bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cosmic Galois group and extended Steinmann relations for planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM amplitudes
Authors: Caron-Huot Simon , Dixon Lance J. , Dulat Falko , von Hippel Matt , McLeod Andrew J. , Papathanasiou Georgios
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We describe the minimal space of polylogarithmic functions that is required to express the six-particle amplitude in planar

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super-Yang-Mills theory through six and seven loops, in the NMHV and MHV sectors respectively. This space respects a set of extended Steinmann relations that restrict the iterated discontinuity structure of the amplitude, as well as a cosmic Galois coaction principle that constrains the functions and the transcendental numbers that can appear in the amplitude at special kinematic points. To put the amplitude into this space, we must divide it by the BDS-like ansatz and by an additional zeta-valued constant ρ. For this normalization, we conjecture that the extended Steinmann relations and the coaction principle hold to all orders in the coupling. We describe an iterative algorithm for constructing the space of hexagon functions that respects both constraints. We highlight further simplifications that begin to occur in this space of functions at weight eight, and distill the implications of imposing the coaction principle to all orders. Finally, we explore the restricted spaces of transcendental functions and constants that appear in special kinematic configurations, which include polylogarithms involving square, cube, fourth and sixth roots of unity.
Extensions of the generalized hedgehog ansatz for the Einstein-nonlinear σ-model system: black holes with NUT, black strings and time-dependent solutions
Authors: Giacomini Alex , Ortaggio Marcello
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We consider a class of ansätze for the construction of exact solutions of the Einstein-nonlinear σ-model system with an arbitrary cosmological constant in (3+1) dimensions. Exploiting a geometric interplay between the SU(2) field and Killing vectors of the spacetime reduces the matter field equations to a single scalar equation (identically satisfied in some cases) and simultaneously simplifies Einstein’s equations. This is then exemplified over various classes of spacetimes, which allows us to construct stationary black holes with a NUT parameter and uniform black strings, as well as time-dependent solutions such as Robinson-Trautman and Kundt spacetimes, Vaidya-type radiating black holes and certain Bianchi IX cosmologies. In addition to new solutions, some previously known ones are rederived in a more systematic way.
Stringy effects and the role of the singularity in holographic complexity
Authors: Nally Richard
Published: September 2019

Abstract

There has been considerable recent interest in holographic complexity. The two leading conjectures on this subject hold that the quantum complexity of the boundary thermofield double state should be dual to either the volume of the Einstein-Rosen bridge connecting the two sides (CV conjecture) or to the action of the Wheeler-de-Witt patch of the bulk spacetime (CA conjecture). Although these conjectures are frequently studied in the context of pure Einstein gravity, from the perspective of string theory it is also natural to consider models of gravity in which general relativity is perturbed by higher powers of the Riemann tensor, suppressed by powers of the string length; in a holographic context, these corrections are dual to corrections in inverse powers of the ’t Hooft coupling. In this paper, we investigate the CV and CA conjectures in two stringy models of higher-curvature gravity. We find that the CV complexification rate remains well-behaved, but conversely that these corrections induce new divergences in the CA complexification rate that are absent in pure Einstein gravity. These divergences are intrinsically linked to the singularity, and appear to be generic in higher curvature theories. To the best of our knowledge, infinities originating at the singularity have not yet been observed elsewhere in the literature. We argue that these divergences imply that, in the CA picture, the complexification rate of the boundary theory is a nonanalytic function of the ’t Hooft coupling.
Stability analysis of classical string solutions and the dressing method
Authors: Katsinis Dimitrios , Mitsoulas Ioannis , Pastras Georgios
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The dressing method is a technique to construct new solutions in non-linear sigma models under the provision of a seed solution. This is analogous to the use of autoBäcklund transformations for systems of the sine-Gordon type. In a recent work, this method was applied to the sigma model that describes string propagation on ℝ × S2, using as seeds the elliptic string solutions. Some of the new solutions that emerge reveal instabilities of their elliptic precursors [1]. The focus of the present work is the fruitful use of the dressing method in the study of the stability of closed string solutions. It establishes an equivalence between the dressing method and the conventional linear stability analysis. More importantly, this equivalence holds true in the presence of appropriate periodicity conditions that closed strings must obey. Our investigations point to the direction of the dressing method being a general tool for the study of the stability of classical string configurations in the diverse class of symmetric spacetimes.
Explicit moduli spaces for congruences of elliptic curves
Authors: Fisher Tom
Published: September 2019

We determine explicit birational models over $${{\mathbb {Q}}}$$
Q
for the modular surfaces parametrising pairs of N-congruent elliptic curves in all cases where this surface is an elliptic surface. In each case we also determine the rank of the Mordell–Weil lattice and the geometric Picard number.
18F-Sodium fluoride PET/CT predicts overall survival in patients with advanced genitourinary malignancies treated with cabozantinib and nivolumab with or without ipilimumab
Authors: Lim Ilhan , Lindenberg Maria Liza , Mena Esther , Verdini Nicholas , Shih Joanna H. , Mayfield Christian , Thompson Ryan , Lin Jeffrey , Vega Andy , Mallek Marissa , Cadena Jacqueline , Diaz Carlos , Mortazavi Amir , Knopp Michael , Wright Chadwick , Stein Mark , Pal Sumanta , Choyke Peter L. , Apolo Andrea B.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

We evaluated the prognostic value of 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) PET/CT in patients with urological malignancies treated with cabozantinib and nivolumab with or without ipilimumab.

Methods

We prospectively recruited patients with advanced urological malignancies into a phase I trial of cabozantinib plus nivolumab with or without ipilimumab. NaF PET/CT scans were performed pre- and 8 weeks post-treatment. We measured the total volume of fluoride avid bone (FTV) using a standardized uptake value (SUV) threshold of 10. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients in terms of SUVmax, FTV, total lesion fluoride (TLF) uptake at baseline and 8 weeks post-treatment, and percent change in FTV and TLF.

Result

Of 111 patients who underwent NaF PET/CT, 30 had bone metastases at baseline. Four of the 30 patients survived for the duration of the study period. OS ranged from 0.23 to 34 months (m) (median 6.0 m). The baseline FTV of all 30 patients ranged from 9.6 to 1570 ml (median 439 ml). The FTV 8 weeks post-treatment was 56–6296 ml (median 448 ml) from 19 available patients. Patients with higher TLF at baseline had shorter OS than patients with lower TLF (3.4 vs 14 m; p = 0.022). Patients with higher SUVmax at follow-up had shorter OS than patients with lower SUVmax (5.6 vs 24 m; p = 0.010). However, FTV and TLF 8 weeks post-treatment did not show a significant difference between groups (5.6 vs 17 m; p = 0.49), and the percent changes in FTV (12 vs 14 m; p = 0.49) and TLF (5.6 vs 17 m; p = 0.54) also were not significant.

Conclusion

Higher TLF at baseline and higher SUVmax at follow-up NaF PET/CT corresponded with shorter survival in patients with bone metastases from urological malignancies who underwent treatment. NaF PET/CT may be a useful predictor of OS in this population.
Incorporation of satellite-derived thin-ice data into a global OGCM simulation
Authors: Toyoda Takahiro , Iwamoto Katsushi , Urakawa L. Shogo , Tsujino Hiroyuki , Nakano Hideyuki , Sakamoto Kei , Yamanaka Goro , Komuro Yoshiki , Nishino Shigeto , Ukita Jinro
Published: September 2019

The presence of thin sea ice is indicative of active freezing conditions in the polar ocean. We propose a simple yet effective method to incorporate information of thin-ice category into coupled ocean–sea-ice model simulations. In our approach, the thin-ice distribution restricts thick-ice extent and constrains atmosphere–ocean heat exchange through the sea ice. Our model simulation with the incorporation of satellite-derived thin-ice data for the Arctic Ocean showed much improved representation of sea-ice and upper-ocean fields, including sea-ice thickness in the Canadian Archipelago and the region north of Greenland, mixed-layer depth over the Central Arctic, and surface-layer salinity over the open ocean. Enhanced sea-ice production by the thin-ice data constraint increased the total sea-ice volume of the Arctic Ocean by $$5 \times 10^{3}$$

5
×

10
3

–$$10 \times 10^{3}$$

10
×

10
3

 km3. Subsequent sea-ice melting was also enhanced, leading to the greater amplitude of the seasonal cycle by approximately $$2 \times 10^{3}$$

2
×

10
3

 km3 (15% of the baseline value from the experiment without the thin-ice data incorporation). Overall, our results demonstrate that the incorporation of satellite-derived information on thin sea ice has great potential for the improvement of coupled ocean–sea-ice simulations.
Sensitivity of identifying cut-off lows in the Southern Hemisphere using multiple criteria: implications for numbers, seasonality and intensity
Authors: Pinheiro Henri Rossi , Hodges Kevin Ivan , Gan Manoel Alonso
Published: September 2019

Cut-off Low (COLs) are often associated with heavy precipitation and strong wind events, but there are still uncertainties on how their identification affect the numbers and seasonality. This paper aims to determine the sensitivity of identifying Southern Hemisphere COLs in the ERA-Interim reanalysis to different types of identification criteria. Upper-level cyclones are initially tracked on the 300 hPa level using relative vorticity and geopotential in order to present different perspectives. This reveals significant differences between the numbers and length of the identified tracks for the two fields. To identify the COLs different post-tracking filters are applied which are divided into two steps. Firstly, three filters are considered to separate cut-off lows from open troughs by sampling winds at different offset radial distances from the upper-level cyclonic centres. Secondly, potential vorticity and temperature criteria are imposed to determine how these conditions affect the identified COLs in terms of numbers, seasonality and intensity. It was found that methods based on multiple criteria restrict the COL identification by imposing specific characteristics, while methods based on simpler schemes (e.g. using only winds) can detect larger samples of COLs observed visually in the geopotential maps. Although it is difficult to say which method is more accurate in identifying COLs, because of the subjective aspect of observer’s assessment, a scheme using only winds should be more representative of reality as this simply imposes on the detection system a cyclonic circulation appearance regardless of the physical and dynamical characteristics. Therefore, this type of method could be considered as a standard method for identifying COLs that can be used for either operational or research purposes.
Are atrial high rate episodes (AHREs) a precursor to atrial fibrillation?
Authors: Khan Ahsan A. , Boriani Giuseppe , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: September 2019

Atrial high rate episodes (AHREs), also termed, subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias or subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) are an important cardiovascular condition. Advancement in implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers or internal cardiac defibrillators has enabled the continuous assessment of atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with an atrial lead. Patients with device-detected AHREs are at an elevated risk of stroke and may have unmet anticoagulation needs. While the benefits of oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with clinical AF are well recognised, it is not known whether the same risk–benefit ratio exists for anticoagulation therapy in patients with AHREs. The occurrence and significance of AHRE are increasingly acknowledged but these events are still not often acted upon in patients presenting with stroke and TIA. Additionally, patients with AHRE show a significant risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular hospitalisation, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, which is dependent on AHRE burden. In this review, we present an overview of this relatively new entity, its associated thromboembolic risk and its management implications.

Graphic abstract
Neonates living with enterostomy following necrotising enterocolitis are at high risk of becoming severely underweight
Authors: Chong Clara , van Druten Jacqueline , Briars Graham , Eaton Simon , Clarke Paul , Tsang Thomas , Yardley Iain
Published: September 2019

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is often managed with a temporary enterostomy. Neonates with enterostomy are at risk of growth retardation during critical neurodevelopment. We examined their growth usingz-score. We identified all patients with enterostomy from NEC in two neonatal surgical units (NSU) during January 2012–December 2016. Weight-for-agez-score was calculated at birth, stoma formation and closure, noting severely underweight asz < − 3. We compared those kept in NSU until stoma closure with those discharged to local units or home (LU/H) with a stoma. A total of 74 patients were included. By stoma closure, 66 (89%) had deteriorated inz-score with 31 (42%) being severely underweight. There was no difference inz-score at stoma closure between NSU and LU/H despite babies sent to LU/H having a more distal stoma, higher birth weight and gestational age. Babies in LU/H spent a much shorter period on parenteral nutrition while living with their stoma for longer, many needing readmission.

Conclusion: Growth failure is a common and severe problem in babies living with enterostomy following NEC.z-score allowed growth trajectory to be accounted for in nutrition prescription and timing of stoma closure. Care during this period should be focused on minimising harm.What is Known:•Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening condition affecting predominately premature and very low birth weight neonates. Emergency treatment with temporary enterostomy often leads to growth failure.•There is no consensus on the optimal timing for stoma reversal, hence prolonging impact on growth during crucial developmental periods. Both malnutrition and surgical NEC are independently associated with poor neurodevelopment outcome.What is New:•Our study found growth in 89% of babies deteriorated while living with a stoma, with 42% having a weight-for-age z-score < − 3, meeting the WHO criteria of being severely underweight, despite judicial use of parenteral nutrition. Applying z-score to weight measurements will allow growth trajectory to be accounted for in clinical decisions, including nutrition prescription (both enteral and parenteral), and guide timing of stoma closure.•Surgeons who target stoma closure at a certain weight risk waiting for an indefinite period of time, during which babies’ growth may falter.
Snow is an important control of plant community functional composition in oroarctic tundra
Authors: Happonen Konsta , Aalto Juha , Kemppinen Julia , Niittynen Pekka , Virkkala Anna-Maria , Luoto Miska
Published: September 2019

The functional composition of plant communities is a critical modulator of climate change impacts on ecosystems, but it is not a simple function of regional climate. In the Arctic tundra, where climate change is proceeding the most rapidly, communities have not shifted their trait composition as predicted by spatial temperature–trait relationships. Important causal pathways are thus missing from models of trait composition change. Here, we study causes of plant community functional variation in an oroarctic tundra landscape in Kilpisjärvi, Finland. We consider the community-weighted means of plant vegetative height, as well as two traits related to the leaf economic spectrum. Specifically, we model their responses to locally measured summer air temperature, snow conditions, and soil resource levels. For each of the traits, we also quantify the importance of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) for between-community functional differences and trait–environment matching. Our study shows that in a tundra landscape (1) snow is the most influential abiotic variable affecting functional composition, (2) vegetation height is under weak local environmental control, whereas leaf economics is under strong local environmental control, (3) the relative magnitude of ITV differs between traits, and (4) ITV is not very consequential for community-level trait–environment relationships. Our analyses highlight the importance of winter conditions for community functional composition in seasonal areas. We show that winter climate change can either amplify or counter the effects summer warming, depending on the trait.
Cultivation technology development of Rhodothermus marinus DSM 16675
Authors: Ron Emanuel Y. C. , Sardari Roya R. R. , Anthony Richard , van Niel Ed W. J. , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur O. , Nordberg-Karlsson Eva
Published: September 2019

This work presents an evaluation of batch, fed-batch, and sequential batch cultivation techniques for production of R. marinus DSM 16675 and its exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and carotenoids in a bioreactor, using lysogeny broth (LB) and marine broth (MB), respectively, in both cases supplemented with 10 g/L maltose. Batch cultivation using LB supplemented with maltose (LBmalt) resulted in higher cell density (OD620 = 6.6) than use of MBmalt (OD620 = 1.7). Sequential batch cultivation increased the cell density threefold (OD620 = 20) in LBmalt and eightfold (OD620 = 14) in MBmalt. In both single and sequential batches, the production of carotenoids and EPSs using LBmalt was detected in the exponential phase and stationary phase, respectively, while in MBmalt formation of both products was detectable in both the exponential and stationary phases of the culture. Heteropolymeric EPSs were produced with an overall volumetric productivity (QE) of 0.67 (mg/L h) in MBmalt and the polymer contained xylose. In LB, QE was lower (0.1 mg/L h) and xylose could not be detected in the composition of the produced EPSs. In conclusion, this study showed the importance of a process design and medium source for production of R. marinus DSM 16675 and its metabolites.
Mismatch repair protein loss in breast cancer: clinicopathological associations in a large British Columbia cohort
Authors: Cheng Angela S. , Leung Samuel C. Y. , Gao Dongxia , Burugu Samantha , Anurag Meenakshi , Ellis Matthew J. , Nielsen Torsten O.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Alterations to mismatch repair (MMR) pathways are a known cause of cancer, particularly colorectal and endometrial carcinomas. Recently, checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for use in MMR-deficient cancers of any type (Prasad et al. in JAMA Oncol 4:157–158, 2018). Functional studies in breast cancer have shown associations between MMR loss, resistance to aromatase inhibitors and sensitivity to palbociclib (Haricharan et al. in Cancer Discov 7:1168–1183, 2017). Herein, we investigate the clinical meaning of MMR deficiency in breast cancer by immunohistochemical assessment of MSH2, MSH6, MLH1 and PMS2 on a large series of breast cancers linked to detailed biomarker and long-term outcome data.

Methods

Cases were classified as MMR intact when all four markers expressed nuclear reactivity, but MMR-deficient when at least one of the four biomarkers displayed loss of nuclear staining in the presence of positive internal stromal controls on the tissue microarray core.

Results

Among the 1635 cases with interpretable staining, we identified 31 (1.9%) as MMR-deficient. In our cohort, MMR deficiency was present across all major breast cancer subtypes, and was associated with high-grade, low-progesterone receptor expression and high tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte counts. MMR deficiency is significantly associated with inferior overall (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.02–5.17, p = 0.040) and disease-specific survival (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.00–7.35, p = 0.042) in the 431 estrogen receptor-positive patients who were uniformly treated with tamoxifen as their sole adjuvant systemic therapy.

Conclusion

Overall, this study supports the concept that breast cancer patients with MMR deficiency as assessed by immunohistochemistry may be good candidates for alternative treatment approaches such as immune checkpoint or CDK4 inhibitors.
Influence of urea on methyl $$\upbeta$$-D-glucopyranoside in alkali at different temperatures
Authors: Gunnarsson Maria , Hasani Merima , Bernin Diana
Published: September 2019

The dissolution efficiency plays an important role on the properties of regenerated cellulose-based products. Urea is known to be one of the additives aiding to improve cellulose dissolution in the NaOH(aq) system. The acting mechanism caused by urea has been debated and one of the hypothesis is that urea could induce a conformational change on cellulose, which promotes dissolution. Here we used NMR spectroscopy on a model system for cellulose, namely, methyl $$\upbeta$$β-D-glucopyranoside ($$\upbeta$$β-MeO-Glcp) and compared chemical shifts and J couplings, which both are indicators for conformational changes, as a function of temperature and upon the addition of urea. We found that in NaOH(aq), the hydroxymethyl group changes its conformation in favour of the population of the gt rotamer, while the presence of urea induced temperature dependent conformational changes. Heteronuclear Overhauser effect experiments showed that urea associates with cellulose but in a non-specific manner. This suggests that urea rather than binding to the carbohydrate, changes the chemical environment inducing a change in conformation of $$\upbeta$$β-MeO-Glcp and likely also for cellulose when dissolved in NaOH(aq) with urea.
Health behaviours and beliefs in individuals with familial pancreatic cancer
Authors: Underhill-Blazey Meghan , Blonquist Traci , Lawrence Janette , Hong Fangxin , Yurgelun Matthew B. , Syngal Sapna
Published: September 2019

Individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer are recommended surveillance and healthy lifestyle behaviours and patient experience with recommendations are understudied. To describe engagement and experience with surveillance, tobacco and alcohol use, health beliefs and motivation (Champion Health Belief Measure) and the relationship with personal, psychosocial (Impact of Event Scale), and familial characteristics. Interest in integrative therapies (complementary therapies) are described. A multi-site cross-sectional survey including individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer with no diagnosis of pancreatic cancer who have been evaluated at a comprehensive cancer center. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess univariate associations. Of the 132 respondents (72% response rate), 92 (70%) reported undergoing surveillance which was associated with older age (p = 0.001). Of which, 36% and 51% report that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), respectively, were uncomfortable; 22% and 30% dread the next MRI or EUS, respectively. Of those who reported alcohol consumption (n = 88); 15% consumed 1 or more drinks daily and no alcohol consumption was associated with higher Impact of Event scale scores (p = 0.024). A total of six participants were currently smoking every day or some days. Participants reported high motivation to engage in heathy behaviours and 92% were interested in integrative therapies. In these select participants, most were engaging in pancreatic cancer surveillance, alcohol intake was moderate, and tobacco intake was minimal. Modifiable factors, such as experience and comfort with surveillance could be addressed. The sample is motivated to engage in behavioural health intervention.
Diagnostics and treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma: where do we stand?
Authors: El-Khouly Fatma E. , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Sophie E. M. , Santa-Maria Lopez Vicente , Hendrikse N. Harry , Kaspers Gertjan J. L. , Loizos G. , Sumerauer David , Nysom Karsten , Pruunsild Kaie , Pentikainen Virve , Thorarinsdottir Halldora K. , Rutkauskiene Giedre , Calvagna Victor , Drogosiewicz Monika , Dragomir Monica , Deak Ladislav , Kitanovski Lidija , von Bueren Andre O. , Kebudi Rejin , Slavc Irene , Jacobs Sandra , Jadrijevic-Cvrlje Filip , Entz-Werle Natacha , Grill Jacques , Kattamis Antonis , Hauser Peter , Pears Jane , Biassoni Veronica , Massimino Maura , Lopez Aguilar Enrique , Torsvik Ingrid K. , Joao Gil-da-Costa Maria , Kumirova Ella , Cruz-Martinez Ofelia , Holm Stefan , Bailey Simon , Hayden Tim , Thomale Ulrich W. , Janssens Geert O. R. , Kramm Christof M. , van Vuurden Dannis G.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare clinically, neuro-radiologically, and molecularly defined malignancy of the brainstem with a median overall survival of approximately 11 months. Our aim is to evaluate the current tendency for its treatment in Europe in order to develop (inter)national consensus guidelines.

Methods

Healthcare professionals specialized in DIPG were asked to fill in an online survey with questions regarding usual treatment strategies at diagnosis and at disease progression in their countries and/or their centers, respectively.

Results

Seventy-four healthcare professionals responded to the survey, of which 87.8% were pediatric oncologists. Only 13.5% of the respondents biopsy all of their patients, 41.9% biopsy their patients infrequently. More than half of the respondents (54.1%) treated their patients with radiotherapy only at diagnosis, whereas 44.6% preferred radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. When the disease progresses, treatment strategies became even more diverse, and the tendency for no treatment increased from 1.4% at diagnosis to 77.0% after second progression. 36.5% of the healthcare professionals treat children younger than 3 years differently than older children at diagnosis. This percentage decreased, when the disease progresses. Most of the participants (51.4%) included less than 25% of their patients in clinical trials.

Conclusion

This survey demonstrates a large heterogeneity of treatment regimens, especially at disease progression. We emphasize the need for international consensus guidelines for the treatment of DIPG, possible by more collaborative clinical trials.
Direct comparison of supervised and semi-supervised retraining approaches for co-adaptive BCIs
Authors: Schwarz Andreas , Brandstetter Julia , Pereira Joana , Müller-Putz Gernot R.
Published: September 2019

For Brain-Computer interfaces (BCIs), system calibration is a lengthy but necessary process for successful operation. Co-adaptive BCIs aim to shorten training and imply positive motivation to users by presenting feedback already at early stages: After just 5 min of gathering calibration data, the systems are able to provide feedback and engage users in a mutual learning process. In this work, we investigate whether the retraining stage of co-adaptive BCIs can be adapted to a semi-supervised concept, where only a small amount of labeled data is available and all additional data needs to be labeled by the BCI itself. The aim of the current work was to evaluate whether a semi-supervised co-adaptive BCI could successfully compete with a supervised co-adaptive BCI model. In a supporting two-class (190 trials per condition) BCI study based on motor imagery tasks, we evaluated both approaches in two separate groups of 10 participants online, while we simulated the other approach in each group offline. Our results indicate that despite the lack of true labeled data, the semi-supervised driven BCI did not perform significantly worse (p > 0.05) than the supervised counterpart. We believe that these findings contribute to developing BCIs for long-term use, where continuous adaptation becomes imperative for maintaining meaningful BCI performance.
On Protomerulius and Heterochaetella (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)
Authors: Spirin Viacheslav , Malysheva Vera , Miettinen Otto , Vlasák Josef , Alvarenga Renato Lúcio Mendes , Gibertoni Tatiana Baptista , Ryvarden Leif , Larsson Karl-Henrik
Published: September 2019

The taxonomy of Protomerulius and Heterochaetella is revised based on DNA data and morphological evidence, and their type species, P. brasiliensis and H. dubia, are proved to be congeneric. As a consequence, H. dubia and related species, of which four are described as new, are placed in Protomerulius. Heterochaete microspora is also combined in Protomerulius, and the genus concept is redefined to encompass effused species with smooth or spiny hymenophore and monomitic hyphal structure. Psilochaete multifora, gen. and spec. nov. is a distant relative of Protomerulius spp. found in Norway. Heterochaetella cystidiophora is re-collected in Brazil and placed in the synonyms of Heterochaete sanctae-catharinae. This species does not belong to the Protomerulius–Heterochaetella lineage, and it is transferred to Metulochaete, gen. nov.
New plectosphaerellaceous species from Dutch garden soil
Authors: Giraldo Alejandra , Hernández-Restrepo Margarita , Crous Pedro W.
Published: September 2019

During 2017, the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (WI) and the Utrecht University Museum launched a Citizen Science project. Dutch school children collected soil samples from gardens at different localities in the Netherlands, and submitted them to the WI where they were analysed in order to find new fungal species. Around 3000 fungal isolates, including filamentous fungi and yeasts, were cultured, preserved and submitted for DNA sequencing. Through analysis of the ITS and LSU sequences from the obtained isolates, several plectosphaerellaceous fungi were identified for further study. Based on morphological characters and the combined analysis of the ITS and TEF1-α sequences, some isolates were found to represent new species in the genera Phialoparvum, i.e. Ph. maaspleinense and Ph. rietveltiae, and Plectosphaerella, i.e. Pl. hanneae and Pl. verschoorii, which are described and illustrated here.
Non-Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
Authors: Stilo Simona A. , Murray Robin M.
Published: September 2019

Purpose of Review

We review recent developments on risk factors in schizophrenia.

Recent Findings

The way we think about schizophrenia today is profoundly different from the way this illness was seen in the twentieth century. We now know that the etiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial and reflects an interaction between genetic vulnerability and environmental contributors. Environmental risk factors such as pregnancy and birth complications, childhood trauma, migration, social isolation, urbanicity, and substance abuse, alone and in combination, acting at a number of levels over time, influence the individual’s likelihood to develop the disorder.

Environmental risk factors together with the identification of a polygenic risk score for schizophrenia, research on gene–environment interaction and environment–environment interaction have hugely increased our knowledge of the disorder.
The Cerebellar Cognitive Affective/Schmahmann Syndrome: a Task Force Paper
Authors: Argyropoulos Georgios P. D. , van Dun Kim , Adamaszek Michael , Leggio Maria , Manto Mario , Masciullo Marcella , Molinari Marco , Stoodley Catherine J. , Van Overwalle Frank , Ivry Richard B. , Schmahmann Jeremy D.
Published: September 2019

Sporadically advocated over the last two centuries, a cerebellar role in cognition and affect has been rigorously established in the past few decades. In the clinical domain, such progress is epitomized by the “cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome” (“CCAS”) or “Schmahmann syndrome.” Introduced in the late 1990s, CCAS reflects a constellation of cerebellar-induced sequelae, comprising deficits in executive function, visuospatial cognition, emotion–affect, and language, over and above speech. The CCAS thus offers excellent grounds to investigate the functional topography of the cerebellum, and, ultimately, illustrate the precise mechanisms by which the cerebellum modulates cognition and affect. The primary objective of this task force paper is thus to stimulate further research in this area. After providing an up-to-date overview of the fundamental findings on cerebellar neurocognition, the paper substantiates the concept of CCAS with recent evidence from different scientific angles, promotes awareness of the CCAS as a clinical entity, and examines our current insight into the therapeutic options available. The paper finally identifies topics of divergence and outstanding questions for further research.
Acceptance of Self-Sampling Among Long-Term Cervical Screening Non-Attenders with HPV-Positive Results: Promising Opportunity for Specific Cancer Education
Authors: Andersson Sonia , Belkić Karen , Mints Miriam , Östensson Ellinor
Published: September 2019

This study aims to investigate acceptance of vaginal self-sampling for high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) among long-term screening non-attenders at increased cervical cancer risk and to identify leverage points to promote screening adherence among these women. Forty-three long-term screening non-attenders performed home vaginal self-sampling for HPV, had positive HPV results, and subsequently attended gynecologic examination. Sixteen (37.2%) had high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 or 3), and two had invasive cervical cancer. Forty-one of these women completed a questionnaire concerning Specific Knowledge about HPV, CIN, and cervical cancer, potential barriers to screening and views about self-sampling. Results were compared with 479 women treated for CIN2+ who attended gynecologic follow-up and also performed self-sampling. Significant multivariate predictors of long-term non-attender status compared with referents were low Specific Knowledge, high confidence in self-sampling, and potential barriers—refraining from activity to attend gynecologic examination, needing another's help to attend, and long travel time. Non-attenders citing fear/refraining from gynecologic examination as why they preferred self-sampling significantly more often had lowest Specific Knowledge compared with other non-attenders. All non-attenders could envision themselves doing self-sampling again while only 74% of referents endorsed this statement (p = 0.0003). We conclude that HPV self-sampling is an acceptable option for women at increased cervical cancer risk who have been long-term screening non-attenders. Educational outreach to enhance Specific Knowledge about HPV, CIN and cervical cancer is critical. Those non-attenders who explicitly avoid gynecologic examinations need special attention. Trial Registry:Clinicaltrials.govNCT02750124
Almost $$*$$-Ricci soliton on paraKenmotsu manifolds
Authors: Venkatesha V. , Kumara H. Aruna , Naik Devaraja Mallesha
Published: September 2019

We consider almost $$*$$

∗

-Ricci solitons in the context of paracontact geometry, precisely, on a paraKenmotsu manifold. First, we prove that if the metric g of $$\eta $$
η
-Einstein paraKenmotsu manifold is $$*$$

∗

Ricci soliton, then M is Einstein. Next, we show that if $$\eta $$
η
-Einstein paraKenmotsu manifold admits a gradient almost $$*$$

∗

-Ricci soliton, then either M is Einstein or the potential vector field collinear with Reeb vector field $$\xi $$
ξ
. Finally, for three-dimensional case we show that paraKenmotsu manifold is of constant curvature $$-1$$

-
1

. An illustrative example is given to support the obtained results.
On trade in bilateral oligopolies with altruistic and spiteful agents
Authors: Lombardi M. , Tonin S.
Published: September 2019

This paper studies the effects of altruism and spitefulness in a two-sided market in which agents behave strategically and trade according to the Shapley–Shubik mechanism. By assuming that altruistic agents have concerns for others on the opposite side of the market, it shows that agents always find advantageous to trade. However, they prefer to stay out of the market and consume their endowments when there are altruistic agents who have concerns for the welfare of those on the same side of the market, or when there are spiteful agents. These non-trade situations occur either because the necessary first-order conditions for optimality are violated or because agents’ payoff functions are not concave.
Economic evaluation of passive monitoring technology for seniors
Authors: Schneider John E. , Cooper Jacie , Scheibling Cara , Parikh Anjani
Published: September 2019

Background

Advances such as passive monitoring technology (PMT), which provides holistic supervision of chronically ill and elderly patients, enable and support improved monitoring and observation, thus empowering the growing population of older adults to live more independently while lowering health care expenses.

Aims

This study develops a conceptual model to estimate the potential savings associated with PMT.

Methods

We first develop a conceptual model to identify the main cost variables associated with independent living, focusing on three pathways: (1) PMT, (2) independent living supported by the current standard of care, and (3) facility-based care. We examined the impact on three outcomes [i.e., health care costs, institutional costs, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL)] along each of the three care pathways (i.e., PMT, independent living supported by the standard of care, and facility-based care) and developed a cost-benefit model to calculate the net costs and benefits associated with each care pathway.

Results

The cost–benefit model showed savings between approximately $425 per-member per-month (PMPM) for those using PMT compared to those on the standard of care pathway. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that a 5% increase in nursing home utilization generates cost savings of more than 30% PMPM.

Discussion

The total projected cost savings for individuals on the PMT arm are projected to be more than $425 PMPM, with annual savings of $5069 per-person per-year, and over $5.1 million for a target population of 1000 individuals.

Conclusions

The cost calculations in our cost–benefit simulation model clearly demonstrate the value of PMT and show the potential value to payers and integrated delivery systems in offering PMT to individuals who are likely to benefit the most from the services.
Mechanisms and characteristics of mesocarbon microbeads prepared by co-carbonization of coal tar pitch and direct coal liquefaction residue
Authors: Yan Bingfeng , Wang Guangyao
Published: September 2019

DCLR-P was prepared by direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR) with ash removal. In the present experiments, mesocarbon microbeads (MCMBs) were prepared by co-carbonization of coal tar pitch (CTP) and DCLR-P. With the increase of DCLR-P content, the yield of MCMBs increased from 47.8% to 56.8%. At the same time, the particle sizes distribution of MCMBs was narrowed, resulting in the decrease of D90/D10 ratio from 154.88 to 6.53. The results showed that DCLR-P had a positive effect on the preparation of MCMBs. 1H-NMR, FTIR, SEM and XRD were used to analyze the mechanisms and characteristics of MCMBs prepared by co-carbonization of CTP and DCLR-P. The results showed that the Proton Donor Quality Index (PDQI) of DCLR-P was 13.32, significantly higher than that of CTP (0.83). This indicated that DCLR-P had more naphthenic structure than CTP, which leads to hydrogen transferring in polycondensation reaction. The aliphatic structure of DCLR-P can improve the solubility and fusibility of mesophase, thereby making the structure of MCMBs more structured. The microstructure of the graphitized MCMBs had a substantially parallel carbon layer useful for its electrical performance. The performance of graphitized MCMBs as a negative electrode material for Li-ion batteries was tested. The particle sizes, tap density, specific surface area and initial charge–discharge efficiency of graphitized MCMBs met the requirements of CMB-I in GB/T-24533-2009. However, the initial discharge capacity of graphitized MCMB was only 296.3 mA h g−1 due to the low degree of graphitization of MCMBs.
Revealing the Subsurface Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass from Satellite Data Associated with Typhoon Muifa
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Kuiping , Du Jianting , Liu Yanliang , Liu Lin , Wang Huiwu , Yu Weidong
Published: September 2019

A significant sea surface temperature (SST) drop was clearly identified to be confined exactly over the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) from satellite‐derived SSTs during Typhoon Muifa's passage over the Yellow Sea (YS) in early August 2011. With a simple one‐dimensional mixed‐layer model (Price‐Weller‐Pinkel [PWP]), the mixed‐layer heat budget diagnosis concluded that the entrainment term, rather than the surface heat flux term that usually dominates over the open ocean, was the dominant process for the significant SST cooling over the YSCWM. The PWP‐based experiments were conducted to set up one lookup table including the SST drop, wind speed, and subsurface temperature gradient, from which the YSCWM's intensity (represented by the subsurface temperature gradient) can be easily found with the satellite wind and SST measurements during the typhoon passage over the YS. This YSCWM‐anchored significant SST drop provides a promising possibility to detect the YSCWM intensity and extent, which have generally been poorly sampled to date.
Soil Moisture and Other Hydrological Changes in a Stratospheric Aerosol Geoengineering Large Ensemble
Authors: Cheng Wei , MacMartin Douglas G. , Dagon Katherine , Kravitz Ben , Tilmes Simone , Richter Jadwiga H. , Mills Michael J. , Simpson Isla R.
Published: September 2019

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol geoengineering has been proposed as a potential strategy to reduce the impacts of climate change. Here we investigate the impact of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering on the terrestrial hydrological cycle. We use the Geoengineering Large Ensemble, which involves a 20‐member ensemble of simulations using the Community Earth System Model with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, in which sulfur dioxide (SO2) was injected into the stratosphere at four different locations, to maintain global mean surface temperature, and also the interhemispheric and equator‐to‐pole temperature gradients at values representative of 2020 (“baseline”) under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. In our simulations, annual mean land precipitation and evapotranspiration (ET) increase by 12% each under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. Under the Geoengineering Large Ensemble, the hydrological cycle is suppressed compared to the baseline, with end‐of‐century decreases of 1.4% (12 ± 5 mm/year) and 3.3% (18 ± 2 mm/year) in global mean, annual mean precipitation, and ET over land, respectively. Geoengineering effectively maintains global mean soil moisture under a high CO2 scenario, although there is significant regional variability. Summertime soil moisture is reduced by 42 ± 11 kg/m2 (3.5%) and 27 ± 16 kg/m2 (2.1%) in India and the Amazon, respectively, which is dominated by the decrease in precipitation. We also compare these regional changes in soil moisture under the Geoengineering Large Ensemble with an equatorial‐only SO2 injection case and find a similar sign in residual changes, although the magnitude of the changes is larger in the equatorial run.
Circular Spectral Domain Analysis and Design of a New Millimeter Wave Microstrip Multibeam Antenna
Authors: Kazemi Hamidreza , Borji Amir
Published: September 2019

An efficient spectral domain method of moments formulation is derived and presented for a grounded dielectric slab with a number of concentric annular rings placed on the top layer. The structure is excited with microstrip ports placed around the perimeter of the outer ring. The presented method is a novel spectral domain technique in cylindrical coordinates, which employs suitable basis functions for excellent convergence. The convergence and accuracy of the proposed formulation are validated by comparing the rings' surface currents with commercial electromagnetic simulation software.
Finding Faces in Hailstorms
Authors: Morton Mary
Published: September 2019

Machine learning technology helps scientists recognize severe weather patterns.
AGU Position Statements Now Open for Member Comment
Authors:   AGU
Published: September 2019

Every 4 years, AGU’s members have a chance to weigh in on position statements critical to maintaining the role of science in our society. Make sure your voice is heard.
Massive Collision Cracked Young Jupiter’s Core
Authors: Morton Mary
Published: September 2019

The gas giant’s interior reveals evidence of an ancient impact.
Solid Solution and Compression Behavior of Hydroxides in the Lower Mantle
Authors: Nishi M. , Tsuchiya J. , Kuwayama Y. , Arimoto T. , Tange Y. , Higo Y. , Hatakeyama T. , Irifune T.
Published: September 2019

The high‐pressure solid solution and compression behavior of hydroxides in the ternary MgSiO4H2‐AlOOH‐FeOOH system were studied at pressures of 16–60 GPa and temperatures of 300–1513 K. We applied in situ X‐ray measurements in conjunction with a multianvil apparatus using sintered diamond anvils to achieve homogeneous temperature distributions within large sample volumes. Our results show that CaCl2‐type hydroxides form solid solutions over a wide composition range. We also observed the volume reductions in the solid solutions accompanied by a spin transition of iron at ~50 GPa, and the wide compositional ranges are maintained through this process. Consequently, water may be transported into the deep lower mantle by the hydrous CaCl2‐type solid solution with changing its composition depending on the chemical and thermal environments.
Stratified Circulation in the Banda Sea and Its Causal Mechanism
Authors: Zhu Yaohua , Wang Liwei , Wang Yonggang , Xu Tengfei , Li Shujiang , Cao Guojiao , Wei Zexun , Qu Tangdong
Published: September 2019

This study examines the vertical structure of the Banda Sea circulation, using the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model+Navy Coupled Ocean Data Assimilation Global Analysis (GLBa0.08) products. The vorticity distribution shows a four‐layer structure in the Banda Sea circulation, stronger in the upper 700 m than in the deeper layers. Circulation during the northwesterly monsoon is cyclonic in the surface layer and anticyclonic in the upper layer, opposite to its counterpart during the southeasterly monsoon. Circulation weakens dramatically in the intermediate layer and is persistently cyclonic in the deep layer. A four‐and‐a‐half‐layer quasi‐geostrophic model is proposed to identify the processes responsible for the stratified circulation structure. The result indicates that the circulation in the central and eastern Banda Sea is mainly forced by monsoonal winds, while in the western and southern boundaries of the Banda Sea the circulation is dominated by the effect of Coriolis force. The effect of Coriolis force lies in the fact that the Indonesian Throughflow enters the Banda Sea from lower latitudes and exits it at higher latitudes, resulting in a residual potential vorticity flux that drives the circulation in the Banda Sea. As upwelling connects the circulation in different layers, vertical vorticity flux also plays a role in driving the circulation in the thermocline, where Ekman pumping is prominent, and in the deep layer as well, where the Lifamatola Passage overflow‐induced upwelling dominates.