bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-modelling for Decarbonisation in Urban Rail Systems
Authors: Golightly David , Gamble Carl , Palacin Roberto , Pierce Ken
Published: November 2019

This paper demonstrates a methodology for flexible, dynamic systems modelling relevant to urban rail decarbonisation. Decarbonisation of urban rail is a vital component of policy and strategy to minimize anthropogenic emissions. Decarbonisation is a systems problem, however, that needs to reflect the interaction between components and processes. Dynamic computer modelling of systems for decarbonisation involves interfacing multiple models together and running them in parallel in order to observe and predict systems-level effects. This is challenging due to the diverse nature of models, achieving parallel model integration and concerns around intellectual property (IP). One solution is the multi-modelling paradigm, which supports integrated, diverse, secure interfacing of models. This paper demonstrates the application of the multi-modelling approach, using the INTO-CPS tool chain. A multi-model was developed comprising key components required for urban rail decarbonisation problems. This multi-model was tested for power consumption in four different scenarios with an example drawn from the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom. These scenarios compared combinations of decarbonisation intervention (baseline rolling stock versus lightweight, regenerative braking rolling stock and baseline driving style versus energy-efficient defensive driving style), generating different power consumption profiles for each. As such, this serves as a proof of the application of the multi-modelling approach and demonstrates a number of benefits for flexible and rapid systems modelling. This paper fills a knowledge gap by demonstrating a potentially valuable tool for future systems-level decarbonisation challenges in urban rail.
Discovering Latent Threads in Entity Histories
Authors: Duan Yijun , Jatowt Adam , Tanaka Katsumi
Published: November 2019

Knowledge of entity histories is often necessary for comprehensive understanding and characterization of entities. Yet, the analysis of an entity’s history is often most meaningful when carried out in comparison with the histories of other entities. In this paper, we describe a novel task ofhistory-based entity categorizationandcomparison. Based on a set of entity-related documents which are assumed as an input, we determine latent entity categories whose members share similar histories; hence, we are effectively grouping entities based on the correspondences in their historical developments. Next, we generate comparative timelines for each determined group allowing users to elucidate similarities and differences in the histories of entities. We evaluate our approach on several datasets of different entity types demonstrating its effectiveness against competitive baselines.
A family of tractable graph metrics
Authors: Bento José , Ioannidis Stratis
Published: November 2019

Important data mining problems such as nearest-neighbor search and clustering admit theoretical guarantees when restricted to objects embedded in a metric space. Graphs are ubiquitous, and clustering and classification over graphs arise in diverse areas, including, e.g., image processing and social networks. Unfortunately, popular distance scores used in these applications, that scale over large graphs, are not metrics and thus come with no guarantees. Classic graph distances such as, e.g., the chemical distance and the Chartrand-Kubiki-Shultz distance are arguably natural and intuitive, and are indeed also metrics, but they are intractable: as such, their computation does not scale to large graphs. We define a broad family of graph distances, that includes both the chemical and the Chartrand-Kubiki-Shultz distances, and prove that these are all metrics. Crucially, we show that our family includes metrics that are tractable. Moreover, we extend these distances by incorporating auxiliary node attributes, which is important in practice, while maintaining both the metric property and tractability.
Investigating the foreign language effect as a mitigating influence on the ‘optimality bias’ in moral judgements
Authors: Bodig Emma , Toivo Wilhelmiina , Scheepers Christoph
Published: November 2019

Bilinguals often display reduced emotional resonance their second language (L2) and therefore tend to be less prone to decision-making biases in their L2 (e.g., Costa et al. in Cognition 130(2):236–254, 2014a, PLoS One 9(4):1–7, 2014b)—a phenomenon coined Foreign Language Effect (FLE). The present pre-registered experiments investigated whether FLE can mitigate a special case of cognitive bias, called optimality bias, which occurs when observers erroneously blame actors for making “suboptimal” choices, even when there was not sufficient information available for the actor to identify the best choice (De Freitas and Johnson in J Exp Soc Psychol 79:149–163, 2018. 10.1016/j.jesp.2018.07.011). In Experiment 1, L1 English speakers (N = 63) were compared to L2 English speakers from various L1 backgrounds (N = 56). In Experiment 2, we compared Finnish bilinguals completing the study in either Finnish (L1, N = 103) or English (L2, N = 108). Participants read a vignette describing the same tragic outcome resulting from either an optimal or suboptimal choice made by a hypothetical actor with insufficient knowledge. Their blame attributions were measured using a 4-item scale. A strong optimality bias was observed; participants assigned significantly more blame in the suboptimal choice conditions, despite being told that the actor did not know which choice was best. However, no clear interaction with language was found. In Experiment 1, bilinguals gave reliably higher blame scores than natives. In Experiment 2, no clear influence of target language was found, but the results suggested that the FLE is actually more detrimental than helpful in the domain of blame attribution. Future research should investigate the benefits of emotional involvement in blame attribution, including factors such as empathy and perspective-taking.
Left subclavian artery occlusion during endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic injury, cohort study
Authors: Alhaizaey Abdullah , Aljabri Badr , Alghamdi Musaad , AlAhmary Ali , karmota Ahmad G. , Asiry Mohammed , Al-Omran Mohammed , Alhazmi Barrag , Abulyazied Ahmed , Abbass Mustaffa , Azazy Ahmed
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT

Background:

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is superior to open techniques, as it is a minimally invasive procedure with low morbidity and mortality rates. The aortic isthmus is usually the rupture site in aortic thoracic injuries. Therefore, the distance from the left subclavian artery (LSA) usually allows proximal stent graft fixation. The main challenge is the intentional coverage of the LSA without revascularization, which is necessary to expand the proximal landing zone and to achieve an adequate seal. Acute arm ischemia, claudication, stroke, and/or left subclavian steal syndrome may occur during intentional occlusion of the LSA without revascularization when performing thoracic aorta lesion endovascular repair. The present study was conducted to analyze the safety of coverage of the LSA without revascularization during the endovascular treatment of traumatic thoracic aorta injuries.

Methods:

A retrospectively collected data set from two trauma centers in Saudi Arabia was reviewed between April 2007 and January 2018 to analyze the safety of LSA coverage during TEVAR performed for traumatic thoracic aorta transection. In this data set, 69 patients presented with descending thoracic aortic injuries. All were treated urgently with TEVAR with intentional LSA occlusion without revascularization during aortic injury endovascular repair. Those who underwent thoracotomy and pre-TEVAR patients who died were excluded from this study.

Results:

A total of 69 patients underwent intentional left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage without revascularization during the procedure; the primary technical success reached 94.2% for patients who underwent TEVAR for traumatic aortic transection. The clinical success rate was 98.6%. Only 1 of 69 patients with LSA coverage developed a localized ischemic stroke (1.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 4.3% due to multiple organ failure.

Conclusion:

Revascularization of LSA is not mandatory with TEVAR for treating traumatic thoracic aortic injury with an inadequate proximal landing zone. Extending the landing zone to zone 2 and coverage of LSA is considered safe and non-time-consuming, especially in urgent situations. It provides better fixation and a good sealing zone.

Highlights:
Management of Thyroid Eye Disease-Related Strabismus
Authors: Akbari Mohammad Reza , Mirmohammadsadeghi Arash , Mahmoudzadeh Raziyeh , Veisi Amirreza
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To review various treatment methods in thyroid eye disease (TED) related strabismus.

Methods:

We searched in PubMed and Google Scholar and Ovid MEDLINE for keywords including TED-related strabismus, strabismus in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, Graves' ophthalmopathy related strabismus or squint, and restrictive strabismus. Two expert strabismus specialists selected and evaluated the English articles that were related to our paper and had been published since 2000. Some articles were added based upon the references of the initial articles.

Results:

One hundred fifteen articles were found, 98 of which were mostly related to the topic of this review. Management of TED-related strabismus was reviewed and categorized in non-surgical and surgical. Botulinum toxin A (BTA) is a useful non-surgical management of strabismus in an active TED and residual deviation after strabismus surgery. Postoperative under-correction is relatively more common in TED-related esotropia. Lateral rectus resection and BTA are the options to manage the problem. Muscle rectus muscle resection should be performed after maximum recession of restricted muscles. It should be avoided on a restricted or enlarged muscle. Management of TED-related vertical deviation is challenging. In these cases, the surgical treatment selected depends on forced duction test (FDT) (pre and intraoperative), orbital imaging (which muscle is enlarged), and the amount of vertical deviation (in both down-gaze and primary position).

Conclusions:

TED-related strabismus needs careful evaluation and management to achieve optimal outcome. Different surgical and non-surgical options are available for intervention in TED-related strabismus.
Arousal Incontinence in Men Following Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence, Impact and Predictors
Authors: Bach Phil Vu , Salter Carolyn A. , Katz Darren , Schofield Elizabeth , Nelson Christian J. , Mulhall John P.
Published: November 2019

Background

Arousal incontinence (AI) occurs during physical or psychological sexual stimulation in men and has been described after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Aim

The goals of this study are to describe the characteristics of men experiencing AI, outline the nature of their symptoms, and assess for predictors of this condition.

Methods

A survey with questions on AI, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the International Index of Erectile Function and International Prostate Symptom Score were sent out to men who had undergone an RP within the past 24 months at a single institution. The data were deidentified and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Comparisons between men with and without AI were made using t-tests and χ2 and Fisher exact tests. Logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses were used to define predictors of AI.

Main Outcome Measures

The outcomes of this study included prevalence of AI, symptom severity and timing, patient and patient-perceived partner bother, management strategies used by the patients, and concurrent SUI.

Results

226 (32%) men completed the survey. Of these men, almost half (49%) experienced AI at some point during their recovery. Improvement over time was endorsed by 62% of men. 57% of men reported AI in less than half of the sexual encounters, with the amount of urine leakage being equivalent to a tablespoon or less in 88% of men. On univariate analysis, increasing degree of SUI, as measured by pads per day, was associated with AI (P = .01). A lower International Prostate Symptom Score was also associated (P = .05). On multivariate analysis, the absence of hypertension and pads per day were associated with AI (P = .01 for both).

Clinical Implications

AI occurred in almost half of the respondents in our series. Thus, AI should be discussed with patients before surgery to allow for realistic expectations.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths of this study include the largest patient population analyzed to date regarding AI and that it is the only one to address timing and patient experiences with the use of validated instruments for erectile and urinary function. Limitations include single-center data, non-validated AI patient–reported outcomes, and poor survey response rate.

Conclusion

Based on the available data, AI is reported by almost half of men after RP and is associated with SUI.
Compliance With Fluoxetine Use in Men With Primary Premature Ejaculation
Authors: Jenkins Lawrence C. , Gonzalez Joshua , Tal Raanan , Guhring Patricia , Parker Marilyn , Mulhall John P.
Published: November 2019

Background

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction for which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been used effectively for treatment. However, compliance with therapy and predictors of long-term SSRI use in the treatment of PE are not well known.

Aim

To analyze our experience with drop-out rates with fluoxetine in the primary PE population and to identify predictors of continued use of this agent.

Methods

Men with primary PE constituted who used fluoxetine and had at least 12 months follow-up constituted the study population. Subjects underwent a comprehensive interview to ascertain self-reported (non-stopwatch) intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), self-rated control over ejaculation, and personal and patient-reported partner distress due to PE. Patients were treated with fluoxetine 20 mg daily, with the possibility of dose titration up or down based on efficacy and side effects.

Outcomes

The PE parameters of interest included self-reported IELT, self-rated control over ejaculation, personal and partner distress due to PE, and medication adherence.

Results

130 men were included in the study. Dropout rates at 6 and 12 months were 56% and 72%. Self-rated “poor” ejaculatory control decreased from 98%–41% (P < .01), high personal distress from 47%–11% (P < .01), and high partner distress rates from 72%–27% (P < .01). Predictors of continued use at 12 months included high partner distress, being unpartnered, and having a post-treatment IELT ≥5 minutes (P < .01). Overall side effects included headache (5%), dizziness (4%), nausea (5%), nervousness (5%), and sleepiness (8%); however, moderate to severe side effects reported included nausea (2%), sleepiness (2%), headache (2%), and dizziness (2%).

Clinical Implications

Compliance with SSRIs is a well-described problem in the depression literature, but data are sparse regarding continued use of SSRIs in the treatment of PE.

Strengths and Limitations

We report on 12-month compliance with SSRIs for the treatment of PE. Our early compliance rates were more encouraging than what has been reported in the past. However, IELT was self-reported and not measured objectively, and we did not use validated patient-reported outcomes but rather self-reported ejaculatory control and distress levels, which have limitations.

Conclusions

Fluoxetine is an effective agent for the treatment of PE with significant improvement realized in IELT, ejaculatory control, and distress levels for both men and their partners. Despite its efficacy, continued use of fluoxetine beyond 6 months is poor.
Effects of Alcohol Administered with Flibanserin in Healthy Premenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Dose Crossover Study
Authors: Simon James A. , Clayton Anita H. , Parish Sharon J. , Apfel Stuart C. , Millheiser Leah
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Flibanserin is approved in the United States and Canada for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.

Aim

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the safety of concomitant administration of flibanserin with alcohol.

Methods

In this single-center, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, crossover study, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 12 sequences to receive each of 7 treatments: flibanserin 100 mg or placebo with ethanol 0.2 g/kg, 0.4 g/kg, or 0.6 g/kg, or flibanserin 100 mg only. Treatments were administered using a worst-case approach that included morning dosing and consumption of alcohol within 10 minutes.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary end point was the proportion of participants who experienced dizziness, syncope, or hypotension. Safety end points included orthostatic vital signs.

Results

The study included 96 premenopausal women (mean age 31 ± 8 years). The incidence of dizziness for ethanol + flibanserin was 39.8% for ethanol 0.6 g/kg, 34.1% for 0.4 g/kg, and 27.4% for 0.2 g/kg compared with 31.1% for flibanserin without ethanol. Based on the available vital signs data, there was no effect of ethanol concentration on orthostatic blood pressure, vertigo, or hypotension; no instances of syncope were observed. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was similar when flibanserin was administered alone (96.7%) or with ethanol (90.5–97.6%).

Clinical Implications

Consumption of the tested amounts of alcohol (0.2–0.6 g/kg) does not have an additive effect on the AE profile of flibanserin 100 mg in healthy premenopausal women.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths include the study population (premenopausal women, as indicated for flibanserin) and range of ethanol doses. Limitations include the morning dosing of study medication, which is inconsistent with the bedtime dosing recommended for flibanserin, and the method of handling missing vital sign measurements.

Conclusion

Co-administration of flibanserin 100 mg with varying doses of ethanol resulted in few AEs of special interest, with no notable alcohol dose response. However, a significantly greater percentage of participants administered flibanserin with 0.6 g/kg and 0.4 g/kg of alcohol were characterized as “Participants in Whom Standing Blood Pressure Was Not Obtained” compared with participants administered flibanserin alone.
Exact simulation of the extrema of stable processes
Authors: González Cázares Jorge I. , Mijatović Aleksandar , Bravo Gerónimo Uribe
Published: November 2019

We exhibit an exact simulation algorithm for the supremum of a stable process over a finite time interval using dominated coupling from the past (DCFTP). We establish a novel perpetuity equation for the supremum (via the representation of the concave majorants of Lévy processes [27]) and use it to construct a Markov chain in the DCFTP algorithm. We prove that the number of steps taken backwards in time before the coalescence is detected is finite. We analyse the performance of the algorithm numerically (the code, written in Julia 1.0, is available on GitHub).
Paleodieta en grupos cazadores-recolectores de la transición pampeano-patagónica oriental (Argentina) durante los últimos 6.000 años
Authors: Flensborg Gustavo , Martínez Gustavo , Tessone Augusto
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar, a través del estudio de isótopos estables (δ13Cap, δ13Ccoly δ15N), paleodietas y patrones de subsistencia en grupos cazadores-recolectores de la transición pampeano-patagónica oriental (Argentina) durante el Holoceno medio-tardío (ca. 6000–250 aP). Se analizaron 44 individuos adultos de ambos sexos. Los resultados indican que durante el Holoceno medio los herbívoros terrestres, peces marinos y, posiblemente, pinnípedos tuvieron un rol importante en la dieta. Sin embargo, hacia el Holoceno tardío se observó un predominio en el consumo de herbívoros terrestres y peces fluviales, con la consecuente disminución en la ingesta de recursos marinos. También se detectó una ingesta mayor de vegetales a partir de aproximadamente 1000 aP. Durante el Holoceno medio y, probablemente, el Holoceno tardío inicial se registró una tendencia en la distribución espacial de los valores de isótopos estables, ya que los individuos enterrados hasta una distancia de aproximadamente 20 km de la costa presentan dietas marinas y mixtas, mientras que aquellos localizados a una distancia mayor (hasta ca. 130 km) se caracterizan por dietas terrestres. Estas diferencias podrían estar relacionadas con rangos de acción acotados o una demarcación del espacio que pudo involucrar comportamientos territoriales. Los cambios en la dieta a través del tiempo se asemejan a los reportados para el sudeste de Pampa Húmeda, ya que se observa una tendencia hacia una dieta más continental durante el Holoceno tardío.
Responses of ocean biogeochemistry to atmospheric supply of lithogenic and pyrogenic iron-containing aerosols
Authors: Ito Akinori , Ye Ying , Yamamoto Akitomo , Watanabe Michio , Aita Maki N.
Published: November 2019

Atmospheric supply of iron (Fe) to the ocean has been suggested to regulate marine productivity in large parts of the world’s ocean. However, there are still large uncertainties regarding how the atmospheric inputs of dissolved Fe (DFe) influence the seawater DFe concentrations and thus net primary production (NPP). Here, we use an atmospheric chemistry model and two ocean biogeochemistry models with high (Model H) and low (Model L) sensitivities to atmospheric sources of DFe to explore the responses of ocean biogeochemistry to different types of atmospheric inputs of DFe: mineral dust and combustion aerosols. When both Fe content in mineral dust of 3.5% and Fe solubility of 2% are prescribed in sensitivity simulations, the ocean models overestimate DFe concentration in the surface ocean downwind from the North African and East Asian dust plumes. Considering different degrees of atmospheric Fe processing reduces the overestimates of DFe concentration in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. The two ocean biogeochemistry models show substantially different magnitudes of responses to the atmospheric input of DFe. The more detailed Model H shows a much higher sensitivity of NPP to the change in combustion aerosols than to mineral dust, regardless of relative inputs of the sedimentary sources. This finding suggests that pyrogenic Fe-containing aerosols are more important sources of atmospheric bioavailable Fe for marine productivity than would be expected from the small amount of DFe deposition, especially in the Pacific and Southern oceans.
Rumen-protected methionine supplementation during the peripartal period alters the expression of galectin genes associated with inflammation in peripheral neutrophils and secretion in plasma of Holstein cows
Authors: Asiamah Emmanuel K. , Vailati-Riboni Mario , Zhou Zheng , Xu Tianle , Loor Juan J. , Schimmel Keith , Worku Mulumebet
Published: November 2019

The work described in this research communication aimed to investigate whether rumen-protected methionine (Met) supplementation during the periparturient period would affect the expression of galectins in blood-derived neutrophils, and secretion of galectins, IL (interleukin)-1β, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glucose in plasma. Because supplementation of rumen-protected Met would alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress during the peripartal period, we hypothesized that enhancing Met supply would benefit the innate immune response at least in part by altering the expression of galectin genes associated with neutrophil activity and inflammation. Galectins (Gal) have an immuno-modulating effect acting like cell-surface receptors whose activation often results in signaling cascades stimulating cells such as neutrophils. This study revealed an association between Met supplementation and galectin expression and secretion. This implies that galectin expression and secretion can be modulated by Met supplementation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the regulation of galectin gene expression for therapeutic and dietary intervention in the peripartal cow.
Constructing stellarators with quasisymmetry to high order
Authors: Landreman Matt , Sengupta Wrick
Published: November 2019

A method is given to rapidly compute quasisymmetric stellarator magnetic fields for plasma confinement, without the need to call a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium code inside an optimization iteration. The method is based on direct solution of the equations of magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and quasisymmetry using Garren & Boozer’s expansion about the magnetic axis (Phys Fluids B, vol. 3, 1991, p. 2805), and it is several orders of magnitude faster than the conventional optimization approach. The work here extends the method of Landremanet al. (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 85, 2019, 905850103), which was limited to flux surfaces with elliptical cross-section, to higher order in the aspect-ratio expansion. As a result, configurations can be generated with strong shaping that achieve quasisymmetry to high accuracy. Using this construction, we give the first numerical demonstrations of Garren and Boozer’s ideal scaling of quasisymmetry breaking with the cube of the inverse aspect ratio. We also demonstrate a strongly non-axisymmetric configuration (vacuum rotational transform$\unicode[STIX]{x1D704}>0.4$) in which symmetry-breaking mode amplitudes throughout a finite volume are${<}2\times 10^{-7}$, the smallest ever reported. To generate boundary shapes of finite-minor-radius configurations, a careful analysis is given of the effect of substituting a finite minor radius into the near-axis expansion. The approach here can provide analytic insight into the space of possible quasisymmetric stellarator configurations, and it can be used to generate good initial conditions for conventional stellarator optimization.
Life cycle stages, specific organelles and invasion mechanisms ofEimeriaspecies
Authors: Burrell Alana , Tomley Fiona M. , Vaughan Sue , Marugan-Hernandez Virginia
Published: November 2019

Apicomplexans, including species ofEimeria, pose a real threat to the health and wellbeing of animals and humans.Eimeriaparasites do not infect humans but cause an important economic impact on livestock, in particular on the poultry industry. Despite its high prevalence and financial costs, little is known about the cell biology of these ‘cosmopolitan’ parasites found all over the world. In this review, we discuss different aspects of the life cycle and stages ofEimeriaspecies, focusing on cellular structures and organelles typical of the coccidian family as well as genus-specific features, complementing some ‘unknowns’ with what is described in the closely related coccidianToxoplasma gondii.
RUSSIAN PHONO-LEXICAL ACQUISITION AND ORTHOGRAPHIC INPUT
Authors: Showalter Catherine E.
Published: November 2019

We investigated how grapheme familiarity and grapheme-phoneme correspondence (GPC) congruence affect adult learners’ ability to make use of orthographic input (OI) during phono-lexical acquisition. Native English speakers, with no Russian experience (naïve) or learners of Russian, heard auditory forms, saw pictured meanings, and saw written input either in a No Orthography condition or an Orthography condition for words that contained unfamiliar Cyrillic graphemes, familiar graphemes and congruent GPCs, and familiar graphemes and incongruent GPCs. Naïve participants evidenced incongruent GPC interference effects. Experienced learners acquired targetlike GPCs, although beginner learners did not. In a separate experiment, naïve learners were exposed to an intervention to mitigate effects of OI; the interventions did not improve test accuracy. Results support previous findings that incongruent GPCs interfere with phono-lexical acquisition. We also found evidence that target language experience mitigates negative effects of OI, but interventions may not sufficiently aid naïve learners’ phono-lexical acquisition.
Long-Term Intellectual and Fine Motor Outcomes in Spina Bifida Are Related to Myelomeningocele Repair and Shunt Intervention History
Authors: Ware Ashley L. , Kulesz Paulina A. , Orkisz Julian S. , Arrington C. N. , Bowman Robin M. , Fletcher Jack M.
Published: November 2019

Objective:

Lifespan outcomes of simultaneous versus sequential myelomeningocele repair and shunt placement or effects of repeated shunt revisions on specific domains of IQ or fine motor dexterity are largely unknown. The current study addressed these gaps in a large cohort of children and adults with spina bifida myelomeningocele (SBM).

Methods:

Participants between 7 and 44 years of age with SBM and shunted hydrocephalus were recruited from international clinics at two time points. Each participant completed a standardized neuropsychological evaluation that included estimates of IQ and fine motor dexterity. Simultaneous versus sequential surgical repair and number of shunt revisions were examined in relation to long-term IQ and fine motor scores.

Results:

Simultaneous myelomeningocele repair and shunting were associated with more frequent shunt revisions, as well as to lower Full Scale and verbal IQ scores, controlling for number of shunt revisions. More shunt revisions across study time points were associated with higher nonverbal IQ (NVIQ) scores. No effects were observed on fine motor dexterity.

Conclusions:

Findings indicate generally greater influence of surgery type over shunt revision history on outcomes in well-managed hydrocephalus. Findings supported apparent, domain-specific benefits of sequential compared to simultaneous surgery across the lifespan in SBM. Higher NVIQ scores with greater number of additional shunt revisions across surgery type supported positive outcomes with effective surgical management for hydrocephalus.
Visual and Auditory Interference Control of Attention in Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Gabay Yafit , Gabay Shai , Schiff Rachel , Henik Avishai
Published: November 2019

An accumulating body of evidence highlights the contribution of general cognitive processes, such as attention, to language-related skills.

Objective:

The purpose of the present study was to explore how interference control (a subcomponent of selective attention) is affected in developmental dyslexia (DD) by means of control over simple stimulus-response mappings. Furthermore, we aimed to examine interference control in adults with DD across sensory modalities.

Methods:

The performance of 14 dyslexic adults and 14 matched controls was compared on visual/auditory Simon tasks, in which conflict was presented in terms of an incongruent mapping between the location of a visual/auditory stimulus and the appropriate motor response.

Results:

In the auditory task, dyslexic participants exhibited larger Simon effect costs; namely, they showed disproportionately larger reaction times (RTs)/errors costs when the auditory stimulus and response were incongruent relative to RT/errors costs of non-impaired readers. In the visual Simon task, both groups presented Simon effect costs to the same extent.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that the ability to control auditory selective attention is carried out less effectively in those with DD compared with visually controlled processing. The implications of this impaired process for the language-related skills of individuals with DD are discussed.
Effect of γ-radiation on adenine dissolved in distilled water, saline solutions and artificial seawater resembling that of 4.0 billion years ago
Authors: Baú João Paulo T. , Villafañe-Barajas Sául A. , Negrón-Mendoza Alicia , Colín-García María , Zaia Dimas A. M.
Published: November 2019

In this work, the effect of γ-radiation on the decomposition of adenine dissolved in distilled water, saline solutions and artificial seawater was studied. As the composition of the major cations and anions of artificial seawater probably better resembles the composition of seawater on the Earth 4.0 billion years ago, this seawater was named artificial seawater 4.0 Ga. The main finding in this work is that artificial seawater 4.0 Ga demonstrated a better protective effect of adenine against γ-radiation. In addition, artificial seawater 4.0 Ga showed that adenine had no changes in pH after radiation exposure and the minor radiation-chemical yield G. The radiolysis of adenine promoted modifications in Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The deconvolution of some bands demonstrated the formation of a new frequency at 1713 cm−1. High performance liquid chromatography-mass detected a product of decomposition with 151 atomic units. Using the geometry optimization and simulated vibrational spectra it was possible to show that the main species formed are hydroxyl and oxide modified adenine. The data point to the formation of hydroxyl-adenine and adenine Nx-oxide. These products have biological relevance and could be available for chemical evolution.
Factors associated with caregiver burden for mothers of children undergoing Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) treatment
Authors: Arab Mansour , Bernstein Colleen , Haghshenas Aboutaleb , Ranjbar Hadi
Published: November 2019

Objective

The present study examined the extent to which social support (SS) availability and satisfaction could predict the extent of caregiver burden (CB) among mothers of children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

Method

The study was a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlative study. It was conducted on a sample of 117 mothers whose children were undergoing treatment in a public hospital in Bam, Iran. The Norbeck Social Support Scale and the Caregiver Burden Scale were used to measuring study variables. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlations, t-tests, ANOVAs, and linear regressions.

Results

Significant correlations were observed between CB and SS availability (r = −0.499, p < 0.001), SS satisfaction (r = −0.543, p < 0.001), the age of the child with cancer (r = −0.22, p = 0.01), and duration of treatment (r = 0.336, p < 0.001). Married mothers experienced less CB than those that were widowed or divorced. Within the regression equation, SS satisfaction, SS availability, marital status, and duration of treatment were the predictors of CB.

Significance of results

Based on the results of the current study, mothers who have less SS, especially those who are single mothers, with younger children, and who have taken care of their child for an extended duration should be given special attention. Furthermore, it appears that there are distinct cultural variations amongst Iranian mothers which suggest that culture may impact upon SS availability. Results also suggest a need for interventions that enhance nurses' ability to provide support to caregivers and the broader family unit as a whole. Nurses in cancer care need to have psychological competencies to help family members of cancer patients especially mothers and more so those that are single mothers. As integral members of the patient care experience, nurses may be uniquely positioned to provide this needed psychosocial support.
Comparative evaluation ofGossypium arboreumL. andGossypium hirsutumL. genotypes for drought tolerance
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Khan Mueen Alam , Chattha Waqas Shafqat , Abdullah Khalid , Majeed Asif
Published: November 2019

Drought stress negatively affects the cotton production all over the world. The negative impact of drought varies for different species due to some morphological and root attributes that help some species to better stand under drought. But the extent of disturbance varies for different cotton species. To find out such variation, two cotton species (Gossypium hirsutumandGossypium arboreum) were studied under normal and drought conditions for 2 years. Two genotypes for each species were included, i.e. PC-1 and COMILLA (G. arboreum) and IUB-13 and IUB-65 (G. hirsutum). The experiment was laid out under a completely randomized design following factorial arrangement. Genotype × treatment × year interaction of cotton genotypes was studied for different root, morphological, physiological and fibre-related traits. Traits such as above ground dry biomass, above ground fresh biomass, chlorophyll contents, leaf area, seed cotton yield, sympodial branches/plant, fibre strength and ginning out-turn were higher inG. hirsutumgenotypes as compared toG. arboreumgenotypes. However less reduction under drought in all above mentioned traits was recorded forG. arboreum, thanG. hirsutum. Furthermore, root traits; primary root length, lateral root numbers, root fresh weight and root dry weight were enriched under drought condition inG. arboreumgenotypes than inG. hirsutumgenotypes, which is a clear manifestation of higher drought tolerance ability inG. arboreumgenotypes transferrable toG. hirsutumgenotypes through interspecific crossing or other means.
Needles and Lightning Leader Dynamics Imaged with 100–200 MHz Broadband VHF Interferometry
Authors: Pu Yunjiao , Cummer Steven A.
Published: November 2019

A new short‐baseline VHF interferometer with 200 MHz bandwidth images lightning with significantly higher spatial resolution than our previous system with a 60 MHz maximum frequency. Needles (Hare et al., 2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586‐019‐1086‐6), needle‐associated negative leaders, a nearby bidirectional leader, and their interactions were imaged during an intracloud lightning flash. Six recoil leaders traversing the positive leader channel definitively determined the leader path and verified that needles originate from positive channels. Two negative leaders initiated from the positive channel, either from or close to needles, when another active positive leader passed ~1 km away. While the needles develop continuously with a VHF source density decreasing from the front end to the back end, a bidirectional leader initiated nearby and had strong influence on subsequent needle dynamics. These rarely observed yet perhaps common lightning processes are analyzed comprehensively to give new insight into the origin and impact of needles on positive lightning leaders.
Pc4‐5 Poloidal ULF Wave Observed in the Dawnside Plasmaspheric Plume
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Tian Anmin , Degeling Alexander W. , Shi Quanqi , Wang Mengmeng , Hao Yixin , Ren Jie , Liu Wenlong , Zhou Xuzhi , Shen Xiao‐Chen , Sun Weijie , Rae I. Jonathan , Bai Shichen
Published: November 2019

A localized Pc4‐5 ultralow‐frequency (ULF) wave event associated with a plasmaspheric plume was observed by THEMIS‐E on the dawnside near L = 6, which was identified as a second harmonic poloidal wave. The plume was identified as a sudden density enhancement during an outbound pass. The charged particle populations in the plume have a variety of periodic modulation characteristics at different energies. First, there is an antiphase relationship between magnetic field Br and particle flux across a wide energy range both for ions and electrons (~50 keV to 1 MeV). Second, there is a 180° phase shift in the modulated ion flux within an energy range of ~2–6 keV, with negative slope dispersions of ion pitch angle distributions at ~2–6 keV and ~50–75 keV, which are characteristic of drift‐bounce resonances. Third, the lower‐energy (<32 eV) ion flux is modulated at double the wave frequency, which are the result of E × B effect. Considering the generation mechanism of this poloidal mode wave within the plume, we find that it is likely generated by drift‐bounce resonance from an unstable population of ions, due to an inward radial phase space density gradient. We suggest that the localization of waves to the plume is because the high plasma density reduces the local poloidal mode eigenfrequency, enabling a match to the drift‐bounce frequencies of these ions, and resonant energy transfer from these particles to the eigenfunction at this location. This generates the Pc4‐5 second harmonic poloidal waves at a much lower L region than would otherwise be expected.
Grain Fragmentation and Frictional Melting During Initial Experimental Deformation and Implications for Seismic Slip at Shallow Depths
Authors: Hung Chien‐Cheng , Kuo Li‐Wei , Spagnuolo Elena , Wang Chun‐Chieh , Di Toro Giulio , Wu Wen‐Jie , Dong Jia‐Jyun , Lin Wayne , Sheu Hwo‐Shuenn , Yeh En‐Chao , Hsieh Pei‐Shan
Published: November 2019

During seismic slip, the elastic strain energy released by the wall rocks drives grain fragmentation and flash heating in the slipping zone, resulting in formation of (nano)powders and melt droplets, which lower the fault resistance. With progressive seismic slip, the frictional melt covers the slip surface and behaves as a lubricant reducing the coseismic fault strength. However, the processes associated to the transition from grain fragmentation to bulk frictional melting remain poorly understood. Here we discuss in situ microanalytical investigations performed on experimentally produced solidified frictional melts from the transition regime between grain fragmentation and frictional melting. The experiments were performed on granitic gneiss at seismic slip rates (1.3 and 5 m/s), normal stresses ranging from 3 to 30 MPa. At normal stresses <12 MPa, the apparent friction coefficient μapp (shear stress versus normal stress) evolves in a complex manner with slip: μapp decreases because of flash weakening, increases up to a peak value μp1 ~0.6–1.0, slightly decreases and increases again to a second peak value μp2 ~0.44–0.83, and eventually decreases with displacement to a steady‐state value μss ~0.3–0.45. In situ synchrotron observations of the solidified frictional melt show abundance of ultrafine quartz grains before μp2 and enrichment in SiO2 at μp2. Because partial melting occurs on the ultrafine quartz grains and, as a consequence, it suggested that the second re‐strengthening (μp2) is induced by the higher viscosity of the melt due to its enrichment in Si from melting of the ultrafine quartz grains derived from grain fragmentation.
Deep proteome profiling of the hippocampus in the 5XFAD mouse model reveals biological process alterations and a novel biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kim Dong Kyu , Han Dohyun , Park Joonho , Choi Hyunjung , Park Jong-Chan , Cha Moon-Yong , Woo Jongmin , Byun Min Soo , Lee Dong Young , Kim Youngsoo , Mook-Jung Inhee
Published: November 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the most common type of dementia, is characterized by the deposition of extracellular amyloid plaques. To understand the pathophysiology of the AD brain, the assessment of global proteomic dynamics is required. Since the hippocampus is a major region affected in the AD brain, we performed hippocampal analysis and identified proteins that are differentially expressed between wild-type and 5XFAD model mice via LC-MS methods. To reveal the relationship between proteomic changes and the progression of amyloid plaque deposition in the hippocampus, we analyzed the hippocampal proteome at two ages (5 and 10 months). We identified 9,313 total proteins and 1411 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in 5- and 10-month-old wild-type and 5XFAD mice. We designated a group of proteins showing the same pattern of changes as amyloid beta (Aβ) as the Aβ-responsive proteome. In addition, we examined potential biomarkers by investigating secretory proteins from the Aβ-responsive proteome. Consequently, we identified vitamin K-dependent protein S (PROS1) as a novel microglia-derived biomarker candidate in the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice. Moreover, we confirmed that the PROS1 level in the serum of 5XFAD mice increases as the disease progresses. An increase in PROS1 is also observed in the sera of AD patients and shows a close correlation with AD neuroimaging markers in humans. Therefore, our quantitative proteome data obtained from 5XFAD model mice successfully predicted AD-related biological alterations and suggested a novel protein biomarker for AD.
Perturbative countersurveillance metaoptics with compound nanosieves
Authors: Xue Jiancai , Zhou Zhang-Kai , Lin Limin , Guo Chao , Sun Shang , Lei Dangyuan , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Wang Xue-Hua
Published: November 2019

The progress of metaoptics relies on identifying photonic materials and geometries, the combination of which represents a promising approach to complex and desired optical functionalities. Material candidate options are primarily limited by natural availability. Thus, the search for meta-atom geometries, by either forward or inverse means, plays a pivotal role in achieving more sophisticated phenomena. Past efforts mainly focused on building the geometric library of individual meta-atoms and synthesizing various ones into a design. However, those efforts neglected the powerfulness of perturbative metaoptics due to the perception that perturbations are usually regarded as adverse and in need of being suppressed. Here, we report a perturbation-induced countersurveillance strategy using compound nanosieves mediated by structural and thermal perturbations. Private information can be almost perfectly concealed and camouflaged by the induced thermal-spectral drifts, enabling information storage and exchange in a covert way. This perturbative metaoptics can self-indicate whether the hidden information has been attacked during delivery. Our results establish a perturbative paradigm of securing a safer world of information and internet of things.
Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with reduced norepinephrine transporter availability in right attention networks: a (S,S)-O-[11C]methylreboxetine positron emission tomography study
Authors: Ulke Christine , Rullmann Michael , Huang Jue , Luthardt Julia , Becker Georg-Alexander , Patt Marianne , Meyer Philipp M. , Tiepolt Solveig , Hesse Swen , Sabri Osama , Strauß Maria
Published: November 2019

The norepinephrine transporter (NET) has been suggested to play a critical role in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this prospective controlled study we tested the a-priori-hypothesis that central NET availability is altered in adult ADHD patients compared to healthy controls. Study participants underwent single positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI). MRI sequences included high resolution T1-MPRAGE data for regions of interest (ROI) delineation and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery for detection and exclusion of pathological abnormalities. NET availability was assessed by NET-selective (S,S)-O-[11C]methylreboxetine; regional distribution volume ratios (DVR) were calculated based on individual PET-MRI data co-registration and a multi-linear reference tissue model with two constraints (MRTM2; reference region: occipital cortex). VBM analysis revealed no difference in local distribution of gray matter between the 20 ADHD patients (9 females, age 31.8 ± 7.9 years, 488 ± 8 MBq injected activity) and the 20 age-matched and sex-matched control participants (9 females, age 32.3 ± 7.9 years, 472 ± 72 MBq). In mixed-model repeated-measures analysis with NET availability as dependent and ROI as repeated measure we found a significant main effect group in fronto-parietal-thalamic-cerebellar regions (regions on the right:F1,25 = 12.30,p = .002; regions on the left:F1,41 = 6.80,p = .013) indicating a reduced NET availability in ADHD patients. None of the other investigated brain regions yielded significant differences in NET availability between groups after applying a Benjamini-Hochberg correction at a significance level of 0.05. Overall our findings demonstrate the pathophysiological involvement of NET availability in adult ADHD.