bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age- and Sex-Specific Fear Conditioning Deficits in Mice Lacking Pcdh10, an Autism Associated Gene
Authors: Ferri Sarah L. , Dow Holly C. , Schoch Hannah , Lee Ji Youn , Brodkin Edward S. , Abel Ted
Published: May 2020

PCDH10is a gene associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is involved in the growth of thalamocortical projections and dendritic spine elimination. Previously, we characterized micePcdh10haploinsufficient mice(Pcdh10+/−mice) and found male-specific social deficits that are rescued by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) partial agonist d-cycloserine, increased ultrasonic vocalizations in pups, and dark phase hypoactivity. In addition, we determined that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of these mice exhibited increased dendritic spine density of immature morphology, decreased NMDAR expression, and decreased gamma synchronization. Here, we further characterizePcdh10+/−mice by testing for fear memory, which relies upon BLA function. We used both male and femalePcdh10+/−mice and their wild-type littermates at two ages, juvenile and adult, and in two learning paradigms, cued and contextual fear conditioning. We found that males at both ages and in both assays exhibited fear conditioning deficits, but females were only impaired as adults in the cued condition. These data are further evidence for male-specific alterations in BLA-related behaviors inPcdh10+/−mice, and suggest that these mice may be a useful model for dissecting male specific brain and behavioral phenotypes relevant to social and emotional behaviors.
Enantiomers of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Exhibit Different Activities Against SARS-CoV-2in vitro, EvidencingS-Hydroxychloroquine as a Potentially Superior Drug for COVID-19
Authors: Li Guanguan , Sun Jing , Huang Yi-You , Li Yingjun , Shi Yongjie , Li Zhe , Li Xiang , Yang Feng Hua , Zhao Jincun , Luo Hai-Bin , Zhang Tony Y. , Zhang Xumu
Published: May 2020

In all of the clinical trials for COVID-19 conducted thus far and among those ongoing involving chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, the drug substance used has invariably been chloroquine (CQ) diphosphate or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) sulfate, i.e., the phosphoric or sulfuric acid salt of a racemic mixture ofR- andS-enantiomer (50/50), respectively. As a result, the clinical outcome from previous CQ or HCQ trials were, in fact, the collective manifestation of bothRandS-enantiomers with inherent different pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and toxicity liabilities. Our data for the first time demonstrated the stereoselective difference of CQ and HCQ against live SARS-CoV-2 virus in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory.S-chloroquine (S-CQ) andS-hydroxychloroquine (S-HCQ) significantly more active against SARS-CoV-2, as compared toR-CQ andR-HCQ, respectively. In addition, Mpro, as one of the critical enzymes for viral transcription and replication, also exhibited an enantioselective binding affinity toward theS-enantiomers. The most significant finding from this study is the pronounced difference of the two enantiomers of CQ and HCQ observed in hERG inhibition assay. The IC50value ofS-HCQ was higher than 20 μM against hERG channel, which was much less active over all tested CQ and HCQ compounds. Moreover,S-HCQ alone did not prolong QT interval in guinea pigs after 3 days and 6 days of administration, indicating a much lower cardiac toxicity potential. With these and previous findings on the enantio-differentiated metabolism, we recommend that future clinical studies should employS-HCQ, substantially free of theR-enantiomer, to potentially improve the therapeutic index for the treatment of COVID-19 over the racemic CQ and HCQ.
mbkmeans: fast clustering for single cell data using mini-batchk-means
Authors: Hicks Stephanie C. , Liu Ruoxi , Ni Yuwei , Purdom Elizabeth , Risso Davide
Published: May 2020

Single-cell RNA-Sequencing (scRNA-seq) is the most widely used high-throughput technology to measure genome-wide gene expression at the single-cell level. One of the most common analyses of scRNA-seq data detects distinct subpopulations of cells through the use of unsupervised clustering algorithms. However, recent advances in scRNA-seq technologies result in current datasets ranging from thousands to millions of cells. Popular clustering algorithms, such ask-means, typically require the data to be loaded entirely into memory and therefore can be slow or impossible to run with large datasets. To address this problem, we developed thembkmeansR/Bioconductor package, an open-source implementation of the mini-batchk-means algorithm. Our package allows for on-disk data representations, such as the common HDF5 file format widely used for single-cell data, that do not require all the data to be loaded into memory at one time. We demonstrate the performance of thembkmeanspackage using large datasets, including one with 1.3 million cells. We also highlight and compare the computing performance ofmbkmeansagainst the standard implementation ofk- means. Our software package is available in Bioconductor athttps://bioconductor.org/packages/mbkmeans.
Dual thermal ecotypes co-exist within a nearly genetically-identical population of the unicellular marine cyanobacteriumSynechococcus
Authors: Kling Joshua D. , Lee Michael D. , Webb Eric A. , Coelho Jordan T. , Wilburn Paul , Anderson Stephanie I. , Zhou Qianqian , Wang Chunguang , Phan Megan D. , Fu Feixue , Kremer Colin T. , Litchman Elena , Rynearson Tatiana A. , Hutchins David A.
Published: May 2020

The extent and ecological significance of intraspecific diversity within marine microbial populations is still poorly understood, and it remains unclear if such strain-level microdiversity will affect fitness and persistence in a rapidly changing ocean environment. In this study, we cultured 11 sympatric strains of the ubiquitous marine picocyanobacteriumSynechococcusisolated from a Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) phytoplankton community thermal selection experiment. Despite all 11 isolates being highly similar (with average nucleotide identities of >99.9%, with 98.6-100% of the genome aligning), thermal performance curves revealed selection at warm and cool temperatures had subdivided the initial population into thermotypes with pronounced differences in maximum growth temperatures. Within the fine-scale genetic diversity that did exist within this population, the two divergent thermal ecotypes differed at a locus containing genes for the phycobilisome antenna complex. Our study demonstrates that present-day marine microbial populations can contain microdiversity in the form of cryptic but environmentally-relevant thermotypes that may increase their resilience to future rising temperatures.

Significance

Numerous studies exist comparing the responses of distinct taxonomic groups of marine microbes to a warming ocean (interspecific thermal diversity). For example,Synechococcus, a nearly globally distributed unicellular marine picocyanobacterium that makes significant contributions to oceanic primary productivity, contains numerous taxonomically distinct lineages with well documented temperature relationships. Little is known though about the diversity of functional responses to temperature within a given population where genetic similarity is high (intraspecific thermal diversity). This study suggests that understanding the extent of this functional intraspecific microdiversity is an essential prerequisite to predicting the resilience of biogeochemically essential microbial groups such as marineSynechococcusto a changing climate.
HDAC3 ensures stepwise epidermal stratification via NCoR/SMRT-reliant mechanisms independent of its histone deacetylase activity
Authors: Szigety Katherine M. , Liu Fang , Yuan Chase Y. , Moran Deborah J. , Horrell Jeremy , Gochnauer Heather R. , Cohen Ronald N. , Katz Jonathan P. , Kaestner Klaus H. , Seykora John T. , Tobias John W. , Lazar Mitchell A. , Xu Mingang , Millar Sarah E.
Published: May 2020

Chromatin modifiers play critical roles in epidermal development, but the functions of histone deacetylases in this context are poorly understood. The class I HDAC, HDAC3, is of particular interest because it plays divergent roles in different tissues by partnering with tissue-specific transcription factors. We found that HDAC3 is expressed broadly in embryonic epidermis and is required for its orderly stepwise stratification. HDAC3 protein stability in vivo relies on NCoR and SMRT, which function redundantly in epidermal development. However, point mutations in the NCoR and SMRT deacetylase-activating domains, which are required for HDAC3's enzymatic function, permit normal stratification, indicating that HDAC3's roles in this context are largely independent of its histone deacetylase activity. HDAC3-bound sites are significantly enriched for predicted binding motifs for critical epidermal transcription factors including AP1, GRHL, and KLF family members. Our results suggest that among these, HDAC3 operates in conjunction with KLF4 to repress inappropriate expression of Tgm1, Krt16, and Aqp3. In parallel, HDAC3 suppresses expression of inflammatory cytokines through a Rela-dependent mechanism. These data identify HDAC3 as a hub coordinating multiple aspects of epidermal barrier acquisition.
Twist-dependent ratchet functioning downstream from Dorsal revealed using a light-inducible degron
Authors: Irizarry Jihyun , McGehee James , Kim Goheun , Stein David , Stathopoulos Angelike
Published: May 2020

Graded transcription factors are pivotal regulators of embryonic patterning, but whether their role changes over time is unclear. A light-regulated protein degradation system was used to assay temporal dependence of the transcription factor Dorsal in dorsal–ventral axis patterning of Drosophila embryos. Surprisingly, the high-threshold target gene snail only requires Dorsal input early but not late when Dorsal levels peak. Instead, late snail expression can be supported by action of the Twist transcription factor, specifically, through one enhancer, sna.distal. This study demonstrates that continuous input is not required for some Dorsal targets and downstream responses, such as twist, function as molecular ratchets.
Fostering knowledge creation to improve performance: the mediation role of manufacturing flexibility
Authors: Pinheiro José , Silva Graça Miranda , Dias Álvaro Lopes , Lages Luis Filipe , Preto Miguel Torres
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of manufacturing flexibility in the relationship between knowledge creation, technological turbulence and performance. In an increasingly competitive and changing environment, firms need to boost their technological and management know-how to adequately develop manufacturing flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes survey data collected from 370 manufacturing firms. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted using SPSS and Amos. The research hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The main findings show that knowledge creation positively and significantly affects business and operational performances directly, and indirectly, through manufacturing flexibility. Moreover, technological turbulence has a positive and significant effect on it. This finding contributes to understanding why some firms get better outcomes from manufacturing flexibility than others, a disputed issue in the literature.

Practical implications

This study highlights the need for manufacturing firms to foster cultures of knowledge creation, to better educate and train employees and to develop other instruments of knowledge creation.

Originality/value

This study makes several contributions to manufacturing flexibility literature: (1) establishing a link between technological turbulence and knowledge creation to develop manufacturing flexibility; (2) add empirical evidence on the relation between manufacturing flexibility and performance and (3) contributes to consolidating the mediation role of manufacturing flexibility in the relations between knowledge creation and business performance, as studies focussing on such a role are scarce in the literature.
Seismic performance assessments of school buildings in Taiwan using artificial intelligence theories
Authors: Chen Ching-Shan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Taiwan experiences frequent seismic activity. Major earthquakes in recent history have seriously damaged the school buildings. School buildings in Taiwan are intended to serve both as places of education and as temporary shelters in the aftermath of major earthquakes. Therefore, the seismic performance assessments of school buildings are critical issues that deserve investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a methodology that uses principal component analysis to generalize the seismic factors from the basic seismic parameters of school buildings, uses data mining to cluster different school building sizes and uses grey theory to analyze the relationship between seismic factors and the seismic performance of school buildings. Additionally, this paper employs the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to deduce the seismic assessment model for school buildings. Finally, it adopts support vector machine to validate the ANN’s deductive results.

Findings

An empirical study was conducted on 326 school buildings in the central area of Taichung City, Taiwan, to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Results show that thickness of wall and width of middle-row column relate significantly with school-building seismic performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides a model that structural engineers or architects may use to design school buildings that are adequately resistant to earthquakes as well as a reference for future academic research.
A contemporary perspective on the disaster management cycle
Authors: Sawalha Ihab Hanna
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the traditional disaster management cycle; discussing the significance of incorporating contemporary management concepts into the disaster management cycle; and proposing a conceptual model that reflects contemporary management insight for the disaster management cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was made to discuss the significance of moving towards a more contemporary view to the disaster management cycle that brings more value to the final outcomes of the disaster management process. A conceptual model was then proposed to reflect a more contemporary view to the disaster management cycle. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also been addressed explicitly throughout the paper as a case that reflects the necessity of embracing contemporary insight and practise in the traditional disaster management cycle.

Findings

The literature indicates that people worldwide, as well as academics still rely heavily on the traditional disaster management lifecycle to manage disasters and major incidents which consists of four main stages; preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery unrecognizing that each and every disaster is a unique incident itself and that it should be treated differently. Contemporary management thought and insight is still lacking in the study of disaster and emergency management.

Practical implications

This research offers a contemporary view to the traditional disaster management cycle in which recent concepts of management are used to better cope with the uniqueness of the different major incidents. This view fosters wider involvement of individuals and the general public in the disaster management process and highlights elements of creativity and modernity. The current COVID-19 pandemic, despite the many adverse consequences associated with it, has contributed constructively to the ways the traditional disaster management cycle is being implemented and practised worldwide.

Originality/value

This research is expected to be of a substantial value for those interested in improving performance during the various stages of the disaster management process, as well as those interested in improving organizational, social and national resilience. The traditional disaster management cycle tends to be procedural and therefore needs to embrace contemporary management thought and more value-based approaches.
Structural design of floodways under extreme flood loading
Authors: Greene Isaac , Lokuge Weena , Karunasena Warna
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Current methods for floodway design are predominately based on hydrological and hydraulic design principles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a finite element methods approach for the inclusion of a simplified structural design method into floodway design procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a three-dimensional finite element method to investigate numerically the different parameters, geometric configurations and loading combinations which cause floodway vulnerability during extreme flood events. The worst-case loading scenario is then used as the basis for design from which several structural design charts are deduced. These charts enable design bending moments and shear forces to be extracted and the cross-sectional area of steel and concrete to be designed in accordance with the relevant design codes for strength, serviceability and durability.

Findings

It was discovered that the analysed floodway structure is most vulnerable when impacted by a 4-tonne boulder, a 900 mm cut-off wall depth and with no downstream rock protection. Design charts were created, forming a simplified structural design process to strengthen the current hydraulic design approach provided in current floodway design guidelines. This developed procedure is demonstrated through application with an example floodway structural design.

Originality/value

The deduced structural design process will ensure floodway structures have adequate structural resilience, aiding in reduced maintenance and periods of unserviceability in the wake of extreme flood events.
Interpersonal competition in organization: an investigation of antecedents
Authors: Lee Hyung-Woo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the antecedents of the competitive pressure felt by individuals in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study are obtained from workers from multiple firms in various industries.

Findings

The results indicate that employees have a strong feeling of competitive anxiety and a sense of rivalry when their tasks are interdependent to one another, when they have a competition-oriented personality and when the relative evaluation scale is used for performance appraisal. The perceived proportion of performance pay only increased the sense of rivalry, while it did not increase the competitive anxiety. Also, intrinsic motivation and transformational leadership help mitigate both competitive anxiety and sense of rivalry.

Practical implications

The author recommends that managers utilize these factors to maintain an appropriate level of competition depending on their organizations' needs.

Originality/value

The original value of this study lies in its attempt to examine how competitive mindset is developed among interpersonal relationships in organizations.
Prioritization of interdependent uncertainties in projects
Authors: Qazi Abroon , Dikmen Irem , Birgonul M. Talat
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the limitations of conventional risk matrix based tools such that both positive and negative connotation of uncertainty could be captured within a unified framework that is capable of modeling the direction and strength of causal relationships across uncertainties and prioritizing project uncertainties as both threats and opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically grounded in the frameworks of Bayesian belief networks (BBNs) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM), this paper develops a structured process for assessing uncertainties in projects. The proposed process is demonstrated by a real application in the construction industry.

Findings

Project uncertainties must be prioritized on the basis of their network-wide propagation impact within a network setting of interacting threats and opportunities. Prioritization schemes neglecting interdependencies across project uncertainties might result in selecting sub-optimal strategies. Selection of strategies should focus on both identifying common cause uncertainty triggers and establishing the strength of interdependency between interconnected uncertainties.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a novel approach that integrates both facets of project uncertainties within a project uncertainty network so that decision makers can prioritize uncertainty factors considering the trade-off between threats and opportunities as well as their interactions. The ISM based development of the network structure helps in identifying common cause uncertainty triggers whereas the modeling of a BBN makes it possible to visualize the propagation impact of uncertainties within a network setting. Further, the proposed approach utilizes risk matrix data for project managers to be able to adopt this approach in practice. The proposed process can be used by practitioners while developing uncertainty management strategies, preparing risk management plans and formulating their contract strategy.
Financial reporting quality and share price movement-evidence from listed companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Rashid Md. Mamunur
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of financial reporting quality (FRQ) on share price movement (SPM) of listed companies in an emerging and developing economy – Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzed 296 annual reports for the year 2015 and 2016 in examining the effect of FRQ on SPM. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is used to examine the hypothesized relationship among the variables. A modified version of Lang et al. (2003) has been adopted in measuring the SPM. FRQ is measured using the qualitative characteristics approach as defined by the International Financial Reporting Standard Framework and used by Beest et al. (2009) and Braam and Beest (2013).

Findings

The study finds a positive association (though not significant statistically) between the FRQ and SPM in the country’s leading stock exchange (Dhaka stock exchange). Furthermore, the effect of enhancing quality on SPM is found to be stronger as compared to fundamental quality. Majority of the FRQ constructs demonstrate an improvement in the quality score in the year 2016 as compared to 2015 except for relevance.

Research limitations/implications

The key limitation of the study is that it focuses only on two years (2015 and 2016) annual reports data in measuring FRQ and its effect on SPM.

Originality/value

The study uses qualitative characteristics approach in measuring the FRQ and to examine its effect on SPM using the context of an emerging and developing economy – the case of Bangladesh.
Understanding family carer experiences of advanced dementia caregiving in India: towards a vision for integrated practice
Authors: Ritchie Louise , Jack-Waugh Anna , Sanatombi Devi Elsa , V Binil , George Anice , Henry Joyce , Martis Clarita Shynal , Gangopadhyay Debjani , Tolson Debbie
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Many individual and family hardships are associated with poorly understood palliative care needs arising from advanced dementia within India. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of people in India affected by advanced dementia and to shape educational approaches for practitioners and the local community.

Design/methodology/approach

Three focus groups with family carers of people (n = 27) with advanced dementia were undertaken with local communities in South India. One focus group was carried out in English and two in the local language (Kannada) and translated to English.

Findings

The findings of the focus groups are presented in four themes, conditions of caring, intersecting vulnerabilities, desperate acts of care and awareness of education and training needs. These themes highlight the challenges faced by family carers of people with advanced dementia and describe the potential harm, abuse and poor mental well-being facing both the person with dementia and the family carer as a result of their situation.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to explore ways to ensure inclusivity and sensitivity in the research process and enable equal participation from all participants.

Practical implications

The findings highlight a lack of support for family carers of people with advanced dementia and demonstrate the need for dementia-specific integrated and palliative care approaches in India.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into the experiences and challenges facing family caregivers of people living with advanced dementia in India to shape practitioner education in a way that will underpin effective dementia-specific palliation and integrated services.
The perceived psychological stressors and coping behaviours in university students, on a pre-registration programme
Authors: Mitchell Andrew E.P.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceived stressors and coping behaviours in student nurses on a pre-registration programme of study. Stress in student nurses has been identified with decreased emotional well-being and poor academic achievement. The significance of stress and coping behaviours in students during training has implications for education and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study recruited 87 pre-registration student nurses in a cross-sectional design. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed the differences in field and year of study and the students’ perceived stress and coping behaviours.

Findings

The findings showed that stress is a significant issue in nurse training. Fifty-three per cent of the participants had levels higher than the mean. Interestingly, the present study found that high-perceived stress was associated with avoidance behaviours. The most common type of perceived stress and ranked by highest factor were from written assignments and a lack of professional skills and knowledge. Their peer group and everyday life activities were shown as potential ways of coping with stressors. Thus, it seems reasonable to focus support on decreasing avoidant and enhancing stress-reducing behaviours.

Practical implications

Psychological stress and coping behaviours must be considered together, as perceived stress is bound by the ability to ameliorate stress by managing helpful and unhelpful behaviours.

Originality/value

The findings may suggest that a potential benefit could come from the provision of helpful strategies such as peer group support and reduction of avoidant behaviours. Also, there seems to be a need for greater mental health literacy in dealing with stress during training.
Well-being in later life: a life course perspective
Authors: Prakitsuwan Pattharanitcha , Moschis George P.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to illustrate the viability of the life course paradigm (LCP), which is increasingly used by social and behavioral scientists to study a wide variety of phenomena, as a framework for studying the transformational role of service consumption in improving consumer well-being in later life.

Design/methodology/approach

The LCP is used to develop a life course model for studying the effects of service consumption on older people’s well-being. Previous research related to the consumption of specific types of services (financial and healthcare) is integrated within the multi-theoretical LCP to suggest relevant model variables and derive a set of propositions for illustrating the effects of service consumption on older adults’ well-being.

Findings

The research presented in this study shows how efforts to study the effects of service consumption on older people’s well-being can be improved by using the LCP, helps understand the onset and changes in service consumption patterns and illustrates an innovative way to study the role of services in promoting older consumer welfare.

Originality/value

By applying the principles and theoretical perspectives of the LCP, this study contributes to recent transformative service research efforts to better understand the impact of service consumption on people’s lives and the transformational role of services and service providers in improving consumer and societal welfare.
How emergency managers engage Twitter users during disasters
Authors: Xu Zhan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Natural disasters are increasingly more frequent and intense, which makes it critical for emergency managers to engage social media users during crises. This study examined emergency official accounts' social media engagement at each disaster stage based on Fink's four-stage model of crisis and disaster: prodromal, acute, chronic and termination stages and linked topics and sentiments to engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using text mining and sentiment analysis, 1,226 original tweets posted by 66 major emergency official Twitter accounts and more than 15,000 retweets elicited across the life cycle of Hurricane Irma were analyzed.

Findings

Results identified the most engaging official accounts and tweets. Most tweets and the most engaging tweets were posted in the prodromal stage. Tweets related to certain topics were significantly more engaging than others. The most frequently tweeted topics by official accounts were less engaging than some seldom tweeted topics. Negative sentiment words increased the engagingness of the tweet. Sadness was the strongest predictor of tweet engagement. Tweets that contained fewer sadness words were more engaging. Fear was stronger in positively predicting tweet engagement than anger. Results also demonstrated that words for fear and anger were critical in engaging social media discussions in the prodromal stage. Words for sadness made the tweets less engaging in the chronic stage.

Originality/value

This study provided detailed instructions on how to increase the engagingness of emergency management official accounts during disasters using computational methods. Findings have practical implications for both emergency managers and crisis researchers.
Iranian Saudi rivalry over the regional role … Syria as a model
Authors: Awaad Aboubakr Fathy
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to highlight the dimensions of the rivalry over the regional role between two regional powers in the Middle East, and the impact of local, regional and international pressures of the Syrian crisis on the role performance of the competing forces.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on using “the role approach” as an analytical frame to benefit by the application of the theory of role. This approach allows the possibility of linking various analytical levels, both in clarifying the relationship between internal and external factors and showing the interaction between elements of perception, abilities and behavior.

Findings

The international pressures shall remain governing the frame of competition among the roles of the regional powers, through determining the course of competition and its direct impact on its results.

Originality/value

This study examines the phenomenon of regional rivalry between two distinct and competing regional powers, in a turbulent environment in the wake of the Arab Spring crises, which created opportunities and challenges for regional powers, especially in Syria, where it intersected with the interests and policies of major and regional powers.
Separation of PP‐ and PS‐wave reflected seismic data using two‐dimensional finite offset common‐reflection‐surface traveltime approximation
Authors: dos Santos Raphael Di Carlo Silva , Cruz João Carlos Ribeiro , Costa Manuel de Jesus dos Santos
Published: May 2020

Recently, the interest in PS‐converted waves has increased for several applications, such as sub‐basalt layer imaging, impedance estimates and amplitude‐versus‐offset analysis. In this study, we consider the problem of separation of PP‐ and PS‐waves from pre‐stacked multicomponent seismic data in two‐dimensional isotropic medium. We aim to demonstrate that the finite‐offset common‐reflection‐surface traveltime approximation is a good alternative for separating PP‐ and PS‐converted waves in common‐offset and common shot configurations by considering a two‐dimensional isotropic medium. The five parameters of the finite‐offset common‐reflection‐surface are firstly estimated through the inversion methodology called very fast simulated annealing, which estimates all parameters simultaneously. Next, the emergence angle, one of the inverted parameters, is used to build an analytical separation function of PP and PS reflection separation based on the wave polarization equations. Once the PP‐ and PS‐converted waves were separated, the sections are stacked to increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio using the special curves derived from finite‐offset common‐reflection‐surface approximation. We applied this methodology to a synthetic dataset from simple‐layered to complex‐structured media. The numerical results showed that the inverted parameters of the finite offset common‐reflection‐surface and the separation function yield good results for separating PP‐ and PS‐converted waves in noisy common‐offset and common shot gathers.
Deep neural network application for 4D seismic inversion to changes in pressure and saturation: Optimizing the use of synthetic training datasets
Authors: Côrte Gustavo , Dramsch Jesper , Amini Hamed , MacBeth Colin
Published: May 2020

In this work, we tackle the challenge of quantitative estimation of reservoir dynamic property variations during a period of production, directly from four‐dimensional seismic data in the amplitude domain. We employ a deep neural network to invert four‐dimensional seismic amplitude maps to the simultaneous changes in pressure, water and gas saturations. The method is applied to a real field data case, where, as is common in such applications, the data measured at the wells are insufficient for properly training deep neural networks, thus, the network is trained on synthetic data. Training on synthetic data offers much freedom in designing a training dataset, therefore, it is important to understand the impact of the data distribution on the inversion results. To define the best way to construct a synthetic training dataset, we perform a study on four different approaches to populating the training set making remarks on data sizes, network generality and the impact of physics‐based constraints. Using the results of a reservoir simulation model to populate our training datasets, we demonstrate the benefits of restricting training samples to fluid flow consistent combinations in the dynamic reservoir property domain. With this the network learns the physical correlations present in the training set, incorporating this information into the inference process, which allows it to make inferences on properties to which the seismic data are most uncertain. Additionally, we demonstrate the importance of applying regularization techniques such as adding noise to the synthetic data for training and show a possibility of estimating uncertainties in the inversion results by training multiple networks.
Why we need more Coronavirus Tests than we Think we need
Authors: Cochran James J.
Published: May 2020

James J. Cochran on the importance of testing a random sample
That's not a Two-Sided Test! It's Two One-Sided Tests!
Authors: Rubin Mark
Published: May 2020

When carrying out and reporting tests of significance, researchers might claim to have conducted a two-sided test when in fact they have conducted one-sided tests. Mark Rubin explains the confusion and how to avoid it
Amrubicin in previously treated patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma: A phase II study
Authors: Ikeda Takaya , Takemoto Shinnosuke , Senju Hiroaki , Gyotoku Hiroshi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Shimada Midori , Dotsu Yosuke , Umeyama Yasuhiro , Tomono Hiromi , Kitazaki Takeshi , Fukuda Masaaki , Soda Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Fukuda Minoru , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: May 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of amrubicin for previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Methods

The eligibility criteria were: previously treated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma; performance status 0–1; age ≤ 75; adequate hematological, hepatic, and renal function. The patients were injected with 35 mg/m2 amrubicin on days one, two, and three every 3–4 weeks. The planned number of patients was 32.

Results

The study was terminated due to delay in enrollment and 10 patients were subsequently enrolled (nine males and one female; median age 67 [range 49–73]), of which four had epithelioid tumors, three had sarcomatoid tumors and three had biphasic tumors, respectively. According to the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG), one, four, and four patients had stage II, III, and IV, respectively, and one had postoperative recurrence. There was one (10%) partial response, four (40%) had stable disease, and five (50%) patients exhibited disease progression. The overall response and disease control rates were 10% (95% CI: 0.3–44.5%) and 60% (95% CI: 26.2–87.8%), respectively. The median progression‐free survival time was 1.6 months. The median overall survival time was 6.6 months, and the one‐, two‐, and three‐year survival rates were 23%, 23%, and 0%, respectively. The observed grade 3 or 4 toxicities included neutropenia in six (60%) patients; leukopenia in five (50%) patients; and febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and pneumonia in one (10%) patient each.

Conclusions

There was not enough data to evaluate the efficacy because the study was terminated early. However, amrubicin showed limited activity and

acceptable toxicities when used in previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.
Does Alcohol Initiation in Early‐To‐Middle Adolescence Predict Changes in Reward Motivation? Evidence of Sex Differences
Authors: Mauro Kelsey L. , Goncalves Stefanie F. , Sinha Rajita , Ansell Emily , Chaplin Tara M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Reward motivation has been cross‐sectionally correlated with adolescent alcohol use, but the temporal nature of this relationship remains unclear. This project sought to determine whether adolescent alcohol initiation longitudinally predicted changes in reward motivation and behavioral inhibition from early to middle adolescence, and explored the role of adolescent sex in this prediction.

Methods

A total of 180 11‐ to 14‐year‐olds were recruited and then followed for 3 years to age 14 to 17. Participants self‐reported their alcohol use at all time points. We selected participants who were alcohol‐naïve at Baseline (early adolescence) and then grouped them based on whether or not they reported alcohol initiation by Year 3 (Y3: middle adolescence). Adolescents completed self‐report and experimental (delay discounting) measures of reward motivation and self‐report measures of behavioral inhibition at Baseline and Y3.

Results

Adolescents’ alcohol initiation significantly predicted higher Y3 self‐reported reward motivation on one measure. Additionally, a significant sex × alcohol initiation interaction was found predicting Y3 task‐based reward motivation (delay discounting), with boys’ alcohol initiation predicting increased bias toward immediate reward at Y3. There was also a sex × alcohol initiation interaction predicting behavioral inhibition, with girls’ alcohol initiation predicting higher behavioral inhibition at Y3.

Conclusions

Results suggest that alcohol initiation among adolescents might precede changes in reward motivation, and the effects of alcohol on reward and behavioral inhibition may differ by adolescent sex.
Rural and remote dental care: Patient characteristics and health care provision
Authors: Gardiner Fergus W. , Richardson Alice , Gale Lauren , Bishop Lara , Harwood Abby , Lucas Robyn M. , Strickland Lorika , Taylor Sandra , Laverty Martin
Published: May 2020

Objective

To describe the characteristics of patients who used the Royal Flying Doctor Service dental clinics and determine Royal Flying Doctor Service and non‐Royal Flying Doctor Service dental service provision in mainland Australia.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

All Royal Flying Doctor Service dental clinics located throughout rural and remote Australia.

Participants

All patients who accessed an Royal Flying Doctor Service dental clinic from April 2017 to September 2018.

Interventions

Royal Flying Doctor Service mobile dental clinics.

Main outcome measures

Patient demographics and dental procedures conducted (by age, sex and Indigenous status); and the dental service provision and coverage (Royal Flying Doctor Service and non‐Royal Flying Doctor Service) within mainland rural and remote Australia.

Results

There were 8992 patient episodes comprising 3407 individual patients with 27 897 services completed. There were 920 (27%) Indigenous and 1465 (43%) non‐Indigenous patients (n = 1022 missing ethnicity data). The mean (SD) age was 31.5 (24.8) years; the age groups 5‐9 years and 10‐14 years received 17.6% and 15.1% of the services, respectively. There were 1124 (33%) men and 1295 (38%) women (n = 988 with missing sex data). Women were more likely (all P < .05) to receive preventive services, diagnostic services, restorative services, general services, endodontics and periodontics. Men were more likely (both P < .05) to receive oral surgery and prosthodontics. There are many rural and remote people required to travel more than 60 minutes by vehicle to access dental care.

Conclusion

Without increasing dental provision and preventive services in rural areas, it seems likely that there are and will be unnecessary oral emergencies and hospitalisations.
Understanding virtual urology clinics: a systematic review
Authors: Edison Marie Alexandra , Connor Martin John , Miah Saiful , El‐Husseiny Tamer , Winkler Mathias , Dasgupta Ranan , Ahmed Hashim Uddin , Hrouda David
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To perform a systematic review to identify the clinical, fiscal and environmental evidence on the use of urological telehealth and/or virtual clinic (VC) strategies, and to highlight research gaps in this rapidly evolving field.

Methods

Our PROSPERO‐registered (CRD42019151946) systematic search of Embase, Medline and the Cochrane Review Database was performed to identify original research articles pertaining to adult urology telehealth or VC strategies. Risk‐of‐bias (RoB) assessment was performed according to the Cochrane 2.0 RoB tool or the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for non‐randomized studies.

Results

A total of 5813 participants were included from 18 original articles (two randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 10 prospective studies, six retrospective studies). Urology sub‐specialities comprised: uro‐oncology (n= 6); general urology (n= 8); endo‐urology (n= 2); and lower urinary tract symptoms and/or incontinence (n= 2). Across all sub‐specialties, prospective studies using VCs reported a primary median (interquartile range [IQR]) VC discharge rate of 16.6 (14.7–29.8)% and a primary median (IQR) face‐to‐face (FTF) clinic referral rate of 32.4 (15.5–53.3)%. Direct cost analysis demonstrated median (IQR) annual cost savings of £56 232 (£46 260–£61 116). Grade II and IIIb complications were reported in two acute ureteric colic studies, with rates of 0.20% (3/1534) and 0.13% (2/1534), respectively. The annual carbon footprint avoided ranged from 0.7 to 4.35 metric tonnes of CO2emissions, depending on the mode of transport used. Patient satisfaction was inconsistently reported, and assessments lacked prospective evaluation using validated questionnaires.

Conclusion

Urology VCs are a promising new platform which can offer clinical, financial and environmental benefits to support an increasing urological referral burden. Further prospective evidence is required across urological sub‐specialties to confirm equivalency and safety against traditional FTF assessment.
Anthropogenic threats to evolutionary heritage of angiosperms in the Netherlands through an increase in high‐competition environments
Authors: Bartish Igor V. , Ozinga Wim A. , Bartish Mark I. , Wamelink G.W. Wieger , Hennekens Stephan M. , Yguel Benjamin , Prinzing Andreas
Published: May 2020

Present biodiversity comprises the evolutionary heritage of Earth's epochs. Lineages from particular epochs are often found in particular habitats, but whether current habitat decline threatens the heritage from particular epochs is unknown. We hypothesized that within a given region, humans threaten specifically habitats that harbor lineages from a particular geological epoch. We expect so because humans threaten environments that dominated and lineages that diversified during these epochs. We devised a new approach to quantify, per habitat type, diversification of lineages from different epochs. For Netherlands, one of the floristically and ecologically best‐studied regions, we quantified the decline of habitat types and species in the past century. We defined habitat types based on vegetation classification and used existing ranking of decline of vegetation classes and species. Currently, most declining habitat types and the group of red‐listed species are characterized by increased diversification of lineages dating back to Paleogene, specifically to Paleocene‐Eocene and Oligocene. Among vulnerable habitat types with large representation of lineages from these epochs were sublittoral and eulittoral zones of temperate seas and 2 types of nutrient‐poor, open habitats. These losses of evolutionary heritage would go unnoticed with classical measures of evolutionary diversity. Loss of heritage from Paleocene‐Eocene became unrelated to decline once low competition, shade tolerance, and low proportion of non‐Apiaceae were accounted for, suggesting that these variables explain the loss of heritage from Paleocene‐Eocene. Losses of heritage from Oligocene were partly explained by decline of habitat types occupied by weak competitors and shade‐tolerant species. Our results suggest a so‐far unappreciated human threat to evolutionary heritage: habitat decline threatens descendants from particular epochs. If the trends persist into the future uncontrolled, there may be no habitats within the region for many descendants of evolutionary ancient epochs, such as Paleogene.
Improving scientific rigour in conservation evaluations and a plea deal for transparency on potential biases
Authors: Josefsson Jonas , Hiron Matthew , Arlt Debora , Auffret Alistair G. , Berg Åke , Chevalier Mathieu , Glimskär Anders , Hartman Göran , Kačergytė Ineta , Klein Julian , Knape Jonas , Laugen Ane T. , Low Matthew , Paquet Matthieu , Pasanen‐Mortensen Marianne , Rosin Zuzanna M. , Rubene Diana , Żmihorski Michał , Pärt Tomas
Published: May 2020

The delivery of rigorous and unbiased evidence on the effects of interventions lay at the heart of the scientific method. Here we examine scientific papers evaluating agri‐environment schemes, the principal instrument to mitigate farmland biodiversity declines worldwide. Despite previous warnings about rudimentary study designs in this field, we found that the majority of studies published between 2008 and 2017 still lack robust study designs to strictly evaluate intervention effects. Potential sources of bias that arise from the correlative nature are rarely mentioned, and results are still promoted by using a causal language. This lack of robust study designs likely results from poor integration of research and policy, while the erroneous use of causal language and an unwillingness to discuss bias may stem from publication pressures. We conclude that scientific reporting and discussion of study limitations in intervention research must improve and propose some practices toward this goal.