bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of arm‐based and contrast‐based models for network meta‐analysis
Authors: White Ian R. , Turner Rebecca M. , Karahalios Amalia , Salanti Georgia
Published: October 2019

Differences between arm‐based (AB) and contrast‐based (CB) models for network meta‐analysis (NMA) are controversial. We compare the CB model of Lu and Ades (2006), the AB model of Hong et al(2016), and two intermediate models, using hypothetical data and a selected real data set. Differences between models arise primarily from study intercepts being fixed effects in the Lu‐Ades model but random effects in the Hong model, and we identify four key difference. (1) If study intercepts are fixed effects then only within‐study information is used, but if they are random effects then between‐study information is also used and can cause important bias. (2) Models with random study intercepts are suitable for deriving a wider range of estimands, eg, the marginal risk difference, when underlying risk is derived from the NMA data; but underlying risk is usually best derived from external data, and then models with fixed intercepts are equally good. (3) The Hong model allows treatment effects to be related to study intercepts, but the Lu‐Ades model does not. (4) The Hong model is valid under a more relaxed missing data assumption, that arms (rather than contrasts) are missing at random, but this does not appear to reduce bias. We also describe an AB model with fixed study intercepts and a CB model with random study intercepts. We conclude that both AB and CB models are suitable for the analysis of NMA data, but using random study intercepts requires a strong rationale such as relating treatment effects to study intercepts.
Hierarchical Hollow Heterostructures for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction and Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Sibo , Wang Yan , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: October 2019

Using solar‐driven photocatalytic systems based on semiconductor photocatalysts to produce valuable energetic fuels is attracting massive research attention due to global energy and environmental challenges. Developing highly efficient and stable photocatalysts is of decisive importance for this promising technology. Hierarchical hollow heterostructures with ultrathin two‐dimensional (2D) nanosheet subunits hold multiple intrinsic advantages for heterogeneous photocatalysis, in terms of increasing light harvesting, expediting charge separation and transfer, and boosting surface redox reactions. This review summarizes the recent developments of rationally designed hierarchical hollow heterostructures for photocatalytic CO2 reduction and water splitting in suspension systems. The advantages and progress of hierarchical hollow heterostructured photocatalysts for the solar‐fuel‐producing applications are highlighted. The challenges of further developments of hierarchical hollow heterostructures and their use in the photocatalytic applications are discussed. Some outlooks on the potential solutions are also proposed.
Disclosure ranking of environmental impacts of Brazilian companies: Analysis using multicriteria methods
Authors: Degenhart Larissa , Vogt Mara , Hein Nelson , Rosa Fabricia Silva , Brizolla Maria Margarete Baccin
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to rank the degree of environmental impact disclosure by approximately 100 Brazilian companies, using the multicriteria methods trade‐off decision analysis and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution. To analyze and compare the data, a descriptive, documentary, and quantitative research effort was conducted with a sample of 97 Brazilian companies belonging to the IBrX‐100 index of the stock exchange from 2010 to 2013. From the companies’ sustainability reports and annual reports, we collected information about five environmental aspects: emissions, effluents, waste, products/services, and transportation. This information was used to identify the level of environmental disclosure using the multicriteria methods, and thus, develop rankings for the companies. The results revealed that only 67 companies disclosed at least one piece of information pertaining to the aspects analyzed. Importantly, from the two multicriteria methods, it was possible to perform environmental disclosure rankings, although there were slight differences in the results between the two methods. However, these differences have to do with the positions of the companies in the rankings. Given the above, these methods can be considered reliable for the development of classifications regarding environmental disclosure of the Brazilian companies analyzed. In addition, they contribute to the understanding of the companies' positions in relation to their environmental impacts and their reductions of these impacts, to create a better and more sustainable world.
How a personalised transportable folding device for seating impacts dysphagia
Authors: Woisard Virginie , Costes Mireille , Colineaux Hélène , Lepage Benoit
Published: October 2019

Purpose

A personalised transportable folding device for seating (DATP) on a standard seat was developed by an occupational therapist at the Toulouse University Hospital Centre (patent no. WO 2011121249 A1) based on the hypothesis that the use of a seat to assist with better positioning on any chair during meals modifies the sitting posture and has an impact on cervical statics which increases the amplitude of movements of the axial skeleton (larynx and hyoid bone) and benefits swallowing. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that an improvement in sitting posture with the help of the DATP, through Hyoid bone motion, has an impact on the quality of swallowing in a dysphagic population which benefits from the device in comparison to a dysphagic population which does not benefit from the device after 1 month of care. The secondary endpoints concern the evaluation of the impact on other characteristics of swallowing, posture, the acceptability of the device and the quality of life.

Methodology

This is a randomised comparative clinical trial. The blind was not possible for the patients but the examiner who evaluated the outcome criterion was blinded to the group to which the patient belonged. The outcome criterion was the measurement of the hyoid bone movement during swallowing. The other criteria were collected during the videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing and by use of a questionnaire. Fifty-six (56) patients were included: 30 in the group without device (D−) and 26 in the group with the device (D+). All the patients benefited from a training course on seating. Only the D+ patients participated in this course where the use of the device was explained and the device was then kept for use at home for 1 month.

Results

A significant improvement was noted in the postural criteria before and after use, in favour of a better posture for the two groups (p < 0.001) and more hyoid bone motion in the D+ group. The difference was significant in the bivariate analysis for horizontal movement (p = 0.04). After adjustment of potential factors of confusion, we noted a significant mean difference for the three distances in the D+ group in comparison to the D− group, of + 0.33 (95% CI [+ 0.17; + 0.48]) for horizontal movement, + 0.22 (95% CI [+ 0.03; + 0.40]) for vertical movement and + 0.37 (95% CI = [+ 0.20; + 0.53]) for horizontal movement. However, the other parameters, and notably the other swallowing markers were not significantly modified by the use of the device.

Conclusion

The personalised transportable folding device for seating developed to reduce dysphagia has an action on hyoid bone motion during swallowing. However, this positive effect on an intermediate outcome criterion of the quality of swallowing was not associated with an improvement in swallowing efficiency in the study population. The diversity of diseases with which the patients in this study were afflicted is a factor to be controlled in future studies with this device.
Outcome in serous ovarian cancer is not associated with LATS expression
Authors: Montavon Céline , Stricker Gregor R. , Schoetzau Andreas , Heinzelmann-Schwarz Viola , Jacob Francis , Fedier André
Published: October 2019

Background

Large tumor suppressor (LATS) proteins are putative tumor suppressors and poorly expressed associated with poor outcome in many cancers. A recent immunohistochemistry study showed that LATS protein expression correlated with poor outcome in serous ovarian cancer.

Materials and methods

We analyzed LATS expression in various ovarian cancer transcriptomic data sets and immunohistochemically assessed LATS protein expression in a Swiss ovarian tumor cohort. Results were compared to clinicopathological characteristics and outcome. We also compared LATS protein expression in serous ovarian cancer cell lines to their EMT status (Western blotting) and drug sensitivity (MTT assay).

Results

The analysis of 15 different transcriptomic data sets showed that LATS2 was associated with poorer outcome, while LATS1 was irrelevant (HR = 1.19 and HR = 1.00, respectively). The TCGA-RNASeqV2 data set showed that low LATS1 and LATS2 were associated with better survival in serous ovarian carcinoma. Despite heterogeneity among the different data sets, LATS expression is not an indicator of survival in serous ovarian cancer and LATS2 expression may even be tumorigenic. LATS expression was neither associated with survival nor with the stage and grade in the Swiss cohort. It was low in cystadenoma, intermediate in carcinoma, and high in borderline tumors and was higher in serous than mucinous ovarian carcinoma. LATS protein expression extent was comparable in epithelial-, intermediate-, and mesenchymal-type ovarian cancer cells and was not associated with drug sensitivity.

Conclusion

These results are largely incompatible with a tumor-suppressive function of LATS in ovarian cancer, and LATS protein level is also not an indicator for drug sensitivity and EMT status of ovarian cancer cells.
Regional integration of long-term national dense GNSS network solutions
Authors: Kenyeres Ambrus , Bellet J. G. , Bruyninx C. , Caporali A. , de Doncker F. , Droscak B. , Duret A. , Franke P. , Georgiev I. , Bingley R. , Huisman L. , Jivall L. , Khoda O. , Kollo K. , Kurt A. I. , Lahtinen S. , Legrand J. , Magyar B. , Mesmaker D. , Morozova K. , Nágl J. , Özdemir S. , Papanikolaou X. , Parseliunas E. , Stangl G. , Ryczywolski M. , Tangen O. B. , Valdes M. , Zurutuza J. , Weber M.
Published: October 2019

The EUREF Permanent Network Densification is a collaborative effort of 26 European GNSS analysis centers providing series of daily or weekly station position estimates of dense national and regional GNSS networks, in order to combine them into one homogenized set of station positions and velocities. During the combination, the station meta-data, including station names, DOMES numbers, and position offset definitions were carefully homogenized, position outliers were efficiently eliminated, and the results were cross-checked for any remaining inconsistencies. The results cover the period from March 1999 to January 2017 (GPS week 1000-1933) and include 31 networks with positions and velocities for 3192 stations, well covering Europe. The positions and velocities are expressed in ITRF2014 and ETRF2014 reference frames based on the Minimum Constraint approach using a selected set of ITRF2014 reference stations. The position alignment with the ITRF2014 is at the level of 1.5, 1.2, and 3.2 mm RMS for the East, North, Up components, respectively, while the velocity RMS values are 0.17, 0.14, and 0.38 mm/year for the East, North, and Up components, respectively. The high quality of the combined solution is also reflected by the 1.1, 1.1, and 3.5 mm weighted RMS values for the East, North, and Up components, respectively.
Overwintering of the western flower thrips in outdoor strawberry crops
Authors: Sampson Clare , Bennison Jude , Kirk William D. J.
Published: October 2019

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major pest of semi-protected strawberry crops in the UK. These crops are grown outdoors but sheltered by clear polythene tunnels during the growing season from about April to October. The aims of the study were (1) to test whether F. occidentalis overwinters in strawberry crops in central England, where overwintering in outdoor crops has not previously been demonstrated and (2) to test whether overwintering affects the thrips population during the following season. F. occidentalis was found breeding on several crop weeds that often flower throughout the year, including common chickweed (Stellaria media), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). F. occidentalis female adults were found throughout the winter in flowers of these weeds and caught every month on blue sticky traps. Transparent emergence traps placed over various locations in a second-year crop in March caught adult thrips over the following month, showing that thrips survived within the crop. Second-year strawberry crops had earlier infestations and significantly more F. occidentalis adults per flower than nearby first-year crops at the start of the season, indicating that thrips that overwinter in and around retained crops contribute to pest build-up in the following season. Control of overwintering F. occidentalis after the end of first-year cropping before second-year cropping, or growing crops for only 1 year, is a potential strategy to improve thrips management in strawberry. The survival of F. occidentalis over winter on outdoor crops raises concerns that the species could in time become established on other outdoor crops.
Multimode resource-constrained project scheduling in flexible projects
Authors: Kosztyán Zsolt T. , Szalkai István
Published: October 2019

Flexible agile and extreme project management methods have become increasingly popular among practitioners, particularly in the IT and R&D sectors. In contrast to the theoretically and algorithmically well-established and developed trade-off and multimode methods applied in traditional project management methods, flexible project scheduling methods, which are applied in agile, hybrid, and especially extreme project management, lack a principled foundation and algorithmic handling. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap. We propose a matrix-based method that provides scores for alternative project plans that host flexible task dependencies and undecided, supplementary task completion while also handling the new but unplanned tasks. In addition, traditional multimode resource-constrained project scheduling problems are also covered. The proposed method can bridge the flexible and traditional approaches.
Psychometric validation of the Japanese version of Alcohol Quality of Life Scale (AQoLS-Japan) in the treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder
Authors: Higuchi Susumu , Moriguchi Yoshiya , Tan Kristin Hui Xian
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The Alcohol Quality of Life Scale (AQoLS) is accepted as a useful measure in assessing impact of alcohol use disorders (AUD) on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in Western cultures. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the AQoLS (AQoLS-Japan).

Methods

This was a 3-month, observational cohort study in patients undergoing routine treatment for AUD in Japan. HR-QoL was assessed using the AQoLS-Japan (34 items, 7 dimensions). Scale psychometrics were analyzed using correlative techniques.

Results

Data from 132 patients were analyzed. Inter-item and item-scale correlations for the AQoLS-Japan scale were moderate to strong. Confirmatory factor analysis results supported the AQoLS-Japan structure but there was evidence of interdependency among some items and factors. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for internal consistency ranged from 0.73 to 0.97, and intraclass correlation coefficients for scores between test (baseline) and retest (2 weeks) ranged from 0.65 to 0.82. Convergent and divergent validity and known-groups validity were supported. Evaluation of within-group change demonstrated that the AQoLS-Japan total and domains consistently demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001 in all cases) in HR-QoL over time. Estimates for minimal clinically important difference on the AQoLS-Japan total score ranged from 13.2 to 18.2 for group-level change and from 2.4 to 15.7 for a group-level difference.

Conclusions

The AQoLS-Japan is a reliable and valid measure of HR-QoL that is able to demonstrate benefits associated with the routine treatment of AUD in Japan.
On the positivity and magnitudes of Bayesian quadrature weights
Authors: Karvonen Toni , Kanagawa Motonobu , Särkkä Simo
Published: October 2019

This article reviews and studies the properties of Bayesian quadrature weights, which strongly affect stability and robustness of the quadrature rule. Specifically, we investigate conditions that are needed to guarantee that the weights are positive or to bound their magnitudes. First, it is shown that the weights are positive in the univariate case if the design points locally minimise the posterior integral variance and the covariance kernel is totally positive (e.g. Gaussian and Hardy kernels). This suggests that gradient-based optimisation of design points may be effective in constructing stable and robust Bayesian quadrature rules. Secondly, we show that magnitudes of the weights admit an upper bound in terms of the fill distance and separation radius if the RKHS of the kernel is a Sobolev space (e.g. Matérn kernels), suggesting that quasi-uniform points should be used. A number of numerical examples demonstrate that significant generalisations and improvements appear to be possible, manifesting the need for further research.
A modern retrospective on probabilistic numerics
Authors: Oates C. J. , Sullivan T. J.
Published: October 2019

This article attempts to place the emergence of probabilistic numerics as a mathematical–statistical research field within its historical context and to explore how its gradual development can be related both to applications and to a modern formal treatment. We highlight in particular the parallel contributions of Sul$$'$$′din and Larkin in the 1960s and how their pioneering early ideas have reached a degree of maturity in the intervening period, mediated by paradigms such as average-case analysis and information-based complexity. We provide a subjective assessment of the state of research in probabilistic numerics and highlight some difficulties to be addressed by future works.
Epistemic Injustice in Finance
Authors: de Bruin Boudewijn
Published: October 2019

This article applies philosophical work on epistemic injustice and cognate concepts (such as epistemic self-confidence) to study gender and racial disparity in financial markets. Members of disadvantaged groups often receive inferior financial services (they pay higher interest rates on loans, their loan applications are more likely to be rejected, etc.). In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to provide discriminatorily disparate treatment to groups defined by gender and skin colour. Racial disparity in financial services is generally considered to be discriminatory (and therefore illegal). The standard view among most regulators is that gender disparity is not discriminatory, though. Through an analysis of various exemplary cases, I propose testimonial injustice as a candidate explanation for some of the existing forms of racial disparity found in financial services. I show how prejudices about gender and finance decrease epistemic self-confidence, and how this leads to gender disparity. And I consider particularly intractable forms of self-fulfilling testimonial injustice.
Zu einer schnelleren und besseren individualisierten Diagnostik
Authors: Burckhardt Irene
Published: October 2019

Total lab automation automates inoculation, incubation and analysis of human specimens. It enables the laboratory to shorten incubation times and significantly reduce the time to report. It improves the quality of microbiologic analysis by increasing the number of grown organisms. In the future it will enable automatic reading and fully automated identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria.
Antioxidative system response of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings to Cd exposure
Authors: Sozoniuk Magdalena , Nowak Michał , Dudziak Karolina , Bulak Piotr , Leśniowska-Nowak Justyna , Kowalczyk Krzysztof
Published: October 2019

The use of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), along with other tree species, for the afforestation of heavy metal contaminated lands is an attractive prospect. Little, however, is known of Q. robur tolerance and its antioxidative system response to heavy metal exposure. The main objective of the study was to determine the cadmium-induced changes in antioxidative system of pedunculate oak in an attempt to identify molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance. This may be of great importance in respect of using Q. robur for phytoremediation purposes. As the response of the antioxidative system to heavy metal contamination can vary within species, the research was conducted on oak seedlings from two different regions of origin. Differences in antioxidative system response of seedlings derived from tested regions of origin were noticed both at the transcript and enzyme activity levels. The obtained results indicate that ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) play a first barrier role in oak seedlings response to the oxidative stress caused by Cd exposure. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) is involved in reducing the negative effects of prolonged Cd treatment.
Effects of complete replacement of fish oil with plant oil mixtures and algal meal on growth performance and fatty acid composition in juvenile yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata
Authors: Fukada Haruhisa , Kitagima Renato , Shinagawa Junpei , Morino Haruka , Masumoto Toshiro
Published: October 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential fatty acid for marine carnivorous fish. Algal meal (AM), available as a new dietary DHA source, could completely replace dietary fish oil (FO). In this study, dietary FO was replaced with plant oil mixtures and AM in juvenile yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata to investigate its effects on growth performance and fatty acid composition. The FO control diet was prepared with only pollack liver oil as the lipid source. For the non-FO diets, pollack liver oil was completely replaced with mixtures of canola oil and palm oil, with AM supplementation at 0% (AM0), 1% (AM1), 2% (AM2), 3% (AM3), and 4% (AM4). After completion of the 8-week feeding trial, the AM2 group showed significantly higher values for final body weight and feed efficiency than the AM0 group. No significant differences were observed in the other parameters of growth performance. Whole-body fatty acid composition reflected the dietary fatty acid composition in all dietary groups. These findings demonstrate that AM is useful as a DHA source in yellowtail aquaculture, thus contributing to a reduction in the use of FO in fish diets.
Modified approach for identifying weak zones for effective sand management
Authors: Sulaimon Aliyu Adebayo , Teng Lim Lee
Published: October 2019

Sand production is a major problem that the oil and gas industry has been facing for years. It can lead to loss of production, equipment damage or complete well abandonment. Prediction of sand has been historically challenging due to the periodic nature of sand production, insufficient laboratory tests and lack of field tests validation. Analyses have been performed to identify weak zones for planned wells, and common technique is the application of shear modulus and mechanical properties log (MPL) criteria developed by Tixier et al. (J Pet Technol 27:283–293, 1975). However, the set criteria have been found to be generally inadequate to detect transition zone or predict weak formation in some fields. In this study, using the knowledge of rock behavior, geomechanical properties and well log data, we have established new simple criteria for identifying fragile sections within a transition zone. In situ logging data from a field X, located in Sabah, Malaysia, and Field Y, located in Shimokita, Japan, were used in this study. Using the threshold for shear modulus and MPL, the criteria for the geomechanical properties are set to differentiate formation strengths at different depths. The threshold for Poisson’s ratio is 0.34, Young’s modulus at 1.6 × 106 psi and the unconfined compressive strength at 2400 psi. The MPL and geomechanical models were generated to predict sanding incident. The results were subsequently validated with artificial neural network using MATLAB. Also, critical wellbore pressure is calculated and acts as a guide to operate outside the sand failure envelope. Thus, the prediction of the weak formation using geomechanical properties has been further established in this study.
Psychological resilience moderates influence of depression on sleep dysfunction of people living with diabetes
Authors: Wojujutari Ajele Kenni , Alabi Oladejo Teslim , Emmanuel Idehen Egbeware
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The study examined the influence of depression on sleep dysfunction in people living with diabetes mellitus and investigated the moderating role of psychological resilience on the influence of depression on sleep dysfunction of patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 380 (age 25–77 years; mean = 38.6; SD = 6.07) people living with diabetes who are registered patients and were attending the clinic in Department of Endocrinology, Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure.

Results

Results showed that depression significantly influence sleep dysfunction of people living with diabetes, β = 0.3991, 95% CI (0.5393, 0.2588), t = 21.5010,p < 0.005. Results also showed significant moderating role of psychological resilience on the influence depression on sleep dysfunction of people living with diabetes, β = 0.7805, 95% CI (0.7091, 0.8519), t = 21.5010, p < 0.005.

Conclusions

Sleep dysfunction of individuals living with diabetes as result of their level of depression could be moderated by patient’s level of psychological resilience. Along these lines, the study concludes that experts should focus more on diabetes patient’s psychological resilience adequacy in their management, guidance and modification programs.
Acute exposure to leucine modifies behavioral parameters and cholinergic activity in zebrafish
Authors: Wessler Leticia B. , Farias Hemelin R. , Ronsani Julia F. , Candiotto Gabriela , dos Santos Paulo C.L. , de Oliveira Jade , Rico Eduardo P. , Streck Emilio L.
Published: October 2019

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder, caused by a deficiency on branched chain α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase complex activity, resulting in accumulation of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) (e.g. leucine). The treatment of MSDU patients increases survival time and quality of life. Thus, nowadays there are a crescent number of adolescents and adults with MSUD. Relevant studies have been reported behavioral alterations in these patients, i.e. high risk of chronic neuropsychiatric problems, such as attention deficit disorder, depression and anxiety. Moreover, MSUD is associated to neurotransmitters deficiency. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether the toxicity of leucine is associated to anxiety‐like behavioral, using zebrafish acutely exposed to leucine as experimental model of MSUD. In addition, we evaluated the effects of high levels of leucine in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities, components of cholinergic neurotransmission system. Young zebrafish were exposed to 2 mM and 5 mM concentration of leucine for 24 h. After that, the animals were submitted to the Novel Tank test, having the brain collected to enzymatic determination. The exposure to both concentrations of leucine caused behavioral and brain cholinergic activity alterations in young zebrafish, indicating an anxiety‐like behavior and cholinergic dysfunction. Therefore, this animal could be considered a promising organism to study the BCAA neurotoxic effects, which could help to a better comprehension of the behavioral and neurochemical alterations present in patients with MSUD.
The cross‐sectional association of cognitive stimulation factors and cognitive function among Latino adults in Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
Authors: Vásquez Priscilla M. , Tarraf Wassim , Doza Adit , Marquine Maria J. , Perreira Krista M. , Schneiderman Neil , Zeng Donglin , Cai Jianwen , Isasi Carmen R. , Daviglus Martha L. , González Hector M.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Higher cognitive stimulation (CS) is associated with improved cognition. Sources of CS among Hispanics/Latinos are understudied.

Methods

In the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos 2008 to 2011 (n = 9438), we used finite mixture models to generate latent CS profiles, and multivariate linear regressions to examine associations with cognition in Hispanic/Latino adults (45–74 years). CS included education, occupation, social network, and acculturation. Cognitive measures included the Six‐Item Screener, Brief‐Spanish English Verbal Learning Test Sum and Recall, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Digit Symbol Substitution, and Global Cognition.

Results

Two CS profiles emerged, and were labeled “typical” and “enhanced.” The enhanced CS profile (22%) had more family connections, bicultural engagements, skilled/professional occupations, education, and higher cognitive scores.

Discussion

An enhanced CS profile emerged from contextual and culturally relevant factors, and was associated with higher cognitive scores across all measures. This provides initial evidence on how factors coalesce to shape cognitive protection in Hispanics/Latinos.
dl-Methionine supplementation in a low-fishmeal diet affects the TOR/S6K pathway by stimulating ASCT2 amino acid transporter and insulin-like growth factor-I in the dorsal muscle of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
Authors: He Yuanfa , Chi Shuyan , Tan Beiping , Dong Xiaohui , Yang Qihui , Liu Hongyu , Zhang Shuang , Han Fenglu , Liu Di
Published: October 2019

An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects ofdl-methionine (Met) supplementation in a low-fishmeal diet on growth, key gene expressions of amino acid transporters and target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway in juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated, containing 0·72, 0·90, 1·00, 1·24, 1·41, 1·63 and 1·86 % Met. Weight gain and specific growth rates increased gradually with Met levels of up to 1·24 % and then decreased gradually. In dorsal muscle, mRNA levels of ASCT2 in the 1·00 % Met group were significantly up-regulated compared with 0·72, 1·63, and 1·86 %. The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA levels in the dorsal muscle of fish fed 1·00 and 1·24 % Met were higher than those in fish fed other Met levels. In addition, fish fed 1·24 % Met showed the highest mRNA levels of TOR and phosphorylation of TOR on Ser2448. The phosphorylation of ribosomal p70-S6 kinase (S6K) on Ser371in the dorsal muscle of fish fed 1·86 % Met was higher than those in the 0·72 % group. In conclusion, straight broken-line analysis of weight gain rate against dietary Met level indicates that the optimal Met requirement for juvenile cobia is 1·24 % (of DM, or 2·71 % dietary protein). Met supplementation in a low-fishmeal diet increased cobia growth via a mechanism that can partly be attributed to Met’s ability to affect the TOR/S6K signalling pathway by enhancing ASCT2 and IGF-I transcription in cobia dorsal muscle.
Maxent modelling for predicting climate change effects on the potential planting area of tuber mustard in China
Authors: Li H. Q. , Liu X. H. , Wang J. H. , Xing L.G. , Fu Y. Y.
Published: October 2019

Potential planting area for tuber mustard was simulated using the Maxent model under current and future conditions based on 591 coordinates and 22 environmental layers. Model accuracy was excellent, with area under the receiving operator curve values of 0.967 and 0.958 for model training and testing, respectively. Dominant factors were mean diurnal range, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual mean temperature and minimum temperature of the coldest month, with thresholds of 6.5–7.5, 5.5–9, 16–19 and 2.0–6.5 °C, respectively. Under current conditions, suitable habitat areas (2.16% of total land in China) were concentrated mainly in Central, Southwest and East China, which can be defined as three occurrence and diffusion centres. In the 2050s and 2070s, suitable habitat areas are predicted to change to 3.72 and 3.92%, and 3.60 and 3.73% under scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP6.0, respectively, indicating that suitable habitat areas will increase slightly. However, future distribution of tuber mustard was predicted to differ among provinces or cities, i.e. predicted suitable habitat areas in Sichuan Province increased up to the 2050s but remained relatively unchanged between the 2050s and 2070s; in Chongqing city they first increased and then decreased; in Hunan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces they increased continuously; and in Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangxi Provinces and Shanghai city they first decreased, and then increased. The results from the current study provide useful information for management decisions of tuber mustard.
Low abundance of the Endangered timneh parrot Psittacus timneh in one of its presumed strongholds
Authors: Valle Simon , Collar Nigel J. , Barca Benjamin , Dauda Patrick , Marsden Stuart J.
Published: October 2019

Although both the grey parrot Psittacus erithacus and the recently recognized timneh parrot Psittacus timneh are categorized as Endangered because of harvest for the pet trade and loss of habitat, the latter has a much smaller range and may be largely restricted to a few stronghold areas. In March–April 2018 we surveyed for a total of 114 hours in and around one of these presumed strongholds, the large and well-protected Gola Rainforest National Park, the Sierra Leonean portion of the Gola Transboundary Peace Park. Timneh parrots were encountered at a rate of 0.1 groups/h in the National Park and 0.3 in the buffer zone, indicating densities of 1–3 individuals per km2. These figures are similar to recent density estimates from the Liberian side of the Peace Park, suggesting that the transboundary population amounts to c. 2,400 individuals inside the Park and an unknown number in the surrounding areas. Densities of the timneh parrot may be generally low even in strongholds, its numbers may be declining steeply, and the global population size is probably lower than previously believed.
Profiles of Normal Cognition in Essential Tremor
Authors: Cersonsky Tess E. K. , Kellner Sarah , Chapman Silvia , Huey Edward D. , Louis Elan D. , Cosentino Stephanie
Published: October 2019

Objectives:

Patients with essential tremor exhibit heterogeneous cognitive functioning. Although the majority of patients fall under the broad classification of cognitively “normal,” essential tremor is associated with increased risk for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. It is possible that patterns of cognitive performance within the wide range of normal functioning have predictive utility for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. These cross-sectional analyses sought to determine whether cognitive patterns, or “clusters,” could be identified among individuals with essential tremor diagnosed as cognitively normal. We also determined whether such clusters, if identified, were associated with demographic or clinical characteristics of patients.

Methods:

Elderly subjects with essential tremor (age >55 years) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. Domain means (memory, executive function, attention, visuospatial abilities, and language) from 148 individuals diagnosed as cognitively normal were partitioned usingk-means cluster analysis. Individuals in each cluster were compared according to cognitive functioning (domain means and test scores), demographic factors, and clinical variables.

Results:

There were three clusters. Cluster 1 (n= 64) was characterized by comparatively low memory scores (p< .001), Cluster 2 (n= 39) had relatively low attention and visuospatial scores (p< .001), and Cluster 3 (n= 45) exhibited consistently high performance across all domains. Cluster 1 had lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and reported more prescription medication use and lower balance confidence.

Conclusions:

Three patterns of cognitive functioning within the normal range were evident and tracked with certain clinical features. Future work will examine the extent to which such patterns predict conversion to mild cognitive impairment and/or dementia.
Doing Politics Differently? Applying a Feminist Institutionalist Lens to the U.K. Women's Equality Party
Authors: Evans Elizabeth , Kenny Meryl
Published: October 2019

The U.K. Women's Equality Party (WEP) was established in 2015 to “bring about change by winning—support, votes and seats.” It has thus far recruited tens of thousands of members and run candidates in European, national, devolved, and local elections. This article provides one of the first empirical analyses of this new actor in U.K. politics. Adopting a feminist institutionalist lens, we examine the extent to which WEP “does things differently” by looking at its discourse, formal party rules, and informal ways of doing things “on the ground.” Drawing on a set of semistructured interviews, observations of local and national party meetings, and document analysis, we argue that while WEP has to some extent tried to set up alternative participatory structures and new “ways of working,” it has also at times fallen back on more traditional, centralized, and hierarchical modes of party organizing, as well as informal practices that are more typically associated with male-dominated parties.
Exposure to placental insufficiency alters postnatal growth trajectory in extremely low birth weight infants
Authors: Chou Fu-Sheng , Yeh Hung-Wen , Chen Chu-Yen , Lee Gene T. , Parrish Marc R. , Omede Mmeyeneabasi , Pandey Vishal
Published: October 2019

Growth in the immediate postnatal period for extremely low birth weight (ELBW, birth weight < 1000 g) infants is an important topic in neonatal medicine. The goal is to ensure adequate postnatal growth and to minimize complications resulting from suboptimal growth. Past efforts have focused on postnatal nutrition as well as on minimizing comorbidities. It has not been systematically assessed whether antenatal factors play a role in postnatal growth. In this report, we conducted a retrospective study on 91 maternal–neonatal pairs. We prospectively collected maternal and neonatal demographic data, neonatal nutrition in the first 7 days of life and after enteral nutrition is fully established, comorbidity data, as well as weight data from birth to 50 weeks corrected gestational age. We developed a linear mixed-effects model to examine the role of placental insufficiency, as defined by fetal Doppler studies, in postnatal weightz-score trajectory over time in the ELBW population. We relied on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) for model selection. Interestingly, the selected model included a quadratic term of time and a placental insufficiency-by-time interaction term. In a covariate analysis, AIC and BIC both favored a model that included calories intake in the first 7 days of life and the total duration of antibiotics as fixed-effects, but not their interaction terms with time. Overall, we demonstrated for the first time that placental insufficiency, an antenatal factor, is a major determinant of postnatal weight trajectory in the ELBW population. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
The National Project on Achievement in Twins
Authors: Hart Sara A. , Martinez Kim , Kennedy Patrick C. , Ganley Colleen M. , Taylor Jeanette
Published: October 2019

The National Project on Achievement in Twins (NatPAT) began in 2017 as part of the third funding cycle of the Florida Learning Disabilities Research Center, a program project grant funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development. NatPAT will have a nationally representative sample of elementary school-aged twins in the United States. The overall goal of the project is to uncover salient factors, including genetic and environmental influences, which contribute to the co-development of reading and math performance during the critical developmental period of elementary school. Here we present the specific aims, methods and materials, and future directions of the project.
Ratio of diastolic to systolic blood pressure represents renal resistive index
Authors: Akaishi Tetsuya , Abe Michiaki , Miki Takashi , Miki Mika , Funamizu Yasuharu , Ito Sadayoshi , Abe Takaaki , Ishii Tadashi
Published: October 2019

Increased intrarenal vascular resistance is suggested to accompany chronic kidney diseases (CKD), which is known to be closely associated with hypertension. However, there are few studies that have examined the relationship between blood pressure and intrarenal vascular resistance. Renal color Doppler ultrasonography is one method that can non-invasively evaluate intrarenal vascular resistance. In this study, we comprehensively studied the correlations between ultrasonic parameters and blood pressure indices to elucidate their relationships. In total, 162 patients with suspected CKD were enrolled for this study. Demographics, blood pressure, blood test, urine test, and renal color Doppler ultrasonography data were obtained. The ratio of diastolic to systolic blood pressure (D/S ratio) and pulse pressure were calculated. Our results indicated strong negative correlations between the renal resistive index (RI) values in all four of the studied kidney regions and the D/S ratio. The RI values also showed significant correlations with diastolic pressure and pulse pressure, but they were weaker. Partial correlation coefficients between pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, D/S ratio, and RI showed that D/S ratio significantly correlated with RI, but pulse pressure or mean arterial pressure did not. Systolic blood pressure did not correlate with any of the studied ultrasonic values. The negative correlation between RI values and the D/S ratio was still observed in subjects without renal dysfunction or any medications. In conclusion, D/S ratio, rather than pulse pressure or mean arterial pressure, would be the most appropriate index to estimate/calculate/judge intrarenal vascular resistance.
Serum cystatin C is increased in acute spinal cord injury: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Zhang JinYuan , Ding RuoTing , Xian QingZhang , Wang ZhiKun , Liu ZhongYuan , Yang JinCheng , Chen JianTing
Published: October 2019

Study design

A multicentre retrospective study.

Objective

A multicentre retrospective study was performed to observe the changes in serum cystatin C (CysC) levels in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting

Four hospitals in China.

Methods

Over a 5-year study period, the CysC, creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels of people who had incurred SCI in the preceding 7 days were collected and compared with those of people with limb fracture (LF) who were matched for injury time and gender. People with SCI also were grouped by injury duration, ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade and the presence or absence of steroid therapy and compared each day.

Results

Three hundred and twenty-three samples from people with SCI were retrospectively collected; their mean serum CysC levels were significantly higher than those of people with LF (p < 0.001); No significant difference was observed in Cr or BUN levels between the two groups (p > 0.14). CysC levels increased on the second day, peaked on day 3, and returned to normal on day 5. The more severely injured individuals had higher CysC levels. Steroid therapy or not had no influence for CysC levels.

Conclusion

CysC levels are increased in patients with acute SCI, possibly as a direct result of injury. Serum CysC is a potential biomarker of SCI.
Identification of HIVEP2 as a dopaminergic transcription factor related to substance use disorders in rats and humans
Authors: Zhao Juan , Chen Chunnuan , Bell Richard L. , Qing Hong , Lin Zhicheng
Published: October 2019

Playing an important role in the etiology of substance use disorder (SUD), dopamine (DA) neurons are subject to various regulations but transcriptional regulations are largely understudied. For the first time, we report here that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I Enhancer Binding Protein 2 (HIVEP2) is a dopaminergic transcriptional regulator. HIVEP2 is expressed in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of DA neurons. Therein, HIVEP2 can target the intronic sequence GTGGCTTTCT of SLC6A3 and thereby activate the gene. In naive rats from the bi-directional selectively bred substance-preferring P vs -nonpreferring NP rat model of substance abuse vulnerability, increased gene activity in males was associated with the vulnerability, whereas decreased gene activity in the females was associated with the same vulnerability. In clinical subjects, extensive and significant HIVEP2-SLC6A3 interactions were observed for SUD. Collectively, HIVEP2-mediated transcriptional mechanisms are implicated in dopaminergic pathophysiology of SUD.
Correction: Epistasis of HTR1A and BDNF risk genes alters cortical 5-HT1A receptor binding: PET results link genotype to molecular phenotype in depression
Authors: Kautzky Alexander , James Gregory M. , Philippe Cecile , Baldinger-Melich Pia , Kraus Christoph , Kranz Georg S. , Vanicek Thomas , Gryglewski Gregor , Hartmann Annette M. , Hahn Andreas , Wadsak Wolfgang , Mitterhauser Markus , Rujescu Dan , Kasper Siegfried , Lanzenberger Rupert
Published: October 2019

In the original Article, co-author Professor Andreas Hahn was not included in the author list. This has been corrected in the XML, PDF and HTML versions of this Article.
Transcriptomic profiling of the myeloma bone-lining niche reveals BMP signalling inhibition to improve bone disease
Authors: Gooding Sarah , Olechnowicz Sam W. Z. , Morris Emma V. , Armitage Andrew E. , Arezes Joao , Frost Joe , Repapi Emmanouela , Edwards James R. , Ashley Neil , Waugh Craig , Gray Nicola , Martinez-Hackert Erik , Lim Pei Jin , Pasricha Sant-Rayn , Knowles Helen , Mead Adam J. , Ramasamy Karthik , Drakesmith Hal , Edwards Claire M.
Published: October 2019

Multiple myeloma is an incurable, bone marrow-dwelling malignancy that disrupts bone homeostasis causing skeletal damage and pain. Mechanisms underlying myeloma-induced bone destruction are poorly understood and current therapies do not restore lost bone mass. Using transcriptomic profiling of isolated bone lining cell subtypes from a murine myeloma model, we find that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is upregulated in stromal progenitor cells. BMP signalling has not previously been reported to be dysregulated in myeloma bone disease. Inhibition of BMP signalling in vivo using either a small molecule BMP receptor antagonist or a solubilized BMPR1a-FC receptor ligand trap prevents trabecular and cortical bone volume loss caused by myeloma, without increasing tumour burden. BMP inhibition directly reduces osteoclastogenesis, increases osteoblasts and bone formation, and suppresses bone marrow sclerostin levels. In summary we describe a novel role for the BMP pathway in myeloma-induced bone disease that can be therapeutically targeted.