bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mentorship Program for Academic Obstetrician Gynecologists that Improved Publication and Overall Confidence for Success
Authors: Nasab Susan , Rushing John S. , Segars James H. , Evers Emily , Handa Victoria L. , Lawson Shari , Miller Colleen , Yenokyan Gayane , Bienstock Jessica , Satin Andrew J.
Published: September 2019

This article aims to evaluate the impact of a mentorship program to enhance the training of clinical and research scientists in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN). A departmental course was developed for junior faculty and fellows based on their areas of interest. The research was IRB-approved. The curriculum consisted of monthly interactive workshops for an interdisciplinary group of trainees in OBGYN. Themes included research, education, and leadership in academic OBGYN. There was a strong emphasis on participatory exercises. Examples of curriculum topics included manuscript publication and review, grant writing, working with an IRB, promotion, and time management. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed participants' confidence in skills related to the course topics. Generalized linear models were used to assess changes in post-course response, using each question as the dependent variable and an indicator for post-course as the predictor variable. The control group was composed of junior faculty and fellows before the course was initiated. Outcome measures included the number and impact factor of published manuscripts. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess outcome measures. Of the 118 attendees, 26 (22.0%) were junior faculty, 35 (29.66%) were clinical fellows, and 28 (23.7%) were research fellows, other research staff, or students. For each 3-year course series, an average of 20 participants completed the post-course surveys, of which 72% were clinical fellows, 22% were assistant professors, and 5% were instructors. The data revealed a statistically significant change in the participant's overall confidence in skills related to research, education, and leadership when comparing the cumulative results from the pre-to-post course surveys (p < 0.001). Specifically, participants noted improved confidence in their skills related to clinical and translation research (p < 0.001) and leadership and academic career advancement (p = 0.001). Additionally, junior faculty and clinical fellows who attended the course had a higher number of publications during the course period compared with controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively). This subspecialty-tailored, departmental training program was effective in increasing junior faculty and clinical fellows' confidence in skills related to career advancement and research and in the number of peer-reviewed publications.
Reduced rovibrational coupling Cartesian dynamics for semiclassical calculations: Application to the spectrum of the Zundel cation
Authors: Bertaina G. , Di Liberto G. , Ceotto M.
Published: September 2019

We study the vibrational spectrum of the protonated water dimer, by means of a divide-and-conquer semiclassical initial value representation of the quantum propagator, as a first step in the study of larger protonated water clusters. We use the potential energy surface from the work of Huang et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 044308 (2005)]. To tackle such an anharmonic and floppy molecule, we employ fully Cartesian dynamics and carefully reduce the coupling to global rotations in the definition of normal modes. We apply the time-averaging filter and obtain clean power spectra relative to suitable reference states that highlight the spectral peaks corresponding to the fundamental excitations of the system. Our trajectory-based approach allows for the physical interpretation of the very challenging proton transfer modes. We find that it is important, for such a floppy molecule, to selectively avoid initially exciting lower energy modes, in order to obtain cleaner spectra. The estimated vibrational energies display a mean absolute error (MAE) of ∼29 cm−1 with respect to available multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree calculations and MAE ∼ 14 cm−1 when compared to the optically active experimental excitations of the Ne-tagged Zundel cation. The reasonable scaling in the number of trajectories for Monte Carlo convergence is promising for applications to higher dimensional protonated cluster systems.
Robust magnetoresistance in TaAs2 under pressure up to about 37 GPa
Authors: Wang Hongyuan , Pei Cuiying , Su Hao , Yu Zhenhai , Li Mingtao , Xia Wei , Liu Xiaolei , Liang Qifeng , Zhao Jinggeng , Zhou Chunyin , Yu Na , Wang Xia , Zou Zhiqiang , Wang Lin , Qi Yanpeng , Guo Yanfeng
Published: September 2019

The extremely large magnetoresistance (XMR) in nonmagnetic semimetals has inspired growing interest owing to both intriguing physics and potential applications. We report the results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electrical transport measurements on TaAs2 under pressure up to ∼37 GPa, which revealed an anisotropic compression of the unit cell, formation of unusual As-As bonds above 9.5 GPa, and enhancement of metallicity. Interestingly, the MR of TaAs2 under pressure changed gently, which at 1.7 GPa is 96.6% and at 36.6 GPa is still 36.7%. The almost robust MR under pressure could be related to the nearly stable electronic structure unveiled by the ab initio calculations. The discovery would expand the potential use of XMR even under high pressure.
Analysis of the light shift in the hyper-Ramsey scheme of two-level atom interrogation in an optically dense medium
Authors: Barantsev K.A. , Litvinov A.N.
Published: September 2019

The properties of the Ramsey resonance and its sensitivity to the light shift of the atomic transition frequency are investigated in the case of the hyper-Ramsey interrogation in an optically dense medium of cold atoms. The shape of the interrogating pulses varies significantly due to the processes of absorption and dispersion in the atomic medium, which leads to a distortion of the Ramsey resonance and a periodic change in the central minimum to the maximum and vice versa. The dependence of the position of the central resonance on the light shift of the atomic transition is found with the attenuation of radiation in the medium taken into account. It is shown that in a certain section of the medium this dependence becomes N-shaped.
Tetrafluoroethylene as a fuel component for an atomic fluorine generator of a supersonic continuous-wave chemical HF laser
Authors: Fedorov I.A.
Published: September 2019

A cheap and widely accessible combination (one of non-saturated perfluorocarbons), i.e. C2F4 tetrafluoroethylene, is proposed as an alternative fuel component for an atomic fluorine generator of a supersonic cw chemical HF laser of self-contained type. Combustion products of the hypergolic F2 – C2F4 – He mixture do not contain active relaxants of vibrationally excited HF(v) molecules. According to estimates, the atomic fluorine yield under comparable conditions is about 70 % in relation to that of the atomic fluorine generator operating on the F2 – D2 – He mixture which is the ‘basic’ one for a HF laser. The specific power is reduced by 23 % with an improvement in a set of the fuel performance and a significant reduction in the cost of triggering the laser in the course of its bench tests.
Superluminescent diodes of the 770 – 790-nm range based on semiconductor nanostructures with narrow quantum wells
Authors: Anikeev A.S. , Bagaev T.A. , Il’chenko S.N. , Ladugin M.A. , Marmalyuk A.A. , Padalitsa A.A. , Pankratov K.M. , Shidlovskii V.R. , Yakubovich S.D.
Published: September 2019

Comparative experimental study of superluminescent diodes (SLDs) with active layers containing one, two, or three 5.0-nm-wide quantum wells symmetrically positioned in the waveguide layer is performed. It is shown that an increase in the number of quantum wells leads to narrowing of the superluminescence spectrum and weakens the dependence of its width on the pump level. Simultaneously, the degree of polarisation of the output radiation noticeably increases. For example, rather reliable high-power narrow-band SLDs with a spectral halfwidth smaller than 8 nm and polarisation ratio TE/TM exceeding 20 dB are developed.
Long-term impact of severe wildfire and post-wildfire salvage logging on macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in Alberta's Rocky Mountains
Authors: Martens Amanda M. , Silins Uldis , Proctor Heather C. , Williams Chris H. S. , Wagner Michael J. , Emelko Monica B. , Stone Micheal
Published: September 2019

Wildfire is an important natural disturbance on forested landscapes influencing both physical and biological processes. The Lost Creek wildfire was one of the most severe on Alberta’s eastern slopes and provided a unique opportunity to assess the long-term impacts of wildfire and post-wildfire salvage logging on northern Rocky Mountain catchments. Macroinvertebrate sampling conducted 8 years after the wildfire indicated distinct macroinvertebrate assemblages in reference, burned, and burned and salvage-logged catchments. Reference catchments were characterised by more sensitive taxa (e.g. stoneflies) and had the lowest abundance of macroinvertebrates. Burned catchments had the greatest abundance of macroinvertebrates and were characterised by greater abundance of chironomids and caddisflies. Burned and salvage-logged catchments supported high numbers of riffle beetles and crane flies. The unique assemblage structures between catchments indicate different mechanisms drive the ecological response in wildfire-affected catchments. Resource availability was an important driver of assemblage structure in the more productive burned catchments and habitat quality was a dominant driver in the burned and salvage-logged catchments. Despite the legacy effects observed in this study, fire-affected catchments still supported sensitive taxa and functional macroinvertebrate assemblages.
A CCL1/CCR8-dependent feed-forward mechanism drives ILC2 functions in type 2–mediated inflammation
Authors: Knipfer Lisa , Schulz-Kuhnt Anja , Kindermann Markus , Greif Vicky , Symowski Cornelia , Voehringer David , Neurath Markus F. , Atreya Imke , Wirtz Stefan
Published: September 2019

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) possess indispensable roles during type 2–mediated inflammatory diseases. Although their physiological and detrimental immune functions seem to depend on the anatomical compartment they reside, their tissue tropism and the molecular and immunological processes regulating the self-renewal of the local pool of ILC2s in the context of inflammation or infection are incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed the role of the CC-chemokine receptor CCR8 for the biological functions of ILC2s. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that CCR8 is in comparison to the related molecule CCR4 less important for migration of these cells. However, we found that activated mouse and human ILC2s produce the CCR8 ligand CCL1 and are a major source of CCL1 in vivo. CCL1 signaling to ILC2s regulates their proliferation and supports their capacity to protect against helminthic infections. In summary, we identify a novel chemokine receptor–dependent mechanism by which ILC2s are regulated during type 2 responses.
Cluster-based topological features of nodes in a multiplex network—from a network of networks perspective
Authors: An Feng , Gao Xiangyun , Liu Nairong , Wang Ze , Li Yang , Gao Jianxi , Stanley H Eugene
Published: September 2019

In the gathered multiplex systems, nodes inherit a part of their original system’s topological features, as in the world economic system, national policies and resource distribution bring industry advantages and resource advantages to the domestic industry. Although they represent one of the important original topological features of nodes, the inherited topological features of nodes have not received sufficient attention and have hardly been analyzed by existing network models. In our research, we defined the inherited topological features of nodes as ‘cluster-based topological features. To accurately calculate the cluster-based topological features of nodes in multiplex networks, we first provide a network model to summarize the multiplex networks into a calculable network of networks (NoN). Based on our network model, we propose a series of algorithms for calculating industries’ cluster-based topological features. Our calculating process contains 2 steps: ‘abstracting’ the NoN into one-layer calculable network; ‘inheriting’ subnetworks’ topological features into the inner nodes. Our network model and calculation algorithms are applied in a series of theoretical and empirical multiplex networks. The results not only confirm the realizability of our model but also produce several interesting findings, the most important of which is that some unremarkable nodes in multiplex network may have a very high contributory value from NoN perspective.
Magneto-excitons in Cu2O: theoretical model from weak to high magnetic fields
Authors: Zielińska-Raczyńska Sylwia , Fishman Dmitry A , Faugeras Clément , Potemski Marek M P , van Loosdrecht Paul H M , Karpiński Karol , Czajkowski Gerard , Ziemkiewicz David
Published: September 2019

Recent experimental and theoretical work on hydrogen-like absorption spectra of excitons in external magnetic fields revealed new effects when the Coulomb interaction becomes comparable to the magnetic perturbation. We present a theoretical approach that allows for calculation of absorption spectra for any value of magnetic field. This approach opens the possibility to compute the optical functions i.e. reflectivity, transmission and absorption including the excitonic effects for various strength of external magnetic field.
Isotope-geochronological (SHRIMP-RG) studies of zircon from muscovite-tourmaline granites of the Kolmozero-Voronya greenstone belt: insights for sources of rare metal pegmatites
Authors: Kudryashov N M , Udoratina O V , Coble M A
Published: September 2019

The article provides data on the U-Pb isotope (SHRIMP RG) study of tourmaline-muscovite granites of the Kolmozero-Voronya greenstone belt. The tourmaline-muscovite granites formed in the time span of 2451±60 Ma, which corresponds with the previously obtained age of tantalite from rare metal pegmatites of the Vasin-Myl’k deposit. The obtained age indicates the Paleoproterozoic formation stage of granites and, probably, associated rare metal pegmatites.
The glasses from Mesozoic sediments of Anabar region (Arctic Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Zhmodik S , Ivanov P , Belyanin D , Airiyants E , Kiseleva O , Travin A
Published: September 2019

The glasses were found in the tuffisites of Orto-Yiarginskoe field (Anabar region, Arctic Siberia). The composition of the glasses is comparable with the composition of the glasses from the Popigai impact structure and the gneisses of the Archean basement of the Anabar folded system. The age of the studied glasses is comparable with the age of the glasses of the Popigai impact structure. Mineralogical studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (MIRA 3 LMU, Tescan Ltd) with the INCA Energy 450+ XMax 80 microanalysis system (Oxford Instruments Ltd). The age of the glasses is determined by the 40Ar-39Ar method in the Collective Use Center of the IGM SB RAS.
Managing sustainable agroecosystem: Study on diversity of parasitic Hymenoptera on riparian sites of oil palm and rubber plantation
Authors: Azhar A , Rizali A , Pudjianto  , Buchori D
Published: September 2019

Parasitic Hymenoptera is important natural enemies to control pest population but threatened by habitat transformation. It is important to know the sustainable management agroecosystem that may conserve beneficial insects. There is still minimum research about the effect of riparian buffers effect on Hymenoptera diversity. The objectives of this research were to study parasitic Hymenoptera species richness and abundance in oil palm and rubber plantation, investigate the effect of riparian sites on diversity and species composition across the different habitat. The research was conducted in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia which consists of two different agroecosystems, oil palm, and rubber plantation. Parasitic Hymenoptera was collected by direct sampling using insect nets and traps using a yellow pan and malaise traps. Parasitic Hymenoptera species richness was different among oil palm and rubber plantation. Oil palm had higher species richness than rubber plantation. Riparian buffers sites, either oil palm or rubber plantation, had higher numbers of parasitic Hymenoptera species richness and abundance than upland dry sites. These results are related to the high number of wild flowering plants species richness in riparian buffers sites. Community structure between riparian and dry agroecosystem was not different. The same agroecosystem provided the same feeding source and host for parasitoid. Therefore, managing sustainable agroecosystem should consider the presence of wild flowering plants that may preserve parasitic Hymenoptera diversity in providing natural enemy services in an agroecosystem.
Genetic diversity of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) across geographic areas in Indonesia: implications for oil palm sustainability
Authors: Bakara R D J , Buchori D , Kusumah R Y M , Sahari B , Apriyanto A
Published: September 2019

Elaeidobius kamerunicus is a well-known insect pollinator of oil palm. The presence of E. kamerunicus directly creates sustainability in oil palm plantations and successfully increase palm oil production in Indonesia. However, recent reports showed that there are morphometric differences across islands that might be due to different selection pressures that might influence the genetic diversity of the weevil. The aim of this research is to study and analyze E. kamerunicus genetic diversity from various locations in Indonesia. Samples were taken using a purposive sampling method from post-anthesis male flowers from 16 regions oil palm centers in Indonesia. Insect DNA amplified by PCR technique using 11 SSR primer. The results showed that some of the SSR markers used were polymorphic. The highest percentage of polymorphic loci is the population of Central Kalimantan, West Java, and Papua. The Population of E. kamerunicus in Indonesia has a close relationship and most of the population does not result from inbreeding. Phylogenetic tree constructed using DARwin formed three groups containing mixtures of five spatial distribution regions (islands). The high PIC value and the formation groups indicate the high genetic diversity of E. kamerunicus in Indonesia.
DCLK1 integrates induction of TRIB3, EMT, drug resistance and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Makino Shunichiro , Takahashi Hidekazu , Okuzaki Daisuke , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Hata Taishi , Matsuda Chu , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Mizushima Tsunekazu , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: September 2019

Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) promotes tumour proliferation in human colorectal cancer (CRC). To elucidate the mechanism and clinical relevance of this association, we performed expression analysis using commercially available colon carcinoma cell lines (SW480, HCT116, CaCO2, SW48 and SKCO1) and immunohistochemical analysis of 200 resected CRC samples for correlation with clinical features. DCLK1 showed a high level of expression, especially in SW480 and HCT116 cells. Silencing DCLK1 expression using short hairpin DCLK1 (shDCLK1) RNA inhibited the growth and invasion capacities of these cell lines, which showed signs of entering into the mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET). We found evidence of a strong correlation of DCLK1 expression with that of Tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3), and silencing TRIB3 also led to the MET phenotype in these cells. In the clinical samples, compared with samples showing low expression of DCLK1, high expression was associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.0001). The results of univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that high expression of DCLK1 in clinical colon cancer samples was tied to poor prognosis, cancer invasion depth and lymph node metastasis. DCLK1 expression correlates with malignant grade of colon cancer and offers a potential treatment target.
Treatment for Early, Uncomplicated Coccidioidomycosis: What Is Success?
Authors: Galgiani John N , Blair Janis E , Ampel Neil M , Thompson George R
Published: September 2019

The care of primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis remains challenging. Such infections produce a variety of signs, symptoms, and serologic responses that cause morbidity in patients and concern in treating clinicians for the possibility of extrapulmonary dissemination. Illness may be due to ongoing fungal growth that produces acute inflammatory responses, resulting in tissue damage and necrosis, and for this, administering an antifungal drug may be of benefit. In contrast, convalescence may be prolonged by other immunologic reactions to infection, even after fungal replication has been arrested, and in those situations, antifungal therapy is unlikely to yield clinical improvement. In this presentation, we discuss what findings are clinical indicators of fungal growth and what other sequelae are not. Understanding these differences provides a rational management strategy for deciding when to continue, discontinue, or reinstitute antifungal treatments.
Late start of upper secondary education and health-compromising behaviours among Finnish adolescents—a follow-up study
Authors: Dobewall Henrik , Koivusilta Leena , Karvonen Sakari , Lindfors Pirjo , Kinnunen Jaana M , Vainikainen Mari-Pauliina , Rimpelä Arja
Published: September 2019

Background

The Finnish government has emphasized the need to expedite educational transitions. We study if a late start of upper secondary education is related to health-related selection, namely health-compromising behaviours in adolescence.

Methods

A large cohort of adolescents from the seventh (12–13 years) and ninth (15–16 years) grades answered online classroom surveys (total n = 10 873). They were followed to the start of upper secondary education, obtained from the Joint Application Registry. We compared those who continued studies directly from the ninth grade with later starters. We measured late bedtime, breakfast not every school day, tooth brushing less than twice-a-day, monthly alcohol consumption, weekly smoking, daily energy drinks, physical activity <6 days/week and excessive screen time. Multilevel logistic regressions and latent class analyses were conducted.

Results

In gender and school adjusted models in the seventh grade, all behaviours except physical activity predicted the late start. The strongest predictor was smoking, OR = 2.96 (CI = 2.25–3.89). In the ninth grade, smoking, breakfast, tooth brushing and energy drinks, OR = 1.80, (CI = 1.36–2.39, strongest), were predictive. After controlling for sociodemographic background and academic achievement, associations for alcohol and screen time became non-significant in the seventh grade. In the ninth grade, only screen time remained significant, OR = 1.33 (CI = 1.04–1.71). Health-compromising behaviours formed clusters. Belonging to the unhealthy cluster predicted the late start in both grades, in adjusted models only in the seventh grade.

Conclusions

Students with health-compromising behaviours are less likely to start upper secondary education directly after the compulsory education. This may increase the risk for fragmentary educational trajectories and work careers.
A teaching protocol demonstrating the use of EasyClone and CRISPR/Cas9 for metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Milne N , Tramontin L R R , Borodina I
Published: September 2019

We present a teaching protocol suitable for demonstrating the use of EasyClone and CRISPR/Cas9 for metabolic engineering of industrially relevant yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica, using β-carotene production as a case study. The protocol details all steps required to generate DNA parts, transform and genotype yeast, and perform a phenotypic screen to determine β-carotene production. The protocol is intended to be used as an instruction manual for a two-week practical course aimed at M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. The protocol details all necessary steps for students to engineer yeast to produce β-carotene and serves as a practical introduction to the principles of metabolic engineering including the concepts of boosting native precursor supply and alleviating rate-limiting steps. It also highlights key differences in the metabolism and heterologous production capacity of two industrially relevant yeast species. The protocol is divided into daily experiments covering a two-week period and provides detailed instructions for every step meaning this protocol can be used ‘as is’ for a teaching course or as a case study for how yeast can be engineered to produce value-added molecules.
SIGNALS: I. Survey description
Authors: Rousseau-Nepton L , Martin R P , Robert C , Drissen L , Amram P , Prunet S , Martin T , Moumen I , Adamo A , Alarie A , Barmby P , Boselli A , Bresolin F , Bureau M , Chemin L , Fernandes R C , Combes F , Crowder C , Della Bruna L , Duarte Puertas S , Egusa F , Epinat B , Ksoll V F , Girard M , Gómez Llanos V , Gouliermis D , Grasha K , Higgs C , Hlavacek-Larrondo J , Ho I-T , Iglesias-Páramo J , Joncas G , Kam Z S , Karera P , Kennicutt R C , Klessen R S , Lianou S , Liu L , Liu Q , de Amorim A Luiz , Lyman J D , Martel H , Mazzilli-Ciraulo B , McLeod A F , Melchior A-L , Millan I , Mollá M , Momose R , Morisset C , Pan H-A , Pati A K , Pellerin A , Pellegrini E , Pérez I , Petric A , Plana H , Rahner D , Ruiz Lara T , Sánchez-Menguiano L , Spekkens K , Stasińska G , Takamiya M , Vale Asari N , Vílchez J M
Published: September 2019

SIGNALS, the Star formation, Ionized Gas, and Nebular Abundances Legacy Survey, is a large observing programme designed to investigate massive star formation and H ii regions in a sample of local extended galaxies. The programme will use the imaging Fourier transform spectrograph SITELLE at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. Over 355 h (54.7 nights) have been allocated beginning in fall 2018 for eight consecutive semesters. Once completed, SIGNALS will provide a statistically reliable laboratory to investigate massive star formation, including over 50 000 resolved H ii regions: the largest, most complete, and homogeneous data base of spectroscopically and spatially resolved extragalactic H ii regions ever assembled. For each field observed, three datacubes covering the spectral bands of the filters SN1 (363–386 nm), SN2 (482–513 nm), and SN3 (647–685 nm) are gathered. The spectral resolution selected for each spectral band is 1000, 1000, and 5000, respectively. As defined, the project sample will facilitate the study of small-scale nebular physics and many other phenomena linked to star formation at a mean spatial resolution of ∼20 pc. This survey also has considerable legacy value for additional topics, including planetary nebulae, diffuse ionized gas, and supernova remnants. The purpose of this paper is to present a general outlook of the survey, notably the observing strategy, galaxy sample, and science requirements.
The Pristine survey – VI. The first three years of medium-resolution follow-up spectroscopy of Pristine EMP star candidates
Authors: Aguado David S , Youakim Kris , González Hernández Jonay I , Allende Prieto Carlos , Starkenburg Else , Martin Nicolas , Bonifacio Piercarlo , Arentsen Anke , Caffau Elisabetta , Peralta de Arriba Luis , Sestito Federico , Garcia-Dias Rafael , Fantin Nicholas , Hill Vanessa , Jablonca Pascale , Jahandar Farbod , Kielty Collin , Longeard Nicolas , Lucchesi Romain , Sánchez-Janssen Rubén , Osorio Yeisson , Palicio Pedro A , Tolstoy Eline , Wilson Thomas G , Côté Patrick , Kordopatis Georges , Lardo Carmela , Navarro Julio F , Thomas Guillaume F , Venn Kim
Published: September 2019

We present the results of a 3-yr long, medium-resolution spectroscopic campaign aimed at identifying very metal-poor stars from candidates selected with the CaHK, metallicity-sensitive Pristine survey. The catalogue consists of a total of 1007 stars, and includes 146 rediscoveries of metal-poor stars already presented in previous surveys, 707 new very metal-poor stars with $\rm [Fe/H] \lt -2.0$, and 95 new extremely metal-poor stars with $\rm [Fe/H] \lt -3.0$. We provide a spectroscopic [Fe/H] for every star in the catalogue, and [C/Fe] measurements for a subset of the stars (10 per cent with $\rm [Fe/H] \lt -3$ and 24 per cent with $-3 \lt \rm [Fe/H] \lt -2$) for which a carbon determination is possible, contingent mainly on the carbon abundance, effective temperature and signal-to-noise ratio of the stellar spectra. We find an average carbon enhancement fraction ([C/Fe] ≥ +0.7) of 41 ± 4 per cent for stars with $-3 \lt \rm [Fe/H] \lt -2$ and 58 ± 14 per cent for stars with $\rm [Fe/H] \lt -3$, and report updated success rates for the Pristine survey of 56 per cent and 23 per cent to recover stars with $\rm [Fe/H] \lt -2.5$ and $\lt -3$, respectively. Finally, we discuss the current status of the survey and its preparation for providing targets to upcoming multi-object spectroscopic surveys such as William Herschel Telescope Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer.
Comparative Transcriptomics Analyses across Species, Organs, and Developmental Stages Reveal Functionally Constrained lncRNAs
Authors: Darbellay Fabrice , Necsulea Anamaria
Published: September 2019

The functionality of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is disputed. In general, lncRNAs are under weak selective pressures, suggesting that the majority of lncRNAs may be nonfunctional. However, although some surveys showed negligible phenotypic effects upon lncRNA perturbation, key biological roles were demonstrated for individual lncRNAs. Most lncRNAs with proven functions were implicated in gene expression regulation, in pathways related to cellular pluripotency, differentiation, and organ morphogenesis, suggesting that functional lncRNAs may be more abundant in embryonic development, rather than in adult organs. To test this hypothesis, we perform a multidimensional comparative transcriptomics analysis, across five developmental time points (two embryonic stages, newborn, adult, and aged individuals), four organs (brain, kidney, liver, and testes), and three species (mouse, rat, and chicken). We find that, overwhelmingly, lncRNAs are preferentially expressed in adult and aged testes, consistent with the presence of permissive transcription during spermatogenesis. LncRNAs are often differentially expressed among developmental stages and are less abundant in embryos and newborns compared with adult individuals, in agreement with a requirement for tighter expression control and less tolerance for noisy transcription early in development. For differentially expressed lncRNAs, we find that the patterns of expression variation among developmental stages are generally conserved between mouse and rat. Moreover, lncRNAs expressed above noise levels in somatic organs and during development show higher evolutionary conservation, in particular, at their promoter regions. Thus, we show that functionally constrained lncRNA loci are enriched in developing organs, and we suggest that many of these loci may function in an RNA-independent manner.
Deletion of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase enhances metabolism and DNA adduct formation of benzo[a]pyrene in Hepa1c1c7 cells
Authors: Reed Lindsay , Jarvis Ian W H , Phillips David H , Arlt Volker M
Published: September 2019

The environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is presumed to exert its genotoxic effects after metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. However, studies using the Hepatic Reductase Null (HRN) mouse model, in which cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), the electron donor to CYP enzymes, is deleted specifically in hepatocytes, have shown that loss of hepatic POR-mediated CYP function leads to greater BaP-DNA adduct formation in livers of these mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knockout (KO) POR expression in mouse hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells to create an in vitro model that can mimic the HRN mouse model. Western blotting confirmed the deletion of POR in POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells whereas expression of other components of the mixed-function oxidase system including cytochrome b5 (Cyb5) and NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase (which can also serve as electron donors to CYP enzymes), and CYP1A1 was similar in BaP-exposed WT and POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells. BaP exposure caused cytotoxicity in WT Hepa1c1c7 cells but not in POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells. In contrast, CYP-catalysed BaP-DNA adduct levels were ~10-fold higher in POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells than in WT Hepa1c1c7 cells, in concordance with the presence of higher levels of BaP metabolite (e.g. BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol) in the medium of cultured BaP-exposed POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells. As was seen in the HRN mouse model, these results suggest that Cyb5 contributes to the bioactivation of BaP in POR KO Hepa1c1c7 cells. These results indicate that CYP enzymes may play a more important role in the detoxication of BaP, as opposed to its bioactivation.
Comparing Retreatments and Expenditures in Flow Diversion Versus Coiling for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using a Real-World National Database
Authors: Fukuda Haruhisa , Sato Daisuke , Kato Yoriko , Tsuruta Wataro , Katsumata Masahiro , Hosoo Hisayuki , Matsumaru Yuji , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Flow diverters (FDs) have marked the beginning of innovations in the endovascular treatment of large unruptured intracranial aneurysms, but no multi-institutional studies have been conducted on these devices from both the clinical and economic perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

To compare retreatment rates and healthcare expenditures between FDs and conventional coiling-based treatments in all eligible cases in Japan.

METHODS

We identified patients who had undergone endovascular treatments during the study period (October 2015-March 2018) from a national-level claims database. The outcome measures were retreatment rates and 1-yr total healthcare expenditures, which were compared among patients who had undergone FD, coiling, and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) treatments. The coiling and SAC groups were further categorized according to the number of coils used. Retreatment rates were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, and total expenditures were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear models.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 512 FD patients, 1499 coiling patients, and 711 SAC patients. The coiling groups with ≥10 coils and ≥9 coils had significantly higher retreatment rates than the FD group with hazard ratios of 2.75 (1.30-5.82) and 2.52 (1.24-5.09), respectively. In addition, the coiling group with ≥10 coils and SAC group with ≥10 coils had significantly higher 1-year expenditures than the FD group with cost ratios (95% CI) of 1.30 (1.13-1.49) and 1.31 (1.15-1.50), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this national-level study, FDs demonstrated significantly lower retreatment rates and total expenditures than conventional coiling with ≥ 9 coils.
Association Between Estimated Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Predictions of Efficacy and Observed Clinical Outcomes in Obese and Nonobese Patients With Enterobacteriaceae Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Santibañez Melissa , Bunnell Kristen , Harrington Amanda , Bleasdale Susan , Wenzler Eric
Published: September 2019

Background

Evidence on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) alterations and clinical outcomes in obese patients with serious infections remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate predicted PK/PD indices of efficacy and observed clinical outcomes between obese and nonobese patients receiving cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam for Enterobacteriaceae bacteremia.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of adult inpatients from 1/2012 to 9/2015 with Enterobacteriaceae bacteremia who received empiric cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam. The primary outcome was clinical cure. First-dose free-drug exposure was estimated via predicted concentrations generated from population PK analyses and used to assess PD target attainment (>50% fT > minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) for the specific Enterobacteriaceae isolate. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to identify independent predictors of clinical cure.

Results

One hundred forty-two patients were included, 57 obese and 85 nonobese. Clinical cure was achieved in 68.4% of obese and 62.4% of nonobese patients (P = .458). No significant difference in outcomes was observed when evaluated by World Health Organization (WHO) obesity classes. The PK/PD target was achieved in 98.2% of obese and 91.8% of nonobese patients (P = .144). Independent predictors of clinical cure were immunosuppression and a shorter duration of bacteremia. Obesity was not identified as a significant predictor of clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Neither predicted PK/PD parameters nor clinical outcomes differed significantly between obese and nonobese patients treated with piperacillin-tazobactam or cefepime. As the majority of patients received extended-infusion piperacillin-tazobactam for bacteremia due to pathogens with low MICs, the potentially detrimental pathophysiologic derangements caused by obesity may not have been realized. Further studies are warranted to establish the optimal treatment of serious infections in obese patients.
Abnormal Space Experiences in Persons With Schizophrenia: An Empirical Qualitative Study
Authors: Stanghellini Giovanni , Fernandez Anthony Vincent , Ballerini Massimo , Blasi Stefano , Belfiore Erika , Cutting John , Mancini Milena
Published: September 2019

Abnormal space experience (ASE) is a common feature of schizophrenia, despite its absence from current diagnostic manuals. Phenomenological psychopathologists have investigated this experiential disturbance, but these studies were typically based on anecdotal evidence from limited clinical interactions. To better understand the nature of ASE in schizophrenia and attempt to validate previous phenomenological accounts, we conducted a qualitative study of 301 people with schizophrenia. Clinical files were analyzed by means of Consensual Qualitative Research, an inductive method for analyzing descriptions of lived experience. Our main findings can be summed up as follows: (1) ASEs are a relevant feature in schizophrenia (70.1% of patients reported at least 1 ASE). (2) ASE in schizophrenia are characterized by 5 main categories of phenomena (listed from more represented to less represented): (a) experiences of strangeness and unfamiliarity (eg “Everything appeared weird. Face distorted, world looks terrible, nasty”); (b) experiences of centrality/invasion of peripersonal space (eg “Handkerchief on scaffolding: message telling him something”); (c) alteration of the quality of things (eg “Buildings leaning down”); (d) alteration of the quality of the environment (eg “Person sitting six feet away seemed to be at an infinite distance”); and (e) itemization and perceptive salience (eg “All patients [in ward] have bright eyes”). (3) ASEs are much more frequent in acute (91.9%) than in chronic (28.15%) schizophrenia patients. Moreover, our findings further empirical support for phenomenological accounts of schizophrenia, including those developed by Jaspers, Binswanger, Minkowski, and Conrad, among others and provide the background for translational research.
Evaluation of the Combined Effect of Heterodera glycines and Macrophomina phaseolina on Soybean Yield in Naturally Infested Fields with Spatial Regression Analysis and in Greenhouse Studies
Authors: Lopez-Nicora H. D. , Carr J. K. , Paul P. A. , Dorrance A. E. , Ralston T. I. , Williams C. A. , Niblack T. L.
Published: September 2019

Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode, and Macrophomina phaseolina, causal agent of charcoal rot, are economically important soybean pathogens. The impact and effect of these pathogens on soybean yield in coinfested fields in the Midwest production region is not known. Both pathogens are soilborne, with spatially aggregated distribution and effects. Spatial regression analysis, therefore, is an appropriate method to account for the spatial dependency in either the dependent variable or regression error term from data produced in fields naturally infested with H. glycines and M. phaseolina. The objectives of this study were twofold: to evaluate the combined effect of H. glycines and M. phaseolina on soybean yield in naturally infested commercial fields with ordinary least squares and spatial regression models; and to evaluate, under environmentally controlled conditions, the combined effect of H. glycines and M. phaseolina through nematode reproduction and plant tissue fungal colonization. Six trials were conducted in fields naturally infested with H. glycines and M. phaseolina in Ohio. Systematic-grid sampling was used to determine the population densities of H. glycines and M. phaseolina, and soybean yield estimates. Though not used in any statistical analysis, M. phaseolina colony forming units from plant tissue, charcoal rot severity, and H. glycines type were also recorded and summarized. In two greenhouse experiments, treatments consisted of H. glycines alone, M. phaseolina alone, and coinfestation of soybean with both pathogens. Moran’s I test indicated that the yield from five fields was spatially correlated (P < 0.05) and aggregated. In these fields, to account for spatial dependence, spatial regression models were fitted to the data. Spatial regression analyses revealed a significant interaction effect between H. glycines and M. phaseolina on soybean yield for fields with high initial population densities of both pathogens. In the greenhouse experiments, H. glycines reproduction was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the presence of M. phaseolina; however, soybean tissue fungal colonization was not affected by the presence of H. glycines. The direct mechanisms by which H. glycines and M. phaseolina interact were not demonstrated in this study. Future studies must be conducted in the field and greenhouse to better understand this interaction effect.
The Effect of a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Mobile Application on Student Learning of Assessment Skills: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bartlett Andrew S. , Smith Nancy
Published: September 2019

Purpose/Hypothesis:

Advances in technology have recently resulted in the development of mobile learning applications (apps) for college students. Despite a recent influx of mobile apps, there is a lack of empirical data about the effectiveness of these apps on learning in the area of cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy (PT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a researcher-generated cardiopulmonary mobile application on student skills in assessing blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and pedal pulses.

Number of Subjects:

Twenty first-year PT graduate students were recruited for the study. Participants’ names were randomly chosen out of an envelope to assign them into 1 of 3 groups: demonstration (N = 7), mobile app (N = 7), or demonstration/mobile app (N = 6).

Materials/Methods:

After providing informed consent, each group participated in their randomized intervention. The demonstration group received demonstrations of each skill from a scripted therapist, followed by laboratory practice; the mobile app group received a 5-minute tutorial of how to use the app, followed by laboratory practice; the demonstration/mobile app group received both demonstration and the mobile app tutorial, followed by laboratory practice. Independent of group type, all participants were allotted 45 minutes in the laboratory to practice performing and interpreting BP, HR, and pedal pulses, after demonstration, demonstration/mobile app, or mobile app instruction. After the laboratory practice, participants were individually tested on the skills learned during the laboratory by a short competency examination administered by 3 licensed physical therapists. These physical therapists were blinded to each group's identity.

Results:

Total competency was highest among the demonstration/mobile app group as compared with the other 2 groups. The total competency examination score was statistically significant for different teaching methods with the use of demonstration and the mobile application being more effective than only using the mobile application P = .032. No significant difference was noted between the mobile app group and the group using demonstration only, P = .24. No other group differences were noted.

Conclusion:

Findings of this study suggest PT students demonstrate improved total competency examination scores (total score of BP, HR, and pedal pulses) when provided a mobile application combined with traditional demonstration.

Clinical Relevance:

There is currently a paucity of literature in PT education pertaining to mobile learning. The results of the current study support the use of a mobile app in addition to traditional learning methods. Future research should include a multisite design and validation of a clinical competency instrument.
Development of Algorithmic Dementia Ascertainment for Racial/Ethnic Disparities Research in the US Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Gianattasio Kan Z. , Ciarleglio Adam , Power Melinda C.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Disparities research in dementia is limited by lack of large, diverse, and representative samples with systematic dementia ascertainment. Algorithmic diagnosis of dementia offers a cost-effective alternate approach. Prior work in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study has demonstrated that existing algorithms are ill-suited for racial/ethnic disparities work given differences in sensitivity and specificity by race/ethnicity.

Methods:

We implemented traditional and machine learning methods to identify an improved algorithm that: (1) had ≤5 percentage point difference in sensitivity and specificity across racial/ethnic groups; (2) achieved ≥80% overall accuracy across racial/ethnic groups; and (3) achieved ≥75% sensitivity and ≥90% specificity overall. Final recommendations were based on robustness, accuracy of estimated race/ethnicity-specific prevalence and prevalence ratios compared to those using in-person diagnoses, and ease of use.

Results:

We identified six algorithms that met our prespecified criteria. Our three recommended algorithms achieved ≤3 percentage point difference in sensitivity and ≤5 percentage point difference in specificity across racial/ethnic groups, as well as 77%–83% sensitivity, 92%–94% specificity, and 90%–92% accuracy overall in analyses designed to emulate out-of-sample performance. Pairwise prevalence ratios between non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics estimated by application of these algorithms are within 1%–10% of prevalence ratios estimated based on in-person diagnoses.

Conclusions:

We believe these algorithms will be of immense value to dementia researchers interested in racial/ethnic disparities. Our process can be replicated to allow minimally biasing algorithmic classification of dementia for other purposes.