bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic Proximity to Parents, Intergenerational Support Exchange, and Migration Within Germany
Authors: Hünteler Bettina , Mulder Clara H.
Published: March 2020

Previous research on internal migration has emphasised the importance of local ties to family members outside the household, and to parents in particular. Family members who live close to an individual’s place of residence represent a form of local social capital that could make migrating costlier, and therefore less likely. This idea has been empirically supported. Yet, how family ties bind remains largely unexplained. We assume that intergenerational support is a manifestation of local social capital, and that spatial proximity is needed for support to be exchanged. Thus, we used mediation analysis that includes explicit measures of support exchanges between parents and their adult–children born in 1971–1973, 1981–1983, and 1991–1993 to explain the binding effect of living close to parents. Logistic regression models of migrating a distance of more than 40 km were conducted using eight waves of the German pairfam data. Living close to one’s parents was indeed found to be negatively associated with the likelihood of migration, and part of this association could be explained through intergenerational support: the more the instrumental support an adult child exchanged with her/his parent, the less likely she/he was to migrate. Receiving emotional support from the parents was associated with an increase in migration propensity. Neither giving emotional help nor receiving help with childcare functioned as mediators. It thus appears that adult children are particularly likely to value the proximity of their parents when they are exchanging instrumental support, but that the emotional bond between adult children and their parents can often be maintained over longer distances.
Representation of Hamilton–Jacobi Equation in Optimal Control Theory with Unbounded Control Set
Authors: Misztela Arkadiusz
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we study the existence of sufficiently regular representations of Hamilton–Jacobi equations in the optimal control theory with unbounded control set. We use a new method to construct representations for a wide class of Hamiltonians. This class is wider than any constructed before, because we do not require Legendre–Fenchel conjugates of Hamiltonians to be bounded. However, in this case we obtain representations with unbounded control set. We apply the obtained results to study regularities of value functions and correlations between variational and optimal control problems.
Heat transfer and hydrodynamics of slip confusor flow under second-order boundary conditions
Authors: Avramenko A. A. , Dmitrenko N. P. , Shevchuk I. V.
Published: March 2020

The paper focused on an analytical analysis of the main features of heat transfer in incompressible steady-state flow in a microconfusor with account for the second-order slip boundary conditions. The second-order boundary conditions serve as a closure of a system of the continuity, transport, and energy differential equations. As a result, novel solutions were obtained for the velocity and temperature profiles, as well as for the friction coefficient and the Nusselt number. These solutions demonstrated that an increase in the Knudsen number leads to a decrease in the Nusselt number. It was shown that the account for the second-order terms in the boundary conditions noticeably affects the fluid flow characteristics and does not influence on the heat transfer characteristics. It was also revealed that flow slippage effects on heat transfer weaken with an increase in the Prandtl number.
Hepcidin secretion was not directly proportional to intracellular iron-loading in recombinant-TfR1 HepG2 cells: short communication
Authors: Mehta Kosha J. , Busbridge Mark , Patel Vinood B. , Farnaud Sebastien Je.
Published: March 2020

Hepcidin is the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis and its dysregulation is observed in several chronic liver diseases. Unlike the extracellular iron-sensing mechanisms, the intracellular iron-sensing mechanisms in the hepatocytes that lead to hepcidin induction and secretion are incompletely understood. Here, we aimed to understand the direct role of intracellular iron-loading on hepcidin mRNA and peptide secretion using our previously characterised recombinant HepG2 cells that over-express the cell-surface iron-importer protein transferrin receptor-1. Gene expression of hepcidin (HAMP) was determined by real-time PCR. Intracellular iron levels and secreted hepcidin peptide levels were measured by ferrozine assay and immunoassay, respectively. These measurements were compared in the recombinant and wild-type HepG2 cells under basal conditions at 30 min, 2 h, 4 h and 24 h. Data showed that in the recombinant cells, intracellular iron content was higher than wild-type cells at 30 min (3.1-fold, p < 0.01), 2 h (4.6-fold, p < 0.01), 4 h (4.6-fold, p < 0.01) and 24 h (1.9-fold, p < 0.01). Hepcidin (HAMP) mRNA expression was higher than wild-type cells at 30 min (5.9-fold; p = 0.05) and 24 h (6.1-fold; p < 0.03), but at 4 h, the expression was lower than that in wild-type cells (p < 0.05). However, hepcidin secretion levels in the recombinant cells were similar to those in wild-type cells at all time-points, except at 4 h, when the level was lower than wild-type cells (p < 0.01). High intracellular iron in recombinant HepG2 cells did not proportionally increase hepcidin peptide secretion. This suggests a limited role of elevated intracellular iron in hepcidin secretion.
Post-test analysis of the LAPCAT-II subscale scramjet
Authors: Karl Sebastian , Martinez Schramm Jan , Hannemann Klaus
Published: March 2020

A subscale flight experiment configuration propelled by a Mach 8 supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) was designed within the framework of the European Commission co-funded Long Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies II project. The focus of this design exercise was to verify by ground testing the ability of the proposed scramjet engine to produce adequate thrust for hypersonic level flight. Experiments performed in DLR’s High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel Göttingen confirmed precedent CFD predictions of the total thrust and demonstrated the operability of the vehicle. Yet, significant discrepancies between the CFD analyses, which were performed to design the vehicle, and subsequent detailed measurements of the pressure distribution in the combustor were observed and could not be resolved so far. This paper focuses on a further analysis of these residual discrepancies. It was found that the CFD predictions of the combustor pressure distribution are sensitive to the configuration of the intake boundary layer. Particularly, different assumptions for the location of the laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition strongly influence cross-flow structures which develop on the intake and which are able to trigger different combustion modes in the combustor. While the effect on total vehicle performance remains limited, a significant impact on the structure and magnitude of the surface pressure distribution was observed. i.e., the large combustor peak pressures, which occur in the experiment, can be explained by the occurrence of a strong shock train in the vicinity of the combustor wall.
Surface and Groundwater Quality, in the Mixing Area, using Hydrochemical and Statistical Methods, in the Valley of Low Djemaa - Zitouna Basins, Algeria
Authors: Saou Abdelhamid , Maza Mustapha , Seidel Jean Luc
Published: March 2020

Surface and groundwater of low Djemaa- Zitouna basins were sampled to study the hydrochemical processes that control the water chemistry. Temperature, pH, EC, major and trace element concentrations were measured. The data obtained were used to determine the hydrochemical facies and to perform statistical analyses (correlation matrix, dendrogram of Q-mode cluster analysis). The corrosiveness or scale forming tendencies and saturation indexes were evaluated in order to assess the corrosive potential and the quality of the groundwater in the mixing area.

Two main hydrochemical types (SO42- - Ca2+ - Mg2+ and Ca2+ - HCO32-) were identified. Based on Langelier index, surface water samples show scale forming with a non-corrosive character, whereas groundwater samples are slightly scale forming and corrosive. On the other hand, the Ryznar stability index of all samples shows stable waters and a slight tendency for scale dissolving. It also shows that calcite precipitation and dolomite dissolution driven by gypsum dissolution is the main factor controlling the water chemistry of the coastal aquifer.
Exploratory Evidence of Sex-Dimorphic Associations of the Ulna-to-Fibula Ratio, a Potential Marker of Pubertal Sex Steroid Exposure, with the Implicit Need for Power
Authors: Köllner Martin G. , Bleck Kira
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We propose a novel marker of pubertal organizing hormone effects on the brain, long bone length, and assess its relationships to implicit motives, especially the implicit need for power (nPower).

Methods

In a partly exploratory approach, we tested 126 participants (after exclusions; 53 men, 73 women), in a cross-sectional design using the Picture-Story Exercise (nPower, activity inhibition), standard anthropometric measurements (BMI, height), and calipers to assess bone length of the ulna and fibula.

Results

Results indicated that a sex-dimorphic (d = 0.55) Ulna-to-Fibula Ratio (UFR), which is independent of body height, best captures the variance in our data. While we did not find bivariate relationships between long bone length and nPower, a sex-dimorphic interaction of nPower and activity inhibition on UFR-asymmetry (UFRr-l; right versus left UFR) emerged. High UFRr-l scores were related to the inhibited power motive (high nPower, high activity inhibition) in men, while for women the pattern was (non-significantly) reversed. In addition, UFR was predicted by a sex-dimorphic effect of nPower, with low UFR scores being associated with a higher nPower in men and a tendency for high UFR scores being related to lower nPower in women.

Conclusions

We discuss our results regarding UFR’s potential as a sex-dimorphic marker of the organizing effects of pubertal steroid hormones on the motivational brain beyond hand and face parameters routinely used in current research. Finally, we examine how our findings fit recent results obtained for the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio or facial width-to-height ratio and nPower.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Spatial Cognition: Effects of Holographic Grids on Distance Estimation and Location Memory in a 3D Indoor Scenario
Authors: Keil Julian , Korte Annika , Ratmer Anna , Edler Dennis , Dickmann Frank
Published: March 2020

Recent advances in augmented reality (AR) technology enable the projection of holograms to a fixed location in 3D space. This renders new possibilities for influencing peoples’ spatial perception and to address cognitive limitations as structural distortions in cognitive representations of space. The study presented in this paper investigated whether these structural distortions can be reduced by projecting a holographic grid into 3D space. Accuracy of the cognitive representation of space was assessed based on distance estimations and an object location memory task. The findings revealed that distance estimations were indeed more accurate when a holographic grid was available. Location memory performance, on the other hand, was worse when a holographic grid was available. Based on feedback from the participants, it can be assumed that design characteristics of the used AR headset are at least partly responsible for this result. These characteristics include a reduced field of view and visual distortions in the peripheral areas of the field of view. Overall, the findings show that AR can be used to influence and, when applied correctly, improve peoples’ spatial perception. However, more research is needed to specify requirements, strengths, and weaknesses of geographic AR applications.
How facial recognition is helping fight child sexual abuse
Authors: Hofmann Johann
Published: March 2020

In a decade or so, we will remember facial recognition – alongside artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, cloud computing and 5G telecoms – as one of the key technologies that defined the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Efficacy of calcitonin for treating acute pain associated with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: an updated systematic review
Authors: Boucher Emily , Rosgen Brianna , Lang Eddy
Published: March 2020

Objective

Acutely painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are associated with hospitalization and mortality in older adults. Calcitonin may be an alternative to opioid or nonopioid analgesia for treating acute compression fracture pain in emergency and primary care settings. This review summarizes pain, function, and adverse events associated with calcitonin.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, clinical trials registries, and reference lists of included studies. Eligible studies evaluated the effect of synthetic calcitonins (salmon, eel, and human) on pain scores in adults ≥60 years old with a recent atraumatic compression fracture. Two reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and allocated bias in duplicate. A random effects meta-analysis evaluated standard mean difference (SMD) and heterogeneity (I2).

Results

Of 1,198 articles screened, 11 were included (9 in the meta-analysis). Treatment lasted from 14 days to 6 months. Pain was lower in the salmon calcitonin group (100–200 IU IM or NAS, daily) than the control group with high certainty of evidence at week 1 (SMD, -1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.02 – -1.06; I2 = 52%), representing a number needed to treat of two. The analgesic efficacy of salmon calcitonin at 4 weeks was unclear due to substantial heterogeneity. There was low certainty evidence that calcitonin did not increase the overall risk of adverse events, including nausea and vomiting (risk ratio, 2.10; 95% CI, 0.87–5.08; I2 = 47%).

Conclusions

Calcitonin is beneficial and appears safe for treating acute pain associated with compression fractures. Further studies may improve the certainty of evidence.
Elizabethan Separatists, Puritan Conformists and the Bible
Authors: COOPER TIM
Published: March 2020

Sixteenth-century English separatists and Puritan conformists held a great deal in common but one simple distinction set them apart. Separatists recognised no other authority but Scripture: not logic, philosophy or reason; not tradition; not any human writing. Puritan conformists allowed a place for those authorities, though subordinate to Scripture. That distinction shaped printed debate over church government and worship. Separatists worked within an ‘all-or-nothing mentality’; in response, conformists were forced to adopt a ‘bare-minimum mentality’, which was quite different from how they argued in the opposite direction against the bishops of the Church of England.
Does physician compensation for declaration of involuntary status increase the likelihood of involuntary admission? A population-level cross-sectional linked administrative database study
Authors: Lebenbaum Michael , Chiu Maria , Holder Laura , Vigod Simone , Kurdyak Paul
Published: March 2020

Background

There is substantial variability in involuntary psychiatric admission rates across countries and sub-regions within countries that are not fully explained by patient-level factors. We sought to examine whether in a government-funded health care system, physician payments for filling forms related to an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization were associated with the likelihood of an involuntary admission.

Methods

This is a population-based, cross-sectional study in Ontario, Canada of all adult psychiatric inpatients in Ontario (2009–2015, n = 122 851). We examined the association between the proportion of standardized forms for involuntary admissions that were financially compensated and the odds of a patient being involuntarily admitted. We controlled for socio-demographic characteristics, clinical severity, past-health care system utilization and system resource factors.

Results

Involuntary admission rates increased from the lowest (Q1, 70.8%) to the highest (Q5, 81.4%) emergency department (ED) quintiles of payment, with the odds of involuntary admission in Q5 being nearly significantly higher than the odds of involuntary admission in Q1 after adjustment (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 0.99–3.01). With payment proportion measured as a continuous variable, the odds of involuntary admission increased by 1.14 (95% CI 1.03–1.27) for each 10% absolute increase in the proportion of financially compensated forms at that ED.

Conclusions

We found that involuntary admission was more likely to occur at EDs with increasing likelihood of financial compensation for invoking involuntary status. This highlights the need to better understand how physician compensation relates to the ethical balance between the right to safety and autonomy for some of the world's most vulnerable patients.
Dadanitic b-rʾy as referring to a local calendar?
Authors: Kootstra Fokelien
Published: March 2020

This article will discuss the dating formula in the Dadanitic inscriptions. So far, some of these have been interpreted to refer not only to the reign of the local king (mlk lḥyn), but also to another political official called rʾy. The article will discuss the merit of this interpretation based on both the questionable etymology of the term rʾy and the problematic interpretation of the terms following this word as personal names. Instead, a new interpretation of this formula as a reference to a local calendar will be explored in light of the occurrence of a similar word rʾy in Safaitic dating formula, and comparison to other ancient methods of time reckoning in the region.
Sworn swords: the Germanic context of Beowulf 2064, aðsweord
Authors: Weber Benjamin D.
Published: March 2020

This article argues that the Beowulf-poet’s use of the word aðsweord, usually glossed as ‘sworn oath’ in Beowulf 2064 is a play on the words for oaths (að) and swords (sweord) intended to evoke the difficulty inherent in social mechanisms designed to end cycles of reciprocal violence. By tracing the idea of a ‘sword-oath’ as a means to secure peace through a number of Latin and Norse analogs, this article elucidates an important feature of Beowulf’s rhetoric in his speech to Hygelac’s court, showing how he contrasts his own heroic successes in defeating the Grendelkin with Hrothgar’s failure to cement peace between the Danes and the Heatho-Bards. The article thus offers a structural rationale for the Ingeld episode, which has often seemed repetitious to critics, and illustrates the value of criticism that focuses on the intersection of style, narrative logic and theme in Beowulf.
A fourth supplement to Hand-List of Anglo-Saxon Non-Runic Inscriptions
Authors: Okasha Elisabeth
Published: March 2020

This fourth supplement brings up to date my Hand-List of Anglo-Saxon Non-Runic Inscriptions (Cambridge, 1971), and the three supplements which appeared in Anglo-Saxon England 11 (1983), 21 (1992) and 33 (2004). This fourth supplement contains twenty-two entries and includes all the Anglo-Saxon non-runic inscriptions that have come to my notice between 2004 and 2017. Wherever possible I have personally examined all the existing inscriptions contained in this supplement. For ease of reference, this supplement follows the same pattern as before: the Entries appear first, with the same layout as before, followed by the Bibliography and Addenda.
Dickdellia on Colossendeis: testing ectoparasitism with stable isotopes
Authors: Melzer Roland R. , Lehmann Tobias , Mayr Christoph
Published: March 2020

Many pycnogonids are ectoparasites of benthic invertebrates. Even gastropods are on their menu (reviewed in Dietz et al. 2018). It is somewhat ironic that a marine gastropod, Dickdellia labioflecta (Dell, 1990), might have reversed this principle. Hedgpeth (1964), Sirenko (2000) and Schiaparelli et al. (2008) observed clutches of eggs and young Dickdellia snails on pycnogonids. Sirenko (2000) suggested that this might be a case of ectoparasitism and not just phoresy.
Moderate Secularism in Europe in the Face of Integration Challenges: The Debate about Legal Pluralism and Multiculturalism
Authors: Martínez de Codes Rosa María
Published: March 2020

Public authorities in Europe are faced with increasing demands to accommodate religious diversity. This article traces some key issues concerning the limits of the secular State in Europe to accept and accommodate those ethno-religious minorities that are perceived to be partially different entities and claim some jurisdiction, without thereby rejecting guarantees from the receiving legal system. This multicultural challenge that minorities pose to institutionalized secularism is amongst the most complex political and long-term issues European states have to face. Such a challenge has not only to do with socio-economic disadvantage and discrimination in the labour markets but also with the constitutional status or corporate relationship with the State. On the other hand, European anxieties question whether or not Muslims can be and are willing to be integrated into European society and its political values; in particular, values of freedom, tolerance, democracy, sexual equality and secularism. Across Europe, multiculturalism seems to be in retreat and ‘integration’ is once again the watchword.
Games in the Accademia Arcadia as a Legacy of the Olympic Idea between the Seventeenth and the Eighteenth Centuries
Authors: Włodarczyk Arkadiusz , Rozmiarek Mateusz
Published: March 2020

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries a specific type of games took place in the Roman Academy of Arcadia. These games were a major cultural event in the academy and were a type of poetry competition which, in many aspects, was similar to the ancient Olympic Games. Therefore, they are a perfect example of the heritage of the Olympic spirit of the given era.
The role of contract type in soil-improving investments: evidence from rice-planting large-scale production units in China
Authors: Li Fang , Feng Shuyi , Lu Hualiang , Qu Futian , D'Haese Marijke
Published: March 2020

The emerging large-scale production units (LSPUs) have become increasingly important in Chinese agricultural production and rural transformation due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Based on household and plot-level data from Jiangsu and Jiangxi Provinces in China, this study provides insights into the farming systems of these LSPUs and examines how contract type, as a proxy for land tenure security, impacts on the production unit's soil-improving investments. Results from the two-stage control function approach show that the written nature of contracts positively affects the application of organic fertilizer and green manure on rented-in plots. Descriptive analysis also confirms the collateralization effect of contract type by showing that plots that are used as collateral for credit are characterized by written contracts. Policies facilitating LSPUs' access to farmland with more formal contracts may therefore play an important role in improving soil quality and land productivity.
Aortic stiffness and related complications after endovascular repair of blunt thoracic aortic injury in young patients
Authors: Youssef Akram , Kalaja Igli , Alkomi Usama , Abt Tobias , Hoffmann Ralf-Thorsten , Reeps Christian , Weiss Norbert , Karl Lackner Helmut , Mahlmann Adrian
Published: March 2020

Summary: Background: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in aortic stiffness in young patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) after blunt thoracic aortic injury (TBAI) and to examine the associated cardiovascular complications during follow-up. Patients and methods: We included survivors of TBAI who underwent stent graft placement between November 2009 and November 2019 and gave their consent to participate. Patients with relevant cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities with potential impact on arterial stiffness, and prior aortic surgical or endovascular interventions were excluded. Fourteen TEVAR patients prospectively underwent clinical and noninvasive examinations and morphological imaging (mean time of follow-up and duration of implanted stent graft: 5.3 ± 1.8 years; mean age: 35.1 ± 8.7 years) and were compared to 14 healthy controls (matched for sex, age, height, and body mass index) in order to evaluate aortic stiffness. During the follow-up examinations, we assessed the pulse wave velocity (PWV; m/s) and development of arterial hypertension or heart failure, as indicated by N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; pg/mL) levels and performed echocardiography. Results: A significant increase in PWV values was recorded in the TEVAR group (median = 10.1; interquartile range [IQR] = 8.9–11.6) compared to the healthy controls (median = 7.3; IQR = 6.7–8.4), with an increase in the rank mean PWV (+ 3.8; Mann-Whitney U test p < .001). NT-proBNP levels of patients after TEVAR did not vary significantly compared to those of healthy controls (Mann-Whitney U test, p = .154). After TEVAR, five patients developed arterial hypertension during the follow-up, and three of them exhibited diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions: In young patients, TEVAR after TBAI may cause adverse cardiovascular complications due to increased aortic stiffness; therefore, screening for arterial hypertension during follow-up is recommended.
Tracer‐Aided Modeling in the Low‐Relief, Wet‐Dry Tropics Suggests Water Ages and DOC Export Are Driven by Seasonal Wetlands and Deep Groundwater
Authors: Birkel Christian , Duvert Clément , Correa Alicia , Munksgaard Niels C. , Maher Damien T. , Hutley Lindsay B.
Published: March 2020

Our understanding of how wet‐dry tropical catchments process water and solutes remains limited. In this study, we attempt to gain understanding of water and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) transport, storage, and mixing in a 126 km2 catchment of northern Australia. We developed a coupled, tracer‐aided, conceptual rainfall‐runoff model (SAVTAM) that simultaneously calculates water, isotope, and DOC‐based processes at a daily time step. The semidistributed model can account for the marked hydrological distinction between savanna woodlands and adjacent seasonal wetlands. Using the calibrated model, we tracked the fluxes and derived the age of water in fluxes and storages. Model output matched the seasonal variability, controlled by seasonal rainfall, which switched on and off water and carbon flow pathways from the savanna to seasonal wetlands and ultimately to the perennial river. Such hydrological connectivity is modulated by the karst aquifer system that continuously contributes older waters (decades to century old) to maintain relatively stable and older streamflow during the dry season (average stream water age = 9.7 to 16.2 years). Such older waters occur despite a rapid, monsoon‐driven streamflow response. The DOC fluxes were largely sourced from the wetland and riparian forest that transported DOC in the order of 1.9 t C km−2 year−1 to the stream, which was on average 90% of the total simulated DOC exports of 2 t C·km−2·year−1. We conclude that coupled simulation of water and biogeochemistry is necessary to generate a more complete picture of catchment functioning, particularly in the tropics.
Cognitive Mechanisms That Predict Lower Math in Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Ilardi Dawn , LaMotte Julia
Published: March 2020

Objective: Broad cognitive deficits have been reported in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), which is associated with abnormal neurological development. As cardiac neurodevelopmental follow-up programs grow to meet patient demands, research is needed to guide clinical care. Of interest to the current study are deficits in fine motor and visuospatial skills, processing speed, and working memory in CHD, which are known contributors to math. Method: Retrospective chart review was completed from an outpatient clinic to collect data from neuropsychology and medical records. Evaluations were completed upon physician referral and represent a high-risk clinical sample. Participants included 105 children ( M age = 10 years) with various types of CHD requiring surgery during infancy. Measures included standardized testing and caregiver ratings. Results: Using hierarchical linear regression, perceptual reasoning, processing speed, and working memory explained significant variance in math. Demographic variables (e.g., maternal education, ethnicity), prematurity, and CHD severity were not related to math. Caregiver report of executive function was also unrelated to math. Conclusions: Psychologists completing an evaluation of the clinically referred child with CHD should assess visuospatial skills, working memory, and processing speed when math is a concern. Identifying weaknesses in these areas can inform math instruction and accommodations.

Implications for Impact Statement

This study of clinically referred children with CHD shows lower performance in math. Cognitive areas related to lower math included visuospatial skills, working memory, and processing speed. Findings support assessment of these areas in cardiac neurodevelopmental follow-up programs to help facilitate intervention.
Differential prognostic impact of CD8+ T cells based on human leucocyte antigen I and PD-L1 expression in microsatellite-unstable gastric cancer
Authors: Kwak Yoonjin , Koh Jiwon , Park Yujun , Hong Yun Ji , Park Kyoung Un , Kim Hyung-Ho , Park Do Joong , Ahn Sang-Hoon , Kim Woo Ho , Lee Hye Seung
Published: March 2020

Background

The aim of the study was to determine the human leucocyte antigen class-I (HLA-I), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) of microsatellite instability-high gastric cancer.

Methods

The HLA-I expression type was determined by immunohistochemistry of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C and β2-microglobulin in the centre of the tumour (CT) and in the invasive margin (IM) of samples from 293 patients (total loss vs. preserved type). PD-L1 expression and TIL density was examined immunohistochemically. HLA-I genotyping was also performed.

Results

The expression loss of the HLA-I molecules was significantly associated with low TIL density. According to survival analyses, the HLA-I expression type and PD-L1 positivity were not independent prognostic factors. The TIL density had no prognostic implication when survival analysis was performed for the whole patient group; however, high CD8+ TIL infiltration was significantly associated with good prognosis in only HLA-I-preserved-type/PD-L1-positive group (p = 0.034). The homozygosity of the HLA-I allele was more frequently observed in the total loss type group.

Conclusions

We confirmed differential prognostic implication of CD8+ TILs according to the HLA-I and PD-L1 expression. Determination of the HLA-I expression could be helpful to select patients who would benefit from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
Correction: Vitamin D promotes the cisplatin sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting LCN2-modulated NF-κB pathway activation through RPS3
Authors: Huang Zixian , Zhang Yin , Li Haigang , Zhou Yufeng , Zhang Qianyu , Chen Rui , Jin Tingting , Hu Kaishun , Li Shihao , Wang Yan , Chen Weiliang , Huang Zhiquan
Published: March 2020

A correction to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Hierarchical porous silicon structures with extraordinary mechanical strength as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Jia Haiping , Li Xiaolin , Song Junhua , Zhang Xin , Luo Langli , He Yang , Li Binsong , Cai Yun , Hu Shenyang , Xiao Xingcheng , Wang Chongmin , Rosso Kevin M. , Yi Ran , Patel Rajankumar , Zhang Ji-Guang
Published: March 2020

Porous structured silicon has been regarded as a promising candidate to overcome pulverization of silicon-based anodes. However, poor mechanical strength of these porous particles has limited their volumetric energy density towards practical applications. Here we design and synthesize hierarchical carbon-nanotube@silicon@carbon microspheres with both high porosity and extraordinary mechanical strength (>200 MPa) and a low apparent particle expansion of ~40% upon full lithiation. The composite electrodes of carbon-nanotube@silicon@carbon-graphite with a practical loading (3 mAh cm−2) deliver ~750 mAh g−1 specific capacity, <20% initial swelling at 100% state-of-charge, and ~92% capacity retention over 500 cycles. Calendered electrodes achieve ~980 mAh cm−3 volumetric capacity density and <50% end-of-life swell after 120 cycles. Full cells with LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathodes demonstrate >92% capacity retention over 500 cycles. This work is a leap in silicon anode development and provides insights into the design of electrode materials for other batteries.
Additive rheology of complex granular flows
Authors: Vo Thanh Trung , Nezamabadi Saeid , Mutabaruka Patrick , Delenne Jean-Yves , Radjai Farhang
Published: March 2020

Granular flows are omnipresent in nature and industrial processes, but their rheological properties such as apparent friction and packing fraction are still elusive when inertial, cohesive and viscous interactions occur between particles in addition to frictional and elastic forces. Here we report on extensive particle dynamics simulations of such complex flows for a model granular system composed of perfectly rigid particles. We show that, when the apparent friction and packing fraction are normalized by their cohesion-dependent quasistatic values, they are governed by a single dimensionless number that, by virtue of stress additivity, accounts for all interactions. We also find that this dimensionless parameter, as a generalized inertial number, describes the texture variables such as the bond network connectivity and anisotropy. Encompassing various stress sources, this unified framework considerably simplifies and extends the modeling scope for granular dynamics, with potential applications to powder technology and natural flows.
A flexible topo-optical sensing technology with ultra-high contrast
Authors: Wang Cong , Wang Ding , Kozhevnikov Valery , Dai Xingyi , Turnbull Graeme , Chen Xue , Kong Jie , Tang Ben Zhong , Li Yifan , Xu Ben Bin
Published: March 2020

Elastic folding, a phenomenon widely existing in nature, has attracted great interests to understand the math and physical science behind the topological transition on surface, thus can be used to create frontier engineering solutions. Here, we propose a topo-optical sensing strategy with ultra-high contrast by programming surface folds on targeted area with a thin optical indicator layer. A robust and precise signal generation can be achieved under mechanical compressive strains (>0.4). This approach bridges the gap in current mechano-responsive luminescence mechanism, by utilizing the unwanted oxygen quenching effect of Iridium-III (Ir-III) fluorophores to enable an ultra-high contrast signal. Moreover, this technology hosts a rich set of attractive features such as high strain sensing, encoded logic function, direct visualisation and good adaptivity to the local curvature, from which we hope it will enable new opportunities for designing next generation flexible/wearable devices.
YAP1/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional networks maintain skin homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation and limiting KLF4 activity
Authors: Yuan Yao , Park Jeannie , Feng Amber , Awasthi Parirokh , Wang Zhiyong , Chen Qianming , Iglesias-Bartolome Ramiro
Published: March 2020

The Hippo TEAD-transcriptional regulators YAP1 and TAZ are central for cell renewal and cancer growth; however, the specific downstream gene networks involved in their activity are not completely understood. Here we introduce TEADi, a genetically encoded inhibitor of the interaction of YAP1 and TAZ with TEAD, as a tool to characterize the transcriptional networks and biological effects regulated by TEAD transcription factors. Blockage of TEAD activity by TEADi in human keratinocytes and mouse skin leads to reduced proliferation and rapid activation of differentiation programs. Analysis of gene networks affected by TEADi and YAP1/TAZ knockdown identifies KLF4 as a central transcriptional node regulated by YAP1/TAZ-TEAD in keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, we show that TEAD and KLF4 can regulate the activity of each other, indicating that these factors are part of a transcriptional regulatory loop. Our study establishes TEADi as a resource for studying YAP1/TAZ-TEAD dependent effects.
Conducting polymer tattoo electrodes in clinical electro- and magneto-encephalography
Authors: Ferrari Laura M. , Ismailov Usein , Badier Jean-Michel , Greco Francesco , Ismailova Esma
Published: March 2020

Temporary tattoo electrodes are the most recent development in the field of cutaneous sensors. They have successfully demonstrated their performances in the monitoring of various electrophysiological signals on the skin. These epidermal electronic devices offer a conformal and imperceptible contact with the wearer while enabling good quality recordings over time. Evaluations of brain activity in clinical practice face multiple limitations, where such electrodes can provide realistic technological solutions and increase diagnostics efficiency. Here we present the performance of inkjet-printed conducting polymer tattoo electrodes in clinical electroencephalography and their compatibility with magnetoencephalography. The working mechanism of these dry sensors is investigated through the modeling of the skin/electrode impedance for better understanding of the biosignals transduction at this interface. Furthermore, a custom-made skin phantom platform demonstrates the feasibility of high-density recordings, which are essential in localizing neuropathological activities. These evaluations provide valuable input for the successful application of these ultrathin electronic tattoos sensors in multimodal brain monitoring and diagnosis.
MTHFR Ala222Val polymorphism and clinical characteristics confer susceptibility to suicide attempt in chronic patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Liu Jia Hong , Zhu Cheng , Zheng Ke , Tang Wei , Gao Li Li , Trihn Tammy H. , Emily Wu Hanjing , Chen Da Chun , Hong Xiu Mei , Yang Zhang Xiang
Published: March 2020

Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) exhibit higher suicide rates than the general population. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for the high rate of suicidal behavior in SCZ remains poorly understood. MTHFR Ala222Val (C677T; rs 1801133) polymorphism has repeatedly demonstrated to play a pathological role in numerous mental disorders, but none of these studies focused on the susceptibility of suicidal behavior in SCZ. In the present cross-sectional study, we recruited 957 chronic inpatients with SCZ and 576 healthy controls to assess the psychopathological symptoms of SCZ and compare the frequency of the MTHFR Ala222Val genotype in both suicide attempters and non-attempters. Our results demonstrated no significant differences in MTHFR Ala222Val genotype and allele distributions between the SCZ patients and controls (p > 0.05), but showed a statistical significance in the distribution of Ala/Val genotype between suicide attempters and non-attempters (p < 0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that MTHFR Ala222Val genotype, psychopathological symptoms, number of cigarettes smoked per day and drinking status were related to suicide attempts in SCZ (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that MTHFR Ala222Val polymorphism and some clinical characteristics might confer susceptibility to suicide in patients with SCZ.
Microvascular function and oxidative stress in adult individuals with early onset of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Shokr Hala , Dias Irundika H. K , Gherghel Doina
Published: March 2020

The current study aims to investigate retinal vascular function and its relationship with systemic anti-oxidative defence capacity in normal individuals versus those with early hypertensive changes according to the current ESC/ESH guidelines. Retinal microvascular function was assessed in 201 participants by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis. Blood pressure, lipid panel, oxidized (GSH) & reduced glutathione (GSSG) were also evaluated for each participant. Individuals classed as grade 1 hypertension demonstrated higher retinal arterial baseline diameter fluctuation (p = 0.0012), maximum dilation percentage (p = 0.0007), time to maximum constriction (p = 0.0003) and lower arterial constriction slope (p = 0.0131). Individuals classed as high normal and grade 1 hypertension also demonstrated higher time to maximum dilation than individuals classed as optimal or normal. GSH levels correlated negatively with SBP, DBP and MBP values in all participants (p = 0.0010; p = 0.0350 and p = 0.0050) as well as with MBP values in high normal and grade 1 hypertension (p = 0.0290). The levels of GSSG correlated positively with SBP, DBP and MBP values in all participants (p = 0.0410; p = 0.0330 and, p = 0.0220). Our results point to the fact that microvascular alterations can be identifiable at BP values still considered within normal values and go in parallel with the changes observed in the level of oxidative stress.
The role of semen and seminal plasma in inducing large-scale genomic changes in the female porcine peri-ovulatory tract
Authors: Álvarez-Rodríguez M. , Martinez C. A. , Wright D. , Rodríguez-Martinez H.
Published: March 2020

Semen modifies the expression of genes related to immune function along the porcine female internal genital tract. Whether other pathways are induced by the deposition of spermatozoa and/or seminal plasma (SP), is yet undocumented. Here, to determine their relative impact on the uterine and tubal transcriptomes, microarray analyses were performed on the endocervix, endometrium and endosalpinx collected from pre-ovulatory sows 24 h after either mating or artificial insemination (AI) with specific ejaculate fractions containing spermatozoa or sperm-free SP. After enrichment analysis, we found an overrepresentation of genes and pathways associated with sperm transport and binding, oxidative stress and cell-to-cell recognition, such as PI3K-Akt, FoxO signaling, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis and cAMP-related transcripts, among others. Although semen (either after mating or AI) seemed to have the highest impact along the entire genital tract, our results demonstrate that the SP itself also modifies the transcriptome. The detected modifications of the molecular profiles of the pre/peri-ovulatory endometrium and endosalpinx suggest an interplay for the survival, transport and binding of spermatozoa through, for instance the up-regulation of the Estrogen signaling pathway associated with attachment and release from the oviductal reservoir.
Hair cortisol concentrations are associated with hippocampal subregional volumes in children
Authors: Keresztes Attila , Raffington Laurel , Bender Andrew R. , Bögl Katharina , Heim Christine , Shing Yee Lee
Published: March 2020

The human hippocampus, a brain structure crucial for memory across the lifespan, is highly sensitive to adverse life events. Stress exposures during childhood have been linked to altered hippocampal structure and memory performance in adulthood. Animal studies suggest that these differences are in part driven by aberrant glucocorticoid secretion during development, with strongest effects on the CA3 region and the dentate gyrus (CA3-DG) of the hippocampus, alongside associated memory impairments. However, only few pediatric studies have examined glucocorticoid associations with hippocampal subfield volumes and their functional relevance. In 84 children (age range: 6–7 years), we assessed whether volumes of hippocampal subregions were related to cumulative glucocorticoid levels (hair cortisol), parenting stress, and performance on memory tasks known to engage the hippocampus. We found that higher hair cortisol levels were specifically related to lower CA3-DG volume. Parenting stress did not significantly correlate with hair cortisol, and there was no evidence to suggest that individual differences in hippocampal subregional volumes manifest in memory performance. Our results suggest that the CA3-DG may be the hippocampal region most closely associated with hair cortisol levels in childhood. Establishing causal pathways underlying this association and its relation to environmental stress and memory development necessitates longitudinal studies.
Comparison of echocardiographic and invasive measures of volaemia and cardiac performance in critically ill patients
Authors: Yastrebov Konstantin , Aneman Anders , Schulz Luis , Hamp Thomas , McCanny Peter , Parkin Geoffrey , Myburgh John
Published: March 2020

Echocardiographic measurements are used in critical care to evaluate volume status and cardiac performance. Mean systemic filling pressure and global heart efficiency measures intravascular volume and global heart function. This prospective study conducted in fifty haemodynamically stabilized, mechanically ventilated patients investigated relationships between static echocardiographic variables and estimates of global heart efficiency and mean systemic filling pressure. Results of univariate analysis demonstrated weak correlations between left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.27, p = 0.04), right atrial volume index (rho = 0.31, p = 0.03) and analogue mean systemic filling pressure; moderate correlations between left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.31, p = 0.03), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (r = 0.36, p = 0.04), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (rho = 0.37, p = 0.01) and global heart efficiency. No significant correlations were demonstrated by multiple regression. Mean systemic filling pressure calculated with cardiac output measured by echocardiography demonstrated good agreement and correlation with invasive techniques (bias 0.52 ± 1.7 mmHg, limits of agreement −2.9 to 3.9 mmHg, r = 0.9, p < 0.001). Static echocardiographic variables did not reliably reflect the volume state as defined by estimates of mean systemic filling pressure. The agreement between static echocardiographic variables of cardiac performance and global heart efficiency lacked robustness. Echocardiographic measurements of cardiac output can be reliably used in calculation of mean systemic filling pressure.
Stationary tissue background correction increases the precision of clinical evaluation of intra-cardiac shunts by cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Nickander Jannike , Lundin Magnus , Abdula Goran , Jenner Jonas , Maret Eva , Sörensson Peder , Heiberg Einar , Sigfridsson Andreas , Ugander Martin
Published: March 2020

We aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of stationary tissue background phase correction for affecting precision in the measurement of Qp/Qs by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). We enrolled consecutive patients (n = 91) referred for CMR at 1.5T without suspicion of cardiac shunt, and patients (n = 10) with verified cardiac shunts in this retrospective study. All patients underwent phase contrast flow quantification in the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. Flow was quantified using two semi-automatic software platforms (SyngoVia VA30, Vendor 1; Segment 2.0R4534, Vendor 2). Measurements were performed both uncorrected and corrected for linear (Vendor 1 and Vendor 2) or quadratic (Vendor 2) background phase. The proportion of patients outside the normal range of Qp/Qs was compared using the McNemar’s test. Compared to uncorrected measurements, there were fewer patients with a Qp/Qs outside the normal range following linear correction using Vendor 1 (10% vs 18%, p < 0.001), and Vendor 2 (10% vs 18%, p < 0.001), and following quadratic correction using Vendor 2 (7% vs 18%, p < 0.001). No patient with known shunt was reclassified as normal following stationary background correction. Therefore, we conclude that stationary tissue background correction reduces the number of patients with a Qp/Qs ratio outside the normal range in a consecutive clinical population, while simultaneously not reclassifying any patient with known cardiac shunts as having a normal Qp/Qs. Stationary tissue background correction may be used in clinical patients to increase diagnostic precision.