bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large‐Scale Droughts Responsible for Dramatic Reductions of Terrestrial Net Carbon Uptake Over North America in 2011 and 2012
Authors: He Wei , Ju Weimin , Schwalm Christopher R. , Sippel Sebastian , Wu Xiaocui , He Qiaoning , Song Lian , Zhang Chunhua , Li Jing , Sitch Stephen , Viovy Nicolas , Friedlingstein Pierre , Jain Atul K.
Published: June 2018

Recently, severe droughts that occurred in North America are likely to have impacted its terrestrial carbon sink. However, process‐based understanding of how meteorological conditions prior to the onset of drought, for instance warm or cold springs, affect drought‐induced carbon cycle effects remains scarce. Here we assess and compare the response of terrestrial carbon fluxes to summer droughts in 2011 and 2012 characterized by contrasting spring conditions. The analysis is based on a comprehensive ensemble of carbon cycle models, including FLUXCOM, TRENDY v5, SiBCASA, CarbonTracker Europe, and CarbonTracker, and emerging Earth observations. In 2011, large reductions of net ecosystem production (NEP; −0.24 ± 0.17 Pg C/year) are due to decreased gross primary production (−0.17 ± 0.18 Pg C/year) and slightly increased ecosystem respiration (+0.07 ± 0.17 Pg C/year). Conversely, in 2012, NEP reductions (−0.17 ± 0.25 Pg C/year) are attributed to a larger increase of ecosystem respiration (+0.48 ± 0.27 Pg C/year) than gross primary production (+0.31 ± 0.29 Pg C/year), induced predominantly by an extra warmer spring prior to summer drought. Two temperate ecoregions crops/agriculture and the grass/shrubs contribute largest to these reductions and also dominate the interannual variations of NEP during 2007–2014. Moreover, the warming spring compensated largely the negative carbon anomaly due to summer drought, consistent with earlier studies; however, the compensation occurred only in some specific ecoregions. Overall, our analysis offers a refined view on recent carbon cycle variability and extremes in North America. It corroborates earlier results but also highlights differences with respect to ecoregion‐specific carbon cycle responses to drought and heat.
A novel intramolecular cyclization-induced fluorescent “turn-on” probe for detection of Pd2+ based on the Tsuji–Trost reaction
Authors: Huo Baolong , Du Man , Gong Aijun , Li Mengwen , Fang Leqiu , Shen Ao , Lai Yaru , Bai Xue , Yang Yunxu
Published: June 2018

Palladium, as a toxic heavy metal, poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is essential to achieve the purpose of detecting trace amounts of palladium.
Microgel core/shell architectures as targeted agents for fibrinolysis
Authors: Kodlekere Purva , Andrew Lyon L.
Published: June 2018

We demonstrate the utility of microgel core/shell structures conjugated to fibrin-specific peptides as fibrinolytic agents.
Selective hydrogenation of amides to alcohols in water solvent over a heterogeneous CeO2-supported Ru catalyst
Authors: Tamura Masazumi , Ishikawa Susumu , Betchaku Mii , Nakagawa Yoshinao , Tomishige Keiichi
Published: June 2018

CeO2-supported Ru (Ru/CeO2) worked as an effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the selective dissociation of the C–N bond in amides, particularly primary amides, with H2 in water solvent at low reaction temperature of 333 K.
Smart urea ionic co-crystals with enhanced urease inhibition activity for improved nitrogen cycle management
Authors: Casali Lucia , Mazzei Luca , Shemchuk Oleksii , Honer Kenneth , Grepioni Fabrizia , Ciurli Stefano , Braga Dario , Baltrusaitis Jonas
Published: June 2018

A smart ionic co-crystal of urea with KCl and ZnCl2, obtainedviamechanochemical and solution methods has been proven to be a very efficient urease inhibitor and to provide soil nutrients to complement N supply.
Coordination of the biliverdin D-ring in bacteriophytochromes
Authors: Lenngren Nils , Edlund Petra , Takala Heikki , Stucki-Buchli Brigitte , Rumfeldt Jessica , Peshev Ivan , Häkkänen Heikki , Westenhoff Sebastian , Ihalainen Janne A.
Published: June 2018

Vibrational spectroscopy and crystallography experiments provide a basis for understanding the isomerization reaction in phytochrome proteins.
Zero-thermal-hysteresis magnetocaloric effect induced by magnetic transition at a morphotropic phase boundary in Heusler Ni50Mn36Sb14−xInx alloys
Authors: Zhang Yin , Wang Jieqiong , Ke Xiaoqin , Chang Tieyan , Tian Fanghua , Zhou Chao , Yang Sen , Fang Minxia , Cao Kaiyan , Chen Yu-Sheng , Sun Zhanbo , Guan Wen , Song Xiaoping , Ren Xiaobin
Published: June 2018

Enhanced MCE with zero thermal hysteresis is achieved in Ni50Mn36Sb14−xInx by constructing a MPB-involved phase diagram.
The CO2capturing ability of cellulose dissolved in NaOH(aq) at low temperature
Authors: Gunnarsson Maria , Bernin Diana , Östlund Åsa , Hasani Merima
Published: June 2018

Cellulose carbonate as an intermediate for carbon dioxide capture in NaOH(aq).
Stabilization of an intermolecular i-motif by lipid modification of cytosine-oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Sun Yawei , Ji Yanyun , Wang Dong , Wang Jiqian , Liu Dongsheng
Published: June 2018

High stability of intermolecular i-motif structures in lipid-modified C-oligodeoxynucleotides.
Environment-friendly magnetic Fe–Ce–W catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3: influence of citric acid content on its activity-structure relationship
Authors: Xiong Zhi-bo , Ning Xing , Zhou Fei , Yang Bin , Tu Yan-wu , Jin Jing , Lu Wei , Liu Zong-hao
Published: June 2018

The enhancement of critic acid amount strengthened the sol–gel reaction between critic acid and metal ions, showed an important role on the structure properties of magnetic Fe–Ce–W mixed oxide catalyst, thereby affected its NH3-SCR activity.
Encapsulating propeller-like columnar liquid crystals with an aromatic outer shell: influence of phenoxy-terminated side chains on the phase behaviour of triphenylbenzenes
Authors: Bader Korinna , Wöhrle Tobias , Öztürk Esra , Baro Angelika , Laschat Sabine
Published: June 2018

Liquid crystalline triphenylbenzenes carrying peripheral phenoxy units stack in helical columns with an aromatic outer shell.
Magnetorheological fluids containing rod-shaped lithium–zinc ferrite particles: the steady-state shear response
Authors: Anupama A. V. , Kumaran V. , Sahoo B.
Published: June 2018

The magneto-mechanical behaviour of magnetorheological-fluids containing rod-shaped soft-ferrimagnetic Li0.4Zn0.2Fe2.4O4particles (M = magnetization,τY= dynamic yield-stress and H = applied-magnetic-field).
Trenddiäten und Modekostformen
Authors: Poschwatta-Rupp Sabine
Published: June 2018

Auch in Zeiten des Internets und von Smartphone-Apps werden die offiziellen, für den Verbraucher leicht verständlich aufbereiteten Ernährungsempfehlungen nicht
oder unzureichend umgesetzt. Stattdessen befolgen viele die Vorgaben wissenschaftlich nicht immer nachvollziehbarer Ernährungstrends.
Digitale Bereitstellung von Informationen für Ärzte zum Thema Rehabilitation und Rente – ein Praxistest
Authors: Deck Ruth , Waschkau Alexander , Götz Katja , Schwill Simon , Flum Elisabeth , Steinhäuser Jost
Published: June 2018

Hintergrund Jährlich werden bei der Deutschen Rentenversicherung ca. 1,6 Mio. Rehabilitationsanträge eingereicht. Niedergelassene Ärzte spielen bei der Antragstellung eine entscheidende Rolle. Studien zeigen, dass bei diesen unterschiedlichen Fachgruppen Wissensdefizite zu den Themen medizinische Rehabilitation, Erkennung von Rehabilitationsbedarf und dem Prozess der Antragstellung existieren. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde eine eigens an niedergelassene Ärzte adressierte Homepage Infos für Ärzte zu Reha & Rente entwickelt. Ziel der hier vorgestellten Studie war es, diese Homepage einem Praxistest zu unterziehen.

Methodik Der Praxistest wurde mit einem Mixed-Methods-Ansatz durchgeführt: 1) Quantitative Erhebung zum Wissenszuwachs nach Nutzung der Homepage, 2) Beurteilung von Fällen hinsichtlich einer Reha-Indikation und 3) Beurteilung der Benutzerfreundlichkeit der Homepage durch die teilnehmenden Ärzte mittels Think-aloud-Technik.

Ergebnisse Am Praxistest beteiligten sich 79 Ärzte in Weiterbildung zum Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin. Es bestand ein hoher reha-spezifischer Informationsbedarf, der z. T. durch die Nutzung der Homepage gedeckt werden konnte. Die korrekte Beurteilung von Reha-Fällen verbesserte sich unter Zuhilfenahme der Homepage für Ärzte mit Antragserfahrung. Die Homepage wurde als übersichtlich und hilfreich, die Texte als zu umfangreich erlebt.

Schlussfolgerungen Die Homepage ist gut geeignet, um niedergelassene Ärzte im Gebiet medizinische Rehabilitation zu unterstützen. Einige Impulse für die Optimierung der Inhalte wurden identifiziert und können helfen, die Effektivität der Nutzung noch zu steigern.
Organotin(IV) Complexes Containing Sn–O–Se Moieties: A Structural Inventory
Authors: Plasseraud Laurent
Published: June 2018

This review focuses on organotin compounds exhibiting Sn–O–Se moieties, the molecular structures of which have been previously resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Three distinct classes of compounds have been identified. Thus, the various modes of coordination of selenite, selenate and organoseleninate anions with tin atoms of organotin(IV) fragments are illustrated and detailed.

1 Introduction

2 Organotin(IV) Selenite Complexes

3 Organotin(IV) Selenate Complexes

4 Organotin(IV) Organoseleninate Complexes

5 Summary
Bilateral Anatomical Variation in the Formation of Trunks of the Brachial Plexus - A Case Report
Authors: Lasch E. , Nazer M. , Bartholdy L.
Published: June 2018

This study presents a bilateral variation in the formation of trunks of brachial plexus in a male cadaver. The right brachial plexus was composed of six roots (C4-T1) and the left brachial plexus of five roots (C5-T1). Both formed four trunks thus changing the contributions of the anterior divisions of the cervical nerves involved in the formation of the cords and the five main somatic motor nerves for the upper limb. There are very few case reports in the scientific literature on this topic; thus making the present study very relevant.
Morphological and Morphometric Study of the Supratrochlear Foramen
Authors: Silva F.A. , Silva T.S. , Souza P.R.F.B. , Reis R.S. , Ferreira M.R.S. , Magalhães C.P.
Published: June 2018

Introduction The supratrochlear foramen (SF) is located in the distal portion of the humerus, formed in between the coronoid fossa and the olecranon fossa. Is associated with a narrowing of the medullary canal in the distal humerus, in addition to being a phylogenetic characteristic, more common in ancient populations. The objective was to evaluate the incidence of the supratrochlear foramen, it's shape, dimensions and translucency of the septum.

Materials and Methods A total of 141 humerus adults, 72 right and 69 left-handed individuals from the collection of the Human Bone of the Academic Center of Vitória-Brazil. The format was classified as oval, round, irregular and cribriform. The vertical (VD) and transversal (TD) diameter were measured and the translucency of the septum was observed.

Results Of the 141 humerus, 19.8% (28) had SF 39.3% (11) on the right side and 60.7% (17) on the left side. The oval was the most recurrent, found in 39% of the cases and the translucency was identified in 78% (110) of the bones. The mean VD was 3.653 mm and 3.492 mm on the right and left sides, respectively. The mean of the TD was 4.853 mm on the right side and 5.427 mm on the left. The area averages were 19.633 ± 20.57 mm2 on the right side and 19.919 ± 19.24 mm2 on the left side.

Conclusion The knowledge of SF favors the preoperative procedures of patients with fractures in the distal humerus, necessary for the surgeries in the region.
Effects of Aqueous Extract of Persea americana (Mill.) Leaf on the Myocardium of Left Ventricle of High Salt Fed Adult Wistar Rat
Authors: Ayoola I.O. , Komolafe O.A. , Saka O.S. , Bejide R.A. , Odukoya S.O.A.
Published: June 2018

Introduction This study was designed to show that Persea americana extract possess the ability to protect the myocardium of left ventricle against injury caused by high salt diet in adult Wistar rats.

Method Forty healthy Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 120–150 g were randomly assigned into 8 groups of 5 rats each (Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H). Rats in groups A, F, G and H were fed with standard laboratory pellets, while groups B, C, D and E were fed on the high-salt diet for four weeks. Concomitantly, daily administration of 50 mg kg-1, 100 mg kg-1 and 150 mg kg-1 of the Persea americana extract were given orally to groups C&F, D&G and E&H respectively while rats in groups A and B were administered distilled water. The rats were sacrificed under ketamine anesthesia (30mg/kg i.m). The left ventricle of the heart was excised, processed in paraffin wax and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Verhoeff-Van Gieson stains. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data, followed by Student Newman-keuls (SNK) test for multiple comparison.

Result Results revealed that there was statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in body weight change across all experimental groups; which was significantly lower in high salt fed groups. It was revealed that there were morphological alterations in the myocardium of left ventricle in group B while Persea americana protected myocardium in other experimental groups.

Conclusion In conclusion, high salt diet induced myocardium alterations which were significantly protected by oral administration of Persea americana extract.
CXCR4 and PD-1 Expression in Head and Neck Cancer with Perineural Spread
Authors: Barnett Catherine , Sommerville Ryan , Lin Charles , Ratnayake Gishan , Hughes Brett , Taheri Touraj
Published: June 2018

Background Perineural spread (PNS) is a marker of aggressiveness and has been shown to occur in cranial nerves due to advanced mucosal and cutaneous head and neck cancer. Receptors CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) have been shown to be overexpressed in a variety of cancers with PNS, with the inhibition of these pathways offering a potential future treatment.

Methods Retrospective immunohistochemical staining for the CXCR4 and PD-1 receptors was performed on 28 head and neck specimens that demonstrated PNS from January 2017 to August 2017, at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

Results CXCR4 staining was positive in 52 and 60% of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma PNS specimens, respectively. Cutaneous SCC tumors with no PNS stained positively in 33%. No significant staining for PD-1 in peritumoral lymphocytes or tumor specimens was seen.

Conclusion CXCR4 is overexpressed in advanced skin cancer and head and neck tumors that demonstrated PNS to large cranial nerves. Overall, these results provide strong support for using CXCR4 as a biomarker and further investigation of immunotherapeutic agents that could inhibit tumor progression via targeting CXCR4 expression.
Invariant solutions for the Einstein field equation
Authors: Barboza Marcelo , Leandro Benedito , Pina Romildo
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we provide a method capable of producing an infinite number of solutions for Einstein’s equation on static spacetimes with perfect fluid as a matter field. All spacetimes of this type which are symmetric with respect to a given group of translations and whose spatial factor is conformally flat are characterized. We use this method to give some exact solutions of the referred equation.
An efficient phase error self-compensation algorithm for nonsinusoidal gating fringes in phase-shifting profilometry
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Yang Yanxi
Published: June 2018

The phase-shifting method is widely used in fringe projection profilometry. Since both the digital light projector and camera used in a grating projection measurement system are nonlinear pieces of equipment, the grating fringes captured by using the camera do not have a good sinusoidal property, which leads to a three-dimensional measurement error. Although the double-step phase-shifting method has proved that the phase error can be reduced to a large extent, the number of grating fringes is doubled, which affects the measurement efficiency. In this paper, we present an efficient phase error self-compensation algorithm. It transforms the initial wrapped phase into a second wrapped phase and integrates the initial and second wrapped phases to reduce the phase error. The advantage is that the measurement accuracy is close to that of the double-step phase-shifting method without increasing the number of projection fringes; at the same time, the measurement time is shortened, and the measurement efficiency is improved. We have elaborated the proposed algorithm in detail and compared it with the traditional single-step phase-shifting method and the double-step phase-shifting method. Finally, we utilize the proposed algorithm to measure different objects. The results prove its effectiveness.
Rotational dynamics of polyatomic ions in aqueous solutions: From continuum model to mode-coupling theory, aided by computer simulations
Authors: Banerjee Puja , Bagchi Biman
Published: June 2018

Due to the presence of the rotational mode and the distributed surface charges, the dynamical behavior of polyatomic ions in water differs considerably from those of the monatomic ions. However, their fascinating dynamical properties have drawn scant attention. We carry out theoretical and computational studies of a series of well-known polyatomic ions, namely, sulfate, nitrate, and acetate ions. All three ions exhibit different rotational diffusivity, with that of the nitrate ion being considerably larger than the other two. They all defy the hydrodynamic laws of size dependence. Study of the local structure around the ions provides valuable insight into the origin of these differences. We carry out a detailed study of the rotational diffusion of these ions by extensive computer simulation and by using the theoretical approaches of the dielectric friction developed by Fatuzzo-Mason (FM) and Nee-Zwanzig (NZ), and subsequently generalized by Alavi and Waldeck. A critical element of the FM-NZ theory is the decomposition of the total rotational friction, ζRot, into Stokes and dielectric parts. The study shows a dominant role of dielectric friction in the sense that if the ions are made neutral, the nature of diffusion changes and the values become much larger. Our analyses further reveal that the decomposition of total friction into the Stokes and dielectric friction breaks down for sulfate ions but remains semi-quantitatively valid for nitrate and acetate ions. We discuss the relationship between translational and rotational dielectric friction on rigid spherical ions. We develop a self-consistent mode-coupling theory (SC-MCT) formalism that could provide a unified view of rotational friction of polyatomic ions in polar medium. Our SC-MCT shows that the breakdown can be attributed to the change in the microscopic structural features. The mode-coupling theory helps in elucidating the role of coupling between translational and rotational motion of these ions. In fact, these two motions self-consistently determine the value of each other. The reference interaction site model-based MCT suggests an interesting relation between the torque-torque and the force-force time correlation function with the proportionality constant being determined by the geometry and the charge distribution of the polyatomic molecule. We point out several parallelisms between the theories of translational and rotation friction calculations of ions in polar liquids.
Local lateral integration of 16-nm thick Ge nanowires on silicon on insulator substrates
Authors: Khazaka Rami , Bogumilowicz Yann , Papon Anne-Marie , Dansas Hugo , Boutry Hervé , Chalupa Zdenek , Lapras Valérie , Prévitali Bernard , Maitrejean Sylvain
Published: June 2018

In this contribution, we report on the growth of horizontal Ge nanowires inside extremely thin tunnels surrounded by oxide. This is achieved through selective lateral growth of Ge on silicon-on-insulator (001) substrates. The 16 nm high tunnels are formed by HCl vapor etching of Si followed by Ge growth in the same epitaxy chamber. First, the benefit of growing the Ge nanowires at high temperature was highlighted to homogenize the length of the nanowires and achieve a high growth rate. Afterwards, we showed that increasing the tunnel depth led to a significant reduction in the growth rate. Finally, transmission electron microscopy showed that no defects were present in the Ge nanowires. These results are encouraging for the planar co-integration of heterogeneous materials on Si.
Stimulated scattering instability in a relativistic plasma
Authors: Misra A. P. , Chatterjee Debjani
Published: June 2018

We study the stimulated scattering instabilities of an intense linearly polarized electromagnetic wave (EMW) in a relativistic plasma with degenerate electrons. Starting from a relativistic hydrodynamic model and the Maxwell's equations, we derive coupled nonlinear equations for low-frequency electron and ion plasma oscillations that are driven by the EMW's ponderomotive force. The nonlinear dispersion relations are then obtained from the coupled nonlinear equations which reveal stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), and modulational instabilities (MIs) of EMWs. It is shown that the thermal pressure of ions and the relativistic degenerate pressure of electrons significantly modify the characteristics of SRS, SBS, and MIs.
Critical reflection: a general practice support group experience
Authors: Samuel Sophia , Thompson Heather
Published: June 2018

The problem of medical practitioner burnout and loss of morale remains an ongoing challenge in the Australian health workforce. Collegiate recommendations are individualistic or personalised, or worse, punitive. Critical reflection in supervision is a long-accepted and key aspect of social work theory and practice. The use of critical reflection within a general practitioner support group is examined and key learnings from our findings over 3years are discussed. All participants reported the group enhanced individual and team workplace satisfaction, and wellbeing. This Practice and Innovation paper offers an example that could help improve current best practice in the pastoral support of medical practitioners.
How accurately do general practitioners detect concurrent tobacco use and risky alcohol consumption? A cross-sectional study in Australian general practice
Authors: Bryant Jamie , Hobden Breanne , Forshaw Kristy , Oldmeadow Christopher , Walsh Justin , Sanson-Fisher Rob
Published: June 2018

The negative health consequences of tobacco and risky alcohol consumption are compounded when used concurrently. Australian preventative health guidelines recommend that general practitioners (GPs) assess and provide evidence-based intervention. No studies, however, have examined the accuracy of GP detection of concurrent tobacco use and risky alcohol consumption or the factors associated with accurate detection. This study aimed to examine the: (i) accuracy of GP detection of concurrent tobacco and risky alcohol use compared to patient self-report; and (ii) GP and patient characteristics associated with accurate detection following a single clinical encounter. Patients attending 12 Australian general practices completed a survey assessing smoking and alcohol consumption. For each participating patient, GPs completed a checklist to indicate the presence of these risk factors. GP judgements were compared to patient self-report. Fifty-one GPs completed a health risk checklist for 1332 patients. Only 23% of patients who self-reported concurrent tobacco and risky alcohol use identified by their GP. Patients who visited their GP four to six times in the last year were most likely to have concurrent tobacco and risky alcohol use were identified. It is imperative to establish systems to increase detection of preventative health risks in general practice to enable the provision of evidence-based treatments.
Bias patterns and climate change signals in GCM-RCM model chains
Authors: Sørland Silje Lund , Schär Christoph , Lüthi Daniel , Kjellström Erik
Published: June 2018

The assessment of regional climate change and the associated planning of adaptation and response strategies are often based on complex model chains. Typically these employ global and regional climate models (GCMs and RCMs), as well as one or several impact models. It is a common belief that the errors in such model chains behave approximately additive, thus the uncertainty should increase with each modeling step. If this hypothesis was true, the application of RCMs would not lead to any intrinsic improvement (beyond higher-resolution details) of the GCM results. Here, we investigate the bias patterns (offset during the historical period against observations) and climate change signals of two RCMs that have downscaled a comprehensive set of GCMs following the EURO-CORDEX framework. Our results show that the biases of the RCMs and GCMs are not additive and not independent. The two RCMs are systematically reducing the biases and modifying climate change signals of the driving GCMs, even on scales that are considered well resolved by the driving GCMs. The GCM projected summer warming at the end of the century is substantially reduced by both RCMs. These results are important, as the projected summer warming and its likely impact on the water cycle are among the most serious concerns regarding European climate change.
The role of immune cells in brain development and neurodevelopmental diseases
Authors: Tanabe Shogo , Yamashita Toshihide
Published: June 2018

During brain development, the generation of neurons and glial cells is rigorously regulated by diverse mechanisms including the immune system. Dysfunction of the developing system results in the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders and psychological disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that the immune system is implicated in brain development. As the central nervous system is physically separated from the circulatory system by the blood–brain barrier, circulating immune cells are unable to infiltrate into the brain parenchyma. However, several studies have demonstrated that immune cells, such as B cells, T cells and macrophages, are observed in the meningeal space, perivascular space and choroid plexus and have crucial roles in brain function. Moreover, genome-wide association studies have revealed that the immune system is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and psychological disorders. Here, we discuss the role of each of these immune cell types in brain development and the association with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Temporal Effects of Message Congruency on Attention to and Recall of Pictorial Health Warning Labels on Cigarette Packages
Authors: Lochbuehler Kirsten , Wileyto E Paul , Mercincavage Melissa , Souprountchouk Valentina , Burdge Jordan Z , Tang Kathy Z , Cappella Joseph N , Strasser Andrew A
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Recent research has shown that message congruency is beneficial to recall of pictorial health warning label (PWL) content after initial exposure. Despite less attention to the text warning, smokers exposed to congruent PWLs were more likely to recall the text and the message. This study aimed to replicate these findings and to examine whether congruency also affects recall after multiple exposures over time.

Methods

A total of 320 daily smokers (39.7% female; cigarettes/day: M = 15.31, SD = 7.15) were randomized to one congruent or incongruent PWL and attended 4 laboratory sessions over 10 days. During each session, eye movements were recorded while viewing the PWL and open-ended recall of label content was assessed after exposure.

Results

Smokers who were exposed to a congruent PWL were more likely to recall the text (p = .01) and the message (p = .02) and less likely to recall the image (p = .003) of the PWL after initial exposure. By day 4, incongruent PWLs were recalled equally well as congruent PWLs. Independent of condition, image recall was initially high and remained high whereas text and message recall was relatively low initially but increased over time. It was not until day 7 that about 80% of text and message recall was observed.

Conclusions

Even when exposed to the same PWL over time, smokers require multiple exposures to recall the text and the message of a PWL. More research on the effects of congruency in the natural environment, where smokers are exposed to multiple PWLs, is needed.

Implications

The findings of this study, and of previous work showing that message congruency in PWLs is beneficial to initial recall of PWL content, could potentially help to address legal challenges regarding the implementation of PWLs in the United States. Factually correct text warnings have been uncontested on US cigarettes packages since 1966. Congruent PWLs simply provide a means to visually support the same information as the existing text using a medium that better garners attention to the health information. Investigating and understanding longer-term effects of congruency are important and can empirically inform future warning label development, both in the United States via the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, and via other governing bodies.
Posterior Fossa Craniotomy for Adherent Fourth Ventricle Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Franko Lynze R , Pandian Balaji , Gupta Avneesh , Savastano Luis E , Chen Kevin S , Riddell James , Orringer Daniel A
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an infectious helminthic disease often presenting in patients who have immigration or travel history from areas where NCC is endemic. Fourth ventricle cysts from NCC pose a unique treatment challenge, as there is little consensus on the best treatment. This case study describes the treatment of a patient with fourth ventricle neurocysticercosis (FVNCC), examines the therapeutic decision-making, and provides a video of a posterior fossa craniotomy (PFC) resection of a degenerative cyst.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

The patient presented with headache, dizziness, nausea, and memory difficulties. A fourth ventricle cyst consistent with NCC was found on magnetic resonance imaging, and serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the diagnosis. The cyst was removed utilizing an open PFC followed by antihelminthic therapy and corticosteroids. There was resolution of symptoms at 9 mo postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Several treatment modalities have been proposed for isolated cysts in the fourth ventricle, including medication, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, endoscopic removal, and PFC. The treatment decision is complex, and there is little guidance on the best treatment choices. In this article, we describe treatment via PFC for an adherent FVNCC cyst.
Characterization of cancer genomic heterogeneity by next-generation sequencing advances precision medicine in cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Jialing , Späth Stephan Stanislaw , Marjani Sadie L , Zhang Wengeng , Pan Xinghua
Published: June 2018

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease with unique genomic and phenotypic features that differ between individual patients and even among individual tumor regions. In recent years, large-scale genomic studies and new next-generation sequencing technologies have uncovered more scientific details about tumor heterogeneity, with significant implications for the choice of specific molecular biomarkers and clinical decision making. Genomic heterogeneity significantly contributes to the generation of a diverse cell population during tumor development and progression, representing a determining factor for variation in tumor treatment response. It has been considered a prominent contributor to therapeutic failure, and increases the likelihood of resistance to future therapies in most common cancers. The understanding of molecular heterogeneity in cancer is a fundamental component of precision oncology, enabling the identification of genomic alteration of key genes and pathways that can be targeted therapeutically. Here, we review the emerging knowledge of tumor genomics and heterogeneity, as well as potential implications for precision medicine in cancer treatment and new therapeutic discoveries. An analysis and interpretation of the TCGA database was included.
I’ll Just Stay Home: Employment Inequality Among Parents
Authors: Flynn Lindsay B
Published: June 2018

How does homeownership magnify existing gender disparities in the labor markets of the rich OECD countries? Men and women, and especially mothers and fathers, respond to homeownership differently. Owners work more hours than renters but mothers experience an ownership penalty while fathers solidify their market attachment. Both responses increase the gender gap. As such, governments pursuing dual policy objectives of promoting homeownership and greater gender parity in the labor market will find their policies working at cross-purposes. This paper analyzes the effect of homeownership on labor market attachment and explains why mothers and fathers respond to it in different ways.
Color-selective photophobia in ictal vs interictal migraineurs and in healthy controls
Authors: Nir Rony-Reuven , Lee Alice J. , Huntington Shaelah , Noseda Rodrigo , Bernstein Carolyn A. , Fulton Anne B. , Bertisch Suzanne M. , Hovaguimian Alexandra , Buettner Catherine , Borsook David , Burstein Rami
Published: June 2018

Aversion to light is common among migraineurs undergoing acute attacks. Using psychophysical assessments in patients with episodic migraine, we reported that white, blue, amber, and red lights exacerbate migraine headache in a significantly larger percentage of patients and to a greater extent compared with green light. This study aimed at determining whether these findings are phase-dependent–namely, manifested exclusively during migraine (ictally) but not in its absence (interictally), or condition-dependent—ie, expressed uniquely in migraineurs but not in healthy controls. To determine whether the color preference of migraine-type photophobia is phase- or condition-dependent, we compared the effects of each color of light in each intensity between migraineurs during and in-between attacks and healthy controls. During the ictal and interictal phases, the proportion of migraineurs reporting changes in headache severity when exposed to the different colors of light increased in accordance with elevated light intensities. During the ictal phase, white, blue, amber, and red lights exacerbated headaches in ∼80% of the patients; however, during the interictal phase, light initiated headache in only 16% to 19%. Notably, green light exacerbated headaches in 40% and triggered headaches in 3% of the patients studied during the ictal and interictal phases, respectively. With one exception (highest red light intensity), no control subject reported headache in response to the light stimuli. These findings suggest that color preference is unique to migraineurs—as it was not found in control subjects—and that it is independent of whether or not the patients are in their ictal or interictal phase.
Delivery of TDF/FTC for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV-1 Acquisition in Young Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women of Color Using a Urine Adherence Assay
Authors: Lalley-Chareczko Linden , Clark Devon , Conyngham Caitlin , Zuppa Athena , Moorthy Ganesh , Mounzer Karam , Koenig Helen
Published: June 2018

Background:

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention with daily tenofovir and emtricitabine is effective when taken consistently. Currently, there is no objective way to monitor PrEP adherence. Urine has been shown to be highly correlated with plasma tenofovir levels, with urine tenofovir levels >1000 ng/mL demonstrating recent (1–2 days) adherence to PrEP.

Setting:

This study was conducted at an urban community health center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Methods:

PrEP was administered to 50 young men who have sex with men and transgender women of color using weekly, biweekly, and/or monthly dispensation schedules. Primary objectives were retention at 48 weeks (in care at week 48 and completing ≥50% of medication pickups) and adherence assessed by urine tenofovir levels. Risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infection diagnoses were also collected.

Results:

Seventy percent of participants were retained in care at 48 weeks. The proportion of subjects with urine tenofovir consistent with recent adherence was 80, 74.4, 82.4, 82.4, and 69.7% at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48, respectively. Sixty-one sexually transmitted infections were diagnosed over 231 screenings throughout 48 weeks, with no significant change between the first and second 24-week periods (P = 0.43; 0 seroconversions). At week 48, more than half of subjects reported an increase or no change in condom use, an increase in their ability to discuss HIV with partners, and no change in number of sexual partners from baseline.

Conclusions:

These data demonstrate PrEP can be successfully delivered to a high-risk population with high program retention and medication adherence measured by urine tenofovir levels.
Real-time cryo-EM data pre-processing with Warp
Authors: Tegunov Dimitry , Cramer Patrick
Published: June 2018

The acquisition of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) data from biological specimens is currently largely uncoupled from subsequent data evaluation, correction and processing. Therefore, the acquisition strategy is difficult to optimize during data collection, often leading to suboptimal microscope usage and disappointing results. Here we provide Warp, a software for real-time evaluation, correction, and processing of cryo-EM data during their acquisition. Warp evaluates and monitors key parameters for each recorded micrograph or tomographic tilt series in real time. Warp also rapidly corrects micrographs for global and local motion, and estimates the local defocus with the use of novel algorithms. The software further includes a deep learning-based particle picking algorithm that rivals human accuracy to make the pre-processing pipeline truly automated. The output from Warp can be directly fed into established tools for particle classification and 3D image reconstruction. In a benchmarking study we show that Warp automatically processed a published cryo-EM data set for influenza virus hemagglutinin, leading to an improvement of the nominal resolution from 3.9 Å to 3.2 Å. Warp is easy to install, computationally inexpensive, and has an intuitive and streamlined user interface.
Opening Pandora’s box: high level resistance to antibiotics of last resort in Gram negative bacteria from Nigeria
Authors: Ogbolu David O , Piddock Laura J V , Webber Mark A
Published: June 2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem but information about the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. We determined the percentage of drug resistant isolates and resistance mechanisms in 307 Gram negative isolates randomly collected from south western Nigeria. Susceptibility testing revealed 78.1%, 92.2% and 52.6% of all isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems respectively. There were more resistant isolates from the stools of uninfected patients than from specimens of patients with symptoms of infections. Only a small proportion of E. coli (10%) and Klebsiella (7%) isolates produced a carbapenemase. Whole genome sequencing of selected isolates identified the presence of globally disseminated clones. This depicts a crisis for the use of first line therapy in Nigerian patients, it is likely that Nigeria is playing a significant role in the spread of AMR due to her high population and mobility across the globe.
Improved state-level influenza activity nowcasting in the United States leveraging Internet-based data sources and network approaches via ARGONet
Authors: Lu Fred S. , Hattab Mohammad W. , Clemente Leonardo , Santillana Mauricio
Published: June 2018

In the presence of population-level health threats, precision public health approaches seek to provide the right intervention to the right population at the right time. Accurate real-time surveillance methodologies that can estimate infectious disease activity ahead of official healthcare-based reports, in relevant spatial resolutions, are critical to eventually achieve this goal. We introduce a novel methodological framework for this task which dynamically combines two distinct flu tracking techniques, using ensemble machine learning approaches, to achieve improved flu activity estimates at the state level in the US. The two predictive techniques behind the proposed ensemble methodology, named ARGONet, utilize (1) a dynamic and self-correcting statistical approach to combine flu-related Google search frequencies, information from electronic health records, and historical trends within a given state, as well as (2) a data-driven network-based approach that leverages spatial and temporal synchronicities observed in historical flu activity across states to improve state-level flu activity estimates. The proposed ensemble approach considerably outperforms each individual method and any previously proposed state-specific method for flu tracking, with higher correlations and lower prediction errors.
Network-Guided Discovery of Influenza Virus Replication Host Factors
Authors: Ackerman Emily E. , Kawakami Eiryo , Katoh Manami , Watanabe Tokiko , Watanabe Shinji , Tomita Yuriko , Lopes Tiago J. , Matsuoka Yukiko , Kitano Hiroaki , Shoemaker Jason E. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: June 2018

The position of host factors required for viral replication within a human protein-protein interaction (PPI) network can be exploited to identify drug targets that are robust to drug-mediated selective pressure. Host factors can physically interact with viral proteins, be a component of pathways regulated by viruses (where proteins themselves do not interact with viral proteins) or be required for viral replication but unregulated by viruses. Here, we demonstrate a method of combining a human PPI network with virus-host protein interaction data to improve antiviral drug discovery for influenza viruses by identifying target host proteins. Network analysis shows that influenza virus proteins physically interact with host proteins in network positions significant for information flow. We have isolated a subnetwork of the human PPI network which connects virus-interacting host proteins to host factors that are important for influenza virus replication without physically interacting with viral proteins. The subnetwork is enriched for signaling and immune processes. Selecting proteins based on network topology within the subnetwork, we performed an siRNA screen to determine if the subnetwork was enriched for virus replication host factors and if network position within the subnetwork offers an advantage in prioritization of drug targets to control influenza virus replication. We found that the subnetwork is highly enriched for target host proteins – more so than the set of host factors that physically interact with viral proteins. Our findings demonstrate that network positions are a powerful predictor to guide antiviral drug candidate prioritization.

IMPORTANCE

Integrating virus-host interactions with host protein-protein interactions, we have created a method using these established network practices to identify host factors (i.e. proteins) that are likely candidates for antiviral drug targeting. We demonstrate that interaction cascades between host proteins that directly interact with viral proteins and host factors that are important to influenza replication are enriched for signaling and immune processes. Additionally, we show that host proteins that interact with viral proteins are in network locations of power. Finally, we demonstrate a new network methodology to predict novel host factors and validate predictions with an siRNA screen. Our results show that integrating virus-host proteins interactions is useful in the identification of antiviral drug target candidates.
Large-scale transcriptome-wide association study identifies new prostate cancer risk regions
Authors: Mancuso Nicholas , Gayther Simon , Gusev Alexander , Zheng Wei , Penney Kathryn L. , Kote-Jarai Zsofia , Eeles Rosalind , Freedman Matthew , Haiman Christopher , Pasaniuc Bogdan
Published: June 2018

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for prostate cancer (PrCa) have identified more than 100 risk regions, most of the risk genes at these regions remain largely unknown. Here, we integrate the largest PrCa GWAS (N=142,392) with gene expression measured in 45 tissues (N=4,458), including normal and tumor prostate, to perform a multi-tissue transcriptomewide association study (TWAS) for PrCa. We identify 235 genes at 87 independent 1Mb regions associated with PrCa risk, 9 of which are regions with no genome-wide significant SNP within 2Mb. 24 genes are significant in TWAS only for alternative splicing models in prostate tumor thus supporting the hypothesis of splicing driving risk for continued oncogenesis. Finally, we use a Bayesian probabilistic approach to estimate credible sets of genes containing the causal gene at pre-defined level; this reduced the list of 235 associations to 120 genes in the 90% credible set. Overall, our findings highlight the power of integrating expression with PrCa GWAS to identify novel risk loci and prioritize putative causal genes at known risk loci.
Downregulation of the central noradrenergic system by Toxoplasma gondii infection
Authors: Alsaady Isra , Tedford Ellen , Alsaad Mohammad , Bristow Greg , Kohli Shivali , Murray Matthew , Reeves Matthew , Vijayabaskar M.S. , Clapcote Steven J. , Wastling Jonathan , McConkey Glenn A.
Published: June 2018

The parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii becomes encysted in brain and muscle tissue during chronic infection, a stage that was previously thought to be dormant but has been found to be active and associated with physiological effects in the host. Dysregulation of catecholamines in the CNS has previously been observed in chronically-infected animals. In the study described here, the noradrenergic system was suppressed with decreased levels of norepinephrine in brains of infected animals and in infected neuronal cells in vitro. Expression of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), essential for synthesis of norepinephrine from dopamine, was the most differentially-expressed gene in infections in vitro and was down-regulated in infected brain tissue, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal locus coeruleus/pons region. The down-regulated DBH expression in infected rat catecholaminergic and human neuronal cells corresponded with decreased norepinephrine and increased dopamine. As the DBH suppression was observed in vitro, this effect is not caused by neuroinflammation. Silencing of DBH expression was specific for T. gondii infection and was not observed with CMV infection. The noradrenergic-linked behaviors of sociability and arousal were altered in chronically-infected animals, with a high correlation between DBH expression and infection intensity. These findings together provide a plausible mechanism to explain prior discrepancies in changes to CNS neurotransmitters levels with infection. The suppression of norepinephrine synthesis observed here may, in part, explain behavioural effects of infection, associations with mental illness, and neurological consequences of infection such as the loss of coordination and motor impairments associated with human toxoplasmosis.