bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of 3D Electronic/Ionic Conduction Networks for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wan Hongli , Cai Liangting , Han Fudong , Mwizerwa Jean Pierre , Wang Chunsheng , Yao Xiayin
Published: November 2019

High and balanced electronic and ionic transportation networks with nanoscale distribution in solid‐state cathodes are crucial to realize high‐performance all‐solid‐state lithium batteries. Using Cu2SnS3 as a model active material, such a kind of solid‐state Cu2SnS3@graphene‐Li7P3S11 nanocomposite cathodes are synthesized, where 5–10 nm Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles homogenously anchor on the graphene nanosheets, while the Li7P3S11 electrolytes uniformly coat on the surface of Cu2SnS3@graphene composite forming nanoscaled electron/ion transportation networks. The large amount of nanoscaled triple‐phase boundary in cathode ensures high power density due to high ionic/electronic conductions and long cycle life due to uniform and reduced volume change of nano‐Cu2SnS3. The Cu2SnS3@graphene‐Li7P3S11 cathode layer with 2.0 mg cm−2 loading in all‐solid‐state lithium batteries demonstrates a high reversible discharge specific capacity of 813.2 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and retains 732.0 mAh g−1 after 60 cycles, corresponding to a high energy density of 410.4 Wh kg−1 based on the total mass of Cu2SnS3@graphene‐Li7P3S11 composite based cathode. Moreover, it exhibits excellent rate capability and high‐rate cycling stability, showing reversible capacity of 363.5 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. The study provides a new insight into constructing both electronic and ionic conduction networks for all‐solid‐state lithium batteries.
Determination of trace elements Fe, cu and Zn in the Algerian cancerous plasma using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF)
Authors: Lahmar L. , Benamar M.E.A. , Melzi M.A. , Melkaou C.H. , Mabdoua Y.
Published: November 2019

Cancers are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey on the effect of minerals on cancer risk in the Algerian population. One hundred and seventy‐eight plasma samples were used to analyze the concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in cancerous patients and also in healthy subjects using the X‐ray florescence technique (XRF). Samples were classified according to the age and gender of the donors. An empirical formula was developed for the concentration of Zinc, Copper and Iron in cancer patients according to the age. The averages iron, copper and zinc concentrations in mg/kg for control and Cancer disease groups were (1493 ± 105; 1496 ± 86), (1172 ± 229; 1078 ± 283) and (1266 ± 202; 1344 ± 208) respectively. The ANOVA One‐Way test was applied. For both genders of control and cancer disease groups it shows a significant decrease rate of copper for global and female gender and a significant increase rate of zinc for global and male gender (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the Cu and Zn concentration could show helpful tools for diagnosis and preventive treatment of cancer diseases.
A New Planar Hexanuclear Dysprosium Cluster Exhibiting Slow Magnetic Relaxation Features
Authors: Wang Yu‐Fang , Wang Wen‐Min , Sun Hao‐Fei , Wang Wan‐Ting , Wang Mei‐Ying , Tang Yu‐Ting , Wu Zhi‐Lei
Published: November 2019

Reaction of the Schiff base ligand H2L and dysprosium acetate result in a new planar Dy6 cluster [Dy6(μ3‐OH)L6(Ac)6]·MeOH (1) [H2L = N'‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐(hydroxyimino)propanohydrazide, HAc = acetic acid], which was successfully structurally and magnetically characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1 contained a hexanuclear dysprosium cluster [Dy6], which is composed of four Dy3 triangular units. Magnetic measurements suggest that 1 displays single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior which is enhanced by applying a 4000 Oe direct‐current field. The effective anisotropic barrier Ueff/kB = 14.9 K and the pre‐exponential factor τ0 = 1.31 × 10–6 s are also obtained. This work may provide more insights for the design and investigation of lanthanide‐based SMMs.
The Schwinger point
Authors: Georgi Howard
Published: November 2019

Abstract

The Sommerfield model with a massive vector field coupled to a massless fermion in 1+1 dimensions is an exactly solvable analog of a Bank-Zaks model. The “physics” of the model comprises a massive boson and an unparticle sector that survives at low energy as a conformal field theory (Thirring model). I discuss the “Schwinger point” of the Sommerfield model in which the vector boson mass goes to zero. The limit is singular but gauge invariant quantities should be well-defined. I give a number of examples, both (trivially) with local operators and with nonlocal products connected by Wilson lines (the primary technical accomplishment in this note is the explicit and very pedestrian calculation of correlators involving straight Wilson lines). I hope that this may give some insight into the nature of bosonization in the Schwinger model and its connection with unparticle physics which in this simple case may be thought of as “incomplete bosonization.”
Plasma ascorbic acid and the risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes: the TEDDY study
Authors:   for the TEDDY Study Group, Mattila Markus , Erlund Iris , Lee Hye-Seung , Niinistö Sari , Uusitalo Ulla , Andrén Aronsson Carin , Hummel Sandra , Parikh Hemang , Rich Stephen S. , Hagopian William , Toppari Jorma , Lernmark Åke , Ziegler Anette G. , Rewers Marian , Krischer Jeffrey P. , Norris Jill M. , Virtanen Suvi M.
Published: November 2019

Aims/hypothesis

We studied the association of plasma ascorbic acid with the risk of developing islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes and examined whether SNPs in vitamin C transport genes modify these associations. Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether the SNPs themselves are associated with the risk of islet autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We used a risk set sampled nested case–control design within an ongoing international multicentre observational study: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY). The TEDDY study followed children with increased genetic risk from birth to endpoints of islet autoantibodies (350 cases, 974 controls) and type 1 diabetes (102 cases, 282 controls) in six clinical centres. Control participants were matched for family history of type 1 diabetes, clinical centre and sex. Plasma ascorbic acid concentration was measured at ages 6 and 12 months and then annually up to age 6 years. SNPs in vitamin C transport genes were genotyped using the ImmunoChip custom microarray. Comparisons were adjusted for HLA genotypes and for background population stratification.

Results

Childhood plasma ascorbic acid (mean ± SD 10.76 ± 3.54 mg/l in controls) was inversely associated with islet autoimmunity risk (adjusted OR 0.96 [95% CI 0.92, 0.99] per +1 mg/l), particularly islet autoimmunity, starting with insulin autoantibodies (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.88, 0.99]), but not with type 1 diabetes risk (OR 0.93 [95% Cl 0.86, 1.02]). The SLC2A2 rs5400 SNP was associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes (OR 1.77 [95% CI 1.12, 2.80]), independent of plasma ascorbic acid (OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.84, 1.00]).

Conclusions/interpretation

Higher plasma ascorbic acid levels may protect against islet autoimmunity in children genetically at risk for type 1 diabetes. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Data availability

The datasets generated and analysed during the current study will be made available in the NIDDK Central Repository at https://www.niddkrepository.org/studies/teddy.
Are Adrenal Lesions of 6 cm or More in Diameter a Contraindication to Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy? A Case–Control Study
Authors: Balla Andrea , Palmieri Livia , Meoli Francesca , Corallino Diletta , Ortenzi Monica , Ursi Pietro , Guerrieri Mario , Quaresima Silvia , Paganini Alessandro M.
Published: November 2019

Background

The aim of this case–control study is to compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for lesions measuring ≥6 cm versus ≤5.9 cm in diameter.

Methods

Eighty‐one patients with adrenal gland lesions ≥6 cm in diameter (intervention group) were identified. Patients were matched to 81 patients with adrenal gland ≤5.9 cm in diameter (control group) based on disease (Conn–Cushing syndrome, pheochromocytoma, primary or secondary adrenal cancer or other disease), lesion side (right, left), surgical technique (anterior transperitoneal approach for right and left LA or anterior transperitoneal submesocolic for left LA) and body mass index class (18–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9, ≥40 kg/m2). Surgical outcomes were compared between the intervention and control groups.

Results

Mean operative time was statistically significantly longer in the interventional arm (101.4 ± 52.4 vs. and 85 ± 31.6 min, p = 0.0174). Eight conversions were observed in the intervention group (9.8%) compared to four in the control group (4.9%) (p = 0.3690). Five (6.1%) and three (3.7%) postoperative complications were observed in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.7196). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.6 ± 2.4 and 4.1 ± 2.3 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.1957).

Conclusions

Operative time was statistically significantly longer in adrenal gland lesions ≥6 cm in diameter (vs. ≤5.9 cm). Conversion and complication rates were also higher, but the difference was not statistically significant. Based on the present data, adrenal gland lesions ≥6 cm in diameter are not an absolute contraindication to the laparoscopic approach.
Individualized intravenous thrombolytic strategy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion on the era of mechanical thrombectomy: cases report
Authors: Xing Pengfei , Shen Hongjian , Li Zifu , Yang Pengfei , Zhang Yongwei , Liu Jianmin
Published: November 2019

Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 h after the onset of symptoms has become a standard therapy that is recommended by many trials and clinical guidelines. As on the era of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusions, whether intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is still necessary, and how to choose the optimal dose are still controversy. Here, we reported two cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusions that both achieved complete recanalization after IVT. Then, IVT was terminated in advance, and dynamic surveillance by DSA was performed to achieve individual treatment. However, both of the cases presented with hemorrhagic transformation. We analyzed the probable reasons and put forward thoughts from ourselves.
The Hall–Petch and inverse Hall–Petch relations and the hardness of nanocrystalline metals
Authors: Naik Sneha N. , Walley Stephen M.
Published: November 2019

We review some of the factors that influence the hardness of polycrystalline materials with grain sizes less than 1 µm. The fundamental physical mechanisms that govern the hardness of nanocrystalline materials are discussed. The recently proposed dislocation curvature model for grain size-dependent strengthening and the 60-year-old Hall–Petch relationship are compared. For grains less than 30 nm in size, there is evidence for a transition from dislocation-based plasticity to grain boundary sliding, rotation, or diffusion as the main mechanism responsible for hardness. The evidence surrounding the inverse Hall–Petch phenomenon is found to be inconclusive due to processing artefacts, grain growth effects, and errors associated with the conversion of hardness to yield strength in nanocrystalline materials.
‘I am your son, mother’: severe dementia and duties to visit parents who can’t recognise you
Authors: de Vries Bouke
Published: November 2019

It is commonly assumed that many, if not most, adult children have moral duties to visit their parents when they can do so at reasonable cost. However, whether such duties persist when the parents lose the ability to recognise their children, usually due to dementia, is more controversial. Over 40% of respondents in a public survey from the British Alzheimer’s Society said that it was “pointless” to keep up contact at this stage. Insofar as one cannot be morally required to do pointless things, this would suggest that children are relieved of any duties to visit their parents. In what appears to be the only scholarly treatment of this issue, Claudia Mills has defended this view, arguing that our duties to visit our parents require a type of relationship that is lost when parents no longer remember who their children are. This article challenges Mills’ argument. Not only can children be duty-bound to visit parents who have lost the ability to recognise them, I argue that many children do in fact have such duties. As I show, these duties are grounded in any special interests that their parents have in their company; the fact that visiting their parents might allow them to comply with generic duties of sociability; and/or the fact that such visits allow them to express any gratitude that they owe their parents.
No hope for the Irrelevance Claim
Authors: Egler Miguel
Published: November 2019

Empirical findings about intuitions putatively cast doubt on the traditional methodology of philosophy. Herman Cappelen and Max Deutsch have argued that these methodological concerns are unmotivated as experimental findings about intuitions are irrelevant for assessments of the methodology of philosophy—I dub this the ‘Irrelevance Claim’. In this paper, I first explain that for Cappelen and Deutsch to vindicate the Irrelevance Claim from a forceful objection, their arguments have to establish that intuitions play no epistemically significant role whatsoever in philosophy—call this the ‘Orthogonality Claim’. I then argue that even under a charitable reading of their views Cappelen and Deutsch fail to establish the Orthogonality Claim. Lastly, I discuss empirical evidence that the Orthogonality Claim is false. The arguments in this paper will demonstrate that Cappelen and Deutsch cannot motivate the Irrelevance Claim and that their replies to recent experimental attacks on traditional methodology of philosophy do not succeed.
Citizenship and Surveys: Group Conflict and Nationality-of-Interviewer Effects in Arab Public Opinion Data
Authors: Gengler Justin J. , Le Kien T. , Wittrock Jill
Published: November 2019

More research than ever before uses public opinion data to investigate society and politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Ethnic identities are widely theorized to mediate many of the political attitudes and behaviors that MENA surveys commonly seek to measure, but, to date, no research has systematically investigated how the observable ethnic category(s) of the interviewer may influence participation and answers given in Middle East surveys. Here we measure the impact of one highly salient and outwardly observable ascriptive attribute of interviewers—nationality—using data from an original survey experiment conducted in the Arab Gulf state of Qatar. Applying the total survey error (TSE) framework and utilizing an innovative nonparametric matching technique, we estimate treatment effects on both nonresponse error and measurement error. We find that Qatari nationals are more likely to begin and finish a survey, and respond to questions, when interviewed by a fellow national. Qataris also edit their answers to sensitive questions relating to the unequal status of citizens and noncitizens, reporting views that are more exclusionary and less positive toward out-group members, when the interviewer is a conational. The findings have direct implications for consumers and producers of a growing number of surveys conducted inside and outside the Arab world, where migration and conflict have made respondent-interviewer mismatches along national and other ethnic dimensions more salient and more common.
That’s the ticket: explicit lottery randomisation and learning in Tullock contests
Authors: Chowdhury Subhasish M. , Mukherjee Anwesha , Turocy Theodore L.
Published: November 2019

Most laboratory experiments studying Tullock contest games find that bids significantly exceed the risk-neutral equilibrium predictions. We test the generalisability of these results by comparing a typical experimental implementation of a contest against the familiar institution of a ticket-based raffle. We find that in the raffle (1) initial bid levels are significantly lower and (2) bids adjust more rapidly towards expected-earnings best responses. We demonstrate the robustness of our results by replicating them across two continents at two university labs with contrasting student profiles.
Soil Heavy Metal(loid) Pollution and Phytoremediation Potential of Native Plants on a Former Gold Mine in Ghana
Authors: Petelka Joshua , Abraham John , Bockreis Anke , Deikumah Justus Precious , Zerbe Stefan
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the soil pollution level and evaluated the phytoremediation potential of 25 native plant species on a former gold mine-tailing site in Ghana. Plant shoots and associated soil samples were collected from a tailing deposition site and analyzed for total element concentration of As, Hg, Pb, and Cu. Soil metal(loid) content, bioaccumulation factor (BAFshoots), and hyperaccumulator thresholds were also determined to assess the current soil pollution level and phytoextraction potential. The concentration of As and Hg in the soil was above international risk thresholds, while that of Pb and Cu were below those thresholds. None of the investigated plant species reached absolute hyperaccumulator standard concentrations. Bioavailability of sampled metal(loid)s in the soil was generally low due to high pH, organic matter, and clay content. However, for Cu, relatively high bioaccumulation values (BAFshoots > 1) were found for 12 plant species, indicating the potential for selective heavy-metal extraction via phytoremediation by those plants. The high levels of As at the study site constitute an environmental and health risk but there is the potential for phytoextraction of Cu (e.g., Aspilia africana) and reclamation by afforestation using Leucaena leucocephala and Senna siamea.
Watersiporidae (Bryozoa) in Iberian waters: an update on alien and native species
Authors: Reverter-Gil Oscar , Souto Javier
Published: November 2019

Species of the genus Watersipora comprise an important invasive fouling group but are difficult to identify up to species level. This problem, in conjunction with the recent re-description of several member species, requires the revision of previous records and newly collected material in order to more precisely determine their actual presence and distribution. Here, we revise the identity and distribution of alien and native species of Watersiporidae in Iberian waters based on newly collected material, historical collections, and bibliographic data. Four species of Watersipora are now known from here. Watersipora cucullata is the only native species, present in the Spanish Mediterranean. Watersipora subatra seems to have been introduced relatively recently in Iberian and European Atlantic waters and has been expanding to other Atlantic localities. Watersipora arcuata was collected for the first time in Europe at the SW Spanish Atlantic coast in 1990 and recently in Mediterranean marinas. Watersipora souleorum is known in Iberian waters from two localities in the Gulf of Cadiz and in Gibraltar. With the recent redescription of the genus Watersipora, W. complanata is no longer a member. A new watersiporid genus, Terwasipora gen. nov., is described for this species. In Iberian waters, T. complanata comb. nov. is considered a native species, frequent and abundant in shallow waters along the Atlantic coast.
When perception is reality: Resident perception of faculty gender parity in a university-based internal medicine residency program
Authors: Lukela Jennifer Reilly , Ramakrishnan Aditi , Nicole Hadeed Nicole , Del Valle John
Published: November 2019

Introduction Although women have entered medical school and internal medicine residency programs in significant numbers for decades, women faculty remain underrepresented in senior and departmental leadership roles. How residents perceive this gender disparity is unknown. We sought to assess resident perception of gender parity among departmental leadership and teaching faculty in our internal medicine department, and to determine the actual gender distribution of those faculty roles.

Methods An anonymous cross-sectional survey was distributed to evaluate resident perception of gender representation of various faculty roles. Using conference schedules, resident evaluations, and our department website, we determined the actual representation of women faculty in department leadership roles, and in clinical and educational activities.

Results 88 of 164 residents (54%) responded. Women residents were less likely than men to perceive that women faculty were equally represented in department leadership (45% men agreed vs. 13% women, p < 0.05), clinical teaching roles (55% men agreed vs. 28% women, p < 0.05), or facilitating educational conferences (45% men agreed vs. 28% women, p = 0.074). In 2017, the internal medicine department at our institution comprised 815 faculty members, 473 men (58%) and 342 women (42%). At that time, women faculty held 5% of senior departmental leadership positions and 21% of educational leadership positions. During the year preceding survey distribution, women faculty attended on internal medicine inpatient wards for 33% of the total number of weeks, staffed 20% of morning reports, and facilitated 28% of noon conferences.
Bradley’s “my station and its duties” and its moral (in)significance
Authors: Babushkina Dina
Published: November 2019

I argue that, according to F. H. Bradley’s Ethical Studies, duties of our station (positional duties) are not morally obligatory unless they are required from an ideal point of view. I support my interpretation by showing that Bradley places the ideal point of view higher than the social and requires that what society demands from us is evaluated from that higher point of view. My argument relies on a detailed analysis of “my station and its duties”. The phrase must be understood as a category that (1) refers to different concepts throughout Ethical Studies (i.e. a theory that Bradley rejects, a revised thesis that he accepts, and positional duties), and (2) embraces several theses (descriptive, normative, and ideal), each involving a number of claims, only a few of which Bradley accepts. I argue that Bradley rejects the normative thesis of MSID theory that identifies moral obligation with social requirements because he finds bottom-up idealization (what ought to be must conform to what is) unsatisfactory. Bradley’s inclusion of “my station and its duties” in the moral ideal must be understood as amounting to the claim that a positional duty is morally obligatory only when it is justified by the norms governing pre-institutionalised relationships.
Reported variability in healthcare facility policies regarding healthcare personnel working while experiencing influenza-like illnesses: An emerging infections network survey
Authors: Babcock Hilary M. , Beekmann Susan E. , Pillai Satish K. , Santibanez Scott , Lee Leslie , Kuhar David T. , Campbell Angela P. , Patel Anita , Polgreen Philip M.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Presenteeism, or working while ill, by healthcare personnel (HCP) experiencing influenza-like illness (ILI) puts patients and coworkers at risk. However, hospital policies and practices may not consistently facilitate HCP staying home when ill.

Objective and methods:

We conducted a mixed-methods survey in March 2018 of Emerging Infections Network infectious diseases physicians, describing institutional experiences with and policies for HCP working with ILI.

Results:

Of 715 physicians, 367 (51%) responded. Of 367, 135 (37%) were unaware of institutional policies. Of the remaining 232 respondents, 206 (89%) reported institutional policies regarding work restrictions for HCP with influenza or ILI, but only 145 (63%) said these were communicated at least annually. More than half of respondents (124, 53%) reported that adherence to work restrictions was not monitored or enforced. Work restrictions were most often not perceived to be enforced for physicians-in-training and attending physicians. Nearly all (223, 96%) reported that their facility tracked laboratory-confirmed influenza (LCI) in patients; 85 (37%) reported tracking ILI. For employees, 109 (47%) reported tracking of LCI and 53 (23%) reported tracking ILI. For independent physicians, not employed by the facility, 30 (13%) reported tracking LCI and 11 (5%) ILI.

Conclusion:

More than one-third of respondents were unaware of whether their institutions had policies to prevent HCP with ILI from working; among those with knowledge of institutional policies, dissemination, monitoring, and enforcement of these policies was highly variable. Improving communication about work-restriction policies, as well as monitoring and enforcement, may help prevent the spread of infections from HCP to patients.
Chinese Identity During the Age of Division, Sui, and Tang
Authors: Holcombe Charles
Published: November 2019

During the centuries after the fall of the Han dynasty, dozens of states rose and fell in geographic China, which was not only politically divided but also home to multiple separately named population groups, some of which were speakers of languages unrelated to Chinese. Yet, a single written language was used throughout the region, broadly common institutions were everywhere in place, and there was a widely shared collective historical memory. This memory included an assumed single line of legitimate sovereigns stretching back to the Sage Kings of legendary antiquity. Differently named population groups could adopt that written language, institutions, and historical memory, and their rulers could potentially even join that line of legitimate sovereigns. It was therefore relatively easy for the Sui and Tang dynasties, having militarily unified the geographic space of the old Han empire, to successfully depict themselves as heirs to a unitary China rooted in ancient memory.
OPERADIC APPROACH TO COHOMOLOGY OF ASSOCIATIVE TRIPLE AND N-TUPLE SYSTEMS
Authors: BAGHERZADEH FATEMEH , BREMNER MURRAY
Published: November 2019

The cup product in the cohomology of algebras over quadratic operads has been studied in the general setting of Koszul duality for operads. We study the cup product on the cohomology of n-ary totally associative algebras with an operation of even (homological) degree. This cup product endows the cohomology with the structure of an n-ary partially associative algebra with an operation of even or odd degree depending on the parity of n. In the cases n=3 and n=4, we provide an explicit definition of this cup product and prove its basic properties.
Optimal Control of a Wheeled Mobile Cable-Driven Parallel Robot ICaSbot with Viscoelastic Cables
Authors: Korayem Moharam Habibnejad , Yousefzadeh Mahdi , Tourajizadeh Hami
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a new mobile cable-driven parallel robot is proposed by mounting a spatial cable robot on a wheeled mobile robot. This system includes all the advantages of cable robots such as high ratio of payload to weight and good stiffness and accuracy while its deficiency of limited workspace is eliminated by the aid of its mobile chassis. The combined system covers a vast workspace area whereas it has negligible vibrations and cable sag due to using shorter cables. The dynamic equations are derived using Gibbs–Appell formulation considering viscoelasticity of the cables. Therefore, the more realistic viscoelastic cable model of the robot reveals the system flexibility effect and shows the requirements needed to control the end-effector in the conditions with cable elasticity. The viscoelastic system stability is investigated based on the input–output feedback linearization and using only the actuators feedback data. Feedback linearization controller is equipped by two additional controllers, that is, the optimal controller based on Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) method and finite horizon model predictive approach. They are used to control the system compromising between the control effort and error signals of the feedback linearized system. The applied control input to the robot plant is the voltage signal limited to a specified band. The validity of modeling and the designed controller efficiency are investigated using MATLAB simulation and its verification is accomplished by experimental tests conducted on the manufactured cable robot, ICaSbot.
Breeding abundance and population trend of the Peruvian Diving-petrel Pelecanoides garnotii in Chile: Recovery of an endangered seabird?
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ CLAUDIA E. , PORTFLITT-TORO MATÍAS , MIRANDA-URBINA DIEGO , PLAZA PAULA , LUNA NICOLAS , LUNA-JORQUERA GUILLERMO
Published: November 2019

As island ecosystems are among the most critical breeding habitats for seabirds, their protection should enhance population viability for many species. The Peruvian Diving-petrel Pelecanoides garnotii breeds only in Chile and Perú, is an endangered seabird with historically large populations of over 100,000 breeding pairs, but fewer than 1,000 remained in the 1980s and it became the first endangered seabird of the Humboldt Current System. In Chile, they breed on five islands, three of which are legally protected, but only two have a management plan. Between 2010 and 2014, we evaluated the density of nests, burrow occupancy, and colony patch sizes on the islands to estimate the breeding population. The population trend was assessed by compiling historical data available in the literature and several unpublished technical reports. The current breeding population size in Chile was ∼12,500 breeding pairs (95% CI: 10,613–14,676 pairs) that is ∼34% of the breeding pairs reported for Peru (∼36,450 pairs). Choros Island, the only island with adequate protection, accounted for ∼95% of the total breeding population of the Peruvian Diving-petrel in Chile. Historical population trends showed a significant increase in breeding pairs during recent years on Choros Island. It seems that the adequate legal protection of Choros Island is leading to the recovery of Peruvian Diving-petrels, demonstrating that protection of breeding colonies remains an essential strategy for the conservation of endemic seabirds.
Red cell transfusion practices after stage 1 palliation: a survey of practitioners from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society
Authors: Badheka Aditya , Yu Priscilla , Mille Felina , Durbin Dennis , Elci Okan , Blinder Joshua
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Neonates may require increased red cell mass to optimise oxygen content after stage 1 palliation; however, data informing transfusion practices are limited. We hypothesise there is a patient-, provider-, and institution-based heterogeneity in red cell transfusion decision-making after stage 1 palliation.

Methods:

We conducted an online survey of Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society practitioners in 2016. Respondents answered scenario-based questions that defined transfusion indications and identified haematocrit transfusion thresholds. Respondents were divided into restrictive and liberal groups based on a haematocrit score. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the associations between transfusion likelihood and patient, provider, and institutional characteristics. Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust the p-value to 0.004 for multiple comparisons.

Results:

There was a 21% response rate (116 responses). Most were male (58.6%), attending physicians (85.3%) with >5 year of intensive care experience (88.7%) and subspeciality training in critical care medicine (47.4%). The majority of institutions were academic (96.6%), with a separate cardiac ICU (86.2%), and performed >10 stage 1 palliation cases annually (68.1%). After Bonferroni correction, there were no significant patient, respondent, or institutional differences between the restrictive and liberal groups. No respondent or institutional characteristics influenced transfusion decision-making after stage 1 palliation.

Conclusions:

Decision-making around red cell transfusion after stage 1 palliation is heterogeneous. We found no clear relationships between patient, respondent, or institutional characteristics and transfusion decision-making among surveyed respondents. Given the lack of existing data informing red cell transfusion after stage 1 palliation, further studies are necessary to inform evidence-based guidelines.
Field dissipation of S-metolachlor in organic and mineral soils used for sugarcane production in Florida
Authors: Fernandez Jose V. , Odero D. Calvin , MacDonald Gregory E. , Ferrell Jason A. , Sellers Brent A. , Wilson P. Christopher
Published: November 2019

Dissipation of S-metolachlor, a soil-applied herbicide, on organic and mineral soils used for sugarcane production in Florida was evaluated using field studies in 2013 to 2016. S-metolachlor was applied PRE at 2,270 g ha−1 on organic and mineral soils with 75% and 1.6% organic matter, respectively. The rate of dissipation of S-metolachlor was rapid on mineral soils compared with organic soils. Dissipation of S-metolachlor on organic soils followed a negative linear trend resulting in half-lives (DT50) ranging from 50 to 126 d. S-metolachlor loss on organic soils was more rapid under high soil-moisture conditions than in corresponding low soil-moisture conditions. On mineral soils, dissipation of S-metolachlor followed an exponential decline. The DT50 of S-metolachlor on mineral soils ranged from 12 to 24 d. The short persistence of S-metolachlor on mineral soils was likely attributed to low organic matter content with limited adsorptive capability. The results indicate that organic matter content and soil moisture are important for persistence of S-metolachlor on organic and mineral soils used for sugarcane production in Florida.
Wirksamkeit von interprofessionellem Lernen: Stereotype und Wissen über die andere Berufsgruppe
Authors: Mette Mira , Hänze Martin
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Angehende Fachkräfte in den Gesundheitsberufen sollen durch interprofessionelles Lernen (IPL) besser auf die berufsgruppenübergreifende Zusammenarbeit in der Patientenversorgung vorbereitet werden. Dazu wurde eine interprofessionelle Übungseinheit entwickelt, in der Medizinstudentinnen und -studenten und Schülerinnen und Schüler der Physiotherapieausbildung im reziproken Peer-Tutoring mit-, von- und übereinander lernen. In dieser Studie wurde die Wirksamkeit der Lehrveranstaltung im Hinblick auf die Veränderung von Stereotypen und das Wissen über die andere Berufsgruppe überprüft. Unter Anwendung des Solomon-Vier-Gruppen-Designs zeigte sich, dass die Wirksamkeit der Übungseinheit in Form einer positiveren Ausprägung der Stereotype sowie eines höheren Wissensstandes über die jeweils andere Berufsgruppe im Vergleich zu den rein monoprofessionell ausgebildeten Kontrollgruppen bedingt nachgewiesen werden konnte. Teilweise war sie nur in der Bedingung mit Pretest nachweisbar.
Mixed Reviews for Bill to Curb Ocean Plastics Pollution
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: November 2019

Although the Save Our Seas supporters include industry and the Ocean Conservancy, some environmental groups say the legislation won’t solve the problem.
A CYGNSS‐Based Algorithm for the Detection of Inland Waterbodies
Authors: Gerlein‐Safdi Cynthia , Ruf Christopher S.
Published: November 2019

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is a new constellation of eight low Earth orbiting spacecrafts that receive both direct and reflected signals from GPS satellites. Coherent reflection of the GPS signal from standing water over land results in a high surface reflectivity signal in the CYGNSS data. An image processing algorithm is presented, which leverages the surface reflectivity signal to produce a watermask of inland waterbodies at 0.01° × 0.01° spatial resolution. The watermask is compared to hand‐drawn maps of inland waterbodies, as well as to the MODIS watermask product. We find that the CYGNSS watermask provides accurate, time‐varying maps that are able to resolve changes in lake and river position and extent. With CYGNSS' short return time, watermasks can be generated using as little as half a month of data to produce near‐real‐time maps of flooding events.
Self‐Acceleration and Instability of Gravity Wave Packets: 2. Two‐Dimensional Packet Propagation, Instability Dynamics, and Transient Flow Responses
Authors: Dong Wenjun , Fritts David C. , Lund Thomas S. , Wieland Scott A. , Zhang Shaodong
Published: November 2019

Results of two‐dimensional and narrow three‐dimensional (2‐D and 2.5‐D) simulations of a gravity wave (GW) packet localized in altitude and along its propagation direction employing a new, versatile compressible model are described. The simulations explore self‐acceleration and instability dynamics in an idealized atmosphere at rest under mean solar conditions in a domain extending to an altitude of 260 km and 1,800 km horizontally without artificial dissipation. High resolution in the central 2.5‐D domain enables the description of 3‐D instability dynamics accounting for breaking, dissipation, and momentum deposition within the GW packet. 2‐D results describe responses to localized self‐acceleration effects, including generation of secondary GWs (SGWs) at larger scales able to propagate to much higher altitudes. 2.5‐D results exhibit instability forms consistent with previous 3‐D simulations of instability dynamics and cause SGW generation and propagation at smaller spatial scales to weaken significantly compared to the 2‐D results. SGW responses at larger scales are driven primarily by GW/mean flow interactions arising at early stages of the self‐acceleration dynamics prior to strong GW instabilities and dissipation. As a result, they exhibit similar responses in both the 2‐D and 2.5‐D simulations and readily propagate to high altitudes at large distances from the initial GW packet. A companion paper examines these dynamics for an initial GW packet localized in three dimensions and evolving in a representative 3‐D tidal wind field.
Loss of Mob1a/b impairs the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into the three germ layer lineages
Authors: Bae June Sung , Kim Sun Mi , Jeon Yoon , Sim Juyeon , Jang Ji Yun , Son Jaehyung , Hong Woosol , Park Mi Kyung , Lee Ho
Published: November 2019

The Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and apoptosis and can regulate stem cell maintenance and embryonic development. MOB kinase activators 1A and 1B (Mob1a/b) are key components of the Hippo pathway, whose homozygous deletion in mice causes early embryonic lethality at the preimplantation stage. To investigate the role of Mob1a/b in stem cell maintenance and differentiation, an embryonic stem cell (ESC) clone in which Mob1a/b could be conditionally depleted was generated and characterized. Although Mob1a/b depletion did not affect the stemness or proliferation of mouse ESCs, this depletion caused defects in differentiation into the three germ layers. Yap knockdown rescued the in vitro and in vivo defects in differentiation caused by Mob1a/b depletion, suggesting that differentiation defects caused by Mob1a/b depletion were Yap-dependent. In teratoma experiments, Yap knockdown in Mob1a/b-depleted ESCs partially restored defects in differentiation, indicating that hyperactivation of Taz, another effector of the Hippo pathway, inhibited differentiation into the three germ layers. Taken together, these results suggest that Mob1a/b or Hippo signaling plays a critical role in the differentiation of mouse ESCs into the three germ layers, which is dependent on Yap. These close relationship of the Hippo pathway with the differentiation of stem cells supports its potential as a therapeutic target in regenerative medicine.
Lithium treatment reverses irradiation-induced changes in rodent neural progenitors and rescues cognition
Authors: Zanni Giulia , Goto Shinobu , Fragopoulou Adamantia F. , Gaudenzi Giulia , Naidoo Vinogran , Di Martino Elena , Levy Gabriel , Dominguez Cecilia A. , Dethlefsen Olga , Cedazo-Minguez Angel , Merino-Serrais Paula , Stamatakis Antonios , Hermanson Ola , Blomgren Klas
Published: November 2019

Cranial radiotherapy in children has detrimental effects on cognition, mood, and social competence in young cancer survivors. Treatments harnessing hippocampal neurogenesis are currently of great relevance in this context. Lithium, a well-known mood stabilizer, has both neuroprotective, pro-neurogenic as well as antitumor effects, and in the current study we introduced lithium treatment 4 weeks after irradiation. Female mice received a single 4 Gy whole-brain radiation dose on postnatal day (PND) 21 and were randomized to 0.24% Li2CO3 chow or normal chow from PND 49 to 77. Hippocampal neurogenesis was assessed on PND 77, 91, and 105. We found that lithium treatment had a pro-proliferative effect on neural progenitors, but neuronal integration occurred only after it was discontinued. Also, the treatment ameliorated deficits in spatial learning and memory retention observed in irradiated mice. Gene expression profiling and DNA methylation analysis identified two novel factors related to the observed effects, Tppp, associated with microtubule stabilization, and GAD2/65, associated with neuronal signaling. Our results show that lithium treatment reverses irradiation-induced loss of hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive impairment even when introduced long after the injury. We propose that lithium treatment should be intermittent in order to first make neural progenitors proliferate and then, upon discontinuation, allow them to differentiate. Our findings suggest that pharmacological treatment of cognitive so-called late effects in childhood cancer survivors is possible.
Whole-cortex mapping of common genetic influences on depression and a social deficits dimension
Authors: Hatoum Alexander S. , Reineberg Andrew E. , Smolker Harry R. , Hewitt John K. , Friedman Naomi P.
Published: November 2019

Social processes are associated with depression, particularly understanding and responding to others, deficits in which can manifest as callousness/unemotionality (CU). Thus, CU may reflect some of the genetic risk to depression. Further, this vulnerability likely reflects the neurological substrates of depression, presenting biomarkers to capture genetic vulnerability of depression severity. However, heritability varies within brain regions, so a high-resolution genetic perspective is needed. We developed a toolbox that maps genetic and environmental associations between brain and behavior at high resolution. We used this toolbox to estimate brain areas that are genetically associated with both depressive symptoms and CU in a sample of 258 same-sex twin pairs from the Colorado Longitudinal Twin Study (LTS). We then overlapped the two maps to generate coordinates that allow for tests of downstream effects of genes influencing our clusters. Genetic variance influencing cortical thickness in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) sulci and gyri, ventral posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), pre-somatic motor cortex (PreSMA), medial precuneus, left occipital-temporal junction (OTJ), parietal–temporal junction (PTJ), ventral somatosensory cortex (vSMA), and medial and lateral precuneus were genetically associated with both depression and CU. Split-half replication found support for both DLPFC clusters. Meta-analytic term search identified “theory of mind”, “inhibit”, and “pain” as likely functions. Gene and transcript mapping/enrichment analyses implicated calcium channels. CU reflects genetic vulnerability to depression that likely involves executive and social functioning in a distributed process across the cortex. This approach works to unify neuroimaging, neuroinformatics, and genetics to discover pathways to psychiatric vulnerability.
Lnc-THOR silencing inhibits human glioma cell survival by activating MAGEA6-AMPK signaling
Authors: Xue Jun , Zhong Shan , Sun Bo-min , Sun Qing-Fang , Hu Liang-Yun , Pan Si-Jian
Published: November 2019

Long non-coding RNA THOR (Lnc-THOR) binds to IGF2BP1, essential for its function. We here show that Lnc-THOR is expressed in human glioma tissues and cells. Its expression is extremely low or even undetected in normal brain tissues, as well as in human neuronal cells and astrocytes. We show that Lnc-THOR directly binds to IGF2BP1 in established and primary human glioma cells. shRNA-mediated Lnc-THOR knockdown or CRISPR/Cas9-induced Lnc-THOR knockout potently inhibited cell survival and proliferation, while provoking glioma cell apoptosis. Contrarily, forced overexpression of Lnc-THOR promoted glioma cell growth and migration. Importantly, Lnc-THOR shRNA or knockout activated MAGEA6-AMPK signaling in glioma cells. AMPK inactivation, by AMPKα1 shRNA, knockout, or dominant-negative mutation (T172A), attenuated Lnc-THOR shRNA-induced A172 glioma cell apoptosis. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9-induced IGF2BP1 knockout activated MAGEA6-AMPK signaling as well, causing A172 glioma cell apoptosis. Significantly, Lnc-THOR shRNA was ineffective in IGF2BP1 KO A172 cells. In vivo, Lnc-THOR silencing or knockout potently inhibited subcutaneous A172 xenograft tumor growth in mice. MAGEA6 downregulation and AMPK activation were detected in Lnc-THOR-silenced/-KO A172 tumor tissues. Taken together, Lnc-THOR depletion inhibits human glioma cell survival possibly by activating MAGEA6-AMPK signaling.
Impact of clinical pharmacist’s interventions on pharmacotherapy management in elderly patients on polypharmacy with mental health problems including quality of life: A prospective non-randomized study
Authors: Stuhec Matej , Bratović Nika , Mrhar Aleš
Published: November 2019

Mental health problems (MHPs) are very common in the elderly and can have an important influence on their quality of life (QoL). There is almost no data on the impact of clinical pharmacists’ (CPs) interventions on the QoL including elderly patients and MHPs. The main aim of this study was to determinate the impact of (CP’s) interventions on the QoL and quality of pharmacotherapy. A prospective non-randomized pre-post study was designed which included residents of a nursing home aged 65 age or more with at least one MHP. Each patient also filled out the EQ-5D questionnaire. The medical review MR included drug-related problems (DRPs) and potentially drug-drug interactions (pDDIs), as well as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). After 2 months, the participants were interviewed again. The mean number of medications before the intervention was 12,2 ± 3,1 per patient and decreased to 10,3 ± 3,0 medications per patient (p < 0,05) (n = 24). The total number of PIMs and pDDIs was also reduced and QoL was also significantly higher (p < 0,05). A collaborative care approach with a CP led to a decrease of DRPs, pDDIs, PIMs, the total number of medications and to an improvement in the patients’ QoL.