bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effect of organophosphate functionalized montmorillonite on properties and water resistance of intumescent flame‐retarded SEBS
Authors: Li Jun , Li Xiaoyan , Wei Qian , Yang Jian , Qiu Biwei , Xu Jianjun , Wang Xia
Published: August 2018

Polystyrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene (SEBS) is a widely used thermoplastic elastomer. However, it suffers from poor flame retardancy. Proper combination of organic‐modified montmorillonite and intumescent flame retardant (IFR) works but is not stable due to easy absorption of moisture. In this study, a novel and stable halogen‐free flame‐retardant system is demonstrated by encapsulating a hydrophobic organophosphate, ie, bisphenol A bis (diphenyl phosphate) (BDP) into a stable micelle and then “attaching” the BDP micelles to the montmorillonite (called: side‐intercalation). The resulted BDP modified montmorillonite (BMMT) has a large inter‐platelet spacing and demonstrated synergistic effect with IFR on flame retardancy, tensile property, and water resistance for the composite with SEBS. In addition to more homogeneous dispersion of IFR and BMMT, a longer‐lasting interfacial interaction between IFR and SEBS matrix with addition of small amount of BMMT also plays the role. The results suggest that BMMT can serve as an effective additive for formulating novel halogen‐free flame retardants for the SEBS to meet increasingly stricter environmental requirements.
New records and a key to the species ofMalmidea(lichenized Ascomycota) from India
Authors: Joseph Siljo , Nayaka Sanjeeva , Randive Pallavi , Upreti D. K.
Published: August 2018

Six species of the genusMalmidea,M. atlantica(M. Cáceres & Lücking) M. Cáceres & Kalb,M. duplomarginata(Papong & Kalb) Kalb & Papong,M. hypomelaena(Nyl.) Kalb & Lücking,M. papillosaWeerak. & Aptroot,M. subaurigera(Vain.) Kalbet al., andM. variabilisKalb, are reported as new records to India. A key to all known Indian species ofMalmideais provided.
Sex differences in the prognosis after surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kauppila Joonas H , Wahlin Karl , Lagergren Pernilla , Lagergren Jesper
Published: August 2018

Some investigations suggest a better prognosis in women compared to men with esophageal cancer but these differences are uncertain. The aim of our study was to clarify whether sex influences the prognosis after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma. A population‐based and nationwide cohort study included almost all patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in Sweden in 1987–2010, with follow‐up until 2016. Patients’ sex was analyzed in relation to risk of mortality. Multivariable Cox regression provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for calendar period, age, education, comorbidity, tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, and surgeon volume. Among 1,816 participants, 1,024 (56%) had esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (355 [35%] women), and 792 (44%) had esophageal adenocarcinoma (103 [13%] women). Compared to men, women had a decreased overall all‐cause mortality in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.63–0.85). Stratified analyses showed decreased mortality limited to women aged >55 years (HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.83), but in all tumor stages, particularly stages 0‐I (HR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.37–0.79). Women also had decreased 90‐day all‐cause mortality, 5‐year all‐cause mortality, and 5‐year disease‐specific mortality in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared to men. For esophageal adenocarcinoma, no sex differences were found for any of the mortality outcomes. Thus, women who undergo esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma seem to have better prognosis than men, especially those with early tumor stages, whereas no sex differences in prognosis were found for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Hydraulic Characteristics of Various Circular Settling Tanks
Authors: Hubbell George E.
Published: August 2018

Circular tanks have long been used for sedimentation purposes in connection with industrial processes, waste control, water, and sewage treatment. In the design of such tanks, stress has been laid on obtaining the proper detention time for suitable removal of the suspended matter. Little attention has been paid to the hydraulics of the inlet, with a consequent loss in tank efficiency. By means of a model, various inlets were observed and a new type inlet developed appearing to have improved hydraulic characteristics which will increase solid removals now being obtained with accepted types of inlets.
Local stability analysis on Lotka‐Volterra predator‐prey models with prey refuge and harvesting
Authors: Chow Christopher , Hoti Marvin , Li Chongming , Lan Kunquan
Published: August 2018

We propose a predator‐prey model by incorporating a constant harvesting rate into a Lotka‐Volterra predator‐prey model with prey refuge. All the positive equilibria and the local stability of the proposed model are studied and analyzed by sorting out the intervals of the parameters involved in the model. These intervals of the parameters exhibit the effects on the dynamical behaviors of prey and predators. The emphasis is put on the ranges of the prey refuge constant and harvesting rate. We show that the model has three‐type positive boundary equilibria and one positive interior equilibrium. By using the qualitative theory for planar systems, we show that the three‐type boundary positive equilibria can be saddles, saddle nodes, topological saddles, or stable or unstable nodes, and the interior positive equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable. Under suitable restrictions on the parameters, we prove that the positive interior equilibrium is a stable node. It remains open that under what conditions on the parameters is the positive interior equilibrium a focus.
Impact of age on mid‐ to long‐term outcomes of transvaginal native tissue repair for apical vaginal prolapse
Authors: Kissane Lindsay M. , Meyer Isuzu , Martin Kimberly D. , Tan Jubilee C. , Miller Kathryn , Richter Holly E.
Published: August 2018

Aims

To compare surgical success rates in older versus younger women a minimum of 3 years post transvaginal native tissue repair for apical prolapse. Post‐operative symptom severity and quality of life improvement, surgical complications and retreatment were also examined.

Methods

Women who underwent transvaginal native tissue repair for apical prolapse between 2011 and 2013 were eligible. Subjects completed the pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI‐20), pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ‐7), and patient global impression of improvement (PGI‐I), and were categorized as “younger” (age <70) or “older” (age ≥70). The primary outcome of surgical success was defined as the absence of bulge symptoms and no re‐treatment for prolapse.

Results

Of 641 eligible patients, response rate was 51.0%. 62.7% of subjects had hysterectomy prior to index surgery. Surgical success was noted in 72.9% of younger and 82.2% of older subjects (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72, 95% CI [0.93, 3.17]). Older women had greater improvement from baseline in PFDI‐20 score (−87.5 [IQR 74.0] vs −54.2 [IQR 80.2], P = 0.01). Retreatment rate and surgical complication rates were similar between groups (both P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Older and younger women had similar surgical success rates a minimum of 3 years post‐operative; however, older women had a greater overall symptom severity improvement. This information may be helpful in counseling older women regarding surgical expectations and decision‐making.
A quasi‐incompressible and quasi‐inextensible element formulation for transversely isotropic materials
Authors: Dal H.
Published: August 2018

The contribution presents a new finite element formulation for quasi‐inextensible and quasi‐incompressible finite hyperelastic behavior of transeversely isotropic materials and addresses its computational aspects. The material formulation is presented in purely Eulerian setting and based on the additive decomposition of the free energy function into isotropic and anisotropic parts, where the former is further decomposed into isochoric and volumetric parts. For the quasi‐incompressible response, the Q1P0 element formulation is outlined briefly, where the pressure‐type Lagrange multiplier and its conjugate enter the variational formulation as an extended set of variables. Using the similar argumentation, an extended Hu‐Washizu–type mixed variational potential is introduced, where the volume averaged fiber stretch and fiber stress are additional field variables. Within this context, the resulting Euler‐Lagrange equations and the element formulation resulting from the extended variational principle are derived. The numerical implementation exploits the underlying variational structure, leading to a canonical symmetric structure. The efficiency of the proposed approached is demonstrated through representative boundary value problems. The superiority of the proposed element formulation over the standard Q1 and Q1P0 element formulation is studied through convergence analyses. The proposed finite element formulation is modular and exhibits very robust performance for fiber reinforced elastomers in the inextensibility limit.
Shifting weaning practices in Early Neolithic Cis‐Baikal, Siberia: New insights from stable isotope analysis of molar micro‐samples
Authors: Scharlotta Ian , Goude Gwenaëlle , Herrscher Estelle , Bazaliiskii Vladimir I. , Weber Andrzej W.
Published: August 2018

Reconstructing individual dietary histories at Shamanka II, an Early Neolithic (7000–5700 cal. BP) Kitoi hunter‐gatherer cemetery in Cis‐Baikal, Siberia, revealed surprising intrapopulation variability in childhood diets. Stable isotope analytical data produced by micro‐sampled first molars identified changes in both the timing and rate of weaning for different individuals. Further, examination within the framework of a high‐resolution radiocarbon chronology identified shifting practices between two phases of cemetery use, and additional links with mortuary treatment that indicates differences relating to group and/or family structure. The differential treatment of infants, correlated with the complex hunter‐gatherer social structure, and subsequent burial treatment evident at this cemetery are investigated in light of regional dietary trends.
Childhood cancer incidence and survival in Thailand: A comprehensive population‐based registry analysis, 1990–2011
Authors: Bidwell Serena S. , Peterson Catherine C. , Demanelis Kathryn , Zarins Katie R. , Meza Rafael , Sriplung Hutcha , Wiangnon Surapon , Chotsampancharoen Thirachit , Chitapanarux Imjai , Pongnikorn Donsuk , Daoprasert Karnchana , Suwanrungruang Krittika , Chansaard Wasan , Rozek Laura S.
Published: August 2018

Background

Southeast Asia is undergoing a transition from infectious to chronic diseases, including a dramatic increase in adult cancers. Childhood cancer research in Thailand has focused predominantly on leukemias and lymphomas or only examined children for a short period of time. This comprehensive multisite study examined childhood cancer incidence and survival rates in Thailand across all International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC) groups over a 20‐year period.

Methods

Cancer cases diagnosed in children ages 0‐19 years (n = 3574) from 1990 to 2011 were extracted from five provincial population‐based Thai registries, covering approximately 10% of the population. Descriptive statistics of the quality of the registries were evaluated. Age‐standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated using the Segi world standard population, and relative survival was computed using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Changes in incidence and survival were analyzed using Joinpoint Regression and reported as annual percent changes (APC).

Results

The ASR of all childhood cancers during the study period was 98.5 per million person‐years with 91.0 per million person‐years in 1990–2000 and 106.2 per million person‐years in 2001–2011. Incidence of all childhood cancers increased significantly (APC = 1.2%, P < 0.01). The top three cancer groups were leukemias, brain tumors, and lymphomas. The 5‐year survival for all childhood cancers significantly improved from 39.4% in 1990–2000 to 47.2% in 2001–2011 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Both childhood cancer incidence and survival rates have increased, suggesting improvement in the health care system as more cases are identified and treated. Analyzing childhood cancer trends in low‐ and middle‐income countries can improve understanding of cancer etiology and pediatric health care disparities.
Alternate gas washout indices: Assessment of ventilation inhomogeneity in mild to moderate pediatric cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Nyilas Sylvia , Bigler Anja , Yammine Sophie , Kieninger Elisabeth , Rochat Isabelle , Ramsey Kathryn , Casaulta Carmen , Moeller Alexander , Latzin Philipp , Singer Florian
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Normalized phase III slope (SnIII) indices from multiple breath washout (MBW) estimate ventilation inhomogeneity. Alternate (*) protocols for SnIII indices exist, however the utility of these outcomes in children with mild‐to‐moderate cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown.

Methods

We measured nitrogen MBW and spirometry in 135 children (43 controls) aged 4‐18 years. We assessed validity, practicability, and reliability of SnIII protocols. Outcomes included the ability to detect abnormal lung function, test agreement, measurement duration, intra‐test repeatability, and quality.

Results

Lung clearance index (LCI) was abnormal in 80 (87%), Scond in 55 (60%), Scond* in 17 (19%), Sacin in 10 (11%), Sacin* in 11 (12%), and FEV1 in 28 (30%). Alternate protocols reduced measurement duration. Agreement of indices to detect abnormal lung function was poor. The quality of analysis and repeatability deteriorated with the alternate technique compared to standard.

Conclusion

In children with mild‐to‐moderate CF lung disease, alternate protocols seem practical but clinimetric properties of standard SnIII protocols are preferable.
Structural enzymology binding studies of the peptide‐substrate‐binding domain of human collagen prolyl 4‐hydroxylase (type‐II): High affinity peptides have a PxGP sequence motif
Authors: Murthy Abhinandan V. , Sulu Ramita , Koski M. Kristian , Tu Hongmin , Anantharajan Jothi , Sah‐Teli Shiv K. , Myllyharju Johanna , Wierenga Rik K.
Published: August 2018

The peptide‐substrate‐binding (PSB) domain of collagen prolyl 4‐hydroxylase (C‐P4H, an α2β2 tetramer) binds proline‐rich procollagen peptides. This helical domain (the middle domain of the α subunit) has an important role concerning the substrate binding properties of C‐P4H, although it is not known how the PSB domain influences the hydroxylation properties of the catalytic domain (the C‐terminal domain of the α subunit). The crystal structures of the PSB domain of the human C‐P4H isoform II (PSB‐II) complexed with and without various short proline‐rich peptides are described. The comparison with the previously determined PSB‐I peptide complex structures shows that the C‐P4H‐I substrate peptide (PPG)3, has at most very weak affinity for PSB‐II, although it binds with high affinity to PSB‐I. The replacement of the middle PPG triplet of (PPG)3 to the nonhydroxylatable PAG, PRG, or PEG triplet, increases greatly the affinity of PSB‐II for these peptides, leading to a deeper mode of binding, as compared to the previously determined PSB‐I peptide complexes. In these PSB‐II complexes, the two peptidyl prolines of its central P(A/R/E)GP region bind in the Pro5 and Pro8 binding pockets of the PSB peptide‐binding groove, and direct hydrogen bonds are formed between the peptide and the side chains of the highly conserved residues Tyr158, Arg223, and Asn227, replacing water mediated interactions in the corresponding PSB‐I complex. These results suggest that PxGP (where x is not a proline) is the common motif of proline‐rich peptide sequences that bind with high affinity to PSB‐II.
The calcium‐binding site of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II is critical for dimerization, thermal stability, and enzymatic activity
Authors: Ptacek Jakub , Nedvedova Jana , Navratil Michal , Havlinova Barbora , Konvalinka Jan , Barinka Cyril
Published: August 2018

Calcium ions are required for proper function of a wide spectrum of proteins within cells. X‐ray crystallography of human glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) revealed the presence of a Ca2+‐binding site, but its importance for the structure and function of this metallopeptidase has not been elucidated to date. Here, we prepared a panel of mutants targeting residues that form the Ca2+ coordination sphere of GCPII and analyzed their structural and enzymatic properties using an array of complementary biophysical and biochemical approaches. Our data unequivocally show that even a slight disruption of the Ca2+‐binding site destabilizes the three‐dimensional fold of GCPII and is associated with impaired secretion, a high propensity to form nonphysiological oligomers, and an inability to bind active site‐targeted ligands. Additionally, the Ca2+‐binding site is critical for maintenance of the native homodimeric quaternary arrangement of GCPII, which is indispensable for its enzymatic activity. Overall, our results offer a clear picture of the importance of Ca2+ for the structural integrity and hydrolytic activity of human GCPII and by extension homologous members of the M28 zinc‐dependent metallopeptidase family.
Estimation in generalized linear models under censored covariates with an application to MIREC data
Authors: Lee Wan‐Chen , Sinha Sanjoy K. , Arbuckle Tye E. , Fisher Mandy
Published: August 2018

In many biological experiments, certain values of a biomarker are often nondetectable due to low concentrations of an analyte or the limitations of a chemical analysis device, resulting in left‐censored values. There is an increasing demand for the analysis of data subject to detection limits in clinical and environmental studies. In this paper, we develop a novel statistical method for the maximum likelihood estimation in generalized linear models with covariates subject to detection limits. Simulations are carried out to study the relative performance of the proposed estimators, as compared to other existing estimators. The proposed method is also applied to a real dataset from the Maternal‐Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals cohort study, where we investigate how different chemical mixtures affect the health outcomes of infants and pregnant women.
Explicit fiber element and its application to piers under multipulse near‐fault earthquake motion
Authors: Xia Chunxu , Liu Chunguang
Published: August 2018

The time delay effect is prominent for the slender structures under the action of near‐fault pulse‐like earthquake excitation. It takes time for the earthquake motion to transfer from the base to other portions of the structure. This paper proposes an explicit‐based fiber line element with its analytical framework to capture the time delay effect when excitated by earthquake motion. The object‐oriented technique (C++) is used to code the integrated analysis framework. Newly designed classes are integrated to perform the explicit analysis parallelly. The nonlinear material model is also incorporated into the proposed element. The verification of the proposed element shows the time delay effect can be spotted inside the structure. The proposed element can provide a reasonable transient dynamic response under both static and dynamic loadings. The basic and higher vibration model can be aroused if the proper frequency is inputted. A slender reinforced concrete bridge pier is numerically modeled by the proposed element, and its seismic response characteristic under the action of the qualified multipulse near‐fault earthquake motion is analyzed. The results show the seismic response within the pier is transferred from bottom to top in a distinct time delay. In a statistical sense, the typical increasing ratio of relative displacement for S/R and P/S is 4.9% and 8.1%, respectively. Directly using the earthquake motion recorded at the seismic station may underestimate the seismic demand.
Parity doubling as a tool for right-handed current searches
Authors: Gratrex James , Zwicky Roman
Published: August 2018

Abstract

The V-A structure of the weak interactions leads to definite amplitude hierarchies in exclusive heavy-to-light decays mediated by b → (d, s)γ and

$$ b\to \left(d,\ s\right)\ell \overline{\ell} $$

b
→

d
,

s

ℓ

ℓ
¯

. However, the extraction of right-handed currents beyond the Standard Model is contaminated by V-A long-distance contributions leaking into right-handed amplitudes. We propose that these quantum-number changing long-distance contributions can be controlled by considering the almost parity-degenerate vector meson final states by exploiting the opposite relative sign of left- versus right-handed amplitudes. For example, measuring the time-dependent rates of a pair of vector V (J

P
= 1−) and axial A(1+) mesons in B → (V, A)γ, up to an order of magnitude is gained on the theory uncertainty prediction, controlled by long-distance ratios to the right-handed amplitude. This renders these decays clean probes to null tests, from the theory side.
Constraints on a light leptophobic mediator from LEP data
Authors: Drees Manuel , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We apply data taken at the e
+
e
− collider LEP in the 1990’s at center-of-mass energy up to 209 GeV to constrain Dark Matter models with a light leptophobic spin−1 mediator R. We assume that the dark sector particle (DSP) is a spin−1/2 fermion χ. This scenario is well studied in the context of LHC searches for mediator mass from 100 GeV to several TeV. Emission of the mediator off a quark or antiquark at LEP gives rise to di-jet plus missing energy and 4−jet signatures, which we use to limit the relevant couplings. We focus on scenarios with 2m

χ
> m

R
, which are poorly constrained by LHC data. We recast published searches by the ALEPH collaboration. For m

χ
≲ 20 GeV the best bounds result from an analysis at

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

≃ M

Z
of di-jet plus missing energy events. For heavier DSP but m

R
≲ 70 GeV meaningful bounds can be derived from a four jet analysis at

$$ \sqrt{s}=183 $$

s

=
183

GeV. Unfortunately published searches using four jet final states at

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

≃ M

Z
use only a small fraction of the total data sample. Moreover, all published searches for di-jet plus missing energy final states at

$$ \sqrt{s}\ge 130 $$

s

≥
130

GeV have poor efficiency for our model; we therefore design new cuts that combine good background rejection with higher efficiency. Re-analyzing the higher energy data using our new cuts, and an analysis of the complete four jet data sample taken at

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

≃ M

Z
, can explore new regions of parameter space.
Non-Abelian strings and domain walls in two Higgs doublet models
Authors: Eto Minoru , Kurachi Masafumi , Nitta Muneto
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Contrary to the standard model that does not admit topologically nontrivial solitons, two Higgs doublet models admit topologically stable vortex strings and domain walls. We numerically confirm the existence of a topological Z-string confining fractional Z-flux inside. We show that topological strings at sin θ

W
= 0 limit reduce to non-Abelian strings which possess non-Abelian moduli S
2 associated with spontaneous breakdown of the SU(2) custodial symmetry. We numerically solve the equations of motion for various parameter choices. It is found that a gauging U(1)
Y
always lowers the tension of the Z-string while it keeps that of the W-string. On the other hand, a deformation of the Higgs potential is either raising or lowering the tensions of the Z-string and W-string. We numerically obtain an effective potential for the non-Abelian moduli S
2 for various parameter deformations under the restriction tan β = 1. It is the first time to show that there exists a certain parameter region where the topological W-string can be the most stable topological excitation, contrary to conventional wisdom of electroweak theories. We also obtain numerical solutions of composites of the string and domain walls in a certain condition.
Hexapod coloron at the LHC
Authors: Bai Yang , Lu Sida , Xiang Qian-Fei
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Instead of the usual dijet decay, the coloron may mainly decay into its own “Higgs bosons”, which subsequently decay into many jets. This is a general feature of the renormalizable coloron model, where the corresponding “Higgs bosons” are a color-octet Θ and a color-singlet ϕ

I
. In this paper, we perform a detailed collider study for the signature of

$$ pp\to {G}^{\prime}\to \left(\varTheta\ \to gg\right)\left({\phi}_I\to ggq\overline{q}\right) $$

pp
→

G
′

→

Θ

→
gg

ϕ
I

→
g
g
q

q
¯

with the coloron G
′ as a six-jet resonance. For a light ϕ

I
below around 0.5 TeV, it may be boosted and behave as a four-prong fat jet. We also develop a jet-substructure-based search strategy to cover this boosted ϕ

I
case. Independent of whether ϕ

I
is boosted or not, the 13 TeV LHC with 100 fb−1 has great discovery potential for a coloron with the mass sensitivity up to 5 TeV.
Correction to: Why Is Theory of Mind Important for Referential Communication?
Authors: Sidera Francesc , Perpiñà Georgina , Serrano Jèssica , Rostan Carles
Published: August 2018

The article Why Is Theory of Mind Important for Referential Communication?, written by Francesc Sidera, Georgina Perpiñà, Jèssica Serrano and Carles Rostan, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 10 August 2016 without open access.
Meta‐analysis of the influence of age on symptom change following cognitive‐behavioural treatment for anxiety disorders
Authors: Barry Tom J. , Yeung Sui P. , Lau Jennifer Y.F.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Adolescents, relative to adults, show impairments in learning to reduce or extinguish fear. Furthermore, they may struggle with the use of reappraisal techniques to regulate affect. Both learning and reappraisals are critical to cognitive‐behavioural treatments (CBT) for anxiety disorders leading to the hypothesis that adolescents may respond more poorly to CBT than adults.

Methods

We use meta‐regression to explore whether variability in the mean age of participants in trials of CBT for anxiety predicted variability between studies in symptom change effect sizes. PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched with the terms exposure and each of anxiety, phobia, or panic disorder diagnostic terms and cognitive behav* therapy with each of the diagnostic terms. Data were pooled from CBT trials for anxiety disorders (excluding anxiety‐related disorders – obsessive compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) where participants’ mean age was 11 years or older.

149 studies were selected and data on change in symptoms from pre‐treatment to post‐treatment (k = 195), pre‐treatment to follow‐up (k = 108) and post‐treatment to follow‐up (k = 107) were extracted.

Results

Several possible confounding variables were also accounted for (e.g., proportion of females, number of sessions). Younger age was associated with smaller improvement in anxious symptoms from pre‐to post‐treatment. However, younger age was also associated with greater improvement in symptoms from post‐treatment to follow‐up.

Conclusions

CBT is effective at reducing anxious symptoms, however, younger people may respond more slowly to treatment than older people.
Penile Size Restoration With Nondegloving Approach for Peyronie’s Disease: Initial Experience
Authors: Clavell-Hernández Jonathan , Wang Run
Published: August 2018

Introduction

The sliding technique (ST), commonly done with a subcoronal circumcising incision with penile degloving, has been used to restore penile size in patients with severe Peyronie’s disease (PD) and erectile dysfunction, but with a potential risk of ischemic injury to the glans penis.

Aim

To provide detailed surgical techniques regarding the nondegloving ventral incision and report our initial experience with this approach to perform the ST and penile prosthesis placement in patients with severe PD.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of patient outcomes after penile prosthesis placement with penoplasty for severe PD and erectile dysfunction from January 2015 to December 2017.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcomes included straightening rates, penile measurement, along with immediate and late complications. Secondary outcomes include operative time and overall patient satisfaction.

Results

12 Patients had significant penile atrophy and/or curvature >60 degrees and underwent inflatable penile prosthesis placement with grafting procedure. Significant penile atrophy was determined by a combination of the patient’s subjective report and the surgeon’s objective assessment through stretched penile length. 7 (58.3%) of those patients underwent ST, of which the last 5 had the procedure performed through a nondegloving ventral incision. Mean degree of curvature prior to ST was 66 degrees (45–90 degrees). Mean penile length gain was 2.6 cm (2.0–3.0 cm). At a mean follow-up of 15.5 months (3–31 months), only 1 patient had minimal residual curvature of 15 degrees. There were no vascular complications.

Clinical Implications

This nondegloving technique theoretically maintains blood flow continuity to the glans penis by preserving the continuity of the skin, dartos fascia, and neurovascular bundle.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths of this study include the novel nature of this approach, no incidence of vascular complications, and adaptability to other grafting procedures during penile prosthesis placement. Limitations include the use of 5-item International Index of Erectile Function scores to assess preoperative erectile function on PD, small population, longer incision, and a possible steep learning curve.

Conclusion

While ischemic complications of ST and penile prosthesis implantation are rare, there are reports of ischemic injury in patients undergoing a subcoronal circumcising incision with penile degloving. The non-degloving technique with ventral incision provides for an alternative method for ST and penile prosthesis placement to maintain dartos and skin continuity to the glans penis while still allowing for adequate surgical exposure.
What type of labor lies behind the on-demand economy? New research based on workers’ data
Authors: Melián-González Santiago , Bulchand-Gidumal Jacques
Published: August 2018

On-demand and gig economy are names commonly used when discussing issues related to labor in the collaborative economy. Some of the specific digital platforms in this economy, including Uber and TaskRabbit, and Upwork are quite popular. The term digital labor market has been suggested to distinguish the work mediated by these platforms from that of the traditional labor market. The theoretical work conditions and characteristics of this digital labor market are similar to those of negative nonstandard work arrangements. However, more empirical evidence is required because most of the findings about work conditions are based on anecdotal evidence and the analysis of the platforms’ rules. This study collects the characteristics commonly attributed to the digital labor market and analyzes them based on data about 465 workers extracted from two important digital labor platforms. Our results confirm and refine some of the beliefs found in the literature.
Effects of mass extinction and recovery dynamics on long-term evolutionary trends: a morphological study of Strophomenida (Brachiopoda) across the Late Ordovician mass extinction
Authors: Sclafani Judith A. , Congreve Curtis R. , Krug Andrew Z. , Patzkowsky Mark E.
Published: August 2018

Mass extinctions affect the history of life by decimating existing diversity and ecological structure and creating new evolutionary and ecological pathways. Both the loss of diversity during these events and the rebound in diversity following extinction had a profound effect on Phanerozoic evolutionary trends. Phylogenetic trees can be used to robustly assess the evolutionary implications of extinction and origination.

We examine both extinction and origination during the Late Ordovician mass extinction. This mass extinction was the second largest in terms of taxonomic loss but did not appear to radically alter Paleozoic marine assemblages. We focus on the brachiopod order Strophomenida, whose evolutionary relationships have been recently revised, to explore the disconnect between the processes that drive taxonomic loss and those that restructure ecological communities.

A possible explanation for this disconnect is if extinction and origination were random with respect to morphology. We define morphospace using principal coordinates analysis (PCO) of character data from 61 Ordovician–Devonian taxa and their 45 ancestral nodes, defined by a most parsimonious reconstruction in Mesquite. A bootstrap of the centroid of PCO values indicates that genera were randomly removed from morphospace by the Late Ordovician mass extinction, and new Silurian genera were clustered within a smaller previously unoccupied region of morphospace. Diversification remained morphologically constrained throughout the Silurian and into the Devonian. This suggests that the recovery from the Late Ordovician mass extinction resulted in a long-term shift in strophomenide evolution. More broadly, recovery intervals may hold clues to understanding the evolutionary impact of mass extinctions.
Linkage Politics and Complex Governance in Transatlantic Surveillance
Authors: Farrell Henry , Newman Abraham L.
Published: August 2018

Globalization blurs the traditional distinction between high and low politics, creating connections between previously discrete issue areas. An important existing literature focuses on how states may intentionally tie policy areas together to enhance cooperation. Building on recent scholarship in historical institutionalism, the authors emphasize how the extent of political discretion enjoyed by heads of state to negotiate and implement international agreements varies across issue areas. When policy domains are linked, so too are different domestic political configurations, each with its own opportunity structures or points of leverage. Opening up the possibility for such variation, the article demonstrates how actors other than states, such as nonstate and substate actors, use the heterogeneity of opportunity structures to influence negotiations and their institutional consequences. The authors examine the theory's purchase on international cooperation over intelligence, privacy, and data exchange in the transatlantic space in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the revelations made public by Edward Snowden in 2013. The findings speak to critical international relations debates, including the role of nonstate actors in diplomacy, the interaction between domestic and international politics, and the consequences of globalization and digital technologies for the relationship between international political economy and security.
Constitutional Choices: Political Parties, Groups, and Prohibition Politics in the United States
Authors: Ley Aaron J. , Clayton Cornell W.
Published: August 2018

Traditional accounts of the Eighteenth and Twenty-first Amendments to the U.S. Constitution largely ignore the role of the major political parties. We argue that partisan politics was an integral part of the constitutional politics of this period. The need to manage divisions within both parties’ electoral coalitions during the transition from the third to the fourth-party systems led to the enactment of the Eighteenth Amendment without support from either national party. While most accounts trace prohibition’s demise to widespread noncompliance and the graft it generated, we argue that elite congressional support for prohibition gave way when civil service reforms removed federal prohibition agents as patronage resources. We also argue that by giving states control of designing state conventions, and thereby risking state malapportionment of conventions, Democrats succeeded in overcoming the traditional fissures that divided their southern and northern wings.
Innovation in the American Era of Industrial Preeminence: The Interaction of Policy, Finance, and Human Capital
Authors: Schuelke-Leech Beth-Anne , Leech Timothy C.
Published: August 2018

It is commonly accepted that innovation and economic prosperity after World War II were really spurred by the tremendous benefits of public investments. While public funding was crucial, a missing component of the historical analysis is a synthesis of the effects of these investments with changes in financial regulations enacted during the Great Depression, specific economic and employment policies, and the infusion of intellectual capital from scientists and engineers fleeing Nazi Germany and the turmoil of the war. The purpose of this article is to synthesize and analyze the effect of these three components—public polices, changes in private financial structures, and highly skilled immigration. This analysis will allow us to explore the broader impact and interdependence of knowledge creation, human and financial capital, and innovation.
Breast intraoperative radiotherapy: a review of available modalities, dedicated machines and treatment procedure
Authors: Baghani Hamid Reza , Moradmand Hajar , Aghamiri Seyed Mahmoud Reza
Published: August 2018

Background

Breast intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is a partial irradiation technique that delivers a single fraction of radiation dose to the tumour bed during surgery. The use of this technique is increasing (especially in the Middle East), and therefore, it is essential to have a comprehensive approach to this treatment modality. The aim of this study is to conduct a literature review on available IORT modalities during breast irradiation as well as dedicated IORT machines and associated treatment procedures. The main IORT trials and corresponding clinical outcomes are also studied.

Materials and Methods

A computerised search was performed through MEDLINE, PubMed, PubMed Central, ISI web of knowledge and reference list of related articles.

Results

IORT is now feasible through using two main modalities, including low-kilovolt IORT and intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). The dedicated machines employed and treatment procedure for mentioned modalities are quite different. The outcomes of implemented clinical trials showed that IORT is not inferior to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in specifically selected and well-informed patients and can be considered as an alternative to EBRT.

Conclusion

Although the clinical outcomes of introduced IORT methods are comparable, but based on the review results, it could be said that IOERT is the most effective technical method, in view of the treatment time and dose uniformity concepts. The popularity of IORT is mainly due to the distinguished obtained results during breast cancer treatment. Despite the presence of some technical challenges, it is expected that the IORT technique will become more widespread in the immediate future.
Exploring the Effect of Stimulus Similarity on the Summation Effect	in Causal Learning
Authors: Pérez Omar D. , San Martín René , Soto Fabián A.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Several contemporary models anticipate that the summation effect is modulated by the similarity between the cues forming a compound. Here, we explore this hypothesis in a series of causal learning experiments. Participants were presented with two visual cues that separately predicted a common outcome and later asked for the outcome predicted by the compound of the two cues. Similarity was varied between groups through changes in shape, spatial position, color, configuration, and rotation. In variance with the predictions of these models, we observed similar and strong levels of summation in both groups across all manipulations of similarity. The effect, however, was significantly reduced by manipulations intended to impact assumptions about the causal independence of the cues forming the compound, but this reduction was independent of stimulus similarity. These results are problematic for similarity-based models and can be more readily explained by rational approaches to causal learning.
Self-Serving Bias in Memories
Authors: Zhang Yanchi , Pan Zhe , Li Kai , Guo Yongyu
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Protecting one’s positive self-image from damage is a fundamental need of human beings. Forgetting is an effective strategy in this respect. Individuals show inferior recall of negative feedback about themselves but unimpaired recognition of self-related negative feedback. This discrepancy may imply that individuals retain negative information but forget that the information is associated with the self. In two experiments, participants judged whether two-character trait adjectives (positive or negative) described themselves or others. Subsequently, they completed old-new judgments (Experiment 2) and attribution tasks (Experiments 1 and 2). Neither old-new recognition nor source guessing bias was influenced by word valence. Participants’ source memory was worse in the negative self-referenced word processing condition than in the other conditions. These results suggest there is a self-serving bias in memory for the connection between valence information and the self.
AGU Launches New Mentoring Program for Early-Career Scientists
Authors: AbdelHameid Danya , Marasco Leslie
Published: August 2018

A new community-based mentoring program pairs groups of early-career scientists with senior scientist mentors in a yearlong virtual mentoring relationship.
MagPySV: A Python Package for Processing and Denoising Geomagnetic Observatory Data
Authors: Cox G. A. , Brown W. J. , Billingham L. , Holme R.
Published: August 2018

Measurements obtained at ground‐based observatories are crucial to understanding the geomagnetic field and its secular variation (SV). However, current data processing methods rely on piecemeal closed‐source codes or are performed on an ad hoc basis, hampering efforts to reproduce data sets underlying published results. We present MagPySV, an open‐source Python package designed to provide a consistent and automated means of generating high‐resolution SV data sets from hourly means distributed by the Edinburgh World Data Centre. It applies corrections for documented baseline changes, and optionally, data may be excluded using the ap index, which removes effects from documented high solar activity periods such as geomagnetic storms. Robust statistics are used to identify and remove outliers. Developing existing denoising methods, we use principal component analysis of the covariance matrix of residuals between observed SV and that predicted by a global field model to remove a proxy for external field contamination from observations. This method creates a single covariance matrix for all observatories of interest combined and applies the denoising to all locations simultaneously, resulting in cleaner time series of the internally generated SV. In our case studies, we present cleaned data in two geographic regions: monthly first differences are used to investigate geomagnetic jerk morphology in Europe, an area previously well‐studied at lower resolution, and annual differences are investigated for northern high latitude regions, which are often neglected due to their high noise content. MagPySV may be run on the command line or within an interactive Jupyter notebook; two notebooks reproducing the case studies are supplied.
Solar Ultraviolet Irradiance Observations of the Solar Flares During the Intense September 2017 Storm Period
Authors: Chamberlin P. C. , Woods T. N. , Didkovsky L. , Eparvier F. G. , Jones A. R. , Machol J. L. , Mason J. P. , Snow M. , Thiemann E. M. B. , Viereck R. A. , Woodraska D. L.
Published: August 2018

A large outburst of flares occurred between 4–10 September 2017 when new magnetic flux emerged into and strengthened an existing active region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Region 12673. This intense solar storm period included X9.3 (6 September) and X8.2 (10 September) flares, the largest flares that have occurred during Solar Cycle 24, as well as 39 M‐class flares and three additional X‐class flares. Another X‐class flare from this active region was observed on the farside of the Sun from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN prior to the September events, along with other large M‐class flares, showing the potential for how farside irradiance monitoring can improve flare prediction at Earth for 1‐ to 13‐day forecasts. This September 2017 flare period is similar to other famous storm periods such as the 18 October to 5 November 2003 Halloween storm that produced 14 X‐class flares and 137 M‐class flares and the 6–10 September 2005 period that had 11 X‐class and 68 M‐class flares. All of these storm periods occurred in the declining phase of the solar cycle when solar activity had decreased significantly from solar maximum levels. This paper focuses on a number of solar irradiance observations at ultraviolet (0–190 nm) wavelengths during the September 2017 storm period and the advantages that an ensemble of measurements and models have for studying solar flares.
The interaction of transcription factors controls the spatial layout of plant aerial stem cell niches
Authors: Gruel Jérémy , Deichmann Julia , Landrein Benoit , Hitchcock Thomas , Jönsson Henrik
Published: August 2018

The plant shoot apical meristem holds a stem cell niche from which all aerial organs originate. Using a computational approach we show that a mixture of monomers and heterodimers of the transcription factors WUSCHEL and HAIRY MERISTEM is sufficient to pattern the stem cell niche, and predict that immobile heterodimers form a regulatory “pocket” surrounding the stem cells. The model achieves to reproduce an array of perturbations, including mutants and tissue size modifications. We also show its ability to reproduce the recently observed dynamical shift of the stem cell niche during the development of an axillary meristem. The work integrates recent experimental results to answer the longstanding question of how the asymmetry of expression between the stem cell marker CLAVATA3 and its activator WUSCHEL is achieved, and recent findings of plasticity in the system.
Reply to ‘Comments on two recent publications on GM maize and Roundup’
Authors: Antoniou Michael N. , Mesnage Robin , Agapito-Tenfen Sarah , Séralini Gilles-Eric
Published: August 2018

The opinion expressed by Eriksson and colleagues’ fails to recognise that there are no standard experimental designs for academic investigations involving omics analyses of genetically modified crops and that the only valid comparator to determine the effect of the process of transgenesis is a near isogenic variety grown at the same time and location, as was the case in our investigation of NK603 maize. Eriksson does not acknowledge that the quality of the rat liver tissues in our chronic Roundup toxicity study has neither been questioned nor branded as unsuitable for further investigation. In addition, Eriksson fails to appreciate that the statistical methods we used to analyse the liver metabolomics dataset are recognised as appropriate as some of a number of approaches that can be taken. Moreover, Eriksson neglects to mention that the proteomics analysis of the liver tissues highlights structural and functional damage from Roundup exposure. Thus our results are sound and the claims by Eriksson and colleagues of experimental flaws are unfounded.Replying to: Eriksson et al. Sci Rep 8 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30440-7.