bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Executive Functions but Not Memory by Multidomain Group Cognitive Training in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kalbe Elke , Folkerts Ann-Kristin , Ophey Anja , Eggers Carsten , Elben Saskia , Dimenshteyn Karina , Sulzer Patricia , Schulte Claudia , Schmidt Nele , Schlenstedt Christian , Berg Daniela , Witt Karsten , Wojtecki Lars , Liepelt-Scarfone Inga
Published: November 2020

Background. Meta-analyses have demonstrated cognitive training (CT) benefits in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. However, the patients’ cognitive status has only rarely been based on established criteria. Also, prediction analyses of CT success have only sparsely been conducted. Objective. To determine CT effects in PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) on cognitive and noncognitive outcomes compared to an active control group (CG) and to analyze CT success predictors. Methods. Sixty-four PD-MCI patients (age: 67.61 ± 7.70; UPDRS-III: 26.58 ± 13.54; MoCA: 24.47 ± 2.78) were randomized to either a CT group or a low-intensity physical activity CG for six weeks (twice weekly, 90 minutes). Outcomes were assessed before and after training. MANOVAs with follow-up ANOVAs and multiple regression analyses were computed. Results. Both interventions were highly feasible (participation, motivation, and evaluation); the overall dropout rate was 4.7%. Time × group interaction effects favoring CT were observed for phonemic fluency as a specific executive test (

p
=
0.018

,

η
p
2

=
0.092

) and a statistical trend for overall executive functions (

p
=
0.095

,

η
p
2

=
0.132

). A statistical trend for a time × group interaction effect favoring CG was shown for the digit span backward as a working memory test (

p
=
0.098

,

η
p
2

=
0.043

). Regression analyses revealed cognitive baseline levels, education, levodopa equivalent daily dose, motor scores, and ApoE status as significant predictors for CT success. Conclusions. CT is a safe and feasible therapy option in PD-MCI, yielding executive functions improvement. Data indicate that vulnerable individuals may show the largest cognitive gains. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether CT may also attenuate cognitive decline in the long term. This trial is registered with DRKS00010186.
Opuntiol Prevents Photoaging of Mouse Skin via Blocking Inflammatory Responses and Collagen Degradation
Authors: kandan P. Veeramani , Balupillai Agilan , Kanimozhi G. , Khan Haseeb A. , Alhomida Abdullah S. , Prasad Nagarajan Rajendra
Published: November 2020

In the present study, we investigated the potential of opuntiol, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica, against UVA radiation-mediated inflammation and skin photoaging in experimental animals. The skin-shaved experimental mouse was subjected to UVA exposure at the dosage of 10 J/cm2 per day for ten consecutive days (cumulative UVA dose: 100 J/cm2). Opuntiol (50 mg/kg b.wt.) was topically applied one hour before each UVA exposure. UVA (100 J/cm2) exposure induces epidermal hyperplasia and collagen disarrangement which leads to the photoaging-associated molecular changes in the mouse skin. Opuntiol pretreatment prevented UVA-linked clinical macroscopic skin lesions and histological changes in the mouse skin. Further, opuntiol prevents UVA-linked dermal collagen fiber loss in the mouse skin. Short-term UVA radiation (100 J/cm2) activates MAPKs through AP-1 and NF-κB p65 transcriptional pathways and subsequently induces the expression of inflammatory proteins and matrix-degrading proteinases in the mouse skin. Interestingly, opuntiol pretreatment inhibited UVA-induced activation of iNOS, VEGF, TNF-α, and COX-2 proteins and consequent activation of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-12 in the mouse skin. Moreover, opuntiol was found to prevent collagen I and III breakdown in UVA radiation-exposed mouse skin. Thus, opuntiol protects mouse skin from UVA radiation-associated photoaging responses through inhibiting inflammatory responses, MAPK activation, and degradation of matrix collagen molecules.
Valorization of Waste Water of Rosa damascena Oil Distillation Process by Ion Exchange Chromatography
Authors: Sabahi Zahra , Farmani Fatemeh , Mousavinoor Elham , Moein Mahmoodreza
Published: November 2020

Water steam distillation is a classical method of rose oil production from the flowers of Rosa damascena Mill. This process produces considerable amount of waste water. In this study, ion-exchange column chromatography (Amberlite was the stationary phase) was used to prepare polyphenol-enriched fraction of waste water with improved biological activity. Phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents were examined before and after using column. Antioxidant activities, DNA protection ability, xanthine oxidase inhibition, and cytotoxicity of this fraction were also determined. The use of Amberlite increased phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents in fraction compared to the sample before fractionation. The IC50 values of various antioxidant assays comprises 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) which were 226.66 ± 1.25, 126.03 ± 0.11, and 241.43 ± 0.33 for waste water, and these values for fraction were 63.21 ± 0.90, 34.6 ± 0.17, and 50.59 ± 0.75 μg/ml, respectively. The Trolox equivalent values of fraction in oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay were 0.34 ± 0.04, and the EC50 values in cellular antioxidant activity were 91.24 ± 0.32 μg/ml. The xanthine oxidase inhibition capacity of fraction (100 μg/ml) was 96.4 ± 0.02% μg/ml. The comet assay analysis showed that this fraction (25–100 μg/ml) protects human lymphocytes against H2O2-induced DNA damages significantly. The IC50 values of cytotoxicity assay were 248.145 ± 35.56 and 227.14 ± 16.51 μg/ml after 24 and 48 h, respectively. There has been great attention to the valorization of waste materials. Recovered fraction could be considered as a proper antioxidant, DNA damage-protection agent, and xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Using a nontoxic solid phase such as Amberlite is a fruitful way to concentrate bioactive ingredients which can be used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry.
Simulated Experiment of Water-Sand Inrush across Overlying Strata Fissures Caused by Mining
Authors: Zhang Guibin , Wang Hailong , Yan Shenglei , Jia Chuanyang , Song Xiaoyuan
Published: November 2020

In western region of China, the water-sand inrush across overlying strata fissures caused by mining threatens the mine safety production seriously. In order to study the development of water-sand inrush across overlying strata fissures caused by mining, a simulated test system consisted of load support bracket, laboratory module, confined water module, coal seam mining simulator, storage tank, and control system is developed. The combination of coal bearing strata in the south of Shendong mining area is looked on as the engineering background, and a series of new nonhydrophilic composite materials with lower intensity are developed to simulate the coal measure strata. The excavation of physical model can reproduce the whole process of water-sand inrush across overlying strata fissures caused by mining to the life. Under the action of mining and water pressure, after the fourth excavation, the mining-induced vertical fractures of overlying strata pass through the entire bedrock and connect the unconsolidated sand bed, which serves as pathways between the unconsolidated sand bed and working face, triggering water-sand inrush. The water pump suddenly accelerates, and the water yield suddenly increases to the extreme value of 150 L/h. The water pressure rapidly drops to 0 MPa, and a small amount of colored sand enters into the fractures of overlying strata and flows out with the water. The distribution of support pressure around the working face can be divided into 4 areas obviously, that is, the original stress area, the stress-concentrated area, the stress-released area, and the stress restoration area. Test results show that the system is stable and reliable, which have important significance for studying the formation mechanism of water-sand inrush across overlying strata fissures further.
Graph Neural Network and Context-Aware Based User Behavior Prediction and Recommendation System Research
Authors: Gao Qian , Ma Pengcheng
Published: November 2020

Due to the influence of context information on user behavior, context-aware recommendation system (CARS) has attracted extensive attention in recent years. The most advanced context-aware recommendation system maps the original multi-field features into a shared hidden space and then simply connects it to a deep neural network (DNN) or other specially designed networks. However, for different areas, the ability of modeling complex interactions in a sufficiently flexible and explicit way is limited by the simple unstructured combination of feature fields. Therefore, it is hard to get the accurate results of the user behavior prediction. In this paper, a graph structure is used to establish the interaction between context and users/items. Through modeling user behavior, we can explore user preferences in different context environments, so as to make personalized recommendations for users. In particular, we construct a context-user and context-item interactions graph separately. In the interactions graph, each node is composed of a user feature field, an item feature field, and a feature field of different contexts. Different feature fields can interact through edges. Therefore, the task of modeling feature interaction can be transformed into modeling the node interaction on the corresponding graph. To this end, an innovative model called context-aware graph neural network (CA-GNN) model is designed. Furthermore, in order to obtain more accurate and efficient recommendation results, first, we innovatively use the attention mechanism to improve the interpretability of CA-GNN; second, we innovatively use the degree of physical fatigue features which has never been used in traditional CARS as critical contextual feature information into our CA-GNN. We simulated the Food and Yelp datasets. The experimental results show that CA-GNN is better than other methods in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE).
An Unusual Complication in Plastic Periodontal Surgery
Authors: Vagarinho Jorge , Sardinha Sara , Alves Ricardo
Published: November 2020

Introduction. Oroantral communications may arise as a result of pathological processes or iatrogenic situations, particularly in oral surgery and implantology, but are uncommon in periodontal plastic surgery. Case Presentation. A healthy 37-year-old female patient with 5 mm Miller Class II recession on the maxillary left second molar was referred for a root coverage procedure. While preparing the recipient bed for the graft, an oroantral communication was created. Schneiderian membrane was sutured to reduce the dimension of the communication and covered with a connective tissue graft. Finally, the flap was laterally and coronally moved, and the patient instructed about postoperative precautions. This procedure allowed to achieve a complete closure of the oroantral communication and good root coverage after an 8-month follow-up. Conclusions. Different authors described different techniques that can be used to close oroantral communications. Nevertheless, in this clinical case, it was shown that the oroantral communication may be closed without having to postpone the periodontal plastic surgery.
The Impact of Age and Pathogens Type on the Gut Microbiota in Infants with Diarrhea in Dalian, China
Authors: Fan Qingjie , Yi Ming , Liu He , Wang Yushuang , Li Xinke , Yuan Jieli , Wang Lili , Hou Binbin , Li Ming
Published: November 2020

Objective. Diarrhea in infants is a serious gastrointestinal dysfunction characterized by vomiting and watery bowel movements. Without proper treatment, infants will develop a dangerous electrolyte imbalance. Diarrhea is accompanied by intestinal dysbiosis. This study compared the gut microbiota between healthy infants and diarrheic infants. It also investigated the effects of age and pathogen type on the gut microbiota of infants with diarrhea, providing data for the proper treatment for diarrhea in infants. Materials and Methods. DNA was collected from the fecal samples of 42 Chinese infants with diarrhea and 37 healthy infants. The healthy infants and infants with diarrhea were divided into four age groups: 0–120, 120–180, 180–270, and 270–365 days. Using PCR and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, the diarrhea-causing pathogens in these infants were identified and then categorized into four groups: Salmonella infection, Staphylococcus aureus infection, combined Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus infection, and others (neither Salmonella nor Staphylococcus aureus). Results. The species diversity of gut microbiota in diarrheic infants was significantly reduced compared with that in healthy infants. Infants with diarrhea had a lower abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Bacillus spp. (

P
<
0.001

) and a significant richness of Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. (

P
<
0.001

). Similar gut microbiota patterns were found in diarrheic infants in all four age groups. However, different pathogenic infections have significant effects on the gut microbiota of diarrheic infants. For instance, the relative abundance of Klebsiella spp. and Streptococcus spp. was significantly increased (

P
<
0.001

) in infants infected with Staphylococcus aureus; meanwhile, the richness of bacteria such as Enterobacter spp. was significantly increased in the Salmonella infection group (

P
<
0.001

). Conclusion. The microbiota in infants with diarrhea has changed significantly, characterized by decreased species diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria and significant increase in the proportion of conditional pathogens. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota of infants with diarrhea at different ages was similar, but different pathogenic infections affect the gut microbiota characteristics. Therefore, early identification of changes in gut microbiota in infants with diarrhea and the adoption of appropriate pathogen type-specific interventions may effectively alleviate the disease and reduce adverse reactions.
Reliability Assessment for a Safety-Related Digital Reactor Protection System Using Event-Tree/Fault-Tree (ET/FT) Method
Authors: Liang Qingzhu , Liu Mingxing , Xiao Peng , Guo Yun , Xiao Jun , Peng Changhong
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study is to verify if the reliability of a digital four-channel RPS under the design phase satisfies the specified target and to identify the weakness of system design and potential solutions for system reliability improvement. The event-tree/fault-tree (ET/FT), which is the method used in the current probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) framework of nuclear power plants (NPPs), was adopted to developed reliability modeling for the RPS with the Top Events defined as the system failure to generate reactor trip signal and the system generating spurious trip signal. The evaluation results indicate that the probability of the system failure on demand and the frequency of spurious trip signal generation are 1.47 × 10−6 with a 95% upper bound of 4.63 × 10−6 and 7.94 × 10−4/year with a 95% upper bound of 2.50 × 10−3/year, respectively. The importance and sensitivity analyses were conducted and it was found that undetected unsafe common cause failures (CCFs) of signal conditioning modules (SCMs) dominate the system reliability. Two preliminary optimization schemes relative to reducing periodic test interval and adapting two kinds of diverse SCMs were proposed. Results of the quantitive evaluation of the schemes show that neither of them could determinedly improve the system reliability to the target level. In the future, more detailed optimization analysis shall be required to determine a feasible system design optimization scheme.
Diazepam and Its Disinfection Byproduct Promote the Early Development of Nervous System in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Zhao Xiaole , Huang Xiaoyong , Shi Jiachen , Zhu Kui , Shao Bing
Published: November 2020

The widely used diazepam, as central nervous system inhibitor, has found to be ubiquitous in surface water and drinking water. Moreover, a series of byproducts such as 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone (MACB) were generated after the chlorine disinfection process. However, little information is available about the neurobiological effects of these emerging chemicals at low doses, especially on infants and children. Here, we exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to diazepam and MACB at 0.05, 0.5, and 5 nM, which were equivalent to environmental levels. Both diazepam and MACB increased the somite number and promoted nervous development of transgenic zebrafish [Tg (elavl3: EGFP) larvae] at 72 hours postfertilization ( hpf). Both diazepam and MACB also disrupted the homeostasis of adenosine monophosphate, valine, methionine, and fumaric acid in zebrafish embryos at 12 hpf. Additionally, the locomotor behavior activity of zebrafish was significantly enhanced after 120-hour sustained exposure to diazepam or MACB. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of oct4, sox2, and nanog, modulating the pluripotency and self-renewal, were upregulated by diazepam and MACB in zebrafish embryo. Altogether, diazepam and MACB stimulate developmental neurogenesis and may induce neuronal excitotoxicity at quite low doses. These results indicated that the chronic exposure to psychoactive drugs may pose a potential risk to the development of the nervous system in infancy.
Study on the Simulation Method of the Ground Test in the Arc-Heated Wind Tunnel
Authors: Luo Wanqing , Yang Yuanjian , Liang Jianhan , Zhang Songhe , Shi Yilei
Published: November 2020

To analyze the effectiveness of the thermal assessment test, the simulation method of the ground test in the arc-heated wind tunnel is studied. Based on the solution of the thermochemical nonequilibrium Navier-Stokes equations, the flowfield around the spherical cylinder is simulated in the flight and ground test conditions, and the difference in the high enthalpy flowfield between the flight and ground test conditions is investigated. The flight parameters and ground test conditions are selected according to the criterion that the total enthalpy and the stagnation point heat flux of the fully catalytic cold wall (calibrated heat flux) are similar. The flowfield for different temperature boundaries and different catalytic walls is solved under the same free stream conditions, and the stagnation point heat flux and oxygen atom mass fraction are compared and analyzed. It is found that the heat flux on the fully catalytic wall for the radiation balance temperature boundary in the ground test is lower than that in the corresponding flight condition, but the difference is not obvious on the noncatalytic wall. In addition, the oxygen atom mass fraction after the shock wave in the ground test is higher than that in the corresponding flight condition. To make the stagnation point heat flux and oxygen atom mass fraction after the shock wave similar to those of the flight, the simulation method of the arc-heated wind tunnel test needs to be adjusted.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Taza City’s Wastewater: Application through Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Touzani Ibrahim , Machkor Mohammed , Boudouch Otmane , El Machrafi Imane , Flouchi Rachid , Fikri-Benbrahim Kawtar
Published: November 2020

Taza City is among the Moroccan cities which is in full urban expansion, with a daily wastewater discharge volume estimated at 16534 m3/d in 2020, and expected to reach 20056 m3/d by 2030. These waters, collected in a combined sewerage network, are directly released into the natural environment without any treatment. Indeed, a large part of this water is discharged into Oued Defali, the main tributary of Oued Larbâa. In order to manage and better understand these discharges impact on the streams crossing this city, wastewater sampling campaigns were carried out for one year from May 2018 to April 2019 at domestic (S1) and industrial (S2) sites. The wastewater physicochemical characterization revealed that these discharges are highly loaded with organic matter in terms of chemical oxygen demand (S1 avg = 1231.44 mg/l and S2 avg = 933.03 mg/l), biochemical oxygen demand (S1 avg = 511.87 mg/l and S2 avg = 464.35 mg/l), and suspended matter (S1 avg = 744.11 mg/l and S2 avg = 578.13 mg/l). The use of principal component analysis (PCA) has allowed us to collect as much information as possible from the database of the physicochemical analyses performed for the studied parameters.
Early Adaptation of Colorectal Cancer Cells to the Peritoneal Cavity Is Associated with Activation of “Stemness” Programs and Local Inflammation
Authors: Barriuso Jorge , Nagaraju Raghavendar T. , Belgamwar Shreya , Chakrabarty Bipasha , Burghel George J. , Schlecht Helene , Foster Lucy , Kilgour Elaine , Wallace Andrew J. , Braun Michael , Dive Caroline , Evans D. Gareth , Bristow Robert G. , Saunders Mark P. , O'Dwyer Sarah T. , Aziz Omer
Published: November 2020

Purpose:

At diagnosis, colorectal cancer presents with synchronous peritoneal metastasis in up to 10% of patients. The peritoneum is poorly characterized with respect to its superspecialized microenvironment. Our aim was to describe the differences between peritoneal metastases and their matched primary tumors excised simultaneously at the time of surgery. Also, we tested the hypothesis of these differences being present in primary colorectal tumors and having prognostic capacity.

Experimental Design:

We report a comprehensive analysis of 30 samples from peritoneal metastasis with their matched colorectal cancer primaries obtained during cytoreductive surgery. We tested and validated the prognostic value of our findings in a pooled series of 660 colorectal cancer primary samples with overall survival (OS) information and 743 samples with disease-free survival (DFS) information from publicly available databases.

Results:

We identified 20 genes dysregulated in peritoneal metastasis that promote an early increasing role of “stemness” in conjunction with tumor-favorable inflammatory changes. When adjusted for age, gender, and stage, the 20-gene peritoneal signature proved to have prognostic value for both OS [adjusted HR for the high-risk group (vs. low-risk) 2.32 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.69–3.19; P < 0.0001)] and for DFS [adjusted HR 2.08 (95% CI, 1.50–2.91; P < 0.0001)].

Conclusions:

Our findings indicated that the activation of “stemness” pathways and adaptation to the peritoneal-specific environment are key to early stages of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The in silico analysis suggested that this 20-gene peritoneal signature may hold prognostic information with potential for development of new precision medicine strategies in this setting.
Study of Glomerulopathy in Donors after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Murata Minako , Takeda Asami , Ootsuka Yasuhiro , Shinjo Hibiki , Ito Chiharu , Watanabe Yu , Washino Masaya , Nakano Yutaka , Tomosugi Toshihide , Futamura Kenta , Okada Manabu , Hiramitsu Takahisa , Goto Norihiko , Ichimori Toshihiro , Narumi Shunji , Watarai Yoshihiko , Nishihira Morikuni , Morozumi Kunio
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Living kidney donation improves the lives of individuals with kidney failure; however, recent studies have suggested that living kidney donors may be at a relatively higher risk of reduced renal function than healthy non-donors. We therefore aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological findings in living kidney donors who developed kidney disease. Methods: From January 1991 to May 2019, 1,625 live kidney donations were performed at our hospital. Among the donors, 7 developed kidney disease after donation and underwent open renal biopsy. We studied the clinical and pathological findings of these patients from their clinical records. Results: There were 3 patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, 2 with membranous nephropathy, 1 with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis, and 1 with secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). All patients with IgA nephropathy had latent IgA deposition on their baseline biopsy. One patient with membranous nephropathy demonstrated findings of membranous nephropathy on the baseline biopsy, despite being asymptomatic. All patients, except for those with ANCA-associated nephropathy and secondary FSGS, recovered from the nephritis or maintained an adequate renal function after treatment. Discussion/Conclusion: Baseline biopsy is necessary for assessing the renal condition of kidney donors, and these donors require long-term follow-up based on their baseline biopsy findings. If donors develop kidney disease, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Pankreaskarzinom: Internistische und chirurgische Onkologen können gemeinsam mehr erreichen
Authors: Raab Hans-Rudolf
Published: November 2020

Background: One critical step in the therapy of patients with localized pancreatic cancer is the determination of local resectability. The decision between primary surgery versus upfront local or systemic cancer therapy seems especially to differ between pancreatic cancer centers. In our cohort study, we analyzed the independent judgement of resectability of five experienced high volume pancreatic surgeons in 200 consecutive patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Pretherapeutic CT or MRI scans of 200 consecutive patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer were evaluated by 5 independent pancreatic surgeons. Resectability and the degree of abutment of the tumor to the venous and arterial structures adjacent to the pancreas were reported. Interrater reliability and dispersion indices were compared. Results: One hundred ninety-four CT scans and 6 MRI scans were evaluated and all parameters were evaluated by all surgeons in 133 (66.5%) cases. Low agreement was observed for tumor infiltration of venous structures (κ = 0.265 and κ = 0.285) while good agreement was achieved for the abutment of the tumor to arterial structures (interrater reliability celiac trunk κ = 0.708 P < 0.001). In patients with vascular tumor contact indicating locally advanced disease, surgeons highly agreed on unresectability, but in patients with vascular tumor abutment consistent with borderline resectable disease, the judgement of resectability was less uniform (dispersion index locally advanced vs. borderline resectable p < 0.05). Conclusion: Excellent agreement between surgeons exists in determining the presence of arterial abutment and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The determination of resectability in borderline resectable patients is influenced by additional subjective factors. Trial registration: EudraCT: 2009–014476–21 (2013–02–22) and NCT01827553 (2013–04–09).
The point on Opaliopsis atlantis (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae) distribution: new data from the Mediterranean and implications
Authors: Giacobbe Salvatore , Renda Walter
Published: November 2020

Specimens of the rare amphi-Atlantic epitoniid Opaliopsis atlantis have been recorded in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean) from a hydrozoan stylasterid-rich habitat. The record, which adds a new site to the sporadic occurrences of this prevalently deep-water species, may be considered the first contextualized report from Mediterranean Sea. Opaliopsis atlantis displays a planktotrophic larval development functional for long-range colonization of favorable habitats. Its discontinuous distribution all over its broad geographic range highlights the potential role of Atlantic seamounts as stepping-stones for transoceanic dispersal. Although no conclusive information is yet available upon the feeding requirements of O. atlantis all over its range, we suggest that this cnidarian-ectoparasitic prosobranch could adapt to different hosts, as a strategy that may enhance its wide biogeographic distribution.
A miniaturized ommatid beetle in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)
Authors: Li Yan-Da , Yamamoto Shûhei , Huang Di-Ying , Cai Chen-Yang
Published: November 2020

Recent findings of ommatids from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber have greatly increased our knowledge on the Mesozoic diversity of Ommatidae. Here, we report the first distinctly miniaturized ommatid species, Miniomma chenkuni gen. et sp. nov., entombed in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. This new fossil species is characterized by its small body size (less than 2 mm long) and subglobular metacoxae. Our discovery of miniaturization in extinct Ommatidae suggests a high ecological diversity of this family in the Mesozoic.
β-Arrestin–Biased Agonist Targeting the Brain AT
1
R (Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor) Increases Aversion to Saline and Lowers Blood Pressure in Deoxycorticosterone Acetate–Salt Hypertension
Authors: Zanaty Mario , Seara Fernando A.C. , Nakagawa Pablo , Deng Guorui , Mathieu Natalia M. , Balapattabi Kirthikaa , Karnik Sadashiva S. , Grobe Justin L. , Sigmund Curt D.
Published: November 2020

Activation of central AT
1
Rs (angiotensin type 1 receptors) is required for the increased blood pressure, polydipsia, and salt intake in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–salt hypertension. TRV120027 (TRV027) is an AT
1
R-biased agonist that selectively acts through β-arrestin. We hypothesized that intracerebroventricular administration of TRV027 would ameliorate the effects of DOCA-salt. In a neuronal cell line, TRV027 induced AT
1a
R internalization through dynamin and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We next evaluated the effect of chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of TRV027 on fluid intake. We measured the relative intake of water versus various saline solutions using a 2-bottle choice paradigm in mice subjected to DOCA with a concomitant intracerebroventricular infusion of either vehicle, TRV027, or losartan. Sham mice received intracerebroventricular vehicle without DOCA. TRV027 potentiated DOCA-induced water intake in the presence or absence of saline. TRV027 and losartan both increased the aversion for saline—an effect particularly pronounced for highly aversive saline solutions. Intracerebroventricular Ang (angiotensin) II, but not TRV027, increased water and saline intake in the absence of DOCA. In a separate cohort, blood pressure responses to acute intracerebroventricular injection of vehicle, TRV, or losartan were measured by radiotelemetry in mice with established DOCA-salt hypertension. Central administration of intracerebroventricular TRV027 or losartan each caused a significant and similar reduction of blood pressure and heart rate. We conclude that administration of TRV027 a selective β-arrestin biased agonist directly into the brain increases aversion to saline and lowers blood pressure in a model of salt-sensitive hypertension. These data suggest that selective activation of AT
1
R β-arrestin pathways may be exploitable therapeutically.
Aortic Stiffness, Central Blood Pressure, and Pulsatile Arterial Load Predict Future Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Expansion
Authors: Boczar Kevin E. , Boodhwani Munir , Beauchesne Luc , Dennie Carole , Chan Kwan Leung , Wells George A. , Coutinho Thais
Published: November 2020

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinically useful strategies for medical management of thoracic aortic aneurysm are critically needed. To address this need, we sought to determine the role of aortic stiffness and pulsatile arterial load on future aneurysm expansion. One hundred five consecutive, unoperated subjects with thoracic aortic aneurysm were recruited and prospectively followed. By combining arterial tonometry with echocardiography, we estimated measures of aortic stiffness, central blood pressure, steady, and pulsatile arterial load at baseline. Aneurysm size was measured at baseline and follow-up with imaging; growth was calculated in mm/y. Stepwise multivariable linear regression assessed associations of arterial stiffness and load measures with aneurysm growth after adjusting for potential confounders. Mean±SD age, baseline aneurysm size, and follow-up time were 62.6±11.4 years, 46.24±3.84 mm, and 2.92±1.01 years, respectively. Aneurysm growth rate was 0.43±0.37 mm/y. After correcting for multiple comparisons, higher central systolic (β±SE: 0.026±0.009,
P
=0.007), and pulse pressures (β±SE: 0.032±0.009,
P
=0.0002), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (β±SE: 0.032±0.011,
P
=0.005), amplitudes of the forward (β±SE: 0.044±0.012,
P
=0.0003) and reflected (β±SE: 0.060±0.020,
P
=0.003) pressure waves, and lower total arterial compliance (β±SE: −0.086±0.032,
P
=0.009) were independently associated with future aneurysm growth. Measures of aortic stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics are independently associated with future thoracic aortic aneurysm growth and provide novel insights into disease activity. Our findings highlight the role of central hemodynamic assessment to tailor novel risk assessment and therapeutic strategies to patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Leptomeningeal Collateral Flow Modifies Endovascular Treatment Efficacy on Large-Vessel Occlusion Strokes
Authors: García-Tornel Álvaro , Ciolli Ludovico , Rubiera Marta , Requena Manuel , Muchada Marian , Pagola Jorge , Rodriguez-Luna David , Deck Matias , Juega Jesus , Rodríguez-Villatoro Noelia , Boned Sandra , Olivé-Gadea Marta , Sanjuan Estela , Tomasello Alejandro , Piñana Carlos , Hernández David , Álvarez-Sabin José , Molina Carlos A. , Ribó Marc
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose:

We aim to evaluate if good collateral flow (CF) modifies endovascular therapy (EVT) efficacy on large-vessel stroke. To do that, we used final degree of reperfusion and number of device-passes performed, factors previously associated with better functional outcome, as main outcome measures.

Methods:

Single-center retrospective study including consecutive stroke patients receiving EVT for anterior circulation large-vessel stroke. CF degree was assessed on CT angiography before EVT using a previously validated 4-grade score. Final degree of reperfusion, using modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI), and number of device-passes performed were prospectively collected. Multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of collateral flow degree on final degree of reperfusion and number of device-passes performed.

Results:

Six hundred twenty-six patients were included in the study; 369 patients (59%) presented good collateral flow on CT angiography. Five hundred twenty-two patients (84%) achieved successful reperfusion (mTICI 2B-3) after EVT, 304 (48%) of them with a final mTICI 2C-3. Median number of device-passes was 2 (interquartile range, 1–3). Good CF was independently associated with better final degree of reperfusion (shift analysis for mTICI0-2A/2B/2C-3%, poor CF 19/38/43 versus good CF 15/32/53, adjusted odds ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.08–2.11]). Poor CF was independently associated with higher number of device-passes performed to achieve successful reperfusion (mTICI2B-3; shift analysis for 1/2/3/4+ device-passes, adjusted odds ratio, 1.59, [95% CI, 1.09–2.31]) and complete reperfusion (mTICI2C-3; shift analysis for 1/2/3/4+ device-passes, adjusted odds ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.04–2.90]).

Conclusions:

Patients with good CF treated with EVT experience higher rates of successful reperfusion with lower number of device-passes. CF may facilitate thrombus retrieval and prevent distal embolization of clot fragments, improving device-passes efficacy.
Students’ approaches when researching complex geographical conflicts using the internet
Authors: Engelen Eva , Budke Alexandra
Published: November 2020

Many teachers hesitate to integrate internet research into their lessons as they face major uncertainties concerning their students’ competencies in retrieving, evaluating and processing digital information. Understanding complex geographical conflicts using the internet poses special challenges to students, as they need to obtain multi-dimensional, spatial and temporally relevant information to grasp the conflict in its entirety. In order to obtain insights into students’ digital researching strategies, a study was conducted in 2018 with 20 German secondary school students, who were asked to form their own opinion on a complex geographical conflict by searching the internet for useful information. The students were instructed to share their thoughts and actions aloud while undertaking the research. All digital activities and accompanying speech were recorded with screen and audio capture technology. The analysis of the transcripts consisted of a combination of qualitative and basic quantitative analysis, which led to the conclusion that students have very different abilities in identifying multi-dimensional information on complex geographical conflicts. The majority of the students neither used maps nor paid attention to publication dates of websites or information. Furthermore, none of the participants questioned the credibility of their retrieved digital information.
Lectotypification of Rhynchosia acuminatifolia (Leguminosae)

Authors: MISHRA AJAY K. , GUPTA VEDHIKA , WAGH VJAY V.
Published: November 2020

During the revisionary study on the genus Rhynchosia in India, it was observed that no lectotype has been designated for Rhynchosia acuminatifolia Makino. Therefore, the original material of the species is here established and lectotype is selected.
Improvements of the Daily Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (DOISST) Version 2.1
Authors: Huang Boyin , Liu Chunying , Banzon Viva , Freeman Eric , Graham Garrett , Hankins Bill , Smith Tom , Zhang Huai-Min
Published: November 2020

The NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI Daily Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (SST), version 2.0, dataset (DOISST v2.0) is a blend of in situ ship and buoy SSTs with satellite SSTs derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). DOISST v2.0 exhibited a cold bias in the Indian, South Pacific, and South Atlantic Oceans that is due to a lack of ingested drifting-buoy SSTs in the system, which resulted from a gradual data format change from the traditional alphanumeric codes (TAC) to the binary universal form for the representation of meteorological data (BUFR). The cold bias against Argo was about −0.14°C on global average and −0.28°C in the Indian Ocean from January 2016 to August 2019. We explored the reasons for these cold biases through six progressive experiments. These experiments showed that the cold biases can be effectively reduced by adjusting ship SSTs with available buoy SSTs, using the latest available ICOADS R3.0.2 derived from merging BUFR and TAC, as well as by including Argo observations above 5-m depth. The impact of using the satellite MetOp-B instead of NOAA-19 was notable for high-latitude oceans but small on global average, since their biases are adjusted using in situ SSTs. In addition, the warm SSTs in the Arctic were improved by applying a freezing point instead of regressed ice-SST proxy. This paper describes an upgraded version, DOISST v2.1, which addresses biases in v2.0. Overall, by updating v2.0 to v2.1, the biases are reduced to −0.07° and −0.14°C in the global ocean and Indian Ocean, respectively, when compared with independent Argo observations and are reduced to −0.04° and −0.08°C in the global ocean and Indian Ocean, respectively, when compared with dependent Argo observations. The difference against the Group for High Resolution SST (GHRSST) Multiproduct Ensemble (GMPE) product is reduced from −0.09° to −0.01°C in the global oceans and from −0.20° to −0.04°C in the Indian Ocean.
The Contributions of Gauge-Based Precipitation and SMAP Brightness Temperature Observations to the Skill of the SMAP Level-4 Soil Moisture Product
Authors: Reichle Rolf H. , Liu Qing , Ardizzone Joseph V. , Crow Wade T. , De Lannoy Gabrielle J. M. , Dong Jianzhi , Kimball John S. , Koster Randal D.
Published: November 2020

Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission L-band brightness temperature (Tb) observations are routinely assimilated into the Catchment land surface model to generate Level-4 soil moisture (L4_SM) estimates of global surface and root-zone soil moisture at 9-km, 3-hourly resolution with ~2.5-day latency. The Catchment model in the L4_SM algorithm is driven with 1/4°, hourly surface meteorological forcing data from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS). Outside of Africa and the high latitudes, GEOS precipitation is corrected using Climate Prediction Center Unified (CPCU) gauge-based, 1/2°, daily precipitation. L4_SM soil moisture was previously shown to improve over land model-only estimates that use CPCU precipitation but no Tb assimilation (CPCU_SIM). Here, we additionally examine the skill of model-only (CTRL) and Tb assimilation-only (SMAP_DA) estimates derived without CPCU precipitation. Soil moisture is assessed versus in situ measurements in well-instrumented regions and globally through the instrumental variable (IV) method using independent soil moisture retrievals from the Advanced Scatterometer. At the in situ locations, SMAP_DA and CPCU_SIM have comparable soil moisture skill improvements relative to CTRL for the unbiased root-mean-square error (surface and root-zone) and correlation metrics (root-zone only). In the global average, SMAP Tb assimilation increases the surface soil moisture anomaly correlation by 0.10–0.11 compared to an increase of 0.02–0.03 from the CPCU-based precipitation corrections. The contrast is particularly strong in central Australia, where CPCU is known to have errors and observation-minus-forecast Tb residuals are larger when CPCU precipitation is used. Validation versus streamflow measurements in the contiguous United States reveals that CPCU precipitation provides most of the skill gained in L4_SM runoff estimates over CTRL.
Poleward Shift of the Kuroshio Extension Front and Its Impact on the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water in the Recent Decades
Authors: Wu Baolan , Lin Xiaopei , Yu Lisan
Published: November 2020

The meridional shift of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) front and changes in the formation of the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (STMW) during 1979–2018 are reported. The surface-to-subsurface structure of the KE front averaged over 142°–165°E has shifted poleward at a rate of ~0.23° ± 0.16° decade−1. The shift was caused mainly by the poleward shift of the downstream KE front (153°–165°E, ~0.41° ± 0.29° decade−1) and barely by the upstream KE front (142°–153°E). The long-term shift trend of the KE front showed two distinct behaviors before and after 2002. Before 2002, the surface KE front moved northward with a faster rate than the subsurface. After 2002, the surface KE front showed no obvious trend, but the subsurface KE front continued to move northward. The ventilation zone of the STMW, defined by the area between the 16° and 18°C isotherms or between the 25 and 25.5 kg m−3 isopycnals, contracted and displaced northward with a shoaling of the mixed layer depth hm before 2002 when the KE front moved northward. The STMW subduction rate was reduced by 0.76 Sv (63%; 1 Sv ≡ = 106 m3 s−1) during 1979–2018, most of which occurred before 2002. Of the three components affecting the total subduction rate, the temporal induction (−∂hm/∂t) was dominant accounting for 91% of the rate reduction, while the vertical pumping (−wmb) amounted to 8% and the lateral induction (−umb ⋅ ∇hm) was insignificant. The reduced temporal induction was attributed to both the contracted ventilation zone and the shallowed hm that were incurred by the poleward shift of KE front.
More Similar, Better Belonging: Effect of Organizational Citizenship Behavior Profile Similarity on Ostracism
Authors: Song Gi Ryung , Kim Kyoung Seok
Published: November 2020

As positive nontask behavior, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is a well-known concept that has been investigated by numerous studies. However, weakness in the research stream is viewing this concept from the perspective of the actor. In this study, OCB is considered as a social activity that assists actors’ survival in their organizations, and how OCB affects ostracism that effectively reflects belonging in the organization is investigated. Moreover, to identify the relationship in detail, three different independent variables are used, including OCB, OCB aggregate gap, and OCB profile similarity, using social exchange theory and similarity attraction theory. The analysis is conducted using samples from 210 employees who work for Korean companies. The results indicate that OCB profile similarity has a stronger effect on reducing ostracism than the absolute level of OCB and the OCB aggregate gap.
Emergency contact: Compassion and precarious love in Michael Christie’s The Beggar’s Garden
Authors: Darias-Beautell Eva
Published: November 2020

This article examines the relation between affect and agency in Michael Christie’s short story collection The Beggar’s Garden (2011). It builds its argument on recent philosophical discussions about the oxymoronic nature of the relational subject. Many contemporary thinkers have emphasized the fundamental paradox that affective relations are as necessary as they are profoundly destabilizing of the subject’s supposed autonomy. Following this train of thought, a number of studies have appeared that explore the relation between vulnerability and agency. Would a focus on affective relations and the subsequently increased sense of vulnerability produce or foreclose action? The article takes this question to the field of the literary to provide a critical reading of the first two stories in Christie’s collection, “Emergency Contact” and “Discard”, both of which probe, in very different ways, the power of affect in the midst of highly precarious material conditions. Drawing on the work of feminist materialist scholars Sara Ahmed, Marianne Hirsch, Judith Butler, and Martha Nussbaum, who have explored how the experience of vulnerability may imply a radical openness toward surprising possibilities, I investigate how each of these two stories may produce unexpected spaces of human agency through the affective energy of compassion and love.
A Synthesis of the Sustainability of Remedial Reading Intervention Effects for Struggling Adolescent Readers
Authors: Daniel Johny , Capin Philip , Steinle Paul
Published: November 2020

A majority of reading-related intervention studies aiming to remediate struggling readers’ reading outcomes assess student performance immediately following the conclusion of an intervention to determine intervention effects. Few studies collect follow-up data to measure the long-term sustainability of treatment effects. Hence, the aim of the current synthesis was to examine follow-up intervention effects of reading interventions involving adolescent struggling readers in Grades 6 to 12. Our literature search yielded only 10 studies that reported follow-up data for intervention participants, which highlights the dearth of intervention research that examines sustainability of intervention effects. Of the 10 included studies, the weighted mean effect size for all reading outcome measures was gw = 0.78 at immediate posttest and gw = 0.27 at follow-up, in favor of treatment group students. Although the magnitude of difference between treatment and control groups diminished at follow-up time, a comparison of treatment group students’ immediate posttest and follow-up scores showed that students mostly maintained gains made during intervention at follow-up time points.
Chinese Culture and Its Influence on Prison Society: Women’s Experience
Authors: Zhang Ao
Published: November 2020

Based on interviews with 30 female parolees/ex-inmates and 10 prison officers, this article argues that custody relationships among women incarcerated in China are “not easy,” and this is due primarily to distrust in prison society and a hierarchical prison culture. Even so, women inmates are motivated to form and maintain harmonious relationships with others. This article suggests that this behavior pattern is greatly influenced by the Chinese culture of pragmatic Confucianism, which further explains the women’s low interest in forming a prison subculture.