bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Length of stay for inpatient incompetent to stand trial patients: importance of clinical and demographic variables
Authors: Broderick Charles , Azizian Allen , Warburton Katherine
Published: April 2020

Objective

We investigated clinical and demographic variables to better understand their relationship to hospital length of stay for patients involuntarily committed to California state psychiatric hospitals under the state’s incompetent to stand trial (IST) statutes. Additionally, we determined the most important variables in the model that influenced patient length of stay.

Methods

We retrospectively studied all patients admitted as IST to California state psychiatric hospitals during the period January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2018 (N = 20 041). Primary diagnosis, total number of violent acts while hospitalized, age at admission, treating hospital, level of functioning at admission, ethnicity, sex, and having had a previous state hospital admission were evaluated using a parametric survival model.

Results

The analysis showed that the most important variables related to length of stay were (1) diagnosis, (2) number of violent acts while hospitalized, and (3) age of admission. Specifically, longer length of stay was associated with (1) having a diagnosis of schizophrenia or neurocognitive disorder, (2) one or more violent acts, and (3) older age at admission. The other variables studied were also statistically significant, but not as influential in the model.

Conclusions

We found significant relations between length of stay and the variables studied, with the most important variables being (1) diagnosis, (2) number of physically violent acts, and (3) age at admission. These findings emphasize the need for treatments to target cognitive issues in the seriously mentally ill as well as treatment of violence and early identification of violence risk factors.
A WTO Safe Harbour for the Dolphins: The Second Compliance Proceedings in the US–Tuna II (Mexico) case
Authors: Baroncini Elisa , Brunel Claire
Published: April 2020

Subsequent to the 2016 modifications concerning the strengthening of the administrative requirements on dolphin-safety outside the ETP fishery zone, the second WTO compliance proceedings have finally found the US Dolphin-Safe labelling scheme compatible with the multilateral trade system. We provide an overview of the long-running US–Mexico dispute and assess the final findings of the WTO adjudicators attempting to determine the effects of the multilateral litigation on the involved non-trade values and the real winners of the case. We find an improvement in dolphin protection, though more could be achieved through a qualification of the US measure under the principle of sustainable development also contemplated in the Preamble of the WTO Agreement, as well as an enhancement on consumer information, since declaration of dolphin-safety may now be better monitored and enforced through the new discipline for non-Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean tuna products. However, we also observe that with no change to the appearance of the label or an informational campaign, the improved credibility of the label may hardly be passed-through to the average consumer. Furthermore, despite an increase in the stringency of the regulation for their competitors, Mexican producers do not gain greater access to the US and instead have been diversifying towards other markets. We then highlight that the Appellate Body missed an opportunity to reinforce the transparency of the system by supporting the first-ever decision to grant partially open panel meetings.
Public Military Music and the Promotion of Patriotism in the British Provinces, c. 1780-c. 1850
Authors: Herbert Trevor
Published: April 2020

The role and importance of military musicians changed and intensified in the late eighteenth century through two important processes. The first was the culture of display that took root in both the home-based army and units in the colonies. The second was the result of successive militia acts which effectively ensured that military units with bands would be systematically placed in every corner of the British Isles.

It became evident that music as a component of military display served an important diplomatic purpose. Music performed in public spaces was heard by a population deeply sceptical of the army and with an essentially local sense of identity. The experience of the sight and sound of military music raised entirely new perceptions of nation and of the state as a benign power.

Two important and related themes emerge here. The first is the historical process that led, almost accidentally, to a realization that music as part of military display had potential to influence populations across the country and in the colonies. The second, more challenging, theme concerns the nature of the evidence for this idea and how it is to be treated. It is an idea that is totally convincing if the experience of hearing and seeing military spectacle by the mass of the people can be shown to have had impact. What is the evidence of listening to music by those people at whom it was targeted, how robust is it and what can be made of it?
Machine Learning Approach for Solar Wind Categorization
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Chi , Tu Cui , Xu Fei
Published: April 2020

Solar wind classification is conducive to understanding the ongoing physical processes at the Sun and in solar wind evolution in interplanetary space, and, furthermore, it is helpful for early warning of space weather events. With rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning approaches are increasingly being used for pattern recognition. In this study, an approach from machine learning perspectives is developed to automatically classify the solar wind at 1 AU into four types: coronal‐hole‐origin plasma, streamer‐belt‐origin plasma, sector‐reversal‐region plasma, and ejecta. By exhaustive enumeration, an eight‐dimensional scheme (BT, NP, TP, VP, Nαp, Texp/TP, Sp, and Mf) is found to perform the best among 8,191 combinations of 13 solar wind parameters. Ten popular supervised machine learning models, namely, k‐nearest neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machines with linear and radial basic function kernels, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Adaptive Boosting, Neural Network, Gaussian Naive Bayes, Quadratic Discriminant Analysis, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting, are applied to the labeled solar wind data sets. Among them, KNN classifier obtains the highest overall classification accuracy, 92.8%. Although the accuracy can be improved by 1.5% when O7+/O6+ information is additionally considered, our scheme without composition measurements is still good enough for solar wind classification. In addition, two application examples indicate that solar wind classification is helpful for the risk evaluation of predicted magnetic storms and surface charging of geosynchronous spacecraft.
Saturn's Auroral Field‐Aligned Currents: Observations From the Northern Hemisphere Dawn Sector During Cassini's Proximal Orbits
Authors: Hunt G. J. , Bunce E. J. , Cao H. , Cowley S. W. H. , Dougherty M. K. , Provan G. , Southwood D. J.
Published: April 2020

We examine the azimuthal magnetic field signatures associated with Saturn's northern hemisphere auroral field‐aligned currents observed in the dawn sector during Cassini's Proximal orbits (April 2017 and September 2017). We compare these currents with observations of the auroral currents from near noon taken during the F‐ring orbits prior to the Proximal orbits. First, we show that the position of the main auroral upward current is displaced poleward between the two local times (LTs). This is consistent with the statistical position of the ultraviolet auroral oval for the same time interval. Second, we show the overall average ionospheric meridional current profile differs significantly on the equatorward boundary of the upward current with a swept‐forward configuration with respect to planetary rotation present at dawn. We separate the planetary period oscillation (PPO) currents from the PPO‐independent currents and show their positional relationship is maintained as the latitude of the current shifts in LT implying an intrinsic link between the two systems. Focusing on the individual upward current sheets pass‐by‐pass, we find that the main upward current at dawn is stronger compared to near noon. This results in the current density being ~1.4 times higher in the dawn sector. We determine a proxy for the precipitating electron power and show that the dawn PPO‐independent upward current electron power is ~1.9 times higher than at noon. These new observations of the dawn auroral region from the Proximal orbits may show evidence of an additional upward current at dawn likely associated with strong flows in the outer magnetosphere.
On Phase Space Density and Its Radial Gradient of Outer Radiation Belt Seed Electrons: MMS/FEEPS Observations
Authors: Liu Z.‐Y. , Zong Q.‐G. , Blake J. B.
Published: April 2020

Electrons of ∼102 keV in the inner magnetosphere are suggested potentially to be the “seeds” of outer radiation belt electrons. Investigations into them could shed light on the origination of the outer radiation belt. Here we conduct statistics on seed electron phase space density (PSD) and its radial gradient, using 2‐year data obtained by Fly's Eye Energetic Particle Spectrometer (FEEPS) onboard Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS). The radial distributions of the PSD are μ and K dependent, and azimuthally asymmetric. In the nightside, as L* increases, PSD at lower μ always increases, while PSD at higher μ first increases and then decreases. In contrast, in the noonside, PSD first increases and then decreases at all covered μ. Crossover μ, defined as μ at which PSD radial gradient is equal to 0, is identified from the statistics. It relatively stays a constant of ∼300 MeV/G inside L*∼6, but decreases as L* increases outside L*∼6. Crossover μ is larger in the nightside than in the noonside and is larger at smaller K. The radial structures of seed electron PSD should be taken into account when considering the dynamics of the outer radiation belt.
Arctic Reactive Bromine Events Occur in Two Distinct Sets of Environmental Conditions: A Statistical Analysis of 6 Years of Observations
Authors: Swanson William F. , Graham Kelly A. , Halfacre John W. , Holmes Christopher D. , Shepson Paul B. , Simpson William R.
Published: April 2020

Tropospheric bromine radicals in the Arctic efficiently remove ambient ozone and oxidize gaseous elemental mercury. Ground‐based bromine monoxide (BrO) observations from the Arctic Ocean and Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) are combined with Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 reanalysis meteorological fields to determine how BrO varies with environmental conditions. The mean seasonal BrO abundance varies from year to year (p < 0.001), while regional variance in mean BrO is not statistically significant (p > 0.11). Principal component analysis derived three important principal components from the environmental data set. The third principal component explains the most variance in BrO and is correlated with low ozone and cold temperatures. This principal component is consistent with high BrO during ozone depletion events at cold temperatures and can work concurrently with each of the other two principal components to generate two distinct environmental types of high BrO events. The first principal component consists of a less‐stable, thick, mixed layer and low atmospheric pressure and is consistent with observations of high BrO in low‐pressure systems (e.g., storms). The second principal component consists of cold and stable conditions and is consistent with high BrO under surface‐based temperature inversions. Our principal component regression model predicted the both the vertical column density of BrO in the lowest 2 km of the troposphere (R = 0.45) and the vertical column density of BrO in the lowest 200 m (R = 0.54). This statistical description of two types of reactive bromine events may help to harmonize space‐based and ground‐based observations.
Field Application and Validation of a Seismic Bedload Transport Model
Authors: Bakker Maarten , Gimbert Florent , Geay Thomas , Misset Clément , Zanker Sébastien , Recking Alain
Published: April 2020

Bedload transport drives morphological changes in gravel‐bed streams and sediment transfer in catchments. The large impact forces associated with bedload motion and its highly dynamic spatiotemporal nature make it difficult to monitor bedload transport in the field. In this study, we revise a physically‐based model of bedload‐induced seismic ground motion proposed by Tsai et al. (2012) and apply it to invert bedload flux from seismic measurements alongside an Alpine stream. First, we constrain the seismic response of a braided river reach with a simple active experiment using a series of large‐rock impacts. This allows the characterization of surface wave propagation and attenuation with distance from the impact source. Second, we distinguish bedload‐generated ground vibrations from those caused by turbulent flow using frequency‐based scaling relationships between seismic power and discharge. Finally, absolute bedload transport rates are quantified from seismic measurements using inverse modeling based on a simplified formulation of bedload particle motion. The results are verified with a large data set of bedload samples (between 0.01 and 1 kg/m/s), demonstrating that seismic measurements can provide an indirect measure for bedload flux with an uncertainty of less than one order of magnitude. Larger deviations may be due to the contribution of turbulent flow effects and remaining uncertainties in particle impact mechanics (elasticity and velocity). When constraining these uncertainties, seismic monitoring may provide an accurate and continuous means to investigate bedload dynamics in gravel‐bed streams.
An Improved Optimization Scheme for Representing Hillslopes and Depressions in Karst Hydrology
Authors: Xu Chaohao , Xu Xianli , Liu Meixian , Li Zhenwei , Zhang Yaohua , Zhu Jingxuan , Wang Kelin , Chen Xi , Zhang Zhicai , Peng Tao
Published: April 2020

Understanding hydrological processes is essential for management of water resources and for promoting catchment sustainability. In karst regions, landscapes are spatially heterogeneous and include discontinuous soil distribution, and complex networks of matrices and conduits in hillslopes and depressions, which result in variation in hydrological processes. However, most previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of the distribution of soil depth and the fast‐slow flow in the matrices and conduits on hydrological processes and ignored the different hydrological processes related to hillslopes and depressions. This study improved the VarKarst model by adding randomly distributed soil and epikarst depths (RSE), fast‐slow flow (FS), and hillslopes and depressions (HD). The improved model was calibrated and validated in six large catchments (1,213–5,454 km2) and one small catchment (1.25 km2). Results showed that the schemes by combining FS and HD (Scenario FS + HD) and combining RSE, FS, and HD (Scenario RSE + FS + HD) improved model performance (calibrated and validated KGE ranged from 0.54 to 0.89 and AIC ranged from −336.49 to 669.77) compared models that included other schemes (original VarKarst, Scenario RSE, Scenario FS, Scenario HD, and Scenario RSE + FS), especially when reproducing discharge of peaks and recessions. These results suggest that there is a need to separate the hillslopes and depressions when modeling karstic hydrological processes.
Geohealth: Science’s First Responders
Authors: Filippelli Gabriel
Published: April 2020

At the intersection of human health and the environment, the emerging field called geohealth can teach us how not to repeat mistakes made in past disasters.
Hydrothermal Chimney Distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge
Authors: Clague David A. , Martin Julie F. , Paduan Jennifer B. , Butterfield David A. , Jamieson John W. , Le Saout Morgane , Caress David W. , Thomas Hans , Holden James F. , Kelley Deborah S.
Published: April 2020

The Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge is well known for its abundance of hydrothermal vents and chimneys. One‐meter scale multibeam mapping data collected by an autonomous undersea vehicle revealed 572 chimneys along the central 14 km of the segment, although only 47 are named and known to be active. Hydrothermal deposits are restricted to the axial graben and the near‐rims of the graben above a seismically mapped axial magma lens. The sparse eruptive activity on the segment during the last 4,300 years has not buried inactive chimneys, as occurs at more magmatically robust mid‐ocean ridges.
TGF-β1 secreted by pancreatic stellate cells promotes stemness and tumourigenicity in pancreatic cancer cells through L1CAM downregulation
Authors: Cave Donatella Delle , Di Guida Martina , Costa Valerio , Sevillano Marta , Ferrante Luigi , Heeschen Christopher , Corona Marco , Cucciardi Antonio , Lonardo Enza
Published: April 2020

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) secrete high levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) that contributes to the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). TGF-β1 modulates the expression of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), but its role in tumour progression still remains controversial. To clarify L1 function in PDAC and cellular phenotypes, we performed L1CAM cell sorting, silencing and overexpression in several primary pancreatic cancer cells. PSCs silenced for TGF-β1 were used for crosstalk experiments. We found that TGF-β1 secreted by PSCs negatively regulates L1CAM expression, through canonical TGF-β-Smad2/3 signalling, leading to a more aggressive PDAC phenotype. Cells with reduced expression of L1CAM harboured enhanced stemness potential and tumourigenicity. Inactivation of TGF-β1 signalling in PSCs strongly reduced the aggressiveness of PDAC cells. Our data provide functional proof and mechanistic insights for the tumour-suppressive function of L1CAM via reducing stemness. Rescuing L1CAM expression in cancer cells through targeting of TGF-β1 reverses stemness and bears the potential to improve the still miserable prognosis of PDAC patients.
Lipoprotein Lpp regulates the mechanical properties of the E. coli cell envelope
Authors: Mathelié-Guinlet Marion , Asmar Abir T. , Collet Jean-François , Dufrêne Yves F.
Published: April 2020

The mechanical properties of the cell envelope in Gram-negative bacteria are controlled by the peptidoglycan, the outer membrane, and the proteins interacting with both layers. In Escherichia coli, the lipoprotein Lpp provides the only covalent crosslink between the outer membrane and the peptidoglycan. Here, we use single-cell atomic force microscopy and genetically engineered strains to study the contribution of Lpp to cell envelope mechanics. We show that Lpp contributes to cell envelope stiffness in two ways: by covalently connecting the outer membrane to the peptidoglycan, and by controlling the width of the periplasmic space. Furthermore, mutations affecting Lpp function substantially increase bacterial susceptibility to the antibiotic vancomycin, indicating that Lpp-dependent effects can affect antibacterial drug efficacy.
Materializing rival ground states in the barlowite family of kagome magnets: quantum spin liquid, spin ordered, and valence bond crystal states
Authors: Smaha Rebecca W. , He Wei , Jiang Jack Mingde , Wen Jiajia , Jiang Yi-Fan , Sheckelton John P. , Titus Charles J. , Wang Suyin Grass , Chen Yu-Sheng , Teat Simon J. , Aczel Adam A. , Zhao Yang , Xu Guangyong , Lynn Jeffrey W. , Jiang Hong-Chen , Lee Young S.
Published: April 2020

The spin-$$\frac{1}{2}$$

1

2

kagome antiferromagnet is considered an ideal host for a quantum spin liquid (QSL) ground state. We find that when the bonds of the kagome lattice are modulated with a periodic pattern, new quantum ground states emerge. Newly synthesized crystalline barlowite (Cu4(OH)6FBr) and Zn-substituted barlowite demonstrate the delicate interplay between singlet states and spin order on the spin-$$\frac{1}{2}$$

1

2

kagome lattice. Comprehensive structural measurements demonstrate that our new variant of barlowite maintains hexagonal symmetry at low temperatures with an arrangement of distorted and undistorted kagome triangles, for which numerical simulations predict a pinwheel valence bond crystal (VBC) state instead of a QSL. The presence of interlayer spins eventually leads to an interesting pinwheel q = 0 magnetic order. Partially Zn-substituted barlowite (Cu3.44Zn0.56(OH)6FBr) has an ideal kagome lattice and shows QSL behavior, indicating a surprising robustness of the QSL against interlayer impurities. The magnetic susceptibility is similar to that of herbertsmithite, even though the Cu2+ impurities are above the percolation threshold for the interlayer lattice and they couple more strongly to the nearest kagome moment. This system is a unique playground displaying QSL, VBC, and spin order, furthering our understanding of these highly competitive quantum states.
A global database of Holocene paleotemperature records
Authors: Kaufman Darrell , McKay Nicholas , Routson Cody , Erb Michael , Davis Basil , Heiri Oliver , Jaccard Samuel , Tierney Jessica , Dätwyler Christoph , Axford Yarrow , Brussel Thomas , Cartapanis Olivier , Chase Brian , Dawson Andria , de Vernal Anne , Engels Stefan , Jonkers Lukas , Marsicek Jeremiah , Moffa-Sánchez Paola , Morrill Carrie , Orsi Anais , Rehfeld Kira , Saunders Krystyna , Sommer Philipp S. , Thomas Elizabeth , Tonello Marcela , Tóth Mónika , Vachula Richard , Andreev Andrei , Bertrand Sebastien , Biskaborn Boris , Bringué Manuel , Brooks Stephen , Caniupán Magaly , Chevalier Manuel , Cwynar Les , Emile-Geay Julien , Fegyveresi John , Feurdean Angelica , Finsinger Walter , Fortin Marie-Claude , Foster Louise , Fox Mathew , Gajewski Konrad , Grosjean Martin , Hausmann Sonja , Heinrichs Markus , Holmes Naomi , Ilyashuk Boris , Ilyashuk Elena , Juggins Steve , Khider Deborah , Koinig Karin , Langdon Peter , Larocque-Tobler Isabelle , Li Jianyong , Lotter André , Luoto Tomi , Mackay Anson , Magyari Eniko , Malevich Steven , Mark Bryan , Massaferro Julieta , Montade Vincent , Nazarova Larisa , Novenko Elena , Pařil Petr , Pearson Emma , Peros Matthew , Pienitz Reinhard , Płóciennik Mateusz , Porinchu David , Potito Aaron , Rees Andrew , Reinemann Scott , Roberts Stephen , Rolland Nicolas , Salonen Sakari , Self Angela , Seppä Heikki , Shala Shyhrete , St-Jacques Jeannine-Marie , Stenni Barbara , Syrykh Liudmila , Tarrats Pol , Taylor Karen , van den Bos Valerie , Velle Gaute , Wahl Eugene , Walker Ian , Wilmshurst Janet , Zhang Enlou , Zhilich Snezhana
Published: April 2020

A comprehensive database of paleoclimate records is needed to place recent warming into the longer-term context of natural climate variability. We present a global compilation of quality-controlled, published, temperature-sensitive proxy records extending back 12,000 years through the Holocene. Data were compiled from 679 sites where time series cover at least 4000 years, are resolved at sub-millennial scale (median spacing of 400 years or finer) and have at least one age control point every 3000 years, with cut-off values slackened in data-sparse regions. The data derive from lake sediment (51%), marine sediment (31%), peat (11%), glacier ice (3%), and other natural archives. The database contains 1319 records, including 157 from the Southern Hemisphere. The multi-proxy database comprises paleotemperature time series based on ecological assemblages, as well as biophysical and geochemical indicators that reflect mean annual or seasonal temperatures, as encoded in the database. This database can be used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of Holocene temperature at global to regional scales, and is publicly available in Linked Paleo Data (LiPD) format.
Epigenomic profiling of neuroblastoma cell lines
Authors: Upton Kristen , Modi Apexa , Patel Khushbu , Kendsersky Nathan M. , Conkrite Karina L. , Sussman Robyn T. , Way Gregory P. , Adams Rebecca N. , Sacks Gregory I. , Fortina Paolo , Diskin Sharon J. , Maris John M. , Rokita Jo Lynne
Published: April 2020

Understanding the aberrant transcriptional landscape of neuroblastoma is necessary to provide insight to the underlying influences of the initiation, progression and persistence of this developmental cancer. Here, we present chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data for the oncogenic transcription factors, MYCN and MYC, as well as regulatory histone marks H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27Ac, and H3K27me3 in ten commonly used human neuroblastoma-derived cell line models. In addition, for all of the profiled cell lines we provide ATAC-Seq as a measure of open chromatin. We validate specificity of global MYCN occupancy in MYCN amplified cell lines and functional redundancy of MYC occupancy in MYCN non-amplified cell lines. Finally, we show with H3K27Ac ChIP-Seq that these cell lines retain expression of key neuroblastoma super-enhancers (SE). We anticipate this dataset, coupled with available transcriptomic profiling on the same cell lines, will enable the discovery of novel gene regulatory mechanisms in neuroblastoma.
Syncytiotrophoblast extracellular microvesicle profiles in maternal circulation for noninvasive diagnosis of preeclampsia
Authors: Levine Lisa , Habertheuer Andreas , Ram Chirag , Korutla Laxminarayana , Schwartz Nadav , Hu Robert W. , Reddy Sanjana , Freas Andrew , Zielinski Patrick D. , Harmon Joey , Molugu Sudheer Kumar , Parry Samuel , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth
Published: April 2020

Preeclampsia is the most common placental pathology in pregnant females, with increased morbidity and mortality incurred on the mother and the fetus. There is a need for improved biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of this condition. Placental syncytiotrophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface release nanoparticles, including extracellular microvesicles, into the maternal blood during pregnancy. Syncytiotrophoblast extracellular microvesicles (STEVs) are being studied for their diagnostic potential and for their potential physiologic role in preeclampsia. We hypothesized that STEV profiles in maternal circulation would be altered under conditions of preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by BeWo cells in vitro showed high expression of syncytin-1, but no plac1 expression, demonstrating that trophoblast cell EVs express syncytin-1 on their surface. Placental alkaline phosphatase also showed high expression on BeWo EVs, but due to concern for cross reactivity to highly prevalent isoforms of intestinal and bone alkaline phosphatase, we utilized syncytin-1 as a marker for STEVs. In vivo, syncytin-1 protein expression was confirmed in maternal plasma EVs from Control and Preeclampsia subjects by Western blot, and overall, lower expression was noted in samples from patients with preeclampsia (n = 8). By nanoparticle analysis, EV profiles from Control and Preeclampsia groups showed similar total plasma EV quantities (p = 0.313) and size distribution (p = 0.415), but STEV quantitative signal, marked by syncytin-1 specific EVs, was significantly decreased in the Preeclampsia group (p = 2.8 × 10−11). Receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that STEV signal threshold cut-off of <0.316 was 95.2% sensitive and 95.6% specific for diagnosis of preeclampsia in this cohort (area under curve = 0.975 ± 0.020). In conclusion, we report that the syncytin-1 expressing EV profiles in maternal plasma might serve as a placental tissue specific biomarker for preeclampsia.
A Scalable Similarity-Popularity Link Prediction Method
Authors: Kerrache Said , Alharbi Ruwayda , Benhidour Hafida
Published: April 2020

Link prediction is the task of computing the likelihood that a link exists between two given nodes in a network. With countless applications in different areas of science and engineering, link prediction has received the attention of many researchers working in various disciplines. Considerable research efforts have been invested into the development of increasingly accurate prediction methods. Most of the proposed algorithms, however, have limited use in practice because of their high computational requirements. The aim of this work is to develop a scalable link prediction algorithm that offers a higher overall predictive power than existing methods. The proposed solution falls into the class of global, parameter-free similarity-popularity-based methods, and in it, we assume that network topology is governed by three factors: popularity of the nodes, their similarity and the attraction induced by local neighbourhood. In our approach, popularity and neighbourhood-caused attraction are computed directly from the network topology and factored out by introducing a specific weight map, which is then used to estimate the dissimilarity between non-adjacent nodes through shortest path distances. We show through extensive experimental testing that the proposed method produces highly accurate predictions at a fraction of the computational cost required by existing global methods and at a low additional cost compared to local methods. The scalability of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated on several large networks having hundreds of thousands of nodes.
Glutamate dehydrogenase: a novel candidate to diagnose Plasmodium falciparum through rapid diagnostic test in blood specimen from fever patients
Authors: Kori Lokesh D. , Valecha Neena , Anvikar Anupkumar R.
Published: April 2020

In recent years, Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 gene deletion has been reported in India. Such isolates are prone to selective transmission and thus form a challenge to case management. As most of the rapid malaria diagnostic tests are based on the detection of HRP2 protein in the blood, we attempted to use Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH) as a biomarker for the diagnosis of P. falciparum. Recombinant PfGDH was successfully cloned, expressed and purified using the Ni-NTA approach. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against full-length rPfGDH and its peptides. Antibodies for rPfGDH showed a strong immune response against the recombinant protein. However, antibody showed no affinity towards the peptides, which suggests they failed as antigen. Antibodies for rPfGDH significantly detected the GDH in human blood specimens. This is the first report where P. falciparum GDH was detected in malaria cases from various parts of India. The raised polyclonal antibodies had shown an affinity for PfGDH in quantitative ELISA and are capable to be exploited for RDTs. This research needs further statistical validation on a large number and different sample types from candidates infected with P. falciparum and other species.
Simultaneous Measurement of Perfusion and T2* in Calf Muscle at 7T with Submaximal Exercise using Radial Acquisition
Authors: Mahmud Sultan Z. , Gladden L. Bruce , Kavazis Andreas N. , Motl Robert W. , Denney Thomas S. , Bashir Adil
Published: April 2020

Impairments in oxygen delivery and consumption can lead to reduced muscle endurance and physical disability. Perfusion, a measure of microvascular blood flow, provides information on nutrient delivery. T2* provides information about relative tissue oxygenation. Changes in these parameters following stress, such as exercise, can yield important information about imbalance between delivery and consumption. In this study, we implemented novel golden angle radial MRI acquisition technique to simultaneously quantify muscle perfusion and T2* at 7T with improved temporal resolution, and demonstrated assessment of spatial and temporal changes in these parameters within calf muscles during recovery from plantar flexion exercise. Nine healthy subjects participated the studies. At rest, perfusion and T2* in gastrocnemius muscle group within calf muscle were 5 ± 2 mL/100 g/min and 21.1 ± 3 ms respectively. Then the subjects performed plantar flexion exercise producing a torque of ~8ft-lb. Immediately after the exercise, perfusion was elevated to 79.3 ± 9 mL/100 g/min and T2* was decreased by 6 ± 3%. The time constants for 50% perfusion and T2* recovery were 54.1 ± 10 s and 68.5 ± 7 s respectively. These results demonstrate successful simultaneous quantification of perfusion and T2* in skeletal muscle using the developed technique.
Protease Inhibition Improves Healing of The Vaginal Wall after Obstetrical Injury: Results from a Preclinical Animal Model
Authors: Hamner Jennifer , Florian-Rodriguez Maria , Acevedo Jesus , Shi Haolin , Word R. Ann
Published: April 2020

Vaginal delivery with obstetrical trauma is a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse later in life. Loss of fibulin-5 (FBLN5), an elastogenesis-promoting cellular matrix protein, results in prolapse in mice. Here, we evaluated effects of pregnancy, parturition, and obstetrical injury on FBLN5 content, elastic fibers, biomechanics, and histomorphology of the vaginal wall in rats. Further, we analyzed the effects of actinonin, a protease inhibitor, on obstetrical injury of the vaginal wall. Vaginal FBLN5 decreased significantly in pregnancy, and injury resulted in further downregulation. Stiffness of the vaginal wall decreased 82% in pregnant rats and 74% (p = 0.019) with injury relative to uninjured vaginal delivery controls at 3d. Actinonin ameliorated loss of FBLN5, rescued injury-induced loss of elastic fibers and biomechanical properties after parturition, and reduced the area of injury 10-fold. We conclude that pregnancy and parturition have a profound impact on vaginal FBLN5 and biomechanics of the vaginal wall. Further, obstetrical injury has significant deleterious impact on recovery of the vaginal wall from pregnancy. Actinonin, a non-specific matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, improved recovery of the parturient vaginal wall after obstetrical injury.
Prognostic role of serum high mobility group box 1 concentration in cardiac surgery
Authors: Kim Namo , Lee Sak , Lee Jeong-Rim , Kwak Young-Lan , Jun Ji-Hae , Shim Jae-Kwang
Published: April 2020

Outcomes of cardiac surgery are influenced by systemic inflammation. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a pivotal inflammatory mediator, plays a potential role as a prognostic biomarker in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this prospective, observational study was to investigate the relationship between serum HMGB1 concentrations and composite of morbidity endpoints in cardiac surgery. Arterial blood samples for HMGB1 measurement were collected from 250 patients after anaesthetic induction (baseline) and 1 h after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (post-CPB). The incidence of composite of morbidity endpoints (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure and prolonged ventilator care) was compared in relation to the tertile distribution of serum HMGB1 concentrations. The incidence of composite of morbidity endpoints was significantly different with respect to the tertile distribution of post-CPB HMGB1 concentrations (p = 0.005) only, and not to the baseline. Multivariable analysis revealed post-CPB HMGB1 concentration (OR, 1.072; p = 0.044), pre-operative creatinine and duration of CPB as independent risk factors of adverse outcome. Accounting for its prominent role in mediating sterile inflammation and its relation to detrimental outcome, HMGB1 measured 1 h after weaning from CPB would serve as a useful biomarker for accurate risk stratification in cardiac surgical patients and may guide tailored anti-inflammatory therapy.
OsNPR3.3-dependent salicylic acid signaling is involved in recessive gene xa5-mediated immunity to rice bacterial blight
Authors: Jiang Guanghuai , Yin Dedong , Shi Yue , Zhou Zhuangzhi , Li Chunrong , Liu Pengcheng , Jia Yanfeng , Wang Yanyan , Liu Zhenzhen , Yu Minxiang , Wu Xianghong , Zhai Wenxue , Zhu Lihuang
Published: April 2020

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key natural component that mediates local and systemic resistance to pathogens in many dicotyledonous species. However, its function is controversial in disease resistance in rice plants. Here, we show that the SA signaling is involved in both pathogen-associated-molecular-patterns triggered immunity (PTI) and effector triggered immunity (ETI) to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo) mediated by the recessive gene xa5, in which OsNPR3.3 plays an important role through interacting with TGAL11. Rice plants containing homozygous xa5 gene respond positively to exogenous SA, and their endogenous SA levels are also especially induced upon infection by the Xoo strain, PXO86. Depletion of endogenous SA can significantly attenuate plant resistance to PXO86, even to 86∆HrpXG (mutant PXO86 with a damaged type III secretion system). These results indicated that SA plays an important role in disease resistance in rice plants, which can be clouded by high levels of endogenous SA and the use of particular rice varieties.
An epigenetic map of malaria parasite development from host to vector
Authors: Witmer Kathrin , Fraschka Sabine A. , Vlachou Dina , Bártfai Richárd , Christophides George K.
Published: April 2020

The malaria parasite replicates asexually in the red blood cells of its vertebrate host employing epigenetic mechanisms to regulate gene expression in response to changes in its environment. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing in conjunction with RNA sequencing to create an epigenomic and transcriptomic map of the developmental transition from asexual blood stages to male and female gametocytes and to ookinetes in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Across the developmental stages examined, heterochromatin protein 1 associates with variantly expressed gene families localised at subtelomeric regions and variant gene expression based on heterochromatic silencing is observed only in some genes. Conversely, the euchromatin mark histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) is abundant in non-heterochromatic regions across all developmental stages. H3K9ac presents a distinct pattern of enrichment around the start codon of ribosomal protein genes in all stages but male gametocytes. Additionally, H3K9ac occupancy positively correlates with transcript abundance in all stages but female gametocytes suggesting that transcription in this stage is independent of H3K9ac levels. This finding together with known mRNA repression in female gametocytes suggests a multilayered mechanism operating in female gametocytes in preparation for fertilization and zygote development, coinciding with parasite transition from host to vector.
Distal spinal nerve development and divergence of avian groups
Authors: Rashid Dana J. , Bradley Roger , Bailleul Alida M. , Surya Kevin , Woodward Holly N. , Wu Ping , Wu Yun-Hsin , Menke Douglas B. , Minchey Sergio G. , Parrott Ben , Bock Samantha L. , Merzdorf Christa , Narotzky Emma , Burke Nathan , Horner John R. , Chapman Susan C.
Published: April 2020

The avian transition from long to short, distally fused tails during the Mesozoic ushered in the Pygostylian group, which includes modern birds. The avian tail embodies a bipartite anatomy, with the proximal separate caudal vertebrae region, and the distal pygostyle, formed by vertebral fusion. This study investigates developmental features of the two tail domains in different bird groups, and analyzes them in reference to evolutionary origins. We first defined the early developmental boundary between the two tail halves in the chicken, then followed major developmental structures from early embryo to post-hatching stages. Differences between regions were observed in sclerotome anterior/posterior polarity and peripheral nervous system development, and these were consistent in other neognathous birds. However, in the paleognathous emu, the neognathous pattern was not observed, such that spinal nerve development extends through the pygostyle region. Disparities between the neognaths and paleognaths studied were also reflected in the morphology of their pygostyles. The ancestral long-tailed spinal nerve configuration was hypothesized from brown anole and alligator, which unexpectedly more resembles the neognathous birds. This study shows that tail anatomy is not universal in avians, and suggests several possible scenarios regarding bird evolution, including an independent paleognathous long-tailed ancestor.
Synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence and catalytic properties of a novel cuprous complex with 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid ligands
Authors: Zheng Xingxing , Chen Yanmei , Ran Jingwen , Li Li
Published: April 2020

A copper (I) polymer, [Cu2Mg(pzdc)2(H2O)5•2H2O]n (pzdc = 2,3-Pyrazinedicarboxylic acid), was synthesized by solvothermal method. The complex was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), and element analysis. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that the complex is a two-dimensional coordination polymer. The photophysical and luminescent properties of the complex were investigated. At room temperature, the complex exhibits reversible double strands cyclic voltammogram and displays efficient blue emission with peak maxima at 468 nm. Catalytic liquid phase oxidation of dyes and glyphosate was carried out using the copper (I) polymer as catalyst and H2O2 as oxidant. Degradation efficiencies were evaluated by varying the reaction conditions (i.e. illumination and oxidant). In the degradation reactions, the polymer exhibits high degradation efficiency within a short reaction time under the optimum reaction conditions. Furthermore, the reusability of the catalyst is excellent, showing no activity loss in four repeated cycles. The possible reaction mechanism catalyzed by the polymer was inferred on the basis of the results of electron spin resonance (ESR), electrochemical and ion chromatography analyses (IC).
Temporal trends and geographical variability of the prevalence and incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnoses among children in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Pérez-Crespo Laura , Canals-Sans Josefa , Suades-González Elisabet , Guxens Mònica
Published: April 2020

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood. According to a recent systematic review, the worldwide estimate of ADHD prevalence is 7.2% in children. This study aims to assess the prevalence of ADHD diagnoses in 2017 and the incidence of ADHD diagnoses in 2009–2017 in children living in Catalonia, Spain, as well as their temporal and geographical variability, and stratifying by sex and age. We used administrative data for all children aged 4 to 17 years who were insured in the public Catalan Health System in 2009–2017. We identified all ADHD cases diagnosed in 2009–2017 (ICD-9 code 314). We estimated the prevalence of ADHD diagnoses in 2017 and the overall annual incidence of ADHD diagnoses in 2009–2017. We used Poisson regression models to assess temporal trends in the incidence. We estimated a prevalence of ADHD diagnoses of 4.06% (95%CI 4.03, 4.10) in 2017, being 5.81% (95%CI 5.75, 5.87) for boys and 2.20% (95%CI 2.16, 2.24) for girls, the highest prevalence being in 13-to-17-year-olds (7.28% (95%CI 7.20, 7.36)). We did not observe a statistically significant increase of the incidence of ADHD diagnoses during the study period. Geographical differences were found across the healthcare areas in both prevalence and annual incidence and constant during the study period. In conclusion, the prevalence of ADHD diagnoses observed in this study was 4.06%, which was lower than the estimates reported in previous systematic reviews, but in line with the prevalence estimates from other recent European studies. The prevalence was higher in boys than girls, with a sex ratio consistent with previous studies. We did not observe an increase in the temporal trend of incidence of ADHD diagnoses in recent years, but we found geographical differences.
Effects of parental exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides on embryonic development and oxidative status: a long-term experiment in a bird model
Authors: Ruuskanen Suvi , Rainio Miia J. , Uusitalo Maiju , Saikkonen Kari , Helander Marjo
Published: April 2020

Controversial glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most frequently used herbicides globally. GBH residues are detected in soil, water, crops, and food products, potentially exposing non-target organisms to health risks; these organisms include wildlife, livestock, and humans. However, the potential for GBH-related parental effects are poorly understood. In the case of birds, GBHs may be transferred directly from mothers to eggs, or they may indirectly influence offspring performance by altered maternal resource allocation to eggs. We experimentally exposed a parental generation of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) to GBHs (200 mg/kg feed) or respective controls. Glyphosate residues were found in eggs (ca 0.76 kg/mg). Embryonic development tended to be poorer in the eggs of GBH-exposed parents (76% of eggs showed normal development) compared to control parents (89% normal eggs). Embryonic brain tissue from GBH-exposed parents tended to express more lipid damage (20% higher), yet other biomarkers showed no apparent differences. We detected no differences in egg quality (egg, yolk, or shell mass, egg hormone concentration) across the treatment groups. Given this is the first long-term study testing parental effects of GBHs with birds, more studies are needed characterizing GBH-associated changes in maternal allocation and for example epigenetic programming.
Identification errors in camera-trap studies result in systematic population overestimation
Authors: Johansson Örjan , Samelius Gustaf , Wikberg Ewa , Chapron Guillaume , Mishra Charudutt , Low Matthew
Published: April 2020

Reliable assessments of animal abundance are key for successful conservation of endangered species. For elusive animals with individually-unique markings, camera-trap surveys are a benchmark standard for estimating local and global population abundance. Central to the reliability of resulting abundance estimates is the assumption that individuals are accurately identified from photographic captures. To quantify the risk of individual misidentification and its impact on population abundance estimates we performed an experiment under controlled conditions in which 16 captive snow leopards (Panthera uncia) were camera-trapped on 40 occasions and eight observers independently identified individuals and recaptures. Observers misclassified 12.5% of all capture occasions, resulting in systematically inflated population abundance estimates on average by one third (mean ± SD = 35 ± 21%). Our results show that identifying individually-unique individuals from camera-trap photos may not be as reliable as previously believed, implying that elusive and endangered species could be less abundant than current estimates indicate.