bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Jejunal Interdigestive Migrating Motor Complex and Quality of Life after Total Gastrectomy with Roux‐en‐Y Reconstruction for Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tomita Ryouichi , Fujisaki Shigeru , Tanjoh Katsuhisa , Fukuzawa Masahiro
Published: December 2019

Abstract

A total of 22 patients (16 men, 6 women; age 33 to 70 years, m mean, 60.2 years) 1.0 to 1.5 years (mean 1 year and 2 months) after total gastrectomy with Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction for early gastric cancer (D2 lymph node dissection, curability A) were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of interdigestive migrating motor complex, phase III (IMMC‐pIII) from the Roux‐en‐Y loop, and postoperative quality of life (QOL) was compared. Results were as follows: (1) Patients in the IMMC‐ pIII positive group (n = 12) had more appetite and ate more food with less decrease in body weight than those in the IMMC‐pIII negative group (n = 10). (2) Patients in the IMMC‐pIII positive group clearly had fewer symptoms, such as early dumping symptoms (systemic symptoms), symptoms of reflux esophagitis (e.g., heartburn, feeling of regurgitation, difficult swallowing), nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal fullness, and borborygmus, than those in the IMMC‐pIII negative group. These results showed a more satisfactory condition in regard to abdominal symptoms in the IMMC‐pIII positive group than in the IMMC‐pIII negative group.
Results of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Resectable Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Gerhards Michael F. , van Gulik Thomas M. , González Dioniso González , Rauws Erik A.J. , Gouma Dirk J.
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the value of radiotherapy, and especially intraluminal brachytherapy, after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by analyzing long‐term complications and survival. Between 1983 and 1998, 112 patients underwent resection of a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Of the 91 patients who survived the postoperative period, 20 patients had no additional radiotherapy, 30 patients had only external radiotherapy (46 ± 11 Gy), and 41 patients had a combination of external (42 ± 5 Gy) and intraluminal brachytherapy (10 ± 2 Gy). Overall, 88% of the patients had late complications, with a significantly higher rate of complications occurring among patients receiving external beam irradiation and brachytherapy. Second to abdominal pain (56%), cholangitis (49%) was the most frequent complication and occurred significantly more often in patients who had received brachytherapy. Retrograde bile leakage after closure of the temporary jejunostomy was a troublesome complication in 24% of patients treated with brachytherapy. Overall median survival after treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy was longer than after resection without additional radiation (24 months versus 8 months, respectively). There was, however, no significant benefit from the use of intraluminal brachytherapy. In conclusion, additional radiotherapy after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma significantly improved survival and is recommended by giving external beam irradiation but not intraluminal brachytherapy.
Expectations and Outcomes When Moving from Open to Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Barreca Marco , Presenti Luigi , Renzi Cristina , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Borrelli Andrea , Stipa Francesco , Valeri Andrea
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Various authors have suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) leads to better surgical outcomes than open surgery. The debate is still open, however, and indications and limitations of minimally invasive surgery have not been completely established. The objective of our study was to compare surgical outcomes of LA and open adrenalectomy (OA), using multivariate analysis to adjust for potential confounding factors (e.g., size of the lesion, histology). Between 1995 and June 2000 at “Careggi” Hospital in Florence, Italy patients with an indication for adrenalectomy were treated laparoscopically if the lesion was < 10 cm and there was no clinical evidence of malignancy. All 79 patients who underwent LA have been included in this study. Among 152 patients who underwent OA at “La Sapienza” University in Rome, 93 had an adrenal lesion < 10 cm and no clinical evidence of malignancy; they were selected for comparison. Multivariate analysis has been used to analyze the effect of the surgical approach (OA vs. LA) on the surgical outcome, controlling for potential confounders. Multiple logistic regression showed that there is no significant difference in intraoperative outcomes (i.e., surgical time > 2 hours, blood loss ≥ 500 ml) between patients operated on through a traditional approach and those who underwent LA. On the other hand, patients operated on laparoscopically have a significantly higher probability than the OA group of experiencing a better recovery from surgery (i.e., require less postoperative analgesics and return to normal activities earlier). The results of the present study show that, although LA does not add much benefit in terms of expected intraoperative outcomes, it dramatically speeds patients’ recovery from surgery. The two approaches are complementary and should both be integrated into the technical background of all endocrine surgeons.
Liver Transplantation with “Hors Tour” Allocated Versus Standard MELD Allocated Grafts: Single‐Center Audit and Impact on the Liver Pool in France
Authors: Azoulay Daniel , Disabato Mara , Gomez‐Gavara Concepcion , Feray Cyrille , Salloum Chady , Ngonggang Norbert , Winter Audrey , Hentati Hassen , Levesque Eric , Lim Chetana , Compagnon Philippe
Published: December 2019

Background

The French transplant governing system defined “Rescue” (the so‐called “Hors Tour”) livers as those livers which were declined for the five top‐listed patients. This study compares the outcomes following liver transplantation (LT) in patients who received a donor liver through a rescue allocation (RA) procedure or according to MELD score priority (standard allocation, SA) and evaluates the impact on the graft pool of a proactive policy to accept RA grafts.

Methods

Data from all consecutive patients who underwent LT with SA or RA grafts from 2011 to 2015 were compared in terms of short‐ and long‐term outcomes.

Results

The 249 elective first LTs were performed with 64 (25.7%) RA and 185 (74.3%) SA grafts. RA grafts were obtained from older donors and were associated with a longer cold ischemia time. Recipients of RA livers were older and had lower MELD scores. The rates of delayed graft function, primary nonfunction, retransplantation, complications, and mortality were similar between the RA and SA groups. At 1 and 3 and 5 years, graft and patient survival rates were similar between the groups. These results were maintained after matching on recipient characteristics. Our proactive policy to accept RA grafts increased the liver pool for elective first transplantation by 25%.

Conclusions

RA livers can be safely transplanted into selected recipients and significantly expand the liver pool.
State Regulations to Support Children’s Cultural and Religious Food Preferences in Early Care and Education
Authors: Ayers Looby Anna , Frost Natasha , Gonzalez-Nahm Sarah , Grossman Elyse R. , Ralston Aoki Julie , Benjamin-Neelon Sara E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

In July 2018 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released a benchmark encouraging early care and education (ECE) programs, including child care centers and family child care homes, to incorporate cultural and religious food preferences of children into meals. We examined the extent to which states were already doing so through their ECE licensing and administrative regulations prior to the release of the benchmark. This review may serve as a baseline to assess future updates, if more states incorporate the benchmark into their regulations.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, we reviewed ECE regulations for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (hereafter states) through June 2018. We assessed consistency with the benchmark for centers and homes. We conducted Spearman correlations to estimate associations between the year the regulations were updated and consistency with the benchmark.

Results

Among centers, eight states fully met the benchmark, 11 partially met the benchmark, and 32 did not meet the benchmark. Similarly for homes, four states fully met the benchmark, 13 partially met the benchmark, and 34 did not meet the benchmark. Meeting the benchmark was not correlated with the year of last update for centers (P = 0.54) or homes (P = 0.31).

Conclusions

Most states lacked regulations consistent with the benchmark. Health professionals can help encourage ECE programs to consider cultural and religious food preferences of children in meal planning. And, if feasible, states may consider additional regulations supporting cultural and religious preferences of children in future updates to regulations.
The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions to reduce side effects of androgen deprivation therapy for men with prostate cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Geerkens Maud J. M. , Pouwels Nieck S. A. , Beerlage Harry P.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this review is to systematically review randomized controlled trials on lifestyle interventions on PCa patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases Medline and PubMed. To be eligible, studies had to be randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on side effects of ADT and lifestyle interventions to reduce side effects for men undergoing ADT with PCa. Lifestyle interventions were defined as interventions that included any dietary or behavioral components.

Results

Twenty-nine trials were included. Most of them focused on exercise interventions, while some investigated the effect of dietary or behavioral interventions. The effect of different lifestyle influencing modalities aimed to improve on the adverse effects of ADT varied greatly.

Conclusions

It is not possible to draw one conclusion on the effect of exercise-based interventions, but noted on several adverse effects of ADT improvement. Further studies are necessary to develop personalized lifestyle interventions in order to mitigate the adverse effects.
Validation of the German HeartQoL: a short health-related quality of life questionnaire for cardiac patients
Authors: Huber Alexandra , Oldridge Neil , Benzer Werner , Saner Hugo , Höfer Stefan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the core disease-specific 14-item German HeartQoL questionnaire.

Methods

As an extension of the international HeartQol Project, cross-sectional and longitudinal health-related quality of life (HRQL) data were collected from 305 patients with angina (N = 101), myocardial infarction (N = 123), or ischemic heart failure (N = 81) in Austria and Switzerland using German versions of the HeartQoL, the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The underlying factor structure was examined with Mokken Scaling analysis; then convergent, divergent, and discriminative validity, internal consistency reliability, and responsiveness were assessed.

Results

The highest HRQL scores were reported by patients with myocardial infarction followed by ischemic heart failure and then angina. The two-factor structure was confirmed with strong physical, emotional, and global scaleHcoefficients (> .50). Divergent and convergent validity (fromr = .04 to .78) were shown for each diagnosis; discriminative validity was verified as well (partially: age, sex, and disease severity; largely: SF-36 health status/transition; totally: anxiety and depression). Internal consistency reliability was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = .91). In terms of responsiveness, physical and global scale scores improved significantly after percutaneous coronary intervention (p < .01) while after cardiac rehabilitation all scale scores improved significantly (p < .001).

Conclusions

The German HeartQoL questionnaire is a valid and reliable HRQL instrument with these data supporting its potential use in clinical practice and research to assess and compare HRQL in German-speaking patients with ischemic heart disease. The shortness of the tool may prove to be helpful particularly in clinical practice.
The Emergence of Life
Authors: Camprubí E. , de Leeuw J. W. , House C. H. , Raulin F. , Russell M. J. , Spang A. , Tirumalai M. R. , Westall F.
Published: December 2019

The aim of this article is to provide the reader with an overview of the different possible scenarios for the emergence of life, to critically assess them and, according to the conclusions we reach, to analyze whether similar processes could have been conducive to independent origins of life on the several icy moons of the Solar System. Instead of directly proposing a concrete and unequivocal cradle of life on Earth, we focus on describing the different requirements that are arguably needed for the transition between non-life to life. We approach this topic from geological, biological, and chemical perspectives with the aim of providing answers in an integrative manner. We reflect upon the most prominent origins hypotheses and assess whether they match the aforementioned abiogenic requirements. Based on the conclusions extracted, we address whether the conditions for abiogenesis are/were met in any of the oceanic icy moons.
Assessing Satisfaction of Children in out-of-Home Care: Development of Korean out-of-Home Care Satisfaction Scale
Authors: Lee Sang Jung , An Eun Mi , Chung Ick-Joong
Published: December 2019

In order to offer client-centered services, it is important to measure children’s service satisfaction and reflect their needs to out-of-home care practices and policies. However, a reliable measure that assesses children’s satisfaction about out-of-home care is not found in Korea. This study aimed to develop a Korean out-of-home care satisfaction scale. The study sample consisted of 484 children from institutional care, group homes, and foster homes in Korea. Half of the sample was chosen randomly for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) based on 16 items from the Korean Foster Care Improvements Project. The other half of the sample was used for confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). EFA yielded two-factor structures that consist of eight items for each factor. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the two-factor structures with reasonable fit, and all items loaded significantly on the factors. The Korean out-of-home care satisfaction scale could be used as a tool to assess children’s satisfaction with out-of-home care services, which could allow social workers to reflect children’s needs immediately into practice and help policymakers make more informed decisions about out-of-home care services and programs.
Direct catalytic oxidation and removal of NO in flue gas by the micro bubbles gas–liquid dispersion system
Authors: Sun Hongrui , Yang Guanghui , Aftab Tallal Bin , Xue Fei , Xiao Zhengguo , Guo Qihao , Li Dengxin
Published: December 2019

The method of micro bubbles is widely applied in the fields of water and soil treatment. A novel treatment method of NO in flue gas through a gas–liquid two-phase system formed by micro bubbles is proposed in this study. The system depends on the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The NO removal performance of the micro gas–liquid dispersion system induced by catalysts and O3 was explored and the reaction pathways were elucidated. Micro bubbles, Fe2+, and Mn2+ in solution improved NO removal performance significantly. Salinity and surfactants affected the removal performance of NO by altering micro bubbles. In the presence of Fe2+, the NO removal rate reached 65.2% at pH 5, 75.8% under 0.5 g/L NaCl and 82.1% under 6 mg/L sodium dodecyl sulfate. In the presence of Mn2+, the NO removal rate reached 69.2% at pH 5, 83.2% under 0.5 g/L NaCl and 92.3% under 6 mg/L sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, in the presence of both Mn2+ and Fe2+, NO conversion rate was 93.2%. The NO removal rate in the presence of O3 was further improved under the same conditions. The study provides the basis for the application and development of micro bubbles in flue gas treatments for NO removal. The results can help to solve the problems of high operating cost, large oxidant consumption, secondary pollution, and high energy consumption in traditional NO removal methods.

Graphic abstract
Nano-/Micro-confined Water in Graphene Hydrogel as Superadsorbents for Water Purification
Authors: Sun Yiran , Yu Fei , Li Cong , Dai Xiaohu , Ma Jie
Published: December 2019

Confined water has been proven to be of great importance due to its pervasiveness and contribution to life and many fields of scientific research. However, the control and characterization of confined water are a challenge. Herein, a confined space is constructed by flexibly changing the pH of a graphene oxide dispersion under the self-assembly process of a graphene hydrogel (GH), and the confined space is adjusted with variation from 10.04 to 3.52 nm. Confined water content in GH increases when the pore diameter of the confined space decreases; the corresponding adsorption capacity increases from 243.04 to 442.91 mg g−1. Moreover, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are utilized to analyze the hydrogen bonding structure qualitatively and quantitatively, and correlation analysis reveals that the improvement in the adsorption capacity is caused by incomplete hydrogen bonding in the confined water. Further, confined water is assembled into four typical porous commercial adsorbents, and a remarkable enhancement of the adsorption capacity is achieved. This research demonstrates the application potential for the extraordinary properties of confined water and has implications for the development of highly effective confined water-modified adsorbents.
Dendritic Nanostructured Waste Copper Wires for High-Energy Alkaline Battery
Authors: Chodankar Nilesh R. , Ji Su-Hyeon , Han Young-Kyu , Kim Do-Heyoung
Published: December 2019

Rechargeable alkaline batteries (RABs) have received remarkable attention in the past decade for their high energy, low cost, safe operation, facile manufacture, and eco-friendly nature. To date, expensive electrode materials and current collectors were predominantly applied for RABs, which have limited their real-world efficacy. In the present work, we propose a scalable process to utilize electronic waste (e-waste) Cu wires as a cost-effective current collector for high-energy wire-type RABs. Initially, the vertically aligned CuO nanowires were prepared over the waste Cu wires via in situ alkaline corrosion. Then, both atomic-layer-deposited NiO and NiCo-hydroxide were applied to the CuO nanowires to form a uniform dendritic-structured NiCo-hydroxide/NiO/CuO/Cu electrode. When the prepared dendritic-structured electrode was applied to the RAB, it showed excellent electrochemical features, namely high-energy-density (82.42 Wh kg−1), excellent specific capacity (219 mAh g−1), and long-term cycling stability (94% capacity retention over 5000 cycles). The presented approach and material meet the requirements of a cost-effective, abundant, and highly efficient electrode for advanced eco-friendly RABs. More importantly, the present method provides an efficient path to recycle e-waste for value-added energy storage applications.
Buschke-Lowenstein tumor in a patient with HIV and Psoriasis
Authors: Silva José Antonio Dias da Cunha e , Lima Laís , George Lygia De , Sant’Ana Thalita Araújo , Valadão Marcus
Published: December 2019

The Buschke-Lowenstein tumor, known as the giant condyloma acuminatum, is a rare lesion of the anorectal and PerianaL region; it is sexually transmitted and associated with human papilloma virus, types 6 and 11. Histologically, it is a benign tumor, but it can reach big proportions and may behave aggressively. The purpose of this study is to report the case of a patient diagnosed with HIV and psoriasis 14 years ago, associated with Buschke-Lowenstein tumor and other diffuse condylomatous lesions in the body.
Associations of hemoglobin A1c with cognition reduced for long diabetes duration
Authors: Silverman Jeremy M. , Schmeidler James , Lee Pearl G. , Alexander Neil B. , Beeri Michal Schnaider , Guerrero‐Berroa Elizabeth , West Rebecca K. , Sano Mary , Nabozny Martina , Rodriguez Alvarez Carolina
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Associations of some risk factors with poor cognition, identified prior to age 75, are reduced or reversed in very old age. The Protected Survivor Model predicts this interaction due to enhanced survival of those with extended risk factor duration. In a younger sample, this study examines the association of cognition with the mean hemoglobin A1c risk factor over the time at risk, according to its duration.

Methods

The interaction of mean hemoglobin A1c (average = 9.8%), evaluated over duration (average = 116.8 months), was examined for overall cognition and three cognitive domains in a sample of 150 “young‐old” veterans (mean age = 70) with type 2 diabetes.

Results

The predicted interactions were significant for overall cognition and attention, but not executive functions/language and memory.

Discussion

Findings extend the Protected Survivor Model to a “young‐old” sample, from the very old. This model suggests focusing on individuals with good cognition despite prolonged high risk when seeking protective factors.
Seafaring Practice and Narratives in Homer'sOdyssey
Authors: Mann Rupert
Published: December 2019

It is intrinsically plausible that theOdyssey, which freely uses realistic details of many aspects of life on and beside the sea, was informed by real seafaring experience. This paper corroborates that hypothesis. The first part catalogues parallels between details of Odyssean and real-world seafaring. Odyssean type-scenes in particular echo real practice. The second part argues that three larger episodes have real-world parallels—the visit to the Lotos Eaters anticipates incidents of sailors deserting in friendly ports; the escape from Skylla and Charybdis demonstrates a safe course through a turbulent strait, and the encounter with Ino / Leukothea foreshadows the contemporary phenomenon of a sensed presence during a crisis. The pattern of coincidence between theOdysseyand the real world of seafaring constitutes a cumulative argument that suggests that those episodes in particular, and the poem as a whole, was informed by that world—a conclusion with consequences both for our understanding of the poem, and for our knowledge of the early Mediterranean maritime.
Rhythm of Love: Patterns of Perception and the Classical Profession of the Hetaira
Authors: Hullinger David
Published: December 2019

For a long time, the classical profession of the hetaira, or paid female companion, has eluded definition. The hetaira has often been described as a ‘courtesan’ and her work as a ‘form of prostitution’, yet these appellatives often conflict with depictions of the hetaira by classical authors. Accordingly, in this article I will argue that the hetaira was perceived by the Greeks as an elite entertainer whose service of companionship emphasized flirtation and intimacy with a cultivated woman instead of the sale of sex. In order to demonstrate this understanding of the hetaira, I will cite evidence from a wide range of classical writings, particularly legal orations, and will ultimately propose that, when used to indicate a professional, the classical Greek term hetaira should be translated as ‘entertainer’.
Depolarization, Repolarization and Redistributive Ideological Change in Britain, 1983–2016
Authors: Cohen Gidon , Cohen Sarah
Published: December 2019

This article examines party sorting, elite cue and ideological polarization accounts of polarization dynamics. The study tests their differing expectations about trends in redistributive ideological polarization and partisan polarization in the British case using repeated cross-section and panel data. The authors reject party sorting accounts, which require ideology to be stable and changes in party support to drive partisan polarization, because they find that ideology trends with elite polarization and that ideological change causes partisan polarization. The authors reject elite cue accounts, which maintain that it is mainly partisans’ ideology that follows elite polarization, because they find virtually identical trends for initially ideologically similar non-partisans too. The study thus finds support for an ideological polarization account in which changes in elite polarization are associated with general changes in citizen redistributive ideology.
THE GLOBAL CAUCHY PROBLEM FOR THE NLS WITH HIGHER ORDER ANISOTROPIC DISPERSION
Authors: CHAICHENETS LEONID , PATTAKOS NIKOLAOS
Published: December 2019

We use a method developed by Strauss to obtain global well-posedness results in the mild sense and existence of asymptotic states for the small data Cauchy problem in modulation spaces${M}^s_{p,q}(\mathbb{R}^d)$, whereq= 1 and$s\geq0$or$q\in(1,\infty]$and$s>\frac{d}{q'}$for a nonlinear Schrödinger equation with higher order anisotropic dispersion and algebraic nonlinearities.
On the human uniqueness of the temporal reasoning system
Authors: Montemayor Carlos
Published: December 2019

A central claim by Hoerl & McCormack is that the temporal reasoning system is uniquely human. But why exactly? This commentary evaluates two possible options to justify the thesis that temporal reasoning is uniquely human, one based on considerations regarding agency and the other based on language. The commentary raises problems for both of these options.
Updating the dual systems model of temporal cognition: Reasoning with dynamic systems theory
Authors: Hohenberger Annette
Published: December 2019

This commentary construes the relation between the two systems of temporal updating and temporal reasoning as a bifurcation and tracks it across three time scales: phylogeny, ontogeny, and microgeny. In taking a dynamic systems approach, flexibility, as mentioned by Hoerl & McCormack, is revealed as the key characteristic of human temporal cognition.
Identity-based motivation and the paradox of the future self: Getting going requires thinking about time (later) in time (now)
Authors: Oyserman Daphna , Dawson Andrew
Published: December 2019

People can imagine their future selves without taking future-focused action. Identity-based motivation theory explains why. Hoerl & McCormack outline how. Present-focused action prevails because future “me” feels irrelevant to the choices facing current “me” unless future “me” is experienced as occurring now or as linked to current “me” via if-then simulations. This entails reasoning in time and about time.
Attachment and the archive: barriers and facilitators to the use of historical sociology as complementary developmental science
Authors: Duschinsky Robbie
Published: December 2019

Argument

This article explores historical sociology as a complementary source of knowledge for scientific research, considering barriers and facilitators to this work through reflections on one project. This project began as a study of the emergence and reception of the infant disorganized attachment classification, introduced in the 1980s by Ainsworth’s student Mary Main, working with Judith Solomon. Elsewhere I have reported on the findings of collaborative work with attachment researchers, without giving full details of how this came about. Here, I will offer personal reflections arising from the process, and my work in what Hasok Chang has called history as “complementary science.”
Testing efficacy of a multi-site environmental education programme in a demographically and biologically diverse setting
Authors: Brown Ella R. , Imron Muhammad Ali , Campera Marco , Nekaris K.A.I.
Published: December 2019

Creating and assessing relatively broad conservation education curricula is important when trying to reach a variety of students. We used a curriculum centred around a storybook in 12 schools in four separate areas of Indonesia, reaching 529 students. We visited each school twice, and taught the ecology and importance of the target taxa, Indonesia’s seven threatened slow loris species (Nycticebusspp.). Through cultural consensus analyses and structural equation modelling, we found that students from all regions showed improvements in knowledge, and that the distance from the forest to where children lived, teachers’ use of given education materials, and students’ use of the storybook all affected student performance in drawing and essay accuracy. Here we make suggestions for creating and evaluating multi-site environmental education programmes. We recommend creating curricula that are not inclusive of any particular community; providing teachers with materials to supplement a conservation intervention; giving each child their own copy of any visual materials used in the lessons; following up with students and teachers about the use of such materials; and interviewing teachers and students regarding their experience with and attitudes towards the study subject. Furthermore we suggest practitioners share their materials and have confidence in adapting them for other species and locations.
Standardising Dementia Diagnosis Across Linguistic and Educational Diversity: Study Design of the Indian Council of Medical Research-Neurocognitive Tool Box (ICMR-NCTB)
Authors: Iyer Gowri K. , Paplikar Avanthi , Alladi Suvarna , Dutt Aparna , Sharma Meenakshi , Mekala Shailaja , Kaul Subhash , Saroja Aralikatte Onkarappa , Divyaraj Gollahalli , Ellajosyula Ratnavalli , Ghosh Amitabha , Hooda Roopa , Justus Sunita , Kandukuri Rajmohan , Khan Arfa Banu , Mathew Robert , Mathuranath P.S. , Menon Ramsekhar , Nandi Ranita , Narayanan Jwala , Nehra Ashima , Padma M.V , Pauranik Apoorva , Ramakrishnan Subasree , Sabnis Prerana , Sarath Lekha , Shah Urvashi , Tripathi Manjari , Sylaja P.N. , Varma Ravi Prasad , Verma Mansi , Varghese Feba ,   ICMR Neurocognitive Tool Box Consortium
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

While the burden of dementia is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, there is a low rate of diagnosis and paucity of research in these regions. A major challenge to study dementia is the limited availability of standardised diagnostic tools for use in populations with linguistic and educational diversity. The objectives of the study were to develop a standardised and comprehensive neurocognitive test battery to diagnose dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to varied etiologies, across different languages and educational levels in India, to facilitate research efforts in diverse settings.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary expert group formed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) collaborated towards adapting and validating a neurocognitive test battery, that is, the ICMR Neurocognitive Tool Box (ICMR-NCTB) in five Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam), for illiterates and literates, to standardise diagnosis of dementia and MCI in India.

Results:

Following a review of existing international and national efforts at standardising dementia diagnosis, the ICMR-NCTB was developed and adapted to the Indian setting of sociolinguistic diversity. The battery consisted of tests of cognition, behaviour, and functional activities. A uniform protocol for diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI, and dementia due to neurodegenerative diseases and stroke was followed in six centres. A systematic plan for validating the ICMR-NCTB and establishing cut-off values in a diverse multicentric cohort was developed.

Conclusions:

A key outcome was the development of a comprehensive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of dementia and MCI due to varied etiologies, in the diverse socio-demographic setting of India.
Neuropsychological Alterations in Narcolepsy with Cataplexy and the Expression of Cognitive Deficits
Authors: Medrano-Martinez Pablo , Peraita-Adrados Rosa
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

The objective of our study was to assess attention processes and executive function in patients with narcolepsy with cataplexy (NT1). To do so, we compared the results with those of a control group from the general population using an extensive neuropsychological test battery.

Methods:

We studied 28 patients with NT1 and 28 healthy control participants matched for age, gender, and educational level. They all completed questionnaires on sleepiness, anxiety, and depression symptoms. In addition, they underwent neuropsychological tests. The ability to maintain attention was assessed using three computer tasks with different levels of complexity.

Results:

Patients had significantly more daytime sleepiness than controls. A significant negative correlation between depression and disease duration was found in NT1 patients. The results of the anxiety questionnaire correlated with the presence of sleep paralysis. There were significant differences in information processing speed subtasks. Patients made significantly more omissions and generally reacted slower and more variably than controls in computerized tasks. As for executive function, patients performed worse in phonologic fluency tasks than controls. However, when the influence of processing speed on fluency tasks was statistically controlled, part of this significant difference disappeared.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that the negative correlation between depression and disease duration probably reflects progressive adaptation to the functional burden of the disease. Information processing speed plays a fundamental role in the expression of cognitive deficits. We emphasized the need to control the influence of processing speed and sustained attention in the neuropsychological assessment of NT1 patients.
Assemblages of practice. A conceptual framework for exploring human–thing relations in archaeology
Authors: Antczak Konrad A. , Beaudry Mary C.
Published: December 2019

In this paper we propose the conceptual framework of theassemblage of practiceas an effective middle-range heuristic tool that bridges deep theory and the data available to archaeologists. Our framework foregrounds vibrantthingsas opposed to staticobjects, and sympathetically articulates the current concepts ofentanglement,correspondenceandassemblage. To us anassemblage of practiceis a dynamic gathering of corresponding things entangled through situated daily and eventful human practice. Once reassembled by comprehensively and critically marshalling all the evidentiary lines available to archaeologists today, theassemblage of practicebecomes a powerful analytical tool that illuminates changes, continuities and transformations in human–thing entanglements, and not only their impacts on local and short-term sociocultural developments, but also their repercussions on phenomena of much larger spatiotemporal scale. Our goal is to present archaeologists with a pluralistic, integrative and evolving middle-range framework that pays close attention to terminological precision and theoretical clarity and is conceptually accessible and widely applicable.
Precessional Cyclicity of Seawater Pb Isotopes in the Late Miocene Mediterranean
Authors: Modestou S. E. , Gutjahr M. , van der Schee M. , Ellam R. M. , Flecker R.
Published: December 2019

Astronomical tuning in the Mediterranean region is primarily based on organically‐mediated proxies, such as cyclicity of organic rich layers or changes in foraminiferal assemblages. Both during and post deposition, organic proxies can be affected by complex processes not immediately related to the changes in precession (insolation) they are assumed to reflect. Here we present an isotopic proxy which exhibits precessional cyclicity yet is inorganic. Seawater lead (Pb) isotope records over four precessional cycles between 6.6 and 6.5 Ma, from bulk sediment leachates of three Messinian, circum‐Mediterranean marginal locations, show variations consistent with precessional cyclicity. During insolation minima, the Pb isotope signatures from all three sites converge to similar values, suggesting a regional process is affecting all three locations at that time. Data from the marginal sites are compared with new data from ODP Site 978 and published data from a variety of geological archives from the Mediterranean region to determine the mechanism(s) causing the observed variability. While the comparisons are not fully conclusive, the timing of events suggest that increased dust production from North Africa during insolation minima is the most likely control. This hypothesis implies that authigenic marine Pb isotope records have the potential to provide a reliable inorganic tie point for Mediterranean cyclostratigraphy where sub‐precessional resolution is required. An inorganic tie point could also provide the means to resolve long‐standing problems in Mediterranean stratigraphy on precessional and sub‐precessional timescales which have been obscured due to post‐depositional changes (e.g., sapropel burn‐down) or suboptimal ecological conditions (e.g., the Messinian Salinity Crisis).
Calibration of the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP) for the InSight Mars Mission
Authors: Grott M. , Spohn T. , Knollenberg J. , Krause C. , Scharringhausen M. , Wippermann T. , Smrekar S.E. , Hudson T.L. , Banerdt W.B.
Published: December 2019

The (HP
) of the InSight Mars mission is an instrument package to measure the Martian geothermal heat flow. The instrument's platinum resistance temperature sensors have been calibrated between
75 and
55 °C, and the absolute temperature uncertainty of the calibration is 10 mK. Temperature differences can be measured with an uncertainty of better than 5 mK. HP
determines regolith thermal conductivity by using the HP
mole as a modified line heat source, and thermal conductivity can be measured with an uncertainty of better than 4%. Tilt sensors used to determine the attitude of the mole during penetration measure tilt with an uncertainty of better than 0.25°.
First Observation of Ionospheric Convection From the Jiamusi HF Radar During a Strong Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Zhang J. J. , Wang W. , Wang C. , Lan A. L. , Yan J. Y. , Xiang D. , Zhang Q. H. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Kunduri B. S. R. , Nishitani N. , Shi X. , Qiu H. B.
Published: December 2019

The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is an international low‐power high‐frequency (HF) radar network, which provides continuous observations of the motion of plasma in the ionosphere. Over the past 15 years, the network has expanded dramatically in the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere to improve the observation capabilities of the network during periods of strong geomagnetic disturbance. However, a large coverage gap still exists in the middle latitudes. A newly deployed middle‐latitude HF radar in China (the Jiamusi radar) is about to join the network. This paper presents the first observation of the ionospheric convection from the Jiamusi radar during the strong geomagnetic storm on 26 August 2018. The Jiamusi measurements are compared with the simultaneous measurements from the SuperDARN Hokkaido East radar. The features of the high‐velocity westward flows including the equatorward expansion and variation tendency of the line‐of‐sight velocities observed by the two radars are consistent with each other. According to joint analysis with auroral images, we can confirm that the westward flows observed by the two radars are sunward return flows of the duskside convection cell in the auroral region. The impact the Jiamusi data had on the calculation of SuperDARN convection patterns is also examined. The results show that the inclusion of the Jiamusi data can increase the number of gridded line‐of‐sight velocity measurements by up to 24.42%, the cross‐polar cap potential can be increased by up to 13.90% during the investigated period.
Trend and Variability in Global Upper‐Ocean Stratification Since the 1960s
Authors: Yamaguchi Ryohei , Suga Toshio
Published: December 2019

Many studies on future climate projection point out that with progressing of global warming, upper‐ocean density stratification will strengthen over this century, and consequently, global‐averaged ocean primary productivity will decrease. Observed long‐term changes in the stratification to date, however, still show large uncertainties of the change itself and its driver. Focusing on the vertical difference in the emergence of the global warming signals, we used only observational profiles to describe the spatiotemporal characteristic of long‐term trend and variability in the upper‐ocean stratification (defined as the density difference between the surface and 200‐m depth). Statistically significant strengthening of the stratification since the 1960s was detected in ~40% of the global ocean area. The global average increase in the stratification corresponds to 3.3–6.1% of the mean stratification. The strengthening trends considerably change depending on the regions and show dominant contribution from the tropical region. In addition to the well‐documented explanation of strengthening stratification, namely the surface intensification of global warming signal, we found that changes in subsurface temperature and salinity stratification associated with changes in atmospheric/ocean circulations significantly contribute to the long‐term change in the stratification and setting its regional difference. In midlatitude and high‐latitude ocean of the Northern Hemisphere, the long‐term trend exhibits noteworthy seasonality, which shows faster increase trend in the summer than in the winter. From the detrended time series, interannual variabilities correlated with a particular climate mode are detected in several ocean regions, suggesting that these variabilities are mainly driven by associated sea surface temperature variation.
Validation of Ionospheric Electron Density Measurements Derived From Spire CubeSat Constellation
Authors: Forsythe Victoriya V. , Duly Timothy , Hampton Donald , Nguyen Vu
Published: December 2019

Commercial Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation ionospheric measurements collected by the Spire CubeSat constellation could significantly improve the determination of the global ionospheric state. However, the systematic validation work is needed before using the Spire data for scientific and assimilative purposes. In this work, the electron density profiles retrieved from Spire total electron content measurements using Abel inversion corrected by horizontal asymmetry are compared to digisonde measurements and Arecibo incoherent scatter radar data. Four events when the radio occultation measurements occurred close to three digisondes showed a strong agreement between these independent measurements. The comparison of
2 layer peak and height obtained from Spire data to digisonde measurements at 34 stations around the globe from Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory network also showed a strong agreement. Additionally, a good agreement was obtained in the comparison of Spire profiles with Arecibo electron density measurements.
Glucose homeostasis is regulated by pancreatic β-cell cilia via endosomal EphA-processing
Authors: Volta Francesco , Scerbo M. Julia , Seelig Anett , Wagner Robert , O’Brien Nils , Gerst Felicia , Fritsche Andreas , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Zeigerer Anja , Ullrich Susanne , Gerdes Jantje M.
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus affects one in eleven adults worldwide. Most suffer from Type 2 Diabetes which features elevated blood glucose levels and an inability to adequately secrete or respond to insulin. Insulin producing β-cells have primary cilia which are implicated in the regulation of glucose metabolism, insulin signaling and secretion. To better understand how β-cell cilia affect glucose handling, we ablate cilia from mature β-cells by deleting key cilia component Ift88. Here we report that glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion deteriorate over 12 weeks post-induction. Cilia/basal body components are required to suppress spontaneous auto-activation of EphA3 and hyper-phosphorylation of EphA receptors inhibits insulin secretion. In β-cells, loss of cilia/basal body function leads to polarity defects and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Defective insulin secretion from IFT88-depleted human islets and elevated pEPHA3 in islets from diabetic donors both point to a role for cilia/basal body proteins in human glucose homeostasis.
Integrated exome and RNA sequencing of dedifferentiated liposarcoma
Authors: Hirata Makoto , Asano Naofumi , Katayama Kotoe , Yoshida Akihiko , Tsuda Yusuke , Sekimizu Masaya , Mitani Sachiyo , Kobayashi Eisuke , Komiyama Motokiyo , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Goto Takahiro , Iwamoto Yukihide , Naka Norifumi , Iwata Shintaro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Hiruma Toru , Hiraga Hiroaki , Kawano Hirotaka , Motoi Toru , Oda Yoshinao , Matsubara Daisuke , Fujita Masashi , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Nakayama Robert , Kondo Tadashi , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Kawai Akira , Yamaguchi Rui , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Matsuda Koichi
Published: December 2019

The genomic characteristics of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) that are associated with clinical features remain to be identified. Here, we conduct integrated whole exome and RNA sequencing analysis in 115 DDLPS tumors and perform comparative genomic analysis of well-differentiated and dedifferentiated components from eight DDLPS samples. Several somatic copy-number alterations (SCNAs), including the gain of 12q15, are identified as frequent genomic alterations. CTDSP1/2-DNM3OS fusion genes are identified in a subset of DDLPS tumors. Based on the association of SCNAs with clinical features, the DDLPS tumors are clustered into three groups. This clustering can predict the clinical outcome independently. The comparative analysis between well-differentiated and dedifferentiated components identify two categories of genomic alterations: shared alterations, associated with tumorigenesis, and dedifferentiated-specific alterations, associated with malignant transformation. This large-scale genomic analysis reveals the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of DDLPS and provides insights that could contribute to the refinement of DDLPS management.
A randomised clinical trial to evaluate the safety, fit, comfort of a novel N95 mask in children
Authors: Goh Daniel Yam Thiam , Mun Meng Wai , Lee Wei Liang Jerome , Teoh Oon Hoe , Rajgor Dimple D.
Published: December 2019

Children are more vulnerable to the risks of air pollution, including susceptibility to acquiring chronic diseases in their developing lungs. Despite these, there are no specific masks designed for and tested in children that are available to protect our young from the common particulate air pollutants today. We evaluated safety, fit and comfort of a specially designed paediatric N95 mask with an optional micro ventilator (micro fan, MF) in healthy children aged 7–14 years, in a randomized, two-period crossover design. The subjects’ cardiorespiratory physiological measurements were assessed in different states of physical activity under different interventions (mask without and with MF). A total of 106 subjects were recruited between July-August 2016. The use of the mask without MF increased the End-Tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and Fractional concentration of Inspired CO2 (FICO2) at rest and on mild exertion, as expected. The use of the mask with MF brought FICO2 levels comparably closer to baseline levels without the mask for both activities. The mask, with or without the MF, was found to be well fitting, comfortable and safe for use in children at rest and on mild exertion. The N95 mask tested offers a promising start for more studies in the paediatric population.