bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing Hyperprogressive Disease with Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors Using RECIST 1.1 Criteria
Authors: Matos Ignacio , Martin-Liberal Juan , García-Ruiz Alonso , Hierro Cinta , Ochoa de Olza Maria , Viaplana Cristina , Azaro Analia , Vieito Maria , Braña Irene , Mur Gemma , Ros Javier , Mateos Jose , Villacampa Guillermo , Berché Roger , Oliveira Mafalda , Alsina Maria , Elez Elena , Oaknin Ana , Muñoz-Couselo Eva , Carles Joan , Felip Enriqueta , Rodón Jordi , Tabernero Josep , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Perez-Lopez Raquel , Garralda Elena
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

Most hyperprogression disease (HPD) definitions are based on tumor growth rate (TGR). However, there is still no consensus on how to evaluate this phenomenon.

Patients and Methods:

We investigated two independent cohorts of patients with advanced solid tumors treated in phase I trials with (i) programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 antibodies in monotherapy or combination and (ii) targeted agents (TA) in unapproved indications. A Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1–based definition of hyperprogression was developed. The primary endpoint was the assessment of the rate of HPD in patients treated with ICIs or TAs using both criteria (RECIST and TGR) and the impact on overall survival (OS) in patients who achieved PD as best response.

Results:

Among 270 evaluable patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, 29 PD-1/PD-L1–treated patients (10.7%) had HPD by RECIST definition. This group had a significantly lower OS (median of 5.23 months; 95% CI, 3.97–6.45) when compared with the non-HPD progressor group (median, 7.33 months; 95% CI, 4.53–10.12; HR = 1.73, 95% CI, 1.05–2.85; P = 0.04). In a subset of 221 evaluable patients, 14 (6.3%) were categorized as HPD using TGR criteria, differences in median OS (mOS) between this group (mOS 4.2 months; 95% IC, 2.07–6.33) and non-HPD progressors (n = 44) by TGR criteria (mOS 6.27 months; 95% CI, 3.88–8.67) were not statistically significant (HR 1.4, 95% IC, 0.70–2.77; P = 0.346). Among 239 evaluable patients treated with TAs, 26 (10.9%) were classified as having HPD by RECIST and 14 using TGR criteria in a subset of patients. No differences in OS were observed between HPD and non-HPD progressors treated with TAs.

Conclusions:

HPD measured by TGR or by RECIST was observed in both cohorts of patients; however, in our series, there was an impact on survival only in the immune-checkpoint inhibitor cohort when evaluated by RECIST. We propose a new way to capture HPD using RECIST criteria that is intuitive and easy to use in daily clinical practice.
Analysis of the Association between Eating Behaviors and Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Nikiforova Ilana , Barnea Royi , Azulai Shir , Susmallian Sergio
Published: November 2019

Setting: In a private medical center, 300 patients who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were classified into 4 groups according to their eating behaviors (EB) preoperatively. During a 3-year postoperative follow-up, dietary changes in relation to weight loss were studied. Objectives: To explore the influence of abnormal EB on the outcome of sleeve gastrectomy. Background: Patients with morbid obesity often suffer from abnormal EB. After LSG, the outcome depends largely on improvement of the feeding behaviors acquired. Methods:This prospective study includes 300 patients who underwent LSG from 2013 to 2014, divided into the following 4 groups: binge eaters, snack eaters, sweet eaters, and volume eaters. Results: The average age was 41.65 years, the ratio of male to females was 1 to 2. The average baseline body mass index (BMI) was 42.02. After 3 years, no significant change was found in the number of binge eaters (p = 0.396), but there was an 8.9% increase in snack eaters (p < 0.001), a 12.9% increase in sweet eaters (p < 0.001), and 17.2% increase in healthy eating habits (p < 0.001). Sixty-five (24.8%) patients did not experience changes in their eating patterns. However, after surgery, 24.6% of the patients continued with the same EB and 125 (49.5%) patients changed from one EB to another unhealthy EB. Weight loss, measure as ΔBMI, was similar in each group after 3 years, with a mean BMI of 29.8. When eating habits were related to different features such as gender, sports practice, type of work, smoking, marital status, comorbidities, no influence on the operative results were found. Conclusion: LSG promotes the reduction of overeaters; however, it promotes a switch between other unhealthy EB. The significant increase in snack eaters and sweet eaters is outstanding, although it did not affect weight loss in the midterm follow-up. Worsening of eating habits after LSG is a common fact.
Cervical Lipomyelomeningocele Presenting with Progressive Motor Deficit: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Heidari Seyed Vahid , Mollahoseini Reza , Ghandehari Hasan , Farhadi Ehsan , Abbasi Fatemeh , Asaadi Sina , Soulat Mehdi , Bavand Karen , Nejat Farideh
Published: November 2019

Cervical lipomyelomeningocele is a very rare form of spina bifida occulta, which can cause some complications following tethered cord syndrome. We report a 10-year-old female with a history of progressive upper-extremity weakness, a very small soft-tissue mass at the posterior aspect of her neck, and evidence of lipomyelomeningocele in her radiological study. The patient underwent laminectomy of C6 and C7 together with resection of lipomatous tissue attaching to the cord from superficial tissue and cord untethering, which resulted in progressive improvement of her weakness.
The Neural Basis of Dim-Light Vision in Echolocating Bats
Authors: Hoffmann Susanne , Bley Alexandra , Matthes Mariana , Firzlaff Uwe , Luksch Harald
Published: November 2019

Echolocating bats evolved a sophisticated biosonar imaging system that allows for a life in dim-light habitats. However, especially for far-range operations such as homing, bats can support biosonar by vision. Large eyes and a retina that mainly consists of rods are assumed to be the optical adjustments that enable bats to use visual information at low light levels. In addition to optical mechanisms, many nocturnal animals evolved neural adaptations such as elongated integration times or enlarged spatial sampling areas to further increase the sensitivity of their visual system by temporal or spatial summation of visual information. The neural mechanisms that underlie the visual capabilities of echolocating bats have, however, so far not been investigated. To shed light on spatial and temporal response characteristics of visual neurons in an echolocating bat, Phyllostomus discolor, we recorded extracellular multiunit activity in the retino-recipient superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC). We discovered that response latencies of these neurons were generally in the mammalian range, whereas neural spatial sampling areas were unusually large compared to those measured in the SC of other mammals. From this we suggest that echolocating bats likely use spatial but not temporal summation of visual input to improve visual performance under dim-light conditions. Furthermore, we hypothesize that bats compensate for the loss of visual spatial precision, which is a byproduct of spatial summation, by integration of spatial information provided by both the visual and the biosonar systems. Given that knowledge about neural adaptations to dim-light vision is mainly based on studies done in non-mammalian species, our novel data provide a valuable contribution to the field and demonstrate the suitability of echolocating bats as a nocturnal animal model to study the neurophysiological aspects of dim-light vision.
Absence of Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors in Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers with Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Kim Mimi S. , Koppin Christina M. , Mohan Pankhuri , Goodarzian Fariba , Ross Heather M. , Geffner Mitchell E. , De Filippo Roger , Kokorowski Paul
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are a known consequence for males with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. TART are associated with potential infertility in adults. However, little is known about TART in very young males with CAH. Objective: We assessed the presence of TART in newborn, infant, and toddler males with classical CAH via scrotal ultrasound. Methods: Males with CAH had scrotal ultrasounds during the first 4 years of life, evaluating testes for morphology, blood flow, and presence of TART. Newborn screen 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and serum 17-OHP at the time of ultrasound were recorded. Bone ages were considered very advanced if ≥2 SD above chronological age. Results: Thirty-one ultrasounds in 16 males were performed. An initial ultrasound was obtained in four newborns at diagnosis (6.8 ± 2.1 days), six infants (2.2 ± 0.9 months), and six toddlers (2.4 ± 0.9 years). Eleven males had at least one repeat ultrasound. A large proportion (11/16) were in poor hormonal control with an elevated 17-OHP (325 ± 298 nmol/L). One infant was in very poor hormonal control (17-OHP 447 nmol/L) at initial ultrasound, and two toddlers had advanced bone ages (+3.2 and +4.5 SD) representing exposure to postnatal androgens. However, no TART were detected in any subjects. Conclusions: TART were not found by scrotal ultrasound in males up to 4 years of age with classical CAH despite settings with expected high ACTH drive. Further research into the occurrence of TART in CAH may elucidate factors that contribute to the detection and individual predisposition to TART.
Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Abnormalities in Rats: Attenuation via Sandalwood Oil
Authors: Younis Nancy S.
Published: November 2019

Introduction: The clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) is challenged by its incremental dose-related cardiotoxicity. Objective: The aim of the hereby study was to investigate sandalwood essential oil (SEO) against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into 4 groups. Groups 1 signified the control, whereas group 2 administered 100 mg/kg/day SEO, both act as control. In group 3, DOX was given intraperitoneal in a dose of 3 mg/kg/ every other day for 2 weeks to induced cardiotoxicity. While group 4 received a combination of SEO and DOX for 2 weeks. DOX prompted variations were assessed by measuring cardiac injury biomarkers, including creatine phosphokinase, cardiac troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), electrocardiogram (ECG) fluctuations, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) indices. The effect of both DOX and SEO on various antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and inflammatory mediators including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and NF-κB was quantified. Results: DOX augmented cardiac injury biomarkers, altered ECG, deceased HR and antioxidants, and finally increased BP indices. Treatment with SEO significantly (p < 0.05) decreased cardiac biomarkers and reversing ECG changes and BP. Moreover, treatment with SEO enhanced HR anomalies and antioxidant activity reduction and precluded the intensive inflammatory response induced by DOX. Conclusion: SEO may have the potential of mitigating cardiac rhythm and BP indices changes induced with DOX. SEO modifications may be due to antioxidant capacity improvement and inflammatory response prohibition of the heart muscle.
The Contribution of Alcohol Use, Other Lifestyle Factors and Working Conditions to Socioeconomic Differences in Sickness Absence
Authors: Landberg Jonas , Hemmingsson Tomas , Sydén Lovisa , Ramstedt Mats
Published: November 2019

Introduction: This study investigates how alcohol use contributes to the social gradient in sickness absence. Other factors assessed include lifestyle factors (smoking, physical activity and body mass index), physical and psychosocial working conditions. Methods: The study used baseline data from the Stockholm public health cohort 2006, with an analytical sample of 17,008 respondents aged 25–64 years. Outcome variables included self-reported short-term (<14 days) and register-based long-term (>14 days) sickness absence. Socioeconomic position (SEP) was measured by occupational class. Alcohol use was measured by average weekly volume and frequency of heavy episodic drinking. Negative binominal regression was used to estimate sex-specific SEP differences in sickness absence, before and after adjusting for alcohol use and the additional explanatory factors. Results: Adjusting for alcohol use attenuated the SEP differences in long-term sickness absence by 20% for men and 14% for women. Alcohol use explained a smaller proportion of the differences in short-term sickness absence. Alcohol use in combination with other lifestyle factors attenuated the SEP differences (20–35%) for both outcomes. Physical working conditions explained more than half of the gradient in long-term sickness absence, whereas psychosocial conditions had greater impact on short-term sickness absence among men. Discussion/Conclusion: Alcohol use explains a substantial proportion of the SEP disparities in long-term sickness absence among men. The effect is smaller among women and for short-term sickness absence. Our findings support the notion that physical working conditions constitute the key explanatory variable for SEP differences in long-term sickness absence, but add that psychosocial working conditions have greater impact on the gradient in short-term sickness absence among men.
Female Mice Exposed to Postnatal Neglect Display Angiotensin II–Dependent Obesity‐Induced Hypertension
Authors: Dalmasso Carolina , Leachman Jacqueline R. , Ensor Charles M. , Yiannikouris Frederique B. , Giani Jorge F. , Cassis Lisa A. , Loria Analia S.
Published: November 2019

Background

We have previously reported that female mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a model of early life stress, show exacerbated diet‐induced obesity associated with hypertension. The goal of this study was to test whether MSEW promotes angiotensin II–dependent hypertension via activation of the renin‐angiotensin system in adipose tissue.

Methods and Results

MSEW was achieved by daily separations from the dam and weaning at postnatal day 17, while normally reared controls were weaned at postnatal day 21. Female controls and MSEW weanlings were placed on a low‐fat diet (LF, 10% kcal from fat) or high‐fat diet (HF, 60% kcal from fat) for 20 weeks. MSEW did not change mean arterial pressure in LF–fed mice but increased it in HF–fed mice compared with controls (
P
<0.05). In MSEW mice fed a HF, angiotensin II concentration in plasma and adipose tissue was elevated compared with controls (
P
<0.05). In addition, angiotensinogen concentration was increased solely in adipose tissue from MSEW mice (
P
<0.05), while angiotensin‐converting enzyme protein expression and activity were similar between groups. Chronic enalapril treatment (2.5 mg/kg per day, drinking water, 7 days) reduced mean arterial pressure in both groups of mice fed a HF (
P
<0.05) and abolished the differences due to MSEW. Acute angiotensin II–induced increases in mean arterial pressure (10 μg/kg SC) were attenuated in untreated MSEW HF–fed mice compared to controls (
P
<0.05); however, this response was similar between groups in enalapril‐treated mice.

Conclusions

The upregulation of angiotensinogen and angiotensin II in adipose tissue could be an important mechanism by which female MSEW mice fed a HF develop hypertension.
Long‐Term Prognostic Value of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in an Asymptomatic Elderly Population
Authors: Moon Sun Joon , Chun Eun Ju , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Park Kyong Soo , Jang Hak Chul , Lim Soo
Published: November 2019

Background

The prognostic value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (
CCTA
) for evaluating coronary artery disease in asymptomatic older adults is controversial. We investigated the prognostic value of
CCTA
in community‐dwelling elderly Koreans.

Methods and Results

Participants (n=470; mean age: 75.1±7.3 years) who underwent
CCTA
were enrolled from KLoSHA (Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging), a community‐based prospective cohort. Using
CCTA
,
coronary artery disease
was classified as
normal, nonobstructive
, or
obstructive
according to the presence of 0%, <50%, or ≥50% stenosis, respectively. Coronary artery calcium scores were investigated together with Framingham risk score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease score, and individual risk factors. Major adverse cardiac events (
MACE
) were defined as a composite of cardiac event–related death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. During a median follow‐up of 8.2 years (interquartile range: 7.7–10.1 years),
MACE
occurred in 24 participants (5.1%). Compared with the normal group, participants in the obstructive group showed higher incidence of
MACE
(hazard ratio: 5.65; 95% CI, 1.22–26.16;
P
=0.027), whereas there were no significant differences in
MACE
between the normal and nonobstructive groups. The 8‐year event‐free survival rates were 98.1±1.1%, 94.9±1.6%, and 81.7±4.8% in the normal, nonobstructive, and obstructive groups, respectively. Compared with the
Framingham risk score
and c
oronary artery calcium score
model,
CCTA
improved risk prediction by C‐index (from 0.698 to 0.749) and category‐free net reclassification index (0.478;
P
=0.022).

Conclusions

CCTA
showed better long‐term prognostic value for
MACE
than
coronary artery calcium score
in this asymptomatic older population.
Disagreement Between Randomized and Observational Evidence on the Use of Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: A Meta‐Analytic Approach
Authors: Gaudino Mario , Rahouma Mohamed , Hameed Irbaz , Khan Faiza M. , Taggart David P. , Flather Marcus , Biondi‐Zoccai Giuseppe , Fremes Stephen E.
Published: November 2019

Background

The ART (Arterial Revascularization Trial) showed no difference in survival at 10 years between patients assigned to the single versus bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting strategies. This finding is in contrast with the results of most observational studies, where the use of 2 internal thoracic arteries has been associated with improved survival.

Methods and Results

We selected propensity‐matched studies from the most comprehensive observational meta‐analysis on the long‐term outcomes of patients receiving 1 versus 2 internal thoracic arteries. Individual participant survival data from each study and the ART were reconstructed using an iterative algorithm that was applied to solve the Kaplan‐Meier equations. The reconstructed individual participant survival data were aggregated to obtain combined survival curves and Cox regression hazard ratios with 95% CIs. Individual participant survival data were obtained from 14 matched observational studies (24 123 patients) and the ART. The 10‐year survival of the control group of ART was significantly higher than that of the matched observational studies (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80–0.93). The 10‐year survival of the experimental group of ART was significantly lower than that of the bilateral internal thoracic artery group of the observational studies (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20).

Conclusions

Both the improved outcome of the control arm and the lower beneficial effect of the intervention had played a role in the difference between observational evidence and ART.
The Evolution of Models in Historical Demography
Authors: Alter George C.
Published: November 2019

Historical demography is in transition from a data-poor to a data-rich environment. Previous generations relied on demographic models to squeeze as much information as possible from the small amounts of data available. In this new era of large data sets, researchers are creating both regional and international historical data sets of unprecedented size and depth. When examined closely, however, the regression methods used today make the same simplifying assumptions that generated the key advances of earlier generations. These new methods require demographic insight to inform analyses and enrich conclusions.
[C G A T] Epita Matrix Genetics: Toward a Visualization of Genetic Codes via “Genetic Music”
Authors: Quehenberger Renate C.-Z. , Stepanyan Ivan , Skepper Benjamin
Published: November 2019

The authors describe the scientific background and technical details of the visualization of the mathematics underlying genetic codes applied to musical scales. “Genetic Music” provides audible access to genetic structures that become visible based on the fundamental level of nature as permutations of space itself. The carriers of genetic information characteristically possess hydrogen bonds in quantities 2 and 3 in complementary pairs of nitrogenous bases [GACT] in DNA and [GACU] in RNA. Since hydrogen is observed to expose the symmetries of the Penrose Patterns, visual access is achieved by means of a 3D representation of Penrose kites and darts named “epitahedron.” Those pyramid-shaped polyhedra represent the numbers of hydrogen bonds (C=G=3, A=T=2) that generate musical equivalence between the genetic alphabet and the 7 notes of the Pythagorean scale, as well as further and distinct correlations with “Fibonacci stage” “Genetic Music” scales. The visualization must be played synchronously with the musical performance.
From Marxist to Post-Marxist Populism: Ernesto Laclau’s Trajectory within the National Left and Beyond
Authors: Acha Omar
Published: November 2019

Ernesto Laclau’s Marxist and post-Marxist works are best understood when they are embedded in the history of Argentina’s National Left. This socialist-populist current underpinned his strategic horizons onward of at least 1963. While purely theoretical interpretations of Laclau can sometimes be enlightening, they tend to lose sight of the historical density of the Argentine’s thought. Over the course of his working life, Laclau’s theories presented the Argentinean Left with a challenge concerning how to engage with Peronism: specifically, how to develop a leftist hegemonic project in an era when the working class remained stubbornly linked to a Peronist political identity. Laclau’s political trajectory and his understanding of Marxism are analysed here in order to explain the nature of his post-Marxism.
Money versus Value?
Authors: Lange Elena Louisa
Published: November 2019

Even after the demise of the influential Uno School in the 1980s, Japanese economists have been continuously engaged in the categorial reconstruction of Marx’s Critique of Political Economy, especially the theory of value and money. Writing in the 1980s–2000s, authors of the ‘post-Uno School’, such as Ebitsuka Akira, Mukai Kimitoshi, Kataoka Kōji etc., broadened the value-theoretical views of Uno School orthodoxy to include, among others, the Neue Marx-Lektüre (predominantly H.-G. Backhaus and M. Heinrich) and the French economists C. Benetti and J. Cartelier.

This paper will confront the ‘post-Uno School’s’ reading of Marx’s theory of value, which poses the theories of value and money as unreconcilable, leading them to discard the theory of value in favour of a ‘monetary approach’. We show that the dismissal of value theory leads to an introduction of Baileyan and neoclassical elements into Marx’s theory, which we believe to be both theoretically and practically precarious.
Shape Recognition With Sounds: Improvement in Sighted Individuals After Audio–Motor Training
Authors: Martolini Chiara , Cappagli Giulia , Campus Claudio , Gori Monica
Published: November 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated that audition used to complement or substitute visual feedback is effective in conveying spatial information, e.g., sighted individuals can understand the curvature of a shape when solely auditory input is provided. Recently we also demonstrated that, in the absence of vision, auditory feedback of body movements can enhance spatial perception in visually impaired adults and children. In the present study, we assessed whether sighted adults can also improve their spatial abilities related to shape recognition with an audio-motor training based on the idea that the coupling of auditory and motor information can further refine the representation of space when vision is missing. Auditory shape recognition was assessed in 22 blindfolded sighted adults with an auditory task requiring participants to identify four shapes by means of the sound conveyed through a set of consecutive loudspeakers embedded on a fixed two-dimensional vertical array. We divided participants into two groups of 11 adults each, performing a training session in two different modalities: active audio-motor training (experimental group) and passive auditory training (control group). The audio-motor training consisted in the reproduction of specific movements with the arm by relying on the sound produced by an auditory source positioned on the wrist of participants. Results showed that sighted individuals improved the recognition of auditory shapes only after active training, suggesting that audio-motor feedback can be an effective tool to enhance spatial representation when visual information is lacking.
The New Age and Gnosticism: Terms of Commonality
Authors: Horowitz Mitch
Published: November 2019

The author uses three examples from contemporary New Age culture to demonstrate that popular alternative spirituality, while having no direct connection with ancient Gnosticism, reflects some of the core concerns and ideals found in Gnostic writing and liturgy, including mystical experience, radical ecumenism, and expanded human consciousness. This intersection demonstrates that the modern New Age itself indirectly comports with key elements of Gnostic tradition.
Typification and taxonomic notes on three irises names (Iridaceae) described from Central Asia

Authors: BOLTENKOV EUGENY V.
Published: November 2019

Nomenclature issues of three irises names described from Central Asia (Iris alberti, I. eulefeldii, and I. humilis f. foliata) are here discussed. Particularly, a second-step lectotypification for I. alberti and lectotypifications for I. eulefeldii (a taxonomic synonym of I. scariosa) and I. humilis f. foliata (a taxonomic synonym of I. longiscapa) are provided.
What Causes the AMOC to Weaken in CMIP5?
Authors: Levang Samuel J. , Schmitt Raymond W.
Published: November 2019

In a transient warming scenario, the North Atlantic is influenced by a complex pattern of surface buoyancy flux changes that ultimately weaken the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). Here we study the AMOC response in the CMIP5 experiment, using the near-geostrophic balance of the AMOC on interannual time scales to identify the role of temperature and salinity changes in altering the circulation. The thermal wind relationship is used to quantify changes in the zonal density gradients that control the strength of the flow. At 40°N, where the overturning cell is at its strongest, weakening of the AMOC is largely driven by warming between 1000- and 2000-m depth along the western margin. Despite significant subpolar surface freshening, salinity changes are small in the deep branch of the circulation. This is likely due to the influence of anomalously salty water in the subpolar intermediate layers, which is carried northward from the subtropics in the upper limb of the AMOC. In the upper 1000 m at 40°N, salty anomalies due to increased evaporation largely cancel the buoyancy increase due to warming. Therefore, in CMIP5, temperature dynamics are responsible for AMOC weakening, while freshwater forcing instead acts to strengthen the circulation in the net. These results indicate that past modeling studies of AMOC weakening, which rely on freshwater hosing in the subpolar gyre, may not be directly applicable to a more complex warming scenario.
Can the GPM IMERG Final Product Accurately Represent MCSs’ Precipitation Characteristics over the Central and Eastern United States?
Authors: Cui Wenjun , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Feng Zhe , Fan Jiwen
Published: November 2019

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) play an important role in water and energy cycles as they produce heavy rainfall and modify the radiative profile in the tropics and midlatitudes. An accurate representation of MCSs’ rainfall is therefore crucial in understanding their impact on the climate system. The V06B Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals from Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) half-hourly precipitation final product is a useful tool to study the precipitation characteristics of MCSs because of its global coverage and fine spatiotemporal resolutions. However, errors and uncertainties in IMERG should be quantified before applying it to hydrology and climate applications. This study evaluates IMERG performance on capturing and detecting MCSs’ precipitation in the central and eastern United States during a 3-yr study period against the radar-based Stage IV product. The tracked MCSs are divided into four seasons and are analyzed separately for both datasets. IMERG shows a wet bias in total precipitation but a dry bias in hourly mean precipitation during all seasons due to the false classification of nonprecipitating pixels as precipitating. These false alarm events are possibly caused by evaporation under the cloud base or the misrepresentation of MCS cold anvil regions as precipitating clouds by the algorithm. IMERG agrees reasonably well with Stage IV in terms of the seasonal spatial distribution and diurnal cycle of MCSs precipitation. A relative humidity (RH)-based correction has been applied to the IMERG precipitation product, which helps reduce the number of false alarm pixels and improves the overall performance of IMERG with respect to Stage IV.
On the Interaction between Wind Stress and Waves: Wave Growth and Statistical Properties of Large Waves
Authors: Lee J. H. , Monty J. P.
Published: November 2019

Statistical properties and development of wave fields with different wind forcings are investigated through parametric laboratory experiments. Thirty different, random sea states simulated using a JONSWAP spectrum are mechanically generated in deep-water conditions. Each of the random simulated sea states is exactly repeated but subjected to a range of different wind speeds to study the interaction between wind stress and the existing random sea state waves, especially the isolated effect of the wind stress on the largest waves. Wave crest distributions are sensitive to the wind at the extreme end such that there is an observed deviation from second-order theory for the largest (lowest probability) waves at high wind speed. Because the local wave steepness increases with wind speed, eventually reaching a breaking point, the growth of extreme waves (relative to the significant wave height) due to wind stress is shown to be limited by wave breaking. Even when large waves are breaking, the data reveal that amplitude modulation of wave groups is enhanced substantially as the wind speed increases due to the difference in growth rates between the highest and the lowest wave crests in a wave group. However, there is no evidence of an increase in modulation instability with the wind speed, suggesting that the wind–wave interaction under strong wind forcing dominates the wave growth mechanism over nonlinear wave interactions in a broadband wave field.
An Analysis of Subdaily Severe Thunderstorm Probabilities for the United States
Authors: Krocak Makenzie J. , Brooks Harold E.
Published: November 2019

One of the challenges of providing probabilistic information on a multitude of spatiotemporal scales is ensuring that information is both accurate and useful to decision-makers. Focusing on larger spatiotemporal scales (i.e., from convective outlook to weather watch scales), historical severe weather reports are analyzed to begin to understand the spatiotemporal scales that hazardous weather events are contained within. Reports from the Storm Prediction Center’s report archive are placed onto grids of differing spatial scales and then split into 24-h convective outlook days (1200–1200 UTC). These grids are then analyzed temporally to assess over what fraction of the day a single location would generally experience severe weather events. Different combinations of temporal and spatial scales are tested to determine how the reference class (or the choice of what scales to use) alters the probabilities of severe weather events. Results indicate that at any given point in the United States on any given day, more than 95% of the daily reports within 40 km of the point occur in a 4-h period. Therefore, the SPC 24-h convective outlook probabilities can be interpreted as 4-h convective outlook probabilities without a significant change in meaning. Additionally, probabilities and threat periods are analyzed at each location and different times of year. These results indicate little variability in the duration of severe weather events, which allows for a consistent definition of an “event” for all locations in the continental United States.
From Rallies to Riots: Why Some Protests Become Violent
Authors: Ives Brandon , Lewis Jacob S.
Published: November 2019

When do nonviolent protests escalate into violence? Existing literature has focused primarily on campaign-level escalations and only recently has work begun to examine protest event-level escalations. We build on this emerging literature and develop an argument for why some protests escalate to violence. We use statistical analysis and find that violent escalations are more likely to occur following recent repression and when protests are unorganized. Our results offer insight into the conditions in which protests remain peaceful and offer citizens a channel to pursue their goals as well as the conditions in which protests become violent and destabilizing.
Vibration load and transfer path identification of vehicle using inverse matrix method based on singular value decomposition
Authors: Yang Chao , Wang Yansong , Guo Hui , Lv Jiang , Liu Ningning , Qi Hongzhong
Published: November 2019

Based on the theory of inverse transfer matrix, a novel method for simultaneous load identification of vehicle vibration is presented in this paper. Some response, excitation, reference points (called key points) and their transfer paths, which have severe effects on the vibration of a whole vehicle, are defined. The transfer functions among the key points are measured by experiments, and thereby a transfer function matrix of vehicle vibration is established. To solve ill-conditioning problem in the transfer function matrix, the methodology of singular value decomposition is introduced into matrix inversion in the excitation load identification. To reduce the identification error, four transfer function matrices with different reference points and condition numbers are selected and discussed. The results show that the more the reference points are, the smaller the condition number of transfer function matrix is, the higher the accuracy of excitation load identification. The transfer function matrix with minimum condition number is used to identify the excitation loads at the vehicle key points. Experimental verifications suggest that the newly proposed method is effective and feasible for excitation load identification of vehicle vibration. Using the identified excitation loads, furthermore, the vibration causes of the steering wheel and seat rail are obtained, which is helpful for improving vibration performance of the sample vehicle. In applications, the excitation load identification method proposed in this paper may be applied not only to other types of vehicle, but also to other complex electromechanical products for load identification in engineering.
Vitamin B6 deficiency in new born rats affects hepatic cardiolipin composition and oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: Wolke Carmen , Gürtler Sarah , Peter Daniela , Weingärtner Jens , Domanska Grazyna , Lendeckel Uwe , Schild Lorenz
Published: November 2019

Vitamin B6 deficiency during pregnancy translates into a severe vitamin B6 deficiency (plasma levels decreased by 97%) in new-born rats. Further, hallmarks are increased (+89%) concentrations of homocysteine, gross changes in gene methylation and expression, and metabolic alterations including lipid metabolism. This study focuses on determining the effects of vitamin B6-deficiency on cardiolipin composition and oxidative phosphorylation in liver. For this purpose, hepatic cardiolipin composition was analyzed by means of LC/MS/MS, and mitochondrial oxygen consumption was determined by using a Clark-type electrode in a rat model of vitamin B6 deficiency. Liver mitochondria from new-born rats with pre-term vitamin B6 deficiency responded with substantial alterations in cardiolipin composition that include the following changes in the amounts of cardiolipin incorporated fatty acids: increase in C16, decrease in C18, decrease in saturated fatty acid, as well as increase in amount of oxidized cardiolipin species. These changes were accompanied by significantly decreased capacity of oxidative phosphorylation. In conclusion, vitamin B6 deficiency in new born rats induces massive alterations of cardiolipin composition and function of liver mitochondria. These findings support the importance of sufficient periconceptional supply of vitamin B6 to prevent vitamin B6 deficiency.

Impact statement

Vitamin B6 (VitB6) is an active co-enzyme for more than 150 enzymes and is required for a great diversity of biosynthesis and metabolic reactions. There is an increased need for VitB6 during pregnancy and sufficient supply of VitB6 is crucial for the prevention of cleft palate and neural tube defects. We show that liver mitochondria from new-born rats with pre-term VitB6 deficiency respond with substantial alterations in cardiolipin (CL) composition and in the amount of oxidized CL species. These changes are associated with a decrease in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. The results of this study support the significance of sufficient supply of VitB6 during pregnancy (and periconceptional) for diminishing the number of early abortions and minimizing malformation. The established link between VitB6 deficiency, CL composition, and mitochondrial respiration/energy production provides mechanistic insight as to how the VitB6 deficiency translates into the known pathophysiological and clinically relevant conditions.
Genes with human-specific features are primarily involved with
brain, immune and metabolic evolution
Authors: Bitar Mainá , Kuiper Stefanie , O’Brien Elizabeth A. , Barry Guy
Published: November 2019

Background

Humans have adapted to widespread changes during the past 2 million
years in both environmental and lifestyle factors. This is evident in overall
body alterations such as average height and brain size. Although we can
appreciate the uniqueness of our species in many aspects, molecular variations
that drive such changes are far from being fully known and explained.
Comparative genomics is able to determine variations in genomic sequence that
may provide functional information to better understand species-specific
adaptations. A large number of human-specific genomic variations have been
reported but no currently available dataset comprises all of these, a problem
which contributes to hinder progress in the field.

Results

Here we critically update high confidence human-specific genomic
variants that mostly associate with protein-coding regions and find 856 related
genes. Events that create such human-specificity are mainly gene duplications,
the emergence of novel gene regions and sequence and structural alterations.
Functional analysis of these human-specific genes identifies adaptations to
brain, immune and metabolic systems to be highly involved. We further show that
many of these genes may be functionally associated with neural activity and
generating the expanded human cortex in dynamic spatial and temporal
contexts.

Conclusions

This comprehensive study contributes to the current knowledge by
considerably updating the number of human-specific genes following a critical
bibliographic survey. Human-specific genes were functionally assessed for the
first time to such extent, thus providing unique information. Our results are
consistent with environmental changes, such as immune challenges and alterations
in diet, as well as neural sophistication, as significant contributors to recent
human evolution.
Analyzing gene expression data for pediatric and adult cancer diagnosis using logic learning machine and standard supervised methods
Authors: Verda Damiano , Parodi Stefano , Ferrari Enrico , Muselli Marco
Published: November 2019

Background

Logic Learning Machine (LLM) is an innovative method of supervised analysis capable of constructing models based on simple and intelligible rules.

In this investigation the performance of LLM in classifying patients with cancer was evaluated using a set of eight publicly available gene expression databases for cancer diagnosis.

LLM accuracy was assessed by summary ROC curve (sROC) analysis and estimated by the area under ansROCcurve (sAUC). Its performance was compared in cross validation with that of standard supervised methods, namely: decision tree, artificial neural network, support vector machine (SVM) andk-nearest neighbor classifier.

Results

LLM showed an excellent accuracy (sAUC = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.98–1.0) and outperformed any other method except SVM.

Conclusions

LLM is a new powerful tool for the analysis of gene expression data for cancer diagnosis. Simple rules generated by LLM could contribute to a better understanding of cancer biology, potentially addressing therapeutic approaches.
Are personalities genetically determined? Inferences from subsocial spiders
Authors: Purcell Jessica , Pruitt Jonathan N.
Published: November 2019

Background

Recent research has revealed that polymorphic behavioral strategies shape intra-and interspecific interactions and contribute to fitness in many animal species. A better understanding of the proximate mechanisms underlying these behavioral syndromes will enhance our grasp this phenomenon. Spiders in the genusAnelosimusexhibit inter-individual behavioral variation on several axes: individuals have consistent responses to stimuli (e.g. bold vs. shy individuals) and they are subsocial (exhibiting extended maternal care and sibling cooperation) across most of their range, but they sometimes form permanent social groups in northern temperate regions. Here, we seek genetic variants associated with boldness and with social structure in a socially polymorphic population of the spiderAnelosimus studiosus.We also develop preliminary genomic resources, including a genome assembly and linkage map, that support this and future genomic research on this group.

Results

Remarkably, we identify a small genomic scaffold (~ 1200 bp) that harbors seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with boldness. Moreover, heterozygotes are less common than expected based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that either assortative mating or selection against heterozygotes may be occurring in this system. We find no loci significantly associated with social organization. Our draft genome assembly allows us to localize SNPs of interest in this study and to carry out genetic comparisons with other published genomes, although it remains highly fragmented.

Conclusions

By identifying a locus associated with a well-studied animal personality trait, this study opens up avenues for future research to link behavioral studies of animal personality with genotype and fitness.
Evaluation of neuropsychiatric comorbidities and their clinical characteristics in Chinese children with asthma using the MINI kid tool
Authors: Zhou Hao , Chen Zhihe , Zhao Weiqing , Liu Ye , Cui Yuxia
Published: November 2019

Background

The mental health and quality of life in children with asthma have attracted widespread attention. This study focused on the evaluation of mental health conditions and their clinical characteristics in Chinese children with asthma.

Methods

A total of 261 children with asthma aged 6 to 16 years old and 261 age- and gender-matched children from the general population were recruited to participate in this study from Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital. The parents of all subjects were interviewed using the MINI Kid and were required to finish a clinical characteristics questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of mental health conditions in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the control group (26.4% vs 14.6%, P < 0.001). A total of 10 mental health conditions was identified in the asthma group, the most common of which was ADHD (11.5%; 30/261), followed by oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (10.7%; 28/261), separation anxiety disorder (6.1%; 16/261), social anxiety disorder (3.8%; 10/261), specific phobias (2.3%; 6/261), agoraphobia without panic (1.5%; 4/261), (mild) manic episodes (1.1%; 3/261), major depressive episodes (MDEs) (0.8%; 2/261), movement (tic) disorder (0.8%; 2/261), and dysthymia (0.4%; 1/261). A total of 6 neuropsychiatric conditions was detected in the control group, including ODD (5.7%; 15/261), ADHD (4.6%; 12/261), social anxiety disorder (3.1%; 8/261), seasonal anxiety disorder (SAD) (2.3%; 6/261), specific phobias (1.1%; 3/261), and agoraphobia without panic (0.4%; 1/261). The prevalence rates of ODD, ADHD, and SAD differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that severe persistent asthma (OR = 3.077, 95% CI 1.286–7.361), poor asthma control (OR = 2.005, 95% CI 1.111–3.619), and having asthma for > 3 years (OR = 2.948, 95% CI 1.580–5.502) were independent risk factors for the presence of mental health conditions in asthmatic children.

Conclusions

Children with asthma have a higher rate of mental health conditions than non-asthmatic children. Standardized diagnosis and treatment may help reduce the risk of neuropsychiatric conditions.
Experimental Listeria–Tetrahymena–Amoeba food chain functioning depends on bacterial virulence traits
Authors: Pushkareva Valentina I. , Podlipaeva Julia I. , Goodkov Andrew V. , Ermolaeva Svetlana A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Some pathogenic bacteria have been developing as a part of terrestrial and aquatic microbial ecosystems. Bacteria are consumed by bacteriovorous protists which are readily consumed by larger organisms. Being natural predators, protozoa are also an instrument for selection of virulence traits in bacteria. Moreover, protozoa serve as a “Trojan horse” that deliver pathogens to the human body. Here, we suggested that carnivorous amoebas feeding on smaller bacteriovorous protists might serve as “Troy” themselves when pathogens are delivered to them with their preys. A dual role might be suggested for protozoa in the development of traits required for bacterial passage along the food chain.

Results

A model food chain was developed. Pathogenic bacteriaL. monocytogenesor related saprophytic bacteriaL. innocuaconstituted the base of the food chain, bacteriovorous ciliateTetrahymena pyriformiswas an intermediate consumer, and carnivorous amoebaAmoeba proteuswas a consumer of the highest order. The population ofA. proteusdemonstrated variations in behaviour depending on whether saprophytic or virulentListeriawas used to feed the intermediate consumer,T. pyriformis. Feeding ofA. proteuswithT. pyriformisthat grazed on saprophytic bacteria caused prevalence of pseudopodia-possessing hungry amoebas. Statistically significant prevalence of amoebas with spherical morphology typical for fed amoebas was observed when pathogenicL. monocytogeneswere included in the food chain. Moreover, consumption of tetrahymenas fed with saprophyticL. innocuaimproved growth ofA. proteuspopulation whileL. monocytogenes-filled tetrahymenas provided negative effect. Both pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria were delivered toA. proteusalive but onlyL. monocytogenesmultiplied within amoebas. Observed differences inA. proteuspopulation behaviour suggested that virulentL. monocytogenesmight slow down restoration ofA. proteusability to hunt again and thus restrict the size ofA. proteuspopulation. Comparison of isogenic bacterial pairs that did or did not produce the haemolysin listeriolysin O (LLO) suggested a role for LLO in passingL. monocytogenesalong the food chain.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea of protozoa as a means of pathogen delivery to consumers of a higher order and demonstrated a dual role of protozoa as both a “Trojan horse” and “Troy.”