bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histomorphological evaluations on the frontal cortex extrapyramidal cell layer following administration of N-Acetyl cysteine in aluminum induced neurodegeneration rat model
Authors: Elizabeth Memudu Adejoke , Samson Pantong , Itohan Osahon Roli
Published: March 2020

Aluminum is a potent neurotoxin used in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in which oxidative stress mediates tissue pathogenesis in vivo. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a glutathione precursor with reported antioxidant and neuroprotective potentials. Recent therapy for combating AD is known to provide only symptomatic relief thus necessitating the discovery of new drugs and their mechanism of action. This study was aimed to demonstrate the in vivo neuroprotective effect of NAC against aluminum (Al3+)-induced neuro-degeneration in rats (a model for AD). Twenty- five (25) adult male Wistar rats used for this study were divided into 5 groups: Group A = Control, B = Aluminum chloride (200 mg/kg), C = 1000 mg/kg of NAC + Aluminum chloride (200 mg/kg), D = 1000 mg/kg of NAC, E = Aluminum chloride (200 mg/kg) was orally administered daily for 3 weeks and discontinued for one week. Frontal Cortex harvested for histological analysis using Haematoxylin and Eosin stain, Cresyl Fast Violet stain for Nissl granules and Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry specific for astrocytes. Aluminum significantly induced oxidative stress, coupled with marked neurons necrosis, chromatolysis and gliosis in the frontal cortex, upon NAC administration, there was neuro anti-inflammatory response as seen in the significant reduction in astrocytes expression, neuronal cell death and Nissl body aggregation which attenuates neuropathological deficits induced by Al3+. It was shown that aluminum is a neurotoxin mediating AD-like oxidative stress, NAC has a therapeutic potential associated with its potent in vivo interaction with astrocytes in response to Al3+ neuro-inflammation seen in positive expression of Nissl granules and glial cells in addition to possibility of endogenous glutathione neuroprotection after withdrawal of stress mediator in neurodegeneration.
Predictors of Urinary Infections and Urosepsis After Ureteroscopy for Stone Disease: a Systematic Review from EAU Section of Urolithiasis (EULIS)
Authors: Chugh Shreya , Pietropaolo Amelia , Montanari Emanuele , Sarica Kemal , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose of Review

To present the latest evidence related to the predictors of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urosepsis after ureteroscopy (URS) for stone disease.

Recent Findings

Our review suggests that almost half of all post-URS complications are related to infectious complications although reported rates of urosepsis were low. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis, treatment of pre-operative UTI, and low procedural time seem to reduce this risk. However, the risk is higher in patients with higher Charlson comorbidity index, elderly patients, female gender, long duration of pre-procedural indwelling ureteric stents and patients with a neurogenic bladder and with high BMI.

Infectious complications following ureteroscopy can be a source of morbidity and potential mortality. Although majority of these are minor, efforts must be taken to minimise them especially in high-risk patients. This includes the use of prophylactic antibiotics, limiting stent dwell and procedural time, prompt identification and treatment of UTI and urosepsis, and careful planning in patients with large stone burden and multiple comorbidities.
Correlation of Operative Time with Outcomes of Ureteroscopy and Stone Treatment: a Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Lane Jenni , Whitehurst Lily , Hameed BM Zeeshan , Tokas Theodoros , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: March 2020

Purpose of Review

To present the latest evidence related to the impact of increased operative times in retrograde intrarenal surgery and identify possible important factors that can facilitate ureteroscopy procedures.

Recent Findings

Ureteroscopy constitutes the mainstay treatment of renal stones and is characterized by a huge variation in techniques and instrumentation. It has been suggested that increased operative times can mitigate the outcomes of the procedures by increasing complication rates. Nevertheless, little is known about the time limits, above which complications are likely to occur. Furthermore, complication rates in different procedure durations have not yet been assessed.

Prolonged operative times are linked to increased complication rates in ureteroscopy. Stone complexity, patient risk factors, surgeon experience, bilateral surgery, and instrumentation constitute important factors that can hamper or facilitate a procedure and should be taken into account beforehand. Keeping procedural times below 90 min can dissuade potential predicaments and achieve improved stone-free rates.
NeAT: a Nonlinear Analysis Toolbox for Neuroimaging
Authors:   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Casamitjana Adrià , Vilaplana Verónica , Puch Santi , Aduriz Asier , López Carlos , Operto Grégory , Cacciaglia Raffaele , Falcón Carles , Molinuevo José Luis , Gispert Juan Domingo
Published: March 2020

NeAT is a modular, flexible and user-friendly neuroimaging analysis toolbox for modeling linear and nonlinear effects overcoming the limitations of the standard neuroimaging methods which are solely based on linear models. NeAT provides a wide range of statistical and machine learning non-linear methods for model estimation, several metrics based on curve fitting and complexity for model inference and a graphical user interface (GUI) for visualization of results. We illustrate its usefulness on two study cases where non-linear effects have been previously established. Firstly, we study the nonlinear effects of Alzheimer’s disease on brain morphology (volume and cortical thickness). Secondly, we analyze the effect of the apolipoprotein APOE-ε4 genotype on brain aging and its interaction with age. NeAT is fully documented and publicly distributed athttps://imatge-upc.github.io/neat-tool/.
The construction of shale rock physics model and brittleness prediction for high-porosity shale gas-bearing reservoir
Authors: Pan Xin-Peng , Zhang Guang-Zhi , Chen Jiao-Jiao
Published: March 2020

Due to the huge differences between the unconventional shale and conventional sand reservoirs in many aspects such as the types and the characteristics of minerals, matrix pores and fluids, the construction of shale rock physics model is significant for the exploration and development of shale reservoirs. To make a better characterization of shale gas-bearing reservoirs, we first propose a new but more suitable rock physics model to characterize the reservoirs. We then use a well A to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed rock physics model of shale gas-bearing reservoirs. Moreover, we propose a new brittleness indicator for the high-porosity and organic-rich shale gas-bearing reservoirs. Based on the parameter analysis using the constructed rock physics model, we finally compare the new brittleness indicator with the commonly used Young’s modulus in the content of quartz and organic matter, the matrix porosity, and the types of filled fluids. We also propose a new shale brittleness index by integrating the proposed new brittleness indicator and the Poisson’s ratio. Tests on real data sets demonstrate that the new brittleness indicator and index are more sensitive than the commonly used Young’s modulus and brittleness index for the high-porosity and high-brittleness shale gas-bearing reservoirs.
Dynamic Multistate Models With Constant Cross-Product Ratios: Applications to Poverty Status
Authors: Schoen Robert
Published: March 2020

Cross-product ratios (αs), which are structurally analogous to odds ratios, are statistically sound and demographically meaningful measures. Assuming constant cross-product ratios in the elements of a matrix of multistate transition probabilities provides a new basis both for calculating probabilities from minimal data and for modeling populations with changing demographic rates. Constant-α estimation parallels log linear modeling, in which the αs are the fixed interactions, and the main effects are calculated from relevant data. Procedures are presented showing how an N state model’s matrix of transition probabilities can be found from the constant αs and (1) the state composition of adjacent populations, (2) (N – 1) known probabilities, (3) (N – 1) known transfer rates, or (4) (2N – 1) known numbers of transfers. The scope and flexibility of constant-α models makes them applicable to a broad range of demographic subjects, including marital/union status, political affiliation, residential status, and labor force status. Here, an application is provided to the important but understudied topic of poverty status. Census data, separately for men and women, provide age-specific numbers of persons in three poverty statuses for the years 2009 and 2014. Using an estimated transition matrix that furnishes a set of cross-product ratios, the constant-α approach allows the calculation of male and female poverty status life tables for the 2009–2014 period. The results describe the time spent in each poverty state and the transitions between states over the entire life course.
Clostridioides difficile infections in the intensive care unit: a monocentric cohort study
Authors: Aguilar Rebeca Cruz , Salmanton-García Jon , Carney Jonathan , Böll Boris , Kochanek Matthias , Jazmati Nathalie , Cornely Oliver A. , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Patient-level data from Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) treated in an intensive care setting is limited, despite the growing medical and financial burden of CDI.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 100 medical intensive care unit patients at the University Hospital Cologne with respect to demography, diagnostics, severity scores, treatment, and outcome. To analyze factors influencing response to treatment and death, a backward-stepwise multiple logistic regression model was applied.

Results

Patients had significant comorbidities including 26% being immunocompromised. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6.3 (10-year survival rate of 2.25%). At the time of diagnosis, the APACHE II was 17.4±6.3 (predicted mortality rate of 25%), and the ATLAS score was 5.2±1.9 (predicted cure rate of 75%). Overall, 47% of CDI cases were severe, 35% were complicated, and 23% were both. At least one concomitant antibiotic was given to 74% of patients. The cure rate after 10 and 90 days was 56% and 51%, respectively. Each unit increment in APACHE II score was associated with poorer treatment response (OR 0.931; 95% CI 0.872–0.995; p = 0.034). Age above 65 years was associated with death (OR 2.533; 95% CI 1.031–6.221; p = 0.043), and overall mortality at 90 days was 56%.

Conclusions

CDI affects a high-risk population, in whom predictive scoring tools are not accurate, and outcomes are poor despite intensive treatment. Further research in this field is warranted to improve prediction scoring and patient outcomes.
A “learning paradox” in maritime spatial planning
Authors: Keijser Xander , Toonen Hilde , van Tatenhove Jan
Published: March 2020

Both policy-makers and scholars acknowledge and emphasize the need for learning in maritime spatial planning (MSP). However, few explain why learning is important. As such, it remains a vague and understudied process and is taken for granted and assumed to be and do “only good” which might hinder an in-depth assessment of the effectiveness of learning in policy-making. In this paper, we investigate whether, and if so in what way, explicit attention is given to learning in MSP. In this way, we try to unpack a (plausible) “learning paradox” and gain more insight into the different conceptualizations of learning in MSP. We use seven dimensions to examine learning in MSP by conducting a literature review of scientific MSP literature and a case study, which analyzes learning in the Dutch MSP process. The literature review and case study point to a “learning paradox” in MSP, showing both similarities and differences. The common lack of attention for risk and ambiguities is particularly problematic, while the existing clarity about who (should) learn and how can be seen as opportunities to gain insights in learning in MSP. Overall, we argue that acknowledging the paradox is paramount to improve the effectiveness of learning processes in MSP.
A Systematic Scoping Review of Social, Educational, and Psychological Research on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Family Members in Arab Countries and Cultures
Authors: Alallawi Barah , Hastings Richard P. , Gray Gemma
Published: March 2020

Cultural dimensions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are relatively unexplored in the research literature. The current study is a systematic scoping review describing social, educational, and psychological research focused on individuals with ASD and their family members in Arab countries and cultures. Seventy studies met eligibility criteria. Most of the studies were from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. Most of the identified research addressed three major domains: the prevalence of ASD and diagnosis issues, the experiences and outcomes for Arab caregivers of individuals with ASD, and social and communication behaviour of Arab individuals with ASD. There were significant gaps in research evidence base, including research on interventions and on ASD services. Overall, the included research was appraised as being of weak quality.
The use of tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) in investigating fracture properties of particles modified epoxy
Authors: Tsang Wing Lam
Published: March 2020

This study compares fracture energy of an epoxy polymer from the addition of different wt% of nanoparticles, for both experimental and FEA modelling studies. Silica and core–shell rubber (CSR) particles, and the hybrid of both (from 0.5 wt% to the maximum concentration of 25.4 wt%) are used. An increase in fracture energy was found in the CSR and hybrid specimens, but clustering of particles caused a reduction in the mechanical properties when the concentration of particles was high. As there was interfacial failure found with some tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) specimens. Therefore, the fracture energies measured with TDCB specimens are also compared with simulation results using the finite element analysis software ‘Abaqus’. These results provided further information for the next stage of investigations in fracture properties of particles modified epoxy.
The Yugoslav National Idea Under Socialism: What Happens When a Soft Nation-Building Project Is Abandoned?
Authors: Ivešić Tomaž
Published: March 2020

Following Stalin’s interpretations of the Lenin’s thesis on the merging of the nations, the Yugoslav communists first needed to “push” all nations to the same level of development. After the Tito-Stalin split in 1948, the soft Yugoslav nation-building project was accelerated. During the 1950s, national Yugoslavism was stimulated in a latent way through language, culture, censuses, and changes in the constitutional and socialist system. By the end of the 1950s, the Yugoslav socialist national idea reached its peak with the 1958 Party Congress. Nevertheless, with the economic crisis in the early 1960s, and the famous Ćosić-Pirjevec debate on Yugoslavism, the Yugoslav national idea declined. This was evident on the level of the personal, national identifications of the Party members, but also in the ideological shift of the Party’s chief ideologue Edvard Kardelj. Yet, the concept of Yugoslavism was redefined in the second half of the 1960s without ethnic or national connotations. Two Yugoslavisms were created: a socialist one propagated by the Party and a national one that lived among the population in small proportions. Although the Yugoslavs were never recognized as a nation, that did not stop them from publicly advocating for their national rights.
“A Tale of Two Croatias”: How Club Football (Soccer) Teams Produce Radical Regional Divides in Croatia’s National Identity
Authors: Tsai Dustin Y.
Published: March 2020

Croatia’s monumental second-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup represents the highest football achievement to date for the young nation. This victory, however, masks violent internal divisions between its domestic club football teams. This article examines the most salient rivalry betweenDinamo ZagrebandHajduk Split, two teams that have evolved to represent the interests of Croatia’s north and south, respectively. Using interviews with radical football fans, I argue that the two teams act as reservoirs for regional identity-building while violence between their fans is a microcosm for political and economic tensions between Zagreb and Split. More importantly, this rivalry exposes the dividedness of the Croatian state, as it continues to grapple with the complexity of its radical regional identities in the wake of its independence from Yugoslavia. This article contributes to the existing body of literature on sports identity and regionalisms/nationalism as well as how sporting teams shape the geographies of belonging.
The Remigration of Afghan Immigrants from Russia
Authors: Piipponen Minna , Virkkunen Joni
Published: March 2020

Russia is one of the world’s largest migrant-receiving countries. The recession of recent years, changes in labor market and immigration policies, and an increase in anti-foreign sentiment have directly affected immigrants’ lives in Russia. This has been reflected not only in how immigrants find employment and housing in the country but also in how they perceive Russia as a country in which to work and live. This article analyzes remigration as a coping strategy of Afghan immigrants in Russia. These immigrants face severe everyday difficulties as irregular migrants and suffer discrimination and uncertainty. Despite their low status and vulnerability, we argue that Afghan immigrants still have agency, evident in how they interpret and live in the Russian anti-immigrant atmosphere. The article is based on stories narrated by Afghan immigrants in Russia and a qualitative content analysis of the asylum application protocols of Afghan asylum seekers in Finland that was produced by the Finnish Border Guard, Police, and the Finnish Immigration Service. A total of 632 Afghan citizens applied for asylum after entering Finland from the Russian Federation along the “Arctic route” between 2015 and 2016.
A mechanistic model for individualised treatment of anxiety disorders based on predictive neural biomarkers
Authors: Brehl Anne-Kathrin , Kohn Nils , Schene Aart Herman , Fernández Guillen
Published: March 2020

Increased amygdala responsiveness is the hallmark of fear and a characteristic across patients with anxiety disorders. The amygdala is embedded in a complex regulatory circuit. Multiple different mechanisms may elevate amygdala responsiveness and lead to the occurrence of an anxiety disorder. While top-down control by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) downregulates amygdala responses, the locus coeruleus (LC) drives up amygdala activation via noradrenergic projections. This indicates that the same fearful phenotype may result from different neural mechanisms. We propose a mechanistic model that defines three different neural biomarkers causing amygdala hyper-responsiveness in patients with anxiety disorders: (a) inherent amygdala hypersensitivity, (b) low prefrontal control and (c) high LC drive. First-line treatment for anxiety disorders is exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy, which strengthens PFC recruitment during emotion regulation and thus targets low-prefrontal control. A treatment response rate around 50% (Loerinc et al., 2015, Clinical Psychological Reviews, 42, 72–82) might indicate heterogeneity of underlying neurobiological mechanisms among patients, presumably leading to high variation in treatment benefit. Transforming insights from cognitive neuroscience into applicable clinical heuristics to categorise patients based on their underlying biomarker may support individualised treatment selection in psychiatry. We review literature on the three anxiety-related mechanisms and present a mechanistic model that may serve as a rational for pathology-based diagnostic and biomarker-guided treatment selection in psychiatry.
New Work on the Austrian First Republic
Authors: McEwen Britta
Published: March 2020

There is a renewed interest in writing about the First Republic among Austrian historians. As always, it is political: how to frame the collapse of the empire, how to address the political divides of the era, whether to attribute “fascism” to the Ständestaat, what constitutes history, and what is mere description. The following essay takes into account five new and large additions to the canon.
Introduction: Violence, Migration, and Gender in the Portuguese- and Spanish-Speaking World, 1945–2019
Authors: Stucki Andreas
Published: March 2020

This special issue on violence, migration, and gender in the Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking world brings together specialists on the Iberian colonies in Africa as well as scholars focusing on the domestic impacts of decolonisation in Spain and Portugal to this day. The articles in the issue focus on social change broadly understood, analysed through a historical and anthropological lens. For the first time, this endeavour brings together questions related to violence and gender, forced migration, and administrative internment, as well as current (European) migration regimes, in an “Iberian” perspective.
Hypocritical Inhospitality: The Global Refugee Crisis in the Light of History
Authors: Glanville Luke
Published: March 2020

One of the justifications offered by European imperial powers for the violent conquest, subjection, and, often, slaughter of indigenous peoples in past centuries was those peoples’ violation of a duty of hospitality. Today, many of these same powers—including European Union member states and former settler colonies such as the United States and Australia—take increasingly extreme measures to avoid granting hospitality to refugees and asylum seekers. Put plainly, whereas the powerful once demanded hospitality from the vulnerable, they now deny it to them. This essay examines this hypocritical inhospitality of former centers of empire and former settler colonies and concludes that, given that certain states accrued vast wealth and territory from the European colonial project, which they justified in part by appeals to a duty of hospitality, these states are bound now to extend hospitality to vulnerable outsiders not simply as a matter of charity, but as justice and restitution for grave historical wrongs.
Continuums of Violence and Peace: A Feminist Perspective
Authors: True Jacqui
Published: March 2020

What does world peace mean? Peace is more than the absence and prevention of war, whether international or civil, yet most of our ways of conceptualizing and measuring peace amount to just that definition. In this essay, as part of the roundtable “World Peace (And How We Can Achieve It),” I argue that any vision of world peace must grapple not only with war but with the continuums of violence and peace emphasized by feminists: running from the home and community to the public spaces of international relations. Breaking free of the constraints of the last century's intellectual boundaries, I suggest that war and peace are not a dichotomy but rather are intimately related. Yet the dearth of feminist perspectives in global debates prevents us from seeing how violence and harm are exacerbated in households and through the global economy under conditions of both “war” and “peace.” To understand the possibilities for world peace, we must understand these varieties of violence and harm that threaten peace. And to sustain peace we must address the harmful gendered identities, ideologies, and social dynamics that support violence in every society. A narrow understanding of peace as merely the absence of organized violence does not engender the kind of nuanced and rich understanding of human history and human relations needed to bring an end to the structural and physical violence that remains pervasive worldwide.
World Peace Is Local Peace
Authors: Firchow Pamina
Published: March 2020

Today we live in a world where the majority of wars are no longer interstate, a development that over the last few decades has often left the international community, in particular the United Nations as it was originally conceived, ill equipped to respond. The nimble action required for contemporary conflict resolution and peacebuilding now primarily lies in the hands of local actors and states, sometimes supported by international actors. But it is not always clear who these local actors are or what they need in order to achieve sustainable peace. As part of the roundtable “World Peace (And How We Can Achieve It),” this essay looks in more detail at what we mean by “local” in conflict-affected contexts and asks how local is local enough when resolving conflicts and building peace. It identifies tensions and concerns such as the need for the international community to have a well-defined and easily identified “local agenda” when, in reality, there are often several competing local agendas. The essay presents the Everyday Peace Indicators project as a vehicle that can be used to help communicate these local needs to international actors, and argues for the importance of understanding people's perceived realities in addition to, if not more than, their actual realities when trying to understand peace and conflict trends. In order to do this, we need to more effectively problematize peacebuilding for positive conflict disruption.
Toward Peace
Authors: Grayling A. C.
Published: March 2020

As part of the roundtable “World Peace (And How We Can Achieve It),” this essay argues that an ideal state of peace might not be attainable, but a positive form of peace could be achieved on a global scale if states and peoples made a serious investment—comparable to their investment in military expenditure—in promoting the kind of mutual cultural understanding that reduces tensions and divisions and fosters cooperation. Peacemaking usually focuses on diplomatic and military détente; the argument in this essay is that these endeavors, though obviously important, are not by themselves enough for the best attainable kind of peace, for which the further and even more important aim of cultural entente is essential. This implies that peacemaking activities need to apply vastly more effort to intercultural and interpersonal exchange and education.
Relaxation of the Cahn–Hilliard equation with singular single-well potential and degenerate mobility
Authors: PERTHAME BENOÎT , POULAIN ALEXANDRE
Published: March 2020

The degenerate Cahn–Hilliard equation is a standard model to describe living tissues. It takes into account cell populations undergoing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion effects. In this framework, we consider the usual Cahn–Hilliard equation with a singular single-well potential and degenerate mobility. These degeneracy and singularity induce numerous difficulties, in particular for its numerical simulation. To overcome these issues, we propose a relaxation system formed of two second-order equations which can be solved with standard packages. This system is endowed with an energy and an entropy structure compatible with the limiting equation. Here, we study the theoretical properties of this system: global existence and convergence of the relaxed system to the degenerate Cahn–Hilliard equation. We also study the long-time asymptotics which interest relies on the numerous possible steady states with given mass.
A novel Landau-de Gennes model with quartic elastic terms
Authors: GOLOVATY DMITRY , NOVACK MICHAEL , STERNBERG PETER
Published: March 2020

Within the framework of the generalised Landau-de Gennes theory, we identify a Q-tensor-based energy that reduces to the four-constant Oseen–Frank energy when it is considered over orientable uniaxial nematic states. Although the commonly considered version of the Landau-de Gennes theory has an elastic contribution that is at most cubic in components of the Q-tensor and their derivatives, the alternative offered here is quartic in these variables. One clear advantage of our approach over the cubic theory is that the associated minimisation problem is well-posed for a significantly wider choice of elastic constants. In particular, this quartic energy can be used to model nematic-to-isotropic phase transitions for highly disparate elastic constants. In addition to proving well-posedness of the proposed version of the Landau-de Gennes theory, we establish a rigorous connection between this theory and its Oseen–Frank counterpart via a Г-convergence argument in the limit of vanishing nematic correlation length. We also prove strong convergence of the associated minimisers.
Effet utile du contrôle préventifby Hybrid Legislative Procedures
Authors: Skowron-Kadayer Magdalena
Published: March 2020

EU law has known coordination since its beginnings. A careful study of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (in the following: Treaty or TFEU; seeOfficial JournalNo C 326 from 26 October 2012, pp. 0001– 0390) and numerous secondary law acts results in a variety of Member States’ obligations in connection with coordination. Through the years, relevant secondary legislation has been issued. In recent years, EU legislature has established new rules in sensitive – from Member States’ point of view – areas of national budget law. The coordination of budgetary policies constitutes both a new and a crucial instrument. Over the years, first the Contracting States and then EU legislature established tens of obligations to consult EU institutions on national draft laws. These mechanisms assume increasing importance. This very remarkable and at the same time under-discussed category deserves its own legal terms and definitions. The current article reviews legal uncertainties resulting from the application of procedural rules, suggests solutions, and coins new terms such as hybrid legislative procedures (Section 2) andeffet utile du contrôle préventif(Section 3) that are crucial for a new dogmatic approach regarding the obligations to consult. Because national and EU legislative procedures overlap in the case of obligations to consult, many mistakes may occur at any stage. Current research tries to determine the consequences of violations of obligations to consult EU institutions on national legislative procedures (Section 4). In this respect, it deals with the settled case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereinafter: Court or CJEU). The current article argues that the control of EU institutions over national law drafts is preventive and that the violation of a procedural obligation to consult can thus have only an indicative effect with regard to internal market disruption. New barriers to the internal market should not arise with the coming into force of a new law. This article introduces a new dogmatic approach towards obligations to consult, with the aim of avoiding legal uncertainty for national legislatures and practitioners.
Orthorexia nervosa: examining the Eating Habits Questionnaire’s reliability and validity, and its links to dietary adequacy among adult women
Authors: Mohamed Halim Zakiah , Dickinson Kacie M , Kemps Eva , Prichard Ivanka
Published: March 2020

Objective:

There has been increasing interest in identifying individuals with pathological healthy eating behaviours, or orthorexia nervosa (ON). This study aimed to investigate the validity (construct- and criterion-related) and reliability (internal consistency) of the Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ) as a measure of ON. A secondary aim was to examine how the EHQ would predict a distinct feature of ON, adequate dietary intake.

Design:

Cross-sectional online questionnaire incorporating existing measures of ON and dietary intake.

Setting:

Participants were recruited online via social media and a university’s research webpage.

Participants:

Women (n 286) ranging in age from 17 to 73 years.

Results:

Exploratory factor analysis established that the EHQ represented four ON dimensions (Healthy Eating Cognitions, Dietary Restriction, Diet Superiority and Social Impairment), inconsistent with the scale’s original three dimensions (Problems, Knowledge and Feelings). Cronbach’s α coefficients ranged from 0·72 to 0·80 for the four subscales and was 0·89 for the total EHQ scale. Criterion-related validity revealed a significant moderate to strong correlation (r = −0·54, P < 0·001) between the EHQ and ORTO-10 (a ten-item version of ORTO-15). The EHQ, particularly the EHQ–Diet superiority subscale, was found to be predictive of better, as opposed to, poorer dietary adequacy.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that improvements still need to be made to the EHQ for it to be a valid and reliable measure of ON. Ideally, new assessment tools based on established diagnostic criteria are needed to advance our understanding of ON.
Construct Validity of the German Version of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised
Authors: Hollerbach Pia , Habermeyer Elmar , Nitschke Joachim , Sünkel Zara , Mokros Andreas
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) is among the most well-established instruments for the assessment of psychopathy. The PCL-R is a 20-item observer rating instrument based on file review and a semi-structured interview. The current study aimed to investigate the validity of the German adaptation of the PCL-R, its factor structure, construct validity, and association with socially desirable responding in a sample of male offenders ( N = 118). A parcel model with four facets and two factors yielded excellent model fit. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed based on correlational analyses, a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrix, and a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) including measures of psychopathy, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), global personality dimensions, alexithymia, and impulsivity. The MTMM matrix as well as substantial associations with self-reported psychopathic traits and observer ratings of ASPD indicated convergent validity. Correlational analyses revealed that Factor 1 of the PCL-R was associated with low neuroticism, whereas Factor 2 was associated with impulsivity as well as with low agreeableness and conscientiousness. The PCL-R total score and Factor 2 were negatively correlated with impression management. Overall, the current findings support the validity of the German adaptation of the PCL-R.
Combining UV Spectra and Physical Chemistry to Constrain the Hot Electron Fraction in the Io Plasma Torus
Authors: Nerney Edward G. , Bagenal Fran
Published: March 2020

We have developed a spectral emission model that is a function of the plasma composition, electron temperature, and density in the Io plasma torus. The lines are excited by electron collisions and spontaneously decay resulting in UV emission that is diagnostic of the plasma conditions. In a previous study we used a single Maxwellian distribution to model the UV spectra obtained by the Cassini UVIS instrument in January 2001. We now try to determine the fraction of hot electrons using a double Maxwellian distribution where the core, thermal electron distribution is combined with a hot electron distribution, also assumed to be a Maxwellian. This spectral emission model does not well constrain the fraction of hot electrons, which can be seen by the χ2 output. By using physical chemistry modeling of equilibrium conditions, we determine the fraction of hot electrons. Our physical chemistry model shows that in order to match the plasma composition and temperatures near the orbit of Io during the Cassini flyby of Jupiter we need the hot electrons to comprise <0.3% of the total electron density.
Hydrodynamic Response of a Floating Aquaculture Farm in a Low Inflow Estuary
Authors: Liu Zhilong , Huguenard Kimberly
Published: March 2020

The impact of a floating oyster aquaculture farm on the intratidal dynamics of a low inflow estuary was investigated using field observations and an idealized numerical model. Measurements of current velocities, temperature, electrical conductivity, and velocity shear were collected around a floating oyster farm during two semidiurnal tidal cycles in a curved portion of the estuary. During flood, farm‐induced friction enhanced the lateral straining of velocity shears, which induced vertical mixing near the surface and extended the farm's frictional footprint. The streamwise flow reduction near the farm limited the development of lateral circulation. During ebb, flows largely bypassed the farm, which resulted in a weaker streamwise flow reduction through the farm and allowed the lateral circulation to develop across the estuary. To capture the farm effects in numerical simulations, a bulk drag coefficient for the farm was calculated as 8.4 × 10−3 ± 9.1 × 10−4, while the drag for a single cage ranged from 0.58 to 0.92. An idealized simulation in the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) demonstrated that the limited development of lateral circulation during flood was due to farm‐imposed friction rather than the combined influence of channel‐shoal morphology and the natural channel bend. These results showed that even though a farm may encompass a small portion of the estuary, it can affect the momentum and mixing outside of the immediate farm area. Therefore, it is important to consider the hydrodynamic responses of farms in estimates of carrying capacity and siting decisions.
Indirect Effects of Secondary Organic Aerosol on Cirrus Clouds
Authors: Zhu Jialei , Penner Joyce E.
Published: March 2020

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) have been identified as a potential source of depositional ice nucleating particles and thus may have a radiative effect on cirrus clouds. This study develops a global model to examine the radiative effect of SOA on cirrus clouds using different treatments for the size distribution of SOA. The SOA from new particle formation by organics and their subsequent growth has a radiative effect of 0.35 ± 0.06 W m−2, while the radiative effect of SOA calculated by assuming a fixed size distribution is 0.31 ± 0.08 W m−2. This positive radiative effect on cirrus clouds opposes the negative effect of anthropogenic soot on cirrus clouds. In addition, the inclusion of SOA as an ice nucleating particle changes the background ice crystal number concentration, which impacts the calculation of radiative forcing from other aerosols. The radiative forcing of aircraft soot is estimated to be −0.11 ± 0.03 W m−2 when including SOA formed from new particle formation by organics and growth. This is less negative than simulations that do not include ice nucleation from SOA. The change in SOA formed from organic nucleation from the preindustrial period to the present day causes a positive forcing of 0.02 ± 0.04 W m−2. It is important to use a size distribution based on the explicit formation mechanism for SOA to calculate their radiative effects. The simulation using an assumed fixed size distribution incorrectly results in a negative forcing of SOA between the present day and preindustrial atmospheres because it does not correctly calculate the change of SOA in the accumulation mode.
The Influence of Convective Momentum Transport and Vertical Wind Shear on the Evolution of a Cold Air Outbreak
Authors: Saggiorato B. , Nuijens L. , Siebesma A. P. , de Roode S. , Sandu I. , Papritz L.
Published: March 2020

To study the influence of convective momentum transport (CMT) on wind, boundary layer and cloud evolution in a marine cold air outbreak (CAO) we use large‐eddy simulations subject to different baroclinicity (wind shear) but similar surface forcing. The simulated domain is large enough,
 km2), to develop typical mesoscale cellular convective structures. We find that a maximum friction induced by momentum transport (MT) locates in the cloud layer for an increase of geostrophic wind with height (forward shear, FW) and near the surface for a decrease of wind with height (backward shear, BW). Although the total MT always acts as a friction, the interaction of friction‐induced cross‐isobaric flow with the Coriolis force can develop supergeostrophic winds near the surface (FW) or in the cloud layer (BW). The contribution of convection to MT is evaluated by decomposing the momentum flux by column water vapor and eddy size, revealing that CMT acts to accelerate subcloud layer winds under FW shear and that mesoscale circulations contribute significantly to MT for this horizontal resolution (250 m), even if small‐scale eddies are nonnegligible and likely more important as resolution increases. Under FW shear, a deeper boundary layer and faster cloud transition are simulated, because MT acts to increase surface fluxes and wind shear enhances turbulent mixing across cloud tops. Our results show that the coupling between winds and convection is crucial for a range of problems, from CAO lifetime and cloud transitions to ocean heat loss and near‐surface wind variability.
The emerging role of RNA modifications in the regulation of mRNA stability
Authors: Boo Sung Ho , Kim Yoon Ki
Published: March 2020

Many studies have highlighted the importance of the tight regulation of mRNA stability in the control of gene expression. mRNA stability largely depends on the mRNA nucleotide sequence, which affects the secondary and tertiary structures of the mRNAs, and the accessibility of various RNA-binding proteins to the mRNAs. Recent advances in high-throughput RNA-sequencing techniques have resulted in the elucidation of the important roles played by mRNA modifications and mRNA nucleotide sequences in regulating mRNA stability. To date, hundreds of different RNA modifications have been characterized. Among them, several RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N6,2′-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoG), pseudouridine (Ψ), 5-methylcytidine (m5C), and N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), have been shown to regulate mRNA stability, consequently affecting diverse cellular and biological processes. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of mammalian mRNA stability by various RNA modifications.
CAR T-cells that target acute B-lineage leukemia irrespective of CD19 expression
Authors: Fousek Kristen , Watanabe Junji , Joseph Sujith K. , George Ann , An Xingyue , Byrd Tiara T. , Morris Jessica S. , Luong Annie , Martínez-Paniagua Melisa A. , Sanber Khaled , Navai Shoba A. , Gad Ahmed Z. , Salsman Vita S. , Mathew Pretty R. , Kim Hye Na , Wagner Dimitrios L. , Brunetti Lorenzo , Jang Albert , Baker Matthew L. , Varadarajan Navin , Hegde Meenakshi , Kim Yong-Mi , Heisterkamp Nora , Abdel-Azim Hisham , Ahmed Nabil
Published: March 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting CD19 demonstrate remarkable efficacy in treating B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BL-ALL), yet up to 39% of treated patients relapse with CD19(−) disease. We report that CD19(−) escape is associated with downregulation, but preservation, of targetable expression of CD20 and CD22. Accordingly, we reasoned that broadening the spectrum of CD19CAR T-cells to include both CD20 and CD22 would enable them to target CD19(−) escape BL-ALL while preserving their upfront efficacy. We created a CD19/20/22-targeting CAR T-cell by coexpressing individual CAR molecules on a single T-cell using one tricistronic transgene. CD19/20/22CAR T-cells killed CD19(−) blasts from patients who relapsed after CD19CAR T-cell therapy and CRISPR/Cas9 CD19 knockout primary BL-ALL both in vitro and in an animal model, while CD19CAR T-cells were ineffective. At the subcellular level, CD19/20/22CAR T-cells formed dense immune synapses with target cells that mediated effective cytolytic complex formation, were efficient serial killers in single-cell tracking studies, and were as efficacious as CD19CAR T-cells against primary CD19(+) disease. In conclusion, independent of CD19 expression, CD19/20/22CAR T-cells could be used as salvage or front-line CAR therapy for patients with recalcitrant disease.
Early treatment response in first episode psychosis: a 7-T magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of glutathione and glutamate
Authors: Dempster Kara , Jeon Peter , MacKinley Michael , Williamson Peter , Théberge Jean , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: March 2020

Early response to antipsychotic medications is one of the most important determinants of later symptomatic and functional outcomes in psychosis. Glutathione and glutamate have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for patients demonstrating inadequate response to dopamine-blocking antipsychotics. Nevertheless, the role of these neurochemicals in the mechanism of early antipsychotic response remains poorly understood. Using a longitudinal design and ultrahigh field 7-T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) protocol in 53 subjects, we report the association between dorsal anterior cingulate cortex glutamate and glutathione, with time to treatment response in drug naive (34.6% of the sample) or minimally medicated first episode patients with schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. Time to response was defined as the number of weeks required to reach a 50% reduction in the PANSS-8 scores. Higher glutathione was associated with shorter time to response (F = 4.86, P = 0.017), while higher glutamate was associated with more severe functional impairment (F = 5.33, P = 0.008). There were no significant differences between patients and controls on measures of glutamate or glutathione. For the first time, we have demonstrated an association between higher glutathione and favorable prognosis in FEP. We propose that interventions that increase brain glutathione levels may improve outcomes of early intervention in psychosis.
Immune phenotype and histopathological growth pattern in patients with colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Stremitzer Stefan , Vermeulen Peter , Graver Shannon , Kockx Mark , Dirix Luc , Yang Dongyun , Zhang Wu , Stift Judith , Wrba Friedrich , Gruenberger Thomas , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Scherer Stefan J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients with desmoplastic (angiogenic) histopathological growth pattern (HGP) colorectal liver metastases (CLM) might derive more benefit from bevacizumab-based chemotherapy than those with replacement (non-angiogenic) HGP. This study investigated the association of HGP with the immune phenotype (IP) and clinical outcome after liver resection.

Methods

CLM of patients treated with perioperative bevacizumab-based chemotherapy and liver resection were investigated. Association of HGP and IP with response, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was investigated.

Results

One hundred and eighteen patients (M/F 66/52, median age 62.3 (31.0–80.4) years, median follow-up 32.2 (5.0–92.7) months) were enrolled. The inflamed IP was associated with the desmoplastic HGP. The desmoplastic HGP was associated with better radiological and histological response compared to the replacement HGP, respectively. The replacement HGP was associated with shorter RFS (8.7 versus 16.3 months, HR 2.60, P = 0.001) and OS (36.6 months versus not reached, HR 2.32, P = 0.027), respectively. The non-inflamed IP was associated with shorter RFS (10.8 versus 16.5 months, HR 1.85, P = 0.029). The HGP but not the IP remained significant in multivariable analysis for RFS.

Conclusions

The desmoplastic HGP is associated with the inflamed IP and HGP may be a potential biomarker for adjuvant treatment that includes targeting the immune contexture.