bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applications of machine learning techniques to predict filariasis using socio-economic factors
Authors: Kondeti Phani Krishna , Ravi Kumar , Mutheneni Srinivasa Rao , Kadiri Madhusudhan Rao , Kumaraswamy Sriram , Vadlamani Ravi , Upadhyayula Suryanaryana Murty
Published: September 2019

Filariasis is one of the major public health concerns in India. Approximately 600 million people spread across 250 districts of India are at risk of filariasis. To predict this disease, a pilot scale study was carried out in 30 villages of Karimnagar district of Telangana from 2004 to 2007 to collect epidemiological and socio-economic data. The collected data are analysed by employing various machine learning techniques such as Naïve Bayes (NB), logistic model tree, probabilistic neural network, J48 (C4.5), classification and regression tree, JRip and gradient boosting machine. The performances of these algorithms are reported using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under ROC curve (AUC). Among all employed classification methods, NB yielded the best AUC of 64% and was equally statistically significant with the rest of the classifiers. Similarly, the J48 algorithm generated 23 decision rules that help in developing an early warning system to implement better prevention and control efforts in the management of filariasis.
Scalar and categorical phenomena in a unified model of phonetics and phonology
Authors: Flemming Edward
Published: September 2019

It is often assumed that there is a sharp division between phonetic and
phonological processes, but the two are often strikingly similar, as in the case of
phonetic consonant–vowel coarticulation and phonological assimilation between
consonants and vowels. Parallels of this kind are best accounted for if both types
of phenomena are analysed within a unified framework, so similarities result from
the fact that both phonetic and phonological processes are subject to the same
constraints. A unified model of phonetics and phonology is developed and
exemplified through the analysis of parallel phonetic and phonological assimilation
processes. The model operates in terms of scalar phonetic representations to
accommodate phonetic detail, but categorical phenomena can still be derived
from the interaction of speech production constraints with constraints that
motivate the formation of distinct categories of sounds for the purposes of
linguistic contrast.
Patterns and timing of glottalisation
Authors: Howe Darin , Pulleyblank Douglas
Published: September 2019

Through an investigation of glottalisation in several languages of North America,
this article examines the role of perception in the grammatical distribution of
segments. Specifically, we consider the hypothesis that perceptual factors on the
timing of glottalisation in consonants determine the arrangement of such consonants
phonologically. Our conclusion is in the negative. In the cases we study,
the distribution of glottalisation appears to be governed by syllable structure, not
by glottal timing. We interpret the patterns presented as evidence for a modular
theory of phonetics and phonology rather than a theory where properties of
articulator timing are directly referenced by phonological constraints. Patterns of
glottalisation result from the interaction of phonological submodules that are
largely independent of each other, though properties of particular modules may
be influenced by phonetic factors.
Bifurcation to vortex solutions in superconducting films
Authors: BOECK T. , CHAPMAN S. J.
Published: September 2019

The bifurcation from a normally conducting state to a
superconducting state in a decreasing
magnetic field is studied for a slab geometry. The leading eigenvalue is a
double eigenvalue,
leading to a rich structure of possible behaviours. A weakly-nonlinear
stability analysis is
performed, and the possible responses of the material are classified. Finally,
the leading-order
equations are solved numerically for a wide range of parameter values to
determine which of these behaviours will occur in practice.
The effect of the elastic constants on the

alignment and electro-optic behaviour of smectic C liquid crystals
Authors: BROWN C. V. , DUNN P. E. , JONES J. C.
Published: September 2019

The static electro-optic behaviour of achiral smectic C

samples in the chevron geometry have

been modelled using the continuum theory of Leslie et al. [1].

The model assumes that the layer

tilt and smectic C director tilt angle are constant, and treats the

layers at the chevron interface

as an infinitely bound surface. Comparison of the predicted electro-optic

behaviour with

experimental results gives values for the bend (B1) and splay

(B2) c-director elastic constants.

However, more detailed optical studies show that surface and chevron

interface terms become

important at high values of applied electric field.
Voltage mapping to guide pacemaker placement in patients with CHD
Authors: Dasgupta Soham , Fischbach Peter , Whitehill Robert
Published: September 2019

Transvenous pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction in patients with Fontan palliation presents the difficulty of finding suitable pacing tissue and the potential of causing vascular obstruction in a low-flow circuit. We describe a patient who underwent electro-anatomic voltage mapping to guide a transvenous single chamber lead within her Fontan baffle. This highlights the use of advanced mapping technologies for pacemaker implantation in complex cyanotic heart disease.
On testing the face validity of planning/problem-solving
tasks in a normal population
Authors: KAFER K. L. , HUNTER M.
Published: September 2019

Clinically, tests of executive functions tend to
be chosen on face validity. If such tests are to be used
to evaluate a clinical population, their ability to measure
executive functions should be reliably demonstrated in
a normal population. In order to investigate the reliability
of such tests, a sample of 130 normal adults (74 women,
56 men) ages 17 to 55 years were administered 4 tests purporting
to measure planning/problem-solving: the Tower of London
Test, the Six Element Test, the Twenty Questions Test,
and the Rey Complex Figure Test. A structural equation
modeling approach provided by the LISREL 8 program was
used to evaluate three models hypothesized to explain the
relationship among the test variables and the latent construct
of planning/problem-solving. An adequate model was
unable to be estimated, thus raising questions about the
meaning of the latent construct planning/problem-solving
and the psychometric structure of the Tower of London Test.
(JINS, 1997, 3, 108–119.)
Computerized neuropsychological tests in the early detection
of dementia: Prospective findings
Authors: FOWLER KYLIE S. , SALING MICHAEL M. , CONWAY ELIZABETH L. , SEMPLE JAMES M. , LOUIS WILLIAM J.
Published: September 2019

This longitudinal study examines the sensitivity
of 2 computerized neuropsychological tests, delayed matching
to sample and paired associate learning, to early dementia
of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Normal controls, patients
in the early stages of DAT, and individuals with questionable
dementia (QD) were studied. At 6 and 12 months after initial
presentation, almost half of the QD group exhibited lower
scores on the computerized subtests, maintaining their
scores on standard testing. Over the same period NC subjects
maintained their performance levels, while DAT patients
continued to deteriorate. Linear discriminant function
analyses of the computerized subtests at 6 and 12 months
correctly classified 100% of the early DAT patients. Eighty-four
and 79 percent of normal controls were correctly classified
at 6 and 12 months respectively. Further development of
these subtests for the detection of early dementia and
the documentation of ongoing change in DAT is warranted.
The findings are discussed in terms of the special sensitivity
of these tests to the neuropathology of Alzheimer's
Disease. (JINS, 1997, 3, 139–146.)
STABILITY OF EQUILIBRIA UNDER GENETIC-ALGORITHM ADAPTATION: AN ANALYSIS
Authors: Arifovic Jasmina
Published: September 2019

The stability of stationary equilibria under genetic-algorithm
adaptation is studied
in an overlapping-generations economy with a
unique, monetary steady-state and two-period cyclic equilibria.
Agents use the genetic algorithm to update their
labor-supply decisions. The results of simulations and the analysis of the
dynamics
show that the two-period cycle is stable and that the
steady-state equilibrium is
unstable under genetic-algorithm
adaptation. The dynamics are driven primarily by
the wealth and
substitution effects that lead to the
algorithm's convergence to the two-period cycle.
Anisotropy at the Inner Core Boundary
Authors: Helffrich G. , Mainprice D.
Published: September 2019

The outermost part of the inner core is isotropic, though the thickness of this layer varies longitudinally, commonly interpreted to be a zone where compaction of the crystallites randomly adhering to the inner core boundary eventually aligns them. We explore the possibility that the surface layer is also anisotropic, but of a form that thwarts detection by travel time observation. If the surface material is hexagonally anisotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (vertically oriented transverse isotropy), P wave travel times through the shallow inner core will not depend on their angle to the Earth's rotation axis. To detect any anisotropy in this layer, we explore PKiKP amplitudes versus distance to determine whether there is a range trend diagnostic of anisotropy. P wave anisotropy levels of 2–10% can increase reflection amplitudes by a factor of 10. The trend of PKiKP amplitude with range may be fit with vertically oriented transverse isotropy anisotropy levels of 5–10%.
Functional impairment as a proxy measure indicating high rates of trauma exposure, post-migration living difficulties, common mental disorders, and poor health amongst Rohingya refugees in Malaysia
Authors: Tay Alvin Kuowei , Rees Susan , Miah Mohammed Abdul Awal , Khan Sanjida , Badrudduza Mohammad , Morgan Karen , Fadil Azim Darlina , Balasundaram Susheela , Silove Derrick
Published: September 2019

A major challenge in the refugee field is to ensure that scarce mental health resources are directed to those in greatest need. Based on data from an epidemiological survey of 959 adult Rohingya refugees in Malaysia (response rate: 83%), we examine whether a brief screening instrument of functional impairment, the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), prove useful as a proxy measure to identify refugees who typically attend community mental health services. Based on estimates of mental disorder requiring interventions from analyses of epidemiological studies conducted worldwide, we selected a WHODAS cutoff that identified the top one-fifth of refugees according to severity of functional impairment, the remainder being distributed to moderate and lower impairment groupings, respectively. Compared to the lower impairment grouping, the severe impairment category comprised more boat arrivals (AOR: 5.96 [95% CI 1.34–26.43); stateless persons (A20·11 [95% CI 7.14–10); those with high exposure to pre-migration traumas (AOR: 4.76 [95% CI 1.64–13.73), peri-migration stressors (AOR: 1.26 [95% CI 1.14–1.39]) and postmigration living difficulties (AOR: 1.43 [95% CI 1.32–1.55); persons with single (AOR: 7.48 [95% CI 4.25–13.17]) and comorbid (AOR: 13.54 [95% CI 6.22–29.45]) common mental disorders; and those reporting poorer general health (AOR: 2.23 [95% CI 1–5.02]). In addition, half of the severe impairment grouping (50.6%) expressed suicidal ideas compared to one in six (16.2 percent) of the lower impairment grouping (OR: 2.39 [95% CI 1.94–2.93]). Differences between the severe and moderate impairment groups were similar but less extreme. In settings where large-scale epidemiological studies are not feasible, the WHODAS may serve as readily administered and brief public health screening tool that assists in stratifying the population according to urgency of mental health needs.
Measuring change in anhedonia using the “Happy Faces” task pre- to post-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): relation to empathic happiness
Authors: Light Sharee N. , Bieliauskas Linas A. , Taylor Stephan F.
Published: September 2019

We investigated whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) would reduce anhedonia in a sample of 19 depressed adults (Mage = 45.21, SD = 11.21, 63% women) randomized to either active or sham rTMS. To track anhedonia, patients completed the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS)1 and a novel behavioral task called “Happy Faces,” which required patients to interpret neutral versus various intensities of positively valenced human facial expressions. Patients had to indicate dichotomously whether any degree of positive emotion was expressed. We expected that more anhedonic patients would struggle most with low intensity happy faces; often incorrectly calling them neutral. Patients also completed a self-report measure of “empathic happiness”—i.e., vicarious joy. Measures were completed pre- to post-treatment. Results indicate rTMS to DLPFC related to improvement in interpretation of subtle forms of happiness in active rTMS patients relative to sham. Furthermore, empathic happiness and anhedonia score were significantly antagonistic across all patients.
Earthquake crisis unveils the growth of an incipient continental fault system
Authors: Gràcia Eulàlia , Grevemeyer Ingo , Bartolomé Rafael , Perea Hector , Martínez-Loriente Sara , Gómez de la Peña Laura , Villaseñor Antonio , Klinger Yann , Lo Iacono Claudio , Diez Susana , Calahorrano Alcinoe , Camafort Miquel , Costa Sergio , d’Acremont Elia , Rabaute Alain , Ranero César R.
Published: September 2019

Large continental faults extend for thousands of kilometres to form boundaries between rigid tectonic blocks. These faults are associated with prominent topographic features and can produce large earthquakes. Here we show the first evidence of a major tectonic structure in its initial-stage, the Al-Idrissi Fault System (AIFS), in the Alboran Sea. Combining bathymetric and seismic reflection data, together with seismological analyses of the 2016Mw6.4 earthquake offshore Morocco – the largest event ever recorded in the area – we unveil a 3D geometry for the AIFS. We report evidence of left-lateral strike-slip displacement, characterise the fault segmentation and demonstrate that AIFS is the source of the 2016 events. The occurrence of theMw6.4 earthquake together with historical and instrumental events supports that the AIFS is currently growing through propagation and linkage of its segments. Thus, the AIFS provides a unique model of the inception and growth of a young plate boundary fault system.
Engineered ribosomes with tethered subunits for expanding biological function
Authors: Carlson Erik D. , d’Aquino Anne E. , Kim Do Soon , Fulk Emily M. , Hoang Kim , Szal Teresa , Mankin Alexander S. , Jewett Michael C.
Published: September 2019

Ribo-T is a ribosome with covalently tethered subunits where core 16S and 23S ribosomal RNAs form a single chimeric molecule. Ribo-T makes possible a functionally orthogonal ribosome–mRNA system in cells. Unfortunately, use of Ribo-T has been limited because of low activity of its original version. Here, to overcome this limitation, we use an evolutionary approach to select new tether designs that are capable of supporting faster cell growth and increased protein expression. Further, we evolve new orthogonal Ribo-T/mRNA pairs that function in parallel with, but independent of, natural ribosomes and mRNAs, increasing the efficiency of orthogonal protein expression. The Ribo-T with optimized designs is able to synthesize a diverse set of proteins, and can also incorporate multiple non-canonical amino acids into synthesized polypeptides. The enhanced Ribo-T designs should be useful for exploring poorly understood functions of the ribosome and engineering ribosomes with altered catalytic properties.
Liquid biopsy tracking during sequential chemo-radiotherapy identifies distinct prognostic phenotypes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Lv Jiawei , Chen Yupei , Zhou Guanqun , Qi Zhenyu , Tan Kuan Rui Lloyd , Wang Haitao , Lin Li , Chen Foping , Zhang Lulu , Huang Xiaodan , Liu Ruiqi , Xu Sisi , Chen Yue , Ma Jun , Chua Melvin L. K. , Sun Ying
Published: September 2019

Liquid biopsies have the utility for detecting minimal residual disease in several cancer types. Here, we investigate if liquid biopsy tracking on-treatment informs on tumour phenotypes by longitudinally quantifying circulating Epstein-barr virus (EBV) DNA copy number in 673 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radical induction chemotherapy (IC) and chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). We observe significant inter-patient heterogeneity in viral copy number clearance that is classifiable into eight distinct patterns based on clearance kinetics and bounce occurrence, including a substantial proportion of complete responders (≈30%) to only one IC cycle. Using a supervised statistical clustering of disease relapse risks, we further bin these eight subgroups into four prognostic phenotypes (early responders, intermediate responders, late responders, and treatment resistant) that are correlated with efficacy of chemotherapy intensity. Taken together, we show that real-time monitoring of liquid biopsy response adds prognostic information, and has the potential utility for risk-adapted treatment de-intensification/intensification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The molecular origin and taxonomy of mucinous ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Cheasley Dane , Wakefield Matthew J. , Ryland Georgina L. , Allan Prue E. , Alsop Kathryn , Amarasinghe Kaushalya C. , Ananda Sumitra , Anglesio Michael S. , Au-Yeung George , Böhm Maret , Bowtell David D. L. , Brand Alison , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Christie Michael , Chiew Yoke-Eng , Churchman Michael , DeFazio Anna , Demeo Renee , Dudley Rhiannon , Fairweather Nicole , Fedele Clare G. , Fereday Sian , Fox Stephen B. , Gilks C Blake , Gourley Charlie , Hacker Neville F. , Hadley Alison M. , Hendley Joy , Ho Gwo-Yaw , Hughes Siobhan , Hunstman David G. , Hunter Sally M. , Jobling Tom W. , Kalli Kimberly R. , Kaufmann Scott H. , Kennedy Catherine J. , Köbel Martin , Le Page Cecile , Li Jason , Lupat Richard , McNally Orla M. , McAlpine Jessica N. , Mes-Masson Anne-Marie , Mileshkin Linda , Provencher Diane M. , Pyman Jan , Rahimi Kurosh , Rowley Simone M. , Salazar Carolina , Samimi Goli , Saunders Hugo , Semple Timothy , Sharma Ragwha , Sharpe Alice J. , Stephens Andrew N. , Thio Niko , Torres Michelle C. , Traficante Nadia , Xing Zhongyue , Zethoven Magnus , Antill Yoland C. , Scott Clare L. , Campbell Ian G. , Gorringe Kylie L.
Published: September 2019

Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a unique subtype of ovarian cancer with an uncertain etiology, including whether it genuinely arises at the ovary or is metastatic disease from other organs. In addition, the molecular drivers of invasive progression, high-grade and metastatic disease are poorly defined. We perform genetic analysis of MOC across all histological grades, including benign and borderline mucinous ovarian tumors, and compare these to tumors from other potential extra-ovarian sites of origin. Here we show that MOC is distinct from tumors from other sites and supports a progressive model of evolution from borderline precursors to high-grade invasive MOC. Key drivers of progression identified areTP53mutation and copy number aberrations, including a notable amplicon on 9p13. High copy number aberration burden is associated with worse prognosis in MOC. Our data conclusively demonstrate that MOC arise from benign and borderline precursors at the ovary and are not extra-ovarian metastases.
Auger-spectroscopy in quantum Hall edge channels and the missing energy problem
Authors: Krähenmann T. , Fischer S. G. , Röösli M. , Ihn T. , Reichl C. , Wegscheider W. , Ensslin K. , Gefen Y. , Meir Yigal
Published: September 2019

Quantum Hall edge channels offer an efficient and controllable platform to study quantum transport in one dimension. Such channels are a prospective tool for the efficient transfer of quantum information at the nanoscale, and play a vital role in exposing intriguing physics. Electric current along the edge carries energy and heat leading to inelastic scattering, which may impede coherent transport. Several experiments attempting to probe the concomitant energy redistribution along the edge reported energy loss via unknown mechanisms of inelastic scattering. Here we employ quantum dots to inject and extract electrons at specific energies, to spectrally analyse inelastic scattering inside quantum Hall edge channels. We show that the missing energy puzzle could be untangled by incorporating non-local Auger-like processes, in which energy is redistributed between spatially separate parts of the sample. Our theoretical analysis, accounting for the experimental results, challenges common-wisdom analyses which ignore such non-local decay channels.
Emulating evolutionary processes to morph aureothin-type modular polyketide synthases and associated oxygenases
Authors: Peng Huiyun , Ishida Keishi , Sugimoto Yuki , Jenke-Kodama Holger , Hertweck Christian
Published: September 2019

Polyketides produced by modular type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) play eminent roles in the development of medicines. Yet, the production of structural analogs by genetic engineering poses a major challenge. We report an evolution-guided morphing of modular PKSs inspired by recombination processes that lead to structural diversity in nature. By deletion and insertion of PKS modules we interconvert the assembly lines for related antibiotic and antifungal agents, aureothin (aur) and neoaureothin (nor) (aka spectinabilin), in both directions. Mutational and functional analyses of the polyketide-tailoring cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and PKS phylogenies give contradictory clues on potential evolutionary scenarios (generalist-to-specialist enzyme evolution vs. most parsimonious ancestor). The KS-AT linker proves to be well suited as fusion site for both excision and insertion of modules, which supports a model for alternative module boundaries in some PKS systems. This study teaches important lessons on the evolution of PKSs, which may guide future engineering approaches.
Out-of-plane orientation of luminescent excitons in two-dimensional indium selenide
Authors: Brotons-Gisbert Mauro , Proux Raphaël , Picard Raphaël , Andres-Penares Daniel , Branny Artur , Molina-Sánchez Alejandro , Sánchez-Royo Juan F. , Gerardot Brian D.
Published: September 2019

Van der Waals materials offer a wide range of atomic layers with unique properties that can be easily combined to engineer novel electronic and photonic devices. A missing ingredient of the van der Waals platform is a two-dimensional crystal with naturally occurring out-of-plane luminescent dipole orientation. Here we measure the far-field photoluminescence intensity distribution of bulk InSe and two-dimensional InSe, WSe2 and MoSe2. We demonstrate, with the support of ab-initio calculations, that layered InSe flakes sustain luminescent excitons with an intrinsic out-of-plane orientation, in contrast with the in-plane orientation of dipoles we find in two-dimensional WSe2 and MoSe2 at room-temperature. These results, combined with the high tunability of the optical response and outstanding transport properties, position layered InSe as a promising semiconductor for novel optoelectronic devices, in particular for hybrid integrated photonic chips which exploit the out-of-plane dipole orientation.
Acetyl-CoA flux regulates the proteome and acetyl-proteome to maintain intracellular metabolic crosstalk
Authors: Dieterich Inca A. , Lawton Alexis J. , Peng Yajing , Yu Qing , Rhoads Timothy W. , Overmyer Katherine A. , Cui Yusi , Armstrong Eric A. , Howell Porsha R. , Burhans Maggie S. , Li Lingjun , Denu John M. , Coon Joshua J. , Anderson Rozalyn M. , Puglielli Luigi
Published: September 2019

AT-1/SLC33A1 is a key member of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) acetylation machinery, transporting acetyl-CoA from the cytosol into the ER lumen where acetyl-CoA serves as the acetyl-group donor for Nε-lysine acetylation. Dysfunctional ER acetylation, as caused by heterozygous or homozygous mutations as well as gene duplication events of AT-1/SLC33A1, has been linked to both developmental and degenerative diseases. Here, we investigate two models of AT-1 dysregulation and altered acetyl-CoA flux: AT-1S113R/+ mice, a model of AT-1 haploinsufficiency, and AT-1 sTg mice, a model of AT-1 overexpression. The animals display distinct metabolic adaptation across intracellular compartments, including reprogramming of lipid metabolism and mitochondria bioenergetics. Mechanistically, the perturbations to AT-1-dependent acetyl-CoA flux result in global and specific changes in both the proteome and the acetyl-proteome (protein acetylation). Collectively, our results suggest that AT-1 acts as an important metabolic regulator that maintains acetyl-CoA homeostasis by promoting functional crosstalk between different intracellular organelles.
Misshapen coordinates protrusion restriction and actomyosin contractility during collective cell migration
Authors: Plutoni Cédric , Keil Sarah , Zeledon Carlos , Delsin Lara Elis Alberici , Decelle Barbara , Roux Philippe P. , Carréno Sébastien , Emery Gregory
Published: September 2019

Collective cell migration is involved in development, wound healing and metastasis. In the Drosophila ovary, border cells (BC) form a small cluster that migrates collectively through the egg chamber. To achieve directed motility, the BC cluster coordinates the formation of protrusions in its leader cell and contractility at the rear. Restricting protrusions to leader cells requires the actin and plasma membrane linker Moesin. Herein, we show that the Ste20-like kinase Misshapen phosphorylates Moesin in vitro and in BC. Depletion of Misshapen disrupts protrusion restriction, thereby allowing other cells within the cluster to protrude. In addition, we show that Misshapen is critical to generate contractile forces both at the rear of the cluster and at the base of protrusions. Together, our results indicate that Misshapen is a key regulator of BC migration as it coordinates two independent pathways that restrict protrusion formation to the leader cells and induces contractile forces.
Dissociable sensitivity and bias mechanisms mediate behavioral effects of exogenous attention
Authors: Sagar Vishak , Sengupta Ranit , Sridharan Devarajan
Published: September 2019

Attention can be directed endogenously, based on task-relevant goals, or captured exogenously, by salient stimuli. While recent studies have shown that endogenous attention can facilitate behavior through dissociable sensitivity (sensory) and choice bias (decisional) mechanisms, it is unknown if exogenous attention also operates through dissociable sensitivity and bias mechanisms. We tested human participants on a multialternative change detection task with exogenous attention cues, which preceded or followed change events in close temporal proximity. Analyzing participants’ behavior with a multidimensional signal detection model revealed clear dissociations between exogenous cueing effects on sensitivity and bias. While sensitivity was, overall, lower at the cued location compared to other locations, bias was highest at the cued location. With an appropriately designed post-cue control condition, we discovered that the attentional effect of exogenous pre-cueing was to enhance sensitivity proximal to the cue. In contrast, exogenous attention enhanced bias even for distal stimuli in the cued hemifield. Reaction time effects of exogenous cueing could be parsimoniously explained with a diffusion-decision model, in which drift rate was determined by independent contributions from sensitivity and bias at each location. The results suggest a mechanistic schema of how exogenous attention engages dissociable sensitivity and bias mechanisms to shape behavior.
A core collection of pan-schizophrenia genes allows building cohort-specific signatures of affected brain
Authors: Xie Qinglian , Shen WenWu , Li Zhixiong , Baranova Ancha , Cao Hongbao , Li Zhe
Published: September 2019

To investigate whether pan-schizophrenia genes could be leveraged for building cohort-specific signatures reflecting the functioning of the affected brain, we first collected 1,518 schizophrenia-related genes upon analysis of 12,316 independent peer-reviewed literature sources. More than half of these genes have been reported in at least 3 independent studies, and a majority (81.4%) were enriched within 156 functional pathways (p-values < 1e-15). Gene expression profiles of brain tissues were extracted from 14 publicly available independent datasets, and classified into “schizophrenia” and “normal” bins using dataset-specific subsets of core schizophrenia collection genes built with either a sparse representation-based variable selection (SRVS) approach or with analysis of variance (ANOVA)-based gene selection approach. Results showed that cohort-specific classifiers by both SRVS and ANOVA methods are capable of providing significantly higher accuracy in the diagnosis of schizophrenia than using the whole core genes (p < 3.38e-6), with relatively low sensitivity to the ethnic backgrounds or areas of brain biopsies. Our results suggest that the formation of consensus collection of pan-schizophrenia genes and its dissection into the functional components could be a feasible alternative to the expansion of sample size, which is needed for further in-depth studies of the pathophysiology of the human brain.
Identification and characterization of the MADS-box genes highly expressed in the laticifer cells of Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhan Di-Feng , Li Hui-Liang , Guo Dong , Zhu Jia-Hong , Peng Shi-Qing
Published: September 2019

MADS-box transcription factors possess many functions in plant reproduction and development. However, few MADS-box genes related to secondary metabolites regulation have been identified. In Hevea brasiliensis, natural rubber is a representative cis-polyisoprenoids in secondary metabolism which occurs in the rubber laticifer cells, the molecular regulation basis of natural rubber biosynthesis is not clear. Here, a total of 24 MADS-box genes including 4 type I MADS-box genes and 20 type II MADS-box genes were identified in the transcriptome of rubber tree latex. The phylogenetic analysis was performed to clarify the evolutionary relationships of all the 24 rubber tree MADS-box proteins with MADS-box transcription factors from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Four type I MADS-box genes were subdivided into Mα (3 genes) and Mβ (1 gene). Twenty type II MADS-box genes were subclassified into MIKC* (8 genes) and MIKCc (12 genes). Eight MADS-box genes (HblMADS3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 23, 24) were predominant expression in laticifers. ABA up-regulated the expression of HblMADS9, and the expression of HblMADS3, HblMADS5, HblMADS24 were up-regulated by MeJA. The function of HblMADS24 was elucidated. HblMADS24 bound HbFPS1 promoter in yeast and HblMADS24 activated HbFPS1 promoter in tobacco plants. Moreover, we proposed that HblMADS24 is a transcription activator of HbFPS1 which taking part in natural rubber biosynthesis.
High pressure phase transitions of paracelsian BaAl2Si2O8
Authors: Gorelova Liudmila A. , Pakhomova Anna S. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Dubrovinsky Leonid S. , Kasatkin Anatoly V.
Published: September 2019

Three new polymorphs of aluminosilicate paracelsian, BaAl2Si2O8, have been discovered using synchrotron-based in situ high-pressure single crystal X-ray diffraction. The first isosymmetric phase transition (from paracelsian-I to paracelsian-II) occurs between 3 and 6 GPa. The phase transition is associated with the formation of pentacoordinated Al3+ and Si4+ ions, which occurs in a stepwise fashion by sequential formation of Al-O and Si-O bonds additional to those in AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra, respectively. The next phase transition occurs between 25 and 28 GPa and is accompanied by the symmetry change from monoclinic (P21/c) to orthorhombic (Pna21). The structure of paracelsian-III consists of SiO6 octahedra, AlO6 octahedra and distorted AlO4 tetrahedra, i.e. the transition is reconstructive and associated with the changes of Si4+ and Al3+ coordination, which show rather complex behaviour with the general tendency towards increasing coordination numbers. The third phase transition is observed between 28 and 32 GPa and results in the symmetry decreasing from Pna21 to Pn. The transition has a displacive character. In the course of the phase transformation pathway up to 32 GPa, the structure of polymorphs becomes denser: paracelsian-II is based upon elements of cubic and hexagonal close-packing arrangements of large O2− and Ba2+ ions, whereas, in the crystal structure of paracelsian-III and IV, this arrangement corresponds to 9-layer closest-packing with the layer sequence ABACACBCB.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Childhood iron deficiency anemia leads to recurrent respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis
Authors: Jayaweera Jayaweera Arachchige Asela Sampath , Reyes Mohammed , Joseph Anpalaham
Published: September 2019

Anemia affects approximately 30% of children all over the world. Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and gastroenteritis (GE) are common infectious entities in children. Here, we assessed the association between anemia and development of recurrent ARTI, UTI, and GE in children. This was a case-control study in hospitalized 2–5 years old children in Professorial Pediatric Unit at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. An 18-month follow up was done to assess the risk factors for the development of recurrent ARTI, GE, UTI, and control presented without infections. Further, 6-month follow up done after 3-month iron supplementation to assess the occurrence of recurrences. Blood Hb concentration was measured using Drabking’s reagent. Logistic regression was used to find the risk factors for the development of recurrences. In ARTI, 121/165 (73.3%), GE, 88/124 (71%), UTI 46/96 (47.9%) and control 40/100 (40%) were having anemia. Initial ARTI group, recurrent ARTI was 24 (14.5%, p = 0.03); initial GE group: recurrent GE was 14 (11.3%, p = 0.03), recurrent ARTI was 11 (8.9%, p = 0.04); initial UTI group, development of; recurrent UTI was 8 (8.3%, p = 0.04); control, recurrent ARTI was 11 (11%, p = 0.03). Following 3-month iron supplementation reduction of recurrences was significant: initial ARTI recurrent ARTI in 90%, recurrent GE in 77.7%; initial GE recurrent GE in 83.3%, recurrent ARTI in 80%; initial UTI recurrent ARTI in 71.4% and control recurrent ARTI in 88.8%. Iron deficiency is a major type of anemia and anemic children are more prone to develop recurrent ARTI and GE. Once iron deficiency being corrected the rate of recurrent ARTI and GE was reduced. This would be a boost for policy developers to implement strategies at the community level to prevent iron deficiency in children to reduce ARTI and GE recurrences.
Multiplex staining depicts the immune infiltrate in colitis-induced colon cancer model
Authors: Pivetta Eliana , Capuano Alessandra , Scanziani Eugenio , Minoli Lucia , Andreuzzi Eva , Mongiat Maurizio , Baldassarre Gustavo , Doliana Roberto , Spessotto Paola
Published: September 2019

Assessment of the host immune response pattern is of increasing importance as highly prognostic and diagnostic, in immune-related diseases and in some types of cancer. Chronic inflammation is a major hallmark in colon cancer formation, but, despite the extent of local inflammatory infiltrate has been demonstrated to be extremely informative, its evaluation is not routinely assessed due to the complexity and limitations of classical immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the last years, technological advance helped in bypassing technical limits, setting up multiplex IHC (mIHC) based on tyramide signal amplification (TSA) method and designing software suited to aid pathologists in cell scoring analysis. Several studies verified the efficacy of this method, but they were restricted to the analysis of human samples. In the era of translational medicine the use of animal models to depict human pathologies, in a more complete and complex approach, is really crucial. Nevertheless, the optimization and validation of this method to species other than human is still poor. We took advantage of Multispectral Imaging System to identify the immunoprofile of Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS)-treated mouse colon. We optimized a protocol to sequentially stain formalin fixed paraffin embedded murine colon samples for CD3, CD8a, CD4, and CD4R5B0 antigens. With this approach we obtained a detailed lymphocyte profile, while preserving the morphological tissue context, generally lost with techniques like gene expression profiling or flow cytometry. This study, comparing the results obtained by mIHC with immunophenotyping performed with cytofluorimetric and standard IHC methods validates the potentiality and the applicability of this innovative approach.
Author Correction: Group size effects and critical mass in public goods games
Authors: Pereda María , Capraro Valerio , Sánchez Angel
Published: September 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Crystal structure and thermoresponsive luminescence of a 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene-based cyclophane
Authors: Sagara Yoshimitsu , Takahashi Kiyonori , Nakamura Takayoshi , Tamaoki Nobuyuki
Published: September 2019

The crystal structure of a cyclophane that exhibits a supercooled nematic phase and thermoresponsive luminescence was solved.
Enhanced dewaterability of waste activated sludge by a combined use of permanganate and peroxymonosulfate
Authors: Luo Lu , Ge Yongjian , Yuan Shuyu , Yu Yanghai , Shi Zhou , Zhou Shiqing , Deng Jing
Published: September 2019

Ever-increasing efforts have been made to develop rapid and practical conditioning methods of sludge dewatering.
Reinforced anion exchange membrane based on thermal cross-linking method with outstanding cell performance for reverse electrodialysis
Authors: Lee Young Ju , Cha Min Suc , Oh Seong-Geun , So Soonyong , Kim Tae-Ho , Ryoo Won Sun , Hong Young Taik , Lee Jang Yong
Published: September 2019

PErC(5)QPS-QPPO exhibited 20.7% higher MPD than commercial AEM (AMV).
PEG/3D graphene oxide network form-stable phase change materials with ultrahigh filler content
Authors: Qiu Jinjing , Fan Xiaoqiao , Shi Yusheng , Zhang Shufen , Jin Xin , Wang Wentao , Tang Bingtao
Published: September 2019

In situ side-to-side cross-linking of GO maximizes the PEG filler content and enhances the thermal storage density of CPCMs.
Comprehension and Inference: Relationships Between Oral and Written Modalities in Good and Poor Comprehenders During Adolescence
Authors: Potocki Anna , Laval Virginie
Published: September 2019

Purpose

We investigated the relationships between text reading comprehension and oral idiom comprehension in adolescents. We also examined the more specific relationships between inference in text comprehension and inference in idiom comprehension.

Method

We selected participants from an initial sample of 140 students aged 13–15 years to form 2 groups, according to their decoding and reading comprehension abilities: 1 group of good comprehenders/good decoders (
n
= 49) and 1 group of less skilled comprehenders but with adequate decoding skills (
n
= 20). The reading comprehension task comprised both literal and inferential (text-based and knowledge-based) questions. These 2 groups were then compared on an idiom comprehension task. In this task, idioms were presented orally, and students were placed in a situation that simulated a real-life oral interaction. The idioms were novel for the students (translated from a foreign language), either transparent or opaque, and presented either with a supportive context or without any context.

Results

Good reading comprehenders outperformed less skilled ones on the idiom task. Both groups benefited from the supportive context, especially the good comprehenders. Knowledge-based inferences in written text comprehension were related to contextual inferences for opaque idioms, while semantic inferences for transparent idioms were related to literal text comprehension, but not to text-connecting inferences.

Conclusion

These results are discussed both theoretically, in terms of cross-modal comprehension processes, and practically, in terms of implications for remediation.
Speech Perception in Noise With Formant Enhancement for Older Listeners
Authors: Guan Jingjing , Liu Chang
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Degraded speech intelligibility in background noise is a common complaint of listeners with hearing loss. The purpose of the current study is to explore whether 2nd formant (F2) enhancement improves speech perception in noise for older listeners with hearing impairment (HI) and normal hearing (NH).

Method

Target words (e.g., color and digit) were selected and presented based on the paradigm of the coordinate response measure corpus. Speech recognition thresholds with original and F2-enhanced speech in 2- and 6-talker babble were examined for older listeners with NH and HI.

Results

The thresholds for both the NH and HI groups improved for enhanced speech signals primarily in 2-talker babble, but not in 6-talker babble. The F2 enhancement benefits did not correlate significantly with listeners' age and their average hearing thresholds in most listening conditions. However, speech intelligibility index values increased significantly with F2 enhancement in babble for listeners with HI, but not for NH listeners.

Conclusions

Speech sounds with F2 enhancement may improve listeners' speech perception in 2-talker babble, possibly due to a greater amount of speech information available in temporally modulated noise or a better capacity to separate speech signals from background babble.
App-titude: Welcome to Kindergarten!
Authors: Sweeney Sean
Published: September 2019

The new school year brings new kids to your caseload. These apps can help you target their needs.
Where the Boys Aren't
Authors: Rowden-Racette Kellie
Published: September 2019

What do we know about the barriers to gender parity in CSD and is there anything more that can be done?
Write On
Authors: Lee Jaime , Cherney Leora
Published: September 2019

A computer-administered treatment program allows for high-intensity practice to improve writing skills in patients with aphasia.
Make It Work: Dominate Your IEP Data
Authors: Morgan Ruth
Published: September 2019

Paperwork to document students' IEP progress is necessary, but it needn't be a nightmare.
Overheard: Better Business Apps
Authors: Irwin Julie , Watson Phyllis
Published: September 2019

LPs Julie Irwin and Phyllis Watson, experts in alternative and augmentative communication, joined an online chat highlighting apps to help private practitioners with electronic record-keeping to save time and run better practices. The Leader was there ...
School Matters: Opt for Affordable, Low-Tech Intervention With Resonance Disorders
Authors: Clausen Roseanne
Published: September 2019

Ann Kummer shows how assessment and treatment tools don't have to cost a lot.
Software receiver design for GNSS‐R using multiple GNSS satellites as transmitters
Authors: Shi Shuzhu , Wang Shiwei , Li Tao
Published: September 2019

A novel global navigation satellite system‐reflectometry (GNSS‐R) software receiver and its preliminary experimental results are presented in this study. The antenna systems, the multi‐channel radio‐frequency front end, and the digital signal processing unit of this receiver are described in detail. With this developed software receiver, the signals in the Global Positioning System L1 band (GPS L1), BeiDou‐2 B1, GLObal NAvigation Satellite System L1, and Galileo E1 bands can be tracked and used as the transmissions of GNSS‐R to obtain more information about the scattering properties of ground objects. The preliminary experimental results show that various GNSS signals can be successfully acquired and tracked by this receiver. Furthermore, when it was applied to the soil moisture estimation with the ground‐based GNSS‐R technique, a relative measure error of 5.79 and 1.39% can be obtained with GPS L1 and BeiDou‐2 B1 signals, respectively, by comparing the retrieval results with the measuring results provided by a moisture metre.
Sparse direction of arrival estimation of co‐prime MIMO radar using sparse aperture completion
Authors: Tao Yu , Zhang Gong , Zhang Jingya
Published: September 2019

In this study, the authors consider the problem of direction of arrival (DOA) estimation in compressive sensing multiple‐input and multiple‐output (CS‐MIMO) radars with co‐prime receive arrays. A sparse aperture completion scheme is proposed to fill the ‘holes’ that in the difference co‐array, achieving the full virtual receive aperture. Structured measurement matrices are devised in order that the output data of match filters can be seen as space–time compressed signal of a virtual uniform linear array. By employing the space–time recovery scheme, the sparse target scene can be accurately recovered while the amount of samples is further reduced. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve accurate DOA estimation with space–time compressed data and outperform the CS‐based difference co‐array methods.
Update 2019 zur MIBI-Szintigrafie bei hypofunktionellen Schilddrüsenknoten
Authors: Schmidt Matthias , Schenke Simone
Published: September 2019

99 m
Tc-MIBI ist ein nicht-spezifisches Radiopharmakon zur Tumordiagnostik und wurde historisch zum Nachweis radioiodnegativer Metastasen differenzierter Schilddrüsenkarzinome eingesetzt. 99 mTc-MIBI hat einen klinischen Nutzen zur Abklärung hypofunktioneller („kalter“) Schilddrüsenknoten, wenngleich bisher kein kommerziell verfügbares Kit hierfür eine offizielle Zulassung hat. Seit der letzten Übersichtsarbeit zum klinischen Nutzen von 99 mTc-MIBI zur Abklärung hypofunktioneller Schilddrüsenknoten in dieser Zeitschrift sind weitere Arbeiten publiziert worden, die den positiven und negativen Vorhersagewert der Methode präzisierten und auch die Kosteneffizienz der Methode belegten. Nach Injektion von 99 mTc-MIBI wird die Retention des Radiopharmakons im abzuklärenden Knoten und dessen Anreicherung im Vergleich zum paranodulären Schilddrüsengewebe und im Vergleich zum Schilddrüsen-Szintigramm mit Pertechnetat beurteilt. Ein Match-Befund im Sinne einer konkordant verminderten Anreicherung hat einen hohen negativen prädiktiven Wert von ca. 94 % zum Ausschluss eines differenzierten Schilddrüsenkarzinoms. Ein Mismatch mit vermehrter Anreicherung des 99 mTc-MIBI in einem hypofunktionellen Schilddrüsenknoten erhöht die Malignitätswahrscheinlichkeit auf ca. 15 – 20 % in Deutschland. Eine isointense Anreicherung des 99 mTc-MIBI in dem hypofunktionellen Schilddrüsenknoten geht nach eigener Datenlage mit einer niedrigen Malignitätswahrscheinlichkeit einher, allerdings findet man in dieser Befundkategorie kleine papilläre Karzinome, die sich bei geringer Größe noch nicht eindeutig 99 mTc-MIBI-mehranreichernd demarkieren müssen. SPECT hat hier in 17 – 34 % einen diagnostischen Zugewinn. Bei guter Indikationsstellung ist die 99 mTc-MIBI-Szintigrafie eine wertvolle ergänzende Methode zur Feinnadelaspirationsbiopsie und dient einem optimierten Patientenmanagement, um im Falle eines Match-Befundes ein konservatives Vorgehen zu vertreten oder im Falle eines Mismatch-Befundes ein operatives Vorgehen unter Berücksichtigung von Alter, Begleiterkrankungen und in Kenntnis des vollständigen Schilddrüsenbefundes zu rechtfertigen. Die offizielle Zulassung dieser Indikation ist überfällig.