bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis induction and ERK/NF‐κB inactivation are associated with magnolol‐inhibited tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo
Authors: Tsai Jai‐Jen , Chen Jiann‐hwa , Chen Cheng Hsien , Chung Jing‐Gung , Hsu Fei‐Ting
Published: November 2019

Although hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus were recognized as major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), certain occupational, environmental, and lifestyle factors also play key roles in HCC tumorigenesis. Moreover, in molecular signaling route, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) signaling was found to be overexpressed and linked to poor prognosis in HCC. Thus, to identify possible nature compound that can suppress ERK/NF‐κB may be benefit to HCC patient. Magnolol, a natural compound derived from herbal plant Magnolia officinalis, has been recognized as a liver protection and antitumor reagent. However, whether magnolol‐inhibited HCC progression correlates with disruption of ERK/NF‐κB signaling is remained unclear. In this studies, we performed SK‐Hep1/luc2 HCC bearing animal model to investigate the anticancer efficacy and mechanism of magnolol on tumor progression. Tumor size and tumor growth rate were dramatically suppressed after treatment of magnolol. In addition, expression of phospho‐ERK (p‐ERK), NF‐κB p65 (Ser536), and tumor progression‐associated proteins, such as matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP‐9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and CyclinD1 were all significantly decreased by magnolol. Most important, major extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signaling factors, including active caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 were both enhanced by magnolol. This study indicated that apoptosis induction through extrinsic/intrinsic pathways and blockage of ERK/NF‐κB activation were associated with magnolol‐inhibited tumor progression in HCC in vivo.
How Homework Shapes Family Literacy Practices
Authors: Clarke Carolyn , Comber Barbara
Published: November 2019

The authors explore the possibility that school literacy practices sent home as homework are changing family reading interactions by adding to the tasks that teachers expect parents to undertake. The authors consider how reading, formerly an elective leisure practice between parents and their children, has been reorganized and how this positions parents differently. The authors also examine teachers’ views on the importance of parents reading to their children and teachers’ expectations of parents to support school literacy practices in the form of homework. Evidence that teachers now depend on parents to support school‐based literacy practices and how this serves to change the nature of literacy practices in the home is discussed.
Supersymmetric Landau-Ginzburg tensor models
Authors: Chang Chi-Ming , Colin-Ellerin Sean , Rangamani Mukund
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We study two dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (2, 2) Landau-Ginzburg models with tensor valued superfields with the aim of constructing large central charge superconformal field theories which are solvable using large N techniques. We demonstrate the viability of such constructions and motivate the study of anisotropic tensor models. Such theories are a novel deformation of tensor models where we break the continuous symmetries while preserving the large N solvability. Specifically, we examine theories with superpotentials involving tensor contractions chosen to pick out melonic diagrams. The anisotropy is introduced by further biasing individual terms by different coefficients, all of the same order, to retain large N scaling. We carry out a detailed analysis of the resulting low energy fixed point and comment on potential applications to holography. Along the way we also examine gauged versions of the models (with partial anisotropy) and find generically that such theories have a non-compact Higgs branch of vacua.
Quantum correction to chaos in Schwarzian theory
Authors: Qi Yong-Hui , Sin Sang-Jin , Yoon Junggi
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We discuss the quantum correction to chaos in the Schwarzian theory. We carry out the semi-classical analysis of the Schwarzian theory to study Feynman diagrams of the Schwarzian soft mode. We evaluate the contribution of the soft mode to the out-of- time-order correlator up to order 𝒪 (g4). We show that the quantum correction of order 𝒪 (g4) by the soft mode decreases the maximum Lyapunov exponent $$ \frac{2\pi }{\beta } $$

2
π

β

.
Holographic subregion complexity in general Vaidya geometry
Authors: Ling Yi , Liu Yuxuan , Niu Chao , Xiao Yikang , Zhang Cheng-Yong
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We investigate general features of the evolution of holographic subregion complexity (HSC) on Vaidya-AdS metric with a general form. The spacetime is dual to a sudden quench process in quantum system and HSC is a measure of the “difference” between two mixed states. Based on the subregion CV (Complexity equals Volume) conjecture and in the large size limit, we extract out three distinct stages during the evolution of HSC: the stage of linear growth at the early time, the stage of linear growth with a slightly small rate during the intermediate time and the stage of linear decrease at the late time. The growth rates of the first two stages are compared with the Lloyd bound. We find that with some choices of certain parameter, the Lloyd bound is always saturated at the early time, while at the intermediate stage, the growth rate is always less than the Lloyd bound. Moreover, the fact that the behavior of CV conjecture and its version of the subregion in Vaidya spacetime implies that they are different even in the large size limit.
Testing Geochemical Predictions of Trace Element Toxicity and Bioavailability at a Rehabilitated Mine Site
Authors: Fairgray M. E. , Webster-Brown J. G. , Pope J.
Published: November 2019

The speciation, toxicity and bioavailability of trace elements in mine drainage environments can be readily predicted using geochemical modelling, and this is frequently the basis for assessing the likely impacts of mine effluents and efficacy of rehabilitation plans. However, such predictions are rarely validated against observed trace element characteristics after mine rehabilitation is complete. In this study of a former Pb–Zn mine in New Zealand, PHREEQC was used to predict dissolved trace element and sediment-bound speciation for the rehabilitated mine site, and the results were compared to the observed water and sediment quality. For Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, As, and Sb, it was predicted that only Zn2+ and Cd2+ concentrations would exceed recommended guideline values for ecosystem health. PHREEQC indicated that the pH would have to be raised to > 9.5 to reduce these toxicants to a level fit for ecosystem health. Modelling of potential mineral formation indicated that the waters were saturated with respect to a variety of Fe-, Mn- and Al (oxy)hydroxides at and immediately downstream of the mine site, but were not saturated with respect to any trace element-bearing minerals, or sulfide or carbonate phases. This was consistent with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of the sediment. Sequential extraction of the sediment showed strong associations of Zn, Cu, Pb, As and Sb with iron (oxy)hydroxides. Modelling trace element adsorption onto only hydrous ferric oxide surfaces accurately predicted the adsorption of Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni, but predictions of Pb and As adsorption were less reliable. Additionally, a strong association between Zn and Mn oxyhydroxide was observed in SEM analysis.
Potential challenges and approaches to develop the large area efficient monolithic perovskite solar cells (mPSCs)
Authors: Mishra Arti , Ahmad Zubair
Published: November 2019

The next generation technologies based on perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are targeted to develop a true low cost, low tech, widely deployable, easily manufactured and reliable photovoltaics. After the extremely fast evolution in the last few years on the laboratory-scale, PSCs power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached over 24%. However, the widespread use of PSCs requires addressing the stability and industrial scale production issues. Carbon based monolithic perovskite solar cells (mPSCs) are one of the most promising candidates for the commercialization of the PSCs. mPSCs possess a unique architectural design and pave an easy way to produce large area and cost-effective fabrication of the PSCs. In this article, recent progress in the field of mPSCs, challenges and strategies for their improvement are briefly reviewed. Also, we focus on the predominant implementations of recent techniques in the fabrication of the mPSCs to improve their performance. This review is intended to serve as a future direction guide for the scientists who are looking forward to developing more reliable, cost-effective and large area PSCs.
A Framework for Automatic Morphological Feature Extraction and Analysis of Abdominal Organs in MRI Volumes
Authors: Asaturyan Hykoush , Thomas E. Louise , Bell Jimmy D. , Villarini Barbara
Published: November 2019

The accurate 3D reconstruction of organs from radiological scans is an essential tool in computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) and plays a critical role in clinical, biomedical and forensic science research. The structure and shape of the organ, combined with morphological measurements such as volume and curvature, can provide significant guidance towards establishing progression or severity of a condition, and thus support improved diagnosis and therapy planning. Furthermore, the classification and stratification of organ abnormalities aim to explore and investigate organ deformations following injury, trauma and illness. This paper presents a framework for automatic morphological feature extraction in computer-aided 3D organ reconstructions following organ segmentation in 3D radiological scans. Two different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets are evaluated. Using the MRI scans of 85 adult volunteers, the overall mean volume for the pancreas organ is 69.30 ± 32.50cm3, and the 3D global curvature is (35.23 ± 6.83) × 10−3. Another experiment evaluates the MRI scans of 30 volunteers, and achieves mean liver volume of 1547.48 ± 204.19cm3 and 3D global curvature (19.87 ± 3.62) × 10− 3. Both experiments highlight a negative correlation between 3D curvature and volume with a statistical difference (p < 0.0001). Such a tool can support the investigation into organ related conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver disease.
Internal Dialogue as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Prayer and Well-Being
Authors: Puchalska-Wasyl Małgorzata M. , Zarzycka Beata
Published: November 2019

When people are praying, they are not only communicating with God (upward prayer), but also they are exploring their relationships with themselves (inward prayer) and with other people (outward prayer). Internal dialogical activity includes areas which correspond to upward, inward, and outward prayer. Therefore, the aim of this article is to examine whether and how internal dialogues can be mediators in the relationship between these three types of prayer and well-being. Data from 193 respondents (143 females) were analyzed in the study. We used: the Prayer Thoughts Scale, the Internal Dialogical Activity Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The results showed that internal dialogue served as a mediator of the relationship between upward, inward, and outward prayer and well-being.
Evaluation of the relationship between the IL-17A gene expression level and regulatory miRNA-9 in relation to tumor progression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot study
Authors: Migdalska-Sęk Monika , Góralska Katarzyna , Jabłoński Sławomir , Kordiak Jacek , Nawrot Ewa , Kiszałkiewicz Justyna M. , Pastuszak-Lewandoska Dorota , Baran Kamila , Stuss Michał , Brzeziańska-Lasota Ewa
Published: November 2019

A pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-17A, is associated with increased risk of developing numerous cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). IL-17A is a target gene for miR-9. This encouraged us to analyze these two genes in terms of their usefulness as prognostic markers in NSCLC. The expression levels of IL-17A gene and miR-9 was assessed in 26 NSCLC tissue samples and 26 unchanged lung tissue adjacent to lung tumors (control tissue), using qPCR. In both tissue groups, a decreased expression of IL-17A was observed in 100% of samples. Increased expression of miRNA-9 was observed in 92% of tumor samples, and in 100% of control samples. Neither statistical differences in the level of expression IL-17A depending on the patient’s age, gender, smoking status, nor histopathology of the cancer was found. Regarding the presence of nodule metastasis (‘N’ value in TNM classification), significantly lower expression level of IL-17A was observed in cN2 as compared with cN1 group. Additionally, statistically lower IL-17A expression was found in III versus II tumor stage (cAJCC classification). Significant negative correlation between both studied genes was revealed in SCC subgroup. This leads to the conclusion that miRNA-9 can regulate the expression of IL-17A as an IL-17A mRNA antagonistic mediator. Inhibition of proinflammatory action of IL-17A in correlation with tumor progression can be related to various activity of Th17 cells on cancer development according to its immunogenicity, and also may suggest suppressive role of IL-17A in tumor progression. However, because of low number of analyzed samples, further studies on the functional role of IL-17A in development and/or progression NSCLC seem warranted.
A bibliometric approach to finding fields that co-evolved with information technology
Authors: Iwami Shino , Ojala Arto , Watanabe Chihiro , Neittaanmäki Pekka
Published: November 2019

Among the declining industries, for example music industry, some have been revived by information technology (IT). At the same time, in academic fields, some have expected co-evolutions between IT and other fields to cause the resurgence of either field. In this research, the clustering of citation networks with 14,438 academic papers resulted in the identification of 28 academic fields in the areas “Computer Science” or “Information Science and Library Science.” Co-evolutions between these 28 fields and citing fields to the 28 fields were evaluated by an investigation of contents; a methodology to search co-evolutions was also proposed. This paper proposes that pairs of academic fields (with both high correlation and high dissimilarity) co-evolve, and some co-evolving pairs of academic fields were found. This research contributes to the discovery of the co-evolution between academic fields.
Statistical Modeling of Craniofacial Shape and Texture
Authors: Dai Hang , Pears Nick , Smith William , Duncan Christian
Published: November 2019

We present a fully-automatic statistical 3D shape modeling approach and apply it to a large dataset of 3D images, the Headspace dataset, thus generating the first public shape-and-texture 3D morphable model (3DMM) of the full human head. Our approach is the first to employ a template that adapts to the dataset subject before dense morphing. This is fully automatic and achieved using 2D facial landmarking, projection to 3D shape, and mesh editing. In dense template morphing, we improve on the well-known Coherent Point Drift algorithm, by incorporating iterative data-sampling and alignment. Our evaluations demonstrate that our method has better performance in correspondence accuracy and modeling ability when compared with other competing algorithms. We propose a texture map refinement scheme to build high quality texture maps and texture model. We present several applications that include the first clinical use of craniofacial 3DMMs in the assessment of different types of surgical intervention applied to a craniosynostosis patient group.
Correction to: KS(conf): A Light-Weight Test if a Multiclass Classifier Operates Outside of Its Specifications
Authors: Sun Rémy , Lampert Christoph H.
Published: November 2019

The original version of this article contained a mistake in the denominator of equation (1).
Management of leak after sleeve gastrectomy: outcomes of 73 cases, treatment algorithm and predictors of resolution.
Authors: Bashah Moataz , Khidir Nesreen , EL-Matbouly Moamena
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Gastric leak post laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a severe complication that has been reported in 1.5–3% of cases. Management algorithms of leak exist; however, no known factors predict the time to resolution. This study aims to share outcomes of our management algorithm of post LSG leak, including the rate of resolution, complications, admission to the intensive care unit, conversion to other techniques, and mortality. To determine if any factors can predict the resolution time.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients who had LSG leaks and was managed in the main tertiary center in Qatar (January 2012–December 2017).

Results

A total of seventy-three patients had post LSG leaks. Fifty-six (76.7%) underwent LSG outside our center. Thirteen leaks (17.8%) were after revisional LSG. Laparoscopic exploration was performed in twenty patients (27.4%) and feeding jejunostomy in nine patients (12.3%). Patients were followed up for 12 months. All healed within 8.8 ± 0.72 weeks. The resolution rate was (97.1%) without surgical conversion, while two patients required fistulo-jejunostomy. No patient died. Complications occurred; re-leak (14.9%) and splenic abscess (2.9%). Patients on jejunal feeding had shorter resolution time (HR = 2.7, P = 0.018), while patients on total parenteral nutrition and post-endoscopic dilatation had 66% and 50% increases in the resolution time; (HR = 0.34, P = 0.026) and (HR = 0.5, P = 0.047), respectively.

Conclusion

Management of post-LSG leak is multimodal. Our clinical experience demonstrated less urge to perform extensive surgical interventions. Patients on enteral feeding had shorter resolution time while patients with sleeve stricture had a longer time to resolution.
Cigarette smoking is associated with higher thyroid hormone and lower TSH levels: the PREVEND study
Authors: Gruppen Eke G. , Kootstra-Ros Jenny , Kobold Anneke Muller , Connelly Margery A. , Touw Daan , Bos Jens H. J. , Hak Eelko , Links Thera P. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Dullaart Robin P. F.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The extent to which smoking is associated with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) when taking account of clinical variables including alcohol consumption is unclear. We aimed to determine associations of TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels with current smoking.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 5766 euthyroid participants (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease cohort). Current smoking was determined by self-report, categorized as never, former, and current (≤20 and >20 cigarettes per day). Smoke exposure was determined by urinary cotinine.

Results

Current smoking of ≤20 and >20 cigarettes per day was associated with lower TSH and higher FT3 levels. FT4 levels were higher in subjects smoking <20 cigarettes per day vs. never and former smokers. Current smokers also consumed more alcohol. Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, anti-TPO autoantibody positivity, alcohol consumption, and other variables demonstrated that lower TSH, higher FT4 and higher FT3 were associated with smoking ≤20 cigarettes per day vs. subjects who never smoked (P < 0.001, P = 0.018, and P < 0.001, respectively) without a further significant incremental effect of smoking >20 cigarettes per day. In agreement, TSH was inversely, whereas FT4 and FT3 levels were positively associated with urinary cotinine (P < 0.001 for each). In contrast, alcohol consumption >30 g per day conferred higher TSH and lower FT3 levels.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking is associated with modestly higher FT4 and FT3, and lower TSH levels, partly opposing effects of alcohol consumption.
The formation and influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept of left-behind children in mainland China
Authors: Xia Zhichen , Yang Fan , Praschan Kevin , Xu Qingyu
Published: November 2019

This study aimed at exploring the formation mechanism of mathematics self-concept of left-behind children and the influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept on their mathematics achievement. In study 1, the formation mechanism of mathematics self-concept was examined using multilevel analyses of 874 left-behind children. The results showed that (1) the individual mathematics achievement of left-behind children had a significant positive predictive effect on mathematics self-concept, Chinese achievement had a significant negative predictive effect on mathematics self-concept, and the class-average mathematics achievement had no significant effect on mathematics self-concept; and (2) when left-behind children were the majority group, there was an assimilation effect on downward interpersonal social comparison. When left-behind children were the minority group, there was a contrast effect on upward intergroup social comparison. In study 2, the influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept of 585 left-behind children was investigated with a tracking research. The results suggested that (1) Time 1 mathematics self-concept had significant effects on Time 2 mathematics school engagement at between-group and within-group levels; and (2) Time 2 mathematics school engagement played a partial mediating role between Time 1 mathematics self-concept and Time 2 mathematics achievement at the within-group level. These results indicate that the formation and influence mechanism of mathematics self-concept of left-behind children is influenced by contextualized characteristics.
The primary controlling parameters of porosity, permeability, and seepage capability of tight gas reservoirs: a case study on Upper Paleozoic Formation in the eastern Ordos Basin, Northern China
Authors: Qu Hong-Jun , Yang Bo , Tian Xia-He , Liu Xin-She , Yang Huan , Dong Wen-Wu , Chen Ya-Hui
Published: November 2019

Tight sandstone gas (hereafter “tight gas”) has become a subject of unconventional gas exploration globally. The large-scale development and use of tight gas resources in the USA, in particular, facilitated the rapid rebound of natural gas production in the USA, in addition to driving the rapid development of tight gas worldwide. In the eastern Ordos Basin, the Upper Paleozoic feature includes multiple layers of gas, a shallow depth, and notable potential for exploration and development. However, the reservoirs in the area are relatively tight, exhibit strong heterogeneity, and possess a complex micropore structure, thus restricting the effective economic development of oil and gas. Thus, research on the primary parameters controlling pore throat structure and the seepage capability of low-permeability reservoirs will be beneficial for the efficient exploration and development of natural gas in the eastern Ordos Basin. The parameters of reservoir porosity and percolation ability, as well as permeability, were analyzed using systematic sampling of the of the Upper Paleozoic Benxi, Taiyuan, and Shanxi Formations in the eastern Ordos Basin, constant-rate mercury injection experiments, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, and gas–water-phase experimental studies. The results indicate that reservoir porosity is controlled by the effective pore volume and number, whereas permeability is controlled by the largest throat radius, rather than the average. The effective pore volume controls the movable fluid saturation, while reservoir percolation capability is controlled by the effective pore volume, irreducible water saturation, and size of the gas–water two-phase seepage zone.
Effects of Meditation on the Soles of the Feet on the Aggressive and Destructive Behaviors of Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Ahemaitijiang Nigela , Hu Xiaoyi , Yang Xuan , Han Zhuo Rachel
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display a variety of verbally aggressive, physically aggressive, and destructive behaviors. Meditation on the Soles of the Feet (SoF) as an informal mindfulness-based practice has been effective in managing aggressive behaviors in adolescents with ASD. The aim of this study was to assess its effectiveness and social validity in a Chinese context.

Methods

Mothers of three Chinese adolescents with ASD were taught a basic foundational meditation practice, followed by instructions in the SoF practice. Once proficient in these two practices, the mothers taught their adolescents with ASD to use SoF for triggers of their aggressive and destructive behaviors. The mothers rated the social validity of the SoF practice.

Results

Visual analysis and weighted average Tau-U scores across participants showed that the SoF practice had a very strong effect on reducing the verbally aggressive, physically aggressive, and destructive behaviors of the three adolescents.

Conclusions

Data regarding effectiveness and social validity indicated that the SoF practice was effective and socially valid as a self-management practice for aggressive and destructive behavior of adolescents with ASD. Further studies of the SoF practice are needed to validate its effectiveness for Chinese children with ASD.
Effect of rapeseed oil aromatisation with marjoram on the content of volatile fraction and antioxidant properties
Authors: Kowalski Radosław , Kowalska Grażyna , Pankiewicz Urszula , Włodarczyk-Stasiak Marzena , Sujka Monika , Mazurek Artur
Published: November 2019

The aim of the paper was to study how the process of aromatisation with marjoram affected the composition of volatile fraction and antioxidant properties of rapeseed oil. Different methods of aromatisation were used: direct addition of marjoram essential oil, classical macerations of marjoram herb, and maceration assisted with ultrasound or microwave. The dominant aromatic component in the volatile fraction was γ-terpinene with concentration in the range from 3.15 μg/mL (microwave assisted maceration) to 8.82 μg/mL (classic maceration with shaking). The content of this compound in the mixture of rapeseed oil with essential oil was 152.09 μg/mL. The sample aromatized by the direct addition of essential oil contained the highest amount of volatile substances but simultaneously it had the lowest antioxidant activity.
Correction to: An efficient and stabilised SPH method for large strain metal plastic deformations
Authors: Greto Giorgio , Kulasegaram Sivakumar
Published: November 2019

The symbol was introduced incorrectly inside the “Time-stepping the solution” box, directly under the “Compute first Piola–Kirchhoff stress tensor Pi” as in “Appendix A” listing.
The End of History for the Board Neutrality Rule in the EU
Authors: Mukwiri Jonathan
Published: November 2019

This paper argues that the failed attempt to introduce a mandatory board neutrality rule into EU takeover law was an object lesson that it is difficult to enact rules that are contrary to the corporate law cultures of the majority of the Member States. It provides an account of key factors that prevented enacting a mandatory board neutrality rule in the EU: varying takeover laws and practices; conflicting management and shareholder interests; divide between exhaustive and minimum harmonisation; and varying market orientation models. It argues that as long as there are varied national corporate laws, most EU corporate law rules are bound to remain categorised as optional, unimportant, or avoidable.
The retinal choroid as an oculovascular biomarker for Alzheimer's dementia: A histopathological study in severe disease
Authors: Asanad Samuel , Ross‐Cisneros Fred N. , Barron Ernesto , Nassisi Marco , Sultan William , Karanjia Rustum , Sadun Alfredo A.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Previous in vivo optical coherence tomography studies have proposed the retinal choroid as a potential oculovascular biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the clinical use of the choroid as a purported surrogate marker remains poorly understood. We pursued a histopathological approach to assess choroidal thickness and vascular morphology in severe disease.

Methods

Human postmortem tissues from 8 patients with AD (mean age: 80.1 ± 12.7 years) and from 11 age‐matched controls (mean age: 78.4 ± 16.57 years) were analyzed. Thickness, area, and vascularity of the retinal choroid and its sublayers were measured from the nasal and temporal quadrants of the superior retina.

Results

Nasally, the choroid was thinner in the patients with AD than in the controls (22% thickness reduction; P < .001), but to our surprise, the choroid was thicker in the patients with AD than in the controls (~60% increase; P < .03) within the macula, temporally. The choroidal area was also significantly greater in the patients with AD than in the controls (~60% increase; P < .03). Choroidal thickening in AD was strongly correlated with the stromal vessel number (R2 = 0.96, P < .001).

Discussion

We found significant differences in the retinal choroid by layer and by region, nasally and temporally with respect to the optic nerve. Intriguingly, the choroid was markedly thicker in the central macular region and was strongly associated with vessel number in the stromal vascular layer. These quantified histological findings in severe disease expand our understanding of vascular pathology in AD and suggest vascularity as a potential biomarker supplementary to thickness when evaluating the retinal choroid in AD.
To Sue or Not to Sue: How Afghan Merchants Strategically Choose to Use or Avoid Courts
Authors: RAHIMI Haroun
Published: November 2019

This article explores how and why Afghan merchants choose to use courts or informal dispute resolution methods. It goes beyond the common corruption and inefficiency arguments, which maintain that Afghans do not use courts because they are corrupt and inefficient. It leverages rich, original data on variation of dispute resolution practices across provinces and types of disputes to gain insights into Afghan merchants’ dispute resolution decisions. In so doing, I reveal a more complex picture of commercial dispute resolution in Afghanistan. In this article, I demonstrate that Afghan merchants do choose courts when courts enforce the parties’ expectations and courts’ judgments are necessary and effective. Moreover, while Afghan merchants do prefer informal dispute resolution methods, they do so because informal methods hold important advantages over courts in the context of Afghanistan where the formal property rights system is a failure, and the business climate is highly volatile.
Unique Infant Mortuary Ritual at Salango, Ecuador, 100 BC
Authors: Juengst Sara L. , Lunniss Richard , Bythell Abigail , Ortiz Aguilu Juan José
Published: November 2019

The human head was a potent symbol for many South American cultures. Isolated heads were often included in mortuary contexts, representing captured enemies, revered persons, and symbolic “seeds.” At Salango, a ritual complex on the central coast of Ecuador, excavations revealed two burial mounds dated to approximately 100 BC. Among the 11 identified burials, two infants were interred with “helmets” made from the cranial vaults of other juveniles. The additional crania were placed around the heads of the primary burials, likely at the time of burial. All crania exhibited lesions associated with bodily stress. In this report, we present the only known evidence of using juvenile crania as mortuary headgear, either in South America or globally.
A Comparison of the effects of preterm birth and institutional deprivation on child temperament
Authors: Reyes Lucia Miranda , Jaekel Julia , Kreppner Jana , Wolke Dieter , Sonuga–Barke Edmund
Published: November 2019

Both preterm birth and early institutional deprivation are associated with neurodevelopmental impairment—with both shared and distinctive features. To explore shared underlying mechanisms, this study directly compared the effects of these putative risk factors on temperament profiles in six-year-olds: Children born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) or at very low birthweight (<1500 g) from the Bavarian Longitudinal Study (n= 299); and children who experienced >6 months of deprivation in Romanian institutions from the English and Romanian Adoptees Study (n= 101). The former were compared with 311 healthy term born controls and the latter with 52 nondeprived adoptees. At 6 years, temperament was assessed via parent reports across 5 dimensions: effortful control, activity, shyness, emotionality, and sociability. Very preterm/very low birthweight and postinstitutionalized children showed similarly aberrant profiles in terms of lower effortful control, preterm = −0.50, 95% CI [−0.67, −0.33]; postinstitutionalized = −0.48, 95% CI [−0.82, −0.14], compared with their respective controls. Additionally, postinstitutionalized children showed higher activity, whereas very preterm/very low birthweight children showed lower shyness. Preterm birth and early institutionalization are similarly associated with poorer effortful control, which might contribute to long-term vulnerability. More research is needed to examine temperamental processes as common mediators of negative long-term outcomes following early adversity.
Comparison of Six Lightning Parameterizations in CAM5 and the Impact on Global Atmospheric Chemistry
Authors: Gordillo‐Vázquez F. J. , Pérez‐Invernón F. J. , Huntrieser H. , Smith A. K.
Published: November 2019

We present simulations performed with six lightning parameterizations implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5). The amount of lightning‐produced nitrogen oxides (LNOx) by the various schemes considered is estimated. We provide some insight on how the lightning NO injected in the atmosphere influences the global concentrations of key chemical species such as OH, HO2, H2O2, NOx, O3, SO2, CO, and HNO3. The vertical global averaged densities of HO2, H2O2, CO, and SO2 are depleted due to lightning while those of NO, NO2, O3, OH, and HNO3 increase. Our results indicate that the parameterizations based on the upward ice flux (ICEFLUX) exhibit the largest global and midlatitude spatial correlations (0.73 and 0.632 for ICEFLUX and 0.72 and 0.553 for cloud top height) with respect to satellite global flash rate observations. Five out of the six lightning schemes investigated exhibit larger LNOx per flash in the midlatitudes than in the tropics. In particular, it is found that the ICEFLUX midlatitude LNOx per flash exhibits the largest difference with respect to its predicted tropical LNOx per flash, in agreement with available observations. When using CAM5, the ICEFLUX lightning parameterization could be considered a reliable lightning scheme (within its intrinsic uncertainties) in terms of its geographical distribution. Both ICEFLUX and cloud top height results agree with the enhancements of NO2 and O3 produced by lightning over tropical Atlantic and Africa and the weaker lightning background over the tropical Pacific reported by Martin et al. (2007) in the periods and locations (upper troposphere) where lightning is expected to dominate the trace gas observations.
Integrate Risk From Climate Change in China Under Global Warming of 1.5 and 2.0 °C.
Authors: Wu Shaohong , Liu Lulu , Gao Jiangbo , Wang Wentao
Published: November 2019

Risk of climate‐related impacts results from the interaction of climate‐related hazards (including hazardous events and trends) with the vulnerability and exposure of human and natural systems. Despite the commitment of the Paris Agreement, the integrate research on climate change risk combining risk‐causing factors and risk‐bearing bodies, the regional differences in climate impacts are still missing. In this paper we provide a quantitative assessment of hazards and socioeconomic risks of extreme events, risks of risk‐bearing bodies in China under global warming of 1.5 and 2.0 °C based on future climate scenarios, and quantitative evaluation theory for climate change risk. For severe heat waves, hazards might significantly intensify. Affected population under 2.0 °C warming might increase by more than 60% compared to that of 1.5 °C. Hazards of severe droughts and floods might strengthen under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. Economic losses might double between warming levels of 1.5 and 2.0 °C, and the population affected by severe floods might continuously increase. Under the integrate effects of multiple disasters, the regions with high population and economic risks would be concentrated in eastern China. The scope would gradually expand to the west with socioeconomic development and intensification of extreme events. High ecological risks might be concentrated in the southern regions of the Yangtze River Basin, while the ecological risk in northern China would expand. High agriculture yield risks might be distributed mainly in south of the North China Plain, the Sichuan Basin, south of the Yangtze River, and west of Northwest China, and the risk levels might continuously increase.
Devolatilization of Subducting Slabs, Part I: Thermodynamic Parameterization and Open System Effects
Authors: Tian Meng , Katz Richard F. , Rees Jones David W.
Published: November 2019

The amount of H2O and CO2 that is carried into deep mantle by subduction beyond subarc depths is of fundamental importance to the deep volatile cycle but remains debated. Given the large uncertainties surrounding the spatio‐temporal pattern of fluid flow and the equilibrium state within subducting slabs, a model of H2O and CO2 transport in slabs should be balanced between model simplicity and capability. We construct such a model in a two‐part contribution. In this Part I of our contribution, thermodynamic parameterization is performed for the devolatilization of representative subducting materials—sediments, basalts, gabbros, peridotites. The parameterization avoids reproducing the details of specific devolatilization reactions, but instead captures the overall behaviors of coupled (de)hydration and (de)carbonation. Two general, leading‐order features of devolatilization are captured: (1) the released volatiles are H2O‐rich near the onset of devolatilization; (2) increase of the ratio of bulk CO2 over H2O inhibits overall devolatilization and thus lessens decarbonation. These two features play an important role in simulation of volatile fractionation and infiltration in thermodynamically open systems. When constructing the reactive fluid flow model of slab H2O and CO2 transport in the companion paper Part II, this parameterization can be incorporated to efficiently account for the open‐system effects of H2O and CO2 transport.
Machine Learning Approach to Characterize the Postseismic Deformation of the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki Earthquake Based on Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Yamaga Norifumi , Mitsui Yuta
Published: November 2019

Postseismic deformation following large earthquakes has generally been analyzed via viscoelastic simulations or regression analyses that employ logarithmic and/or exponential functions. Here we introduce a machine learning approach, the recurrent neural network, to more accurately forecast postseismic deformation and constrain its characteristics. We use Global Navigation Satellite System time‐series data (horizontal components) from northeastern Japan since the 2011 Tohoku‐oki megathrust earthquake to assess the feasibility of this machine‐learning approach. We perform numerical experiment to examine the accuracy of the neural network forecast, compare the results with those from regression analyses, and confirm the improved accuracy of the neural network forecast. The spatiotemporal evolution of the differences between the observation data and forecast results implies alterations in the source of postseismic deformation, which may have occurred in 2013. We can extract detailed information on the spatiotemporal evolution of postseismic signals by implementing this new machine‐learning approach.
Radio Beacon and Radar Assessment and Forecasting of Equatorial F Region Ionospheric Stability
Authors: Hysell D. L. , Milla M. A. , Kuyeng K.
Published: November 2019

Ionospheric conditions on two adjacent nights in March 2019 were observed at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory using a combination of incoherent scatter, coherent scatter, and high‐frequency (HF) radio modes. The HF data came from a network of beacons consisting of three transmitters and six receivers operating at two frequencies and deployed regionally. The HF beacons employ pseudorandom noise coding and can be used to measure group delay (pseudorange) and Doppler shift, and the time derivative of optical path length. A method for inferring volumetric estimates of electron density regionally from the HF data is described. The radar and HF data are interpreted in light of a direct numerical simulation of the ionospheric interchange instability to elucidate why convective plumes and equatorial spread F conditions occurred on one night but not the other. The numerical simulation accurately predicted whether convective plumes would develop on a given night, utilizing initial conditions and forcings derived from the incoherent scatter data. The HF data were consistent with the incoherent scatter observations and remained intelligible throughout the equatorial spread F event. Crests in the bottomside electron density associated with convective plumes at higher altitudes could be seen propagating through the region in the HF data. It should be possible to incorporate HF data in assimilative simulations of interchange instabilities in order to predict where and when individual convective plumes emerge.
Expansion and Shrinking of the Martian Topside Ionosphere
Authors: Dubinin E. , Fraenz M. , Pätzold M. , Woch J. , McFadden J. , Halekas J. S. , Connerney J. E. P. , Jakosky B. M. , Eparvier F. , Vaisberg O. , Zelenyi L.
Published: November 2019

The observations made by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft in the topside (≥200 km) ionosphere of Mars show that this region is very responsive to the variations of the external (solar extreme ultraviolet flux, solar wind, and interplanetary magnetic field [IMF]) and internal (the crustal magnetic field) drivers. With the growth of the solar irradiance the ionosphere broadens while with increase of the solar wind dynamic pressure it shrinks. As a result, the upper ionospheric boundary at solar zenith angles of 60–70° can move from ∼400 to ∼1,200 km. Similar trends are observed at the nightside ionosphere. At Pdyn ≥ 1–2 nPa the nightside ionosphere becomes very fragmented and depleted. On the other hand, the ion density in the nightside ionosphere significantly (up to a factor of 10) increases with the rise of the solar extreme ultraviolet flux. Large‐amplitude motions of the topside ionosphere also occur with variations of the value of the cross‐flow component of the IMF. The upper dayside ionosphere at altitudes of more than 300–400 km is sensitive also to the direction of the cross‐flow component of the IMF or, correspondingly, to the direction of the motional electric field in the solar wind. The ionosphere becomes very asymmetrical with respect to the Vsw×BIMF direction and the asymmetry strongly enhances at the nightside. The topside ionosphere above the areas with strong crustal magnetic field in the dayside southern hemisphere is significantly denser and expands to higher altitudes as compared to the ionosphere above the northern nonmagnetized lowlands. The crustal magnetic field also protects the nightside ionosphere from being filled by plasma transported from the dayside. The draping IMF penetrates deeply into the ionosphere and actively influences its structure. Weak fields and, correspondingly, weak magnetic field forces only slightly affect the ionosphere. With increase of the induced magnetic field strength the transport motions driven by the magnetic field pressure and field tensions seem to be intensified and we observe that the local ion densities at the dayside considerably decrease. A different trend is observed at the nightside. The ion density in the nightside ionosphere above the northern lowlands is higher than in the southern hemisphere indicating that plasma transport from the dayside is the main source of the nightside ionosphere. Nonstop variations in the solar wind, the IMF and the solar irradiance together with planetary rotation of the crustal magnetic field sources lead to a continuous expansion/shrinking and reconfiguration of the topside ionosphere of Mars.
Copper Isotope Variations During Magmatic Migration in the Mantle: Insights From Mantle Pyroxenites in Balmuccia Peridotite Massif
Authors: Zou Zongqi , Wang Zaicong , Li Ming , Becker Harry , Geng Xianlei , Hu Zhaochu , Lazarov Marina
Published: November 2019

The crust shows large variations in Cu isotopic composition (δ65Cu relative to NIST 976) resulting from redox reactions and other supergene processes. The significant range of δ65Cu in mantle peridotites thus could be ascribed to recycled crustal materials and/or oxidative mantle metasomatism. However, the influence of normal magmatic fractionation processes on δ65Cu variations remains poorly understood, and it is unclear whether the magmatic processes also lead to large δ65Cu variations in mantle rocks. To address the issue, we present bulk‐rock δ65Cu of fresh mantle pyroxenites from the Balmuccia peridotite massif, Northern Italy. These pyroxenites formed by melt‐peridotite reaction and mineral accumulation from MORB‐ to OIB‐like, sulfide‐saturated basic magmas. Mass balance calculations show that sulfide phases host >98 wt % of the Cu budget of bulk rocks (87−484 μg/g). The pyroxenites show significant variations of δ65Cu from −0.66‰ to 0.66‰, which cover the range known for peridotites, including metasomatized ones. Three subsamples from the same pyroxenite layer display >0.3‰ decrease in δ65Cu with progressive differentiation. Nevertheless, δ65Cu does not display correlations with indicators of magmatic differentiation (e.g., Mg# and Cu/Pd) for all pyroxenites in this study. This might be attributed to variable extents of magmatic sulfide segregation for different samples and/or varying δ65Cu of the pyroxenite parent magmas, which were also affected by reactive migration through peridotites. The combined processes can change δ65Cu of evolving magmas and reacted peridotites and lead to Cu isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle, without involvement of oxidative metasomatism or recycled crustal materials.
The Snowball Stratosphere
Authors: Graham R. J. , Shaw Tiffany A. , Abbot Dorian S.
Published: November 2019

According to the Snowball Earth hypothesis, Earth has experienced periods of low‐latitude glaciation in its deep past. Prior studies have used general circulation models (GCMs) to examine the effects such an extreme climate state might have on the structure and dynamics of Earth's troposphere, but the behavior of the stratosphere has not been studied in detail. Understanding the snowball stratosphere is important for developing an accurate account of the Earth's radiative and chemical properties during these episodes. Here we conduct the first analysis of the stratospheric circulation of the Snowball Earth using ECHAM6 general circulation model simulations. In order to understand the factors contributing to the stratospheric circulation, we extend the Statistical Transformed Eulerian Mean framework. We find that the stratosphere during a snowball with prescribed modern ozone levels exhibits a weaker meridional overturning circulation, reduced wave activity, and stronger zonal jets and is extremely cold relative to modern conditions. Notably, the snowball stratosphere displays no sudden stratospheric warmings. Without ozone, the stratosphere displays a complete lack of polar vortex and even colder temperatures. We also explicitly quantify for the first time the cross‐tropopause mass exchange rate and stratospheric mixing efficiency during the snowball and show that our values do not change the constraints on CO2 inferred from geochemical proxies during the Marinoan glaciation (ca. 635 Ma), unless the O2 concentration during the snowball was orders of magnitude less than the CO2 concentration.