bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The short‐ and long‐term efficacy analysis of stereotactic surgery combined external ventricular drainage in the treatment of the secondary intraventricular hemorrhage
Authors: Han Wei Yi , Tao Ying Qun , Xu Feng , Zhang You Qian , Li Zhi Yong , Liang Guo Biao
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate the clinical value of minimally invasive stereotactic puncture therapy (MISPT) combined with external ventricular drainage (EVD) on secondary intraventricular hemorrhage (SIVH).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the patients of intraventricular hemorrhage from May 2013 to January 2015 was conducted in our hospital, according to the enrollment criterion; of which 40 patients were treated by MISPT combined with EVD (ME group) and 45 patients by conventional craniotomy combined with EVD (CE group). Related indicators were compared in the two groups of patients with short‐ and long‐term efficacy.

Results

The patients in the ME group showed obvious amelioration in the GCS score compared with that of the CE group. There were no statistically significant differences in Graeb score and hematoma volume. Compared with the CE group, the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly decreased in the ME group. The mortalities of the ME and CE groups were 13.3% and 22.6%, respectively. The incidences of rebleeding in the ME and CE groups were 10.0% and 15.6%, respectively. For the four parameters representing long‐term efficacy of 6 months postoperation, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Karnofsky Scale (KPS) scores in the ME group were ameliorated more significantly than those of the CE group.

Conclusions

Our data showed that the main advantages of ME in the treatment for SIVH were in minimal trauma, low incidence of complications, and the possibility to improve the long‐term prognosis significantly.
Organizational Culture and Environmental Activity Management
Authors: Baird Kevin , Su Sophia , Tung Amy
Published: November 2017

This study uses the mail survey approach to examine the association between four of the Organizational Culture Profile dimensions of O'Reilly et al. (1991) (teamwork, innovation, outcome orientation and attention to detail) and the adoption of environmental activity management (EAM). The findings indicate that three dimensions of organizational culture (teamwork, innovation and attention to detail) exhibit an association with specific dimensions of EAM. Specifically, teamwork is positively associated with the extent of use of environmental activity analysis, innovation is positively associated with the extent of use of both environmental activity cost analysis and environmental activity‐based costing (EABC) and attention to detail is positively associated with extent of use of EABC. The findings contribute to the contingency literature examining the factors influencing the adoption of environmental cost initiatives by providing managers with an insight into the organizational culture that is conducive to the implementation of EAM. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Hitherto unseen survival in an ALK‐positive‐patient with advanced stage adult ganglioneuroblastoma treated with personalized medicine
Authors: Risum Signe , Knigge Ulrich , Langer Seppo W.
Published: November 2017

Key Clinical Message

Survival of stage 4 ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) patients is poor; no reports exist of patients surviving up to 5 years (1, 2). We report the clinical and therapeutic course of a patient with stage 4 GNB surviving beyond expectations due to a multimodal treatment approach incorporating new technologies in cancer diagnostic and treatment.
3D Heterogeneous Co3O4@Co3S4 Nanoarrays Grown on Ni Foam as a Binder‐Free Electrode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Xia , Liu Changkun , Li Qiang , Li Hongsen , Xu Jie , Chu Xianming , Zhang Lijuan , Zhao Guoxia , Li Hongliang , Guo Peizhi , Li Shandong , Zhao Xiu Song
Published: November 2017

Co3O4@Co3S4 nanoarrays on Ni foam (abbreviated as Co3O4@Co3S4 NAs) were prepared by using a facile synthesis method, which involves hydrothermal preparation, low‐temperature thermal decomposition of Co(OH)y(CO3)0.5(2‐y) ⋅ 11H2O, and sulfurization. The material exhibited good electrical conductivity, high specific capacity, and cycling stability with a reversible capacity of 1050 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 40 cycles and an initial coulombic efficiency of 82.25 %. At a high current density (1500 mA g−1), the capacity reached up to 808.1 mAh g−1. The excellent lithium‐storage performance of Co3O4@Co3S4 NAs can be ascribed to the synergistic effect between Co3O4 and Co3S4, along with the contribution of the Ni foam. The method described in this paper can be extended to enhance the electrochemical performance of other metal oxides.
An Incomplete Spin Transition Associated with a Z′=1→Z′=24 Crystallographic Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Capel Berdiell Izar , Kulmaczewski Rafal , Cespedes Oscar , Halcrow Malcolm A.
Published: November 2017

Crystalline [FeL2][BF4]2⋅Me2CO (L=N‐[2,6‐di{pyrazol‐1‐yl}pyrid‐4‐yl]acetamide) is high‐spin at room temperature, and undergoes an abrupt, hysteretic spin‐crossover at T
=137 K (ΔT
=14 K) that proceeds to about 50 % completeness. This is associated with a crystallographic phase transition, from phase 1 (P21/c, Z=4) to phase 2 (P21, Z=48). The cations associate into chains in the crystal through weak intermolecular π⋅⋅⋅π interactions. Phase 2 contains a mixture of high‐spin and low‐spin molecules, which are grouped into triads along these chains. The perchlorate salt [FeL2][ClO4]2⋅Me2CO also adopts phase 1 at room temperature but undergoes a different phase transition near 135 K to phase 3 (P21/c, Z=8) without a change in spin state.
Mass Transport in a Liquid‐Liquid Plug Flow in a Micro‐Capillary Reactor
Authors: Heckmann Christian , Kurt Safa Kutup , Ehrhard Peter , Kockmann Norbert
Published: November 2017

Mithilfe der Mikroverfahrenstechnik kann die verfahrensspezifische Prozessleistung gegenüber konventionellen Apparaten gesteigert werden. Ein Modell zur Simulation des Stofftransports in einer Flüssig/Flüssig‐Pfropfenströmung in einem Mikrokapillarreaktor wird vorgestellt. Ausgehend von der Interface‐Tracking‐Methode erfolgt die Modellierung auf separaten formangepassten gekoppelten Rechengebieten auf Grundlage einer importierten Grenzflächentopologie. Experimentelle Untersuchungen erfolgen mit einem Standardextraktionssystem. Während der Pfropfenerzeugung findet etwa ein Drittel der Extraktion statt.
Competitive reactive adsorption desulphurization of dibenzothiophene and hydrogenation of naphthalene over Ni/ZnO
Authors: Huang Lichun , Ge Hui , Yan Lai , Wang Guofu , Qin Zhangfeng , Wang Jianguo
Published: November 2017

Ni‐based catalysts are good alternatives to noble metal ones for hydrogenation. However, few effective sulphur‐resistant supported Ni catalysts are available commercially so far. This paper presents a Ni/ZnO catalyst prepared by coprecipitation. The optimal calcination temperature is found to be 350 °C. A set of experiments were conducted with addition of naphthalene and dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a model diesel. The reactive adsorption desulphurization activity increases with increasing reaction pressure. The Ni/ZnO catalyst exhibits high activity for naphthalene hydrogenation. The presence of naphthalene caused inhibition of the hydrogenation route and the conversion of DBT decreased slightly. DBT inhibited the hydrogenation of naphthalene and the conversion of naphthalene is 98 % and remained unchanged before 20 h time on stream at 0.4 MPa.
Trends and variations in postmastectomy radiation therapy for breast cancer in patients with 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes: A National Cancer Data Base analysis
Authors: Ohri Nisha , Sittig Mark P. , Tsai Chiaojung Jillian , Hwang Eun‐Sil Shelley , Mittendorf Elizabeth Ann , Shi Weiji , Zhang Zhigang , Ho Alice Y.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

High‐level evidence is lacking to guide treatment decisions about postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in patients who have breast cancer with 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes who receive contemporary systemic therapies, leading to potential variations in PMRT delivery. The objective of this study was to examine nationwide trends in PMRT use in this group.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was used to identify 93,372 women who had T1‐T2N1 breast cancer diagnosed between 2003 and 2012. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy (RT) and those who had bilateral breast cancers were excluded. Time trends were evaluated using the Cochrane‐Armitage test and correlated the receipt of PMRT with various patient demographic, facility, clinicopathologic, and treatment variables using multivariable logistic regression. A second analysis was performed for patients who were diagnosed during 2010 and included radiation oncologist density as an additional covariate. P values < .0001 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Overall, 22.5% of the study population received PMRT, representing an increase from 19.1% in 2003 to 30.3% in 2012. Factors associated with greater PMRT use included younger age, lower Charlson‐Deyo comorbidity scores, shorter distance to the treating facility, treatment at a comprehensive cancer program, facility location in the New England Census division, and higher density of radiation oncologists. Increased PMRT use was associated with later year of diagnosis, receipt of chemotherapy, receipt of hormone therapy, higher grade disease, larger tumor size, greater numbers of positive lymph nodes, positive margins, and absence of immediate breast reconstruction (all P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The receipt of PMRT by patients with breast cancer who have 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes has increased over time, with wide variability in practice patterns in the United States. Cancer 2018;124:482‐90. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Prevalence of anthracycline‐related cardiac dysfunction in long‐term survivors of adult‐onset lymphoma
Authors: Armenian Saro H. , Mertens Luc , Slorach Cameron , Venkataraman Kalyanasundaram , Mascarenhas Kristen , Nathwani Nitya , Wong F. Lennie , Forman Stephen J. , Bhatia Smita
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Anthracycline‐related heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity in survivors of adult‐onset lymphoma. There is a paucity of information on screening for late‐occurring preclinical disease, which, in turn, has limited guidelines for early detection and intervention. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and risk of cardiac dysfunction, as measured by echocardiography (abnormal left ventricular systolic/diastolic function or strain), in lymphoma survivors who received treatment with anthracyclines and to evaluate the diagnostic yield of blood biomarkers in the asymptomatic setting.

METHODS

Lymphoma survivors who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) (n = 78) or received conventional therapy (non‐HCT; n = 77) were compared with each other and with a group of matched controls (n = 51); the study was limited to lymphoma survivors who were >5 years from diagnosis.

RESULTS

At a median follow‐up of 9.4 years after diagnosis, 1 in 5 (20.6 %) lymphoma survivors had cardiac dysfunction; the odds of having cardiac dysfunction were 6.6‐fold greater (odds ratio [OR], 6.6; P = .01) among lymphoma survivors compared with matched controls. There was a dose‐dependent risk of cardiac dysfunction according to the cumulative anthracycline dose (controls [referent group], 1‐249 mg/m2 [OR, 4.7; P = .05], and ≥250 mg/m2 [OR, 7.6; P < .01]), but there was no difference in the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction between conventionally treated and HCT survivors. The diagnostic accuracy of cardiac blood biomarkers in the asymptomatic setting was quite poor.

CONCLUSIONS

In these long‐term survivors, there was a high rate of cardiac dysfunction that was independent of HCT status. The growing number of lymphoma survivors makes it imperative to identify reliable and cost‐effective strategies to decrease the burden of heart failure in this population. Cancer 2018;124:850‐7. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Approach for gait analysis in persons with limb loss including residuum and prosthesis socket dynamics
Authors: LaPrè A.K. , Price M.A. , Wedge R.D. , Umberger B.R. , Sup Frank C.
Published: November 2017

Musculoskeletal modeling and marker‐based motion capture techniques are commonly used to quantify the motions of body segments, and the forces acting on them during human gait. However, when these techniques are applied to analyze the gait of people with lower limb loss, the clinically relevant interaction between the residual limb and prosthesis socket is typically overlooked. It is known that there is considerable motion and loading at the residuum‐socket interface, yet traditional gait analysis techniques do not account for these factors due to the inability to place tracking markers on the residual limb inside of the socket. In the present work, we used a global optimization technique and anatomical constraints to estimate the motion and loading at the residuum‐socket interface as part of standard gait analysis procedures. We systematically evaluated a range of parameters related to the residuum‐socket interface, such as the number of degrees of freedom, and determined the configuration that yields the best compromise between faithfully tracking experimental marker positions while yielding anatomically realistic residuum‐socket kinematics and loads that agree with data from the literature. Application of the present model to gait analysis for people with lower limb loss will deepen our understanding of the biomechanics of walking with a prosthesis, which should facilitate the development of enhanced rehabilitation protocols and improved assistive devices.
In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation of Potential for Complex CYP3A Interaction for PF‐00251802 (Dagrocorat), a Novel Dissociated Agonist of the Glucocorticoid Receptor
Authors: Ripp Sharon L. , Mukherjee Arnab , Eng Heather , Stock Thomas , Fleishaker Dona , Checchio Tina , Tammara Brinda
Published: November 2017

The dissociated agonists of the glucocorticoid receptor are a novel class of agents in clinical development for rheumatoid arthritis. PF‐04171327 (fosdagrocorat) is a phosphate ester prodrug of PF‐00251802 (dagrocorat), a selective high‐affinity partial agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor, which is further metabolized to PF‐04015475. This study evaluated the cytochrome P450 (CYP)–mediated drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential of PF‐00251802 and PF‐04015475 in vitro and used model‐based prediction approaches to estimate clinical impact. PF‐00251802 is a reversible inhibitor of several CYPs, but modeling has suggested no clinically relevant interaction. PF‐00251802 and PF‐04015475 are time‐dependent inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A in vitro; PF‐00251802 is also a time‐dependent inhibitor of CYP2D6. Model‐based prediction suggested the potential for weak inhibition of CYP3A in vivo. A clinical DDI study was conducted with midazolam, a sensitive CYP3A substrate. A phase 1 open‐label, multiple‐dose study evaluated the effect of PF‐04171327 on midazolam pharmacokinetics and safety in 12 healthy volunteers. Administration of midazolam alone or concomitantly with PF‐04171327 resulted in equivalent pharmacokinetic profiles (AUCinf, 21.17 vs 20.28 ng·h/mL, respectively), indicating that PF‐04171327 had no net effect on CYP3A activity in vivo. These findings support the further development of PF‐00251802 and PF‐04171327 as potential treatments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (NCT00987038).
Growth and Properties of CH3NH3PbI3 Single Crystal
Authors: Su Jing , Lu Di , Zhang Lei , Wang Di , Bai Yu , Wang Wangfu
Published: November 2017

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskites CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals were grown by inversion crystallization with GBL solvent. The structural, thermal properties and morphology of CH3NH3PbI3 crystal were characterized using PXRD, FT‐IR, TG/DTA and TEM methods. The results shows the CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals were of tetragonal phase with lattice constants a = b = 8.8526 Å and c = 12.6523 Å. The peaks of FT‐IR spectrum were assigned. Thermal decomposition mechanism of CH3NH3PbI3 in the temperature range of 25–800 °C were analyzed. HRTEM shows that the crystal grown is of good quality and dendritic crystallization was observed using GBL as solvent.
Crop rotations for increased soil carbon: perenniality as a guiding principle
Authors: King Alison E. , Blesh Jennifer
Published: November 2017

More diverse crop rotations have been promoted for their potential to remediate the range of ecosystem services compromised by biologically simplified grain‐based agroecosystems, including increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). We hypothesized that functional diversity offers a more predictive means of characterizing the impact of crop rotations on SOC concentrations than species diversity per se. Furthermore, we hypothesized that functional diversity can either increase or decrease SOC depending on its associated carbon (C) input to soil. We compiled a database of 27 cropping system sites and 169 cropping systems, recorded the species and functional diversity of crop rotations, SOC concentrations (g C kg/soil), nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications (kg N·ha−1·yr−1), and estimated C input to soil (Mg C·ha−1·yr−1). We categorized crop rotations into three broad categories: grain‐only rotations, grain rotations with cover crops, and grain rotations with perennial crops. We divided the grain‐only rotations into two sub‐categories: cereal‐only rotations and those that included both cereals and a legume grain. We compared changes in SOC and C input using mean effect sizes and 95% bootstrapped confidence intervals. Cover cropped and perennial cropped rotations, relative to grain‐only rotations, increased C input by 42% and 23% and SOC concentrations by 6.3% and 12.5%, respectively. Within grain‐only rotations, cereal + legume grain rotations decreased total C input (−16%), root C input (−12%), and SOC (−5.3%) relative to cereal‐only rotations. We found no effect of species diversity on SOC within grain‐only rotations. N fertilizer rates mediated the effect of functional diversity on SOC within grain‐only crop rotations: at low N fertilizer rates (≤75 kg N·ha−1·yr−1), the decrease in SOC with cereal + legume grain rotations was less than at high N fertilizer rates. Our results show that increasing the functional diversity of crop rotations is more likely to increase SOC concentrations if it is accompanied by an increase in C input. Functionally diverse perennial and cover cropped rotations increased both C input and SOC concentrations, potentially by exploiting niches in time that would otherwise be unproductive, that is, increasing the “perenniality” of crop rotations.
The more the merrier: Conspecific density improves performance of gregarious larvae and reduces susceptibility to a pupal parasitoid
Authors: Rosa Elena , van Nouhuys Saskya , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: November 2017

Aggregation can confer advantages in animal foraging, defense, and thermoregulation. There is a tight connection between the evolution of insect sociality and a highly effective immune system, presumably to inhibit rapid disease spread in a crowded environment. This connection is less evident for animals that spend only part of their life cycle in a social environment, such as noneusocial gregarious insects. Our aim was to elucidate the effects of group living by the gregarious larvae of the Glanville fritillary butterfly with respect to individual performance, immunity, and susceptibility to a parasitoid. We were also interested in the role of family relative to common postdiapause environment in shaping life‐history traits. Larvae were reared at high or low density and then exposed to the pupal parasitoid waspPteromalus apum, either in presence or absence of a previous immune challenge that was used to measure the encapsulation immune response. Surviving adult butterflies were further tested for immunity. The wasp offspring from successfully parasitized butterfly pupae were counted and their brood sex ratios assessed. Larvae reared at high density grew larger and faster than those at low density. Despite high mortality due to parasitism, survival was greater among individuals with high pupal immunity in both density treatments. Moreover, butterfly pupae reared at high density were able to kill a larger fraction of individuals in the parasitoid broods, although this did not increase survival of the host. Finally, a larger proportion of variation observed in most of the traits was explained by butterfly family than by common postdiapause rearing environment, except for adult survival and immunity, for which this pattern was reversed. This gregarious butterfly clearly benefits from high conspecific density in terms of developmental performance and its ability to fight a parasitoid. These positive effects may be driven by cooperative interactions during feeding.
Car Noise Suppression Using Adaptive Noise Canceler with Speech Suppressors
Authors: HONDA YUYA , KAWAMURA ARATA , IIGUNI YOUJI
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we propose an adaptive noise canceler (ANC) with speech suppressors to reduce noise in car environment, where the noise consists of directional and diffuse noise signals. Although the ANC is useful for suppressing the directional noise, its capability is degraded when a desired speech signal is observed at both microphones simultaneously. Such situation is called as crosstalk. To solve this problem, we introduce two speech suppressors into the ANC, and employ one noise suppressor as a postfilter to suppress diffuse noise. Simulation results show that the proposed method effectively suppresses both of directional noise and diffuse noise.
Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Modified Graphite Electrodes for Electrochemical DNA Detection
Authors: Erdem Arzum , Congur Gulsah
Published: November 2017

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HaNP) modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were developed for the first time in the literature, and accordingly they were applied for electrochemical monitoring of sequence‐selective DNA hybridization. The experimental conditions for HaNP modification of PGE, and DNA hybridization related to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA sequence were optimized. The microscopic and electrochemical characterization of HaNP‐PGE in contrast to the unmodified one was utilized. Under optimized experimental conditions, the selectivity of HBV DNA probe immobilized biosensor was tested against to non‐complementary (NC), mismatch (MM) sequences and the mixture of target:NC (1 : 1) or target: MM (1 : 1).
The daily‐scale entrance dynamics of intermittently open/closed estuaries
Authors: McSweeney Sarah Louise , Kennedy David M. , Rutherfurd Ian D.
Published: November 2017

Intermittently open/closed estuaries (IOCE) are a dynamic form of estuary characterised by periodic entrance closure to the ocean. Entrance closure is a function of the relative balance between on and offshore sediment transport with closures occurring during periods of low fluvial discharge whereby the estuary ebb‐tidal prism is reduced. Although the broad scale processes of entrance closure are becoming better understood, there remains limited knowledge on channel morphodynamics during an individual closure event. In this study, the entrance dynamics of three IOCE on the coast of Victoria, Australia, were monitored over a daily timescale following both artificial and natural openings. The influence of changing marine and fluvial conditions on the relative sedimentation rate within the entrance channel was examined. IOCE in Victoria showed two distinct modes of entrance closure: (a) lateral accretion, whereby the estuary gradually closes by longshore drift‐driven spit growth during low river flows; and (b) vertical accretion, where the channel rapidly aggrades under high (> 2 m), near‐normal waves. During storms, when fluvial discharge and wave heights simultaneously increase, large swells will not always close the mouth due to an increase in the ebb‐tidal prism. The estuary water depth and the maximum channel dimensions following opening were not proportional to the opening duration, with this being a function of the wave and fluvial conditions occurring following lagoon drainage. Based on the findings of this work, implementing a successful artificial entrance opening is dependent on reduced onshore sedimentation rates which occur when wave energy is low (< 2 m Hs) relative to river flow. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights Into Using TOEIC® Test Scores to Inform Human Resource Management Decisions
Authors: Oliveri María Elena , Tannenbaum Richard J.
Published: November 2017

This report explores the ways in which human resource (HR) managers use TOEIC® scores to inform hiring, promotion, and training decisions in an international workplace. Two data sources were used (a) previously collected test users' testimonials that described managers' use of TOEIC scores to inform HR decisions and (b) test‐use examples collected from HR managers and TOEIC representatives specifically for this project. Our analysis of test‐use examples provided insight into how companies use TOEIC scores to inform HR decisions related to hiring, promotion, and training of employees in international businesses. To conclude, we provide suggestions for future research such as providing services to test users (e.g., assessment literacy, the development of assessments measuring additional components of workplace English, or algorithms to help analyze the various variables relevant to informing HR decisions) to continue to support meaningful and relevant score‐based HR decisions and score interpretations.
A new high‐resolution nationwide aboveground carbon map for Brazil
Authors: Englund Oskar , Sparovek Gerd , Berndes Göran , Freitas Flavio , Ometto Jean P , Oliveira Pedro Valle De Carvalho E , Costa Ciniro , Lapola David
Published: November 2017

Brazil is home to the largest tracts of tropical vegetation in the world, harbouring high levels of biodiversity and carbon. Several biomass maps have been produced for Brazil, using different approaches and methods, and for different purposes. These maps have been used to estimate historic, recent, and future carbon emissions from land use change (LUC). It can be difficult to determine which map to use for what purpose. The implications of using an unsuitable map can be significant, since the maps have large differences, both in terms of total carbon storage and its spatial distribution. This paper presents comparisons of Brazil's new ‘official’ carbon map; that is, the map used in the third national communication to the UNFCCC in 2016, with the former official map, and four carbon maps from the scientific literature. General strengths and weaknesses of the different maps are identified, including their suitability for different types of studies. No carbon map was found suitable for studies concerned with existing land use/cover (LULC) and LUC outside of existing forests, partly because they do not represent the current LULC sufficiently well, and partly because they generally overestimate carbon values for agricultural land. A new map of aboveground carbon is presented, which was created based on data from existing maps and an up‐to‐date LULC map. This new map reflects current LULC, has high accuracy and resolution (50 m), and a national coverage. It can be a useful alternative for scientific studies and policy initiatives concerned with existing LULC and LUC outside of existing forests, especially at local scales when high resolution is necessary, and/or outside the Amazon biome. We identify five ongoing climate policy initiatives in Brazil that can benefit from using this map.
Multiethnic polygenic risk scores improve risk prediction in diverse populations
Authors: Márquez‐Luna Carla , Loh Po‐Ru ,   South Asian Type 2 Diabetes (SAT2D) Consortium,   The SIGMA Type 2 Diabetes Consortium, Price Alkes L.
Published: November 2017

Methods for genetic risk prediction have been widely investigated in recent years. However, most available training data involves European samples, and it is currently unclear how to accurately predict disease risk in other populations. Previous studies have used either training data from European samples in large sample size or training data from the target population in small sample size, but not both. Here, we introduce a multiethnic polygenic risk score that combines training data from European samples and training data from the target population. We applied this approach to predict type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a Latino cohort using both publicly available European summary statistics in large sample size (Neff = 40k) and Latino training data in small sample size (Neff = 8k). Here, we attained a >70% relative improvement in prediction accuracy (from R2 = 0.027 to 0.047) compared to methods that use only one source of training data, consistent with large relative improvements in simulations. We observed a systematically lower load of T2D risk alleles in Latino individuals with more European ancestry, which could be explained by polygenic selection in ancestral European and/or Native American populations. We predict T2D in a South Asian UK Biobank cohort using European (Neff = 40k) and South Asian (Neff = 16k) training data and attained a >70% relative improvement in prediction accuracy, and application to predict height in an African UK Biobank cohort using European (N = 113k) and African (N = 2k) training data attained a 30% relative improvement. Our work reduces the gap in polygenic risk prediction accuracy between European and non‐European target populations.
Amotivation is associated with smaller ventral striatum volumes in older patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Caravaggio Fernando , Fervaha Gagan , Iwata Yusuke , Plitman Eric , Chung Jun Ku , Nakajima Shinichiro , Mar Wanna , Gerretsen Philip , Kim Julia , Chakravarty M. Mallar , Mulsant Benoit , Pollock Bruce , Mamo David , Remington Gary , Graff‐Guerrero Ariel
Published: November 2017

Objective

Motivational deficits are prevalent in patients with schizophrenia, persist despite antipsychotic treatment, and predict long‐term outcomes. Evidence suggests that patients with greater amotivation have smaller ventral striatum (VS) volumes. We wished to replicate this finding in a sample of older, chronically medicated patients with schizophrenia. Using structural imaging and positron emission tomography, we examined whether amotivation uniquely predicted VS volumes beyond the effects of striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) blockade by antipsychotics.

Methods

Data from 41 older schizophrenia patients (mean age: 60.2 ± 6.7; 11 female) were reanalysed from previously published imaging data. We constructed multivariate linear stepwise regression models with VS volumes as the dependent variable and various sociodemographic and clinical variables as the initial predictors: age, gender, total brain volume, and antipsychotic striatal D2/3R occupancy. Amotivation was included as a subsequent step to determine any unique relationships with VS volumes beyond the contribution of the covariates. In a reduced sample (n = 36), general cognition was also included as a covariate.

Results

Amotivation uniquely explained 8% and 6% of the variance in right and left VS volumes, respectively (right: β = −.38, t = −2.48, P = .01; left: β = −.31, t = −2.17, P = .03). Considering cognition, amotivation levels uniquely explained 9% of the variance in right VS volumes (β = −.43, t = −0.26, P = .03).

Conclusion

We replicate and extend the finding of reduced VS volumes with greater amotivation. We demonstrate this relationship uniquely beyond the potential contributions of striatal D2/3R blockade by antipsychotics. Elucidating the structural correlates of amotivation in schizophrenia may help develop treatments for this presently irremediable deficit.
Who is fit to serve? Person–job/organization fit, emotional labor, and customer service performance
Authors: Lam Wing , Huo Yuanyuan , Chen Ziguang
Published: November 2017

This study investigates person–job (P–J) fit and person–organization (P–O) fit perceptions and relates these perceptions to employees' emotional labor and customer service performance. Data from a two‐point, time‐lagged study of 263 employees and 690 customers reveal that both P–J and P–O fit relate positively to deep acting and negatively to surface acting, in accordance with an emotional labor perspective. In addition, P–J and P–O fit are jointly associated with emotional labor, such that the positive link between P–J fit and deep acting is stronger, and the negative link between P–J fit and surface acting is weaker when P–O fit is high. Emotional labor partially mediates the interactive effects of P–J and P–O fit on service interaction quality and customer satisfaction; service interaction quality relates positively to customer satisfaction. These findings have multiple theoretical and practical implications.
Time series copulas for heteroskedastic data
Authors: Loaiza‐Maya Rubén , Smith Michael S. , Maneesoonthorn Worapree
Published: November 2017

We propose parametric copulas that capture serial dependence in stationary heteroskedastic time series. We suggest copulas for first‐order Markov series, and then extend them to higher orders and multivariate series. We derive the copula of a volatility proxy, based on which we propose new measures of volatility dependence, including co‐movement and spillover in multivariate series. In general, these depend upon the marginal distributions of the series. Using exchange rate returns, we show that the resulting copula models can capture their marginal distributions more accurately than univariate and multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models, and produce more accurate value‐at‐risk forecasts.
Ribavirin augments doxorubicin's efficacy in human hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibiting doxorubicin‐induced eIF4E activation
Authors: Tan Jun , Ye Jingfen , Song Meijun , Zhou Mi , Hu Yaoren
Published: November 2017

Activation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is a cellular survival mechanism in response to chemotherapy in cancers. In this work, we demonstrate that targeting eIF4E by ribavirin sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell response to doxorubicin. Ribavirin inhibits growth and survival of HCC cells, and to a greater extent than in normal liver cells. Its combination with doxorubicin achieves greater efficacy than single drug in vitro and in vivo. Ribavirin suppresses phosphorylation of molecules involved in Akt/mTOR/eIF4E pathway. Overexpression of the phosphomimetic form (S209D) but not the nonphosphorylatable form (S209A) eIF4E significantly reverses the inhibitory effects of ribavirin. Interestingly, doxorubicin significantly increases p‐eIF4E(S209) level in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, suggesting that doxorubicin induces eIF4E activation in HCC cells. In addition, eIF4E activation induced by doxorubicin in HCC cells is inhibited by ribavirin. Our work demonstrates the greater efficacy of ribavirin and doxorubicin combination and its underlying mechanisms.
Concurrent variable‐interval variable‐ratio schedules in a dynamic choice environment
Authors: Bell Matthew C. , Baum William M.
Published: November 2017

Most studies of operant choice have focused on presenting subjects with a fixed pair of schedules across many experimental sessions. Using these methods, studies of concurrent variable‐ interval variable‐ratio schedules helped to evaluate theories of choice. More recently, a growing literature has focused on dynamic choice behavior. Those dynamic choice studies have analyzed behavior on a number of different time scales using concurrent variable‐interval schedules. Following the dynamic choice approach, the present experiment examined performance on concurrent variable‐interval variable‐ratio schedules in a rapidly changing environment. Our objectives were to compare performance on concurrent variable‐interval variable‐ratio schedules with extant data on concurrent variable‐interval variable‐interval schedules using a dynamic choice procedure and to extend earlier work on concurrent variable‐interval variable‐ratio schedules. We analyzed performances at different time scales, finding strong similarities between concurrent variable‐interval variable‐interval and concurrent variable‐interval variable‐ ratio performance within dynamic choice procedures. Time‐based measures revealed almost identical performance in the two procedures compared with response‐based measures, supporting the view that choice is best understood as time allocation. Performance at the smaller time scale of visits accorded with the tendency seen in earlier research toward developing a pattern of strong preference for and long visits to the richer alternative paired with brief “samples” at the leaner alternative (“fix and sample”).
Gomory‐Hu trees of infinite graphs with finite total weight
Authors: Joó Attila
Published: November 2017

A well‐known theorem of Gomory and Hu states that if G is a finite graph with nonnegative weights on its edges, then there exists a tree T (now called a Gomory‐Hu tree) on such that for all there is an such that the two components of determine an optimal (minimal valued) cut between u an v in G. In this article, we extend their result to infinite weighted graphs with finite total weight. Furthermore, we show by an example that one cannot omit the condition of the finiteness of the total weight.
Reverse double inversion‐recovery: Improving motion robustness of cardiac T2‐weighted dark‐blood turbo spin‐echo sequence
Authors: Hu Chenxi , Huber Steffen , Latif Syed R. , Santacana‐Laffitte Guido , Mojibian Hamid R. , Baldassarre Lauren A. , Peters Dana C.
Published: November 2017

Background

Cardiac dark‐blood turbo spin‐echo (TSE) imaging is sensitive to through‐plane motion, resulting in myocardial signal reduction.

Purpose

To propose and validate reverse double inversion‐recovery (RDIR)—a dark‐blood preparation with improved motion robustness for the cardiac dark‐blood TSE sequence.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Healthy volunteers (n = 10) and patients (n = 20).

Field Strength

1.5T (healthy volunteers) and 3T (patients).

Assessment

Compared to double inversion recovery (DIR), RDIR swaps the two inversion pulses in time and places the slice‐selective 180° in late‐diastole of the previous cardiac cycle to minimize slice misregistration. RDIR and DIR were performed in the same left‐ventricular basal short‐axis slice. Healthy subjects were imaged with two preparation slice thicknesses, 110% and 200%, while patients were imaged using a 200% slice thickness only. Images were assessed quantitatively, by measuring the myocardial signal heterogeneity and the extent of dropout, and also qualitatively on a 5‐point scale.

Statistical Tests

Quantitative and qualitative data were assessed with Student's t‐test and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, respectively.

Results

In healthy subjects, RDIR with 110% slice thickness significantly reduced signal heterogeneity in both the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) (LV: P = 0.006, RV: P < 0.0001) and the extent of RV dropout (P < 0.0001), while RDIR with 200% slice thickness significantly reduced RV signal heterogeneity (P = 0.001) and the extent of RV dropout (P = 0.0002). In patients, RDIR significantly reduced RV myocardial signal heterogeneity (0.31 vs. 0.43; P = 0.003) and the extent of RV dropout (24% vs. 46%; P = 0.0005). LV signal heterogeneity exhibited a trend towards improvement with RDIR (0.12 vs. 0.16; P = 0.06). Qualitative evaluation showed a significant improvement of LV and RV visualization in RDIR compared to DIR (LV: P = 0.04, RV: P = 0.0007) and a significantly improved overall image quality (P = 0.03).

Data Conclusion

RDIR TSE is less sensitive to through‐plane motion, potentiating increased clinical utility for black‐blood TSE.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1498–1508.
Transplantation of feeder‐free human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cortical neuron progenitors in adult male Wistar rats with focal brain ischemia
Authors: Hermanto Yulius , Sunohara Tadashi , Faried Ahmad , Takagi Yasushi , Takahashi Jun , Maki Takakuni , Miyamoto Susumu
Published: November 2017

The use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) eliminates the ethical issues associated with fetal or embryonic materials, thus allowing progress in cell therapy research for ischemic stroke. Strict regulation of cell therapy development requires the xeno‐free condition to eliminate clinical complications. Maintenance of hiPSCs with feeder‐free condition presents a higher degree of spontaneous differentiation in comparison with conventional cultures. Therefore, feeder‐free derivation might be not ideal for developing transplantable hiPSC derivatives. We developed the feeder‐free condition for differentiation of cortical neurons from hiPSCs. Then, we evaluated the cells' characteristics upon transplantation into the sham and focal brain ischemia on adult male Wistar rats. Grafts in lesioned brains demonstrated polarized reactivity toward the ischemic border, indicated by directional preferences in axonal outgrowth and cellular migration, with no influence on graft survival. Following the transplantation, forelimb asymmetry was better restored compared with controls. Herein, we provide evidence to support the use of the xeno‐free condition for the development of cell therapy for ischemic stroke.
Assessment and correction of BCC_CSM's performance in capturing leading modes of summer precipitation over North Asia
Authors: Gong Zhiqiang , Dogar Muhammad Mubashar , Qiao Shaobo , Hu Po , Feng Guolin
Published: November 2017

This article examines the ability of Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model (BCC_CSM) in demonstrating the prediction accuracy and the leading modes of the summer precipitation over North Asia (NA). A dynamic‐statistic combined approach for improving the prediction accuracy and the prediction of the leading modes of the summer precipitation over NA is proposed. Our results show that the BCC_CSM can capture part of the spatial anomaly features of the first two leading modes of NA summer precipitation. Moreover, BCC_CSM regains relationships such that the first and second mode of the empirical orthogonal function (EOF1 and EOF2) of NA summer precipitation, respectively, corresponds to the development of the El Niño and La Niña conditions in the tropical East Pacific. Nevertheless, BCC_CSM exhibits limited prediction skill over most part of NA and presents a deficiency in reproducing the EOF1's and EOF2's spatial pattern over central NA and EOF2's interannual variability. This can be attributed as the possible reasons why the model is unable to capture the correct relationships among the basic climate elements over the central NA, lacks in its ability to reproduce a consistent zonal atmospheric pattern over NA, and has bias in predicting the relevant Sea Surface Temperature (SST) modes over the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Based on the proposed dynamic‐statistic combined correction approach, compared with the leading modes of BCC_CSM's original prediction, anomaly correlation coefficients of corrected EOF1/EOF2 with the tropical Indian Ocean SST are improved from 0.18/0.36 to 0.51/0.62. Hence, the proposed correction approach suggests that the BCC_CSM's prediction skill for the summer precipitation prediction over NA and its ability to capture the dominant modes could be certainly improved by choosing proper historical analogue information.
A case study of possible future summer convective precipitation over the UK and Europe from a regional climate projection
Authors: Gadian Alan M. , Blyth Alan M. , Bruyere Cindy L. , Burton Ralph R. , Done James M. , Groves James , Holland Greg , Mobbs Stephen D. , Pozo Jutta Thielen‐del , Tye Mari R. , Warner James L.
Published: November 2017

Climate change caused by green house gas emissions is now following the trend of rapid warming consistent with a RCP8.5 forcing. Climate models are still unable to represent the mesoscale convective processes that occur at resolutions ∼O(3 km) and are not capable of resolving precipitation patterns in time and space with sufficient accuracy to represent convection. In this article, the UK Met Office precipitation observations are compared with the simulations for the period 1990–1995 followed by a simulation of a near‐future period 2031–2036 for a regional nested weather model. The convection‐permitting model, resolution ∼O(3 km), provides a good correspondence to the observational precipitation data and demonstrates the importance of explicit convection for future summer precipitation estimates. The UK summer precipitation is reduced slightly (∼10%) for 2031–2036 and there is no evidence of an increase in the peak maximum hourly precipitation magnitude. A similar pattern is observed over the whole European inner model domain. The results using the Kain–Fritsch convective parameterization scheme at a resolution ∼O(12 km) in the outer domain increase summer precipitation by ∼10% for the UK. The average precipitation rate per event increases, dry periods extend and wet periods shorten. As part of the change, 10‐m winds of <3 m s−1 become more common – a scenario that would impact on power generation from wind turbines through calmer conditions and cause more frequent pollution episodes.
Warming across decades and deciles: minimum and maximum daily temperatures in China, 1955–2014
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Binhui , Henderson Mark , Shen Xiangjin , Yang Lixue , Lian Luyao
Published: November 2017

We report on changes in annual decile groups of daily maximum and minimum temperatures (Tmax and Tmin) from 437 weather stations across China since 1955, with special attention to the reported global warming ‘hiatus’ period since 1999. The values of Tmax and Tmin have increased significantly across all deciles between 1955 and 2014, with colder deciles of Tmin increasing faster than warmer deciles. We find abrupt increases starting at colder deciles since the early 1970s for Tmin and mid‐1980s for Tmax, followed by increases in the middle deciles in the later 1980s and in the warmer deciles in the early 1990s for both Tmax and Tmin. During the warming hiatus period, in contrast to the prior rapid warming period, colder deciles show no significant decreasing trends, while most middle to warmer deciles of Tmin continue to increase significantly, a finding which is masked in studies focusing on either average temperatures or extremes. The recent pause in the increase of mean temperatures is probably due to opposing changes in the trends at the tails of the temperature distribution. Our results demonstrate the differential changes in class intervals across the entire distribution of daily maximum and minimum temperatures.