bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New measures against chronic kidney diseases in Japan since 2018
Authors: Fukui Akira , Yokoo Takashi , Nangaku Masaomi , Kashihara Naoki
Published: September 2019

Since 2008, the Japanese government has started measures against chronic kidney disease (CKD), and steady changes have been achieved, including a decrease in the age-adjusted rate of new dialysis introduction. However, the total number of dialysis patients has not declined because of the progression of aging. Therefore, the Japanese government has started more concrete measures since 2018. It aims to prevent CKD exacerbation mainly by early referrals to nephrologists using “criteria for referral from a primary care physician to a kidney specialist/specialized medical institution”. In addition, key performance indicators are set to reduce the number of new dialysis patients from 39,000 in 2016 to ≤ 35,000 by 2028. We hope that you can refer to this measure all over the world and proceed with CKD measures. This report has been originally notified from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japanese. This is the English version of it.
Well logging interpretation methodology for carbonate formation fracture system properties determination
Authors: Stadtműller Marek
Published: September 2019

The article presents the methodology for the qualitative determination of fracture zones in the profiles of carbonate formations, based on the complex fracture analysis (CFA) method. Three additive fracture ranges were distinguished, characterized by successively increasing aperture and fracture length values, operatively named micro, meso and macro. Furthermore, the quantitative characterization of fractures with different apertures was done. The methodology of laboratory data integration, fracture porosity and fracture permeability measurements performed on thin section and polished section was described as part of the quantitative well logging data interpretation procedure which uses the FPI (fracture porosity index) parameter. The research was performed in the Lower Carboniferous limestone formation that builds the Paleozoic basement of the Carpathian orogeny. An original software dedicated to the analysis of the wellbore images, obtained with the XRMI Halliburton scanner, was used to identify the presence of macro-fractures, determine their aperture and estimate fractures porosity and permeability in the profile of the analyzed rock formation. As a result of the work, postulates regarding the methodology for collecting research material were formulated, in particular: the scope of different laboratory core samples measurements and well log types. The principles of the optimal methodology for identifying fractured zones and quantitative evaluation of petrophysical parameters of recognized fracture systems were defined.
Strobilanthes twangensis (Acanthaceae), a new species from the East Himalayas
Authors: Wood John R. I. , Borah Dipankar , Yama Lod , Mipun Puranjoy
Published: September 2019

A new species, Strobilanthes twangensis J.R.I.Wood & D.Borah is described from Arunachal Pradesh State in northeastern India near the border with Bhutan and Tibet. The new species is illustrated with photographs and its possible relationships with other Himalayan species are discussed.
Elucidation of Provenance, Palaeoclimate and Tectonic Setting of the Gondwana Sandstones of Arunachal Himalayas: A Petrographic Approach
Authors: Mahanta Bashab N. , Sarmah Ranjan K. , Goswami Tapos Kumar
Published: September 2019

The Permian Gondwana sequence of Arunachal Lesser Himalayas provides an excellent setup to study the provenance and associated tectonics during deposition due to its typical positioning at the margin of the Gondwanic Indian continent. Petrographic character of these Gondwana sandstones exposed in parts of East Siang and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and inferences on source rocks and tectonic setting are presented in this paper.

The modal analysis of the sandstones reveals that quartz is the dominant detrital framework grain with 58.1-78.30%, feldspar percentage varies between 0.5 to 4.7%, the percentage of rock fragments ranges from 1.0 to 12.6%, mica content varies between 1.3-14.0%, matrix percentage varies between 6.8-15% and cement constitutes 3.1-23.5%. The sandstones are classified as sublithic arenite and quartz arenite. The study suggests quartzose recycled orogen as well as transitional recycled source and indicates towards a low grade metamorphic source for the sediments. It is inferred that these recycled sandstones were originally having its source in the cratonic blocks and sedimentation in this Gondwana basin evolved through multiferous interplay of deformation due to thrust loading, changes in sea level resulting in progressive compaction and a humid climate.
Applicability of Magnetic and Geochemical Characterization Techniques to Assess the Evolution of Estuarine Systems: A Case Study of Gad River Estuary Sediments, Maharashtra
Authors: Gawali Praveen B. , Hanamgond Pramod T. , Lakshmi B.V. , Herlekar Milind
Published: September 2019

River estuarine samples are a complex repository of terrestrial and nearshore geophysical changes. Sediment core raised from the Gad river estuary, situated in Maharashtra state of India, was analyzed to understand their rock magnetic, particle size and geochemical characteristics. These three parameters are closely related to one another signifying detrital model of deposition, devoid of soft diagenetic changes. The magnetic grain size and particle grain size constraining the domain structure and physical structure respectively, are both in consonance with chemical elements that are amenable largely to physical comminution. The integrated approach of this nature has been tried for the first time on estuarine samples of India. Mineral magnetism utilises the magnetic behaviour of a material to interpret environmental processes acting upon it.

The study unraveled two-tier climate-induced modifications to erosional activity, suggesting abrupt change at 20 cm depth in a 45 cm core. The magnetic characteristics are seen to be controlled by the presence of ferrimagnetic minerals. Rock magnetic results (χlf, ARM, SIRM) and Curie temperature reveal that low-coercivity magnetite (and/or titanomagnetite) is the dominant magnetic mineral. χlf is more at the bottom and less at the top. Magnetic grain size is coarse at the top and fine at the bottom. Clay and silt proportion is more at the top of the core and that of sand is more at the bottom. Concentration of detrital geochemical elements like Al, Ti and Cr are less at the top and more at the bottom of the core, corroborated by chemical index of weathering and chemical index of alteration. Thus, it is clear from χlf that magnetic minerals are more at the bottom and so are the detrital minerals like Al, Ti and Cr, along with sand. This reveals energy conditions were vigorous at the time of the deposition of these entities at the bottom, which eased out at the top and are corroborated by the presence of clay and silt, having correspondingly low Al, Ti and Cr with low χlf.

Micromorphological features revealed abrasion pits, grooves and bumped edges on sub-angular grains, which indicate moderate transport distance under moderate to low energy conditions revealing terrestrial origin of this material. Thus, similar studies in other estuarine complexes can be used as a proxy to understand monsoonal or environmental changes initiated by neotectonic activity.
Analysis and Prediction of Groundwater Level Trends Using Four Variations of Mann Kendall Tests and ARIMA Modelling
Authors: Kumar K. Satish , Rathnam E. Venkata
Published: September 2019

In this study monthly, annual and seasonal groundwater variation trends of Warangal district (2000–2015) were examined for forty observation wells using four variations of non-parametric Mann Kendal (MK) methods. Magnitudes of trends were computed using the Sen’s slope estimator. Results conclude that on a monthly time series, three observation wells (31, 32 and 37) experienced significant positive trends (positive Z-statistics), whereas other wells experienced significant negative trends among forty. Wells 2, 17, 22, 33, 38, 39, 40 noticed strong significant negative trends. Using MK-1/MK-2/MK-3/MK-4 for monthly series, around 23/33/23/23% of cases exhibited positive trends (both significant and insignificant) and 77/67/77/77 % of cases exhibited negative trends. Median of trend slopes for groundwater levels (GWLs) were negative in monthly, seasonal and annual timescale. Seasonally trend slope was observed as a decreasing trend in the pre-monsoon period. Annually trend slope was varying approximately from −0.4 mm/year to +0.4 mm/year. ARIMA models were fitted for each well to predict the parameters of the models and to forecast (2015) using monthly GWLs from 2000 to 2014. ARIMA(2,1,2), ARIMA(2,0,1), ARIMA(4,0,0), ARIMA(1,1,1), ARIMA(1,0,1), ARIMA(1,0,2) and ARIMA(2,0,0) fitted for most of the Wells. Using these models GWLs were predicted and the performance of the predicted levels was analyzed using the correlation coefficient (R2) and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) values.
Effect of Kerogen and TOC on Seismic Characterization of Lower Cretaceous Shale Gas Plays in Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Authors: Khalid Perveiz , Qureshi Jahanzeb , Din Zia Ud , Ullah Sami , Sami Javed
Published: September 2019

Unconventional energy resources such as shale gas are becoming an increasingly important exploration and production targets. Organic-rich shales are widely distributed in the sedimentary basins of Pakistan. Among these shales, organic-rich Sembar shale of the lower Cretaceous age is a strong potential shale gas play in the lower Indus basin of Pakistan. However, seismic and petrophysical characterization of this organic-rich shale is not well understood because of the complex dependency of the seismic and petrophysical properties of these rocks on mineralogical, heterogeneities, organic matter, clay content and thermal maturity. Therefore, to understand the seismic and elastic character of Sembar shales, rock physics modeling and seismic attribute analysis have been done. The results reveal that in-situ mineral composition, total organic content (TOC) and thermal maturity can influence significantly in inverse order to the seismic and elastic parameters of organic-rich shale. This work will facilitate the workers to interpret shale gas play and develop the exploration and production strategies for gas exploration and production.
Polydopamine-Assisted Fabrication of Stable Silver Nanoparticles on Optical Fiber for Enhanced Plasmonic Sensing
Authors: Tang Yiwen , Yuan Hui , Chen Jiangping , Xing Qiguo , Su Rongxin , Qi Wei , He Zhimin
Published: September 2019

We present a facile and effective method for fabrication of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) optical fiber sensor assisted by two polydopamine (PDA) layers with enhanced plasmonic sensing performance. The first PDA layer was self-polymerized onto the bare optical fiber to provide the catechol groups for the reduction from Ag+ to Ago through chelating and redox activity. As the reduction of Ag+ proceeds, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were grown in-situ on the PDA layer with uniform distribution. The second PDA layer was applied to prevent Ag NPs from oxidating and achieve an improvement of LSPR signal. The PDA/Ag/PDA-based optical fiber sensor has an enhanced LSPR sensitivity of 961 nm/RIU and excellent oxidation resistance. The stable PDA/Ag/PDA-based LSPR sensor with high optical performance is very promising for future application in optical sensing field.
Ultralow friction polymer composites incorporated with monodispersed oil microcapsules
Authors: Zhang Lin , Xie Guoxin , Wu Shuai , Peng Shiguang , Zhang Xiaoqing , Guo Dan , Wen Shizhu , Luo Jianbin
Published: September 2019

Ultralow friction polymer composites were prepared by adding oil-loaded microcapsules into epoxy (EP) resin. Mono-dispersed polystyrene (PS)/poly alpha olefin (PAO) microcapsules with a diameter of ~2 μm and a shell thickness of ~ 30 nm were prepared by solvent evaporation method in an oil-in-water emulsion. The lubrication behaviors of the EP resin composites with oil-loaded microcapsules have been investigated under different loads and sliding speeds. As compared with the pure EP resin, the friction coefficient of the composite could be reduced to 4% (from 0.71 to 0.028) and the wear rate could be decreased up to two orders of magnitude. It was demonstrated that the released PAO oil from the microcapsules during the friction process produced a boundary lubricating film, which could prevent the direct contact of two rubbing surfaces, and thus leading to an extremely low friction coefficient and wear rate. Moreover, the composites with microcapsules could achieve comparable lubrication properties to the case under the external lubrication condition, while the former case could effectively minimize the lubricant leakage and improve the lubrication efficiency.
Numerical Simulation of the Aerodynamic Influence of Aircrafts During Aerial Refueling with Engine Jet
Authors: Li Yi , Zhang Yang , Bai Junqiang
Published: September 2019

Aerial refueling technology has been widely applied in various fields and it is one of the hotspots but difficulties for the aeronautical technologies. DLR-F6 WBNP model is used as a tanker and a fighter model is used as a receiver. The flow field of Probe–Drogue refueling and Flying Boom refueling is numerically simulated using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, and the effects of the jet flow and the aerodynamic characteristics of the receiver are taken into consideration. The results indicate that the effect of downwash of the tanker reduces the lift coefficient and decreases the pitching moment coefficient of the receiver. The jet flow of tanker increases the dynamic pressure while decreases the local angle of attack, which increases the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of receiver. Compared with the results without jet, the jet flow can increase the lift and the drag of the receiver and reduces the pitching moment, and even cause the change of rolling moment direction. Therefore, engine jet is an important factor when simulating aerial refueling.
Person complementarity and (pseudo) Person Case Constraint effects: Evidence from Inuktitut
Authors: Compton Richard
Published: September 2019

This paper examines the nature of person complementarity in Eastern Canadian Inuktitut (Eskimo-Aleut), arguing that despite its apparent patterning as a Person Case Constraint (PCC) effect, it is not due to the presence of a defective intervener blocking person agreement with a lower argument, as is often the case in other languages. Instead, the observed effect is caused by a defective or missing person probe on C that cannot value local person features on absolutive arguments. Given the use of the PCC as a diagnostic for differentiating clitics and agreement, this result has implications for the proper identification ofφ-marking in Inuktitut.
Family members’ perspectives on the acceptability and impact of a co-facilitated information programme: the EOLAS mental health programme
Authors: Higgins Agnes , Downes Carmel , Monahan Mark , Hevey David , Boyd Fiona , Cusack Ned , Gibbons Patrick
Published: September 2019

Background:

Despite the critical role families play in the care and recovery journeys of people who experience enduring mental distress, they are often excluded by the mental health services in the care and decision-making process. International trends in mental health services emphasise promoting a partnership approach between service users, families and practitioners within an ethos of recovery.

Objective:

This paper evaluated the acceptability of and initial outcomes from a clinician and peer co-led family information programme.

Methods:

A sequential design was used involving a pre-post survey to assess changes in knowledge, confidence, advocacy, recovery and hope following programme participation and interviews with programme participants. Participants were recruited from mental health services running the information programme. In all, 86 participants completed both pre- and post-surveys, and 15 individuals consented to interviews.

Results:

Survey findings indicated a statistically significant change in family members’ knowledge about mental health issues, recovery attitudes, sense of hope and confidence. In addition, the interviews suggested that the programme had a number of other positive outcomes for family members, including increased communication with members of the mental health team and increased awareness of communication patterns within the family unit. Family members valued the opportunity to share their experiences in a ‘safe’ place, learn from each other and provide mutual support.

Conclusion:

The evaluation highlights the importance of developing information programmes in collaboration with family members as well as the strength of a programme that is jointly facilitated by a family member and clinician.
Vaccine Development and Collaborations: Lessons from the History of the Meningococcal A Vaccine (1969–73)
Authors: Baylac-Paouly Baptiste
Published: September 2019

Based on a wide range of historical sources, including published scientific literature and archives (Institut Mérieux, WHO and IMTSSA), this article examines the history of the development of the meningococcal A vaccine between 1969 and 1973. It explores the social factors of vaccine development including various collaborations, informal discussions, the circulation of products and materials, formal meetings, trials and setbacks to highlight the complex reality of the development, production and use of the vaccine. Inscribed in a ‘Golden Age’ of vaccine development and production, this episode not only adds to the scholarship on the history of vaccines, which has tended to focus on a narrative of progress, but also considers the sharing of knowledge through collaborations, and the risks involved in the development of a vaccine. Finally, this perspective reveals the uncertainties and difficulties underlying the production of an effective vaccine.
Endoscopic reconstruction of large anterior skull base defects with opening of the sellar diaphragm. Experience at a tertiary level university hospital
Authors: Carnevale C , Tomás-Barberán M , Til-Pérez G , Ibañez-Domínguez J , Arancibia-Tagle D , Rodríguez-Villalba R , Sarría-Echegaray P
Published: September 2019

Background

The indications for expanded endoscopic transnasal approaches continue to increase, with more complex skull base defects needing to be repaired. This study reviews the management of large anterior skull base defects with opening of the sellar diaphragm.

Method

A prospective analysis of endonasal endoscopic surgery carried out at Son Espases University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2018 was performed. The analysis included only the cases with a significative intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak. In all cases, reconstruction was performed by combining the gasket seal technique with a pedicled mucosal endonasal flap.

Results

Twenty-eight patients were included. The mucoperiosteal nasoseptal flap, the lateral wall flap and the middle turbinate flap were used in 13, 8 and 7 patients, respectively, combined with the gasket seal technique. One case of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak was observed (3.57 per cent).

Conclusion

The combination of a gasket seal with an endonasal mucosal flap is an excellent technique for repairing large anterior skull base defects.
Magnetic helicity in multiply connected domains
Authors: MacTaggart D. , Valli A.
Published: September 2019

Magnetic helicity is a fundamental quantity of magnetohydrodynamics that carries topological information about the magnetic field. By ‘topological information’, we usually refer to the linkage of magnetic field lines. For domains that are not simply connected, however, helicity also depends on the topology of the domain. In this paper we expand the standard definition of magnetic helicity in simply connected domains to multiply connected domains in

$\mathbb{R}^{3}$

of arbitrary topology. We also discuss how using the classic Biot–Savart operator simplifies the expression for helicity and how domain topology affects the physical interpretation of helicity.
Otolith shape index: is it a tool for trophic ecology studies?
Authors: de Carvalho Barbara Maichak , Spach Henry Louis , Vaz-Dos-Santos André Martins , Volpedo Alejandra Vanina
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to test the effective separation of shape indices of otoliths of three species belonging to the family Sciaenidae before and afterin vitrodigestion. We measured 328 sagittal otoliths and applied six shape indices. Before the experiment, the aspect ratio (otolith height/otolith length%), circularity, ellipticity and relative surface of the sulcus acusticus were suitable for differentiating the species of genera Paralonchurus and Stellifer. Among the species of Stellifer, the aspect ratio and rectangularity were suitable. Otoliths exposed toin vitrodigestion showed no significant differences in their morphometry before and after the experiment. Afterin vitrodigestion, the aspect ratio and circularity were effective in separating Paralonchurus and Stellifer. However, none of the indices used in the present study were efficient to separate otoliths of congeneric species afterin vitrodigestion.
Transport of intense beams with current-dependent initial conditions in linearly tapered solenoid channels
Authors: Harris J. R.
Published: September 2019

In electron beams where space charge plays an important role in the beam transport, the beams’ transverse and longitudinal properties will become coupled. One example of this is the transverse–longitudinal correlation produced in a current-modulated beam generated in a DC electron gun, formed through the competition between the time-dependent radial space charge force and the time-independent radial focusing force. This correlation will cause both the slice radius and divergence of the beam extracted from the gun to depend on the slice current. Here we consider the transport of such a beam in a linearly tapered solenoid focusing channel. Transport performance was generally improved with longer taper lengths, minimal initial correlation between slice divergence and slice current, and moderate degrees of initial correlation between initial slice radius and slice current. Performance was also generally improved with lower slice emittances, although surprisingly transport was improved by slightly increasing the assumed slice emittance in certain limited circumstances.
Surveillance of infections in long-term care facilities (LTCFs): The impact of participation during multiple years on health care-associated infection incidence
Authors: Haenen A. P. J. , Verhoef L. P. , Beckers A. , Gijsbers E. F. , Alblas J. , Huis A. , Hulscher M. , de Greeff S. C.
Published: September 2019

We studied trends in the incidence of health care-associated infections (HAIs) in LTCFs between 2009 and 2015 and determined the effect of participation in our network. Elder-care physicians reported weekly the number of cases of influenza-like illness, gastroenteritis, (probable) pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and all-cause mortality. Trends in the incidence of infection and mortality in relation to LTCF characteristics were calculated using multilevel univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Thirty LTCF participated for 3 years or more, 16 for 2 years and the remaining 12 LTCF for 1 year. During the study period, the median number of beds decreased from 158 to 139, whereas the percentage of residents with private bedrooms increased from 14% to 87%. UTIs were the most frequently reported infections, followed by (probable) pneumonia and gastroenteritis. Adjusted for calendar year and season, we observed a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of influenza-like illness (odds ratio (OR) = 0.8, P < 0.01) and (probable) pneumonia (OR = 0.8, P < 0.01) for each extra year an LTCF participated. Although there are other likely contributors, such as more private rooms and enhanced infection control measures, the decreasing trend of HAI in LTCFs participating in surveillance implies that surveillance is a valuable addition to current strategies to optimise infection control.
Mathematical analysis of a credit default swap with counterparty risks
Authors: CHEN XINFU , HE PENG , LIU JING , ZHAO SHUAI
Published: September 2019

A credit default swap (CDS) is an exchange of premium payments for a compensation for the occurrence of a credit event. Counterparty risks refer to defaults of parties holding CDS contracts. In this paper we develop a valuation/pricing model for a CDS subject to counterparty risks. Using the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) model for interest rate and first arrival times of Poisson processes with variable intensities for the occurrences of credit default and counterparty defaults, we derive a mathematical formulation and make a full theoretical investigation. In addition, we develop a full theory for the corresponding infinite horizon problem and establish its connection with the asymptotic long expiry behaviour of finite horizon problem. Furthermore, we establish a connection between two major frameworks for default times: the structure model approach and the intensity model approach. We show that a solution of the structure model can be obtained as the limit of a sequence of solutions of intensity models. Regarded as an important theoretical development, we remove a constraint typically imposed on the parameters of the CIR model; that is, the well-posedness (existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence of parameters) of the mathematical model holds for any empirically calibrated parameters for the CIR model.
Environmental Influences on Patient Presentations: Considerations for Research and Evaluation at Mass-Gathering Events
Authors: Hutton Alison , Ranse Jamie , Gray Katherine L. , Turris Sheila A. , Lund Adam , Munn Matthew Brendan
Published: September 2019

Aim:

This paper discusses the need for consistency in mass-gathering research and evaluation from an environmental reporting perspective.

Background:

Mass gatherings occur frequently throughout the world. Having an understanding of the complexities of mass gatherings is important to inform health services about the possible required health resources. Factors within the environmental, psychosocial, and biomedical domains influence the usage of health services at mass gatherings. A minimum data set (MDS) has been proposed to standardize collection of biomedical data across various mass gatherings, and there is a need for an environmental component. The environmental domain includes factors such as the nature of the event, availability of drugs or alcohol, venue characteristics, and meteorological factors.

Method:

This research used an integrative literature review design. Manuscripts were collected using keyword searches from databases and journal content pages from 2003 through 2018. Data were analyzed and categorized using the existing MDS as a framework.

Results:

In total, 39 manuscripts were identified that met the inclusion criteria.

Conclusion:

In collecting environmental data from mass gatherings, there must be an agreed-upon MDS. A set of variables can be used to collect de-identified environmental variables for the purpose of making comparisons across societies for mass-gathering events (MGEs).
AN EMOTION WITHOUT A NAME
Authors: Loxterkamp Lorne
Published: September 2019

I argue that there is an important emotion for which we do not have a name.
ON AN EQUAL FOOTING
Authors: Doomen Jasper
Published: September 2019

Athlete Caster Semenya's successes have, in conjunction with her appearance, led to an inquiry. She appeared to have high levels of testosterone; it was decided that she had to reduce them if she wanted to race against other women. I argue that the recognition of the difference between Caster Semenya and her competitors should not result in this outcome: similar differences exist (in all sports), which are accepted as such. It would be inconsistent to focus on this advantage if one disregards others, while the alternative to realize an outcome in which all differences are removed would yield absurd results.
U. T. PLACE AND THE MYSTICAL ORIGIN OF MODERN PHYSICALISM
Authors: Leach Stephen
Published: September 2019

An introduction to the role of U. T. Place in the development of modern physicalism.
Longitudinal Research at the Interface of Affective Neuroscience, Developmental Psychopathology, Health and Behavioral Genetics: Findings from the Wisconsin Twin Project
Authors: Schmidt Nicole L. , Brooker Rebecca J. , Carroll Ian C. , Gagne Jeffrey R. , Luo Zhan , Moore Mollie N. , Planalp Elizabeth M. , Sarkisian Katherine L. , Schmidt Cory K. , Van Hulle Carol A. , Lemery-Chalfant Kathryn , Goldsmith H. H.
Published: September 2019

The Wisconsin Twin Project comprises multiple longitudinal studies that span infancy to early adulthood. We summarize recent papers that show how twin designs with deep phenotyping, including biological measures, can inform questions about phenotypic structure, etiology, comorbidity, heterogeneity, and gene–environment interplay of temperamental constructs and mental and physical health conditions of children and adolescents. The general framework for investigations begins with rich characterization of early temperament and follows with study of experiences and exposures across childhood and adolescence. Many studies incorporate neuroimaging and hormone assays.
The Study of Personality Architecture and Dynamics (SPeADy): A Longitudinal and Extended Twin Family Study
Authors: Kandler Christian , Penner Angelika , Richter Julia , Zapko-Willmes Alexandra
Published: September 2019

The Study of Personality Architecture and Dynamics (SPeADy) is a German research project that aims to investigate the sources of interindividual differences in intraindividual personality development. The main focus lies in the dynamic interplay between more stable core characteristics and more environmentally malleable surface characteristics, as well as between personality and life experiences over time. SPeADy includes a twin family study encompassing data from 1962 individuals (age: 14–94) of 682 families, including 570 complete twin pairs (plus 1 triplet set), 327 parents, 236 spouses and 145 children of twins. Data collection started in 2016 and data from the first wave are currently obtainable as open source. Available data comprise a broad range of personality variables, such as personality trait constructs, motives, interests, values, moral foundations, religiosity and self-related concepts. For the currently ongoing second wave of data collection, we added retrospective reports on major life events. Special features of this genetically informative study are the extended twin family data and its longitudinal design. Three assessment waves in 2 years’ intervals are planned until 2022. In this article, we briefly describe the design and contents of the SPeADy twin family study as well as some recent findings, future plans and open science issues.
Bariatrische Chirurgie in der Schweiz: Gesetzliche Grundlagen und Standardverfahren
Authors: Peterli Ralph
Published: September 2019

Zusammenfassung. In diesem Artikel wird die Geschichte der bariatrischen und metabolen Chirurgie in der Schweiz, die gesetzlichen Grundlagen für die Kostenübernahme sowie die Richtlinien beschrieben, welche die Bedingungen an die interdisziplinäre Behandlung der morbiden Adipositas und deren Qualitätssicherung definieren. Die am häufigsten durchgeführten Eingriffe inklusive deren Frühmorbidität werden vorgestellt.
Neue endoluminale und chirurgische Verfahren für die Behandlung der morbiden Adipositas
Authors: Delko Tarik
Published: September 2019

Zusammenfassung. Bei der Behandlung der (morbiden) Adipositas wurden neu auch endoluminale Verfahren entwickelt, mit dem Ziel, schonungsvollere und für den Patienten eher akzeptable Methoden anzubieten. Mehrere dieser mittels Gastroskopie im oberen Magendarmtrakt durchführbaren Eingriffe werden vorgestellt. In der Schweiz sollten durch interdisziplinäre Arbeitsgruppen Studien designt werden, die deren Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit langfristig aufzeigen. Zwischenzeitlich sind diese endoluminalen Methoden als hoch experimentelle Verfahren an zu sehen und so dem betroffenen Patienten zu kommunizieren. Zudem werden neuere chirurgische Verfahren vorgestellt. Insbesondere der One Anastomis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) wird aufgrund vermehrter Level I Evidenz weltweit zunehmend akzeptiert, viele Befürchtungen haben sich nach 21 Jahren nicht bestätigt. Weitere Ergebnisse aus randomisiert kontrollierten Studien werden in naher Zukunft folgen und könnten als Basis dienen, dieses Verfahren auch in der Schweiz als etablierte Technik freizugeben.
Molekular-zielgerichtete Therapien in der Onkologie – Übersicht und Therapiestrategien
Authors: Joerger Markus
Published: September 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die molekular zielgerichtete oder personalisierte Onkologie hat die Therapie etlicher Tumorentitäten transformiert, und ist in diesem Sinne zu einem gewissen Synonym für eine zukunftsgerichtete Medizin geworden. Bei der personalisierten Onkologie kommen primär ’kleine Moleküle’ (molecularly targeted therapy, MTT zum Zuge, welche meist peroral verabreicht werden. Die entsprechenden Tumorerkrankungen weisen dabei entsprechende somatische Genmutationen auf, die wir gerne als Treibermutationen bezeichnen, da sie zu einem grossen Teil für das Tumorwachstum verantwortlich sind, und durch die verabreichten MTT inhibiert werden. Selbstverständlich weisen nur gewisse Tumorerkrankungen solche Treibermutationen auf und werden entsprechend mit MTT behandelt. Seit Entwicklung des ersten MTT, dem anti-BCR / ABL Tyrosinkinaseinhibitor (TKI) Imatinib bei der chronisch myeloischen Leukämie (CML) im Jahre 1999, hat eine grosse Anzahl MTT ihre Zulassung in der Onkologie erhalten. Dabei wurden bis anhin vor allem die ’tiefhängenden Früchte’ geerntet, indem die meisten Treibermutationen in einer Häufigkeit von über 1 % vorkommen. In einem nächsten Schritt soll die Einführung der Methodik des sogenannten’next generation sequencing’ (NGS) die personalisierte Onkologie für noch mehr Krebspatienten zugänglich machen.
Laboratory Insight Into Seismic Estimates of Energy Partitioning During Dynamic Rupture: An Observable Scaling Breakdown
Authors: Selvadurai P. A.
Published: September 2019

We investigate energy partitioning using seismological methods of seismic ruptures with estimated submicron levels of slip in the laboratory. Estimates inferred from recorded seismic waves are founded on microscale phenomenological friction experiments in the laboratory and appear to be constrained by inherent assumptions. In this concerted study, we build on the methods used to absolutely calibrate an array of piezoelectric transducers in a direct shear laboratory apparatus. We found that flat‐broadband sensor behavior allowed us to study source extent parameters using spectral source models that are typically used to interpret small to moderate‐sized earthquakes. We computed the corner frequencies, low‐frequency plateaus, and high‐frequency spectral falloff exponent using single‐station assumptions. Moment magnitude ranged from −9<Mw<−7.5 and slip was on the order of nanometers to micrometers—extending our understanding of source parameters studied via seismic waves. A number of findings are highlighted: (i) Variations in spectral falloff with corner frequencies followed the observations made in natural conditions. (ii) Corner frequency shift phenomenon was observed (fcP/fcS∼ 1.34) and was attributed to source finiteness rather than wave propagation effects. (iii) Events were stress overshoot as determined by the Savage‐Wood efficiency. (iv) The empirical power law scaling relationship between fracture energy and slip, given as, wherenG=1.28 appears to break down with seismological estimates made at the mining scale (nG=1.86) and laboratory scale (nG=2.35). This break in scaling may be related to the types of off‐fault energy sinks that are inherently captured in the seismological interpretation of fracture energy.
Importance of Framing for Extreme Event Attribution: The Role of Spatial and Temporal Scales
Authors: Kirchmeier‐Young M. C. , Wan H. , Zhang X. , Seneviratne S. I.
Published: September 2019

Event attribution, which determines how anthropogenic climate change has affected the likelihood of certain types of extreme events, is of broad interest to industries, governments, and the public. Attribution results can be highly dependent on the definition of the event and the characteristics assessed, which are part of framing the attribution question. Despite a widely acknowledged sensitivity to framing, little work has been done to document the impacts on attribution and the resulting implications. Here, we use a perfect‐model approach and large ensembles of coupled climate‐model simulations to demonstrate how event attribution depends on the spatial and temporal scales used to define the event. In general, stronger attribution is found for events defined over longer time scales and larger spatial scales due to enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratios. With strong warming trends, most regions see large changes in the likelihood of temperature extremes at all scales, even at low levels of global mean temperature increase. For precipitation extremes, spatial scale plays a strong role. It may be possible to attribute changes in likelihood for extreme precipitation events defined over larger scales, but greater levels of global warming are often required before it is possible to attribute changes in the likelihood of smaller‐scale precipitation events. Care must be taken to understand the scales used in event attribution, in order to properly understand the results.
Climate, Irrigation, and Land Cover Change Explain Streamflow Trends in Countries Bordering the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Vicente‐Serrano S. M. , Peña‐Gallardo M. , Hannaford J. , Murphy C. , Lorenzo‐Lacruz J. , Dominguez‐Castro F. , López‐Moreno J. I. , Beguería S. , Noguera I. , Harrigan S. , Vidal J.‐P.
Published: September 2019

Attribution of trends in streamflow is complex, but essential, in identifying optimal management options for water resources. Disagreement remains on the relative role of climate change and human factors, including water abstractions and land cover change, in driving change in annual streamflow. We construct a very dense network of gauging stations (n = 1,874) from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal for the period of 1961–2012 to detect and then attribute changes in annual streamflow. Using regression‐based techniques, we show that climate (precipitation and atmospheric evaporative demand) explains many of the observed trends in northwest Europe, while for southwest Europe human disturbances better explain both temporal and spatial trends. For the latter, large increases in irrigated areas, agricultural intensification, and natural revegetation of marginal lands are inferred to be the dominant drivers of decreases in streamflow.
An Extended MHD Study of the 16 October 2015 MMS Diffusion Region Crossing
Authors: TenBarge J. M. , Ng J. , Juno J. , Wang L. , Hakim A. H. , Bhattacharjee A.
Published: September 2019

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission has given us unprecedented access to high cadence particle and field data of magnetic reconnection at Earth's magnetopause. MMS first passed very near an X‐line on 16 October 2015, the Burch event, and has since observed multiple X‐line crossings. Subsequent 3‐D particle‐in‐cell (PIC) modeling efforts of and comparison with the Burch event have revealed a host of novel physical insights concerning magnetic reconnection, turbulence‐induced particle mixing, and secondary instabilities. In this study, we employ the Gkeyll simulation framework to study the Burch event with different classes of extended, multifluid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), including models that incorporate important kinetic effects, such as the electron pressure tensor, with physics‐based closure relations designed to capture linear Landau damping. Such fluid modeling approaches are able to capture different levels of kinetic physics in global simulations and are generally less costly than fully kinetic PIC. We focus on the additional physics one can capture with increasing levels of fluid closure refinement via comparison with MMS data and existing PIC simulations. In particular, we find that the ten‐moment model well captures the agyrotropic structure of the pressure tensor in the vicinity of the X‐line and the magnitude of anisotropic electron heating observed in MMS and PIC simulations. However, the ten‐moment model is found to have difficulty resolving the lower hybrid drift instability, which plays a fundamental role in heating and mixing electrons in the current layer.
Kelvin‐Helmholtz Instability in a Dipole Magnetosphere: The Magnetopause as a Tangential Discontinuity
Authors: Leonovich A. S. , Kozlov D. A.
Published: September 2019

The boundary stability problem is solved for a dipole magnetosphere wrapped by an azimuthal solar wind flow. A simplified equation is obtained describing small‐scale fast magnetosonic waves in a dipole magnetosphere. The structure of surface fast magnetosonic waves along magnetic field lines is represented as an expansion into a set of standing (between the magnetoconjugate ionospheres) waves. Over the azimuthal coordinate, along which the plasma is homogeneous, the wave field is decomposed into a set of azimuthal harmonics. It is shown that, in solar wind flows with velocities actually observable near the Earth's magnetosphere, only surface waves corresponding to several first harmonics of these expansions are unstable. The frequency ranges of unstable oscillations do not overlap for harmonics with different wave numbers. As the plasma flow velocity increases, harmonics with higher and higher wave numbers become unstable. The characteristic frequencies of unstable surface waves cover the lowest‐frequency, Pc5–Pc6 range of geomagnetic pulsations observed in the magnetosphere. The frequency spectrum of these oscillations corresponds to geomagnetic pulsations at discrete “magic frequencies” occasionally observed in the Earth's magnetosphere.
The Warming of the Chukchi Slope Through the Barrow Canyon Outflow in the 2016–2017 Winter
Authors: Kimura Satoshi , Onodera Jonaotaro , Itoh Motoyo , Kikuchi Takashi , Nishino Shigeto , Kawaguchi Yusuke , Watanabe Eiji , Harada Naomi
Published: September 2019

The shallow Chukchi Sea is a gateway to the Arctic Ocean for Pacific‐origin waters. While a substantial portion of the Pacific‐origin waters flows through Barrow Canyon in the northeast corner of the Chukchi Sea, little is known on the hydrography of the surrounding regions in winter. We present profiles of wintertime hydrography on the Chukchi slope from an autonomous profiling instrument and mooring records in Barrow Canyon. The central and western sectors of Barrow Canyon in December 2016 to February 2017 were anomalously warm (∼0.5 °C warmer than the climatology) with the flow orienting toward the Arctic Ocean. Unlike the summertime warming near the surface, the warm outflow has a temperature maximum at 80 dbar, and this outflow modifies the water mass properties on the Chukchi slope 70 km north of the canyon. Based on our Barrow Canyon mooring records starting in 2002, this is the first time that such warming is recorded on the outflow in winter. We discuss that this is due to the combination of the Barrow Canyon outflow favorable wind pattern and warming in the southern Chukchi Sea (the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea) before the winter.
The Regulation of Sea Ice Thickness by Double‐Diffusive Processes in the Ross Gyre
Authors: Bebieva Yana , Speer Kevin
Published: September 2019

New fine‐scale observations from the central Ross Gyre reveal the presence of double‐diffusive staircase structures underlying the surface mixed layer. These structures are persistent over seasons, with more developed mixed layers within the double‐diffusive staircase in winter months. The sensitivity of the ice formation rate with respect to mixing processes within the main pycnocline (double‐diffusive versus purely turbulent mixing) is investigated with the 1‐D model. A scenario with purely turbulent mixing results in significant underestimates of sea ice thickness. However, a scenario when double‐diffusive mixing operates in the presence of weak shear yields plausible ranges for sea ice thickness that agrees well with the observations. The model results and observations suggest a peculiar feedback mechanism that promotes the self‐maintenance of double‐diffusive staircases. Suppression of the vertical heat fluxes due to the presence of a double‐diffusive staircase, compared to purely turbulent case, allows Upper Circumpolar Deep Water to be more exposed to surface buoyancy fluxes. Our results shed light on the process—double diffusion—that might account for estimated rates of winter water mass transformation in the central Ross Gyre.
Targeting the TR4 nuclear receptor-mediated lncTASR/AXL signaling with tretinoin increases the sunitinib sensitivity to better suppress the RCC progression
Authors: Shi Hangchuan , Sun Yin , He Miao , Yang Xiong , Hamada Michiaki , Fukunaga Tsukasa , Zhang Xiaoping , Chang Chawnshang
Published: September 2019

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urological tumors. Using sunitinib to improve the survival has become the first-line therapy for metastatic RCC patients. However, the occurrence of sunitinib resistance in the clinical application has curtailed its efficacy. Here we found TR4 nuclear receptor might alter the sunitinib resistance to RCC via altering the TR4/lncTASR/AXL signaling. Mechanism dissection revealed that TR4 could modulate lncTASR (ENST00000600671.1) expression via transcriptional regulation, which might then increase AXL protein expression via enhancing the stability of AXL mRNA to increase the sunitinib resistance in RCC. Human clinical surveys also linked the expression of TR4, lncTASR, and AXL to the RCC survival, and results from multiple RCC cell lines revealed that targeting this newly identified TR4-mediated signaling with small molecules, including tretinoin, metformin, or TR4-shRNAs, all led to increase the sunitinib sensitivity to better suppress the RCC progression, and our preclinical study using the in vivo mouse model further proved tretinoin had a better synergistic effect to increase sunitinib sensitivity to suppress RCC progression. Future successful clinical trials may help in the development of a novel therapy to better suppress the RCC progression.
Correction: CXCR2 expression on granulocyte and macrophage progenitors under tumor conditions contributes to mo-MDSC generation via SAP18/ERK/STAT3
Authors: Han Xiaoqing , Shi Huifang , Sun Yingying , Shang Chao , Luan Tao , Wang Dake , Ba Xueqing , Zeng Xianlu
Published: September 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.