bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
B-78 Social Skills Training for Verbal Aggression in Conserved Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury, Schizophrenia, and Schizoaffective Disorder
Authors: Ordoñez C , Tiet Q , Scott S , Lopez C , Kixmiller J , Collins W
Published: August 2019

Objective

This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a social skills training (SST) program aimed to decrease verbal aggressive behavior and increase prosocial skills of conserved adults.

Method

Conserved adults (N = 10) with traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder received SST for six weeks, an hour weekly, and they were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The Overt Aggression Scale-Modified for Neurorehabilitation-Extended was used to measure aggressive behaviors. Aggressive behavior to self, objects, and others was rated by facility staff that were not involved in the SST. Acquisition of social skills was rated by facility staff on the number of observed prosocial behavior (self-initiates greeting, responds to greeting, expresses gratitude). Only verbal aggression and prosocial scores were used given SST’s content. A paired samples t-test was conducted to evaluate the pre-post effectiveness and effect sizes.

Results

Aggression improved from M = 2.83 (SD = 3.39) to M = 1.00 (SD = 1.98), an improvement of 1.83, but was not statistically significant (t[8] = 2.28, p = .052; Cohen’s d = .76). 95% confidence interval ranged from -0.02 to 3.67. Prosocial behaviors improved from M = 8.67 (SD = 2.35) to M = 9.83 (SD = 2.41), an improvement of 1.17, but was not statistically significant (t[8] = -1.56, p = .158; Cohen’s d = .52). 95% confidence interval ranged from -2.90 to .56.

Conclusions

Effect sizes showed a decrease in aggression and social skills improvement of the participants. This SST is promising and should be examined with randomized controlled trial studies with larger sample sizes.
C-30 The Relationships Between Phonemic and Semantic Fluency and Sleep Duration in Older Adults
Authors: Do C , Suhr J
Published: August 2019

Objective

Sleep deprivation through experimental sleep restriction negatively impacts performance on fluency measures, with stronger effects for phonemic fluency than semantic fluency. However, the relationship between naturalistic short sleep and fluency performance has not yet been examined in older adults. We compared older adults who reported long and short average sleep duration on semantic and phonemic fluency tasks.

Method

83 community-dwelling adults (M = 68.18 years old, SD = 9.08; 71.1% female) participated in a larger study examining sleep quality and cognition. As part of the large battery of sleep, health, and neuropsychological measures, current analyses focused on phonemic fluency (letters C,F,L) and the Semantic Fluency subtest of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Sleep duration was based on self-report of the average number of hours they sleep per night. Covariates included age and self-reported levels of arousal at the time of testing. Short ( < 7 hours of sleep) and long (≥ 7 hours of sleep) sleepers did not differ in gender, p = .069, but did in age, p = .007, with short sleepers being older than long sleepers. Short sleepers also reported higher arousal at time of testing, p = .017.

Results

After controlling for age and current arousal, short sleepers had lower phonemic fluency scores than did long sleepers, p = .012. However, there was no difference between short and long sleepers on semantic fluency after accounting for the same covariates, p = .849.

Conclusion

These results replicate and extend previous findings of sleep deprivation impacting phonemic fluency and not semantic fluency, but for older adults in more naturalistic conditions of sleep deprivation.
A-21 Inhibition of Overlearned Verbal Responses and Quantity of Speech Among Age Cohorts
Authors: Smith L , Helphrey J , Sawyer J , Rodriguez D , Rose D , Fierro L , Moore J , Parsons T , Barnett M
Published: August 2019

Objective

Off-topic speech (OTS) has been linked with deficits in executive functioning, and specifically inhibition. OTS research has focused primarily on tangentiality, whereas in this study we focused on quantity of speech. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between inhibition of overlearned responses using a Stroop task and quantity of speech.

Method

A college sample of young adults (n = 63; age 18-28) and healthy, community-dwelling older adults (n = 76; age 60-99) completed the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Systems (D-KEFS) Color-Word Interference Test and provided a verbal sample in which they recounted a procedural memory and an episodic memory. These samples were transcribed and rated for quantity of speech by three independent judges.

Results

Among all participants, longer time to complete color naming (r = -.21, p = .02) and inhibition (r = -.21, p = .01) was associated with lower quantity of speech on procedural memory. Among young adults, longer time to complete inhibition was associated with lower quantity of speech (r = -.26, p = .04). Among older adults, longer time to complete color naming (r = -.32, p = .005), word reading (r = -.27, p = .02), and inhibition (r = -.35, p = .002) was associated with lower quantity of speech. No relationships were found between performance on Stroop conditions and quantity of speech for episodic memory.

Conclusions

Results suggest that among both age cohorts, difficulty inhibiting overlearned verbal responses is associated with lower quantity of speech regarding a procedural memory but not an episodic memory.
A-34 An Atypical Case of Primary Progressive Aphasia: Implications for Differentiating the Semantic Variant
Authors: Jacobs S , Facchini R , Weiss E , McGinley J , Masur D
Published: August 2019

Objective

Primary progressive aphasia is a neurodegenerative condition consisting of three primary variants. The semantic variant (svPPA) is typically associated with anomia and word-finding issues paired with fluent speech, although other symptoms can arise over time including non-verbal deficits and behavioral changes. A complex case of svPPA with evidence of robust impairment across multiple domains in the presence of notable psychosocial and medical factors is presented.

Method

Sixty-year-old woman with complaints of worsening memory and language changes in the context of marked behavioral disinhibition, deterioration of daily functioning, and indication of delusions was seen for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. Medical history includes severe depression, anxiety, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease. CT scan was significant for frontal and temporal atrophy and chronic right cerebellar infarct.

Results

Neuropsychological evaluation revealed uniformly extremely low scores. Presentation was notable for inappropriate behaviors, and expressive and receptive language difficulties. Significant confusion and functional impairment were evident. Her time awareness varied and she at some moments spoke about events from 20-30 years ago as if they were recent. Global language impairment was evident on formal testing and clearly moderated all other performances, including tasks of memory which were impaired. Notable weakness in visual-spatial processing and executive function were also present.

Conclusions

Complex medical and psychosocial history, and atypical decline patterns complicated the diagnosis of a patient with profound progressive expressive language impairment. SvPPA is offered as the diagnosis.
A-68 Yoga Therapy in Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Cernokova I , Benoit M , Owen T , Bearden D , Ono K
Published: August 2019

Objective

This pilot study examines the effects of yoga therapy on anxiety, depression symptoms, inattention, and seizure frequency in children diagnosed with Epilepsy.

Data Selection

The sample consisted of 5 participants (4 male, 1 female), ages 7-12 years old, with diagnoses of generalized epilepsy, absence epilepsy, and complex partial epilepsy. Participants all had average cognitive abilities (IQ SS = 100.7; VCI SS = 106.3; PRI SS = 108.3), a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression. Participants participated in 30-45-minute-long yoga sessions over a 6-week period with 2-3 home sessions each week. Differences in hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and inattention were measured via parent rating Likert scales (0-poor, 10-best) at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Participants also completed weekly self-report measures to assess anxiety and depression (Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety, Second Edition (RCMAS-2) and Children’s Depression Inventory, Second Edition (CDI-2)).

Data Synthesis

No significant reliable change differences were found between sessions; however, a downward trend was visible in reduction of anxiety (RCMAS-2; first session M = 16.4, last session M = 9.4) and depression symptoms (CDI-2; first session M = 52.8, last session M = 49.2). Further, parents reported a decrease in anxiety (first session M = 4.8, last session M = 6.4). No seizures were reported during the study.

Conclusions

There is no previous research using pediatric populations and yoga therapy effects on reducing seizure frequency, anxiety, depression, and attention problems. This pilot study showed promising results in reducing anxiety, and depression symptoms. Limitations of study include small sample size and attrition, which are both important to consider when conducting another study.
A-79 Flynn Effect Correction: Accuracy Base Rate for IQ/Ability Level
Authors: Slater L , Daniel M
Published: August 2019

Objective

Flynn Effect (FE) is the observed rise in population psychometric intelligence quotient (IQ) scores over time, approximately three IQ points per decade. Sometimes in forensic evaluations, points are deducted from archival IQ scores to “correct” for FE. This study determined the accuracy of FE correction for three IQ ranges.

Method

Participants were 240 people (age: M = 52.7, SD = 24.4; 149 female) from the WAIS-IV standardization group who took the WAIS-III and WAIS-IV in counterbalanced order with an inter-test interval from 6-163 days. WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) scores were subtracted from WAIS-III scores and differences were divided into two groups: 1.) > 2 IQ points – when applying FE correction to a WAIS-III score produced a more accurate estimate and 2.) < 1 IQ points – when applying FE correction produced a less accurate estimate. Accuracy base rates were tabulated for three WAIS-III FSIQ groups: below average < 89; average 90-109; and above average groups > 110.

Results

FE correction produced more accurate WAIS-IV FSIQ estimates for 70% of the below average group, 56% of the average group, and 65% of the above average group.

Conclusions

Applying an FE correction provides a more accurate WAIS-IV IQ estimate about half the time for average IQ scores and about two-thirds of the time for above and below average IQ scores. (Standardization data from the WAIS-III Copyright © 1997 NCS Pearson Inc. & WAIS-IV Copyright © 2008 NCS Pearson Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)
SimkaMin: fast and resource frugal de novo comparative metagenomics
Authors: Benoit Gaëtan , Mariadassou Mahendra , Robin Stéphane , Schbath Sophie , Peterlongo Pierre , Lemaitre Claire
Published: August 2019

Motivation

De novo comparative metagenomics is one of the most straightforward ways to analyze large sets of metagenomic data. Latest methods use the fraction of shared k-mers to estimate genomic similarity between read sets. However, those methods, while extremely efficient, are still limited by computational needs for practical usage outside of large computing facilities.

Results

We present SimkaMin, a quick comparative metagenomics tool with low disk and memory footprints, thanks to an efficient data subsampling scheme used to estimate Bray-Curtis and Jaccard dissimilarities. One billion metagenomic reads can be analyzed in <3 min, with tiny memory (1.09 GB) and disk (≈0.3 GB) requirements and without altering the quality of the downstream comparative analyses, making of SimkaMin a tool perfectly tailored for very large-scale metagenomic projects.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/GATB/simka.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Magnetoencephalography imaging of high frequency oscillations strengthens presurgical localization and outcome prediction
Authors: Velmurugan Jayabal , Nagarajan Srikantan S , Mariyappa Narayanan , Mundlamuri Ravindranadh C , Raghavendra Kenchaiah , Bharath Rose Dawn , Saini Jitender , Arivazhagan Arimappamagan , Rajeswaran Jamuna , Mahadevan Anita , Malla Bhaskara Rao , Satishchandra Parthasarathy , Sinha Sanjib
Published: August 2019

See van Klink and Zijlmans (doi:10.1093/brain/awz321) for a scientific commentary on this article.

Velmuruganet al. report that detecting and localizing high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs: 80–200 Hz) with MEG can improve presurgical assessment and postsurgical outcome prediction in epilepsy. Source localization of HFOs identifies an epileptogenic region with accuracy of 75%. When such localized sources are surgically resected, patients have an approximately 80% probability of achieving seizure freedom.
High Risk of Influenza Virus Infection Among Swine Workers: Examining a Dynamic Cohort in China
Authors: Borkenhagen Laura K , Wang Guo-Lin , Simmons Ryan A , Bi Zhen-Qiang , Lu Bing , Wang Xian-Jun , Wang Chuang-Xin , Chen Shan-Hui , Song Shao-Xia , Li Min , Zhao Teng , Wu Meng-Na , Park Lawrence P , Cao Wu-Chun , Ma Mai-Juan , Gray Gregory C
Published: August 2019

Background

China is thought to be a hotspot for zoonotic influenza virus emergence, yet there have been few prospective studies examining the occupational risks of such infections.

Methods

We present the first 2 years of data collected from a 5-year, prospective, cohort study of swine-exposed and -unexposed participants at 6 swine farms in China. We conducted serological and virological surveillance to examine evidence for swine influenza A virus infection in humans.

Results

Of the 658 participants (521 swine-exposed and 137 swine-unexposed), 207 (31.5%) seroconverted against at least 1 swine influenza virus subtype (swine H1N1 or H3N2). Swine-exposed participants’ microneutralization titers, especially those enrolled at confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), were higher against the swine H1N1 virus than were other participants at 12 and 24 months. Despite elevated titers, among the 187 study subjects for whom we had complete follow-up, participants working at swine CAFOs had significantly greater odds of seroconverting against both the swine H1N1 (odds ratio [OR] 19.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.55–358.65) and swine H3N2 (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.16–8.01) viruses, compared to unexposed and non-CAFO swine workers with less intense swine exposure.

Conclusions

While some of the observed increased risk against swine viruses may have been explained by exposure to human influenza strains, study data suggest that even with elevated preexisting antibodies, swine-exposed workers were at high risk of infection with enzootic swine influenza A viruses.
A Review of Coccidioidomycosis in California: Exploring the Intersection of Land Use, Population Movement, and Climate Change
Authors: Pearson Dharshani , Ebisu Keita , Wu Xiangmei , Basu Rupa
Published: August 2019

California has seen a surge in coccidioidomycosis (valley fever), a disease spread by the Coccidioides immitis fungus found in soil throughout the state, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. We reviewed epidemiologic studies in which outbreak and sporadic cases of coccidioidomycosis were examined, and we considered the possible relationship of these cases to environmental conditions, particularly the state’s increasing aridity, drought, and wildfire conditions. Most of the studies we reviewed pertained to cases occupationally acquired in construction, military, archeological, and correctional institutional settings where workers were exposed to dust in C. immitis–endemic areas. A few reviewed outbreaks in the general population related to dust exposure from natural disasters, including an earthquake-associated landslide and a dust storm that carried particles long distances from endemic areas. Although many of California’s coccidioidomycosis outbreaks have been occupationally related, changing demographics and new, immunologically naïve populations in dry, endemic areas could expose the general population to C. immitis spores. Given the high rate of infection among workers who, for the most part, are healthy, the general population, including some elderly and immunocompromised individuals, could face additional risk. With climate-related events like drought and wildfires also increasing in endemic areas, research is needed to address the possible associations between these phenomena and coccidioidomycosis outbreaks.
How Politico-Economic Systems Shape Individuals’ Value of Elderly Care: Evidence From the German Reunification
Authors: Diederich Freya , König Hans-Helmut , Brettschneider Christian
Published: August 2019

Background and Objectives

Perceptions of how societies should care for the elderly people can differ among countries. This study examines to what extent individuals’ value of informal care is shaped by the politico-economic system in which they grew up and if this value adjusts once an individual lives in a different politico-economic system.

Research Design and Methods

We use data from the German Family Panel and take advantage of the unique setting of the German separation and reunification. Probit models are used to examine the effect of being born in East Germany on individuals’ value of informal care relative to employment at different birth cohorts and survey waves (N = 14,093). Average marginal effects are calculated.

Results

Twenty years after reunification, East Germans who spent their adolescence under communism exhibit a higher value of informal care relative to employment than West Germans who grew up in a western social market economy. Differences in values between East and West Germans do not significantly converge over time.

Discussion and Implications

Individuals’ value of informal care is deeply shaped by the politico-economic system in which they grew up. If immigration policies are introduced to increase the care for elderly people, differences in individuals’ cultural perceptions of elderly care should be considered as these will not suddenly adjust.
Fitting viscoelastic mechanical models to seismic attenuation and velocity dispersion observations and applications to full waveform modelling
Authors: Liu Xu , Greenhalgh Stewart
Published: August 2019

The Cole–Cole mechanical model can match a simple seismic attenuation curve over a broad frequency range, but it is not a suitable model for replicating complicated seismic attenuation dispersion curves which exhibit multiple peaks or display pronounced asymmetry. In this case, we use the General Fractional Zener (GFZ) Model, which comprises multiple Cole–Cole elements, to approximate the attenuation observations. The observations here represent the arbitrary (frequency-dependent) dispersion behaviour from actual measurements (phase velocities and/or dissipation factors) or from some physical dissipation mechanism(s) such as local induced fluid flow in effective Biot theory. The key parameters of these viscoelastic models, which include the stress and strain relaxation times and the fractional derivative orders, are determined with a simulated annealing method. Instead of searching for the relaxation times directly, we search for the Zener peak attenuation points and corresponding frequencies, each of which corresponds to a pair of relaxation times. We show that just two fractional Zener elements can sometimes provide a satisfactory approximation to the observations over the entire frequency range. A simple deterministic method is developed to extract the parameters of the single element Zener model using phase velocity observations. As a special case of the GFZ model, we found and proved the constancy of the width of the attenuation curves at the half maximum amplitude point (FWHM) for all Zener models which is critical to the design of reasonable observation frequencies. We stress and demonstrate that ignoring the frequency-dependence of Q may result in significant discrepancies of calculated waveforms with observed or predicted values.
3-D attenuation tomography from microseismicity in a mine
Authors: Barthwal Himanshu , Calixto Frank J , van der Baan Mirko
Published: August 2019

We perform 3-D attenuation tomography using microseismic data recorded during an underground mine development. The whole path attenuation parameter t* is obtained by least-squares inversion of P-wave amplitude spectra of the events recorded by 7 monitoring wells each containing 4 3C geophones. The corner frequencies obtained during P-wave spectral inversion of the 488 identified events range from 140 to 220 Hz which are typical for microseismic events with a negative moment magnitude of around –1. The quality factor Q obtained from tomographic inversion varies between 9 and 72 with the event cluster location characterized by a low Q value of 10. Two high Q regions of 30–72 are located at depths of 0.45 and 0.5 km, one between 0–0.15 km east and 0.3–0.5 km north which correlate with the high-grade ore deposit, and another centred around 0.45 km east and 0.25 km north. The high (-low) Q values, in general, correlates with the high (-low) velocities present in the velocity tomography model. A joint interpretation of seismic attenuation and velocity models reveals the heterogeneity present in the mine which aids in delineating the ore body using seismic waves in addition to other measurements such as gravity inversion and direct sampling from drillholes.
Effectiveness and Safety of the Sequential Use of a Second and Third Anti-TNF Agent in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From the Eneida Registry
Authors: Casanova María José , Chaparro María , Mínguez Miguel , Ricart Elena , Taxonera Carlos , García-López Santiago , Guardiola Jordi , López-San Román Antonio , Iglesias Eva , Beltrán Belén , Sicilia Beatriz , Vera María Isabel , Hinojosa Joaquín , Riestra Sabino , Domènech Eugeni , Calvet Xavier , Pérez-Calle José Lázaro , Martín-Arranz María Dolores , Aldeguer Xavier , Rivero Montserrat , Monfort David , Barrio Jesús , Esteve María , Márquez Lucía , Lorente Rufo , García-Planella Esther , de Castro Luisa , Bermejo Fernando , Merino Olga , Rodríguez-Pérez Antonio , Martínez-Montiel Pilar , Van Domselaar Manuel , Alcaín Guillermo , Domínguez-Cajal Manuel , Muñoz Carmen , Gomollón Fernando , Fernández-Salazar Luis , García-Sepulcre Mariana Fe , Rodríguez-Lago Iago , Gutiérrez Ana , Argüelles-Arias Federico , Rodriguez Cristina , Rodríguez Gloria Esther , Bujanda Luis , Llaó Jordina , Varela Pilar , Ramos Laura , Huguet José María , Almela Pedro , Romero Patricia , Navarro-Llavat Mercè , Abad Águeda , Ramírez-de la Piscina Patricia , Lucendo Alfredo J , Sesé Eva , Madrigal Rosa Eva , Charro Mara , García-Herola Antonio , Pajares Ramón , Khorrami Sam , Gisbert Javier P
Published: August 2019

Background

The effectiveness of the switch to another anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent is not known. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of treatment with a second and third anti-TNF drug after intolerance to or failure of a previous anti-TNF agent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Methods

We included patients diagnosed with IBD from the ENEIDA registry who received another anti-TNF after intolerance to or failure of a prior anti-TNF agent.

Results

A total of 1122 patients were included. In the short term, remission was achieved in 55% of the patients with the second anti-TNF. The incidence of loss of response was 19% per patient-year with the second anti-TNF. Combination therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–3; P < 0.0001) and ulcerative colitis vs Crohn’s disease (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.1; P = 0.005) were associated with a higher probability of loss of response. Fifteen percent of the patients had adverse events, and 10% had to discontinue the second anti-TNF. Of the 71 patients who received a third anti-TNF, 55% achieved remission. The incidence of loss of response was 22% per patient-year with a third anti-TNF. Adverse events occurred in 7 patients (11%), but only 1 stopped the drug.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the patients who received a second anti-TNF achieved remission; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response. Combination therapy and type of IBD were associated with loss of response. Remission was achieved in almost 50% of patients who received a third anti-TNF; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response.
Assessing Small Bowel Stricturing and Morphology in Crohn’s Disease Using Semi-automated Image Analysis
Authors: Stidham Ryan W , Enchakalody Binu , Waljee Akbar K , Higgins Peter D R , Wang Stewart C , Su Grace L , Wasnik Ashish P , Al-Hawary Mahmoud
Published: August 2019

Background

Evaluating structural damage using imaging is essential for the evaluation of small intestinal Crohn’s disease (CD), but it is limited by potential interobserver variation. We compared the agreement of enterography-based bowel damage measurements collected by experienced radiologists and a semi-automated image analysis system.

Methods

Patients with small bowel CD undergoing a CT-enterography (CTE) between 2011 and 2017 in a tertiary care setting were retrospectively reviewed. CT-enterography studies were reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists and separately underwent automated computer image analysis using bowel measurement software. Measurements included maximum bowel wall thickness (BWT-max), maximum bowel dilation (DIL-max), minimum lumen diameter (LUM-min), and the presence of a stricture. Measurement correlation coefficients and paired t tests were used to compare individual operator measurements. Multivariate regression was used to model identification of strictures using semi-automated measures.

Results

In 138 studies, the correlation between radiologists and semi-automated measures were similar for BWT-max (r = 0.724, 0.702), DIL-max (r = 0.812, 0.748), and LUM-min (r = 0.428, 0.381), respectively. Mean absolute measurement difference between semi-automated and radiologist measures were no different from the mean difference between paired radiologists for BWT-max (1.26 mm vs 1.12 mm, P = 0.857), DIL-max (2.78 mm vs 2.67 mm, P = 0.557), and LUM-min (0.54 mm vs 0.41 mm, P = 0.596). Finally, models of radiologist-defined intestinal strictures using automatically acquired measurements had an accuracy of 87.6%.

Conclusion

Structural bowel damage measurements collected by semi-automated approaches are comparable to those of experienced radiologists. Radiomic measures of CD will become an important new data source powering clinical decision-making, patient-phenotyping, and assisting radiologists in reporting objective measures of disease status.
Pneumonectomy is necessary following delayed detection of pulmonary artery compromise
Authors: Moten Ambria S , Abbas Abbas E
Published: August 2019

It has been previously suggested that lung tissue remains viable without blood supply from the pulmonary artery (PA). However, our experience demonstrates otherwise. We present 2 cases of accidental left lower lobe PA occlusion during upper lobectomy causing ischaemic changes to the remaining lung tissue. Both patients became septic secondary to necrosis of infarcted lung and required completion pneumonectomy. Development of collateral circulation to bypass the occluded PA may occur but is often insufficient to support the affected lung tissue. Unless the patient is medically unfit, resection of the ischaemic lung should be undertaken.
Data-sampling controllability of multi-agent systems
Authors: Zhao Bin , Guan Yongqiang
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we consider data-sampling controllability of multi-agent systems (MASs), where the interconnection topology is directed and weighted and the nodes have generic linear kinetic dynamics. First, the asynchronous data sampling protocols and synchronous data sampling protocols are proposed, respectively. Then the discussions focus on deriving the necessary and sufficient conditions for data-sampling controllability of MASs with a single leader and multiple leaders. The criteria for data-sampling controllability are derived in terms of recursions of matrix multiplication. For the single-leader situation, the asynchronous data-sampling controllability is equivalently transformed to be the output controllability of a discrete linear system. For the multiple-leader situation, the asynchronous data-sampling controllability is equivalently transformed to be the output controllability of a discrete time-delayed linear system. Finally, the synchronous data-sampling controllability is discussed as a special case of asynchronous data-sampling controllability. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Replication of a Nipah Virus Encoding a Nuclear-Retained Matrix Protein
Authors: Ringel Marc , Behner Laura , Heiner Anja , Sauerhering Lucie , Maisner Andrea
Published: August 2019

Nipah virus (NiV) matrix protein (NiV M) plays a major role in virus assembly. It undergoes nuclear transit before accumulating at the plasma membrane and recruiting nucleocapsids to the budding sites. Because nuclear NiV M cannot be detected in all cell types, we wondered whether it can reach the cell surface by bypassing the nucleus. Using an M mutant with a defective nuclear export signal (MNESmut), however, we revealed that the nuclear import of M is ubiquitous, because MNESmut was retained in the nuclei of all cell types tested. Because a functional nuclear transit is a general prerequisite for M surface transport, we wanted to characterize the effect of nuclear-retained M protein in a full viral context and generated a recombinant NiV-MNESmut. Mutant NiV-MNESmut caused increased cell-cell fusion and produced lower virus titers. As expected for an assembly defective NiV, perinuclear inclusions (IBperi) were formed, but inclusions at the plasma membrane (IBPM), which probably represent the viral assembly platforms, were not found. It is interesting to note that the transport-defective MNESmut was recruited to IBperi. This probably prevents overaccumulation of nonfunctional M proteins in the cytoplasm and nuclei of NiV-infected cells and thus provides first evidence that IBperi are functionally relevant aggresome-like compartments.
A causal imaging condition for reverse time migration using the Discrete Hilbert transform and its efficient implementation on GPU
Authors: Li Feipeng , Gao Jinghuai , Gao Zhaoqi , Jiang Xiudi , Sun Wenbo
Published: August 2019

Reverse time migration (RTM) has shown a significant advantage over other imaging algorithms for imaging complex subsurface structures. However, low-wavenumber noise severely contaminates the image, which is one of the main issues in the RTM algorithm. To attenuate the undesired low-wavenumber noise, the causal imaging condition based on wavefield decomposition has been proposed. First, wavefield decompositions are performed to separate the wavefields as up-going and down-going wave components, respectively. Then, to preserve causality, it constructs images by correlating wave components that propagate in different directions. We build a causal imaging condition in this paper. Not only does it consider the up/down wavefield decomposition, but it also applies the decomposition on the horizontal direction to enhance the image quality especially for steeply dipping structures. The wavefield decomposition is conventionally achieved by the frequency-wavenumber (F-K) transform that is very computationally intensive compared with the wave propagation process of the RTM algorithm. To improve the efficiency of the algorithm, we propose a fast implementation to perform wavefield separation using the discrete Hilbert transform via the Graphics Processing Unit. Numerical tests on both the synthetic models and a real data example demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the efficiency of the optimized implementation scheme. This new imaging condition shows its ability to produce high image quality when applied to both the RTM stack image and also the angle domain common image gathers. The comparison of the total elapsed time for different methods verifies the efficiency of the optimized algorithm.
Peptidoglycan layer and disruption processes in Bacillus subtilis cells visualized using quick-freeze, deep-etch electron microscopy
Authors: Tulum Isil , Tahara Yuhei O , Miyata Makoto
Published: August 2019

Peptidoglycan, which is the main component of the bacterial cell wall, is a heterogeneous polymer of glycan strands cross-linked with short peptides and is synthesized in cooperation with the cell division cycle. Although it plays a critical role in bacterial survival, its architecture is not well understood. Herein, we visualized the architecture of the peptidoglycan surface in Bacillus subtilis at the nanometer resolution, using quick-freeze, deep-etch electron microscopy (EM). Filamentous structures were observed on the entire surface of the cell, where filaments about 11 nm wide formed concentric circles on cell poles, filaments about 13 nm wide formed a circumferential mesh-like structure on the cylindrical part and a ‘piecrust’ structure was observed at the boundary. When growing cells were treated with lysozyme, the entire cell mass migrated to one side and came out from the cell envelope. Fluorescence labeling showed that lysozyme preferentially bound to a cell pole and cell division site, where the peptidoglycan synthesis was not complete. Ruffling of surface structures was observed during EM. When cells were treated with penicillin, the cell mass came out from a cleft around the cell division site. Outward curvature of the protoplast at the cleft seen using EM suggested that turgor pressure was applied as the peptidoglycan was not damaged at other positions. When muropeptides were depleted, surface filaments were lost while the rod shape of the cell was maintained. These changes can be explained on the basis of the working points of the chemical structure of peptidoglycan.
DNA Repair Biomarker for Lung Cancer Risk and its Correlation With Airway Cells Gene Expression
Authors: Paz-Elizur Tamar , Leitner-Dagan Yael , Meyer Kerstin B , Markus Barak , Giorgi Federico M , O’Reilly Martin , Kim Hyunjin , Evgy Yentl , Fluss Ronen , Freedman Laurence S , Rintoul Robert C , Ponder Bruce , Livneh Zvi
Published: August 2019

Background

Improving lung cancer risk assessment is required because current early-detection screening criteria miss most cases. We therefore examined the utility for lung cancer risk assessment of a DNA Repair score obtained from OGG1, MPG, and APE1 blood tests. In addition, we examined the relationship between the level of DNA repair and global gene expression.

Methods

We conducted a blinded case-control study with 150 non–small cell lung cancer case patients and 143 control individuals. DNA Repair activity was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the transcriptome of nasal and bronchial cells was determined by RNA sequencing. A combined DNA Repair score was formed using logistic regression, and its correlation with disease was assessed using cross-validation; correlation of expression to DNA Repair was analyzed using Gene Ontology enrichment.

Results

DNA Repair score was lower in case patients than in control individuals, regardless of the case’s disease stage. Individuals at the lowest tertile of DNA Repair score had an increased risk of lung cancer compared to individuals at the highest tertile, with an odds ratio (OR) of 7.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0 to 17.5; P < .001), and independent of smoking. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an area under the curve  of 0.89 (95% CI = 0.82 to 0.93). Remarkably, low DNA Repair score correlated with a broad upregulation of gene expression of immune pathways in patients but not in control individuals.

Conclusions

The DNA Repair score, previously shown to be a lung cancer risk factor in the Israeli population, was validated in this independent study as a mechanism-based cancer risk biomarker and can substantially improve current lung cancer risk prediction, assisting prevention and early detection by computed tomography scanning.
Studying Country-Specific Engagements with the International Court of Justice
Authors: Young Margaret A , Nyhan Emma , Charlesworth Hilary
Published: August 2019

Countries engage with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as litigants, as participants in advisory proceedings and, less directly, through contributions of nationals as judges or lawyers. A broad range of scholarship within the discipline of public international law examines this engagement. Specific regional experiences are often emphasized and grouped, for example, by western, African or Asian accounts. Yet the nature and extent of scholarship on a single country’s engagement with the Court are less commonly explored. This article surveys scholarly approaches to specific domestic engagement with the ICJ. It focuses on six countries—Australia, France, Nicaragua, Russia, the UK and the USA—and examines the scholarship generated by each of these countries’ encounters with the Court. This scholarship provides insights into politics, history, institutional practice, professional experience and international legal doctrine. Preliminary in scope, the article points to the value of empirical, historical and country-specific accounts of the work of the ICJ.
Skin ligation and argon beam coagulation for giant pachydermatocele resection
Authors: Morita Daiki , Nemoto Hitoshi , Togo Tomoichiro , Kimura Naohiro , Ito Yoshinori
Published: August 2019

Resection of giant neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1 has a high risk of perioperative bleeding because the tumors are enriched in blood vessels, which are weakened due to the loss and thinning of vascular smooth muscle. Therefore, we combined skin ligation around the tumor and use of an argon beam coagulator (ABC) for hemostasis during resecting the giant neurofibroma. The ABC is a non-contact-type hemostasis device employing argon gas as a medium. We examined the usefulness of our method by retrospectively comparing the outcomes of the ABC-use group with those of the non-use group (7 patients, 9 tumors). Although there was no difference in resected tumor weight between the two groups, the operation time was slightly shorter and the volume of blood loss was smaller in ABC-use group than in the non-use group. Our method for hemostasis is easy and safe and is considered to be a useful method.
Abnormal development of the inferior vena cava and its implications on distal venous drainage during cardiac surgery and other clinical entities
Authors: Dávalos Gerardo A , Muñoz Carmina A , Cornejo Francisco J , Garcés Juan , Endara Santiago A
Published: August 2019

Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are caused by an abnormal persistence or regression of embryonic precursor veins; they are usually incidental findings on imaging studies. These rare conditions have a 0.6% prevalence in individuals with congenital heart diseases and 0.3% in healthy patients. The purpose of this paper was to report two cases of interruption of IVC with hemiazygos continuation and its implications during surgery, highlighting that after recognizing this anomalous drainage the surgeon should be prepared to change the surgical strategies, especially in cardiovascular surgery, in order to obtain adequate circulatory flows or surgical exposure where venous cannulation could be difficult. We have also reported two cases of healthy patients with the same isolated IVC anomaly with no clinical repercussions, which can develop in the future.
Distinct metabolic pathways drive monoterpenoid biosynthesis in a natural population of Pelargonium graveolens
Authors: Bergman Matthew E , Chávez Ángel , Ferrer Albert , Phillips Michael A
Published: August 2019

Pelargonium graveolens is a wild predecessor to rose-scented geranium hybrids prized for their essential oils used as fragrances and flavorings. However, little is known about their biosynthesis. Here we present metabolic evidence that at least two distinct monoterpene biosynthetic pathways contribute to their volatile profiles, namely, cyclic p-menthanes such as (−)-isomenthone and acyclic monoterpene alcohols such as geraniol and (−)-citronellol and their derivatives (referred to here as citronelloid monoterpenes). We established their common origin via the 2C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathway but found no indication these pathways share common intermediates beyond geranyl diphosphate. Untargeted volatile profiling of 22 seed-grown P. graveolens lines demonstrated distinct chemotypes that preferentially accumulate (−)-isomenthone, geraniol, or (−)-citronellol along with approximately 85 minor volatile products. Whole plant 13CO2 isotopic labeling performed under physiological conditions permitted us to measure the in vivo rates of monoterpenoid accumulation in these lines and quantify differences in metabolic modes between chemotypes. We further determined that p-menthane monoterpenoids in Pelargonium are likely synthesized from (+)-limonene via (+)-piperitone rather than (+)-pulegone. Exploitation of this natural population enabled a detailed dissection of the relative rates of competing p-menthane and citronelloid pathways in this species, providing real time rates of monoterpene accumulation in glandular trichomes.
Responsible Gambling
Authors: Delfabbro Paul , King Daniel
Published: August 2019

This chapter examines how academics working in the field of gambling studies understand the concept of responsible gambling (RG). The authors begin with a discussion of the concept, theory, and objectives underpinning RG. They discuss the varying definitions of RG and how it has been featured in recent applications of public health theory in the gambling field. The authors consider the strengths and weaknesses of RG principles and then examine how understanding of RG might differ across different stakeholder groups (e.g., academics, the industry, and community welfare groups) and how this influences the practical application of RG principles. This is followed by analysis of the evidence available concerning the application of RG principles to practical situations as well as the facilitators and barriers to effective RG research. The authors conclude with a discussion of academic views about how to enhance research evidence and the practical application of RG principles.
Problem-Solving Courts
Authors: DeMatteo David , Heilbrun Kirk , Thornewill Alice , Arnold Shelby
Published: August 2019

This chapter summarizes problem-solving court principles and concepts, provides an overview of the limited reach of problem-solving courts, describes alternatives to problem-solving courts (e.g., diversion, smart sentencing, probation/parole), discusses strategies for incorporating a problem-solving approach in other aspects of the justice system, and examines current innovations for expanding problem-solving justice. This chapter discusses a “big picture” approach that includes a discussion of how reformation of certain aspects of the criminal justice system could effectively address the behavioral health needs of offenders and reduce recidivism. This chapter also discusses future directions within problem-solving justice in terms of research, practice, and policy.
Substance-Related Disorders
Authors: Daley Dennis C. , Douaihy Antoine
Published: August 2019

Substance-induced disorders include intoxication, withdrawal, and other substance- or medication-induced mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, or psychotic symptoms that are associated with use of specific types of substances. When the substances are stopped, the symptoms get better or go away altogether. SUDs include disorders related to use of alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics, stimulants, tobacco, and other (or unknown) substances. Eleven criteria are listed for diagnosis of an SUD. Statistics on SUDs in the United States are given. Advice is offered for family members and significant others who have a loved one with an SUD.
Effects of Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Daley Dennis C. , Douaihy Antoine
Published: August 2019

Effects of an alcohol or drug problem vary from mild to moderate to severe to fatal. As with any mild problem, there is a risk that it can worsen over time and lead to addiction. The effects of an SUD on the user or on the family depend on a combination of factors, including the amount, frequency, and methods of substance use; the presence of a co-occurring medical or psychiatric disorder; the user’s behavior and functioning; exposure to trauma; quality of relationships and social support; positive life experiences; access to treatment and recovery and willingness to stick with it; and motivation for change. Examples of the effects that SUDs can have in various areas of functioning are given.
Relapse After a Period of Recovery
Authors: Daley Dennis C. , Douaihy Antoine
Published: August 2019

Using alcohol or drugs after a period of recovery is called a lapse or a relapse. A lapse refers to the first episode of use, and may or may not lead to a relapse. A relapse refers to continued use of alcohol or drugs after the initial lapse. People with SUDs may lapse or relapse only once, several times, or many times. Although it is possible for anyone to get and stay sober, some people are at greater risk for relapse. It is best to view these people as struggling more than others who do better. Those who relapse are not bad but vulnerable people who have trouble controlling their use.
Treatment and Recovery for the Family
Authors: Daley Dennis C. , Douaihy Antoine
Published: August 2019

For the overall family, recovery involves changing how the family functions. It not only has to adjust to the sobriety of the recovering member (if this person is in recovery) but also has to make changes to function more effectively as a unit. Areas the family may need to address include accepting the SUD, stopping behaviors that reinforce substance use, improving communication, shifting family roles, reestablishing boundaries between generations, and building family togetherness. In some families, problems such as violence or abuse must be addressed. Professional treatment may be needed to address these issues and make changes in how the family functions. The change process can continue after treatment in mutual support programs.
Recovery for Individual Family Members
Authors: Daley Dennis C. , Douaihy Antoine
Published: August 2019

It is common to initially get involved in a family member’s treatment mainly to support him in getting and staying sober. However, as we start learning about SUDs, recovery, and the impact on family members, we may realize that involvement in our own recovery offers us a chance to address our personal issues, make changes, and grow as people. Recovery refers to learning about SUDs and their impact on us, healing from emotional hurts we experienced, and making changes so that we feel better about ourselves and more in control of our lives. This chapter provides an overview of mutual support groups and online resources.