bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living on the edge: Ecological and genetic connectivity of the spiny‐footed lizard, Acanthodactylus aureus, confirms the Atlantic Sahara desert as a biogeographic corridor and centre of lineage diversification
Authors: Velo‐Antón Guillermo , Martínez‐Freiría Fernando , Pereira Paulo , Crochet Pierre‐André , Brito José Carlos
Published: February 2018

Aim

Climatic fluctuations in northern Africa substantially changed the extent of the Sahara desert and Saharan species’ ranges. Yet, the region contained areas of climatic stability. We test the hypothesis that the Atlantic Sahara was a stable corridor, connecting ecoregions, for the spiny‐footed lizard Acanthodactylus aureus.

Location

Africa, Saharan Atlantic coastal desert.

Methods

We combined ecological modelling and phylogeographic and population genetic analyses. Ecological models for past and current conditions were used to predict climatically stable areas for the species over time. Genetic analysis, including for three mitochondrial fragments (12S, Cytb and COI), one nuclear gene (C‐mos) and 18 microsatellite markers, were used to unveil patterns of genetic structure and diversity, and gene flow dynamics within A. aureus.

Results

Three mtDNA allopatric lineages diversified during the Pliocene‐Pleistocene along the Atlantic Sahara. Two main areas of high climatic stability largely fit the regions with highest mtDNA diversity. Mito‐nuclear discordances along some coastal regions indicate evidence of gene flow between lineages, which are likely mediated by population expansions and male‐biased dispersal. Several geographical barriers to gene flow were also identified.

Main conclusion

This study highlights the role of the Atlantic Sahara ecoregion both as a centre of lineage diversification and as a occasional suitable corridor within the Sahara desert. Population retractions and expansions resulting from climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene, facilitated allopatric diversification and genetic introgression processes along this region, whereas stable geographical barriers limited gene flow dynamics.
Antiviral activities of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau extract against Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 in koi (Cyprinus carpio koi)
Authors: Haetrakul T , Dunbar S G , Chansue N
Published: February 2018

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3) or koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a virulent viral infection in common carp and koi. The disease has caused global epizootic and economic loss in fish aquaculture and in the wild. Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a well‐known medicinal plant used in Thai traditional medicine. Virucidal effects of the plant extract against human herpes simplex virus have been reported. In this study, C. nutans crude extract was tested for antiviral activities against CyHV‐3 in koi carp. Results showed effective antiviral activity against CyHV‐3 pre‐ and post‐infection. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of extract was higher than 5 mg/ml. The 50% effective dose (ED50) was 0.99 mg/ml, 0.78 mg/ml, 0.75 mg/ml and 0.71 mg/ml at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hr pre‐infection, respectively. The ED50 from post‐infection tests was 2.05 mg/ml and 2.34 mg/ml at 0 and 24 hr, respectively. These results demonstrated that crude extract expressed antiviral activity against CyHV‐3 and can be applied as a therapeutic agent in common carp and koi aquaculture.
The effect of dietary soy intake on weight loss, glycaemic control, lipid profiles and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Karamali M. , Kashanian M. , Alaeinasab S. , Asemi Z.
Published: February 2018

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary soy intake on weight loss and metabolic status of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A randomised clinical trial was conducted among 60 women with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either a test diet (n = 30) or a control diet (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Participants in the test group consumed a diet containing 0.8 g protein kg–1 body weight (35% animal proteins, 35% soy protein and 30% vegetable proteins) and participants in the control group consumed a similar diet containing 70% animal proteins and 30% vegetable proteins.

Results

Adherence to the test diet, compared with the control diet, resulted in significant decreases [mean (SD)] in body mass index (BMI) [−0.3 (0.6) versus +0.1 (0.5) kg m–2, P = 0.02], fasting plasma glucose [−0.2 (0.5) versus +0.1 (0.3) mmol L−1, P = 0.01], total testosterone [−0.3 (0.7) versus +0.3 (0.3) mmol L−1, P < 0.001], insulin [−15.0 (18.0) versus +4.8 (18.6) pmol L−1, P < 0.001] and insulin resistance [−0.6 (0.6) versus +0.2 (0.7), P < 0.001], as well as a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [+0.01 (0.01) versus −0.002 (0.02), P = 0.01]. In addition, significant decreases in triglycerides [−0.1 (0.4) versus +0.2 (0.3) mmol L−1, P = 0.01] and malondialdehyde (MDA) [−1.2 (1.0) versus +0.2 (1.2) μmol L−1, P < 0.001] and significant increases in nitric oxide (NO) [+13.6 (14.1) versus +0.9 (24.3) μmol L−1, P = 0.01] and glutathione (GSH) [+170.1 (175.5) versus +24.2 (168.7) μmol L−1, P = 0.002] were seen in the test group compared to the control.

Conclusions

Adherence to test diet among subjects with PCOS significantly decreased BMI, glycaemic control, total testosterone, triglycerides and MDA, and significantly increased NO and GSH compared to the control diet.
Evaluation of contrasting techniques for X‐ray imaging of velvet worms (Onychophora)
Authors: JAHN HENRY , OLIVEIRA IVO DE SENA , GROSS VLADIMIR , MARTIN CHRISTINE , HIPP ALEXANDER , MAYER GEORG , HAMMEL JÖRG U.
Published: February 2018

Non‐invasive imaging techniques like X‐ray computed tomography have become very popular in zoology, as they allow for simultaneous imaging of the internal and external morphology of organisms. Nevertheless, the effect of different staining approaches required for this method on samples lacking mineralized tissues, such as soft‐bodied invertebrates, remains understudied. Herein, we used synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray micro‐computed tomography to compare the effects of commonly used contrasting approaches on onychophorans – soft‐bodied invertebrates important for studying animal evolution. Representatives ofEuperipatoides rowelliwere stained with osmium tetroxide (vapour or solution), ruthenium red, phosphotungstic acid, or iodine. Unstained specimens were imaged using both standard attenuation‐based and differential phase‐contrast setups to simulate analyses with museum material. Our comparative qualitative analyses of several tissue types demonstrate that osmium tetroxide provides the best overall tissue contrast in onychophorans, whereas the remaining staining agents rather favour the visualisation of specific tissues and/or structures. Quantitative analyses using signal‐to‐noise ratio measurements show that the level of image noise may vary according to the staining agent and scanning medium selected. Furthermore, box‐and‐whisker plots revealed substantial overlap in grey values among structures in all datasets, suggesting that a combination of semiautomatic and manual segmentation of structures is required for comprehensive 3D reconstructions of Onychophora, irrespective of the approach selected. Our results show that X‐ray micro‐computed tomography is a promising technique for studying onychophorans and, despite the benefits and disadvantages of different staining agents for specific tissues/structures, this method retrieves informative data that may eventually help address evolutionary questions long associated with Onychophora.
Cooling of the oral mucosa to prevent adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents: An in vitro study
Authors: Walladbegi Java , Smith Sarah A. , Grayson Amy K. , Murdoch Craig , Jontell Mats , Colley Helen E.
Published: February 2018

Background

The cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents to the oral mucosa, as a side effect of cancer treatment, is a major problem. Cooling the oral mucosa using ice chips in conjunction with chemotherapy is known to reduce the severity of oral mucositis. However, although the use of ice chips is of clinical value, this method of cooling has inherent problems including discomfort for the patient, non‐uniformity and fluctuations in cooling temperature throughout the oral cavity. Furthermore, despite being used clinically, it is not known what reduction in temperature is required to prevent oral mucositis. The aim of this study was therefore to determine in vitro if the cytotoxic effect of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) on the oral mucosa could be reduced by lowering the temperature during chemotherapeutic treatment.

Methods

Tissue‐engineered oral mucosal (TEOM) models were incubated at 20, 25, 30 or 35°C for 30 minutes followed by exposure to a clinically relevant concentration of 5‐FU (162 μg/mL) for 2 hours and compared with untreated models (35°C). Cell viability and inflammatory cytokine production (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) were measured using PrestoBlue® and ELISA, respectively.

Results

TEOM models incubated at 20°C showed an increased cell viability and had a reduced IL‐6 and TNF‐α production compared to models treated with 5‐FU incubated at 35°C.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a reduced cytotoxic effect to the TEOM by reducing the temperature of the tissue during chemotherapy treatment and suggests that decreasing the temperature to 20°C could have clinical advantages.
Density and location of CD3+ and CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes correlate with prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Chen , Wu Yaping , Jiang Lei , Li Zhongwu , Diao Pengfei , Wang Dongmiao , Zhang Wei , Liu Laikui , Wang Yanling , Jiang Hongbing , Cheng Jie , Yang Jianrong
Published: February 2018

Background

Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are regarded as adaptive immune response of the host to cancer cells and valuable prognostic factors. Here, we sought to characterize the densities and locations of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples and assess their clinicopathological and prognostic significance.

Methods

A total number of 169 OSCC samples from 2 independent patient cohorts (Nanjing cohort, 93 cases; Wuxi cohort, 76 cases) were retrospectively collected. The numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs at tumor center (CT) and invasive margin (IM) of OSCC were identified by immunohistochemistry and calculated. The optimal cutoff values for CD3+ and CD8+ TILs to stratify patients were determined by X‐tile software in Nanjing cohort and further utilized in Wuxi cohort. The associations between CD3+/CD8+ TILs and clinicopathological parameters or patient survival were assessed. The prognostic values of CD3+/ CD8+ TILs were evaluated by Cox regression analyses.

Results

CD3+ and CD8+ TILs were identified at both CT and IM and enriched at IM. High density of CD3+ TILs at IM (CD3 IM) was significantly associated with increased overall and disease‐specific survival (P < .05). High density of CD8+ TILs at CT (CD8 CT) was significantly associated with increased overall but not disease‐specific survival. Moreover, CD3 IM and CD8 CT were identified as independent prognostic factors for patient survival.

Conclusions

Our findings provide further evidence to support the prognostic values of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs for OSCC, suggesting that TIL subsets might be viable biomarkers and therapeutic targets with translational significance.
Neural Substrates of Counterfactual Emotions After Risky Decisions in Late Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Rodrigo María José , Padrón Iván , de Vega Manuel , Ferstl Evelyn
Published: February 2018

Adolescents’ neural substrates of emotional reactions to the consequences of risky decisions are poorly understood. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, 30 late adolescents and 30 young adults made risky and neutral decisions in social scenarios and received valenced outcomes. Negative outcomes in risky decisions eliciting regret, as compared with negative outcomes in neutral decisions eliciting disappointment, activated executive control (orbitofrontal cortex) and self‐relevance regions (middle temporal gyrus [MTG], posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus) for both age groups. Young adults showed more activation than adolescents in regret and disappointment as compared with relief and elation conditions in the avoidance (insula), action monitoring (inferior frontal gyrus, pre‐SMA, and caudate), and social‐cognition regions (superior temporal sulcus and MTG). These late socio‐emotional developments may pave the way for more adaptive decision‐making behavior in social contexts.
‘We All Go a Little Mad Sometimes. Haven't You?’ Musical Empathy in Hitchcock'sPsycho
Authors: CLIFTON KEVIN
Published: February 2018

This essay explores a web of cognised and embodied empathies that emerge while watching Hitchcock'sPsycho, focusing on the role of musical empathy as it relates to Marion Crane's story. Drawing on work on empathetic music in film music studies, I explore how the actors, the characters, the musical score and the filmic audience are drawn together by a ‘sigh’ figure, a symbolic gesture that unifies the soundtrack.
Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients receiving dialysis: A systematic review
Authors: Zuvela Jordan , Trimingham Claire , Le Leu Richard , Faull Randall , Clayton Philip , Jesudason Shilpa , Meade Anthony
Published: February 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of all gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms reported by dialysis patients, as well as the tools being used for diagnosis. GI symptoms are commonly reported in patients having haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), but there are multiple definitions and assessment tools reported in the literature.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was undertaken using five databases (Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Psycinfo and Web of Science) between 1996 and 2017. Articles were critically appraised using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data collected were analyzed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

Results

Thirty studies (24 cross‐sectional, six cohort) met the inclusion criteria. In total 5161 patients were studied (3804 HD and 1507 PD). Fifteen studies included HD, five included PD and 10 included both dialysis modalities. GI symptoms were heterogeneous, with the reported prevalence highly dependent on the definitions used, inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessment tools and methods used. The most prevalent symptoms were constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain and reflux. Medication use and dietary data were poorly reported. The most common tools used were Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Rome II and Rome III. Constipation was more common in HD patients than PD patients. Indigestion, abdominal pain and reflux were commonly reported in both dialysis modalities.

Conclusions

Gastrointestinal symptoms are highly prevalent in people on dialysis; however, the evidence base is limited and further investigation of preventable causes and potential interventions such as medications and diet are required in future research.
Copper deposition in oligodendroglial cells in an autopsied case of hepatolenticular degeneration
Authors: Nishimuta Mayu , Masui Kenta , Yamamoto Tomoko , Ikarashi Yuichi , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Hashimoto Etsuko , Nagashima Yoji , Shibata Noriyuki
Published: February 2018

We present a case of hepatolenticular degeneration, so‐called Wilson’s disease (WD), in a 31‐year‐old Japanese man with broader deposition of copper in the liver, kidney and brain. The liver showed severe cirrhotic changes with macronodular pseudolobule formation, but there was little difference in immunohistochemical expression patterns of the copper transporter ATP7B between the control and present case. In the brain, there were both WD‐related lesions such as the scattering of Opalski cells and changes caused by hepatic encephalopathy including the appearance of Alzheimer type II glia. Of note, we identified copper deposits in the systemic organs, including hepatocytes, renal tubules, and in broad areas of the brain. Surprisingly, as a result of further pursuit, copper accumulation in the brain was rarely identified in neuronal cells, but in Olig2‐positive glial cells with double immunohistochemical staining. Together, this rare autopsied case suggests a novel cellular candidate affected by abnormal copper metabolism and the necessity to perform the systemic examination of copper deposition in WD.
Perceptual Variation and Structuralism
Authors: Morrison John
Published: February 2018

I use an old challenge to motivate a new view. The old challenge is due to variation in our perceptions of secondary qualities. The challenge is to say whose perceptions are accurate. The new view is about how we manage to perceive secondary qualities, and thus manage to perceive them accurately or inaccurately. I call itperceptual structuralism. I first introduce the challenge and point out drawbacks with traditional responses. I spend the rest of the paper motivating and defending a structuralist response. While I focus on color, both the challenge and the view generalize to the other secondary qualities.
Genome‐wide association mapping of the architecture of susceptibility to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Warmerdam Sonja , Sterken Mark G. , van Schaik Casper , Oortwijn Marian E. P. , Sukarta Octavina C. A. , Lozano‐Torres Jose L. , Dicke Marcel , Helder Johannes , Kammenga Jan E. , Goverse Aska , Bakker Jaap , Smant Geert
Published: February 2018

Susceptibility to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in plants is thought to be a complex trait based on multiple genes involved in cell differentiation, growth and defence. Previous genetic analyses of susceptibility to M. incognita have mainly focused on segregating dominant resistance genes in crops. It is not known if plants harbour significant genetic variation in susceptibility to M. incognita independent of dominant resistance.

To study the genetic architecture of susceptibility to M. incognita, we analysed nematode reproduction on a highly diverse set of 340 natural inbred lines of Arabidopsis thaliana with genome‐wide association mapping. We observed a surprisingly large variation in nematode reproduction among these lines.

Genome‐wide association mapping revealed four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) located on chromosomes 1 and 5 of A. thaliana significantly associated with reproductive success of M. incognita, none of which harbours typical resistance gene homologues. Mutant analysis of three genes located in two QTLs showed that the transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 and an F‐box family protein may function as (co‐)regulators of susceptibility to M. incognita in Arabidopsis.

Our data suggest that breeding for loss‐of‐susceptibility, based on allelic variants critically involved in nematode feeding, could be used to make crops more resilient to root‐knot nematodes.
Production of a desirable Brassica oleraceaCMS line using an alloplasmic B. rapaCMS line carrying Diplotaxis erucoides cytoplasm as a bridge plant
Authors: Fujita Yoshiaki , Sunaga Keita , Shim Su‐Hyeun , Yamada Wataru , Ohnishi Takayuki , Bang Sang Woo
Published: February 2018

In Brassica oleracea, production of F1 hybrid seeds mainly makes use of the improved Ogura cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line. However, reliance on one particular line is a risk, and it would be advantageous to develop other CMS lines. In this study, we transferred Diplotaxis erucoides cytoplasm to B. oleracea cultivars using an alloplasmic B. rapaCMS line as a bridge plant to avoid incompatibility between donor and recipient plants. The new B. oleraceaCMS lines, which were derived by four generations of backcrossing, had small rudimentary anthers with no pollen grain and showed complete male sterility. There was no functional defect in other floral organs, and the ability to receive normal pollen did not appear to be impaired. Moreover, the B. oleraceaCMS lines carrying D. erucoides cytoplasm had larger leaf areas and a normal plastochron. As a consequence, the B. oleraceaCMS lines carrying D. erucoides cytoplasm have the potential to be valuable alternatives for use in commercial B. oleracea hybrid seed production.
Young children's conceptions of knowledge
Authors: Dudley Rachel
Published: February 2018

How should knowledge be analyzed? Compositionally, as having constituents like belief and justification, or as an atomic concept? In making arguments for or against these perspectives, epistemologists have begun to use experimental evidence from developmental psychology and developmental linguistics. If we were to conclude that knowledge were developmentally prior to belief, then we might have a good basis to claim that belief is not a constituent of knowledge. In this review, I present a broad range of developmental evidence from the past decade and discuss some of the implications it has for the proper analysis of knowledge. The orthodox perspective from the developmental literature was one where children fail to understand belief and knowledge concepts until later in childhood (around 4–5 years of age), with typical asymmetries in belief attribution and knowledge attribution. But what emerges from both a discussion of newer findings and a contextualization of older findings is a picture of development whereby core competence with belief and knowledge concepts emerges much earlier than previously thought (in the first or second year of life) that apparent failures in later childhood may be explained by other aspects of development than conceptual development and that there is no clear evidence that knowledge attributions emerge earlier than belief attributions.
Governing through mobilities and the expansion of spatial capability of Vietnamese marriage migrant activist women in South Korea
Authors: Kim Yulii , Shin HaeRan
Published: February 2018

This paper revisits the debate on marriage migration by highlighting the role of governing power and individual response in the process of migration decision‐making and post‐settlement of Vietnamese marriage migrant activist women in South Korea. It contributes to current marriage migration debates by employing the lens of ‘governmobility’ and ‘spatial capability’. The research looks at how female migrant activists maneuver coercion, resistance, and activism, both governed by nation‐state politics, but also actively deciding their fate amidst pressures of the global marriage market. Based on in‐depth interviews with 21 Vietnamese marriage migrant women who have worked in mentoring, counselling and translating for other Vietnamese migrants, our findings demonstrate that marriage migrants are positioned in between two nation‐states whose perspectival focus is on relieving the tensions of their own domestic job and marital markets. At the same time, these women have broken free from the inertia of socio‐familial status quo and state intervention to become self‐governing agents of mobility in various stages of their migration and adaptation. Fueled on by their position as activists, the marriage migrants then expand their spatial capability to place‐making—shifting the notion of freedom from simply taking part in mobility to reshaping their locale.
Age‐dependent skin texture analysis and evaluation using mobile camera image
Authors: Moon C.‐I. , Lee O.
Published: February 2018

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate skin condition, expensive equipment is required, continuous skin care is difficult. Therefore, we obtain the skin image using mobile camera, and propose a new algorithm that easily and simply extracts skin features.

Methods

We analyze skin features, extracting the wrinkle length, cell area, and the number of cells. To get accurate skin features, we obtain a new skin binary image, and apply Watershed segmentation to it. So, we improve the accuracy of skin analysis. Therefore, we compare and analyze the degree of matching distribution of wrinkles, the shape of the cell, etc., using similarity between the ground truth and the proposed algorithm result image.

Results

We extract skin surface features using a mobile camera image, and verify the change in skin features with age. Also, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm through the similarity between the ground truth and proposed result image.

Conclusion

The proposed method in this study shows that the skin surface can be quantitatively evaluated by the similarity with ground truth. We also propose a method to diagnose and manage individual skin condition using a mobile camera in real life.
Teaching statistics through the law
Authors: Byun K.J. , Croucher John S.
Published: February 2018

Class examples for a standard introductory statistics course usually involve a variety of applications. In this paper, we consider the teaching of statistics using forensic science and the law, an area that holds some fascination with many audiences.
The Turkish Adaptation of the Mathematical Resilience Scale: Validity and Reliability Study
Authors: Gürefe Nejla , Akçakın Veysel
Published: February 2018

Persistent in mathematical studies is an important element allowing students to be successful in their STEM careers, and there is a need for affective measurement instruments to assess persistence in mathematics in spite of problems. For this reason, this study aims to adapt the Mathematical Resilience Scale developed to assess resilience, which is described as having a positive attitude towards mathematics, to Turkish. The fitness of the factor structure of the scale consisting of three factors was investigated using the confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the scale and its factors was assessed using the Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient. The reliability value was found to be .92, .80, .76, and .87 for the value factor, the struggle factor, the growth factor, and the entire scale, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis validated the factor structure of the scale, and the second-level confirmatory factor analysis was performed to show that the factors of the scale were components of resilience. As a result, it was found that the resilience consisted of three components, namely value, struggle, and growth, and the scale was capable of measuring mathematical resilience of undergraduate students validly and reliably.
The Impact of Therapeutic Recreational Gymnastic Exercise on Basic Motor Skills of Hearing-Impaired Children Aged Between 6 and 9 Years
Authors: Demirel Nurcan
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to investigate the impact of therapeutic recreational gymnastic exercises on basic motor skills of hearing-impaired children aged between 6-9 years.Material and Method: 18 students (12 boys; 6 girls) between the ages of 6-9 years participated in the study. 9 of these students were determined as experimental group (3 girls; 6 boys), and the other 9 were determined as control group (3 girls; 6 boys). Before and after the trainings, gross motor development tests (25m. walking, running, jumping, gallop jumping, standing long jump, dribbling, throwing tennis ball, catching the thrown ball, kicking the thrown ball, kicking the still ball) were applied to all the students in the experimental and control group, and the data were recorded. “Special movement training programme” was prepared for the trainings. The trainings were performed for 50-75 minutes twice a week for ten weeks. After the ten-week training programme, gross motor development tests were reapplied to the children as post-test.Analysis: The obtained data were analysed using SPSS.20, and of frequency, arithmetic mean and nonparametric tests, Mann Whitney U- test was applied as analysis method and the findings were tabulated.Results and Discussion: As a result of the study, significant developments (p>0,01) were found in gross motor development tests (25 m. walking, jumping, gallop jumping, standing long jump, throwing tennis ball, catching the thrown ball, kicking the still ball) of the children in the control group. Positive developments were not observed in the tests of 25 m. running, standing dribbling, kicking the thrown ball, and no significant developments (p>0,01 ) were observed in children in the control group.
Evolution of traps in TiN/O3-sourced Al2O3/GaN gate structures with thermal annealing temperature
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Huang Sen , Bao Qilong , Wang Xinhua , Wei Ke , Li Yankui , Xiang Jinjuan , Zhao Chao , Yang Xuelin , Shen Bo , Guo Shiping
Published: February 2018

The interface between a GaN epitaxial layer and an Al2O3 gate dielectric, which was grown by atomic layer deposition using O3 as the oxygen source on top of a 2-nm H2O-sourced Al2O3 interfacial layer, was engineered by applying a high-temperature postmetal annealing (PMA) process. The O3-sourced Al2O3 gate dielectric featured good thermal stability and breakdown behavior, even at a PMA temperature of 700 °C. Moreover, deep interface/bulk traps in the O3-sourced Al2O3/GaN structures were effectively suppressed, as confirmed by characterization using deep-level transient spectroscopy. However, extended line defects and holelike traps were observed at higher PMA temperatures (750 °C), which were considered to originate from the interface reaction between partially crystallized O3-sourced Al2O3 and the GaN epitaxial layer.
Deep convolutional neural networks for estimating porous material parameters with ultrasound tomography
Authors: Lähivaara Timo , Kärkkäinen Leo , Huttunen Janne M. J. , Hesthaven Jan S.
Published: February 2018

The feasibility of data based machine learning applied to ultrasound tomography is studied to estimate water-saturated porous material parameters. In this work, the data to train the neural networks is simulated by solving wave propagation in coupled poroviscoelastic-viscoelastic-acoustic media. As the forward model, a high-order discontinuous Galerkin method is considered, while deep convolutional neural networks are used to solve the parameter estimation problem. In the numerical experiment, the material porosity and tortuosity is estimated, while the remaining parameters which are of less interest are successfully marginalized in the neural networks-based inversion. Computational examples confirm the feasibility and accuracy of this approach.
Examining the Environmental Characteristics of Shared Leadership in a Sport-for-Development Organization
Authors: Jones Gareth J. , Wegner Christine E. , Bunds Kyle S. , Edwards Michael B. , Bocarro Jason N.
Published: February 2018

To promote community development, sport-for-development (SFD) organizations strive to build local leadership that fosters long-term sustainability. Although shared leadership (SL) structures are particularly effective in these settings, there has been limited attention to SL within the SFD context, especially from a multilevel perspective. While previous studies of leadership in sport have primarily focused on the individual traits of leaders, multilevel analysis is required to understand how environmental characteristics relate to leadership development. This qualitative case study analyzes the development and deployment of SL in an American SFD organization. Interviews, observations, and document analysis are used to generate data, and theoretical thematic analysis is used to identify key themes related to the environmental characteristics of SL. Results highlight how environmental characteristics are related to SL, as well as group and task characteristics. The discussion integrates these findings with SL theory to discuss implications for the management of SFD projects in this context, and recommends integrated forms of leadership that combine shared and servant leadership approaches.
Trends and fluctuations in the severity of interstate wars
Authors: Clauset Aaron
Published: February 2018

Advanced statistical models suggest that the likelihood of a large interstate war has not changed over 200 years.
Cardiorespiratory interactions previously identified as mammalian are present in the primitive lungfish
Authors: Monteiro Diana A. , Taylor Edwin W. , Sartori Marina R. , Cruz André L. , Rantin Francisco T. , Leite Cleo A. C.
Published: February 2018

Heart rate variation during air breathing indicates similarities between mammals and primitive lungfish.
Bringing an Iranian oasis back from the dead
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: February 2018

Water crisis and rising air pollution are stoking regional tensions.
Biologist unveils China's first private research university
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: February 2018

Venture aims to fill gap in higher education landscape.
Ocean array alters view of Atlantic conveyor
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: February 2018

First data from subpolar moorings show surprising current strengths east of Greenland.
Recurrences in an isolated quantum many-body system
Authors: Rauer Bernhard , Erne Sebastian , Schweigler Thomas , Cataldini Federica , Tajik Mohammadamin , Schmiedmayer Jörg
Published: February 2018

Recurring coherence

A finite isolated system should return almost to its initial state if it evolves for long enough. For a large system, “long enough” is often unfeasibly long. Rauer
et al.
found just the right conditions to observe the recurrence of the initial state in a system of two one-dimensional superfluids with thousands of atoms in each. The superfluids were initially coupled—locking their quantum mechanical phases together—and then allowed to evolve independently. After the uncoupling, the researchers observed their phases regaining coherence two more times.

Science
, this issue p.
307
Comment on “The whole-soil carbon flux in response to warming”
Authors: Xiao Jing , Yu Fangjian , Zhu Wanying , Xu Chenchao , Zhang Kaihang , Luo Yiqi , Tiedje James M. , Zhou Jizhong , Cheng Lei
Published: February 2018

In a compelling study, Hicks Pries
et al
. (Reports, 31 March 2017, p. 1420) showed that 4°C warming enhanced soil CO
2
production in the 1-meter soil profile, with all soil depths displaying similar temperature sensitivity (Q
10
). We argue that some caveats can be identified in their experimental approach and analysis, and that these critically undermine their conclusions and hence their claim that the strength of feedback between the whole-soil carbon and climate has been underestimated in terrestrial models.
Soliton microcomb range measurement
Authors: Suh Myoung-Gyun , Vahala Kerry J.
Published: February 2018

Miniaturized optical ranging and tracking

Light detection and ranging systems are used in many engineering and environmental sensing applications. Their relatively large size and cost, however, tend to be prohibitive for general use in autonomous vehicles and drones. Suh and Vahala and Trocha
et al.
show that optical frequency combs generated by microresonator devices can be used for precision ranging and the tracking of fast-moving objects. The compact size of the microresonators could broaden the scope for widespread applications, providing a platform for miniaturized laser ranging systems suitable for photonic integration.

Science
, this issue p.
884
, p.
887
U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neandertal origin of Iberian cave art
Authors: Hoffmann D. L. , Standish C. D. , García-Diez M. , Pettitt P. B. , Milton J. A. , Zilhão J. , Alcolea-González J. J. , Cantalejo-Duarte P. , Collado H. , de Balbín R. , Lorblanchet M. , Ramos-Muñoz J. , Weniger G.-Ch. , Pike A. W. G.
Published: February 2018

Neandertal cave art

It has been suggested that Neandertals, as well as modern humans, may have painted caves. Hoffmann
et al.
used uranium-thorium dating of carbonate crusts to show that cave paintings from three different sites in Spain must be older than 64,000 years. These paintings are the oldest dated cave paintings in the world. Importantly, they predate the arrival of modern humans in Europe by at least 20,000 years, which suggests that they must be of Neandertal origin. The cave art comprises mainly red and black paintings and includes representations of various animals, linear signs, geometric shapes, hand stencils, and handprints. Thus, Neandertals possessed a much richer symbolic behavior than previously assumed.

Science
, this issue p.
912
Nitrogen fixation and reduction at boron
Authors: Légaré Marc-André , Bélanger-Chabot Guillaume , Dewhurst Rian D. , Welz Eileen , Krummenacher Ivo , Engels Bernd , Braunschweig Holger
Published: February 2018

Boron learns to give back to nitrogen

Although diatomic nitrogen is famously inert, a variety of transition metals can bind to it through a process termed backbonding. As the nitrogen weakly shares its own electrons, some electrons from the metal reach back out to it. Nonmetals would not seem to have the capacity for this type of bonding, but now Légaré
et al.
show that conventionally electron-deficient boron can be coaxed into it (see the Perspective by Broere and Holland). The authors treated boron-based precursors with potassium under a nitrogen atmosphere to produce several compounds with sandwiched dinitrogen between two boron centers in reduced motifs reminiscent of metal complexes.

Science
, this issue p.
896
; see also p.
871
Early emergence of cortical interneuron diversity in the mouse embryo
Authors: Mi Da , Li Zhen , Lim Lynette , Li Mingfeng , Moissidis Monika , Yang Yifei , Gao Tianliuyun , Hu Tim Xiaoming , Pratt Thomas , Price David J. , Sestan Nenad , Marín Oscar
Published: February 2018

Embryonic hints of adult diversity

The adult brain contains dozens of different types of interneurons that control and refine neuronal circuits. Mi
et al.
used single-cell transcriptomics to investigate when these subtypes emerge during interneuron development in the mouse. Transcriptomes of embryonic interneurons showed similarities to adult classes of differentiated interneurons, thus dividing the immature embryonic interneurons themselves into classes. Nearly a dozen classes of embryonic neurons could be identified soon after their last mitosis by transcriptomic similarity with known classes of adult cortical interneurons. Thus, the fate of embryonic interneurons can be read in their transcriptomes well before the neurons migrate and reach their final sites of differentiation and circuit integration.

Science
, this issue p.
81
Cancer detection: Seeking signals in blood
Authors: Kalinich Mark , Haber Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Combining gene mutations and protein biomarkers for earlier detection and localization
Unnaturally aglow with a bright inner light
Authors: Nasu Yusuke , Campbell Robert E.
Published: February 2018

A bioluminescent system enables imaging single cells deep inside small animals
Outcomes of neonatal jaundice in Taiwan
Authors: Tsao Pei-Chen , Yeh Hsin-Ling , Chang Yen-Chen , Chiang Po-Huang , Shiau Yu-Shih , Chiang Szu-Hui , Soong Wen-Jue , Jeng Mei-Jy , Hsiao Kwang-Jen
Published: February 2018

Objective

To investigate the burden of clinically significant neonatal jaundice (SNJ) in Taiwan, 2000–2010.

Study design

The nationwide, population-based health insurance database in Taiwan was used to investigate the incidence, kernicterus rate and mortality rates of SNJ cohort born between 2000 and 2010.

Results

From 2000 to 2010, up to 242 546 patients admitted with neonatal jaundice (NJ) were identified. The incidence of SNJ was 5.9% in 2000 and increased to 13.7% in 2010 (P<0.001). The mortality rate significantly decreased from 0.51% in 2000 to 0.26% in 2010 (P<0.001) and the average incidence of kernicterus was 0.86 per 100 000 live births, indicating dramatically decreased rates compared with earlier rates in Taiwan.

Conclusions

In spite of the increased incidence rates, the rates of mortality and kernicterus in patients with NJ significantly declined in Taiwan. The public health prevention programme, clinicians’ awareness and effective management might contribute to the reduction of these acute severe sequelae.
Exploring the relationship between local food environments and obesity in UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Fuentes Pacheco Andrea , Carrillo Balam Gabriela , Archibald Daryll , Grant Elizabeth , Skafida Valeria
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Obesity is a global pandemic that affects all socioeconomic strata, however, the highest figures have been observed in the most disadvantaged social groups. Evidence from the USA and Canada showed that specific urban settings encourage obesogenic behaviour in the population living and/or working there. We aim to examine the evidence on the association between local food environments and obesity in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

Six databases from 1990 to 2017 will be searched: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Scopus, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) and Web of Science. Grey literature will also be sought by searching Opengrey Europe, The Grey Literature Report and relevant government websites. Additional studies will be retrieved from the reference lists of the selected articles. It will include cohort, longitudinal, case study and cross-sectional studies that have assessed the relationship between local food environments and obesity in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand regardless of sex, age and ethnicity of the population. Two researchers will independently select the studies and extract the data. Data items will incorporate: author names, title, study design, year of study, year exposure data collected, country, city, urban/rural, age range, study exclusions, special characteristics of study populations, aims, working definitions of food environments and food outlets, exposure and methods of data collection, outcomes and key findings. A narrative synthesis and a summary of the results will be produced separately for children and adults, according to the type of food exposure–outcome. All the selected studies will be assessed using The Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will be based on published literature, and therefore ethical approval has not been sought. Our findings will be presented at relevant national and international scientific conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Trajectories of body mass index and waist circumference in four Peruvian settings at different level of urbanisation: the CRONICAS Cohort Study
Authors: Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo M , Miranda J Jaime , Gilman Robert H , Checkley William , Smeeth Liam , Bernabé-Ortiz Antonio
Published: February 2018

Background

Studies have reported the incidence/risk of becoming obese, but few have described the trajectories of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over time, especially in low/middle-income countries. We assessed the trajectories of BMI and WC according to sex in four sites in Peru.

Methods

Data from the population-based CRONICAS Cohort Study were analysed. We fitted a population-averaged model by using generalised estimating equations. The outcomes of interest, with three data points over time, were BMI and WC. The exposure variable was the factorial interaction between time and study site.

Results

At baseline mean age was 55.7 years (SD: 12.7) and 51.6% were women. Mean follow-up time was 2.5 years (SD: 0.4). Over time and across sites, BMI and WC increased linearly. The less urbanised sites showed a faster increase than more urbanised sites, and this was also observed after sex stratification. Overall, the fastest increase was found for WC compared with BMI. Compared with Lima, the fastest increase in WC was in rural Puno (coefficient=0.73, P<0.001), followed by urban Puno (coefficient=0.59, P=0.001) and Tumbes (coefficient=0.22, P=0.088).

Conclusions

There was a linear increase in BMI and WC across study sites, with the greatest increase in less urbanised areas. The ongoing urbanisation process, common to Peru and other low/middle-income countries, is accompanied by different trajectories of increasing obesity-related markers.
Addressing ethical challenges in HIV prevention research with people who inject drugs
Authors: Dawson Liza , Strathdee Steffanie A , London Alex John , Lancaster Kathryn E , Klitzman Robert , Hoffman Irving , Rose Scott , Sugarman Jeremy
Published: February 2018

Despite recent advances in HIV prevention and treatment, high HIV incidence persists among people who inject drugs (PWID). Difficult legal and political environments and lack of services for PWID likely contribute to high HIV incidence. Some advocates question whether any HIV prevention research is ethically justified in settings where healthcare system fails to provide basic services to PWID and where implementation of research findings is fraught with political barriers. Ethical challenges in research with PWID include concern about whether research evidence will be translated into practice; concerns that research might exacerbate background risks; and ethical challenges regarding the standard of HIV prevention in research. While these questions arise in other research settings, for research with PWID, these questions are especially controversial. This paper analyses four ethical questions in determining whether research could be ethically acceptable: (1) Can researchers ensure that research does not add to the burden of social harms and poor health experienced by PWID? (2) Should research be conducted in settings where it is uncertain whether research findings will be translated into practice? (3) When best practices in prevention and care are not locally available, what standard of care and prevention is ethically appropriate? (4) Does the conduct of research in settings with oppressive policies constitute complicity? We outline specific criteria to address these four ethical challenges. We also urge researchers to join the call to action for policy change to provide proven safe and effective HIV prevention and harm reduction interventions for PWID around the world.
Ocular neuromyotonia
Authors: Soares-dos-Reis Ricardo , Martins Ana Inês , Brás Ana , Matos Anabela , Bento Conceição , Lemos João
Published: February 2018

Ocular neuromyotonia is a rare, albeit treatable, ocular motor disorder, characterised by recurrent brief episodes of diplopia due to tonic extraocular muscle contraction. Ephaptic transmission in a chronically damaged ocular motor nerve is the possible underlying mechanism. It usually improves with carbamazepine. A 53-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of recurrent episodes of binocular vertical diplopia (up to 40/day), either spontaneously or after sustained downward gaze. Between episodes she had a mild left fourth nerve palsy. Sustained downward gaze consistently triggered downward left eye tonic deviation, lasting around 1 min. MR scan of the brain was normal. She improved on starting carbamazepine but developed a rash that necessitated stopping the drug. Switching to lacosamide controlled her symptoms.