bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Aquifer Storage and Recovery Feasibility Using Numerical Modeling and Geospatial Analysis: Application in Louisiana
Authors: LaHaye Olivia , Habib Emad H. , Vahdat‐Aboueshagh Hamid , Tsai Frank T.‐C. , Borrok David
Published: May 2021

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a solution for regions experiencing groundwater shortages, but is unexplored in wet regions such as Louisiana, which is experiencing aquifer overdrafting at alarming rates. Surface storage reservoirs are infeasible in these low‐gradient environments, so ASR can provide an alternative to alleviate groundwater stress and prevent subsidence and saltwater intrusion. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of ASR in the Chicot Aquifer in Southwest Louisiana. The study is based on a regional groundwater model combined with a geospatial analysis of the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater resources and land use. A statistical distribution was used to rate each criterion and combine them into a suitability index (SI) that defines each watershed’s feasibility considering combinations of criteria determined by the user’s purpose for ASR and the availability of data. The SI was formulated as a hybrid additive‐multiplicative function to provide flexibility in specifying criteria that are deemed most constraining for ASR feasibility. The analysis identified the east‐central zone of the Chicot Aquifer, which is experiencing substantial groundwater stress from agricultural irrigation, as most suited for ASR operations. Besides the criteria on water availability and aquifer characteristics, the quality of the surface water and land‐use considerations were key factors in constraining the feasible watersheds.
The maternal diet index in pregnancy is associated with offspring allergic diseases: the Healthy Start study
Authors: Venter Carina , Palumbo Michaela P. , Glueck Deborah H. , Sauder Katherine A. , O'Mahony Liam , Fleischer David M. , Ben‐Abdallah Miriam , Ringham Brandy M. , Dabelea Dana
Published: May 2021

Background

A systematic review showed limited associations between pregnancy diet and offspring allergy. We developed a maternal diet index during pregnancy that was associated with offspring allergy outcomes.

Methods

Data came from Healthy Start, a Colorado pre‐birth cohort of mother/offspring dyads. Food propensity questionnaires were completed during pregnancy. Offspring allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, wheeze, and food allergy diagnosis up to age four were verified from electronic medical records. Data were randomized into test and replication sets. The index included the weighted combination of variables that best predicted a combined outcome of any allergy in the test set. Index utility was verified in the replication set. Separate adjusted and unadjusted logistic models estimated associations between the index and each offspring allergy diagnosis in the full sample.

Results

The index included weighted measures of intake of vegetables, yogurt, fried potatoes, rice/grains, red meats, pure fruit juice, and cold cereals. Vegetables and yogurt were associated with the prevention of any allergy, while other components were associated with increased disease. In adjusted models, a one‐unit increase in the index was significantly associated with reduced odds of offspring allergic rhinitis (odds ratio (CI) 0.82 [0.72–0.94]), atopic dermatitis (0.77 [0.69–0.86]), asthma (0.84 [0.74–0.96]), and wheeze (0.80 [0.71–0.90]), but not food allergy (0.84 [0.66–1.08]).

Conclusions

This is the first study that has shown associations between an index of maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and multiple offspring allergic diseases. The results give hope for prevention of allergic diseases in utero.
Single‐blind clinical trial: Sperm selection based on capacity to pass through cumulus oophorous column improves ICSI outcomes
Authors: Sabet Sara , Najafi Mohammad Hasan , Tavalaee Marziyeh , Sadeghi Niloofar , Nasr‐Esfahani Mohammad H.
Published: May 2021

Background

Sperm selection procedures for future strategies that aim to select normal spermatozoa with intact DNA to improve intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes are in early developing stage.

Objectives

The objective is to find out whether the sperm selection procedure based on the ability of spermatozoa to traverse the cumulus cells could improve clinical outcomes of ICSI technique in infertile couples with male factor etiology.

Materials and methods

For this single‐blind clinical trial, mature metaphase II oocytes were retrieved from 150 couples with male factor infertility, male age lower than 45 years and female age under 38 years. These couples were divided into two groups. In control group (n = 75), spermatozoa processed by density gradient centrifugation (DGC) were used to inject the oocytes. In the study group (n = 75), the oocytes were divided into sibling groups. In one sibling group (DGC), the oocytes were inseminated with DGC‐processed spermatozoa while in the other group (DGC‐CC), they were inseminated with DGC‐processed spermatozoa that passed cumulus oophorous column.

Results

Mean fertilization and embryo quality were significantly higher in DGC‐CC group compared to DGC and control group. In addition, mean of chemical pregnancy (52.27% vs. 34.14%; p = 0.05), clinical pregnancy based on sac (52.27% vs. 32.92%; p = 0.03), clinical pregnancy with heart beat (52.27% vs. 25.60%; p = 0.003) and ongoing pregnancy (43.18% vs. 21.95%; p = 0.02) rates were significantly higher in DGC‐CC group compared to control group.

Conclusion

Sperm selection based on integrated systems such as DGC and ability to pass through cumulus oophorous column could improve clinical outcomes of ICSI in couples with male factor infertility.
Ratio of torus and equivalent power to refractive cylinder and spherical equivalent in phakic lenses – a Monte‐Carlo simulation study
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Schrecker Jens , Eppig Timo , Schröder Simon , Cayless Alan , Schwemm Michael , Nagy Zoltán , Szentmáry Nóra
Published: May 2021

Background

Spherical and astigmatic powers for phakic intraocular lenses are frequently calculated using fixed ratios of phakic lens refractive power to refractive spherical equivalent, and of phakic lens astigmatism to refractive cylinder. In this study, a Monte‐Carlo simulation based on biometric data was used to investigate how variations in biometrics affect these ratios, in order to improve the calculation of implantable lens parameters.

Methods

A data set of over sixteen thousand biometric measurements including axial length, phakic anterior chamber depth, and corneal equivalent and astigmatic power was used to construct a multidimensional probability density distribution. From this, we determined the axial position of the implanted lens and estimated the refractive spherical equivalent and refractive cylinder. A generic data model resampled the density distributions and interactions between variables, and the implantable lens power was determined using vergence propagation.

Results

50 000 artificial data sets were used to calculate the phakic lens spherical equivalent and astigmatism required for emmetropization, and to determine the corresponding ratios for these two values. The spherical ratio ranged from 1.0640 to 1.3723 and the astigmatic ratio from 1.0501 to 1.4340. Both ratios are unaffected by the corneal spherical / astigmatic powers, or the refractive cylinder, but show strong correlation with the refractive spherical equivalent, mild correlation with the lens axial position, and moderate negative correlation with axial length. As a simplification, these ratios could be modelled using a bi‐variable linear regression based on the first two of these factors.

Conclusion

Fixed spherical and astigmatic ratios should not be used when selecting high refractive power phakic IOLs as their variation can result in refractive errors of up to ±0.3 D for a 8 D lens. Both ratios can be estimated with clinically acceptable precision using a linear regression based on the refractive spherical equivalent and the axial position.
Efficacy of ginger as antiemetic in children with acute gastroenteritis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nocerino Rita , Cecere Gaetano , Micillo Maria , De Marco Giulio , Ferri Pasqualina , Russo Mariateresa , Bedogni Giorgio , Berni Canani Roberto
Published: May 2021

Background

Ginger is a spice with a long history of use as a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting. No data on the efficacy of ginger are presently available for children with vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE).

Aim

To test whether ginger can reduce vomiting in children with AGE.

Methods

Double‐blind, randomised placebo‐controlled trial in outpatients aged 1 to 10 years with AGE‐associated vomiting randomised to ginger or placebo. The primary outcome was the occurrence of ≥1 episode of vomiting after the first dose of treatment. Severity of vomiting and safety were also assessed.

Results

Seventy‐five children were randomised to the ginger arm and 75 to the placebo arm. Five children in the ginger arm and 4 in the placebo arm refused to participate in the study shortly after randomisation, leaving 70 children in the ginger arm and 71 in the placebo arm (N = 141). At intention‐to‐treat analysis (N = 150), assuming that all children lost to follow‐up had reached the primary outcome, the incidence of the main outcome was 67% (95% CI 56 to 77) in the ginger group and 87% (95% CI 79 to 94) in the placebo group, corresponding to the absolute risk reduction for the ginger versus the placebo group of −20% (95% CI −33% to −7%, P = 0.003), with a number needed to treat of 5 (95% CI 3 to 15).

Conclusion

Oral administration of ginger is effective and safe at improving vomiting in children with AGE.

Trial registration: The trial was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ with the identifier NCT02701491.
Effects of a topical treatment with spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor in healthy subjects and patients with cold urticaria or chronic spontaneous urticaria: Results of a phase 1a/b randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Dickson Marion C. , Walker Alexandra , Grattan Clive , Perry Hayley , Williams Nicola , Ratia Nirav , Dewit Odile , Gisbert Sophie , Metz Martin , Maurer Marcus
Published: May 2021

Aims

To explore the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PD) of GSK2646264 using skin challenge models.

Methods

Healthy volunteers (HV) with a positive allergen skin prick test received GSK2646264 (0.5% or 1% ww) and placebo creams on up to 10% body surface area (BSA). Cold (ColdU) or chronic spontaneous (CSU) urticaria patients received 1% GSK2646264 or placebo on up to 10% BSA. PD assessments included weal characteristics after skin allergen challenge, critical temperature threshold (CTT) in ColdU patients and defined area urticaria activity score in CSU patients.

Results

Thirty‐four patients were randomised (17 HV, 12 ColdU, 5 CSU). Topical application of GSK2646264 and placebo was well tolerated. Systemic pharmacokinetics (AUC [0–24] h*ng/mL) was similar between HVs (Geomean 97.9 [%CV 37]) and ColdU patients (Geomean 68.2 [%CV 14; 3.5% BSA] or 167 [%CV 120; 10% BSA]). Whilst in HVs a similar reduction in skin allergen challenge weal area was observed following 3 applications of GSK2646264 and placebo, a trend towards a greater reduction was seen in ColdU with GSK2646264 compared to placebo. A clinically meaningful reduction in CTT, in ColdU patients treated with GSK2646264, was observed in 4 of 9 patients, who demonstrated either a complete inhibition of ColdU to ≤4°C (n = 2) or partial response (reduction by >4°C, n = 2). Due to the small number of CSU patients recruited, no meaningful conclusions could be drawn from the defined area urticaria activity score PD endpoint.

Conclusion

This Phase 1/1b study confirms that GSK2646264 cream applied topically penetrates the skin and some reduction in CTT was observed.

(NCT02424799)
The Staufen1‐dependent cell cycle regulon or how a misregulated RNA‐binding protein leads to cancer
Authors: Bonnet‐Magnaval Florence , DesGroseillers Luc
Published: May 2021

In recent years, an increasing number of reports have linked the RNA‐binding protein Staufen1 (STAU1) to the control of cell decision making. In non‐transformed cells, STAU1 balances the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) regulons that regulate differentiation and well‐ordered cell division. Misregulation of STAU1 expression and/or functions changes the fragile balance in the expression of pro‐ and anti‐proliferative and apoptotic genes and favours a novel equilibrium that supports cell proliferation and cancer development. The misregulation of STAU1 functions causes multiple coordinated modest effects in the post‐transcriptional regulation of many RNA targets that code for cell cycle regulators, leading to dramatic consequences at the cellular level. The new tumorigenic equilibrium in STAU1‐mediated gene regulation observed in cancer cells can be further altered by a slight increase in STAU1 expression that favours expression of pro‐apoptotic genes and cell death. The STAU1‐dependent cell cycle regulon is a good model to study how abnormal expression of an RNA‐binding protein promotes cell growth and provides an advantageous selection of malignant cells in the first step of cancer development.
Large tree species composition, not growth rates, is affected by topography in a Bornean tropical forest
Authors: Limin Army , Slik Ferry , Sukri Rahayu Sukmaria , Chen Sheng‐Bin , Ahmad Joffre Ali
Published: May 2021

Large trees (diameter at breast height ≥50 cm) play a vital role in providing ecological services in tropical forests and can store up to 50% of aboveground biomass. We expected that topography (as a nutrient and drought proxy) would affect large tree dynamics, biomass, diversity, and composition patterns. To test this, we established a 15‐ha permanent plot at Andulau Forest Reserve (Brunei Darussalam, Borneo) with an elevation ranging from 42 m (swamp) to 92 m (ridge tops). All 559 large trees (131 species) were labeled, identified, and fitted with dendrometers. Stem density, basal area (BA), soil and litter properties, absolute diameter growth rate (AGR), and recruitment and mortality rates of large trees were determined for five elevational zones for the period 2016–2019. Stem density and BA of large trees were significantly higher in the upslope and ridge areas of the plot, and a clear shift in large tree species composition was found across the elevational zones, with the swampy area differing most from all others. However, AGR did not differ between elevational zones. Large tree mortality was balanced by recruitment, but sample size was too low to detect topographical patterns. Our findings suggest that the large tree community retained similar growth rates across soil water and nutrient gradient via a shift in species composition. If so, predicted declines in large tree productivity with climate change may, over time, also be offset by changes in species composition.
The Predictive Value of Non‐Referential Beat Gestures: Early Use in Parent–Child Interactions Predicts Narrative Abilities at 5 Years of Age
Authors: Vilà‐Giménez Ingrid , Dowling Natalie , Demir‐Lira Ö. Ece , Prieto Pilar , Goldin‐Meadow Susan
Published: May 2021

A longitudinal study with 45 children (Hispanic, 13%; non‐Hispanic, 87%) investigated whether the early production of non‐referential beat and flip gestures, as opposed to referential iconic gestures, in parent–child naturalistic interactions from 14 to 58 months old predicts narrative abilities at age 5. Results revealed that only non‐referential beats significantly (p < .01) predicted later narrative productions. The pragmatic functions of the children’s speech that accompany these gestures were also analyzed in a representative sample of 18 parent‐child dyads, revealing that beats were typically associated with biased assertions or questions. These findings show that the early use of beats predicts narrative abilities later in development, and suggest that this relation is likely due to the pragmatic–structuring function that beats reflect in early discourse.
Probing Lexical Ambiguity: Word Vectors Encode Number and Relatedness of Senses
Authors: Beekhuizen Barend , Armstrong Blair C. , Stevenson Suzanne
Published: May 2021

Lexical ambiguity—the phenomenon of a single word having multiple, distinguishable senses—is pervasive in language. Both the degree of ambiguity of a word (roughly, its number of senses) and the relatedness of those senses have been found to have widespread effects on language acquisition and processing. Recently, distributional approaches to semantics, in which a word's meaning is determined by its contexts, have led to successful research quantifying the degree of ambiguity, but these measures have not distinguished between the ambiguity of words with multiple related senses versus multiple unrelated meanings. In this work, we present the first assessment of whether distributional meaning representations can capture the ambiguity structure of a word, including both the number and relatedness of senses. On a very large sample of English words, we find that some, but not all, distributional semantic representations that we test exhibit detectable differences between sets of monosemes (unambiguous words; N = 964), polysemes (with multiple related senses; N = 4,096), and homonyms (with multiple unrelated senses; N = 355). Our findings begin to answer open questions from earlier work regarding whether distributional semantic representations of words, which successfully capture various semantic relationships, also reflect fine‐grained aspects of meaning structure that influence human behavior. Our findings emphasize the importance of measuring whether proposed lexical representations capture such distinctions: In addition to standard benchmarks that test the similarity structure of distributional semantic models, we need to also consider whether they have cognitively plausible ambiguity structure.
Correlations Between Handshape and Movement in Sign Languages
Authors: Napoli Donna Jo , Ferrara Casey
Published: May 2021

Sign language phonological parameters are somewhat analogous to phonemes in spoken language. Unlike phonemes, however, there is little linguistic literature arguing that these parameters interact at the sublexical level. This situation raises the question of whether such interaction in spoken language phonology is an artifact of the modality or whether sign language phonology has not been approached in a way that allows one to recognize sublexical parameter interaction. We present three studies in favor of the latter alternative: a shape‐drawing study with deaf signers from six countries, an online dictionary study of American Sign Language, and a study of selected lexical items across 34 sign languages. These studies show that, once iconicity is considered, handshape and movement parameters interact at the sublexical level. Thus, consideration of iconicity makes transparent similarities in grammar across both modalities, allowing us to maintain certain key findings of phonological theory as evidence of cognitive architecture.
Expanding Echo: Coordinated Head Articulations as Nonmanual Enhancements in Sign Language Phonology
Authors: Loos Cornelia , Napoli Donna Jo
Published: May 2021

Echo phonology was originally proposed to account for obligatory coordination of manual and mouth articulations observed in several sign languages. However, previous research into the phenomenon lacks clear criteria for which components of movement can or must be copied when the articulators are so different. Nor is there discussion of which nonmanual articulators can echo manual movement. Given the prosodic properties of echoes (coordination of onset/offset and of dynamics such as speed) as well as general motoric coordination of various articulators in the human body, we expect that the mouth is not the only nonmanual articulator involved in echo phonology. In this study, we look at a fixed set of lexical items across 36 sign languages and establish that the head can echo manual movement with respect to timing and to the axis/axes of manual movement. We propose that what matters in echo phonology is the visual percept of temporally coordinated movement that repeats a salient movement property in such a way as to give the visual impression of a copy. Our findings suggest that echoes are not obligatory motor couplings of two or more articulators but may enhance phonological distinctions that are otherwise difficult to see.
Concept Appraisal
Authors: Thorne Sapphira R. , Quilty‐Dunn Jake , Smortchkova Joulia , Shea Nicholas , Hampton James A.
Published: May 2021

This paper reports the first empirical investigation of the hypothesis that epistemic appraisals form part of the structure of concepts. To date, studies of concepts have focused on the way concepts encode properties of objects and the way those features are used in categorization and in other cognitive tasks. Philosophical considerations show the importance of also considering how a thinker assesses the epistemic value of beliefs and other cognitive resources and, in particular, concepts. We demonstrate that there are multiple, reliably judged, dimensions of epistemic appraisal of concepts. Four of these dimensions are accounted for by a common underlying factor capturing how well people believe they understand a concept. Further studies show how dimensions of concept appraisal relate to other aspects of concepts. First, they relate directly to the hierarchical organization of concepts, reflecting the increase in specificity from superordinate to basic and subordinate levels. Second, they predict inductive choices in category‐based induction. Our results suggest that epistemic appraisals of concepts form a psychologically important yet previously overlooked aspect of the structure of concepts. These findings will be important in understanding why individuals sometimes abandon and replace certain concepts; why social groups do so, for example, during a “scientific revolution”; and how we can facilitate such changes when we engage in deliberate “conceptual engineering” for epistemic, social, and political purposes.
The Sound of Smell: Associating Odor Valence With Disgust Sounds
Authors: Speed Laura J. , Atkinson Hannah , Wnuk Ewelina , Majid Asifa
Published: May 2021

Olfaction has recently been highlighted as a sense poorly connected with language. Odor is difficult to verbalize, and it has few qualities that afford mimicry by vision or sound. At the same time, emotion is thought to be the most salient dimension of an odor, and it could therefore be an olfactory dimension more easily communicated. We investigated whether sounds imitative of an innate disgust response can be associated with unpleasant odors. In two experiments, participants were asked to make a forced choice between a pseudoword including a disgust sound and a neutral pseudoword, for pleasant and unpleasant odors. Overall, participants chose more disgust pseudowords than neutral pseudowords for unpleasant odors, but this was not the case for pleasant odors. This effect was not driven by a general association between unpleasant sounds and unpleasant odors, but specifically the sounds [x/χ] and [f], thought to reflect physical responses to disgusting odors, as seen in the Polish fu! or the English ugh!. In line with growing evidence that language can encode odor, we provide the first experimental evidence for an association between the sound of a word and odor valence.
Assessment of human fetal cardiac autonomic nervous system development using color tissue Doppler imaging
Authors: Zwanenburg Fleur , Jongbloed Monique R. M. , van Geloven Nan , ten Harkel Arend D. J. , van Lith Jan M. M. , Haak Monique C.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Functional development of the fetal cardiac autonomic nervous system (cANS) plays a key role in fetal maturation and can be assessed through fetal heart rate variability (fHRV)‐analysis, with each HRV parameter representing different aspects of cANS activity. Current available techniques, however, are unable to assess the fHRV parameters accurately throughout the whole pregnancy. This study aims to test the feasibility of color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) as a new ultrasound technique for HRV analysis. Secondly, we explored time trends of fHRV parameters using this technique.

Methods

18 healthy singleton fetuses were examined sequentially every 8 weeks from 10 weeks GA onwards. From each examination, 3 cTDI recordings of the four‐chamber view of 10 seconds were retrieved to determine accurate beat‐to‐beat intervals. The fHRV parameters SDNN, RMSSD, SDNN/RMSSD, and pNN10, each representing different functional aspects of the cANS, were measured, and time trends during pregnancy were explored using spline functions within a linear mixed‐effects model.

Results

In total, 77% (95% Cl 66–87%) of examinations were feasible for fHRV analysis from the first trimester onwards, which is a great improvement compared to other techniques. The technique is able to determine different maturation rates of the fHRV parameters, showing that cANS function, presumably parasympathetic activity, establishes around 20 weeks GA and matures rapidly until 30 weeks GA.

Conclusions

This is the first study able to assess cANS function through fHRV analysis from the first trimester onwards. The use of cTDI to determine beat‐to‐beat intervals seems feasible in just 3 clips of 10 seconds, which holds promise for future clinical use in assessing fetal well‐being.
Myeloid sarcoma of the heart: Extramedullary relapse of acute myeloblastic leukemia, presenting with complete heart block and atrial flutter after second allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Babaoğlu Kadir , Azizoğlu Mehmet , Başar Eviç Zeynep , Zengin Emine , Usta Emre , Sarper Nazan
Published: May 2021

We report isolated extramedullary relapse in a 14‐year‐old boy, sequentially presenting with intestinal and cardiac myeloid sarcoma (MS). Acute myeloblastic leukemia M5 was diagnosed 41 months ago. On the 14th month of the second HSCT, he presented with ileus and underwent surgical treatment. After 2 weeks, arrhythmia, bradycardia, complete heart block, and atrial flutter developed and echocardiography revealed multiple cardiac masses. There was no bone marrow relapse but pathology of the intestinal biopsy showed leukemic infiltration. Patient was successfully treated with a permanent pacemaker and salvage chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pediatric cardiac MS developed after HSCT.
Systemic administration of ivabradine, a hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel inhibitor, blocks spontaneous absence seizures
Authors: Iacone Yasmine , Morais Tatiana P. , David François , Delicata Francis , Sandle Joanna , Raffai Timea , Parri Harri Rheinallt , Weisser Johan Juhl , Bundgaard Christoffer , Klewe Ib Vestergaard , Tamás Gábor , Thomsen Morten Skøtt , Crunelli Vincenzo , Lőrincz Magor L.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels are known to be involved in the generation of absence seizures (ASs), and there is evidence that cortical and thalamic HCN channel dysfunctions may have a proabsence role. Many HCN channel blockers are available, but their role in ASs has been investigated only by localized brain injection or in in vitro model systems due to their limited brain availability. Here, we investigated the effect on ASs of orally administered ivabradine (an HCN channel blocker approved for the treatment of heart failure in humans) following injection of the P‐glycoprotein inhibitor elacridar, which is known to increase penetration into the brain of drug substrates for this efflux transporter. The action of ivabradine was also tested following in vivo microinjection into the cortical initiation network (CIN) of the somatosensory cortex and in the thalamic ventrobasal nucleus (VB) as well as on cortical and thalamocortical neurons in brain slices.

Methods

We used electroencephalographic recordings in freely moving Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats From Strasbourg (GAERSs) to assess the action of oral administration of ivabradine, with and without elacridar, on ASs. Ivabradine was also microinjected into the CIN and VB of GAERSs in vivo and applied to Wistar CIN and GAERS VB slices while recording patch‐clamped cortical Layer 5/6 and thalamocortical neurons, respectively.

Results

Oral administration of ivabradine markedly and dose‐dependently reduced ASs. Ivabradine injection into CIN abolished ASs and elicited small‐amplitude 4–7‐Hz waves (without spikes), whereas in the VB it was less potent. Moreover, ivabradine applied to GAERS VB and Wistar CIN slices selectively decreased HCN channel‐dependent properties of cortical Layer 5/6 pyramidal and thalamocortical neurons, respectively.

Significance

These results provide the first demonstration of the antiabsence action of a systemically administered HCN channel blocker, indicating the potential of this class of drugs as a novel therapeutic avenue for ASs.
Economic forecasts, anchoring bias, and stock returns
Authors: Birz Gene , Dutta Sandip , Yu Han
Published: May 2021

By utilizing survey forecasts of macroeconomic statistics, we find that market participants’ expectations are not rational as they exhibit an anchoring bias. The forecasts systematically underpredict macroeconomic statistics and the forecast errors are predicted by past macroeconomic announcements. Most importantly, we find that the stock market does not see through this bias, that is, we find statistically significant stock price effects of “anticipated” components of macroeconomic announcements. Investors overweight the importance of historical information and do not make sufficient adjustments after the arrival of new information.
Diversity in cell differentiation, histology, phenotype and vasculature of mass‐forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas
Authors: Nguyen Canh Hiep , Takahashi Kenta , Yamamura Minako , Li Zihan , Sato Yasunori , Yoshimura Kaori , Kozaka Kazuto , Tanaka Minoru , Nakanuma Yasuni , Harada Kenichi
Published: May 2021

Aims

Mass‐forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (MF‐iCCAs), involving small bile ducts, bile ductules or canals of Hering, remain treated as a single entity. We aimed to examine the diversity in histology, phenotype and tumour vasculature of MF‐iCCAs.

Methods and results

Based on morphology and immunophenotype, we classified MF‐iCCAs into small bile duct (SBD), cholangiolocarcinoma (CLC), ductal plate malformation (DPM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐like subtypes. Genetic correlations among the histological subtypes were examined by multi‐region tumour sequencing. Vasculatures and other clinicopathological features were compared among tumour groups with various proportions of the histological subtypes in 62 MF‐iCCAs. Cases of pure SBD, CLC, DPM and HCC‐like subtypes numbered 18 (29%), seven (11.3%), none (0%) and two (3%), respectively; the remaining 35 (56.4%) cases comprised several components. Genetic alterations, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2, KRAS, TP53, polybromo‐1 (PBRM1) and BRCA1‐associated protein 1 (BAP1), were shared among SBD, CLC, DPM and hepatoid components within a tumour. We uncovered distinct vascularisation mechanisms among SBD, CLC and DPM subtypes with a prominent vessel co‐option in CLC tumours. iCCA with a DPM pattern had the highest vascular densities (mean microvascular density,140/mm2; arterial vessel density, 18.3/mm2). Increased CLC component was correlated with longer overall survival time (r = 0.44, P = 0.006). Pure SBD tumours had a lower 5‐year overall survival rate compared with MF‐iCCA with CLC pattern (30.5 versus 72.4%, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

MF‐iCCAs comprise four histological subtypes. Given their sharing some driver gene alterations, indicating they can have a common cell origin, SBD, CLC and DPM subtypes, however, differ in cell differentiation, histology, phenotype or tumour vasculature.
Clinical comparison of instrumentation systems for periodontal debridement: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Puglisi Rosario , Santos Antonio , Pujol Angels , Ferrari Marco , Nart José , Pascual Andrés
Published: May 2021

Objective

To compare clinical efficacy, chairside time and post‐treatment hypersensitivity of four instruments used for subgingival periodontal debridement.

Materials & Methods

Seventeen patients with stage II and III periodontitis were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial using a split‐mouth design. Quadrants were randomly divided into four treatment groups: Group A: Gracey curettes‐Hu‐Friedy®; Group B: piezoelectric ultrasonic (Satelec®) with No.1S insert; Group C: diamond burs 40 µm (Intensiv Perioset®); and Group D: piezosurgery ultrasonic (Mectron®) with PP1 insert. Clinical outcomes, chairside time and hypersensitivity were assessed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome variable was improvement in clinical attachment level.

Results

At 8 weeks post‐treatment, Gracey curettes, piezoelectric ultrasonic (Satelec®) and piezosurgery ultrasonic (Mectron®) were statistically more effective than diamond burs in increasing attachment level and reducing probing pocket depth. Comparison of piezoelectric ultrasonic (Satelec®) and piezosurgery ultrasonic (Mectron®) with the other instruments showed a statistical difference (p < 0.001) in chairside time. Regarding post‐treatment hypersensitivity, no statistical differences were observed in any of the groups.

Conclusions

Gracey curettes, piezoelectric ultrasonic (Satelec®) and piezosurgery ultrasonic (Mectron®) were clinically more effective than diamond burs 40 µm. The ultrasonic instruments showed a significant reduction in chairside time.
Graphene‐doped ZnS nanoparticles synthesized via hydrothermal route for enhanced electrocatalytic performance
Authors: Bhushan Medha , Jha Ranjana , Bhardwaj Rekha , Sharma Reetu
Published: May 2021

Energy and ecological issues increase high stress on the growth of a sustainable energy system. Better electrocatalysts is an imperative way to achieve this goal. This manuscript highlights the electronic energy state and surface area engineering of zinc sulfide (ZnS) in the nanoscale regime. These properties make ZnS, an appropriate electrocatalyst for various energy applications. It was attained by controlling the concentration of graphene into ZnS nanoparticles. Graphene‐doped ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by simple hydrothermal route. Graphene hugely affects the structural, surface, optical, and electrochemical properties of ZnS nanoparticles. Here, 10% doping of graphene into ZnS nanoparticles double its surface area, and consequently, all other properties get varied. This sample shows the highest specific surface area of 143.05 m2/g and the highest pore diameter value of 6.02 nm. Electrocatalytic performance for synthesized samples has been verified using electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. Using CV data analysis, peak current response with scan rate suggests that synthesized samples with higher graphene concentration have poor capacitive behavior. ZnS with 10% concentration of graphene possesses the highest capacitive behavior due to the fast transfer of charge/ions. Rate of flow of charge/ions into or on the electrodes is measured by a quantity called diffusion coefficient, have been calculated. Hence, the optimization of the doping concentration of graphene on ZnS is essential to obtain enhanced properties for energy applications. Also, the large concentration of graphene shield the absorption of electrolyte on ZnS surface, leading to weak electrocatalytic performance. EIS analysis reveals that smaller solution resistance and charge transfer resistance values are a sign of better electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic activity of the electrode materials. Various other characteristics studies like field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been done to confirm graphene‐doped ZnS nanoparticles’ formation and compare the properties variation from pure ZnS to graphene‐doped ZnS nanoparticles.
Transient changes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during dulce de leche preparation by a direct injection mass spectrometer based on proton transfer reaction (PTR‐MS)
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md , Haque Md Azizul , Banasaz Shahin , Morozova Ksenia , Ferrentino Giovanna , Scampicchio Matteo
Published: May 2021

The capacity of a direct injection mass spectrometer based on proton transfer reaction (PTR‐MS) to monitor the transient changes of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during dulce de leche production was investigated. We found a correlation between the mass fingerprint and some physio‐chemical properties of the dulce de leche samples. The intensity of the selected mass fragments related to VOCs was positively correlated with the changes of solids content but negatively with that of water activity. Rheological and textural changes were also highly correlated with the intensity observed for several mass fragments. Hence, this relationship could be useful to predict the textural and rheological changes during heating a complex fluid. Although not all the correlations between physical changes and VOCs formation reflected a direct cause–effect relationship, but those results demonstrated the suitability of the PTR‐MS technique to monitor the quality changes even in complex food mixture during thermal processing.
Microstructure of mayenite 12CaO·7Al2O3 and electron emission characteristics
Authors: Sayir Ali , Berger Marie‐Hélène , Back Tyson C. , Mackey Jonathan
Published: May 2021

Electron emission characteristic, electrical conductivity of polycrystalline mayenite (12CaO·7Al2O3) electride, formation of [Ca24Al28O64]4+(e−)4 framework as a function of phase content, and microstructure have been investigated. The mayenite microstructure was investigated using high‐resolution transmission microscopy which revealed the type cage structure of 12CaO·7Al2O3 partially filled by extra‐framework oxygen ions. Incorporation of electrons by means of carbon ion template 12CaO·7Al2O3 produces complex structure, and an incomplete ion template 12CaO·7Al2O3 structure consisting of mixture of a [Ca24Al28O64]4+(e−)4 and [Ca24Al28O64]4+(O2−)2 framework had a direct effect on the electron emission. Surface chemistry and stability of the 12CaO·7Al2O3 electride have been studied using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The work function of phase pure 12CaO·7Al2O3 electride was determined from direct thermionic emission data and compared to the measurement from ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Depending on the extent of ion template of 12CaO·7Al2O3 structure, a work function of 0.9–1.2 eV and 2.1–2.4 eV has been measured and thermionic emission initiating at 600°C.
Nursing home performance in a trial to reduce hospitalizations: Implications for future trials
Authors: Ouslander Joseph G. , Reyes Bernardo , Yang Zhiyou , Engstrom Gabriella , Tappen Ruth , Newman David , Huckfeldt Peter J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Experience in trials of implementing quality improvement (QI) programs in nursing homes (NHs) has been variable. Understanding the characteristics of NHs that demonstrate improvements during these trials is critical to improving NH care.

Design

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of implementation of a QI program to reduce hospital transfers.

Participants

Seventy‐one NHs that completed the 12‐month trial

Intervention

Implementation included distance‐learning strategies, involvement of a champion, regular submission of data on hospitalizations and root cause analyses of transfers, and training, feedback and support.

Measurements

Primary outcomes included all‐cause and potentially avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits per 1000 NH resident days, and the percentage of residents readmitted in 30‐days. We compared multiple other variables that could influence effective program implementation in NHs in the highest versus lowest quartile of changes in the primary outcomes.

Results

The 18 high‐performing NHs had significant reductions in hospitalization and ED visits, whereas the 18 NHs in the low‐performing group had increases. The difference in changes in each outcome varied between a reduction of 0.75 and 2.30 events relative to a NH with a census of 100; the absolute difference in 30‐day readmissions was 19%. None of the variables we examined reached significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons between the groups. There was no consistent pattern of differences in nonprofit status, nursing staffing, and quality ratings.

Conclusion

Our experience and reviews of other NH trials suggest that key factors contributing to successful implementation QI programs in NHs remain unclear. To improve NH care, implementation trials should account for intervention fidelity and factors that have not been examined in detail, such as degree and nature of leadership support, financial and regulatory incentives, quality measures, resident and family perspectives, and the availability of onsite high‐quality medical care and support of the medical director.
Politically directed accumulation in rural China: The making of the agrarian capitalist class and the new agrarian question of capital
Authors: Zhang Qian Forrest , Zeng Hongping
Published: May 2021

We study the formation of the agrarian capitalist class in the pig farming sector in a Chinese county. We propose a new framework for analyzing the dynamics of accumulation and class formation in agriculture that focuses on the role of the state and public resources. In what we call “politically directed accumulation,” local states in China, driven by a political logic of maximizing fiscal resources and improving performance record, select actors who either have accumulated non‐agrarian capital or possess political capital to serve as their agents (political selection) and then capitalize their farming operations by transferring to them public resources (political capitalization), creating a new agrarian capitalist class. The accumulation in this case happens largely without the dispossession of other agricultural producers but instead is assisted by the state's mobilization of public resources. This study advances the call for the renewal of the agrarian question of capital and proposes that the role of the state is now the most important factor in creating different paths of agrarian transition.
Gigantic parasitic leiomyoma of 19 kg in a postmenopausal woman: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: De Brakeleer Evy , Van Eeckhout Eddy , Sahebali Shaira , Cosyns Stefan
Published: May 2021

Parasitic leiomyomas are a rare subtype of subserosal uterine leiomyomas and are mostly found incidentally. Diagnosis is challenging and treatment consists out of complete surgical resection. Cases are few in women without history of uterine surgery. In this extraordinary case, a 56‐year‐old menopausal female suffering from backache and abdominal swelling, was suspected to have a huge malignant ovarian tumor. She underwent a resection of the mass along with hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oöphorectomy. Histopathology revealed a gigantic leiomyoma of 19.1 kg in the broad ligament. This unique case suggests taking this diagnosis into account in future clinical cases presenting with large abdominal masses even without previous uterine surgery.
Reframing the History of the Competition Concept: Neoliberalism, Meritocracy, Modernity
Authors: Hearn Jonathan
Published: May 2021

This paper reframes the concept of competition, arguing that recent tendencies to frame it in the context of neoliberalism are too narrow to grasp its full significance. We need to see how it operates well beyond the capitalist economy, as a social and not just theoretical concept. I contextualise it in a deeper history, going back to the eighteenth century, beginning with an empirical examination of the development of the concept in English language dictionaries and encyclopaedias, using a method of ‘conceptual history’. I show how the concept, its grammatical forms, and characteristic associations have evolved substantially since the eighteenth century. This finding is placed in a broader explanatory context, arguing that it is the combined rise of a set of core institutions of modernity, not just capitalism but also democracy, adversarial law, science, and civil society, that deeply embeds competition in the modern world. The decline of aristocratic and religious authority, and the national subordination of martial power, opened the way for more ‘liberal’ forms of society in which authority is routinely contested through competition, across economy, politics, culture and beliefs. Appreciating this is a necessary step towards truly grappling with the effects of competition on modern life.
Defensive decision making: Operationalization and the relevance of psychological safety and job insecurity from a conservation of resources perspective
Authors: Marx‐Fleck Stefanie , Junker Nina M. , Artinger Florian , van Dick Rolf
Published: May 2021

Defensive decision making occurs when the decision‐maker does not choose the option that is in the best interest of an organization or client but instead chooses a less effective but lower risk alternative that protects him or her in case something goes wrong. Such decisions are widespread across occupations and sectors and cause substantive damage to organizations. In a first step, we developed a scale to measure defensive decision making and test its validity. The scale covers two distinct but related dimensions: avoidance and approach. In a subsequent, two‐wave study, we examined the antecedents of defensive decision making using conservation of resources theory as a theoretical lens. An environment characterized by higher psychological safety can reduce resource depletion and diminishes defensive decision making. In contrast, job insecurity can result in a threat to personal resources, which increases the likelihood that employees choose defensive decision​s.

Practitioners points

People engage in defensive decision making as a means to protect their own resources from exhaustion.

Organizations can reduce the number of defensive decisions by enhancing situational resources such as psychological safety.

The short and preliminarily validated scale we developed can be used to make defensive decisions visible in organizations.