bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Assessment and Risk of Bias of Systematic Reviews of Prophylactic Mesh for Parastomal Hernia Prevention Using AMSTAR and ROBIS Tools
Authors: García‐Alamino Josep M. , López‐Cano Manuel , Kroese Leonard , Helgstrand Frederik , Muysoms Filip
Published: August 2019

Background

Systematic reviews play a crucial role in clinical decision making and resource allocation and are expected to be unbiased and consistent. The aim of this study is a review of systematic reviews on the use of prophylactic mesh to prevent parastomal hernia (PH) formation using ROBIS and AMSTAR tools to assess the risk of bias and methodological quality.

Methods

We included systematic reviews with or without meta‐analysis of which the objective was to assess the use of a prophylactic mesh to prevent PH. A systematic search of the literature in five databases from inception until December 2017 was conducted. For each systematic review, methodologic quality and risk of bias were assessed using the AMSTAR and ROBIS tools, respectively. We estimated the inter‐rater reliability for individual domains and for the overall methodological quality and risk of bias using Fleiss’ k.

Results

We identified 14 systematic reviews that met the inclusion criteria. Using the AMSTAR scale with a cutoff value, six reviews showed high methodologic quality and eight were of low quality. Using the ROBIS tool, the overall risk of bias was low in 50% of the reviews analyzed. In the remaining studies, the risk of bias was unclear.

Conclusions

The global evidence in favor of the use of a prophylactic mesh for preventing PH is not uniform regarding quality and risk of bias. Surgeons cannot be equally confident in the results of all systematic reviews published on this topic.
Towards clinical grating-interferometry mammography
Authors: Arboleda Carolina , Wang Zhentian , Jefimovs Konstantins , Koehler Thomas , Van Stevendaal Udo , Kuhn Norbert , David Bernd , Prevrhal Sven , Lång Kristina , Forte Serafino , Kubik-Huch Rahel Antonia , Leo Cornelia , Singer Gad , Marcon Magda , Boss Andreas , Roessl Ewald , Stampanoni Marco
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Grating-interferometry-based mammography (GIM) might facilitate breast cancer detection, as several research works have demonstrated in a pre-clinical setting, since it is able to provide attenuation, differential phase contrast, and scattering images simultaneously. In order to translate this technique to the clinics, it has to be adapted to cover a large field-of-view within a clinically acceptable exposure time and radiation dose.

Methods

We set up a grating interferometer that fits into a standard mammography system and fulfilled the aforementioned conditions. Here, we present the first mastectomy images acquired with this experimental device.

Results and conclusion

Our system performs at a mean glandular dose of 1.6 mGy for a 5-cm-thick, 18%-dense breast, and a field-of-view of 26 × 21 cm2. It seems to be well-suited as basis for a clinical-environment device. Further, dark-field signals seem to support an improved lesion visualization. Evidently, the effective impact of such indications must be evaluated and quantified within the context of a proper reader study.

Key Points

• Grating-interferometry-based mammography (GIM) might facilitate breast cancer detection, since it is sensitive to refraction and scattering and thus provides additional tissue information.

• The most straightforward way to do grating-interferometry in the clinics is to modify a standard mammography device.

• In a first approximation, the doses given with this technique seem to be similar to those of conventional mammography.
Disc inflammation and Modic changes show an interaction effect on recovery after surgery for lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Djuric Niek , Yang Xiaoyu , Ostelo Raymond W. J. G. , van Duinen Sjoerd G. , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J. , van der Kallen Bas F. W. , Peul Wilco C. , Vleggeert-Lankamp Carmen L. A.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To study the interaction between Modic changes (MC) and inflammation by macrophages in the disc, in relation to clinical symptoms before and after discectomy for lumbar disc herniation.

Methods

Disc tissue was embedded in paraffin and stained with haematoxylin and CD68. Subsequently, tissue samples were categorized for degree of inflammation. Type of MC was scored on MRI at baseline. Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) score and visual analogue scale for back pain and leg pain separately were considered at baseline and 1-year follow-up post-surgery. Main and interaction effects of MC and inflammation were tested against clinical outcome questionnaires. In addition, this analysis was repeated in bulging and extruded discs separately.

Results

Disc material and MRI’s of 119 patients were retrieved and analysed. Forty-eight patients demonstrated mild inflammation, 45 showed moderate inflammation, and 26 showed considerable inflammation. In total, 49 out of 119 patients demonstrated MC. Grade of disc inflammation did not associate with the presence of MC. At baseline, no main or interaction effects of MC and inflammation were found on the clinical scores. However, during follow-up after discectomy, significant interaction effects were found for RDQ score: Only in patients with MC at baseline, patients remained significantly more disabled (3.2 points p = 0.006) if they showed considerable disc inflammation compared to patients with mild inflammation. The additional analysis showed similar results in extruded discs, but no significant effects in bulging discs.

Conclusions

An interaction effect of MC and disc inflammation by macrophages is present. Only in patients with MC, those with considerable inflammation recover less satisfactory during follow-up after surgery.

Graphic abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Measuring dynamic capabilities in new ventures: exploring strategic change in US green goods manufacturing using website data
Authors: Arora Sanjay K. , Li Yin , Youtie Jan , Shapira Philip
Published: August 2019

Entrepreneurial scholarship suggests that a small firm’s ability to grow is a function of its capacity to sense and respond to changes in the market as well as the broader environment for the firm’s goods and services. Developing detailed measures of internal capabilities at a large scale, however, is often hampered by limitations in the availability of data from conventional sources, low survey response rates and panel attrition. The emergence of new information sources, including big data sets derived from the online activities of firms, coupled with advanced computational approaches, raises fresh analytical possibilities. In this exploratory study, we turn to freely accessible website data to gauge internal capabilities, specifically for market sensing and responding. To operationalize the construct of seizing, the paper uses an application of topic modeling, a text mining approach commonly used in computer science, on archived website data from the Wayback Machine for two time periods, 2008–2009 and 2010–2011, to explain sales growth for green goods enterprises in two later time periods, from 2010 to 2012. We find an endogenous inverse U-shaped relationship exists between market seizing and sales growth. Increasing levels of focus on a firm’s local geographic area also predict sales growth. We consider these findings in light of the practitioner literature on firm agility and pivoting and discuss opportunities for future work using website data to study entrepreneurship and the strategic management of innovation.
Experimental research on novel oil displacement and profile control system for heterogeneous reservoir
Authors: Lv Peng , Liu Yigang , Zhang Yunbao , Li Yanyue , Xia Huan
Published: August 2019

Polymer flooding and surfactant/polymer flooding (SP flooding) were mainly focused on the improvement in oil–water flow ratio and the reduction in oil–water interfacial tension. Preformed particle gel (PPG) flooding was mainly focused on the reservoir heterogeneity improvement. Each of these technologies has its own limitations. Heterogeneous system flooding (HS–PP flooding) was proposed as a novel flooding method aimed to improve oil–water flow ratio and reservoir heterogeneity at the same time. The HS–PP flooding system was composed of PPG and polymer solution. HS–PP flooding, polymer flooding and SP flooding as different chemical EOR methods were studied in laboratory in physical simulation heterogeneous model. Property of cubic expansion of PPG was researched by laser particle analyzer. The result shows that cubic expansion of PPG in simulation water is obvious and can be controlled. The effect of PPG on the diversion rate modification in double parallel sandstone model was obvious. The oil displacement experiments of the three different flooding systems with the same viscosity in physical simulation heterogeneous model were studied. The results show that the HS–PP flooding improves the oil recovery by 20.04%, comparing the result of 12.67% for polymer flooding and 16.66% for SP flooding, respectively. HS–PP flooding as a novel flooding method shows an excellent ability for stabilizing oil production and controlling water cut. The mechanism of the HS–PP flooding was discussed briefly. In addition to the viscoelastic displacement of polymers, the special circulation ability of “accumulating–deforming (collapsing)–accumulating again” of PPG is the main reason why the HS–PP flooding shows an excellent property for stabilizing oil production and controlling water cut.
Influence of Genotype and Hyperandrogenism on Sexual Function in Women With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Schernthaner-Reiter Marie Helene , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Egarter Hans Christian , Krebs Michael , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Kirchheiner Kathrin , Luger Anton , Bayerle-Eder Michaela
Published: August 2019

Background

Depending on CYP21A2 genotype, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency leads to biochemical alterations (including hyperandrogenism, hypocortisolism, and hypoaldosteronism) and a wide spectrum of phenotypic disease manifestation. The latter include life-threatening salt-wasting crises, prenatal virilization of genitalia in women (classic CAH [C-CAH]) as well as milder forms of the disease exclusively presenting with hirsutism, acne or reduced fertility (nonclassic CAH [NC-CAH]), and could influence sexual function and identity.

Aim

The present study evaluated sexual function, gender identification, and partner preference in women with C-CAH and NC-CAH.

Methods

In a cross-sectional cohort analysis, 35 female patients with CAH were divided into 2 groups: C-CAH (salt-wasting/simple virilizing; n = 17) and NC-CAH (n = 18) according to genotype and phenotype. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed using established questionnaires, including the Female Sexual Function Index. Phenotype (defined by signs of hyperandrogenism) was assessed clinically (Ferriman-Gallwey score) and with the ovulatory function index. CYP21A2 genotype was determined by Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Sexual function was also separately analyzed in the context of clinical signs of androgenization in women with (n = 13) and without acne (n = 22).

Outcomes

The study outcomes were sexual function and sexual distress in relation to genotype, clinical signs of androgenization, and biochemical parameters.

Results

Women with NC-CAH had significantly lower orgasm scores, a trend toward lower sexual function with higher sexual distress, as well as biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism (higher dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and lower SHBG) and a trend toward more clinical signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism). Indicators of in utero and childhood androgen excess as well as the presence of acne in all patients were related to lower sexual function and higher sexual distress. Clinical signs of hyperandrogenism correlated well with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.

Clinical Translation

Women with NC-CAH and women with clinical signs of hyperandrogenism demonstrated higher distress compared to women with C-CAH and women without clinical signs of hyperandrogenism, respectively, regarding different aspects of sexual function.

Conclusions

These data underline the importance of early diagnosis and therapy initiation, especially in patients with NC-CAH.
Current Legal Situation for Patients with Paraphilic disorders and Implications of the ICD-11 for Paraphilic Disorders for Germany
Authors: Briken Peer , Boetticher Axel , Krueger Richard B. , Kismödi Eszter , Reed Geoffrey M.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Recently the guidelines for the diagnosis of paraphilic disorders in the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11), have been published.

Aim

This article analyzes legal, regulatory, and policy issues relevant to the potential effects of the changes for the classification of paraphilic disorders in the ICD-11 in Germany.

Methods

A forensic and a legal expert in Germany worked with other international experts to conduct this evaluation using an assessment guide provided by the World Health Organization.

Main Outcome Measures

Possible effects of the changes for the classification of paraphilic disorders in the ICD-11 on forensic practice, health systems, adjudication of individuals who have committed a sexual offense, and the provision of treatment in Germany.

Results

Results highlight the special situation of medical confidentiality in the German health system that facilitates the establishment of preventive networks for the treatment of pedophilic patients. The ICD-11 guidelines will help to clarify the boundary between pedophilic disorder and crimes of child sexual abuse. These will also establish a boundary with other paraphilic diagnostic concepts. We describe the central construct of criminal responsibility in the German legal system in relation to paraphilic disorders, the prominent role of expert witnesses, and the differences in the conceptualization of medical confidentiality within the health care system and within the legal system.

Clinical Implications

The ICD-11 proposals for paraphilic disorders provide a clearer differentiation, as compared with ICD-10, between variants of normal sexual behavior and sexual behavior that involves a non-consenting person or entity. Particular patterns of sexual preference that are not of relevance to public health, the health care system, or the legal system, such as masochism and fetishism, will no longer be named psychiatric entities and will, therefore, be regarded as private behaviors and destigmatized.

Strengths & Limitations

The assessment shows the specific legal situation in Germany for the treatment of paraphilic patients in a sexual medicine, psychiatric, and legal discourse. However, it was done only by a small number of experts.

Conclusion

A conclusion of the analysis was that the more specific and narrower definitions in the ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines, compared with those in ICD-10, particularly for pedophilic disorder and coercive sexual sadism disorder, will result in a reduction in false-positive diagnoses. It is unlikely that significant unintended and negative consequences will occur as a result of implementing the ICD-11 guidelines for paraphilic disorders.
Monotheism and Contemporary Atheism
Authors: Ruse Michael
Published: August 2019

In this Element, Michael Ruse offers a critical analysis of contemporary atheism. He puts special emphasis on the work of so-called 'New Atheists': Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchins, whose views are contrasted with those of Edward O. Wilson. Ruse also provides a full exposition of his own position, which he labels 'Darwinian Existentialism'.
When “Green” Equals Thorny and Mean: The Politics and Costs of an Environmental Experiment in East Africa
Authors: Little Peter D.
Published: August 2019

This article examines an environmental experiment in northern Kenya that went badly amiss. Focusing on the introduction of an invasive plant, prosopis juliflora, it explores wider issues of scientific hegemony, political identity, and land conflicts. Two legal cases pitting a small pastoralist community against the Kenyan state are discussed, which reveal a new but generally unsuccessful strategy by indigenous groups of utilizing courts to address injustices. The research draws on ethnographic, archival, and visual materials collected over a thirty-five-year period to demonstrate the violence and impoverishment that can be associated with technical interventions aimed at “greening” the environment.
Banks, power, and political institutions: the divergent priorities of European states towards “too-big-to-fail” banks: The cases of competition in retail banking and the banking structural reform
Authors: Massoc Elsa
Published: August 2019

This article examines how two dynamics, one global and one domestic, have interacted to shape the politics of banking in Europe. In the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, European governments were subject to renewed structural incentive to promote TBTF banks: in financialized economies, the growth of these banks is perceived as an essential element of a national economy's global competitiveness. Yet, this incentive was subject to enhanced political contention at home. Factions—often led by actors from within the state itself—have opposed governments’ impetus to promote TBTF banks. The specific identity, preferences and resources of these factions are determined by distinctive political institutions and vary across countries. Through the comparative analysis of banking structural reform and banking competition policies in the UK, France and Germany, I argue that varieties of regulatory outcomes are explained by the differentiated institutional capacity of “anti-TBTF” factions to carry weight in policymaking processes across jurisdictions.
Forecasting human capital of EU member countries accounting for sociocultural determinants
Authors: Marois Guillaume , Sabourin Patrick , Bélanger Alain
Published: August 2019

Inclusion of additional dimensions to population projections can lead to an improvement in the overall quality of the projections and to an enhanced analytical potential of derived projections such as literacy skills and labor force participation. This paper describes the modeling of educational attainment of a microsimulation projection model of the European Union countries. Using ordered logistic regressions on five waves of the European Social Survey, we estimate the impact of mother's education and other sociocultural characteristics on educational attainment and implement them into the microsimulation model. Results of the different projection scenarios are contrasted to understand how the education of the mother and sociocultural variables may affect projection outcomes. We show that a change in the impact of mother's education on children's educational attainment may have a big effect on future trends. Moreover, the proposed approach yields more consistent population projection outputs for specific subpopulations.
Medical Civil–Military Relationships: A Feasibility Study of a United Kingdom Deployment in South Sudan
Authors: Horne S. T. , Gurney I. , Smith J.E. , Sullivan R.
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

Civil–military relationships are necessary in humanitarian emergencies but, if poorly managed, may be detrimental to the efforts of humanitarian organizations. Awareness of guidelines and understanding of risks relating to the relationship among deployed military personnel have not been evaluated.

Methods:

Fifty-five military and 12 humanitarian healthcare workers in South Sudan completed questionnaires covering experience, training and role, agreement with statements about the deployment, and free text comments.

Results:

Both cohorts were equally aware of current guidance. Eight themes defined the relationship. There was disagreement about the benefit to the South Sudanese people of the military deployment, and whether military service was compatible with beneficial health impacts. Two key obstacles to the relationship and 3 areas the relationship could be developed were identified.

Conclusion:

This study shows that United Kingdom military personnel are effectively trained and understand the constraints on the civil–military relationship. Seven themes in common between the groups describe the relationship. Current guidance could be adapted to allow a different relationship for healthcare workers.
Petawatt and exawatt class lasers worldwide
Authors: Danson Colin N. , Haefner Constantin , Bromage Jake , Butcher Thomas , Chanteloup Jean-Christophe F. , Chowdhury Enam A. , Galvanauskas Almantas , Gizzi Leonida A. , Hein Joachim , Hillier David I. , Hopps Nicholas W. , Kato Yoshiaki , Khazanov Efim A. , Kodama Ryosuke , Korn Georg , Li Ruxin , Li Yutong , Limpert Jens , Ma Jingui , Nam Chang Hee , Neely David , Papadopoulos Dimitrios , Penman Rory R. , Qian Liejia , Rocca Jorge J. , Shaykin Andrey A. , Siders Craig W. , Spindloe Christopher , Szatmári Sándor , Trines Raoul M. G. M. , Zhu Jianqiang , Zhu Ping , Zuegel Jonathan D.
Published: August 2019

In the 2015 review paper ‘Petawatt Class Lasers Worldwide’ a comprehensive overview of the current status of high-power facilities of

${>}200~\text{TW}$

was presented. This was largely based on facility specifications, with some description of their uses, for instance in fundamental ultra-high-intensity interactions, secondary source generation, and inertial confinement fusion (ICF). With the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics being awarded to Professors Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou for the development of the technique of chirped pulse amplification (CPA), which made these lasers possible, we celebrate by providing a comprehensive update of the current status of ultra-high-power lasers and demonstrate how the technology has developed. We are now in the era of multi-petawatt facilities coming online, with 100 PW lasers being proposed and even under construction. In addition to this there is a pull towards development of industrial and multi-disciplinary applications, which demands much higher repetition rates, delivering high-average powers with higher efficiencies and the use of alternative wavelengths: mid-IR facilities. So apart from a comprehensive update of the current global status, we want to look at what technologies are to be deployed to get to these new regimes, and some of the critical issues facing their development.
Solemyidae (Bivalvia, Protobranchia) from the lower Miocene of south-central Chile, with description of a new species
Authors: Pérez-Barría Leonardo , Nielsen Sven N.
Published: August 2019

The Miocene Solemyidae of Chile are revised. The holotype ofSolemya antarcticaPhilippi, 1887, originally described asSolenomya, is lost. Due to the lack of information on internal characters, its systematic position is considered as uncertain. A new species,Solemya lucifugan. sp., is described from the lower Miocene Ranquil Formation of south-central Chile. Its dense radial external ornamentation shows that it is clearly different fromS.antarctica. It is currently the only confirmed and described Miocene solemyid bivalve from the Southern Hemisphere.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/a35ee02e-600b-4e9f-ad06-1887e9493ff8
Evactinoporidae, a new family of Cystoporata (Bryozoa) from the Mississippian of North America: growth and functional morphology
Authors: Yancey Thomas E. , Wyse Jackson Patrick N. , Sutton Barry G. , Gottfried Richard J.
Published: August 2019

The morphology and growth habits ofEvactinoporaspecies of the Evactinoporidae (new family) are documented. This distinctive family of free-living bryozoans has a radial colony form at all growth stages. During a brief attachment phase on a hard substrate, the colony morphology grew as an expanding cone with vertical folds. Following detachment of the nascent colony from this hard substrate, it settled on soft sediment and the free-living expanding colony acquired a star-like form by producing slender outrigger rays. Continued growth produced a radial array of vertical vanes containing feeding autozooecia. The colony maintained a vertical orientation on soft sediment by means of outrigger rays and secretion of solid skeleton on the colony base that provided ballast. The radial growth pattern, outrigger rays, and vertical vanes developed as adaptive characters suitable for free-living life on soft sediment. North American species ofEvactinoporaare redefined and described taxonomically on the basis of zoarial and zooecial characters and a new species,Evactinopora mangeri, erected. The new family Evactinoporidae is established on the basis of the novel characters of early colony detachment from a hard surface, radial growth pattern through life, generation of outrigger rays, and growth of vertical vanes from the top of rays.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/d2cf3b6d-72d2-49d5-afa0-c08710af7874
LIKE A DUCK TO WATER – BIRDS AND LIQUIDS IN THE AEGEAN BRONZE AGE
Authors: Binnberg Julia
Published: August 2019

This study examines the relationships between birds and liquids in the Minoan, Cycladic and Mycenaean cultures. Objects under investigation are bird-shaped vessels, bird figurines attached to vessels, and some special pouring vessels decorated with painted bird motifs, which are listed in an accompanying catalogue. Analysis of this material demonstrates that images of both doves and waterbirds were consistently linked to liquid-containing vessels, but there are significant chronological and regional variations regarding the preference for bird species. Another aspect fluctuating with period and place is the type of contact created between liquid and bird motif. Three categories dividable into three or two subtypes can be recognised, which mainly differ from each other by the degree of proximity that is established between the fluid and bird motif. It is argued that these differences reflect variations in the perception of birds regarding their relationship to liquids. While a direct and active participation of birds in the flow of liquids such as water and milk is observable in many Cretan and Cycladic objects, the artefacts from the Greek Mainland show a different pattern, whereby less direct contact combined with a stylised rendering suggests that the bird motif was accorded a more passive role by symbolising the positive effect of the flow of water. These findings contribute to recent scholarly debates on human–animal relationships and ontologies in the Aegean Bronze Age.
An exploration of the experiences of informal carers supporting a relative living with dementia during and after the move to technology-enriched supported accommodation
Authors: Rondon-Sulbaran Janeet , Daly-Lynn Jean , McCormack Brendan , Ryan Assumpta , Martin Suzanne
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of family carers supporting a relative living with dementia during and after the move to technology-enriched supported accommodation (TESA). The paper explores the informal carers (ICs) roles, the factors prompting the move to TESA, alongside their perceptions of their relatives’ experience of the move and of life in a technology-enriched environment. Within a qualitative study 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with ICs and data were analysed following a thematic approach. Four themes were identified, reflecting the shift in roles and identity of both ICs and persons living with dementia. The move to TESA was linked to a perceived reduction in care-giving pressures, with positive outcomes reported for both the ICs and the people living with dementia. Smart home technologies in the facilities did not appear to impact on the decision-making during transition, however, they were valued as part of the lived experience for the people living with dementia within the TESA facilities. These findings are relevant to policy makers, commissioners and providers of services to highlight the engagement of all stakeholders in the provision of care for people living with dementia and their families early from diagnosis in order to facilitate person-centred practices in community settings.
The transnational dimension of constitutional rights: Framing and taming ‘private’ governance beyond the state
Authors: VIELLECHNER LARS
Published: August 2019

International law sometimes fails to regulate cross-border affairs due to a lack of consent or pace among the states. As a consequence, transnational governance arrangements, which are established by contract mainly among non-state actors, step in to fill the gap. The arrangement that allocates domains on the Internet offers the most sophisticated example to date. The present article argues that a new approach to the horizontal effect of constitutional rights may both account for the emergence of such arrangements and offer a solution to the problem of their legitimacy. According to this understanding, constitutional rights at the same time enable and restrict transnational regulation. In this way, they guarantee a comprehensive protection of freedom under conditions of globalisation. As long as transnational governance arrangements are not able to generate constitutional rights of their own, however, the national legal orders must complement them. Hence, the legitimacy of law in world society may only be ensured through a dialectical process of internal and external constitutionalisation, resulting from the interaction of its various constituents.
Antidepressant withdrawal – the tide is finally turning
Authors: Hengartner Michael P. , Davies James , Read John
Published: August 2019

Withdrawal reactions when coming off antidepressants have long been neglected or minimised. It took almost two decades after the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) entered the market for the first systematic review to be published. More reviews have followed, demonstrating that the dominant and long-held view that withdrawal is mostly mild, affects only a small minority and resolves spontaneously within 1–2 weeks, was at odd with the sparse but growing evidence base. What the scientific literature reveals is in close agreement with the thousands of service user testimonies available online in large forums. It suggests that withdrawal reactions are quite common, that they may last from a few weeks to several months or even longer, and that they are often severe. These findings are now increasingly acknowledged by official professional bodies and societies.
Technology, Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Cognitive Functioning	in Old Age
Authors: Pauly Theresa , Lay Jennifer C. , Kozik Pavel , Graf Peter , Mahmood Atiya , Hoppmann Christiane A.
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to benefit aging processes. This study examined portable ICT usage and associated changes in physical activity, loneliness, and cognitive functioning. Ninety-two mostly-novice tablet-users aged 51–85 years participated in technology workshops and then reported on their portable ICT use biweekly for 6+ months. Physical activity, loneliness, and executive functioning were assessed before and after this period. More frequent use of exercise functions was associated with more moderate-intensity physical activity and less sitting, controlling for pretracking levels. More frequent use of social functions was associated with more social loneliness and a tendency toward less emotional loneliness, controlling for pretracking levels of loneliness. The use of exercise and social functions showed no associations with executive functioning. Portable ICT thus may bring both risks and benefits for physical and social functioning in older adulthood.
Validity and Reliability of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive	Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)
Authors: Foroughan Mahshid , Jafari Zahra , Ghaemmagham Farahani Ida , Rashedi Vahid
Published: August 2019

Abstract. This study examines the psychometric properties of the IQCODE and its applicability in the Iranian elderly population. A group of 95 elderly patients with at least 4 years of formal education who fulfilled the criteria of DSM-IV-TR for dementia were examined by the MMSE and the AMTs. The Farsi version of the IQCODE was subsequently administered to their primary caregivers. Results showed a significant correlation ( p = .01) between the score of the questionnaire and the results of the MMSE ( r = −0.647) and AMTs ( r = −0.641). A high internal reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.927) and test-retest reliability by correlation coefficient ( r = 0.81). This study found that the IQCODE has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used for evaluating the cognitive state in the elderly population of Iran.
Tablet-Based Outpatient Care for People With Dementia
Authors: Lech Sonia , O’Sullivan Julie L. , Gellert Paul , Voigt-Antons Jan‐Niklas , Greinacher Robert , Nordheim Johanna
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Most people with dementia (PwD) are treated on an outpatient basis, predominantly by general practitioners (GPs). This article provides a detailed protocol of a study aimed at developing and evaluating a tablet-based intervention to improve outpatient dementia care by fostering guideline-based treatment. A cluster-randomized controlled trial with an intervention group (tablet-based intervention) and a control group (treatment as usual plus information handbook) will be conducted. Clusters will be randomized at GP level. Primary outcome is defined as adherence to dementia guideline recommendations after 9 months. Secondary outcomes include various health outcomes assessed in PwD (e.g., quality of life) and informal caregivers (e.g., caregiver burden). Outcomes will be analyzed by an intention-to-treat analysis and using mixed models.
Factors Regulating Nitrification in the Arctic Ocean: Potential Impact of Sea Ice Reduction and Ocean Acidification
Authors: Shiozaki Takuhei , Ijichi Minoru , Fujiwara Amane , Makabe Akiko , Nishino Shigeto , Yoshikawa Chisato , Harada Naomi
Published: August 2019

Nitrification is susceptible to changes in light and pH and, thus, could be influenced by recent sea ice reductions and acidification in the Arctic Ocean. We investigated the sensitivity of nitrification to light, pH, and substrate availability in a natural nitrifier community of the Arctic Ocean. Nitrification was active near the bottom of the shelf region (<60 m) and in the halocline layer (50–200 m) of the Arctic basin, where ammonium was abundant, but was low in the ammonium‐depleted Atlantic layer (>250 m). In pH control experiments, nitrification rates significantly declined when the pH was manipulated to be 0.22 lower than the controls. However, nitrification was relatively insensitive to changes in pH compared to changes in light. Light control experiments showed that nitrification was inhibited by a light intensity above 0.11 mol photons m−2 day−1, which was presumably the light threshold. A light intensity greater than the light threshold extended to the shelf bottom and upper halocline layer, limiting nitrification in these waters. Satellite data analyses indicated that the area where light levels inhibit nitrification has increased throughout the Arctic Ocean due to the recent sea ice reduction, which may lead to a declining trend in nitrification. Our results suggest that stronger light levels in the future Arctic Ocean could further suppress nitrification and alter the composition of inorganic nitrogen, with implications for the structure of ecosystems.
Surface Motions and Continental Deformation in the Indian Plate and the India‐Eurasia Collision Zone
Authors: Singh Srishti , Ghosh Attreyee
Published: August 2019

The collision of the Indian plate with Eurasia has played a major role in controlling the dynamics of central Asia leading to the world's largest continental deformation zone. In order to study the deformation within the Indian plate as well as the India‐Eurasia collision zone, we model the lithospheric stress field by calculating the two primary sources of stress, one arising due to topography and shallow lithospheric structure estimated by gravitational potential energy differences and the other arising from basal tractions derived from density‐driven mantle convection. We use several tomography models to calculate horizontal tractions using the convection code HC for two radially varying viscosity structures. We also take into account lateral viscosity variations in the lithosphere model arising from stiff cratons, weak plate boundaries, and strength variations due to old and young oceanic lithosphere. We do a quantitative comparison of our predicted deviatoric stresses, strain rates, and plate velocities with surface observables and find that the regional tomography model of Singh et al. (2014) embedded in the global S wave model S40RTS does a remarkable job of fitting the observations of GPS velocities and strain rates as well as intraplate stress field from the World Stress Map.
An HF Software‐Defined Radar to Study the Ionosphere
Authors: Bostan Salih Mehmed , Urbina Julio V. , Mathews John D. , Bilén Sven G. , Breakall James K.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a novel design and implementation of a software‐defined high‐frequency ionospheric radar, the Penn State Ionospheric Radar Imager (PIRI), is described. Furthermore, preliminary results produced by the system (located at 40.71° N, 77.97° W) are presented. PIRI is designed to be a modest and low‐cost radar system, which is composed mostly of commercial‐off‐the‐shelf products and utilizing open‐source software to perform pulse generation, pulse coding, downconversion, data acquisition, and signal processing. It is designed to be mobile, as it can easily be deployed at temporary locations to study local ionospheric disturbances. For the results presented herein, the radar operating frequency was 5.125 MHz. However, as the system is software defined and short active receive antennas are used, only the transmit antenna needs to be changed to operate over the entire high‐frequency (HF) band. The two orthogonal receive antennas enable both linear and circular polarization measurements. Peak transmit power of the system is 500 W. PIRI is designed to be a modest and cost‐effective alternative to the current standard HF ionospheric sounding systems and can be readily replicated.
A Relationship Between Ural‐Siberian Blocking and Himalayan Weather Anomalies
Authors: Tiwari Ujjwal , B. G. Bush Andrew
Published: August 2019

Because of their distinctly high elevation, the Himalaya are directly influenced by upper‐tropospheric jet stream winds and circulation anomalies that on many occasions have brought unusual weather patterns to the region. In this study, we establish the dynamical relationship between upper‐tropospheric blocks formed over the Ural‐Siberian region and anomalous weather patterns over the Himalaya using a combination of reanalysis data and mesoscale atmospheric model simulations. We identify two distinct blocks (an omega (Ω) block and a dipole (Rex) block) using an appropriate blocking index and computed the anomalous atmospheric fields associated with these types of blocks. In both cases, the low‐pressure component of the block lies westward of the western Himalaya and the upper‐level convergence/divergence of ageostrophic winds along the upstream/downstream portion of the trough creates anomalous positive/negative sea level pressure at the surface. The local sea level pressure is enhanced over the Arabian Peninsula and the Arabian Sea, while downwind over the Himalaya there is a negative pressure anomaly. There is entrainment of high potential vorticity air that descends and flows equatorward. During the Ω blocking event, the trough remains quasi‐stationary over the Western Himalayan Notch and its circulation induces moisture transport from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal leading to strong precipitation events over the Western and Eastern Himalayan Notches. During the dipole blocking event, the trough gradually shifts southeastward and leads to widespread precipitation over the entire Himalayan arc.
The Dawning of the Age of Old Aquifers
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: August 2019

A new technique using 81Kr can measure the age of old groundwater in arid regions. The method can be used as a proxy for past climates and weather patterns.
Large Dust Aerosol Sizes Seen During the 2018 Martian Global Dust Event by the Curiosity Rover
Authors: Lemmon M. T. , Guzewich S. D. , McConnochie T. , de Vicente‐Retortillo A. , Martínez G. , Smith Michael D. , Bell J. F. , Wellington D. , Jacob S.
Published: August 2019

Mars' atmosphere typically supports dust aerosol with an effective radius near 1.5 μm, varying from ~1 μm during low dust times near northern summer solstice to ~2 μm during higher dust times in southern spring and summer. After global dust events, size variations outside this range have not previously been observed. We report on imaging and spectral observations by the Curiosity rover through the 2018 global dust event. These observations show that the dust effective radius was seasonally normal prior to the local onset of increased opacity, increased rapidly above 4 μm with increasing opacity, remained above 3 μm over a period of ~50 Martian solar days, then returned to seasonal values before the opacity did so. This demonstrates lifting and regional‐scale transport of a dust population ~3 times the size of typical dust aerosol.
Observed Upper Ocean Seasonal and Intraseasonal Variability in the Andaman Sea
Authors: Ashin K. , Girishkumar M. S. , Suprit K. , Thangaprakash V. P.
Published: August 2019

The observed seasonal and intraseasonal evolution of near‐surface meteorological and oceanographic variables in the Andaman Sea for the period March 2014 to December 2017 are examined using moored buoy observations at 10.5°N, 94°E. The amplitude of temperature inversions is very weak (0.2 to 0.4 °C), and they appeared primarily during winter (November–January) and latter part of summer (May–August). The net surface heat flux plays a primary role, and vertical processes term contributes secondarily to determine the seasonal mixed layer (ML) heat storage variability. Consistent with the seasonal variations of formation and strength of temperature inversion, vertical processes term shows a positive tendency during winter. The sea surface salinity shows large amplitude intraseasonal variability during fall and winter, and it is attributed to the variability of horizontal circulation in the presence of large lateral sea surface salinity gradients at the mooring location. The sea surface temperature shows the presence of strong intraseasonal variability between 20 and 80 days, though its amplitude of oscillation is distinctly higher during May–October than November–April. Band‐pass filtered (20–80 days) time series of different components of the ML heat budget shows that the net surface heat flux primarily determines the intraseasonal ML heat storage variability. Our analysis further shows that during May–October, both net shortwave radiation and latent heat flux together determine the modulation of the intraseasonal net surface heat flux. In contrast, latent heat flux acts as the sole factor to determine the modulation of the intraseasonal net surface heat flux during November–April.
Decomposition of Uncertainty Sources in Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Streamflow Measurements Using Repeated Measures Experiments
Authors: Despax Aurélien , Le Coz Jérôme , Hauet Alexandre , Mueller David S , Engel Frank L , Blanquart Bertrand , Renard Benjamin , Oberg Kevin A
Published: August 2019

Repeated measures experiments can be conducted to empirically estimate the uncertainty of a stream gauging method, such as the widespread moving‐boat acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) approach. Previous ADCP repeated measures experiments, also known as interlaboratory comparisons, provided a credible range of uncertainty estimates reflecting the quality of the site conditions. However, the method, which is a one‐way analysis of variance, only addresses the uncertainty of one lumped factor that combines several distinct factors: instrument, operator, procedure, and cross‐section effects. To decompose the uncertainty of ADCP streamflow measurements due to cross‐section selection and team effects, a large repeated measures experiment has been conducted in the Taurion River (France). The experiment design was crossed and balanced, with two sets of 24 teams circulated over two sets of 12 cross sections. A constant flow rate was released from a dam, located immediately upstream of the experimental site. Prior to the statistical analysis, a data quality review was performed using the U.S. Geological Survey QRev software to clean the data set from avoidable errors and to homogenize the discharge computations. A two‐way analysis of variance was applied to quantify the cross‐section effect, the team effect, and their interaction, which was found to dominate the pure cross‐section effect. It was then possible to predict the average uncertainty of multiple‐transect ADCP discharge measurements, depending on the number of teams, cross sections, and repeated transects included in the discharge average. The method opens interesting avenues for documenting difficult‐to‐estimate uncertainty sources of stream gauging techniques in other measuring conditions, especially the most adverse ones.
Improved Dynamic System Response Curve Method for Real‐Time Flood Forecast Updating
Authors: Si Wei , Gupta Hoshin V. , Bao Weimin , Jiang Peng , Wang Wenzhuo
Published: August 2019

The dynamic system response curve (DSRC) method has been shown to effectively use error feedback correction to obtain updated areal estimates of mean rainfall and thereby improve the accuracy of real‐time flood forecasts. In this study, we address two main shortcomings of the existing method. First, ridge estimation is used to deal with ill‐conditioning of the normal equation coefficient matrix when the method is applied to small basins, or when the length of updating rainfall series is short. Second, the effects of spatial heterogeneity of rainfall on rainfall error estimates are accounted for using a simple index. The improved performance of the method is demonstrated using both synthetic and real data studies. For smaller basins with relatively homogeneous spatial distributions of rainfall, the use of ridge regression provides more accurate and robust results. For larger‐scale basins with significant spatial heterogeneity of rainfall, spatial rainfall error updating provides significant improvements. Overall, combining the two strategies results in the best performance for all cases, with the effects of ridge estimation and spatially distributed updating complementing each other.
Dynamic CD138 surface expression regulates switch between myeloma growth and dissemination
Authors: Akhmetzyanova Ilseyar , McCarron Mark J. , Parekh Samir , Chesi Marta , Bergsagel P. Leif , Fooksman David R.
Published: August 2019

The canonical plasma cell marker CD138 (syndecan-1) is highly expressed on the myeloma cell surface, but its functional role in vivo is unclear, as well as the ontogeny of CD138-high and CD138-negative (neg) myeloma cells. In this study we used an in vivo murine Vk*MYC myeloma model where CD138 is heterogeneously expressed depending on tumor size. We find that in comparison to CD138-neg myeloma cells, the CD138-high subset of myeloma cells is highly proliferative, less apoptotic, and enhanced IL-6R signaling, which is known to promote survival. In addition CD138-high myeloma engrafts better than its CD138-neg counterpart. In contrast, CD138-neg cells are more motile both in vitro and in vivo, and more readily disseminate and spread to other bones in vivo than CD138-high subset. Neutralizing CD138 rapidly triggers migration of myeloma cells in vivo and leads to intravasation, which results in increased dissemination to other bones. Both murine and human myeloma cells can rapidly recycle CD138 surface expression through endocytic trafficking, in response to serum levels. Blocking CD138 enhances myeloma sensitivity to bortezomib chemotherapy and significantly reduces tumor size compared to bortezomib treatment alone. Thus, our data show that CD138 surface expression dynamically regulates a switch between growth vs. dissemination for myeloma, in response to nutrient conditions.