bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swallow Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared to 3D-Computed Tomography for Pouch Assessment and Hiatal Hernias After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Felsenreich Daniel M. , Arnoldner Michael A. , Langer Felix B , Bichler Christoph , Vock Natalie , Steinlechner Katharina , Gachabayov Mahir , Rojas Aram , Beitzke Dietrich , Mang Thomas , Prager Gerhard , Kulinna-Cosentini Christiane
Published: June 2020

Introduction/Purpose

Weight regain and weight loss failure after bariatric surgery are important issues that may require a weight regain procedure. Three-dimensional-computed tomography (3D-CT) is a well-established method allowing exact measurements of pouch volume. The aims of this study were to prove the applicability of swallow MRI as a non-ionizing procedure and compare it to 3D-CT in patients after weight regain procedures following RYGB.

Materials and Methods

Twelve post-RYGB patients who had a follow-up operation for weight regain before 12/2017 were included in this prospective study. Swallow MRI and 3D-CT were performed in each patient to evaluate the size of the anastomosis, pouch volume, and intrathoracic pouch migration (ITM).

Results

Mean pouch volume in swallow MRI and 3D-CT were 40.4 ± 21.0 ml and 43.5 ± 30.2 ml, respectively (p = 0.83), and pouch diameter at the maximal distention was 35.3 ± 5.9 ml (MRI) and 31.0 ± 10.0 ml (CT) (p = 0.16). The rate of ITM was 75% in both examinations (p = 1.0).

Conclusion

Swallow MRI is a valid method for the assessment of pouch volume in different phases of the swallowing process and is comparable to 3D-CT. The diagnosis of ITM using swallow MRI was equal to 3D-CT.
supFunSim: Spatial Filtering Toolbox for EEG
Authors: Rykaczewski Krzysztof , Nikadon Jan , Duch Włodzisław , Piotrowski Tomasz
Published: June 2020

Brain activity pattern recognition from EEG or MEG signal analysis is one of the most important method in cognitive neuroscience. The supFunSim library is a new Matlab toolbox which generates accurate EEG forward model and implements a collection of spatial filters for EEG source reconstruction, including the linearly constrained minimum-variance (LCMV), eigenspace LCMV, nulling (NL), and minimum-variance pseudo-unbiased reduced-rank (MV-PURE) filters in various versions. It also enables source-level directed connectivity analysis using partial directed coherence (PDC) measure. The supFunSim library is based on the well-known FieldTrip toolbox for EEG and MEG analysis and is written using object-oriented programming paradigm. The resulting modularity of the toolbox enables its simple extensibility. This paper gives a complete overview of the toolbox from both developer and end-user perspectives, including description of the installation process and use cases.
Label-Free Semiquantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Analysis of Laryngeal/Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma on Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples - a Pilot Study
Authors: Burian Andras , Lujber Laszlo , Gerlinger Imre , Jarai Tamas , Orosz Eva , Turiak Lilla , Acs Andras , Hegedus Zoltan , Peter Aniko Konigne , Tornoczki Tamas , Gombos Katalin , Mark Laszlo
Published: June 2020

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck region is the sixth most frequent malignancy with high mortality rate. Due to its poor prognosis it is considered a growing public health problem worldwide inspite of existing treatment modalities. Thus, early diagnosis of new diseases and recurrences is emerging on one hand, but on the other hand troublesome in the lack of reliable tumor markers in this field. The rapid development of proteomics has opened new perspectives in tumor marker discovery. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) as the gold standard in proteomics enables the semi-quantitative analysis of proteins within various tissues. Abundance differences between tumor and normal tissue also can be interpreted as tumor specific changes. The aim of this study was to identify potential tumor markers of laryngeal/hypopharyngeal SCC by revealing abundance changes between cancerous and the surrounding phenotypically healthy tissue. After separating the phenotypically cancerous and healthy parts of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, each sample underwent protein recovery process and tryptic digestion for label-free semi-quantitative LC/MS analysis. Eight proteins showed significantly higher abundance in tumor including tenascin, transmembrane emp24 domain-containing protein 2, cytoplasmic dynein light chain 1, coactosin-like protein, small proline-rich protein 2D, nucleolin, U5 small nuclear RNP 200-kDa helicase and fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase. Desmoglein-1 and keratin type I cytoskeletal 9 were down-regulated in tumor. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis we mapped the signaling pathways these proteins play role in regarding other tumors. Based on these findings these proteins may serve as promising biomarkers in the fight against laryngeal/hypopharyngeal SCCs.
Heterologous Expression of the Leuconostoc Bacteriocin Leucocin C in Probiotic Yeast Saccharomyces boulardii
Authors: Li Ran , Wan Xing , Takala Timo M. , Saris Per E.J.
Published: June 2020

The yeast Saccharomyces boulardii is well known for its probiotic effects such as treating or preventing gastrointestinal diseases. Due to its ability to survive in stomach and intestine, S. boulardii could be applied as a vehicle for producing and delivering bioactive substances of interest to human gut. In this study, we cloned the gene lecC encoding the antilisterial peptide leucocin C from lactic acid bacterium Leuconostoc carnosum in S. boulardii. The constructed S. boulardii strain secreted a peptide, which had molecular weight corresponding to leucocin C in SDS-PAGE. The peptide band inhibited Listeria monocytogenes in gel overlay assay. Likewise, concentrated S. boulardii culture supernatant inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes. The growth profile and acid tolerance of the leucocin C secreting S. boulardii were similar as those of the strain carrying the empty vector. We further demonstrated that the cells of the leucocin C producing S. boulardii efficiently killed L. monocytogenes, also without antibiotic selection pressure. These results showed that antilisterial activity could be added to the arsenal of probiotic activities of S. boulardii, demonstrating its potential as a carrier for therapeutics delivery.
The Role of Vaccination Interventions to Promote HPV Vaccine Uptake Rates in a College-Aged Population: a Systematic Review
Authors: Ou Lihong , Youngstedt Shawn D.
Published: June 2020

This systematic review provided synthesized evidence regarding the effectiveness of the interventions promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in college-aged population. The HPV infection is the most prevailing sexually transmitted disease. Despite the availability and effectiveness of the 9-Valent HPV vaccine, the vaccine coverage among young adults remained low. In witness to the increasing burden of HPV-related infections and cancers, research focused on the vaccination interventions should be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the vaccination strategy and address the gap. The search was conducted through PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAL. Studies were included if they (1) included vaccination programs, (2) target population was young adults aged 17–26, (3) examined factors associated with the intervention effectiveness, (4) were published in English, and (5) were published between February 2010 and February 2020. HPV-related knowledge and intentions toward HPV vaccination were all reported increased after the intervention. Increased HPV vaccination intentions were found associated with the increased vaccine initiation and completion. Among bisexual or homosexual individuals, females were found more likely to complete the HPV dose 2 and 3. The review findings suggested using vaccination interventions incorporated with educational components to promote vaccine uptake among young adults. Supportive interventions tailored to different populations and settings are crucial to address the suboptimal HPV-related knowledge and vaccination status among the young beneficiaries.
Ontology-Mediated Querying with Horn Description Logics
Authors: Sabellek Leif
Published: June 2020

An ontology-mediated query (OMQ) consists of a database query paired with an ontology. When evaluated on a database, an OMQ returns not only the answers that are already in the database, but also those answers that can be obtained via logical reasoning using rules from ontology. There are many open questions regarding the complexities of problems related to OMQs. Motivated by the use of ontologies in practice, new reasoning problems which have never been considered in the context of ontologies become relevant, since they can improve the usability of ontology enriched systems. This thesis deals with various reasoning problems that emerge from ontology-mediated querying and it investigates the computational complexity of these problems. We focus on ontologies formulated in Horn description logics, which are a popular choice for ontologies in practice. In particular, the thesis gives results regarding the data complexity of OMQ evaluation by completely classifying complexity and rewritability questions for OMQs based on an EL ontology and a conjunctive query. Furthermore, the query-by-example problem, and the expressibility and verification problem in ontology-based data access are introduced and investigated.
Correction to: Clinical management of ageing people living with HIV in Europe: the view of the care providers
Authors: Boffito Marta , Ryom Lene , Spinner Christoph , Martinez Esteban , Behrens Georg , Rockstroh Jürgen , Hohenauer Johannes , Lacombe Karine , Psichogyiou Mina , Voith Norbert , Mallon Patrick , Branco Teresa , Svedhem Veronica , dÁrminio Monforte Antonella
Published: June 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.
Correction to: A Universal Principle to Accurately Synthesize Atomically Dispersed Metal–N4 Sites for CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Zheng Wanzhen , Chen Feng , Zeng Qi , Li Zhongjian , Yang Bin , Lei Lecheng , Zhang Qinghua , He Feng , Wu Xi-Lin , Hou Yang
Published: June 2020

In the original publication, the author name was incorrectly published as Xilin Wu. The correct author name should be Xi-Lin Wu, which is provided in this correction.
Existence of weak solutions to a certain homogeneous parabolic Neumann problem involving variable exponents and cross-diffusion
Authors: Arumugam Gurusamy , Erhardt André H.
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with a homogeneous Neumann problem of a nonlinear diffusion system involving variable exponents dependent on spatial and time variables and cross-diffusion terms. We prove the existence of weak solutions using Galerkin’s approximation and we derive suitable energy estimates. To this end, we establish the needed Poincaré type inequality for variable exponents related to the Neumann boundary problem. Furthermore, we show that the investigated problem possesses a unique weak solution and satisfies a stability estimate, provided some additional assumptions are fulfilled. In addition, we show under which conditions the solution is nonnegative.
Cohomogeneity Two Nonsemisimple Isometric Actions
Authors: Mirzaie Reza , Bakhtiari Marzie
Published: June 2020

We describe the orbits of a cohomogeneity two Riemannian G-manifold M from topological point of view, under the conditions that G is nonsemisimple and M decomposes as a product of negatively curved Riemannian manifolds.
On Enabling GDPR Compliance in Business Processes Through Data-Driven Solutions
Authors: Zaman Rashid , Hassani Marwan
Published: June 2020

The collection and long-term retention of excessive data enables organisations to process data for insights in non-primary processes. The discovery of insights is promoted to be useful both for organisations and the customers. However, long-term possession of data on one hand risks the privacy of data belonging beings in cases of data breaches and on the other hand results in the customers distrust. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) abstractly defined the data processing boundaries of the personal data of European Union’s citizens. The processing principles of GDPR, in line with the spirit of privacy by design and default, provide directions on the collection, storage, and processing of personal data. Concomitantly, the data subject rights provide customers with necessary control over their personal data stationed at the data controller’s premises. The accountability principle of GDPR requires compliance in place and also the ability to demonstrate it. In this work, we are providing three solutions to enable GDPR compliance in business processes. First, we are proposing intra-process data degradation, a solution for continuous data minimisation during the course of business processes. The proposed approach results in reduced data maintenance and breach losses. Second, we adapt process mining techniques for ascertaining compliance of business process execution to data subject rights. Finally, we present a scheme to utilise differential privacy technique to enable GDPR-compliant business process discovery. Additionally, we offer links to two effective tools that demonstrate our first and second contributions.
Micro-analytical studies of discontinuous precipitation in Fe-13.5 at.% Zn alloy
Authors: Zięba Paweł , Chronowski Mateusz , Morgiel Jerzy
Published: June 2020

For the first time, the analytical electron microscopy has been used to determine the solute concentration profiles left behind the moving reaction front (RF) of the discontinuous precipitation (DP) reaction in a Fe-13.5 at.% Zn alloy. These profiles have been converted into grain boundary diffusivity (sδD

b
) values, using Cahn’s diffusion equation in its original form and the data of the growth rate of the discontinuous precipitates obtained from independent measurements. This approach has essentially removed existing difference in comparison to sδD

b
values obtained from Cahn′s simplified and Petermann–Hornbogen models relevant for the global approach to the DP. Simultaneously, the local values of sδD

b
have been up to 8–10 orders of magnitude higher than the data for volume diffusion coefficients and much greater than for diffusion at the stationary grain boundaries of Zn in pure Fe. This is clear indication that the rate controlling factor for DP reaction in the Fe-13 at.% Zn alloy is diffusion at the moving RF.
Convenience Matter in Mobile Banking Adoption Intention?
Authors: Shankar Amit , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore how different dimensions of online convenience impact mobile banking (m-banking) adoption intention. The findings from 432 banking users show that access convenience, transaction convenience, and possession/post-possession convenience predict m-banking adoption intention, with the chief driver being the possession/post-possession convenience. Further, results suggest that the intention to adopt m-banking leads to m-banking adoption and usage. These findings offer unique insights to banks about how to make m-banking platforms more convenient for enhancing the pace of m-banking adoption intention and usage. This study also makes several contributions to the mobile commerce and online convenience literature.
How to Grow the Sharing Economy? Create Prosumers!
Authors: Lang Bodo , Botha Elsamari , Robertson Jeandri , Kemper Joya A. , Dolan Rebecca , Kietzmann Jan
Published: June 2020

The sharing economy has changed many rules of business. One of those rules is the role of the firm and – importantly – the role of consumers, who can perform two roles and become both providers and consumers, i.e. “prosumers”. Therefore, the key network effect to leveraging the power of the sharing economy is for one-sided users, those who are consumers (e.g., Airbnb guests) or providers (e.g., Airbnb hosts), to add the second role and perform as providers and consumers and become prosumers (e.g., those who are Airbnb guests and hosts). Surprisingly, no studies have investigated this important phenomenon and measured how one-sided users may become prosumers. An online survey of 305 Airbnb users showed that trust and gratitude had a significant positive influence on service providers’ and consumers’ intentions to adopt the respective other role and become prosumers, and that those with high gratitude and trust had the highest intentions to become prosumers. However, consumers and providers differed markedly in how trust and gratitude influenced their intention to become prosumers. This study expands our understanding of trust and gratitude and highlights the potential for sharing platforms to create prosumers from both pools of one-sided users. Furthermore, it also makes a valuable contribution to the prosumer and sharing economy literatures by being the first to empirically measure users’ intentions to become prosumers in the sharing economy. We discuss the implications of the findings for practitioners, and suggest how future research could help leverage the sharing economy.
Impact of Childhood Sexual Assault on Sexual Function in the Czech Male Population
Authors: Kamnerdsiri Watcharaphol Alexandre , Fox Christopher , Weiss Petr
Published: June 2020

Introduction

This study explores the impact of childhood sexual assault (CSA) on men’s sexual function. There is limited understanding on the impact of CSA perpetrated against boys on later adult male sexual function, as there is a dearth of research on this topic. It was hypothesized that men reporting a history of CSA were more likely to report sexual function issues than men with no history of CSA.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional survey study of 1,004 Czech men aged between 15 and 85 years (M = 42.8 years; Standard deviation = 17.6 years) have been conducted. The participants anonymously answered a questionnaire on multiple aspects of their life and sexuality. This questionnaire included sought data on history of CSA and self-reported intravaginal ejaculation latency time and the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function.

Results

25 men (2.5%) indicated a history of CSA. 71% of the perpetrators where known by the victims, with a minority declaring the crime to authorities (37.5%). Half of those reporting assault also reported sexual function issues in the present or at some time in their life. Significant correlations were recorded between a history of CSA and erectile dysfunction but not significantly with premature ejaculation.

Conclusions

Men who reported a history of CSA are more likely to report sexual function issues than those who do not. The identified association between CSA and sexual function issues in adult life contributes to the small body of literature on the topic. When taking a sexual history, it is recommended to practitioner to include questions about CSA, considering its correlation with erectile dysfunction. An understanding of the relationship between CSA and adult sexual function helps practitioner to improve his patient’s well--being and life satisfaction.

Kamnerdsiri WA, Fox C, Weiss P, et al. Impact of Childhood Sexual Assault on Sexual Function in the Czech Male Population. J Sex Med 2020;8:446–453.
Excellent Product … But Too Early to Say: Consumer Reactions to Tentative Product Reviews
Authors: Ifie Kemefasu
Published: June 2020

This research explores the effects of tentativeness in online product reviews on consumers’ product attitude certainty and behavioral intentions. Drawing on salience theory, attribution theory, and work in attitude certainty, I predict that, when consumers who have seen positive reviews of a product are exposed to a tentative review, their attitude certainty and willingness to purchase is reduced. I also predict that consumer reactions differ depending on the expertise of the review source as well as the product experience of the consumer.

I also address confidence in information completeness as the metacognitive mechanism that explains the tentative review effect. Specifically, I argue that consumers who see a tentative review are sensitized to potentially missing information, which reduces their attitude certainty and willingness to purchase.

Our hypotheses are tested in a series of experiments which demonstrate that tentativeness reduces attitude certainty and willingness to purchase but that the effect is attenuated when the reviewer is a novice and when the consumer has a high level of product experience. Based on the findings, I discuss our contributions to theory and suggest practical steps that firms can take to mitigate the effects of tentative reviews.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Potential Tool to Reduce Sexual Arousal: A Proof of Concept Study
Authors: Schecklmann Martin , Sakreida Katrin , Oblinger Britta , Langguth Berthold , Poeppl Timm B.
Published: June 2020

Background

Hypersexuality and hyposexuality occur frequently, often in a variety of psychiatric disorders, and are difficult to treat. While there is meta-analytic evidence for the significant effect of non-invasive brain stimulation on drug and food craving, no study has investigated the potential of this technique to modulate sexual behavior.

Aim

Here, we tested the hypothesis that a single session of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) would reduce sexual arousal.

Methods

We employed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study design. 19 healthy male participants received high-frequency rTMS over the left DLPFC, high-frequency rTMS over the right DLPFC, and sham rTMS (each 10 Hz; 110% resting motor threshold; 60 trains with 50 pulses) in randomized and counterbalanced order with a 1-week interval between stimulation sessions to avoid carryover effects. Participants were exposed to neutral and sexual cues before and after each intervention and rated their sexual arousal after each block of cue presentation.

Main Outcome Measure

Efficacy of the respective intervention was operationalized by the change of subjective sexual arousal according to a rating scale.

Results

rTMS of the right DLPFC significantly reduced subjective sexual arousal (t18 = 2.282, P = .035). In contrast, neither sham rTMS nor rTMS of the left DLPFC affected sexual arousal (P > .389). Greater rTMS-induced reduction of subjective sexual arousal was observed in participants with higher trait-based dyadic sexual desire within the last 12 months (r = −0.417, P = .038).

Clinical Implication

Non-invasive brain stimulation might hold potential for influencing hypersexual behavior.

Strength & Limitation

This was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study with subjective but no physiological measures of sexual arousal.

Conclusion

The results indicate that 1 session of high-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) of the right DLPFC could significantly reduce subjective sexual arousal induced by visual stimuli in healthy subjects. On this basis, future studies with larger sample sizes and more stimulation sessions are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of rTMS in hypersexual behavior.
Mental practice as a novel learning strategy for donning and doffing personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Riggs Jamie , McGowan Melissa , Petrosoniak Andrew , Hicks Christopher
Published: June 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents challenges to the effective use of personal protective equipment, including equipment shortages, staff unfamiliarity, and physical distancing. Mental practice has been used as an alternative learning strategy in medicine for the development of technical skills. We developed educational materials with the aim of using mental practice to overcome these challenges and increase provider skill and confidence with the use of personal protective equipment. A mental practice script integrating cognitive, kinesthetic, and visual cues with a list of procedural steps was created and iteratively refined. To allow the use of this tool by providers unfamiliar with the principles of mental practice, accompanying explanatory materials were created and disseminated widely through the Free Open Access Medical education (FOAMed) community. By creating easily accessible resources to facilitate effective mental practice, providers may be able to increase their skill and comfort with the procedure while conserving personal protective equipment and respecting physical distancing guidelines.
Emergence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Anthropological and Social Science Perspectives
Authors: Sonekar Harshal B , Ponnaiah Manickam
Published: June 2020

With the ongoing coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2), the entire community of health professionals is working to control disease and investing crores in vaccine development. The present discussion is to bring the focus on various social issues that emerge during outbreak and calls for equal attention as that of other health-care interventions. These issues are summarized in three categories: first, stigmatization due to lack of knowledge about the source of infection; second, speculations and their consequences around lack of knowledge about transmission; and finally, the concern regarding miscommunication during such a crisis. Most of these concerns emerge from press and social media coverage of the episode. The Ebola outbreak response is an example of how social scientists and anthropologists can work with other experts to solve questions of public health importance. Their approach toward the community with the objective to understand the sources, reasons, and circumstances of the infection will help to manage the current outbreak. In this context, we suggest collaboration of diverse scientific community to control and sensitize the people to tackle the misinformation in the affected and non-affected community during the outbreaks.
Use of Incident Command System for Disaster Preparedness: A Model for an Emergency Department COVID-19 Response
Authors: Farcas Andra , Ko Justine , Chan Jennifer , Malik Sanjeev , Nono Lisa , Chiampas George
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on health systems, where hospitals have become overwhelmed with patients amidst limited resources. Disaster response and resource allocation during such crises present multiple challenges. A breakdown in communication and organization can lead to unnecessary disruptions and adverse events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promotes the use of an incident command system (ICS) model during large-scale disasters, and we hope that an institutional disaster plan and ICS will help to mitigate these lapses. In this article, we describe the alignment of an emergency department (ED) specific Forward Command structure with the hospital ICS and address the challenges specific to the ED. Key components of this ICS include a hospital-wide incident command or Joint Operations Center (JOC) and an ED Forward Command. This type of structure leads to a shared mental model with division of responsibilities that allows institutional adaptations to changing environments and maintenance of specific roles for optimal coordination and communication. We present this as a model that can be applied to other hospital EDs around the country to help structure the response to the COVID-19 pandemic while remaining generalizable to other disaster situations.
Biological drivers of individual-based anuran–parasite networks under contrasting environmental conditions
Authors: Campião K.M. , Dáttilo W.
Published: June 2020

Understanding the mechanisms driving host–parasite interactions has important ecological and epidemiological implications. Traditionally, most studies dealing with host–parasite interaction networks have focused on species relationship patterns, and intra-population variation in such networks has been widely overlooked. In this study, we tested whether the composition of parasite communities of five anuran species (Leptodactylus chaquensis,Leptodactylus fuscus,Leptodactylus podicipinus,Pseudis paradoxaandPithecopus azureus)vary across a pasture pond and a natural reserve site in south-eastern Pantanal, Brazil. We analysed the structure of individual-based networks of these five anuran species, assessed the species roles in the networks and the contribution of host species and body size to interaction strength in the networks, and tested if network ecological attributes varied between the two sites. We observed a total of 17 parasite morphospecies in 151 individual anurans and found that the abundance of parasite species tends to vary, with host species being the main filter driving parasite community structure. The composition of core parasite species remained similar between study sites, and network structure (i.e. parasite richness, interaction diversity, specialization, nestedness and modularity) did not change between pasture and natural reserve. Individual traits of hosts influenced network descriptors since larger hosts presented greater interaction strength independent of the study site. In short, we found that the occurrence of highly connected parasite taxa in both the pasture and the reserve sites may have promoted similarity in network structures, and host body size was the best predictor of associations with parasites in both study sites.
Techniques for the generation of multiple additional transmission zeros in H-plane waveguide filters
Authors: Miek Daniel , Boe Patrick , Kamrath Fynn , Höft Michael
Published: June 2020

In this paper, different techniques for the generation of additional transmission zeros (TZs) in planar waveguide filters are investigated. In the classical theory, TZs are generated only by destructive interference of non-adjacent cavities, limiting the available number of TZs to the filter order itself. However, more approaches for the generation of TZs are known, including bypass-coupling in oversized cavities, frequency-dependent coupling apertures as well as dispersive/resonant TZs which can be realized by the direct source to load cross-coupling. The aim of this paper is to combine several of the strategies in one physical filter set-up to increase the maximal number of TZs beyond the filter order. Different Ku-band fourth-order filter set-ups are presented, showing in total between six and eight real as well as complex TZs. Three filters are manufactured as a proof of concept and compared with the simulation, showing very good agreement.
Regional Versus Remote Atmosphere‐Ocean Drivers of the Rapid Projected Intensification of the East Australian Current
Authors: Bull Christopher Y. S. , Kiss Andrew E. , Gupta Alex Sen , Jourdain Nicolas C. , Argüeso Daniel , Di Luca Alejandro , Sérazin Guillaume
Published: June 2020

Like many western boundary currents, the East Australian Current (EAC) extension is projected to get stronger and warmer in the future. The CMIP5 multimodel mean (MMM) projection suggests up to 5°C of warming under an RCP85 scenario by 2100. Previous studies employed Sverdrup balance to associate a trend in basin wide zonally integrated wind stress curl (resulting from the multidecadal poleward intensification in the westerly winds over the Southern Ocean) with enhanced transport in the EAC extension. Possible regional drivers are yet to be considered. Here we introduce the NEMO‐OASIS‐WRF coupled regional climate model as a framework to improve our understanding of CMIP5 projections. We analyze a hierarchy of simulations in which the regional atmosphere and ocean circulations are allowed to freely evolve subject to boundary conditions that represent present‐day and CMIP5 RCP8.5 climate change anomalies. Evaluation of the historical simulation shows an EAC extension that is stronger than similar ocean‐only models and observations. This bias is not explained by a linear response to differences in wind stress. The climate change simulations show that regional atmospheric CMIP5 MMM anomalies drive 73% of the projected 12 Sv increase in EAC extension transport whereas the remote ocean boundary conditions and regional radiative forcing (greenhouse gases within the domain) play a smaller role. The importance of regional changes in wind stress curl in driving the enhanced EAC extension is consistent with linear theory where the NEMO‐OASIS‐WRF response is closer to linear transport estimates compared to the CMIP5 MMM.
Amplification of the Ocean Carbon Sink During El Niños: Role of Poleward Ekman Transport and Influence on Atmospheric CO2
Authors: Liao Enhui , Resplandy Laure , Liu Junjie , Bowman Kevin W.
Published: June 2020

Amplification of the ocean carbon sink during El Niño events partially offset terrestrial biosphere carbon losses to the atmosphere, but uncertainties in the magnitude, timing, and spatial extent of the ocean response confound our understanding of the global carbon budget and its sensitivity to climate. Here, we examine the mechanisms controlling the anomalous tropical Pacific Ocean CO2 drawdown during El Niño events harnessing multidecadal ocean pCO2 observations in conjunction with a state‐of‐the‐art ocean biogeochemical model. We show that poleward Ekman transport dramatically amplifies the near‐equatorial pCO2 anomaly identified in prior work and that this amplification varies considerably between El Niño events. During central Pacific events, the CO2 flux anomaly can vary up to fourfold between events (2002/2003 vs. 2015/2016), but it always recedes during the boreal winter to spring transition and the poleward transport of the anomaly mostly extends into the Northern Hemisphere. During eastern Pacific events characterized by an equatorially centered intertropical convergence zone (e.g., 1997/1998), the intense CO2 flux anomaly persists into boreal summer and can extend further into the Southern Hemisphere. The hemispheric asymmetry (northward vs. southward extension) and the termination (boreal winter/spring for central Pacific events vs. boreal summer for eastern Pacific events) of the ocean CO2 response are tied to the El Niño dynamics in the near‐equatorial region and also how it is amplified by poleward Ekman transport. Finally, we evaluate how differences in the ocean response influence atmospheric CO2 and discuss the potential of atmospheric CO2 satellite data to provide observational constraints.
The Biogeochemical Structure of Southern Ocean Mesoscale Eddies
Authors: Patel Ramkrushnbhai S. , Llort Joan , Strutton Peter G. , Phillips Helen E. , Moreau Sebastien , Conde Pardo Paula , Lenton Andrew
Published: June 2020

Mesoscale eddies play a key role in modulating physical and biogeochemical properties across the global ocean. They also play a central role in cross‐frontal transport of heat, freshwater, and carbon, especially in the Southern Ocean. However, the role that eddies play in the biogeochemical cycles is not yet well constrained, partly due to a lack of observations below the surface. Here, we use hydrographic data from two voyages, conducted in the austral summer and autumn, to document the vertical biogeochemical structure of two mesoscale cyclonic eddies and quantify the role of these eddies in the meridional transport of nutrients across the Subantarctic Front. Our study demonstrates that the nutrient distribution is largely driven by eddy dynamics, yielding identical eddy structure below the mixed layer in both seasons. This result allowed us to relate nutrient content to dynamic height and estimate the average transport by eddies across the Subantarctic Front. We found that relative to Subantarctic Zone waters, long‐lived cold‐core eddies carry nitrate anomalies of 1.6±0.2×1010 moles and silicate anomalies of −5.5±0.7×1010 moles across the fronts each year. This cross‐frontal transport of nutrients has negligible impact on Subantarctic Zone productivity; however, it has potential to modify the nutrient content of mode waters that are exported from the Southern Ocean to lower latitudes.
Nutrient‐Rich Gravity Current Formed by Upwelling in Barrow Canyon: High‐Resolution Observations
Authors: Beaird N. L. , Shroyer E. L. , Juranek L. W. , Hales B. , Goñi M. A.
Published: June 2020

The distribution of nutrients influences the Chukchi Sea's rich ecosystems and affectsthe biogeochemistry of the central Arctic. Nutrients that become limiting in the late summer can be replenished episodically by physical processes that are likely to change in concert with Arctic climate trends. Here we report on unique, simultaneous, physical, and biogeochemical measurements of one such process: upwelling in Barrow Canyon. High‐resolution transects of a towed vehicle, which was equipped with physical, turbulence, and biogeochemical sensors, captured the upwelling of dense, salty, and nitrate‐rich waters into the shallow regions of Barrow Canyon. Upwelling drastically modifies the nitrate distribution of Barrow Canyon through the vertical advection of Atlantic Water from the Canada Basin and through turbulent flux across the nutricline. Upwelled waters form a highly sheared gravity current that is susceptible to both baroclinic and symmetric instabilities. The current exhibits transverse circulation common to frictional gravity currents. Our observations suggest that rapid and dramatic nutrient changes in Barrow Canyon can be accomplished by upwelling; the subsequent formation of unstable jets and fronts enhances the irreversible flux of upwelled nutrients to less dense waters in the Chukchi sea.
Defining Radiation Belt Enhancement Events Based on Probability Distributions
Authors: Reeves Geoffrey D. , Vandegriff Elizabeth M. , Niehof Jonathan T. , Morley Steven K. , Cunningham Gregory S. , Henderson Michael G. , Larsen Brian A.
Published: June 2020

We present a methodology to define moderate, strong, and intense space weather events based on probability distributions. We have illustrated this methodology using a long‐duration, uniform data set of 1.8–3.5 MeV electron fluxes from multiple LANL geosynchronous satellite instruments, but a strength of this methodology is that it can be applied uniformly to heterogeneous data sets. It allows quantitative comparison of data sets with different energies, units, orbits, and so forth. The methodology identifies a range of times, “events,” using variable flux thresholds to determine average event occurrence in arbitrary 11‐year intervals (“cycles”). We define moderate, strong, and intense events as those that occur 100, 10, and 1 time per cycle and identify the flux thresholds that produce those occurrence frequencies. The methodology does not depend on any ancillary data set (e.g., solar wind or geomagnetic conditions). We show event probabilities using GOES > 2 MeV fluxes and compare them against event probabilities using LANL 1.8–3.5 MeV fluxes. We present some examples of how the methodology picks out moderate, strong, and intense events and how those events are distributed in time: 1989 through 2018, which includes the declining phases of solar cycles 22, 23, and 24. We also provide an illustrative comparison of moderate and strong events identified in the geosynchronous data with Van Allen Probes observations across all L‐shells. We also provide a catalog of start and stop times of moderate, strong, and intense events that can be used for future studies.
Cytochrome P450 1B1 polymorphism drives cancer cell stemness and patient outcome in head-and-neck carcinoma
Authors: Morvan Valérie Le , Richard Élodie , Cadars Maud , Fessart Delphine , Broca-Brisson Léa , Auzanneau Céline , Pasquies Alban , Modesto Anouchka , Lusque Amélie , Mathoulin-Pélissier Simone , Lansiaux Amélie , Robert Jacques
Published: June 2020

Background

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) is mostly expressed in tumours and displays unusual properties. Its two polymorphic forms were differently associated with anticancer drug sensitivity. We decipher here the role of this polymorphism in anticancer drug efficacy in vitro, in vivo and in the clinical setting.

Methods

From head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines not expressing CYP1B1, we generated isogenic derivatives expressing the two forms. Proliferation, invasiveness, stem cell characteristics, sensitivity to anticancer agents and transcriptome were analysed. Tumour growth and chemosensitivity were studied in vivo. A prospective clinical trial on 121 patients with advanced head-and-neck cancers was conducted, and a validation-retrospective study was conducted.

Results

Cell lines expressing the variant form displayed high rates of in vitro proliferation and invasiveness, stemness features and resistance to DNA-damaging agents. In vivo, tumours expressing the variant CYP1B1 had higher growth rates and were markedly drug-resistant. In the clinical study, overall survival was significantly associated with the genotypes, wild-type patients presenting a longer median survival (13.5 months) than the variant patients (6.3 months) (p = 0.0166).

Conclusions

This frequent CYP1B1 polymorphism is crucial for cancer cell proliferation, migration, resistance to chemotherapy and stemness properties, and strongly influences head-and-neck cancer patients’ survival.
Machine learning-based lifetime breast cancer risk reclassification compared with the BOADICEA model: impact on screening recommendations
Authors: Ming Chang , Viassolo Valeria , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Dinov Ivo D. , Chappuis Pierre O. , Katapodi Maria C.
Published: June 2020

Background

The clinical utility of machine-learning (ML) algorithms for breast cancer risk prediction and screening practices is unknown. We compared classification of lifetime breast cancer risk based on ML and the BOADICEA model. We explored the differences in risk classification and their clinical impact on screening practices.

Methods

We used three different ML algorithms and the BOADICEA model to estimate lifetime breast cancer risk in a sample of 112,587 individuals from 2481 families from the Oncogenetic Unit, Geneva University Hospitals. Performance of algorithms was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AU-ROC) curve. Risk reclassification was compared for 36,146 breast cancer-free women of ages 20–80. The impact on recommendations for mammography surveillance was based on the Swiss Surveillance Protocol.

Results

The predictive accuracy of ML-based algorithms (0.843 ≤ AU-ROC ≤ 0.889) was superior to BOADICEA (AU-ROC = 0.639) and reclassified 35.3% of women in different risk categories. The largest reclassification (20.8%) was observed in women characterised as ‘near population’ risk by BOADICEA. Reclassification had the largest impact on screening practices of women younger than 50.

Conclusion

ML-based reclassification of lifetime breast cancer risk occurred in approximately one in three women. Reclassification is important for younger women because it impacts clinical decision- making for the initiation of screening.
Serial circulating tumour DNA analysis for locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative therapy: prediction of pathological response and postoperative recurrence
Authors: Murahashi Satoshi , Akiyoshi Takashi , Sano Takeshi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Noda Tetsuo , Ueno Masashi , Zembutsu Hitoshi
Published: June 2020

Background

The “watch-and-wait” approach is a common treatment option amongst patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, the diagnostic sensitivity of clinical modalities, such as colonoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging to determine pathological response, is not high. We analysed the clinical utility of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) of patients with LARC to predict response to preoperative therapy and postoperative recurrence.

Methods

A serial ctDNA analysis of 222 plasma samples from 85 patients with LARC was performed using amplicon-based deep sequencing on a cell-free DNA panel covering 14 genes with over 240 hotspots.

Results

ctDNA was detected in 57.6% and 22.3% of samples at baseline and after preoperative treatment, respectively, which was significantly different (P = 0.0003). Change in ctDNA was an independent predictor of complete response to preoperative therapy (P = 0.0276). In addition, postoperative ctDNA and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were independent prognostic markers for risk of recurrence after surgery (ctDNA, P = 0.0127 and CEA, P = 0.0105), with a combined analysis having cumulative effects on recurrence-free survival (P = 1.0 × 10–16).

Conclusions

Serial ctDNA analysis may offer clinically useful predictive and prognostic markers for response to preoperative therapy and postoperative recurrence in patients with LARC.
Free-roaming dogs limit habitat use of giant pandas in nature reserves
Authors: Callan Ramana , Owens Jacob R. , Bi Wenlei , Kilham Benjamin , Yan Xia , Qi Dunwu , Hou Rong , Spotila James R. , Zhang Zhihe
Published: June 2020

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were historically hunted using dogs and are currently threatened by free-roaming dogs and their associated diseases. To better understand the spatial magnitude of this threat, we used a GIS approach to investigate edge effects of dogs on giant panda habitat. We first examined two nature reserves with contrasting free-roaming dog populations: Liziping, with many dogs (~0.44/km2), and Daxiangling, with few dogs (~0.14/km2). Spatial analysis indicated that giant pandas at Liziping (but not Daxiangling) showed a shift in habitat use away from populated areas consistent with a risk response to the foray distance of free-roaming dogs (10.9 km path-distance). Most giant panda locations (86%) from the 2014 census in Liziping were clustered around remote “dog-free zones.” Expanding this analysis across the entire giant panda range revealed that 40% of panda habitat is within the foray distance of dogs. Our assessment will inform dog control programs including monitoring, education, veterinary care, and other measures. We recommend that reserves designated for the release of translocated pandas receive priority consideration for dog control efforts. Only by understanding and managing complex interactions between humans, domestic animals, and wild animals can we sustain natural systems in a world increasingly dominated by humans.
Genome-wide characterization and expression analyses of the auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Shi Qi , Zhang Yueya , To Vinh-Trieu , Shi Jin , Zhang Dabing , Cai Wenguo
Published: June 2020

Aux/IAA genes are early auxin-responsive genes and essential for auxin signaling transduction. There is little information about Aux/IAAs in the agriculturally important cereal, barley. Using in silico method, we identified and subsequently characterized 36 Aux/IAAs from the barley genome. Based on their genomic sequences and the phylogenic relationship with Arabidopsis and rice Aux/IAA, the 36 HvIAAs were categorized into two major groups and 14 subgroups. The indication of the presence or absence of these domains for the biological functions and acting mechanisms was discussed. The cis-element distributions in HvIAA promoters suggests that the HvIAAs expressions may not only regulated by auxin (the presence of AuxREs and TGA-element) but also by other hormones and developmental and environmental cues. We then studied the HvIAAs expression in response to NAA (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid) using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Like the promoter analysis, only 14 HvIAAs were upregulated by NAA over two-fold at 4 h. HvIAAs were clustered into three groups based on the spatiotemporal expression data. We confirmed by qRT-PCR that most HvIAAs, especially HvIAA3, HvIAA7, HvIAA8, HvIAA18, HvIAA24 and HvIAA34, are expressed in the developing barley spike compared within seedling, suggesting their roles in regulating spike development. Taken together, our data provide a foundation for further revealing the biological function of these HvIAAs.