tumor cells, augmenting their growth and shifting them to a more stem-cell like state. Further, our data illustrate that dopamine can alter the metabolic behavior of GBM cells, increasing glycolysis. Finally, this work demonstrates that GBM cells, including tumor samples from patients, can synthesize and secrete dopamine, suggesting an autocrine signaling process underlying these results. These results describe a novel connection between neurotransmitters and brain cancer, further highlighting the critical influence of the brain milieu on GBM.
Regulatory T Cells and Their Derived Cytokine, Interleukin-35, Reduce Pain in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Duffy Samuel S. , Keating Brooke A. , Perera Chamini J. , Lees Justin G. , Tonkin Ryan S. , Makker Preet G.S. , Carrive Pascal , Butovsky Oleg , Moalem-Taylor Gila 
Published: January 2019

Sensory problems such as neuropathic pain are common and debilitating symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the CNS. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis, but their role in MS-associated pain remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Treg cell ablation is sufficient to trigger experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and facial allodynia in immunized female mice. In EAE-induced female mice, adoptive transfer of Treg cells and spinal delivery of the Treg cell cytokine interleukin-35 (IL-35) significantly reduced facial stimulus-evoked pain and spontaneous pain independent of disease severity and increased myelination of the facial nociceptive pathway. The effects of intrathecal IL-35 therapy were Treg-cell dependent and associated with upregulated IL-10 expression in CNS-infiltrating lymphocytes and reduced monocyte infiltration in the trigeminal afferent pathway. We present evidence for a beneficial role of Treg cells and IL-35 in attenuating pain associated with EAE independently of motor symptoms by decreasing neuroinflammation and increasing myelination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPain is a highly prevalent symptom affecting the majority of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and dramatically affects overall health-related quality of life; however, this is a research area that has been largely ignored. Here, we identify for the first time a role for regulatory T (Treg) cells and interleukin-35 (IL-35) in suppressing facial allodynia and facial grimacing in animals with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We demonstrate that spinal delivery of Treg cells and IL-35 reduces pain associated with EAE by decreasing neuroinflammation and increasing myelination independently of motor symptoms. These findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain in EAE and suggest potential treatment strategies for pain relief in MS.
A Case Study of Genomic Instability in an Industrial Strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Rodrigues-Prause Aline , Sampaio Nadia M V , Gurol Theodore M , Aguirre Guadalupe M , Sedam Hailey N C , Chapman Mary J , Malc Ewa P , Ajith V P , Chakraborty Parijat , Tizei Pedro A , Pereira Gonçalo A G , Mieczkowski Piotr A , Nishant Koodali T , Argueso Juan Lucas 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain JAY270/PE2 is a highly efficient biocatalyst used in the production of bioethanol from sugarcane feedstock. This strain is heterothallic and diploid, and its genome is characterized by abundant structural and nucleotide polymorphisms between homologous chromosomes. One of the reasons it is favored by many distilleries is that its cells do not normally aggregate, a trait that facilitates cell recycling during batch-fed fermentations. However, long-term propagation makes the yeast population vulnerable to the effects of genomic instability, which may trigger the appearance of undesirable phenotypes such as cellular aggregation. In pure cultures of JAY270, we identified the recurrent appearance of mutants displaying a mother-daughter cell separation defect resulting in rough colonies in agar media and fast sedimentation in liquid culture. We investigated the genetic basis of the colony morphology phenotype and found that JAY270 is heterozygous for a frameshift mutation in the ACE2 gene (ACE2/ace2-A7), which encodes a transcriptional regulator of mother-daughter cell separation. All spontaneous rough colony JAY270-derived isolates analyzed carried copy-neutral loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) at the region of chromosome XII where ACE2 is located (ace2-A7/ace2-A7). We specifically measured LOH rates at the ACE2 locus, and at three additional chromosomal regions in JAY270 and in a conventional homozygous diploid laboratory strain. This direct comparison showed that LOH rates at all sites were quite similar between the two strain backgrounds. In this case study of genomic instability in an industrial strain, we showed that the JAY270 genome is dynamic and that structural changes to its chromosomes can lead to new phenotypes. However, our analysis also indicated that the inherent level of genomic instability in this industrial strain is normal relative to a laboratory strain. Our work provides an important frame of reference to contextualize the interpretation of instability processes observed in the complex genomes of industrial yeast strains.
Hierarchical Assessment of Mutation Properties inDaphnia magna
Authors: Eberle Sarah , Dezoumbe Djeneba , McGregor Rhegan , Kinzer Shane , Raver Whitney , Schaack Sarah , Latta Leigh C 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the context-dependence of spontaneous mutations is crucial to predicting evolutionary trajectories. In this experiment, the impact of genetic background and trait-type on mutational susceptibility was investigated. Mutant and non-mutant lines of six unique genotypes from two populations of Daphnia magna were phenotypically assayed using a common-garden experiment. Morphological, life-history, and behavioral traits were measured and estimates of the mutation parameters were generated. The mutation parameters varied between the populations and among genotypes, suggesting differential susceptibility to mutation depending upon genomic background. Traits also varied in their susceptibility to mutation with behavioral traits evolving more rapidly than life-history and morphological traits. These results may reflect the unique selection histories of these populations.
Estimating Asian Contribution to the Brazilian Population: A New Application of a Validated Set of 61 Ancestry Informative Markers
Authors: Andrade Roberta B , Amador Marcos A T , Cavalcante Giovanna C , Leitão Luciana P C , Fernandes Marianne R , Modesto Antônio A C , Moreira Fabiano C , Khayat André S , Assumpção Paulo P , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea , Santos Sidney , Santos Ney P C 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEstimates of different ancestral proportions in admixed populations are very important in population genetics studies, especially for the detection of population substructure effects in studies of case-control associations. Brazil is one of the most heterogeneous countries in the world, both from a socio-cultural and a genetic point of view. In this work, we investigated a previously developed set of 61 ancestry informative markers (AIM), aiming to estimate the proportions of four different ancestral groups (African, European, Native American and Asian) in Brazilian populations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use a set of AIM to investigate the genetic contribution of all four main parental populations to the Brazilian population, including Asian contribution. All selected markers were genotyped through multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis. The set was able to successfully differentiate the four ancestral populations (represented by 939 individuals) and identify their genetic contributions to the Brazilian population. In addition, it was used to estimate individual interethnic admixture of 1050 individuals from the Southeast region of Brazil and it showed that these individuals present a higher European ancestry contribution, followed by African, Asian and Native American ancestry contributions. Therefore, the 61 AIM set has proved to be a valuable tool to estimate individual and global ancestry proportions in populations mainly formed by these four groups. Our findings highlight the importance of using sets of AIM to evaluate population substructure in studies carried in admixed populations, in order to avoid misinterpretation of results.
Systems Genetics Approach to Biomarker Discovery: GPNMB and Heart Failure in Mice and Humans
Authors: Lin Liang-Yu , Chun Chang Sunny , O’Hearn Jim , Hui Simon T , Seldin Marcus , Gupta Pritha , Bondar Galyna , Deng Mario , Jauhiainen Raimo , Kuusisto Johanna , Laakso Markku , Sinsheimer Janet S , Deb Arjun , Rau Christoph , Ren Shuxun , Wang Yibin , Lusis Aldons J , Wang Jessica J , Huertas-Vazquez Adriana 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We describe a simple bioinformatics method for biomarker discovery that is based on the analysis of global transcript levels in a population of inbred mouse strains showing variation for disease-related traits. This method has advantages such as controlled environment and accessibility to heart and plasma tissue in the preclinical selection stage. We illustrate the approach by identifying candidate heart failure (HF) biomarkers by overlaying mouse transcriptome and clinical traits from 91 Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel (HMDP) inbred strains and human HF transcriptome from the Myocardial Applied Genomics Network (MAGNet) consortium. We found that some of the top differentially expressed genes correlated with known human HF biomarkers, such as galectin-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. Using ELISA assays, we investigated one novel candidate, Glycoprotein NMB, in a mouse model of chronic β-adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol (ISO) induced HF. We observed significantly lower GPNMB plasma levels in the ISO model compared to the control group (p-value = 0.007). In addition, we assessed GPNMB plasma levels among 389 HF cases and controls from the METabolic Syndrome In Men (METSIM) study. Lower levels of GPNMB were also observed in patients with HF from the METSIM study compared to non-HF controls (p-value &lt; 0.0001). In summary, we have identified several candidate biomarkers for HF using the cardiac transcriptome data in a population of mice that may be directly relevant and applicable to human populations.
Comparative Genomic Screen in Two Yeasts Reveals Conserved Pathways in the Response Network to Phenol Stress
Authors: Alhoch Bashar , Chen Alan , Chan Elaine , Elkabti Asmaa , Fariña Sasha , Gilbert Catherine , Kang Jean , King Bradley , Leung Karen , Levy Julia , Martin Elizabeth , Mazer Benjamin , McKinney Sara , Moyzis Alexandra , Nurimba Margaret , Ozaki Michelle , Purvis-Roberts Kathleen , Rothman Joshua Marc , Raju Shravya , Selassie Cynthia , Smith Oliver , Ticus Julia , Edwalds-Gilbert Gretchen , Negritto M Cristina , Wang Ruye , Tang Zhaohua 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Living organisms encounter various perturbations, and response mechanisms to such perturbations are vital for species survival. Defective stress responses are implicated in many human diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Phenol derivatives, naturally occurring and synthetic, display beneficial as well as detrimental effects. The phenol derivatives in this study, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and bisphenol A (BPA), are widely used as food preservatives and industrial chemicals. Conflicting results have been reported regarding their biological activity and correlation with disease development; understanding the molecular basis of phenol action is a key step for addressing issues relevant to human health. This work presents the first comparative genomic analysis of the genetic networks for phenol stress response in an evolutionary context of two divergent yeasts, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genomic screening of deletion strain libraries of the two yeasts identified genes required for cellular response to phenol stress, which are enriched in human orthologs. Functional analysis of these genes uncovered the major signaling pathways involved. The results provide a global view of the biological events constituting the defense process, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, phenol detoxification by V-ATPases, reactive oxygen species alleviation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress relief through ergosterol and the unfolded protein response, revealing novel roles for these cellular pathways.
Ectopic thyroid tissue presenting as an external auditory canal mass
Authors: Verma Nishikanta , Abishegam Samuel Devanesan , Haji Ahmad Abdul Razak Bin 
Published: January 2019

<p class="abstract">An ectopic thyroid is a rare occurrence with a majority of ectopic thyroid tissue located in the lingual region or in the midline. The abnormal sites represent developmental defects in migration from the floor of the primitive foregut at the foramen caecum of the tongue to the final pre-tracheal position of the gland. A few cases of ectopic thyroid tissue have also been reported from sites seemingly unrelated to the normal development of the thyroid gland. We report a case of ectopic thyroid in the external ear canal, which presented as a small reddish mass in the external ear canal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such reported case in literature and adds to the body of knowledge in such cases. Although such a finding is exceedingly rare, the authors recommend routine histopathology in all cases of polyps in the external canal and standard investigation for the status of the residual thyroid gland via isotope scans, ultrasonography or thyroid function tests.</p>
Team Approach: Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Wang Dean , Chiaia Theresa , Cavanaugh John T. , Rodeo Scott A. 
Published: January 2019

* Current surgical and rehabilitation techniques have allowed for a relatively high rate of return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Although some patients may be expected to return to sporting activities by as early as 8 months after the surgical procedure, most patients will have not achieved the appropriate rehabilitation benchmarks by this time point and can require as long as 2 years to reach their full preoperative level.* In addition to the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the ACL injury, the surgeon has to educate the patient about the injury, treatment, and rehabilitation process.* The physical therapist commonly spends the most time with the patient and therefore must foster a relationship of trust early on with the patient-athlete. Through biomechanical evaluations, factors that contributed to the ACL injury and ongoing deficits during the rehabilitation process are identified and are addressed.* Assessment of movement quality complements the traditional quantitative measures of performance and informs the medical and rehabilitation team, as well as the patient, of the presence of potentially faulty movement patterns associated with an ACL injury.* Throughout the course of rehabilitation, the certified athletic trainer works closely with the physical therapist to ensure athlete compliance with the prescribed exercises. Communication between the physical therapist and the certified athletic trainer therefore plays an integral role in the patient’s rehabilitation. During the return-to-play phase of rehabilitation, the certified athletic trainer serves as the liaison between the patient, surgeon, physical therapist, and coaching staff.* This team approach to managing the athlete’s injury, rehabilitation, and expectations is key to a successful outcome.
Vaping and Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Amaro Emilie J. , Shepard Nicholas , Moss Lewis , Karamitopoulos Mara , Lajam Claudette 
Published: January 2019

* Smoking cessation improves surgical outcomes in orthopaedic patients.* Electronic cigarettes (ECs) have been studied as a smoking-cessation tool but are now being used by previous nonsmokers.* ECs may diminish the hazards of conventional tobacco use and serve as a nicotine-delivery device.* EC vapor is associated with cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory effects, and decreased microbial defense, which may increase perioperative risk for patients undergoing surgery.* EC use in the adolescent population is growing and may pose unique health hazards and operative concerns in an at-risk population.* EC use is difficult to study clinically as most electronic health records do not capture use and because many products with different ingredients exist.* Future clinical trials are needed to evaluate the perioperative risks of ECs.
Idiopathic Rotational Abnormalities of the Lower Extremities in Children and Adults
Authors: Gruskay Jordan A. , Fragomen Austin T. , Rozbruch S. Robert 
Published: January 2019

* Rotational malalignment of the lower extremity is a potential cause of hip, knee, and ankle pain.* Physical examination must include observation of gait and an assessment of femoral rotation and the thigh-foot axis with the patient prone.* Advanced imaging helps to quantify the degree of deformity, improving the accuracy of the preoperative plan.* Surgical correction of rotational malalignment of the femur and tibia is reserved for severe, symptomatic deformity.* Future software that allows for 3-dimensional assessment of alignment and preoperative planning will further aid in the correction of the complex deformities.