bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Markedly different patterns of imbibition in seeds of 48 Acacia species
Authors: Burrows Geoffrey E. , Alden Rowan , Robinson Wayne A.
Published: December 2019

The seeds of most Australian acacias have pronounced physical dormancy (PY). While fire and hot water (HW) treatments cause the lens to ‘pop’ almost instantaneously, for many Acacia species the increase in germination percentage can be gradual. If PY is broken instantly by HW treatment, why is germination often an extended process? Control and HW treatments were performed on seeds of 48 species of Acacia. Seeds were placed on a moist substrate and imbibition was assessed by frequently weighing individual seeds. In the two soft-seeded species all control seeds were fully imbibed within 6–24 h, while in hard-seeded species very few control seeds imbibed over several weeks. In 10 species over 50% of the HW-treated seeds imbibed within 30 h, but mostly the percentage of imbibed seeds gradually increased over several weeks. Some seeds in a replicate would imbibe early, while others would remain unimbibed for many days or weeks then, remarkably, become fully imbibed in less than 24 h. While HW treatment broke PY almost instantaneously, it appeared that in many Acacia species some other part of the testa slowed water from reaching the embryo. This process of having staggered imbibition may be a way of ensuring not all seeds in a population germinate after small rain events. Thus it appears the lens acts as a ‘fire gauge’ while some other part of the seed coat acts as a ‘rain gauge’.
INVESTING IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: ROADS OR SCHOOLS?
Authors: Atolia Manoj , Li Bin Grace , Marto Ricardo , Melina Giovanni
Published: December 2019

Why do governments in developing economies favor roads rather than schools in public investment scale-ups? We study this question using a dynamic general equilibrium model and argue that the different pace at which roads and schools contribute to economic growth, public debt intolerance, and political myopia are central to this decision. In a thought experiment with a large return differential in favor of schools, a benevolent government would intuitively devote the majority of an investment scale-up to them. However, the fraction of schools chosen by the government falls with increasing levels of debt intolerance and political myopia. In particular, political myopia is a meaningful explanation for the observed result to the extent that an extremely myopic government would not invest in schools at all.
Disparities in food consumption between economically segregated urban neighbourhoods
Authors: Lopes Mariana Souza , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira , Andrade Amanda Cristina de Souza , Malta Deborah Carvalho , Barber Sharrelle , Friche Amélia Augusta de Lima
Published: December 2019

Objective:

To examine associations between economic residential segregation and prevalence of healthy and unhealthy eating markers.

Design:

Cross-sectional. A stratified sample was selected in a three-stage process. Prevalence of eating markers and their 95 % CI were estimated according to economic residential segregation: high (most segregated); medium (integrated) and low (less segregated or integrated). Segregation was measured at the census tract and assessed using the Getis–Ord local$G_i^{\rm{\ast}}$statistic based on the proportion of heads of household in a neighbourhood earning a monthly income of 0–3 minimum wages. Binary logistic regression using generalized estimating equations were used to model the associations.

Setting:

Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Participants:

Adults (n1301) residing in the geographical environment (178 census tracts) of ten units of the Brazilian primary-care service known as the Health Academy Program.

Results:

Of the 1301 participants, 27·7 % lived in highly segregated neighbourhoods, where prevalence of regular consumption of fruit was lower compared with more affluent areas (34·6v. 53·2 %, respectively). Likewise, regular consumption of vegetables (70·1v. 87·6 %), fish (23·6v. 42·3 %) and replacement of lunch or dinner with snacks (0·8v. 4·7 %) were lower in comparison to more affluent areas. In contrast, regular consumption of beans was higher (91·0v. 79·5 %). The associations of high-segregated neighbourhood with consumption of vegetables (OR = 0·62; 95 % CI 0·39, 0·98) and beans (OR = 1·85; 95 % CI 1·07, 3·19) remained significant after adjustments.

Conclusions:

Economic residential segregation was associated with healthy eating markers even after adjustments for individual-level factors and perceived food environment.
The relationship between mental disorders and actual and desired subjective social status
Authors: de Vries Y. A. , ten Have M. , de Graaf R. , van Dorsselaer S. , de Ruiter N. M. P. , de Jonge P.
Published: December 2019

Aims

Mental disorders are associated with lower subjective social status (SSS), but a more nuanced understanding of this relationship is needed. We examined the influence of disorder age of onset and recency on SSS and studied whether mental disorders are also associated with the discrepancy between actual and desired SSS.

Method

Data are from the baseline and second wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 (NEMESIS-2). Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0), while both actual and desired SSS were assessed with a ten-rung ladder. Linear regression was used to examine the association between mental disorders and SSS.

Results

Of 5303 participants, 2237 had a lifetime mental disorder at baseline. These participants reported significantly lower actual SSS (6.28) at follow-up than healthy participants (6.66, B = −0.38 [95% CI −0.48 to −0.27], p < 0.001) and a significantly greater actual-desired SSS discrepancy (1.14 v. 1.05 after controlling for actual SSS, B = 0.09 [0.01–0.17], p = 0.024). Lower age of onset of the first mental disorder was marginally significantly associated with lower actual SSS (B = 0.006 [0.000–0.012], p = 0.046). More recent disorders were also associated with lower actual SSS (B = 0.015 [0.005–0.026], p = 0.005), such that participants whose disorder remitted ⩾6 years before baseline were statistically indistinguishable from healthy participants.

Conclusions

Lifetime mental disorders are associated with lower actual SSS and a slightly greater discrepancy between actual and desired SSS. However, people with mental disorders in (long-term) remission have a similar social status as healthy participants.
Zusammenhang zwischen elterlichen Belastungen und der psychischen Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Bolster Marie , Rattay Petra , Hölling Heike , Lampert Thomas
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung. Zeigt sich in Deutschland ein Zusammenhang zwischen elterlichen Belastungen und emotionalen und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen? Mit den Daten der ersten Folgebefragung des Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurveys (KiGGS Welle 1) wurde der Zusammenhang von 13 subjektiv berichteten elterlichen Belastungsformen mit einem auffälligen SDQ-Gesamtproblem- und Impactwert bei 3- bis 17-Jährigen analysiert (n=10891). Eltern mit psychischen Erkrankungen, niedrigem sozioökonomischen Status sowie Alleinerziehende berichten überdurchschnittlich häufig von Belastungen. Belastete Eltern haben eine deutlich höhere Chance ein als auffällig eingestuftes Kind zu haben als nicht belastete Eltern; dies trifft auch nach Kontrolle für familiäre Faktoren zu. Die Reduzierung elterlicher Belastungen kann einen wichtigen Ansatzpunkt darstellen, um die psychische Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen gerade aus sozial benachteiligten Familien zu verbessern.
Tuning in to Kids
Authors: Otterpohl Nantje , Buchenau Katharina , Havighurst Sophie , Stiensmeier-Pelster Joachim , Kehoe Christiane
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung. Es wird eine deutsche Version des Elterntrainings Tuning in to Kids vorgestellt. Das Training zielt über die Förderung elterlicher Strategien zur Emotionssozialisation auf eine Verbesserung kindlicher emotionaler Kompetenzen ab und kombiniert kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Prinzipien mit einem emotionsfokussierten Ansatz. In einer kontrollierten Pilotstudie mit Prä-Posttest-Design (TG: n = 41, KG: n = 30; Alter der Kinder: 3 – 6 Jahre) wurden durch das Training nicht-supportive emotionsbezogene Überzeugungen und Reaktionen auf kindliche Emotionen reduziert sowie supportive Überzeugungen und Reaktionen aufgebaut. Für verschiedene Maße des emotionalen Familienklimas zeigten sich tendenziell positive Effekte. Trotz der Vorläufigkeit der Befunde sprechen die Ergebnisse für eine gute Trainierbarkeit elterlicher Strategien zur Emotionssozialisation und einen stärkeren Einbezug in Prävention und Intervention.
A Tutorial in Bayesian Mediation Analysis With Latent Variables
Authors: Miočević Milica
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimation is a common estimation method in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and parameters in such analyses are interpreted using frequentist terms and definition of probability. It is also possible, and sometimes more advantageous ( Lee & Song, 2004 ; Rindskopf, 2012 ), to fit structural equation models in the Bayesian framework ( Kaplan & Depaoli, 2012 ; Levy & Choi, 2013 ; Scheines, Hoijtink, & Boomsma, 1999 ). Bayesian mediation analysis has been described for manifest variable models ( Enders, Fairchild, & MacKinnon, 2013 ; Yuan & MacKinnon, 2009 ). This tutorial outlines considerations in the analysis and interpretation of results for the single mediator model with latent variables. The reader is guided through model specification, estimation, and the interpretations of results obtained using two kinds of diffuse priors and one set of informative priors. Recommendations are made for applied researchers and annotated syntax is provided in R2OpenBUGS and Mplus. The target audience for this article are researchers wanting to learn how to fit the single mediator model as a Bayesian SEM.
Fitting Bayesian Models for Single-Case Experimental Designs
Authors: Natesan Prathiba
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) are interrupted time-series designs that have recently gained recognition as being able to provide a strong basis for establishing intervention effect. Typically, SCED data are short time series and autocorrelated, which renders maximum likelihood and parametric analyses inadequate for data analysis, respectively. Although Bayesian methods overcome these challenges, most practitioners do not use Bayesian estimation because of: (a) its steep learning curve, (b) lack of Bayesian training, and (c) lack of knowledge of Bayesian software solutions. This study demonstrates two Bayesian interrupted time-series models using freeware programs R and JAGS. Practitioners could modify these codes and run them for their own data by changing the values in the codes where indicated. Providing practitioners with such tools to facilitate their analysis is one way to improve methodological rigor in applied research.
Using Response Times as Collateral Information About Latent Traits in Psychological Tests
Authors: Ranger Jochen , Wolgast Anett
Published: December 2019

Abstract. In psychological tests, the time needed to respond to the items provides collateral information about the latent traits of the test takers. This, however, requires a measurement model that incorporates the response times in addition to the responses. Such a measurement model is usually based on a full specification of the response time distribution. In the present article, we suggest a novel modeling approach that requires fewer assumptions. In the approach, the responses are modeled with a unidimensional two-parameter logistic model. The single response times are summed to the scale-specific total testing time which is then related to the latent trait of the two-parameter logistic model via a smooth adaptive Gaussian mixture (SAGM) model. The approach can be justified against the background of the bivariate generalized linear item response theory modeling framework ( Molenaar, Tuerlinckx, & van der Maas, 2015a ). Its utility is investigated in two simulation studies and an empirical example.
Avoiding the Other Side?
Authors: Schmuck Desirée , Tribastone Miriam , Matthes Jörg , Marquart Franziska , Bergel Eva Maria
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Partisan selective exposure, the phenomenon of selectively attending to information that is in line with one’s political views, has received extensive research attention. Researchers have thus far largely neglected, however, to examine the tendency to avoid attitude-discrepant information, that is, selective avoidance. Selective avoidance can be considered a different phenomenon that is not necessarily implied by, nor only occurs simultaneously with, selective exposure. This study investigates these two separate phenomena, for the first time, using eye-tracking methodology. We exposed participants to political ads by liberal and conservative parties placed next to neutral political ads and tracked eye movements unobtrusively. Findings showed that individuals paid more visual attention to political ads that were consistent with their partisan ideology. Additionally, we found that individuals tended to avoid political ads that were inconsistent with their partisan ideology, which provides some evidence for selective avoidance processes. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Robust Adaptive Spacecraft Array Derivative Analysis
Authors: Vogt J. , Blagau A. , Pick L.
Published: December 2019

Multispacecraft missions such as Cluster, Themis, Swarm, and MMS contribute to the exploration of geospace with their capability to produce gradient and curl estimates from sets of spatially distributed in situ measurements. This paper combines all existing estimators of the reciprocal vector family for spatial derivatives and their errors. The resulting framework proves to be robust and adaptive in the sense that it works reliably for arrays with arbitrary numbers of spacecraft and possibly degenerate geometries. The analysis procedure is illustrated using synthetic data as well as magnetic measurements from the Cluster and Swarm missions. An implementation of the core algorithm in Python is shown to be compact and computationally efficient so that it can be easily integrated in the various free and open source packages for the Space Physics and Heliophysics community.
Oblique Gravity Wave Propagation During Sudden Stratospheric Warmings
Authors: Stephan C. C. , Schmidt H. , Zülicke C. , Matthias V.
Published: December 2019

Gravity waves (GWs) are important for coupling the mesosphere to the lower atmosphere during sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). Here, a minor SSW is internally generated in a simulation with the upper‐atmosphere configuration of the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic model. At a horizontal resolution of 20 km the simulation uses no GW drag parameterizations but resolves large fractions of the GW spectrum explicitly, including orographic and nonorographic sources. Consistent with previous studies, the simulated zonal‐mean stratospheric warming is accompanied by zonal‐mean mesospheric cooling. During the course of the SSW the mesospheric GW momentum flux (GWMF) turns from mainly westward to mainly eastward. Waves of large phase speed (40–80 m s
) dominate the eastward GWMF during the peak phase of the warming. The GWMF is strongest along the polar night jet axis. Parameterizations of GWs usually assume straight upward propagation, but this assumption is often not satisfied. In the case studied here, a substantial amount of the GWMF is significantly displaced horizontally between the source region and the dissipation region, implying that the local impact of GWs on the mesosphere does not need to be above their local transmission through the stratosphere. The simulation produces significant vertically misaligned anomalies between the stratosphere and mesosphere. Observations by the Microwave Limb Sounder confirm the poleward tilt with height of the polar night jet and horizontal displacements between mesospheric cooling and stratospheric warming patterns. Thus, lateral GW propagation may be required to explain the middle‐atmosphere temperature evolution in SSW events with significant zonally asymmetric anomalies.
Ocean Kinetic Energy Backscatter Parametrization on Unstructured Grids: Impact on Global Eddy‐Permitting Simulations
Authors: Juricke Stephan , Danilov Sergey , Koldunov Nikolay , Oliver Marcel , Sidorenko Dmitry
Published: December 2019

In this study we demonstrate the potential of a kinetic energy backscatter scheme for use in global ocean simulations. Ocean models commonly employ (bi)harmonic eddy viscosities causing excessive dissipation of kinetic energy in eddy‐permitting simulations. Overdissipation not only affects the smallest resolved scales but also the generation of eddies through baroclinic instabilities, impacting the entire wave number spectrum. The backscatter scheme returns part of this overdissipated energy back into the resolved flow. We employ backscatter in the FESOM2 multiresolution ocean model with a quasi‐uniform 1/4°
mesh. In multidecadal ocean simulations, backscatter increases eddy activity by a factor 2 or more, moving the simulation closer to observational estimates of sea surface height variability. Moreover, mean sea surface height, temperature, and salinity biases are reduced. This amounts to a globally averaged bias reduction of around 10% for each field, which is even larger in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. However, in some regions such as the coastal Kuroshio, backscatter leads to a slight overenergizing of the flow and, in the Antarctic, to an unrealistic reduction of sea ice. Some of the bias increases can be reduced by a retuning of the model, and we suggest related adjustments to the backscatter scheme. The backscatter simulation is about 2.5 times as expensive as a simulation without backscatter. Most of the increased cost is due to a halving of the time step to accommodate higher simulated velocities.
Radiation Dose During Relativistic Electron Precipitation Events at the International Space Station
Authors: Ueno H. , Nakahira S. , Kataoka R. , Asaoka Y. , Torii S. , Ozawa S. , Matsumoto H. , Bruno A. , de Nolfo G.A. , Collazuol G. , Ricciarini S.B.
Published: December 2019

We provide a quantitative estimate of the radiation dose during relativistic electron precipitation (REP) events at the International Space Station (ISS). To this goal, we take advantage of the data collected by the CALorimetric Electron Telescope, the Monitor of All‐sky X‐ray Image, and the Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment‐Attached Payload. The three ISS detectors offer complementary REP observations, including energy spectra and flux directional information, during a period of approximately 2.5 years, from November 2015 to March 2018. We have identified 762 REP events during this period from which we obtain the distribution of radiation dose, relevant to extravehicular activities outside the ISS.
Systematic characterization of chromatin modifying enzymes identifies KDM3B as a critical regulator in castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Saraç Hilal , Morova Tunç , Pires Elisabete , McCullagh James , Kaplan Anıl , Cingöz Ahmet , Bagci-Onder Tugba , Önder Tamer , Kawamura Akane , Lack Nathan A.
Published: December 2019

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard care for prostate cancer (PCa) patients who fail surgery or radiotherapy. While initially effective, the cancer almost always recurs as a more aggressive castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Previous studies have demonstrated that chromatin modifying enzymes can play a critical role in the conversion to CRPC. However, only a handful of these potential pharmacological targets have been tested. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a focused shRNA screen of chromatin modifying enzymes previously shown to be involved in cellular differentiation. We found that altering the balance between histone methylation and demethylation impacted growth and proliferation. Of all genes tested, KDM3B, a histone H3K9 demethylase, was found to have the most antiproliferative effect. These results were phenocopied with a KDM3B CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. When tested in several PCa cell lines, the decrease in proliferation was remarkably specific to androgen-independent cells. Genetic rescue experiments showed that only the enzymatically active KDM3B could recover the phenotype. Surprisingly, despite the decreased proliferation of androgen-independent cell no alterations in the cell cycle distribution were observed following KDM3B knockdown. Whole transcriptome analyses revealed changes in the gene expression profile following loss of KDM3B, including downregulation of metabolic enzymes such asARG2andRDH11. Metabolomic analysis of KDM3B knockout showed a decrease in several critical amino acids. Overall, our work reveals, for the first time, the specificity and the dependence of KDM3B in CRPC proliferation.
A review of prostate cancer treatment impact on the CNS and cognitive function
Authors: Ryan Charles , Wefel Jeffrey S. , Morgans Alicia K.
Published: December 2019

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the backbone of systemic therapy for men with prostate cancer (PC); almost one-half of patients receive treatment during their disease course. However, a range of cognitive and other central nervous system (CNS) changes have been associated with ADT. In this review, we discuss extant data describing these complications and the mechanisms through which medications used to deliver ADT may affect them.

Methods

We performed a MEDLINE search for appropriate papers published between January 2000 and December 2018. Relevant papers were selected and reviewed; additional publications were identified by manually assessing references from included papers, and recent congress abstracts.

Results

Of ~230 search outputs, 33 were selected for inclusion. Some studies suggested a clear association between ADT and CNS effects in men with PC, whereas others did not. Accurate assessment is limited by test instrument variability, inadequate sample sizes, short follow-up duration, and limited prospective longitudinal studies. The approved second-generation androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors enzalutamide and apalutamide were associated with some CNS-related adverse events (AEs) in clinical studies, including fatigue (which can interfere with cognitive function). The androgen synthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate was associated with a low CNS AE profile when compared with enzalutamide. The AR antagonist darolutamide demonstrated a comparable incidence of cognitive disorder in clinical trials to that of ADT alone.

Conclusions

Adequately caring for men receiving ADT requires an understanding of the symptoms, incidence and magnitude of cognitive effects, and a feasible approach to cognitive assessment and management in clinical settings. Some CNS effects could relate to blood–brain barrier penetration and direct AR inhibitor activity; drug safety profiles may differ by the degree of blood–brain barrier penetration of particular agents. Ongoing clinical trials seek to define the CNS tolerability of newer AR pathway-targeted therapy options more clearly.
Dual-specificity protein phosphatase DUSP4 regulates response to MEK inhibition in BRAF wild-type melanoma
Authors: Gupta Avinash , Towers Christopher , Willenbrock Frances , Brant Roz , Hodgson Darren Richard , Sharpe Alan , Smith Paul , Cutts Anthony , Schuh Anna , Asher Ruth , Myers Kevin , Love Sharon , Collins Linda , Wise Adelyn , Middleton Mark Roy , Macaulay Valentine Moya
Published: December 2019

Background

Aiming to improve treatment options for BRAF wild-type melanoma, we previously conducted the DOC-MEK study of docetaxel with MEK inhibitor (MEKi) selumetinib or placebo, revealing trends to prolongation of progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.75, P = 0.130), and improved response rates (32% vs 14%, P = 0.059) with docetaxel plus selumetinib. NRAS status did not associate with outcome. Here, the aim was to identify novel biomarkers of response to MEKi.

Methods

A MEK 6 gene signature was quantified using NanoString and correlated with clinical outcomes. Two components of the gene signature were investigated by gene silencing in BRAF/NRAS wild-type melanoma cells.

Results

In melanomas of patients on the selumetinib but not the placebo arm, two gene signature components, dual-specificity protein phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) and ETS translocation variant 4 (ETV4), were expressed more highly in responders than non-responders. In vitro, ETV4 depletion inhibited cell survival but did not influence sensitivity to MEKi selumetinib or trametinib. In contrast, DUSP4-depleted cells showed enhanced cell survival and increased resistance to both selumetinib and trametinib.

Conclusions

ETV4 and DUSP4 associated with clinical response to docetaxel plus selumetinib. DUSP4 depletion induced MEKi resistance, suggesting that DUSP4 is not only a biomarker but also a mediator of MEKi sensitivity.

Clinical Trial Registration

DOC-MEK (EudraCT no: 2009-018153-23).
A multinational observational study identifying primary care patients at risk of overestimation of asthma control
Authors: Kritikos Vicky , Price David , Papi Alberto , Infantino Antonio , Ställberg Bjorn , Ryan Dermot , Lavorini Federico , Chrystyn Henry , Haughney John , Lisspers Karin , Gruffydd-Jones Kevin , Román Rodríguez Miguel , Høegh Henrichsen Svein , van der Molen Thys , Carter Victoria , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia
Published: December 2019

Factors related to the discrepancy between patient-perceived and actual disease control remain unclear. Identifying patients at risk of overestimation of asthma control remains elusive. This study aimed to (i) investigate the relationship between patient-reported and actual level of asthma control (ii), compare the characteristics between patients who believe their asthma is well controlled that accurately report ‘well-controlled’ asthma with those that do not, and (iii) identify factors associated with inaccurately reported ‘well-controlled’ asthma. A historical, multinational, cross-sectional study using data from the iHARP (initiative Helping Asthma in Real-life Patients) review service for adults with asthma prescribed fixed-dose combination therapy. Data from 4274 patients were analysed. A major discrepancy between patient-reported and Global Initiative for Asthma defined asthma control was detected; 71.1% of patients who reported ‘well-controlled’ asthma were inaccurate in their perception despite receiving regular maintenance therapy. Significant differences were noted in age, gender, body mass index, education level, medication use, side effects, attitudes to preventer inhaler use, inhaler technique review and respiratory specialist review between patients who accurately reported ‘well-controlled’ asthma and those who did not. Independent risk factors associated with inaccurately reported ‘well-controlled’ asthma were: having taken a maximum of 5–12 puffs or more of reliever inhaler on at least one day within the previous 4 weeks; being female; having seen a respiratory specialist more than a year ago (rather than in the previous year); and having required oral corticosteroids for worsening asthma in the previous year. The study highlighted the significant hidden burden associated with under-recognition of poor asthma control, on the part of the patient and the need for targeted interventions designed to address the continuing discrepancy between perceived and actual disease control.
Pan-European groundwater to atmosphere terrestrial systems climatology from a physically consistent simulation
Authors: Furusho-Percot Carina , Goergen Klaus , Hartick Carl , Kulkarni Ketan , Keune Jessica , Kollet Stefan
Published: December 2019

Applying the Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform, TSMP, this study provides the first simulated long-term (1996–2018), high-resolution (~12.5 km) terrestrial system climatology over Europe, which comprises variables from groundwater across the land surface to the top of the atmosphere (G2A). The data set offers an unprecedented opportunity to test hypotheses related to short- and long-range feedback processes in space and time between the different interacting compartments of the terrestrial system. The physical consistency of simulated states and fluxes in the terrestrial system constitutes the uniqueness of the data set: while most regional climate models (RCMs) have a tendency to simplify the soil moisture and groundwater representation, TSMP explicitly simulates a full 3D soil- and groundwater dynamics, closing the terrestrial water cycle from G2A. As anthopogenic impacts are excluded, the dataset may serve as a near-natural reference for global change simulations including human water use and climate change. The data set is available as netCDF files for the pan-European EURO-CORDEX domain.
Wide-Angle Scanning Phased Array Antenna using High Gain Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna Elements
Authors: Ahn ByungKuon , Hwang In-June , Kim Kwang-Seok , Chae Soo-Chang , Yu Jong-Won , Lee Han Lim
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a wide-angle scanning phased array antenna using high gain pattern reconfigurable antenna (PRA) elements. Using PRA elements is an attractive solution for wide-angle scanning phased array antennas because the scanning range can be divided into several subspaces. To achieve the desired scanning performance, some characteristics of the PRA element such as the number of switching modes, tilt angle, and maximum half-power beamwidth (HPBW) are required. We analyzed the required characteristics of the PRA element according to the target scanning range and element spacing, and presented a PRA element design guideline for phased array antennas. In accordance with the guideline, the scanning range was set as ±70° and a high gain PRA element with three reconfigurable patterns was used to compose an 8x1 array antenna with 0.9 λ0 spacing. After analyzing whether the active element patterns meet the guideline, the array antenna was fabricated and measured to demonstrate the scanning performance. The fabricated array can scan its beam from -70° to 70° by dividing the scanning range into three subspaces. It shows that even if the array antenna has large element spacing, the desired scanning performance can be obtained using the elements designed under the guideline.
The walking speed-dependency of gait variability in bilateral vestibulopathy and its association with clinical tests of vestibular function
Authors: McCrum Christopher , Lucieer Florence , van de Berg Raymond , Willems Paul , Pérez Fornos Angélica , Guinand Nils , Karamanidis Kiros , Kingma Herman , Meijer Kenneth
Published: December 2019

Understanding balance and gait deficits in vestibulopathy may help improve clinical care and our knowledge of the vestibular contributions to balance. Here, we examined walking speed effects on gait variability in healthy adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Forty-four people with BVP, 12 healthy young adults and 12 healthy older adults walked at 0.4 m/s to 1.6 m/s in 0.2 m/s increments on a dual belt, instrumented treadmill. Using motion capture and kinematic data, the means and coefficients of variation for step length, time, width and double support time were calculated. The BVP group also completed a video head impulse test and examinations of ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and dynamic visual acuity. Walking speed significantly affected all gait parameters. Step length variability at slower speeds and step width variability at faster speeds were the most distinguishing parameters between the healthy participants and people with BVP, and among people with BVP with different locomotor capacities. Step width variability, specifically, indicated an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing speeds. Gait variability was not associated with the clinical vestibular tests. Our results indicate that gait variability at multiple walking speeds has potential as an assessment tool for vestibular interventions.
The search for an elusive worm in the tropics, the past as a key to the present, and reverse uniformitarianism
Authors: Quiroz Luis I. , Buatois Luis A. , Seike Koji , Mángano M. Gabriela , Jaramillo Carlos , Sellers Andrew J.
Published: December 2019

The distribution of trace-making organisms in coastal settings is largely controlled by changes in physicochemical parameters, which in turn are a response to different climatic and oceanographic conditions. The trace fossil Macaronichnus and its modern producers are typical of high-energy, siliciclastic foreshore sands in intermediate- to high-latitude settings characterized by cold-water conditions. However, it has been found in Miocene Caribbean deposits of Venezuela, prompting the hypothesis that upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters rather than latitude was the main control of its distribution. To test this hypothesis that was solely based on the fossil record, several trenches and sediment peels were made in two high-energy sand beaches having different oceanographic conditions along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of the Central American Isthmus. As predicted, the burrows were found only in the highly productive waters of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in connection with upwelling, while they were absent from the warm, oligotrophic waters of the Caribbean coast of Panama. This finding demonstrates that sometimes the past may be a key to the present, providing one of the few documented examples of reverse uniformitarianism.
Upregulation of tropomyosin alpha-4 chain in patients’ saliva with oral squamous cell carcinoma as demonstrated by Phage display
Authors: Faria Paula Cristina Batista , Carneiro Ana Paula , Binato Renata , Nascimento Rafael , Santos Paula Souza , Fagundes Deborah , da Silva Sindeval José , Loyola Adriano Mota , Abdelhay Eliana , Goulart Luiz Ricardo
Published: December 2019

Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) present significant alterations in their saliva proteome. We have used the shotgun Phage Display (PD) technology to identify candidate proteins that were upregulated in saliva of OSCC by selecting ligands to salivary proteins from a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) PD combinatorial library. After two selection cycles, the highly reactive clone scFv-D09 was able to distinguish saliva of OSCC patients from healthy subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with sensitivity and specificity of 96.67%. Additionally, the scFv-D09 clone presented a positive immunostaining for invasive malignant epithelial cells in the connective tissue, keratin pearls in the OSCC, and ducts of salivary glands. We have further identified the target protein as the tropomyosin alpha-4 chain (TPM4) by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and its binding to the scFV-D09 was demonstrated by bioinformatics. Briefly, we have identified TPM4 as upregulated salivary protein in patients with OSCC, which plays a central role in stabilizing cytoskeleton actin filaments, probably linked with tumor tissue remodeling. Long-term longitudinal studies are needed to validate TPM4 as a potential marker of a malignant process.
Impact of Organic Loading Rate in Volatile Fatty Acids Production and Population Dynamics Using Microalgae Biomass as Substrate
Authors: Magdalena Jose Antonio , Greses Silvia , González-Fernández Cristina
Published: December 2019

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are regarded as building blocks with a wide range of applications, including biofuel production. The traditional anaerobic digestion used for biogas production can be alternatively employed for VFAs production. The present study aimed at maximizing VFAs productions from Chlorella vulgaris through anaerobic digestion by assessing the effect of stepwise organic loading rates (OLR) increases (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 g COD L−1 d−1). The biological system was proven to be robust as organic matter conversion efficiency into VFAs increased from 0.30 ± 0.02 COD-VFAs/CODin at 3 g COD L−1 d−1 to 0.37 ± 0.02 COD-VFAs/CODin at 12 g COD L−1d−1. Even though, the hydrolytic step was similar for all studied scenario sCOD/tCOD = 0.52–0.58), the highest OLR (15 g COD L−1 d−1) did not show any further increase in VFAs conversion (0.29 ± 0.01 COD-VFAs/CODin). This fact suggested acidogenesis inhibition at 15 g COD L−1d−1. Butyric (23–32%), acetic (19–26%) and propionic acids (11–17%) were the most abundant bioproducts. Population dynamics analysis revealed microbial specialization, with a high presence of Firmicutes followed by Bacteroidetes. In addition, this investigation showed the microbial adaptation of Euryarchaeota species at the highest OLR (15 g COD L−1d−1), evidencing one of the main challenges in VFAs production (out-competition of archaea community to avoid product consumption). Stepwise OLR increase can be regarded as a tool to promote VFAs productions. However, acidogenic inhibition was reported at the highest OLR instead of the traditional hydrolytic barriers. The operational conditions imposed together with the high VFAs and ammonium concentrations might have affected the system yields. The relative abundance of Firmicutes (74%) and Bacteroidetes (20%), as main phyla, together with the reduction of Euryarchaeota phylum (0.5%) were found the best combination to promote organic matter conversion into VFAs.
Identification of potential chemosignals in the European water vole Arvicola terrestris
Authors: Nagnan-Le Meillour Patricia , Descamps Amandine , Le Danvic Chrystelle , Grandmougin Maurane , Saliou Jean-Michel , Klopp Christophe , Milhes Marine , Bompard Coralie , Chesneau Didier , Poissenot Kevin , Keller Matthieu
Published: December 2019

The water vole Arvicola terrestris is endemic to Europe where its outbreak generates severe economic losses for farmers. Our project aimed at characterising putative chemical signals used by this species, to develop new sustainable methods for population control that could also be used for this species protection in Great Britain. The water vole, as well as other rodents, uses specific urination sites as territorial and sex pheromone markers, still unidentified. Lateral scent glands and urine samples were collected from wild males and females caught in the field, at different periods of the year. Their volatile composition was analysed for each individual and not on pooled samples, revealing a specific profile of flank glands in October and a specific profile of urinary volatiles in July. The urinary protein content appeared more contrasted as males secrete higher levels of a lipocalin than females, whenever the trapping period. We named this protein arvicolin. Male and female liver transcript sequencing did not identify any expression of other odorant-binding protein sequence. This work demonstrates that even in absence of genome, identification of chemical signals from wild animals is possible and could be helpful in strategies of species control and protection.
PEG grafted chitosan scaffold for dual growth factor delivery for enhanced wound healing
Authors: Vijayan Amritha , A. Sabareeswaran , Kumar G. S. Vinod
Published: December 2019

Application of growth factors at wound site has improved the efficiency and quality of healing. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induce proliferation of various cells in wound healing. Delivery of growth factor from controlled release systems protect it from degradation and also result in sustained delivery of it at the site of injury. The goal of the study was to develop a Polyethylene glycol (PEG) cross-linked cotton-like chitosan scaffold (CS-PEG-H) by freeze-drying method and chemically conjugate heparin to the scaffold to which the growth factors can be electrostatically bound and evaluate its wound healing properties in vitro and in vivo. The growth factor containing scaffolds induced increased proliferation of HaCaT cells, increased neovascularization and collagen formation seen by H and E and Masson’s trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the Ki67 marker which increased proliferation of cells in growth factor containing scaffold treated group. Frequent dressing changes are a major deterrent to proper wound healing. Our system was found to release both VEGF and bFGF in a continuous manner and attained stability after 7 days. Thus our system can maintain therapeutic levels of growth factor at the wound bed thereby avoiding the need for daily applications and frequent dressing changes. Thus, it can be a promising candidate for wound healing.
A pre-Inca pot from underwater ruins discovered in an Andean lake provides a sedimentary record of marked hydrological change
Authors: Michelutti Neal , Sowell Preston , Tapia Pedro M. , Grooms Christopher , Polo Martin , Gambetta Alexandra , Ausejo Carlos , Smol John P.
Published: December 2019

Pre-Hispanic artifacts and sacred architecture were recently discovered submerged in a large lake (Laguna Sibinacocha) in the Peruvian Andes. The underwater ruins indicate a dramatic shift in the region’s hydrology but the timing and triggers of this shift remain unknown. In a novel approach blending archaeology and paleoecology, we analyzed a sediment sequence from within one of the recovered artifacts, specifically a pot from the Late Intermediate Period (~1000–1400 CE). Radioisotopic dating of discrete sediment intervals sampled from the pot show a stratigraphically intact profile that preserves a history of change at this site. The pot’s basal sediment age places the timing of lake-level rise during the late ~1600s CE, which post-dates the end of the Inca Empire (1400–1532 CE) by approximately 150 years. The ubiquity of planktonic algae throughout the sediment profile suggests water levels remained high above the pot since its submergence. Paleoclimate data from the nearby Quelccaya ice core records indicate lake flooding followed a pronounced wet period beginning ~1520 CE. These data show the permanence of mean state changes in climate on the region’s hydrology, with clear implications for the study site (an important water resource for ~500,000 people) and other lakes in the rapidly warming Andes.
Analysis of 1.2 million foot scans from North America, Europe and Asia
Authors: Jurca Ales , Žabkar Jure , Džeroski Sašo
Published: December 2019

For decades, footwear brands have developed products using outdated methods and measurements, working with limited insight into the foot shapes and dimensions of their target customers. The integration of 3D scanning technology into footwear retail stores has made it possible for this research to analyze a database containing a large number of male and female 3D foot scans collected across North America, Europe, and Asia. Foot scans were classified into length classes with 5mm length increments; mean width, instep height, and heel width were calculated for each length class. This study confirms the existence of many statistically significant differences in mean foot measurements amongst the regions and between the sexes, and a large dispersion of foot measurements within each group of customers. Therefore, shoes should be developed separately for each group, region, and sex, and at least 3 shoe widths per length class are required to provide a proper fit for 90% of customers. Beyond this, our analysis asserts that a shoe designed for a single group will fit a different segment of the population in another group, and that existing last grading tables should be updated to reflect the foot dimensions of current consumers.
Predictors for de novo stress urinary incontinence following pelvic reconstruction surgery with transvaginal single-incisional mesh
Authors: Wu Pei-Chi , Wu Chin-Hu , Lin Kun-Ling , Liu Yiyin , Loo Zixi , Lee Yung-Chin , Long Cheng-Yu
Published: December 2019

The study aims to identify predictors for de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following Elevate mesh surgery. A total of 164 women who underwent Elevate mesh surgeries between November 2011 and February 2014 in a single center were included. Seventy-three women were excluded due to preoperative incontinence or concomitant mid-urethral sling surgery. Fourteen others were excluded due to incomplete medical records. Fisher’s exact test and χ2 test were applied. The univariate logistic regression was used for odds ratios. Of the 77 continent women, 24 (31.2%) experienced de novo SUI after the operation. Significantly more women with de novo SUI were over the age of 64 years (75.0% vs. 47.2%, p = 0.023, OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.15–9.79). Preoperative occult urodynamic stress incontinence (29.2% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.003, OR 10.0, 95% CI 2.0–50.0) and previous SUI history (41.7% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.001, OR 9.1, 95% CI 2.38–33.3) were 2 other predictors of de novo SUI postoperatively. In conclusion, age over 64 years old, occult urodynamic stress incontinence, and previous history of SUI are 3 significant predictors for de novo SUI following the single-incision mesh surgeries.
Study on neuropathological mechanisms of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis in children using cerebral resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhu Wen , Che Yingyu , Wang Yan , Jia Zhiming , Wan Tingxiang , Wen Jianguo , Cheng Jingliang , Ren Chuanchuan , Wu Junwei , Li Yunlong , Wang Qingwei
Published: December 2019

Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a heterogeneous disorder, which remains a difficult condition to manage due to lack of knowledge on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Here we investigated the underlying neuropathological mechanisms of PMNE with functional MRI (fMRI), combining the amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and seed-based functional connectivity (seed-based FC) analyses. Compared to the control group, PMNE group showed decreased ALFF value in the left medial orbital superior frontal gyrus (Frontal_Med_Orb_L), and increased ReHo value in the left superior occipital gyrus (Occipital_Sup_L). With left thalamus as the seed, PMNE group showed significantly decreased functional connectivity to the left medial superior frontal gyrus (Frontal_Sup_Medial_L). We conclude that these abnormal brain activities are probably important neuropathological mechanisms of PMNE in children. Furthermore, this study facilitated the understanding of underlying pathogenesis of PMNE and may provide an objective basis for the effective treatment.