bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Care Management of Status Epilepticus at a Tertiary Care University Hospital
Authors: Mahmoud Sherif Hanafy , Marette Vanessa , Lindqvist Therecia , Ahmed S. Nizam
Published: August 2019

Background:

Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to review the critical care management of patients with SE focusing on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as well as to determine the optimal dosing strategies of phenytoin (PHT) and predictors of its effectiveness.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of adult patients with SE admitted to the University of Alberta Hospital, Canada, was conducted.

Results:

Fifty-six admissions were included. Benzodiazepines (BDZs) were initially given in 89% of our patients. Following BDZs, PHT and levetiracetam were the most commonly initiated AEDs as first- and second-line agents and were deemed effective in 30/44 and 5/11 patients, respectively. Patients who received a PHT loading dose (LD) of 1000 mg were less likely to reach target levels compared with a weight-based LD ≥15 mg/kg (29% vs. 60%). Likewise, patients who received a maintenance dose (MD) of 300 mg/day were less likely to reach target compared with 400 mg/day or >5 mg/kg per day; however, this did not reach statistical significance. Three variables were found to be associated with PHT effectiveness: tonic-clonic SE (OR 5.01, 95% CI 1.02–24.7, p = 0.048), history of seizures and BMI <30 kg/m2(OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03–1.07, p = 0.059).

Conclusions:

Further studies of the predictors of PHT effectiveness, specifically obesity, are necessary to help individualize care. Finally, we suggest that PHT should be loaded according to the guidelines as 20 mg/kg followed by an MD of at least 400 mg/day or >5 mg/kg per day.
The integrability of symplectic twist maps without conjugate points
Authors: ARCOSTANZO MARC
Published: August 2019

It is proved that a symplectic twist map of the cotangent bundle $T^{\ast }\mathbb{T}^{d}$ of the $d$-dimensional torus that is without conjugate points is $C^{0}$-integrable, that is  $T^{\ast }\mathbb{T}^{d}$ is foliated by a family of invariant $C^{0}$ Lagrangian graphs.
Time evolution of stimulated Raman scattering and two-plasmon decay at laser intensities relevant for shock ignition in a hot plasma
Authors: Cristoforetti G. , Antonelli L. , Mancelli D. , Atzeni S. , Baffigi F. , Barbato F. , Batani D. , Boutoux G. , D’Amato F. , Dostal J. , Dudzak R. , Filippov E. , Gu Y. J. , Juha L. , Klimo O. , Krus M. , Malko S. , Martynenko A. S. , Nicolai Ph. , Ospina V. , Pikuz S. , Renner O. , Santos J. , Tikhonchuk V. T. , Trela J. , Viciani S. , Volpe L. , Weber S. , Gizzi L. A.
Published: August 2019

Laser–plasma interaction (LPI) at intensities
$10^{15}{-}10^{16}~\text{W}\cdot \text{cm}^{-2}$
is dominated by parametric instabilities which can be responsible for a significant amount of non-collisional absorption and generate large fluxes of high-energy nonthermal electrons. Such a regime is of paramount importance for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and in particular for the shock ignition scheme. In this paper we report on an experiment carried out at the Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) facility to investigate the extent and time history of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon decay (TPD) instabilities, driven by the interaction of an infrared laser pulse at an intensity
${\sim}1.2\times 10^{16}~\text{W}\cdot \text{cm}^{-2}$
with a
${\sim}100~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$
scalelength plasma produced from irradiation of a flat plastic target. The laser pulse duration (300 ps) and the high value of plasma temperature (
${\sim}4~\text{keV}$
) expected from hydrodynamic simulations make these results interesting for a deeper understanding of LPI in shock ignition conditions. Experimental results show that absolute TPD/SRS, driven at a quarter of the critical density, and convective SRS, driven at lower plasma densities, are well separated in time, with absolute instabilities driven at early times of interaction and convective backward SRS emerging at the laser peak and persisting all over the tail of the pulse. Side-scattering SRS, driven at low plasma densities, is also clearly observed. Experimental results are compared to fully kinetic large-scale, two-dimensional simulations. Particle-in-cell results, beyond reproducing the framework delineated by the experimental measurements, reveal the importance of filamentation instability in ruling the onset of SRS and stimulated Brillouin scattering instabilities and confirm the crucial role of collisionless absorption in the LPI energy balance.
Passive optimization of pump noise transfer function by narrow band-pass filtering in femtosecond fiber lasers
Authors: Qin Peng , Wang Sijia , Hu Minglie , Song Youjian
Published: August 2019

Fluctuation of pump power is one of the major sources of temporal and intensity noise in femtosecond fiber lasers. In this work, the transfer functions between the relative intensity noise (RIN) of the pump laser diode (LD) and the output RIN, between the RIN of the pump LD and timing jitter of femtosecond fiber lasers are systematically studied. It is demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, that the amplitude of the pump RIN transfer function can be effectively decreased by an intra-cavity narrow band-pass filter. In particular, for normal-dispersion lasers, the 3-dB bandwidth of the transfer function can also be narrowed by two-thirds, with a steeper falling edge. Furthermore, with the narrow band-pass filtering, the transfer function is almost independent of the net intra-cavity dispersion due to amplifier similariton formation. The proposed scheme can effectively isolate the pump-induced noise without the need of complex active pump LD control and intra-cavity dispersion management, thus providing an easy way for practical high-power, high-stability femtosecond fiber laser design and related high-precision applications outside the laboratory.
Combined measurement of velocity and temperature in liquid metal convection
Authors: Zürner Till , Schindler Felix , Vogt Tobias , Eckert Sven , Schumacher Jörg
Published: August 2019

Combined measurements of velocity components and temperature in a turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection flow at a low Prandtl number of $Pr=0.029$ and Rayleigh numbers of $10^{6}\leqslant Ra\leqslant 6\times 10^{7}$ are conducted in a series of experiments with durations of more than a thousand free-fall time units. Multiple crossing ultrasound beam lines and an array of thermocouples at mid-height allow for a detailed analysis and characterization of the complex three-dimensional dynamics of the single large-scale circulation roll in a cylindrical convection cell of unit aspect ratio which is filled with the liquid metal alloy GaInSn. We measure the internal temporal correlations of the complex large-scale flow and distinguish between short-term oscillations associated with a sloshing motion in the mid-plane as well as varying orientation angles of the velocity close to the top/bottom plates and the slow azimuthal drift of the mean orientation of the roll as a whole that proceeds on a time scale up to a hundred times slower. The coherent large-scale circulation drives a vigorous turbulence in the whole cell that is quantified by direct Reynolds number measurements at different locations in the cell. The velocity increment statistics in the bulk of the cell displays characteristic properties of intermittent small-scale fluid turbulence. We also show that the impact of the symmetry-breaking large-scale flow persists to small-scale velocity fluctuations thus preventing the establishment of fully isotropic turbulence in the cell centre. Reynolds number amplitudes depend sensitively on beam-line position in the cell such that different definitions have to be compared. The global momentum and heat transfer scalings with Rayleigh number are found to agree with those of direct numerical simulations and other laboratory experiments.
An Ordovician nectocaridid hints at an endocochleate origin of Cephalopoda
Authors: Smith Martin R.
Published: August 2019

Nectocaridids are soft-bodied Cambrian organisms that have been controversially interpreted as primitive cephalopods, at odds with the long-held belief that these mollusks evolved from a shell-bearing ancestor. Here, I document a new nectocaridid from the Whetstone Gulf Formation, extending the group's range into the Late Ordovician.Nectocotis rusmithin. gen. n. sp. possesses a robust internal element that resembles a non-mineralized phragmocone or gladius. Nectocaridids can be accommodated in the cephalopod total group if the earliest cephalopods (1) inherited a non-mineralized shell field from the ancestral mollusk; and (2) internalized this shell field. This evolutionary scenario would overturn the traditional ectocochleate,Nautilus-like reconstruction of the ancestral cephalopod, and indicate a trend towards increased metabolic efficiency through the course of Cambrian–Ordovician evolution.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/ed594200-37b9-4642-bd8f-4fb72dc544eb
ON APPROXIMATELY ADDITIVE MAPPINGS IN 2-BANACH SPACES
Authors: BRZDĘK JANUSZ , EL-HADY EL-SAYED
Published: August 2019

We show how some Ulam stability issues can be approached for functions taking values in 2-Banach spaces. We use the example of the well-known Cauchy equation$f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y)$, but we believe that this method can be applied for many other equations. In particular we provide an extension of an earlier stability result that has been motivated by a problem of Th. M. Rassias. The main tool is a recent fixed point theorem in some spaces of functions with values in 2-Banach spaces.
Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses suggest that high dietary lipid levels facilitate ovary development through the enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis and steroid hormone synthesis in Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)
Authors: Leng Xiaoqian , Zhou Hai , Tan Qingsong , Du Hao , Wu Jinping , Liang Xufang , He Shan , Wei Qiwei
Published: August 2019

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is an endangered species, listed as a grade I protected animal in China. The females rarely successfully develop their gonads from stage II to III in captivity, which handicaps the propagation of cultured Chinese sturgeon. The present study aimed to understand the effects of dietary lipid level on the ovarian development and the related regulation mechanism in female Chinese sturgeon. A 24-month feeding trial was conducted with 10-year-old Chinese sturgeons with ovaries at the developmental stage II, with three experimental diets containing 10, 14 and 18 % lipids. Ovary, muscle and serum samples were collected at four time points (6, 12, 18 and 24 months) for further analyses. Serum metabolomics and ovary transcriptomics analyses were conducted at 18 months. Results showed that only the 18 % lipid diet promoted ovary development to stage IV. Oocytes at stage II in this group also exhibited higher diameter and more lipid droplets. Serum TAG content in the 18 % group was significantly higher than in 10 and 14 % groups (both at 12 and 18 months). Oestradiol content in the 14 % group was significantly higher than in 10 and 18 % groups, except at 24 months. Metabolomic and transcriptomic results indirectly indicated that 14 % of dietary lipids benefited steroid hormone synthesis, while 18 % lipid facilitated arachidonic acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis and vitellogenesis, although serum cholesterol content did not vary with dietary lipid level. In conclusion, 18 % dietary lipid is the optimal level for improving gonad development of female Chinese sturgeon.
Imperial by Design: Field Models in C. A. Bayly'sRemaking the Modern World, 1900–2015
Authors: Burton Antoinette
Published: August 2019

Teachers of world history will welcome this book as an important addition not just to our store of knowledge about the remaking of the modern world, but to our repertoire of methods for understanding how the global emerged as a condition of colonial and postcolonial modernity. For in addition to being an attempt to explain how the global crises of the early twentieth century helped to “engender a revival of the parochial” (p. 326) in the present, C. A. Bayly'sRemaking the Modern World, 1900–2015offers a set of design principles for how to imagine that historical process through a combination of diachronic and synchronic approaches.
Activation of the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes in a mouse model ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection
Authors: Chen T.T.W. , Cheng P.C. , Chang K.C. , Cao J.P. , Feng J.L. , Chen C.C. , Lam H.Y.P. , Peng S.Y.
Published: August 2019

Schistosomiasis is an inflammatory disease that occurs when schistosome species eggs are deposited in the liver, resulting in fibrosis and portal hypertension. Schistosomes can interact with host inflammasomes to elicit host immune responses, leading to mitochondrial damage, generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of apoptosis during inflammation. This study aims to examine whether ROS and NF-κB (p65) expression elicited other types of inflammasome activation inSchistosoma mansoni-infected mouse livers. We examine the relationship between inflammasome activation, mitochondrial damage and ROS production in mouse livers infected withS. mansoni. We demonstrate a significant release of ROS and superoxides and increased NF-κB (p65) inS. mansoni-infected mouse livers. Moreover, activation of the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes was triggered byS. mansoniinfection. Stimulation of HuH-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells with soluble egg antigen induced activation of the AIM2 inflammasome pathway. In this study, we demonstrate thatS. mansoniinfection promotes both NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome activation.
Using discordant twin methods to investigate an environmentally mediated pathway between social support and the reduced likelihood of adolescent psychotic experiences
Authors: Crush Eloise , Arseneault Louise , Danese Andrea , Jaffee Sara R. , Fisher Helen L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Social support has been shown to be associated with a reduced likelihood of developing psychotic experiences in the general population and even amongst those at high risk due to exposure to multiple forms of victimisation (poly-victimised). However, it is unclear whether this association is merely due to the confounding effects of shared environmental and genetic influences, or reverse causality. Therefore, we investigated whether social support has a unique environmentally mediated effect on adolescent psychotic experiences after accounting for familial factors, including genetic factors, and also prior psychopathology.

Methods

Participants were from the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study, a nationally-representative cohort of 2232 UK-born twins. Adolescents were interviewed at age 18 about psychotic experiences and victimisation exposure since age 12, and their perceptions of social support. Prior childhood mental health problems and psychotic symptoms were assessed at age 12. The discordant twin method was used to disentangle the relative family-wide and unique-environmental effects of social support on psychotic experiences in the general population and among poly-victimised adolescents.

Results

Perceived social support, particularly from friends, was found to have a unique environmentally mediated buffering effect on adolescent psychotic experiences in the whole sample and in the high-risk poly-victimised group.

Conclusions

The protective effects of social support on adolescent psychotic experiences cannot be accounted for by shared environmental or genetic factors, nor by earlier psychopathology. Our findings suggest that early intervention programmes focused on increasing perceptions of social support have the potential to prevent the emergence of psychotic experiences amongst adolescents.
Interests, ideas, and the study of state behaviour in neoclassical realism
Authors: Meibauer Gustav
Published: August 2019

Ideational variables have frequently been employed in positivist-minded and materialist analyses of state behaviour. Almost inevitably, because of these commitments, such studies run into theoretical challenges relating to the use of ideas. In this article, I suggest that integrating ideational factors in positivist and materialist approaches to state behaviour requires: (1) distinguishing conceptually between interests and ideation as well as between individual beliefs and social ideas; and (2) addressing challenges of operationalisation and measurability. To that end, I employ neoclassical realism as a case study. I argue that a re-conceptualisation of ideas asexternalisedindividual beliefs employed in political deliberation allows neoclassical realists to focus on how ideas and ideational competition intervene in the transmission belt from materially given interests to foreign policy choice. At the same time, it more clearly operationalises ideas as identifiable in language and communication. I suggest this reconceptualisation, while consistent with realist paradigmatic assumptions, need not be limited to neoclassical realism. Instead, transposed to different paradigms, it would similarly allow positivist-minded constructivists and institutionalists to avoid a conceptually and methodologically awkward equation of different ideational factors.
Optimal Design of the Three-Degree-of-Freedom Parallel Manipulator in a Spray-Painting Equipment
Authors: Yu Guang , Wu Jun , Wang Liping , Gao Ying
Published: August 2019

Spray-painting equipments are important for the automatic spraying of long conical objects such as rocket fairing. This paper proposes a spray-painting equipment that consists of a feed worktable, a gantry frame and two serial–parallel mechanisms and investigates the optimal design of PRR–PRR parallel manipulator in serial–parallel mechanisms. Based on the kinematic model of the parallel manipulator, the conditioning performance, workspace and accuracy performance indices are defined. The dynamic model is derived using virtual work principle and dynamic evaluation index is defined. The conditioning performance, workspace, accuracy performance and dynamic performance are involved in multi-objective optimization design to determine the optimal geometrical parameters of the parallel manipulator. Furthermore, the geometrical parameters of the gantry frame are optimized. An example is given to show how to determine these parameters by taking a long object with conical surface as painted object.
An evaluation of local, national and international perceptions of benefits and threats to nature in Tierra del Fuego National Park (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: Mrotek Aaron , Anderson Christopher B , Valenzuela Alejandro EJ , Manak Leah , Weber Alana , Van Aert Peter , Malizia Mariano , Nielsen Erik A
Published: August 2019

Environmental scientists and managers increasingly recognize that socio-cultural evaluations expand the understanding of human–nature relationships. Here, user groups’ perceptions of the benefits from and threats to nature were analysed in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina. We hypothesized that the different relationships of users to this place would lead to significantly different valuations among local Ushuaia residents (n = 122), Argentine nationals (n = 147) and international tourists (n = 294). All users perceived a broad spectrum of benefits. The three groups assessed intrinsic and relational values more highly than instrumental benefits, and significant differences included a higher mean valuation of benefits by Argentine visitors. Overall, threats were less perceived than benefits, and significant differences included a higher mean threat assessment by Ushuaia residents. To explain these relationships, we found that mean valuations of benefits and threats were weakly related to increased biodiversity knowledge for residents and international tourists, but not for Argentine visitors. These findings can orient environmental management in Patagonia and elsewhere by identifying areas where information can improve user experiences and by contributing a more pluralistic understanding of nature from multiple stakeholders.
Follicular structures of cows with cystic ovarian disease present altered expression of cytokines
Authors: Stassi Antonela F. , Gareis Natalia C. , Marelli Belkis E. , Matiller Valentina , Leiva Cristian J.M. , Rey Florencia , Ortega Hugo H. , Salvetti Natalia R. , Baravalle M. Eugenia
Published: August 2019

Ovulation is considered an inflammatory, cytokine-mediated event. Cytokines, which are recognized as growth factors with immunoregulatory properties, are involved in many cellular processes at the ovarian level. In this sense, cytokines affect fertility and are involved in the development of different ovarian disorders such as bovine cystic ovarian disease (COD). Because it has been previously demonstrated that ovarian cells represent both sources and targets of cytokines, the aim of this study was to examine the expression of several cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-4 and IL-8, in ovarian follicular structures from cows with spontaneous COD. The protein expression of these cytokines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-8 concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In granulosa and theca cells, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-1RA and IL-4 expression levels were higher in cystic follicles than in the control dominant follicles. The serum and FF concentrations of IL-1β and IL-4 showed no differences between groups, whereas IL-8 concentration was detected only in FF of cysts from cows with COD. The FF and serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-8 showed no significant differences, whereas IL-4 concentration was higher in FF than in serum in both the control and COD groups. These results evidenced an altered expression of cytokines in ovaries of cows with COD that could contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
Histone hyperacetylation and DNA methylation interplay during murine spermatogenesis
Authors: Burlibaşa Liliana , Ionescu Andreea Carmen , Dragusanu Delia-Mihaela
Published: August 2019

Male germ cell development is a critical period during which epigenetic patterns are established and maintained. The progression from diploid spermatogonia to haploid spermatozoa involves the incorporation of testis-specific histone variants, mitotic and meiotic divisions, haploid gene expression, histone–protamine transitions and massive epigenetic reprogramming. Understanding the protein players and the epigenetic mark network involved in the setting of the epigenetic programme in spermatogenesis is an exciting new clue in the field of reproductive biology with translational outcomes. As information in the existing literature regarding cross-talk between DNA methylation and histone hyperacetylation in the advanced stages of murine spermatogenesis is still scarce and controversial we have investigated the effect of a DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, at the cytological and molecular level (by transmission electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation methods). Our results revealed an important role for regulation of DNA methylation in controlling histone hyperacetylation and chromatin remodelling during spermatogenesis.
Effect of butafosfan supplementation during oocyte maturation on bovine embryo development
Authors: Teixeira Hax Lucas , Rincón Joao Alveiro Alvarado , Schneider Augusto , Pegoraro Lígia Margareth Cantarelli , Franco Collares Letícia , Alves Pereira Rubens , Pradieé Jorgea , Del Pino Francisco Augusto Burket , Nunes Corrêa Marcio
Published: August 2019

Around 60–80% of oocytes maturated in vivo reached competence, while the proportion of maturation in vitro is rarely higher than 40%. In this sense, butafosfan has been used in vivo to improve metabolic condition of postpartum cows, and can represent an alternative to increase reproductive efficiency in cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of increasing doses of butafosfan during oocyte maturation in vitro on the initial embryo development in cattle. In total, 1400 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed in four groups and maturated according to supplementation with increasing concentrations of butafosfan (0 mg/ml, 0.05 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.2 mg/ml). Then, 20 oocytes per group were collected to evaluate nuclear maturation and gene expression on cumulus cells and oocytes and the remaining oocytes were inseminated and cultured until day 7, when blastocysts were collected for gene expression analysis. A dose-dependent effect of butafosfan was observed, with decrease of cleavage rate and embryo development with higher doses. No difference between groups was observed in maturation rate and expression of genes related to oocyte quality. Our results suggest that butafosfan is prejudicial for oocytes, compromising cleavage and embryo development.
Identification and characterization of POU class V family genes in Japanese red bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster
Authors: Hasegawa Shun , Nakao Isseki , Ootani Yuki , Ogawa Ami , Takano Miku , Kinoshita Tsutomu
Published: August 2019

Mammalian Pou5f1 encodes the POU family class V (POU-V) transcription factor which is essential for the pluripotency of embryonic cells and germ cells. In vertebrates, various POU-V family genes have been identified and classified into the POU5F1 family or its paralogous POU5F3 family. In this study, we cloned two cDNAs named CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3, which encode POU-V family proteins of the Japanese red bellied newtCynops pyrrhogaster. In the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by CpPou5f1, the typical MAGH sequence at the N-terminus and deletion of arginine at the fifth position of POU-homeodomain were recognized, but not in the sequence encoded by CpPou5f3. Phylogenetic analysis using Clustal Omega software indicated that CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3 are classified into the clade of the POU5F1 and POU5F3 families, respectively. In a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, the marked gene expression of CpPou5f1 was observed during oogenesis and early development up to the tail-bud stage, whereas weak gene expression of CpPou5f3 was detected only in the early stages of oogenesis and gastrula. In adult organs, CpPou5f1 was expressed only in the ovary, while gene expression of CpPou5f3 was recognized in various organs. A regeneration experiment using larval forelimb revealed that transient gene expression of CpPou5f1 occurred at the time of wound healing, followed by gene activation of CpPou5f3 during the period of blastema formation. These results suggest that CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3 might play different roles in embryogenesis and limb regeneration.
A high selective tri-band bandpass filter with switchable passband states
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anjan , Sarkar Pankaj , Mondal Tapas , Ghatak Rowdra
Published: August 2019

A new class of switchable bandpass filter using PIN diodes is presented in this paper. The design aims at achieving a multistate switchable bandpass filtering characteristics between the passbands centered at 2.4, 3.5, and 5.2 GHz. The proposed filter is designed by assembling two λg/2 open-ended and four short-ended λg/4 uniform impedance resonators. The open-ended resonator generates a fixed passband at 3.5 GHz, whereas the short-ended resonators loaded with PIN diodes are independently controlling the ON and OFF characteristics of the passband centered at 2.4 and 5.2 GHz. The transmission zeros around each passband are produced without employing any additional circuit. The filter sample is fabricated and tested for experimental verification. A good agreement has been observed between EM-simulated and measured results. The designed filter has a compact size of 0.20 λg × 0.15 λg at 2.4 GHz.
What can clinicians do to improve outcomes across psychiatric treatments: a conceptual review of non-specific components
Authors: Priebe S. , Conneely M. , McCabe R. , Bird V.
Published: August 2019

Aims

Psychiatric treatments have specific and non-specific components. The latter has been addressed in an extensive literature on the placebo-effect in pharmacology and on common factors in psychotherapy. In the practice of mental health care, pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and social treatments are combined in complex interventions. This paper aims to review non-specific components across diverse psychiatric treatments and consider implications for practice and research.

Methods

We conducted a non-systematic review of non-specific components across psychiatric treatments, their impact on treatment processes and outcomes, and interventions to improve them.

Results

The identified research is heterogeneous, both in design and quality. All non-specific components capture aspects of how clinicians communicate with patients. They are grouped into general verbal communication – focusing on initial contacts, empathy, clarity of communication, and detecting cues about unspoken concerns – non-verbal communication, the framing of treatments and decision-making. The evidence is stronger for the impact of these components on process measures – i.e. therapeutic relationship, treatment satisfaction and adherence than on clinical outcomes – i.e. symptoms and relapse. A small number of trials suggest that brief training courses and simple methods for structuring parts of clinical consultations can improve communication and subsequently clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Methodologically, rigorous research advancing current understandings of non-specific components may increase effectiveness across different treatments, potentially benefitting large numbers of patients. Brief training for clinicians and structuring clinical communication should be used more widely in practice.
Determining the critical period for weed control in high-yielding cotton using common sunflower as a mimic weed
Authors: Charles Graham W. , Sindel Brian M. , Cowie Annette L. , Knox Oliver G. G.
Published: August 2019

Field studies were conducted over six seasons to determine the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in high-yielding cotton, using common sunflower as a mimic weed. Common sunflower was planted with or after cotton emergence at densities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 plants m−2. Common sunflower was added and removed at approximately 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, and 900 growing degree days (GDD) after planting. Season-long interference resulted in no harvestable cotton at densities of five or more common sunflower plants m−2. High levels of intraspecific and interspecific competition occurred at the highest weed densities, with increases in weed biomass and reductions in crop yield not proportional to the changes in weed density. Using a 5% yield-loss threshold, the CPWC extended from 43 to 615 GDD, and 20 to 1,512 GDD for one and 50 common sunflower plants m−2, respectively. These results highlight the high level of weed control required in high-yielding cotton to ensure crop losses do not exceed the cost of control.
The Response of the Ionosphere‐Thermosphere System to the 21 August 2017 Solar Eclipse
Authors: Cnossen I. , Ridley A. J. , Goncharenko L. P. , Harding B. J.
Published: August 2019

We simulated the effects of the 21 August 2017 total solar eclipse on the ionosphere‐thermosphere system with the Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM). The simulations demonstrate that the horizontal neutral wind modifies the eclipse‐induced reduction in total electron content (TEC), spreading it equatorward and westward of the eclipse path. The neutral wind also affects the neutral temperature and mass density responses through advection and the vertical wind modifies them further through adiabatic heating/cooling and compositional changes. The neutral temperature response lags behind totality by about 35 min, indicating an imbalance between heating and cooling processes during the eclipse, while the ion and electron temperature responses have almost no lag, indicating they are in quasi steady state. Simulated ion temperature and vertical drift responses are weaker than observed by the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar, while simulated reductions in electron density and temperature are stronger. The model misses the observed posteclipse enhancement in electron density, which could be due to the lack of a plasmasphere in GITM. The simulated TEC response appears too weak compared to Global Positioning System TEC measurements, but this might be because the model does not include electron content above 550‐km altitude. The simulated response in the neutral wind after the eclipse is too weak compared to Fabry Perot interferometer observations in Cariri, Brazil, which suggests that GITM recovers too quickly after the eclipse. This could be related to GITM heating processes being too strong and electron densities being too high at low latitudes.
Retrieving Sea Ice Drag Coefficients and Turning Angles From In Situ and Satellite Observations Using an Inverse Modeling Framework
Authors: Heorton H. D. B. S. , Tsamados M. , Cole S. T. , Ferreira A. M. G. , Berbellini A. , Fox M. , Armitage T. W. K.
Published: August 2019

For ice concentrations less than 85%, internal ice stresses in the sea ice pack are small and sea ice is said to be in free drift. The sea ice drift is then the result of a balance between Coriolis acceleration and stresses from the ocean and atmosphere. We investigate sea ice drift using data from individual drifting buoys as well as Arctic‐wide gridded fields of wind, sea ice, and ocean velocity. We perform probabilistic inverse modeling of the momentum balance of free‐drifting sea ice, implemented to retrieve the Nansen number, scaled Rossby number, and stress turning angles. Since this problem involves a nonlinear, underconstrained system, we used a Monte Carlo guided search scheme—the Neighborhood Algorithm—to seek optimal parameter values for multiple observation points. We retrieve optimal drag coefficients of CA=1.2×10−3 and CO=2.4×10−3 from 10‐day averaged Arctic‐wide data from July 2014 that agree with the AIDJEX standard, with clear temporal and spatial variations. Inverting daily averaged buoy data give parameters that, while more accurately resolved, suggest that the forward model oversimplifies the physical system at these spatial and temporal scales. Our results show the importance of the correct representation of geostrophic currents. Both atmospheric and oceanic drag coefficients are found to decrease with shorter temporal averaging period, informing the selection of drag coefficient for short timescale climate models.
Scientists and Planners Face Challenge of Rising Seas
Authors: Hamlington B. , Boening C. , Brennan H.
Published: August 2019

NASA Sea Level Change Team Meeting; Annapolis, Maryland, 11–13 March 2019
New High‐Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Susceptibility‐Based Climofunction for Quantifying Paleoprecipitation From Chinese Loess
Authors: Gao Xinbo , Hao Qingzhen , Oldfield Frank , Bloemendal Jan , Deng Chenglong , Wang Luo , Song Yang , Ge Junyi , Wu Haibin , Xu Bing , Li Fengjiang , Han Long , Fu Yu , Guo Zhengtang
Published: August 2019

The ferrimagnetic properties of soils are used to quantitatively reconstruct paleomonsoon precipitation from Chinese loess. Numerous magneto‐climofunctions have been established based on the magnetic proxies that are selectively sensitive to neoformation of fine‐grained superparamagnetic (SP) or single‐domain (SD) ferrimagnetic particles. Accumulating evidence has indicated that maghemite is the final product of the ferrimagnetic phases during pedogenesis in loessic soils. Quantitative estimates of abundance of maghemite of both SP and SD grains are therefore still required in developing magneto‐climofunctions. Here, we present detailed measurements on a suite of modern soil samples from the Chinese Loess Plateau to determine pedogenic ferrimagnetic mineralogy and to develop a new magneto‐climofunction based on a new parameter derived from the high‐temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility. Particle size fractionation processes combined with magnetic measurements indicate that fine‐grained SP and SD maghemite is the dominant pedogenic ferrimagnetic phases. High‐temperature‐dependent susceptibility measurements show that the thermally induced susceptibility drops between ~230 and ~400 °C during heating mainly result from the conversion of maghemite to hematite. We proposed a new parameter quantifying changes in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility between 230 and 400 °C, χtd, that captures the concentration of pedogenically formed maghemite. Results show that χtd has a strong correlation with known quantities of maghemite in synthetic standard samples and that χtd of modern soils correlates with modern mean annual precipitation quite well (R2 = 0.82, n = 24). The established χtd‐mean annual precipitation climofunction provides a new approach to reconstructing paleorainfall during past warm interglacials from paleosols in Chinese loess.
Controls on Global Mantle Convective Structures and Their Comparison With Seismic Models
Authors: Mao Wei , Zhong Shijie
Published: August 2019

Seismic observations suggest (1) significant accumulation of subducted slabs above the 670‐km discontinuity in many subduction zones, (2) possible structure change at ~1,000‐km depth, and (3) the large low shear wave velocity provinces above the core‐mantle boundary in the African and Pacific lower mantle be associated with chemical heterogeneity. Global mantle convection models with realistic plate motion history reproduce most of these structures. However, it remains unclear how the convection models compare with seismic models at different spatial wavelengths and depths. By conducting quantitative analysis between mantle convection and seismic models, we found that mantle convective structures show significant correlations with seismic structures in the upper mantle and mantle transition zone for wavelengths up to spherical harmonic degree 20. However, the global correlation is weak at intermediate to short wavelengths (for degrees 4 and higher) in the lower mantle below ~1,000‐km depth. A weak layer beneath the spinel‐to‐postspinel phase change help consistently reproduce stagnant slabs in the western Pacific, while having insignificant effects elsewhere, that is, the large low shear wave velocity province structures. The cold slab structures and their correlations with the seismically fast anomalies are nearly identical for our convection models with and without the plumes, indicating that seismically fast anomalies in the mantle mainly result from the subducted slabs. Models with viscosity increase at 1,000‐km depth and the 670‐km depth phase change may reproduce seismic slab structures including the stagnant slabs in the mantle transition zone equally well as models with a thin weak layer below the 670‐km phase boundary.
Bench-to-bedside strategies for osteoporotic fracture: From osteoimmunology to mechanosensation
Authors: Xie Yong , Zhang Licheng , Xiong Qi , Gao Yanpan , Ge Wei , Tang Peifu
Published: August 2019

Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and strength, rendering people prone to osteoporotic fractures caused by low-energy forces. The primary treatment strategy for osteoporotic fractures is surgery; however, the compromised and comminuted bones in osteoporotic fracture sites are not conducive to optimum reduction and rigid fixation. In addition, these patients always exhibit accompanying aging-related disorders, including high inflammatory status, decreased mechanical loading and abnormal skeletal metabolism, which are disadvantages for fracture healing around sites that have undergone orthopedic procedures. Since the incidence of osteoporosis is expected to increase worldwide, orthopedic surgeons should pay more attention to comprehensive strategies for improving the poor prognosis of osteoporotic fractures. Herein, we highlight the molecular basis of osteoimmunology and bone mechanosensation in different healing phases of elderly osteoporotic fractures, guiding perioperative management to alleviate the unfavorable effects of insufficient mechanical loading, high inflammatory levels and pathogen infection. The well-informed pharmacologic and surgical intervention, including treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and sufficient application of antibiotics, as well as bench-to-bedside strategies for bone augmentation and hardware selection, should be made according to a comprehensive understanding of bone biomechanical properties in addition to the remodeling status of osteoporotic bones, which is necessary for creating proper biological and mechanical environments for bone union and remodeling. Multidisciplinary collaboration will facilitate the improvement of overall osteoporotic care and reduction of secondary fracture incidence.
Enhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting by combining work function tuning and heterojunction engineering
Authors: Ye Kai-Hang , Li Haibo , Huang Duan , Xiao Shuang , Qiu Weitao , Li Mingyang , Hu Yuwen , Mai Wenjie , Ji Hongbing , Yang Shihe
Published: August 2019

We herein demonstrate the unusual effectiveness of two strategies in combination to enhance photoelectrochemical water splitting. First, the work function adjustment via molybdenum (Mo) doping significantly reduces the interfacial energy loss and increases the open-circuit photovoltage of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrochemical cells. Second, the creation and optimization of the heterojunction of boron (B) doping carbon nitride (C3N4) and Mo doping BiVO4 to enforce directional charge transfer, accomplished by work function adjustment via B doping for C3N4, substantially boost the charge separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs at the B-C3N4 and Mo-BiVO4 interface. The synergy between the above efforts have significantly reduced the onset potential, and enhanced charge separation and optical properties of the BiVO4-based photoanode, culminating in achieving a record applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 2.67% at 0.54 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. This work sheds light on designing and fabricating the semiconductor structures for the next-generation photoelectrodes.
Alternate subunit assembly diversifies the function of a bacterial toxin
Authors: Fowler Casey C. , Stack Gabrielle , Jiao Xuyao , Lara-Tejero Maria , Galán Jorge E.
Published: August 2019

Bacterial toxins with an AB5 architecture consist of an active (A) subunit inserted into a ring-like platform comprised of five delivery (B) subunits. Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, produces an unusual A2B5 toxin known as typhoid toxin. Here, we report that upon infection of human cells, S. Typhi produces two forms of typhoid toxin that have distinct delivery components but share common active subunits. The two typhoid toxins exhibit different trafficking properties, elicit different effects when administered to laboratory animals, and are expressed using different regulatory mechanisms and in response to distinct metabolic cues. Collectively, these results indicate that the evolution of two typhoid toxin variants has conferred functional versatility to this virulence factor. More broadly, this study reveals a new paradigm in toxin biology and suggests that the evolutionary expansion of AB5 toxins was likely fueled by the plasticity inherent to their structural design coupled to the functional versatility afforded by the combination of homologous toxin components.
Copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination of saturated ketones for synthesis of polysubstituted anilines
Authors: Hu Rong , Chen Fa-Jie , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Min , Su Weiping
Published: August 2019

Metal-catalyzed β-C-H functionalization of saturated carbonyls via dehydrogenative desaturation proved to be a powerful tool for simplifying synthesis of valuable β-substituted carbonyls. Here, we report a copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination of saturated ketones that initiates the three-component coupling of saturated ketones, amines and N-substituted maleimides to construct polysubstituted anilines. The protocol presented herein enables both linear and α-branched butanones to couple a wide spectrum of amines and various N-substituted maleimides to produce diverse tetra- or penta-substituted anilines in fair-to-excellent yields with good functional group tolerance. The mechanism studies support that this ketone dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination was triggered by the ketone α,β-dehydrogenation desaturation that activates the adjacent γ-C(sp3)-H bond towards functionalization. This α,β-dehydrogenation desaturation-triggered cascade sequence opens up a new avenue to the remote C(sp3)-H functionalization of saturated ketones and has the potential to enable the rapid syntheses of complex compounds from simple starting materials.
Diversity of oligomerization in Drosophila semaphorins suggests a mechanism of functional fine-tuning
Authors: Rozbesky Daniel , Robinson Ross A. , Jain Vitul , Renner Max , Malinauskas Tomas , Harlos Karl , Siebold Christian , Jones E. Yvonne
Published: August 2019

Semaphorin ligands and their plexin receptors are one of the major cell guidance factors that trigger localised changes in the cytoskeleton. Binding of semaphorin homodimer to plexin brings two plexins in close proximity which is a prerequisite for plexin signalling. This model appears to be too simplistic to explain the complexity and functional versatility of these molecules. Here, we determine crystal structures for all members of Drosophila class 1 and 2 semaphorins. Unlike previously reported semaphorin structures, Sema1a, Sema2a and Sema2b show stabilisation of sema domain dimer formation via a disulfide bond. Unexpectedly, our structural and biophysical data show Sema1b is a monomer suggesting that semaphorin function may not be restricted to dimers. We demonstrate that semaphorins can form heterodimers with members of the same semaphorin class. This heterodimerization provides a potential mechanism for cross-talk between different plexins and co-receptors to allow fine-tuning of cell signalling.