bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Helps Children Tell? A Qualitative Meta‐Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure
Authors: Brennan Emma , McElvaney Rosaleen
Published: April 2020

The increasing use of qualitative methodologies to explore experiences of child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure has led to the need to synthesise these findings. Recent reviews have tended to focus on the barriers to disclosure more than the facilitators or to conflate findings from studies of adults and studies of children and adolescents. This paper focuses on a qualitative meta‐analysis of studies conducted in the past 20 years (1998–2018) that addresses the question of what helps children disclose experiences of CSA. An analysis of 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria suggests that six key themes are important facilitators of disclosure: access to someone you can trust; realising it's not normal; inability to cope with emotional distress; wanting something to be done about it; expecting to be believed; and being asked. These can be conceptualised as representing two key dynamics that help children tell: needing to tell (pressure cooker effect), and opportunity to tell. Professionals and carers can facilitate the process of disclosure through building trusting relationships with children, recognising their distress and initiating conversations with children about their wellbeing.

‘A qualitative meta‐analysis of studies conducted in the past 20 years (1998–2018) that addresses the question of what helps children disclose experiences of CSA’

Key Practitioner Messages

There is a need for the focus to be on what helps children tell rather than what hinders children telling.

Children need those around them to notice when they need to talk about themselves and what is happening in their lives – when they are unable to cope with their distress, when they want something done about it.

Professionals and adults interacting with children need to ask children about their lives and wellbeing, in order to: help create opportunities for children to tell; help them access someone they can trust; let them know they will be taken seriously; and help them to understand that abusive behaviour is not normal.
Flavin‐Dependent Monooxygenases NotI and NotI′ Mediate Spiro‐Oxindole Formation in Biosynthesis of the Notoamides
Authors: Fraley Amy E. , Tran Hong T. , Kelly Samantha P. , Newmister Sean A. , Tripathi Ashootosh , Kato Hikaru , Tsukamoto Sachiko , Du Lei , Li Shengying , Williams Robert M. , Sherman David H.
Published: April 2020

The fungal indole alkaloids are a unique class of complex molecules that have a characteristic bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane ring and frequently contain a spiro‐oxindole moiety. While various strains produce these compounds, an intriguing case involves the formation of individual antipodes by two unique species of fungi in the generation of the potent anticancer agents (+)‐ and (−)‐notoamide A. NotI and NotI′ have been characterized as flavin‐dependent monooxygenases that catalyze epoxidation and semi‐pinacol rearrangement to form the spiro‐oxindole center within these molecules. This work elucidates a key step in the biosynthesis of the notoamides and provides an evolutionary hypothesis regarding a common ancestor for production of enantiopure notoamides.
Magic‐Angle‐Pulse Driven Separation of Degenerate 1H Transitions in Methyl Groups of Proteins: Application to Studies of Methyl Axis Dynamics
Authors: Tugarinov Vitali , Karamanos Theodoros K. , Clore G. Marius
Published: April 2020

Dynamics of protein side chains is one of the principal determinants of conformational entropy in protein structures and molecular recognition events. We describe NMR experiments that rely on the use of magic‐angle pulses for efficient isolation of degenerate 1H transitions of the I=3/2 manifold of 13CH3 methyl groups, and serve as ‘building blocks’ for the measurement of transverse spin relaxation rates of the fast‐ and slow‐relaxing 1H transitions – the primary quantitative reporters of methyl axis dynamics in selectively {13CH3}‐methyl‐labelled, highly deuterated proteins. The magic‐angle‐pulse driven experiments are technically simpler and, in the absence of relaxation, predicted to be 2.3‐fold more sensitive than previously developed analogous schemes. Validation of the methodology on a sample of {13CH3}‐labeled ubiquitin demonstrates quantitative agreement between order parameters of methyl three‐fold symmetry axis obtained with magic‐angle‐pulse driven experiments and other established NMR techniques, paving the way for studies of methyl axis dynamics in human DNAJB6b chaperone, a protein that undergoes exchange with high‐molecular‐weight oligomeric species.
Analysis of 4‐fluoroamphetamine in cerumen after controlled oral application
Authors: Meier Sylvia I. , Petzel‐Witt Silvana , Schubert‐Zsilavecz Manfred , de Sousa Fernandes Perna Elizabeth B. , Theunissen Eef L. , Ramaekers Johannes G. , Toennes Stefan W.
Published: April 2020

Cerumen was found to be a promising alternative specimen for the detection of drugs. In a pilot study, drugs of abuse were identified at a higher detection rate and a longer detection window in cerumen than in urine. In this study, cerumen from subjects was analyzed after they ingested the designer stimulant 4‐fluoroamphetamine (4‐FA) in a controlled manner.

Methods

Twelve subjects ingested placebo and 100 mg of 4‐FA. Five of them were also given 150 mg of 4‐FA in 150 mL Royal Club bitter lemon drink at least after 7 days. Cerumen was sampled using cotton swabs at baseline, 1 h after the ingestion of the drug and at the end of the study day (12 h). After extraction with ethyl acetate followed by solid‐phase extraction, the extracts were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Results and discussion

In the cerumen of all 12 subjects, 4‐FA was detected 12 h after its ingestion; in most subjects, cerumen was detected after 1 h of ingestion, ranging from 0.06 to 13.90 (median 1.52) ng per swab. The detection of 4‐FA in cerumen sampled 7 days or more after the first dose suggested a long detection window of cerumen.

Conclusions

Cerumen can be successfully used to detect a single drug ingestion even immediately after the ingestion when a sufficient amount of cerumen is used.
A large Bayesian VAR with a block‐specific shrinkage: A forecasting application for Italian industrial production
Authors: Aprigliano Valentina
Published: April 2020

This paper proposes a Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) model with the Kalman filter to forecast the Italian industrial production index in a pseudo real‐time experiment. Minnesota priors are adopted as a general framework, but a different shrinkage pattern is imposed for both the VAR coefficients and the Kalman gain, depending on the informative contribution of each variable investigated at frequency level. Both a time‐varying and a constant selection for the shrinkage are proposed.

Overall, the new BVAR models significantly improve the forecasting performance in comparison with the more traditional versions based on standard Minnesota priors with a single shrinkage, equal for all the variables, and selected on the basis of some optimal criteria. Very promising results come out in terms of density forecasting as well.
Oligocene vegetation of Europe and western Asia—Diversity change and continental patterns reflected by plant functional types
Authors: Utescher Torsten , Erdei Boglárka , François Louis , Henrot Alexandra‐Jane , Mosbrugger Volker , Popova Svetlana
Published: April 2020

Spatial vegetation patterns potentially reflect coeval continental climate variations which are also impacted by palaeogeographical settings. Plant functional types (PFTs) and their distribution, frequently applied in ecological studies and biome modelling, serve as a tool for reconstructing palaeovegetation units and ultimately tracing palaeoecological/climate gradients. Earlier quantitative studies focusing on distribution patterns of PFTs and designed to put forward data‐model comparisons were carried out on well‐dated Middle and Late Miocene floras. Moreover, the PFT approach has been successfully applied to reconstruct Eocene vegetation patterns in several time slices at a global scale as well as in regional vegetation reconstructions throughout the Cenozoic. In the current study, a PFT approach with 41 different classes is applied on Rupelian and Chattian fossil floras of Europe and western Asia to infer spatial vegetation differences across the study area. A comprehensive palaeobotanical record including ~163 macro‐ (leaves, fruits and seeds) and microfloras was compiled. The floristic components of these palaeofloras are translated to PFTs including herbaceous to arboreal classes. The PFTs are defined using traits and climatic thresholds of key taxa, and comprise species assigned by morphological and phenological features with respect to the related ecosystem. Diversity values of each PFT are calculated for the fossil floras and spatial gradients over western Eurasia are investigated for the Rupelian and Chattian. PFT diversity maps and transects for both time slices reveal basic patterns of the vegetational structure at the continental scale. It is shown that in both time slices studied tropical and broadleaved evergreen PFTs were more diverse in the West and at lower latitudes. Consistently with the global climate evolution as known from marine archives and regional continental records their level was higher in the Rupelian compared to the Chattian. All over low diversities of xeric PFTs coincide with the previously assumed dominance of humid climate conditions in western Eurasia throughout the Oligocene, however, the reconstructed spatial gradients suggest somewhat drier conditions to the southwest and southeast of the study area.
The circulatory system of Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931—Lacunar function and a reconsideration of the “open vs. closed system” debate
Authors: Göpel Torben , Wirkner Christian S.
Published: April 2020

The morphology of hemolymph circulatory systems has been studied in many arthropod groups over the past decades. In most cases, however, the focus of these studies has been the vascular system, while its counterpart, the lacunar system, has often been neglected. To further understanding of the interrelationships between these two complementary subsystems, we investigated both, the hemolymph vascular system and the hemolymph lacunar system, of the decapod Penaeus vannamei using 3D‐imaging techniques (micro‐computed tomography and confocal laser scanning microscopy) in combination with 3D reconstruction. Major parts of the vascular and lacunar system are described. Our insights into their morphology are used to derive functional conclusions for a model illustrating the interrelationships between the two subsystems. The morphology of and the functional interaction between the vascular and lacunar systems are discussed in the context of the debate on “open vs. closed circulatory systems.”
Retention of Gadolinium in Brain Parenchyma: Pathways for Speciation, Access, and Distribution. A Critical Review
Authors: Rasschaert Marlène , Weller Roy O. , Schroeder Josef A. , Brochhausen Christoph , Idée Jean‐Marc
Published: April 2020

The unexpected appearance of T1 hyperintensities, mostly in the dentate nucleus and the globus pallidus, during nonenhanced MRI was reported in 2014. This effect is associated with prior repeated administrations of gadolinium (Gd)‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) in patients with a functional blood–brain barrier (BBB). It is widely assumed that GBCAs do not cross the intact BBB, but the observation of these hypersignals raises questions regarding this assumption. This review critically discusses the mechanisms of Gd accumulation in the brain with regard to access pathways, Gd species, tissue distribution, and subcellular location. We propose the hypothesis that there is early access of Gd species to cerebrospinal fluid, followed by passive diffusion into the brain parenchyma close to the cerebral ventricles. When accessing areas rich in endogenous metals or phosphorus, the less kinetically stable GBCAs would dissociate, and Gd would bind to endogenous macromolecules, and/or precipitate within the brain tissue. It is also proposed that Gd species enter the brain parenchyma along penetrating cortical arteries in periarterial pial‐glial basement membranes and leave the brain along intramural peri‐arterial drainage (IPAD) pathways. Lastly, Gd/GBCAs may access the brain parenchyma directly from the blood through the BBB in the walls of capillaries. It is crucial to distinguish between the physiological distribution and drainage pathways for GBCAs and the possible dissociation of less thermodynamically/kinetically stable GBCAs that lead to long‐term Gd deposition in the brain.

Level of Evidence

5.

Technical Efficacy Stage

3.
Response to Commentary on “The neuroinvasive potential of SARS‐CoV‐2 may play a role in the respiratory failure of COVID‐19 patients”
Authors: Li Yan‐Chao , Bai Wan‐Zhu , Hashikawa Tsutomu
Published: April 2020

In a recent review, we have suggested a neuroinvasive potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and its possible role in the causation of acute respiratory failure of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients (J Med Viol doi: 10.1002/jmv.25728), based upon the clinical and experimental data available on the past SARS‐CoV‐1 and the recent SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. In this article, we provide new evidence recently reported regarding the neurotropic potential of SARS‐CoV‐2 and respond to several comments on our previously published article. In addition, we also discuss the peculiar manifestations of respiratory failure in COVID‐19 patients and the possible involvement of nervous system.
Bile Composition as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Brüggenwirth Isabel M. A. , Porte Robert J. , Martins Paulo N.
Published: April 2020

Bile secretion and composition reflects the functional status of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Bile composition can have a role in the assessment of donor grafts before implantation in the recipient. In addition, changes in bile composition after liver transplantation can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool to predict posttransplant complications, such as primary nonfunction, acute cellular rejection, or nonanastomotic biliary strictures. With the popularization of liver machine perfusion preservation in the clinical setting, there is a revisited interest in biliary biomarkers to assess graft viability before implantation. This review discusses current literature on biliary biomarkers that could predict or assess liver graft and bile duct viability. Bile composition offers an exciting and novel perspective in the search for reliable hepatocyte and cholangiocyte viability biomarkers.
How product aesthetics cues efficacy beliefs of product performance
Authors: Sundar Aparna , Cao Edita S. , Machleit Karen A.
Published: April 2020

Aesthetics of package design is an important consideration when consumers make purchase decisions. We argue that this is particularly the case for purchase decision of products in the beauty category. This paper advances current understanding of the role of packaging in product purchase behavior by identifying heuristic cues exhibited in packaging (i.e., that beautiful packaging is more effective at making the consumer more beautiful). Across a pilot field study and four lab studies, we demonstrate that package aesthetics informs inferences of how well the product can perform, which, in turn, drives purchase decisions. Importantly, we show that in the presence of a diagnostic cue such as a brand name, or an explicit promise (e.g. tagline of an advertisement), this effect is attenuated and rendered irrelevant. Further, we show that this effect is rendered ineffective to a category to which beauty is irrelevant. Hence, by signaling product efficacy, the beauty‐in‐a‐bottle heuristic appears to inform purchase decisions.
Bringing nature back into cities
Authors: Mata Luis , Ramalho Cristina E. , Kennedy Jade , Parris Kirsten M. , Valentine Leonie , Miller Maddison , Bekessy Sarah , Hurley Sarrah , Cumpston Zena
Published: April 2020

Protecting nature is a fundamental aspect of local and Indigenous cultures that has more recently become an urban sustainability goal. The benefits provided by nature to people and other species have sparked an upsurge in research exploring how best to manage existing nature in urban environments. Here we expand this focus by drawing attention to an emerging pathway of research and practice that is engaged with the idea of bringing nature back into cities (BNB).

We argue that BNB could be a vital force of the 21st century urban‐sustainability agenda. However, the enthusiasm of practitioners and policymakers for incorporating BNB objectives into local and global strategies remains uneven. As interdisciplinary scholars involved with the theory and practice of caring for urban nature, we believe that the time is ripe to present a fresh perspective on seven key areas that can unlock the potential of actions to bring nature back into cities.

Specifically, we: (a) argue that the sovereignty of local and Indigenous knowledge‐systems be acknowledged and respected; (b) contend that the choice of bringing nature back actions should be driven by inclusive decision‐making; (c) discuss advances in ecology that need to be addressed to facilitate the return of nature into cities; (d) outline how the diffusion of innovation theory may assist communication of BNB actions to stakeholders; (e) discuss how built‐environment professionals can demonstrate the value of urban infrastructure for BNB; (f) call for longitudinal research to understand, quantify and qualify the benefits of BNB actions and (g) consider solutions needed to address concerns about potential risks and disservices associated with actions to bring nature back into urban environments.

Taken together, these perspectives, and the transdisciplinary framework that emerges from them, embody theoretical innovation regarding how to bring nature back into cities and a holistic view of how to make this happen in practice. Bringing nature back into cities has the potential to become an environmentally just and culturally inclusive dimension of the 21st urban sustainability agenda upon which future generations of city‐dwellers rely.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Evaluation of Addition of Intravenous Metronidazole to Oral Vancomycin Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Non‐Fulminant Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Vega Ana D. , Heil Emily L. , Blackman Alison L. , Banoub Mary , Kristie Johnson Jennifer , Leekha Surbhi , Claeys Kimberly C.
Published: April 2020

Background

Data on the impact of combination therapy (intravenous metronidazole [IV MTZ] plus oral vancomycin [PO VAN]) on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe non‐fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), including NAP1‐positive samples, are lacking.

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort of adult patients who developed CDI in the ICU diagnosed with severe non‐fulminant CDI who received PO VAN. Patients with an order for IV MTZ started within 72 hours of PO VAN and who received at least 72 hours of combined therapy composed the combination therapy group. A subset of patients had stool samples collected for NAP1 testing. An additional subset was matched by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. The primary outcome was inpatient all‐cause mortality within 30 days of CDI diagnosis.

Results

A total of 138 patients were included with 60 (43.5%) patients in the combination group. Compared with the PO VAN group, those in the combination group had higher white blood cell counts at diagnosis (15.9 [interquartile range (IQR) 10.2–21.1] vs 20.9 [IQR 16.2–29] cells/mm3, p<0.001), respectively. Overall inpatient mortality was higher in the combination group, but 30‐day mortality was not significantly different between groups (12.8% monotherapy vs 18.3% combination, p=0.371). This finding was the same for the 96 patients in the APACHE II–matched subgroup, 14.6% monotherapy versus 18.8% combination, p=0.785. NAP1 testing was completed in 42 patients; 11 were positive (26.2%). Patients who were NAP1 positive were more likely to receive IV MTZ (54.5% vs 19.4%, p=0.026).

Conclusion

Compared with PO VAN, combination therapy with IV MTZ was not associated with better clinical outcomes in severe non‐fulminant CDI in ICU patients.
Antifungal effects of 3‐(2‐pyridyl)methyl‐2‐(4‐chlorphenyl) iminothiazolidine against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Zhang Xianfei , Xu Jiuyong , Muhayimana Solange , Xiong Hui , Liu Xuefeng , Huang Qingchun
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum threatens oilseed rape cultivation, and the emergence of fungicide‐resistant strains has led to control failures worldwide. Identifying novel chemical alternatives with different modes of action and high antifungal activities is thus crucial. Herein we evaluated the antifungal effects of 3‐(2‐pyridyl)methyl‐2‐(4‐chlorphenyl)imino‐ thiazolidine (PMAS) on S. sclerotiorum to determine its efficacy for SSR management.

RESULTS

PMAS had an inhibitory effect on mycelial growth; the EC50 values were 17.83 and 21.15 μg mL−1 for the carbendazim‐susceptible strain Ss01 and carbendazim‐resistant strain Hm25, respectively. PMAS treatment changed the color of inhibited mycelia to green, and the hyphae were sustained in the undifferentiated stage. Cysteine supplementation made this green color disappear, whereas methionine enhanced the color. Moreover, PMAS treatment markedly inhibited oxalic acid biogenesis, increased free thiol content in mycelia, and weakened the activities of oxaloacetase and malate dehydrogenase, but had little effect on the activity of glyoxylate dehydrogenase. Cysteine could reverse the inhibitory effects of PMAS on mycelial morphogenesis and biochemical constituents, except thiol production. In the pot‐culture experiment, PMAS showed a good protective effect, with the control efficacy being >91% on SSR.

CONCLUSION

PMAS appears to be an effective fungicide for SSR management. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Involvement of mTOR‐related signaling in antidepressant effects of Sophoraflavanone G on chronically stressed mice
Authors: Wang Hanqing , Tong Yue , Xiao Dong , Xia Baomei
Published: April 2020

SophoraflavanoneG (SG), an important prenylated flavonoid isolated from Sophoraalopecuroides.L, is effective for many illnesses. The present study was designed to investigate whether the compound could reverse depressive‐like symptoms and investigate its possible mechanisms. Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) mice were treated with fluoxetine and SG. The immobility time in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were recorded. The levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus were evaluated. Furthermore, the protein expressions of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, BDNF, and Trkb in hippocampus were detected. Rapamycin, the selective mTOR inhibitor, was used to estimate the potential mechanism. As a result, after 7 days of SG treatment, the immobility time in FST and TST was declined obviously. The levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in the hippocampus were significantly reduced, and the quantity of 5‐HT and NE was raised considerably in SG‐treated group compared with the CUMS‐exposed group. Additionally, SG could up‐regulate the expressions of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, 70S6K, BDNF, and Trkb. The blockade of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling blunted the antidepressant effect and reversed the up‐regulation of BDNF expression caused by SG. These findings suggested that SG treatment alleviated depressive‐like symptoms via mTOR‐mediated BDNF/Trkb signaling.
Effects of oxygen plasma ashing treatment on carbonate clumped isotopes
Authors: Adlan Qi , Davies Amelia J. , John Cédric M.
Published: April 2020

Rationale

For clumped isotope analysis (Δ47), hydrocarbon and organic molecules present an important contaminant that cannot always be removed by CO2 purification through a Porapak‐Q trap. Low‐temperature oxygen plasma ashing (OPA) is a quick and easy approach for treatment; however, the impact of this treatment on the original carbonate clumped isotope values has never been fully studied.

Methods

We tested the isotopic impact of OPA using three natural samples with a large range of initial Δ47 values. Crushed and sieved (125 μm mesh) samples were placed into a Henniker Plasma HPT‐100 plasma system and treated at a flow rate of 46 mL/min and a power of 100 W at a vacuum of 0.2 mbar for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min before clumped isotope analysis using two MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometers modified to measure masses 44–49.

Results

OPA treatment for 30 min or more on calcite powder samples has the potential to alter the clumped isotopic composition of the samples beyond analytical error. A systematic positive offset is observed in all samples. The magnitude of this alteration translates to a temperature offset from known values ranging from 4°C to 13°C. We postulate that the observed positive offset in Δ47 occurs because the bonds within lighter isotopologues are preferentially broken by plasma treatment, leading to an artificial increase in the ‘clumping’ value of the sample.

Conclusions

We recommend that any laboratory performing OPA treatments should reduce the runs to 10–20 min or carry out successive runs of 10 min followed by sample stirring, as this procedure showed no alteration in the initial Δ47 values. Our results validate the use of OPA for clumped isotope applications and will allow future research to use clumped isotopes for challenging samples such as oil‐stained carbonates, bituminous shales or host rocks with very high organic carbon content.
Anti‐viral activity of jatrophone against RSV‐induced respiratory infection via increase in interferon‐γ generating dendritic cells
Authors: Li Kai , Xu Yuan , Yue Wei
Published: April 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a member of Paramyxoviridae family is responsible for bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The present study investigated anti‐viral and anti‐inflammatory activities of jatrophone against RSV‐infection in pulmonary epithelial cells in vitro and in mice model in vivo. The changes in viabilities of RSV infected cells by jatrophone treatment were determined by MTT assay. The fluorescence associated with production of ROS was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy using H2DCFDA dye. The IFN‐γ secreting cells were detected in mice BALF by stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. The reduction of BEAS‐2B cell viability by RSV was alleviated on treatment with jatrophone in dose based manner. The cytopathogenic changes by RSV infection were prevented and viral growth inhibited by jatrophone in BEAS‐2B cells. Jatrophone treatment significantly alleviated RSV mediated overproduction of IL‐6/‐8 and suppressed ROS generation in the cells. The pulmonary viral titers were found to be markedly lower in mice treated with jatrophone relative to untreated group. The jatrophone treated mice also showed reduced IL‐4/‐5/‐13 levels and elevated IFN‐γ level in BALF relative to untreated RSV infected mice. Flow cytometry revealed elevated count of IFN‐γ generating cells in RSV infected mice on treatment with jatrophone. Thus jatrophone inhibits viral growth and oxidative damage by RSV in pulmonary epithelial cells. In RSV infected mice jatrophone increased immunity for viral infection by modulating cell phenotype for promotion of anti‐viral IFN‐γ. Thus jatrophone acts as potential anti‐viral compound and may be developed for treatment of respiratory treat infection.
Logarithmic accuracy of angular-ordered parton showers
Authors: Bewick Gavin , Ravasio Silvia Ferrario , Richardson Peter , Seymour Michael H.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We study the logarithmic accuracy of angular-ordered parton showers by considering the singular limits of multiple emission matrix elements. This allows us to consider different choices for the evolution variable and propose a new choice which has both the correct logarithmic behaviour and improved performance away from the singular regions. In particular the description of e
+
e

−
event shapes in the non-logarithmic region is significantly improved.
QCD calculations of radiative heavy meson decays with subleading power corrections
Authors: Li Hua-Dong , Lü Cai-Dian , Wang Chao , Wang Yu-Ming , Wei Yan-Bing
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We revisit QCD calculations of radiative heavy meson decay form factors by including the subleading power corrections from the twist-two photon distribution amplitude at next-to-leading-order in α

s
with the method of the light-cone sum rules (LCSR). The desired hard-collinear factorization formula for the vacuum-to-photon correlation function with the interpolating currents for two heavy mesons is constructed with the operator- product-expansion technique in the presence of evanescent operators. Applying the back- ground field approach, the higher twist corrections from both the two-particle and three- particle photon distribution amplitudes are further computed in the LCSR framework at leading-order in QCD, up to the twist-four accuracy. Combining the leading power “point- like” photon contribution at tree level and the subleading power resolved photon corrections from the newly derived LCSR, we update theory predictions for the nonperturbative couplings describing the electromagnetic decay processes of the heavy mesons H
∗±
→ H
±
γ, H
∗0
→ H
0
γ,

$$ {H_s^{\ast}}^{\pm } $$

H
s
∗

±

→

$$ {H}_s^{\pm } $$

H
s
±

γ (with H = D, B). Furthermore, we perform an exploratory comparisons of our sum rule computations of the heavy-meson magnetic couplings with the previous determinations based upon different QCD approaches and phenomenological models.
Flavor education and training in olfactory dysfunction: a pilot study
Authors: Besser Gerold , Oswald Michaela M. , Liu David T. , Renner Bertold , Mueller Christian A.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Olfactory training is recommended in olfactory dysfunction (OD) showing promising results. OD patients frequently ask for training modifications in the hope of a better outcome. Also, a lack of knowledge of the flavor system is evident. This investigation sought to implement flavor education (FE) and encourage patients to experience flavors in terms of a flavor training (FT).

Methods

In included patients (n = 30), OD was either of postinfectious (86.7%) or posttraumatic (13.3%) cause. Chemosensory abilities were tested orthonasally (using Sniffin Sticks = TDI) and retronasally (using the Candy Smell Test = CST). Key points of flavor perception were demonstrated in an educative session. Subjects were instructed to consciously experience flavors out of a list of 50. Effects of FT were explored in two groups (group A and B), with group B starting FT 17 weeks later.

Results

FE was appreciated and drop-out rate stayed very low (one participant). Compliance was high and 30.4 ± 12.9 flavors were tried. Overall TDI scores improved in 10 patients (6 group A, 4 group B) in a clinically significant way (> 5.5). For group A (starting FT earlier) rm-ANOVA showed a significant effect of session (timepoint) on CST (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Flavor education is demonstrated as feasible and appreciated in a clinical setting. FT seems to be a welcomed second-line therapy in patients with olfactory dysfunction. This study shows beneficial trends of FT; however, further studies with larger sample sizes and standardized training protocols are needed.
Presuppositions of determiners are immediately used to disambiguate utterance meaning: A mouse-tracking study on the German language
Authors: Schneider Cosima , Bade Nadine , Franke Michael , Janczyk Markus
Published: April 2020

The present study investigated how listeners understand and process the definite and the indefinite determiner. While the definite determiner clearly conveys a uniqueness presupposition, the status of the anti-uniqueness inference associated with the indefinite determiner is less clear. In a forced choice production task, we observed that participants make use of the information about number usually associated with the two determiners to convey a message. In a subsequent mouse-tracking task, participants had to select one of two potential referents presented on screen according to an auditorily presented stimulus sentence. The data revealed that participants use the information about uniqueness or anti-uniqueness encoded in determiners to disambiguate sentence meaning as early as possible, but only when they are exclusively faced with felicitous uses of determiners.
Using high-resolution Pb isotopes to unravel the petrogenesis of Sakurajima volcano, Japan
Authors: Brown Joshua R. , Taylor Rex N. , Iguchi Masato
Published: April 2020

Sakurajima volcano on the rim of Aira caldera erupts daily, threatening the major nearby population centre of Kagoshima. Before 1955, eruptions have typically consisted of intermittent Plinian and effusive activity, but since 1955, frequent Vulcanian explosions have occurred, indicating a change in pre-eruptive processes. High-resolution Pb isotopes are used here to constrain the components, including crustal assimilants, and petrogenetic processes contributing to the composition of both pre and post 1955 magmas. Sakurajima eruptive products have more radiogenic Pb (206Pb/204Pb = 18.40–18.42) than nearby Sumiyoshiike basalts (206Pb/204Pb = 18.24), a proxy for the primitive magma feeding the Sakurajima-Aira system. Sakurajima samples lie along a mixing line between these basalts and locally exposed crustal compositions. Their Pb isotopes are consistent with addition of ~ 5% average crustal melt to the primitive basaltic magma. The narrow range of Pb isotope ratios, despite variable SiO2 contents (56.6–72.3 wt%), suggests that the final erupted magmas are derived from fractional crystallization of a mafic precursory magma displaying relatively consistent levels of crustal contamination. Andesites erupted between 4–3.7 ka and the 1995 eruption are contaminated to a greater extent, indicating that magmas with distinct compositions can feed phases of activity or individual eruptions. Post 1955 andesitic pyroclastics have lower SiO2 and higher MgO than older lavas, yet equivalent Pb isotope ratios. The more mafic composition of post 1955 eruptive products can be attributed to increased throughput of mafic magma to the system.
Is surgery justified for 80-year-old or older intracranial meningioma patients? A systematic review
Authors: Rautalin Ilari , Niemelä Mika , Korja Miikka
Published: April 2020

Since the number of elderly people with intracranial meningiomas (IM) continues to rise, surgical treatment has increasingly become a considerable treatment option, even in very old (≥ 80 years old) meningioma patients. Since little is known about whether meningioma surgery in this age group is safe and justified, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the results of surgical outcomes in very old meningioma patients. We performed a systematic literature search in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. Primarily, we extracted 1-month and 1-year survival rates, and 1-year morbidity rates, as well as information about preoperative morbidity, operative complications, meningioma size, location, histology, and peritumoral edema. Quality of the included studies was evaluated by Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and Critical Appraisal Skills Program. From the 1039 reviewed articles, seven retrospective studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Motor deficits (27–65%) and mental changes (51–59%) were the most common indications for surgery. One-month and 1-year mortality rates varied between 0–23.5% and 9.4–27.3%, respectively. Most of the operated IM patients (41.2–86.5%) improved their performance during postoperative follow-up. Impaired preoperative performance and comorbidities were most commonly related to higher postoperative mortality. None of the studies fulfilled the criteria of high quality. Based on the evidence currently available, surgical treatment of very old IM patients seems to improve the performance of highly selected individuals. Given the rapid increase of the aging population, more detailed retrospective studies as well as prospective studies are needed to prove the outcome benefits of surgery in this patient group.
A novel method for predicting the budget impact of innovative medicines: validation study for oncolytics
Authors: Geenen Joost W. , Belitser Svetlana V. , Vreman Rick A. , van Bloois Martijn , Klungel Olaf H. , Boersma Cornelis , Hövels Anke M.
Published: April 2020

Background

High budget impact (BI) estimates of new drugs have led to decision-making challenges potentially resulting in restrictions in patient access. However, current BI predictions are rather inaccurate and short term. We therefore developed a new approach for BI prediction. Here, we describe the validation of our BI prediction approach using oncology drugs as a case study.

Methods

We used Dutch population-level data to estimate BI where BI is defined as list price multiplied by volume. We included drugs in the antineoplastic agents ATC category which the European Medicines Agency (EMA) considered a New Active Substance and received EMA marketing authorization (MA) between 2000 and 2017. A mixed-effects model was used for prediction and included tumor site, orphan, first in class or conditional approval designation as covariates. Data from 2000 to 2012 were the training set. BI was predicted monthly from 0 to 45 months after MA. Cross-validation was performed using a rolling forecasting origin with e^|Ln(observed BI/predicted BI)| as outcome.

Results

The training set and validation set included 25 and 44 products, respectively. Mean error, composed of all validation outcomes, was 2.94 (median 1.57). Errors are higher with less available data and at more future predictions. Highest errors occur without any prior data. From 10 months onward, error remains constant.

Conclusions

The validation shows that the method can relatively accurately predict BI. For payers or policymakers, this approach can yield a valuable addition to current BI predictions due to its ease of use, independence of indications and ability to update predictions to the most recent data.
Assessing parameter uncertainty in small-n pharmacometric analyses: value of the log-likelihood profiling-based sampling importance resampling (LLP-SIR) technique
Authors: Broeker Astrid , Wicha Sebastian G.
Published: April 2020

Assessing parameter uncertainty is a crucial step in pharmacometric workflows. Small datasets with ten or fewer subjects appear regularly in drug development and therapeutic use, but it is unclear which method to assess parameter uncertainty is preferable in such situations. The aim of this study was to (i) systematically evaluate the performance of standard error (SE), bootstrap (BS), log-likelihood profiling (LLP), Bayesian approaches (BAY) and sampling importance resampling (SIR) to assess parameter uncertainty in small datasets and (ii) to evaluate methods to provide proposal distributions for the SIR. A simulation study was conducted and the 0–95% confidence interval (CI) and coverage for each parameter was evaluated and compared to reference CIs derived by stochastic simulation and estimation (SSE). A newly proposed LLP-SIR, combining the proposal distribution provided by LLP with SIR, was included in addition to conventional SE-SIR and BS-SIR. Additionally, the methods were applied to a clinical dataset. The determined CIs differed substantially across the methods. The CIs of SE, BS, LLP and BAY were not in line with the reference in datasets with ≤ 10 subjects. The best alignment was found for the LLP-SIR, which also provided the best coverage results among the SIR methods. The best overall results regarding the coverage were provided by LLP and BAY across all parameters and dataset sizes. To conclude, the popular SE and BS methods are not suitable to derive parameter uncertainty in small datasets containing ≤ 10 subjects, while best performances were observed with LLP, BAY and LLP-SIR.
Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Hand and Wrist Injuries in Professional Athletes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lehman Jason D. , Krishnan Karthik R. , Stepan Jeffrey G. , Nwachukwu Benedict U.
Published: April 2020

Background

Injuries to the hand and wrist constitute up to 25% of all athletic injuries, yet not much information is available on the effects of such injuries on the careers of professional athletes. Understanding whether elite athletes can return to sport and at what level has value for athletes, coaches, managers, and others, including athletes at other levels of play.

Questions/Purposes

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on injuries of the hand and wrist in professional athletes to determine the prevalence and types of injuries sustained in professional sports, the management and clinical outcomes of such injuries, and the statistics regarding return to play.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify all studies reporting on hand and wrist injuries in professional athletes that were published between January 1970 and April 2019. Inclusion criteria were injuries of the upper extremity distal to the elbow that occurred in professional athletes during athletic competition, English language, and a study cohort consisting of four or more subjects. Details of injury sustained, sport, treatment, clinical outcome, and return to sport were extracted.

Results

We identified 32 nonoverlapping studies involving a total of 4299 hand and wrist injuries. The most common sport studied was baseball (eight studies), followed by football (seven), boxing (six), and basketball (five). Specific injury type was included in 29 of 32 studies and totaled 792 injuries. Metacarpal fractures were the most common injuries ( n = 273; 34.5%), followed by thumb collateral ligament injuries ( n = 110; 13.9%), phalangeal fractures ( n = 87; 11.0%), and scaphoid fractures ( n = 56; 7.1%). The overall operative rate was 18.3% ( n = 708 of 3867). One-half of the studies reported the return to play (average, 2.8 months; range, 0.5 to 9 months). Seven studies reported sport-specific objective performance measures, with six describing consistent return to preinjury levels of performance among athletes.

Conclusions

Based on the available evidence, a large majority of hand and wrist injuries in professional athletes are treated conservatively. Athletes frequently return to preinjury levels of performance after surgery. Additionally, return to play after a hand injury appears to be faster than that after other bony injuries. Further research is needed into the impact of these injuries on athletic performance, as well as how surgical intervention affects validated patient-reported outcome measures in professional athletes.
Adaptive Bet-Hedging Revisited: Considerations of Risk and Time Horizon
Authors: Tal Omri , Tran Tat Dat
Published: April 2020

Models of adaptive bet-hedging commonly adopt insights from Kelly’s famous work on optimal gambling strategies and the financial value of information. In particular, such models seek evolutionary solutions that maximize long-term average growth rate of lineages, even in the face of highly stochastic growth trajectories. Here, we argue for extensive departures from the standard approach to better account for evolutionary contingencies. Crucially, we incorporate considerations of volatility minimization, motivated by interim extinction risk in finite populations, within a finite time horizon approach to growth maximization. We find that a game-theoretic competitive optimality approach best captures these additional constraints and derive the equilibria solutions under straightforward fitness payoff functions and extinction risks. We show that for both maximal growth and minimal time relative payoffs, the log-optimal strategy is a unique pure strategy symmetric equilibrium, invariant with evolutionary time horizon and robust to low extinction risks.
Handling of advanced persistent threats and complex incidents in healthcare, transportation and energy ICT infrastructures
Authors: Papastergiou Spyridon , Mouratidis Haralambos , Kalogeraki Eleni-Maria
Published: April 2020

In recent years, the use of information technologies in Critical Infrastructures is gradually increasing. Although this brings benefits, it also increases the possibility of security attacks. Despite the availability of various advanced incident handling techniques and tools, there is still no easy, structured, standardized and trusted way to manage and forecast interrelated cybersecurity incidents. This paper introduces CyberSANE, a novel dynamic and collaborative, warning and response system, which supports security officers and operators to recognize, identify, dynamically analyse, forecast, treat and respond to security threats and risks and and it guides them to handle effectively cyber incidents. The components of CyberSANE are described along with a description of the CyberSANE data flow. The main novelty of the CyberSANE system is the fact that it enables the combination of active incident handling approaches with reactive approaches to support incidents of compound, highly dependent Critical Information Infrastructures. The benefits and added value of using CyberSANE is described with the aid of a set of cyber-attack scenarios.
Attitudes towards genetic testing and information: does parenthood shape the views?
Authors: Saastamoinen Antti , Hyttinen Virva , Kortelainen Mika , Aaltio Juho , Auranen Mari , Ylikallio Emil , Lönnqvist Tuula , Sainio Markus , Suomalainen Anu , Tyynismaa Henna , Isohanni Pirjo
Published: April 2020

This study examines how parents of pediatric patients might differ in their views and attitudes towards genetic technology and information when compared to adult patients. There is surprisingly little evidence on how parents compare to other parts of population in their attitudes. Previous empirical studies often relate health-related preferences and attitudes to factors such as age, education, and income instead of parental status, thus evading comparison of parents to others as health-related decision makers. Findings related to the parental status can be useful when implementing genetic technology in clinical practice. We conducted a survey of views on genetic technology and information for groups of adult neurology patients (n = 68) and parents of pediatric neurology patients (n = 31) to shed some light on this issue. In addition to our own survey instrument, we conducted other surveys to gain insight on psychosocial factors that might affect these attitudes. The results suggest that parents are more concerned about their children’s genetic risk factors when compared to the attitudes of adult patients about their own risk. For both groups, negative emotional state was associated with more concerns towards genetic information. Our study provides insights on how parental views might affect the acceptance of genetic technology and information.