bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailored Low-Cost Homemade Retrieval Bag for Laparoscopic Splenectomy, A Valid Option in Resource Limited Settings
Authors: Mostafa Amir Ismail Ibrahim Abo , Shehata Mohamed Ali , Attar Ashraf Ahmed El , Aly Hesham Fayad , Shehata Sherif Mohamed
Published: November 2024

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the gold standard technique for patients undergoing elective splenectomy currently. The presence of retrieval bag is essential to extract the spleen from the abdomen whether by crushing or morcellation. Commercial retrieval bags are expensive and often not readily available, especially in resource-limited settings. This work assessed the advantages and efficacy of homemade retrieval bags including cost assessment in laparoscopic splenectomy.
Methods: This prospective study included 20 pediatric and adolescent patients less than 21 years old who had LS. Demographic data, clinical examination, operative time, retrieval time, hospital stay, and complications were documented. Also, effectiveness of the retrieval bag that was tailored from a sterile endoscopy camera cover.
Results: The mean operative time was 67.25 ± 5.69 min, and retrieval time was 24.2 ± 2.93 min. The mean hospital stays were 1.75 ± 0.72 days. Regarding complications, fever occurred in 4 patients (20%) patients, while port site infection occurred in 2 patients (10%) and bag perforation occurred in 1 patient (5%) patient. This home retrieval bag is significantly showed cost reduction.
Conclusions: Using homemade retrieval bags during LS improves LS efficiency and reduces the length of hospital stays and didn’t differ in postoperative complications as compared to commercial bags.
Development of a Knowledge Assessment Tool to Measure Farmers' Understanding of Improved Groundnut Cultivation Practices
Authors: Sirilakshmi Y , Gogoi Bidyut P , Borthakur Abhilasa K , Gogoi Rekhamoni , Pathak Karabi
Published: November 2024

This study focused on assessing farmers' knowledge of improved cultivation practices in groundnut farming. An initial pool of 40 knowledge-related items was developed, drawing from various sources such as literature, input from field extension personnel, insights from relevant specialists, and the researchers' own expertise. After applying statistical procedures to ensure the reliability and validity of the knowledge test, the final set was refined to 21 items. This standardized knowledge test serves as a tool for evaluating the extent of farmers' understanding of advanced groundnut cultivation practices.
Cross-generation and Cross-country Evidence on Productive Factors’ Virtual Movements
Authors: Edgeweblime Kcodgoh L.
Published: November 2024

A qualitative evaluation of the decreasing of abundant factor and the increasing of scarce one in HO model is to consider the movements’ effects of the Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF). Using Agent-based Modelling (ABM) and for regressions, we will use the maximum likelihood method on panel data. The number of observations for the sample at 108 countries is 3240 and 630 for the sample of 25 developed countries, I find growth volatility in the cross-country and cross-generation’s evidence is due to PPF disturbance. This disturbance shall depend on the assumption that economic agents in a given nation or generation can commit more or less serious miss-choices, which they can then repent of. But these miss-choices affect production and consumption more or less considerably, in terms of purchasing or production rights. However, the great global community’s tendency to return to right choices, ensures a serendipitous equilibrium in a context of overlapping generations and nations. There is an auto-errors correction between old and young (living and dead generations and between old and young countries) ensuring a permanent equilibrium in the economy, so that the continuous movements of the PPF are not perceptible (nominal growth volatility). Therefore, the sustainable growth generated by this continuum of opposing shock-vectors of equal intensity, i.e. an exchange of positive externalities for negative externalities between generations and countries, is the normal state of any economy. Because, shocks on PPF have two origins: external(from other generations or nations) and internal (current generation or the same country), the integration of the  two conflicting mechanisms for endogenous technological change, eliminates growth volatility. This result confirms at a high level, the Hecksher-Ohlin-Edgeweblime hypothesis that scarce factors are indirectly imported (increasing) and abundant factors exported (decreasing) through the exchange of final goods, and that, the scarce final good in a generation is indirectly imported (increasing) and the abundant final good in a given generation is indirectly exported(decreasing) through the exchange of factors between generations of a given country.
Association of corneal nerve fiber measures with cognitive function in dementia
Authors: Ponirakis Georgios , Al Hamad Hanadi , Sankaranarayanan Anoop , Khan Adnan , Chandran Mani , Ramadan Marwan , Tosino Rhia , Gawhale Priya Vitthal , Alobaidi Maryam , AlSulaiti Essa , Elsotouhy Ahmed , Elorrabi Marwa , Khan Shafi , Nadukkandiyil Navas , Osman Susan , Thodi Noushad , Almuhannadi Hamad , Gad Hoda , Mahfoud Ziyad R. , Al‐Shibani Fatima , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Own Ahmed , Al Kuwari Maryam , Shuaib Ashfaq , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a noninvasive ophthalmic technique that identifies corneal nerve degeneration in a range of peripheral neuropathies and in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We sought to determine whether there is any association of corneal nerve fiber measures with cognitive function and functional independence in patients with MCI and dementia.

Methods

In this study, 76 nondiabetic participants with MCI (n = 30), dementia (n = 26), and healthy age‐matched controls (n = 20) underwent assessment of cognitive and physical function and CCM.

Results

There was a progressive reduction in corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and fiber length (CNFL) (P < 0.0001) in patients with MCI and dementia compared to healthy controls. Adjusted for confounders, all three corneal nerve fiber measures were significantly associated with cognitive function (P < 0.05) and functional independence (P < 0.01) in MCI and dementia. The area under the ROC curve to distinguish MCI with CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL was 69.1%, 73.2%, and 73.0% and for dementia it was 84.8%, 84.2%, and 86.2%, respectively.

Interpretation

CCM demonstrates corneal nerve fiber loss, which is associated with a decline in cognitive function and functional independence in patients with MCI and dementia.
‘Cash‐only’ buprenorphine a threat to opioid crisis
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2019

In an editorial written by the principal researcher on the clinical trials that led to the approval of buprenorphine‐naloxone to treat opioid use disorder, the increase in cash‐only buprenorphine clinics is called a threat to the opioid treatment system. “Proliferation of Cash‐Only Buprenorphine Treatment Clinics: A Threat to the Nation's Response to the Opioid Crisis,” by Art Van Zee, M.D., of the St. Charles Clinic, Stone Mountain Health Services, and David Fiellin, M.D., of the Yale University School of Medicine, was published in the March issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Comparison of Manikin Versus Porcine Trachea Models When Teaching Emergent Cricothyroidotomy Among Emergency Medicine Residents
Authors: Gustafson Mark L. , Hensley Brian , Dotson Marc , Broce Mike , Tager Alfred
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Emergent cricothyroidotomy (EC) is a rarely used yet lifesaving procedure that is important for an emergency physician to master throughout his or her training. We evaluated the difference in utilization of a manikin or porcine model among emergency medicine (EM) residents when teaching EC. We also evaluated the difference in the models using two different commonly utilized and taught techniques: “scalpel‐finger‐bougie” (SFB) technique and the Melker technique (MT).

Methods

This was a prospective crossover design. Instructions about the procedure were provided; study participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups and performed cricothyrotomy on both manikin and porcine simulators using both the Melker and the SFB techniques. Each group was started with the technique on the second simulator opposite what they started with on the first simulator. After the procedures, study participants completed a questionnaire that used the same format for both groups. All survey questions required a 7‐point Likert scale response. Confidence, difficulty, reality of the anatomy, and landmarks were compared.

Results

Fifteen EM residents participated in the study. Compared to the porcine‐first group, the manikin‐first group rated the anatomy more realistic (question 5) after their first attempt (6.29 vs. 5.87) than their second attempt (using the porcine model; 4.29 vs. 5.62; main effect for attempts [first vs. second] p = 0.027; interaction p = 0.074). Interestingly, the porcine model–first group rated the landmarks (question 6) significantly easier to find in both attempts (6.87 vs. 5.86 on the first attempt and 6.50 vs. 5.57 on the second attempt; p = 0.012). Twelve participants (80%) chose SFB as their preferred technique to use in real‐life scenario.

Conclusion

The Manikin model tends to be more realistic in cricothyrotomy simulation than the porcine model. The influence of fresh pig skin overlying the porcine model may require further research. Landmark identification during the procedure was easier on both models when participants start with the porcine model. Participants prefer the SFB over MT if faced with a real‐life scenario.
Von Sonnenlicht zu Brennstoffen: aktuelle Fortschritte der C1‐Solarchemie
Authors: Chen Guangbo , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Shi Run , Zhao Jiaqing , Li Zhenhua , Wu Li‐Zhu , Tung Chen‐Ho , Zhang Tierui
Published: March 2019

Die katalytische C1‐Chemie auf der Grundlage der Aktivierung/Umwandlung von Synthesegas (CO+H2), Methan, Kohlendioxid und Methanol verfügt über enormes Potential für die Entwicklung nachhaltiger Kohlenwasserstoffbrennstoffe als Ersatz für Öl, Kohle und Erdgas. Herkömmliche thermisch‐katalytische Verfahren zur C1‐Umsetzung benötigen hohe Temperaturen und Drücke und sind daher mit einem großen CO2‐Fußabdruck verbunden. Dagegen bietet die solargetriebene C1‐Katalyse einen umweltfreundlichen und nachhaltigen Weg für die Herstellung von Brennstoffen und anderen chemischen Grundstoffen, wenn auch die Umwandlungseffizienzen noch zu niedrig für industrielle Wirtschaftlichkeit sind. In unserem Aufsatz beleuchten wir aktuelle Fortschritte und Meilensteine der C1‐Solarchemie, einschließlich der solaren Fischer‐Tropsch‐Synthese, Wassergas‐Shift‐Reaktion, CO2‐Hydrierung, Methan‐ und Methanolumwandlung. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der rationalen Entwicklung von Katalysatoren, Struktur‐Reaktivitäts‐Beziehungen und Reaktionsmechanismen. Strategien für die Hochskalierung solargetriebener C1‐Verfahren werden ebenfalls diskutiert.
Paraganglioma of the tongue with SDHB gene mutation in a patient with Graves’ disease
Authors: Duran Alvarez Marcela Adriana , Tavarez Rodriguez Juan Jose , Robledo Mercedes
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

We report a case of an apparently sporadic paraganglioma of the tongue with a germ‐line mutation in a female patient with asymptomatic Graves’ disease. The tongue is an unusual primary location. Genetic testing is mandatory in all cases. Thyroid gland dysfunction and autoimmune phenomena could be associated with some paragangliomas.
Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with sarcoidosis
Authors: Tanaka Yuko , Shirai Toshihiro , Asada Kazuhiro , Muramatsu Aya , Katsumata Mineo , Suda Takafumi
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

Steroids used to treat sarcoidosis may induce aPAP. The cooccurrence of sarcoidosis and autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is rare. In this case, aPAP merged into sarcoidosis regardless of the disease state of sarcoidosis and improved naturally. When using steroids during sarcoidosis exacerbation, attention should be paid to aPAP relapse.
A new standard of care for patients with surgically unresectable stage III non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Gill Harpaul S. , Ramalingam Suresh S.
Published: March 2019

Overall survival data from the PACIFIC trial have reaffirmed earlier US Food and Drug Administration approval of durvalumab in patients with stage III non–small cell lung cancer. In the current commentary, the authors provide a brief historical perspective on stage III disease as well as a further analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the trial.
Fathering across contexts: The moderating role of respiratory sinus arrhythmia in predicting toddler emotion regulation
Authors: Richardson Patricia A. , Bocknek Erika L. , McGoron Lucy , Trentacosta Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

Caregivers play an integral role in promoting children's emotion regulation, while children's individual physiology affects how they respond to the caregiving environment. Relatively little is known about how fathering influences toddler emotion regulation, particularly within African American and low‐income communities, where risk related to the development of emotion regulation is higher. This study investigated relations among fathering, toddler parasympathetic regulation, and toddler emotion regulation in a sample of 92 families. Fathering was assessed during two interactions: engagement following a stressor during a triadic task and a dyadic play task. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (resting and reactivity) was obtained as an index of toddler parasympathetic arousal. Findings demonstrated an association between fathers’ engagement poststressor and toddler emotion regulation. Toddler RSA moderated this association: toddlers with elevated levels of resting RSA benefitted from parenting engagement following a stressor. Fathering during play did not relate to toddler emotion regulation. The importance of fathering and physiologic contexts in early regulatory development is discussed.
A hierarchical Bayesian approach for handling missing classification data
Authors: Ketz Alison C. , Johnson Therese L. , Hooten Mevin B. , Hobbs N. Thompson
Published: March 2019

Ecologists use classifications of individuals in categories to understand composition of populations and communities. These categories might be defined by demographics, functional traits, or species. Assignment of categories is often imperfect, but frequently treated as observations without error. When individuals are observed but not classified, these “partial” observations must be modified to include the missing data mechanism to avoid spurious inference.

We developed two hierarchical Bayesian models to overcome the assumption of perfect assignment to mutually exclusive categories in the multinomial distribution of categorical counts, when classifications are missing. These models incorporate auxiliary information to adjust the posterior distributions of the proportions of membership in categories. In one model, we use an empirical Bayes approach, where a subset of data from one year serves as a prior for the missing data the next. In the other approach, we use a small random sample of data within a year to inform the distribution of the missing data.

We performed a simulation to show the bias that occurs when partial observations were ignored and demonstrated the altered inference for the estimation of demographic ratios. We applied our models to demographic classifications of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) to demonstrate improved inference for the proportions of sex and stage classes.

We developed multiple modeling approaches using a generalizable nested multinomial structure to account for partially observed data that were missing not at random for classification counts. Accounting for classification uncertainty is important to accurately understand the composition of populations and communities in ecological studies.
Prediabetes: An emerging public health concern in adolescents
Authors: Spurr Shelley , Bally Jill , Allan Diane , Bullin Carol , McNair Erick
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To identify the presence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes (ethnicity, body mass index, blood glucose tolerance and blood pressure) and to determine the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in Canadian adolescents attending two multicultural urban high schools.

Methods

A total of 266 multicultural urban high school students who live in a mid‐sized Western Canadian city, aged 14‐21, were screened for risk factors of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in March‐April 2018. Data with respect to demographics, family history of diabetes, anthropometrics, blood pressure and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were collected. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics in addition to chi‐square analyses.

Results

Based on body mass index, 38% of the adolescents were classified as either overweight or obese. Overweight rates for females (69.8%) were double than males (30.2%); however, males (52.2%) were more likely to obese than the females (47.8%). Based on HbA1c levels, 29.3% were at high risk to develop either diabetes or prediabetes and 2.6% were classified in the prediabetes range. Prehypertension/hypertension rates of 47% in the sample increased to 51% in those adolescents with elevated HbA1c; the majority of these prehypertensive/hypertensive participants were male.

Conclusion

High rates of overweight/obesity and prehypertension/hypertension were found in the adolescents studied and indicated the presence of prediabetes and an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes and associated complications. Obesity and hypertension are major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, resulting in earlier exposure to metabolic consequences and, ultimately, long‐term complications. Thus, timely research is needed to identify age‐appropriate strategies that address risks and to develop recommendations for routine screening of adolescents for prediabetes.
Properties of bone from Catfish heads and frames
Authors: Bechtel Peter J. , Watson Michael A. , Lea Jeanne M. , Bett‐Garber Karen L. , Bland John M.
Published: March 2019

The objective of this paper was to evaluate methods of producing purified Catfish bone fractions from Catfish frames and heads and determine the composition of the purified bone fraction. Fresh samples of Catfish frames and heads were obtained from a large commercial Catfish processor. Triplicate samples were processed for all treatments. Two methods were developed to remove nonbone tissue from the frames: (a) use of a proteolytic enzyme to digest the nonbone tissues and (b) after boiling the frames, removal of the nonbone tissues with high‐pressure water. The ash, protein, and lipid contents of unprocessed dried frames were 17%, 33%, and 41%, respectively. After the enzymatic or high‐pressure water treatment processes, the frame bone compositions for the two processes were 62% and 54% ash, 35% and 33% protein, and 9% and 2% lipid, respectively. Bone from both processing treatments had a calcium content of 21%–25%, phosphorus content of 10%–11%, and contents of magnesium, manganese, zinc, and nickel were increased. Hydroxyproline content increased from 4% of the amino acids in the untreated bone to 7%–8% for the processed treatments. Tissues were removed from Catfish heads by digestion with a proteolytic enzyme and collection of the bone with a sieve. After the longest digestion period, dried head bone was 51% ash, 38% protein, and 7% lipid. The amino acid profiles showed high levels of hydroxyproline and lower levels of many essential amino acids. With increased enzymatic hydrolysis time, percent calcium and phosphorus increased. Results from this study will be used in the development of new value‐added food and feed ingredients from Catfish bone.
A historical Southern Ocean climate dataset from whaling ships’ logbooks
Authors: Teleti Praveen R. , Rees W. G. , Dowdeswell Julian A. , Wilkinson Clive
Published: March 2019

Historical ship logbooks provide vital historic meteorological observations in the Southern Ocean, one of the largest climate‐data deficient regions on the Earth. Christian Salvesen Whaling Company logbooks from whaling ships operating in the Southern Ocean, starting from the 1930s through the 1950s, are examined. Meteorological information contained in these logbooks has been extracted to produce a historical climate dataset. We discuss various instructions recommended by the British Admiralty to observe and record weather conditions on‐board whaling ships. Statistical tests were used to flag erroneous values and corrections were made using neighbouring values. Meteorological parameters such as air pressure, air and sea temperature and wind force on the Beaufort scale were standardized, converting imperial to metric units. The data were structured according to the internationally accepted International Maritime Meteorological Archive format, which includes the most commonly reported meteorological variables, including the time, location and ship‐related meta‐data. Hence, a readily accessible, error‐corrected and standardized historical climate dataset of the Weddell Sea sector of the Southern Ocean is presented.

Open Practices

This article has earned an Open Data badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.31530. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
Serum Albumin Is Inversely Associated With Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis
Authors: Basili Stefania , Carnevale Roberto , Nocella Cristina , Bartimoccia Simona , Raparelli Valeria , Talerico Giovanni , Stefanini Lucia , Romiti Giulio F. , Perticone Francesco , Corazza Gino R. , Piscaglia Fabio , Pietrangelo Antonello , Violi Francesco ,   PRO‐LIVER Collaborators
Published: March 2019

We analyzed whether serum albumin is independently associated with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis (LC) and if a biologic plausibility exists. This study was divided into three parts. In part 1 (retrospective analysis), 753 consecutive patients with LC with ultrasound‐detected PVT were retrospectively analyzed. In part 2, 112 patients with LC and 56 matched controls were entered in the cross‐sectional study. In part 3, 5 patients with cirrhosis were entered in the in vivo study and 4 healthy subjects (HSs) were entered in the in vitro study to explore if albumin may affect platelet activation by modulating oxidative stress. In the 753 patients with LC, the prevalence of PVT was 16.7%; logistic analysis showed that only age (odds ratio [OR], 1.024; P = 0.012) and serum albumin (OR, −0.422; P = 0.0001) significantly predicted patients with PVT. Analyzing the 112 patients with LC and controls, soluble clusters of differentiation (CD)40‐ligand (P = 0.0238), soluble Nox2‐derived peptide (sNox2‐dp; P < 0.0001), and urinary excretion of isoprostanes (P = 0.0078) were higher in patients with LC. In LC, albumin was correlated with sCD40L (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient [rs
], −0.33; P < 0.001), sNox2‐dp (rs
, −0.57; P < 0.0001), and urinary excretion of isoprostanes (rs, −0.48; P < 0.0001) levels. The in vivo study showed a progressive decrease in platelet aggregation, sNox2‐dp, and urinary 8‐iso prostaglandin F2α‐III formation 2 hours and 3 days after albumin infusion. Finally, platelet aggregation, sNox2‐dp, and isoprostane formation significantly decreased in platelets from HSs incubated with scalar concentrations of albumin. Conclusion: Low serum albumin in LC is associated with PVT, suggesting that albumin could be a modulator of the hemostatic system through interference with mechanisms regulating platelet activation.
Mono‐diffusive Hadley‐Prats flow in a horizontal porous layer subject to variable gravity and internal heat generation
Authors: Matta Anjanna
Published: March 2019

Analysis of internal heated and gravity effect on the onset of Hadley‐Prats flow in a horizontal porous layer with inclined temperature gradients is investigated using the linear and nonlinear instability analysis. The transformed eigenvalue problem is evaluated numerically to find the eigenvalue, which is treated as a vertical thermal Rayleigh number (Rz). It is evaluated by applying shooting and Runge‐Kutta method. Also, the critical Rz is investigated for different parameters governing the flow. A theoretical study is made to understand the influence of gravity field on the mechanism of mono‐diffusive instability of Hadley‐Prats convection in a fluid saturated horizontal porous layer. Nonlinear stability is evaluated by using energy functional. The comparison between linear and nonlinear instability results are presented and it is noted that linear theory of instability may not be useful to capture the complete picture of stability and instabilities may arise before one attains the linear stability threshold. This subcritical instability region is identified between the linear and energy thresholds in the parameter space of the problem considered.
Testicular teratoma demanded in‐depth pathological exploration to rule out malignancy: A pediatric case report
Authors: Moritoki Yoshinobu , Mizuno Kentaro , Kato Taiki , Hamamoto Shuzo , Hattori Hideo , Ito Yasuhiko , Saitoh Shinji , Yasui Takahiro , Hayashi Yutaro
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Prepubertal testicular tumors can be both benign and malignant. Although most testicular teratomas are benign, some immature cases include malignant transformation or the mixed type with yolk sac tumor and, occasionally, it is challenging to rule out malignancy.

Case presentation

We present a case of immature testicular teratoma in a 7‐month‐old infant, whose alpha‐fetoprotein level was sequentially elevated following orchidectomy. Since malignancy could not be ruled out, we performed whole body imaging and in‐depth pathological exploration. GLYPICAN3, OCT3/4, and SOX2 staining revealed no evidence of malignancy. The patient was finally diagnosed with benign immature teratoma, and has been free from recurrence for 3 years.

Conclusion

Here, we describe the case report, as well as all the comprehensive diagnostic tests that we performed in order to rule out the malignant component.
DMP1 Ablation in the Rabbit Results in Mineralization Defects and Abnormalities in Haversian Canal/Osteon Microarchitecture
Authors: Liu Tingjun , Wang Jun , Xie Xudong , Wang Ke , Sui Tingting , Liu Di , Lai Liangxue , Zhao Hu , Li Zhanjun , Feng Jian Q
Published: March 2019

DMP1 (dentin matrix protein 1) is an extracellular matrix protein highly expressed in bones. Studies of Dmp1 knockout (KO) mice led to the discovery of a rare autosomal recessive form of hypophosphatemic rickets (ARHR) caused by DMP1 mutations. However, there are limitations for using this mouse model to study ARHR, including a lack of Haversian canals and osteons (that occurs only in large mammalian bones), high levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and PTH, in comparison with a moderate elevation of FGF23 and unchanged PTH in human ARHR patients. To better understand this rare disease, we deleted the DMP1 gene in rabbit using CRISPR/Cas9. This rabbit model recapitulated many features of human ARHR, such as the rachitic rosary (expansion of the anterior rib ends at the costochondral junctions), moderately increased FGF23, and normal PTH levels, as well as severe defects in bone mineralization. Unexpectedly, all DMP1 KO rabbits died by postnatal week 8. They developed a severe bone microarchitecture defect: a major increase in the central canal areas of osteons, concurrent with massive accumulation of osteoid throughout all bone matrix (a defect in mineralization), suggesting a new paradigm, where rickets is caused by a combination of a defect in bone microarchitecture and a failure in mineralization. Furthermore, a study of DMP1 KO bones found accelerated chondrogenesis, whereas ARHR has commonly been thought to be involved in reduced chondrogenesis. Our findings with newly developed DMP1 KO rabbits suggest a revised understanding of the mechanism underlying ARHR. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The association between leisure time physical activity and happiness: Testing the indirect role of health perception
Authors: Ross Allison , Cloutier Scott , Searle Mark
Published: March 2019

Aims

Research supports the influence of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) on well‐being; however, little is known about the mechanisms that drive the relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate the indirect influence of health perception on the association between neighborhood LTPA and happiness.

Methods

Telephone interviews were conducted using random digit dialing among a sample of adult residents aged 18+ (n = 570) to gather information about neighborhood LTPA behaviors, perceptions of health and happiness, and sociodemographics.

Results

Results of a structural equation modeling analysis indicated that health had a small significant indirect influence on the relationship between LTPA and happiness.

Conclusion

Focusing on perceptions offers a holistic conceptualization of how behavior impacts happiness and may offer important insights into how the experience of engaging in LTPA contributes to the subjective evaluation of personal happiness through perceived health.
c‐Jun expression after cerebral hyperstimulation differs between rats and marmosets
Authors: Barros Vanessa Novaes , Barros Elisa Maria Novaes , da Silva Clivandir , Lacerda Shirley , Mello Luiz E.
Published: March 2019

Immediate early genes (IEGs) are a fundamental element in the way we respond and adapt to a variety of stimuli. We have recently reported that IEG response, as measured by c‐Fos expression, is different between rodents and primates. Here, we further extend this analysis by assessing the expression of c‐Jun, one of the main complements of c‐Fos, under the same stimulation protocol. For this, we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of c‐Jun (and compared with that previously shown for c‐Fos) after stimulation with pentylenetetrazol in the cingulate gyrus, motor cortex, piriform cortex, inferior temporal cortex, and visual cortex of rats and marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), both male and female. Overall the immunohistochemical expression of c‐Jun was more intense but remained elevated for a shorter duration in marmosets as compared to rats. These results are in contrast to what we had previously shown for c‐Fos. Furthermore, in terms of the temporal profile, c‐Fos and c‐Jun expression occurred in a complementary manner in rats—the peak of c‐Fos expression coincided with low levels of c‐jun expression—and in a superimposed manner in marmosets—the peak of c‐Fos expression coincided with the peak of c‐Jun expression. Since Fos proteins may form dimers with Jun proteins and together control late gene expressions in the cell nucleus, this different expression profile between primates and rodents may bear meaningful impact for how the nervous system reacts and adapts to stimulation.
Nonresectional regional therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver
Authors: Schlick Cary Jo R. , Merkow Ryan P. , Bentrem David J.
Published: March 2019

The liver is the second leading site of colorectal cancer metastases, following the lymph nodes. Although metastatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases has been shown to improve survival, many patients cannot undergo surgery. Several nonsurgical therapies are available in these situations, however high‐quality evidence comparing the effectiveness of these therapies is sparse. Here, we review the currently available evidence in support of nonresectional regional therapies for colorectal metastases to the liver.
Feeding and respiration by giant barrel sponges across a gradient of food abundance in the Red Sea
Authors: Wooster Michael K. , McMurray Steven E. , Pawlik Joseph R. , Morán Xosé A. G. , Berumen Michael L.
Published: March 2019

While sponges are well‐known to be suspension feeders, consumption of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has recently been highlighted as a mechanism whereby sponges may avoid food limitation. Further, the sponge‐loop hypothesis proposes that sponges consume DOC and then release shed cellular detritus back to the reef benthos. We examined the carbon flux mediated by the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia testudinaria, on reefs in the Red Sea across an inshore–offshore gradient that had previously been proposed to affect sponge nutrition in other parts of the tropics. Seawater samples were collected from the incurrent and excurrent flow of 35 sponges. Concentrations of total organic carbon and its components, DOC, live particulate organic carbon (LPOC), and detritus, were all significantly higher in incurrent seawater on inshore than offshore reefs. The diet of X. testudinaria was comprised primarily of DOC and detritus, with mean values across all reef sites of 61.5% DOC, 34.6% detritus, and 3.9% LPOC. Across the inshore–offshore gradient, there was evidence (1) of a threshold concentration of DOC (≈ 79 μmol C Lseawater−1) below which sponges ceased to be net consumers of DOC, and (2) that sponges on offshore reefs were food limited, with a mean carbon deficit relative to sponges on inshore reef sites. Sponges on offshore reef sites exhibited higher pumping rates, perhaps indicating optimal foraging for POC. As previously demonstrated for Xestospongia muta, and contrary to the sponge‐loop hypothesis, there was no evidence that X. testudinaria returned DOC to the benthos in the form of detritus.
Metabolic rhythms in flowing waters: An approach for classifying river productivity regimes
Authors: Savoy Philip , Appling Alison P. , Heffernan James B. , Stets Edward G. , Read Jordan S. , Harvey Judson W. , Bernhardt Emily S.
Published: March 2019

Although seasonal patterns of ecosystem productivity have been extensively described and analyzed with respect to their primary forcings in terrestrial and marine systems, comparatively little is known about these same processes in rivers. However, it is now possible to perform a large‐scale synthesis on the patterns and drivers of river productivity regimes because of the recent sensor advances allowing for near‐continuous estimates of river productivity. Here, we explore a dataset of 47 U.S. rivers to examine whether there are characteristic river productivity regimes. We use classification approaches to develop a typology of productivity regimes and then use these regimes to examine differences with respect to potential controls of productivity. We identified two distinct metabolic regimes, which we named Summer Peak and Spring Peak Rivers, within our dataset. These regimes meaningfully differed in both the timing and magnitude of productivity and were robust to different approaches to classification. We also found that several variables, including watershed area and characteristics of water temperature or discharge, were able to predict the class membership of these regimes with modest accuracy. Our results support the presence of characteristic metabolic regimes and suggests that these regimes may have common sets of environmental controls. We present classification as one approach to begin exploring the productivity regimes of rivers. The strength of our approach is that it fully leverages these newly available high‐frequency productivity estimates to create classes that can be used to draw inferences about how the controls of river productivity differ between or within systems.
Low frequency of POLD1 and POLE exonuclease domain variants in patients with multiple colorectal polyps
Authors: Elsayed Fadwa A. , Tops Carli M. J. , Nielsen Maartje , Ruano Dina , Vasen Hans F. A. , Morreau Hans , J. Hes Frederik , van Wezel Tom
Published: March 2019

Background

Germline mutations affecting the exonuclease domains of POLE and POLD1 predispose to colorectal adenomas and carcinoma. Here, we aimed to screen the exonuclease domains to find the genetic causes of multiple colorectal polyps in unexplained cases.

Methods

Using a custom next‐generation sequencing panel, we sequenced the exonuclease domains of POLE and POLD1 in 332 index patients diagnosed with multiple colorectal polyps without germline alteration in colorectal polyposis predisposing genes.

Results

We identified two variants of unknown significance. One germline POLD1 c.961G>A, p.(Gly321Ser) variant was found in two cases. The first patient was diagnosed with multiple polyps at age 35 and colorectal cancer (CRC) at age 37, with no known family history of CRC. The second patient was diagnosed with CRC at age 44 and cumulatively developed multiple polyps; this patient had two sisters with endometrial cancer who did not carry the variant. Furthermore, we identified a novel POLD1 c.955 T>G, p.(Cys319Gly) variant in a patient diagnosed with multiple colorectal adenomas at age 40. Co‐segregation analysis showed that one sister who cumulatively developed multiple adenomas from age 34, and another sister who developed CRC at age 38 did not carry the variant. We did not identify pathogenic variants in POLE and POLD1.

Conclusion

This study confirms the low frequency of causal variants in these genes in the predisposition for multiple colorectal polyps, and also establishes that these genes are a rare cause of the disease.
Economic and environmental impacts of vertical and horizontal competition and integration
Authors: Sim Jeongeun , El Ouardighi Fouad , Kim Bowon
Published: March 2019

We explore the economic and environmental impacts of market structures (competition or integration at vertical and horizontal levels). We consider a bilateral duopoly consisting of two manufacturers and two retailers in which each manufacturer offers a wholesale price contract to the respective retailer. The manufacturers decide on wholesale prices and abatement efforts concerning pollution emissions related to manufacturing processes, whereas the retailers compete in quantities in the consumer market. To understand the comprehensive effects of market structures on economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability, we examine a measure of eco‐friendly social welfare, which is the ratio of social welfare and environmental pollution. Interestingly, we find that the market structures that have been believed to be more efficient are less efficient from a broader perspective: (1) double marginalization can generate higher eco‐friendly social welfare, and (2) horizontal competition between firms can result in lower eco‐friendly social welfare. Although vertical integration and horizontal competition yield greater social welfare by facilitating more production activities, these market structures often fail to induce sufficient abatement efforts to balance the polluting effect of the large volume, resulting in more significant environmental degradation. We also show that, despite the pollution‐curbing effect, higher emission penalties can result in less eco‐friendly social welfare. They can even curtail the abatement efforts of firms under particular circumstances. When products become more substitutable, the eco‐friendly social welfare can decrease depending upon the market structure.
Brain arterial dilatation and the risk of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Gutierrez Jose , Guzman Vanessa , Khasiyev Farid , Manly Jennifer , Schupf Nicole , Andrews Howard , Mayeux Richard , Brickman Adam M.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

We tested the hypothesis that brain arterial dilatation increases the risk of Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

Methods

We studied dementia‐free participants in the Washington Heights‐Inwood Columbia Aging Project who had a brain MRI and post‐MRI dementia adjudication. We measured the axial T2‐proton density diameters of the intracranial carotids and basilar diameters and used Cox models to obtain AD hazard ratios and 95% intervals.

Results

Of 953 participants (mean age 77 ± 7 y, women 64%, 71% nonwhite) followed on average for 3 ± 3 years, 76 (8%) developed AD. In a model adjusted for demographics, vascular risks, apolipoprotein E (APOE)‐ε4, and white matter hyperintensities, larger carotid diameters increased the risk of AD, defined categorically as ≥ 90th percentile (HR 4.34, 1.70–11.11) or continuously (HR 1.44 per SD, 1.07–1.94).

Discussion

Understanding the pathophysiology of the association between AD and brain arterial dilatation may reveal new clues to the vascular contributions to AD.
Meeting User Needs for Sea Level Rise Information: A Decision Analysis Perspective
Authors: Hinkel Jochen , Church John A. , Gregory Jonathan M. , Lambert Erwin , Le Cozannet Gonéri , Lowe Jason , McInnes Kathleen L. , Nicholls Robert J. , van der Pol Thomas D. , van de Wal Roderik
Published: March 2019

Despite widespread efforts to implement climate services, there is almost no literature that systematically analyzes users' needs. This paper addresses this gap by applying a decision analysis perspective to identify what kind of mean sea level rise (SLR) information is needed for local coastal adaptation decisions. We first characterize these decisions, then identify suitable decision analysis approaches and the sea level information required, and finally discuss if and how these information needs can be met given the state of the art of sea level science. We find that four types of information are needed: (i) probabilistic predictions for short‐term decisions when users are uncertainty tolerant; (ii) high‐end and low‐end SLR scenarios chosen for different levels of uncertainty tolerance; (iii) upper bounds of SLR for users with a low uncertainty tolerance; and (iv) learning scenarios derived from estimating what knowledge will plausibly emerge about SLR over time. Probabilistic predictions can only be attained for the near term (i.e., 2030–2050) before SLR significantly diverges between low and high emission scenarios, for locations for which modes of climate variability are well understood and the vertical land movement contribution to local sea levels is small. Meaningful SLR upper bounds cannot be defined unambiguously from a physical perspective. Low‐ to high‐end scenarios for different levels of uncertainty tolerance and learning scenarios can be produced, but this involves both expert and user judgments. The decision analysis procedure elaborated here can be applied to other types of climate information that are required for mitigation and adaptation purposes.
Isotope Geochemists Glimpse Earth’s Impenetrable Interior
Authors: Joel Lucas
Published: March 2019

Painstaking measurements of isotopes and their relative abundance in rocks have illuminated the hidden inner Earth and our planet’s origins and shadowy past for much of the preceding century.
Long rylene nanoribbons express polyacetylene-like signatures at their edges
Authors: Medina Rivero Samara , Canola Sofia , Zeng Wangdong , Ramírez Francisco J. , Zafra José L. , Wu Jishan , Negri Fabrizia , Casado Juan
Published: March 2019

Raman spectroscopy shows the transformation of the electronic shapes of oligorylenes from short oligorylenes with overall aromatic structures into long ones bearing cis-polyacetylenic forms at the armchair edges and diradicaloid/multiradical shapes in the zig-zag parts.
Transimpedance amplifiers with 133 GHz bandwidth on 130 nm indium phosphide double heterojunction bipolar transistors
Authors: Giannakopoulos S. , He Z. , Darwazeh I. , Zirath H.
Published: March 2019

In this work, the authors present two transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuits designed for fibre optical interconnect systems. They compare a common base (CB) topology with a common emitter (CE) shunt–shunt feedback topology in terms of frequency response, power consumption, noise, and input impedance. The two TIAs are designed on a 130 nm indium phosphide double heterojunction bipolar transistor technology from Teledyne Scientific Company (TSC) with an ft/fmax of 520 GHz/1.15 THz and are measured in the frequency and time domains. They exhibit a transimpedance gain of 42 dBΩ with a 133 GHz bandwidth, the highest bandwidth reported in the literature and power consumption of 32.3 mW for the CB and 25.5 mW for the CE. Eye diagram measurements were conducted up to 64 Gbps and input referred noise density was measured at for the CB and for the CE.
Interference mitigation in wideband radios using spectrum correlation and neural network
Authors: Toma Andrea , Nawaz Tassadaq , Gao Yue , Marcenaro Lucio , Regazzoni Carlo S.
Published: March 2019

Technologies such as cognitive radio and dynamic spectrum access rely on spectrum sensing which provides wireless devices with information about the radio spectrum in the surrounding environment. One of the main challenges in wireless communications is the interference caused by malicious users on the shared spectrum. In this manuscript, an artificial intelligence enabled cognitive radio framework is proposed at system‐level as part of a cyclic spectrum intelligence algorithm for interference mitigation in wideband radios. It exploits the cyclostationary feature of signals to differentiate users with different modulation schemes and an artificial neural network as classifier to detect potential malicious users. A dataset consisting of experimental modulated and dynamic signals is recorded by spectrum measurements with an in‐house software defined radio testbed and then processed. Cyclostationary features are extracted for each detected signal and fed to a neural network classifier as training and testing data in a complex and dynamic scenario. Results highlight a classification rate of in most of cases, even at low transmission power. A comparison with two previous works with hand‐crafted features, which employ an energy detector‐based classifier and a naive Bayes‐based classifier, respectively, is discussed.
Versorgungsstrukturen und Mengen-Ergebnis-Beziehung beim akuten Herzinfarkt – Verlaufsbetrachtung der deutschlandweiten Krankenhausabrechnungsdaten von 2005 bis 2015
Authors: Bolczek Claire , Nimptsch Ulrike , Möckel Martin , Mansky Thomas
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund Studien haben beschrieben, dass höhere Herzinfarktfallzahlen des behandelnden Krankenhauses mit besseren Behandlungsergebnissen assoziiert sind. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird die Entwicklung der akutstationären Herzinfarktversorgung sowie der Mengen-Ergebnisbeziehung im Zeitverlauf analysiert. Ziel der Arbeit ist, die Entwicklungen zu bewerten und Anhaltspunkte für eine Verbesserung der Herzinfarktversorgung in Deutschland abzuleiten.

Methode Anhand der deutschlandweiten Krankenhausabrechnungsdaten (DRG-Statistik) von 2005 bis 2015 wurden Patienten mit akutem Herzinfarkt im erstbehandelnden Krankenhaus identifiziert und anhand der jährlichen Herzinfarktfallzahl des behandelnden Krankenhauses in fallzahlgleiche Quintile eingeteilt.

Ergebnisse Im Beobachtungszeitraum zeigte sich ein zunehmender Anteil interventionell versorgter Herzinfarktpatienten. Die Krankenhaussterblichkeit im erstbehandelnden Krankenhaus ging insgesamt von 12,1 auf 8,7% zurück. In allen Jahren wurde in den höheren Fallzahlquintilen eine geringere Sterblichkeit im Vergleich zum unteren Fallzahlquintil beobachtet. Im Jahr 2015 zeigte sich im Vergleich zur Behandlung in Krankenhäusern mit sehr geringer Fallzahl ein um 20% reduziertes Sterberisiko (adjustiertes OR jeweils 0,8 [95% KI 0,7–0,9]) in Krankenhäusern mit mittlerer, hoher oder sehr hoher Fallzahl. Mehr als 40% der Krankenhäuser mit sehr geringer Fallzahl waren in städtischen Regionen lokalisiert.

Schlussfolgerung Eine gezieltere Steuerung von Patienten mit Herzinfarktsymptomen in Krankenhäuser mit hohen Herzinfarktfallzahlen könnte die Versorgung weiter verbessern. Eine solche Versorgungssteuerung ist sowohl aus Gründen der medizinischen Qualität als auch der Wirtschaftlichkeit insbesondere in städtischen Regionen erforderlich.