bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivoFeedback Control of an Antithetic Molecular-Titration Motif inEscherichia coliusing Microfluidics
Authors: Shannon B. , Zamora-Chimal C.G. , Postiglione L. , Salzano D. , Grierson C. , Marucci L. , Savery N.J. , di Bernardo M.
Published: February 2020

We study bothin silicoandin vivothe real-time feedback control of a molecular titration motif that has been earmarked as a fundamental component of antithetic and multicellular feedback control schemes inE. coli. We show that an external feedback control strategy can successfully regulate the average fluorescence output of a bacterial cell population to a desired constant level in real-time. We also providein silicoevidence that the same strategy can be used to track a time-varying reference signal where the set-point is switched to a different value halfway through the experiment. We use the experimental data to refine and parameterize anin silicomodel of the motif that can be used as an error computation module in future embedded or multicellular control experiments.
Alternative splicing of COQ-2 determines the choice between ubiquinone and rhodoquinone biosynthesis in helminths
Authors: Tan June H. , Lautens Margot , Romanelli-Cedrez Laura , Wang Jianbin , Schertzberg Michael R. , Reinl Samantha R. , Davis Richard E. , Shepherd Jennifer N. , Fraser Andrew G. , Salinas Gustavo
Published: February 2020

Parasitic helminths use two benzoquinones as electron carriers in the electron transport chain. In aerobic environments they use ubiquinone (UQ) but in anaerobic environments inside the host, they require rhodoquinone (RQ) and greatly increase RQ levels. The switch to RQ synthesis is driven by substrate selection by the polyprenyltransferase COQ-2 but the mechanisms underlying this substrate choice are unknown. We found that helminths make twocoq-2isoforms,coq-2aandcoq-2e, by alternative splicing. COQ-2a is homologous to COQ2 from other eukaryotes but the COQ-2e-specific exon is only found in species that make RQ and its inclusion changes the enzyme core. We show COQ-2e is required for RQ synthesis and for survival in cyanide inC. elegans. Crucially, we see a switch from COQ-2a to COQ-2e as parasites transition into anaerobic environments. We conclude that under anaerobic conditions helminths switch from UQ to RQ synthesis via alternative splicing ofcoq-2.
A simplified approach to understanding customer support and help during self-service encounters
Authors: van Tonder Estelle , Saunders Stephen G. , de Beer Leon T.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In the absence of direct employee involvement, customers sharing knowledge and know-how with other customers during self-service encounters is key for promoting service quality. This study assessed the extent to which customer support and help during self-service encounters could simply be explained by multiple motivations of the social exchange theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey approach was followed. The model was tested among 258 electronic banking customers in South Africa and later cross-validated among 253 electronic banking customers in Australia. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis with country as the grouping variable, latent variable modelling and indirect tests were performed to assess interrelationships among diverse factors that may contribute to customer support and help during self-service encounters, as accounted for by motivations of the social exchange theory.

Findings

Adequate model fit was obtained for the combined structural model, which was based on the invariant model. Value contribution and competence affirmation, pleasure derived from helping, reciprocity and reputation enhancement are relevant motivations of the social exchange theory that may impact customer support and help through knowledge sharing.

Research implications

The study provides a simplified and more cohesive explanation of customers' motivations for engaging in customer support and helping behaviours during self-service encounters.

Practical implications

Service providers seeking guidance on knowledge sharing among customers, which may lead to greater service quality, should benefit from this research.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to greater understanding of social exchanges by customers who provide support and help to other customers during self-service encounters, and that ultimately may affect service quality.
Home intelligent lighting control system based on wireless sensor
Authors: Wang Lianyu
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Intelligent lighting control system can control lights to go off when people leave, which has been widely concerned by researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, an intelligent lighting control system based on wireless sensor network was designed. First, the hardware and software designs of the system were described briefly. Then, the lighting control algorithm was analyzed emphatically. Considering the illumination and uniformity of light, an intelligent lighting control algorithm based on gradient descent was designed.

Findings

In the system test, it was found that the system had a good through-wall communication function, and the communication distance could fully meet the system requirements and run normally. In the test of the lighting control algorithm, it was found that the user’s satisfaction on uniformity in different scenarios was close to 1, and the satisfaction on illumination could also meet the user’s needs, which verified the reliability of the lighting control algorithm.

Originality/value

This study provides some theoretical supports for the better application of wireless sensor network in intelligent light control system, which is conducive to the further development of light control system.
Endogenous growth, human capital and the dynamic costs of recessions
Authors: Roufagalas John , Orlov Alexei G.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is twofold: to construct and analyze a novel endogenous growth model, in which unbounded growth is possible without the need to assume increasing returns to scale, and to use the model to estimate the long-run (or dynamic) costs of recessions.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed model, endogenous technology and human capital accumulation serve as the “twin engines of growth.” Simulations are used to derive growth rates consistent with long-term experience of developed countries, to understand better the differences between balanced growth and unbounded growth and to provide an estimate of the dynamic costs of capacity utilization shocks that produce business cycle-like behavior.

Findings

Conservative calculations show that the costs of the capacity shocks can be large – about 1.5 percent of the present value of output over a 100-period horizon. The theoretical model also suggests that differences in the technology production and human capital accumulation functions, possibly due to differing institutions, may help explain diverse growth experiences.

Originality/value

The paper, for first time, combines two strands of the economic growth theory – endogenous technology and endogenous human capital production – into a single model. It uses the implications of the model to argue, through simulations, that the benefits of counter-cyclical policies are potentially large in the long run.
Do global sentiment shocks spillover towards emerging and frontier markets?
Authors: Rehman Mobeen Ur , Apergis Nicholas
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of sentiment shocks based on US investor sentiments, bearish and bullish market conditions. Earlier studies, though very few, only consider the effect of investor sentiments on stock returns of emerging frontier Asian (EFA) markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the application of regime switching model because of its capability to explore time-varying causality across different regimes unlike traditional linear models. The Markov regime switching model uses regime switching probabilities for capturing the potential asymmetries or non-linearity in a model, in this study’s case, thereby adjusting investor sentiments shocks to stock market returns.

Findings

The results of the Markov regime switching method suggests that US sentiment, bullish and bearish market shocks act as a main contributors for inducing variation in EFA stock market returns. The study’s non-parametric robustness results highlight an asymmetric relationship across the mean series, whereas a symmetric relationship across variance series. The study also reports Thailand as the most sensitive market to global sentiment shocks.

Research limitations/implications

The sensitivity of the EFA markets to these global sentiment shocks highlights their sensitivity and implications for investors relying merely on returns correlation and spillover. These findings also suggest that spillover from developed to emerging and frontier equity markets only in the form of returns following traditional linear models may not be appropriate.

Practical implications

This paper supports the behavioral aspect of investors and resultant spillover from developed market sentiments to emerging and frontier market returns across international equity markets offering more rational justification for an irrational behavior.

Originality/value

The study’s motivation to use the application of regime switching models is because of its capability to explore time-varying causality across different regimes unlike traditional linear models. The Markov regime switching model uses regime switching probabilities for capturing the potential asymmetries or non-linearity in a model, in the study’s case, thereby adjusting investor sentiments shocks to stock market returns. It is also useful of the adjustment attributable to exogenous events.
A win-win situation for both managers and shareholders
Authors: Ramachandran Jayalakshmy , Alam Nafis , Goh Chea Ei
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To examine the impact of corporate governance on Cost of Capital (COC) and financial distress in the ASEAN countries.

Design/methodology/approach

We compiled a list of the 50 largest publicly listed firms by market capitalization in each of the following five East Asian countries, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Furthermore, we then divided the five countries into two distinctive categories – (i) Malaysia and Singapore (Common Law/strong legal protection countries) and (ii) Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia (Civil Law/weak legal protection countries). The annual data is collected for the time period ranging from 2006 to 2015, allowing a total observation of 1,317 firm years.

Findings

Overall, the paper supports the findings of many researchers that Board independence, promulgating good corporate governance, leads to better access to capital at lower cost, thus providing growth opportunities for ASEAN region. Taking lead from Simpson and Gleason (1999) and similar, we emphasize that during financial distress CEO duality will strengthen control systems and reduce internal discord in ASEAN firms.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the niche studies that has incorporated the difference between civil and common law rule in the study of corporate governance and its impact on financial measures of firms' in the ASEAN countries.
A numerical study on deblending of land simultaneous shooting acquisition data via rank‐reduction filtering and signal enhancement applications
Authors: Jeong Woodon , Tsingas Constantinos , Almubarak Mohammed S.
Published: February 2020

We propose a workflow of deblending methodology comprised of rank‐reduction filtering followed by a signal enhancing process. This methodology can be used to preserve coherent subsurface reflections and at the same time to remove incoherent and interference noise. In pseudo‐deblended data, the blending noise exhibits coherent events, whereas in any other data domain (i.e. common receiver, common midpoint and common offset), it appears incoherent and is regarded as an outlier. In order to perform signal deblending, a robust implementation of rank‐reduction filtering is employed to eliminate the blending noise and is referred to as a joint sparse and low‐rank approximation. Deblending via rank‐reduction filtering gives a reasonable result with a sufficient signal‐to‐noise ratio. However, for land data acquired using unconstrained simultaneous shooting, rank‐reduction–based deblending applications alone do not completely attenuate the interference noise. A considerable amount of signal leakage is observed in the residual component, which can affect further data processing and analyses. In this study, we propose a deblending workflow via a rank‐reduction filter followed by post‐processing steps comprising a nonlinear masking filter and a local orthogonalization weight application. Although each application shows a few footprints of leaked signal energy, the proposed combined workflow restores the signal energy from the residual component achieving significantly signal‐to‐noise ratio enhancement. These hierarchical schemes are applied on land simultaneous shooting acquisition data sets and produced cleaner and reliable deblended data ready for further data processing.
Intraspecific functional trait structure of restoration‐relevant species: Implications for restoration seed sourcing
Authors: Zeldin Jacob , Lichtenberger Taran M. , Foxx Alicia J. , Webb Williams Evelyn , Kramer Andrea T.
Published: February 2020

Recent research has highlighted the existence of significant intraspecific trait variation within and among populations of plant species. This inherent variation within species means there is a wealth of trait diversity from which to source germplasm for use in ecological restoration. However, it remains unclear how to source materials from this pool of trait diversity in order to achieve desired outcomes and support ecosystem function in a restoration context.

We provide a framework to study the structure of trait variation across populations and genotypes in an effort to bridge functional trait research with the sourcing of native plant materials for restoration. We investigated the structure of intraspecific functional trait variation in three forb species used in restoration on the Colorado Plateau to (a) understand the structure of functional trait variation within and among populations, and (b) determine if individual and multivariate functional traits differ between populations while accounting for trait variation within and among genotypes.

We found considerable functional trait variation at all sampling levels, with variation within populations often surpassing variation among populations. Still, we observed population‐level differences in trait values in 8 of the 12 species‐by‐trait combinations and populations largely segregated in multivariate trait space.

Synthesis and applications. Using micropropagation techniques, we uncovered population‐level differences in functional trait variation, suggesting that mixing populations to create restoration germplasm following a regional admixture provenancing approach could lead to increased functional diversity in restorations. However, the substantial trait variation identified within some populations of our study species also suggests a similar potential when utilizing genotypically diverse material from even a single population. Further research on these and other species is needed to understand the structure of intraspecific functional trait variation and how it impacts ecosystem function. The approach outlined in this study can assist researchers in assessing the underlying trait variation present in various restoration materials and provide managers with more detailed information that can help make germplasm sourcing decisions.
Direct and indirect effects of native plants and herbivores on biotic resistance to alien aquatic plant invasions
Authors: Petruzzella Antonella , van Leeuwen Casper H. A. , van Donk Ellen , Bakker Elisabeth S.
Published: February 2020

Biotic resistance to alien plant invasions is mainly determined by ecological interactions in two layers of the food web: competition with native plant species and herbivory by native herbivores. While the direct effect of native plants on alien plant performance via competition has been well documented across ecosystems, less is known about the direct and indirect effects of herbivores in providing biotic resistance. Our main aims were to determine whether temperate native aquatic plants and herbivores can provide biotic resistance to plant invasions, understand the underlying mechanisms and search for potential interactive effects of competition and herbivory on invader performance (i.e. growth).

We mimicked natural temperate mesotrophic and eutrophic freshwater lakes in mesoscosms, by growing three native submerged plant species in monocultures (Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton perfoliatus) at three competition levels (no, low and high) without and with the native aquatic generalist snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We subsequently simulated an early stage of establishment of the South American highly invasive alien plant species Egeria densa.

We found that competition by native plant biomass significantly reduced invader performance but depended on native species identity. Herbivory had no direct negative effect on invader performance as the snails fed mainly on the available filamentous algae, which are commonly found in meso‐ and eutrophic systems, instead of on the plants. However, the consumption of filamentous algae by herbivores indirectly had positive effects on the invader total biomass, thus facilitating the invasion by E. densa. Nonetheless, these indirect effects worked through different pathways depending on the native plant identity.

Synthesis. We found evidence for biotic resistance through competition by native plant species. However, we show that herbivores can indirectly facilitate South American plant E. densa invasion promoting its growth through selective feeding on filamentous algae, but this effect depends on the native plant species involved. Our experiment illustrates the important role of indirect interactions to understand the potential of biotic resistance in natural ecosystems.
The effect of different dietary treatments on volatile organic compounds and aromatic characteristics of buffalo Mozzarella cheese
Authors: Sabia Emilio , Gauly Matthias , Napolitano Fabio , Cifuni Giulia Francesca , Claps Salvatore
Published: February 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two dietary treatments, ryegrass hay (RH) and wrapped ryegrass silage (WRS) on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of buffalo Mozzarella cheese. The primary data were collected from 40 female buffaloes. Twenty animals were fed RH, and other twenty received WRS. Volatile organic compounds were identified using a mass selective detector after extraction with a ‘purge and trap’ system and a gas chromatographic analysis. Our results showed differences in the aromatic profile of Mozzarella cheese samples obtained from buffaloes receiving different feed. In particular, 5 VOCs allowed the discrimination between cheese samples.
The burden of subclinical intra‐articular inflammation in gout
Authors: Chowalloor Priya , Raymond Warren David , Cheah Patrick , Keen Helen
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the burden of subclinical intra‐articular inflammation using ultrasound in people with gout.

Methods

A pilot, prospective longitudinal cohort of 28 participants with gout were examined twice, once during a gout flare (n = 25) and then during an inter‐critical phase (n = 27). At each visit, a 52 joint count was done followed by ultrasound examination for detection of intra‐articular power Doppler (PD) signal. Clinically active joints were defined as tender and swollen. Data was collected on patient reported gout pain ‐ visual analog scale (VAS) (painVAS), physician global VAS (physicianVAS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), serum uric acid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (HsCRP).

Results

At the flare visit, participants had a median of 1 clinically active joint (interquartile range [IQR] 1‐2), and a median of 5 joints with a PD score ≥ 2 (IQR 4‐10, P < .001). At the inter‐critical visit, participants reported an median of 0 clinically active joints (IQR 0‐0), and a median of 4 joints with a PD score ≥ 2 (IQR 3‐7, P < .001). Physician VAS (5.69 vs 3.40, P < .001), painVAS (6 vs 0, P < .001), HAQ (0.75 vs 0.12, P = .032), and ESR (29 vs 13.5 mm/h, P = .02) were higher at the acute visit, but HsCRP levels were similar (8.88 vs 5.15 mg/L, P = .062).

Conclusion

This pilot study established the presence of subclinical intra‐articular inflammation in gout at both acute and inter‐critical phases. Despite the apparent resolution of symptoms after an acute flare, a relatively high proportion of joints had subclinical inflammation in the inter‐critical visit. The long‐term implications of untreated subclinical joint inflammation are not clear.
Strength in Contradiction: Europe as a Living Example for Peaceful Prosperity
Authors: Kaji Sahoko
Published: February 2020

The existence of Europe is already more important than ever. This is because Europe is a living example of nations trying to peacefully prosper together in spite of all the doubts and differences, and continuing to collectively represent certain values. Development of a ‘single European payments app’ can help Europe become a soft and sharp global superpower with sensitivity, strong in consumer protection, leading in the field of advanced technology.
Clinical diagnosis and treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated adverse events in the digestive system
Authors: Li Yue , Kang Xiaohui , Wang Hanping , Guo Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jiaxin , Duan Lian , Si Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Liu Xiaowei , Qian Jiaming , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

Immunotherapy for malignant tumors is a hot spot in current research and the treatment of cancer. The activation of programmed cell death receptor‐1 (PD‐1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA)‐4 relevant signaling pathway can inhibit the activation of T lymphocytes. Tumor cells can achieve immune escape by activating this signaling pathway. By inhibiting this signaling pathway, immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activate T lymphocytes to clear the tumor cells. Therefore, the adverse effects of ICIs are mainly immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). The digestive system, including the gastrointestinal tract and liver which are vital organs of digestion and absorption, metabolism and detoxification, as well as important immune‐related organs, is the most commonly affected system of irAEs. This review explains the incidence, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of liver and gastrointestinal adverse events in ICIs.
Drunk, dangerous and delusional: how legal concept‐creep risks overcriminalization
Authors: Crombag Hans S. , Child John J. , Sullivan G. R.
Published: February 2020

Background

In the recent case ofRv.Taj, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales upheld the conviction of a defendant who, in a psychotic delusional state, mistook his non‐threatening victim to be a terrorist, violently attacking him. The law typically allows honest mistakes (even if unreasonable) as a basis for self‐defence (in this case the defence of others). However, because Taj's delusions were found by the court to have been caused by voluntary alcohol consumption, special legal (prior‐fault) intoxication rules were applied to block his defence; Taj was convicted and sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for attempted murder.

Argument

We focus here on the simple question—what does it mean to be intoxicated? On the facts, Taj did not have drugs active in his system at the time of the attack, but the court nonetheless insisted that Taj's delusional mistake was ‘attributable to intoxication’; namely, to drink‐ and drug‐taking in the previous days and weeks. This extended conception of intoxication was questionably distinguished from psychosis induced by withdrawal. Furthermore, the court was unreceptive to evidence of a long‐standing, underlying mental health disorder. We argue that the court's expanded view of intoxication is problematic, in that intoxication‐induced psychosis cannot be sharply distinguished from other causes such as mental disorders; and even if it could be distinguished, it should not give rise to blame and punishment in the same way as does conduct induced by chemically active intoxicants (‘drug‐on‐board’).

Conclusion

The courts’ expansion of the definition of intoxication is both legally and forensically problematic, introducing legal vagaries where the clinical science is already vague; and with intoxication frequently interlocking with historic intoxication and secondary or comorbid mental health conditions, the decision risks inappropriately and/or over‐criminalizing defendants.
Fine‐scale variables associated with the presence of native forbs in natural temperate grassland
Authors: Johnson David P. , Driscoll Don A. , Catford Jane A. , Gibbons Philip
Published: February 2020

Broad‐scale threats to floristic diversity in native temperate grasslands are well‐documented and include elevated soil nutrients, changes in disturbance regimes and exotic species. However, fine‐scale variables associated with the presence of native forbs, such as gap size and biomass cover, have received relatively little attention. We conducted a case–control study to determine the relative influence of physical structural dimensions and other fine‐scale variables associated with the presence of native forbs in a modified temperate grassland previously used for domestic grazing. We matched 145 case plots centred on 27 different species of native forbs with 290 control plots not centred on a native forb. For each percentage increase in ground litter cover, dead biomass cover, grass cover or exotic forb cover, or the area of bare ground within 30 cm, the relative odds that a native forb was present vs absent declined by a mean of 10–13%. Living and dead biomass reduces light availability, and the former can also reduce nutrient and water availability. Declines in the presence of native forbs associated with increasing total bare ground may suggest that gap sizes were too small or the soil surface condition too degraded. Our results add to a body of evidence suggesting that native forbs in temperate native grassland are likely to benefit from periodic removal of living and dead grass biomass and a reduction in the cover of exotic forbs.
Contrasting microbiotas between Finnish and Estonian infants: Exposure to Acinetobacter may contribute to the allergy gap
Authors: Ruokolainen Lasse , Parkkola Anna , Karkman Antti , Sinkko Hanna , Peet Aleksandr , Hämäläinen Anu‐Maaria , von Hertzen Leena , Tillmann Vallo , Koski Katriina , Virtanen Suvi M. , Niemelä Onni , Haahtela Tari , Knip Mikael
Published: February 2020

Background

Allergic diseases are more common in Finland than in Estonia, which—according to the biodiversity hypothesis—could relate to differences in early microbial exposures.

Methods

We aimed at defining possible microbial perturbations preceding early atopic sensitization. Stool, nasal and skin samples of 6‐month‐old DIABIMMUNE study participants with HLA susceptibility to type 1 diabetes were collected. We compared microbiotas of sensitized (determined by specific IgE results at 18 months of age) and unsensitized Estonian and Finnish children.

Results

Sensitization was differentially targeted between populations, as egg‐specific and birch pollen‐specific IgE was more common in Finland. Microbial diversity and community composition also differed; the genus Acinetobacter was more abundant in Estonian skin and nasal samples. Particularly, the strain‐level profile of Acinetobacter lwoffii was more diverse in Estonian samples. Early microbiota was not generally associated with later sensitization. Microbial composition tended to differ between children with or without IgE‐related sensitization, but only in Finland. While land‐use pattern (ie green areas vs. urban landscapes around the children's homes) was not associated with microbiota as a whole, it associated with the composition of the genus Acinetobacter. Breastfeeding affected gut microbial composition and seemed to protect from sensitization.

Conclusions

In accordance with the biodiversity hypothesis, our results support disparate early exposure to environmental microbes between Finnish and Estonian children and suggest a significant role of the genus Acinetobacter in the allergy gap between the two populations. The significance of the observed differences for later allergic sensitization remains open.
Effect of L‐theanine on meat quality, muscle amino acid profiles, and antioxidant status of broilers
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Chi , Zhao Xiaohui , Chen Kaikai , Geng Zhaoyu
Published: February 2020

This study investigated the effect of L‐theanine on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle antioxidant capacity, and amino acid (AA) profiles of broilers. Three hundred 1‐day‐old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly allotted to five groups with six replicates. Birds were fed the basal diet or basal diet with 300, 600, 900, or 1,500 mg/kg L‐theanine for 42 consecutive days. The results showed that L‐theanine quadratically increased dressing percentage, eviscerated percentage, and leg muscle yield (p < .05). Meanwhile, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, L*24h, and muscle lactate content decreased quadratically in response to dietary L‐theanine supplementation (p < .05), while pH24h and muscle glycogen content were quadratically improved by L‐theanine (p < .05). Notably, the contents of muscle malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl, and the activities of muscle total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase decreased quadratically in response to dietary L‐theanine supplementation (p < .05), suggesting that the oxidative stress level of muscle was decreased quadratically. Moreover, L‐theanine quadratically increased the concentrations of most of muscle essential AA, nonessential AA, and flavor AA (p < .05). In conclusion, L‐theanine can be used as a valuable feed additive to modulate carcass traits, meat quality, muscle antioxidant status, and AA profiles of boilers, and its optimum addition level is 600 mg/kg based on the present study.
Will machine learning applied to neuroimaging in bipolar disorder help the clinician? A critical review and methodological suggestions
Authors: Claude Laurie‐Anne , Houenou Josselin , Duchesnay Edouard , Favre Pauline
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The existence of anatomofunctional brain abnormalities in bipolar disorder (BD) is now well established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. To create diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as identifying biologically valid subtypes of BD, research has recently turned towards the use of machine learning (ML) techniques. We assessed both supervised ML and unsupervised ML studies in BD to evaluate their robustness, reproducibility and the potential need for improvement.

Method

We systematically searched for studies using ML algorithms based on MRI data of patients with BD until February 2019.

Result

We identified 47 studies, 45 using supervised ML techniques and 2 including unsupervised ML analyses. Among supervised studies, 43 focused on diagnostic classification. The reported accuracies for classification of BD ranged between (a) 57% and 100%, for BD vs healthy controls; (b) 49.5% and 93.1% for BD vs patients with major depressive disorder; and (c) 50% and 96.2% for BD vs patients with schizophrenia. Reported accuracies for discriminating subjects genetically at risk for BD (either from control or from patients with BD) ranged between 64.3% and 88.93%.

Conclusions

Although there are strong methodological limitations in previous studies and an important need for replication in large multicentric samples, the conclusions of our review bring hope of future computer‐aided diagnosis of BD and pave the way for other applications, such as treatment response prediction. To reinforce the reliability of future results we provide methodological suggestions for good practice in conducting and reporting MRI‐based ML studies in BD.
Medicine and Media: The Ranitidine Debate
Authors: Wagner Jennifer A. , Colombo Jennifer M.
Published: February 2020

Ranitidine has been the topic of recent media reports. Current findings, confirmed by the US Food and Drug Administration, indicate that some ranitidine products contain a substance that may be carcinogenic. Providers and patients require additional information on the risks of continuing therapy vs. the benefits of the medication. This article comments on what is currently known about the evolving situation of elevated N‐nitrosodimethylamine levels in ranitidine and the limits of the existing information to assess best practices.
Neurofeedback trains a superordinate system relevant for seemingly opposing behavioral control deficits depending on ADHD subtype
Authors: Bluschke Annet , Schreiter Marie L. , Friedrich Julia , Adelhöfer Nico , Roessner Veit , Beste Christian
Published: February 2020

ADHD is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood, but symptoms vary considerably between individuals. Therefore, different ADHD subtypes can be distinguished. Yet, it is widely elusive whether the specific subtype is critical to consider when examining treatment effects. Based on theoretical considerations, this could be the case for EEG theta/beta neurofeedback. We examine the effects of such an intervention on rapid response execution and inhibition processes using a Go/Nogo task in the inattentive (ADD) and the combined (ADHD‐C) subtype. We show that a single neurofeedback protocol affects opposing deficits depending on the ADHD subtype – namely the execution (in ADD) and inhibition of action (in ADHD‐C). No changes occurred in the healthy controls. These findings are discussed in relation to overarching principles of neural oscillations, particularly in the beta frequency band. The data suggest that theta/beta neurofeedback trains a superordinate system strongly related to the function of neural beta frequency oscillations to tune neural networks important for the sampling of sensory information used for behavioral control.
Effects of a tropical cyclone on salt marsh insect communities and post‐cyclone reassembly processes
Authors: Chen Xuan , Adams Benjamin J. , Platt William J. , Hooper‐Bùi Linda M.
Published: February 2020

Concepts regarding effects of recurrent natural disturbances and subsequent responses of communities are central to ecology and conservation biology. Tropical cyclones constitute major disturbances producing direct effects (damage, mortality) in many coastal communities worldwide. Subsequent reassembly involves changes in composition and abundance for which the underlying mechanisms (deterministic and stochastic processes) are still not clear, especially for mobile organisms. We examined tropical cyclone‐induced changes in composition and reassembly of entire insect communities in 16 Louisiana coastal salt marshes before and after Hurricane Isaac in 2012 and 2013. We used the Shannon index and multivariate permutational ANOVA to study insect resistance and resilience, β diversity partitioning to evaluate the importance of species replacement, and null models to disentangle the relative roles of different assembly processes over time after the tropical cyclone. The α diversity and species composition, overall and for different trophic levels, decreased immediately after the tropical cyclone; nonetheless, both then increased rapidly and returned to pre‐cyclone states within one year. Changes in species abundance, rather than species replacement, was the primary driver, accounting for most temporal dissimilarity among insect communities. Stochastic processes, which drove community composition immediately after the tropical cyclone, decreased in importance over time. Our study indicates that rapid reformation of insect communities involved sequential landscape‐level dynamics. Cyclone‐resistant life cycle stages apparently survived in some, perhaps random locations within the overall salt marsh landscape. Subsequently, stochastic patterns of immigration of mobile life cycle stages resulted in rapid reformation of local communities. Post‐cyclone direct regeneration of salt marsh insect communities resulted from low resistance, coupled with high landscape‐level resilience via re‐immigration. Our study suggests that the extent of direct regeneration of local salt marsh insect communities might change with the size of larger marsh landscapes within which they are imbedded.
Life cycle and taxonomy of Chrysomyxa succinea in China and phylogenetic positions of Caeoma species on Rhododendron
Authors: Ji Jing‐Xin , Li Zhuang , Li Yu , Kakishima Makoto
Published: February 2020

Rust diseases of spruce and rhododendrons caused by Chrysomyxa succinea are commonly observed in forests of northern and eastern Asia. The heteroecious life cycle of this species alternating between spermogonial and aecial stages on Picea jezoensis and uredinial and telial stages on Rhododendron aureum is confirmed for the first time in China by inoculations and phylogenetic analyses. Morphological characters of all stages are described based on specimens obtained from the field and from inoculations. Based on morphological similarities and phylogenetic analyses, Ch. zhouniensis reported on Picea asperata is treated as a synonym of Ch. succinea. Four Caeoma species on Rhododendron are included in the same phylogenetic group as species of Chrysomyxa. Therefore, these species are treated as Chrysomyxa, and four new combinations in Chrysomyxa are proposed.
Long‐term outcomes of reoperations in epilepsy surgery
Authors: Yardi Ruta , Morita‐Sherman Marcia E. , Fitzgerald Zachary , Punia Vineet , Bena James , Morrison Shannon , Najm Imad , Bingaman William , Jehi Lara
Published: February 2020

Objective

To analyze longitudinal seizure outcomes following epilepsy surgery, including reoperations, in patients with intractable focal epilepsy.

Methods

Clinicoradiological characteristics of patients who underwent epilepsy surgery from 1995 to 2016 with follow‐up of ≥1 year were reviewed. In patients undergoing reoperations, the latest resection was considered the index surgery. The primary outcome was complete seizure freedom (Engel I) at last follow‐up. Potentially significant outcome variables were first identified using univariate analyses and then fit in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Of 898 patients fulfilling study criteria, 110 had reoperations; 92 had one resection prior to the index surgery and 18 patients had two or more prior resective surgeries. Two years after the index surgery, 69% of patients with no prior surgeries had an Engel score of I, as opposed to only 42% of those with one prior surgery, and 33% of those with two or more prior resections (P < .001). Among surgical outcome predictors, the number of prior epilepsy surgeries, female sex, lesional initial magnetic resonance imaging, no prior history of generalization, and pathology correlated with better seizure outcomes on univariate analysis. However, only sex (P = .011), history of generalization (P = .016), and number of prior surgeries (P = .002) remained statistically significant in the multivariate model.

Significance

Although long‐term seizure control is possible in patients with failed prior epilepsy surgery, the chances of success diminish with every subsequent resection. Outcome is additionally determined by inherent biological markers (sex and secondary generalization tendency), rather than traditional outcome predictors, supporting a hypothesis of “surgical refractoriness.”
Blue carbon gains from glacial retreat along Antarctic fjords: What should we expect?
Authors: Barnes David K. A. , Sands Chester J. , Cook Alison , Howard Floyd , Roman Gonzalez Alejandro , Muñoz–Ramirez Carlos , Retallick Kate , Scourse James , Van Landeghem Katrien , Zwerschke Nadescha
Published: February 2020

Rising atmospheric CO2 is intensifying climate change but it is also driving global and particularly polar greening. However, most blue carbon sinks (that held by marine organisms) are shrinking, which is important as these are hotspots of genuine carbon sequestration. Polar blue carbon increases with losses of marine ice over high latitude continental shelf areas. Marine ice (sea ice, ice shelf and glacier retreat) losses generate a valuable negative feedback on climate change. Blue carbon change with sea ice and ice shelf losses has been estimated, but not how blue carbon responds to glacier retreat along fjords. We derive a testable estimate of glacier retreat driven blue carbon gains by investigating three fjords in the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). We started by multiplying ~40 year mean glacier retreat rates by the number of retreating WAP fjords and their time of exposure. We multiplied this area by regional zoobenthic carbon means from existing datasets to suggest that WAP fjords generate 3,130 tonnes of new zoobenthic carbon per year (t zC/year) and sequester >780 t zC/year. We tested this by capture and analysis of 204 high resolution seabed images along emerging WAP fjords. Biota within these images were identified to density per 13 functional groups. Mean stored carbon per individual was assigned from literature values to give a stored zoobenthic Carbon per area, which was multiplied up by area of fjord exposed over time, which increased the estimate to 4,536 t zC/year. The purpose of this study was to establish a testable estimate of blue carbon change caused by glacier retreat along Antarctic fjords and thus to establish its relative importance compared to polar and other carbon sinks.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life in community‐dwelling elderly people in China
Authors: Wang Qiumei , Liu Xiaohong , Zhu Minglei , Pang Haiyu , Kang Lin , Zeng Ping , Ge Nan , Qu Xuan , Chen Wei , Hong Xia
Published: February 2020

Aim

Few studies have comprehensively evaluated the factors associated with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in the elderly. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors associated with HRQOL using a comprehensive geriatric assessment of community‐dwelling elderly people in Beijing, China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of 896 community‐dwelling elderly people in Beijing was conducted through face‐to‐face interviews. Data regarding sociodemographic factors, chronic disease (assessed by the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics, CIRS‐G), common geriatric syndromes and HRQOL (assessed by the EuroQol 5‐Dimension questionnaire, EQ‐5D) were collected using a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors related to HRQOL.

Results

The CIRS‐G comorbidity index was negatively related to the EQ‐5D index and EQ‐Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (P < 0.05). Geriatric syndromes such as chronic pain and non‐optimal nutrition were negatively related to HRQOL (P < 0.05), and the negative influence of geriatric syndromes on the EQ‐5D index was stronger than that of the cumulative comorbidities. Functional status in daily living activities was positively related to HRQOL (P < 0.05). Receiving care from children was positively related to EQ‐VAS (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Besides cumulative comorbidities and geriatric syndromes, in particular nutritional problems and chronic pain exert a substantial negative impact on the HRQOL of elderly people in China, whereas family support is an important protective factor. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 422–429.
The role of annexin A1 in the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Galvão Izabela , de Carvalho Renan V. H. , Vago Juliana P. , Silva Alexandre L. N. , Carvalho Toniana G. , Antunes Maísa M. , Ribeiro Fabiola M. , Menezes Gustavo B. , Zamboni Dario S. , Sousa Lirlândia P. , Teixeira Mauro M.
Published: February 2020

Annexins are well‐known Ca2+ phospholipid‐binding proteins, which have a wide variety of cellular functions. The role of annexin A1 (AnxA1) in the innate immune system has focused mainly on the anti‐inflammatory and proresolving properties through its binding to the formyl‐peptide receptor 2 (FPR2)/ALX receptor. However, studies suggesting an intracellular role of AnxA1 are emerging. In this study, we aimed to understand the role of AnxA1 for interleukin (IL)‐1β release in response to activators of the nucleotide‐binding domain leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) and pyrin domain containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Using AnxA1 knockout mice, we observed that AnxA1 is required for IL‐1β release in vivo and in vitro. These effects were due to reduction of transcriptional levels of IL‐1β, NLRP3 and caspase‐1, a step called NLRP3 priming. Moreover, we demonstrate that AnxA1 co‐localize and directly bind to NLRP3, suggesting the role of AnxA1 in inflammasome activation is independent of its anti‐inflammatory role via FPR2. Therefore, AnxA1 regulates NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activation in a FPR2‐independent manner.
Attitudes toward hiring people with disabilities: A meta‐cognitive approach to persuasion
Authors: Requero Blanca , Santos David , Paredes Borja , Briñol Pablo , Petty Richard E.
Published: February 2020

Attitudes toward hiring people with disabilities are becoming critical for promoting diversity and egalitarianism within organizations. The few interventions designed to promote positive attitudes toward people with disabilities have relied on changing either the direction and/or the amount of thoughts people generate with regard to this discriminated, understudied group. In the present research, we examine the impact of a different psychological process of attitude change based on meta‐cognition, or thinking about thinking. We used a meta‐cognitive approach to changing prejudiced attitudes because thoughtful processes are often overlooked or denied with regard to this particular group. Specifically, we explored the impact of thought confidence on attitude change across two studies designed to change attitudes toward the incorporation of people with disabilities in companies. In each study, participants first generated either positive or negative thoughts about the proposal (thought valence manipulation). Then, the confidence in those thoughts was measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2). In concert with the self‐validation hypothesis, results showed that when thought confidence was relatively high (vs. low), thought valence had a greater impact on attitudes. Thus, thought valence was more predictive of attitudes when participants were confident in their thoughts. Specifically, confidence in thoughts enhanced persuasion for positive thoughts but reduced persuasion for negative thoughts. These findings provide insights into assessing effects of interventions aiming at improving attitudes toward the inclusion of minority groups in organizations.