bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive changes after awake surgery in glioma patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: van Kessel Emma , Snijders Tom J. , Baumfalk Anniek E. , Ruis Carla , van Baarsen Kirsten M. , Broekman Marike L. , van Zandvoort Martine J. E. , Robe Pierre A.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Deficits in neurocognitive functioning (NCF) frequently occur in glioma patients. Both treatment and the tumor itself contribute to these deficits. In order to minimize the harmful effects of surgery, an increasing number of patients undergo awake craniotomy. To investigate whether we can indeed preserve cognitive functioning after state-of-the art awake surgery and to identify factors determining postoperative NCF, we performed a retrospective cohort study.

Methods

In diffuse glioma (WHO grade 2–4) patients undergoing awake craniotomy, we studied neurocognitive functioning both pre-operatively and 3–6 months postoperatively. Evaluation covered five neurocognitive domains. We performed analysis of data on group and individual level and evaluated the value of patient-, tumor- and treatment-related factors for predicting change in NCF, using linear and logistic regression analysis.

Results

We included 168 consecutive patients. Mean NCF-scores of psychomotor speed and visuospatial functioning significantly deteriorated after surgery. The percentage of serious neurocognitive impairments (− 2 standard deviations) increased significantly for psychomotor speed only. Tumor involvement in the left thalamus predicted a postoperative decline in NCF for the domains overall-NCF, executive functioning and psychomotor speed. An IDH-wildtype status predicted decline for overall-NCF and executive functioning.

Conclusions

In all cognitive domains, except for psychomotor speed, cognitive functioning can be preserved after awake surgery. The domain of psychomotor speed seems to be most vulnerable to the effects of surgery and early postoperative therapies. Cognitive performance after glioma surgery is associated with a combination of structural and biomolecular effects from the tumor, including IDH-status and left thalamic involvement.
Self-Efficacy as an Agentic Protective Factor against Death Anxiety in PTSD and Psychiatric Co-Morbidity
Authors: Hoelterhoff Mark , Chung Man Cheung
Published: December 2019

PTSD has profound personal, social and economic impact. Understanding factors that influence strong recovery is a priority for informing the use of limited treatment resources. This study follows up a preliminary finding from Hoelterhoff and Cheung Chung, Psychiatr Q, 88, 635-651, [30] which found that death anxiety is related to PTSD and suggested that self-efficacy may mediate this relationship. Specifically, this study examined self-efficacy as a protective factor in the context of people who have experienced a life-threatening event. 109 undergraduate university students completed self-report questionnaires on, self-efficacy, death anxiety, trauma and well-being as well as a number of demographic factors. Self-efficacy was found that to be significantly and inversely related to death anxiety and psychiatric co-morbidity, but not PTSD. Results were discussed in light of literature regarding death anxiety. It seems that self-efficacy is related to death anxiety and well-being; however, it interacts with these processes independently and not as a mediating factor. More research is needed to understand coping mechanisms that help develop resilience against the negative effects of death anxiety against PTSD and minimize its detrimental impact on mental health.
Might Teaching be Judgement Dependent?
Authors: Fisher Andrew , Tallant Jonathan
Published: December 2019

Our thesis in this paper is that consideration of Wright’s account of what it is to be judgement-dependent leads us to the conclusion that teaching is judgement dependent. We begin with a consideration of Wright’s account of what it is to be judgement-dependent. We then make the case that teaching satisfies the conditions on what it is to be judgement-dependent. Our intention is not to delve into the independent plausibility of such a view. Our focus is simply on showing the connection between Wright’s account of judgement-dependence and what it is to teach.
Crucial Contributions
Authors: Scelza Brooke A. , Hinde Katie
Published: December 2019

Maternal grandmothers play a key role in allomaternal care, directly caring for and provisioning their grandchildren as well as helping their daughters with household chores and productive labor. Previous studies have investigated these contributions across a broad time period, from infancy through toddlerhood. Here, we extend and refine the grandmothering literature to investigate the perinatal period as a critical window for grandmaternal contributions. We propose that mother-daughter co-residence during this period affords targeted grandmaternal effort during a period of heightened vulnerability and appreciable impact. We conducted two focus groups and 37 semi-structured interviews with Himba women. Interviews focused on experiences from their first and, if applicable, their most recent birth and included information on social support, domains of teaching and learning, and infant feeding practices. Our qualitative findings reveal three domains in which grandmothers contribute: learning to mother, breastfeeding support, and postnatal health and well-being. We show that informational, emotional, and instrumental support provided to new mothers and their neonates during the perinatal period can aid in the establishment of the mother-infant bond, buffer maternal energy balance, and improve nutritional outcomes for infants. These findings demonstrate that the role of grandmother can be crucial, even when alloparenting is common and breastfeeding is frequent and highly visible. Situated within the broader anthropological and clinical literature, these findings substantiate the claim that humans have evolved in an adaptive sociocultural perinatal complex in which grandmothers provide significant contributions to the health and well-being of their reproductive-age daughters and grandchildren.
Positive Affect Moderates the Relationship Between Salivary Testosterone and a Health Behavior Composite in University Females
Authors: Martin Luci A. , Ter-Petrosyan Mariam
Published: December 2019

Background

Testosterone is released in both men and women and plays an important role in social functioning and motivation. Greater testosterone in women has been associated with negative physical health outcomes, while lower testosterone has been associated with psychological disorders. The following cross-sectional study examined the contribution of salivary testosterone, positive and negative affect, and demographic variables in predicting a composite health behavior score (cigarette use, hours of sleep, fruit/vegetable intake, following an exercise routine).

Method

The sample (mean age 21.17, SD = 6.13) consisted of 87 female university students asked to complete a demographic and lifestyle behavior questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and provide a saliva sample. Participants self-identified as Latina (37.9%), European American (32.2%), Asian American (5.7%), African American (4.6%), or Mixed/other (19.5%). Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine whether positive and negative affect served as a moderator between salivary testosterone and a health behavior composite.

Results

Results indicated that positive affect moderated the relationship between salivary testosterone and the composite health behavior score (t = − 2.42, p = .018, Adj. R2 = .21, F (5, 81) = 5.07, p < .001) such that the healthiest behaviors were observed in participants with high positive affect and low salivary testosterone. Findings remained after adjusting for oral contraceptive use, income level, relationship status, and ethnicity.

Conclusions

These results provide a preliminary foundation for future research examining the interplay of neuroendocrine function, psychological factors (i.e., positive affect), and behavior. Further empirical studies can focus on expanding this research in larger, representative samples.
Role of Al and Ti doping in modulating electrical properties of BIVOX system
Authors: Tripathy Diptimayee , Saikia Amarjyoti , Tado Gyati Tachang , Pandey Arvind
Published: December 2019

The doubly-doped bismuth vanadate with Al and Ti having formula unit, Bi2V1−xAlx/2Titx/2O5.5-δ (0.10 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.25) was synthesized. The specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), UV-Vis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for their structural, thermal, optical, and electrical studies. Influence of both dopant cations (Al and Ti) was observed in the gradual stabilization of the tetragonal phase of Bi2VO5.5-δ with dopant amount. A non-uniform grain growth phenomenon was observed up to x = 0.175, with dopant addition. UV-Vis study revealed the comparatively higher order of oxide ion vacancies for the composition x = 0.175. Impedance spectroscopy measurements indicate a significant decrease of both the grain (Rg) and grain boundary resistances (Rgb) with the rise in temperature and the overall resistance is found to be dominated by the grain interior contribution. Enhancement of ionic conductivity was found in all the compositions in the intermediate temperature range as compared to the parent compound, and the single Al-doped system and the highest value were obtained for x = 0.175.
Effects of loading contact on electric-power generation of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramic plate
Authors: Okayasu Mitsuhiro , Ogawa Tsukasa
Published: December 2019

To better understand the generation of electric power for piezoelectric PbZrTiO3 (PZT) ceramic plate (ϕ25 mm), an attempt was made to investigate experimentally and numerically electric- power generation characteristics during cyclic bending under various loading fixtures (ϕ0–ϕ20 mm), i.e., different contact areas. Increasing the load-contact area on the PZT ceramic leads to a nonlinear decrease in the generated voltage. Decreasing contact area basically enhances the generated voltage, although the voltage saturates during loading when the contact area is less than ϕ5 mm. A similar voltage is generated for ϕ0 and ϕ5 mm, which is attributed to strain status (ratio of compressive and tensile strain) and material failure due to different stress distribution in the PZT ceramic. On the basis of the obtained electric generation voltage, suitable loading conditions are clarified by loading with the ϕ5 mm fixture, which generates a higher voltage and a longer lifetime of the PZT ceramic. From this approach, it is appeared that the area contact with the area ratio of 0.04 (ϕ5 mm/ϕ20 mm) is suitable to obtain the high efficiency of the electric voltage.
Evaluation of contact fatigue risk of a carburized gear considering gradients of mechanical properties
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Huaiju , Zhu Caichao , Tang Jinyuan , Jiang Chenxu
Published: December 2019

Carburized gears are widely used in geared machines such as wind turbines. Contact fatigue problems occur in engineering practice, reducing reliabilities of machines. Contact fatigue failures are related to many factors, such as gradients of mechanical properties of the hardening layer. In this work, an elastic-plastic contact model of a carburized gear is developed based on the finite element method to evaluate contact fatigue failure risk, considering variations in hardness and strength. The Dang Van multiaxial equivalent stress is calculated via Python coding within the Abaqus framework. The gradient of yield strength along the depth from case to core is considered. The concept of local material fatigue failure risk is defined to evaluate the probability of pitting failure. The effects of design factors, such as the case hardening depth (CHD), surface hardness, and contact pressure on fatigue failure risk, are studied. As the CHD increases or the surface hardness decreases, the risk of deep spalling failure reduces. The increase in surface hardness leads to a decreased risk of pitting failure, while the variation in CHD hardly affects the pitting failure risk.
Metabolites from marine invertebrates and their symbiotic microorganisms: molecular diversity discovery, mining, and application
Authors: Liu Lu , Zheng Yao-Yao , Shao Chang-Lun , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: December 2019

Metabolites from marine organisms have proven to be a rich source for the discovery of multiple potent bioactive molecules with diverse structures. In recent years, we initiated a program to investigate the diversity of the secondary metabolites from marine invertebrates and their symbiotic microorganisms collected from the South China Sea. In this review, representative cases are summarized focusing on molecular diversity, mining, and application of natural products from these marine organisms. To provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of marine natural products, we highlight typical molecules including their structures, chemical synthesis, bioactivities and mechanisms, structure–activity relationships as well as biogenesis. The mining of marine-derived microorganisms to produce novel secondary metabolites is also discussed through the OSMAC strategy and via partial chemical epigenetic modification. A broad prospectus has revealed a plethora of bioactive natural products with novel structures from marine organisms, especially from soft corals, gorgonians, sponges, and their symbiotic fungi and bacteria.
Newspapers’ Content Policy and the Effect of Paywalls on Pageviews
Authors: Kim Ho , Song Reo , Kim Youngsoo
Published: December 2019

This paper examines the impact of newspaper paywalls on daily pageviews, and how their impact varies across newspapers as a function of their content provisioning strategies. Our data consist of daily pageviews of 42 newspapers that introduced a paywall during the eight-year analysis period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2017. We find that a paywall has a negative impact on daily pageviews for most newspapers, but that the impact varies significantly across them. Newspapers that publish proportionately more articles on politics, business/economics, sports, and general social news tend to perform better with a paywall than newspapers that publish proportionately fewer articles on those topics. Interestingly, the effectiveness varies substantially across news topics. For example, increasing the proportion of business/economics news by 1% is nearly 1.4 times more effective than increasing the proportion of general social news by the same percentage in mitigating the negative impact of a paywall. We also find that newspapers with proportionately more unique content and papers with a more liberal slant experience a smaller drop in pageviews. These results have important managerial implications for newspapers—especially pure-play online news publishers (for whom online advertising is the primary revenue source)—regarding how to develop and manage their content policy with paywall adoptions.
Warfarin Reinitiation After Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Case Series of Heart Valve Patients
Authors: Wan Andrea , Butcher Ken , Hodgson Mathew , Schultz Karen , Bungard Tammy J.
Published: December 2019

Patients with mechanical heart valves are at high thrombotic risk and require warfarin. Among those developing intracranial hemorrhage, limited data are available to guide clinicians with antithrombotic reinitiation. This 13-patient case series of warfarin-associated intracranial hemorrhages found the time to reinitiate antithrombotic therapy (17 days, interquartile range 21.5 days), and changes to international normalized ratio targets were variable and neither correlated with the type, location, or etiology of bleed, nor the valve and associated thromboembolic risk. The initial presentation significantly impacted prognosis, and diligent assessment and follow-up may support positive long-term outcomes.
THE DUTY TO COOPERATE IN THE CUSTOMARY LAW OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Authors: Craik Neil
Published: December 2019

This article argues that the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) account of the customary law of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is incomplete. While acknowledging the role of the harm prevention principle in formulating the customary obligation to conduct EIAs, the ICJ has ignored the duty to cooperate, notwithstanding the latter duty's equally strong standing in international environmental law. Ignoring the duty to cooperate pushes the court towards a formal and sequential understanding of EIA, which undervalues the centrality of notice and consultation in EIA. In effect, viewed through the harm prevention lens alone, EIA is largely understood in instrumental and technical terms; whereas, if the duty to cooperate is brought back in, EIA's deliberative and ‘other-regarding’ nature is more clearly seen. This, in turn, recognises the normative and political role of EIA in structuring State interactions respecting environmental disputes.
Stability of different plasma sheaths near a dielectric wall with secondary electron emission
Authors: Qing Shaowei , Wei Jianguo , Chen Wen , Tang Shengli , Wang Xiaogang
Published: December 2019

The linear theory stability of different collisionless plasma sheath structures, including the classic sheath, inverse sheath and space-charge limited (SCL) sheath, is investigated as a typical eigenvalue problem. The three background plasma sheaths formed between a Maxwellian plasma source and a dielectric wall with a fully self-consistent secondary electron emission condition are solved by recent developed 1D3V (one-dimensional space and three-dimensional velocities), steady-state, collisionless kinetic sheath model, within a wide range of Maxwellian plasma electron temperature

$T_{e}$

. Then, the eigenvalue equations of sheath plasma fluctuations through the three sheaths are numerically solved, and the corresponding damping and growth rates

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$

are found: (i) under the classic sheath structure (i.e.

$T_{e}<T_{ec}$

(the first threshold)), there are three damping solutions (i.e.

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}$

,

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{2}$

and

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{3}$

,

$0>\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}>\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{2}>\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{3}$

) for most cases, but there is only one growth-rate solution

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$

when

$T_{e}\rightarrow T_{ec}$

due to the inhomogeneity of sheath being very weak; (ii) under the inverse sheath structure, which arises when

$T_{e}>T_{ec}$

, there are no background ions in the sheath so that the fluctuations are stable; (iii) under the SCL sheath conditions (i.e.

$T_{e}\geqslant T_{e\text{SCL}}$

, the second threshold), the obvious ion streaming through the sheath region again emerges and the three damping solutions are again found.
Assessing a new coarctation repair simulator based on real patient’s anatomy
Authors: Kleszcz Jacek , Sobieraj Michał , Nałęcz Tomasz , Myers Patrick O. , Wojtalik Michał , Mrówczyński Wojciech
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

To perform the preliminary tests of coarctation of aorta repair trainer, evaluate the surgical properties of the simulation and to assess and enhance residents’ skills.

Methods:

Single patient’s angio-CT anatomy data were converted into magnified 3D-printed model of aortic coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch, serving for creation of a mould used during wax copies casting. Wax cores were painted with six layers of elastic silicone and melted, yielding phantoms that were consecutively fixed in a mounting with and without a thoracic wall. Simulation included: proximal and distal aortic arch clamping, incision of its lesser curvature, extended end-to-end anastomosis with 7-0 suture. A head-mounted camera video recording enabled anastomosis time and mean one suture bite time evaluation. Leakage assessment was done by a water test.

Results:

Two residents performed nine simulations each. Last four runs were performed with thoracic wall attached. All phantoms performed well, enabling tissue-like handling and cutting, excellent suture retention, and satisfactory elasticity. Median anastomosis times were 22′33″ and 24′47″ for phantoms without and with thoracic wall (p = not significant (NS)). Median times needed to pass suture through one side of anastomosis and regrasp needle were, respectively, 9″ and 13″ (p < 0.001). Median total number of leakages per phantom equalled 2 for both difficulty levels. There were no significant inter-resident differences in all assessed parameters.

Conclusions:

This medium-fidelity aortic coarctation repair trainer showed its feasibility in replication of major critical steps of the real operation. Objective surgical efficiency parameters could be obtained from each simulation and compared between trainees and at different adjustable difficulty levels.
The Origin and Development of the Role of the Native Assistant in the Translation of the Southern Min and Union Bible Versions
Authors: VOGEL STUART
Published: December 2019

In the nineteenth century, the translators of the Bible in to Chinese were heavily dependent on their “native assistants” or “Chinese co-translators”. The importance of the contributions of these co-translators has long been underestimated. In Fujian, the missionaries adopted a co-translator model which allowed the assistant to take an equal and full role in the task of translation. The intention was that the local Christian community should take over full responsibility for all aspects of Christian ministry and mission. The translation process included the adoption of an easy-to-learn system of Romanisation of the Southern Min vernacular so that the resulting translation was accurate and easily read and understood. This essay looks at these developments in Fujian and on Taiwan, notably the co-operation between Reverend Iû Sūn-ióng, (楊士養牧師) and Reverend Thomas Barclay. In contrast, during the translation of the 1919 version of the Mandarin Bible, the “native assistants” played a lesser role in the production of the final work. Nevertheless, while few Chinese co-translators emerged as a creative force during the translation process, they may have contributed to the written style of the translation, if not the theological interpretation of the Bible in Chinese.
Water Vapor Near‐UV Absorption: Laboratory Spectrum, Field Evidence, and Atmospheric Impacts
Authors: Pei Linsen , Min Qilong , Du Yuyi , Wang Zhechen , Yin Bangsheng , Yang Kai , Disterhoft Patrick , Pongetti Thomas , Zhu Lei
Published: December 2019

Absorption of solar radiation by water vapor in the near‐UV region is a poorly understood but important issue in atmospheric science. To better understand water vapor near‐UV absorption, we constructed a cavity ring‐down spectrometer with bandwidth of 5 cm−1 (~0.05 nm) and obtained water vapor absorption cross sections at 1‐nm increments in the 290‐ to 350‐nm region. Water vapor displays structured absorption over this range with maximum and minimum cross sections of 8.4 × 10−25 and 1.6 × 10−25 cm2/molecule. Major water vapor absorption bands were observed at 293–295, 307–313, 319, 321–322, and 325 nm, with cross‐section values higher than 4.0 × 10−25 cm2/molecule. To obtain further insight into major water vapor absorption bands, we measured water vapor absorption cross sections at 0.05‐nm intervals in the 292‐ to 296‐nm, 306‐ to 314‐nm, and 317‐ to 326‐nm region. Field UV residual spectra not only exhibited increased attenuation at higher atmospheric water vapor loadings but also showed structures suggested by the laboratory water vapor absorption spectrum. Spaceborne UV radiance spectra have spectral structures resembling the differential cross‐section spectrum constructed from the laboratory wavelength‐dependent water vapor absorption cross sections presented here. Incorporating water vapor absorption cross‐section data into a radiative transfer model yielded an estimated energy budget of 0.26 W/m2 for the standard U.S. atmosphere and 0.76 W/m2 for the tropics. This shows that water vapor near‐UV absorption is an important contributor for climate simulation and ozone retrievals.
Enhanced Vegetation Growth in the Urban Environment Across 32 Cities in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Ruan Yongjian , Zhang Xinchang , Xin Qinchuan , Ao Zurui , Sun Ying
Published: December 2019

How the urban environment influences vegetation phenology is important to understand the living environment and the climate‐vegetation interaction. This study investigates changes in vegetation phenology in the urban environment using remote sensing data for 32 major cities in the Northern Hemisphere. Vegetation phenological information for both urban and rural areas of each individual city was derived from the remote sensing data. We found that the urban environment generally enhanced vegetation growth but at varied degrees for different regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Vegetation phenology metrics, including the start of season (SOS), the end of season (EOS), and the growing season length (GSL), have large differences between urban and rural environment. Vegetation SOS in urban areas occurred earlier than in rural areas for 22 in 32 cities, and the relationships between advanced urban SOS and the distance away from urban centers are significant for 9 cities. Vegetation EOS in urban areas occurred later than in rural areas for 19 in 32 cities, and the relationships between delayed urban EOS and the distance away from urban centers are significant for 10 cities. The response of SOS to the urban environment is found dependent upon the latitude of urban centers and urban spring daytime and nighttime temperatures. Analysis on ground observational records of vegetation phenology in the region of North America supports the findings derived from remote sensing data. These findings could help to understand the impacts of the urban environment on vegetation growth.
Deciphering Oxygen Isotope Records From Chinese Speleothems With an Isotope‐Enabled Climate Model
Authors: Hu Jun , Emile‐Geay Julien , Tabor Clay , Nusbaumer Jesse , Partin Judson
Published: December 2019

Speleothem δ18O is widely used to reconstruct past hydroclimate variability, particularly over Asia. However, the interpretation of this proxy is still in debate. While this proxy is originally interpreted as regional rainfall amount of the Asian monsoon, other studies have interpreted it as upstream monsoon rainfall or atmospheric circulation changes. To better understand the signal preserved in speleothems over various time scales, this study employs a state‐of‐the‐art isotope‐enabled climate model to quantify contributions to the oxygen isotope composition of precipitation (
) over China. Results suggest that orbital‐scale speleothem δ18O variations at Chinese sites mainly record the meridional migration of the Asian monsoon circulation, accompanied by an early northward movement of the East Asian rain belt. At interannual scales, Chinese speleothem δ18O is also tied to the intensity of monsoonal circulation, via a change in moisture source locations: Enhanced moisture delivery from remote source regions leads to more negative
, particularly in late summer and early autumn. Our results have implications for the hydroclimatic interpretation of speleothem δ18O from Chinese caves and suggest that this interpretation is time scale dependent.
Ionospheric Detection of Natural Hazards
Authors: Astafyeva Elvira
Published: December 2019

Natural hazards (NH), such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and severe tropospheric weather events, generate acoustic and gravity waves that propagate upward and cause perturbations in the atmosphere and ionosphere. The first NH‐related ionospheric disturbances were detected after the great 1964 Alaskan earthquake by ionosondes and Doppler sounders. Since then, many other observations confirmed the responsiveness of the ionosphere to NH. Within the last two decades, outstanding progress has been made in this area owing to the development of networks of ground‐based dual‐frequency Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers. The use of GNSS‐sounding has substantially enlarged our knowledge about the solid earth/ocean/atmosphere/ionosphere coupling and NH‐related ionospheric disturbances and their main features. Moreover, recent results have demonstrated that it is possible to localize NH from their ionospheric signatures and also, if/when applicable, to obtain the information about the NH source (i.e., the source location and extension and the source onset time). Although all these results were obtained in retrospective studies, they have opened an exciting possibility for future ionosphere‐based detection and monitoring of NH in near‐real time. This article reviews the recent developments in the area of ionospheric detection of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, and it discusses the future perspectives for this novel discipline.
Developing a Nowcasting Capability for X‐Class Solar Flares Using VLF Radiowave Propagation Changes.
Authors: George Harriet E. , Rodger Craig J. , Clilverd Mark A. , Cresswell‐Moorcock Kathy , Brundell James B. , Thomson Neil R.
Published: December 2019

A technique for analyzing very low frequency (VLF) radiowave signals is investigated in order to achieve rapid, real‐time detection of large solar flares, through the monitoring of changes in VLF radio signal propagation conditions. The reliability of the use of VLF phase and amplitude perturbations to determine the X‐ray fluxes involved during 10 large solar flare events (>X1) is examined. Linear regression analysis of signals from the NPM transmitter in Hawaii, received at Arrival Heights, Scott Base, Antarctica, over the years 2011–2015 shows that VLF phase perturbations during large solar flares have a 1.5–3 times lower mean square error when modeling the long wavelength X‐ray fluxes than the equivalent short wavelength fluxes. The use of VLF amplitude observations to determine long or short wavelength X‐ray flux levels have a 4–10 times higher mean square error than when using VLF phase. Normalized linear regression analysis identifies VLF phase as the most important parameter in the regression, followed by solar zenith angle at the midpoint of the propagation path, then the initial solar X‐ray flux level (from 5 min before the impact of the solar flare), with F10.7 cm flux from the day beforehand providing the least important contribution. Transmitter phase measurements are more difficult to undertake than amplitude. However, networks of VLF receivers already exist which include the high quality phase capability required for such a nowcasting product. Such narrowband VLF data can be a redundant source of flare monitoring if satellite data is not available.
The Value of Subseasonal Hydrometeorological Forecasts to Hydropower Operations: How Much Does Preprocessing Matter?
Authors: Anghileri D. , Monhart S. , Zhou C. , Bogner K. , Castelletti A. , Burlando P. , Zappa M.
Published: December 2019

The quality of the forecasts, that is, the accuracy in predicting the observed streamflow, affects the decisions that can be taken thus determining the success or failure of hydropower operations, that is, the so‐called forecast value. Although preprocessing techniques can be employed to improve forecast quality, the corresponding improvement in forecast value to hydropower is not straightforward to anticipate because of the complex relationship between quality and value, which depends on the hydrometeorological regime and water system features. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the value to hydropower reservoir operations of preprocessed (i.e., bias corrected and downscaled) subseasonal forecasts and to compare the forecast quality and value across and within seasons. We use the forecast ensembles provided by the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). We assess forecast quality in terms of bias, Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS), and Continuous Ranked Probability Skill Score (CRPSS), and forecast value in terms of mean revenue and avoided unproductive spill. We consider daily subseasonal hydrometeorological forecasts covering lead times up to 1 month and a quantile mapping technique to preprocess the hydrometeorological forecasts. Forecasts are then used in a rolling horizon set up to optimize hydropower operations of the Verzasca hydropower system in the Alps (CH). Results show that preprocessing is essential to improve both forecast quality and value. Although hydropower reservoir operations benefit from considering forecasts all the yearlong, the relationship between forecast quality and value is complex and strongly depends on the metrics used to assess forecast quality and value and on the season.
The MS-lincRNA landscape reveals a novel lincRNA BCLIN25 that contributes to tumorigenesis by upregulating ERBB2 expression via epigenetic modification and RNA–RNA interactions in breast cancer
Authors: Xu Shouping , Liu Hongbo , Wan Lin , Zhang Weijia , Wang Qin , Zhang Shumei , Shang Shipeng , Zhang Yan , Pang Da
Published: December 2019

The landscape of molecular subtype-specific long intergenic noncoding RNAs (MS-lincRNAs) in breast cancer has not been elucidated. No study has investigated the biological function of BCLIN25, serving as a novel HER2 subtype-specific lincRNA, in human disease, especially in malignancy. Moreover, the mechanism of BCLIN25 in the regulation of ERBB2 expression remains unknown. Our present study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of BCLIN25 in the regulation of ERBB2 expression. The transcriptional landscape across five subtypes of breast cancer was investigated using RNA sequencing. Integrative transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify the landscape of novel lincRNAs. Next, WEKA was used to identify lincRNA-based subtype classification and MS-lincRNAs for breast cancer. The MS-lincRNAs were validated in 250 breast cancer samples in our cohort and datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus. Furthermore, BCLIN25 was selected, and its role in tumorigenesis was examined in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the mechanism by which BCLIN25 regulates ERBB2 expression was investigated in detail. A total of 715 novel lincRNAs were differentially expressed across five breast cancer subtypes. Next, lincRNA-based subtype classifications and MS-lincRNAs were identified and validated using our breast cancer samples and public datasets. BCLIN25 was found to contribute to tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, BCLIN25 was shown to increase the expression of ERBB2 by enhancing promoter CpG methylation of miR-125b, leading to miR-125b downregulation. In turn, ERBB2 mRNA degradation was found to be abolished due to decreased binding of miR-125b to the 3’-untranslated region (UTR) of ERBB2. These findings reveal the role of novel lincRNAs in breast cancer and provide a comprehensive landscape of breast cancer MS-lincRNAs, which may complement the current molecular classification system in breast cancer.
Publisher Correction: Prominence of the tropics in the recent rise of global nitrogen pollution
Authors: Lee Minjin , Shevliakova Elena , Stock Charles A. , Malyshev Sergey , Milly P. C. D.
Published: December 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Imagery of internal structure and destabilization features of active volcano by 3D high resolution airborne electromagnetism
Authors: Dumont Marc , Peltier Aline , Roblin Else , Reninger Pierre-Alexandre. , Barde-Cabusson Stéphanie , Finizola Anthony , Ferrazzini Valérie
Published: December 2019

Present-day volcano imaging and monitoring relies primarily on ground surface and satellite remote sensing observations. The overall understanding of the volcanic edifice and its dynamics is thus limited by surface investigation, spatial resolution and penetration depth of the ground methods, but also by human and material resources, and harsh environments. Here, we show for the first time that an airborne electromagnetic survey provides a 3D global resistivity model of an active volcano. The high-resolution survey acquired at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean, shows unprecedented details of the internal structure of the edifice, highlighting the upwelling hydrothermal system below the craters, magma intrusion pathways and inherited faults. Together with surface monitoring, such airborne imagery have a high potential to better characterize volcano internal structure and magmatic processes, and therefore to better anticipate catastrophic events such as phreato-magmatic eruptions or volcano destabilizations.
Multicaloric effect in a multiferroic composite of Gd5(Si,Ge)4 microparticles embedded into a ferroelectric PVDF matrix
Authors: Andrade V. M. , Amirov A. , Yusupov D. , Pimentel B. , Barroca N. , Pires A. L. , Belo J. H. , Pereira A. M. , Valente M. A. , Araújo J. P. , Reis M. S.
Published: December 2019

The coupling between electric, magnetic and elastic features in multiferroic materials is an emerging field in materials science, with important applications on alternative solid-state cooling technologies, energy harvesting and sensors/actuators. In this direction, we developed a thorough investigation of a multiferroic composite, comprising magnetocaloric/magnetostrictive Gd$${}_{5}$$

5

Si$${}_{2.4}$$

2.4

Ge$${}_{1.6}$$

1.6

microparticles blended into a piezo- and pyroelectric poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix. Using a simple solvent casting technique, the formation and stabilization of PVDF electroactive phases are improved when the filler content increases from 2 to 12 weight fraction (wt.%). This effect greatly contributes to the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, with the ME coefficient $${\alpha }_{ME}$$

α

M
E

increasing from 0.3 V/cm.Oe to 2.2 V/cm.Oe, by increasing the amount of magnetic material. In addition, magnetic measurements revealed that the ME-coupling has influenced the magnetocaloric effect via a contribution from the electroactive polymer and hence leading to a multicaloric effect. These results contribute to the development of multifunctional systems for novel technologies.
Investigating Ammonium By-product Removal for Ureolytic Bio-cementation Using Meter-scale Experiments
Authors: Lee Minyong , Gomez Michael G. , San Pablo Alexandra C. M. , Kolbus Colin M. , Graddy Charles M. R. , DeJong Jason T. , Nelson Douglas C.
Published: December 2019

Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), or bio-cementation, is a promising bio-mediated technology that can improve the engineering properties of soils through the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Despite significant advances in the technology, concerns regarding the fate of produced NH4+ by-products have remained largely unaddressed. In this study, five 3.7-meter long soil columns each containing one of three different soils were improved using ureolytic bio-cementation, and post-treatment NH4+ by-product removal was investigated during the application of 525 L of a high pH and high ionic strength rinse solution. During rinsing, reductions in aqueous NH4+ were observed in all columns from initial concentrations between ≈100 mM to 500 mM to final values between ≈0.3 mM and 20 mM with higher NH4+ concentrations observed at distances furthest from the injection well. In addition, soil Vs measurements completed during rinse injections suggested that no significant changes in cementation integrity occurred during NH4+ removal. After rinsing and a 12 hour stop flow period, all column solutions achieved cumulative NH4+ removals exceeding 97.9%. Soil samples collected following rinsing, however, contained significant sorbed NH4+ masses that appeared to have a near linear relationship with surrounding aqueous NH4+ concentrations. While these results suggest that NH4+ can be successfully removed from bio-cemented soils, acceptable limits for NH4+ aqueous concentrations and sorbed NH4+ masses will likely be governed by site-specific requirements and may require further investigation and refinement of the developed techniques.
Physiologic intestinal 18F-FDG uptake is associated with alteration of gut microbiota and proinflammatory cytokine levels in breast cancer
Authors: Yoon Hai-Jeon , Kim Han-Na , Bang Ji-In , Lim Woosung , Moon Byung In , Paik Nam Sun , Kim Bom Sahn , Kim Hyung-Lae
Published: December 2019

The clinical significance of physiologic Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) intestinal uptake (IU) based on the predicted link with gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammatory cytokine production was investigated in a cohort of breast cancer patients. A total of 114 patients were visually classified into the lower or higher IU group. The maximum and mean standardized uptake values of total bowel (TB SUVmax and TB SUVmean) were measured. The gut microbial abundance of the Citrobacter genus of the Enterobacteriaceae family showed a significant positive correlation with TB SUVmax and TB SUVmean (q = 0.021 and q = 0.010). The unclassified Ruminococcaceae showed a significant negative correlation with TB SUVmax (q = 0.010). The level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was significantly increased in the high IU group (p = 0.017). The TNF-α levels showed a significant positive correlation with TB SUVmax (rho = 0.220 and p = 0.018) and TB SUVmean (rho = 0.250 and p = 0.007). Therefore, our findings suggest that the physiologic intestinal uptake may reflect subclinical inflammation and differences in the composition of the gut microbiome in breast cancer patients.
Early life cognitive development trajectories and intelligence quotient in middle childhood and early adolescence in rural western China
Authors: Zhu Zhonghai , Chang Suying , Cheng Yue , Qi Qi , Li Shaoru , Elhoumed Mohamed , Yan Hong , Dibley Michael J. , Fawzi Wafaie W. , Zeng Lingxia , Sudfeld Christopher R.
Published: December 2019

The relationship of cognitive developmental trajectories during the dynamic first years with later life development outcomes remains unclear in low- and middle-income countries. 1388 Children born to women who participated in a randomized trial of antenatal micronutrient supplementation in rural China were prospectively followed. Cognitive development was assessed six times between 3 and 30 months of age using Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and then in mid-childhood (7–9 years) and early adolescence (10–12 years) using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. We identified four distinct infant cognitive development trajectory subgroups using group-based trajectory modeling: (i) consistently above average, (ii) consistently average, (iii) started below average and then improved, and (iv) started below average and then declined. LBW infants (<2500 g) were 10.60 times (95% CI 3.57, 31.49) more likely to be in the trajectory group that started below average and then declined, while each grade increase in maternal education decreased the risk of being in this group by 73% (95% CI 54%, 84%). Infants who performed consistently above average had 8.02 (95% CI 1.46, 14.59) points higher IQ in adolescence versus the declining trajectory group. These findings suggest that interventions to improve early child development trajectories may produce long-term human capital benefits.
Cyanide produced with ethylene by ACS and its incomplete detoxification by β-CAS in mango inflorescence leads to malformation
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Wahid , Kaushik Shail , Bains Gurdeep , Tula Suresh , Joshi Bhavana , Rani Varsha , Wattal Ratnum Kaul , Rakwal Randeep , Shukla Alok , Pant Ramesh Chandra , Tuteja Renu , Tuteja Narendra
Published: December 2019

Malformation of mango inflorescences (MMI) disease causes severe economic losses worldwide. Present research investigates the underlying causes of MMI. Results revealed significantly higher levels of cyanide, a by-product of ethylene biosynthesis, in malformed inflorescences (MI) of mango cultivars. There was a significant rise inACStranscripts, ACS enzyme activity and cyanide and ethylene levels in MI as compared to healthy inflorescences (HI). Significant differences in levels of methionine, phosphate, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, ascorbate and glutathione, and activities of dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase were seen in MI over HI. Further, a lower expression of β-cyanoalanine synthase (β-CAS) transcript was associated with decreased cellular β-CAS activity in MI, indicating accumulation of unmetabolized cyanide. TEM studies showed increased gum-resinosis and necrotic cell organelles, which might be attributed to unmetabolized cyanide. In field trials, increased malformed-necrotic-inflorescence (MNI) by spraying ethrel and decreased MNI by treating with ethylene inhibitors (silver and cobalt ions) further confirmed the involvement of cyanide in MMI. Implying a role for cyanide in MMI at the physiological and molecular level, this study will contribute to better understanding of the etiology of mango inflorescence malformation, and also help manipulate mango varieties genetically for resistance to malformation.
MSC Transplantation Improves Lacrimal Gland Regeneration after Surgically Induced Dry Eye Disease in Mice
Authors: Dietrich Jana , Ott Lolita , Roth Mathias , Witt Joana , Geerling Gerd , Mertsch Sonja , Schrader Stefan
Published: December 2019

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease characterized by a disrupted tear film homeostasis and inflammation leading to visual impairments and pain in patients. Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) causes the most severe progressions and depends mainly on the loss of functional lacrimal gland (LG) tissue. Despite a high prevalence, therapies remain palliative. Therefore, it is of great interest to develop new approaches to curatively treat ADDE. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to induce tissue regeneration and cease inflammation. Moreover, an increasing amount of MSC was found in the regenerating LG of mice. Therefore, this study investigated the therapeutic effect of MSC transplantation on damaged LGs using duct ligation induced ADDE in mice. Due to the transplantation of sex-mismatched and eGFP-expressing MSC, MSC could be identified and detected until day 21. MSC transplantation significantly improved LG regeneration, as the amount of vital acinar structures was significantly increased above the intrinsic regeneration capacity of control. Additionally, MSC transplantation modulated the immune reaction as macrophage infiltration was delayed and TNFα expression decreased, accompanied by an increased IL-6 expression. Thus, the application of MSC appears to be a promising therapeutic approach to induce LG regeneration in patients suffering from severe DED/ADDE.
Microfluidic synthesis of methyl jasmonate-loaded PLGA nanocarriers as a new strategy to improve natural defenses in Vitis vinifera
Authors: Chronopoulou Laura , Donati Livia , Bramosanti Marco , Rosciani Roberta , Palocci Cleofe , Pasqua Gabriella , Valletta Alessio
Published: December 2019

The objective of the present work was to synthesize biopolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) entrapping the resistance-inductor methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to be employed as a novel and alternative strategy in integrated pest management. NPs were prepared by using a continuous flow microfluidic reactor that allows to precisely control some features that are crucial for applications such as size, polydispersion, morphology and reproducibility. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a biopolymer largely studied for its use in biological applications, was chosen for the production of NPs entrapping MeJA, a biotic endogenous elicitor able to trigger plant’s defense responses. The effect of different fluid-dynamic conditions, PLGA molecular weight and concentration on NP properties (dimensions, polydispersion, morphology, stability) was evaluated. DLS and SEM were employed to characterize the obtained NPs. MeJA-loaded PLGA NPs ranging from 40 to 70 nm were administered to Vitis vinifera cell cultures, in order to evaluate the biological response in terms of stilbene biosynthesis. HPLC investigations showed a faster response when the elicitor was administered by PLGA NPs in comparison with free MeJA. This result demonstrates that the encapsulation in PLGA NPs significantly promotes MeJA cell uptake and the activation of MeJA-induced responses.