bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negative verb clusters in Mari and Udmurt and why they require postsyntactic top-down word-formation
Authors: Georgieva Ekaterina , Salzmann Martin , Weisser Philipp
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we provide an in-depth study of the morphosyntactic behavior of negative verb clusters in the Finno-Ugric languages Udmurt and Mari. We argue that the standard treatment of negation as an auxiliary is inadequate for these languages as it does not explain its morphosyntactic and morphophonological behavior, which presents a challenging morphology-syntax-semantics mismatch: Despite taking high scope and governing the highest verb of the clause, negation surfaces immediately before the highest verb rather than at the end of the verb cluster as would be expected in head-final languages. Furthermore, we show that negation forms a complex unit with the highest verb of the clause and thus crucially differs from negative auxiliaries in other Finno-Ugric languages like Finnish and from other auxiliaries. We argue that the properties of negation are best modelled by means of postsyntactic Lowering (Embick and Noyer 2001). Next to the semantic vacuousness of the displacement, the main arguments for a postsyntactic perspective come from the internal constituency of the verb cluster, the possibility to interleave clitics inside the verb cluster only in the presence of negation, and cases where Lowering fails and a syntacto-semantically inert copula is inserted as a repair. We show that competing approaches to complex head formation based on narrow-syntactic head-movement, flexible spell-out in different positions or base-generation fail to capture the crucial properties of negative verb clusters. On a more general level, we thus provide evidence for the necessity of post-syntactic mechanisms for word formation and a serial architecture of the morphology-syntax interface.
Which Implementations of Loot Boxes Constitute Gambling? A UK Legal Perspective on the Potential Harms of Random Reward Mechanisms
Authors: Xiao Leon Y.
Published: August 2020

Loot boxes are virtual items in video games that offer the player randomised in-game rewards of uncertain in-game and real-world value. Paid loot boxes represent a lucrative and prevalent contemporary monetisation method that encourages repeat purchase through randomisation. The psychology literature has consistently reported a relationship between loot boxes and problem gambling. However, various implementations of loot boxes have not been sufficiently differentiated and separately examined. The literature and gambling regulators have generally argued that only loot boxes that cost real-world money to buy, and offer rewards that can be transferred to other players and are consequently worth real-world money, constitute ‘gambling.’ This paper identifies the potential harms of two other types of loot box: one does not cost real-world money to buy and the other does not offer rewards that are worth real-world money and argues that both may constitute ‘gambling’ under UK law. This paper hypothesises that even loot boxes that neither cost real-world money to buy nor offer rewards that are worth real-world money may be potentially harmful as they may normalise gambling behaviours. This paper highlights that, when the game’s design and economy are exploited by players, a particular implementation of loot boxes may involve real-world money, potentially contrary to the game company’s intentions, and thereby effectively constitute ‘gambling.’ This paper recommends that future empirical research separately examine the potential harms of each type of loot box.
Higher Operating Temperature IR Detectors of the MOCVD Grown HgCdTe Heterostructures
Authors: Madejczyk P. , Gawron W. , Kębłowski A. , Mlynarczyk K. , Stępień D. , Martyniuk P. , Rogalski A. , Rutkowski J. , Piotrowski J.
Published: August 2020

This paper summarizes progress in metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) technology achieved in recent years at the Institute of Applied Physics, Military University of Technology and VIGO System S.A. MOCVD with a wide range of composition and donor/acceptor doping and without post-growth annealing is a very convenient tool for the deposition of HgCdTe epilayers used for uncooled infrared detectors. Particular attention is focused on: surface morphology improvement, doping issues, diffusion processes during growth study, substrate issues, crystallographic orientation selection. In this respect, MOCVD technology improvement influencing IR detector parameters is shown. CdTe buffer layer deposition allows HgCdTe heterostructure growth on GaAs substrates. Theoretical modelling using APSYS platform supports designing and better understanding of the carrier transport mechanism in detector’s structures. Secondary ion mass spectrometry profiles allows to compare projected and obtained structures and revealed diffusion processes of the elements. A wide range of different types of infrared detectors operating at high operating temperature conditions has been constructed: photoresistors, non-equilibrium photodiodes, dual-band photodiodes, barrier and multiple detectors. The methodical research efforts contributed to the time constant reduction are important in many detector applications. Future challenges and prospects are also discussed.
Use of a Laparoscopic Witzel Gastrostomy Without Gastropexy in Bariatric and General Surgery
Authors: Davies Joshua , Pernar Luise , Eble Danielle , Fernandez Adolfo Z. , Carmine Brian , Hess Donald , Carter Cullen
Published: August 2020

Background

Gastrostomy placement is the preferred means of long-term enteral feeding for patients who cannot eat by mouth. During laparoscopic gastrostomy, it is standard to perform gastropexy, apposing visceral and parietal peritoneum. In some settings, due to altered anatomy from prior surgery, direct apposition of the stomach to the abdominal wall is not possible. This study reports a series of cases where laparoscopic gastrostomy was performed via a Witzel approach without gastropexy.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients at a tertiary academic medical center who underwent Witzel gastrostomy without gastropexy over a 3-year period. In each case, an 18-French tube was placed into the fundus of the stomach and secured with a purse-string suture. A 5-cm serosalized Witzel tunnel was created around the tube using running silk suture. No gastropexy was performed.

Results

Six patients underwent 7 Witzel gastrostomy procedures. In three cases, patients had undergone prior major upper abdominal surgery where adhesive disease prevented gastropexy. In the other four cases, the patients had undergone prior gastric bypass with antecolic antegastric position of the roux limb. No patient suffered leak of gastric contents into the peritoneum, and there were no postoperative complications or mortality related to the gastrostomy.

Conclusion

In cases where enteral access is necessary, and where the stomach cannot reach the anterior abdominal wall for gastropexy due to prior surgeries, a Witzel gastrostomy without gastropexy is a safe option which resulted in no morbidity or mortality in our series.
Formal Safety Assessment of a Marine Seismic Survey Vessel Operation, Incorporating Risk Matrix and Fault Tree Analysis
Authors: Asuelimen Gregory , Blanco-Davis Eduardo , Wang Jin , Yang Zaili , Matellini Dante Benjamin
Published: August 2020

In maritime safety research, risk is assessed usually within the framework of formal safety assessment (FSA), which provides a formal and systematic methodology to improve the safety of lives, assets, and the environment. A bespoke application of FSA to mitigate accidents in marine seismic surveying is put forward in this paper, with the aim of improving the safety of seismic vessel operations, within the context of developing an economically viable strategy. The work herein takes a close look at the hazards in North Sea offshore seismic surveying, in order to identify critical risk factors, leading to marine seismic survey accidents. The risk factors leading to undesirable events are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A risk matrix is introduced to screen the identified undesirable events. Further to the screening, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is presented to investigate and analyse the most critical risks of seismic survey operation, taking into account the lack of historical data. The obtained results show that man overboard (MOB) event is a major risk factor in marine seismic survey operation; lack of training on safe work practice, slippery deck as a result of rain, snow or water splash, sea state affecting human judgement, and poor communication are identified as the critical risk contributors to the MOB event. Consequently, the risk control options are focused on the critical risk contributors for decision-making. Lastly, suggestions for the introduction and development of the FSA methodology are highlighted for safer marine and offshore operations in general.
Sahulia, a new endemic genus and a generic key to Sapotaceae in New Guinea
Authors: Swenson Ulf , Kearey Jennifer
Published: August 2020

Sahulia suboppositifolia (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is described and illustrated as a new monotypic genus from New Guinea. The species is so far only known from four collections made in lowland tropical rainforest near Lake Murray in the west and Koitaki east of Port Moresby. As a member of Sapotaceae with white latex, entire leaves, and flowers in fascicles, it is readily distinguished by the combination of opposite leaves, non-areolate venation, and almost 10 mm long green flowers with a bristle-like corolla margin consisting of short, rather thick, and pointing trichomes. We also provide a new generic key to Sapotaceae for New Guinea.
Mobile Arbeit – räumlich entgrenzt und ortsgebunden
Authors: Monz Anna , Vogl Gerlinde
Published: August 2020

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit Anforderungen ortsgebundener mobiler Arbeit und den daraus resultierenden Belastungen. Die Diskussion um mobile Arbeit wird überwiegend vor dem Hintergrund zunehmender räumlicher und zeitlicher Gestaltungsspielräume von Wissensarbeiter/-innen geführt. In diesem Beitrag steht hingegen die ortsgebundene mobile Arbeit von Techniker/-innen im Fokus, welche die Anwesenheit der Beschäftigten bei Kund/-innen zwingend voraussetzt. Anhand der Empirie werden neue Anforderungen analysiert, die im Zusammenhang mit der Digitalisierung stehen und sich sowohl auf die Tätigkeit und den Arbeitsprozess selbst als auch auf die räumliche und digitale Mobilität auswirken.

Praktische Relevanz:Die empirischen Ergebnisse verweisen auf die Notwendigkeit einer Arbeitsgestaltung, die neben den Anforderungen, die sich aus der konkreten Arbeitstätigkeit ergeben, auch die mobilitätsbedingten Anforderungen mit in den Blick nimmt. Erst durch die systematische Analyse des Zusammenwirkens beider Bereiche ergeben sich spezifische Erkenntnisse für die Gestaltung von mobiler ortsgebundener Arbeit. Durch die Unterscheidung in arbeits- und mobilitätsbezogene Anforderungen wird zudem der Fokus auf die räumliche Mobilität und auf die dazu notwendige Mobilitätsarbeit gelenkt.
Technologies Enabling Situational Awareness During Disaster Response: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kedia Tara , Ratcliff Jeremy , O’Connor Megan , Oluic Sophia , Rose Michelle , Freeman Jeff , Rainwater-Lovett Kaitlin
Published: August 2020

Situational awareness (SA) is critical to mobilizing a rapid, efficient, and effective response to disasters. Limited by time and resources, response agencies must make decisions about rapidly evolving situations, which requires the collection, analysis, and sharing of actionable information across a complex landscape. Emerging technologies, if appropriately applied, can enhance SA and enable responders to make quicker, more accurate decisions. The aim of this systematic review is to identify technologies that can improve SA and assist decision-making across the United States Government and the domestic and international agencies they support during disaster response operations. A total of 1459 articles and 36 after-action reports were identified during literature searches. Following the removal of duplicates and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 302 articles and after-action reports were included in the review. Our findings suggest SA is constrained primarily due to unreliable and significantly delayed communications, time-intensive data analysis and visualization, and a lack of interoperable sensor networks and other capabilities providing data to shared platforms. Many of these challenges could be addressed by existing technologies. Bridging the divide between research and development efforts and the operational needs of response agencies should be prioritized.
Effects of inundation duration on southeastern Louisiana oyster reefs
Authors: Marshall Danielle A. , La Peyre Megan K.
Published: August 2020

Understanding the effects of predicted rising sea levels, combined with changes in precipitation and freshwater inflow on key estuarine ecosystem engineers such as the eastern oyster would provide critical information to inform restoration design and predictive models. Using oyster ladders with shell bags placed at three heights to capture a range of inundation levels, oyster growth of naturally recruited spat was monitored over the course of 6 months. Oyster numbers and shell heights were consistently highest in bottom and mid bags experiencing greater than 50% inundation (mid: 63 ± 7%; bottom: 95 ± 3%). Identifying thresholds for optimal oyster growth and survival to enhance restoration engineering would require finer scale evaluation of inundation levels.
Petrous apex pneumatisation in children: a radiological study
Authors: Hardcastle T , McKay-Davies I , Neeff M
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to investigate petrous apex pneumatisation in children, as an understanding of petrous apex pneumatisation is useful in the diagnosis and surgical management of middle-ear disease.

Methods

Computed tomography head scans from 1700 patients aged 0–16 years were assessed. Petrous apex bone and air cell volumes were calculated to determine the degree of petrous apex pneumatisation. Scans were analysed for communicating tracts between the middle ear and petrous apex.

Results

Petrous apex pneumatisation was found in 21.0 per cent of patients. Positive relationships were found between age and petrous apex pneumatisation prevalence (rs = 0.990, p < 0.001), and between age and degree of petrous apex pneumatisation (rs = 0.319, p < 0.001). Petrous apex pneumatisation prevalence did not significantly differ by sex or ethnicity. Communicating tracts were identified in 84.3 per cent of patients with petrous apex pneumatisation, most commonly anterior to the otic capsule.

Conclusion

In children, the prevalence and degree of petrous apex pneumatisation increases with age, but prevalence is not affected by sex or ethnicity.
A Hamiltonian gyrofluid model based on a quasi-static closure
Authors: Tassi E. , Passot T. , Sulem P. L.
Published: August 2020

A Hamiltonian six-field gyrofluid model is constructed, based on closure relations derived from the so-called ‘quasi-static’ gyrokinetic linear theory where the fields are assumed to propagate with a parallel phase velocity much smaller than the parallel particle thermal velocities. The main properties captured by this model, primarily aimed at exploring fundamental problems of interest for space plasmas such as the solar wind, are its ability to provide a reasonable agreement with kinetic theory for linear low-frequency modes, and at the same time to ensure a Hamiltonian structure in the absence of explicit dissipation. The model accounts for equilibrium temperature anisotropy, ion and electron finite Larmor radius corrections, electron inertia, magnetic fluctuations along the direction of a strong guide field and parallel Landau damping, introduced through a Landau-fluid modelling of the parallel heat transfers for both gyrocentre species. Remarkably, the quasi-static closure leads to exact and simple expressions for the nonlinear terms involving gyroaveraged electromagnetic fields and potentials. One of the consequences is that a rather natural identification of the Hamiltonian structure of the model becomes possible when Landau damping is neglected. A slight variant of the model consists of a four-field Hamiltonian reduction of the original six-field model, which is also used for the subsequent linear analysis. In the latter, the dispersion relations of kinetic Alfvén waves and the firehose instability are shown to be correctly reproduced, relatively far in the sub-ion range (depending on the plasma parameters), while the spectral range where the slow-wave dispersion relation and the field-swelling instabilities are precisely described is less extended. This loss of accuracy originates from the breaking of the condition of small phase velocity, relative to the parallel thermal velocity of the electrons (for kinetic Alfvén waves and firehose instability) or of the ions (in the case of the field-swelling instabilities).
Molecular identification of Ancylostoma ceylanicum in the Philippines
Authors: Aula Oyime P. , McManus Donald P. , Weerakoon Kosala G. , Olveda Remigio , Ross Allen G. , Rogers Madeleine J. , Gordon Catherine A.
Published: August 2020

Hookworms are some of the most widespread of the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with an estimated 438.9 million people infected. Until relatively recently Ancylostoma ceylanicum was regarded as a rare cause of hookworm infection in humans, with little public health relevance. However, recent advances in molecular diagnostics have revealed a much higher prevalence of this zoonotic hookworm than previously thought, particularly in Asia. This study examined the prevalence of STH and A. ceylanicum in the municipalities of Palapag and Laoang in the Philippines utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on stool samples previously collected as part of a cross-sectional survey of schistosomiasis japonica. Prevalence of hookworm in humans was high with 52.8% (n = 228/432) individuals positive for any hookworm, 34.5% (n = 149/432) infected with Necator americanus, and 29.6% (n = 128/432) with Ancylostoma spp; of these, 34 were PCR-positive for A. ceylanicum. Considering dogs, 12 (n = 33) were PCR-positive for A. ceylanicum. This is the first study to utilize molecular diagnostics to identify A. ceylanicum in the Philippines with both humans and dogs infected. Control and elimination of this zoonotic hookworm will require a multifaceted approach including chemotherapy of humans, identification of animal reservoirs, improvements in health infrastructure, and health education to help prevent infection.
First report ofOnchocerca lupifrom Israel and confirmation of two genotypes circulating among canine, feline and human hosts
Authors: Rojas A , Salant H , Yasur-Landau D , Tsarfati H , Baneth G
Published: August 2020

Onchocerca lupiis a parasitic filarioid and the causative agent of canine ocular onchocercosis, a zoonotic disease of domestic dogs with sporadic reports in humans. A 13-year-old dog with no travel history outside of Israel was presented to an ophthalmology veterinary clinic in Israel with severe right ocular and periocular disease. After surgical exploration, thin helminths were removed from the dorsal sclera of the eye and identified asOnchocerca lupiby polymerase chain reaction according to the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) and12SrRNA genes. Phylogenetic trees and haplotype networks of thecox1 andnad5 genes confirmed the circulation of two genotypes: genotype 1 with worms from dogs, cats and humans from both the Old and New Worlds, and genotype 2 with specimens from Portugal and Spain. The Israeli sequences clustered in genotype 1 and were identical toO. lupifrom the USA. Evidence of two genotypes separated geographically sheds light on the phylogeography and evolution of this zoonotic pathogen, and suggests a diverse pathology observed in different regions of the world.
Turning a Blind Eye: Infanticide and Missing Babies in Seventeenth-Century Geneva
Authors: Beam Sara
Published: August 2020

In August 1677, the Genevan consistory, a church court preoccupied with regulating sexual sin, summoned Louise Bouffa. Louise was a single woman recently hired by the wealthy Sarasin family as a wet nurse, an occupation that signaled to the consistory that she had recently given birth. The pastors and elders wanted to know who the father was and where the child was now. Louise was at first evasive. She claimed not to know the name of the father, although she did admit that the man with whom she had had sex was “very well dressed.” She said that she had given birth not far from Geneva, in the village of Gy, where the baby had been baptized and then had died. These claims turned out to be false. The Genevan consistory contacted the pastor in Gy who denied that her child had been baptized there. Summoned to tell the truth, Louise admitted that she had given the baby away to a man named Bertet to present as his own child for baptism, although she added that she was aware he had not done so. She also revealed that the father of the infant was a well-respected Genevan citizen and lawyer, Léonard Revillod, in whose household she had been working when she became pregnant. The consistory admonished Louise for lying about the baptism and sent her and her master to the criminal court to be prosecuted. This court, an elected body called the Small Council, duly fined Léonard for having had sex with his servant and for having “obliged her to give the baby to a stranger.” As for Louise, she was merely sent back to the consistory, which excluded her from participating in communion. No further investigation of the fate of the infant ensued.
Advancement of a standardised enteral feeding protocol in functional single ventricle patients following stage I palliation using cerebro-somatic near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Raymond Tia T. , Valle Selena , Garza Janie , Yeramaneni Samrat , Wurtz Elena , Sample Brooke , Kozak Nicole , Stigall William , Gatlin Scott , Burton Grant
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Infants with single ventricle following stage I palliation are at risk for poor nutrition and growth failure. We hypothesise a standardised enteral feeding protocol for these infants that will result in a more rapid attainment of nutritional goals without an increased incidence of gastrointestinal co-morbidities.

Materials and methods:

Single-centre cardiac ICU, prospective case series with historical comparisons. Feeding cohort consisted of consecutive patients with a single ventricle admitted to cardiac ICU over 18 months following stage I palliation (n = 33). Data were compared with a control cohort and admitted to the cardiac ICU over 18 months before feeding protocol implementation (n = 30). Feeding protocol patients were randomised: (1) protocol with cerebro-somatic near-infrared spectroscopy feeding advancement criteria (n = 17) or (2) protocol without cerebro-somatic near-infrared spectroscopy feeding advancement criteria (n = 16).

Results:

Median time to achieve goal enteral volume was significantly higher in the control compared to feeding cohort. There were no significant differences in enteral feeds being held for feeding intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis between cohorts. Feeding cohort had significant improvements in discharge nutritional status (weight, difference admit to discharge weight, weight-for-age z score, volume, and caloric enteral nutrition) and late mortality compared to the control cohort. No infants in the feeding group with cerebro-somatic near-infrared spectroscopy developed necrotising enterocolitis versus 4/16 (25%) in the feeding cohort without cerebro-somatic near-infrared spectroscopy (p = 0.04).

Conclusions:

A feeding protocol is a safe and effective means of initiating and advancing enteral nutrition in infants following stage I palliation and resulted in improved nutrition delivery, weight gain, and nourishment status at discharge without increased incidence of gastrointestinal co-morbidities.
Cyanosis due to an isolated atrial septal defect: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Krasemann Thomas , van Osch-Gevers Lennie , van de Woestijne Pieter
Published: August 2020

Isolated atrial defects usually lead to left-to-right shunt and right ventricular volume load. Descriptions of cyanosis with this congenital heart defect are rare.

We describe a rare case of inferior caval vein flow directed through an atrial septal defect in the fossa ovalis leading to severe cyanosis, but without any additional intracardiac anatomical abnormalities. The baby with clinical features of Marfan’s syndrome had an eventration of the right-sided diaphragm. Surgical closure of the defect resolved the cyanosis, but the child died 10 weeks later of severe valvar dysfunction, related to Marfan’s syndrome.

Mechanisms of cyanosis in patients with atrial septal defects are discussed. Echocardiographic bubble studies both from the lower and upper half of the body may help to clarify the mechanism of an otherwise unexplained cyanosis.
LAW'S BOUNDARIES
Authors: Perry Adam
Published: August 2020

The norms of a legal system are relevant in deciding on people's rights and duties within that system. Some norms that are not part of a legal system are also relevant within it: norms of foreign legal systems, games, clubs, contracts, grammar, and so on. What distinguishes the norms of a legal system from the norms merely relevant within it? Where, in other words, are law's boundaries? There are three existing answers in the literature, from Kramer, Shapiro, and Raz. None succeed. A better answer starts with a distinction between two types of legal relevance: direct and indirect. Norms of a legal system are directly relevant within it. Norms that are not part of a legal system are at most indirectly relevant within it. Thus, the two types of norms are distinguished by the directness of their relevance.
Practitioner review: health anxiety in children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Haig-Ferguson A. , Cooper K. , Cartwright E. , Loades M.E. , Daniels J.
Published: August 2020

Health-related fear is a normal and common response in the face of the global pandemic of COVID-19. Children and young people are frequently being exposed to messages about the threat to health, including from the media and authorities. Whilst for most, their anxiety will be proportionate to the threat, for some, existing pre-occupation with physical symptoms and illness will become more problematic. There is a growing body of evidence that health anxiety may occur in childhood, however much of the literature is taken from research using adult samples. This practitioner review aims to give an overview of the assessment and treatment of health-related worries in children and young people in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review is based on the limited existing evidence in this population and the more substantial evidence base for treating health anxiety in adults. We consider the adaptations needed to ensure such interventions are developmentally appropriate.
High prevalence of low dairy calcium intake and association with insomnia, anxiety, depression and musculoskeletal pain in university students from Jordan
Authors: Alkhatatbeh Mohammad J , Khwaileh Hala N , Abdul-Razzak Khalid K
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To assess dairy Ca intake and investigate its relationship with insomnia and other common co-morbidities including anxiety, depression and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among university students.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

University, Irbid, Jordan.

Participants:

Male and female individuals (n 1000), aged 20·87 ± 2·69 years.

Results:

Low dairy Ca intake (<1000 mg/d) was reported by 96·5 % of participants, and moderate to severe insomnia reported by 15·6 % of participants. Abnormal anxiety and depression scores were reported by 26·2 and 18·0 % of participants, respectively. MSP was reported by 42·9 % of participants. Participants with moderate to severe insomnia had lower dairy Ca, higher anxiety and depression scores and higher measures of MSP compared to participants with no insomnia (P-values < 0·05). Dairy Ca was weakly inversely correlated with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, depression score and measures of MSP (P-values < 0·05). Regression analysis indicated that insomnia was predicted by low dairy Ca, anxiety, depression, MSP and smoking (P-values < 0·05). Both anxiety and depression were predicted by increased ISI score (P-values < 0·05), while depression alone was predicted by low dairy Ca (P-value < 0·01). MSP was predicted by increased ISI and anxiety scores (P-values < 0·05).

Conclusions:

Low dairy Ca was highly prevalent and associated with insomnia and depression among university students. Individuals should be advised to increase dietary Ca intake to achieve the recommended daily amount. Further research is required to investigate a potential causal relationship between low Ca and both insomnia and its related co-morbidities.
Comparing the hospital anxiety and depression scale to the Brief Edinburgh Depression Scale for identifying cases of major depressive disorder in advanced cancer palliative patients
Authors: Rodríguez-Mayoral Oscar , Peña-Nieves Adriana , Allende-Pérez Silvia , Lloyd-Williams Mari
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study sought to compare the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Subscale (HADS-D) and Brief Edinburgh Depression Scale (BEDS) as case-finding tools of major depressive disorder in patients with advanced cancer in a palliative care service.

Methods

An observational study was performed which included patients with advanced cancer who attended the palliative care service at the National Institute of Cancer in Mexico. Patients were asked to fill out the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and BEDS and were then assessed by a psychiatrist to evaluate major depressive disorder (MDD) as per the DSM-5 criteria. The case-finding capability of each scale was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves, assessing the area under the curve (AUC) in comparison to the clinical diagnosis.

Results

Eighty-nine patients were included; median age was 57 years, and 71% were female. Among these, 19 patients were diagnosed with MDD during the interview. When comparing the self-reported scales, BEDS had a better performance compared with HADS-D (AUC 0.8541 vs. 0.7665). Limitations include a heterogeneous population and a limited sample size.

Significance of results

The BEDS outperformed the HADS-D tool in discriminating patients with and without depression. A BEDS cutoff value of ≥5 is suggested as a case-finding score for depression in this population.
Voting in a Pandemic: Explaining Variation in Support for Absentee Ballots for All
Authors: Dominguez Melanie Sayuri , Vargas Edward D. , Sanchez Gabriel R.
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed all aspects of American life, including, for many, how we vote. We explore the question of who supports unrestricted absentee ballots during a pandemic. We argue that women are more likely to support absentee ballots because they allow for greater flexibility and minimize the potential for exposure. We test this theory using the National Panel Study of COVID-19 (n = 1,892), which asked respondents about their preferences for absentee ballots, their worry about the coronavirus, and their household composition. Using multinomial logistic regressions, we find that women are more likely to support allowing absentee ballots compared with more restrictive voting options and are more likely to say they support absentee ballots for all if they know someone who has contracted COVID-19. The policy implications for these findings are discussed along with other sociodemographic indicators in our analysis.
Seasonality of suicide: a multi-country multi-community observational study
Authors: Yu J. , Yang D. , Kim Y. , Hashizume M. , Gasparrini A. , Armstrong B. , Honda Y. , Tobias A. , Sera F. , Vicedo-Cabrera A. M. , Kim H. , Íñiguez C. , Lavigne E. , Ragettli M. S. , Scovronick N. , Acquaotta F. , Chen B. , Guo Y. L. , de Sousa Zanotti Stagliori Coelho M. , Saldiva P. , Zanobetti A. , Schwartz J. , Bell M. L. , Diaz M. , De la Cruz Valencia C. , Holobâcă I. , Fratianni S. , Chung Y.
Published: August 2020

Aims

We aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of seasonal suicide patterns among multiple geographically, demographically and socioeconomically diverse populations.

Methods

Weekly time-series data of suicide counts for 354 communities in 12 countries during 1986–2016 were analysed. Two-stage analysis was performed. In the first stage, a generalised linear model, including cyclic splines, was used to estimate seasonal patterns of suicide for each community. In the second stage, the community-specific seasonal patterns were combined for each country using meta-regression. In addition, the community-specific seasonal patterns were regressed onto community-level socioeconomic, demographic and environmental indicators using meta-regression.

Results

We observed seasonal patterns in suicide, with the counts peaking in spring and declining to a trough in winter in most of the countries. However, the shape of seasonal patterns varied among countries from bimodal to unimodal seasonality. The amplitude of seasonal patterns (i.e. the peak/trough relative risk) also varied from 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–1.62) to 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01–1.1) among 12 countries. The subgroup difference in the seasonal pattern also varied over countries. In some countries, larger amplitude was shown for females and for the elderly population (≥65 years of age) than for males and for younger people, respectively. The subperiod difference also varied; some countries showed increasing seasonality while others showed a decrease or little change. Finally, the amplitude was larger for communities with colder climates, higher proportions of elderly people and lower unemployment rates (p-values < 0.05).

Conclusions

Despite the common features of a spring peak and a winter trough, seasonal suicide patterns were largely heterogeneous in shape, amplitude, subgroup differences and temporal changes among different populations, as influenced by climate, demographic and socioeconomic conditions. Our findings may help elucidate the underlying mechanisms of seasonal suicide patterns and aid in improving the design of population-specific suicide prevention programmes based on these patterns.
Spatiotemporal Change in the Stress State Around the Hypocentral Area of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Mitsuoka Ayaho , Shito Azusa , Matsumoto Satoshi , Yamashita Yusuke , Nakamoto Manami , Sakai Shin‐ichi , Iio Yoshihisa , Shimizu Hiroshi , Goto Kazuhiko , Okada Tomomi , Ohzono Mako , Yamanaka Yoshiko , Kosuga Masahiro , Yoshimi Masayuki , Asano Youichi
Published: August 2020

For understanding the physical condition of earthquake generation, we estimated the deviatoric stress fields and fault planes of the large earthquakes in the hypocentral area of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence, central Kyushu, Japan. We analyzed precise hypocenters and their focal mechanism tensors from 1993 to 2017 and found the complex fault planes of the largest foreshock and the mainshock during the sequence. The faults of large earthquakes could not be detected from the preceding high seismic activity in the area to the mainshock. The analyses of the deviatoric stress tensors obtained from pre‐ and post‐sequence seismic moment tensor data revealed the temporal change in the deviatoric stress field at the vicinity of the hypocenters of the largest foreshock and the mainshock. Because of this temporal change, we found that the stress level of the deviatoric stress field in this region is the same level as the co‐seismic stress change caused by the two large earthquakes. We attempted to estimate the differential stress at the region using a new method, which can be applied to the heterogeneous stress fields. The average value of the estimated differential stresses in the region was 15.4 ± 10 MPa. The rotation of the principal stress axes and the low differential stress are important information to understand the physical processes of the earthquake generation and the state of the crustal stress.
Large Silicic Eruptions, Episodic Recharge, and the Transcrustal Magmatic System
Authors: Liu Boda , Lee Cin‐Ty
Published: August 2020

Large silicic eruptions result from rapid evacuation of large, upper crustal reservoirs of silicic magmas. These silicic magmas are thought to be replenished by melt extracted from underlying crystal‐rich source mushes, but the timescales and mechanisms of such melt extraction are unclear. Geochemical observations suggest that the replenishing melt is often more primitive than the eruptives and must thus cool and crystallize to generate the highly silicic magmas that eventually lead to large eruptions. Motivated by these observations, we use thermal models to explore the replenishment conditions capable of building an eruptible silicic reservoir to generate a large eruption. Results show that the minimum melt replenishment rate required for a silicic reservoir to start growing increases with the effective thermal diffusivity of the overlying crust and decreases with the depth of the reservoir. For an eruptible reservoir at 6 km depth to grow, the initial replenishment rate needs to be greater than 2 × 10−9 m/s. High replenishment rates are required to provide enough advected heat to counterbalance rapid heat loss and consequent freezing that would prevent the eruptible reservoir from growing. However, these high initial replenishment rates must then subside over time for the eruptible reservoir to cool, crystallize, and evolve to highly silicic melts. Thermal histories of some natural systems suggest assembly of large eruptible reservoirs in <20 kyr. The rapid replenishment followed by its decay suggests that replenishment was triggered by a pronounced but ephemeral increase in the porosity and permeability of the underlying crystal‐rich source mush, allowing for rapid melt expulsion. We speculate that this perturbation may be driven by the sudden incursion of deep‐seated, hotter magmas into the base of the crystal‐rich source mush.
The Impact of Eruption Source Parameter Uncertainties on Ash Dispersion Forecasts During Explosive Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Dioguardi Fabio , Beckett Frances , Dürig Tobias , Stevenson John A.
Published: August 2020

Volcanic ash in the atmosphere is a hazard to aviation. To predict which areas of airspace are most likely to be affected by the presence of ash, Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAACs) use observations and atmospheric dispersion models. These models are initialized with, among other parameters, a mass eruption rate (MER), which quantifies the emission rate into the atmosphere at the source. This influences the predicted spatial–temporal evolution and concentration of the ash cloud. Different models are available to estimate MER from the volcanic plume height and some models also include the weather conditions (e.g., wind speed). The REFIR software tool uses time‐series of plume height estimated from observations and weather data to provide estimates of MER through time. Here we present an updated version of REFIR that can now be used also to calculate MER for past eruptions and produce output parameters in a format suitable for use with the NAME dispersion model (UK Met Office—London VAAC). We also investigate how uncertainty in input parameters is propagated through to dispersion model output. Our results show that a +/−1 km uncertainty on a 6 km high plume can result in the affected area ranging by a factor of three between the minimum and maximum estimates. Additionally, we show that using wind‐affected plume models results in affected areas that are five times larger than using no‐wind‐affected models. This demonstrates the sensitivity of MER to the type of plume model chosen (no‐wind‐ vs. wind‐affected).
Global Characterization of the Varying Responses of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index to Atmospheric Evaporative Demand
Authors: Tomas‐Burguera M. , Vicente‐Serrano S. M. , Peña‐Angulo D. , Domínguez‐Castro F. , Noguera I. , El Kenawy A.
Published: August 2020

The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) is one of the well‐established drought metrics worldwide. It is simply computed using precipitation and atmospheric evaporative demand (AED) data. Although AED is considered a key driver of drought variability worldwide, it could have less impact on drought in specific regions and for particular times as a function of the magnitude of precipitation. Specifically, the influence of the AED might overestimate drought severity during both normal and humid periods, resulting in “false alarms” about drought impacts on physical and human environments. Here, we provided a global characterization of the sensitivity of the SPEI to changes of the AED. Results demonstrate that the contribution of AED to drought severity is largely impacted by the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation. Specifically, the impact of AED on drought severity was more pronounced during periods of low precipitation, compared to wet periods. Interestingly, drought severity in humid regions (as revealed by SPEI) also showed low sensitivity to AED under drier conditions. These results highlight the skill of SPEI in identifying the role of AED in drought evolution, especially in arid and semiarid regions whose climate is characterized typically by low precipitation. This advantage was also evident for humid environments, where SPEI did not overestimate drought severity due to the increased AED. These findings highlight the broader applicability of SPEI to accurately characterize drought severity worldwide.
Minocycline differentially modulates human spatial memory systems
Authors: Berens Sam C. , Bird Chris M. , Harrison Neil A.
Published: August 2020

Microglia play a critical role in many processes fundamental to learning and memory in health and are implicated in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis. Minocycline, a centrally-penetrant tetracycline antibiotic, inhibits microglial activation and enhances long-term potentiation, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and hippocampal-dependent spatial memory in rodents, leading to clinical trials in human neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effects of minocycline on human memory have not previously been investigated. Utilising a double-blind, randomised crossover study design, we recruited 20 healthy male participants (mean 24.6 ± 5.0 years) who were each tested in two experimental sessions: once after 3 days of Minocycline 150 mg (twice daily), and once 3 days of placebo (identical administration). During each session, all completed an fMRI task designed to tap boundary- and landmark-based navigation (thought to rely on hippocampal and striatal learning mechanisms respectively). Given the rodent literature, we hypothesised that minocycline would selectively modulate hippocampal learning. In line with this, minocycline biased use of boundary- compared to landmark-based information (t980 = 3.140, p = 0.002). However, though this marginally improved performance for boundary-based objects (t980 = 1.972, p = 0.049), it was outweighed by impaired landmark-based navigation (t980 = 6.374, p < 0.001) resulting in an overall performance decrease (t980 = 3.295, p = 0.001). Furthermore, against expectations, minocycline significantly reduced activity during memory encoding in the right caudate (t977 = 2.992, p = 0.003) and five other cortical regions, with no significant effect in the hippocampus. In summary, minocycline impaired human spatial memory performance, likely through disruption of striatal processing resulting in greater biasing towards reliance on boundary-based navigation.
NRIP3 upregulation confers resistance to chemoradiotherapy in ESCC via RTF2 removal by accelerating ubiquitination and degradation of RTF2
Authors: Suo Daqin , Wang Ling , Zeng Tingting , Zhang Hui , Li Lei , Liu Jinyun , Yun Jingping , Guan Xin-Yuan , Li Yan
Published: August 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant cancer worldwide. Despite recent improvements in surgical techniques and adjuvant therapies, the prognosis of patients with advanced ESCC remains poor. Resistance to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains a major cause of treatment failure for advanced ESCC patients. Here, we report that NRIP3 (nuclear receptor interacting protein 3) promotes ESCC tumor cell growth and resistance to CRT in ESCC cells by increasing and binding to DDI1 (DNA-damage inducible 1 homolog 1) and RTF2 (homologous toSchizosaccharomycespombeRtf2), and accelerating the removal of RTF2, which is a key determinant for the ability of cells to manage replication stress. In addition, we found that NRIP3 could increase DDI1 expression via PPARα. The NRIP3-PPARα-DDI1-RTF2 axis represents a protective molecular pathway in ESCC cells that mediates resistance to replication stress signals induced by chemoradiotherapy. In addition, elevated NRIP3 is associated with the poor clinical outcome of ESCC patients receiving radiotherapy and/or cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Our study therefore reveals that NRIP3 is a prognostic factor in ESCC and could have some predictive value to select patients who benefit from CRT treatment. A common mechanism that protects ESCC tumor cells from DNA damage induced by CRT is also revealed in this study.
NEDDylation negatively regulates ERRβ expression to promote breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression
Authors: Naik Sanoj K. , Lam Eric W.-F. , Parija Monalisa , Prakash Surya , Jiramongkol Yannasittha , Adhya Amit K. , Parida Dilip K. , Mishra Sandip K.
Published: August 2020

Estrogen-related receptor beta (ERRβ) is downregulated in breast cancer cells and its overexpression in breast cancer patients is positively correlated with an improved prognosis and prolonged relapse-free survival. Here, we unravelled a molecular mechanism for ERRβ downregulation in breast cancer. We found that ERRβ is a key substrate of the SCF complex and that NEDDylation can activate the Cullin subunits of the SCF complex to target ERRβ for degradation in breast cancer. Consistently, using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrated that MLN4924, a specific small molecule inhibitor of NEDDylation, can restore ERRβ expression and culminate in a reduction in cell proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. We also showed that increased ERRβ expression promotes the upregulation of its target genes, including the tumour suppressors p21Cip1/Waf1 and E-cadherin, involved in cell proliferation and migration arrest at the gene promoter level. Interestingly, this tumour suppressive role of ERRβ does not depend on the expression of ERα in breast cancer. Moreover, our data revealed that the ERRβ recruits the transcription co-activator p300 to its targeted gene promoters to upregulate their expression. Collectively, our work revealed that restoration of ERRβ expression using the NEDDylation inhibitor MLN4924 can be a novel and effective strategy for breast cancer treatment.