bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the rigidity and sensitivity dependence of neutron monitors for cosmic ray modulation using algorithm-selected Forbush decreases
Authors: Okike O , Nwuzor O C
Published: February 2020

We emphasize the need for a careful and rigorous timing of Forbush decreases (FDs) as well as a correct calculation of FD magnitudes in studies related to cosmic ray (CR) modulation. We have employed Fourier and R-based algorithms for FD event selection, timing and magnitude estimation. The large number of Forbush events that have been identified were employed in correlation and regression analyses to investigate the rigidity and sensitivity dependence of neutron monitors (NMs). It was found that there is a significant difference between the number of FDs identified manually and those selected by the automated method. While the minimum number (238) of FDs occurred at Irkutsk NM, the Novosibirsk CR station observed the largest number (386) of Forbush events. However, within the north high-latitude band (39°N ≤ latitude ≤ 90°N), only 29 FDs have been simultaneously identified using the data from some NMs in the region, including Irkutsk and Novosibirsk. The result obtained using a large number of FDs differs significantly from those employing manual identification of Forbush events. We conclude, among other things, that the automation of FD event selection is essential for understanding the dependence of CR modulation on NM rigidity and altitude, as well as on the contribution from terrestrial modulation agents.
GSN 069 – A tidal disruption near miss
Authors: King Andrew
Published: February 2020

I suggest that the quasi-periodic ultrasoft X-ray eruptions recently observed from the galaxy GSN 069 may result from accretion from a low-mass white dwarf in a highly eccentric orbit about its central black hole. At $0.21\,\rm M_{\odot }$, this star was probably the core of a captured red giant. Such events should occur in significant numbers as less extreme outcomes of whatever process leads to tidal disruption events. I show that gravitational radiation losses can drive the observed mass-transfer rate, and that the precession of the white dwarf orbit may be detectable in X-rays as a superorbital quasi-period $P_{\rm super} \simeq 2\,{\rm d}$. The very short lifetime of the current event, and the likelihood that similar ones involving more massive stars would be less observable, together suggest that stars may transfer mass to the low-mass SMBH in this and similar galaxies at a total rate, potentially making a significant contribution to their masses. A similar or even much greater inflow rate would be unobservable in most galaxies. I discuss the implications for SMBH mass growth.
Discovering novae in early-type galaxies with MUSE: A chance find in NGC 1404, and 12 more candidates from an archival search
Authors: Smith Russell J
Published: February 2020

I report the discovery of a transient broad-Hα point source in the outskirts of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1404, discovered in archival observations taken with the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral field spectrograph. The Hα line width of 1950 km s−1 full width at half-maximum, and luminosity of (4.1 ± 0.1) × 1036 erg s−1, are consistent with a nova outburst, and the source is not visible in MUSE data obtained 9 months later. A transient soft X-ray source was detected at the same position (within <1 arcsec), 14 yr before the Hα transient. If the X-ray and Hα emission are from the same object, the source may be a short-time-scale recurrent nova with a massive white dwarf accretor, and hence a possible Type-Ia supernova progenitor. Selecting broad-Hα point sources in MUSE archival observations for a set of nearby early-type galaxies, I discovered 12 more nova candidates with similar properties to the NGC 1404 source, including five in NGC 1380 and four in NGC 4365. Multi-epoch data are available for four of these twelve sources; all four are confirmed to be transient on ∼1 yr time-scales, supporting their identification as novae.
Synthetic CRISPR/Cas9 reagents facilitate genome editing and homology directed repair
Authors: DiNapoli Sara E , Martinez-McFaline Raul , Gribbin Caitlin K , Wrighton Paul J , Balgobin Courtney A , Nelson Isabel , Leonard Abigail , Maskin Carolyn R , Shwartz Arkadi , Quenzer Eleanor D , Mailhiot Darya , Kao Clara , McConnell Sean C , de Jong Jill L O , Goessling Wolfram , Houvras Yariv
Published: February 2020

CRISPR/Cas9 has become a powerful tool for genome editing in zebrafish that permits the rapid generation of loss of function mutations and the knock-in of specific alleles using DNA templates and homology directed repair (HDR). We examined the efficiency of synthetic, chemically modified gRNAs and demonstrate induction of indels and large genomic deletions in combination with recombinant Cas9 protein. We developed an in vivo genetic assay to measure HDR efficiency and we utilized this assay to test the effect of altering template design on HDR. Utilizing synthetic gRNAs and linear dsDNA templates, we successfully performed knock-in of fluorophores at multiple genomic loci and demonstrate transmission through the germline at high efficiency. We demonstrate that synthetic HDR templates can be used to knock-in bacterial nitroreductase (ntr) to facilitate lineage ablation of specific cell types. Collectively, our data demonstrate the utility of combining synthetic gRNAs and dsDNA templates to perform homology directed repair and genome editing in vivo.
BATCAVE: calling somatic mutations with a tumor- and site-specific prior
Authors: Mannakee Brian K , Gutenkunst Ryan N
Published: February 2020

Detecting somatic mutations withins tumors is key to understanding treatment resistance, patient prognosis and tumor evolution. Mutations at low allelic frequency, those present in only a small portion of tumor cells, are particularly difficult to detect. Many algorithms have been developed to detect such mutations, but none models a key aspect of tumor biology. Namely, every tumor has its own profile of mutation types that it tends to generate. We present BATCAVE (Bayesian Analysis Tools for Context-Aware Variant Evaluation), an algorithm that first learns the individual tumor mutational profile and mutation rate then uses them in a prior for evaluating potential mutations. We also present an R implementation of the algorithm, built on the popular caller MuTect. Using simulations, we show that adding the BATCAVE algorithm to MuTect improves variant detection. It also improves the calibration of posterior probabilities, enabling more principled tradeoff between precision and recall. We also show that BATCAVE performs well on real data. Our implementation is computationally inexpensive and straightforward to incorporate into existing MuTect pipelines. More broadly, the algorithm can be added to other variant callers, and it can be extended to include additional biological features that affect mutation generation.
Estrogen/progesterone receptor and HER2 discordance between primary tumor and brain metastases in breast cancer and its effect on treatment and survival
Authors: Sperduto Paul W , Mesko Shane , Li Jing , Cagney Daniel , Aizer Ayal , Lin Nancy U , Nesbit Eric , Kruser Tim J , Chan Jason , Braunstein Steve , Lee Jessica , Kirkpatrick John P , Breen Will , Brown Paul D , Shi Diana , Shih Helen A , Soliman Hany , Sahgal Arjun , Shanley Ryan , Sperduto William , Lou Emil , Everett Ashlyn , Boggs Drexell Hunter , Masucci Laura , Roberge David , Remick Jill , Plichta Kristin , Buatti John M , Jain Supriya , Gaspar Laurie E , Wu Cheng-Chia , Wang Tony J C , Bryant John , Chuong Michael , Yu James , Chiang Veronica , Nakano Toshimichi , Aoyama Hidefumi , Mehta Minesh P
Published: February 2020

Background

Breast cancer treatment is based on estrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). At the time of metastasis, receptor status can be discordant from that at initial diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of discordance and its effect on survival and subsequent treatment in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Methods

A retrospective database of 316 patients who underwent craniotomy for BCBM between 2006 and 2017 was created. Discordance was considered present if the ER, PR, or HER2 status differed between the primary tumor and the BCBM.

Results

The overall receptor discordance rate was 132/316 (42%), and the subtype discordance rate was 100/316 (32%). Hormone receptors (HR, either ER or PR) were gained in 40/160 (25%) patients with HR-negative primary tumors. HER2 was gained in 22/173 (13%) patients with HER2-negative primary tumors. Subsequent treatment was not adjusted for most patients who gained receptors—nonetheless, median survival (MS) improved but did not reach statistical significance (HR, 17–28 mo, P = 0.12; HER2, 15–19 mo, P = 0.39). MS for patients who lost receptors was worse (HR, 27–18 mo, P = 0.02; HER2, 30–18 mo, P = 0.08).

Conclusions

Receptor discordance between primary tumor and BCBM is common, adversely affects survival if receptors are lost, and represents a missed opportunity for use of effective treatments if receptors are gained. Receptor analysis of BCBM is indicated when clinically appropriate. Treatment should be adjusted accordingly.

Key Points

1. Receptor discordance alters subtype in 32% of BCBM patients.

2. The frequency of receptor gain for HR and HER2 was 25% and 13%, respectively.

3. If receptors are lost, survival suffers. If receptors are gained, consider targeted treatment.
Suicide gene therapy for the treatment of high-grade glioma: past lessons, present trends, and future prospects
Authors: Hossain Jubayer A , Marchini Antonio , Fehse Boris , Bjerkvig Rolf , Miletic Hrvoje
Published: February 2020

Suicide gene therapy has represented an experimental cancer treatment modality for nearly 40 years. Among the various cancers experimentally treated by suicide gene therapy, high-grade gliomas have been the most prominent both in preclinical and clinical settings. Failure of a number of promising suicide gene therapy strategies in the clinic pointed toward a bleak future of this approach for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. Nevertheless, the development of new vectors and suicide genes, better prodrugs, more efficient delivery systems, and new combinatorial strategies represent active research areas that may eventually lead to better efficacy of suicide gene therapy. These trends are evident by the current increasing focus on suicide gene therapy for high-grade glioma treatment both in the laboratory and in the clinic. In this review, we give an overview of different suicide gene therapy approaches for glioma treatment and discuss clinical trials, delivery issues, and immune responses.
Looming Vulnerability and Smoking Cessation Attempts
Authors: Haaga David A F , Kaufmann Amanda , Malloy Elizabeth J
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The looming vulnerability model holds that people become anxious when they perceive threats as growing larger and accelerating toward them in space and time. Preliminary research suggested that a guided imagery induction designed to activate a sense that health consequences of smoking are a looming threat led more smokers to attempt to quit. This study tested the effect on quit attempts in a larger sample and examined age, sex, and sensation seeking as moderators.

Aims and Methods

Adult smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day) screened for risk of anxiety or mood disorders (N = 278, 52% male; 77% African American) were randomly assigned to receive (1) looming vulnerability or (2) neutral guided imagery exercises. At a 4-week follow-up, they reported quit attempts, smoking rate, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and contemplation status.

Results

Those in the looming condition (17%) were no more likely than those in the control condition (20%) to make a quit attempt. There were no significant group differences in expectancies, contemplation, or follow-up smoking rate, and no significant moderators.

Conclusions

The looming induction was the same one used in earlier work in which it had stronger effects. Those who respond to it with increased urgency about quitting smoking might be offset by others who are more reactant and deny the message. Inconsistencies across studies may reflect differences in inclusion criteria, such that the present sample was on average heavier smokers with longer smoking history and more severe nicotine dependence, yet higher self-efficacy.

Implications

An induction designed to activate a sense that the health consequences of smoking constitute a looming vulnerability failed to increase quit attempts or reduce smoking rate among adult daily smokers. Inconsistencies across studies might reflect varying sample characteristics resulting from changes in screening criteria.
The global sustainability footprint of sovereign wealth funds
Authors: Liang Hao , Renneboog Luc
Published: February 2020

With the emergence of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) around the world managing equity of over $8 trillion, their impact on the corporate landscape and social welfare is being scrutinized. This study investigates whether and how SWFs incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in their investment decisions in publicly listed corporations, as well as the subsequent evolution of target firms’ ESG performance. We find that SWF funds do consider the level of past ESG performance as well as recent ESG score improvement when taking ownership stakes in listed companies. These results are driven by the SWF funds that do have an explicit or implicit ESG policy and are most transparent, and by SWF originating from developed countries and countries with civil law origins. In relation to engagement, we find by means of two natural experiments with exogenous shocks (the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe and Volkwagen diesel scandal) that the ESG scores do not change significantly more for firms in which SWFs have ownership stakes. This potentially suggests that SWFs in general do not actively steer their target firms towards higher levels of ESG.
Boys’ Club or Good Ol’ Boys Club? Corruption and the Parliamentary Representation of Young and Old Men and Women
Authors: Stockemer Daniel , Wigginton Michael , Sundström Aksel
Published: February 2020

Research on political representation has shown that corruption is not gender-neutral: it benefits the recruitment of men to political office more than it does women. Yet, it is unclear if all men or a specific type of men, elderly men, benefits the most from corrupt networks in terms of political presence. The ‘old boys’ network thesis’ would single out older men as the most likely beneficiaries of the homosocial capital gained through informal ties in corrupt settings. In this article, we test this thesis based on a dataset comprising 98 national parliaments. Through bivariate and multivariate analyses, we find that corruption tends to benefit the presence of men regardless of their age. We further conjecture that the inclusion of young male patrons into nepotistic and clientelistic networks could further explain why these networks of ‘gendered’ corruption have been so sticky over time.
Doppler tomographic measurement of the nodal precession of WASP-33b
Authors: Watanabe Noriharu , Narita Norio , Johnson Marshall C
Published: February 2020

WASP-33b is a retrograde hot Jupiter with a period of 1.2 d orbiting a rapidly rotating and pulsating A-type star. A previous study found that the transit chord of WASP-33b had changed slightly from 2008 to 2014 based on Doppler tomographic measurements. They attributed the change to orbital precession caused by the non-zero oblateness of the host star and the misaligned orbit. We aim to confirm and more precisely model the precession behavior using additional Doppler tomographic data of WASP-33b obtained with the High Dispersion Spectrograph on the 8.2 m Subaru telescope in 2011, as well as the data sets used in the previous study. Using equations of long-term orbital precession, we constrain the stellar gravitational quadrupole moment J2 = (9.14 ± 0.51) × 10−5 and the angle between the stellar spin axis and the line of sight $i_{\star }=96^{+10}_{-14}$ deg. These updated values show that the host star is more spherical and viewed more equator than the previous study. We also estimate that the precession period is ∼840 yr. We also find that the precession amplitude of WASP-33b is ∼67° and WASP-33b transits in front of the host star for only ∼20% of the whole precession period.
Focusing magnetohydrodynamic waves as a trigger of star formation
Authors: Sofue Yoshiaki
Published: February 2020

Propagation of fast-mode magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves in interstellar space is simulated, and a focusing MHD wave model is proposed for triggered star formation (SF). Waves from an SF region are trapped by nearby molecular clouds and converge onto their focal points, causing implosive compression. Even an isolated cloud suffers from long-distance invasion of waves from remote sources. Echoing SF occurs inside a cloud as well as between clouds. Repetitive refocusing in a filamentary cloud suggests spatial periodicity in SF sites along the filament. The model is applied to the SF regions M 16 and M 17, where MHD waves produced by M 16 are shown to converge onto the focal point of the nearby giant molecular cloud and trigger the SF in M 17.
Dietary intake of sodium by children: Why it matters
Authors: Gowrishankar Manjula , Blair Becky , Rieder Michael J
Published: February 2020

Dietary sodium is required in very small amounts to support circulating blood volume and blood pressure (BP). Available nutritional surveillance data suggest that most Canadian children consume sodium in excess of their dietary requirements. Approximately 80% of the sodium Canadians consume comes from processed and packaged foods. High sodium intakes in children may be an indicator of poor diet quality. Results from systematic reviews and meta-analyses have demonstrated that decreasing dietary sodium in children leads to small but clinically insignificant decreases in BP. However, population-level strategies to reduce sodium consumption, such as food product reformulation, modifying food procurement processes, and federal healthy eating policies, are important public health initiatives that can produce meaningful reductions in sodium consumption and help to prevent chronic disease in adulthood.
The Origin of Garnets in Anatectic Rocks from the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, Southeastern Tibet: Constraints from Major and Trace Element Zoning and Phase Equilibrium Relationships
Authors: Xia Qiong-Xia , Gao Peng , Yang Guang , Zheng Yong-Fei , Zhao Zi-Fu , Li Wan-Cai , Luo Xu
Published: February 2020

Amphibolite- and granulite-facies metamorphic rocks are common in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis of southeastern Tibet. These rocks are composed mainly of gneiss, amphibolite and schist that underwent various degrees of migmatization to produce leucogranites, pegmatites and felsic veins. Zircon U–Pb dating of biotite gneiss, leucocratic vein and vein granite from the syntaxis yields consistent ages of ∼49 Ma, indicating crustal anatexis during continental collision between India and Asia. Garnets in these rocks are categorized into peritecitc and anatectic varieties based on their mode of occurrence, mineral inclusions and major- and trace-element zoning. The peritectic garnets mainly occur in the biotite gneiss (mesosome layer) and leucocratic veins. They are anhedral and contain abundant mineral inclusions such as high-Ti biotites and quartz, and show almost homogeneous major-element compositions (except Ca) and decreasing HREE contents from core to rim, indicating growth during the P- and T-increasing anatexis. Peak anatectic conditions at 760–800°C and 9–10·5 kbar are well constrained by phase equilibrium calculations, mineral assemblages, and garnet isopleths. In contrast, anatectic garnets only occur in the vein granite. They are round or subhedral, contain quartz inclusions, and exhibit increasing spessartine and trace-element contents from core to rim. The garnet–biotite geothermometry and the garnet–biotite–plagioclase–quartz geobarometry suggest that the anatectic garnets crystallized at ∼620–650°C and 4–5 kbar. Some garnet grains show two-stage zoning in major and trace elements, with the core similar to the peritectic garnet but the rim similar to the anatectic garnet. Mineralogy, whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions and zircon O isotopes indicate that the two types of leucosomes were produced by hydration (water-present) melting and dehydration (water-absent) melting, respectively. The leucocratic veins contain peritectic garnet but no K-feldspar, have lower whole-rock K2O contents and Rb/Sr ratios, higher whole-rock CaO contents and Sr/Ba ratios, and show homogeneous δ18O values that are lower than those of relict zircons, indicating that such veins were produced by the hydration melting. In contrast, the vein granite contains peritectic garnet and K-feldspar, has higher whole-rock K2O contents and Rb/Sr ratios, lower whole-rock CaO contents and Sr/Ba ratios, and shows comparable δ18O values with those of relict zircons, suggesting that this granite were generated by the dehydration melting. Accordingly, both hydration and dehydration melting mechanisms have occurred in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis.
Psychological Inflexibility as a Predictor of Sexual Functioning Among Women with Vulvovaginal Pain: A Prospective Investigation
Authors: Maathz Pernilla , Flink Ida K , Engman Linnea , Ekdahl Johanna
Published: February 2020

Objective

Persistent vulvovaginal pain affects many women and often has adverse effects on sexual functioning. Psychological inflexibility related to pain is associated with distress and functional disability across different types of chronic pain conditions, but little is known about the role of psychological inflexibility in vulvovaginal pain. The present study examines psychological inflexibility related to pain as a predictor of sexual functioning over time among women with vulvovaginal pain.

Methods

Questionnaires including measures of psychological inflexibility, pain severity, and sexual functioning were administered to female university students at two points in time. One hundred thirty women with vulvovaginal pain responded to the questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up after 10 months. A multiple regression model was used to explore psychological inflexibility and pain severity as predictors of sexual functioning at follow-up.

Results

Higher levels of psychological inflexibility and more severe pain at baseline were associated with poorer sexual functioning 10 months later. In analysis adjusting for baseline levels of sexual functioning, psychological inflexibility was the only significant predictor of sexual functioning at follow-up.

Conclusions

The findings provide preliminary evidence that psychological inflexibility is associated with sexual adjustment over time among women with vulvovaginal pain and point to the relevance of further examinations of the psychological inflexibility model in the context of vulvovaginal pain.
Effect of Suboccipital Release on Pain Perception and Autonomic Reflex Responses to Ischemic and Cold Pain
Authors: Metzler-Wilson Kristen , Vrable Abby , Schaub Andrew , Schmale Trenton K , Rodimel Benjamin V , Krause B Andrew , Wilson Thad E
Published: February 2020

Objective/Subjects

To determine the autonomic effects of suboccipital release (SOR) during experimentally induced pain, 16 healthy subjects (eight women, eight men) experienced ischemic (forearm postexercise muscle ischemia [PEMI]) and cold (cold pressor test [CPT]) pain.

Design

Beat-to-beat heart rate (electrocardiogram), mean arterial blood pressure (finger photoplethysmography), baroreflex sensitivity (transfer function analysis), and pain perception were measured. SOR or a sham (modified yaw; 30 cycles/min) was performed in minute 2 of pain.

Results

PEMI increased blood pressure by 23 ± 2 and 20 ± 2 mmHg; no differences occurred between SOR or yaw. PEMI modestly elevated heart rate during ischemia, followed by significant reduction from baseline with SOR (–3 ± 2 bpm) and yaw (−4 ± 2 bpm); no differences were observed between treatments. CPT increased blood pressure (SOR = 11 ± 1, yaw = 9 ± 2 mmHg) and heart rate (SOR = 10 ± 2, yaw = 8 ± 3 bpm) before SOR and yaw. Neither treatment nor sham blunted blood pressure increases (SOR = 25 ± 2, yaw = 22 ± 2 mmHg) during CPT; both decreased heart rate (SOR = −3 ± 2, yaw = −2 ± 2 bpm) from baseline. PEMI and CPT caused increased pain without treatment modulation. Following pain and manual intervention, SOR increased baroreflex sensitivity in the 0.15–0.35 Hz range and decreased R-R interval power spectral density in the 0.03–0.5 Hz range compared with yaw. To probe potential mechanisms and interactions between manual treatment and a prototypic analgesic, oral aspirin (967 mg) was given 60 minutes before testing to reduce prostaglandin synthesis. Aspirin slightly attenuated pain but neither altered cardiovascular changes to PEMI nor interacted with SOR or yaw.

Conclusions

SOR has the capacity to modulate pain-induced autonomic control and regulation.
Certainty in Action
Authors: Beddor Bob
Published: February 2020

When is it permissible to rely on a proposition in practical reasoning? Standard answers to this question face serious challenges. This paper uses these challenges to motivate a certainty norm of practical reasoning. This norm holds that one is permitted to rely on p in practical reasoning if and only if p is epistemically certain. After developing and defending this norm, I consider its broader implications. Taking a certainty norm seriously calls into question traditional assumptions about the importance of belief and knowledge. In particular, it raises the possibility that many epistemological jobs that are usually assigned to belief and knowledge should be reallocated to two related but importantly different states: psychological and epistemic certainty.
Search for the correction term to Fermi’s golden rule in positron annihilation
Authors: Ushioda R , Jinnouchi O , Ishikawa K , Sloan T
Published: February 2020

In the positron–electron annihilation process, finite deviations from the standard calculation based on Fermi’s golden rule are suggested in recent theoretical work. This paper describes an experimental test of the predictions of this theoretical work by searching for events with two photons from positron annihilation of energy larger than the electron rest mass ($511\,{\rm keV}$). The positrons came from a ${\rm {}^{22}Na}$ source, tagging the third photon from the spontaneous emission of ${\rm {}^{22}{Ne}^*}$ de-exitation to suppress backgrounds. Using the collected sample of $1.06\times 10^{7}$ positron–electron annihilations, triple coincidence photon events in the signal-enhanced energy regions are examined. The observed number of events in two signal regions, $N^{\rm SR1}_{\rm obs}=0$ and $N^{\rm SR2}_{\rm obs}=0$, are, within the current precision, consistent with the expected number of events, $N^{\rm SR1}_{\rm exp}=0.86\pm0.08({\rm stat.})^{+1.85}_{-0.81}({\rm syst.})$ and $N^{\rm SR2}_{\rm exp}=0.37\pm 0.05({\rm stat.})^{+0.80}_{-0.29}({\rm syst.})$ from Fermi’s golden rule, respectively. Based on the $P^{(d)}$ modeling, a 90% CL lower limit on the photon wave packet size is obtained.
Asymmetric Information and the Pecking (Dis)Order*
Authors: Fulghieri Paolo , García Diego , Hackbarth Dirk
Published: February 2020

We study the classical problem of raising capital under asymmetric information. Following Myers and Majluf, we consider firms endowed with assets in place and riskier growth opportunities. When asymmetric information is concentrated on assets in place (rather than growth opportunities), equity-like securities are more likely to be optimal. In contrast, when asymmetric information falls on growth options, debt is optimal. Intuitively, this happens because when the asset with greater volatility is less affected by asymmetric information, issuing a security with greater exposure to upside potential (such as equity) can be less dilutive than issuing a security lacking such exposure (such as debt). Our results suggest that equity is more likely to dominate debt for younger firms with larger investment needs, endowed with riskier, more valuable growth opportunities. Thus, our model can explain why high-growth firms may prefer equity over debt, and then switch to debt financing as they mature.
No preferential carbon-allocation to storage over growth in clipped birch and oak saplings
Authors: Palacio Sara , Paterson Eric , Hester Alison J , Nogués Salvador , Lino Gladys , Anadon-Rosell Alba , Maestro Melchor , Millard Peter
Published: February 2020

Herbivory is one of the most globally distributed disturbances affecting carbon (C)-cycling in trees, yet our understanding of how it alters tree C-allocation to different functions such as storage, growth or rhizodeposition is still limited. Prioritized C-allocation to storage replenishment vs growth could explain the fast recovery of C-storage pools frequently observed in growth-reduced defoliated trees. We performed continuous 13C-labeling coupled to clipping to quantify the effects of simulated browsing on the growth, leaf morphology and relative allocation of stored vs recently assimilated C to the growth (bulk biomass) and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) stores (soluble sugars and starch) of the different organs of two tree species: diffuse-porous (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) and ring-porous (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.). Carbon-transfers from plants to bulk and rhizosphere soil were also evaluated. Clipped birch and oak trees shifted their C-allocation patterns above-ground as a means to recover from defoliation. However, such increased allocation to current-year stems and leaves did not entail reductions in the allocation to the rhizosphere, which remained unchanged between clipped and control trees of both species. Betula pubescens and Q. petraea showed differences in their vulnerability and recovery strategies to clipping, the ring-porous species being less affected in terms of growth and architecture by clipping than the diffuse-porous. These contrasting patterns could be partly explained by differences in their C cycling after clipping. Defoliated oaks showed a faster recovery of their canopy biomass, which was supported by increased allocation of new C, but associated with large decreases in their fine root biomass. Following clipping, both species recovered NSC pools to a larger extent than growth, but the allocation of 13C-labeled photo-assimilates into storage compounds was not increased as compared with controls. Despite their different response to clipping, our results indicate no preventative allocation into storage occurred during the first year after clipping in either of the species.
Mobilization Effects of Multilateral Development Banks
Authors: Broccolini Chiara , Lotti Giulia , Maffioli Alessandro , Presbitero Andrea F , Stucchi Rodolfo
Published: February 2020

This study uses loan-level data on syndicated lending to a large sample of developing countries between 1993 and 2017 to estimate the mobilization effects of multilateral development banks (MDBs), that is, their ability to crowd-in capital from private creditors. Controlling for a large set of fixed effects, the paper shows evidence of positive and significant mobilization effects of multilateral lending on the size of bank inflows. The number of lenders and the average maturity of syndicated loans also increase. These effects are present not only on impact but last for up to three years and are not offset by a decline in bond financing. There is no evidence of anticipation effects, and the results are robust to numerous tests controlling for the role of confounding factors and unobserved heterogeneity. Finally, the results are economically sizable, indicating that MDBs can mobilize about seven dollars in bank credit over a three-year period for each dollar invested.
Chemical Structure, Biological Roles, Biosynthesis and Regulation of the Yellow Xanthomonadin Pigments in the Phytopathogenic Genus Xanthomonas
Authors: He Ya-Wen , Cao Xue-Qiang , Poplawsky Alan R.
Published: February 2020

Xanthomonadins are membrane-bound yellow pigments that are typically produced by phytopathogenic bacterial Xanthomonas spp., Xylella fastidiosa, and Pseudoxanthomonas spp. They are also produced by a diversity of environmental bacterial species. Considerable research has revealed that they are a unique group of halogenated, aryl-polyene, water-insoluble pigments. Xanthomonadins have been shown to play important roles in epiphytic survival and host-pathogen interactions in the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, which is the causal agent of black rot in crucifers. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of xanthomonadin chemical structures, physiological roles, biosynthetic pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. The aim of the present review is to provide clues for further in-depth research on xanthomonadins from Xanthomonas and other related bacterial species.
Characterization, Phylogenetic Analyses, and Pathogenicity of Enterobacter cloacae on Rice Seedlings in Heilongjiang Province, China
Authors: Cao Peng , Li Chenxu , Tan Kefei , Liu Chuanzeng , Xu Xi , Zhang Shaoyong , Wang Xiangjing , Zhao Junwei , Xiang Wensheng
Published: February 2020

Rice is used as a staple food in different areas of world, especially in China. In recent years, rice seedlings have been affected seriously by symptoms resembling bacterial palea browning (BPB) in Heilongjiang Province. To isolate and identify the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the disease, 40 bacterial strains were isolated from diseased rice seedlings collected from the four major accumulative-temperature zones of rice fields cultivated in Heilongjiang Province, and these were identified as 13 species based on morphological characteristics and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. Inoculation of all the isolates on healthy rice seedlings showed that the nine Enterobacter cloacae isolates were the pathogens causing typical symptoms of BPB, including yellowing to pale browning, stunting, withering, drying, and death. Moreover, the nine E. cloacae isolates could also cause symptoms of bacterial disease on the seedlings of soybean (Glycine max), maize (Zea mays L.), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and phenotypic and biochemical characteristics indicated that these nine pathogenic isolates were E. cloacae. In addition, analysis of the sequences of four housekeeping genes (rpoB, gyrB, infB, and atpD) from the selected strain SD4L also assigned the strain to E. cloacae. Therefore, E. cloacae is the pathogen causing disease of rice seedlings in Heilongjiang Province, which we propose to classify as a form of BPB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify E. cloacae as a causal agent of BPB in rice.
Interprofessional Collaboration in Public Health
Authors: Hoffman Jenni L. , Cowdery Joan E.
Published: February 2020

Public health departments exemplify interprofessional collaboration. Nursing and public health education students are required to complete practicum hours or an internship respectively in community health, yet placements at health departments are limited and competitive. This study evaluated the effects of an interprofessional education intervention on community health nursing and health education students’ current interprofessional awareness and understanding, and intent to collaborate interprofessionally. Results showed that the majority of participants felt that their interprofessional awareness, understanding, and intent to collaborate increased. This intervention helped bring an example of the health department experience to students and demonstrate its interprofessional nature.
Predictors of Nursing Clinical Judgment in Simulation
Authors: Shinnick Mary Ann , Cabrera-Mino Cristina
Published: February 2020

This was a pilot study of novice and expert nurses participating in a simulation to determine the predictors of clinical judgment. Covariates included age, nursing experience, simulation experience, and six measures of pupil dilation as a measure of stress with scores on the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric as the dependent variable. A stepwise linear regression found years of RN experience was the only predictor of better clinical judgment. Despite evidence of stress, only years as a nurse was a statistically significant predictor.
African American Nurses Describe Experiences of Mistrust and Trust While in Nursing School
Authors: White Barbara J. , Mentag Nicole M. , Kaunda Beverly R.
Published: February 2020

AIM

This qualitative descriptive study is a secondary analysis of previously collected data to describe the consequences of the racial experiences of nursing school for African American students.

BACKGROUND

African Americans’ health outcomes are negatively influenced by racism and historic oppression. A racially integrated health care workforce can improve health outcomes, yet nursing does not attract or retain an adequate number of African American students.

METHOD

The sample for this qualitative descriptive study included 14 African American nurses who reflected on their nursing school experiences.

RESULTS

Two key paradoxical themes across the transcripts were mistrust and trust of European American faculty members.

CONCLUSION

While working to build trusting relationships with African American students, forge relationships over time, and serve as mentors, faculty members need to understand the impact of societal stereotypes and mistrustful behaviors (e.g., stereotyping, saying one thing and doing another, using a double standard).
Treatment update
Authors: Esden Jana
Published: February 2020

Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US and a primary cause of hospitalization nationwide. A recent guideline update from the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America provides evidence-based recommendations for managing adults with community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient setting.
Point-of-Care diagnostics of coagulation in the management of bleeding and transfusion in trauma patients
Authors: Francis Roland C.E. , Theurl Igor , Maegele Marc , Graw Jan A.
Published: February 2020

Purpose of review

Trauma-associated bleeding and coagulopathy require timely identification, prevention, and effective treatment. The present review summarizes the recent literature around point-of-care (POC) coagulation tests, their usefulness in the management of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), their impact on trauma patient outcomes, and the requirement of quality assurance.

Recent findings

Best practice algorithms to manage TIC have been compiled in the 2019 European Guideline on the management of major bleeding and coagulopathy after trauma. Evidence supports the use of goal-directed approaches to manage TIC. POC coagulation tests can accelerate and tailor individualized therapies. Recent findings emphasize: the time sparing of POC tests in prehospital settings and the validity of POC measurements in extreme environments; the potential scalability of POC-guided TIC algorithms in burn injuries and the pediatric population; the need for careful considerations of strategies to monitor and reverse the effects of direct oral anticoagulants in major trauma.

In contrast to an abundance of reviews and practical approaches to POC coagulation management in trauma patients, there is a scarcity of research in the field and large-scale clinical trials are urgently needed. The paneuropean multicenter trial Implementing Treatment Algorithms for the Correction of Trauma Induced Coagulopathy (iTACTIC) will inform on the potential of viscoelastic tests to augment transfusion protocols for better patient outcomes.
Addiction Medicine Training Fellowships in North America: A Recent Assessment of Progress and Needs
Authors: Derefinko Karen J. , Brown Randall , Danzo Andrew , Foster Susan , Brennan Timothy , Hand Sarah , Kunz Kevin
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

Although unhealthy substance use and addiction contribute to 1 in 4 deaths and are estimated to cost the US more than $740 billion annually, fewer than 12 hours of physician education over the 7 years of medical school and primary residency training specifically address alcohol and other drug-related issues. Addiction Medicine was formally recognized as a medical subspecialty in 2016 to address the need for physicians trained in prevention, treatment, and management of substance use. This study examines the characteristics of the Addiction Medicine fellowships in operation during this critical period in the subspecialty's development to identify needs and potential.

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional survey of Addiction Medicine Fellowship Directors from 46 fellowships accredited as of 2017 (43 in the United States and 3 in Canada). The response rate was 100%.

Results:

Directors estimated significant growth in available fellowship slots between 2016 to 2017 and 2017 to 2018 (F = 49.584, P < .001). The majority of Directors reported that demand for their graduates was high (79.5%). Fellow training in screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment spanned many substances and age groups, although fewer programs focused on nicotine and on adolescent populations. Notably, most directors reported that graduates completed waiver training to prescribe buprenorphine-naloxone (77.5%) and gained clinical experience in an opioid treatment setting (89.1%). Funding was the #1 need among 56.8% of Directors.

Conclusions:

Despite significant growth in Addiction Medicine fellowships over the past 6 years, meeting future workforce demands for Addiction Medicine specialists depends on access to funding to support fellowships.
Validation of the NIDA-modified ASSIST as a Screening Tool for Prenatal Drug Use in an Urban Setting in the United States
Authors: Oga Emmanuel A. , Mark Katrina , Peters Erica N. , Coleman-Cowger Victoria H.
Published: February 2020

Background:

Screening for prenatal drug use is recommended. The NIDA-modified Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (NM-ASSIST) is a screener for drug use that has not yet been validated with pregnant women. This study aims to assess the substance-specific diagnostic validity of the NM-ASSIST (not including tobacco or alcohol) in pregnant women and determine optimal cut-points for substance-specific substance involvement (SI) scores.

Methods:

Five hundred (500) pregnant women were recruited from 2 obstetric practices as part of a larger study of substance use screeners. Participants completed the NM-ASSIST, and provided urine and hair samples for testing. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were derived to determine the optimal SI score cut-points for each drug.

Findings:

Prevalence estimates of prenatal drug use as determined by hair/urine drug testing were: cannabis (32.0%), cocaine (9.9%), benzodiazepines (1.0%), prescription opioids (4.3%), and street opioids (1.7%). The proportion of participants screening positive based on optimal SI score cut-points were as follows: cannabis (39.1%), cocaine (2.3%), benzodiazepines (0.8%), prescription opioids (2.7%), and street opioids (1.7%). There were no screen positives for amphetamines, but 6 (1.2%) women had a positive amphetamine hair or urine test. Optimal cut-points to identify prenatal drug use were: cannabis, 2 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87; sensitivity 0.82; specificity 0.85; diagnostic odds ratio [DOR] 26.9); cocaine, 2 (AUC 0.58; sensitivity 0.17; specificity 0.99; DOR 29.0); benzodiazepines, 15 (AUC 0.59; sensitivity 0.20; specificity 0.99; DOR 38.8); prescription opioids, 3 (AUC 0.61; sensitivity 0.25; specificity 0.98; DOR 18.3); and street opioids, 4 (AUC 0.55; sensitivity 0.13; specificity 0.99; DOR 9.3).

Conclusions:

The NM-ASSIST reliably distinguished pregnant women who use cannabis from those who do not, but performed poorly for all other substances. More research is needed to identify screeners that reliably detect all prenatal drug use. Although more cost-prohibitive, a combination of self-report and toxicological screening may be preferable for detecting prenatal drug use.
A Call to Action to Combat the Opioid Epidemic Among Women
Authors: Springer Sandra A. , Biondi Breanne E. , Frank Cynthia , El-Bassel Nabila
Published: February 2020

Acknowledging the needs and challenges of women with opioid use disorder is an essential step to reduce the opioid epidemic in the United States. Efforts that can help women include increasing psychosocial services to address trauma, increasing access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder, reducing barriers and stigma that impede access to and retention on treatment, and addressing structural and policy barriers. This commentary discusses the reasons why women-focused treatment for opioid use disorder is necessary and makes specific recommendations for interventions, treatment, services, and policies that can reduce barriers to care and improve treatment and retention among women.
The Clinical Assessment of Vaping Exposure
Authors: Boyer Edward W. , Levy Sharon , Smelson David , Vargas Sara , Casey Alicia
Published: February 2020

Vaping, the inhalation of a nicotine or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or non-drug infused solution delivered by vaping devices, is a growing phenomenon across many segments of the US population. Complications associated with vaping are newly emerging and relatively unstudied; little guidance exists on how clinicians may best elicit information related to vaping practices and associated medical problems. This publication, therefore, provides physicians and other treatment clinicians with direction for obtaining the medical history that can guide clinical decision-making for patients at risk for adverse effects associated with vaping.
Development of a Measure of Nociception for Patients With Severe Brain Injury
Authors: Whyte John , Poulsen Ingrid , Ni Pengsheng , Eskildsen Marianne , Guldager Rikke
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

Severe brain injury is often accompanied by painful comorbidities and by concurrent limitations in the ability to report pain. Assessment of nociception aids diagnosis and helps balance reduction in suffering with avoidance of sedating medications. Existing assessment methods confound patients’ level of consciousness with the intensity of nociception, complicating pain assessment as consciousness evolves. We sought to develop a measure of nociception that is independent of the level of consciousness.

Materials and Methods:

We identified 15 behavioral and physiological items likely to be sensitive to nociception. We rated noncommunicative patients with traumatic brain injury in 4 different activities predicted to modulate nociception, on each of 2 days, one randomly chosen for acetaminophen administration. The level of consciousness and level of agitation were also measured.

Rasch Analysis:

Rasch analysis was used to assess item fit to an underlying dimension of nociception.

Results:

Five items that demonstrated poor fit to the dimension were removed. The 10 remaining items demonstrated acceptable fit. Scores were significantly influenced by activity and analgesic treatment and were largely independent of measures of consciousness and agitation. Accurate scores could be obtained in about 10 minutes and were robust to missing data.

Discussion:

The results provide evidence that the Brain Injury Nociception Assessment Measure (BINAM) is reliable and feasible to administer. It can assess the intensity of nociception largely independent of the level of consciousness. Further research is warranted on the impact of BINAM use on the care of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.