bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NfL and pNfH are increased in Friedreich’s ataxia
Authors:   the EFACTS study group, Hayer Stefanie Nicole , Liepelt Inga , Barro Christian , Wilke Carlo , Kuhle Jens , Martus Peter , Schöls Ludger
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess neurofilaments as neurodegenerative biomarkers in serum of patients with Friedreich’s ataxia.

Methods

Single molecule array measurements of neurofilament light (NfL) and heavy chain (pNfH) in 99 patients with genetically confirmed Friedreich’s ataxia. Correlation of NfL/pNfH serum levels with disease severity, disease duration, age, age at onset, and GAA repeat length.

Results

Median serum levels of NfL were 21.2 pg/ml (range 3.6–49.3) in controls and 26.1 pg/ml (0–78.1) in Friedreich’s ataxia (p = 0.002). pNfH levels were 23.5 pg/ml (13.3–43.3) in controls and 92 pg/ml (3.1–303) in Friedreich’s ataxia (p = 0.0004). NfL levels were significantly increased in younger patients (age 16–31 years, p < 0.001) and patients aged 32–47 years (p = 0.008), but not in patients of age 48 years and older (p = 0.41). In a longitudinal assessment, there was no difference in NfL levels in 14 patients with repeated sampling 2 years after baseline measurement. Levels of NfL correlated inversely with GAA1 repeat length (r = − 0.24, p = 0.02) but not with disease severity (r = − 0.13, p = 0.22), disease duration (r = − 0.06, p = 0.53), or age at onset (r = 0.05, p = 0.62).

Conclusion

Serum levels of NfL and pNfH are elevated in Friedreich’s ataxia, but differences to healthy controls decrease with increasing age. Long-term longitudinal data are required to explore whether this reflects a selection bias from early death of more severely affected individuals or a slowing down of the neurodegenerative process with age. In a pilot study over 2 years of follow-up—a period relevant for biomarkers indicating treatment effects—we found NfL levels to be stable.
Italy’s Political Upheaval and the Consequences of Inequality
Authors: Pianta Mario
Published: January 2020

Political upheaval, with the dangerous rise of the far right – in Italy and Europe – is likely to be stabilised when politics and policies again turn their attention to the priorities of the majority of impoverished voters, with a focus on reducing inequalities, unemployment and casualisation.
Against a General Theory of Populism: The Case of East-Central Europe
Authors: Andor László
Published: January 2020

Social science, like all other sciences, is supposed to explore the substance below the surface of things. However, populism discourse in general is stuck on the surface, focusing on style, outlook and appearance.
Correction to: An Integrated In Vitro–In Silico Approach for Silver Nanoparticle Dosimetry in Cell Cultures
Authors: Poli Daniele , Mattei Giorgio , Ucciferri Nadia , Ahluwalia Arti
Published: January 2020

The article An Integrated In Vitro–In Silico Approach for Silver Nanoparticle Dosimetry in Cell Cultures, written by Ahluwalia et al, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 13 January 2020 without open access.
Neuroevolutionary learning in nonstationary environments
Authors: Escovedo Tatiana , Koshiyama Adriano , da Cruz Andre Abs , Vellasco Marley
Published: January 2020

This work presents a new neuro-evolutionary model, called NEVE (Neuroevolutionary Ensemble), based on an ensemble of Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks for learning in nonstationary environments. NEVE makes use of quantum-inspired evolutionary models to automatically configure the ensemble members and combine their output. The quantum-inspired evolutionary models identify the most appropriate topology for each MLP network, select the most relevant input variables, determine the neural network weights and calculate the voting weight of each ensemble member. Four different approaches of NEVE are developed, varying the mechanism for detecting and treating concepts drifts, including proactive drift detection approaches. The proposed models were evaluated in real and artificial datasets, comparing the results obtained with other consolidated models in the literature. The results show that the accuracy of NEVE is higher in most cases and the best configurations are obtained using some mechanism for drift detection. These results reinforce that the neuroevolutionary ensemble approach is a robust choice for situations in which the datasets are subject to sudden changes in behaviour.
(Not) alone in the world: Cheating in the presence of a virtual observer
Authors: Mol Jantsje M. , van der Heijden Eline C. M. , Potters Jan J. M.
Published: January 2020

We conducted an experiment in a high-immersive virtual reality environment to study the effect of the presence of a virtual observer on cheating behavior. Participants were placed in a virtual room and played 30 rounds of a cheating game without a chance of their cheating being detected. We varied whether or not a virtual observer (an avatar) was present in the room, and, if so, whether the avatar was actively staring at the decision maker or passively seated in a corner watching his smartphone. Results display significantly less cheating with an active than with a passive avatar, but not less cheating than in a control condition without an avatar. This suggests that an active (virtual) observer can intensify reputational concerns, but that the presence of someone passive and uninterested may actually alleviate such concerns.
Viscosity Measurement by the
“Oscillating Drop Method”: The Case of Strongly Damped
Oscillations
Authors: Lohöfer Georg
Published: January 2020

By the measurement of the frequency and damping time of
surface oscillations, excited by a short pulse on a freely floating
liquid droplet, the surface tension and viscosity of the liquid can
under certain conditions contactlessly be determined. The
conventional physical models linking these material properties to
the corresponding measurement quantities are the Rayleigh and the
Lamb formula. However, both these equations are derived under the
assumption of undamped or very weakly damped oscillations. In the
following the basic characteristic equation of the linear
Navier–Stokes equation, representing a corresponding physical model
for the whole damping range, is theoretically investigated. A
comparison of its accurate results with those of Rayleigh and Lamb
reveal, that the Rayleigh formula provides, even in the case of
strongly damped oscillations, an approximation which is still good
enough for most practical purposes, whereas the Lamb formula
deviates by more than 10 % from the accurate value. An improvement
of the Lamb formula is derived from the characteristic equation
which extends its practical applicability also to strongly damped
oscillations.
KIDSpec: An MKID-Based Medium-Resolution, Integral Field Spectrograph
Authors: O’Brien Kieran
Published: January 2020

KIDSpec, the Kinetic Inductance Detector Spectrograph, is a concept for a highly sensitive, medium-spectral-resolution optical through near-IR spectrograph. It uses the intrinsic-energy-resolving capability of an array of optical/IR-sensitive MKIDs to distinguish multiple orders from a low-resolution grating. By acting as an ‘order resolver,’ the MKID array replaces the cross-disperser in an echelle spectrograph. This greatly simplifies the optical layout of the spectrograph and enables longer slits than are possible with cross-dispersed instruments (to improve sky subtraction). KIDSpec would have similar capabilities to ESO’s highly successful X-shooter instrument. It would provide an R = 4000–10,000 spectrum covering the optical and near-IR spectral range (0.4–1.5 µm). As well as a ‘long-slit’ mode, the IFU would provide a small ($$\sim 50\hbox { spaxel}$$∼50spaxel) field of view for spatially resolved sources. In addition, the photon-counting operation of MKIDs and their photon-energy-resolving ability enable a read-noise-free spectrum with perfect cosmic ray removal. The spectral resolution would be sufficient to remove the bright night-sky lines without the additional pixel noise, making the instrument more sensitive than an equivalent semiconductor-based instrument. KIDSpec would enhance many existing high-profile science cases, including transient (GRB, SNe, etc.) follow-up, redshift determination of faint objects and transit spectroscopy of exoplanets. In addition, it will enable unique science cases, such as dynamical mass estimates of the compact objects in ultra-compact binaries.
A Mixed-Method Investigation into Therapeutic Yoga as an Adjunctive Treatment for People Recovering from Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Fitzgerald Christopher , Barley Ruth , Hunt Joanna , Klasto Sini-Petriina , West Rosie
Published: January 2020

Mind Body Connect (MBC) is a charity which uses therapeutic yoga as a vehicle of change for marginalized populations. Alongside MBC, Sheffield Hallam University’s SHU Strength researchers carried out this study aiming to: (1) Gauge the impact of therapeutic yoga classes upon the mood state of people with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and (2) Explore the perceived benefits of therapeutic yoga class participation. An adapted shortened Profile of Mood States (POMS) was completed before and after each  yoga class. A comparison of means with paired sample T-Test and Cohen’s D was then carried out. Participants who attended 6+ classes were interviewed. Findings were then converged. Before and after measurements of anger, sadness, tiredness, worry, confusion, energy and relaxation were taken, Classes were held at SHU for service users from a Phoenix Future’s (PF) rehabilitation centre. A single yoga class significantly relaxed participants and reduced negative mood states. Interview data covered a range of perceived benefits including the use of yogic down-regulation techniques as daily coping strategies. The MBC yoga programme appears beneficial as an adjunctive therapy for PF residents. Future SHU Strength research shall focus on the mid-long-term exercise habits of the recovery community and the impact of the MBC yoga programme upon the early recovery period of detoxification.
Stimulation maps: visualization of results of quantitative intraoperative testing for deep brain stimulation surgery
Authors: Shah Ashesh , Vogel Dorian , Alonso Fabiola , Lemaire Jean-Jacques , Pison Daniela , Coste Jérôme , Wårdell Karin , Schkommodau Erik , Hemm Simone
Published: January 2020

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for movement disorders such as essential tremor (ET). Positioning of the DBS lead in the patient’s brain is crucial for effective treatment. Extensive evaluations of improvement and adverse effects of stimulation at different positions for various current amplitudes are performed intraoperatively. However, to choose the optimal position of the lead, the information has to be “mentally” visualized and analyzed. This paper introduces a new technique called “stimulation maps,” which summarizes and visualizes the high amount of relevant data with the aim to assist in identifying the optimal DBS lead position. It combines three methods: outlines of the relevant anatomical structures, quantitative symptom evaluation, and patient-specific electric field simulations. Through this combination, each voxel in the stimulation region is assigned one value of symptom improvement, resulting in the division of stimulation region into areas with different improvement levels. This technique was applied retrospectively to five ET patients in the University Hospital in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Apart from identifying the optimal implant position, the resultant nine maps show that the highest improvement region is frequently in the posterior subthalamic area. The results demonstrate the utility of the stimulation maps in identifying the optimal implant position.
Effectivity of tyrosinase purification by membrane techniques versus fractionation by salting out
Authors: Labus Karolina , Wiśniewski Łukasz , Cieńska Małgorzata , Bryjak Jolanta
Published: January 2020

The main goal of this study was to select micro- and ultrafiltration membranes that can be used for the purification of mushroom tyrosinase, replacing salting-out dual-step processes followed by centrifugations. In experiments, a raw extract from white mushrooms was used with high level of ballast proteins and brownish impurities. Four microfiltration membranes for the removal of undesired high molecular weight compounds were screened and that made of nitrocellulose was selected due to high recovery of enzymatic activity. Then diafiltration and concentration on the membrane made of polyethersulphone (300 kDa) was selected to recover 8% of proteins and 58% of tyrosinase activity with five- to seven purification fold, 10% of proteases, and 8% of brown impurities. It was shown that tyrosinase can be pre-purified by selected membranes yielding the enzyme quality at least comparable to that after double salting-out method but in one device. In both cases, subsequent purification by ion-exchange chromatography slightly increased purification degree of the enzyme and brown impurity removal. The surplus of membrane pre-purification is substantially higher thermal stability of the enzyme, enlarged after the chromatographic step, due to very low content of proteolytic enzymes.
Separation of saline oily wastewater by membrane distillation
Authors: Gryta Marek
Published: January 2020

Membrane distillation was used for the treatment of saline oily wastewaters collected from harbour deoiling installation. The turbidity of these wastewaters was in the range 63–87 NTU, salt concentration was 6–11 g/L and the oil content in the feed was below 40 mg/L. Two types of commercial polypropylene capillary membranes were applied for the process study. The intensive membrane fouling during the wastewater separation was observed. Modules rinsed with water removed the organic deposits formed. However, the CaCO3 scale was accumulated on the membrane surfaces during 1500 h of the process, resulting in a permeate flux decline by more than 40%. The initial yield of modules was recovered by membrane rinsing with 5 wt% HCl solution. The long-term studies demonstrated that the separated oily wastewaters did not cause wetting of the applied membrane. The degree of retention amounted to 98% for the inorganic compounds and more than 99% for the organic compounds.
Experimental Study on Coupled Motions of Mother Ship Launching and Recovering of Human-Occupied Vehicle in Regular Waves
Authors: Chen Yunsai , Ma Liang , Duan Wenyang , Liu Peng
Published: January 2020

The launching and recovery process of a human-occupied vehicle (HOV) faces more complex wave effects than other types of submersible operations. However, due to the nonlinearity between the HOV and its mother ship, difficulties occur in theoretically simulating their coupled motion and hydrodynamics. The coupled motion responses and the load under different regular wave conditions are investigated experimentally in this study. The optimized design of the experimental scheme simulated the launching and recovery process of the mother ship and HOV in regular waves. The attitude sensor performed synchronous real-time measurement of the coupled motion between the mother ship and HOV as well as obtained the load data on the coupled motion under different cable lengths. The results show that models in heading waves mainly lead to the vertical motion of the hoisting point. In beam waves, the transverse and vertical motions of the hoisting point occur in a certain frequency of waves. Under the heading and beam wave conditions, the longer the hoisting cable is, the greater the movement amplitude of the submersible is. Moreover, compared with the condition of the beam waves, the hoisting submersible has less influence on the mother ship under the condition of the heading waves. The findings provide theoretical support for the design optimization of the launching and recovery operation.
Blue carbon conservation in West Africa: a first assessment of feasibility
Authors: Bryan Tanya , Virdin John , Vegh Tibor , Kot Connie Y. , Cleary Jesse , Halpin Patrick N.
Published: January 2020

The loss of blue carbon ecosystems results in significant levels of carbon emissions and decreased supply of other ecosystem services. West Africa contains approximately 14% of the world’s mangrove area but despite 25% of coverage loss between 1980 and 2006, the region’s mangroves have not been well studied. This study aims to provide a first step toward increasing the knowledge of the region’s blue carbon stocks, with a focus on mangroves, and of their financial value based on their carbon storage benefit alone. The best available data suggest that the region contains 1.97 million hectares of mangroves storing 854 million metric tons of carbon in above- and below-ground biomass and the top meter of soil; 4.8 million hectares of seagrass storing 673 million metric tons of carbon; and 1.2 million hectares of salt marshes storing 303 million metric tons of carbon. Even without including values for other benefits of intact mangroves, the conservation of mangroves in the region appears viable. Specifically, the discounted value of 20-year emission reductions under a conservation scenario is estimated to be between $341.2–569.0 million at an 8% discount rate and carbon prices of $3 and $5 per metric ton respectively.
Developmental Maturation of the Cerebellar White Matter—an Instructive Environment for Cerebellar Inhibitory Interneurons
Authors: Groteklaes Anne , Bönisch Carina , Eiberger Britta , Christ Andrea , Schilling Karl
Published: January 2020

In the developing cerebellum, the nascent white matter (WM) serves as an instructivenichefor cerebellar cortical inhibitory interneurons. As their Pax2 expressing precursors transit the emerging WM, their laminar fate is programmed. The source(s) and nature of the signals involved remain unknown. Here, we used immunocytochemistry to follow the cellular maturation of the murine cerebellar WM during this critical period. During the first few days of postnatal development, when most Pax2 expressing cells are formed and many of them reach the cerebellar gray matter, only microglial cells can be identified in the territories through which Pax2 cells migrate. From p4 onward, cells expressing the oligodendrocytic or astrocyte markers, CNP-1, MBP or GFAP, started to appear in the nascent WM. Expression of macroglial markers increased with cerebellar differentiation, yet deep nuclei remained GFAP-negative at all ages. The progressive spread of maturing glia did not correlate with the exit of Pax2 cells from the WM, as indicated by the extensive mingling of these cells up to p15. Whereas sonic hedgehog-associated p75NTRexpression could be verified in granule cell precursors, postmitotic Pax2 cells are p75NTRnegative at all ages analyzed. Thus, if Pax2 cells, like their precursors, are sensitive to sonic hedgehog, this does not affect their expression of p75NTR. Our findings document that subsequently generated sets of Pax2 expressing precursors of inhibitory cerebellar interneurons are confronted with a dynamically changing complement of cerebellar glia. The eventual identification of fate-defining pathways should profit from the covariation with glial maturation predicted by the present findings.
Lesebarrieren im inklusiven Mathematikunterricht überwinden – visuelle und sprachliche Unterstützungsmaßnahmen im empirischen Vergleich
Authors: Noll Anna , Roth Jürgen , Scholz Markus
Published: January 2020

Sprache kommt im Mathematikunterricht eine tragende Rolle zu. Schülerinnen und Schüler mit und ohne sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf können jedoch Schwierigkeiten beim Erfassen von in Schriftsprache dargebotener Informationen haben. Das Ziel dieser Studie besteht darin, herauszufinden, wie solche Lesebarrieren reduziert werden können. Ein erleichterter Zugang zu Arbeitsaufträgen könnte durch den Einsatz von Leichter Sprache und Piktogrammen erreicht werden. Auch die Visualisierung kompletter Sätze durch Fotos könnte hilfreich sein. Zentrale Fragestellung dieser Studie ist, inwieweit die Verwendung von Leichter Sprache bzw. Leichter Sprache und Piktogrammen oder Fotos die Performanz bei der Bearbeitung mathematischer Aufgaben verbessert. Die Stichprobe bestand aus Schülerinnen und Schülern mit einem sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf im Bereich Lernen (N = 144) und Lernenden ohne sonderpädagogischen Förderbedarf (N = 159). Die Schülerinnen und Schüler bearbeiteten Aufgaben, in welchen es um die Einführung des Bruchzahlbegriffs ging, in einer der folgenden Versionen:Leichte Sprache(EG 1),Leichte Sprache +Piktogramme(EG 2),Leichte Sprache +Fotos(EG 3) oderkeine Unterstützungsmaßnahme(EG 4). Die Lesefertigkeit und der IQ der Lernenden wurde vor der Bearbeitung der Aufgaben erhoben, um vergleichbare Experimentalgruppen bilden zu können. Es zeigte sich ein signifikanter Effekt der verschiedenen Bedingungen auf die Aufgabenbearbeitung. Eine Post-Hoc-Analyse verdeutlichte, dass die Signifikanz aus dem Unterschied zwischen EG 3 und EG 4 resultierte. Die Schülerinnen und Schüler in EG 3 bearbeiteten die Aufgaben erfolgreicher als die Lernenden in EG 4.
Research in minors with a recent history of trauma—A bold venture?
Authors: Mayerhofer Doris , Schwarzenberg Julia , Rüsch Regina , Bogyi Gertrude , Skala Katrin
Published: January 2020

Little research has been performed so far on the mental health state of grieving and recently traumatized children. “The Buoy” (“Die Boje”), a low threshold ambulatory provides non-bureaucratic help and short time psychotherapy to children and adolescents in need of professional support at no charge and treats about 1400 minors per year. Whilst performing a study on these patients with special regard to their social network, we found the process of recruitment to be extraordinarily challenging. Only about 25% of the eligible patients could be recruited successfully within during the period of one year. In this paper we try to examine the barriers we had to overcome in gaining access to the sensitive field of grieving and traumatized children and adolescents who rely on low threshold psychotherapeutic and neuropsychiatric support and analyze the factors leading to the high number of dropouts. In addition, the consequences for our results will be discussed.
Screening strategies for the diagnosis of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in dialysis patients as a model for kidney transplant candidates
Authors: Comai Giorgia , Mistral De Pascali Alessandra , Busutti Marco , Morini Silvia , Ortalli Margherita , Conte Diletta , Re Maria Carla , La Manna Gaetano , Varani Stefania
Published: January 2020

Despite being considered a tropical disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused byL. infantumis also endemic in the Mediterranean Europe and represents an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. VL occurring in kidney transplant recipients is a severe event, often worsening the renal damage and leading to poor outcome. It is believed that most of VL cases in transplant recipients are caused by reactivation of a pre-existent, dormant leishmanial infection induced by the immunosuppressive drugs. Nevertheless, the prevalence of asymptomaticLeishmaniainfection in candidates to kidney transplant residing in or visiting endemic areas is unknown. AsL. infantumis highly circulating in northeastern Italy, we aimed to examine the occurrence of this parasitic infection in 119 dialysis patients living in the mentioned area, 71 of whom were potential candidates to kidney transplant. By employing a combination of sensitive serological and molecular methods, we observed a prevalence of 15.9% asymptomaticLeishmaniainfection in the study cohort. This finding emphasizes the need of further evaluating potential screening strategies forLeishmaniainfection in solid organ transplant candidates residing in or visiting endemic areas.
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Erectile Dysfunction Associated With Peyronie’s Disease Among Men Seeking Urological Care
Authors: Segundo Antonio , Glina Sidney
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of the penis characterized by an abnormality in collagen structure of penile tunica albuginea.

Aim

We sought to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and PD in male patients aged 30–80 years seeking urological care.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study using data collected from October 2016 to October 2017 in an outpatient clinic associated with the Brazilian Public Health System. All men aged 30 to 80 years were invited to participate. Data collected were related to the clinical history and sexual habits of patients using the International Index of Erectile Function, in addition to the physical examination of the penis and laboratory parameters.

Main Outcome Measure

Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models tested the prevalence, risk factors, and the relationship between ED and PD in male patients.

Results

The study included 656 individuals, who were distributed as per age, marital status, race, educational level, and income. Of these participants, 86 (13.11%) presented with fibrous plaques compatible with PD at the physical examination. Among the risk factors evaluated, PD was associated with diabetes, smoking, and obesity in 43.02, 64.17, and 26.74% of patients, respectively. The presence of penile plaques compatible with PD was more prevalent in men with ED, history of penile trauma, and complaint of penile deformity. There was a higher prevalence of plaques in the distal penis.

Conclusion

The PD among the studied population was associated with risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, and obesity. Other clinical characteristics, such as history of penile trauma, penile deformity, and ED, were reported in patients with PD. There was a higher prevalence of plaques in the distal penis, specifically in the corona of the glans penis. The prevalence of PD was different from that in the published literature, our results show that numbers thus more studies are needed.
Sustained decrease in urine culture utilization after implementing a reflex urine culture intervention: A multicenter quasi-experimental study
Authors: Howard-Anderson Jessica R. , Ashraf Shanza , Overton Elizabeth C. , Reif Lisa , Murphy David J. , Jacob Jesse T.
Published: January 2020

Accurately diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospitalized patients remains challenging, requiring correlation of frequently nonspecific symptoms and laboratory findings. Urine cultures (UCs) are often ordered indiscriminately, especially in patients with urinary catheters, despite the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines recommending against routine screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB).1,2 Positive UCs can be difficult for providers to ignore, leading to unnecessary antibiotic treatment of ASB.2,3 Using diagnostic stewardship to limit UCs to situations with a positive urinalysis (UA) can reduce inappropriate UCs since the absence of pyuria suggests the absence of infection.4–6 We assessed the impact of the implementation of a UA with reflex to UC algorithm (“reflex intervention”) on UC ordering practices, diagnostic efficiency, and UTIs using a quasi-experimental design.
Body size, sampling completeness, and extinction risk in the marine fossil record
Authors: Payne Jonathan L. , Heim Noel A.
Published: January 2020

Larger body size has long been assumed to correlate with greater risk of extinction, helping to shape body-size distributions across the tree of life, but a lack of comprehensive size data for fossil taxa has left this hypothesis untested for most higher taxa across the vast majority of evolutionary time. Here we assess the relationship between body size and extinction using a data set comprising the body sizes, stratigraphic ranges, and occurrence patterns of 9408 genera of fossil marine animals spanning eight Linnaean classes across the past 485 Myr. We find that preferential extinction of smaller-bodied genera within classes is substantially more common than expected due to chance and that there is little evidence for preferential extinction of larger-bodied genera. Using a capture–mark–recapture analysis, we find that this size bias of extinction persists even after accounting for a pervasive bias against the sampling of smaller-bodied genera within classes. The size bias in extinction also persists after including geographic range as an additional predictor of extinction, indicating that correlation between body size and geographic range does not provide a simple explanation for the association between size and extinction. Regardless of the underlying causes, the preferential extinction of smaller-bodied genera across many higher taxa and most of geologic time indicates that the selective loss of large-bodied animals is the exception, rather than the rule, in the evolution of marine animals.
Holocene vegetation and climate change on the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah, USA
Authors: Louderback Lisbeth A. , Kiahtipes Christopher A. , Janetski Joel C.
Published: January 2020

Pollen, plant macrofossils, and sedimentary analyses from archaeological deposits at North Creek Shelter (NCS) on the Colorado Plateau provide data on vegetation and climate change during the Holocene. From 11,300–10,200 cal yr BP, NCS was embedded in a mixed conifer forest of cool-adapted species (e.g.,Abies,Pseudotsuga menziesii, andPinus ponderosa) with anArtemisiaunderstory. During this interval, NCS pollen corresponds to modern pollen fromPicea–Abiesforests that reside 950 m higher in elevation. Rapid deposition rates of NCS sediments indicate that climatic conditions during the Early Holocene were more mesic than today, with increased precipitation. The onset of warmer conditions at NCS began at 10,200 cal yr BP, and pollen and plant macrofossils indicate that a semiarid woodland and scrub mosaic dominated byPinus edulis,Juniperus osteosperma, and Amaranthaceae surrounded NCS by 9300 cal yr BP. This is corroborated by fossil pollen that is similar to modern pollen fromP. edulis–J. osteospermawoodlands and Amaranthaceae scrub that currently surround NCS. Sedimentary analyses suggest that during this time, accumulation rates were very low due to low precipitation and a drier climate overall. Migration ofP. edulisinto southern Utah is directly dated to 8100 cal yr BP, thus confirming recently proposed patterns of northward expansion.
Racial Attitudes Through a Partisan Lens
Authors: Engelhardt Andrew M.
Published: January 2020

The conventional wisdom is that racial attitudes, by forming through early socialization processes, are causally prior to most things political, including whites' party identifications. Yet a broad literature demonstrates that partisanship can shape mass attitudes. The author argues that this influence extends even to presumptively fundamental predispositions like racial attitudes. The study applies cross-lagged models to panel data from the 1990s and 2000s to demonstrate that whites align their racial attitudes with their party loyalties. The results demonstrate that partisanship has a more pronounced influence in the latter time period, which is consistent with a view that changes in the political context can make partisanship a more likely causal force on other attitudes. Racial concerns not only provide a foundation for political conflict: my results reveal that political processes can increase or decrease racial animus.
Cognistat: normes francophones pour les 60 ans et plus
Authors: Arguin Martin , Macoir Joël , Hudon Carol
Published: January 2020

Cognistat is a cognitive screening test that is widely used in English-speaking countries. Its French adaptation is now available. The present study aims to establish norms for a population aged 60 and over. One hundred and fifty-one participants aged between 60 and 84 years old with normal cognitive function were divided into 5 five-year age groups. The results on Cognistat are reported for each subtest and age group. Age has a significant effect in only two subtests (Attention and Language Comprehension), which suggests a reduced performance for older participants. However, these effects are very weak and irregular. For this reason and given data distribution, norms are proposed to define performance thresholds for the 15th (lower limit of the normal range), 10th (mild cognitive impairment) and 5th (clinically significant) percentiles for each subtest for the clinical use of Cognistat with individuals 60 years of age and older.
Codification and the Origins of Physician-Patient Privilege
Authors: WILKINSON MILES
Published: January 2020

This essay examines the origins of physician-patient privilege in the United States. It concentrates an 1828 New York law that protected medical confidentiality in the courtroom—the first statutory guarantee of physician-patient privilege—as well as the rapid spread of privilege statutes throughout the nineteenth century. Using the published notes of the authors of New York’s influential statute alongside other primary sources, I argue that these early statutes are best explained as the result of nineteenth-century efforts to codify American law. The medical profession took little note of physician-patient privilege until much later, indicating that privilege emerged not as a protection of doctors’ professional status, nor as a means of protecting patients in the courtroom, but rather as an inadvertent offshoot of attempts to streamline and simply judicial proceedings. It is perhaps because of these unsystematic origins that physician-patient privilege still remains such an unevenly applied rule in American courtrooms.
Intertidal foraging by gentoo penguins in a macroalgal raft
Authors: McClintock James B. , Amsler Charles D. , Amsler Margaret O. , Fraser William R.
Published: January 2020

Foraging strategies in gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) have been well studied (e.g. Croxall et al. 1988, Robinson & Hindell 1996, Lescroël et al. 2004, Takahashi et al. 2008, Xavier et al. 2017). The general consensus is this largest member of the three pygoscelid penguins displays both nearshore benthic and pelagic foraging tactics to consume combinations of crustaceans and fish. In a recent study, Carpenter-Kling et al. (2017) reported that gentoos at sub-Antarctic Marion Island displayed a novel foraging strategy that consisted of alternating typical lengthy foraging trips with much shorter nearshore afternoon trips. They suggest the latter foraging behaviour may be a response to suboptimal feeding conditions caused by local environmental change. This novel discovery reinforces the fact that, despite considerable study, not all foraging tactics in penguins have been documented. In this paper, we describe what we believe to be, yet another undocumented foraging tactic employed by gentoos.
In silico analysis of the fragrance gene (badh2) in Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm and validation of allele specific markers
Authors: Withana Withanage Vidyani Erandika , Kularathna Rathanyaka Maudiyanselage Ramesha Eshani , Kottearachchi Nisha Sualri , Kekulandara Deepthika S. , Weerasena Jagath , Steele Katherine A.
Published: January 2020

Badh2 of rice is considered to be the major gene responsible for the fragrance in rice. The wild type badh2 allele encodes betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2) enzyme while the mutated version of badh2 gene encodes non-functional BADH2 enzyme that leads to the accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), the principal fragrant compound in rice. There are many mutated recessive alleles causing fragrance in global rice germplasm, although the badh2.1 allele present in Basmati type rice is the most well-known among breeders. In this study, we attempted to reveal potential fragrance causing mutations, and the respective varieties carrying them, through in silico analysis based on the sequences available in the Rice SNP-Seek-Database of International Rice Research Institute. The sequences of 1878 rice accessions from 22 countries were analysed to identify mutations in each exon of badh2 comparatively with the non-fragrant ‘wildtype’ GenBank sequence in Nanjing11, Oryza sativa indica (EU770319.1). Results revealed that 63 varieties from 12 countries possessed the most prevalent allele, badh2.1 having an 8 bp deletion and three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 7th exon. The second most prevalent allele in genotypes from Asia was badh2.7 having a ‘G’ insertion in the 14th exon. A novel allele with a T deletion in 9th exon was detected in a Thai rice accession. Rice varieties containing either badh2.1 or badh2.7 alleles could be identified with DNA markers for badh2.1 (frg) and badh2.7 (Bad2.7CAPS). The marker, Bad2.7CAPS, co-segregated with the fragrance phenotype in two crosses, confirming the possibility of employing it in marker assisted breeding.
Hophornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia Riddell)
Authors: Sosnoskie Lynn M. , Hayes Robert M. , Steckel Lawrence E.
Published: January 2020

Hophornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia Riddell) is an erect, herbaceous, dicot species in the Euphorbiaceae, or spurge, family that constitutes more than 200 genera and some 6,000 species (Mayfield and Webster 2013). Although the euphorbs have a cosmopolitan distribution, none are found in the Arctic (Mabberley 1997). Members of the Euphorbiaceae may be trees, shrubs, herbs (occasionally aquatic), or vines; sometimes succulent and cactus-like; and often have glands on vegetative plant parts (Mabberley 1997; Zomlefer 1994). Genera in the spurge family include Croton, Euphorbia, Ricinus, and Acalypha. Acalypha consists of 450 species that are native to both the Eastern and Western hemispheres (Zomlefer 1994). Acalypha was the name used by Hippocrates because the leaves resemble those of nettles, whereas ostryifolia alludes to the resemblance of leaves to plants in the genus Ostrya (hophornbeam trees; Burrows and Tyrl 2013; Haddock 2014; Hilty 2018). As plants mature in the fall, the leaves can turn reddish-brown, which may indicate why “copperleaf” is included in the species’ common name (Hilty 2018). Hophornbeam copperleaf is native to North America; it occurs in the United States ranging from Arizona east to Florida, north to Pennsylvania, and west to Nebraska (Anonymous 2019). It occurs in a variety of habitats including agronomic fields, cultivated areas, landscapes, roadsides, river and stream banks, thickets, pastures, and waste sites (Bryson and DeFelice 2010; Haddock 2014; Hilty 2018). This plant’s other common names include copperleaf, pineland three-seed mercury, Virginia copperleaf, hornbeam mercury, hornbeam three-seed mercury, mercury, and rough-pod copperleaf (Bryson and DeFelice 2010; Haddock 2014; Hilty 2018; Steckel 2006).
A Brief Assessment of the Impact of Nearly 40 Years of Assimilated Observations Over the Amazon Basin
Authors: Diniz F. L. R. , Todling R. , Herdies D. L.
Published: January 2020

Adding a Forecast Sensitivity‐based Observation Impact component to Version 2 of the Modern Era Retrospective‐analysis for Research and Applications, the present study provides an assessment of the impact of nearly 40 years of observations on short‐range (24‐hr) forecasts over the Amazon basin. Under self‐verification, forecast errors are found to slightly increase from the early data‐sparse days to the more recent years, when data dramatically increase. Throughout the reanalysis, satellite radiances dominate in volume, but only before 1999 they dominate the impacts. Beyond 1999, over 50% of forecast error reduction is associated with conventional observations (radiosondes). Atmospheric Motion Vectors are also found to be large contributors to error reduction, but their contribution reduces in dry periods. In opposition to Atmospheric Motion Vectors, satellite radiances tend to contribute more in the dry season. Results provide motivation for additional conventional observations and the use of all‐sky treatment of radiances.
Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Flow in the Sumatra Subduction Zone Constrained by Shear Wave Splitting and Receiver Function Analyses
Authors: Kong Fansheng , Gao Stephen S. , Liu Kelly H. , Zhang Jie , Li Jiabiao
Published: January 2020

To systematically investigate seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the Sumatra subduction zone and probe mantle dynamics associated with the subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Sunda Plate, a total of 169 pairs of teleseismic XKS (including PKS, SKKS, SKS) and 115 pairs of local S splitting parameters are obtained using broadband seismic data recorded at ~70 stations. Additionally, crustal anisotropy in the overriding Sunda Plate is measured by analyzing the moveout of P‐to‐S conversions from the Moho using a sinusoidal function. Comparison between the three sets of anisotropy measurements obtained using shear waves with different depths of origin suggests that (1) the crust of the Sunda Plate is anisotropic with mostly trench‐parallel fast orientations and a mean splitting time of 0.28 ± 0.05 s; (2) the mantle wedge is azimuthally anisotropic with dominantly trench‐parallel fast orientations and splitting times ranging from 0.22 to 0.81 s, which generally increase with the focal depth; and (3) subslab anisotropy is mostly trench‐normal beneath the fore‐arc region with an averaged splitting time of 1.48 ± 0.06 s, and becomes trench‐parallel beneath the arc and back‐arc areas with a mean splitting time of 0.33 ± 0.04 s. The resulting lateral and vertical distributions of anisotropy obtained using splitting of three types of shear waves advocate the presence of an entrained subslab flow that is deflected by the mantle transition zone. The flow enters the mantle wedge through a slab window and flows horizontally parallel to the trench.
An Updated View on Water Masses on the pan‐West Greenland Continental Shelf and Their Link to Proglacial Fjords
Authors: Rysgaard S. , Boone W. , Carlson D. , Sejr M. K. , Bendtsen J. , Juul‐Pedersen T. , Lund H. , Meire L. , Mortensen J.
Published: January 2020

The accelerated melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet has been linked to a sudden increase in the presence of warm subsurface coastal water in west Greenland. Yet pathways of warm coastal water along the entire west Greenland coast have remained largely unstudied. Here we present the first, near‐synoptic hydrographic observations at both the continental slope and fjord entrances of the west Greenland coastal system from Cape Farewell (59°N) to Melville Bay (75°N) in summer 2016. We observed a distinct north‐south division in the water mass distribution in west Greenland, approximately partitioned by the northern part of Davis Strait, and a division between the continental slope and fjord entrances. Waters from the regional southern freshwater source with origin in the East Greenland Current that rounds Cape Farewell are not observed to enter Baffin Bay. The regional heat source transported by the West Greenland Current is blocked by Southwest Greenland Coastal Water in the south but the deep connections in the north allow warm deep Subpolar Mode Water to enter fjords. Furthermore, we observed cold and relative saline Baffin Bay Polar Water over the inner part of the banks, periodically reaching as far south as 64°N, suggesting the presence of an undescribed southward current at the Southwest Greenland continental shelf.
Simulating and Evaluating Atmospheric River‐Induced Precipitation Extremes Along the U.S. Pacific Coast: Case Studies From 1980–2017
Authors: Huang Xingying , Swain Daniel L. , Walton Daniel B. , Stevenson Samantha , Hall Alex D.
Published: January 2020

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are responsible for a majority of extreme precipitation and flood events along the U.S. West Coast. To better understand the present‐day characteristics of AR‐related precipitation extremes, a selection of nine most intense historical AR events during 1980–2017 is simulated using a dynamical downscaling modeling framework based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. We find that the chosen framework and Weather Research and Forecasting Model configuration reproduces both large‐scale atmospheric features—including parent synoptic‐scale cyclones—as well as the filamentary corridors of integrated vapor transport associated with the ARs themselves. The accuracy of simulated extreme precipitation maxima, relative to in situ and interpolated gridded observations, improves notably with increasing model resolution, with improvements as large as 40–60% for fine scale (3 km) relative to coarse‐scale (27 km) simulations. A separate set of simulations using smoothed topography suggests that much of these gains stem from the improved representation of complex terrain. Additionally, using the 12 December 1995 storm in Northern California as an example, we demonstrate that only the highest‐resolution simulations resolve important fine‐scale features—such as localized orographically forced vertical motion and powerful near hurricane‐force boundary layer winds. Given the demonstrated ability of a targeted dynamical downscaling framework to capture both local extreme precipitation and key fine‐scale characteristics of the most intense ARs in the historical record, we argue that such a configuration may be highly conducive to understanding AR‐related extremes and associated changes in a warming climate.
Impact of Tropical Cyclone Landfall Angle on Storm Surge Along the Mid‐Atlantic Bight
Authors: Ramos‐Valle Alexandra N. , Curchitser Enrique N. , Bruyère Cindy L.
Published: January 2020

Storm surge impact depends on coastal geographical and bathymetric features as well as various tropical cyclone characteristics including the size, intensity, and impact angle of the storm. Although the factors contributing to storm surge are well studied, uncertainties remain regarding the level of sensitivity to these parameters. This work seeks to contribute to the current knowledge of storm surge by studying the sensitivity to tropical cyclone landfall angle. We perform an ensemble of synthetic tropical cyclones using a newly developed modeling capability derived from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, the Hybrid WRF Cyclone Model. Wind and atmospheric pressure field outputs from 200 synthetic cyclones are used as atmospheric forcing for the Advance Circulation (ADCIRC) model. We study the sensitivity of storm surge offshore extent and inundation to tropical cyclone impact angle. The extent of the impact area around the landfall location is sensitive to the cyclone landfall angle. Cyclones with tracks perpendicular to the coast are shown to produce the highest water levels and broadest inland and offshore extent. Results also indicate a heterogeneity in the sensitivity to landfall angle along the coast, highlighting the importance of both cyclone impact angle and location.