bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model based approach for estimating the dosage regimen of indomethacin a potential antiviral treatment of patients infected with SARS CoV-2
Authors: Gomeni Roberto , Xu Tianhong , Gao Xuejuan , Bressolle-Gomeni Françoise
Published: May 2020

To face SARS-CoV-2 pandemic various attempts are made to identify potential effective treatments by repurposing available drugs. Among them, indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug, was shown to have potent in-vitro antiviral properties on human SARS-CoV-1, canine CCoV, and more recently on human SARS-CoV-2 at low micromolar range. Our objective was to show that indomethacin could be considered as a promising candidate for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and to provide criteria for comparing benefits of alternative dosage regimens using a model-based approach. A multi-stage model-based approach was developed to characterize % of recovery and viral load in CCoV-infected dogs, to estimate the PK of indomethacin in dog and human using published data after administration of immediate (IR) and sustained-release (SR) formulations, and to estimate the expected antiviral activity as a function of different assumptions on the effective exposure in human. Different dosage regimens were evaluated for IR formulation (25 mg and 50 mg three-times-a-day, and 25 mg four-times-a-day), and SR formulation (75 mg once and twice-a-day). The best performing dosing regimens were: 50 mg three-times-a-day for the IR formulation, and 75 mg twice-a-day for the SR formulation. The treatment with the SR formulation at the dose of 75 mg twice-a-day is expected to achieve a complete response in three days for the treatment in patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. These results suggest that indomethacin could be considered as a promising candidate for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 whose potential therapeutic effect need to be further assessed in a prospective clinical trial.
A Dynamical System for Strongly Pseudo-monotone Equilibrium Problems
Authors: Vuong Phan Tu , Strodiot Jean Jacques
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we consider a dynamical system for solving equilibrium problems in the framework of Hilbert spaces. First, we prove that under strong pseudo-monotonicity and Lipschitz-type continuity assumptions, the dynamical system has a unique equilibrium solution, which is also globally exponentially stable. Then, we derive the linear rate of convergence of a discrete version of the proposed dynamical system to the unique solution of the problem. Global error bounds are also provided to estimate the distance between any trajectory and this unique solution. Some numerical experiments are reported to confirm the theoretical results.
Seasonal changes of perlite–peat substrate properties in seedlings grown in different sized container trays
Authors: Kormanek Mariusz , Małek Stanisław , Banach Jacek , Durło Grzegorz , Jagiełło-Leńczuk Krystyna , Dudek Katarzyna
Published: May 2020

Cultivation of seedlings in trays requires the use of specifically developed substrates. This study presents the results of the analyses of selected physical and mechanical parameters of a peat–perlite substrate, in which seedlings of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were grown during a production season. For each species, the substrate parameters changed throughout the production season, substrate dry weight decreased, whereas its compactness increased with time. Independent of the species, the bulk density and total porosity of the substrate changed or deviated from the optimum range, although the values of porosity were close to maximum and those of density were close to the minimum. In certain periods in the V265 trays with beech and oak seedlings, the substrate was characterized by very low water capacity and excessive air capacity. Compactness measured with a cone penetrometer showed, that this parameter might be used for monitoring the substrate properties.
Suitability of Artificial Membranes in Lipolysis-Permeation Assays of Oral Lipid-Based Formulations
Authors: Hedge Oliver J. , Bergström Christel A. S.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of artificial membranes in in vitro lipolysis-permeation assays useful for absorption studies of drugs loaded in lipid-based formulations (LBFs).

Methods

Polycarbonate as well as PVDF filters were treated with hexadecane, or lecithin in n-dodecane solution (LiDo) to form artificial membranes. They were thereafter used as absorption membranes separating two compartments mimicking the luminal and serosal side of the intestine in vitro. Membranes were subjected to dispersions of an LBF that had been digested by porcine pancreatin and spiked with the membrane integrity marker Lucifer Yellow (LY). Three fenofibrate-loaded LBFs were used to explore the in vivo relevance of the assay.

Results

Of the explored artificial membranes, only LiDo applied to PVDF was compatible with lipolysis by porcine pancreatin. Formulation ranking based on mass transfer in the LiDo model exposed was the same as drug release in single-compartment lipolysis. Ranking based on observed apparent permeability coefficients of fenofibrate with different LBFs were the same as those obtained in a cell-based model.

Conclusions

The LiDo membrane was able to withstand lipolysis for a sufficient assay period. However, the assay with porcine pancreatin as digestive agent did not predict the in vivo ranking of the assayed formulations better than existing methods. Comparison with a Caco-2 based assay method nonetheless indicates that the in vitro in vivo relationship of this cell-free model could be improved with alternative digestive agents.
Dynamics and tipping point of issue attention in newspapers: quantitative and qualitative content analysis at sentence level in a longitudinal study using supervised machine learning and big data
Authors: Opperhuizen A. E. , Schouten K.
Published: May 2020

This study aims to provide a more sensitive understanding of the dynamics and tipping points of issue attention in news media by combining the strengths of quantitative and qualitative research. The topic of this 25-year longitudinal study is the volume and the content of newspaper articles about the emerging risk of gas drilling in The Netherlands. We applied supervised machine learning (SML) because this allowed us to study changes in the quantitative use of subtopics at the detailed sentence level in a large number of articles. The study shows that the actual risk of drilling-induced seismicity gradually increased and that the volume of newspaper attention for the issue also gradually increased for two decades. The sub-topics extracted from media articles during the low media attention period, covering factual information, can be interpreted as a part of episodic frame patterns about the drilling and its consequences. However, a sudden major shift in newspaper attention can be observed in 2013. This sudden disjointed expansion in the volume of media attention on this large-scale technology occurred after a governmental authority classified the drilling-induced earthquakes as a safety issue. After the disjointed issue expansion,safetyanddecision makingwere the main subtopics linked to the thematic frames,responsibility,conflict,human interest, andmorality. We conclude that SML is a promising tool for future analysis of the growing number of publicly available digitalized textual big datasets, particularly for longitudinal studies and analysis of tipping points and reframing.
YAP1-NUTM1 Gene Fusion in Porocarcinoma of the External Auditory Canal
Authors: Agaimy Abbas , Tögel Lars , Haller Florian , Zenk Johannes , Hornung Joachim , Märkl Bruno
Published: May 2020

Gene fusions involving the NUTM1 gene (NUT) represent defining genetic markers of a highly aggressive carcinoma type with predilection for the midline structures of children and young adults, hence the original description as NUT midline carcinoma. Recent studies have increasingly documented involvement of the NUTM1 gene in the pathogenesis of other entities as well. We herein describe two cases of auditory canal carcinomas with features of porocarcinoma, both harboring a newly described YAP1-NUTM1 gene fusion. Patients were males aged 28 and 82 years who presented with slowly growing lesions in the external auditory canal. Histologic examination showed monomorphic basaloid and squamoid cells arranged into organoid solid aggregates, nests, ducts, small cysts, and focal pseudocribriform pattern with variable mitotic activity, infiltrative growth, and focal squamous differentiation, particularly in the most superficial part of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry revealed consistent reactivity for CK5, p63 and SOX10 and diffuse aberrant expression of TP53. CK7 expression was limited to a few luminal ductal cells. The androgen receptor and S100 were negative. Next generation sequencing (TruSight RNA fusion panel, Illumina) revealed the same YAP1-NUTM1 gene fusion in both tumors, which was subsequently confirmed by NUT-FISH and the monoclonal anti-NUT antibody. These cases represent a novel contribution to the spectrum of NUT-rearranged head and neck malignancies. This adnexal carcinoma variant should not be confused with the highly lethal NUT carcinoma based on NUT immunoreactivity alone.
ASH highlights 2019: “aggressive B-cell lymphoma”
Authors: Schmitt Clemens A.
Published: May 2020

Despite its significant cure rate, diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains a tumor entity of unmet medical need. The 2019 meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Orlando, Florida, presented numerous directions, whereby clinicians may expect practice-changing innovations soon or in the near future. In this ASH highlight feature on “aggressive B‑cell lymphoma”, a selection of prominent findings will be summarized. Targeted therapeutics try to meet the needs of patients subgroups that would benefit, and novel immune oncology agents now represent established treatment principles for relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL. Moreover, intense research efforts have been undertaken to identify biomarkers of response. Imaging-based and molecular diagnostic tools are becoming increasingly instrumental in appraising individual risk prior to the first treatment encounter and in the early phase of induction therapy. Genomic analyses of circulating tumor DNA conducted in the peripheral blood has gained attention in terms of assigning patients to dedicated tumor subtypes, monitoring their molecular tumor burden in the course of the disease, and steering personalized treatment extensions in the near future.
Responsive Politikgestaltung in den deutschen Bundesländern? Versuch einer Systematisierung und Konzeption eines Forschungsprogramms
Authors: Wenzelburger Georg , Wurster Stefan , Siewert Markus B.
Published: May 2020

Die politikwissenschaftliche Literatur zum deutschen Föderalismus ist überaus vielfältig. Neben Analysen der institutionellen Arrangements, ihrer Veränderungen sowie der Dynamiken des deutschen Verbundföderalismus, finden sich auch zahlreiche Untersuchungen zu einzelnen Politikfeldern, die sowohl die Interaktionen zwischen Bund und Ländern als auch die Varianz zwischen den Policies der Länder samt ihrer Bestimmungsfaktoren untersuchen. Darüber hinaus haben sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten eigene Forschungszweige zu Parteien im Bundesstaat und zur Parlamentsforschung auf Länderebene etabliert. Trotz dieser großen Forschungsaktivität sind jedoch einige zentrale Fragen der Politikwissenschaft zum Zusammenspiel zwischen Wählern, Parteien, Parlamenten und Regierungen sowie deren Wirkung auf politischen Outputs und Outcomes weiterhin unbeantwortet. Dies ist, so das Argument dieses Beitrags, insbesondere der fehlenden Zusammenführung einzelner Literaturstränge und der noch unzureichenden empirischen Datenbasis geschuldet. Mittels einer Systematisierung des gegenwärtigen Literaturstands entwirft der Aufsatz ein Forschungsprogramm, das auf eine umfassende Analyse des politischen Willensbildungs- und Entscheidungsfindungsprozesses in den deutschen Bundesländern abstellt und Fragen der Responsivität und Rückkopplung systematisch in den Blick nimmt.
Heavy metal pollution index for assessment of seasonal groundwater supply quality in hillside area, Kalasin, Thailand
Authors: Chiamsathit Chuthamat , Auttamana Supunnika , Thammarakcharoen Surasak
Published: May 2020

Agriculture is a major activity in most rural areas in northern Thailand. The aim of this study was to assess the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) for water supply quality in a rural village in Kalasin Province named Kaeng Ka-am village located in the hillside area of Phu Phan mountain. The concentration of heavy metals including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in groundwater supply has been analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometer. The groundwater supplied samples were collected from eight different locations in and around the region which covers agricultural and municipal area during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The results were evaluated in accordance with the drinking water quality standards suggested by the World Health Organization and Thailand Department of Health Standards. Most of the samples were found within limit except for Fe and Mn contents during the monsoon season at three sampling locations which is above the desirable limit, i.e., 0.3 mg/L. The mean values of HPI were 70 and 46 in the monsoon and the post-monsoon season, respectively, and these values are well below the critical index limit of 100.
Endometriosediagnostik mittels Vaginalultraschall – eine Übersicht
Authors: Montanari Eliana , Rolla Martino , Hudelist Gernot
Published: May 2020

Endometriose ist eine häufige benigne Erkrankung, welche Infertilität und verschiedene Symptome wie chronische Unterbauchschmerzen, Dysmenorrhö, Dyschezie, Dysurie und Dyspareunie verursachen kann. Häufig sind oberflächliche peritoneale Läsionen oder Endometriosezysten des Ovars zu finden, es können aber bei tief infiltrierender Endometriose (TIE) auch Organe wie Harnblase, Ureteren, Darm, Vagina, Sakrouterinligamente oder Septum rectovaginale infiltriert sein. Neben der Palpation und Spiegeluntersuchung stellt die transvaginale Sonographie (TVS) eine akkurate und leicht verfügbare Methode zur Diagnose der TIE, ovariellen Endometriose und Adenomyose dar.
The effect of in vitro corrosion on the mechanical properties of metallic high strength biodegradable surgical threads
Authors: Milenin Andrij , Kustra Piotr , Byrska-Wójcik Dorota , Wróbel Mirosław , Paćko Marek , Sulej-Chojnacka Joanna , Matuszyńska Sława , Płonka Bartłomiej
Published: May 2020

High strength biodegradable surgical threads are in demand for surgical practice. Nowadays, such threads can be made of metallic materials such as magnesium, zinc or alloys based on these metals. In current paper, manufacturing technology of biodegradable surgical threads of Mg–Ca alloys and of pure Zn was developed and basic properties of the obtained product have been characterized. The influence of in vitro corrosion in bovine serum simulating environment in the mammal’s body on the surgical threads mechanical properties was determined. It was found that Zn and hot extruded alloys MgCa0.9 and MgCa1.2 can be recommended as a candidate for the future study in vivo. Properties of the room temperature drawn wires of the alloy MgCa0.7 are not sufficient for its application as surgical threads.
Recognition of emotional facial expressions in adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Dan O.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired social competencies, due in part to an inability to determine emotional states through facial expressions. Social interactions are a critical component of adolescence, which raises the question of how do adolescents with ADHD cope with this impairment. Yet, previous reviews do not distinguish between children and adolescents. This review focuses on the ability of adolescents (defined by the World Health Organization as 10–19 years old) with ADHD to recognize emotional facial expressions, when compared to their typically‐developing peers.

Methods

Comprehensive database search and analysis yielded 9 relevant studies published between 2008 and 2018.

Results

The studies reviewed here examined recognition of emotional facial expressions in adolescents with ADHD. Behavioral measures (reaction time, reaction time variance and recognition accuracy) show no statistically significant differences between adolescents with ADHD and their typically‐developing peers. However, neural responses as recorded using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) or Event Related Potentials (ERP) find differences in brain activity and the temporal evolution of the reaction between the two groups.

Conclusions

Studies of children and of adults with ADHD find deficiencies in the recognition of emotional facial expressions. However, this review shows that adolescents with ADHD perform comparably to their peers on accuracy and rate, although their neural processing is different. This suggests that the methodologies employed by the ADHD and typically‐developing adolescents to asses facial expressions are different. Further study is needed to determine what these may be.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Translocation Variants
Authors: Mannan Abdul , Muhsen Ibrahim N. , Barragán Eva , Sanz Miguel A. , Mohty Mohamad , Hashmi Shahrukh K. , Aljurf Mahmoud
Published: May 2020

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a special disease entity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The clinical use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has transformed APL into the most curable form of AML. The majority of APL cases are characterized by the fusion gene PML-RARA. Although the PML-RARA fusion gene can be detected in almost all APL cases, translocation variants of APL have been reported. To date, this is the most comprehensive review of these translocations, discussing 15 different variants. Reviewed genes involved in APL variants include: ZBTB16, NPM, NuMA, STAT5b, PRKAR1A, FIP1L1, BCOR, NABP1, TBLR1, GTF2I, IRF2BP2, FNDC3B, ADAMDTS17, STAT3, and TFG. The genotypic and phenotypic features of APL translocations are summarized. All reported studies were either case reports or case series indicating the rarity of these entities and limiting the ability to drive conclusions regarding their characteristics. However, reported variants have shown variable clinical and morphological features, with diverse responsiveness to ATRA.
Clinical and physiological efficacy of the application of autologous fat with platelet rich plasma in treating faecal incontinence
Authors: Castillo Elvis Vargas , Amaral Ingrid Melo , Domínguez Arisel , López Sthephfania , Chiantera Daniel , Paz Mariangela Pérez , Coacuto Jenils Daniela , Soto Andrés Eloy
Published: May 2020

Purpose Faecal incontinence (FI) is a frequent condition that can occur due to different causes; with negative impact on self-esteem and quality of life, secondary morbidity, disability and significant costs. For its treatment there is a wide range of options, being medical treatment, hygienic dietary modifications and biofeedback, the first line of treatment; reserving surgery for patients who do not respond or with severe FI; this with variable success rates and high cost. This study has the primary aim to assess the efficacy and describe the Technique of Application of Autologous Fat with Platelet Rich Plasma (AFPRiP) in patients with faecal incontinence as well as secondary endpoints of quality of life, manometric and ultrasound evaluation, safety of implantation, and complications.

Methods A single-centre prospective, experimental study, was conducted from January 2017 to February 2018 in Domingo Luciani Hospital. Wexner and FIQL scores were filled preoperative and compared at follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months as well as anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound were performed before and 6 months after surgery.

Results Twelve patients were operated, mean time 43 min, no major complications. Wexner finding continence improvement from 10.4 pre to 4 in the 3rd month (p = 0.066) 4.74 at the 6th month (p = 0.001) and 5 at one year (p = 0.001); that is, improvement of >50% in 83.4%. FIQL 50.9 prior to 98.6 at 3rd month (p = 0.001) 95.5 to 6th month (p = 0.001) and 91.3 a year (p = 0.066).

Conclusions We conclude that AFPRiP is innovative, safe and with adequate results.
APPROXIMATING SMOOTH, MULTIVARIATE FUNCTIONS ON IRREGULAR DOMAINS
Authors: ADCOCK BEN , HUYBRECHS DAAN
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we introduce a method known aspolynomial frame approximationfor approximating smooth, multivariate functions defined on irregular domains in$d$dimensions, where$d$can be arbitrary. This method is simple, and relies only on orthogonal polynomials on a bounding tensor-product domain. In particular, the domain of the function need not be known in advance. When restricted to a subdomain, an orthonormal basis is no longer a basis, but a frame. Numerical computations with frames present potential difficulties, due to the near-linear dependence of the truncated approximation system. Nevertheless, well-conditioned approximations can be obtained via regularization, for instance, truncated singular value decompositions. We comprehensively analyze such approximations in this paper, providing error estimates for functions with both classical and mixed Sobolev regularity, with the latter being particularly suitable for higher-dimensional problems. We also analyze the sample complexity of the approximation for sample points chosen randomly according to a probability measure, providing estimates in terms of the correspondingNikolskii inequalityfor the domain. In particular, we show that the sample complexity for points drawn from the uniform measure is quadratic (up to a log factor) in the dimension of the polynomial space, independently of $d$, for a large class of nontrivial domains. This extends a well-known result for polynomial approximation in hypercubes.
DECOMPOSITION THEOREMS FOR AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS OF TREES
Authors: CARTER MAX , WILLIS GEORGE A.
Published: May 2020

Motivated by the Bruhat and Cartan decompositions of general linear groups over local fields, we enumerate double cosets of the group of label-preserving automorphisms of a label-regular tree over the fixator of an end of the tree and over maximal compact open subgroups. This enumeration is used to show that every continuous homomorphism from the automorphism group of a label-regular tree has closed range.
Agronomic and economic benefits of integrated nutrient management options for cowpea production
Authors: Issoufa Bachir Bounou , Ibrahim Ali , Abaidoo Robert Clement
Published: May 2020

The limitation of soil amendments and insufficient and irregular rainfall are the main factors accounting for the decline in crop yields in the Sahelian low-input cropping systems. This study explored the agronomic and economic responses of integrated use of millet glume-derived compost with synthetic fertilizer in cowpea-based cropping system. A two-year field experiment was laid out as factorial design arranged in randomized complete blocks with three rates of compost (0, 4000, and 8000 kg ha−1) and three rates of recommended synthetic fertilizer (0, 50, and 100%). Cowpea grain yield increased markedly with combined application of compost and synthetic fertilizer. The combined use of compost applied at 8000 kg ha−1 and 50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer increased cowpea grain yield by 51% compared to the application of 100% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer. The rainwater use efficiency (RaUE) increased by 52 and 49% with the combined application of compost at 8000 kg ha−1 along with 50% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer when compared to the application of 100% of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer in 2013 and 2014, respectively. All treatments induced a positive net income, and the highest value/cost ratio was achieved with combined application of compost and synthetic fertilizer. This study highlights the possibility of improving cowpea productivity through combined use of composted locally available organic input with half of the recommended rate of synthetic fertilizer. This combination would reduce the investment in mineral fertilizer currently made by smallholder farmers in the Sahelian low-input cowpea cropping system and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the current practice of burning the millet glume.
Individual dairy cow management: achievements, obstacles and prospects
Authors: Maltz Ephraim
Published: May 2020

This review deals with the prospects and achievements of individual dairy cow management (IDCM) and the obstacles and difficulties encountered in attempts to successfully apply IDCM into routine dairy management. All aspects of dairy farm management, health, reproduction, nutrition and welfare are discussed in relation to IDCM. In addition, new IDCM R&D goals in these management fields are suggested, with practical steps to achieve them. The development of management technologies is spurred by the availability of off-the-shelf sensors and expanded recording capacity, data storage, and computing capabilities, as well as by demands for sustainable dairy production and improved animal wellbeing at a time of increasing herd size and milk production per cow. Management technologies are sought that would enable the full expression of genetic and physiological potential of each cow in the herd, to achieve the dairy operation's economic goals whilst optimizing the animal's wellbeing. Results and conclusions from the literature, as well as practical experience supported by published and unpublished data are analyzed and discussed. The object of these efforts is to identify knowledge and management routine gaps in the practical dairy operation, in order to point out directions and improvements for successful implementation of IDCM in the dairy cows' health, reproduction, nutrition and wellbeing.
HOW WELL WERE CREDITORS’ RIGHTS PROTECTED IN EARLY MODERN SPAIN? THE CASE OF THE PUBLIC MORTGAGE REGISTRY IN MALAGA
Authors: Peña-Mir José Luis
Published: May 2020

New Institutional Economics treats early modern Spain as an example of a state whose political and contracting institutions hindered economic growth. However, the assumption that Spanish political institutions were predatory in this respect has been called into question. This paper challenges the idea that Spain was unable to develop sufficiently good contracting institutions, of which we know relatively little. Using data from Malaga's notarial credit market, I show that legal institutions facilitated contractual compliance in private financial transactions. Specifically, public mortgage registries, which had improved the registration of properties used as collateral since their creation in 1768, favoured the subscription of larger contracts. Furthermore, results suggest that registries could have contributed to the development of a more impersonal credit market.
MORTGAGES, INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND THE BANCO DO BRASIL IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY
Authors: Leite Marcondes Renato
Published: May 2020

The institutional changes of the mid-19th century made the modernisation of the Brazilian economy possible, as well as that of credit relations. We sought to evaluate the mortgage market before and after the 1864 reform and the institution of the Banco do Brasil's mortgage portfolio in 1867. We found a very comprehensive market throughout the territory in 1855-1859, although concentrated in the main urban centres. The evidence shows the expansion of mortgages after the two measures taken, but at the end of the 19th century this expansion came to an end.
Online Consultation and the Institutionalization of Transparency and Participation in Chinese Policymaking
Authors: Balla Steven J. , Xie Zhoudan
Published: May 2020

This article examines the institutionalization of online consultation, a prominent instrument of governance reform in contemporary China in which government organizations make public draft laws and regulations and solicit input from interested parties prior to finalizing decisions. The article specifically analyses the extent to which online consultation is a durable governance reform that enhances transparency and participation in policymaking. The analysis focuses on the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and Guangzhou Municipal Government (GMG), leading organizations in the implementation of online consultation. Through the analysis of original datasets consisting of hundreds of policies proposed by the MOC and GMG and thousands of comments submitted in response to these drafts, the article demonstrates that online consultation has institutionalized government transparency but has not consistently enhanced public participation. Although online consultation has the potential to transform policymaking, the evidence suggests that strong confidence in this possibility is not warranted.
Conservation networks: are zoos and aquariums collaborating or competing through partnerships?
Authors: Maynard Lily , McCarty Christopher , Jacobson Susan K , Monroe Martha C
Published: May 2020

Organizations can expand their impact through strategic partnerships. We used social network analysis to compare two network theories in order to determine whether zoos’ conservation partnerships form networks that reflect collaborative social movements or business-style competition. Data from 234 zoos revealed a conservation network involving 1679 organizations with 3018 partnerships. The network had 40 subgroups: 1 large network, 6 small networks and 33 disconnected zoos. Social network analysis metrics revealed an incohesive and low-density network. Zoos are more likely to behave competitively like businesses with limited partnerships to protect resources, rather than behaving as collaborative social movement organizations partnering to further the cause of conservation across their communities. Content analyses of organizational activities revealed that 62% of zoos’ partners display different skills and roles in conservation projects, while 38% participated in the same activities as zoos. These novel findings about zoos behaving as competitive institutions inform opportunities for better collaboration in order to expand organizations’ conservation impact.
Higher-order pattern generalization modulo equational theories
Authors: Cerna David M. , Kutsia Temur
Published: May 2020

We consider anti-unification for simply typed lambda terms in theories defined by associativity, commutativity, identity (unit element) axioms and their combinations and develop a sound and complete algorithm which takes two lambda terms and computes their equational generalizations in the form of higher-order patterns. The problem is finitary: the minimal complete set of such generalizations contains finitely many elements. We define the notion of optimal solution and investigate special restrictions of the problem for which the optimal solution can be computed in linear or polynomial time.
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Outbreak at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City-Riyadh from Emergency Medical Services Perspective
Authors: Alabdali Abdullah , Almakhalas Kharsan , Alhusain Faisal , Albaiz Saad , Almutairi Khalid , Aljerian Nawfal
Published: May 2020

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a form of an infectious respiratory disease, discovered in November 2012 in Saudi Arabia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) reports, a total of 2,519 laboratory-confirmed cases and 866 MERS-CoV-related deaths were recorded as of March 5, 2016.1 The majority of reported cases originated from Saudi Arabia (2,121 cases). Also, MERS-CoV is believed to be of zoonotic origin and has been linked to camels in the Arabian area.1,2 In this report, the authors discuss the lessons learned from the MERS-CoV outbreak at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City-Riyadh (KAMC-R) from August through September 2015 from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) perspective. The discussion includes the changes in policies and paramedic’s practice, the training and education in infection control procedures, and the process of transportation of these cases. The authors hope to share their experience in this unique situation and highlight the preparedness and response efforts that took place by the division of EMS during the outbreak.
Suicide Prevention Videos Developed by and for Adolescents
Authors: Braun Marlies , Till Benedikt , Pirkis Jane , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: May 2020

Abstract. Background: One strategy to prevent youth suicide is awareness-raising video campaigns. To date, little is known about how best to include adolescents in the production process, and how they experience their involvement. Aims: This study used a participatory qualitative research approach to explore the experiences of adolescents producing suicide prevention videos targeting other adolescents in a school setting. Method: The project was conducted in Vienna, Austria, from 09/2018 to 01/2019. Eighteen high school students aged 15-19 produced suicide prevention videos. Focus group discussions with 17 of these students captured qualitative information on their experiences related to the process. Focus group content was analyzed following the documentary method. Results: Students produced seven suicide prevention videos in groups of two to three individuals. The production process was found to be positive, and numerous benefits and learning effects were noted. Limitations: No conclusions can be made about video effects on adolescents not involved in the process. Conclusion: Including adolescents in the process of developing suicide prevention videos has multiple benefits. The process researched here can inform similar campaigns with adolescents.
Hydrothermal Activity in the Southwest Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field
Authors: Hurwitz S. , McCleskey R. B. , Bergfeld D. , Peek S. E. , Susong D. D. , Roth D. A. , Hungerford J. D. G. , White E. B. , Harrison L. N. , Hosseini B. , Vaughan R. G. , Hunt A. G. , Paces J. B.
Published: May 2020

In the past two decades, the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service have studied hydrothermal activity across the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field (YPVF) to improve the understanding of the magmatic‐hydrothermal system and to provide a baseline for detecting future anomalous activity. In 2017 and 2018 we sampled water and gas over a large area in the southwest YPVF and used Landsat 8 thermal infrared data to estimate radiative heat flow. Most of the thermal activity in this region is in close proximity to the Yellowstone Caldera boundary. Springs and fumaroles discharge from a variety of lithologies, including some of the youngest rhyolites in the YPVF. Gas compositions and helium isotope ratios of most samples resemble those in other parts of the YPVF. The waters have meteoric origins, and tritium was detected in several samples. Thermal waters from some areas have compositions that plot along a line connecting thermal and nonthermal water endmember compositions. The thermal water endmember equilibrated at 160°C–170°C, lower than waters in Yellowstone's geyser basins. Heat discharged by springs and fumaroles originates from within the Yellowstone Caldera and is transported laterally by advection, mainly along the base of rhyolite flows that cover the inferred caldera boundaries.
Compound Drought and Heatwaves at a Global Scale: The Role of Natural Climate Variability‐Associated Synoptic Patterns and Land‐Surface Energy Budget Anomalies
Authors: Mukherjee Sourav , Ashfaq Moetasim , Mishra Ashok Kumar
Published: May 2020

Compound drought and heatwave (CDHW) events have garnered much attention in recent studies. However, thus far, the identification of such events is oversimplified, and their association with natural climate variability is not fully explored. Here, we derive anomalies in the weekly self‐calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc_PDSI) and daily maximum temperatures to identify CDHW events from 1982 to 2016 over 26 climate regions across the globe. Using a Poisson Generalized Linear Model (GLM), we analyze yearly occurrences of seasonal CDHW events and their association with the warm and cold phases of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). ENSO exhibits robust association with CDHW events over the Southern Hemisphere during the austral summer and fall, while PDO influences their occurrences over the Western North America in the Northern Hemisphere during the boreal summer, which is supported by the composites of anomalies in the atmospheric circulations and surface energy budget. However, NAO association with CDHW events is relatively weak. The CDHW occurrence over other regions is driven by a combination of these large‐scale natural forcing. Our analyses also highlight that the cooccurrence of weekly to submonthly scale anomalies in the observed temperature and precipitation may not be always aligned between the observations and the reanalysis. Therefore, caution must be exercised while explaining such observed anomalies on the basis of reanalysis‐based circulations and surface energy budget. Overall, our analyses provide a new insight towards concurrent extremes and should help foster research efforts in this area.
Long‐Term Observations of Stratosphere‐Troposphere Exchange Using MST Radar and Aura MLS Measurements Over a Tropical Station Gadanki
Authors: Das Siddarth Shankar , Suneeth K. V. , Venkat Ratnam M. , Uma K. N. , Rao M. Durga , Narendra Babu A.
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the climatology of stratospheric intrusion into the troposphere during the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) observed using the mesosphere‐stratosphere‐troposphere (MST) radar located at Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E). The most significant and new observation is the presence of enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 3 dB and half‐power full spectral width of >0.2 m s−1 in the vicinity of tropopause during the ISM. Downdrafts (updrafts) are dominated in the vicinity of tropopause from April to June (July to March). The result of stratospheric air intrusion is also supported with 10 years of ozone measurements obtained from Aura‐Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and 5 years of in situ ozonesonde observations. Detailed analysis shows that the horizontal advection along with turbulence in the vicinity of tropopause caused by the tropical easterly jet and tropopause altitude variability is the prime candidate for stratosphere to troposphere transport of ozone. In contrast, the tropical tropopause temperature plays a significant role in the troposphere to stratosphere transport of water vapor during the ISM. The significance of the present study is to qualitatively constitute the climatology of these exchange processes over Gadanki using Indian MST radar.
Magnetic Fabric and Geochronology of a Cambrian “Isotropic” Pluton in the Neoproterozoic Araçuaí Orogen
Authors: Temporim F. A. , Trindade R. I. F. , Tohver E. , Soares C. C. , Gouvêa L. P. , Egydio‐Silva M. , Amaral C. A. D. , Souza G. F.
Published: May 2020

The Araçuaí Orogen (AO) has been interpreted as a Neoproterozoic example of a large, “hot” orogen, based on a broad zone (250 km) of midcrustal metamorphic assemblages with a long, 70‐Myr history of crustal melting and episodic magmatism throughout the late Neoproterozoic and earliest Paleozoic. Here, we present results of U‐Pb sensitive high‐resoution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon dating and detailed anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) study on a late Cambrian, bimodal pluton related to final period of collapse of the AO. New U‐Pb zircon ages constrain the crystallization age of different suites within the Santa Angélica Pluton, 506 ± 3 Ma for the early felsic phase and 498 ± 5 Ma for the mafic core. New AMS data indicate that the emplacement of the Santa Angélica Pluton corresponds to two coupled plutons with concentric structures arrayed about a twin, bull's eye pattern. During the final stages of intrusion, upward relative movement of the northeastern lobe exposed the deeper levels of the intrusion, relative to the more shallowly eroded southwestern lobe. These observations suggest that magma emplacement was controlled by magma buoyancy forces, with little influence of regional tectonic stress. This behavior contrasts with the well‐defined, tectonic‐controlled fabrics of coeval plutons occurring to the north which was still hot, therefore highlighting the contrasting thermal evolution between different sectors of the orogen during its final stages.
Juno In Situ Observations Above the Jovian Equatorial Ionosphere
Authors: Valek P. W. , Bagenal F. , Ebert R. W. , Allegrini F. , McComas D. J. , Szalay J. R. , Wilson R. J. , Bolton S. J. , Connerney J. E. P.
Published: May 2020

The arrival of Juno at Jupiter enables repeated in situ observations above the Jovian ionosphere. The low altitude and high velocity of Juno at perijove permits direct sampling of ionospheric ion populations. We present the first direct observations above the ionosphere made by the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment Ion sensor (JADE‐I). When looking into the spacecraft ram direction, JADE‐I can measure ion energy distributions to below 1 eV/q along with ion composition. We report observations from 17 Juno perijove passes. At these latitudes, the low energy ions consist of protons and heavier ions, protons being the dominant species. Heavy ions—primarily oxygen and sulfur likely originating from the magnetosphere—are seen each pass, but their intensity varies. Other trace light ions are observed during some of the perijoves: H3+ (6 of 17 perijoves), He+ (2 of 17 perijoves). Ionospheric ions are observed up to altitudes of ~7,000 km.
Geography and Morphology Affect the Ice Duration Dynamics of Northern Hemisphere Lakes Worldwide
Authors: Warne Connor P. K. , McCann Kevin S. , Rooney Neil , Cazelles Kevin , Guzzo Matthew M.
Published: May 2020

Climate change continues to diminish ice cover duration for Northern Hemisphere lakes. However, the differential loss of lake ice duration for various types of lakes across the globe is not well established. In this study, we used time series of ice duration data (average length = 51 years) for 220 globally distributed Northern Hemisphere lakes to determine how local climate trends, geographical location, and physical properties of lakes affect their ice cover trends. Ice duration dynamics were influenced by surface air temperature trends, lake geography, and morphology. Deeper lakes, located at lower elevations, western longitudes, and lower latitudes, experienced the greatest reductions in ice cover over their time series. These results indicate that despite widespread patterns of warming, the individual features of lakes can determine how rapidly they are losing ice cover and may prove informative for future modeling and conservation efforts.
Impacts of Two East Asian Atmospheric Circulation Modes on Black Carbon Aerosol Over the Tibetan Plateau in Winter
Authors: Yuan Tiangang , Chen Siyu , Wang Lin , Yang Yaoxian , Bi Hongru , Zhang Xiaorui , Zhang Yue
Published: May 2020

Light‐absorbing particles over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) can accelerate glacial retreat, thus causing a series of serious environmental and social problems. Previous studies mainly focus on seasonal transport of aerosols over the TP, while the potential factors influencing the subseasonal variation in airborne black carbon (BC) are almost ignored. In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with chemistry (WRF‐Chem) model and multiple observations are used to investigate the impacts of East Asian atmospheric circulation on BC aerosol over the TP in winter. Results show that the weakness of westerly wind over northern TP, acceleration of westerly wind over southern TP, and eastward shift of East Asia major trough are responsible for the high BC concentration over east slope of the TP. In this circumstance, more BC from northern India can be transported to eastern TP and the south slopes of the TP by the enhanced westerly wind. The intensified southwesterly wind over eastern TP brings more BC from the Sichuan Basin to northeastern TP. The BC can also penetrate to eastern TP in planetary boundary layer. Subsequently, the weakened westerly wind over northern TP and positive anomalous updrafts over east slope of the TP support the accumulation and uplift of BC. Another circulation mode is opposite to the pattern above and results in low BC concentration over the TP. These two circulation modes are possibly associated with the low‐level meridional temperature anomaly over East Asia, which modulates the upper level atmospheric circulation through the transient eddy feedback.
A trial comparing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices in preterm infants
Authors: Backes Carl H. , Cooper Jennifer N. , Notestine Jennifer L. , Alfred Crystal M. , Ball Molly K. , Rivera Brian K. , Lamp Jane M. , Marzec Laura , Stenger Michael R. , Moallem Mohannad , Miller Randy R. , Naik Apurwa , Beer Lindsey J. , Howard Christopher R. , Welty Stephen E. , Peter Richardson C. , Hillman Noah H. , Zupancic John A. F. , Stanberry Larissa I. , Hansen Thomas N. , Smith Charles V.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To test the hypothesis that infants born <30 weeks’ gestation supported by Seattle-PAP will have lower rates of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure than infants supported with conventional, Fisher&Paykel-CPAP (FP-CPAP).

Study design

Randomized trial (3/2017-01/2019) at 5 NICUs. The primary outcome was CPAP failure; subgroup analyses (gestational age, receipt antenatal corticosteroids) were performed.

Results

A total of 232 infants were randomized. Infants in the Seattle-PAP and FP-CPAP groups had mean gestational ages of 27.0 and 27.2 weeks, respectively. We observed no differences in rates of treatment failure between Seattle-PAP (40/112, 35.7%) and FP-CPAP (38/120, 31.7%; risk difference, 4.1%; 95% CI, −8.1–16.2;P = 0.51). Subgroup analysis indicated no differences in rates of CPAP failure. We observed no differences between the two groups in frequencies of adverse events or duration of respiratory support.

Conclusions

Among infants born <30 weeks’ gestation, rates of CPAP failure did not differ between Seattle-PAP and FP-CPAP.
Depression—an underrecognized target for prevention of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Dafsari Forugh S. , Jessen Frank
Published: May 2020

It is broadly acknowledged that the onset of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be modifiable by the management of risk factors. While several recent guidelines and multidomain intervention trials on prevention of cognitive decline address lifestyle factors and risk diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, a special reference to the established risk factor of depression or depressive symptoms is systematically lacking. In this article we review epidemiological studies and biological mechanisms linking depression with AD and cognitive decline. We also emphasize the effects of antidepressive treatment on AD pathology including the molecular effects of antidepressants on neurogenesis, amyloid burden, tau pathology, and inflammation. We advocate moving depression and depressive symptoms into the focus of prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. We constitute that early treatment of depressive symptoms may impact on the disease course of AD and affect the risk of developing dementia and we propose the need for clinical trials.