bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Surgery Without Decompressive Craniectomy in Large Putaminal Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Assessment of Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Ye Yuanliang , Wang Qiujing , Ou Weiyang , He Jian , Zhao Zhenhui
Published: December 2019

Background

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is performed conventionally for large putaminal intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, DC causes local skull defect and leads to post-surgical cranioplasty. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of an endoscopic procedure to treat large putaminal ICH without DC.

Methods

This retrospective study included 112 large putaminal ICH patients who underwent hematoma evacuations with either an endoscopic procedure (group A) or with DC (group B) between January 2009 and June 2017. The efficacy was evaluated by mean modified Rankin Scale (mRS) three months after surgery. Safety was evaluated by mortality rate and postoperative complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for clinical outcomes.

Results

The study included 49 patients in group A and 63 in group B. The mRS scores in both groups were similar after 3 months’ follow-up (p = 0.709). There was no difference in the mortality rate between the two groups (p = 0.538). The rate of complications was lower in group A than that in group B (p = 0.024). Smaller preoperative midline shift (p = 0.008) and absent intraventricular extension (p = 0.044) have contributed significantly to better outcomes.

Conclusion

Endoscopic hematoma evacuation without DC is safe and effective for patients with large putaminal ICH and deserves further investigation, preferably in a randomized controlled setting.
Identification of Key Candidate Genes and Pathways of Candida albicans-Infected Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and Drug Screening
Authors: Jiang Wei , Liu Ping , Zhang Jianlei , Yang Wenjie
Published: December 2019

Candida albicans is a common opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infection by blood transmission. C. albicans enters the blood circulation and adheres to the endothelial cells of the vascular wall. However, the detailed mechanism of the effect of C. albicans on the endothelial cells remains unclear. In this study, the microarray expression profile of human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to C. albicans was analyzed. The 191 up-regulated genes were enriched in TNF, T cell receptor, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. The 71 down-regulated genes were enriched in pyruvate metabolic, purine nucleotide metabolic, purine nucleotide biosynthetic, and humoral immune response processes. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that apoptosis, oxidative phosphorylation, IL6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways were enriched. Moreover, two hub genes with a high degree of connectivity, namely, MYC and IL6, were selected. Molecular screening of traditional Chinese medicine libraries was performed on the basis of the structure of MYC protein. The okanin had the highest docking score. MYC might be used as molecular targets for treatment. In addition, okanin may inhibit the infection of C. albicans. Thus, MYC can be subjected to further research.
Determination of the Direct Activity of the Maltogenic Amylase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus in White Bread
Authors: Reichenberger Katrin , Luz Anja , Seitl Ines , Fischer Lutz
Published: December 2019

An assay-based method was developed to determine the residual activity of the maltogenic amylase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus in white bread. It was found that the important step for amylase extraction from the bread matrix was the addition of 10% (w/v) maltodextrin in the extraction buffer. The endogenous amylase activity in dough was investigated, and its inactivation during bread baking was proven. Thus, all amylase activities measured after baking have an exogenous origin. The amylase activities in the loaf of self-baked white bread containing defined dosages of exogenous amylase (10–100 μg per g flour) were reproducibly determined with 17.8 ± 1.24% residual activity. Moreover, an amylase activity of 369 ± 34.3 pkat gbread−1 was determined in three batches of a commercial white bread. The real temperature impact on the amylase during bread baking was investigated. The highest temperature in the crumb was 97 °C and, therefore, is significantly lower than the oven temperature (230 °C).
Colon cancer of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with gallolyticus endocarditis
Authors: Miyahara Kiyoshi , Tobe Shunichi , Shizuku Tatsunori , Inamoto Rin , Katayama Ikuo
Published: December 2019

We report a case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with gallolyticus endocarditis which has not yet been reported. Colon cancer was observed and implicated in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. A 44-year-old female with fever and heart murmur was diagnosed as infective endocarditis caused by streptococcus gallolyticus. After treatment with antibiotics and mitral valbuloplasty, we performed gastrointestinal endoscopic studies and found polyps in stomach and colon. Histological findings of a large pedunculated colon polyp revealed hamartomatous polyp with a lesion of adenocarcinoma with adenoma. She had pigmentation of digits. Her father had also digits pigmentation and died of pancreas cancer. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with colon cancer was incidentally diagnosed by infective endocarditis and subsequent colonoscopy.
Experimental study of Zubair shale stability of east Baghdad oil field using different additives in water based mud
Authors: Alwassiti Asawer A. , AL-Bidry Mayssaa Ali , Mohammed Khalid
Published: December 2019

Shale formation is represented as one of the challenge formations during drilling wells because it is a strong potential for wellbore instability. Zubair formation in Iraqi oil fields (East Baghdad) is located at a depth from 3044.3 to 3444 m. It is considered as one of the most problematic formations through drilling wells in East Baghdad. Most problems of Zubair shale are swelling, sloughing, caving, cementing problem and casing landing problem caused by the interaction of drilling fluid with the formation. An attempt to solve the cause of these problems has been adapted in this paper by enhancing the shale stability through adding additives to the drilling fluid. The study includes experiments by using two types of drilling fluids, API and polymer type, with five types of additives (KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, Na2SiO3 and Flodrill PAM 1040) in different concentrations (0.5, 1, 5 and 10) wt% and different immersion period (1, 24 and 72 h) hours. The effect of drilling fluids and additive salts on shale has been studied by using different techniques: (XRD, XRF, reflected and transmitted microscope) as well shale recovery. The results show that adding 10 wt% of Na2SiO3 to API drilling fluid results in a high percentage of shale recovery (78.22%), while the maximum shale recovery was (80.57%) in polymer drilling fluid type gained by adding 10 wt% of Na2SiO3.
Numerical solution of an integral equation arising in the problem of cruciform crack using Daubechies scale function
Authors: Mouley Jyotirmoy , Panja M. M. , Mandal B. N.
Published: December 2019

This paper is concerned with obtaining approximate numerical solution of a classical integral equation of some special type arising in the problem of cruciform crack. This integral equation has been solved earlier by various methods in the literature. Here, approximation in terms of Daubechies scale function is employed. The numerical results for stress intensity factor obtained by this method for a specific forcing term are compared to those obtained by various methods available in the literature, and the present method appears to be quite accurate.
Fish Allergy Management: From Component-Resolved Diagnosis to Unmet Diagnostic Needs
Authors: Klueber Julia , Schrama Denise , Rodrigues Pedro , Dickel Heinrich , Kuehn Annette
Published: December 2019

Purpose of review

Fish is a common elicitor of IgE-mediated food allergy. Fish includes a large variety of foods, in terms of species and food processing, with marked distinction in local diets around the globe. Fish-allergic patients present with phenotypic diversity and major differences in levels of clinical cross-reactivity, features that pose an important challenge for the clinical diagnosis and management.

Recent findings

Parvalbumin is the major fish allergen. However, a single molecule is not sufficient but several homologs, allergens different from parvalbumin and allergen extracts, are needed for IgE-based diagnosis.

Parvalbumin-specific IgE are markers for clinical cross-reactions. Added value is provided by IgE typing to parvalbumin homologs from distantly related fish. IgE co-sensitization profiles (parvalbumin, enolase, aldolase) are referred as severity markers. The allergen panel seems to be not yet complete why fish extracts still play a crucial role in serum IgE analysis. Further clinical validation of a multiplex approach in molecular fish allergy diagnosis is needed for striving to avoid unnecessary food restrictions and in a further sense, improved patient care.
Photocatalytic H2 Evolution on TiO2 Assembled with Ti3C2 MXene and Metallic 1T-WS2 as Co-catalysts
Authors: Li Yujie , Ding Lei , Yin Shujun , Liang Zhangqian , Xue Yanjun , Wang Xinzhen , Cui Hongzhi , Tian Jian
Published: December 2019

The biggest challenging issue in photocatalysis is efficient separation of the photoinduced carriers and the aggregation of photoexcited electrons on photocatalyst’s surface. In this paper, we report that double metallic co-catalysts Ti3C2 MXene and metallic octahedral (1T) phase tungsten disulfide (WS2) act pathways transferring photoexcited electrons in assisting the photocatalytic H2 evolution. TiO2 nanosheets were in situ grown on highly conductive Ti3C2 MXenes and 1T-WS2 nanoparticles were then uniformly distributed on TiO2@Ti3C2 composite. Thus, a distinctive 1T-WS2@TiO2@Ti3C2 composite with double metallic co-catalysts was achieved, and the content of 1T phase reaches 73%. The photocatalytic H2 evolution performance of 1T-WS2@TiO2@Ti3C2 composite with an optimized 15 wt% WS2 ratio is nearly 50 times higher than that of TiO2 nanosheets because of conductive Ti3C2 MXene and 1T-WS2 resulting in the increase of electron transfer efficiency. Besides, the 1T-WS2 on the surface of TiO2@Ti3C2 composite enhances the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and boosts the density of active site.
Treatment and Outcome of Patients with Uterine Carcinosarcoma in a Comprehensive Cancer Network
Authors: Hapsari K. , Bhugwandass C. , van Rijn G. W. J. , van der Wurff A. A. M. , van ‘t Veer M. , Boll D. , Vos M. C. , Pijlman B. , Kok A. , Piek J. M. J.
Published: December 2019

Aim

To determine clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and survival of uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS).

Methods

Data on treatment of UCS patients in the Comprehensive Cancer Network south region in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Data of 62 patients with UCS were retrieved. Mean age at diagnosis was 69.2 years (45–95 years). Data of six patients were excluded because they did not receive any treatment. Of the 56 patients included in this study, 57.1% presented with early-stage (FIGO I–II) disease and 42.9% with late-stage (FIGO III–IV) disease. 46.9% of the patients with FIGO early-stage disease received only surgical treatment, whereas 9.4% received adjuvant chemotherapy and 43.8% received adjuvant radiotherapy. Median DFS in patients with early-stage disease was 47.0 months (17.5–72.0). Adjuvant therapy did not seem to alter prognosis (p = 0.261). 16.7% of the patients with late-stage disease received only surgical treatment, 12.5% received only chemotherapy, whereas 50% received adjuvant chemotherapy and 20.8% adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery. Median DFS in late-stage disease was 8.5 months (2.5–23.5). Adjuvant therapy did not seem to alter prognosis (p = 0.30).

Conclusion

UCS with both FIGO stages I–II and III–IV has a dismal prognosis. The addition of adjuvant treatment did not seem to increase survival.
Is Mode of Delivery Associated With Sexual Response? A Pilot Study of Genital and Subjective Sexual Arousal in Primiparous Women With Vaginal or Cesarean Section Births
Authors: Cappell Jackie , Bouchard Katrina N. , Chamberlain Susan M. , Byers-Heinlein Alyssa , Chivers Meredith L. , Pukall Caroline F.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Although postpartum sexual concerns are common, limited data exist on postpartum sexual response. Furthermore, the physiological process of vaginal birth may negatively impact genital response compared with unlabored cesarean section (C-section), but this hypothesis has yet to be tested.

Aim

To (i) compare genital and subjective sexual response and sexual concordance by mode of delivery with inclusion of a control group, (ii) compare groups on self-reported sexual function over the past month, (iii) examine the relationship between laboratory measurement of sexual response and self-reported sexual function, and (iv) investigate association between obstetrical factors and breastfeeding and between sexual response and self-reported sexual function.

Methods

3 groups of cisgender women were recruited from the community: primiparous women who delivered via vaginal birth within the past 2 years (VB group; n = 16), primiparous women who delivered via unlabored C-section within the past 2 years (CS group, n = 15), and age-matched nulliparous women (NP group, n = 18). Laser Doppler imaging was used to assess genital response while participants watched a neutral and erotic film.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures were change in flux units from neural to erotic video as a measure of genital response, subjective sexual arousal rated continuously throughout films, perceived genital response rated after films, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

Women in the VB group had significantly lower change in flux units than women in the CS (P = .005, d = 1.39) and NP (P < .001, d = 1.80) groups. Groups did not differ on their subjective indices of sexual response or in sexual concordance. Women in both postpartum groups reported lower FSFI scores than women in the NP group. No relationship was determined between FSFI scores and sexual response in the laboratory. Results suggested that genital trauma and breastfeeding may negatively impact FSFI scores, but they were not related to genital response or subjective sexual arousal as measured in the laboratory.

Clinical Implications

Results underscore the importance of balancing objective and subjective indices of sexual response and function, especially considering the biopsychosocial nature of postpartum sexuality.

Strengths & Limitations

The present study is the first to apply modern sexual psychophysiological methodology to the study of postpartum sexuality. Cross-sectional methodology limits the ability to make causal inferences, and the strict inclusion criteria limits generalizability.

Conclusion

Physiological changes as a result of labor and delivery may have a detrimental impact on genital response; however, these physiological differences may not impact women's subjective experience of postpartum sexuality.
Highly efficient continuous-wave mid-infrared generation based on intracavity difference frequency mixing
Authors: Xi Cheng , Wang Peng , Li Xiao , Liu Zejin
Published: December 2019

We report on a new scheme for efficient continuous-wave (CW) mid-infrared generation using difference frequency generation (DFG) inside a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN)-based optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The pump sources were two CW fiber lasers fixed at 1018 nm and 1080 nm. One worked as the assisted laser to build parametric oscillation and generate an oscillating signal beam while the other worked at low power (

${\leqslant}3~\text{W}$

) to induce DFG between it and the signal beam. The PPLN temperature was appropriately adjusted to enable OPO and DFG to synchronously meet phase-matching conditions. Finally, both low-power 1018 nm and 1080 nm pump beams were successfully converted to

$3.1~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$

and

$3.7~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$

idler beams, respectively. The conversion efficiencies of the 1018 nm and 1080 nm pumped DFG reached 20% and 15%, respectively, while their slope efficiencies reached 19.6% and 15%. All these data were comparable to the OPOs pumped by themselves and never realized before in traditional CW DFG schemes. The results reveal that high-efficiency frequency down-conversion can be achieved with a low-power near-infrared pump source.
Detection of laser-induced optical defects based on image segmentation
Authors: Chu Xinkun , Zhang Hao , Tian Zhiyu , Zhang Qing , Wang Fang , Chen Jing , Geng Yuanchao
Published: December 2019

A number of vision-based methods for detecting laser-induced defects on optical components have been implemented to replace the time-consuming manual inspection. While deep-learning-based methods have achieved state-of-the-art performances in many visual recognition tasks, their success often hinges on the availability of a large number of labeled training sets. In this paper, we propose a surface defect detection method based on image segmentation with a U-shaped convolutional network (U-Net). The designed network was trained on paired sets of online and offline images of optics from a large laser facility. We show in our experimental evaluation that our approach can accurately locate laser-induced defects on the optics in real time. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the network can be trained end to end on small samples, without the requirement for manual labeling or manual feature extraction. The approach can be applied to the daily inspection and maintenance of optical components in large laser facilities.
National Minority Rights and Democratic Political Community: Experience and Perspective of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Authors: Marsal Stéphanie
Published: December 2019

This article examines the OSCE HCNM experience with regard to situations where cultural autonomy arrangements exist and discusses the potential contribution of such arrangements to managing ethnic diversity. It reviews some of the salient issues that have arisen with regard to the legal and political framework of these arrangements. This article highlights the importance for bodies of cultural autonomy to comply with good governance principles, including respect for diversity within minority groups and insists on a more inclusive approach to autonomy.
Do (Should) Brokers Route Limit Orders to Options Exchanges That Purchase Order Flow?
Authors: Battalio Robert , Griffith Todd , Van Ness Robert
Published: December 2019

We examine whether options exchanges’ pricing schedules affect broker order routing behavior and limit order execution quality. We find that some brokers seemingly maximize the value of their order flow by selling marketable orders and sending nonmarketable orders to exchanges that offer large liquidity rebates. Other brokers appear to bypass liquidity rebates by routing both marketable and nonmarketable orders to exchanges that purchase order flow. Using a decision by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX) to change its trading protocol, we provide empirical evidence that brokers can enhance limit order execution quality by routing nonmarketable limit orders to options exchanges that purchase order flow.
In vitro activity of essential oils against adult and immature stages of Ctenocephalides felis felis
Authors: dos Santos João Vitor Barbosa , de Almeida Chaves Douglas Siqueira , de Souza Marco André Alves , Riger Cristiano Jorge , Lambert Monique Moraes , Campos Diefrey Ribeiro , Moreira Leandra Oliveira , dos Santos Siqueira Rosiane Conceição , de Paulo Osorio Rodrigo , Boylan Fabio , Correia Thaís Ribeiro , Coumendouros Katherina , Cid Yara Peluso
Published: December 2019

Essential oils (EOs) are considered a new class of ecological products aimed at the control of insects for industrial and domestic use; however, there still is a lack of studies involving the control of fleas. Ctenocephalides felis felis, the most observed parasite in dogs and cats, is associated with several diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity, the establishment of LC50 and toxicity of EOs from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm, Cinnamomum spp., Laurus nobilis L., Mentha spicata L., Ocimum gratissimum L. and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle against immature stages and adults of C. felis felis. Bioassay results suggest that the method of evaluation was able to perform a pre-screening of the activity of several EOs, including the discriminatory evaluation of flea stages by their LC50. Ocimum gratissimum EO was the most effective in the in vitro assays against all flea stages, presenting adulticide (LC50 = 5.85 μg cm−2), ovicidal (LC50 = 1.79 μg cm−2) and larvicidal (LC50 = 1.21 μg cm−2) mortality at low doses. It also presented an excellent profile in a toxicological eukaryotic model. These findings may support studies involving the development of non-toxic products for the control of fleas in dogs and cats.
Besnoitia besnoitibradyzoite stages induce suicidal- and rapid vital-NETosis
Authors: Zhou Ershun , Silva Liliana M. R. , Conejeros Iván , Velásquez Zahady D. , Hirz Manuela , Gärtner Ulrich , Jacquiet Philippe , Taubert Anja , Hermosilla Carlos
Published: December 2019

Besnoitia besnoitiis an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite, which causes bovine besnoitiosis. Recently increased emergence within Europe was responsible for significant economic losses in the cattle industry due to the significant reduction of productivity. However, still limited knowledge exists on interactions betweenB. besnoitiand host innate immune system. Here,B. besnoitibradyzoites were successfully isolated from tissue cysts located in skin biopsies of a naturally infected animal, and we aimed to investigate for the first time reactions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) exposed to these vital bradyzoites. Freshly isolated bovine PMN were confronted toB. besnoitibradyzoites. Scanning electron microscopy (s.e.m.)- and immunofluorescence microscopy-analyses demonstrated fine extracellular networks released by exposed bovine PMN resembling suicidal NETosis. Classical NETosis components were confirmedviaco-localization of extracellular DNA decorated with histone 3 (H3) and neutrophil elastase (NE). Live cell imaging by 3D holotomographic microscopy (Nanolive®) unveiled rapid vital NETosis against this parasite. A significant increase of autophagosomes visualized by specific-LC3B antibodies and confocal microscopy was observed inB. besnoiti-stimulated bovine PMN when compared to non-stimulated group. As such, a significant positive correlation (r = 0.37;P= 0.042) was found betweenB. besnoiti-triggered suicidal NETosis and autophagy. These findings suggest that vital- as well as suicidal-NETosis might play a role in early innate host defence mechanisms against releasedB. besnoitibradyzoites from tissue cysts, and possibly hampering further parasitic replication. Our data generate first hints on autophagy being associated withB. besnoitibradyzoite-induced suicidal NETosis and highlighting for first time occurrence of parasite-mediated vital NETosis.
Intersectionality and international polar research
Authors: Seag M. , Badhe R. , Choudhry I.
Published: December 2019

Recent initiatives in polar research like Women in Polar Science and Women of the Arctic have shone a light on the strengths of female polar researchers and the struggles they have faced in their respective careers. These initiatives have started and contributed to ongoing conversations in the polar research community about increasing diversity and making the field more inclusive. In this commentary, we discuss the need to focus on intersectionality in diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives in polar research, and to address intersecting barriers faced by members and would-be members of our fields. These barriers are varied, often overlapping, and include, but are not limited to: gender identity; sexuality; socio-economic status; language; disability; and race. Polar research is poised to benefit from a tremendous diversity of ideas and approaches if we as a community can fully commit ourselves to understanding and addressing overlapping, interconnected barriers to equality and progress in polar research.
Annual incidence of cannabis-induced psychosis, other substance-induced psychoses and dually diagnosed schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder in Denmark from 1994 to 2016
Authors: Hjorthøj Carsten , Larsen Maria Oku , Starzer Marie Stefanie Kejser , Nordentoft Merete
Published: December 2019

Background

Worldwide, cannabis is the most used illegal substance, and the use of cannabis has increased over the years. An increase in the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis has also been seen. It is currently unclear whether this has led to an increase in the incidence of cannabis-induced psychosis. We aimed to investigate (1) the development of incidence of cannabis-induced psychosis over time compared with other substance-induced psychoses and (2) the development of incident cases of cannabis-induced psychosis over time compared with dual diagnosis defined as schizophrenia and a cannabis use disorder.

Method

Data on psychiatric diagnoses were extracted from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register and summarized per year as both absolute incidence (number of cases) and incidence rates per 100 000 person years.

Results

The incidence rate of cannabis-induced psychosis increased steadily from 2.8 per 100 000 person years in 2006 to 6.1 per 100 000 person years in 2016. There was a corresponding increase in dual diagnosis with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, but a decrease in alcohol-induced psychosis. The data showed no trend in the other substance-induced psychosis investigated in this thesis.

Conclusion

The increase in cannabis-induced psychosis follows both the increase in the level of THC in cannabis, and the increase in cannabis use. The change in diagnostic practice does not appear to explain the increase in incidence of cannabis-induced psychosis.
Development and validation of the mental health professional culture inventory
Authors: Rapisarda F. , Corbière M. , Lesage A. D. , De Benedictis L. , Pelletier J. F. , Felx A. , Leblanc Y. , Vallarino M. , Miglioretti M.
Published: December 2019

Aims

No instrument has been developed to explicitly assess the professional culture of mental health workers interacting with severely mentally ill people in publicly or privately run mental health care services. Because of theoretical and methodological concerns, we designed a self-administered questionnaire to assess the professional culture of mental health services workers. The study aims to validate this tool, named the Mental Health Professional Culture Inventory (MHPCI). The MHPCI adopts the notion of ‘professional culture’ as a hybrid construct between the individual and the organisational level that could be directly associated with the professional practices of mental health workers.

Methods

The MHPCI takes into consideration a multidimensional definition of professional culture and a discrete number of psychometrically derived dimensions related to meaningful professional behaviour. The questionnaire was created and developed by a conjoint Italian-Canadian research team with the purpose of obtaining a fully cross-cultural questionnaire and was pretested in a pilot study. Subsequently, a validation survey was conducted in northern Italy and in Canada (Montreal area, Quebec). Data analysis was conducted in different steps designed to maximise the cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire through a recursive procedure consisting of performing a principal component analysis (PCA) on the Italian sample (N = 221) and then testing the resulting factorial model on the Canadian sample (N = 237). Reliability was also assessed with a test-retest design.

Results

Four dimensions emerged in the PCA and were verified in the confirmatory factor analysis: family involvement, users' sexuality, therapeutic framework and management of aggression risk. All the scales displayed good internal consistency and reliability.

Conclusions

This study suggests the MHPCI could be a valid and reliable instrument to measure the professional behaviour of mental health services workers. The content of the four scales is consistent with the literature on psychosocial rehabilitation, suggesting that the instrument could be used to evaluate staff behaviour regarding four crucial dimensions of mental health care.
Moving beyond the ivory tower – why researchers from the field of education should go ahead
Authors: Spiel Christiane
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Since the beginning of the 21st century universities are increasingly requested to use the results produced by their first (teaching) and second mission (research) to help resolve the growing challenges societies and local communities are faced with. This obligation has been codified as the Third Mission of universities. However, research and its results often seem to remain in the so-called ivory tower and realization of successful transfer often failed. Empirical research clearly shows that the key factor for successful transfer is to involve an intensive cooperation between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners within a mutually respectful, collaborative process. However, the establishment of a high quality and fruitful cooperation among these different groups is difficult. In the paper, possible reasons for poor transfer of research findings on part of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are discussed as well as demands for successful transfer. A systematic six-step procedure for policy impact from research is presented, which summarizes the most relevant actions to be taken and issues to be considered on the part of (individual) researchers for realizing successful transfer. Universities can provide a supportive environment through the development of a distinct Third Mission profile including criteria and incentives for transfer activities of single researchers. It is the intention of this paper to convince researchers from the field of education to go ahead in moving beyond the ivory tower and to engage in transfer of scientific knowledge. One reason is the high importance of education for society. Another reason is that the competences and experiences necessary for successful transfer of research to the wider field of policy and practice are core competences and experiences of researchers from the field of education.
Climate Forcing and Response to Greenhouse Gases, Aerosols, and Ozone in CESM1
Authors: Zhao Alcide , Stevenson David S. , Bollasina Massimo A.
Published: December 2019

It is crucial to reduce uncertainties in our understanding of the climate impacts of short‐lived climate forcers, in the context that their emissions/concentrations are anticipated to decrease significantly in the coming decades worldwide. Using the Community Earth System Model (CESM1), we performed time‐slice experiments to investigate the effective radiative forcing (ERF) and climate respons to 1970–2010 changes in well‐mixed greenhouse gases (GHGs), anthropogenic aerosols, and tropospheric and stratospheric ozone. Once the present‐day climate has fully responded to 1970–2010 changes in all forcings, both the global mean temperature and precipitation responses are twice as large as the transient ones, with wet regions getting wetter and dry regions drier. The temperature response per unit ERF for short‐lived species varies considerably across many factors including forcing agents and the magnitudes and locations of emission changes. This suggests that the ERF should be used carefully to interpret the climate impacts of short‐lived climate forcers. Changes in both the mean and the probability distribution of global mean daily precipitation are driven mainly by GHG increases. However, changes in the frequency distributions of regional mean daily precipitation are more strongly influenced by changes in aerosols, rather than GHGs. This is particularly true over Asia and Europe where aerosol changes have significant impacts on the frequency of heavy‐to‐extreme precipitation. Our results may help guide more reliable near‐future climate projections and allow us to manage climate risks more effectively.
Seasonal evolution of active layer thaw depth and hillslope‐stream connectivity in a permafrost watershed
Authors: Chiasson‐Poirier G. , Franssen J. , Lafrenière M. J. , Fortier D. , Lamoureux S. F.
Published: December 2019

To advance our understanding of permafrost hillslope drainage dynamics and its influence on streamflow hydrochemistry, we instrumented a hillslope‐stream sequence located in the headwaters of the Niaqunguk River watershed, Nunavut, Canada (63°N, 68°W). We combined high spatial resolution field measurements of water and frost tables across the hillslope, with semiweekly measurements of groundwater and streamflow chemistry to track the evolution of streamflow chemistry during active layer thaw. Interestingly, localized differential thaw patterns emerged under near saturation conditions across the instrumented hillslope, the result of a low‐frequency high‐magnitude summer rainfall event. Hillslope structure and uneven active layer thaw created two distinct fill‐and‐spill domains. A subsurface domain defined by frost table microtopography and a surface domain defined by surface topography. We observed a seasonal shift in streamflow chemistry with an increased influence of water flowing through the underlying mineral soils as the active layer thawed. As thaw progressed streamflow chemistry began to match that of the riparian groundwater, which was a mixture of hillslope surface and subsurface water. Hillslope‐stream surface connections were sporadic and occurred when rainfall and saturation conditions across the lower portion of the hillslope were sufficient for water to spill out of midslope surface depressions and across a saturated riparian zone and into the stream. This research shows how hillslope structure and thaw processes influence hillslope‐stream connectivity in permafrost terrain.
Evaluation of a national lung cancer symptom awareness campaign in Wales
Authors: McCutchan Grace , Smits Stephanie , Ironmonger Lucy , Slyne Ciarán , Boughey Amanda , Moffat Jodie , Thomas Rebecca , Huws Dyfed Wyn , Brain Kate
Published: December 2019

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Wales. We conducted a before- and after- study to evaluate the impact of a four-week mass-media campaign on awareness, presentation behaviour and lung cancer outcomes.

Methods

Population-representative samples were surveyed for cough symptom recall/recognition and worry about wasting doctors’ time pre-campaign (June 2016; n = 1001) and post-campaign (September 2016; n = 1013). GP cough symptom visits, urgent suspected cancer (USC) referrals, GP-ordered radiology, new lung cancer diagnoses and stage at diagnosis were compared using routine data during the campaign (July–August 2016) and corresponding control (July–August 2015) periods.

Results

Increased cough symptom recall (p < 0.001), recognition (p < 0.001) and decreased worry (p < 0.001) were observed. GP visits for cough increased by 29% in the target 50+ age-group during the campaign (p < 0.001) and GP-ordered chest X-rays increased by 23% (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant change in USC referrals (p = 0.82), new (p = 0.70) or early stage (p = 0.27) diagnoses, or in routes to diagnosis.

Conclusions

Symptom awareness, presentation and GP-ordered chest X-rays increased during the campaign but did not translate into increased USC referrals or clinical outcomes changes. Short campaign duration and follow-up, and the small number of new lung cancer cases observed may have hampered detection effects.
SKA3 Promotes tumor growth by regulating CDK2/P53 phosphorylation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hou Yuchen , Wang Ziming , Huang Shanzhou , Sun Chengjun , Zhao Jingya , Shi Jiayu , Li Zhongqiu , Wang Zekang , He Xiaoshun , Tam Nga Lei , Wu Linwei
Published: December 2019

Spindle and kinetochore-related complex subunit 3 (SKA3) is a component of the spindle and kinetochore-related complexes and is essential for accurate timing of late mitosis. However, the relationship between SKA3 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been fully elucidated. Gene expression omnibus (GEO) (GSE62232, GSE45436, GSE6764, and GSE36376) and The Cancer Atlas (TCGA) datasets were analyzed to identify differential expression genes. Cell proliferation ability was analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay and plate clone formation assay, while scratch wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to analyze cell invasion. The role of SKA3 in vivo was explored using subcutaneous xenotransplantation model and lung metastasis model. Bioinformatics analysis found that hepatocellular carcinoma patients with high levels of expression of SKA3 have a poor prognosis. Similarly, immunohistochemical staining of 236 samples of tumors also found higher SKA3 expression in them, than in adjacent normal liver tissues. Significant levels of inhibition of in vivo and in vitro tumor proliferation and invasion result from the downregulation of SKA3. Mechanistically, SKA3 was found to affect tumor progression through the cell cycle and P53 signaling pathway as shown by the gene enrichment analysis (GSEA). G2/M phase arrest and severe apoptosis was also found to result from SKA3 knockdown, as shown by the inhibition of CDK2/p53 phosphorylation together with downregulation of BAX/Bcl-2 expression in HCC cells. Overall, these findings uncover the role of SKA3 in regulating the apoptosis and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This study was able to uncover new information on the tumorigenesis mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma.
SweHLA: the high confidence HLA typing bio-resource drawn from 1000 Swedish genomes
Authors: Nordin Jessika , Ameur Adam , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Gyllensten Ulf , Meadows Jennifer R. S.
Published: December 2019

There is a need to accurately call human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes from existing short-read sequencing data, however there is no single solution that matches the gold standard of Sanger sequenced lab typing. Here we aimed to combine results from available software programs, minimizing the biases of applied algorithm and HLA reference. The result is a robust HLA population resource for the published 1000 Swedish genomes, and a framework for future HLA interrogation. HLA 2nd-field alleles were called using four imputation and inference methods for the classical eight genes (class I: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C; class II: HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRB1). A high confidence population set (SweHLA) was determined using an n−1 concordance rule for class I (four software) and class II (three software) alleles. Results were compared across populations and individual programs benchmarked to SweHLA. Per gene, 875 to 988 of the 1000 samples were genotyped in SweHLA; 920 samples had at least seven loci called. While a small fraction of reference alleles were common to all software (class I = 1.9% and class II = 4.1%), this did not affect the overall call rate. Gene-level concordance was high compared to European populations (>0.83%), with COX and PGF the dominant SweHLA haplotypes. We noted that 15/18 discordant alleles (delta allele frequency >2) were previously reported as disease-associated. These differences could in part explain across-study genetic replication failures, reinforcing the need to use multiple software solutions. SweHLA demonstrates a way to use existing NGS data to generate a population resource agnostic to individual HLA software biases.
Electrical control of spins and giant g-factors in ring-like coupled quantum dots
Authors: Potts H. , Chen I.–J. , Tsintzis A. , Nilsson M. , Lehmann S. , Dick K. A. , Leijnse M. , Thelander C.
Published: December 2019

Emerging theoretical concepts for quantum technologies have driven a continuous search for structures where a quantum state, such as spin, can be manipulated efficiently. Central to many concepts is the ability to control a system by electric and magnetic fields, relying on strong spin-orbit interaction and a large g-factor. Here, we present a mechanism for spin and orbital manipulation using small electric and magnetic fields. By hybridizing specific quantum dot states at two points inside InAs nanowires, nearly perfect quantum rings form. Large and highly anisotropic effective g-factors are observed, explained by a strong orbital contribution. Importantly, we find that the orbital contributions can be efficiently quenched by simply detuning the individual quantum dot levels with an electric field. In this way, we demonstrate not only control of the effective g-factor from 80 to almost 0 for the same charge state, but also electrostatic change of the ground state spin.
TRIB3 supports breast cancer stemness by suppressing FOXO1 degradation and enhancing SOX2 transcription
Authors: Yu Jin-mei , Sun Wei , Wang Zhen-he , Liang Xiao , Hua Fang , Li Ke , Lv Xiao-xi , Zhang Xiao-wei , Liu Yu-ying , Yu Jiao-jiao , Liu Shan-shan , Shang Shuang , Wang Feng , Yang Zhao-na , Zhao Chen-xi , Hou Xue-ying , Li Ping-ping , Huang Bo , Cui Bing , Hu Zhuo-Wei
Published: December 2019

The existence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is a major reason underlying cancer metastasis and recurrence after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Targeting BCSCs may ameliorate breast cancer relapse and therapy resistance. Here we report that expression of the pseudokinase Tribble 3 (TRIB3) positively associates with breast cancer stemness and progression. Elevated TRIB3 expression supports BCSCs by interacting with AKT to interfere with the FOXO1-AKT interaction and suppress FOXO1 phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation by E3 ligases SKP2 and NEDD4L. The accumulated FOXO1 promotes transcriptional expression of SOX2, a transcriptional factor for cancer stemness, which in turn, activates FOXO1 transcription and forms a positive regulatory loop. Disturbing the TRIB3-AKT interaction suppresses BCSCs by accelerating FOXO1 degradation and reducing SOX2 expression in mouse models of breast cancer. Our study provides insights into breast cancer development and confers a potential therapeutic strategy against TRIB3-overexpressed breast cancer.
Robust edge photocurrent response on layered type II Weyl semimetal WTe2
Authors: Wang Qinsheng , Zheng Jingchuan , He Yuan , Cao Jin , Liu Xin , Wang Maoyuan , Ma Junchao , Lai Jiawei , Lu Hong , Jia Shuang , Yan Dayu , Shi Youguo , Duan Junxi , Han Junfeng , Xiao Wende , Chen Jian-Hao , Sun Kai , Yao Yugui , Sun Dong
Published: December 2019

Photosensing and energy harvesting based on exotic properties of quantum materials and new operation principles have great potential to break the fundamental performance limit of conventional photodetectors and solar cells. Weyl semimetals have demonstrated novel optoelectronic properties that promise potential applications in photodetection and energy harvesting arising from their gapless linear dispersion and Berry field enhanced nonlinear optical effect at the vicinity of Weyl nodes. In this work, we demonstrate robust photocurrent generation at the edge of Td-WTe2, a type-II Weyl semimetal, due to crystalline-symmetry breaking along certain crystal fracture directions and possibly enhanced by robust fermi-arc type surface states. This edge response is highly generic and arises universally in a wide class of quantum materials with similar crystal symmetries. The robust and generic edge current response provides a charge separation mechanism for photosensing and energy harvesting over broad wavelength range.
The Impact of Rate Formulations on Stochastic Molecular Motor Dynamics
Authors: Blackwell R. , Jung D. , Bukenberger M. , Smith A.-S.
Published: December 2019

Cells are complex structures which require considerable amounts of organization via transport of large intracellular cargo. While passive diffusion is often sufficiently fast for the transport of smaller cargo, active transport is necessary to organize large structures on the short timescales necessary for biological function. The main mechanism of this transport is by cargo attachment to motors which walk in a directed fashion along intracellular filaments. There are a number of models which seek to describe the motion of motors with attached cargo, from detailed microscopic to coarse phenomenological descriptions. We focus on the intermediate-detailed discrete stochastic hopping models, and explore how cargo transport changes depending on the number of motors, motor interaction, system constraints and rate formulations, which are derived from common thermodynamic assumptions. We find that, despite obeying the same detailed balance constraint, the choice of rate formulation considerably affects the characteristics of the overall motion of the system, with one rate formulation exhibiting novel behavior of loaded motor groups moving faster than a single unloaded motor.
Rapid identification of respiratory bacterial pathogens from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in cattle by MALDI-TOF MS
Authors: Van Driessche Laura , Bokma Jade , Deprez Piet , Haesebrouck Freddy , Boyen Filip , Pardon Bart
Published: December 2019

Respiratory tract infections are a major health problem and indication for antimicrobial use in cattle and in humans. Currently, most antimicrobial treatments are initiated without microbiological results, holding the risk of inappropriate first intention treatment. The main reason for this empirical treatment is the long turnaround time between sampling and availability of identification and susceptibility results. Therefore the objective of the present study was to develop a rapid identification procedure for pathogenic respiratory bacteria in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) samples from cattle by MALDI-TOF MS, omitting the cultivation step on agar plates to reduce the turnaround time between sampling and identification of pathogens. The effects of two different liquid growth media and various concentrations of bacitracin were determined to allow optimal growth of Pasteurellaceae and minimise contamination. The best procedure was validated on 100 clinical BALf samples from cattle with conventional bacterial culture as reference test. A correct identification was obtained in 73% of the samples, with 59.1% sensitivity (Se) (47.2–71.0%) and 100% specificity (Sp) (100–100%) after only 6 hours of incubation. For pure and dominant culture samples, the procedure was able to correctly identify 79.2% of the pathogens, with a sensitivity (Se) of 60.5% (45.0–76.1%) and specificity (Sp) of 100% (100–100%). In mixed culture samples, containing ≥2 clinically relevant pathogens, one pathogen could be correctly identified in 57% of the samples with 57.1% Se (38.8–75.5%) and 100% Sp (100–100%). In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS is a promising tool for rapid pathogen identification in BALf. This new technique drastically reduces turnaround time and may be a valuable decision support tool to rationalize antimicrobial use.