bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semantically defined subdomains of functional neuroimaging literature and their corresponding brain regions
Authors: Alhazmi Fahd H. , Beaton Derek , Abdi Hervé
Published: March 2018

The functional neuroimaging literature has become increasingly complex and thus difficult to navigate. This complexity arises from the rate at which new studies are published and from the terminology that varies widely from study‐to‐study and even more so from discipline‐to‐discipline. One way to investigate and manage this problem is to build a “semantic space” that maps the different vocabulary used in functional neuroimaging literature. Such a semantic space will also help identify the primary research domains of neuroimaging and their most commonly reported brain regions. In this work, we analyzed the multivariate semantic structure of abstracts in Neurosynth and found that there are six primary domains of the functional neuroimaging literature, each with their own preferred reported brain regions. Our analyses also highlight possible semantic sources of reported brain regions within and across domains because some research topics (e.g., memory disorders, substance use disorder) use heterogeneous terminology. Furthermore, we highlight the growth and decline of the primary domains over time. Finally, we note that our techniques and results form the basis of a “recommendation engine” that could help readers better navigate the neuroimaging literature.
Connectivity of the ventral visual cortex is necessary for object recognition in patients
Authors: Li Ye , Fang Yuxing , Wang Xiaoying , Song Luping , Huang Ruiwang , Han Zaizhu , Gong Gaolang , Bi Yanchao
Published: March 2018

The functional profiles of regions in the ventral occipital‐temporal cortex (VTC), a critical region for object visual recognition, are associated with the VTC connectivity patterns to nonvisual regions relevant to the corresponding object domain. However, whether and how whole‐brain connections affect recognition behavior remains untested. We directly examined the necessity of VTC connectivity in object recognition behavior by testing 82 patients whose lesion spared relevant VTC regions but affected various white matter (WM) tracts and other regions. In these patients, we extracted the whole‐brain anatomical connections of two VTC domain‐selective (large manmade objects and animals) clusters with probabilistic tractography, and examined whether such connectivity pattern can predict recognition performance of the corresponding domains with support vector regression (SVR) analysis. We found that the whole‐brain anatomical connectivity of large manmade object‐specific cluster successfully predicted patients’ large object recognition performance but not animal recognition or control tasks, even after we excluded connections with early visual regions. The contributing connections to large object recognition included tracts between VTC‐large object cluster and distributed regions both within and beyond the visual cortex (e.g., putamen, superior, and middle temporal gyrus). These results provide causal evidence that the VTC whole‐brain anatomical connectivity is necessary for at least certain domains of object recognition behavior.
Cortical depth profiles of luminance contrast responses in human V1 and V2 using 7 T fMRI
Authors: Marquardt Ingo , Schneider Marian , Gulban Omer Faruk , Ivanov Dimo , Uludağ Kâmil
Published: March 2018

Neural activity in early visual cortex is modulated by luminance contrast. Cortical depth (i.e., laminar) contrast responses have been studied in monkey early visual cortex, but not in humans. In addition to the high spatial resolution needed and the ensuing low signal‐to‐noise ratio, laminar studies in humans using fMRI are hampered by the strong venous vascular weighting of the fMRI signal. In this study, we measured luminance contrast responses in human V1 and V2 with high‐resolution fMRI at 7 T. To account for the effect of intracortical ascending veins, we applied a novel spatial deconvolution model to the fMRI depth profiles. Before spatial deconvolution, the contrast response in V1 showed a slight local maximum at mid cortical depth, whereas V2 exhibited a monotonic signal increase toward the cortical surface. After applying the deconvolution, both V1 and V2 showed a pronounced local maximum at mid cortical depth, with an additional peak in deep grey matter, especially in V1. Moreover, we found a difference in contrast sensitivity between V1 and V2, but no evidence for variations in contrast sensitivity as a function of cortical depth. These findings are in agreement with results obtained in nonhuman primates, but further research will be needed to validate the spatial deconvolution approach.
Separate neural representations of prediction error valence and surprise: Evidence from an fMRI meta‐analysis
Authors: Fouragnan Elsa , Retzler Chris , Philiastides Marios G.
Published: March 2018

Learning occurs when an outcome differs from expectations, generating a reward prediction error signal (RPE). The RPE signal has been hypothesized to simultaneously embody the valence of an outcome (better or worse than expected) and its surprise (how far from expectations). Nonetheless, growing evidence suggests that separate representations of the two RPE components exist in the human brain. Meta‐analyses provide an opportunity to test this hypothesis and directly probe the extent to which the valence and surprise of the error signal are encoded in separate or overlapping networks. We carried out several meta‐analyses on a large set of fMRI studies investigating the neural basis of RPE, locked at decision outcome. We identified two valence learning systems by pooling studies searching for differential neural activity in response to categorical positive‐versus‐negative outcomes. The first valence network (negative > positive) involved areas regulating alertness and switching behaviours such as the midcingulate cortex, the thalamus and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex whereas the second valence network (positive > negative) encompassed regions of the human reward circuitry such as the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. We also found evidence of a largely distinct surprise‐encoding network including the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula and dorsal striatum. Together with recent animal and electrophysiological evidence this meta‐analysis points to a sequential and distributed encoding of different components of the RPE signal, with potentially distinct functional roles.
Degrees of functional connectome abnormality in disorders of consciousness
Authors: Sinitsyn Dmitry O. , Legostaeva Liudmila A. , Kremneva Elena I. , Morozova Sofya N. , Poydasheva Alexandra G. , Mochalova Elizaveta G. , Chervyakova Oksana G. , Ryabinkina Julia V. , Suponeva Natalia A. , Piradov Michael A.
Published: March 2018

Understanding the neuronal basis of disorders of consciousness can help improve the accuracy of their diagnosis, indicate potential targets for therapeutic interventions, and provide insights into the organization of normal conscious information processing. Measurements of brain activity have been used to find associations of the levels of consciousness with brain complexity, topological features of functional connectomes, and disruption of resting‐state networks. However, obtainment of a detailed picture of activity patterns underlying the vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state remains a work in progress. We here aimed at finding the aspects of fMRI‐based functional connectivity that differentiate these states from each other and from the normal condition. A group of 22 patients was studied (9 minimally conscious state and 13 vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome). Patients were shown to have reduced connectivity in most resting‐state networks and disrupted patterns of relative connection strengths as compared to healthy subjects. Differences between the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state were found in the patterns formed by a relatively small number of strongest positive correlations selected by thresholding. These differences were captured by measures of functional connectivity disruption that integrate area‐specific abnormalities over the whole brain. The results suggest that the strong positive correlations between the functional activities of specific brain areas observed in healthy individuals may be critical for consciousness and be an important target of disruption in disorders of consciousness.
Cortical microstructure in young onset Alzheimer's disease using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging
Authors: Parker Thomas D. , Slattery Catherine F. , Zhang Jiaying , Nicholas Jennifer M. , Paterson Ross W. , Foulkes Alexander J.M. , Malone Ian B. , Thomas David L. , Modat Marc , Cash David M. , Crutch Sebastian J. , Alexander Daniel C. , Ourselin Sebastien , Fox Nick C. , Zhang Hui , Schott Jonathan M.
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with extensive alterations in grey matter microstructure, but our ability to quantify this in vivo is limited. Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) is a multi‐shell diffusion MRI technique that estimates neuritic microstructure in the form of orientation dispersion and neurite density indices (ODI/NDI). Mean values for cortical thickness, ODI, and NDI were extracted from predefined regions of interest in the cortical grey matter of 38 patients with young onset AD and 22 healthy controls. Five cortical regions associated with early atrophy in AD (entorhinal cortex, inferior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and precuneus) and one region relatively spared from atrophy in AD (precentral gyrus) were investigated. ODI, NDI, and cortical thickness values were compared between controls and patients for each region, and their associations with MMSE score were assessed. NDI values of all regions were significantly lower in patients. Cortical thickness measurements were significantly lower in patients in regions associated with early atrophy in AD, but not in the precentral gyrus. Decreased ODI was evident in patients in the inferior and middle temporal gyri, fusiform gyrus, and precuneus. The majority of AD‐related decreases in cortical ODI and NDI persisted following adjustment for cortical thickness, as well as each other. There was evidence in the patient group that cortical NDI was associated with MMSE performance. These data suggest distinct differences in cortical NDI and ODI occur in AD and these metrics provide pathologically relevant information beyond that of cortical thinning.
Enhancement of teaching outcome through neural prediction of the students' knowledge state
Authors: Zheng Lifen , Chen Chuansheng , Liu Wenda , Long Yuhang , Zhao Hui , Bai Xialu , Zhang Zhanjun , Han Zaizhu , Liu Li , Guo Taomei , Chen Baoguo , Ding Guosheng , Lu Chunming
Published: March 2018

The neural mechanism for the dyadic process of teaching is poorly understood. Although theories about teaching have proposed that before any teaching takes place, the teacher will predict the knowledge state of the student(s) to enhance the teaching outcome, this theoretical Prediction‐Transmission hypothesis has not been tested with any neuroimaging studies. Using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy‐based hyperscanning, this study measured brain activities of the teacher–student pairs simultaneously. Results showed that better teaching outcome was associated with higher time‐lagged interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) between right temporal‐parietal junction (TPJ) of the teacher and anterior superior temporal cortex (aSTC) of the student, when the teacher's brain activity preceded that of the student. Moreover, time course analyses suggested that such INS could mark the quality of the teaching outcome at an early stage of the teaching process. These results provided key neural evidence for the Prediction‐Transmission hypothesis about teaching, and suggested that the INS plays an important role in the successful teaching.
Quality of head and neck radiotherapy reporting in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tseng Michelle , Tan Teng Hwee , Zheng Huili , Soon Yu Yang , Tey Jeremy
Published: March 2018

Background

The purpose of this clinical review was to determine the quality reporting of radiotherapy (RT) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of head and neck cancer and its impact on reporting of the trial primary efficacy and toxicity outcomes.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE for eligible RCTs published between 1994 and 2015. We assessed the quality of RT reporting and bias in the reporting of trial outcomes using published criteria.

Results

We found 67 eligible trial reports. There was significant variability in the quality of RT treatment reporting among the included trials. Thirty‐two trials had adequate quality RT reporting. Cooperative group trials were more likely to have adequate quality reporting (odds ratio [OR] 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04‐9.85). The quality of RT reporting did not influence the bias in the reporting of trial outcomes.

Conclusion

The quality of head and neck RT reporting in RCTs is variable and did not impact on bias in reporting of trial outcomes.
Differential expression and prognostic value of long non‐coding RNA in HPV‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Haque Sulsal‐Ul , Niu Liang , Kuhnell Damaris , Hendershot Jacob , Biesiada Jacek , Niu Wen , Hagan Matthew C. , Kelsey Karl T. , Casper Keith A. , Wise‐Draper Trisha M. , Medvedovic Mario , Langevin Scott M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a new avenue of interest due to its various biological functions in cancer. Abnormal expression of lncRNA has been reported in other malignancies but has been understudied in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

The lncRNA expression was interrogated via quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) array for 19 human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative HNSCC tumor‐normal pairs. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to validate these results. The association between differentially expressed lncRNA and survival outcomes was analyzed.

Results

Differential expression was validated for 5 lncRNA (SPRY4‐IT1,HEIH,LUCAT1,LINC00152, andHAND2‐AS1). There was also an inverse association betweenMEG3expression (not significantly differentially expressed in TCGA tumors but highly variable expression) and 3‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS).

Conclusion

We identified and validated differential expression of 5 lncRNA in HPV‐negative HNSCC. LowMEG3expression was associated with favorable 3‐year RFS, although the significance of this finding remains unclear.
Unique application of awake tracheoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound in the management of tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Rehman Saad , Lovvorn Harold N. , Rickman Otis B. , Wootten Christopher T. , Chinnadurai Sivakumar
Published: March 2018

Background

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the trachea is a rare pediatric malignancy that presents unique challenges in diagnosis, operative management, and surveillance.

Methods and Results

We present a 17‐year‐old girl with primary tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma presenting in acute respiratory distress due to near‐total occlusion of the tracheal airway. An algorithmic approach to preoperative planning was developed to evaluate and remove the tumor endoscopically without compromising oxygenation. After initial palliative resection, endobronchial ultrasound was uniquely applied to evaluate depth of tumor invasion, and subsequent tracheal resection with primary anastomosis was performed as curative treatment.

Conclusion

Removal of distal tracheal masses can be performed safely with the implementation of an algorithmic approach to tumor visualization and resection. Endobronchial ultrasound can be used to evaluate the extent of tumor invasion and plan for definitive resection.
Shifting patterns of polyribosome accumulation at synapses over the course of hippocampal long‐term potentiation
Authors: Ostroff Linnaea E. , Watson Deborah J. , Cao Guan , Parker Patrick H. , Smith Heather , Harris Kristen M.
Published: March 2018

Hippocampal long‐term potentiation (LTP) is a cellular memory mechanism. For LTP to endure, new protein synthesis is required immediately after induction and some of these proteins must be delivered to specific, presumably potentiated, synapses. Local synthesis in dendrites could rapidly provide new proteins to synapses, but the spatial distribution of translation following induction of LTP is not known. Here, we quantified polyribosomes, the sites of local protein synthesis, in CA1 stratum radiatum dendrites and spines from postnatal day 15 rats. Hippocampal slices were rapidly fixed at 5, 30, or 120 min after LTP induction by theta‐burst stimulation (TBS). Dendrites were reconstructed through serial section electron microscopy from comparable regions near the TBS or control electrodes in the same slice, and in unstimulated hippocampus that was perfusion‐fixed in vivo. At 5 min after induction of LTP, polyribosomes were elevated in dendritic shafts and spines, especially near spine bases and in spine heads. At 30 min, polyribosomes remained elevated only in spine bases. At 120 min, both spine bases and spine necks had elevated polyribosomes. Polyribosomes accumulated in spines with larger synapses at 5 and 30 min, but not at 120 min. Small spines, meanwhile, proliferated dramatically by 120 min, but these largely lacked polyribosomes. The number of ribosomes per polyribosome is variable and may reflect differences in translation regulation. In dendritic spines, but not shafts, there were fewer ribosomes per polyribosome in the slice conditions relative to in vivo, but this recovered transiently in the 5 min LTP condition. Overall, our data show that LTP induces a rapid, transient upregulation of large polyribosomes in larger spines, and a persistent upregulation of small polyribosomes in the bases and necks of small spines. This is consistent with local translation supporting enlargement of potentiated synapses within minutes of LTP induction.
Using Calcium Carbide as an Acetylene Source for Cascade Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,3‐b]quinoxalines via Copper‐Free Sonogashira Coupling Reaction
Authors: Fakharian Mahsa , Keivanloo Ali , Nabid Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2018

A palladium‐catalyzed cascade protocol has been established for the synthesis of 4‐methyl‐1‐(1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]‐quinoxalin‐2‐yl)cyclohexanols and 2‐phenyl‐1‐(1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]quinoxalin‐2‐yl)propan‐1‐ols through the reaction of N‐alkyl(aryl)‐3‐chloroquinoxalin‐2‐amines with calcium carbide and cyclohexanones or 2‐phenylpropanal. This one‐pot process, carried out without any copper salt in the key step of the Sonogashira coupling reaction, provides an efficient method for the synthesis of 2,3‐disubstituted pyrrolo[2,3‐b]quinoxalines in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 in DMSO/H2O with high yields. The benefit of this strategy is the use of a commercially available, inexpensive, and less hazardous primary chemical feedstock, calcium carbide, as an acetylene source in a wet solvent.
Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Novel s‐Tetrazine‐Based Gelator
Authors: Khattab Tawfik A.
Published: March 2018

The design, synthesis and self‐assembly of new symmetrical 3,6‐bis(4‐(3,4,5‐tris(dodecyloxy)benzoate)phenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine were described. The novel gelator, sym‐tetrazine, was prepared by addition reaction of 4‐cyanophenol with hydrazine monohydrate followed by oxidation reaction to afford the corresponding 3,6‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine which was then subjected to esterification reaction with 3,4,5‐tris(dodecyloxy)benzoic acid. The chemical structure of the sym‐tetrazine gelator was confirmed by elemental analysis, fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐ and 13C‐NMR) spectral measurements. It was confirmed to exhibit relatively strong gelation ability to produce supramolecular assemblies in several polar alcoholic organic solvents, such as butanol, octanol, and 1,6‐dihydroxyhexane. The π‐π stacking and van der Waals mediated self‐assembly of tetrazine‐based organogelator were studied by scanning electron microscopy images of the xerogel to reveal that the obtained organogel consists of fibrillar aggregates. Investigation of FT‐IR and concentration‐dependent 1H‐NMR spectra confirm that the intermolecular van der Waals interactions and π‐π stacking were the key driving forces for self‐assembly during gelation process of s‐tetrazine molecules.
On the Structure of [K(crypt‐222)]+
Authors: Harlow Richard L. , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Miloserdov Fedor M. , Konovalov Andrey I. , Marshall William J. , Escudero‐Adán Eduardo C. , Martin Eddy , Lishchynskyi Anton , Grushin Vladimir V.
Published: March 2018

Due to disorder, [K(crypt‐222)]+ (1) is crystallographically indistinguishable from its isomer, a 1:1 fluoroform clathrate of deprotonated [K(crypt‐222)]+, [K(crypt‐222{‐H+})]·CHF3 (2). In our preceding publications, 1 was characterized on the basis of combined X‐ray diffraction, NMR, reactivity, labeling, acid‐base, and DFT studies. Herein we report that neither incorporation of deuterium nor any other transformation of [K(crypt‐222)]+ is observed in the presence of CD3OD/CD3OK at 70 °C or CD3S(O)CD2K/(D6)DMSO at 23 °C over hours and even days. Since fluoroform is easily and quickly deprotonated under such conditions, the demonstrated greater acidity of CHF3 relative to [K(crypt‐222)]+ provides additional evidence in favor of 1 and against 2. Likewise, crystal packing analysis and DFT calculations support 1, which has now been refined in the ultimately correct space group R32. Our previously drawn conclusions regarding [K(crypt‐222)]+ and the existence of a ‘naked’ trifluoromethyl anion in a condensed phase remain valid. The recent alternative refinement (Becker and Müller, Chem. Eur. J. 2017, 23, 7081 – 7086) of our raw diffraction data has been improperly performed in the wrong space group to yield a non‐charge‐balanced model [K(crypt‐222)]+·CHF3, which is hereby repudiated. Becker and Müller's attempts to resolve the charge balance issue have produced models that are inadequate from the perspective of both crystallography and chemistry.
Pyrrole‐Modified Subporphyrins Bearing a Sulfur‐Containing Heterocyclic Unit
Authors: Yoshida Kota , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: March 2018

As new pyrrole‐modified subporphyrins (PMSubPs) bearing a sulfur‐containing heterocyclic unit, dithiazolosubporphyrin 5, dithiazinosubchlorin 6, and oxodithiazinosubchlorin 7 were synthesized from α‐fluorosubchlorophin 2 via α’‐selective nitration with Cu(NO3)2 followed by double SN2 reaction with methyl 3‐mercaptopropionate as a key step. Oxidation of 5 with H2O2 in the presence of a tungsten catalyst afforded S,S‐dioxodithiazolosubporphyrin 8 and nitration of 5 with Cu(NO3)2·3H2O gave β‐nitrodithiazolosubporphyrin 9 or β,β‐dinitrodithiazolosubporphyrins 10a and 10b depending on reaction conditions. In the solid‐states, the dithiazole units in 8 and 9 are almost planar but the dithiazine unit in 6 and the 2‐oxodithiazine unit in 7 are non‐planar. Compared to subchlorophin 1, dithiazolosubporphyrin 5 possesses a significantly reduced diatropic ring current and a greatly perturbed absorption spectrum showing largely split Q‐like bands at 501 and 660 nm. These perturbed electronic and optical properties of 5 are considerably attenuated in 6 and 7 and completely vanished in 8, suggesting the importance of disulfide bond for the large perturbation.
Decomposing inequality in financial protection situation in Iran after implementing the health reform plan: What does the evidence show based on national survey of households' budget?
Authors: Moradi Tayebeh , Naghdi Seyran , Brown Heather , Ghiasvand Hesam , Mobinizadeh Mohammadreza
Published: March 2018

Background

Lack of well‐designed healthcare financing mechanisms and high level of out‐of‐pocket payments in Iran over the last decades led to implementing Health Transformation Plan, in 2014. This study aims to decompose inequality in financial protection of Iranian households after the implementation of the Health Transformation Plan.

Methods

The data of Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) Survey on Rural and Urban Households Income‐Expenditure in 2015 to 2016 were used. The headcount ratio of catastrophic health expenditures was calculated. The corrected concentration index was estimated. The role of contributors on inequality in the exposure to catastrophic health expenditures among poor and nonpoor households was calculated using Farelie's model.

Results

The headcount ratio of the exposure to catastrophic health expenditures in urban and rural households was 2.5% (2.43% ‐ 2.64%) and 3.6% (3.48% ‐ 3.76%), respectively. The difference in households' income levels was the main contributor in explaining the inequality in facing catastrophic health expenditures between poor and nonpoor households. [Correction added on 02 June 2018, after first online publication: The “Results” section of the Abstract of the published article has been correctly updated on this version.]

Conclusion

Even after implementing the HTP, the headcount ratios of catastrophic health expenditure are still considerable. The results show that income is the greatest determinant of inequality in facing catastrophic health expenditure and in urban households.
Negative and positive synergies: On employee development practices, motivational climate, and employee outcomes
Authors: Nerstad Christina G.L. , Dysvik Anders , Kuvaas Bård , Buch Robert
Published: March 2018

While previous studies have increased our knowledge of how employees’ perceptions of development practices influence employee outcomes, the role of potential contingencies in this relationship remains relatively unexplored. In the present study, we set out to contribute to this research by exploring whether congruence or lack of congruence between perceived employee development practices and the perceived motivational climate at work influence employee performance and turnover intention. A field study among 169 employees from a Norwegian financial organization revealed that lack of congruence may be detrimental in terms of work performance and turnover intention. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Effects of training and development on employee outcomes and firm innovative performance: Moderating roles of voluntary participation and evaluation
Authors: Sung Sun Young , Choi Jin Nam
Published: March 2018

This study investigates the effect of training and development (T&D) on firm innovation. Given the inconsistent findings on the performance implications of T&D and the lack of studies on the T&D–innovation relationship, we elaborate the multiple dimensions of T&D, intermediate employee outcomes, and boundary conditions to elucidate the pathways of T&D toward firm innovation. We specifically identify two distinct T&D dimensions, namely, firm investment and employees’ positive perceptions. The former and the latter, respectively, reflect top‐down and bottom‐up approaches. We suggest that these two dimensions indirectly affect firm innovative performance by enhancing employees’ competence and commitment. We further hypothesize that T&D‐related contingencies (i.e., employees’ voluntary participation and T&D evaluation) moderate the indirect effects of T&D on firm innovative performance. We examine the current framework by using multisource data collected at three time points over a 5‐year period from 325 Korean organizations. Our analysis confirms that the positive indirect effect of T&D on firm innovative performance through employees’ competence and commitment becomes stronger (a) when employees voluntarily participate in T&D and (b) when firms do not implement T&D evaluation. This study provides useful and valid theoretical explanations and practical insights into the design and implementation of T&D in firms.
Assessment of transmission loss in a Mediterranean karstic watershed (Wadi Natuf, West Bank)
Authors: Messerschmid Clemens , Lange Jens , Sauter Martin
Published: March 2018

Run‐off transmission loss into karstified consolidated aquifer bedrock below ephemeral streams (wadis) has rarely been described nor quantified. This study presents unique data of long‐term high‐resolution field measurements and field observations in a semiarid to subhumid Mediterranean carbonatic mountainshed. The catchment with a 103 km2 surface area is subdivided into 5 subcatchments. Coupled run‐off measurements were made in the different stream sections (reaches), and transmission loss calculated from differences in discharge. Rainfall and run‐off observations from 9 automated precipitation gauging stations and 5 pressure transducers for automatic water level recording are complemented by manual measurements during 34 run‐off events covering a total measurement period of 8 consecutive years. Run‐off generation is strongly event based depending on rainfall intensities and depths. Both, run‐off generation and transmission losses are related to spatial patterns of bedrock lithologies (and hydrostratigraphy). Transmission losses range between 62% and 80% of generated run‐off, with most of the smaller events showing 100% transmission loss. Therefore, although event run‐off coefficients in the mountains can reach up to 22%, only 0.11% of total annual precipitation leaves the catchment as run‐off. Most run‐off infiltrates directly into the regional karst aquifers (Upper Cretaceous carbonate series), with transmission loss intensities of up to 40 mm/h below the stream channels. The factors determining run‐off—such as geology, pedology, vegetation cover and land use, relief and morphology, the semiarid to subhumid Mediterranean climate with a strong elevation gradient, and the patchiness of individual storm events distributed over the winter seasons—as well as the lithology and epikarst features of the bedrock are all characteristic for larger areas in the Mediterranean region. Therefore, we expect that our findings can be generalized to a large extent.
Spatiotemporal variability of drought in the northern part of northeast China
Authors: Zhang Xuanwen , Liu Xiaohong , Wang Wenzhi , Zhang Tingjun , Zeng Xiaomin , Xu Guobao , Wu Guoju , Kang Huhu
Published: March 2018

The thermal and moisture balance of permafrost regions has been altered by global warming, profoundly influencing vegetation dynamics and forest carbon cycling. To understand the spatial and temporal characteristics and driving forces responsible for changes in moisture conditions in the permafrost region of the Greater and Lesser Hinggan Mountains, northeastern China, we assessed long‐term trends for temperature, precipitation, and the standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index. From 1951 to 2014, annual mean temperature had a significant increase trend and the annual precipitation was not with significant trend. Since 1951, the annual standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index has decreased significantly at the boundary between regions with seasonal soil freezing and permafrost, suggesting that conspicuous permafrost degradation and moisture loss has occurred. The study area can be divided into 4 parts with a different balance between thermal and moisture conditions: the northern Songnen Plains, the Hulun Buir Sand Land, the middle reaches of the Heilongjiang River, and the Mohe region. However, only the middle reaches of the Heilongjiang River showed an obvious long‐term drying trend. The 4 areas showed quasi‐periodic oscillation and sea surface temperature during the winter half‐year affected drought intensity in the northern of Songnen Plains. When El Niño strengthened, moisture conditions increased in the northern of Songnen Plains, whereas stronger La Niña events decreased water availability. The result of this study will be beneficial for regional water resource management and prepare for potential drought hazards in the northeastern China.
The effects of floods on the temperature of riparian groundwater
Authors: Watson Jeffery A. , Cardenas M. Bayani , Ferencz Stephen B. , Knappett Peter S.K. , Neilson Bethany T.
Published: March 2018

The transition area between rivers and their adjacent riparian aquifers, which may comprise the hyporheic zone, hosts important biochemical reactions, which control water quality. The rates of these reactions and metabolic processes are temperature dependent. Yet the thermal dynamics of riparian aquifers, especially during flooding and dynamic groundwater flow conditions, has seldom been studied. Thus, we investigated heat transport in riparian aquifers during 3 flood events of different magnitudes at 2 sites along the same river. River and riparian aquifer temperature and water‐level data along the Lower Colorado River in Central Texas, USA, were monitored across 2‐dimensional vertical sections perpendicular to the bank. At the downstream site, preflood temperature penetration distance into the bank suggested that advective heat transport from lateral hyporheic exchange of river water into the riparian aquifer was occurring during relatively steady low‐flow river conditions. Although a small (20‐cm stage increase) dam‐controlled flood pulse had no observable influence on groundwater temperature, larger floods (40‐cm and >3‐m stage increases) caused lateral movement of distinct heat plumes away from the river during flood stage, which then retreated back towards the river after flood recession. These plumes result from advective heat transport caused by flood waters being forced into the riparian aquifer. These flood‐induced temperature responses were controlled by the size of the flood, river water temperature during the flood, and local factors at the study sites, such as topography and local ambient water table configuration. For the intermediate and large floods, the thermal disturbance in the riparian aquifer lasted days after flood waters receded. Large floods therefore have impacts on the temperature regime of riparian aquifers lasting long beyond the flood's timescale. These persistent thermal disturbances may have a significant impact on biochemical reaction rates, nutrient cycling, and ecological niches in the river corridor.
Wetland hydroperiod classification in the western prairies using multitemporal synthetic aperture radar
Authors: Montgomery Joshua S. , Hopkinson Chris , Brisco Brian , Patterson Shane , Rood Stewart B.
Published: March 2018

Wetlands represent one of the world's most biodiverse and threatened ecosystem types and were diminished globally by about two‐thirds in the 20th century. There is continuing decline in wetland quantity and function due to infilling and other human activities. In addition, with climate change, warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation and evapotranspiration are reducing wetland surface and groundwater supplies, further altering wetland hydrology and vegetation. There is a need to automate inventory and monitoring of wetlands, and as a study system, we investigated the Shepard Slough wetlands complex, which includes numerous wetlands in urban, suburban, and agricultural zones in the prairie pothole region of southern Alberta, Canada. Here, wetlands are generally confined to depressions in the undulating terrain, challenging wetlands inventory and monitoring. This study applied threshold and frequency analysis routines for high‐resolution, single‐polarization (HH) RADARSAT‐2, synthetic aperture radar mapping. This enabled a growing season surface water extent hyroperiod‐based wetland classification, which can support water and wetland resource monitoring. This 3‐year study demonstrated synthetic aperture radar‐derived multitemporal open‐water masks provided an effective index of wetland permanence class, with overall accuracies of 89% to 95% compared with optical validation data, and RMSE between 0.2 and 0.7 m between model and field validation data. This allowed for characterizing the distribution and dynamics of 4 marsh wetlands hydroperiod classes, temporary, seasonal, semipermanent, and permanent, and mapping of the sequential vegetation bands that included emergent, obligate wetland, facultative wetland, and upland plant communities. Hydroperiod variation and surface water extent were found to be influenced by short‐term rainfall events in both wet and dry years. Seasonal hydroperiods in wetlands were particularly variable if there was a decrease in the temporary or semipermanent hydroperiod classes. In years with extreme rain events, the temporary wetlands especially increased relative to longer lasting wetlands (84% in 2015 with significant rainfall events, compared with 42% otherwise).
Spatio‐temporal analysis of glacial ice area distribution of Hunza River Basin, Karakoram region of Pakistan
Authors: Baig Siddique Ullah , Khan Humaira , Din Ahmad
Published: March 2018

There is a high degree of uncertainty about the state and fate of Pakistan's Karakoram glaciers due to data scarcity in high altitude regions. They are thought to be less vulnerable to climatic change because they behave differently as compared with eastern Himalayas. This study measures the decadal temporal changes in the glacial ice area of Karakoram's Hunza River Basin, one of the eight subbasins of Upper Indus Basin. An attempt has been made to investigate the relationship between glacial ice area changes and calculated values of precipitation, temperature and run‐off. A combination of satellite and field‐based approach is applied. Output includes maps of glacial ice hypsometries of eight glacial ice subregions of Hunza River Basin for 3 years (i.e., 1989, 2002, and 2010). The results show a decreasing trend in the glacial ice‐covered area signifying a reduction of 20.47% with the largest reduction being in the lower elevation bands. There is presently no conclusive answer as to why glacial ice in the Karakoram is acting differently from the near‐global indication of glacial ice changes. Climate data from high altitudes are needed to find answer for this anomalous behaviour.
Developing theory of mind abilities in Swedish pre‐schoolers
Authors: Sundqvist Annette , Holmer Emil , Koch Felix‐Sebastian , Heimann Mikael
Published: March 2018

This study explored the development of theory of mind (ToM) in 80 Swedish‐speaking 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds, a previously unstudied language and culture. The ToM scale was translated and tested in a Swedish context. The results show that the ToM abilities improve significantly with age. In addition, a gender difference was observed for the whole sample, girls outperformed boys, but follow‐up analyses revealed that the difference only remained significant for the 4‐year‐olds. No gender differences were observed at 3 and 5 years of age. When conducting a scalability analysis, the overall Wellman and Liu scale showed less than acceptable scalability. However, when removing the last task of the scale (Real–Apparent Emotion), the fit and scalability was good. The reason for this divergent result is discussed in terms of cultural differences, such as parental and pedagogical practices in Sweden, which might especially focus on developing children's socio‐emotional understanding.

Highlights

Is the theory of mind (ToM) scale a feasible method to assess preschool‐aged children in a Swedish context?

The scale shows significant development from 3 to 5 years of age. To achieve a good scalability, the final task of the scale was removed.

The scale measures ToM abilities developing in preschoolers. Cultural differences, such as parental and pedagogical practices, may alter the developmental trajectory of ToM abilities.
Genome‐wide profiling of normal gastric mucosa identifies Helicobacter pylori‐ and cancer‐associated DNA methylome changes
Authors: Woo Hae Dong , Fernandez‐Jimenez Nora , Ghantous Akram , Degli Esposti Davide , Cuenin Cyrille , Cahais Vincent , Choi Il Ju , Kim Young‐Il , Kim Jeongseon , Herceg Zdenko
Published: March 2018

The large geographic variations in the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) are likely due to differential environmental exposures, in particular to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. We aimed to investigate the impact of H. pylori on the epigenome in normal gastric mucosa and methylation changes associated with cancer risk independent of H. pylori. A discovery set of normal gastric mucosa from GC cases (n = 42) and controls (n = 42), nested in a large case–control study and stratified by H. pylori status, were subjected to genome‐wide methylation profiling. Single‐nucleotide polymorphism arrays from peripheral blood leukocytes were used to conduct methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTL) analysis. A validation set of gastric mucosa samples (n = 180) was used in the replication phase. We found 1,924 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and 438 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with H. pylori infection, most of which were hypermethylated. Significant methylation alterations identified in the initial set were successfully replicated. Furthermore, the H. pylori‐associated DMP/Rs showed marked stability (‘epigenetic memory’) after H. pylori clearance. Interestingly, we found 152 DMRs associated with cancer risk independent of the H. pylori status in normal gastric mucosa. The methylation score derived from three biomarkers was a strong predictor of GC. Finally, the mQTL analysis indicated that the H. pylori‐ and cancer‐specific methylation signatures were minimally affected by genetic variation. The comprehensively characterized methylome changes associated with H. pylori infection and GC risk in our study might serve as potential biomarkers for early cancer progression in tumour‐free gastric mucosa.
IL‐35, a hallmark of immune‐regulation in cancer progression, chronic infections and inflammatory diseases
Authors: Teymouri Manouchehr , Pirro Matteo , Fallarino Francesca , Gargaro Marco , Sahebkar Amirhosein
Published: March 2018

Cytokine members of the IL‐12 family have attracted enormous attention in the last few years, with IL‐35 being the one of the most attractive‐suppressive cytokine. IL‐35 is an important mediator of regulatory T cell function. Regulatory T cells play key roles in restoring immune homeostasis after facing challenges such as infection by specific pathogens. Moreover, a crucial role for regulatory T cell populations has been demonstrated in several physiological processes, including establishment of fetal–maternal tolerance, maintenance of self‐tolerance and prevention of autoimmune diseases. However, a deleterious involvement of immune regulatory T cells has been documented in specific inhibition of immune responses against tumor cells, promotion of chronic infections and establishment of chronic inflammatory disorders. In this review, we attempt to shed light on the concept of immune‐homoeostasis on the aforementioned issues, taking IL‐35 as the hallmark of regulatory responses. The dilemma between immune‐mediated cancer treatment and inflammation is discussed. Histopathological indications of chronic vs. acute infections are elaborated. Moreover, the evidence that IL‐35 requires additional immune‐regulatory cytokines, such as IL‐10 and TGF‐β, to induce effective and maximal anti‐inflammatory effects suggest that immune‐regulation requires multi‐factorial analysis of many immune playmakers rather than a specific immune target.
Iron status in relation to cancer risk and mortality: Findings from a population‐based prospective study
Authors: Quintana Pacheco Daniel A. , Sookthai Disorn , Graf Mirja E. , Schübel Ruth , Johnson Theron , Katzke Verena A. , Kaaks Rudolf , Kühn Tilman
Published: March 2018

While experimental evidence suggests potential carcinogenic effects of increased iron load, there is a lack of data on iron status and cancer risk from epidemiological studies. Here, we evaluated prediagnostic serum concentrations of ferritin, iron and transferrin as well as transferrin saturation (TSAT) in relation to cancer risk and mortality in a prospective study by multivariable Cox regression analyses. A case–cohort sample of the population‐based EPIC‐Heidelberg Study including a random subcohort (n = 2738) and incident cases of breast cancer (n = 627), prostate cancer (n = 554), lung cancer (n = 195), colorectal cancer (n = 256) and cancer death (n = 759) was used. Ferritin levels were inversely associated with breast cancer risk in the multivariable Cox regression model, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.67 [95% confidence interval: 0.49, 0.92] for women in the highest quartile compared to those in the lowest quartile. Neither ferritin nor the other markers of iron status were significantly associated with colorectal, prostate or lung cancer risk. An inverse association was observed between ferritin and total cancer mortality (HR: 0.70 [0.53, 0.92]). There were no significant overall associations between serum iron, transferrin or TSAT and cancer mortality. The present findings do not support the notion of increased iron load constituting a cancer risk factor in the general population. By contrast, our analyses revealed inverse associations between ferritin levels and breast cancer risk as well as cancer mortality.
Serologic markers of viral infection and risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: A pooled study of three prospective cohorts in China and Singapore
Authors: Bassig Bryan A. , Willhauck‐Fleckenstein Martina , Shu Xiao‐Ou , Koh Woon‐Puay , Gao Yu‐Tang , Purdue Mark P. , Xiang Yong‐Bing , Adams‐Haduch Jennifer , Wang Renwei , Brenner Nicole , Waterboer Tim , Michel Angelika , Ji Bu‐Tian , Hosgood H. Dean , Rabkin Charles S. , Yang Gong , Wong Jason Y.Y. , Zhang Jinming , Hu Wei , Seow Wei Jie , Chow Wong‐Ho , Pawlita Michael , Zheng Wei , Yuan Jian‐Min , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel
Published: March 2018

Incidence rates of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and distributions of certain viruses differ between East Asian and Western populations. There are limited data on associations between serologic markers of multiple viral infections in pre‐diagnostic blood and NHL risk in East Asians. We conducted a nested case‐control study of 214 NHL cases and 214 matched controls from three population‐based prospective cohorts in Shanghai and Singapore. Antibodies against antigens from herpesviruses, Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus and polyomaviruses were measured in plasma or serum using fluorescent bead‐based multiplex assays. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between antibody levels and NHL risk. An increased risk of NHL was observed for higher compared to lower EA‐D (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.10‐3.81; ptrend = 0.005) and ZEBRA (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.96‐4.89; ptrend = 0.008) Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV) antibodies, as well as for antibody seropositivity against the IE1A human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) antigen (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.04‐3.29). An increased NHL risk was also observed for higher compared to lower antibodies against the HBV‐HBc and HBe antigens. An increased risk of NHL in relation to EBV and HBV infection in East Asians is consistent with findings in several studies of Western populations, suggesting similar viral risk factors for NHL in these diverse populations with distinct patterns of NHL. The association between HHV‐6 antibodies and NHL has not previously been reported in a prospective study in this population and will require replication.