bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys: Delivering Robust Data on Children and Women across the Globe
Authors: Khan Shane , Hancioglu Attila
Published: September 2019

This article provides an overview of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) as a data source. MICS—one of the largest household survey programs focused on children and women—has covered 116 countries, many over several rounds of surveys producing trend data. Data are collected on a range of indicators for children, adolescents, women, and in recent years, men. Topics include fertility, mortality, contraceptive use, unmet need, maternal and newborn health, female genital mutilation, menstrual hygiene management, child illness and treatment, and child development and nutrition, among others. The surveys are cross‐sectional and use multistage probability designs to develop representative samples of households at the national and subnational levels. Survey interviews are conducted with: a household respondent who provides data on the household status; women and men aged 15–49 who provide current status and retrospective data on themselves; and mothers (or caregivers) who provide data on children under age 18. Data can be compared across countries and time for the most part, provide a wealth of indicators across research fields, and are open access. Data can be accessed on the MICS website where users are granted access to the MICS datasets for research purposes.
How to ask sensitive multiple‐choice questions
Authors: Lagerås Andreas , Lindholm Mathias
Published: September 2019

Motivated by recent failures of polling to estimate populist party support, we propose and analyze two methods for asking sensitive multiple‐choice questions where the respondent retains some privacy and therefore might answer more truthfully. The first method consists of asking for the true choice along with a choice picked at random. The other method presents a list of choices and asks whether the preferred one is on the list or not. Different respondents are shown different lists. The methods are easy to explain, which makes it likely that the respondent understands how her privacy is protected and may thus entice her to participate in the survey and answer truthfully. The methods are also easy to implement and scale up.
Predicting post‐operative functional ability from pre‐operative measures in ACL‐injured individuals
Authors: Smale Kenneth B. , Alkjaer Tine , Flaxman Teresa E. , Krogsgaard Michael R. , Simonsen Erik B. , Benoit Daniel L.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to quantify the relationship between objective and subjective measures of functional ability and determine if measures in the deficient (ACLd) state were correlated to, and capable of predicting a patient's objective and subjective measures in the reconstructed (ACLr) state.

Methods

Twenty ACL‐injured participants completed hop and side cut movements prior to and 10 months post‐reconstruction. Their subjective measures (Tegner, Lysholm, IKDC, KOOS, and KNEEs) were related to objective measures of functional ability (peak knee flexion, peak knee extensor moment, stiffness, knee joint center excursion (KJCE), and knee joint center boundary). Correlations were used to determine relationships between variables whereas regressions were used to identify ACLd score's predictive ability of an ACLr score.

Results

Relationships between objective and subjective measures were task and ACL status dependent with KJCE and stiffness most commonly being related to subjective scores. The greatest correlation was between knee stiffness and Tegner in the ACLr group during the side cut (r = 0.69). Peak knee flexion angle (adj. R2 = 0.4‐0.66) was the best objective predictor between ACLd and ACLr states while KOOS‐ADL had the strongest correlations (r = 0.70‐0.77) and Tegner had the greatest predictive power (odds ratio: 1.46‐1.86) between states in both tasks.

Conclusion

Objective measures show a wide range of correlation to subjective measures with some being quite strong. Furthermore, objective measures in the ACLd state are more correlated and more often capable of predicting ACLr scores than the subjective measures of functional ability.
Anticipation of drop height affects neuromuscular control and muscle‐tendon mechanics
Authors: Helm Michael , Freyler Kathrin , Waldvogel Janice , Lauber Benedikt , Gollhofer Albert , Ritzmann Ramona
Published: September 2019

This study examined the effect of drop height on neuromechanical control of the plantarflexors in drop jumps (DJs) before and during ground contact (GC). The effect of anticipation on muscle mechanical configurations was investigated in 22 subjects in three conditions (20, 30, and 40 cm): (i) known, (ii) unknown, or (iii) cheat falling heights (announced 40 cm, but actual drop height was 20 cm). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the m. gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and other shank muscles was recorded and analyzed before GC and during GC separately for the short‐, medium‐, and long‐latency responses (SLR, MLR, and LLR). Changes in GM fascicle length (LM) were determined via B‐mode ultrasound, and muscle‐tendon unit length (LMTU) was estimated. Peak force (P < .001), rate of force development (RFD) (P = .001) and GM EMG activity prior to (P = .003) and during GC (P = .007) was reduced in the unknown compared with the known conditions (P < .05). The amount of shortening in LMTU during GC in unknown and cheat was less compared with the known conditions (P = .005; P = .049). Changes in LMTU lengthening negatively correlated with changes in GM activity around SLR and MLR (P = .006; P = .02) in known and unknown conditions. Taken together, it seems that the central nervous system applies a protective strategy in the unknown condition by reducing muscle activity to result in a lower muscular stiffness and increased tendinous lengthening prior to and during GC. This might be a mechanism to absorb greater elastic energy in the tendon and reduce the magnitude and rate of muscle lengthening and subsequent stretch‐induced muscle damage.
A framework to promote equity in clinical clerkships
Authors: Lai Cindy J , Jackson Andrea V , Wheeler Margaret , Dhaliwal Gurpreet , Ziv Tal Ann , Kryzhanovskaya Irina , Teherani Arianne
Published: September 2019

Background

Diversifying the medical student body without striving for equity in the clerkship (first full‐time clinical training year) learning environment disadvantages under‐represented in medicine (UIM) students and undermines the educational process.

Context

To characterise and address inequities within an internal medicine clerkship, we conducted a multi‐phased process to promote equity in the clerkship learning environment at an urban medical school with multiple sites.

… we conducted a multi‐phased process to promote equity in the clerkship learning environment …

Innovation

The process to improve the learning environment and equity in the clerkship included: (i) a literature review and needs assessment (focus group) with UIM students; (ii) a medicine clerkship retreat with school leaders and diversity experts to reflect on the needs assessment data and generate interventions to improve equity; (iii) a member checking session with UIM students to ensure that the proposed solutions addressed the inequities that were noted in the needs assessment.

Implications

The needs assessment revealed eight themes in the clerkship learning environment that were mapped to a published framework describing barriers encountered by UIM students. These themes informed the development of five clerkship pilot interventions. Implementing interventions inspired by UIM student perspectives may improve the learning environment in clinical clerkships by encouraging a culture of equity. The three‐phased approach described here provides leaders who direct educational programmes with a framework to initiate change by characterising inequities as a springboard for developing solutions.
Genetic variation and temperature affects hybrid barriers during interspecific hybridization
Authors: Bjerkan Katrine N. , Hornslien Karina S. , Johannessen Ida M. , Krabberød Anders K. , van Ekelenburg Yuri S. , Kalantarian Maryam , Shirzadi Reza , Comai Luca , Brysting Anne K. , Bramsiepe Jonathan , Grini Paul E.
Published: September 2019

Genomic imprinting regulates parent‐specific transcript dosage during seed development and is mainly confined to the endosperm. Elucidation of the function of many imprinted genes has been hampered by the lack of corresponding mutant phenotypes, and the role of imprinting is mainly associated with genome dosage regulation or allocation of resources. Disruption of imprinted genes has also been suggested to mediate endosperm‐based post‐zygotic hybrid barriers depending on genetic variation and gene dosage. Here, we have analyzed the conservation of a clade from the MADS‐box type I class transcription factors in the closely related species Arabidopsis arenosa, A. lyrata, and A. thaliana, and show that AGL36‐like genes are imprinted and maternally expressed in seeds of Arabidopsis species and in hybrid seeds between outbreeding species. In hybridizations between outbreeding and inbreeding species the paternally silenced allele of the AGL36‐like gene is reactivated in the hybrid, demonstrating that also maternally expressed imprinted genes are perturbed during hybridization and that such effects on imprinted genes are specific to the species combination. Furthermore, we also demonstrate a quantitative effect of genetic diversity and temperature on the strength of the post‐zygotic hybridization barrier. Markedly, a small decrease in temperature during seed development increases the survival of hybrid F1 seeds, suggesting that abiotic and genetic parameters play important roles in post‐zygotic species barriers, pointing at evolutionary scenarios favoring such effects.

Open Research Badges

This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/?term=PRJNA562212. All sequences generated in this study have been deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Sequence Read Archive (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/) with project number PRJNA562212.
A pilot study on the comparative minimum inhibitory and mutant prevention concentration values for moxifloxacin and pradofloxacin against canine and human isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi
Authors: Plowgian Curtis , Blondeau Joseph M. , Levinson Matthew , Rosenkrantz Wayne
Published: September 2019

Background

Moxifloxacin is a fourth‐generation fluoroquinolone (FQ) that is approved for use in people to treat a variety of infections. Some veterinary microbiology laboratories report moxifloxacin in culture and sensitivity profiles for Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi albeit using Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints for S. aureus. Previous studies have shown that S. aureus breakpoints can mischaracterize S. pseudintermedius susceptibility to various drugs. Pradofloxacin is a third generation veterinary FQ with a similar mechanism of action and spectrum of activity to moxifloxacin; however, the dose format (25 mg/mL solution) available in the USA may limit its practical use in large dogs.

Objective

To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), mutant prevention concentration (MPC) and mutant selection window (MSW) of moxifloxacin and pradofloxacin for isolates of S. pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi.

Methods and materials

Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis was performed to establish that each bacterial isolate selected for testing represented an unique strain. The MIC, MPC and MSW for moxifloxacin and pradofloxacin were determined from 60 strains of S. pseudintermedius and seven strains of S. schleiferi.

Results

The MIC and MPC ranges of moxifloxacin and pradofloxacin for meticillin‐susceptible S. pseudintermedius were similar. However, MIC and MPC ranges were much wider and resistance to both drugs was more common for meticillin‐resistant strains of S. pseudintermedius and S. schleiferi.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The narrow MSW of these drugs may reduce the risk of selecting for antibiotic‐resistant subpopulations. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety studies are needed.
Harmonic Generation at a Nonlinear Imperfect Joint of Plates by the S0 Lamb Wave Incidence
Authors: Mori Naoki , Biwa Shiro , Kusaka Takayuki
Published: September 2019

Nonlinear interaction of Lamb waves with an imperfect joint of plates for the incidence of the lowest-order symmetric (S0) Lamb wave is investigated by perturbation analysis and time-domain numerical simulation. The imperfect joint is modeled as a nonlinear spring-type interface, which expresses interfacial stresses as functions of the displacement discontinuities. In the perturbation analysis, under the assumption of weak nonlinearity, the second-harmonic generation at the joint is examined in the frequency domain by the thin-plate approximation using extensional waves. As a result, the amplitude of the second-harmonic extensional wave is shown to be in good agreement with the result of the S0 mode in a low-frequency range. However, it is found that the thin-plate approximation does not reproduce the amplification of the second-harmonic S0 mode, which occurs due to the resonance of the joint. Furthermore, the time-domain analysis is performed by the elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT). When the amplitude of the incident wave is relatively large, the fundamental wave and the second harmonic exhibit different behavior from the results by the perturbation analysis. Specifically, if the incident amplitude is increased, the peak frequency of the second-harmonic amplitude becomes low. The transient behavior of the nonlinear interaction is also examined and discussed based on the results for the weak nonlinearity.
A Framework Based on K-Means Clustering and Topic Modeling for Analyzing Unstructured Manufacturing Capability Data
Authors: Sabbagh Ramin , Ameri Farhad
Published: September 2019

The natural language descriptions of the capabilities of manufacturing companies can be found in multiple locations including company websites, legacy system databases, and ad hoc documents and spreadsheets. To unlock the value of unstructured capability data and learn from it, there is a need for developing advanced quantitative methods supported by machine learning and natural language processing techniques. This research proposes a hybrid unsupervised learning methodology using K-means clustering and topic modeling techniques in order to build clusters of suppliers based on their capabilities, automatically infer topics from the created clusters, and discover nontrivial patterns in manufacturing capability corpora. The capability data is extracted either directly from the website of manufacturing firms or from their profiles in e-sourcing portals and directories. Feature extraction and dimensionality reduction process in this work are supported by N-gram extraction and latent semantic analysis (LSA) methods. The proposed clustering method is validated experimentally based on a dataset composed of 150 capability descriptions collected from web-based sourcing directories such as the Thomas Net directory for manufacturing companies. The results of the experiment show that the proposed method creates supplier cluster with high accuracy. Two example applications of the proposed framework, related to supplier similarity measurement and automated thesaurus creation, are introduced in this paper.
Discrete Layer Jamming for Variable Stiffness Co-Robot Arms
Authors: Zhou Yitong , Headings Leon M. , Dapino Marcelo J.
Published: September 2019

Continuous layer jamming is an effective tunable stiffness mechanism that utilizes vacuum to vary friction between laminates enclosed in a membrane. In this paper, we present a discrete layer jamming mechanism that is composed of a multilayered beam and multiple variable pressure clamps placed discretely along the beam; system stiffness can be varied by changing the pressure applied by the clamps. In comparison to continuous layer jamming, discrete layer jamming is simpler as it can be implemented with dynamic variable pressure actuators for faster control, better portability, and no sealing issues due to no need for an air supply. Design and experiments show that discrete layer jamming can be used for a variable stiffness co-robot arm. The concept is validated by quasi-static cantilever bending experiments. The measurements show that clamping 10% of the beam area with two clamps increases the bending stiffness by around 17 times when increasing the clamping pressure from 0 to 3 MPa. Computational case studies using finite element analysis for the five key parameters are presented, including clamp location, clamp width, number of laminates, friction coefficient, and number of clamps. Clamp location, number of clamps, and number of laminates are found to be most useful for optimizing a discrete layer jamming design. Actuation requirements for a variable pressure clamp are presented based on results from laminate beam compression tests.
Geometrical Analysis of Connecting Beam Mandala: A Planar Deployable Mechanism
Authors: Chen Bin , Hu Jie , Chen Weixing , Qi Jin
Published: September 2019

Connecting beam (CB) mandala is a kind of planar deployable mechanism with the ability of scaling up and down like a mandala flower. It is constructed by many-component connecting beams, which are identical circle arcs with specific arc angle and three revolving joints (one middle joint and two end joints) located symmetrically. In this paper, a detailed geometrical analysis of CB mandala is reported. Some basic concepts and parameters are proposed to describe CB mandala's geometry. Based on them, the scaling motion of CB mandala is analyzed, and its five morphologies and their unique features are presented. CB mandala's application is also discussed and illustrated with a simple case.
A Soft-Robotic End-Effector for Independently Actuating Endoscopic Catheters
Authors: Ashwin K. P. , Ghosal Ashitava
Published: September 2019

This paper deals with the design, development, modeling, and experimental validation of a prototype endoscopic attachment that can be actuated independently by soft actuators to position an endoscopic catheter tip to a desired location. The soft actuators are miniaturized pneumatic artificial muscles (MPAMs), and by applying 137–827 kPa pressure to one or more MPAMs, the tip of the endoscopic catheter can be positioned in an approximately hemispherical region of 45 mm radius. An optimization-based forward kinematic model to predict the profile of the actuated end-effector is developed. Experiments conducted on the prototype show that the kinematics model can predict the deformation profile of the end-effector with a maximum error of 2 mm. An inverse-kinematics model to estimate the pressure required in the MPAMs to position the tip of the catheter at a specified point is also developed. The pressures in the MPAMs are controlled using an ATmel ATMega 2560 micro-controller with the inputs generated with a thumb-stick to show that real-time actuation is possible. Finally, ex-vivo experiments were conducted to show that the developed prototype end-effector can be successfully used to independently actuate endoscopic catheters.
On the Solution of Eight-Precision-Point Path Synthesis of Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms Based on the Solution Region Methodology
Authors: Han Jianyou , Liu Wupeng
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the solution region synthesis methodology (abbreviated as SRSM below) for the eight-precision-point path synthesis of planar four-bar mechanisms is presented. The so-called solution region synthesis methodology represents an infinite number of mechanism solutions in a plane, and the solution region is the area where the mechanism solutions are distributed in the plane. The x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the plane are both taken as the concerned parameters of mechanisms. Furthermore, characteristic curves of mechanisms can be expressed in the plane. In addition, a defect judgment method is proposed, which can be realized in the computer program. The defective solutions can be eliminated efficiently, and the solutions without defects are obtained using the proposed method. After considering and imposing additional design requirements, the linkages of different types and different curve shapes are classified in the solution region. Finally, taking the path generation for eight points as the example, the methodology of establishing the solution region and the feasible solution region are presented, and the synthesis results are illustrated.
Individual differences in the acoustic properties of human skulls
Authors: Gordon Michael S. , Hall Michael D. , Gaston Jeremy , Foots Ashley , Suwangbutra Jitwipar
Published: September 2019

The acoustic properties of skulls and how they might affect hearing was investigated. Broadband noise was projected through the skull and spectrally analyzed using a Fast Fourier Transform and in 1/3-octave bands. Energetic peaks were found centered near 1050 and 4000 Hz, and troughs near 100 and 650 Hz, in addition to substantial individual differences (e.g., range greater than 29 dB around 900 Hz). Acoustic patterns from each skull were subsequently compared with air and bone conduction sensory thresholds. Individual skull patterns reliably correlated with bone conduction thresholds, but not air conduction thresholds, indicating a possible mediating role of the skull to hearing.
Controversy over dengue vaccine risk
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: September 2019

All immunized Filipino kids should be tested, some say.
Forest giants are the trees most at risk
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: September 2019

Lightning, drought, and invasive pests tend to slay the largest trees.
Crystalline nets snare water and make fuel from thin air
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: September 2019

Having solved stability problems, chemists think metal-organic frameworks are ready for a commercial ascent.
Australia targets foreign influence at universities
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: September 2019

New task force triggered by concerns about China.
The formation of human populations in South and Central Asia
Authors: Narasimhan Vagheesh M. , Patterson Nick , Moorjani Priya , Rohland Nadin , Bernardos Rebecca , Mallick Swapan , Lazaridis Iosif , Nakatsuka Nathan , Olalde Iñigo , Lipson Mark , Kim Alexander M. , Olivieri Luca M. , Coppa Alfredo , Vidale Massimo , Mallory James , Moiseyev Vyacheslav , Kitov Egor , Monge Janet , Adamski Nicole , Alex Neel , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Candilio Francesca , Callan Kimberly , Cheronet Olivia , Culleton Brendan J. , Ferry Matthew , Fernandes Daniel , Freilich Suzanne , Gamarra Beatriz , Gaudio Daniel , Hajdinjak Mateja , Harney Éadaoin , Harper Thomas K. , Keating Denise , Lawson Ann Marie , Mah Matthew , Mandl Kirsten , Michel Megan , Novak Mario , Oppenheimer Jonas , Rai Niraj , Sirak Kendra , Slon Viviane , Stewardson Kristin , Zalzala Fatma , Zhang Zhao , Akhatov Gaziz , Bagashev Anatoly N. , Bagnera Alessandra , Baitanayev Bauryzhan , Bendezu-Sarmiento Julio , Bissembaev Arman A. , Bonora Gian Luca , Chargynov Temirlan T. , Chikisheva Tatiana , Dashkovskiy Petr K. , Derevianko Anatoly , Dobeš Miroslav , Douka Katerina , Dubova Nadezhda , Duisengali Meiram N. , Enshin Dmitry , Epimakhov Andrey , Fribus Alexey V. , Fuller Dorian , Goryachev Alexander , Gromov Andrey , Grushin Sergey P. , Hanks Bryan , Judd Margaret , Kazizov Erlan , Khokhlov Aleksander , Krygin Aleksander P. , Kupriyanova Elena , Kuznetsov Pavel , Luiselli Donata , Maksudov Farhod , Mamedov Aslan M. , Mamirov Talgat B. , Meiklejohn Christopher , Merrett Deborah C. , Micheli Roberto , Mochalov Oleg , Mustafokulov Samariddin , Nayak Ayushi , Pettener Davide , Potts Richard , Razhev Dmitry , Rykun Marina , Sarno Stefania , Savenkova Tatyana M. , Sikhymbaeva Kulyan , Slepchenko Sergey M. , Soltobaev Oroz A. , Stepanova Nadezhda , Svyatko Svetlana , Tabaldiev Kubatbek , Teschler-Nicola Maria , Tishkin Alexey A. , Tkachev Vitaly V. , Vasilyev Sergey , Velemínský Petr , Voyakin Dmitriy , Yermolayeva Antonina , Zahir Muhammad , Zubkov Valery S. , Zubova Alisa , Shinde Vasant S. , Lalueza-Fox Carles , Meyer Matthias , Anthony David , Boivin Nicole , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Kennett Douglas J. , Frachetti Michael , Pinhasi Ron , Reich David
Published: September 2019

Ancient human movements through Asia

Ancient DNA has allowed us to begin tracing the history of human movements across the globe. Narasimhan
et al.
identify a complex pattern of human migrations and admixture events in South and Central Asia by performing genetic analysis of more than 500 people who lived over the past 8000 years (see the Perspective by Schaefer and Shapiro). They establish key phases in the population prehistory of Eurasia, including the spread of farming peoples from the Near East, with movements both westward and eastward. The people known as the Yamnaya in the Bronze Age also moved both westward and eastward from a focal area located north of the Black Sea. The overall patterns of genetic clines reflect similar and parallel patterns in South Asia and Europe.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat7487
; see also p.
981
A measurement of the atomic hydrogen Lamb shift and the proton charge radius
Authors: Bezginov N. , Valdez T. , Horbatsch M. , Marsman A. , Vutha A. C. , Hessels E. A.
Published: September 2019

Unraveling the proton puzzle

The discrepancy between the proton size deduced from the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen and the average, textbook value based on regular (electronic) hydrogen has puzzled physicists for nearly a decade. One possible resolution could be that electrons interact with protons in a different way than muons do, which would require “new physics.” Bezginov
et al.
measured the Lamb shift in electronic hydrogen, which allowed for a direct comparison to the Lamb shift measured in muonic hydrogen. The two results agreed, but the discrepancy with the averaged value remains.

Science
, this issue p.
1007
Evaluation of an antibody to α
4
β
7
in the control of SIVmac239-
nef-stop
infection
Authors: Di Mascio M. , Lifson J. D. , Srinivasula S. , Kim I. , DeGrange P. , Keele B. F. , Belli A. J. , Reimann K. A. , Wang Y. , Proschan M. , Lane H. C. , Fauci A. S.
Published: September 2019

An antibody is not the antidote

An HIV therapeutic that would give long-term remission without sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a long-term goal. Byrareddy
et al.
[
Science
354
, 197 (2016)] reported that treating simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)–positive macaques with an antibody against integrin α
4
β
7
during and after ART results in sustained virologic control after stopping all treatment. Three studies in this issue question the reproducibility of that result. Di Mascio
et al.
sequenced the virus used in the 2016 study and found that it was a variant with a stop codon in the
nef
gene rather than a wild-type virus. Abbink
et al.
used the same antibody for α
4
β
7
as before but tested control of a more commonly used pathogenic virus. Iwamato
et al.
used the same
nef
-stop virus as in the earlier paper but combined the antibody against the integrin with an antibody against the SIV envelope glycoprotein, which also blocks viral binding of the integrin. None of these three new studies found that treating with the antibody had any effect on virologic control after stopping ART treatment.

Science
, this issue p.
1025
, p.
1029
, p.
1033
Probing Majorana neutrinos with double-β decay
Authors: Agostini M. , Bakalyarov A. M. , Balata M. , Barabanov I. , Baudis L. , Bauer C. , Bellotti E. , Belogurov S. , Bettini A. , Bezrukov L. , Borowicz D. , Brudanin V. , Brugnera R. , Caldwell A. , Cattadori C. , Chernogorov A. , Comellato T. , D’Andrea V. , Demidova E. V. , Di Marco N. , Domula A. , Doroshkevich E. , Egorov V. , Falkenstein R. , Fomina M. , Gangapshev A. , Garfagnini A. , Giordano M. , Grabmayr P. , Gurentsov V. , Gusev K. , Hakenmüller J. , Hegai A. , Heisel M. , Hemmer S. , Hiller R. , Hofmann W. , Hult M. , Inzhechik L. V. , Janicskó Csáthy J. , Jochum J. , Junker M. , Kazalov V. , Kermaïdic Y. , Kihm T. , Kirpichnikov I. V. , Kirsch A. , Kish A. , Klimenko A. , Kneißl R. , Knöpfle K. T. , Kochetov O. , Kornoukhov V. N. , Krause P. , Kuzminov V. V. , Laubenstein M. , Lazzaro A. , Lindner M. , Lippi I. , Lubashevskiy A. , Lubsandorzhiev B. , Lutter G. , Macolino C. , Majorovits B. , Maneschg W. , Miloradovic M. , Mingazheva R. , Misiaszek M. , Moseev P. , Nemchenok I. , Panas K. , Pandola L. , Pelczar K. , Pertoldi L. , Piseri P. , Pullia A. , Ransom C. , Riboldi S. , Rumyantseva N. , Sada C. , Sala E. , Salamida F. , Schmitt C. , Schneider B. , Schönert S. , Schütz A.-K. , Schulz O. , Schwarz M. , Schwingenheuer B. , Selivanenko O. , Shevchik E. , Shirchenko M. , Simgen H. , Smolnikov A. , Stanco L. , Stukov D. , Vanhoefer L. , Vasenko A. A. , Veresnikova A. , von Sturm K. , Wagner V. , Wegmann A. , Wester T. , Wiesinger C. , Wojcik M. , Yanovich E. , Zhitnikov I. , Zhukov S. V. , Zinatulina D. , Zschocke A. , Zsigmond A. J. , Zuber K. , Zuzel G. ,   GERDA Collaboration
Published: September 2019

Looking for an exotic decay

Neutrinos—elementary fermionic particles with no electrical charge—defy the standard model of particle physics by having a tiny, but nonzero mass. One explanation for their properties is that they are Majorana fermions, which are particles equal to their antiparticles. If neutrinos were Majorana fermions, a process called neutrinoless double-β decay would become possible: an unstable nucleus could decay by turning two of its neutrons into protons with the emission of two electrons but no antineutrinos. The GERDA Collaboration searched for this decay in a particular isotope of germanium. Housed deep underground to reduce the background signal, the experiment did not detect the elusive process but did place improved boundaries on its half-life.

Science
, this issue p.
1445
Breakdown in spawning synchrony: A silent threat to coral persistence
Authors: Shlesinger Tom , Loya Yossi
Published: September 2019

Invisible threat

Our changing climate is a threat to corals, causing disfiguring bleaching and mortality to reefs that once teemed with life. Shlesinger and Loya alert us to an equally dangerous yet nearly invisible hazard to coral: loss of breeding synchrony (see the Perspective by Fogarty and Marhaver). They found that environmental changes have resulted in shifts in the timing of gamete release in several species of broadcast-spawning corals in the Red Sea. Similar changes are likely occurring globally. Such a loss of spawning synchrony could result in reproductive failure, a much less obvious but no less insidious threat to coral reefs.

Science
, this issue p.
1002
; see also p.
987
A lineage-resolved molecular atlas of
C. elegans
embryogenesis at single-cell resolution
Authors: Packer Jonathan S. , Zhu Qin , Huynh Chau , Sivaramakrishnan Priya , Preston Elicia , Dueck Hannah , Stefanik Derek , Tan Kai , Trapnell Cole , Kim Junhyong , Waterston Robert H. , Murray John I.
Published: September 2019

Identifying terminal nematode cells

Single-cell RNA sequencing provides the power to identify the developmental trajectory of an organism. However, identifying the temporal lineage of cell development can be difficult without large-scale analyses. Packer
et al.
sequenced more than 80,000 cells from embryos of the roundworm
Caenorhabditis elegans
to determine the expression of genes directing the development of terminal cell types. Because all somatic cells in a
C. elegans
individual have been mapped, the authors are able to connect gene expression with cell lineages over time during development, noting stark transitions in some cases.

Science
, this issue p.
eaax1971
Kīlauea lava fuels phytoplankton bloom in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Wilson Samuel T. , Hawco Nicholas J. , Armbrust E. Virginia , Barone Benedetto , Björkman Karin M. , Boysen Angela K. , Burgos Macarena , Burrell Timothy J. , Casey John R. , DeLong Edward F. , Dugenne Mathilde , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Dyhrman Sonya T. , Ferrón Sara , Follows Michael J. , Foreman Rhea K. , Funkey Carolina P. , Harke Matthew J. , Henke Britt A. , Hill Christopher N. , Hynes Annette M. , Ingalls Anitra E. , Jahn Oliver , Kelly Rachel L. , Knapp Angela N. , Letelier Ricardo M. , Ribalet Francois , Shimabukuro Eric M. , Tabata Ryan K. S. , Turk-Kubo Kendra A. , White Angelicque E. , Zehr Jonathan P. , John Seth , Karl David M.
Published: September 2019

Ocean greening off Hawai'i

From June to August 2018, the eruption of Kīlauea volcano triggered a diatom-dominated phytoplankton bloom. Wilson
et al.
set sail to sample the plume, deploying subsea gliders and using satellite monitoring to measure the dynamics of this rare event in the nutrient-poor Pacific (see the Perspective by Ducklow and Plank). They found subsurface chlorophyll maxima not visible by remote sensing, performed transcriptome and N isotope marker analysis, and measured nutrients, partitioning of biomass into different organisms, and primary production. Much of the data are corroborated by physical modeling of the ocean dynamics. The authors conclude that the plume was fed by the lava heating subsurface water and triggering upwelling of deepwater nutrients to the surface rather than by direct injection of micronutrients from lava.

Science
, this issue p.
1040
; see also p.
978
Engineering microbial peer pressure
Authors: Johnston Chad W. , Collins James J.
Published: September 2019

A distributed rock-paper-scissors network extends the lifetime of shared gene circuits
Coral spawning, unsynchronized
Authors: Fogarty Nicole D. , Marhaver Kristen L.
Published: September 2019

A breakdown in the coral spawning synchrony may threaten coral reef recovery
Replication challenges
Authors: Berg Jeremy
Published: September 2019

The ability to test validity by replicating experiments and comparing results is a cornerstone of science. The events that followed publication of “Sustained virologic control in SIV
+
macaques after antiretroviral and α
4
β
7
antibody therapy” by Byrareddy
et al.
in
Science
in 2016 (hereafter Byrareddy) provide insights into some challenges associated with replication. Byrareddy reported striking efficacy of an approach for controlling simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in rhesus macaques in a sustained manner, a result of potential importance for treatment of human HIV disease. Three papers in this issue report attempts to replicate these results. The matters associated with Byrareddy and these studies provide a concrete framework for discussing our policies related to replication studies.
Pulmonary hypertension in metastatic breast cancer: a case of pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Tran Lien Khuong , Gross Liam M , Hagley Pamela , Minkin Ruth
Published: September 2019

Pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) and pulmonary tumour emboli (PTE) are distinct but related complications of malignancy. The incidence of each is exceedingly rare, unfortunately often being diagnosed postmortem. Patients with PTTM and PTE typically present with dyspnoea associated with a rapid onset of hypoxia due to pulmonary hypertension (PH), and respiratory failure that is almost certain to be fatal. The prognosis is grim due to the rapidity of the clinical decline and difficulty in establishing an ante-mortem diagnosis. We present a case of new-onset severe PH in a young woman with a recently discovered breast mass. She presented with shortness of breath and experienced rapid deterioration of her cardiopulmonary status which we attributed to PTTM. With early initiation of chemotherapy, systemic steroids and sildenafil, the patient dramatically improved. Case reports have identified early use of steroids, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and other alternative therapies as providing possible benefit in PTTM.
Acute treatment of psychotic symptoms in a newly diagnosed Lewy body dementia patient with an accelerated titration schedule of rivastigmine and de-escalation of antipsychotics
Authors: Burgett Rebecca Nicole , Farley Thomas Michael , Beireis Lori Ann
Published: September 2019

A 76-year-old man presented with complaints of increased confusion, visual hallucinations and decline in memory. He was admitted to the hospital and started on quetiapine 50 mg daily for symptom management. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and started on rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI), at 1.5 mg two times per day. The patient’s symptoms continued to worsen and antipsychotics increased for aggressive behaviour. After he became physically aggressive, an extensive medication management review was conducted, prompting an alternative treatment strategy. The quetiapine dose was reduced from 150 mg daily to 12.5 mg daily, his rivastigmine was increased to 3 mg two times per day and all other antipsychotics were discontinued. The up-titration of his rivastigmine after 10 days of therapy was well tolerated with no adverse effects. He demonstrated a clear clinical response to optimised ChEI therapy and low dose quetiapine, showing improvements in alertness and functioning.
Caution in diagnosing angioedema as anaphylaxis
Authors: Patel Shivam , Mathew Roshan , Bhoi Sanjeev
Published: September 2019

Angioedema is one of the commonest life-threatening conditions with good outcome timely definitive treatment. However, failure to recognise the common presentation of an uncommon bradykinin-mediated angioedema in time may lead to fatal outcome in the emergency department (ED). We report a case of a 79-year-old male patient who presented to ED with features of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema which was identified and resuscitated by the emergency physician with use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) leading to prompt recovery and good outcome.
A rare case of a primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic tumour with borderline malignancy and literature review
Authors: Chaves Mariana M , Castro Rita , Mota-Vieira Luisa , Carneiro Vítor
Published: September 2019

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic neoplasms (PRMCN) with borderline malignancy are exceptionally rare tumours with lack of pathognomonic clinical and imaging-specific features. Here, we report a case of PRMCN with borderline malignancy in a 62-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined cystic mass on the right flank in close relation with the cecum and caecal appendix, without other findings suggestive of malignancy. A possible diagnosis of an ovarian epithelial tumour was ruled out intraoperatively. After surgical excision, microscopic examination allowed the final diagnosis. As there is no evidence of disease during follow-up, complete tumour resection without cystic rupture appears to be the best therapeutic option. Thus, although rare, this tumour should be considered when imaging findings suggest an ovarian mucinous neoplasm in women with normal ovaries. An international registry for rare tumours and longer follow-ups may contribute for more consistent approach for managing these patients.
Left renal vein entrapment syndrome: nutcracker syndrome!
Authors: Dunphy Louise , Penna Marta , Tam Emily , EL-Kafsi Jihene
Published: September 2019

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare vascular compression disorder that involves compression of the left renal vein most commonly between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), although variations exist. It is associated with the formation of the left renal vein from the aortic collar during the 6th–8th week of gestation and abnormal angulation of the SMA from the aorta. Collateralisation of venous circulation including mainly the left gonadal vein and the communicating lumbar vein are the most significant effects. It has a female predilection occurring in the third to fourth decade and it tends to be diagnosed earlier in men. Affected individuals may present with a myriad of symptoms such as haematuria, left flank pain and proteinuria. As patients often present with these non-specific symptoms to primary care, knowledge of NCS is essential. The diagnosis can be rendered with Doppler ultrasonography, retrograde venography, CT angiography, intravascular ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography. The authors describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with a low body mass index (BMI) presenting with generalised abdominal and flank pain as well as chronic microcytic anaemia. Physical examination findings were suggestive of biliary or renal colic. Laboratory investigations confirmed her anaemia (haemoglobin 88 g/L, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 72 fL), but were otherwise unremarkable. Urinalysis showed proteinuria and haematuria. However, ultrasonography was unremarkable with a normal gallbladder and no evidence of calculi. Her CT scan showed marked compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the SMA (nutcracker phenomenon), with upstream left renal, left gonadal and left lumbar vein dilatation. She was managed conservatively. This paper provides an overview of the aetiology, embryology, clinical manifestations, imaging modalities and management of NCS.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presenting as anterior wall STEMI in an elderly woman
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Asim , Saad Shaukat Muhammad Hamza , Sullenberger Lance , Torosoff Mikhail
Published: September 2019

A 77-year-old woman without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent coronary CT-angiography for evaluation of palpitations after negative Holter monitoring and non-diagnostic ECG exercise stress test. Coronary artery calcium score was reported zero; 1 day later, she was admitted with anterior-wall ST elevation myocardial infarction. Acute left anterior descending artery thrombus was treated with mechanical thrombectomy and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Interestingly, the coronary arteries were angiographically normal. During hospitalisation, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was noted followed by initiation of anticoagulation. Echocardiogram did not show thrombus or atrial shunt. Cardioversion with Sotalol was successful. Myocardial infraction was most likely cardioembolic secondary to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation—consistent with longstanding history of palpitations. Accounting for 3% of acute coronary syndromes, coronary embolism is treated with therapeutic anticoagulation for at least 3 months irrespective of cause and carries a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events.
In vivo confocal microscopy features and clinicohistological correlation of limbal nerve corpuscles
Authors: Al-Aqaba Mouhamed Ali , Anis Fady S , Mohammed Imran , Yapa Anjali Dias Samarawickrama , Amoaku Winfried M , Dua Harminder Singh Singh
Published: September 2019

Aims

To describe the in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) features of human limbal nerve corpuscles (LNCs) and correlate these with the histological features.

Methods

We examined 40 eyes of 29 healthy living subjects (17 female, 12 male; mean age=47.6) by IVCM. Four limbal quadrants were scanned through all epithelial layers and stroma to identify the LNCs and associated nerves. Ten fresh normal human corneoscleral discs from five deceased patients with a mean age of 67 years and 17 eye-bank corneoscleral rims with a mean age of 57.6 years were stained as whole mounts by the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) method to demonstrate LNCs and corneal nerves. Stained tissue was scanned in multiple layers with the NanoZoomer digital pathology microscope. The in vivo results were correlated to the histological findings.

Results

On IVCM, LNCs were identified in 65% of the eyes studied and were mainly (84%) located in the inferior or superior limbal regions. They appeared either as bright (hyper-reflective) round or oval single structures within the hyporeflective, relatively acellular fibrous core of the palisades or were clustered in groups, often located anterior to the palisades of Vogt. They measured 36 µm in largest diameter (range 20–56 µm). The in vivo features were consistent with the histology, which showed LNCs as strongly AChE positive round or oval structures.

Conclusion

The strong correlation with histology will enable use of IVCM to study LNCs in normal and disease conditions.
Controversies on neuroprotection therapy in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Hayreh Sohan Singh
Published: September 2019

Objective

There has long been a great interest in neuroprotection therapy for ischaemic stroke and various types of optic neuropathies. In view of that, I reviewed the literature on the role of neuroprotection for non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION).

Methods

The review is based on a PubMed search of literature about the use of neuroprotectors in stroke and optic neuropathies and about current clinical trials of RPh201 and QPI-1007 in NA-AION.

Results

Several neuroprotection agents for ischaemic stroke and various types of optic neuropathies have been evaluated extensively in experimental studies in animals and benefits claimed. However, translation of therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection from experimental research to humans has invariably been fraught with failure. Two currently ongoing studies dealing with neuroprotection by RPh201 and QPI-1007 in NA-AION may have limitations in their rationale and study designs.

Conclusions

Unfortunately, in spite of all the experimental and clinical research on neuroprotection agents in NA-AION so far, we have no scientifically proven evidence of neuroprotection agents showing any benefit in the human clinical studies so far.
Potential impact on prevalence of obesity in the UK of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks: modelling study
Authors: Scheelbeek Pauline F D , Cornelsen Laura , Marteau Theresa M , Jebb Susan A , Smith Richard D
Published: September 2019

Objective

To estimate the potential impact on body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks.

Design

Modelling study.

Setting

General adult population of the United Kingdom.

Participants

36 324 households with data on product level household expenditure from UK Kantar FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) panel for January 2012 to December 2013. Data were used to estimate changes in energy (kcal, 1 kcal=4.18 kJ=0.00418 MJ) purchase associated with a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks. Data for 2544 adults from waves 5 to 8 of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2012-16) were used to estimate resulting changes in BMI and prevalence of obesity.

Main outcome measures

The effect on per person take home energy purchases of a 20% price increase for three categories of high sugar snacks: confectionery (including chocolate), biscuits, and cakes. Health outcomes resulting from the price increase were measured as changes in weight, BMI (not overweight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI ≥25 and <30), and obese (BMI ≥30)), and prevalence of obesity. Results were stratified by household income and BMI.

Results

For income groups combined, the average reduction in energy consumption for a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks was estimated to be 8.9×103kcal (95% confidence interval −13.1×103to −4.2×103kcal). Using a static weight loss model, BMI was estimated to decrease by 0.53 (95% confidence interval −1.01 to −0.06) on average across all categories and income groups. This change could reduce the UK prevalence of obesity by 2.7 percentage points (95% confidence interval −3.7 to −1.7 percentage points) after one year. The impact of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks on energy purchase was largest in low income households classified as obese and smallest in high income households classified as not overweight.

Conclusions

Increasing the price of high sugar snacks by 20% could reduce energy intake, BMI, and prevalence of obesity. This finding was in a UK context and was double that modelled for a similar price increase in sugar sweetened beverages.