bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Modified Surgical Technique for Reservoir Placement During Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation
Authors: Mykoniatis Ioannis , Osmonov Daniar , van Renterghem Koenraad
Published: May 2020

Introduction

At the moment, there is an ongoing debate regarding the controversial issue of the ideal reservoir placement (RP) surgical technique during implantation of a 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis, but a definitive winner has not yet emerged.

Aim

In this light, we herein describe our modified technique for RP into the space of Retzius through the external oblique muscle fascia and present its results.

Methods

In total, 253 inflatable penile prosthesis procedures (110 AMS 700 and 143 Coloplast Titan) via a single transverse penoscrotal incision were retrospectively reviewed. 2 Kocher-Langenbeck retractors were placed over the right side of the penoscrotal incision and were used to retract the incision superior to the pubic bone. Then, the external oblique muscle fascia was incised medially to the spermatic cord which was retracted laterally. Next, a “W”, Vicryl 1, stay suture was placed to the incision, and under direct visualization, external oblique muscle fibers were dissected and fascia transversalis was perforated using a Metzenbaum scissor. A Foerster lung grasping clamp was then used to dissect further into the extraperitoneal space and create the reservoir space. The reservoir was placed into the created space and fascia incision was closed using the prepositioned stay suture. The procedure was then completed in a standard fashion.

Outcomes

The main outcome measures were intraoperative or postoperative complications of our modified RP technique.

Results

All 253 patients were available for short-term follow-up (average 9.1 months, range 3–22 months). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. Reservoir-related prolonged pain (1 month) was reported by 1 patient, resolving completely after treatment with non-steroidal analgesics.

Conclusion

We are, surely, not proposing that our modified RP technique should supplant all other methods; rather, it should be considered another useful option for RP in the implanter’s armamentarium.
Efficiency and Cost: E-Recruitment Is a Promising Method in Gynecological Trials
Authors: Benoit-Piau Justine , Dumoulin Chantale , Carroll Marie-Soleil , Mayrand Marie-Hélène , Bergeron Sophie , Khalifé Samir , Waddell Guy , Morin Mélanie
Published: May 2020

Background

Recruitment of participants is crucial to the success of any trial as it can have a major impact on study costs, the duration of the study itself, and, more critically, trial failure. Given that vulvodynia particularly affects young women, the use of social media and e-recruitment could prove efficient for enrollment.

Aim

To compare the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of three different recruitment methods.

Methods

The comparison data were collected as part of a bicentric randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of physiotherapy in comparison with topical lidocaine in 212 women suffering from provoked vestibulodynia. The recruitment methods included: (i) conventional methods (eg, posters, leaflets, business cards, newspaper ads); (ii) health professional referrals, and (iii) e-recruitment (eg, Facebook ads and web initiatives). Women interested in participating were screened by telephone for eligibility criteria and were assessed by a gynecologist to confirm their diagnosis. Once included, structured interviews were undertaken to describe their baseline characteristics.

Main Outcome Measures

The outcomes of this study were the recruitment efficiency (the number of patients screened/enrolled), recruitment effectiveness (the number of participants enrolled), cost-effectiveness (cost per enrolled participant), and retention rate, and baseline characteristics of participants were monitored for each method.

Results

The conventional methods (n = 101, 48%) were more effective as they allowed for greater enrollment of participants, followed by e-recruitment (n = 60, 28%) and health professional referrals (n = 33, 16%) (P < 0.007). Recruitment efficiency was found to be similar for e-recruitment and referrals (60/122 and 33/67, 49%, P = 0.055) but lower for conventional methods (101/314, 32%, P < 0.011). Nonsignificant differences were found between the three groups for baseline characteristics (P ≥ 0.189) and retention rate (91%, P ≥ 0.588). The average cost per enrolled participant was fairly similar for e-recruitment ($117) and conventional methods ($110) and lower for referrals ($60).

Clinical Implications

Our results suggest that having a variety of recruitment methods is beneficial in promoting clinical trial recruitment without affecting participant characteristics and retention rates.

Strength & Limitations

Although recruitment methods were used concomitantly, this study gives an excellent insight into the advantages and limitations of recruitment methods owing to a large sample size.

Conclusion

The study findings revealed that e-recruitment is a valuable recruitment method because of its comparable efficiency and cost-effectiveness to health professional referrals and conventional methods, respectively.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01455350.
Acute exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19
Authors: French I. , Lyne J.
Published: May 2020

The emergence of COVID-19 has recently dominated public discourse given its serious impact on vulnerable patient groups. Advice in relation to reducing risk of contamination has justifiably been circulated widely during the COVID-19 crisis. Contamination fear is a common obsessional theme in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and there is a need for increased research on how infectious disease epidemics affect patients with OCD. We present the case of a lady in her 30s with a history of well-controlled contamination OCD who presented acutely with a significant exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19. The case highlights the potential psychological impacts of infectious disease epidemics on individuals with mental illness. We also highlight some of the risks posed to such patients in response to epidemics such as the COVID-19 crisis.
Morality in the middle: choosing cars or houses in Botswana
Authors: Durham Deborah
Published: May 2020

Batswana contrast owning cars with owning houses: the first signals self-centred accomplishment and possibly deceptive status claims, and the second an investment in sociality. The tensions between individual accomplishment and social connectivity are long-standing in Botswana, and a close examination of cars and houses finds that each is tied up with both dimensions of self-making. The new materiality that envelopes Botswana, however, with rising incomes for some and a flood of consumer options, raises the stakes for both sides of this tension, yet also allows them to be resolved in social and emotional practice.
Heat Flow Evidence for Hydrothermal Circulation in Oceanic Crust Offshore Grays Harbor, Washington
Authors: Harris Robert N. , Spinelli Glenn A. , Hutnak Michael
Published: May 2020

We report 30 new conductive heat flow measurements collected on the Juan de Fuca plate, offshore of Grays Harbor, Washington, just seaward of the deformation front. The data were collected along Cascadia Open‐Access Seismic Transect Lines 4 and 5. A prominent basement high associated with a rift propagation pseudofault is imaged near the western end of Line 4. Lithospheric conductive cooling models, for 9 Ma oceanic crust, predict that heat flow should be ~175 mW m−2. Just seaward of the deformation front heat flow values corrected for the impact of sedimentation are ~200 mW m−2 and rapidly rise to a value of ~750 mW m−2 over the basement high. We find that (1) hydrothermal circulation redistributes heat in the Juan de Fuca plate offshore Grays Harbor, (2) heat in addition to the basal heat flux is required to fit the data, and (3) this heat likely results from a combination of fluid flow associated from ongoing hydrothermal circulation within the subducted oceanic crust and possibly with the pseudofault. Our data and modeling support previous inferences that hydrothermal circulation within the subducting oceanic crust plays an important control on plate interface temperatures.
Changes in Crater Morphology Associated With Volcanic Activity at Telica Volcano, Nicaragua
Authors: Hanagan Catherine , La Femina Peter C. , Rodgers Mel
Published: May 2020

Volcanic summit craters are typically noted to form by roof collapse into a depressurized magma chamber or by explosive excavation. Recent examples of effusive activity (e.g., Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i) allowed specifically for quantification of the collapse process. However, small spatiotemporal morphologic change related to background mass wasting and low‐level explosive activity has not been well quantified in volcanic craters. Telica volcano, Nicaragua, is a persistently restless basaltic‐andesite stratovolcano. Telica's persistent restlessness is caused by a long‐lived magmatic‐hydrothermal system with high‐temperature crater fumaroles and low‐frequency seismicity, punctuated by subdecadal, low‐explosivity (VEI 1–2) phreatic eruptions. We use photographic observations (1994 to 2017) and structure‐from‐motion point cloud construction and differencing (2011 to 2017) to analyze changes at Telica in the context of summit crater formation and eruptive precursors. Crater wall retreat (up to 40 m) spatially correlates with long‐lived high‐temperature fumaroles in the crater walls, whereas eruptions eject material (>5 m) from the crater floor through vent formation and/or clearing. These processes sustain a morphology similar to that of pit craters but without a shallow depressurized magma chamber. Our observations indicate system‐wide sealing prior to eruption by viscous magma in the conduit and eruption of a dome in 2017 and hydrothermal mineralization, not from vent covering talus; though, vent covering talus can redirect the shallow conduit. This study shows promise for photogrammetric techniques in correlating morphologic change with summit crater formation and volcanic activity and the power of long‐term visual observations in understanding active volcanic processes.
Snow Moving to Higher Elevations: Analyzing Three Decades of Snowline Dynamics in the Alps
Authors: Hu Zhongyang , Dietz Andreas , Zhao Alcide , Uereyen Soner , Zhang He , Wang Michael , Mederer Peter , Kuenzer Claudia
Published: May 2020

In the Alps, snow cover dynamics can be monitored using Earth observation (EO). However, low revisit frequency and cloud cover pose a challenge to long‐term time series analysis using high spatial resolution EO images. In this study, we applied the random forest regression to model regional snowline elevations (RSEs). In this manner, daily snowline dynamics and their long‐term trends can be derived, despite the aforementioned challenges. Of the six investigated Alpine catchments between 1984 and 2018, a significant increasing trend of RSEs is shown in four catchments in the early ablation seasons (between 5.38 ± 2.64 and 11.29 ± 4.79 m·a−1) and five catchments in the middle ablation seasons (between 4.17 ± 2.62 and 8.76 ± 4.42 m·a−1). On average, the random forest regression models can explain 75% of the RSE variations. Furthermore, air temperature was found influential in snow persistence especially during middle and late ablation seasons.
Evidence of Electron Density Enhancements in the Post‐Apoapsis Sector of Enceladus' Orbit
Authors: Persoon A. M. , Kurth W. S. , Gurnett D. A. , Groene J. B. , Smith H. T. , Perry M. E. , Morooka M. W. , Ye S.
Published: May 2020

Enceladus' plume is the dominant source of neutrals and plasma in Saturn's magnetosphere. The plasma results from the ionization of icy particles and water vapor, which are vented into Saturn's inner magnetosphere through fissures in Enceladus' southern polar region. These fissures are subjected to tidal stresses that can vary as Enceladus moves in a slightly eccentric orbit around Saturn. Plume activity and brightness have also been shown to vary with the moon's orbital position, reaching a maximum when Enceladus is farthest away from Saturn in its orbit (the Enceladus orbital apoapsis). In this paper we will show that temporal variations in the thermal electron density distribution correlate with the position of Enceladus in its orbit around Saturn, with the strongest density enhancements in the vicinity of Enceladus when the moon is in the post‐apoapsis sector of its orbit.
Comment on “New Late Pennsylvanian Paleomagnetic Results From Paraná Basin (Southern Brazil): Is the Recent Giant Gaussian Process Model Valid for the Kiaman Superchron?” by Brandt et al.
Authors: Bilardello Dario
Published: May 2020

The late Pennsylvanian glacial rhythmites of the Mafra Formation (Itararé Group) from the Paraná Basin of Southern Brazil, have a complex rock‐magnetic signature. Rock‐magnetic tests imply that both hematite and magnetite in varying grain sizes are responsible for the magnetic remanence. Thermal and alternating field (AF) demagnetization of the natural remanence reveal different behaviors that are attributed to a mixture of remanence‐carrying magnetic minerals and grain sizes, implying a series of magnetic overprints. A great circle analysis of the distribution characteristic directions reported suggests that these rocks may not be entirely immune from magnetic overprints acquired during the Jurassic‐Cretaceous in the context of widespread remagnetizations in South America. The nature of the magnetization recorded by these rocks warrants caution in their use for the evaluation of paleosecular variation models.
Modeling of Anisotropy in the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere for Real Earth Cases: A Critical Assessment of the Impact on SKS Measurements
Authors: Lamarque Gaelle , Piana Agostinetti Nicola
Published: May 2020

We investigate effects of realistic Earth's lithospheric structures on measurements of SKS seismic waves birefringence, which could be perturbed by different factors. We present SKS measurements recorded in four different tectonic settings. For each case, a realistic lithospheric structure is assumed and synthetic SKS splitting measurements are compared with the field observations. Our results show that (a) in a simple case, where anisotropy is aligned in both the lithospheric mantle and the asthenosphere, the SKS measurements can be safely interpreted as dominantly related to asthenospheric mantle flow; (b) in case of multilayer anisotropy in the lithospheric mantle, SKS measurement can correspond to a combination of the different fast‐axis orientations and intensities of the anisotropic layers, dominated by the layer with stronger anisotropy; (c) across orogens, where highly anisotropic (≥10%) crustal sections are present, a relevant percent (30–40%) of SKS measurement can be explained by crustal contributions, with additional challenge related to the different direction of retrieved and expected symmetry axis; and finally, (d) in subduction zones, even in the absence of mantle corner flow, subducted crust materials can interplay with the overriding plate to generate an interpretable SKS observation. We conclude that complex crustal and/or lithospheric anisotropy can lead to erroneous SKS splitting parameters interpretations in terms of mantle deformations. We show in particular that complex crustal anisotropy can produce both important time delay and back azimuthal pattern. We also confirm that SKS splitting parameters do not allow to identify the presence of more than two anisotropic layers in the mantle.
Reply to Comment by Dario Bilardello on “New late Pennsylvanian Paleomagnetic Results From Paraná Basin (southern Brazil): Is the Recent Giant Gaussian Process Model Valid for the Kiaman Superchron?”
Authors: Ernesto Marcia , Brandt Daniele , Franco Daniel Ribeiro
Published: May 2020

In this response, we address the comments by D. Bilardello on the paper by Brandt et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016968). His main point is that the Mafra rhythmites are remagnetized as are supposed to be all Paleozoic sediments in the Paraná Basin in the context of a widespread Jurassic‐Cretaceous remagnetization in South America. In this way, the obtained results are not suitable for investigations of the paleosecular variation models. The authors do not agree with his conclusions and present counterevidence to support the approach and the conclusions of Brandt et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016968).
Sensitivity Study of Weather Research and Forecasting Physical Schemes and Evaluation of Cool Coating Effects in Singapore by Weather Research and Forecasting Coupled with Urban Canopy Model Simulations
Authors: Zhou Mandi , Long Yongping , Zhang Xiaoqin , Donthu Eswara V. S. K. K. , Ng Bing Feng , Wan Man Pun
Published: May 2020

Mesoscale meteorological modeling was conducted to evaluate air temperature at 2‐m above surface (T2), wind speed/direction, and relative humidity (RH) in Singapore, a tropical city, for a dry period. A sensitivity study was conducted to determine the best combination of schemes for the physical modules. The model was used to study the urban heat island (UHI) effect and urban cooling effect by applying cool coating on various urban surfaces. Maximum UHI intensity of 3.2°C is found at nighttime (21:00) at a hot spot in the Commercial/Industrial area. At nighttime, when the UHI effect is generally more intense than daytime, applying cool coating on all urban surfaces can reduce the UHI effect by about 30% in residential areas and about 6% in commercial/industrial areas. Maximum T2 reduction of 3.1°C and surface skin temperature (TSK) reduction of 9.8°C due to cool coating is found at 13:00 at certain locations. The cool urban surfaces reduce radiative heat absorption during daytime, reducing heat storage in urban structures. This leads to subsequent reduction of stored heat release from urban structures, mitigating UHI effect during nighttime. Applying cool coating on horizontal surfaces (roofs and roads) provides more cooling effect than vertical surfaces (walls). Cool roofs provide more cooling effect than cool roads since roofs cover more urban horizontal surfaces than roads do in the current setting. Part of the radiation reflected by cool roads could be absorbed by other urban structures, reducing its cooling effect as compared to cool roofs.
Present Temperature, Precipitation, and Rain‐on‐Snow Climate in Svalbard
Authors: Wickström Siiri , Jonassen Marius O. , Cassano John J. , Vihma Timo
Published: May 2020

The Svalbard Archipelago has undergone rapid warming in the recent decades leading to warmer and wetter winter conditions. This study relates the present (2013–2018) 2 m temperature, precipitation, and rain‐on‐snow (ROS) climate in Svalbard to different atmospheric circulation (AC) types utilizing the high‐resolution numerical weather prediction model Application of Research to Operations at Mesoscale (AROME)‐Arctic. We find that the 2 m median temperatures vary most across AC types in winter and spring and in summer they vary the least. In all seasons the 10th percentile 2 m temperatures are above 0°C with southwesterly AC types over Svalbard. In comparison, the relationship between AC type and precipitation varies more spatially, with most accumulated precipitation and highest median precipitation intensities with onshore flow over open water. Our results suggest that sea ice explains a large part of the local variability in both 2 m temperature and precipitation. In the studied period ROS is a frequent phenomenon up to 150 m above sea level (ASL) on land, with most events in the southwestern parts of the archipelago (57 cases during five winter seasons). ROS events in winter occur predominantly with AC types from the southerly sector or during a low‐pressure center/trough passage. The southwesterly cyclonic AC type, with a low‐pressure center west of Svalbard, is the most frequent AC type for ROS events. In addition to being the most frequent, the southwesterly AC has the largest spatial coverage of ROS.
The SIRE2 Toolkit
Authors: Adams J. H. , Robinson Z. D. , Nonnast J. H. , Fisher J. H. , Hope D. M. , Lane Z. B. , Reed R. A. , Fisher J. Z. , Warren K. M. , Sierawski B. D.
Published: May 2020

The Space Ionizing Radiation Environment and Effects (SIRE2) toolkit has been developed to update and extend the tools used by the space and radiation effects community. It includes new environment models, the capability to examine how the environment changes along satellite and other trajectories and batch processing capabilities for both environments and radiation effects on electronics. An overview of the capabilities in the SIRE2 Toolkit is provided, and examples of applying SIRE2 to satellite orbits and arbitrary trajectories are given.
An Analytical Framework for Reservoir Operation With Combined Natural Inflow and Controlled Inflow
Authors: Li Yu , Ding Wei , Chen Xiaoxian , Cai Ximing , Zhang Chi
Published: May 2020

Interbasin water transfers have been undertaken in those regions that water demand has gone beyond regional water availability. Some reservoirs in a recipient region have both natural inflow (NI) and the controlled inflow (CI) through water transfer. This study establishes a theoretical framework to analyze reservoir operation with combined NI and CI, via an optimization model to maximize the net benefit of reservoir operation, considering both deterministic and stochastic NI. Operation rules for both water transfer and reservoir release are derived from the framework. It is illustrated that the amount of CI depends on water availability to the recipient reservoir, the relationship between marginal benefit and marginal cost, the water transfer capacity, and the uncertainty level of NI. As forecast uncertainty increases, more water is transferred, and more water is left in the reservoir as carryover storage when the initial water availability (WA0) is small; however, with a certain high level of WA0 and forecast uncertainty, water transfer will be controlled to reduce the risk of water abandonment. Notably, the critical values of the forecast uncertainty that control water transfer are identified under the various WA0. The analysis is illustrated via a case study with a real‐world reservoir in northeastern China. In summary, this study derives hedging rules for water supply reservoir with combined NI and CI to mitigate the risk of both water shortage and water abandonment and provides guidelines to use NI forecasts for water transfer and reservoir release decisions.
Real‐Time Flood Forecasting Based on a High‐Performance 2‐D Hydrodynamic Model and Numerical Weather Predictions
Authors: Ming Xiaodong , Liang Qiuhua , Xia Xilin , Li Dingmin , Fowler Hayley J.
Published: May 2020

A flood forecasting system commonly consists of at least two essential components, that is, a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model to provide rainfall forecasts and a hydrological/hydraulic model to predict the hydrological response. While being widely used for flood forecasting, hydrological models only provide a simplified representation of the physical processes of flooding due to negligence of strict momentum conservation. They cannot reliably predict the highly transient flooding process from intense rainfall, in which case a fully 2‐D hydrodynamic model is required. Due to high computational demand, hydrodynamic models have not been exploited to support real‐time flood forecasting across a large catchment at sufficiently high resolution. To fill the current research and practical gaps, this work develops a new forecasting system by coupling a graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerated hydrodynamic model with NWP products to provide high‐resolution, catchment‐scale forecasting of rainfall‐runoff and flooding processes induced by intense rainfall. The performance of this new forecasting system is tested and confirmed by applying it to “forecast” an extreme flood event across a 2,500‐km2 catchment at 10‐m resolution. Quantitative comparisons are made between the numerical predictions and field measurements in terms of water level and flood extent. To produce simulation results comparing well with the observations, the new flood forecasting system provides 34 hr of lead time when the weather forecasts are available 36 hr beforehand. Numerical experiments further confirm that uncertainties from the rainfall inputs are not amplified by the hydrodynamic model toward the final flood forecasting outputs in this case.
All Hands on Deck for Ionospheric Modeling
Authors: �zt�rk Doğacan , Garcia-Sage Katherine , Connor Hyunju
Published: May 2020

Challenges to studying the ionosphere’s ability to conduct electrical currents undercut scientists’ efforts to improve space weather forecasting models. Let’s tackle them together.
Active Steady‐State Creep on A Nontectonic Normal Fault in Southeast Utah: Implications for Strain Release in a Rapidly Deforming Salt System
Authors: Kravitz Katherine , Mueller Karl , Bilham Roger G. , Walton Maureen
Published: May 2020

Characterizing short‐term temporal variations of fault creep provide insight into the evolution, mechanics, and strength of fault systems. Using spirit leveling and an extensometer, we measured active slip of a surface fault southwest of the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, where exteis driven by differential unloading of a subsurface salt layer due to incision of the Colorado River. Results show continuous creep at maximum rates of 0.7 ± 0.2 mm/yr without large temporal variations typical of episodic creep events. Occasional, minor transient events in fault slip velocity coincided with water infiltration; however, we found no significant relation between precipitation and transient events. Detailed mapping of widespread, fault‐parallel sinkholes provide evidence for dilation of faults at shallow depth, a process that lowers fault strength. We propose continuous slip is related to low fault strength and differential unloading, as opposed to other salt systems where dissolution has been linked to episodic slip.
Oxygen Ion Escape From Venus Is Modulated by Ultra‐Low Frequency Waves
Authors: Jarvinen Riku , Alho Markku , Kallio Esa , Pulkkinen Tuija, I.
Published: May 2020

We study the solar wind‐driven, nonthermal escape of O+ ions from Venus in a global hybrid simulation. In the model, a well‐developed ion foreshock forms ahead of the Venusian quasi‐parallel bow shock under nominal upstream conditions. Large‐scale magnetosonic ultra‐low frequency (ULF) waves at 20‐ to 30‐s period are excited and convect downstream along the foreshock with the solar wind. We show that the foreshock ULF waves transmit through the bow shock in the downstream region and interact with the planetary ion acceleration, causing 25% peak‐to‐peak fluctuations in the O+ escape rate. These results demonstrate the importance of upstream plasma waves on the energization and escape of heavy ions from the planetary atmospheres.
Isobar Altitude Variations in the Upper Mesosphere Observed With IUVS‐MAVEN in Response to Martian Dust Storms
Authors: Gkouvelis L. , Gérard J.‐C. , González‐Galindo F. , Hubert B. , Schneider N. M.
Published: May 2020

We report limb measurements of the oxygen dayglow emission at 297.2 nm performed during four Martian dust storms. The emission peak provides a good remote sensing tool to probe changes of the altitude of the 39 mPa pressure level for the first time during dust storms. We illustrate the time variation of these changes and compare them with the infrared opacity in the lower atmosphere. We find that the 39 mPa level rises in response to the increase in dust opacity. It reaches a plateau, and additional dust load does not significantly increase its altitude. Numerical simulations with the LMD global circulation model shows a similar response, except for the event observed during MY33 regional storm when the model fails to reproduce the observed variations. Observations collected during the onset of the global dust storm in June 2018 show that the upper atmosphere rapidly responds within two Martian days to the increased amount of tropospheric dust.
On the Role of Pacific‐Atlantic SST Contrast and Associated Caribbean Sea Convection in August–October U.S. Regional Rainfall Variability
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Lee Sang‐Ki , Lopez Hosmay , Foltz Gregory R. , Misra Vasubandhu , Kumar Arun
Published: May 2020

This study investigates the large‐scale atmospheric processes that lead to U.S. precipitation variability in late summer to midfall (August–October; ASO) and shows that the well‐recognized relationship between North Atlantic Subtropical High and U.S. precipitation in peak summer (June–August) significantly weakens in ASO. The working hypothesis derived from our analysis is that in ASO convective activity in the Caribbean Sea, modulated by the tropical Pacific‐Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly contrast, directly influences the North American Low‐Level Jet and thus U.S. precipitation east of the Rockies, through a Gill‐type response. This hypothesis derived from observations is strongly supported by a long‐term climate model simulation and by a linear baroclinic atmospheric model with prescribed diabatic forcings in the Caribbean Sea. This study integrates key findings from previous studies and advances a consistent physical rationale that links the Pacific‐Atlantic SST anomaly contrast, Caribbean Sea convective activity, and U.S. rainfall in ASO.
Late Miocene Climate Cooling Contributed to the Disappearance of Hominoids in Yunnan Region, Southwestern China
Authors: Li Pei , Zhang Chunxia , Kelley Jay , Deng Chenglong , Ji Xueping , Jablonski Nina G. , Wu Haibin , Fu Yang , Guo Zhengtang , Zhu Rixiang
Published: May 2020

The relationship between long‐sequence climate change and Miocene hominoid evolution in the Yunnan region of southwestern China has recently received some attention, partly because this region has been regarded as a “refugium” for hominoids at the end of the Miocene. Here, we carry out a high‐resolution reconstruction of climate evolution in the Zhaotong Basin of Yunnan through the late Miocene to Pliocene using chemical weathering indices and other proxies. The results reveal gradual cooling within generally warm and humid conditions from 8.8–6.2 Ma; three more marked cooling episodes from 6.2–5.0 Ma; cool and humid conditions from 5.0–2.8 Ma; finally, cold and humid conditions from 2.8–2.62 Ma. The evidence is compatible with a scenario in which terminal Miocene cooling episodes within a prevailing warm and humid climate, and associated changes in vegetation, may have been critical factors in the disappearance of hominoids from this region.
Identifying Characteristic and Anomalous Mantle From the Complex Relationship Between Abyssal Hill Roughness and Spreading Rates
Authors: Goff John A.
Published: May 2020

The dependence of abyssal hill roughness on mid‐ocean ridge (MOR) spreading rate is an important indicator for faulting and volcanism. I reanalyze this relationship using a global gravity‐based prediction of root‐mean‐square (RMS) heights, enabling dense sampling of RMS/spreading rate space and thus a far more detailed examination than possible with bathymetric data. RMS histograms are multimodal, indicating previously unrecognized complexity in roughness versus spreading rate that cannot be characterized by a single trend. Modal peaks are used to define four different types of abyssal hills, three of which can be associated with axial valley, transitional, and axial high MOR morphology. The most abundant type at any one spreading rate bin is used to define a “characteristic” trend that transitions abruptly from axial valley to axial high types across half rates of ~20 to 30 mm/yr. Abyssal hills outside this trend are associated geographically with anomalously “hot” and “cold” mantle regions.
Large‐Scale Extreme Rainfall‐Producing Synoptic Systems of the Indian Summer Monsoon
Authors: Nikumbh Akshaya C. , Chakraborty Arindam , Bhat G. S. , Frierson Dargan M. W.
Published: May 2020

In recent years India has been increasingly experiencing widespread floods induced by large‐scale extreme rainfall events (LEREs). LEREs are mainly associated with monsoon low‐pressure systems (LPS). The forecast of these high‐flood‐potential events, however, has remained challenging. Here, we compare LPSs of the summer monsoon that led to LEREs (LPS‐Lg) and strong LPSs that did not result in LEREs (LPS‐noLg) over central India for the period 1979–2012. We show that having a strong LPS is not a sufficient condition to produce LEREs, and the LPS‐Lgs are accompanied by secondary cyclonic vortices (SCVs). The simultaneous existence of an LPS and an SCV creates a giant midtropospheric vortex. SCVs enhance dynamic lifting, static instability, and moisture transport from the Arabian Sea that precondition the atmosphere for deep convection. SCVs also slow down the propagation of LPSs. We show that the interaction of synoptic‐scale systems can lead to LEREs even if individual systems are not strong enough.
Picoliter droplet array based on bioinspired microholes for in situ single-cell analysis
Authors: Du Lin , Liu Huan , Zhou Jia
Published: May 2020

The division of aqueous samples into microdroplet arrays has many applications in biochemical and medical analysis. Inspired by biological features, we propose a method to produce picoliter droplet arrays for single-cell analysis based on physical structure and interface. A 0.9 pL droplet array with an RSD (relative standard deviation) less than 6.3% and a density of 49,000 droplets/cm2 was successfully generated on a PDMS chip (polydimethylsiloxane) from a micromachined glass mold. The droplet generation principle of the wetting behavior in the microholes with splayed sidewalls on the PDMS chip by liquid smearing was exploited. The feasibility of the picoliter droplets for bacterial single-cell analysis was verified by the separation of mixed bacteria into single droplets and isolated in situ bacteria propagation.
Integrated sensing and delivery of oxygen for next-generation smart wound dressings
Authors: Ochoa Manuel , Rahimi Rahim , Zhou Jiawei , Jiang Hongjie , Yoon Chang Keun , Maddipatla Dinesh , Narakathu Binu Baby , Jain Vaibhav , Oscai Mark Michael , Morken Thaddeus Joseph , Oliveira Rebeca Hannah , Campana Gonzalo L. , Cummings Oscar W. , Zieger Michael A. , Sood Rajiv , Atashbar Massood Z. , Ziaie Babak
Published: May 2020

Chronic wounds affect over 6.5 million Americans and are notoriously difficult to treat. Suboptimal oxygenation of the wound bed is one of the most critical and treatable wound management factors, but existing oxygenation systems do not enable concurrent measurement and delivery of oxygen in a convenient wearable platform. Thus, we developed a low-cost alternative for continuous O2 delivery and sensing comprising of an inexpensive, paper-based, biocompatible, flexible platform for locally generating and measuring oxygen in a wound region. The platform takes advantage of recent developments in the fabrication of flexible microsystems including the incorporation of paper as a substrate and the use of a scalable manufacturing technology, inkjet printing. Here, we demonstrate the functionality of the oxygenation patch, capable of increasing oxygen concentration in a gel substrate by 13% (5 ppm) in 1 h. The platform is able to sense oxygen in a range of 5–26 ppm. In vivo studies demonstrate the biocompatibility of the patch and its ability to double or triple the oxygen level in the wound bed to clinically relevant levels.
Cerebrospinal fluid neuroplasticity-associated protein levels in patients with psychiatric disorders: a multiplex immunoassay study
Authors: Hidese Shinsuke , Hattori Kotaro , Sasayama Daimei , Tsumagari Takuya , Miyakawa Tomoko , Matsumura Ryo , Yokota Yuuki , Ishida Ikki , Matsuo Junko , Yoshida Sumiko , Ota Miho , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: May 2020

To examine the role of neuroplasticity in the pathology of psychiatric disorders, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuroplasticity-associated protein levels. Participants were 94 patients with schizophrenia, 68 with bipolar disorder (BD), 104 with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 118 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, and ethnicity (Japanese). A multiplex immunoassay (22-plex assay) was performed to measure CSF neuroplasticity-associated protein levels. Among 22 proteins, 11 were successfully measured in the assay. CSF amyloid precursor protein (APP) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia, and CSF APP and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-1 levels were significantly lower in patients with BD, than in healthy controls (all p < 0.05). Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total, positive, and general scores were significantly and positively correlated with CSF hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (p < 0.01) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) (p < 0.05) levels in patients with schizophrenia. Young mania-rating scale score was significantly and positively correlated with CSF S100B level in patients with BD (p < 0.05). Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, core, sleep, activity, somatic anxiety, and delusion subscale scores were significantly and positively correlated with CSF HGF level, while sleep subscale score was positively correlated with CSF S100B and VEGF receptor 2 levels in patients with MDD (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that CSF APP, GDNF, and NCAM-1 levels are associated with psychiatric disorders, and that CSF HGF, S100B, and VEGF receptor 2 levels are related to psychiatric symptoms.
Enrichment of the tumour immune microenvironment in patients with desmoplastic colorectal liver metastasis
Authors: Höppener Diederik J. , Nierop Pieter M. H. , Hof Joost , Sideras Kostandinos , Zhou Guoying , Visser Lydia , Gouw Annette S. H. , de Jong Koert P. , Sprengers Dave , Kwekkeboom Jaap , Vermeulen Peter B. , Grünhagen Dirk J. , Verhoef Cornelis
Published: May 2020

Background

Patients with resected colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) who display only the desmoplastic histopathological growth pattern (dHGP) exhibit superior survival compared to patients with any non-desmoplastic growth (non-dHGP). The aim of this study was to compare the tumour microenvironment between dHGP and non-dHGP.

Methods

The tumour microenvironment was investigated in three cohorts of chemo-naive patients surgically treated for CRLM. In cohort A semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed, in cohort B intratumoural and peritumoural T cells were counted using immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis, and in cohort C the relative proportions of individual T cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry.

Results

One hundred and seventeen, 34, and 79 patients were included in cohorts A, B, and C, with dHGP being observed in 27%, 29%, and 15% of patients, respectively. Cohorts A and B independently demonstrated peritumoural and intratumoural enrichment of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in dHGP, as well as a higher CD8+/CD4+ ratio (cohort A). Flow cytometric analysis of fresh tumour tissues in cohort C confirmed these results; dHGP was associated with higher CD8+ and lower CD4+ T cell subsets, resulting in a higher CD8+/CD4+ ratio.

Conclusion

The tumour microenvironment of patients with dHGP is characterised by an increased and distinctly cytotoxic immune infiltrate, providing a potential explanation for their superior survival.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related colitis assessment and prognosis: can IBD scoring point the way?
Authors: Cheung Vincent Ting Fung , Gupta Tarun , Olsson-Brown Anna , Subramanian Sreedhar , Sasson Sarah Christina , Heseltine Jonathan , Fryer Eve , Collantes Elena , Sacco Joseph J. , Pirmohamed Munir , Simmons Alison , Klenerman Paul , Tuthill Mark , Protheroe Andrew S. , Chitnis Meenali , Fairfax Benjamin Peter , Payne Miranda Jane , Middleton Mark Ross , Brain Oliver
Published: May 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) improve survival but cause immune-related adverse events (irAE). We sought to determine if CTCAE classification, IBD biomarkers/endoscopic/histological scores correlate with irAE colitis outcomes.

Methods

A dual-centre retrospective study was performed on patients receiving ICI for melanoma, NSCLC or urothelial cancer from 2012 to 2018. Demographics, clinical data, endoscopies (reanalysed using Mayo/Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) scores), histology (scored with Nancy Index) and treatment outcomes were analysed.

Results

In all, 1074 patients were analysed. Twelve percent (134) developed irAE colitis. Median patient age was 66, 59% were male. CTCAE diarrhoea grade does not correlate with steroid/ infliximab use. G3/4 colitis patients are more likely to need infliximab (p < 0.0001) but colitis grade does not correlate with steroid duration. CRP, albumin and haemoglobin do not correlate with severity. The UCEIS (p = 0.008) and Mayo (p = 0.016) scores correlate with severity/infliximab requirement. Patients with higher Nancy indices (3/4) are more likely to require infliximab (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

CTCAE assessment does not accurately reflect colitis severity and our data do not support its use in isolation, as this may negatively impact timely management. Our data support utilising endoscopic scoring for patients with >grade 1 CTCAE disease, and demonstrate the potential prognostic utility of objective histologic scoring.
UGT2B17 modifies drug response in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Allain Eric P. , Rouleau Michèle , Vanura Katrina , Tremblay Sophie , Vaillancourt Joanie , Bat Vincent , Caron Patrick , Villeneuve Lyne , Labriet Adrien , Turcotte Véronique , Le Trang , Shehata Medhat , Schnabl Susanne , Demirtas Dita , Hubmann Rainer , Joly-Beauparlant Charles , Droit Arnaud , Jäger Ulrich , Staber Philipp B. , Lévesque Eric , Guillemette Chantal
Published: May 2020

Background

High UGT2B17 is associated with poor prognosis in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients and its expression is induced in non-responders to fludarabine-containing regimens. We examined whether UGT2B17, the predominant lymphoid glucuronosyltransferase, affects leukaemic drug response and is involved in the metabolic inactivation of anti-leukaemic agents.

Methods

Functional enzymatic assays and patients’ plasma samples were analysed by mass-spectrometry to evaluate drug inactivation by UGT2B17. Cytotoxicity assays and RNA sequencing were used to assess drug response and transcriptome changes associated with high UGT2B17 levels.

Results

High UGT2B17 in B-cell models led to reduced sensitivity to fludarabine, ibrutinib and idelalisib. UGT2B17 expression in leukaemic cells involved a non-canonical promoter and was induced by short-term treatment with these anti-leukaemics. Glucuronides of both fludarabine and ibrutinib were detected in CLL patients on respective treatment, however UGT2B17 conjugated fludarabine but not ibrutinib. AMP-activated protein kinase emerges as a pathway associated with high UGT2B17 in fludarabine-treated patients and drug-treated cell models. The expression changes linked to UGT2B17 exposed nuclear factor kappa B as a key regulatory hub.

Conclusions

Data imply that UGT2B17 represents a mechanism altering drug response in CLL through direct inactivation but would also involve additional mechanisms for drugs not inactivated by UGT2B17.
CDK4/6 inhibition presents as a therapeutic option for paediatric and adult germ cell tumours and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via canonical and non-canonical mechanisms
Authors: Skowron Margaretha A. , Vermeulen Marieke , Winkelhausen Anna , Becker Teresa K. , Bremmer Felix , Petzsch Patrick , Schönberger Stefan , Calaminus Gabriele , Köhrer Karl , Albers Peter , Nettersheim Daniel
Published: May 2020

Background

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are the most common solid malignancies in young men. Although high cure rates can be achieved, metastases, resistance to cisplatin-based therapy and late toxicities still represent a lethal threat, arguing for the need of new therapeutic options. In this study, we analysed the potential of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors palbociclib and ribociclib (PaRi) as molecular drugs to treat cisplatin-resistant and -sensitive paediatric and adult GCTs.

Methods

Ten GCT cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant subclones and non-malignant controls, were treated with PaRi and screened for changes in viability (triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (XTT) assay), apoptosis rates (flow cytometry, caspase assay), the cell cycle (flow cytometry), the transcriptome (RNA-sequencing, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and on protein level (western blot). Expression profiling was performed on paediatric and adult GCT tissues (expression microarrays, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, ‘The Cancer Genome Atlas’ database).

Results

We demonstrate that adult GCTs highly express CDK4, while paediatric GCTs strongly express CDK6 instead. Thus, both GCT types are potentially treatable by PaRi. GCTs presented as highly sensitive towards PaRi, which caused a decrease in viability, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Although GCTs mainly arrested in the G1/G0 phase, some embryonal carcinoma cell lines were able to bypass the G1/S checkpoint and progressed to the G2/M phase. We found that upregulation of CDK3 and downregulation of many mitosis regulation factors, like the HAUS genes, might be responsible for bypassing the G1/S checkpoint and termination of mitosis, respectively. We postulate that GCT cells do not tolerate these alterations in the cell cycle and eventually induce apoptosis.

Conclusion

Our study highlights PaRi as therapeutic options for cisplatin-resistant and -sensitive paediatric and adult GCTs.
Setting the photoelectron clock through molecular alignment
Authors: Trabattoni Andrea , Wiese Joss , De Giovannini Umberto , Olivieri Jean-François , Mullins Terry , Onvlee Jolijn , Son Sang-Kil , Frusteri Biagio , Rubio Angel , Trippel Sebastian , Küpper Jochen
Published: May 2020

The interaction of strong laser fields with matter intrinsically provides a powerful tool for imaging transient dynamics with an extremely high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we study strong-field ionisation of laser-aligned molecules, and show a full real-time picture of the photoelectron dynamics in the combined action of the laser field and the molecular interaction. We demonstrate that the molecule has a dramatic impact on the overall strong-field dynamics: it sets the clock for the emission of electrons with a given rescattering kinetic energy. This result represents a benchmark for the seminal statements of molecular-frame strong-field physics and has strong impact on the interpretation of self-diffraction experiments. Furthermore, the resulting encoding of the time-energy relation in molecular-frame photoelectron momentum distributions shows the way of probing the molecular potential in real-time, and accessing a deeper understanding of electron transport during strong-field interactions.