bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene-environment interaction counterbalances social impairment in mouse models of autism
Authors: Kim Ji-Woon , Park Kwanghoon , Kang Ri Jin , Gonzales Edson Luck , Oh Hyun Ah , Seung Hana , Ko Mee Jung , Cheong Jae Hoon , Chung ChiHye , Shin Chan Young
Published: August 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/restricted behaviors. Although gene-environment interactions may explain the heterogeneous etiology of ASD, it is still largely unknown how the gene-environment interaction affects behavioral symptoms and pathophysiology in ASD. To address these questions, we used Cntnap2 knockout mice (genetic factor, G) exposed to valproic acid during embryonic development (environmental factor, E) as a gene-environment interaction (G × E) model. Paradoxically, the social deficits observed in the respective G and E models were improved in the G × E model; however, the high seizure susceptibility was more severe in the G × E -model than in the G and E models. Repetitive self-grooming and hyperactivity did not differ among the three models. The amplitudes of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex were aberrant and similar in the G × E model when compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that the interaction of two risk factors does not always aggravate ASD symptoms but can also alleviate them, which may be key to understanding individual differences in behavioral phenotypes and symptom intensity.
Paxillin S273 Phosphorylation Regulates Adhesion Dynamics and Cell Migration through a Common Protein Complex with PAK1 and βPIX
Authors: Rajah Abira , Boudreau Colton G. , Ilie Alina , Wee Tse-Luen , Tang Kaixi , Borisov Aleksandar Z. , Orlowski John , Brown Claire M.
Published: August 2019

Cell migration is an important biological phenomenon involved in many homeostatic and aberrant physiological processes. Phosphorylation of the focal adhesion adaptor protein, paxillin, on serine 273 (S273) has been implicated as a key regulator of cell migration. Here, it is shown that phosphorylation on paxillin S273 leads to highly migratory cells with small dynamic adhesions. Adhesions at protrusive edges of the cell were more dynamic than adhesions at retracting edges. Temporal image correlation microscopy revealed that these dynamic adhesions undergo rapid binding of paxillin, PAK1 and βPIX. We identified membrane proximal adhesion subdomains in protrusive regions of the cell that show rapid protein binding that is dependent on paxillin S273 phosphorylation, PAK1 kinase activity and phosphatases. These dynamic adhesion subdomains corresponded to regions of the adhesion that also show co-binding of paxillin/PAK1 and paxillin/βPIX complexes. It is likely that parts of individual adhesions are more dynamic while others are less dynamic due to their association with the actin cytoskeleton. Variable adhesion and binding dynamics are regulated via differential paxillin S273 phosphorylation across the cell and within adhesions and are required for regulated cell migration. Dysregulation through phosphomutants, PAK1-KD or βPIX mutants resulted in large stable adhesions, long protein binding times and slow cell migration. Dysregulation through phosphomimics or PAK1-CA led to small dynamic adhesions and rapid cell migration reminiscent of highly migratory cancer cells. Thus, phosphorylation of paxillin S273 is a key regulator of cell migration through recruitment of βPIX and PAK1 to sites of adhesion.
10 kHz SCS therapy for chronic pain, effects on opioid usage: Post hoc analysis of data from two prospective studies
Authors: Al-Kaisy Adnan , Van Buyten Jean-Pierre , Carganillo Roy , Caraway David , Gliner Bradford , Subbaroyan Jeyakumar , Panwar Catherine , Rotte Anand , Amirdelfan Kasra , Kapural Leonardo
Published: August 2019

Chronic pain, including chronic low back and leg pain are prominent causes of disability worldwide. While patient management aims to reduce pain and improve daily function, prescription of opioids remains widespread despite significant adverse effects. This study pooled data from two large prospective trials on 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (10 kHz SCS) in subjects with chronic low back pain and/or leg pain and performed post hoc analysis on changes in opioid dosage 12 months post 10 kHz SCS treatment. Patient-reported back and leg pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and opioid dose (milligrams morphine equivalent/day, MME/day) were compared at 12 months post-10 kHz SCS therapy to baseline. Results showed that in the combined dataset, 39.3% of subjects were taking >90 MME dose of opioids at baseline compared to 23.0% at 12 months post-10 kHz SCS therapy (p = 0.007). The average dose of opioids in >90 MME group was significantly reduced by 46% following 10 kHz SCS therapy (p < 0.001), which was paralleled by significant pain relief (P < 0.001). In conclusion, current analysis demonstrates the benefits of 10 kHz SCS therapy and offers an evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical alternative to opioid therapy and/or an adjunctive therapy to facilitate opioid dose reduction whilst delivering significant pain relief. Healthcare providers involved in management of chronic non-cancer pain can include reduction or elimination of opioid use as part of treatment plan when contemplating 10 kHz SCS.
Downregulation of Sostdc1 in Testicular Sertoli Cells is Prerequisite for Onset of Robust Spermatogenesis at Puberty
Authors: Pradhan Bhola Shankar , Bhattacharya Indrashis , Sarkar Rajesh , Majumdar Subeer S.
Published: August 2019

An alarming decline in sperm count of men from several countries has become a major concern for the world community. Hormones act on testicular Sertoli cells (Sc) to regulate male fertility by governing the division and differentiation of germ cells (Gc). However, there is a limited knowledge about Sc specific gene(s) regulating the spermatogenic output of the testis. Sclerostin domain-containing 1 protein (Sostdc1) is a dual BMP/Wnt regulator is predominantly expressed in the Sc of infant testes which hardly show any sign of spermatogenesis. In order to investigate the role of Sostdc1 in spermatogenic regulation, we have generated transgenic (Tg) rats which induced persistent expression of Sostdc1 in mature Sc causing reduced sperm counts. Although Sc specific Sostdc1 did not affect the function of either Sc or Leydig cells (Lc) in the adult testis of Tg rat, we observed a selective augmentation of the BMP target genes via activated phospho smad 1/5/8 signaling in Gc leading to apoptosis. Here, for the first time, we have demonstrated that Sostdc1 is a negative regulator of spermatogenesis, and provided substantial evidence that down regulation of Sostdc1 during puberty is critically essential for quantitatively and qualitatively normal spermatogenesis governing male fertility.
Lipophilic statins inhibit Zika virus production in Vero cells
Authors: Españo Erica , Nam Jeong-Hyun , Song Eun-Jung , Song Daesub , Lee Chong-Kil , Kim Jeong-Ki
Published: August 2019

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne member of the Flaviviridae family. ZIKV infection has been associated with neurological complications such as microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults; thus, therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Statins are clinically approved for lowering cholesterol levels to prevent cardiovascular disease but have shown potential as antiviral drugs. In this study, we explored the possibility of utilizing statins as anti-ZIKV drugs. We found that, generally, lipophilic statins (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, and simvastatin) could reduce ZIKV production in vitro and result in smaller foci of infection. Time-of-drug-addition assay revealed that early treatment with statins is more beneficial than late treatment; however, statins could not completely inhibit the entry stage of ZIKV infection. Furthermore, individual lipophilic statins differed in anti-ZIKV capacity, with fluvastatin being the most efficient at low concentrations. Taken together, this study shows that statins or their derivatives have the potential to be used as anti-ZIKV therapeutic agents.
No modulation of pupil size and event-related pupil response by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)
Authors: Keute Marius , Demirezen Mustafa , Graf Alina , Mueller Notger G. , Zaehle Tino
Published: August 2019

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) bears therapeutic potential for a wide range of medical conditions. However, previous studies have found substantial interindividual variability in responsiveness to taVNS, and no reliable predictive biomarker for stimulation success has been developed so far. In this study, we investigate pupil size and event-related pupil response as candidate biomarkers. Both measures have a direct physiological link to the activity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem structure and the main source of norepinephrine in the brain. LC activation is considered one of the key mechanisms of action of taVNS, therefore, we expected a clear increase of the pupillary measures under taVNS compared to sham (placebo) stimulation, such that it could serve as a prospective predictor for individual clinical and physiological taVNS effects in future studies. We studied resting pupil size and pupillary responses to target stimuli in an auditory oddball task in 33 healthy young volunteers. We observed stronger pupil responses to target than to standard stimuli. However, and contrary to our hypothesis, neither pupil size nor the event-related pupil response nor behavioral performance were modulated by taVNS. We discuss potential explanations for this negative finding and its implications for future clinical investigation and development of taVNS.
Terrestrial locomotion of the Svalbard rock ptarmigan: comparing field and laboratory treadmill studies
Authors: Marmol-Guijarro Andres C. , Nudds Robert L. , Marrin John C. , Folkow Lars P. , Codd Jonathan R.
Published: August 2019

Research into the terrestrial locomotion of birds is often based upon laboratory treadmill experiments. However, it is unclear how transposable these results are for birds moving in the wild. Here, using video recordings, we compared the kinematics of locomotion (stride frequency, stride length, stance phase, swing phase, duty factor) and speed range of Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) under field and laboratory treadmill conditions. Our findings indicate that the kinematics of walking and aerial running are conserved when moving on the treadmill and in the field. Differences, however, were found when grounded running under the two conditions, linked to substrate. Substrate effects were confirmed by analysing trials only moving over very hard snow. In line with laboratory treadmill energetic predictions, wild ptarmigan have a preferred speed during walking and to a lesser extent when aerial running but not when moving with a grounded running gait. The birds were also capable of a higher top speed in the field than that observed during treadmill studies. Our findings demonstrate that laboratory treadmill research provides meaningful information relevant to wild birds while highlighting the importance of understanding the substrate the animals are moving over.
Effect of functional group ratio in PEBAX copolymer on propylene/propane separation for facilitated olefin transport membranes
Authors: Jung Kyoung Won , Kang Sang Wook
Published: August 2019

PEBAX-5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes were fabricated for mixed olefin/paraffin separation. In order to improve the selectivity of the membranes utilizing PEBAX-1657, PEBAX-5513, which increased the ratio of amide groups from 40% to 60% in the copolymer, was used. The selectivity and permeance of the membranes were 7.7 and 11.1 GPU, respectively. Furthermore, the PEBAX–5513/AgBF4/Al(NO3)3 membranes had long-term stability because of Al(NO3) to have the stabilizing effect on Ag+ ions acting as an olefin carrier. Unexpectedly, the performance of the membrane selectivity was not improved, and the permeance became rather lower. Generally, when Ag+ ions was added to the polymer containing amide groups, the selectivity increased with the content of the amide groups. However, Al(NO3)3 was added for the stability of Ag+ ions and there was no increase in selectivity. Since the ratio of amide was high, Ag+ ions were favorably in coordination with the oxygen of the carbonyl group, but the NO3− ions in Al(NO3)3 had the enhanced interaction with Ag+ ions as obstacles for olefin complexation. Therefore, the composition ratio of amide/ether in the polymer matrix was negligible for olefin separation.
Attenuated brain activity during error processing and punishment anticipation in procrastination – a monetary Go/No-go fMRI study
Authors: Wypych Marek , Michałowski Jarosław M. , Droździel Dawid , Borczykowska Magda , Szczepanik Michał , Marchewka Artur
Published: August 2019

Procrastination is a self-regulatory failure in which people voluntarily but irrationally delay important tasks. Trait procrastination is estimated to affect 15–20% of the total population and leads to a significant decrease in performance, satisfaction with achievements, and quality of life. Procrastination is related to impulsivity and reduced executive control, especially in the domain of inhibition. Moreover, procrastinatory tendencies seem to increase with negative affect, suggesting impaired emotion regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuronal mechanisms of inhibition, error processing, and behavioral control under pressure of punishment in procrastinators. Non-student subjects recruited to low (LP) and high procrastination (HP) groups performed an fMRI monetary Go/No-go task. HP showed significantly lower error-related activity in ACC than LP. There was also a significant group by condition interaction in the ACC and right DLPFC suggesting increase of control during the punishment condition in LP but not HP group. These results suggest that procrastinators have impaired error processing mechanisms which may add to the persistence of procrastination through difficulties in correction of faulty behaviors. Procrastination also seems to be related to a decreased ability to intensify self-control in more demanding situations and/or impaired coping in the context of negative situations.
Characterization of cellular transcriptomic signatures induced by different respiratory viruses in human reconstituted airway epithelia
Authors: Nicolas de Lamballerie Claire , Pizzorno Andrés , Dubois Julia , Julien Thomas , Padey Blandine , Bouveret Mendy , Traversier Aurélien , Legras-Lachuer Catherine , Lina Bruno , Boivin Guy , Terrier Olivier , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel
Published: August 2019

Acute respiratory infections, a large part being of viral origin, constitute a major public health issue. To propose alternative and/or new therapeutic approaches, it is necessary to increase our knowledge about the interactions between respiratory viruses and their primary cellular targets using the most biologically relevant experimental models. In this study, we used RNAseq to characterize and compare the transcriptomic signature of infection induced by different major respiratory viruses (Influenza viruses, hRSV and hMPV) in a model of reconstituted human airway epithelia. Our results confirm the importance of several cellular pathways commonly or specifically induced by these respiratory viruses, such as the innate immune response or antiviral defense. A very interesting common feature revealed by the global virogenomic signature shared between hRSV, hMPV and influenza viruses is the global downregulation of cilium-related gene expression, in good agreement with experimental evaluation of mucociliary clearance. Beyond providing new information about respiratory virus/host interactions, our study also underlines the interest of using biologically relevant experimental models to study human respiratory viruses.
Myosin-II mediated traction forces evoke localized Piezo1-dependent Ca2+ flickers
Authors: Ellefsen Kyle L. , Holt Jesse R. , Chang Alice C. , Nourse Jamison L. , Arulmoli Janahan , Mekhdjian Armen H. , Abuwarda Hamid , Tombola Francesco , Flanagan Lisa A. , Dunn Alexander R. , Parker Ian , Pathak Medha M.
Published: August 2019

Piezo channels transduce mechanical stimuli into electrical and chemical signals to powerfully influence development, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Studies on Piezo1 have largely focused on transduction of “outside-in” mechanical forces, and its response to internal, cell-generated forces remains poorly understood. Here, using measurements of endogenous Piezo1 activity and traction forces in native cellular conditions, we show that cellular traction forces generate spatially-restricted Piezo1-mediated Ca2+ flickers in the absence of externally-applied mechanical forces. Although Piezo1 channels diffuse readily in the plasma membrane and are widely distributed across the cell, their flicker activity is enriched near force-producing adhesions. The mechanical force that activates Piezo1 arises from Myosin II phosphorylation by Myosin Light Chain Kinase. We propose that Piezo1 Ca2+ flickers allow spatial segregation of mechanotransduction events, and that mobility allows Piezo1 channels to explore a large number of mechanical microdomains and thus respond to a greater diversity of mechanical cues.
Correction: 4′-Guanidinium-modified siRNA: a molecular tool to control RNAi activity through RISC priming and selective antisense strand loading
Authors: Nawale Ganesh N. , Bahadorikhalili Saeed , Sengupta Pallabi , Kadekar Sandeep , Chatterjee Subhrangsu , Varghese Oommen P.
Published: August 2019

Correction for ‘4′-Guanidinium-modified siRNA: a molecular tool to control RNAi activity through RISC priming and selective antisense strand loading’ by Ganesh N. Nawale et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 9112–9115.
A series of silver doped butterfly-like Ti8Ag2 clusters with two Ag ions panelled on a Ti8 surface
Authors: Yu You-Zhu , Guo Yao , Zhang Yan-Ru , Liu Min-Min , Feng Ya-Ru , Geng Cui-Huan , Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: August 2019

Six new Ag-doped titanium-oxo clusters with butterfly-like Ti8Ag2 core have been synthesized through facile solvothermal reactions, in which two Ag ions are successfully linked to the surface of Ti8 core.
First α-deuterium nitroxides; synthesis and EPR study
Authors: Toledo Hila , Tumanskii Boris , Sabirov Denis Sh. , Kaushansky Alexander , Fridman Natalia , Szpilman Alex M.
Published: August 2019

Herein is reported the first preparation of stable α-deuterium nitroxides of the IAPNO family.
Total synthesis of wikstrol A and wikstrol B
Authors: Lu Kui , Li Ming , Huang Yuna , Sun Yuanyuan , Gong Zhi , Wei Qijun , Zhao Xia , Zhang Yongmin , Yu Peng
Published: August 2019

The first total synthesis of wikstrol A and wikstrol B was achieved via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Sonogashira and rhodium-catalyzed oxidative coupling as key steps.
Curtachalasins, immunosuppressive agents from the endophytic fungus Xylaria cf. curta
Authors: Wang Wen-Xuan , Cheng Gui-Guang , Li Zheng-Hui , Ai Hong-Lian , He Juan , Li Jing , Feng Tao , Liu Ji-Kai
Published: August 2019

Eleven new cytochalasins were isolated from Xylaria cf. curta. Their selective immunosuppressive properties provide new clues for drug development of immunosuppressants.
A novel n-type CdS nanorods/p-type LaFeO3 heterojunction nanocomposite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Hoseini Akram-Alsadat , Farhadi Saeed , Zabardasti Abedin , Siadatnasab Firouzeh
Published: August 2019

A novel n–p CdS nanorods/LaFeO3 (CdS NRs/LFO) heterojunction nanocomposite was prepared via a solvothermal route and applied as a visible-light photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of organic dye pollutants.
A review of modification of carbon electrode material in capacitive deionization
Authors: Cheng Yutuo , Hao Zhiqi , Hao Changrun , Deng Yu , Li Xingying , Li Kexun , Zhao Yubo
Published: August 2019

The modification methods of carbon material and their effect on the CDI performance were reviewed.
A simple, robust and equipment-free DNA amplification readout in less than 30 seconds
Authors: Mason Michael Glenn , Botella José Ramón
Published: August 2019

A simple and highly reliable DNA amplification readout system for naked eye detection of amplified DNA in under 30 seconds.
An anode catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: application of organically modified titanium and silicon dioxide
Authors: Malinowski Marek , Iwan Agnieszka , Hreniak Agnieszka , Tazbir Igor
Published: August 2019

TiO2 and SiO2 act successfully as an anode support material despite their poor electrical properties providing the improvement of fuel cell electrochemical parameters.
Designing stable, hierarchical peptide fibers from block co-polypeptide sequences
Authors: van Rijt Mark M. J. , Ciaffoni Adriano , Ianiro Alessandro , Moradi Mohammad-Amin , Boyle Aimee L. , Kros Alexander , Friedrich Heiner , Sommerdijk Nico A. J. M. , Patterson Joseph P.
Published: August 2019

Here we report the pH induced self-assembly of equilibrium zwitterionically charged block co-polypeptide nanotubes into hierarchical nanotube fibers.
Template catalysis by manganese pincer complexes: oxa- and aza-Michael additions to unsaturated nitriles
Authors: Tang Shan , Milstein David
Published: August 2019

Manganese-catalyzed oxa- and aza-Michael addition to unsaturated nitriles was achieved at room temperature under base-free reaction conditions.
Functionalizing graphene oxide framework membranes with sulfonic acid groups for superior aqueous mixture separation
Authors: Yang Guang , Xie Zongli , Cran Marlene , Ng Derrick , Easton Christopher D. , Ding Mingmei , Xu Hang , Gray Stephen
Published: August 2019

Hydrophilic pervaporation (PV) membranes with ultrahigh throughput and outstanding separation ability are highly beneficial for efficient separation of aqueous mixtures.
Structural versatility and electronic structures of copper(i) thiocyanate (CuSCN)–ligand complexes
Authors: Pattanasattayavong Pichaya , Packwood Daniel M. , Harding David J.
Published: August 2019

The basic structural design principles of CuSCN–ligand complexes and the relationship between their structures and electronic properties are revealed in this study.
Finite‐time spatial path following control for a robotic underactuated airship
Authors: Zhou Weixiang , Zhou Pingfang , Wei Yan , Duan Dengping
Published: August 2019

This study presents a finite‐time spatial path following control method for a robotic underactuated airship subject to model uncertainties and external disturbances. A finite‐time path following approach is proposed by combining the backstepping approach with the terminal sliding mode control technique, and the upper bounds of model uncertainties and external disturbances are estimated by the designed adaptive laws. Compared with existing works on the path following control of airships, the algorithm presented in this study can guarantee the airship track a spatial predefined path in finite time in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. Simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed path following control method.
Impact of communication systems on grid node voltage and operation of a vehicle‐to‐grid controller in a smart‐grid scenario
Authors: Inala Krishna Pavan , Kumar Praveen , Bose Sanjay Kumar
Published: August 2019

The impact of communication systems between different entities of a vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) system, consisting of a controller, aggregator, multiple charging stations (MCS) and electric vehicles (EVs), affecting the distribution node voltage is discussed. The controller decides the amount of power to be exchanged between MCS and the grid. EVs either get charged or discharged at the charging station (CS) based on peak load or off‐peak load hours. Based on the distance between the entities of the V2G, different communication technologies are proposed and, the respective communication channels are modelled. The impact of non‐ideal communication systems on the node voltage at the test node where the CS is connected has been studied and, different regions of operation of the controller are determined. Changes in the controller are introduced to reduce the impact of bit error rate in data transmission using communication channels.
Galactic tide and local stellar perturbations on the Oort cloud: creation of interstellar comets
Authors: Torres S. , Cai M. X. , Brown A. G. A. , Zwart S. P.
Published: August 2019

Comets in the Oort cloud evolve under the influence of internal and external perturbations, such as giant planets, stellar passages, and the Galactic gravitational tidal field. We aim to study the dynamical evolution of the comets in the Oort cloud, accounting for the perturbation of the Galactic tidal field and passing stars. We base our study on three main approaches; analytic, observational, and numerical. We first construct an analytical model of stellar encounters. We find that individual perturbations do not modify the dynamics of the comets in the cloud unless very close (<0.5 pc) encounters occur. Using proper motions, parallaxes, and radial velocities fromGaiaDR2 and combining them with the radial velocities from other surveys, we then construct an astrometric catalogue of the 14 659 stars that are within 50 pc of the Sun. For all these stars we calculate the time and distance of closest approach to the Sun. We find that the cumulative effect of relatively distant (≤1 pc) passing stars can perturb the comets in the Oort cloud. Finally, we study the dynamical evolution of the comets in the Oort cloud under the influence of multiple stellar encounters from stars that pass within 2.5 pc of the Sun and the Galactic tidal field over ±10 Myr. We use the Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment (AMUSE), and the GPU-accelerated direct N-body codeABIE. We considered two models for the Oort cloud, compact (a≤ 0.25 pc) and extended (a≤ 0.5 pc). We find that the cumulative effect of stellar encounters is the major perturber of the Oort cloud for a compact configuration while for the extended configuration the Galactic tidal field is the major perturber. In both cases the cumulative effect of distant stellar encounters together with the Galactic tidal field raises the semi-major axis of ~1.1% of the comets at the edge of the Oort cloud up to interstellar regions (a> 0.5 pc) over the 20 Myr period considered. This leads to the creation of transitional interstellar comets (TICs), which might become interstellar objects due to external perturbations. This raises the question of the formation, evolution, and current status of the Oort cloud as well as the existence of a “cloud” of objects in the interstellar space that might overlap with our Oort cloud, when considering that other planetary systems should undergo similar processes leading to the ejection of comets.
Activity time series of old stars from late F to early K
Authors: Meunier N. , Lagrange A.-M.
Published: August 2019

Context. A number of high-precision time series have recently become available for many stars as a result of data from CoRoT, Kepler, and TESS. These data have been widely used to study stellar activity. Photometry provides information that is integrated over the stellar disk. Therefore, there are many degeneracies between spots and plages or sizes and contrasts. In addition, it is important to relate activity indicators, derived from photometric light curves, to other indicators (Log R′HK and radial velocities).

Aims. Our aim is to understand how to relate photometric variability to physical parameters in order to help the interpretation of these observations.

Methods. We used a large number of synthetic time series of brightness variations for old main sequence stars within the F6-K4 range. Simultaneously, we computed using consistent modeling for radial velocity, astrometry, and chromospheric emission. We analyzed these time series to study the effect of the star spectral type on brightness variability, the relationship between brightness variability and chromospheric emission, and the interpretation of brightness variability as a function of spot and plage properties. We then studied spot-dominated or plage-dominated regimes.

Results. We find that within our range of activity levels, the brightness variability increases toward low-mass stars, as suggested by Kepler results. However, many elements can create an interpretation bias. Brightness variability roughly correlates to Log R′HK level. There is, however, a large dispersion in this relationship, mostly caused by spot contrast and inclination. It is also directly related to the number of structures, and we show that it can not be interpreted solely in terms of spot sizes. Finally, a detailed analysis of its relation with Log R′HK shows that in the activity range of old main-sequence stars, we can obtain both spot or plage dominated regimes, as was shown by observations in previous works. The same star can also be observed in both regimes depending on inclination. Furthermore, only strong correlations between chromospheric emission and brightness variability are significant.

Conclusions. Our realistic time series proves to be extremely useful when interpreting observations and understanding their limitations, most notably in terms of activity interpretation. Inclination is crucial and affects many properties, such as amplitudes and the respective role of spots and plages.
Multicolour photometry for exoplanet candidate validation
Authors: Parviainen H. , Tingley B. , Deeg H. J. , Palle E. , Alonso R. , Montanes Rodriguez P. , Murgas F. , Narita N. , Fukui A. , Watanabe N. , Kusakabe N. , Tamura M. , Nishiumi T. , Prieto-Arranz J. , Klagyivik P. , Béjar V. J. S. , Crouzet N. , Mori M. , Hidalgo Soto D. , Casasayas Barris N. , Luque R.
Published: August 2019

Context. The TESS and PLATO missions are expected to find vast numbers of new transiting planet candidates. However, only a fraction of these candidates will be legitimate planets, and the candidate validation will require a significant amount of follow-up resources. Radial velocity (RV) follow-up study can be carried out only for the most promising candidates around bright, slowly rotating, stars. Thus, before devoting RV resources to candidates, they need to be vetted using cheaper methods, and, in the cases for which an RV confirmation is not feasible, the candidate’s true nature needs to be determined based on these alternative methods alone.

Aims. We study the applicability of multicolour transit photometry in the validation of transiting planet candidates when the candidate signal arises from a real astrophysical source (transiting planet, eclipsing binary, etc.), and not from an instrumental artefact. Particularly, we aim to answer how securely we can estimate the true uncontaminated star-planet radius ratio when the light curve may contain contamination from unresolved light sources inside the photometry aperture when combining multicolour transit observations with a physics-based contamination model in a Bayesian parameter estimation setting. More generally, we study how the contamination level, colour differences between the planet host and contaminant stars, transit signal-to-noise ratio, and available prior information affect the contamination and true radius ratio estimates.

Methods. The study is based on simulations and ground-based multicolour transit observations. The contamination analyses were carried out with a contamination model integrated into the PYTRANSIT v2 transit modelling package, and the observations were carried out with the MuSCAT2 multicolour imager installed in the 1.5 m Telescopio Carlos Sanchez in the Teide Observatory, in Tenerife.

Results. We show that multicolour transit photometry can be used to estimate the amount of flux contamination and the true radius ratio. Combining the true radius ratio with an estimate for the stellar radius yields the true absolute radius of the transiting object, which is a valuable quantity in statistical candidate validation, and enough in itself to validate a candidate whose radius falls below the theoretical lower limit for a brown dwarf.
Photolysis of diatomic molecules as a source of atoms in planetary exospheres
Authors: Valiev R. R. , Berezhnoy A. A. , Gritsenko I. S. , Merzlikin B. S. , Cherepanov V. N. , Kurten T. , Wöhler C.
Published: August 2019

We calculated the cross sections of photolysis of OH, LiO, NaO, KO, HCl, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, HF, LiF, NaF, and KF molecules using quantum chemistry methods. The maximal values for photolysis cross sections of alkali metal monoxides are on the order of 10−18 cm2. The lifetimes of photolysis for quiet Sun at 1 astronomical unit are estimated as 2.0 × 105, 28, 5, 14, 2.1 × 105, 225, 42, 52, 2 × 106, 35 400, 486, and 30 400 s for OH, LiO, NaO, KO, HCl, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, HF, LiF, NaF, and KF, respectively. We performed a comparison between values of photolysis lifetimes obtained in this work and in previous studies. Based on such a comparison, our estimations of photolysis lifetimes of OH, HCl, and HF have an accuracy of about a factor of 2. We determined typical kinetic energies of main peaks of photolysis-generated metal atoms. Impact-produced LiO, NaO, KO, NaCl, and KCl molecules are destroyed in the lunar and Hermean exospheres almost completely during the first ballistic flight, while other considered molecules are more stable against destruction by photolysis.
Que faire des déchets TFA issus des opérations de démantèlement des sites nucléaires ? Les sujets de débat
Authors: Repussard Jacques
Published: August 2019

Les déchets TFA issus des opérations de démantèlement des sites nucléaires constituent une des questions importantes du grand débat national lancé par la Commission Nationale du Débat Public dans le cadre de la révision du Plan National de Gestion des Matières et Déchets Radioactifs. Dans leur définition actuelle, ces déchets TFA présentent des volumes considérables qui excèdent les capacités actuelles de stockage alors que les enjeux de radioprotection sont modestes par rapport à ceux posés par les déchets de haute activité à vie longue. Cet article analyse les tenants et aboutissants de la gestion des déchets TFA issus du démantèlement et propose une approche mesurée basée sur une analyse appropriée de l’ensemble des enjeux.
Endlich Kinder als Zielgruppe
Authors: Zang Stefanie
Published: August 2019

Auch Kinder können von einem Dekubitus betroffen sein. Der entsprechende
Expertenstandard „Dekubitusprophylaxe in der Pflege“ nimmt nun erstmals und
ausdrücklich Kinder als Zielgruppe auf.
Woran orientieren wir uns, wenn das Geburtsgewicht keine
Rolle mehr spielt?
Authors: Riedel Susan , Regner Frida
Published: August 2019

Die Qualitätssicherungsrichtlinie des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses zur
Versorgung Früh- und Reifgeborener schützt besonders unreife Frühgeborene auf
neonatoIogischen Intensivstationen durch eine enge pflegerische Betreuung. Für
alle Kinder jenseits der Neonatalperiode bis zum 18. Lebensjahr gibt es eine
solche Regelung nicht. Es fehlt eine klare Vorgabe für die Versorgung der Kinder
auf deutschen Intensivstationen, um die schwerkranken Patienten im Sinne der
1:1-Betreuung versorgen zu können.
„Keine Angst, es tut weh!“
Authors: Schepper Florian , Schachtschabel Silke , Christiansen Holger
Published: August 2019

Belastende medizinische Maßnahmen wie bei einer Krebserkrankung führen bei
Kindern und Jugendlichen zunehmend zu psychischen und psychosozialen
Langzeitfolgen. Eine individuell angepasste psychologische Vorbereitung kann
dabei helfen, den Patienten zu stabilisieren und Angst zu reduzieren.
Suizidalität bei Suchtkranken – Erfahrungen, Kenntnisse und Fortbildungsbedarfe bei Fachkräften der Suchthilfe
Authors: Milin Sascha , Schneider Barbara , Eilert Lisa , Schäfer Ingo
Published: August 2019

Ziel der Studie Im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Studie stand die Frage, inwieweit Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten aus dem Bereich der Suizidprävention in der Praxis der Suchthilfe geläufig sind und welche Bedeutung spezifischen Aspekten der Thematik seitens der dort Tätigen zugemessen wird.

Methoden Im Rahmen eines Bundesmodellprojektes zur Entwicklung von Fortbildungen zur Suizidprävention im Bereich der Suchthilfe wurde eine Online-Befragung durchgeführt. Durch postalische Einladungen und unterschiedliche Aktivitäten der Deutschen Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e.V. (DHS) wurden Fachkräfte aller in der Suchthilfe tätigen Berufsgruppen zur Teilnahme eingeladen. Die Befragung umfasste geschlossene Fragen sowie Freitextblöcke zu Praxissituationen, in denen Suizidalität eine Rolle gespielt hatte, zu wahrgenommenen Risikogruppen im jeweiligen Arbeitsfeld und zu weiteren Aspekten, die aus Sicht der Befragten im Zusammenhang mit Suizidalität von Bedeutung waren. Die Auswertung erfolgte deskriptiv sowie inhaltsanalytisch.

Ergebnisse Es konnten N=166 Teilnehmende einbezogen werden. Alle eingeschlossenen Berufsgruppen berichteten eine zu geringe Berücksichtigung des Themas Suizidalität in ihrer grundständigen Ausbildung. Dies traf besonders auf Sozialarbeiter bzw. Sozialpädagogen und Pflegekräfte zu. In Bezug auf spezifische Fortbildungen konnten verschiedene Interessensschwerpunkte identifiziert werden, die unter anderem im Bereich von praktischen Kompetenzen wie dem Erkennen von Warnzeichen sowie der Kommunikation mit Betroffenen lagen. Die qualitative Auswertung lieferte Hinweise darauf, dass den Teilnehmenden wichtige Risikofaktoren bekannt waren und sie Kenntnisse in Bezug auf die Einschätzung von akuter Suizidalität besaßen. Defizite und Unsicherheiten zeigten sich jedoch in Bezug auf den Umgang mit Betroffenen, deren angemessene Weitervermittlung und den Einbezug weiterer Akteure, sowie in Bezug auf die Bearbeitung von Suizidalität im Team.

Schlussfolgerung Die vorliegende Studie legt nahe, dass in der Suchthilfe ein grundlegendes Verständnis von wichtigen Aspekten dieser Problematik besteht, aber auch ein hoher Bedarf an spezifischer Fort- und Weiterbildung. Entsprechende Schulungen sollten sich neben den üblichen Grundlagen, etwa Risikofaktoren und Warnzeichen, vor allem auf Fertigkeiten zum konkreten Umgang mit Betroffenen beziehen, Kenntnisse zu zielgruppenspezifischen Akteuren der Suizidprävention vermitteln und die Bedeutung des Teams als Ressource beim Management von Suizidalität betonen.
A Visual Analytics Dashboard to Summarize Serial Anesthesia Records in Pediatric Radiation Treatment
Authors: Nelson Olivia , Sturgis Brian , Gilbert Keri , Henry Elizabeth , Clegg Kelly , Tan Jonathan M. , Wasey Jack O. , Simpao Allan F. , Gálvez Jorge A.
Published: August 2019

Background Young children who undergo radiation therapy may require general anesthesia to remain still during weeks of radiation sessions. On a typical day at our hospital, an anesthesia team will care for 10 patients in the radiation therapy suite, and each patient will have multiple prior anesthetic records. Daily review of prior anesthesia records is important to maintain anesthetic consistency and to identify potential improvement, yet our electronic health record (EHR) made such review time-consuming and cumbersome.

Objectives This article aims to design a visual analytics interface that simultaneously displays data from multiple anesthesia encounters to support clinical consistency in medications and airway management.

Methods Documentation from the EHR is available in the clinical data warehouse following daily backups. A visual analytics interface was built to aggregate important components of multiple anesthesia encounters in pediatric radiation oncology on a single screen. The application was embedded in the EHR's anesthesia module and updated daily.

Results Each anesthesia encounter was represented by a vertical line with the date at the bottom of the screen. Each vertical line was divided into sections corresponding to the medications, type of airway device, type of radiation oncology procedure, days between treatments, and recovery score and time. Information about the medications, airways, and procedures was shown with icon legends. This layout enabled users to quickly see the key components of multiple anesthetics and make inferences between, for example, the medications used and the recovery score.

Conclusion The dashboard provides a high-level summary of all radiation therapy anesthesia records for children receiving recurrent treatments. In this clinical scenario, it is desirable to replicate an optimal anesthetic approach for daily or near-daily treatments or adjust the anesthetic based on observed patterns.
User-Centered Development of an Online Platform for Drug Dosing Recommendations in Pediatrics
Authors: Rödle Wolfgang , Wimmer Stefan , Zahn Julia , Prokosch Hans-Ulrich , Hinkes Bernward , Neubert Antje , Rascher Wolfgang , Kraus Stefan , Toddenroth Dennis , Sedlmayr Brita
Published: August 2019

Background Drug therapy in pediatric patients is a complex process. Children are subject to continuous growth and variation in drug-metabolizing enzyme activity, requiring continuous adaption of dosages. In Germany, currently no publicly available database exists that provides evidence-based information on drug dosages in pediatrics. For local drug dosing support, a prototype database has been developed within the Children's Hospital, Erlangen. A user-centered development process was initiated to establish an online platform for evidence-based dosing recommendations, as well as pharmacological and pharmaceutical drug information in pediatrics.

Objectives The objectives of the study were to survey the demand for such a platform and to assess the usability of the different versions of the developed system.

Methods The developed prototype was evaluated in a pluralistic walkthrough with prospective end users. After a redesign, the second prototype of the online platform underwent an online usability testing based on a tailored questionnaire and the System Usability Scale (SUS) (n = 12).

Results Eleven of 12 participants expressed a demand for an online platform for pediatric dosing recommendations. The majority of the participants requested the integration of extended features, such as drug–drug interaction alerts, or information on adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Particularly noteworthy is the demand for an online calculator; 5 of a total of 15 participants explicitly requested a calculator for dosages (based on age, weight, body surface) and glomerular filtration rate. The usability of the second prototype was rated “good to excellent” with a median SUS of 81.25.

Conclusion Local domain experts demand an online platform for pediatric dosing recommendations. The application of the user-centered design approach enabled the development of a prototype suitable for practical use. Multiple additional required functionalities have been identified, whereby the importance of an online calculator for patient–individual dosing recommendations was particularly emphasized.
Posterior Knee Capsulotomy for the Relief of Patellofemoral Joint Pain: Long-Term Follow-up
Authors: Leie Murilo Anderson , de Castro Jacqueline Vieira , Gomes João Ellera
Published: August 2019

Lack of full extension of the knee is a disabling condition that sometimes needs to be treated by a posterior capsulotomy of the knee. However, it is not clear if the full extension acquired can be kept throughout long-time follow-up. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients diagnosed with minimal flexion contracture of the knee who underwent open posterior capsulotomy between 1990 and 2010. All patients (100%) presented with a preoperative Lysholm's score classified as poor or fair (mean = 58.6 ± 13.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.3–64.9), but 14 patients (70%) experienced an improvement to good or excellent scores (mean = 87.6 ± 8.8, 95% CI: 83.6–91.6) after the follow-up. The mean preoperative angle of fixed flexion was 25.0 ± 9.1 degrees (95% CI: 20.8–29.2), and it decreased to 4.2 ± 4.1 degrees (95% CI: 2.3–6.1) after the follow-up. We conclude that posterior capsulotomy of the knee proved to be an effective procedure to treat properly patients with painful knees secondary to lack of full extension after 10.3 years of follow-up.
An Analysis of Symptomatic Meniscal Re-Tear Incidence in Two Age Populations: Differences in Older versus Younger Adults
Authors: Labbe Marc R. , Elmallah Randa K. , Albert Benjamin M. , Malloch Lacy , Jones LaRita C. , Replogle William H. , Barrett Gene R.
Published: August 2019

A symptomatic meniscal tear is one of the most common problems treated by an orthopaedic surgeon. Treatment ranges from observation to complete meniscectomy. Prior research has shown that contact stresses increase within the joint compartment after partial meniscectomy, thus leading to arthritis of the compartment. The purpose of the current study was to determine the incidence of meniscal re-tears in two populations of patients and identify potential factors predisposing to re-tear. A retrospective review of our relational database identified 1,930 arthroscopic partial meniscectomies from 1993 to 2003. Meniscectomies were divided into two groups, 430 patients < 45 years of age (YOUNG) and 712 patients ≥ 45 (OLD). Age, onset date, Lysholm, Tegner, tear type, radial and circumferential location, as well as degree and location of chondromalacia, were analyzed. Of the YOUNG group, 1.16% experienced re-tears, versus 0.42% of the OLD group. From the younger re-tear group, 80% were chronic and 20% had grade 2 chondromalacia in one compartment. The YOUNG re-tear group was slightly more active with higher Tegner (5.6 vs. 4.3) and Lysholm (66.2 vs. 60) scores than the rest of the YOUNG group. The OLD re-tear group was less active with a lower Tegner (2.5 vs. 4.1) and Lysholm (62 vs. 66) score compared with the rest of the older group. In this study, patients under 45 years and with chronic tears had slightly higher incidence of re-tears. Results indicated that the lateral meniscus is more likely to re-tear.
On the von Neumann rule in quantization
Authors: Müller Olaf
Published: August 2019

We show that any linear quantization map into the space of self-adjoint operators in a Hilbert space violates the von Neumann rule on postcomposition with real functions.
Statistical complexity of the time dependent damped L84 model
Authors: Fülöp Á.
Published: August 2019

We consider the concept of statistical complexity to writing the time-dependent damped systems applying the snapshot attractors. This allows us to understand the behavior of these dynamical systems by the probability distribution of the points on the Poincaré section at a given time making a difference between the regular, random, and structural complexity on finite simulation. We interpreted the statistical complexity on the snapshot attractor and determined it in the L84 model, especially the chaotic behavior of the system and on the neighbor range of standard parameter values considering the effect of periodic damping.
Velocity echoes in water provide hints about aquatic structure
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: August 2019

Studying the echoes of disturbances in water can indicate inhomogeneities and local structures in the liquid.