bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Early Prediction of Response of Breast Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Lee Youn , Kim Sung , Kang Bong , Kim Yun
Published: August 2018

Purpose To evaluate the time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early prediction of the response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Materials and Methods This prospective study included 41 patients with breast cancer. CEUS was performed before and after the first cycle of NAC. TIC parameters were analyzed for different regions of interest (ROIs). ROI 1 targeted the hotspot area of greatest enhancement, ROI 2 delineated the area of hyperenhancement, ROI 3 included the entire tumor on grayscale ultrasound, and ROI 4 encircled the normal parenchyma. The TIC perfusion values for ROI 1, 2, and 3 were divided by the ROI 4 value.

Results 11 (26.8 %) of the 41 patients showed a good response (Miller-Payne score 4 or 5) and 30 (73.2 %) showed a minor response (Miller-Payne score 1, 2, or 3). There were significant differences in the wash-out area under the curve, the wash-in and wash-out areas under the curve on ROI 1/4 after the first cycle of NAC, pre-NAC mean transit time local (mTTl) on ROI 2/4, and pre-NAC mTTl on ROI 3/4 between good and minor responders (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve > 0.70, p < 0.05).

Conclusion Some TIC parameters obtained by CEUS may allow prediction of the response of breast cancer to NAC at a very early time point.
In vivo Evaluation of Anti-Hyperglycemic, Anti-hyperlipidemic and Anti-Oxidant Status of Liver and Kidney of Thymol in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Oskouei Bijan , Abbaspour-Ravasjani Soheil , Jamal Musavinejad Seyed , Ahmad Salehzadeh Seyed , Abdolhosseinzadeh Alireza , hamishehkar Hamed , Ghahremanzadeh Kazem , Shokouhi Behrooz
Published: August 2018

Aim The evaluation of the positive and protective effects thymol as a natural compound on the STZ -induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods In this study, seven groups of the streptozotocin induced diabetic and normal rats (overall 42 males) were tested through various biochemical and histopathological factors such as: serum glucose, insulin, creatinine, lipids, lipoproteins, liver function-related enzymes, and antioxidant status in liver and kidney.

Results The obtained results in this work indicated that thymol had a significant anti-hypoglycemic, anti-hypolipidemic activities on the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further, the assessment different biochemical parameters revealed that the levels of creatinine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and liver function-related enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were decreased in the treated diabetes rats under 20 and 40 mg/kg thymol compared to the control diabetes group. Considerably, the anti-oxidant enzymes status that were achieved from the liver and kidney organs were modulated after treatment with thymol in the diabetic rats.

Conclusion The results of this research has brough a new aspect concerning the proteevtive and positive effects of thymol on the diabetic complications in the animal model.
The Role of High-Fidelity Team-Based Simulation in Acute Care Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Armenia Sarah , Thangamathesvaran Loka , Caine Akia , King Neil , Kunac Anastasia , Merchant Aziz
Published: August 2018

Introduction High-fidelity team-based simulation has been identified as an effective way of teaching and evaluating both technical and nontechnical skills. Several studies have described the benefits of this modality in a variety of acute care settings, but a lack of standardized methodologies has resulted in heterogeneous findings. Few studies have characterized high fidelity simulation across a broad range of acute care settings and integrated the latest evidence on its educational and patient impact.

Methods The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were searched for empirical studies from the last 10 years, investigating high fidelity team-based simulation in surgical, trauma, and critical care training curricula.

Results Seventeen studies were included. Interventions and evaluations were comprehensively characterized for each study and were discussed in the context of four overarching acute care settings: the emergency department/trauma bay, the operating room, the intensive care unit, and inpatient ad hoc resuscitation teams.

Conclusions The use of high-fidelity team-based simulation has expanded in acute care and is feasible and effective in a wide variety of specialized acute settings, including the emergency department/trauma bay, the operating room, the intensive care unit, and inpatient ad hoc resuscitation teams. Training programs have evolved to emphasize team-based, multidisciplinary education models and are often conducted in situ to maximize authenticity. In situ simulations have also provided the opportunity for system-level improvement and discussions of complex topics such as social hierarchy. There is limited evidence supporting the impact of simulation on patient outcomes, sustainability of simulation efforts, or cost-effectiveness of training programs. These areas warrant further research now that the scope of utilization across acute care settings has been characterized.
Reticulated Platelets: Changing Focus from Basics to Outcomes
Authors: Hannawi Bashar , Hannawi Yousef , Kleiman Neal
Published: August 2018

Platelets play an essential role in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis. Reticulated platelets (RPs) are the youngest platelet population in the circulation; their presence is an indicator of platelet turnover. Circulating levels of RPs are increased in patients with coronary artery disease and stroke. Preliminary indications are that the proportion of circulating RP is associated with the likelihood of ischaemic events such as acute coronary syndrome and stroke. Plausible mechanisms include: (1) increased participation of these platelets in thrombosis due to messenger ribonucleic acid that may be translated to active proteins, (2) lack of exposure to anti-platelet drugs since they are newly released from the bone marrow or (3) their presence is a non-specific marker of inflammation. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss the implication of RP in coronary artery disease and in hypo-responsiveness to the most commonly used anti-platelet drugs.
Proximity to the Diaphragm Predicts the Presence of Rhabdomyomatous Dysplasia in Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformations
Authors: Monteagudo Julie , Dickinson Catherine , Wakeley Michelle , Mangray Shamlal , Wills Hale , Luks Francois
Published: August 2018

Introduction Rhabdomyomatous dysplasia (RD) is a pathologic finding in CPAMs that was incorrectly attributed to their malignant potential. The increasing recognition of extrathoracic (intradiaphragmatic and intraabdominal) congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) offers a clue to the origin of RD. We hypothesize that the presence of RD is related to the CPAM's anatomic location.

Materials and Methods Retrospective review was performed of all children who underwent resection of a CPAM during a 10-year period. The age at the time of operation, location of the CPAM, and pathologic findings were collected. Peridiaphragmatic location was defined as within the inferior pulmonary ligament, deep to the diaphragmatic portion of the parietal pleura (“intradiaphragmatic”) or adjacent to the abdominal side of the diaphragm. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test for 2 × 2 tables.

Results Twenty-six patients with CPAM were identified. Preoperative imaging was performed by computed tomography (CT) scan (16/26), ultrasound (5/26), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1/26), and chest radiograph (4/26). The median age at resection was 15 months. Of these, 16 were pure cystic adenomatoid malformations, 4 were extralobar sequestrations, 4 were intralobar sequestrations, and 2 were bronchogenic cysts. Nine lesions were peridiaphragmatic with four being intradiaphragmatic (44%). Eight of the nine resected peridiaphragmatic lesions contained histologic evidence of rhabdomyomatous changes (89%, confidence interval [CI] 52–99%). None of the other lesions contained RD (CI 0–19%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion RD was seen exclusively, and in virtually all peridiaphragmatic CPAMs. While the exact significance of RD remains unclear, it may represent incorporation of striated muscle tissue associated with the developing diaphragm.
Apixaban versus Dalteparin for the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer: The Caravaggio Study
Authors: Agnelli Giancarlo , Becattini Cecilia , Bauersachs Rupert , Brenner Benjamin , Campanini Mauro , Cohen Alexander , Connors Jean , Fontanella Andrea , Gussoni Gualberto , Huisman Menno , Lambert Catherine , Meyer Guy , Muñoz Andres , Abreu de Sousa Joaquim , Torbicki Adam , Verso Melina , Vescovo Giorgio ,   for the Caravaggio Study Investigators
Published: August 2018

International and national guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer. The aim of the Caravaggio study is to assess whether oral apixaban is non-inferior to subcutaneous dalteparin for the treatment of acute proximal deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer. The study is an investigator-initiated, multi-national, prospective, randomized, open-label with blind end-point evaluation (PROBE), non-inferiority clinical trial (NCT03045406). Consecutive patients are randomized to receive oral apixaban or subcutaneous dalteparin for 6 months. Apixaban is given at a dose of 10 mg twice daily for the first 7 days and then 5 mg twice daily; dalteparin is given at a dose of 200 IU/kg for the first month and then 150 IU/kg once daily. The primary outcome of the study is objectively confirmed recurrent VTE as assessed by a central independent adjudication committee unaware of study treatment allocation. The primary safety outcome is major bleeding defined according to the guidelines of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Assuming a 6-month incidence of the primary outcome of 7% with dalteparin and an upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio below the pre-specified margin of 2.00, 1,168 patients will be randomized considering an up to 20% loss in total patient-years (β = 80%; α one-sided = 0.025). The Caravaggio study has the potential, along with other recently performed or on-going studies, to make less cumbersome the management of VTE in patients with cancer by replacing parenteral with oral anticoagulation.
Die posttraumatische Belastungsstörung (PTBS) nach dem ICD-11 Kriterienvorschlag bei inhaftierten Männern
Authors: Krammer Sandy , Maercker Andreas , grosse Holtforth Martin , Gamma Alex , Liebrenz Michael
Published: August 2018

Theoretischer Hintergrund Die voraussichtlich 2018 erscheinende elfte Version des ICD führt nach der online einsehbaren Betaversion zu veränderten Kriterien hinsichtlich der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS). Solche Veränderungen wirken sich voraussichtlich auf bisher bekannte Merkmale der PTBS aus, darunter auch die Prävalenzrate. Die vorliegende Studie überprüfte die Häufigkeit der ICD-11 PTBS bei inhaftierten Männern, wozu bislang kein Wissen vorliegt. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Hochrisikogruppe für Traumafolgestörungen, denn gegenüber der Allgemeinbevölkerung sind diese besonders häufig von traumatischen Ereignissen betroffen.

Methode Bei n = 49 in der Schweiz inhaftierten Männern erfolgte querschnittlich und anhand von standardisierten Selbstbeurteilungsverfahren (ACE, Cidi-Liste, IES-R) die Erfassung von traumatischen Ereignissen und möglicher Traumafolgesymptomatik. Auf Basis der diagnostischen Heuristik von Hyland et al. (2017), anhand welcher die ICD-11 PTBS mittels der IES-R eingeschätzt wird, erfolgte die Berechnung der Häufigkeit eben dieser.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt waren 88 % der untersuchten inhaftierten Männer in der Kindheit und/oder über die Lebensspanne traumatisiert worden. 78 % berichteten mindestens ein Ereignis auf der ACE, durchschnittlich 1.5, 25 % schilderten vier oder mehr Ereignisse. Mit 51 % wurde emotionaler Missbrauch am häufigsten berichtet. Weiter gaben 71 % mindestens ein Ereignis auf der Cidi-Liste an, durchschnittlich 1.8, am häufigsten mit 45 % ernsthafte körperliche Bedrohung. Die Analyse zur ICD-11 PTBS wurde nach Ausschluss derjenigen ohne traumatischem Ereignis und derjenigen, die das IES-R nicht ausgefüllt hatten, mit n = 34 Inhaftierten durchgeführt und die PTBS wurde bei 26.5 % eingeschätzt.

Schlussfolgerung Die Studie zeigt, dass inhaftierte Männer wahrscheinlich auch nach dem neuen ICD eine Hochrisikogruppe für die Entwicklung einer PTBS sind. In Anbetracht der ausgeprägten Häufigkeit an traumatischen Ereignissen und den zahlreichen damit einhergehenden negativen Konsequenzen sowohl für die psychische als auch für die körperliche Gesundheit sind spezifische psychotherapeutische Programme und ein Trauma informierter Strafvollzug notwendig.
Metric in the moduli of SU(2) monopoles from spectral curves and Gauss-Manin connection in disguise
Authors: Torres Marcus A. C.
Published: August 2018

We show here that from the metric of the manifold M20, i.e., the reduced moduli of SU(2) 2-monopoles in Yang-Mills-Higgs theory, one can recover the respective moduli of spectral curves using the method Gauss-Manin connection in disguise. This work is a step toward creating an inverse process of finding the metric of any Mk0, from spectral curves. This is a thirty year old problem that we hope to shed some light on.
Nonplanar dust-acoustic waves and chaotic motions in Thomas Fermi dusty plasmas
Authors: Rahim Zakia , Adnan Muhammad , Qamar Anisa , Saha Asit
Published: August 2018

The properties of linear and nonlinear nonplanar dust acoustic (DA) solitary waves and chaotic behavior are investigated in an unmagnetized Thomas Fermi dusty plasma, whose components are degenerate electrons, ions, and negatively charged inertial cold dust grains. A linear dispersion relation is obtained and solved numerically. It has been observed that linear excitation characteristics are influenced by radial distance r, geometric term ν, and ion-to-electron Fermi temperature ratio σi. We have also noted that the addition of a geometrical term in dispersion relation gives damping along the radial axis. A modified Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation is derived by employing the reductive perturbation technique, and its numerical solutions are obtained. The modified KdV equation is discussed for cold dust grains in planar and nonplanar frameworks. Upon the introduction of external periodic perturbation, the perturbed modified KdV equation is studied in planar geometry via some qualitative and quantitative approaches. The perturbed KdV equation can give rise to the periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic motions for DA waves. The strength of the external perturbation and dust concentration h play the major role of the switching parameter in the transition of dynamic motion. The developed chaos can be weakened with the variation of dust concentration h. It has been observed that the dust concentration affects the dynamics of DA waves in planar geometry which is an important observation in this study.
Classical treatment of particle with position-dependent mass m(r) = 1/(1 + r4) in 1D and 2D subjected to harmonic potential
Authors: Khlevniuk A. , Tymchyshyn V.
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this paper is to explore the motion of classical particle with position-dependent mass (PDM) m(r) = 1/(1 + r4) in the harmonic potential (1D and 2D). We establish a geometric model of the particle with mentioned PDM that involves constant-mass particles in curved space. With the help of Lagrangian formalism, we solve equations of motion and express the result in terms of elliptic functions. In general, we explore one of the possible developments of Mathews and Lakshmanan ideas and provide a new example of elliptic functions occurring in physics.
Growth rate of modulation instability driven by superregular breathers
Authors: Liu Chong , Yang Zhan-Ying , Yang Wen-Li
Published: August 2018

We report an exact link between Zakharov-Gelash super-regular (SR) breathers (formed by a pair of quasi-Akhmediev breathers) with interesting different nonlinear propagation characteristics and modulation instability (MI). This shows that the absolute difference of group velocities of SR breathers coincides exactly with the linear MI growth rate. This link holds for a series of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with infinite-order terms. For the particular case of SR breathers with opposite group velocities, the growth rate of SR breathers is consistent with that of each quasi-Akhmediev breather along the propagation direction. Numerical simulations reveal the robustness of different SR breathers generated from various non-ideal single and multiple initial excitations. Our results provide insight into the MI nature described by SR breathers and could be helpful for controllable SR breather excitations in related nonlinear systems.
Tuning of magnetic structure and its effect on magnetic properties in Co(Cr1–xMnx)2O4 (x = 0–0.3)
Authors: Kumar Ram , Rayaprol S. , Xiao Y. , Babu P. D. , Siruguri V. , Pal D.
Published: August 2018

We report here the magnetic properties of Co(Cr1–xMnx)2O4 (x = 0.00–0.30) through bulk-magnetization measurements and temperature variable neutron powder diffraction experiments. We have noticed the compensation temperature (Tcomp) and then the onset of negative magnetization at T = 60 K and 83 K only for Co(Cr0.73Mn0.27)2O4, i.e., x = 0.27, and Co(Cr0.70Mn0.30)2O4, i.e., x = 0.30 samples. Low temperature neutron diffraction experiments on these polycrystalline samples (i.e., x = 0.27 and 0.30) are performed to explore the understanding of observed negative magnetization, complex magnetic properties, and correlation between chemical and magnetic structures. A broad hump has been observed around the (111) Bragg reflection which gives the signature of diffuse scattering from short-range magnetic interactions coexisting with long range magnetic order below ordering temperature. The variation of bond lengths, bond angles, and magnetic moments with temperature is correlated, which clearly indicates magneto-elastic coupling around compensation temperature in these compounds. The presence of this magneto-elastic coupling results in the sign change of the magneto-caloric effect at compensation temperature.
Accurate computation of X-ray absorption spectra with ionization potential optimized global hybrid functional
Authors: Jin Yifan , Bartlett Rodney J.
Published: August 2018

This manuscript presents the first consistent ionization potential (IP) optimized global hybrid functional to accurately estimate the vertical ionization and excitation energies of the inner-shell electrons in molecules. The new method fulfills the IP theorem that the Kohn-Sham eigenvalues of all the occupied orbitals (including the core orbitals) are good approximations to the exact vertical ionization energies. The accuracy of the one-particle spectrum is essential to enabling the one-particle density functional theory (DFT) to provide accurate results. Compared to its precursor, the range-separated hybrid functional CAM-QTP00, the new method is more computationally efficient. The IP theorem enables the new method to provide inner-shell ionization energies measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and it can further accurately simulate the X-ray absorption spectrum (XAS, or NEXAFS). The simulated spectra can be compared to the experiment directly without shifting. In addition, the new method reduces the delocalization error (many-electron self-interaction error) which is a severe problem in DFT.
Multiple-beam optical interferometry of anisotropic soft materials nanoconfined with the surface force apparatus
Authors: Zappone Bruno , Zheng Weichao , Perkin Susan
Published: August 2018

Soft anisotropic materials that change their macroscopic properties in response to external stimuli such as light, electric field, or pressure are central to several new directions of technology, including optics, micro-mechanics, and bioengineering. Responsiveness is fundamentally connected to the anisotropic ordering of the material’s building blocks at the nanometer scale. Here we propose the surface force apparatus as a powerful tool for investigating optically anisotropic materials at the nanometer scale using multiple-beam optical interference, allowing for simultaneous determination of film thickness, alignment, and chiral rotation of the optical axis. We present a method based on 4 × 4 matrices for calculating the exact transmission and reflection coefficients for light incident normal to a planar optical multilayer comprising an arbitrary number of chiral anisotropic layers with the helical axis normal to the layer. The multilayer can also include uniform birefringent media, optical adsorbing (e.g., metals) and isotropic materials. We introduce a technique to analyze and interpret the complex multiple-beam interference patterns arising from such multilayers and demonstrate it for the case of a twisted nematic liquid crystal confined to nanoscale thickness with the surface force apparatus. The analysis opens the prospect of studying the effect of strong confinement on the structure and response of a wide class of anisotropic materials.
Microscopic density functional theory for monolayers of diblock copolymers
Authors: Słyk Edyta , Roth Roland , Bryk Paweł
Published: August 2018

We propose density functional theory for diblock copolymers in two dimensions. Our theoretical framework is based on Wertheim’s first order thermodynamic perturbation theory. Using the proposed approach, we investigate the structure and phase behavior of monolayers of symmetric diblock copolymers. We find that the phase behavior of symmetric diblock copolymer monolayers is similar to that in 3D. This includes the scaling of the equilibrium lamellar width with chain length. We find that the topology of the resulting phase diagrams depends on the chain length and the unlike segment interaction incompatibility and involves either one, two, or three triple points (one of them being the peritectic point). We expect that a similar phase behavior could be obtained for monolayers of colloidal suspensions with carefully tuned interparticle interactions.
The structure and superconductivity of ultrathin Ga films on GaN substrate: A first-principles calculations
Authors: Huang G. Q.
Published: August 2018

A free-standing ultrathin Ga film with hexagonal symmetry is unstable due to its incompatibility with the chemical aromatic rule. Recently, two or three monolayers Ga films have been grown on GaN substrate and exhibit superconductivity [Zhang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 107003 (2015) and Xing et al. Science 350, 542 (2015)]. To elucidate the role of the GaN substrate, the properties of slab consisting of ultrathin Ga films and GaN substrate are calculated from first-principles. The results show that the stable interface structure is ultrathin Ga films deposited on N-terminated GaN substrate. Covalent and metallic bonding coexist in the deposited ultrathin Ga films and this peculiar feature contributes to their stability. For two monolayers Ga film deposited on GaN substrate, the obtained electron-phonon coupling λ is about 1.18 and the estimated superconducting temperature (5.1 K) is in excellent agreement with the experimental value, suggesting that it is a conventional BCS-type two-dimensional superconductor. For the deposited three monolayer Ga film, our calculations of the phonon structures show that it is dynamically unstable. While for one monolayer Ga film deposited on GaN substrate, due to the deposited metallic Ga layer with partial covalent character and meanwhile having the behavior of phonon softening, the obtained electron-phonon coupling λ (2.31) and the estimated superconducting transition temperature (9.4 K) are much larger than the case of the deposited two monolayer Ga film.
Flexible cold plasma jet with controllable length and temperature for hydrophilic modification
Authors: Geng Junxiao , Yin Shaohui , Huang Shuai , Tang Qingchun , Luo Hu , Chen Fengjun
Published: August 2018

With the advantages of high efficiency, simple equipment, good controllability, and the fact that they do no surface damage, atmospheric-pressure cold plasma jets are used to make solid surfaces hydrophilic. To transport the plasma jet effectively to the region to be modified and to reduce the amount of thermal damage to the surface during the modification, it is essential to control the transmission and temperature of the plasma jet from the distance. Flexible transmission and pre-cooling methods are proposed in this paper to solve this problem. An experimental device is constructed that mainly comprises the working gas, a power source, and a plasma generator. The test results show that (i) using a flexible catheter can extend the plasma transmission distance significantly and (ii) adjusting the driving voltage and gas flow allows the cold flexible plasma jet (FPJ) to reach several meters. Specially shaped jets such as plasma jet brushes can be generated conveniently based on the FPJ principle, thereby expanding the application range of the plasma. Pre-cooling the working gas with a vortex tube can lead to an FPJ with a simple structure without additional energy input and with a controllable temperature as low as −7 °C. The developed FPJ with a controllable length and temperature can be used to quickly modify various common solid surfaces, convert superhydrophobic surfaces into superhydrophilic surfaces, and preserve the microstructure of workpiece surfaces during modification.
Effect of nanoparticles on streamer propagation and breakdown of vegetable oil-pressboard interface in non-uniform electric field
Authors: Yao Wei , Huang Zhengyong , Li Jian , Chen Gang , He Jianfeng , Ahmad Jawad
Published: August 2018

Electrical equipment is always subjected to various of operating conduction and voltage waves which cause insulation failure on the surface of pressboard (PB). In this paper, pre-breakdown streamers of surface discharge on the interface of PB in vegetable oil based Fe3O4 nanofluids (NFs) were observed by the shadowgraph method under lightning impulse voltage. The images indicate that streamers of NFs impregnated PB show more branches than that of pure oil impregnated PB. The stopping length of streamers propagation is calculated by shadowgraph images for NFs and pure oil. Results suggest that the stopping length of NFs impregnated PB is shorter under the same extra voltage. Secondary reverse streamer is generated at the dissipation process by the reverse electric field, which is caused by residual space charge imparted by primary streamer. Results indicate that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have reduced the length of secondary reverse streamer. The positive and negative lightning breakdown voltage of Fe3O4 NFs impregnated PB is increased by 24% and 12% at 50mm gap, respectively. In addition, nanoparticles have effectively changed the electric field distribution resulting in the alleviation of streamer concentrated along the parallel direction of PB, and increased the lightning impulse breakdown voltage.
Findings show nanostructures can withstand high levels of strain while keeping photoluminescence
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: August 2018

Dynamic compression experiments reveal that nanoscale gallium arsenide structures are able to suppress strain effects on function at pressures up to 2.6 gigapascals.
Cave benthic invertebrates in south-eastern Brazil: are there 'key' factors structuring such communities?
Authors: Pellegrini T. G. , Pompeu P. S. , Ferreira R. L.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of microhabitat traits related to water quality and physical features of stream channels (substrate, channel morphology and hydraulic characteristics) on the richness and structure of the aquatic insect assemblage in cave streams. Sampling was conducted in three subterranean streams in Brazil. Aquatic insect richness was significantly and positively related to water depth and the presence of shelters for invertebrates. These shelters are directly related to channel heterogeneity, a factor that determined the surface area of habitats suitable for colonisation, refuges and the amount and variety of nutrients in streams where resources are extremely limited. Furthermore, analyses of community composition revealed that aquatic insect assemblages in each cave were structured by distinct factors (including physicochemical characteristics of the water or hydraulic features of the channel). Together, these findings highlight that different factors are responsible for structuring the assemblages in each cave, which may reflect their local variability, and that silting of cave streams would likely have deleterious effects on aquatic insect communities through reductions in overall habitat heterogeneity.
Coal grunters shift benthic objects to access macroinvertebrates in a headwater stream
Authors: Ebner Brendan C. , Donaldson James A. , Starrs Danswell
Published: August 2018

Few fishes have been documented shifting objects to access prey. Coal grunters were observed using the mouth, snout or nape to lift, flip or roll benthic objects and expose benthic macroinvertebrates during a series of daytime snorkelling sessions in a clear, sandy upland tributary of the Mitchell River, northern Queensland, Australia.
Primary care redesign for person-centred care: delivering an international generalist revolution
Authors: Reeve Joanne
Published: August 2018

Person-centred primary care is a priority for patients, healthcare practitioners and health policy. Despite this, data suggest person-centred care is still not consistently achieved – and indeed, that in some areas, care may be worsening. Whole-person care is the expertise of the medical generalist – an area of clinical practice that has been neglected by health policy for some time. It is internationally recognised that there is a need to rebalance specialist and generalist primary care. Drawing on 15 years of scholarship within the science of medical generalism (the expertise of whole-person medical care), this discussion paper outlines a three-tiered approach to primary care redesign; describing changes needed at the level of the consultation, practice set up and strategic planning. The changing needs of patients living with complex chronic illness has already started a revolution in our understanding of healthcare systems. This paper outlines work to support that paradigm shift from disease-focused to person-focused primary healthcare.
Key molecules in the GABA signalling pathway are present in mouse and human cervical tissue
Authors: Skelin Marta , Bursać Danijel , Kozina Viviana , Winters Tristan , Macan Marija , Ćurlin Marija
Published: August 2018

Cervical mucus modulates fertility by cyclical changes of its biophysical and functional properties. Based on an analogy with bronchial goblet cells we set out to investigate the possible role of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signalling pathway in the mediation of oestrogen-induced mucus secretion from endocervical secretory cells. The aim of the study was to examine the existence of GABAA receptor (GABAAR), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 (GAD65/67) and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) in human and mouse cervical tissue. The mouse cervical tissue expressed GabaAR mRNA transcripts throughout the oestrous cycle. GABAAR-positive immunolabelling was present in the superficial layer of the mouse cervico–vaginal epithelium in pro-oestrus. Human cervical tissue showed the presence of GABAAR, GAD67 and VGAT mRNA transcripts and clear immunofluorescent signals of all three molecules were detected in the endocervical secretory epithelium. The results of this study confirmed that elements of the GABA signalling pathway are present in the secretory epithelium of mouse and human cervical tissue and that GABA signalling pathway could be considered a possible mediator in oestrogen regulation of mucus secretion in the endocervical glands.
Foxp2 regulates anatomical features that may be relevant for vocal behaviors and bipedal locomotion
Authors: Xu Shuqin , Liu Pei , Chen Yuanxing , Chen Yi , Zhang Wei , Zhao Haixia , Cao Yiwei , Wang Fuhua , Jiang Nana , Lin Shifeng , Li Baojie , Zhang Zhenlin , Wei Zhanying , Fan Ying , Jin Yunyun , He Lin , Zhou Rujiang , Dekker Joseph D. , Tucker Haley O. , Fisher Simon E. , Yao Zhengju , Liu Quansheng , Xia Xuechun , Guo Xizhi
Published: August 2018

Significance

Speech and bipedalism are key aspects of behavior that emerged during human evolution.
FOXP2
, a gene implicated in a human speech and language disorder, has been suggested to contribute to language evolution. Here, through knockout studies of mouse
Foxp2
, we show that this gene is not only important for neural circuits involved in vocal behaviors, it also helps regulate relevant anatomical substrates. We additionally demonstrate that
Foxp2
influences skeletal features that may be relevant for bipedal locomotion. Our findings raise the possibility that
FOXP2
might be important for anatomical features contributing to derived human traits, including speech and bipedalism.
How intermittent breaks in interaction improve collective intelligence
Authors: Bernstein Ethan , Shore Jesse , Lazer David
Published: August 2018

Significance

Many human endeavors—from teams and organizations to crowds and democracies—rely on solving problems collectively. Prior research has shown that when people interact and influence each other while solving complex problems, the average problem-solving performance of the group increases, but the best solution of the group actually decreases in quality. We find that when such influence is intermittent it improves the average while maintaining a high maximum performance. We also show that storing solutions for quick recall is similar to constant social influence. Instead of supporting more transparency, the results imply that technologies and organizations should be redesigned to intermittently isolate people from each other’s work for best collective performance in solving complex problems.
Human exonization through differential nucleosome occupancy
Authors: Li Yumei , Li Chen , Li Shuxian , Peng Qi , An Ni A. , He Aibin , Li Chuan-Yun
Published: August 2018

Significance

Nucleosomal modifications have been implicated in fundamental epigenetic regulation, whereas the roles of nucleosome binding in shaping changes through evolution remain to be addressed. Here we performed a comparative study to clarify the roles of nucleosome occupancy in exon origination. By profiling a high-resolution, cross-species mononucleosome landscape for mammalian tissues, we found nucleosome occupancy profiles are conserved across tissues and species. Further, through a phylogenetic approach, we found that the feature of differential nucleosome occupancy appears prior to the origination of new exons and, presumably, facilitates the origin of new exons by increasing the splice strength of the ancestral nonexonic regions through driving a local difference in GC content, which suggests the function of nucleosome binding in exonization.
Controlling fracture cascades through twisting and quenching
Authors: Heisser Ronald H. , Patil Vishal P. , Stoop Norbert , Villermaux Emmanuel , Dunkel Jörn
Published: August 2018

Significance

Fracture processes are ubiquitous in nature, from earthquakes to broken trees and bones. Understanding and controlling fracture dynamics remain one of the foremost theoretical and practical challenges in material science and physics. A well-known problem with direct implications for the fracture behavior of elongated brittle objects, such as vaulting poles or long fibers, goes back to the famous physicist Richard Feynman who observed that dry spaghetti almost always breaks into three or more pieces when exposed to large bending stresses. While bending-induced fracture is fairly well understood nowadays, much less is known about the effects of twist. Our experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that twisting enables remarkable fracture control by using the different propagation speeds of twist and bending waves.
Maintaining trust when agents can engage in self-deception
Authors: Babino Andrés , Makse Hernán A. , DiTella Rafael , Sigman Mariano
Published: August 2018

Significance

“He who wants to kill his dog accuses it of having rabies,” the French proverb says. The fact that we alter our beliefs about others to act selfishly and, at the same time, keep a positive self-view has been widely studied by behavioral sciences. Here, we propose a mathematical description of two of these mechanisms of altering beliefs and study a simulation of a society of agents provided with these biases. We find that there are sets of parameters that make societies propagate defection actions and others that protect them from spreading malicious behavior.
Strongly correlated perovskite lithium ion shuttles
Authors: Sun Yifei , Kotiuga Michele , Lim Dawgen , Narayanan Badri , Cherukara Mathew , Zhang Zhen , Dong Yongqi , Kou Ronghui , Sun Cheng-Jun , Lu Qiyang , Waluyo Iradwikanari , Hunt Adrian , Tanaka Hidekazu , Hattori Azusa N. , Gamage Sampath , Abate Yohannes , Pol Vilas G. , Zhou Hua , Sankaranarayanan Subramanian K. R. S. , Yildiz Bilge , Rabe Karin M. , Ramanathan Shriram
Published: August 2018

Solid-state ion shuttles are of broad interest in electrochemical devices, nonvolatile memory, neuromorphic computing, and biomimicry utilizing synthetic membranes. Traditional design approaches are primarily based on substitutional doping of dissimilar valent cations in a solid lattice, which has inherent limits on dopant concentration and thereby ionic conductivity. Here, we demonstrate perovskite nickelates as Li-ion shuttles with simultaneous suppression of electronic transport via Mott transition. Electrochemically lithiated SmNiO
3
(Li-SNO) contains a large amount of mobile Li
+
located in interstitial sites of the perovskite approaching one dopant ion per unit cell. A significant lattice expansion associated with interstitial doping allows for fast Li
+
conduction with reduced activation energy. We further present a generalization of this approach with results on other rare-earth perovskite nickelates as well as dopants such as Na
+
. The results highlight the potential of quantum materials and emergent physics in design of ion conductors.
Chromatin structure and its chemical modifications regulate the ubiquitin ligase substrate selectivity of UHRF1
Authors: Vaughan Robert M. , Dickson Bradley M. , Whelihan Matthew F. , Johnstone Andrea L. , Cornett Evan M. , Cheek Marcus A. , Ausherman Christine A. , Cowles Martis W. , Sun Zu-Wen , Rothbart Scott B.
Published: August 2018

Significance

DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications are key epigenetic marks that contribute to the fine-tuned regulation of gene expression and other chromatin-templated biological processes. Here, we build artificial chromatin templates and reveal key chromatin structural features and epigenetic marks that coordinately regulate the binding and enzymatic activity of the DNA methylation regulator UHRF1. Studying activities of epigenetic regulators in the context of defined chromatin templates, particularly for multidomain histone and DNA binding proteins such as UHRF1, is critical for understanding molecular mechanisms of epigenetic crosstalk and mechanics regulating epigenetic signaling, and for determining how epigenetic dysregulation contributes to human disease.
Thioredoxin-like2/2-Cys peroxiredoxin redox cascade supports oxidative thiol modulation in chloroplasts
Authors: Yoshida Keisuke , Hara Ayaka , Sugiura Kazunori , Fukaya Yuki , Hisabori Toru
Published: August 2018

Significance

To ensure efficient photosynthetic carbon gain, plant chloroplasts have to adjust their own physiology toward changes in light environments. Specific chloroplast proteins are reversibly activated–inactivated during light–dark cycles by switching the reduction–oxidation states of their Cys residues, which is termed redox regulation. A long-standing issue in plant biology is the manner in which redox-regulated proteins are reoxidized upon the interruption of light exposure. In this study, we identified the thioredoxin-like2 (TrxL2)/2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2CP) redox cascade as a molecular basis for oxidative thiol modulation in chloroplasts. This finding dissects the “dark side” of chloroplast redox regulation, providing an insight into how plants rest their photosynthetic activity at night.
N6
-methyladenosine modification of hepatitis B virus RNA differentially regulates the viral life cycle
Authors: Imam Hasan , Khan Mohsin , Gokhale Nandan S. , McIntyre Alexa B. R. , Kim Geon-Woo , Jang Jae Young , Kim Seong-Jun , Mason Christopher E. , Horner Stacy M. , Siddiqui Aleem
Published: August 2018

Significance

N6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) has recently been found to regulate numerous aspects of RNA biology. Similar to methylation of cytosine residues in DNA, eukaryotic RNA is modified by enzymatic addition of methyl groups at adenosines. m
6
A modification of RNA affects a wide variety of RNA functions, including mRNA stability, translation, and in the case of viruses, viral replication and production. Our investigation revealed that the adenosine residues present in the known m
6
A consensus motif within the 5′ epsilon stem loop of pregenomic RNA and the 3′ ends of all the hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcripts are m
6
A modified. We demonstrate here that m
6
A modification differentially modulates HBV RNA stability and reverse transcription, thereby playing two distinct regulatory roles in the HBV life cycle.
Endoribonuclease ENDU-2 regulates multiple traits including cold tolerance via cell autonomous and nonautonomous controls in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ujisawa Tomoyo , Ohta Akane , Ii Tatsuya , Minakuchi Yohei , Toyoda Atsushi , Ii Miki , Kuhara Atsushi
Published: August 2018

Significance

Environmental temperature acclimation is essential to animal survival, yet thermoregulation mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we describe Ca
2+
-dependent endoribonuclease (EndoU) ENDU-2 located in ADL chemosensory neurons and specific muscle cells as a regulator of multiple pleiotropic phenomena including cold tolerance, life span, and brood size through cell-autonomous and cell-nonautonomous pathways in nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans
. Ca
2+
imaging revealed ADL temperature response to be the result of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel activity and regulated by ENDU-2 via cell-autonomous and cell-nonautonomous pathways. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ENDU-2 influences expression of the caspase gene
ced-3
. Moreover, ENDU-2 downregulates cold tolerance and synaptic remodeling in the dorsal nerve cord through caspase signaling. We therefore propose a model for cold tolerance regulation that occurs via EndoU action.
Seed genome hypomethylated regions are enriched in transcription factor genes
Authors: Chen Min , Lin Jer-Young , Hur Jungim , Pelletier Julie M. , Baden Russell , Pellegrini Matteo , Harada John J. , Goldberg Robert B.
Published: August 2018

Significance

We scanned soybean and
Arabidopsis
seed genomes for hypomethylated regions, or DNA methylation valleys (DMVs), present in mammalian cells. Seeds contain DMV regions that have <5% bulk DNA methylation or, in many cases, no detectable DNA methylation. Methylation levels of seed DMVs do not vary detectably during seed development and are present prior to fertilization. Seed DMVs are enriched in transcription factor (TF) genes and are decorated with histone marks that fluctuate developmentally, resembling their animal counterparts in significant ways. We conclude that many genes playing important roles in seed formation are regulated without detectable DNA methylation events and suggest that selective action of TFs, as well as chromatin epigenetic events, play important roles in making a seed.
Perfectionism and training performance: The mediating role of other‐approach goals
Authors: Madigan Daniel J. , Stoeber Joachim , Culley Troy , Passfield Louis , Hill Andrew P.
Published: August 2018

Recent research found perfectionistic strivings to predict performance in a novel basketball task among novice basketball players. The current study builds on this research by examining whether this is also the case for performance in a familiar basketball training task among experienced basketball players, and whether achievement goals mediated any observed relationships. Perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and 3 × 2 achievement goals were assessed prior to basketball training performance in 90 basketball players (mean age 20.9 years). Regression analyses showed that perfectionistic strivings predicted better performance. Furthermore, mediation analyses showed that other‐approach goals (e.g. beliefs that one should and can outperform others) accounted for this relationship. The findings suggest that perfectionistic strivings may predict better performance in both novel and familiar athletic contexts. In addition, beliefs about the importance and ability to outperform others may explain this relationship.
Caregiving Status and Health of Heterosexual, Sexual Minority, and Transgender Adults: Results From Select U.S. Regions in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2015 and 2016
Authors: Boehmer Ulrike , Clark Melissa A , Lord Emily M , Fredman Lisa
Published: August 2018

Background and Objectives

Insufficient research attention has been paid to the diversity of informal caregivers, including sexual and gender minority caregivers. This study examined health effects of caregiving separately from sexual orientation or gender identity status, while stratifying by gender among cisgender adults. We hypothesized that compared with heterosexual cisgender noncaregivers, heterosexual caregivers and lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB), and transgender (T) noncaregivers would report poorer health outcomes (i.e., self-reported health, and poor mental health days and poor physical health days), and LGBT caregivers would report the worst health outcomes.

Research Design and Methods

This is a secondary data analysis of the 2015 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 19 U.S. states.

Results

After adjusting for covariates and stratifying by gender among the cisgender sample, heterosexual caregivers, LGB noncaregivers and LGB caregivers had significantly higher odds of self-reported fair or poor health (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] 1.3–2.0 for women and 1.2 for men), poor physical health days (aORs 1.2–2.8 for women and 1.3–2.8 for men), and poor mental health days (aORs 1.4–4.7 for women and 1.5–5.6 for men) compared with heterosexual noncaregivers (reference group). By contrast, transgender caregivers did not have significantly poorer health than cisgender noncaregivers.

Discussion and Implications

LGB caregivers reported the worst health compared with other groups on multiple measures, signifying they are an at-risk population. These results suggest the necessity to develop LGB appropriate services and programs to prevent poor health in LGB caregivers. Existing policies should also be inclusive of LGBT individuals who are caregivers.