bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF LEAN AS A MANAGERIAL PRINCIPLE IN HEALTH CARE: A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS FROM SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Maijala Riikka , Eloranta Sini , Reunanen Tero , Ikonen Tuija S.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the characteristics of leadership and management associated with a successful Lean thinking adaptation in healthcare.

Design:A systematic literature review was undertaken using electronic databases: PubMed, PubMed Systematic Review, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Complete, Emerald, JBI, and Cinahl. Inclusion criteria were: (i) a description of Lean management or leadership in health care, (ii) a reference to Lean thinking, (iii) a peer-reviewed original research article or a literature review, and (iv) a full text article available in English. Among the 1,754 peer-reviewed articles identified, nine original articles and three systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Data on informants, methods, and settings were extracted and collated. Content analysis was used to conduct a review of the nine original studies describing and analyzing the success factors of Lean adaptation. The characteristics of leadership and management were analyzed by using the concept of a managerial windshield that divides leadership and management into four ontological dimensions: activities, style, focus, and purpose, each with typical developmental stages of skills and capabilities. The current study has some limitations: some papers from the journals not indexed in the searched databases may have been overlooked and the literature searches were carried out only for a 5-year period.

Findings:Considering the results using the windshield concept emphasizes the philosophy, principles, and tools of Lean thinking. Lean leadership and management factors in health care were mainly conceptualized as skills and capabilities such as problem solving, making changes occur, empowering, communicating, coaching, supporting, facilitating, being democratic, organizational learning, and organizational success, all of which represented middle-stage or advanced managerial skills and capabilities.

Practical Implications:A conceptual analysis of systematically reviewed studies of Lean leadership and management point to certain traits as being typical when adapting Lean thinking to health care. The concept of a managerial windshield is useful when categorizing and analyzing essential managerial skills and capabilities for Lean implementation. Findings are beneficial when learning and educating the skills required for Lean transformation in healthcare organizations.
A SIMPLE ITERATIVE Z-ESTIMATOR FOR SEMIPARAMETRIC MODELS
Authors: Frazier David T.
Published: April 2018

We propose a new iterative estimation algorithm for use in semiparametric models where calculation of Z-estimators by conventional means is difficult or impossible. Unlike a Newton–Raphson approach, which makes use of the entire Hessian, this approach only uses curvature information associated with portions of the Hessian that are relatively easy to calculate. Consistency and asymptotic normality of estimators obtained from this algorithm are established under regularity conditions and an information dominance condition. Two specific examples, a quantile regression model with missing covariates and a GARCH-in-mean model with conditional mean of unknown functional form, demonstrate the applicability of the algorithm. This new approach can be interpreted as an extension of the maximization by parts estimation approach to semiparametric models.
Domestic Flying Geese: Industrial Transfer and Delayed Policy Diffusion in China
Authors: Ang Yuen Yuen
Published: April 2018

This study illuminates the important yet under-studied phenomenon of industrial transfer in China: the migration of capital and investment from wealthy coastal areas into poorer central and western provinces, beginning in the 2000s. By 2015, the value of domestic investment in five central provinces alone was 2.5 times that of foreign investment throughout China. Compared to the original “flying geese” model of tiered production in Asia, China's experience is distinct in three ways: (1) industrial transfer occurred domestically, rather than across nations; (2) sub-national transfer followed cross-national transfer; and (3) industrial migration is accompanied by a delayed replication of government policies and practices. While coastal locales today resolve to expel low-end industries, inland governments cannot afford to be selective and have only recently adopted the aggressive investment promotion tactics that coastal cities abandoned years ago. Policy diffusion is delayed as policy adoption depends on economic conditions, which vary widely across China and change over time.
Explaining the Trump Vote: The Effect of Racist Resentment and Anti-Immigrant Sentiments
Authors: Hooghe Marc , Dassonneville Ruth
Published: April 2018

The campaign leading to the 2016 US presidential election included a number of unconventional forms of campaign rhetoric. In earlier analyses, it was claimed that the Trump victory could be seen as a form of protest voting. This article analyzes the determinants of voters’ choices to investigate the validity of this claim. Based on a sample of the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey, our analyses suggest that a Trump vote cannot be explained by a lack of trust in politics or low levels of satisfaction with democracy, as would be assumed given the extant literature on protest voting. However, indicators of racist resentment and anti-immigrant sentiments proved to be important determinants of a Trump vote—even when controlling for more traditional vote-choice determinants. Despite ongoing discussion about the empirical validity of racist resentment and anti-immigrant sentiments, both concepts proved to be roughly equally powerful in explaining a Trump vote.
Enhancing health literacy through co-design: development of culturally appropriate materials on genetic risk and customary consanguineous marriage
Authors: Ali Parveen Azam , Salway Sarah , Such Elizabeth , Dearden Andrew , Willox Matt
Published: April 2018

Aim

To develop a simple health literacy intervention aimed at supporting informed reproductive choice among members of UK communities practising customary consanguineous marriage.

Background

The contribution of ‘health literacy’ to reducing health inequalities and improving primary health-care efficiency is increasingly recognised. Enhancing genetic literacy has received particular attention recently. Consanguineous marriage is customarily practised among some UK minority ethnic communities and carries some increased risk of recessive genetic disorders among offspring compared with unions among unrelated partners. The need to enhance genetic literacy on this issue has been highlighted, but no national response has ensued. Instead, a range of undocumented local responses are emerging. Important knowledge gaps remain regarding how the development and implementation of culturally appropriate, effective and sustainable responses can be achieved.

Methods

Our co-design approach involved active participation by local people. Initial insight generation employed six focus group discussions and 14 individual interviews to describe current understandings and information needs. A total of 11 personas (heuristic narrative portraits of community ‘segments’) resulted; four participatory workshops provided further understanding of: preferred information channels; feasible information conveyance; and responses to existing materials. Prototype information resources were then developed and feedback gathered via two workshops. Following further refinement, final feedback from health-care professionals and community members ensured accuracy and appropriateness.

Findings

The project demonstrated the utility of co-design for addressing an issue often considered complex and sensitive. With careful planning and orchestration, active participation by diverse community members was achieved. Key learning included: the importance of establishing trusting and respectful relationships; responding to diversity within the community; and engendering a creative and enjoyable experience. The resultant materials were heavily shaped by local involvement. Evaluative work is now needed to assess impacts on knowledge and service uptake. Longer term sustainability will depend on whether innovative community-level work is accompanied by broader strategy including investment in services and professional development.
Work aggravated asthma in Great Britain: a cross-sectional postal survey
Authors: Bradshaw Lisa , Sumner Jade , Delic Julian , Henneberger Paul , Fishwick David
Published: April 2018

Objective

Work aggravated asthma (WAA), asthma made worse by but not caused by workplace exposures, can have a negative impact on personal, social, financial and societal costs. There is limited data on prevalence levels of WAA in Great Britain (GB). The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WAA in GB, and to assess its potential causes.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional postal questionnaire study was carried out. A total of 1620 questionnaires were sent to three populations of adults with asthma. The questionnaire recorded; demographic details, current job, self-reported health status, presence of asthma and respiratory symptoms, duration and severity of symptoms and medication requirements. Questions relating to work environment and employers’ actions were included, and each participant completed an assessment of health-related quality of life using the EuroQol Research Foundation EQ-5D.

Results

There were 207 completed questionnaires; response rates were 6% primary care, 45% secondary care and 71% Asthma UK. This represented a 13% overall response rate. Self-reported prevalence of WAA was 33% (95% CI 24.4–41.6%). In all, 19% of workers had changed their job because of breathing problems. Workers with WAA reported higher levels of work-related stress. Quality of life using the EQ-5D utility index was lower in those with WAA.

Conclusion

WAA is a common problem in asthmatics in GB. This result is in keeping with international prevalence rates. Further research could assist the understanding of the most significant aggravants to asthma at work and help define appropriate interventions by workplaces.
The Association of Intrapair Birth-Weight Differences With Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems
Authors: Tore Elena C. , Antoniou Evangelia E. , Reed Keith , Southwood Taunton R. , Smits Luc , McCleery Joseph P. , Zeegers Maurice P.
Published: April 2018

Problem behaviors are of increasing public health concern. Twin studies have revealed substantial genetic and environmental influences on children's behavior, and examining birth-weight difference could allow the identification of the specific contribution of multiple non-shared prenatal environmental factors. The Twins and Multiple Births Association Heritability Study, a UK, volunteer-based study, recruited mothers of twins aged 18 months to 5 years; 960 twins (480 pairs) were included in the analysis. Twins’ mothers answered questions relative to their pregnancy and their twins’ characteristics, and completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) 1½–5. The association between the absolute birth-weight difference and each CBCL scale's score difference was analyzed by means of multiple linear regressions. Expected mean CBCL score differences were calculated. In monozygotic (MZ) twins, statistically and clinically significant associations were found between intrapair birth-weight difference and difference in total problems, internalizing problems, and emotional reactiveness. No significant results were observed neither in dizygotic (DZ) twins when analyzed as a separate group nor in MZ and DZ twins combined. The results of the present study suggest that with increasing the absolute birth-weight difference, the intrapair difference in total problems, internalizing behaviors and emotionality increases, with smaller twins being at major risk for later behavior problems. Moreover, these results suggest a causal association between birth weight and behavior development.
CME
Authors: Meyer Lilly , Schück Andrea , Bürgi Urs , Huber Lars C.
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Ein kavernierender oder kavitierender Lungenrundherd bzw. eine Lungenkaverne ist die Manifestation einer grossen Bandbreite von pathologischen Prozessen mit Befall der Lunge inklusive entzündlicher, infektiöser und maligner Ätiologien. Gleichzeitig kann das Vorhandensein einer Kaverne im klinischen Kontext helfen, die Differenzialdiagnosen und damit die weiteren Abklärungsschritte einzugrenzen. Wir werden im Folgenden einen Überblick über mögliche Diagnosen und die entsprechenden klinischen und radiologischen Zeichen kavernierender Lungenrundherde darlegen; ein besonderer Fokus wird dabei auf Vaskulitiden gelegt.
Die Empfehlungen der Swiss Memory Clinics für die Diagnostik der Demenzerkrankungen
Authors: Bürge Markus , Bieri Gabriela , Brühlmeier Matthias , Colombo Françoise , Demonet Jean-Francois , Felbecker Ansgar , Georgescu Dan , Gietl Anton , Brioschi Guevara Andrea , Jüngling Freimut , Kirsch Eberhard , Kressig Reto W. , Kulic Luka , Monsch Andreas U. , Ott Martin , Pihan Hans , Popp Julius , Rampa Luca , Rüegger-Frey Brigitte , Schneitter Marianne , Unschuld Paul Gerson , von Gunten Armin , Weinheimer Birte , Wiest Roland , Savaskan Egemen
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die Frühdiagnostik subjektiv wahrgenommener oder fremdanamnestisch beobachteter kognitiver Beeinträchtigungen ist essenziell, um neurodegenerative Erkrankungen nachzuweisen oder behandelbare Ursachen wie internistische, neurologische oder psychiatrische Störungen auszuschliessen. Nur dadurch wird eine frühzeitige Behandlung ermöglicht. Im Rahmen des Projekts 3.1 der Nationalen Demenzstrategie 2014–2019 («Auf- und Ausbau regionaler und vernetzter Kompetenzzentren für die Diagnostik») hat sich der Verein Swiss Memory Clinics (SMC) zum Ziel gesetzt, Qualitätsstandards für die Demenzabklärung zu entwickeln und die wohnortsnahe Versorgung in diesem Bereich zu verbessern. In den vorliegenden Empfehlungen werden allgemeine Richtlinien der Diagnostik und einzelne Untersuchungsmöglichkeiten vorgestellt, sowie Standards für die diesbezüglichen Abläufe vorgeschlagen. Einzelne Bereiche wie Anamneseerhebung, klinische Untersuchung, Laborparameter, neuropsychologische Testung und neuroradiologische Verfahren werden als Teil der Standarddiagnostik ausführlich diskutiert, ergänzende Untersuchungsmethoden für differenzialdiagnostische Überlegungen abgebildet. Die wichtigsten Ziele der SMC-Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik der Demenzerkrankungen sind, möglichst allen Betroffenen Zugang zu einer qualitativ hochstehenden Diagnostik zu ermöglichen, die Frühdiagnostik der Demenz zu verbessern und den Grundversorgern sowie den Mitarbeitenden der Memory Clinics ein nützliches Instrument für die Abklärung anzubieten.
How Robust Are the Surface Temperature Fingerprints of the Atlantic Overturning Meridional Circulation on Monthly Time Scales?
Authors: Alexander‐Turner R. , Ortega P. , Robson J. I.
Published: April 2018

It has been suggested that changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) can drive sea surface temperature (SST) on monthly time scales (Duchez et al., 2016, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382‐015‐2918‐1). However, with only 11 years of continuous observations, the validity of this result over longer, or different, time periods is uncertain. In this study, we use a 120 yearlong control simulation from a high‐resolution climate model to test the robustness of the AMOC fingerprints. The model reproduces the observed AMOC seasonal cycle and its variability, and the observed 5‐month lagged AMOC‐SST fingerprints derived from 11 years of data. However, the AMOC‐SST fingerprints are very sensitive to the particular time period considered. In particular, both the Florida current and the upper mid‐ocean transport produce highly inconsistent fingerprints when using time periods shorter than 30 years. Therefore, several decades of RAPID observations will be necessary to determine the real impact of the AMOC on SSTs at monthly time scales.
Recently Accelerated Oxygen Consumption Rates Amplify Deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Meier H. E. Markus , Väli Germo , Naumann Michael , Eilola Kari , Frauen Claudia
Published: April 2018

Many coastal seas suffer from expanding bottom‐water deoxygenation and hypoxia primarily because of excessive nutrient loads from land. The Baltic Sea in northern Europe has one of the largest anthropogenically induced oxygen‐deficient bottom zones in the world. Despite the decrease of nutrient supply after the 1980s, recently observed oxygen consumption rates are higher than ever observed, limiting the impact of natural ventilation by oxygen‐enriched saltwater intrusions. We have estimated oxygen consumption rates after saltwater inflows during subsequent stagnation periods from monitoring observations and model results for 1850–2015. In recent years, ventilating water that originates mainly from the surface layer has contained higher concentrations of organic matter, zooplankton, and higher trophic levels. As a result, oxygen consumption in the water column has increased relatively more than oxygen consumption in the sediment, primarily due to respiration of zooplankton and higher trophic levels. Subsequently, natural ventilation has become less effective in alleviating hypoxia, instead amplifying deoxygenation of the deep water. We propose that such a detrimental, positive feedback may also affect other coastal seas with nutrient excess and with an intense, internal recirculation. Other drivers of oxygen consumption, like warming, were found to be less important under contemporary conditions.
Different Global Precipitation Responses to Solar, Volcanic, and Greenhouse Gas Forcings
Authors: Liu Fei , Zhao Tianlang , Wang Bin , Liu Jian , Luo Wubian
Published: April 2018

Understanding climate change caused by different external forcings is an urgent need for crisis management and sustainable economic development. It remains unclear how differently global precipitation changes in response to global temperature variations induced by the change of individual solar, volcanic, or greenhouse gas (GHG) forcings. We address this issue by performing three last millennium simulations under each of these individual forcings with the Community Earth System Model version 1.0. The results show that all three forcings can excite strong low‐frequency variations that are longer than one decade, that is, global warming under strong solar radiation or high GHG concentration and global cooling under frequent volcanic eruptions. For a given global temperature change, the global precipitation change under volcanic forcing is larger than that under solar and GHG forcings. The reason is that the volcanic forcing induces the strongest solar irradiance change in the wet tropics. Among the three forcings we examined, the GHG forcing excites the strongest high‐latitude warming, especially the Arctic amplification of global warming. There is no Arctic amplification of temperature decrease under the volcanic forcing‐induced global cooling. The volcanic forcing weakens the Intertropical Convergence Zone and reduces precipitation. The results suggest that while volcanic eruptions can reduce precipitation, they do not mitigate the Arctic amplification of temperature increase under the GHG‐induced warming. The underlying mechanisms for these different climate responses are also discussed.
Impact of Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation on Rainfall Extremes in Southeastern China and its Predictability in CFSv2
Authors: Ren Pengfei , Ren Hong‐Li , Fu Joshua‐Xiouhua , Wu Jie , Du Liangmin
Published: April 2018

The boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) is one of the dominant modes of intraseasonal variability of the tropical climate system, which has prominent northward propagation extending much further from the equator. The impacts of BSISO on extreme rainfall in eastern China were studied using the BSISO indices and daily rainfall data in China. We revealed that the responses of extreme rainfall to BSISO activity in eastern China are not spatially uniform. Under the influences of BSISO1, the probability‐distribution functions of rainfall in two southeastern China subregions: South China and Yangtze River Valley significantly skew toward larger values, respectively, in phases 4 and 8, and phases 3 and 4 with the probability of 90th extremes increased by 35–45% relative to May–August rainfall probability‐distribution function, showing southward propagation with the speed of 1.96°/phase. Under the BSISO2, the probability of the 90th extremes increased more than 40% in South China and Yangtze River Valley, respectively, during phases 4–5 and phases 6–7, showing northward propagation with a speed of 2.75°/phase. Physical analysis showed that the increased probability of extreme rainfall is associated with intensifying moisture convergence and upward moisture transport during BSISO active phases. The hindcasts from the Climate Forecast System version 2 have been used to evaluate the modulations of BSISO on extreme rainfall and associated predictability. It was shown that the Climate Forecast System version well reproduces the modulations of BSISO on extreme rainfall within 2 weeks. These results demonstrate the feasibility to develop medium‐to‐extended‐range probabilistic forecasts of extreme rainfall for southeastern China.
Less Fine Particle Retention in a Restored Versus Unrestored Urban Stream: Balance Between Hyporheic Exchange, Resuspension, and Immobilization
Authors: Drummond J. D. , Larsen L. G. , González‐Pinzón R. , Packman A. I. , Harvey J. W.
Published: April 2018

Stream restoration goals include reducing erosion and increasing hyporheic exchange to promote biogeochemical processing and improve water quality. Little is known, however, about fine particle dynamics in response to stream restoration. Fine particles (<100 μm) are exchanged with transient storage areas near and within streambeds and banks. Fine particle retention directly impacts carbon and nutrient cycling by supporting benthic and hyporheic primary production, but overaccumulation of fine particle deposits can impair metabolism by burying benthic biofilms and reducing streambed permeability. We analyzed the transport and retention of water and fine particles at both the reach and local scales in a restored urban stream, 9 years postrestoration. We injected conservative solute and fine particle tracers under summer baseflow conditions and monitored their distribution between surface water, porewaters, and storage areas (i.e., biofilms, hyporheic zones, and slow surface waters). Comparison of the results to a nearby unrestored stream demonstrate that the restored reach had 10–45 times greater exchange of fine particles with transient storage zones, but 5 times lower rate of net particle immobilization. Local‐scale results showed that restoration increased fine particle exchange with short‐term storage areas but did not increase long‐term particle retention. Thus, the restored stream rapidly exchanged fine sediments with transient storage areas, but did not store fine sediments as efficiently as the unrestored stream. The decreased retention of particulate organic matter in the restored stream may reduce biogeochemical processes, such as denitrification, by not providing sufficient organic carbon or the surface area required for microbial colonization.
Revisiting the Estimate of the North Sea Air‐Sea Flux of CO2 in 2001/2002: The Dominant Role of Different Wind Data Products
Authors: Meyer Maybritt , Pätsch Johannes , Geyer Beate , Thomas Helmuth
Published: April 2018

For the North Sea, a semienclosed shelf sea in the northeastern North Atlantic, the seasonal and annual CO2 air‐sea fluxes (ASF) had been estimated for 2001 and 2002 in earlier work. The underlying observations, ΔpCO2, salinity, and temperature had been combined with 6‐hourly wind data derived from ERA40 reanalysis. In order to assess the impact of different wind data products on the computation of CO2 ASF, we compared ERA40 wind data with coastDat data derived from the nonhydrostatic regional climate model COSMO‐CLM. From the four observational months September, November, February, and May all but the May data show higher wind speeds for coastDat than for ERA40, especially off the Norwegian, UK, and continental coasts. Largest differences occur in the northern offshore areas. The comparison with observed wind data supports this feature generally: At Helgoland, an island in the German Bight, and at the Belgium pile “Westhinder” the ERA40 data underestimate both, the coastDat data and the observations. Wind observations for two Norwegian North Sea platforms were available: At the northern station “Troll” off the Norwegian coast the coastDat data overestimate the observations in winter. At “Ekofisk” in the central North Sea the ERA40 data fit the observations well, while the coastDat data slightly overestimate the observational data in all months but in May. The corresponding CO2 ASF estimates show strongest deviations off the Norwegian coast. Using different bulk formulas for determining the net annual ASF resulted in differences due to different wind products of up to 34%.
Calibrated Seismic Imaging of Eddy‐Dominated Warm‐Water Transport Across the Bellingshausen Sea, Southern Ocean
Authors: Gunn K. L. , White N. J. , Larter R. D. , Caulfield C. P.
Published: April 2018

Seismic reflection images of thermohaline circulation from the Bellingshausen Sea, adjacent to the West Antarctica Peninsula, were acquired during February 2015. This survey shows that bright reflectivity occurs throughout the upper 300 m. By calibrating these seismic images with coeval hydrographic measurements, intrusion of warm water features onto the continental shelf at Marguerite and Belgica Troughs is identified and characterized. These features have distinctive lens‐shaped patterns of reflectivity with lengths of 0.75–11.00 km and thicknesses of 100–150 m, suggesting that they are small mesoscale to submesoscale eddies. Abundant eddies are observed along a transect that crosses Belgica Trough. Near Alexander Island Drift, a large, of order km3, bowl‐like feature, that may represent an anticyclonic Taylor column, is imaged on a pair of orthogonal images. A modified iterative procedure is used to convert seismic imagery into maps of temperature that enable the number and size of eddies being transported onto the shelf to be quantified. Finally, analysis of prestack shot records suggests that these eddies are advecting southward at speeds of m s−1, consistent with limited legacy hydrographic measurements. Concentration of observed eddies south of the Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front implies they represent both a dominant, and a long‐lived, mechanism of warm‐water transport, especially across Belgica Trough. Our observations suggest that previous estimates of eddy frequency may have been underestimated by up to 1 order of magnitude, which has significant implications for calculations of ice mass loss on the shelf of the West Antarctic Peninsula.
Seasonal Variability of Neutral Escape from Mars as Derived From MAVEN Pickup Ion Observations
Authors: Rahmati A. , Larson D. E. , Cravens T. E. , Lillis R. J. , Halekas J. S. , McFadden J. P. , Mitchell D. L. , Thiemann E. M. B. , Connerney J. E. P. , Dunn P. A. , Lee C. O. , Eparvier F. G. , DiBraccio G. A. , Espley J. R. , Luhmann J. G. , Mazelle C. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: April 2018

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft arrived at Mars with the goal of determining the rates and mechanisms of atmospheric escape. Thermal hydrogen and hot oxygen escape are the two most important escape processes currently at work. Direct measurement of the escaping neutral hydrogen and oxygen atoms is impossible with current technology due to the low density and energy of escaping neutrals. However, when ionized and picked up by the solar wind, these escaping atoms can be detected by three particle detectors onboard MAVEN. By back‐tracing the trajectories of measured pickup ions, constraints can be placed on the density of neutrals at altitudes not accessible by other measurement methods. In this work, pickup H+ and O+ data from the Solar Energetic Particle (SEP), Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA), and SupraThermal and Thermal Ion Composition (STATIC) instruments are used to assess the variability of neutral H and O exospheres at Mars. From an analysis of 2.5 Earth years of MAVEN data, we show that a strong H escape seasonal dependence is observed by SWIA and STATIC with inferred H escape rates as low as 3 × 1025 s−1 near aphelion and as high as 4 × 1026 s−1 near perihelion. Hot O escape rates derived from SEP, SWIA, and STATIC data imply a much less variable hot O exosphere with escape rates fluctuating by a factor of 2 around a mean value of 9 × 1025 s−1. Both escape rates are in general agreement with the most recent theoretical, modeled, and observationally inferred rates.
Summary of Stakeholder Inputs on Development of a Satellite Anomaly Database From the European Space Weather Week
Authors: Green J. C. , Shprits Y. Y. , Haggarty E. , Onsager T. , Zhelavskaya I.
Published: April 2018

Stakeholders met at the recent European Space Weather Week to discuss the development of a satellite anomaly database. This summary reviews the presentations and suggestions given at the discussion session. Presenters reviewed ongoing international efforts to collect and distribute satellite anomaly information. Well‐defined suggestions were given for different possible frameworks. Group discussion after suggested that a way forward would be to first demonstrate the utility of an anomaly database with available public anomaly information. More discussion is needed to define the exact framework for future implementation.
TAp63 contributes to sexual dimorphism in POMC neuron functions and energy homeostasis
Authors: Wang Chunmei , He Yanlin , Xu Pingwen , Yang Yongjie , Saito Kenji , Xia Yan , Yan Xiaofeng , Hinton Jr Antentor , Yan Chunling , Ding Hongfang , Yu Likai , Shu Gang , Gupta Rajat , Wu Qi , Tong Qingchun , Lagor William R. , Flores Elsa R. , Xu Yong
Published: April 2018

Sexual dimorphism exists in energy balance, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that the female mice have more pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus than males, and female POMC neurons display higher neural activities, compared to male counterparts. Strikingly, deletion of the transcription factor, TAp63, in POMC neurons confers “male-like” diet-induced obesity (DIO) in female mice associated with decreased POMC neural activities; but the same deletion does not affect male mice. Our results indicate that TAp63 in female POMC neurons contributes to the enhanced POMC neuron functions and resistance to obesity in females. Thus, TAp63 in POMC neurons is one key molecular driver for the sexual dimorphism in energy homeostasis.
Induction of muscle stem cell quiescence by the secreted niche factor Oncostatin M
Authors: Sampath Srinath C. , Sampath Srihari C. , Ho Andrew T. V. , Corbel Stéphane Y. , Millstone Joshua D. , Lamb John , Walker John , Kinzel Bernd , Schmedt Christian , Blau Helen M.
Published: April 2018

The balance between stem cell quiescence and proliferation in skeletal muscle is tightly controlled, but perturbed in a variety of disease states. Despite progress in identifying activators of stem cell proliferation, the niche factor(s) responsible for quiescence induction remain unclear. Here we report an in vivo imaging-based screen which identifies Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, as a potent inducer of muscle stem cell (MuSC, satellite cell) quiescence. OSM is produced by muscle fibers, induces reversible MuSC cell cycle exit, and maintains stem cell regenerative capacity as judged by serial transplantation. Conditional OSM receptor deletion in satellite cells leads to stem cell depletion and impaired regeneration following injury. These results identify Oncostatin M as a secreted niche factor responsible for quiescence induction, and for the first time establish a direct connection between induction of quiescence, stemness, and transplantation potential in solid organ stem cells.
Global H3.3 dynamic deposition defines its bimodal role in cell fate transition
Authors: Fang Hai-Tong , EL Farran Chadi A. , Xing Qiao Rui , Zhang Li-Feng , Li Hu , Lim Bing , Loh Yuin-Han
Published: April 2018

H3.3 is a histone variant, which is deposited on genebodies and regulatory elements, by Hira, marking active transcription. Moreover, H3.3 is deposited on heterochromatin by Atrx/Daxx complex. The exact role of H3.3 in cell fate transition remains elusive. Here, we investigate the dynamic changes in the deposition of the histone variant H3.3 during cellular reprogramming. H3.3 maintains the identities of the parental cells during reprogramming as its removal at early time-point enhances the efficiency of the process. We find that H3.3 plays a similar role in transdifferentiation to hematopoietic progenitors and neuronal differentiation from embryonic stem cells. Contrastingly, H3.3 deposition on genes associated with the newly reprogrammed lineage is essential as its depletion at the later phase abolishes the process. Mechanistically, H3.3 deposition by Hira, and its K4 and K36 modifications are central to the role of H3.3 in cell fate conversion. Finally, H3.3 safeguards fibroblast lineage by regulating Mapk cascade and collagen synthesis.
A cancer vaccine-mediated postoperative immunotherapy for recurrent and metastatic tumors
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Dangge , Yu Haijun , Feng Bing , Zhou Fangyuan , Zhang Hanwu , Zhou Lei , Jiao Shi , Li Yaping
Published: April 2018

Vaccines to induce effective and sustained antitumor immunity have great potential for postoperative cancer therapy. However, a robust cancer vaccine simultaneously eliciting tumor-specific immunity and abolishing immune resistance continues to be a challenge. Here we present a personalized cancer vaccine (PVAX) for postsurgical immunotherapy. PVAX is developed by encapsulating JQ1 (a BRD4 inhibitor) and indocyanine green (ICG) co-loaded tumor cells with a hydrogel matrix. Activation of PVAX by 808 nm NIR laser irradiation significantly inhibits the tumor relapse by promoting the maturation of dendritic cells and eliciting tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. A mechanical study reveals that NIR light-triggered antigen release and JQ1-mediated PD-L1 checkpoint blockade cumulatively contribute to the satisfied therapeutic effect. Furthermore, PVAX prepared from the autologous tumor cells induces patient-specific memory immune response to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. The PVAX model might provide novel insights for postoperative immunotherapy.
TERRA recruitment of polycomb to telomeres is essential for histone trymethylation marks at telomeric heterochromatin
Authors: Montero Juan J. , López-Silanes Isabel , Megías Diego , F. Fraga Mario , Castells-García Álvaro , Blasco Maria A.
Published: April 2018

TERRAs are long non-coding RNAs generated from the telomeres. Lack of TERRA knockout models has hampered understanding TERRAs’ functions. We recently identified chromosome 20q as one of the main origins of human TERRAs, allowing us to generate the first 20q-TERRA knockout models and to demonstrate that TERRAs are essential for telomere length maintenance and protection. Here, we use ALT 20q-TERRA knockout cells to address a direct role of TERRAs in telomeric heterochromatin formation. We find that 20q-TERRAs are essential for the establishment of H3K9me3, H4K20me3, and H3K27me3 heterochromatin marks at telomeres. At the mechanistic level, we find that TERRAs bind to PRC2, responsible for catalyzing H3K27 tri-methylation, and that its localization to telomeres is TERRA-dependent. We further demonstrate that PRC2-dependent H3K27me3 at telomeres is required for the establishment of H3K9me3, H4K20me3, and HP1 binding at telomeres. Together, these findings demonstrate an important role for TERRAs in telomeric heterochromatin assembly.
Atomically thin noble metal dichalcogenide: a broadband mid-infrared semiconductor
Authors: Yu Xuechao , Yu Peng , Wu Di , Singh Bahadur , Zeng Qingsheng , Lin Hsin , Zhou Wu , Lin Junhao , Suenaga Kazu , Liu Zheng , Wang Qi Jie
Published: April 2018

The interest in mid-infrared technologies surrounds plenty of important optoelectronic applications ranging from optical communications, biomedical imaging to night vision cameras, and so on. Although narrow bandgap semiconductors, such as Mercury Cadmium Telluride and Indium Antimonide, and quantum superlattices based on inter-subband transitions in wide bandgap semiconductors, have been employed for mid-infrared applications, it remains a daunting challenge to search for other materials that possess suitable bandgaps in this wavelength range. Here, we demonstrate experimentally for the first time that two-dimensional (2D) atomically thin PtSe2 has a variable bandgap in the mid-infrared via layer and defect engineering. Here, we show that bilayer PtSe2 combined with defects modulation possesses strong light absorption in the mid-infrared region, and we realize a mid-infrared photoconductive detector operating in a broadband mid-infrared range. Our results pave the way for atomically thin 2D noble metal dichalcogenides to be employed in high-performance mid-infrared optoelectronic devices.
Structural basis of epilepsy-related ligand–receptor complex LGI1–ADAM22
Authors: Yamagata Atsushi , Miyazaki Yuri , Yokoi Norihiko , Shigematsu Hideki , Sato Yusuke , Goto-Ito Sakurako , Maeda Asami , Goto Teppei , Sanbo Makoto , Hirabayashi Masumi , Shirouzu Mikako , Fukata Yuko , Fukata Masaki , Fukai Shuya
Published: April 2018

Epilepsy is a common brain disorder throughout history. Epilepsy-related ligand–receptor complex, LGI1–ADAM22, regulates synaptic transmission and has emerged as a determinant of brain excitability, as their mutations and acquired LGI1 autoantibodies cause epileptic disorders in human. Here, we report the crystal structure of human LGI1–ADAM22 complex, revealing a 2:2 heterotetrameric assembly. The hydrophobic pocket of the C-terminal epitempin-repeat (EPTP) domain of LGI1 binds to the metalloprotease-like domain of ADAM22. The N-terminal leucine-rich repeat and EPTP domains of LGI1 mediate the intermolecular LGI1–LGI1 interaction. A pathogenic R474Q mutation of LGI1, which does not exceptionally affect either the secretion or the ADAM22 binding, is located in the LGI1–LGI1 interface and disrupts the higher-order assembly of the LGI1–ADAM22 complex in vitro and in a mouse model for familial epilepsy. These studies support the notion that the LGI1–ADAM22 complex functions as the trans-synaptic machinery for precise synaptic transmission.
Neural-like computing with populations of superparamagnetic basis functions
Authors: Mizrahi Alice , Hirtzlin Tifenn , Fukushima Akio , Kubota Hitoshi , Yuasa Shinji , Grollier Julie , Querlioz Damien
Published: April 2018

In neuroscience, population coding theory demonstrates that neural assemblies can achieve fault-tolerant information processing. Mapped to nanoelectronics, this strategy could allow for reliable computing with scaled-down, noisy, imperfect devices. Doing so requires that the population components form a set of basis functions in terms of their response functions to inputs, offering a physical substrate for computing. Such a population can be implemented with CMOS technology, but the corresponding circuits have high area or energy requirements. Here, we show that nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions can instead be assembled to meet these requirements. We demonstrate experimentally that a population of nine junctions can implement a basis set of functions, providing the data to achieve, for example, the generation of cursive letters. We design hybrid magnetic-CMOS systems based on interlinked populations of junctions and show that they can learn to realize non-linear variability-resilient transformations with a low imprint area and low power.
Artificial two-dimensional polar metal at room temperature
Authors: Cao Yanwei , Wang Zhen , Park Se Young , Yuan Yakun , Liu Xiaoran , Nikitin Sergey M. , Akamatsu Hirofumi , Kareev M. , Middey S. , Meyers D. , Thompson P. , Ryan P. J. , Shafer Padraic , N’Diaye A. , Arenholz E. , Gopalan Venkatraman , Zhu Yimei , Rabe Karin M. , Chakhalian J.
Published: April 2018

Polar metals, commonly defined by the coexistence of polar crystal structure and metallicity, are thought to be scarce because the long-range electrostatic fields favoring the polar structure are expected to be fully screened by the conduction electrons of a metal. Moreover, reducing from three to two dimensions, it remains an open question whether a polar metal can exist. Here we report on the realization of a room temperature two-dimensional polar metal of the B-site type in tri-color (tri-layer) superlattices BaTiO3/SrTiO3/LaTiO3. A combination of atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy with electron energy-loss spectroscopy, optical second harmonic generation, electrical transport, and first-principles calculations have revealed the microscopic mechanisms of periodic electric polarization, charge distribution, and orbital symmetry. Our results provide a route to creating all-oxide artificial non-centrosymmetric quasi-two-dimensional metals with exotic quantum states including coexisting ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and superconducting phases.
Motion model ultrasound localization microscopy for preclinical and clinical multiparametric tumor characterization
Authors: Opacic Tatjana , Dencks Stefanie , Theek Benjamin , Piepenbrock Marion , Ackermann Dimitri , Rix Anne , Lammers Twan , Stickeler Elmar , Delorme Stefan , Schmitz Georg , Kiessling Fabian
Published: April 2018

Super-resolution imaging methods promote tissue characterization beyond the spatial resolution limits of the devices and bridge the gap between histopathological analysis and non-invasive imaging. Here, we introduce motion model ultrasound localization microscopy (mULM) as an easily applicable and robust new tool to morphologically and functionally characterize fine vascular networks in tumors at super-resolution. In tumor-bearing mice and for the first time in patients, we demonstrate that within less than 1 min scan time mULM can be realized using conventional preclinical and clinical ultrasound devices. In this context, next to highly detailed images of tumor microvascularization and the reliable quantification of relative blood volume and perfusion, mULM provides multiple new functional and morphological parameters that discriminate tumors with different vascular phenotypes. Furthermore, our initial patient data indicate that mULM can be applied in a clinical ultrasound setting opening avenues for the multiparametric characterization of tumors and the assessment of therapy response.
Olfactory inputs modulate respiration-related rhythmic activity in the prefrontal cortex and freezing behavior
Authors: Moberly Andrew H. , Schreck Mary , Bhattarai Janardhan P. , Zweifel Larry S. , Luo Wenqin , Ma Minghong
Published: April 2018

Respiration and airflow through the nasal cavity are known to be correlated with rhythmic neural activity in the central nervous system. Here we show in rodents that during conditioned fear-induced freezing behavior, mice breathe at a steady rate (~4 Hz), which is correlated with a predominant 4-Hz oscillation in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (plPFC), a structure critical for expression of conditioned fear behaviors. We demonstrate anatomical and functional connections between the olfactory pathway and plPFC via circuit tracing and optogenetics. Disruption of olfactory inputs significantly reduces the 4-Hz oscillation in the plPFC, but leads to prolonged freezing periods. Our results indicate that olfactory inputs can modulate rhythmic activity in plPFC and freezing behavior.
Single synaptic inputs drive high-precision action potentials in parvalbumin expressing GABA-ergic cortical neurons in vivo
Authors: Jouhanneau Jean-Sébastien , Kremkow Jens , Poulet James F. A.
Published: April 2018

A defining feature of cortical layer 2/3 excitatory neurons is their sparse activity, often firing in singlets of action potentials. Local inhibitory neurons are thought to play a major role in regulating sparseness, but which cell types are recruited by single excitatory synaptic inputs is unknown. Using multiple, targeted, in vivo whole-cell recordings, we show that single uEPSPs have little effect on the firing rates of excitatory neurons and somatostatin-expressing GABA-ergic inhibitory neurons but evoke precisely timed action potentials in parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory neurons. Despite a uEPSP decay time of 7.8 ms, the evoked action potentials were almost completely restricted to the uEPSP rising phase (~0.5 ms). Evoked parvalbumin-expressing neuron action potentials go on to inhibit the local excitatory network, thus providing a pathway for single spike evoked disynaptic inhibition which may enforce sparse and precisely timed cortical signaling.
Short-term activation of the Jun N-terminal kinase pathway in apoptosis-deficient cells of Drosophila induces tumorigenesis
Authors: Pinal Noelia , Martín María , Medina Izarne , Morata Ginés
Published: April 2018

In Drosophila, the JNK pathway eliminates by apoptosis aberrant cells that appear in development. It also performs other functions associated with cell proliferation, but analysis of the latter is hindered by the pro-apoptotic activity. We report the response of apoptosis-deficient cells to transient activation of JNK and show that it causes persistent JNK function during the rest of the development. As a consequence, there is continuous activity of the downstream pathways JAK/STAT, Wg and Dpp, which results in tumour overgrowths. We also show that the oncogenic potential of the Ras-MAPK pathway resides largely on its ability to suppress apoptosis. It has been proposed that a hallmark of tumour cells is that they can evade apoptosis. In reverse, we propose that, in Drosophila, apoptosis-deficient cells become tumorigenic due to their property of acquiring persistent JNK activity after stress events that are inconsequential in tissues in which cells are open to apoptosis.
Random sequences rapidly evolve into de novo promoters
Authors: Yona Avihu H. , Alm Eric J. , Gore Jeff
Published: April 2018

How new functions arise de novo is a fundamental question in evolution. We studied de novo evolution of promoters in Escherichia coli by replacing the lac promoter with various random sequences of the same size (~100 bp) and evolving the cells in the presence of lactose. We find that ~60% of random sequences can evolve expression comparable to the wild-type with only one mutation, and that ~10% of random sequences can serve as active promoters even without evolution. Such a short mutational distance between random sequences and active promoters may improve the evolvability, yet may also lead to accidental promoters inside genes that interfere with normal expression. Indeed, our bioinformatic analyses indicate that E. coli was under selection to reduce accidental promoters inside genes by avoiding promoter-like sequences. We suggest that a low threshold for functionality balanced by selection against undesired targets can increase the evolvability by making new beneficial features more accessible.