bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALG12‐CDG: An unusual patient without intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism, and with a novel variant
Authors: de la Morena‐Barrio María Eugenia , Sabater María , de la Morena‐Barrio Belén , Ruhaak Renee L. , Miñano Antonia , Padilla José , Toderici Mara , Roldán Vanessa , Gimeno Juan R. , Vicente Vicente , Corral Javier
Published: June 2020

Background

Congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) type I is a group of rare disorders caused by recessive mutations in up to 25 genes that impair the N‐glycan precursor formation and its transfer to proteins resulting in hypoglycosylation of multiple proteins. Congenital disorder of glycosylation causes multisystem defects usually with psychomotor delay that is diagnosed in the infancy. We aim to supply further evidences supporting that CDG may be underestimated.

Methods

Antithrombin and factor XI were studied by chromogenic and coagulometric methods. Hypoglycosylation of plasma proteins was evaluated by western blot, HPLC, Q‐TOF, and RP‐LC‐MRM‐MS. Genetic analysis included whole exome, Sanger sequencing, and PCR‐allele specific assay.

Results

We here present an intriguing patient with an exceptional phenotype: 25‐year‐old women with a ventricular septal defect and severe idiopathic scoliosis but no facial dysmorphism, who dances as a professional, and has a University degree. Congenital disorder of glycosylation diagnosis started through the identification of antithrombin deficiency without SERPINC1 defect and the detection of hypoglycosylated forms. Increased levels of hypoglycosylated forms of F XI (also with significant deficiency) and transferrin were also detected. Whole exome analysis showed a novel homozygous ALG12 variant c.77T>A, p.(Val26Asp) supporting an ALG12‐CDG diagnosis. It also showed three new variants in KMT2D, and a mild, known ALG6 variant.

Conclusions

This novel ALG12‐CDG patient (the 13th reported) underlines the heterogeneity of this CDG and broadens its phenotypical spectrum, supports that these disorders are underestimated, and suggests that combination of global hypoglycosylation with specific gene defects might determine the clinical manifestations of CDG patients.
Georgia advocates campaign to address proposed budget impact
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 impact on Georgia's economy, including plummeting sales and tax revenues, has prompted Gov. Brian Kemp to call for deep budget cuts that would have an impact on mental health services and programs. Advocates, who have embarked on a campaign to restore proposed cuts, say the across‐the‐board 14% cut would be devastating to the state's mental health community at large.
New federal relief funding for Medicaid‐eligible providers concerning
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2020

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced June 9 the availability of Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid‐eligible providers. The move, says the National Council for Behavioral Health, which notes that organizations that received Medicare funds previously are ineligible, is “deeply flawed.”
NIMH aims to transform health care systems to reduce suicide
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2020

Observing that the suicide rate has increased by one‐third over the past two decades, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) announced its commitment, along with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (NAASP), to reduce the suicide rate by 20% by 2025. The NIMH viewpoint was published online May 20 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Reduction in Circulating Advanced Glycation End Products by Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Increased Likelihood of Type 2 Diabetes Remission in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: From the Cordioprev Study
Authors: Gutierrez‐Mariscal Francisco M. , Cardelo Magdalena P. , de la Cruz Silvia , Alcala‐Diaz Juan F. , Roncero‐Ramos Irene , Guler Ipek , Vals‐Delgado Cristina , López‐Moreno Alejandro , Luque Raul M. , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Perez‐Martinez Pablo , Yubero‐Serrano Elena M. , Lopez‐Miranda Jose
Published: June 2020

Scope

It is hypothesized that decreased advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels could affect type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission in newly diagnosed patients through the consumption of two healthy diets.

Methods and Results

Patients from CORDIOPREV study, all with previous cardiovascular events, with T2DM at the beginning of the study are included. Patients are randomized to a Mediterranean or a low‐fat diet for five years. No different diabetes remission rates are found among diets. Serum methylglioxal (MG) and carboximethyllysine (CML), levels dietary AGE, as well as gene expression of AGER1 and RAGE are measured. Serum MG decreases only after the consumption of the Mediterranean diet. Moreover, a COX regression analysis shows that each SD decrease in the MG, occurring after the Mediterranean diet, increases the probability of T2DM remission with HR:2.56(1.02–6.25) and p = 0.046 and each SD increase in disposition index at baseline increases the probability of remission with HR:1.94(1.32–2.87) and p = 0.001.

Conclusions

It is demonstrated that the reduction of serum AGEs levels and the modulation of its metabolism, occurring after the consumption of a Mediterranean diet, might be involved in the molecular mechanism underlying the T2DM remission of newly diagnosed patients with coronary heart disease.
Self‐management approaches to reduce the ill‐health burden associated with musculoskeletal foot and ankle problems: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Cherry Lindsey , Gates Lucy , McCormick Keith , Culliford David , Portillo Mari Carmen , Walker‐Bone Karen
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The high ill‐health burden associated with musculoskeletal (MSK) disease has been widely reported, and various treatment approaches proposed. Increasingly, treatments have sought to reflect personalised care and incorporate self‐management (SM). However, the range of SM approaches proposed for foot and ankle MSK problems, and their relative clinical or cost‐effectiveness, has not been reviewed. A scoping review is required to understand the need/appropriateness of a systematic review on this topic.

Methods and analysis

The scoping review will be conducted in line with the PRISMA‐ScR framework. We will perform an initial search across two databases to confirm search syntax. We will then complete a full search across three databases (Embase [Ovid], CINAHL [EBSCO], and Medline [EBSCO]) and grey literature (Cochrane Library, The British Library, The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health [CADTH], The Health Foundation, The Kings Fund, and MedNar). We will use a snowballing strategy to review the reference list of retrieved texts, as per inclusion criteria, to identify previously unretrieved texts of potential relevance. In an iterative process, the protocol outlined above will be refined and repeated as new key terms come to light.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping review will synthesise what is known and not known about SM approaches for MSK foot and ankle problems. The review will form the first step in outlining future research recommendations and areas of potentially unmet clinical need. The findings will be submitted for publication and shared in written form with stakeholder groups involved in the design of future research.
Sensitivity and specificity of repetitive nerve stimulation with lower cutoffs for abnormal decrement in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Lamb Christopher J. , Rubin Devon I.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The sensitivity of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) in myasthenia gravis (MG) is dependent on the cutoff for abnormal decrement.

Methods

RNS data of adults with and without MG from 2014 to 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The maximum reliable RNS amplitude/area decrement before and after exercise from facial, spinal accessory (SA), ulnar, and fibular nerves was recorded. Sensitivity/specificity using 5%, 7%, and 10% cutoffs were calculated.

Results

Seventy‐nine of 141 patients had MG (46 generalized, 21 ocular, 12 bulbar). A total of 608 unique RNS recordings were analyzed. Overall RNS sensitivity/specificity at ≥5%, ≥7%, and ≥10% amplitude cutoffs were as follows: SA, 65.6%/86.3%, 49.2%/94.1%, and 29.5%/96.1%; facial, 51.0%/82.5%, 43.1%/95.0%, and 37.3%/100%; ulnar, 43.6%/100%, 41.0%/100%, and 41.0%/100%; and fibular, 52.6%/89.5%, 42.1%/94.7%, and 42.1%/100%.

Discussion

Lowering amplitude cutoff from 10% to 7% increased or maintained sensitivity with little loss in specificity. Post‐exercise and area analysis resulted in increased sensitivity in some circumstances.
Comparison of Growth, Body Weight, and Contribution to Recreational Creel of Channel Catfish and Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish Hybrids in Two Public Put–Grow–Take Fisheries in Kansas
Authors: Neely Ben C. , Lynott Sean T. , Koch Jeff D.
Published: June 2020

Fisheries managers in Kansas face increasing challenges to diversify angling opportunities and increase appeal to a broader audience. One method of diversification is the development of alternative fisheries to complement those that are already established. To address this desire for diversification, age-1 Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and age-0 Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish I. furcatus hybrids were stocked in equal numbers at approximately equal sizes in two Kansas impoundments to compare growth, body weight, and return to creel in public put–grow–take systems. Catfish were sampled over a 3-year period with a suite of gears, including gill nets, baited tandem hoop nets, and low-frequency electrofishing. Additionally, creel surveys were conducted at both impoundments in 2015 and 2016 to estimate angling success. Hybrid catfish exhibited more rapid growth than Channel Catfish and reached the 381-mm minimum harvest length approximately 267–343 d earlier in both impoundments. Channel Catfish weight was 1.01–1.06 times the hybrid catfish weight at 280 mm, 0.96–0.99 times the hybrid weight at 410 mm, and 0.88–0.95 times the hybrid weight at 610 mm. Angler success did not differ between types of catfish in either impoundment during either year, but low sample sizes prohibited thorough comparison. More Channel Catfish (N = 623) than hybrid catfish (N = 297) were encountered with sampling gears, but differences in catch rate by gear were minimal, with no discernable patterns. Results presented herein provide evidence that hybrid catfish might be suitable for public put–grow–take fisheries. Additionally, growth and production benefits of hybrid catfish may make them a more economical option than Channel Catfish in these types of fisheries.
Multiclass state‐dependent service systems with returns
Authors: Barjesteh Nasser , Abouee‐Mehrizi Hossein
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we consider a service system facing several classes of customers in which the arrival rate and service time depend on the workload in the system, while the chance of return is a function of the service time. We first model the problem as a multiclass multiserver queueing network and investigate its stability by examining the conditions under which the Markov chain representing the network is positive recurrent. We then examine the impact of the relationship among the workload, service time, arrival rate, and the chance of return on the dynamics of the system using a fluid approach. We first characterize all equilibria of the system and show that the system may shift between several equilibrium states. We establish that all equilibria can be easily determined and demonstrate conditions under which an equilibrium is stable. We then prove that, surprisingly, the stability of an equilibrium and the congestion in the system may depend on the amount of time a customer spends outside of the system before returning for rework. However, we show that if the relationship between the workload and service time in a system facing a single class of customers is nondecreasing, the long‐run behavior of the system is not affected by how long it takes until a customer returns.
Effects of chicken feather keratin on smoke suppression characteristics and flame retardancy of epoxy resin
Authors: Hu Po , Zheng Xinyu , Zhu Jiwei , Wu Baolin
Published: June 2020

Chicken feather keratin (CK), a biomaterial that contains a large amount of nitrogen is extracted from chicken feathers and has significant potential for use as a flame retardant. In this study, CK and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) were added in different amounts to an epoxy resin (EP), and their flame retardancy and smoke suppression effects were studied. The results showed that CK exhibits a good flame‐retardancy effect and better smoke suppression characteristics than those of DOPO when added to EP. Furthermore, it greatly reduces the CO yield in smoke. While the EP samples with DOPO showed better flame‐retardancy properties than those of the samples with CK, they also produced more smoke, which had a higher CO content. Furthermore, when CK and DOPO were added to EP together, the flame‐retardancy characteristics of the samples varied with the CK/DOPO ratio. Then the pyrolysis of all samples was divided into two stages based on thermokinetics analysis and the activation energies of these samples in the two stages were investigated. Finally, the flame‐retardancy mechanism was discussed. When samples burn, the PO· free radicals derived from DOPO combine with H· and OH· to induce a quenching effect. In addition, the phosphate resulting from the decomposition of DOPO promotes the formation of the char layer. At the same time, the noncombustible gases generated during the pyrolysis of CK cause the char layer to expand and remove some of the heat. Thus, CK and DOPO synergistically improved the flame retardancy of EP.
Improving oxygen barrier properties of PET composites via grafting hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene with nanosilica
Authors: Zhu Zihao , Gao Cong , Shen Yucai , Wang Tingwei , Hu Guangjun
Published: June 2020

Hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) was grafted onto nanosilica via two steps, and then melt extruded with PET and transition metal catalyst. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that HTPB successfully bridged to the surface of nanosilica through toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI), and the grafting amount of HTPB accounted for about 11.2% of the total mass of nanosilica. The PET composite samples were also uniaxially stretched into films. Tensile results showed that the tensile strength of composite films was generally higher than that of composite sheets, especially the tensile strength of PET/SiO2‐HTPB composite film reached 139.8 MPa. After uniaxial stretching, the crystallinity of all films were significantly improved, and fillers accelerated the crystallization rate of PET, which greatly improved the crystallinity of composite materials, thereby contributing to the improvement of the oxygen barrier performance of composite materials. After adding the catalyst, the PET/SiO2‐HTPB/Co composite film has the lowest oxygen permeability coefficient of 1.05 × 10−15 (cm3·cm/cm2·s·pa), which was 87.6% lower than that of pure PET sheet. SEM showed that the compatibility between filler and matrix was improved. This study demonstrated that nanosilica grafted with HTPB played a synergistic role in improving the crystallinity of materials and exerting the active oxygen scavenging of HTPB, and uniaxial stretching was helpful for improving the comprehensive properties of composites.
Mechanisms and evidence of vertical transmission of infections in pregnancy including SARS‐CoV‐2s
Authors: Mahyuddin Aniza P. , Kanneganti Abhiram , Wong Jeslyn J.L. , Dimri Pooja S. , Su Lin L. , Biswas Arijit , Illanes Sebastian E. , Mattar Citra N. Z. , Huang Ruby Y.‐J. , Choolani Mahesh
Published: June 2020

There remain unanswered questions concerning mother‐to‐child‐transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2. Despite reports of neonatal COVID‐19, SARS‐CoV‐2 has not been consistently isolated in perinatal samples, thus definitive proof of transplacental infection is still lacking. To address these questions, we assessed investigative tools used to confirm maternal‐fetal infection and known protective mechanisms of the placental barrier that prevent transplacental pathogen migration. Forty studies of COVID‐19 pregnancies reviewed suggest a lack of consensus on diagnostic strategy for congenital infection. Although real‐time polymerase chain reaction of neonatal swabs was universally performed, a wide range of clinical samples was screened including vaginal secretions (22.5%), amniotic fluid (35%), breast milk (22.5%) and umbilical cord blood. Neonatal COVID‐19 was reported in eight studies, two of which were based on the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM in neonatal blood. Histological examination demonstrated sparse viral particles, vascular malperfusion and inflammation in the placenta from pregnant women with COVID‐19. The paucity of placental co‐expression of ACE‐2 and TMPRSS2, two receptors involved in cytoplasmic entry of SARS‐CoV‐2, may explain its relative insensitivity to transplacental infection. Viral interactions may utilise membrane receptors other than ACE‐2 thus, tissue susceptibility may be broader than currently known. Further spatial‐temporal studies are needed to determine the true potential for transplacental migration.
New Prospects for Particle Characterization Using Analytical Centrifugation with Sector‐Shaped Centerpieces
Authors: Uttinger Maximilian J. , Boldt Sebastian , Wawra Simon E. , Freiwald Tobias D. , Damm Cornelia , Walter Johannes , Lerche Dietmar , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: June 2020

Analytical centrifugation (AC) has recently shown great potential for the accurate determination of particle size distributions. The well‐established LUMiSizer(R) is customized by a new design allowing for higher rotor speeds, improved thermal insulation, and measurement cell assembly. The latter enables sedimentation analysis of nanoparticles (NPs) in sector‐shaped centerpieces. The measurement window of AC experiments is assessed by the Peclet (Pe) number. It is shown that at low Pe numbers (0.7 < Pe < 30), sedimentation, and diffusion can be accurately and simultaneously analyzed from the sedimentation boundaries within one experiment. Moreover, sedimentation properties can be reliably determined up to Pe numbers of 4000. The thermal characteristic throughout the sedimentation analysis is validated by measuring polystyrene particles at elevated temperatures. Moreover, the performance of the setup is demonstrated by determining the sedimentation properties of SiO2 NPs at intermediate Pe numbers in excellent agreement with results from analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. Finally, for the first time, an accurate analysis of the core–shell properties of Au NPs via AC is presented. By combining the analysis of sedimentation and diffusional properties at low Pe numbers, the shell thickness of the stabilizer cetyltrimethylammonium bromide alongside the core diameter distribution of the Au NPs is determined.
Distinctive communication networks in inactive states of β2‐adrenergic receptor: Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis
Authors: Sogunmez Nuray , Akten Ebru Demet
Published: June 2020

Mutual information and entropy transfer analysis employed on two inactive states of human beta‐2 adrenergic receptor (β2‐AR) unraveled distinct communication pathways. Previously, a so‐called “highly” inactive state of the receptor was observed during 1.5 microsecond long molecular dynamics simulation where the largest intracellular loop (ICL3) was swiftly packed onto the G‐protein binding cavity, becoming entirely inaccessible. Mutual information quantifying the degree of correspondence between backbone‐Cα fluctuations was mostly shared between intra‐ and extra‐cellular loop regions in the original inactive state, but shifted to entirely different regions in this latest inactive state. Interestingly, the largest amount of mutual information was always shared among the mobile regions. Irrespective of the conformational state, polar residues always contributed more to mutual information than hydrophobic residues, and also the number of polar‐polar residue pairs shared the highest degree of mutual information compared to those incorporating hydrophobic residues. Entropy transfer, quantifying the correspondence between backbone‐Cα fluctuations at different timesteps, revealed a distinctive pathway directed from the extracellular site toward intracellular portions in this recently exposed inactive state for which the direction of information flow was the reverse of that observed in the original inactive state where the mobile ICL3 and its intracellular surroundings drove the future fluctuations of extracellular regions.
Agonist bias and agonist‐dependent antagonism at corticotrophin releasing factor receptors
Authors: Tasma Zoe , Wills Peter , Hay Debbie L. , Walker Christopher S.
Published: June 2020

The corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) receptors represent potential drug targets for the treatment of anxiety, stress, and other disorders. However, it is not known if endogenous CRF receptor agonists display biased signaling, how effective CRF receptor antagonists are at blocking different agonists and signaling pathways or how receptor activity‐modifying proteins (RAMPs) effect these processes. This study aimed to address this by investigating agonist and antagonist action at CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. We used CRF1 and CRF2 receptor transfected Cos7 cells to assess the ability of CRF and urocortin (UCN) peptides to activate cAMP, inositol monophosphate (IP1), and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 signaling and determined the ability of antagonists to block agonist‐stimulated cAMP and IP1 accumulation. The ability of RAMPs to interact with CRF receptors was also examined. At the CRF1 receptor, CRF and UCN1 activated signaling in the same manner. However, at the CRF2 receptor, UCN1 and UCN2 displayed similar signaling profiles, whereas CRF and UCN3 displayed bias away from IP1 accumulation over cAMP. The antagonist potency was dependent on the receptor, agonist, and signaling pathway. CRF1 and CRF2 receptors had no effect on RAMP1 or RAMP2 surface expression. The presence of biased agonism and agonist‐dependent antagonism at the CRF receptors offers new avenues for developing drugs tailored to activate a specific signaling pathway or block a specific agonist. Our findings suggest that the already complex CRF receptor pharmacology may be underappreciated and requires further investigation.
Association between low body weight and cytochrome P‐450 enzyme activity in patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Sandvik Pål , Lydersen Stian , Hegstad Solfrid , Spigset Olav
Published: June 2020

Very little is known to which extent severe underweight could affect cytochrome P‐450 (CYP) enzyme activity. In this study, 24 patients with anorexia nervosa at two occasions ingested single oral doses of five test drugs known to be metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, respectively. A mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the effect of changes in body mass index (BMI) on the metabolic activities of these enzymes. The primary end point was the change in drug/metabolite ratio of each of the test drugs per kg/m2 change in BMI. With increasing BMI, the metabolic activity of CYP3A4 decreased (change in the CYP3A4 drug/metabolite ratio per unit change in BMI = 0.056; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.011 to 0.102; P = .017). For CYP1A2, increasing BMI increased the metabolic activity with borderline significance (change in the CYP1A2 drug/metabolite ratio per unit change in BMI = –0.107; CI –0.220 to 0.005; P = .059). For CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6, no significant changes were seen. The clinical impact of these findings for drug treatment in patients with anorexia nervosa and other severely underweight patients needs to be further studied by examining the pharmacokinetics of specific drugs. This might be particularly relevant for drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 and/or CYP3A4.
Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with pembrolizumab monotherapy
Authors: Chang Hao‐Chun , Hsu Chia‐Lin , Chang Yih‐Leong , Yu Chong‐Jen
Published: June 2020

Adenocarcinoma (ADC) is the most common form of lung cancer; however, some other types of lung cancer can sometimes mimic ADC. It then takes experienced pathologists and special stains to make the correct diagnosis. Here, we present a patient with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma who was misdiagnosed with ADC, and was treated with pembrolizumab for 13 months. The diagnosis and treatment (including immunotherapy) are also reviewed.
What affects residents' participation in the circular economy for sustainable development? Evidence from China
Authors: Hao Yu , Wang Yingting , Wu Qiuwei , Sun Shiwei , Wang Weilu , Cui Menglin
Published: June 2020

To realize sustainable development, China has vowed to build the circular economy for many years, but the level of development of this economy differs significantly in various regions of China. This study aims to examine the factors influencing residents' willingness to participate in the circular economy in Western China. We collected 791 online questionnaires from residents living in western Sichuan Province and Chongqing City. Based on the survey data, the Theory of Planned Behavior is adapted to construct a structural equation model. The empirical results indicate that four variables (i.e., Subjective Norm, Willingness to Sacrifice for the Environment, Perceived Economic Benefit, and Positive Anticipated Emotion) have significant effects on residents' willingness to participate in the circular economy. In addition, there is also evidence for Green Purchase Intention as a mediator for the relationship of Willingness to participate in circular economy with Subjective Norm, Willingness to Sacrifice for the Environment and Perceived Economic Benefit, and evidence for Perceived Behavior Control as a moderator of the relationship between Willingness to participate in circular economy and Positive Anticipated Emotion.
The liabilities of foreign institutional ownership: Managing political dependence through corporate political spending
Authors: Shi Wei , Gao Cheng , Aguilera Ruth V.
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

The benefits of foreign institutional ownership (FIO) have been amply researched, but there are also potential downsides to such ownership. High FIO can subject a firm to heightened regulatory scrutiny and compliance, increasing its political dependence. Drawing on resource dependence theory, we argue that firms can manage the political dependence that arises from FIO by engaging in corporate political spending (CPS). We derive two moderating conditions from our theoretical argument, positing that the strength of the positive relationship between FIO and CPS hinges on the intensity of a firm's government contracting and on the political sensitivity of the industry. Our study advances strategic ownership research by highlighting that U.S. firms may need to manage the potential liabilities associated with FIO through nonmarket strategy.

Managerial Summary

Research suggests that firms can reap many benefits from equity investments made by foreign institutional investors. However, such investments may also have potential downsides. We posit that high levels of FIO may subject a firm to increased political and regulatory scrutiny, and that firms can manage this increased exposure to government by engaging in corporate political activities that allow them to monitor and influence the political landscape. To explore this question, we analyzed a large sample of publicly traded U.S. firms and find empirical support for our arguments. Our study highlights an unintended “liability” of FIO that firm executives should be aware of and has practical implications for how firms manage their investors and allocate resources between market and nonmarket strategies.
The oldest known bovid from China and reappraisal of the Chinese ‘Eotragus’
Authors: Li Yikun , Li Qiang , Ni Xijun , Wang Shiqi , Aiglstorfer Manuela , Deng Tao
Published: June 2020

Bovid material from Xishuigou, Tabenbuluk area, Gansu Province, China, is described here. The type material of ‘Eotragus’ halamagaiensis from the Halamagai Formation, Junggar Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China is reviewed as well. Both should be attributed to Turcocerus halamagaiensis comb. nov. The short and almost straight horn cores with concave anterior margins and convex posterior margins are similar to the morphology of the genus Eotragus. However, the slight homonymous torsion (visible along the course of the anterior rib) and well‐developed posterior and posterolateral grooves on the horn cores, as well as a weaker inclination than in Eotragus, indicate a closer affiliation to the genus Turcocerus. The short lower cheek teeth with a considerably shortened premolar row further suggest the assignment of the material from Xishuigou to Turcocerus. Thus, there is no reliable representative of Eotragus in China. The record of Turcocerus from Xishuigou is dated to the late Early Miocene and might be the oldest known, suggesting that the genus Turcocerus could have originated in China. The biostratigraphical position of Turcocerus also demonstrates that the dispersal events from China to Turkey and from China to Mongolia may have taken place in the late Shanwangian (Orleanian) and the late Tunggurian (Astaracian), respectively.
Pathways to Enhance Climate Change Resilience among Pastoral Households in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Ndesanjo Ronald Boniphace , Theilade Ida , Nielsen Martin Reinhardt
Published: June 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pathways to enhance resilience to increased climate variability and directional change among pastoral households in Simanjiro District in Northern Tanzania. The study used household survey and rainfall and temperature data. Results indicate increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation trends over the past four decades. Also, extreme climatic events, particularly drought, have become more frequent. Food and water insecurity are key factors causing an increased household vulnerability. Increased climate change-induced malaria prevalence poses additional health risks. Household adaptive strategies include livelihood diversification and migration. Local institutions are instrumental in enhancing climate change resilience at the local level. We conclude that livelihood diversification and migration are key pathways to enhancing households’ climate change resilience.
Radiochemotherapy with or without cetuximab for unresectable esophageal cancer: final results of a randomized phase 2 trial (LEOPARD-2)
Authors: Rades Dirk , Bartscht Tobias , Hunold Peter , Schmidberger Heinz , König Laila , Debus Jürgen , Belka Claus , Homann Nils , Spillner Patrick , Petersen Cordula , Kuhnt Thomas , Fietkau Rainer , Ridwelski Karsten , Karcher-Kilian Kerstin , Kranich Anne , Männikkö Sofia , Schild Steven E. , Maderer Annett , Moehler Markus
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of cetuximab when added to radiochemotherapy for unresectable esophageal cancer.

Methods

This randomized phase 2 trial (clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT01787006) compared radiochemotherapy plus cetuximab (arm A) to radiochemotherapy (arm B) for unresectable esophageal cancer. Primary objective was 2‑year overall survival (OS). Arm A was considered insufficiently active if 2‑year OS was ≤40% (null hypothesis = H0), and promising if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval was >45%. If that lower limit was >40%, H0 was rejected. Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LC), metastases-free survival (MFS), response, and toxicity. The study was terminated early after 74 patients; 68 patients were evaluable.

Results

Two-year OS was 71% in arm A (95% CI: 55–87%) vs. 53% in arm B (95% CI: 36–71%); H0 was rejected. Median OS was 49.1 vs. 24.1 months (p = 0.147). Hazard ratio (HR) for death was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.30–1.21). At 2 years, PFS was 56% vs. 44%, LC 84% vs. 72%, and MFS 74% vs. 54%. HRs were 0.51 (0.25–1.04) for progression, 0.43 (0.13–1.40) for locoregional failure, and 0.43 (0.17–1.05) for distant metastasis. Overall response was 81% vs. 69% (p = 0.262). Twenty-six and 27 patients, respectively, experienced at least one toxicity grade ≥3 (p = 0.573). A significant difference was found for grade ≥3 allergic reactions (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Given the limitations of this trial, radiochemotherapy plus cetuximab was feasible. There was a trend towards improved PFS and MFS. Larger studies are required to better define the role of cetuximab for unresectable esophageal cancer.
Evidence-based diagnostic use of VEMPs
Authors: Dlugaiczyk J.
Published: June 2020

Background

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are increasingly being used for testing otolith organ function.

Objective

This article provides an overview of the anatomical, biomechanical and neurophysiological principles underlying the evidence-based clinical application of ocular and cervical VEMPs (oVEMPs and cVEMPs).

Material and methods

Systematic literature search in PubMed until April 2019.

Results

Sound and vibration at a frequency of 500 Hz represent selective vestibular stimuli for the otolith organs. The predominant specificity of oVEMPs for contralateral utricular function and of cVEMPs for ipsilateral saccular function is defined by the different central projections of utricular and saccular afferents. VEMPs are particularly useful in the diagnosis of superior canal dehiscence and otolith organ specific vestibular dysfunction and as an alternative diagnostic approach in situations when video oculography is not possible or useful.

Conclusion

The use of VEMPs is a simple, safe, reliable and selective test of dynamic function of otolith organs.
Analysis of the influence of the effective angles on the tool wear in gear hobbing
Authors: Kühn Felix , Löpenhaus Christoph , Brimmers Jens , Klocke Fritz , Bergs Thomas
Published: June 2020

Gear hobbing is one of the most productive manufacturing processes for cylindrical spur gears. The macro geometry of the cutting edge of a hob depends on the tool angles. The tool angles consist of rake angle, wedge angle, and clearance angle. Due to the relative motion between workpiece and tool, the tool angles change to the effective angles during the process. The tool angles have a significant influence on the abrasive flank wear and the heat transfer through the tool. The use of indexable insert hobs compared to conventional hobs offers geometric design freedom. In contrast to full profile tools, the tool clearance angle can be designed freely along the profile by using indexable insert hobs. By dividing the reference profile into at least one left and one right indexable insert, the rake angles of both flanks can be set independently. As a result, the use of indexable insert hobs offers a significantly increased variability in tool design. In order to predict tool wear, the influences of tool angle and cutting edge geometry on tool wear in gear hobbing with indexable insert must be investigated in more detail. Therefore, the objective of the investigation presented in this paper is to improve the cutting conditions by modifying the effective angles in indexable insert hobbing. In analogy tests, the influence of the effective angle on tool wear was investigated by a variation of the rake and clearance angles. Based on the outcomes of the theoretical and empirical investigation, a wear model was developed for the main wear mechanism of abrasive wear. The wear model was trained by analyzing the tool life through an analogy test and was validated in an industrial hobbing process with indexable inserts.
Artenschutz im Fokus der höchstrichterlichen Rechtsprechung
Authors: Kment Martin
Published: June 2020

Die Bedeutung des Artenschutzrechts nimmt rasant zu. Industrieanlagen, Infrastrukturprojekte oder
sonstige größere Bauvorhaben lassen sich kaum mehr ohne eine genauere Studie des Artenschutzrechts
in Angriff nehmen, will man nicht unerwünschte Überraschungen in der Realisierungsphase erleben.
Dabei reicht es häufig nicht aus, nur die gesetzlichen Vorgaben zu studieren. Auch die einschlägige
Rechtsprechung bedarf einer eingehenden Betrachtung. Dieser letztgenannten Aufgabe nimmt sich der vorliegende
Beitrag an. Er analysiert die höchstgerichtliche Rechtsprechung zum Artenschutzrecht, destilliert
deren Kernaussagen und ordnet die Judikate systematisch den Grundstrukturen des Artenschutzrechts zu. Betrachtungszeitraum
sind die Jahre 2014 bis einschließlich 2019.
Das Klimaschutzgesetz des Bundes – Hintergrund, Regelungsstruktur und wesentliche Inhalte
Authors: Albrecht Juliane
Published: June 2020

Das im Dezember 2019 in Kraft getretene Bundes-Klimaschutzgesetz (KSG) setzt in Deutschland erstmals
einen dauerhaft verbindlichen Rahmen für den Klimaschutz und knüpft insofern an völker- und
europarechtlichen Verpflichtungen an. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt den rechtlichen Hintergrund, die Regelungsstruktur
und wesentliche Inhalte des Gesetzes. Dabei werden die einzelnen Vorschriften des KSG erläutert und
mit den internationalen Vorgaben (Pariser Abkommen) sowie den aktuellen Instrumenten der EU-Klimaschutzpolitik
(Emissionshandels-RL, Klimaschutz-Verordnung, LULUCF-Verordnung und Governance-Verordnung) in Beziehung
gesetzt sowie einer zusammenfassenden Bewertung unterzogen.
Shaping Social and Psychological Competencies or Intervening in a Crisis? Sociotherapists’ Experiences of Helping Adolescents in Poland
Authors: Soroko Emilia , Jankowiak Barbara
Published: June 2020

Sociotherapists’ experiences of helping adolescents within the framework of sociotherapy were examined. There were 12 participants involved (three males), who were active sociotherapists from big cities in Poland. They were aged 30–60 years, with at least 4 years’ experience in the profession. We applied a qualitative approach to obtain in-depth, socio-contextual descriptions of the sociotherapists’ experiences. Interviews activated by a narrative stimulus were conducted. Both inductive (inspired by thematic analysis and a categorical-content perspective in narrative analysis) and deductive (based on theory of basic narrative forms) content analytic approaches were used to identify key helping factors. Two general themes revealed different paths of arranging help for adolescents in sociotherapeutic groups: (1) shaping of psychological competencies; (2) intervening in crises, encompassing dramatic actions going beyond process-based group work. Sociotherapy providers should have appropriate specialisms and procedures to implement the necessary interventions, as they go beyond the scope of the group-work aspect of sociotherapy.
Cytosolic DNA sensing through cGAS and STING is inactivated by gene mutations in pangolins
Authors: Fischer Heinz , Tschachler Erwin , Eckhart Leopold
Published: June 2020

The release of DNA into the cytoplasm upon damage to the nucleus or during viral infection triggers an interferon-mediated defense response, inflammation and cell death. In human cells cytoplasmic DNA is sensed by cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS) and Absent In Melanoma 2 (AIM2). Here, we report the identification of a “natural knockout” model of cGAS. Comparative genomics of phylogenetically diverse mammalian species showed that cGAS and its interaction partner Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) have been inactivated by mutations in the Malayan pangolin whereas other mammals retained intact copies of these genes. The coding sequences of CGAS and STING1 are also disrupted by premature stop codons and frame-shift mutations in Chinese and tree pangolins, suggesting that expression of these genes was lost in a common ancestor of all pangolins that lived more than 20 million years ago. AIM2 is retained in a functional form in pangolins whereas it is inactivated by mutations in carnivorans, the phylogenetic sister group of pangolins. The deficiency of cGAS and STING points to the existence of alternative mechanisms of controlling cytoplasmic DNA-associated cell damage and viral infections in pangolins.
Early-successional saproxylic beetles inhabiting a common host-tree type can be sensitive to the spatiotemporal continuity of their substrate
Authors: Laaksonen Mervi , Punttila Pekka , Siitonen Juha
Published: June 2020

Intensive forest management has drastically reduced the amount and diversity of dead wood resulting in population decline of saproxylic species. Forestry practices can also disrupt spatiotemporal continuity of dead wood habitats. We studied the effects of stand- and landscape-level densities of host trees on the incidence (proportion of occupied trees) of saproxylic beetles inhabiting recently dead standing Scots pines, a common host-tree type both in natural and managed boreal forests. We compared the occurrence patterns of eight rare specialist and eight common generalist species. Saproxylic beetles were collected from a total of 315 trees in 67 forest stands, including both managed and natural forests, located in three regions which form a gradient in forest-use intensity. Species richness of the entire community at tree and stand level did not respond to the stand- and landscape-level host-tree density. The incidence of six common generalist species did not depend on the stand-level host-tree density, whereas the incidences of four rare specialist species increased with increasing host-tree density. Five out of eight rare specialist species were either significantly less common or absent from the region with the lowest landscape-level density of host trees. We conclude that rare specialist species living in recently dead pines are susceptible to changes in spatiotemporal dynamics of their host trees. To conserve rare early-successional species, it is necessary to ensure continuous input of dying trees by prolonging rotation times in mature forests, regenerating stands using seed-tree cutting and leaving as many permanent retention trees as possible.
The importance of artificial drains for macroinvertebrate biodiversity in reclaimed agricultural landscapes
Authors: Gething Kieran J. , Little Sally
Published: June 2020

Artificial drainage networks, ubiquitous within lowland agricultural landscapes in Europe and North America, exhibit a range of physical and chemical conditions, and may provide important habitat for aquatic organisms. Drains share hydromorphological characteristics with both lotic rivers and lentic ditches, potentially providing opportunities for a diverse range of taxa. However, little is known about the communities they support. A 23-year benthic macroinvertebrate dataset from four English catchments was used to determine the contributions of drains to biodiversity in a reclaimed agricultural landscape through a comparison of catchments, drain and river channels. A lack of significant differences in gamma diversity and high compositional overlap between rivers and drains showed that drains were not depauperate, and consistently contributed a richness comparable to that of rivers. High-compositional overlap suggested that drains from different catchments contributed comparably to aquatic biodiversity at the landscape scale. Significant differences in environmental conditions (inferred from biotic indices) between catchments may have marginally increased landscape gamma diversity through turnover. Despite similarities in community composition, non-native species were less abundant in drains. This study demonstrates the importance of drains for habitat provision in intensively farmed catchments, and highlights the need for focused research into their management and conservation potential.
Local structure in amorphous Sm$$_x$$Co$$_{1-x}$$: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: George Sebastian , Kádas Krisztina , Jönsson Petra E. , Muscas Giuseppe , Magnus Fridrik , Eriksson Olle , Delin Anna , Andersson Gabriella
Published: June 2020

Using a combination of extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements, stochastic quenching (SQ) calculations and Voronoi tessellation analysis, the local atomic environments in thin films of amorphous Sm$$_{x}$$xCo$$_{1-x}$$1-x ($$x =$$x= 0.10, 0.22 and 0.35) are investigated and also compared with crystalline stoichiometric Sm–Co alloys of similar compositions. It is found that the variations in local environment around Co atoms in the amorphous films increase with increasing x and that none of the films exhibit any pronounced short-range order around the Sm atoms. There are, however, signs of clustering of Sm atoms in the SQ-generated simulated amorphous materials.
Furthermore, good agreement is observed between experimentally obtained parameters, e.g., interatomic distances and coordination numbers, and those extracted from the simulated alloys. This is a strong indication that SQ provides a powerful route to reliable local structure information for amorphous rare earth–transition metal alloys and that it could be used for designing materials with properties that meet the demands of specific applications.
ParticleMDI: particle Monte Carlo methods for the cluster analysis of multiple datasets with applications to cancer subtype identification
Authors: Cunningham Nathan , Griffin Jim E. , Wild David L.
Published: June 2020

We present a novel nonparametric Bayesian approach for performing cluster analysis in a context where observational units have data arising from multiple sources. Our approach uses a particle Gibbs sampler for inference in which cluster allocations are jointly updated using a conditional particle filter within a Gibbs sampler, improving the mixing of the MCMC chain. We develop several approaches to improving the computational performance of our algorithm. These methods can achieve greater than an order-of-magnitude improvement in performance at no cost to accuracy and can be applied more broadly to Bayesian inference for mixture models with a single dataset. We apply our algorithm to the discovery of risk cohorts amongst 243 patients presenting with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, using samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas, for which there are gene expression, copy number variation, DNA methylation, protein expression and microRNA data. We identify 4 distinct consensus subtypes and show they are prognostic for survival rate ($$p < 0.0001$$

p
<
0.0001

).
Facilitating the Child–Robot Interaction by Endowing the Robot with the Capability of Understanding the Child Engagement: The Case of Mio Amico Robot
Authors: Filippini Chiara , Spadolini Edoardo , Cardone Daniela , Bianchi Domenico , Preziuso Maurizio , Sciarretta Christian , del Cimmuto Valentina , Lisciani Davide , Merla Arcangelo
Published: June 2020

Social Robots (SRs) are substantially becoming part of modern society, given their frequent use in many areas of application including education, communication, assistance, and entertainment. The main challenge in human–robot interaction is in achieving human-like and affective interaction between the two groups. This study is aimed at endowing SRs with the capability of assessing the emotional state of the interlocutor, by analyzing his/her psychophysiological signals. The methodology is focused on remote evaluations of the subject’s peripheral neuro-vegetative activity by means of thermal infrared imaging. The approach was developed and tested for a particularly challenging use case: the interaction between children and a commercial educational robot, Mio Amico Robot, produced by LiscianiGiochi©. The emotional state classified from the thermal signal analysis was compared to the emotional state recognized by a facial action coding system. The proposed approach was reliable and accurate and favored a personalized and improved interaction of children with SRs.