bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mTOR pathway somatic variants and the molecular pathogenesis of hemimegalencephaly
Authors: Garcia Camila A. B. , Carvalho Simone C. S. , Yang Xiaoxu , Ball Laurel L. , George Renee D. , James Kiely N. , Stanley Valentina , Breuss Martin W. , Thomé Ursula , Santos Marcelo V. , Saggioro Fabiano P. , Neder Serafini Luciano , Silva Wilson A. , Gleeson Joseph G. , Machado Hélio R.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Recently, defects in the protein kinase mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and its associated pathway have been correlated with hemimegalencephaly (HME). mTOR acts as a central regulator of important physiological cellular functions such as growth and proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, death, and survival. This study was aimed at identifying specific variants in mTOR signaling pathway genes in patients diagnosed with HME.

Methods

Using amplicon and whole exome sequencing (WES) of resected brain and paired blood samples from five HME patients, we were able to identify pathogenic mosaic variants in the mTOR pathway genes MTOR, PIK3CA, and DEPDC5.

Results

These results strengthen the hypothesis that somatic variants in PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway genes contribute to HME. We also describe one patient presenting with a pathogenic variant on DEPDC5 gene, which reinforces the role of DEPDC5 on cortical structural changes due to mTORC1 hyperactivation. These findings also provide insights into when in brain development these variants occurred. An early developmental variant is expected to affect a larger number of cells and to result in a larger malformation, whereas the same variant occurring later in development would cause a minor malformation.

Significance

In the future, numerous somatic variants in known or new genes will undoubtedly be revealed in resected brain samples, making it possible to draw correlations between genotypes and phenotypes and allow for a genetic clinical diagnosis that may help to predict a given patient's outcome.
Outage analysis of partial relay selection based on shadowing side information in hybrid satellite‐terrestrial relay networks
Authors: Ruan Yuhan , Wang Yumeng , Li Yongzhao , Zhang Rui , Li Tao
Published: January 2020

Enabling to increase the data rate and reliability of satellite‐terrestrial communication, hybrid satellite‐terrestrial relay network (HSTRN) has attracted wide attention recently. In the HSTRN, traditional partial relay selection (PRS) schemes are mainly based on complete channel state information (CSI) of the satellite‐relay links, which may be outdated and thus deteriorate the system performance. To reduce the feedback overhead of CSI as well as guarantee the communication performance of HSTRN, we firstly propose a PRS scheme only based on shadowing side information of the composite satellite‐relay links. Then, we derive accurate outage probability expressions to theoretically analyze system performance of HSTRN with PRS based on shadowing side information, where the satellite‐relay and relay‐destination links are modeled as composite generalized‐K fading and Nakagami‐m fading, respectively. In addition, in order to understand the diversity gain of the HSTRN more clearly, we analyze the asymptotic results at high signal‐to‐noise ratio region. Simulation results show that our proposed scheme is robust to outdated CSI and can achieve approximate performance as the traditional complete CSI‐based PRS scheme under a better channel environment. Moreover, the accuracy of exact outage probability and asymptotic OP analyses are validated.
Levels of legitimacy development in internationalization: Multinational enterprise and civil society interplay in institutional void
Authors: Rana Mohammad B. , Sørensen Olav J.
Published: January 2020

Research Summary

Typically, studies on subsidiary legitimation take the perspectives of compliance and isomorphism to examine multinational enterprises (MNEs') legitimacy; our study considers both isomorphism and institutional innovation perspectives to examine how subsidiaries, in collaboration with civil society actors, co‐develop various levels (degrees) of legitimacy in an institutional void. The study finds four overlapping levels of legitimacy—“acceptance,” “image,” “endorsement,” and “synergy” (a combination of acceptance and efficiency)—that subsidiaries co‐develop throughout the internationalization process. We bring new insight into legitimation: that an isomorphism perspective of legitimacy alone cannot explain the complexity of subsidiary legitimation in an institutional void because subsidiaries not only earn acceptance by compliance, but also create/co‐create image, endorsement, and synergy as outputs of institutional innovation. We contribute to the global strategic management in emerging economies.

Managerial Summary

We investigate how MNE‐civil society interplay co‐develops different levels of legitimacy in an institutional void, as opposed to only the “acceptance” level. The study combines both rule‐accepting and rule‐changing perspectives, revealing that MNEs' strategic endeavors yield overlapping, yet increasing, levels of legitimacy—“acceptance,” “image,” “endorsement,” and “synergy”—in internationalization. These levels are not necessarily derived from a firm's strategic initiatives using an isomorphism perspective; instead, the firm appears as an institutional entrepreneur and co‐develops new institutions, which creates synergy (legitimacy + efficiency) for the firm's operation. Although it is difficult to separate the increasing levels of legitimacy, managers can use the insights to design specific strategies for each level of legitimacy and develop partnerships with local actors in legitimation in an institutional void.
Postimplantation radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients: Literature review
Authors: Koudougou Carine , Bertin Hélios , Lecaplain Bastien , Badran Zahi , Longis Julie , Corre Pierre , Hoornaert Alain
Published: January 2020

There is no recommendation regarding the timing for implant surgery in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who require postoperative radiation therapy (RT). This systematic review focused on the literature about the outcomes of implants placed during ablative surgery in patients with HNC who underwent postoperative RT. Implants placed after radiation therapy and implants placed in reconstructed jaws were excluded. Four comparative studies involving 755 native mandible primary implants were analyzed. The survival rate with postimplantation RT was 89.6% vs 98.6% in patients with no additional radiation. The overall success of implant‐retained overdenture in patients with RT performed postimplantation was 67.4% vs 93.1% in patients with implant surgery that was carried out 1 year after the completion of radiation therapy. Only five cases of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw were reported. The outcomes for implant survival rates appear to be positive for irradiated implants.
Targeting Liver Cancer Stem Cells Using Engineered Biological Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Cancer
Authors: Ishiguro Kaori , Yan Irene K. , Lewis‐Tuffin Laura , Patel Tushar
Published: January 2020

By exploiting their biological functions, the use of biological nanoparticles such as extracellular vesicles can provide an efficient and effective approach for hepatic delivery of RNA‐based therapeutics for the treatment of liver cancers such as hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Targeting liver cancer stem cells (LCSC) within HCC provide an untapped opportunity to improve outcomes by enhancing therapeutic responses. Cells with tumor‐initiating capabilities such as LCSC can be identified by expression of markers such as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) on their cell surface. EpCAM is a target of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, a fundamental pathway in stem‐cell growth. Moreover, mutations in the β‐catenin gene are frequently observed in HCC and can be associated with constitutive activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. However, targeting these pathways for the treatment of HCC has been challenging. Using RNA nanotechnology, we developed engineered biological nanoparticles capable of specific and effective delivery of RNA therapeutics targeting β‐catenin to LCSC. Extracellular vesicles isolated from milk were loaded with small interfering RNA to β‐catenin and decorated with RNA scaffolds to incorporate RNA aptamers capable of binding to EpCAM. Cellular uptake of these EpCAM‐targeting therapeutic milk‐derived nanovesicles in vitro resulted in loss of β‐catenin expression and decreased proliferation. The uptake and therapeutic efficacy of these engineered biological nanotherapeutics was demonstrated in vivo using tumor xenograft mouse models. Conclusion: β‐catenin can be targeted directly to control the proliferation of hepatic cancer stem cells using small interfering RNA delivered using target‐specific biological nanoparticles. Application of this RNA nanotechnology–based approach to engineer biological nanotherapeutics provides a platform for developing cell‐surface molecule–directed targeted therapeutics.
Political tension and stock markets in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Al‐Maadid Alanoud , Maria Caporale Guglielmo , Spagnolo Fabio , Spagnolo Nicola
Published: January 2020

This note investigates the effects of the recent political tensions in the Arabian peninsula on the linkages between the stock markets of the leading Gulf Cooperation Council countries by estimating a VAR‐GARCH(1,1) model at a weekly frequency. The results indicate that the June 2017 crisis lowered stock market returns and generally led to greater volatility spillovers within the region. This evidence supports the need for further financial integration and suggests fewer portfolio diversification opportunities for investors in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
Therapeutic plasma exchange may adjust IL‐6 and TGF‐β signals in relapsed MS patients peripheral blood
Authors: Jamshidian Azam , Abd‐Nikfarjam Bahareh , Khademi Zahra , Shaygannejad Vahid , Salehi Mansoor
Published: January 2020

Objective

Effects of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on immune cells and their cytokine production in MS, are unknown. Since interleukine‐6 and tumor growth factor‐β have critical roles in MS immunopathogenesis, the impacts of TPE on the expression of these cytokines and their receptors on the surface of CD4+ T lymphocytes, were investigated.

Methods

Blood cells were obtained from 30 Relapsing‐Remitting (RR) MS patients, before and after a complete TPE course. Cytokines mRNA and their receptor expression on the CD4+ T cells surface were assessed using real‐time PCR and flowcytometry, respectively.

Results

TPE reduced symptom severity (P= .01) and the relief was higher in males than in females (P= .039). TPE also increased TGF‐β mRNA and decreased IL‐6 receptor expressing cells frequency (P= .009 andP= .028, respectively). Moreover, the frequency of CD4+IL6R+ T cells was positively correlated with disease severity (P= .001).

Conclusion

TPE impacts simultaneously on the TGF‐β mRNA and IL‐6 receptor expression, and this may be a mechanism of improvement in MS relapse symptoms induced by the TPE.
Exploring the Relationship Between School Counselors’ Perceived ASCA National Model Implementation, Supervision Satisfaction, and Burnout
Authors: Fye Heather J. , Bergen Silas , Baltrinic Eric R.
Published: January 2020

The authors investigated the relationship between perceived American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model implementation, supervision satisfaction, and burnout in a sample of 208 practicing school counselors, of whom all were members of ASCA. After school district type, grade level, and consultation hours were controlled, results showed that increases in perceived ASCA National Model implementation and supervision satisfaction were related to decreases in burnout. Implications for the school counseling profession are discussed.
Examining Perceived Multicultural Counseling Competence and Negative Attitudes Toward the Arab American Population
Authors: Basma Dareen , Gibbons Melinda M. , Kronick Robert F.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between professional counselors’ general multicultural competence and negative attitudes held toward Arab Americans. Participants (N = 124) completed a survey, and a series of correlational, stepwise, and multiple regression analyses was conducted. Results indicated that counselors displayed higher levels of multicultural awareness than of multicultural knowledge. Furthermore, general multicultural awareness and specific knowledge of Arabs related significantly to negative attitudes held toward Arabs.

El propósito de este estudio cuantitativo fue investigar la relación entre la competencia multicultural general de consejeros profesionales y las actitudes negativas mantenidas hacia personas estadounidenses de origen árabe. Los participantes (N = 124) completaron una encuesta, y se llevó a cabo una serie de análisis correlacionales, por pasos y de regresión múltiple. Los resultados indicaron que los consejeros mostraron niveles de conciencia multicultural mayores que los niveles de conocimiento multicultural. Además, la conciencia multicultural general y el conocimiento específico acerca de las personas árabes estuvieron significativamente relacionados con actitudes negativas mantenidas hacia personas árabes.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Parentification Inventory–Swahili Version With Kenyan Adults: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity
Authors: Hooper Lisa M. , Mugoya George C. T. , Burton Shelby , Tomek Sara
Published: January 2020

The immediate concerns and aftereffects of parentification in the United States are well documented. However, the correlates of parentification in international communities are less known. This psychometric study explored the validity of a Swahili version of the Parentification Inventory (PI; Hooper, 2009) with a sample of 279 Kenyan adults. Factor analysis produced a 3‐factor structure, but with fewer items (N = 17) than in the original PI (N = 22). Recommendations for using the PI–Swahili Version are discussed.

Las preocupaciones inmediatas y las secuelas de la parentificación en los Estados Unidos están bien documentadas. Sin embargo, las correlaciones de la parentificación en comunidades internacionales son menos conocidas. Este estudio psicométrico exploró la validez de una versión en suajili del Inventario de Parentificación (PI, por sus siglas en inglés; Hooper, 2009) en una muestra de 279 kenianos adultos. El análisis factorial produjo una estructura de 3 factores, pero con menos elementos (N = 17) que en el PI original (N = 22). Se discuten recomendaciones para el uso de la versión en suajili del PI.
Testing adults by questionnaire for social and communication disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, in an adult mental health service population
Authors: Brugha Traolach , Tyrer Freya , Leaver Andrew , Lewis Samantha , Seaton Sarah , Morgan Zoe , Tromans Samuel , van Rensburg Kobus
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Autism is difficult to identify in adults due to lack of validated self‐report questionnaires. We compared the effectiveness of the autism‐spectrum quotient (AQ) and the Ritvo autism–Asperger's diagnostic scale‐revised (RAADS‐R) questionnaires in adult mental health services in two English counties.

Methods

A subsample of adults who completed the AQ and RAADS‐R were invited to take part in an autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS Module 4) assessment with probability of selection weighted by scores on the questionnaires.

Results

There were 364 men and 374 women who consented to take part. Recorded diagnoses were most commonly mood disorders (44%) and mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol/substance misuse (19%), and 4.8% (95% CI [2.9, 7.5]) were identified with autism (ADOS Module 4 10+). One had a pre‐existing diagnosis of autism; five (26%) had borderline personality disorders (all female) and three (17%) had mood disorders. The AQ and RAADS‐R had fair test accuracy (area under receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.77 and 0.79, respectively). AQ sensitivity was 0.79 (95% CI [0.54, 0.94]) and specificity was 0.77 (95% CI [0.65, 0.86]); RAADS‐R sensitivity was 0.75 (95% CI [0.48, 0.93]) and specificity was 0.71 (95% CI [0.60, 0.81]).

Conclusions

The AQ and RAADS‐R can guide decisions to refer adults in mental health services to autism diagnostic services.
The utility of a single simple question in the evaluation of patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Abraham Alon , Lovblom Leif E. , Bril Vera
Published: January 2020

Introduction

A single and simple question, namely “What percentage of normal (PoNL) do you feel regarding your disease?” is feasible and valid in myasthenia gravis. In this study, we aimed to determine the validity of this question in patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy.

Methods

Clinical, electrophysiological, and functional and disability assessments were performed in 151 patients with nondiabetic polyneuropathy. One hundred forty patient answers were recorded for the PoNL question, and these were included in the current study.

Results

The PoNL correlated moderately with functional and disability scales.

Discussion

“What PoNL do you feel?” is a simple, quick, and valid question, which correlates moderately with functional and disability scales in nondiabetic polyneuropathy, and it may be incorporated in polyneuropathy assessment.
Exploring perceptions and practices of cancer care among caregivers and care recipients of breast cancer in India
Authors: Parsekar Shradha S. , Bailey Ajay , V. S. Binu , Nair Suma
Published: January 2020

Objective

Cancer care is physically and psychologically challenging for both care recipients and caregivers. Caregiving in cancer is an area that needs urgent attention in India. Much of caregiving literature in India is limited to mental illnesses. This study thus examines the perceptions and practices of psychological caregiving among caregivers and care recipients of breast cancer in India.

Methods

Participants were interviewed with the aid of a semistructured qualitative interview guide. Participants included 39 caregivers and 35 care recipients in different breast cancer stages. Interviews were transcribed, translated to English, and coded, and themes were derived for further analysis. Informed consent from participants and ethical clearance and permission from a tertiary hospital were obtained prior to data collection.

Results

Psychological caregiving as perceived by the participants included actions such as encouraging, convincing care recipients, companionship, and maintaining a stress‐free environment. Caregivers in particular felt that psychological caregiving meant reacting calmly to sensitive queries of nonfamily members, providing emotional support to other family members, and involvement in religious activities. Taking on such diverse responsibilities gave rise to several unmet psychological needs such as motivation and support in decision making from other family members.

Conclusions

Irrespective of the status (caregiver or care recipient), participants in this study felt the need for structured counselling services to be incorporated into the standard care protocol. This is an area that needs to be further explored in the context of the breast cancer caregiver and care recipient dyad.
Adaptive parameter estimation for a general dynamical system with unknown states
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ding Feng
Published: January 2020

This paper is concerned with the design of a state filter for a time‐delay state‐space system with unknown parameters from noisy observation information. The key is to investigate new identification algorithms for interactive state and parameter estimation of the considered system. Firstly, an observability canonical state‐space model is derived from the original model by linear transformation for the purpose of simplifying the model structure. Secondly, a direct state filter is formulated by minimizing the state estimation error covariance matrix on the basis of the Kalman filtering principle. Thirdly, once the unknown states are estimated, a state filter–based recursive least squares algorithm is proposed for parameter estimation using the least squares principle. Then, a state filter–based hierarchical least squares algorithm is derived by decomposing the original system into several subsystems for improving the computational efficiency. Finally, the numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithms.
The unusual tribological behavior of diamond‐like carbon films under high vacuum
Authors: Zhang Renhui , Shen Mingxue , He Zhongyi
Published: January 2020

We fabricate F‐doped and F‐S‐codoped diamond‐like carbon (DLC) films using plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition system. The hardness, Raman spectra, and high‐vacuum tribological behaviors indicate that the films are DLC films. The hardness is close related to the tribological properties of DLC films under high vacuum. The high hardness of DLC films would be helpful for obtaining the long lifetime under high vacuum. The lifetimes of F‐S‐codoped DLC films are about 120 and 140 seconds, which is attributed to the fast graphitization under high vacuum. The lifetime of F‐doped DLC films is prolonged to the value of around 300 and 440 seconds, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis exhibits the existence of the “adsorption” F, and transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the “adsorption” F could react with Fe to form layered FeF2 nanocrystal at the initial sliding, which could be helpful for prolonging the lifetime of F‐doped DLC films under high vacuum. This investigation opens a new window to overcome the disadvantage of F, S‐doped DLC films under high vacuum.
Iodine‐Rich Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for CT/Fluorescence Dual‐Modal Imaging‐Guided Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhou Wen , Chen Ying , Zhang Yutao , Xin Xiaoyan , Li Rutian , Xie Chen , Fan Quli
Published: January 2020

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising technique for cancer therapy, providing good therapeutic efficacy with minimized side effect. However, the lack of oxygen supply in the hypoxic tumor site obviously restricts the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2), thus limiting the efficacy of PDT. So far, the strategies to improve PDT efficacy usually rely on complicated nanosystems, which require sophisticated design or complex synthetic procedure. Herein, iodine‐rich semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN‐I) for enhanced PDT, using iodine‐induced intermolecular heavy‐atom effect to elevate the 1O2 generation, are designed and prepared. The nanoparticles are composed of a near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing semiconducting polymer (PCPDTBT) serving as the photosensitizer and source of fluorescence signal, and an iodine‐grafted amphiphilic diblock copolymer (PEG‐PHEMA‐I) serving as the 1O2 generation enhancer and nanocarrier. Compared with SPN composed of PEG‐b‐PPG‐b‐PEG and PCPDTBT (SPN‐P), SPN‐I can enhance the 1O2 generation by 1.5‐fold. In addition, SPN‐I have high X‐ray attenuation coefficient because of the high density of iodine in PEG‐PHEMA‐I, providing SPN‐I the ability of use with computed tomography (CT) and fluorescence dual‐modal imaging. The study thus provides a simple nanotheranostic platform composed of two components for efficient CT/fluorescence dual‐modal imaging‐guided enhanced PDT.
Intensification of Vertical Phase Separation for Efficient Polymer Solar Cell via Piecewise Spray Assisted by a Solvent Driving Force
Authors: Cheng Jiang , Wang Shenghao , Tang Yang , Hu Rong , Yan Xingwu , Zhang Zhen , Li Lu , Pei Qibing
Published: January 2020

Piecewise spray has the advantage of controlling the component distribution, i.e., constructing vertical phase‐separated active layers, to improve the charge generation efficiency of large‐scale polymer solar cells. However, it brings a connection problem because of the drastic difference in the donor/acceptor ratio of continuous coatings using the conventional solvent. Assisted by 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene‐based solvent engineering, a solvent driving force is formed, resulting in a continuous interface for piecewise spray‐coated active layers. The blend film forms a bicontinuous interpenetrating network in the active layer and provides efficient percolation pathways for charge carrier transport, resulting in a considerable improvement in the photovoltaic performance. When the donor/acceptor ratio is 1:2 in the first coating and 2:1 in the second coating, and the thickness of each coating is 90 nm, the performance of the PBDB‐T‐2Cl:IT4F photovoltaic device shows a notable conversion efficiency of 12.29% with a high short‐circuit current density of 21.55 mA cm−2. Importantly, this piecewise spray technique can be used for large‐scale module fabrication.
Incorporating a Polar Molecule to Passivate Defects for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Chunyu , Zhang Dezhong , Li Zhuowei , Han Wenbin , Ren Guanhua , Li Zhiqi , Shen Liang , Guo Wenbin , Zheng Weitao
Published: January 2020

The intrinsic characteristics of a ZnO electron transport layer (ETL) lead to severe charge loss in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), such as photogenerated charge accumulation recombination in the perovskite layer due to the low electron extraction capacity, and defect‐induced charge recombination at the interface due to the unfavorable defects, causing efficiency loss and device hysteresis. Here, the polar molecule of (2‐aminothiazole‐4‐yl)acetic acid (ATAA) is self‐assembled onto a ZnO layer with the help of oxygen vacancy defects, combining the advantages of lowering the work function by forming the permanent interface dipole and simultaneously passivating defect states. It effectively strengthens the electron extraction capacity and reduces the density of defect states. Therefore, the resulting PSCs with a ZnO–ATAA ETL yield an enhanced efficiency of 19.74% with evidently reduced device hysteresis.
A new technique based on fundamental frequency positive sequence fault components for fault location
Authors: Zhao Lihui , Zhu Jingwei , Gu Bin
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a new fault location technique based on the fundamental frequency positive sequence fault components, featuring robustness to the operating state of the prefault system and fault path resistance. Using the fundamental frequency positive sequence fault components, the technique described in this paper does not require the user to know the fault phases and fault type in advance or use a line zero sequence parameter, which is not only difficult to obtain but is also affected by soil resistivity and thus may be variable. In addition, based on the fault components protection principle, the method is inherently unaffected by the operating state of the prefault system. Accurate transmission lines' fault location is important for expediting their repair or reducing outage times, so the proposed technique could improve the quality and security of the electricity supply. This paper describes the characteristics of the proposed technique and assesses its performance by using the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Enlightened Developments? Inter-imperial Organizations and the Issue of Colonial Education in Africa (1945–1957)
Authors: Jerónimo Miguel Bandeira , Dores Hugo Gonçalves
Published: January 2020

After the Second World War, development and welfare abounded in the political imagination of European colonial empires. Efforts to rejuvenate their colonial projects entailed the redefinition of “native policies” on health, labor, and education. In relation to these, imperial states and colonial administrations sought varying levels of cooperation, recuperating some initiatives from past decades. This chapter studies how one of the institutional expressions of the will to collaborate through the circulation of ideas, plans, and experts, the Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa South of the Sahara (CCTA), an inter-imperial organization created in 1950, addressed the problem of colonial education (focused on “native” communities). Colonial “native” education was used to foster forms of “enlightened neo-colonialism,” sustaining the language and repertoires of late colonial developmentalism and arguments legitimizing colonial rule. This text shows how this was done by focusing on a particular moment: the 1957 Inter-African Conference on Industrial, Commercial and Agricultural Education, in Luanda (Angola).
Deformed graded Poisson structures, generalized geometry and supergravity
Authors: Boffo Eugenia , Schupp Peter
Published: January 2020

Abstract

In recent years, a close connection between supergravity, string effective actions and generalized geometry has been discovered that typically involves a doubling of geometric structures. We investigate this relation from the point of view of graded geometry, introducing an approach based on deformations of graded Poisson structures and derive the corresponding gravity actions. We consider in particular natural deformations of the 2-graded symplectic manifold T*[2]T[1]M that are based on a metric g, a closed Neveu-Schwarz 3-form H (locally expressed in terms of a Kalb-Ramond 2-form B) and a scalar dilaton ϕ. The derived bracket formalism relates this structure to the generalized differential geometry of a Courant algebroid, which has the appropriate stringy symmetries, and yields a connection with non-trivial curvature and torsion on the generalized “doubled” tangent bundle E ≅ TM ⊕ T*M. Projecting onto TM with the help of a natural non-isotropic splitting of E, we obtain a connection and curvature invariants that reproduce the NS-NS sector of supergravity in 10 dimensions. Further results include a fully generalized Dorfman bracket, a generalized Lie bracket and new formulas for torsion and curvature tensors associated to generalized tangent bundles. A byproduct is a unique Koszul-type formula for the torsionful connection naturally associated to a non-symmetric metric, which resolves ambiguity problems and inconsistencies of traditional approaches to non-symmetric gravity theories.
Vacuum decays around spinning black holes
Authors: Oshita Naritaka , Ueda Kazushige , Yamaguchi Masahide
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We investigate a vacuum decay around a spinning seed black hole by using the Israel junction condition and conclude that the spin of black hole would suppress a vacuum decay rate compared to that for a non-spinning case, provided that the surface of vacuum bubble has its ellipsoidal shape characterized by the Kerr geometry. We also find out that in the existence of a near-extremal black hole, a false vacuum state can be more stabilized than the case of the Coleman-de Luccia solution. A few necessary assumptions to carry the calculations are discussed.
Reflected entropy and entanglement wedge cross section with the first order correction
Authors: Jeong Hyun-Sik , Kim Keun-Young , Nishida Mitsuhiro
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We study the holographic duality between the reflected entropy and the entanglement wedge cross section with the first order correction. In the field theory side, we consider the reflected entropy for

$$ {\rho}_{AB}^m $$

ρ
AB
m

, where ρ

AB
is the reduced density matrix for two intervals in the ground state. The reflected entropy in the 2d holographic conformal field theories is computed perturbatively up to the first order in m − 1 by using the semiclassical conformal block. In the gravity side, we compute the entanglement wedge cross section in the backreacted geometry by cosmic branes with tension T

m
which are anchored at the AdS boundary. Comparing both results we find a perfect agreement, showing the duality works with the first order correction in m − 1.
Multidomain ribosomal protein trees and the planctobacterial origin of neomura (eukaryotes, archaebacteria)
Authors: Cavalier-Smith Thomas , Chao Ema E-Yung
Published: January 2020

Palaeontologically, eubacteria are > 3× older than neomura (eukaryotes, archaebacteria). Cell biology contrasts ancestral eubacterial murein peptidoglycan walls and derived neomuran N-linked glycoprotein coats/walls. Misinterpreting long stems connecting clade neomura to eubacteria on ribosomal sequence trees (plus misinterpreted protein paralogue trees) obscured this historical pattern. Universal multiprotein ribosomal protein (RP) trees, more accurate than rRNA trees, are taxonomically undersampled. To reduce contradictions with genically richer eukaryote trees and improve eubacterial phylogeny, we constructed site-heterogeneous and maximum-likelihood universal three-domain, two-domain, and single-domain trees for 143 eukaryotes (branching now congruent with 187-protein trees), 60 archaebacteria, and 151 taxonomically representative eubacteria, using 51 and 26 RPs. Site-heterogeneous trees greatly improve eubacterial phylogeny and higher classification, e.g. showing gracilicute monophyly, that many ‘rDNA-phyla’ belong in Proteobacteria, and reveal robust new phyla Synthermota and Aquithermota. Monoderm Posibacteria and Mollicutes (two separate wall losses) are both polyphyletic: multiple outer membrane losses in Endobacteria occurred separately from Actinobacteria; neither phylum is related to Chloroflexi, the most divergent prokaryotes, which originated photosynthesis (new model proposed). RP trees support an eozoan root for eukaryotes and are consistent with archaebacteria being their sisters and rooted between Filarchaeota (=Proteoarchaeota, including ‘Asgardia’) and Euryarchaeota sensu-lato (including ultrasimplified ‘DPANN’ whose long branches often distort trees). Two-domain trees group eukaryotes within Planctobacteria, and archaebacteria with Planctobacteria/Sphingobacteria. Integrated molecular/palaeontological evidence favours negibacterial ancestors for neomura and all life. Unique presence of key pre-neomuran characters favours Planctobacteria only as ancestral to neomura, which apparently arose by coevolutionary repercussions (explained here in detail, including RP replacement) of simultaneous outer membrane and murein loss. Planctobacterial C-1 methanotrophic enzymes are likely ancestral to archaebacterial methanogenesis and β-propeller-α-solenoid proteins to eukaryotic vesicle coats, nuclear-pore-complexes, and intraciliary transport. Planctobacterial chaperone-independent 4/5-protofilament microtubules and MamK actin-ancestors prepared for eukaryote intracellular motility, mitosis, cytokinesis, and phagocytosis. We refute numerous wrong ideas about the universal tree.
Wind-Tunnel Simulation of Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layers with an Overlying Inversion
Authors: Hancock Philip E. , Hayden Paul
Published: January 2020

Four cases of an overlying inversion imposed on a stable boundary layer are investigated, extending the earlier work of Hancock and Hayden (Boundary-Layer Meteorol 168:29–57, 2018), where no inversion was imposed. The inversion is imposed to one or other of two depths within the layer: midway or deep. Four cases of changed surface condition are also investigated, and it is seen that the surface and imposed conditions behave independently. A change of imposed inversion condition leaves the bottom 1/3 of the layer almost completely unaffected; a change of the surface condition leaves the top 2/3 unaffected. Comparisons are made against two sets of local-scaling systems over the full height of the boundary layer. Both show some influence of the inversion condition. The surface heat flux and the reduction in surface shear stress, and hence the ratio of the boundary-layer height to surface Obukhov length, are determined by the temperature difference across the surface layer (not the whole layer), bringing all cases together in single correlations as functions of a surface-layer bulk Richardson number.
Spatial and temporal variation of benthic macroinvertebrate communities along an urban river in Greater Manchester, UK
Authors: Medupin Cecilia
Published: January 2020

Urban rivers face challenges of increased human activities which also affect river organisms. In order to enhance freshwater biodiversity in urban rivers, it is important to determine how the benthic macroinvertebrate communities are influenced by key abiotic factors. This was investigated in this paper through the study of the spatial and temporal variations of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality variables at the urban River Medlock in Greater Manchester, UK. Samples were obtained from five sections of the catchment (S1 to S5) over a period of 14 months and the results were compared with the standard requirement of the European Union’s Water Framework Directives. Multivariate tests including SIMPER (similarity percentages), PCA (principal component analysis) and BIOENV (biological and environmental) were carried out on the data in order to determine the environmental variables which most influenced the benthic macroinvertebrates. PCA of environmental variables indicated that 34% of the overall variance was heavily weighted on nutrients and catchment area (negatively on altitude and slope), 17% represented river substrate and the 12% represented discharge. The BIOENV analysis also indicated altitude, slope, catchment area, discharge and conductivity as the variables which influenced the biological communities. SIMPER analysis showed a difference between the upper and lower sections of the river with some sensitive taxa at the upper sites and showed that more organisms are present during spring. Apart from the lowest section of the river, the EU Water Framework Directive classification showed that other sites achieved the ‘good ecological status’. While 32 taxa groups were identified, abundant Baetidae, Chironomidae and Oligochaeta were recorded at all sites and seasons. The scores for biotic indices Whalley Hawkes Paisley and Trigg (WHPT) and Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) were found to be similar. By the application of surrogate variables such as percentage urban cover, catchment area and total number of organism, the influence of urbanisation could be seen in the abundance of organisms over time and space.
University Students’ Notion of Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Cross-Cultural Study
Authors: de Vries Marieke , Cader Sabrina , Colleer Lucy , Batteux Eleonore , Yasdiman Meryem Betul , Tan Yih Jiun , Sheppard Elizabeth
Published: January 2020

Cultural background might influence knowledge and attitudes regarding autism, influencing willingness to interact. We studied whether beliefs, knowledge, contact, and attitude differed between the UK and Malaysia. With mediation analyses, we studied how these factors influenced willingness to interact. Autism was more often linked to food in the UK, and to upbringing in Malaysia. Knowledge, contact, and acceptance were greater in the UK. When excluding psychology students, Malaysian students were less willing to interact with autistic people. Knowledge and contact appeared to improve acceptance, but acceptance did not mediate the relation between country, beliefs, knowledge, and experience; and willingness to interact. Knowledge and contact regarding autism might improve acceptance in different cultures, but how acceptance could improve interaction is unclear.
Write better, publish better
Authors: Marino Fages Diego
Published: January 2020

There is evidence that having more readable abstracts and introductions help authors get cited. I show that, in economics, there is also an effect of readability on the probability of publishing in a Top 5 journal (and in a higher-ranked journal in general). I compute readability measures for a set of working papers and examine the journals in which they get published. My results suggest that previous estimates of the effect on citations are downward biased, as higher-ranked journals are more widely read and cited.
Burden of illness of hip fractures in elderly Dutch patients
Authors: Kanters T. A. , van de Ree C. L. P. , de Jongh M. A. C. , Gosens T. , Hakkaart-van Roijen L.
Published: January 2020

Summary

Patients with hip fractures experience reduced health-related quality of life and have a reduced life expectancy. Patients’ utilization of healthcare leads to costs to society. The results of the study can be used in future economic evaluations of treatments for hip fractures.

Purpose

Hip fractures are associated with high mortality, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization, leading to an economic burden to society. The purpose of this study is to determine the burden of illness of hip fractures in elderly Dutch patients for specific time periods after surgery.

Methods

Patients with a hip fracture above the age of 65 were included in the study. In the 1-year period after surgery, patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires pre-injury (retrospectively), and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The set of questionnaires included the Euroqol 5D (EQ-5D-3L), the iMTA Medical Consumption Questionnaire (iMCQ) and iMTA Productivity Cost Questionnaire (iPCQ). Health-related quality of life was calculated using Dutch tariffs. Costs were calculated using the methodology described in the Dutch costing manual.

Results

Approximately 20% of patients with a hip fracture died within 1 year. Health-related quality of life was significantly reduced compared to pre-injury values, and patients did not recover to their pre-injury values within 1 year. Total costs in the first year after injury were €27,573, of which 10% were due to costs of the procedure (€2706). Total follow-up costs (€24,876) were predominantly consisting of healthcare costs. Monthly costs decreased over time.

Conclusions

Hip fractures lead to a burden to patients, resulting from mortality and health-related quality of life reductions, and to society, due to (healthcare) costs. The results of this study can be used in future economic evaluations.
Salivary Alpha-Amylase as a Biomarker of Stress in Behavioral Medicine
Authors: Ali Nida , Nater Urs M.
Published: January 2020

In recent years, research in behavioral medicine has become increasingly focused on understanding how chronic and acute exposure to stress impacts health outcomes. During stress, the body’s physiological stress systems are activated. These systems closely interact with the immune system and are, thus, importantly implicated in the onset and maintenance of disease states. While much of the research in behavioral medicine that has investigated the effects of stress on disease has focused on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its downstream biomarker, cortisol, it is evident that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) also plays a crucial role in both the biological stress process and the manifestation and maintenance of stress-related symptoms. In recent years salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has emerged as a valid and reliable marker of ANS activity in stress research and is therefore an important biomarker to consider in behavioral medicine. In this commentary, we will highlight research relevant for behavioral medicine that has utilized sAA measurements, both basally, and in response to stress, to examine ANS function in clinical populations. We will additionally summarize findings from studies that have examined the effects of various targeted interventions on changes in sAA levels. Through this, our aim is to present evidence that sAA can serve as a feasible biomarker of ANS (dys)function in health and disease. To this end, we will also highlight important methodological considerations for readers to keep in mind when including sAA assessments in their own studies. The overarching goal of this brief commentary is to highlight how a multidimensional approach toward physiological stress measurement can allow researchers to develop a better understanding of physical health and disease states.
„Unterstützte Erinnerung“ als Form der Wissensorganisation
Authors: Guerrini Flavia , Leitner Ulrich , Ralser Michaela
Published: January 2020

Mündliche und schriftliche Quellen validieren sich nicht gegenseitig. Vielmehr – so argumentieren die AutorInnen – stellen sie Erkenntnismittel im je eigenen Recht dar. Was sich ereignet, wenn – wie in der Heimgeschichteforschung nicht unüblich – die schriftliche Quelle der Jugendfürsorgeakte von den Interviewten, den ehemaligen Heimkindern, selbst als Erkenntnismittel und Erinnerungsstütze genutzt wird, davon handelt der vorliegende Beitrag. Er zeigt die Bedeutung der Fürsorgeakte im Rahmen biografischer Erinnerungsarbeit – gerade für Personen, die aufgrund ihrer spezifischen Aufwachsensbedingungen in Fremdunterbringungsinstitutionen vom üblicherweise zur Verfügung stehenden generationalen Gedächtnis ausgeschlossen sind. Der Beitrag dokumentiert und diskutiert den Gebrauch dieser spezifischen schriftlichen Quelle als Organisatorin und Ordnerin biografischer Wissensbestände, als Mobilisatorin und Mediatorin erinnerter Erfahrung, aber eben auch als aufklärungsbedürftige Falschmeldung, Fehldeutung und Leerstelle. Er zeigt beispielhaft den herausfordernden, aber letztlich gelingenden Umgang einer Interviewpartnerin mit der über sie angelegten Fürsorgeakte und gibt darüber hinaus Auskunft über die darin aufgeworfenen Fragen nach Gedächtnis, Erinnern und Repräsentation.
Dual processes in memory: Evidence from memory of time-of-occurrence of events
Authors: Sreekumar Vishnu , Yim Hyungwook , Zaghloul Kareem A. , Dennis Simon J.
Published: January 2020

Bastin et al. present a framework that draws heavily on existing ideas of dual processes in memory in order to make predictions about memory deficits in clinical populations. It has been difficult to find behavioral evidence for multiple memory processes but we offer some evidence for dual processes in a related domain: memory for the time-of-occurrence of events.
The long-term indirect effect of the early Family Check-Up intervention on adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms via inhibitory control
Authors: Hentges Rochelle F. , Weaver Krug Chelsea M. , Shaw Daniel S. , Wilson Melvin N. , Dishion Thomas J. , Lemery-Chalfant Kathryn
Published: January 2020

This study examined the long-term effects of a randomized controlled trial of the Family Check-Up (FCU) intervention initiated at age 2 on inhibitory control in middle childhood and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. We hypothesized that the FCU would promote higher inhibitory control in middle childhood relative to the control group, which in turn would be associated with lower internalizing and externalizing symptomology at age 14. Participants were 731 families, with half (n = 367) of the families assigned to the FCU intervention. Using an intent-to-treat design, results indicate that the FCU intervention was indirectly associated with both lower internalizing and externalizing symptoms at age 14 via its effect on increased inhibitory control in middle childhood (i.e., ages 8.5–10.5). Findings highlight the potential for interventions initiated in toddlerhood to have long-term impacts on self-regulation processes, which can further reduce the risk for behavioral and emotional difficulties in adolescence.