bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Euclid preparation
Authors:   Euclid Collaboration, Paykari P. , Kitching T. , Hoekstra H. , Azzollini R. , Cardone V. F. , Cropper M. , Duncan C. A. J. , Kannawadi A. , Miller L. , Aussel H. , Conti I. F. , Auricchio N. , Baldi M. , Bardelli S. , Biviano A. , Bonino D. , Borsato E. , Bozzo E. , Branchini E. , Brau-Nogue S. , Brescia M. , Brinchmann J. , Burigana C. , Camera S. , Capobianco V. , Carbone C. , Carretero J. , Castander F. J. , Castellano M. , Cavuoti S. , Charles Y. , Cledassou R. , Colodro-Conde C. , Congedo G. , Conselice C. , Conversi L. , Copin Y. , Coupon J. , Courtois H. M. , Da Silva A. , Dupac X. , Fabbian G. , Farrens S. , Ferreira P. G. , Fosalba P. , Fourmanoit N. , Frailis M. , Fumana M. , Galeotta S. , Garilli B. , Gillard W. , Gillis B. R. , Giocoli C. , Graciá-Carpio J. , Grupp F. , Hormuth F. , Ilić S. , Israel H. , Jahnke K. , Keihanen E. , Kermiche S. , Kilbinger M. , Kirkpatrick C. C. , Kubik B. , Kunz M. , Kurki-Suonio H. , Laureijs R. , Le Mignant D. , Ligori S. , Lilje P. B. , Lloro I. , Maciaszek T. , Maiorano E. , Marggraf O. , Markovic K. , Martinet N. , Marulli F. , Massey R. , Mauri N. , Medinaceli E. , Mei S. , Mellier Y. , Meneghetti M. , Metcalf R. B. , Moresco M. , Moscardini L. , Munari E. , Neissner C. , Nichol R. C. , Niemi S. , Nutma T. , Padilla C. , Paltani S. , Pasian F. , Pettorino V. , Pires S. , Polenta G. , Raison F. , Renzi A. , Rhodes J. , Romelli E. , Roncarelli M. , Rossetti E. , Saglia R. , Sakr Z. , Sánchez A. G. , Sapone D. , Scaramella R. , Schneider P. , Schrabback T. , Scottez V. , Secroun A. , Serrano S. , Sirignano C. , Sirri G. , Stanco L. , Starck J.-L. , Sureau F. , Tallada-Crespí P. , Taylor A. , Tenti M. , Tereno I. , Toledo-Moreo R. , Torradeflot F. , Valenziano L. , Vannier M. , Vassallo T. , Zoubian J. , Zucca E.
Published: February 2020

Aims. Our aim is to quantify the impact of systematic effects on the inference of cosmological parameters from cosmic shear.

Methods. We present an “end-to-end” approach that introduces sources of bias in a modelled weak lensing survey on a galaxy-by-galaxy level. We propagated residual biases through a pipeline from galaxy properties at one end to cosmic shear power spectra and cosmological parameter estimates at the other end. We did this to quantify how imperfect knowledge of the pipeline changes the maximum likelihood values of dark energy parameters.

Results. We quantify the impact of an imperfect correction for charge transfer inefficiency and modelling uncertainties of the point spread function for Euclid, and find that the biases introduced can be corrected to acceptable levels.
A financing model with rebate contract in a capital-constrained supply chain
Authors: Zhan Jizhou
Published: February 2020

In a two-level supply chain that includes one supplier and one capital-constrained retailer, this paper investigates a new bank financing model (Model N), in which, the supplier requires the retailer to order a quantity that is not less than a specified minimum ordering quantity (MOQ), rebates the per unit excess that sells over the MOQ, and promises to provide a partial warranty for the bank credit risk if the revenue is below the bankruptcy level of the retailer with the MOQ. This study shows that retailer’s optimal order quantity increases with MOQ level and decreases with rebate rate, while supplier’s optimal wholesale price shows an opposite tendency. Compared to the traditional bank financing model (Model T), the model N with an appropriate rebate contract will result in a larger order quantity of retailer. Furthermore, model N would benefit the entire supply chain and a Pareto zone of MOQ (or rebate rate) exists, in which, model N outperforms model T for each player. The numerical experiments are performed to illustrate that with increasing the marginal production cost of supplier, the MOQ level is decreasing while rebate rate is increasing in the Pareto zone.
Einfluss der Fissurenversiegelung auf die Zahngesundheit von Weimarer Grundschülern – Eine longitudinale Beobachtungsstudie unter Alltagsbedingungen
Authors: Heinemann F. , Ifland S. , Heinrich-Weltzien R. , Schüler I. M.
Published: February 2020

Ziel dieser Beobachtungsstudie war es, den Einfluss der Häufigkeit und den Zeitpunkt der Applikation von Fissurenversiegelungen (FV) auf den Kariesbefall von Grundschülern unter Alltagsbedingungen zu bewerten.

Methodik Der Kariesbefall und die Häufigkeit von FV bei 7- bis 10-jährigen Weimarer Grundschülern (n = 505), die im Zeitraum 2004 – 2009 an 4 aufeinanderfolgenden Vorsorgeuntersuchungen teilgenommen hatten, wurden aus dem Datengut des Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes extrahiert und analysiert. Es wurde die Anzahl intakter FV und der Kariesbefall nach WHO-Standard (1997) erfasst.

Ergebnisse 34,9% der Schüler hatten mindestens eine, 10% 4 FV. Bei Kindern ohne FV lag ein höherer Kariesbefall im Vergleich zu Gleichaltrigen mit FV (0,2 DT/0,4 DMFT vs. 0,1 DT/0,2 DMFT) vor. Schüler mit 4 FV zeigten den geringsten Kariesbefall (0 DT/0 DMFT). Je früher eine FV appliziert wurde, desto geringer war die D-Komponente (0,1 DT vs. 0,2 DT). Grundschüler mit weniger als 4 FV hatten ein 4,4-fach höheres Kariesrisiko (OR 4,36) im bleibenden Gebiss als Gleichaltrige mit 4 FV.

Schlussfolgerung Auch unter Alltagsbedingungen ist die FV eine effektive kariespräventive Maßnahme. Eine frühzeitige Anwendung und komplette Versiegelung aller 4 Molaren kann im gesamten bleibenden Gebiss die Kariesvorbeugung optimieren.
How environments get to the skin: biosensory ethnography as a method for investigating the relation between psychosis and the city
Authors: Winz Marc , Söderström Ola
Published: February 2020

Epidemiological research in psychiatry has established robust evidence of the link between urban living and psychosis, but the situated experience of the city, as well as the precise ecology of psychosis remain largely unexplored. In this context, the aim of this paper is to discuss the productive potential of a ‘re-vitalized’ biosocial geographical thinking and researching on urban mental health. We do so through a methodological proposition. First, we discuss the need for a biosocial approach to the city/psychosis nexus and argue that a broader biological view, beyond epigenetics and neurosciences and a more precise investigation of ‘the social’ need to be developed. Second, a telling and recurring motto of recent reflections on biosocial processes is to understand how the environment or the social ‘gets under the skin’. We suggest examining a specific place in this pathway, the skin itself. This leads us to expose a methodology using electrodermal activity (EDA), combined with ethnographic observations and interviews, as a strategy for analysing ecological processes in psychosis. In doing so, we discuss the potential of ‘biosensory ethnographies’ in studies of urban mental health and more broadly as a biosocial approach to the geography of health.
Quantum properties and applications of 2D Janus crystals and their superlattices
Authors: Yagmurcukardes M. , Qin Y. , Ozen S. , Sayyad M. , Peeters F. M. , Tongay S. , Sahin H.
Published: February 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) Janus materials are a new class of materials with unique physical, chemical, and quantum properties. The name “Janus” originates from the ancient Roman god which has two faces, one looking to the future while the other facing the past. Janus has been used to describe special types of materials which have two faces at the nanoscale. This unique atomic arrangement has been shown to present rather exotic properties with applications in biology, chemistry, energy conversion, and quantum sciences. This review article aims to offer a comprehensive review of the emergent quantum properties of Janus materials. The review starts by introducing 0D Janus nanoparticles and 1D Janus nanotubes, and highlights their difference from classical ones. The design principles, synthesis, and the properties of graphene-based and chalcogenide-based Janus layers are then discussed. A particular emphasis is given to colossal built-in potential in 2D Janus layers and resulting quantum phenomena such as Rashba splitting, skyrmionics, excitonics, and 2D magnetic ordering. More recent theoretical predictions are discussed in 2D Janus superlattices when Janus layers are stacked onto each other. Finally, we discuss the tunable quantum properties and newly predicted 2D Janus layers waiting to be experimentally realized. The review serves as a complete summary of the 2D Janus library and predicted quantum properties in 2D Janus layers and their superlattices.
Effect of InGaN/GaN superlattice as underlayer on characteristics of AlGaN/GaN HEMT
Authors: Itakura Hideyuki , Nomura Toshihumi , Arita Naoki , Okada Narihito , Wetzel Christian M. , Chow T. Paul , Tadatomo Kazuyuki
Published: February 2020

The impact of an InGaN/GaN superlattice (SL) on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor characteristics was investigated, and two effects were discovered: one is a substantial improvement in the conduction characteristics as a result of the InGaN/GaN channel layer, while the other is the effect of diffusion suppression relating to impurities or point defects from the carbon-doped layer. The InGaN/GaN SL was used as a channel layer to improve the mobility and concentration of the two-dimensional channel electron gas. It was found that by inserting the InGaN/GaN SL just above a C-doped semi-insulating GaN layer as the InGaN underlayer, the conduction current of the SL with five periods (5SL) was observed to be much higher than that of the conventional material with a GaN channel layer of over 2 μm in thickness. The results demonstrated that this SL layer is effective in suppressing the diffusion of impurities or point defects originating from the carbon-doped layer, resulting in the device performance improvement.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulence over two-dimensional waves
Authors: Jayaraman Balaji , Khan Saadbin
Published: February 2020

Knowledge of turbulent flows over non-flat surfaces is of major practical interest in diverse applications. Significant work continues to be reported in the roughness regime at high Reynolds numbers where the cumulative effect of surface undulations on the averaged and integrated turbulence quantities is well documented. Even for such cases, the surface topology plays an important role for transitional roughness Reynolds numbers that is hard to characterize. In this work, we explore in detail the mechanisms underlying turbulence generation and transport, particularly within the region of the turbulent boundary layer affected by the surface. We relate surface shape with turbulence generation mechanisms and Reynolds stress transport, which has implications to drag increase. We accomplish this using a suite of direct numerical simulations of fully developed turbulent flow between two infinitely wide, two-dimensional sinusoidally wavy surfaces at a friction Reynolds number, Reτ = 180, with different mean surface slopes, ζ (and fixed inner-scaled undulation height, a+ = 13), corresponding to the “waviness” regime. The increase in wave slope enhances near surface turbulent mixing, resulting in increased total drag, higher fraction of form drag, faster approach to isotropy, and thereby modulation of the buffer layer. The primary near-surface streamwise and vertical turbulence production occurs in the leeward and windward sides of the wave, respectively. Furthermore, this production structure shows significant dispersion effects. However, the primary generation process of vertical and spanwise variance occurs through pressure–strain rate mechanism in the windward side.
Analysis of drop-on-demand piezo inkjet performance
Authors: Kang Seung-Hwan , Kim San , Sohn Dong Kee , Ko Han Seo
Published: February 2020

For a particular printing ink and drop-on-demand piezoelectric inkjet printhead, piezoelectric voltage and temperature of the ink were varied to change the inkjet performance, and the jetting velocity of the inkjet was analyzed under various conditions. The ink was cooled by using a Peltier module, which was attached to the nozzle plate as a heat sink. The inkjet drops were captured by the shadowgraphic method using a high-speed camera. The positions and velocities of these drops were then estimated after image processing. The drop state was distinguished by dimensionless numbers, such as the Weber and Z numbers, to decide whether it was stable for ejection and printing. Increasing the piezoelectric voltage increased the ejection velocity but with an associated generation of satellite drops. Cooling the ink increased the viscosity, which in turn decreased the drop velocity while diminishing the satellite drops. Therefore, it was shown that the cooled ink enabled stabilized inkjet ejection.
Excitation wavelength as logic operator
Authors: Karar Monaj , Paul Provakar , Biswas Bhaskar , Mallick Arabinda , Majumdar Tapas
Published: February 2020

Multiple molecular logic gates were harvested on a single synthesized material, (E)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol (MBAP), by combining excitation wavelength dependent multi-channel fluorescence outputs and the same chemical inputs. Interestingly, the effortless switching of logic behavior was achieved by simply tweaking the excitation wavelength and sometimes the emission wavelengths with no alteration of chemical inputs and the main device molecule, MBAP. Additionally, new generation purely optically driven memory units were designed on the same system supporting an almost infinite number of write–erase cycles since inter-conversion of memory states was completely free from chemical interferences and impurity issues. Two-way memory functions (“erase–read–write–read” and “write–read–erase–read”) worked simultaneously on the same system and could be accessed by simple optical switching between two excitation and emission wavelengths. Our optically switchable device might outperform traditional multifunctional logic gates and memory devices that generally employ chemical triggers to switch functionality and memory states. These optically switchable multifunctional molecular logic gates and memory systems might drive smart devices in the near future with high energy efficiency, extended life span, structural and functional simplicity, exclusive reversibility and enhanced data storage density.
Recent progress on the electronic structure, defect, and doping properties of Ga2O3
Authors: Zhang Jiaye , Shi Jueli , Qi Dong-Chen , Chen Lang , Zhang Kelvin H. L.
Published: February 2020

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is an emerging wide bandgap semiconductor that has attracted a large amount of interest due to its ultra-large bandgap of 4.8 eV, a high breakdown field of 8 MV/cm, and high thermal stability. These properties enable Ga2O3 a promising material for a large range of applications, such as high power electronic devices and solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors. In the past few years, a significant process has been made for the growth of high-quality bulk crystals and thin films and device optimizations for power electronics and solar blind UV detection. However, many challenges remain, including the difficulty in p-type doping, a large density of unintentional electron carriers and defects/impurities, and issues with the device process (contact, dielectrics, and surface passivation), and so on. The purpose of this article is to provide a timely review on the fundamental understanding of the semiconductor physics and chemistry of Ga2O3 in terms of electronic band structures, optical properties, and chemistry of defects and impurity doping. Recent progress and perspectives on epitaxial thin film growth, chemical and physical properties of defects and impurities, p-type doping, and ternary alloys with In2O3 and Al2O3 will be discussed.
Deficient ofLRRC8Aattenuates hypoxia-induced necrosis in 3T3-L1 cells
Authors: Luo Funong , Long Keren , Li Xiaokai , Mai Miaomiao , Zhong Zhining , Li Side , Li Penghao , Zhou Shuling , Zhang Tinghuan , Long Xi , Jin Long , Li Mingzhou
Published: February 2020

Under acute hypoxia, multiple ion channels on the cell membrane are activated, causing cell swelling and eventually necrosis. LRRC8A is an indispensable protein of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC), which participates in swelling and the acceleration of cell necrosis. In this study, we revealed a dynamic change in the expression level of the LRRC8 family during hypoxia in 3T3-L1 cells. The disruption of LRRC8A in 3T3-L1 cells was also associated with a significant anti-necrotic phenotype upon hypoxia accompanied by the reduced expression of necrosis-related genes. In vivo, differential expression of LRRC8 family members was also identified between high-altitude pigs and their low-altitude relatives. Taken these findings together, this study demonstrates the involvement of LRRC8A in hypoxia-induced cell necrosis.
Ecological risk assessment of soil cadmium in China’s coastal economic development zone: a meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Mingxing , Wang Ting , Xu Xiangbo , Zhang Linxiu , Li Jing , Shi Yajuan
Published: February 2020

The coastal area of China has faced major strategic planning and environmental pollution, including heavy metals pollution. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of Cd pollution on the ecology in coastal areas of China. A soil Cd pollution database of 300 counties or districts in coastal areas was screened from academic dissertations and academic journal papers. Based on the database, the ecological risk was evaluated using entropy methods and probabilistic ecological risk assessment (PERA), and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods were analyzed. In China’s coastal areas, the soil Cd content in 10.33% of the counties was higher than the minimum of risk control value (1.5 mg/kg), and in 4.00% of the counties was higher than the maximum of risk control value (4.0 mg/kg). The ecological risks were highly compatible with national strategic planning areas. Guangxi Province, Zhejiang Province, and Guangdong Province ranked among the top three coastal areas for soil Cd contamination, and the ecological risks were 18.80%, 17.89%, and 15.77% at the maximum no-effect concentration/lowest effect concentration (NOEC/LOEC) level. This study can provide insights to policymakers regarding the protection of ecosystems threatened by heavy metals in the process of regional strategic planning.
Spatial hearing and speech understanding in noise in elderly
Authors: Zamiri Abdollahi Farzaneh , Delphi Maryam , Delphi Vafa
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate spatial hearing in elderly with and without complaint about speech understanding in noise.

Methods

Persian spatial hearing questionnaire (P-SHQ) was investigated in the elderly with and without speech understanding difficulty in noise and in normal young adults. ANOVA test was used for comparing results of the eight sub-characteristics of the P-SHQ among three groups.

Results

Both elderly groups had lower performance in source localisation, understanding speech in noise with target and noise sources from the front, understanding speech in noise with spatially separate target and noise sources. There was a significant difference between the two elderly groups in understanding speech in noise with target and noise sources from the front.

Conclusions

It shows that although the elderly have lower spatial performance than young adults, they still can benefit from the spatial separation of sound sources.
A core–shell multi-drug platform to improve gastrointestinal tract microbial health using 3D printing
Authors: Zhu Li-Fang , Chen Xing , Ahmad Zeeshan , Peng Yu , Chang Ming-Wei
Published: February 2020

Improving the proliferation of probiotics (ca. Bifidobacterium) and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria (ca. Escherichia coli) is crucial for human health. This study demonstrates the fabrication of core–shell structure fibers using electrohydrodynamic 3D printing to help improve gastrointestinal tract microbial content. These fibers have various geometries and are capable of encapsulating stachyose into cellulose acetate (shell layer) and loading proteoglycan into polyacrylic resin II (core layer). The impact of membrane geometry on drug release behavior and the effect of exchanging the loading site on physicochemical properties of the resulting fibers were studied. The printed fibrous membranes possess a biphasic drug release profile in simulated intestinal fluid with a burst release within the first 12 h and a slower sustained release up to 72 h. The speed order priority for drug release rate of the printed membrane was whole-circle > semi-circle > square. Moreover, the membranes exhibit good biocompatibility on L929 cells and excellent improvement effects on Bifidobacterium bifidum, combining inhibition effects on Escherichia coli. In summary, the dual-drug fibrous membranes presented here and their precision-fabricated patterns pave a new direction for improving the gastrointestinal tract microbial ecosystem health in the human body.
Formation of stable 2D methylammonium antimony iodide phase for lead-free perovskite-like solar cells*
Authors: Giesbrecht Nadja , Weis Andreas , Bein Thomas
Published: February 2020

The presence of lead in novel hybrid perovskite-based solar cells remains a significant issue regarding commercial applications. Therefore, antimony-based perovskite-like A3M2X9 structures are promising new candidates for low toxicity photovoltaic applications. So far, MA3Sb2I9 was reported to only crystallize in the ‘zero-dimensional’ (0D) dimer structure with wide indirect bandgap properties. However, the formation of the 2D layered polymorph is more suitable for solar cell applications due to its expected direct and narrow bandgap. Here, we demonstrate the first synthesis of phase pure 2D layered MA3Sb2I9, based on antimony acetate dissolved in alcoholic solvents. Using in situ XRD methods, we confirm the stability of the layered phase towards high temperature, but the exposure to 75% relative humidity for several hours leads to a rearrangement of the phase with partial formation of the 0D structure. We investigated the electronic band structure and confirmed experimentally the presence of a semi-direct bandgap at around 2.1 eV. Our work shows that careful control of nucleation via processing conditions can provide access to promising perovskite-like phases for photovoltaic applications.
Evidential nihilism
Authors: Magnus P D
Published: February 2020

A considerable literature has grown up around the claim of Uniqueness, according to which evidence rationally determines belief. It is opposed to Permissivism, according to which evidence underdetermines belief. This paper highlights an overlooked third possibility, according to which there is no rational doxastic attitude. I call this 'Nihilism'. I argue that adherents of the other two positions ought to reject it but that it might, nevertheless, obtain at least sometimes.
Rainfall and nest site competition delay Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow breeding but do not impact productivity
Authors: Drake Anna , Martin Kathy
Published: February 2020

Optimizing breeding phenology, an important aspect of fitness, is complex for migratory species as they must make key timing decisions early, and remotely, from breeding sites. We examined the role of weather (locally and cross-seasonally), cavity availability, and competitive exclusion in determining among-year variation in breeding phenology over 17 yr for 2 migratory, cavity-nesting birds: Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides; n = 462 nests) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor; n = 572) using natural tree cavities in British Columbia, Canada. We assessed weather effects within the winter and migratory range and at our study sites. We quantified competition as the proportion of cavities occupied by European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) (for both species) and Mountain Bluebirds (for Tree Swallow only) in each year. For 229 bluebird and 177 swallow nests with known fates, we tested whether late years resulted in reduced productivity. Although the effects were small, heavy rainfall and strong diurnal westerly winds during migration were associated with breeding delays for Mountain Bluebirds. However, cavity availability (earlier breeding with increases) had a 5–8 × greater effect on timing than migratory conditions. There was no evidence that starling competition delayed bluebirds. In Tree Swallows, greater local daily rainfall was associated with delayed breeding, as was starling abundance (the effect of starlings was 1.4 × smaller than that of rainfall). Neither bluebird abundance nor cavity availability changed swallow phenology. Neither species showed reduced productivity in late breeding years. In both species, individuals that bred late relative to conspecifics within-year had smaller clutches and greater probability of nest failure. We conclude that breeding ground conditions, particularly cavity limitation and local rainfall (for swallows), are important drivers of breeding phenology for our focal species, but that the productivity cost of late years, at least for Tree Swallows, is minimal.
Connecting mathematical models to genomes: joint estimation of model parameters and genome-wide marker effects on these parameters
Authors: Onogi Akio
Published: February 2020

Motivation

Parameters of mathematical models used in biology may be genotype-specific and regarded as new traits. Therefore, an accurate estimation of these parameters and the association mapping on the estimated parameters can lead to important findings regarding the genetic architecture of biological processes. In this study, a statistical framework for a joint analysis (JA) of model parameters and genome-wide marker effects on these parameters was proposed and evaluated.

Results

In the simulation analyses based on different types of mathematical models, the JA inferred the model parameters and identified the responsible genomic regions more accurately than the independent analysis (IA). The JA of real plant data provided interesting insights into photosensitivity, which were uncovered by the IA.

Availability and implementation

The statistical framework is provided by the R package GenomeBasedModel available at https://github.com/Onogi/GenomeBasedModel. All R and C++ scripts used in this study are also available at the site.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Characterization of sodium removal to ultrafiltration volume in a peritoneal dialysis outpatient cohort
Authors: Jaques David A , Davenport Andrew
Published: February 2020

Background

Failure to control volume is the second most common cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique failure. Sodium is primarily removed by convection, but according to the three-pore model, water and sodium movements are not necessarily concordant. We wished to determine factors increasing sodium to water clearance in clinical practice.

Methods

We reviewed 24-h peritoneal dialytic sodium removal (DSR) and ultrafiltration (UF) volume in consecutive PD patients attending for routine assessment of peritoneal membrane function and adequacy testing. We used a regression model with the DSR/UF ratio as the dependent variable. A second model with DSR as the dependent variable and interaction testing for UF was used as sensitivity analysis.

Results

We included 718 adult PD patients. Mean values were 51.8 ± 64.6 mmol/day and 512 ± 517 mL/day for DSR and UF, respectively. In multivariable analysis, DSR/UF ratio was positively associated with transport type (fast versus slow, P < 0.001), serum sodium (P < 0.001) and diabetes (P = 0.026), and negatively associated with PD mode [automated PD versus continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), P < 0.001] and the use of 2.27% glucose dialysate (P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed positive interaction with UF for transport type (P < 0.001) and serum sodium (P = 0.032) and negative interaction for PD mode (P < 0.001) and cycles number (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

CAPD, fast transport and high serum sodium allow relatively more sodium to be removed compared with water. Icodextrin has no effect on sodium removal once confounders have been accounted for. Although widely used in the assessment of PD patients, UF should not be considered as a surrogate for DSR in clinical practice.
A case report: upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy with a blocked persistent left-sided superior vena cava
Authors: Abdalwahid Kawan Fadhil , Chu Gavin S , Nicolson William B
Published: February 2020

Background 

Pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) can occur in up to 9% of patients having a pacemaker. Pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy can be treated by upgrade to a biventricular pacemaker with a left ventricular (LV) lead implantation. The procedure can be technically challenging in patients with persistent left-sided superior vena cava (PLSVC).

Case summary 

We report the case of a 72-year-old gentleman with a PLSVC, who had a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted 15 years ago for complete heart block. After 12 years of good health, the gentleman developed breathlessness due to PICM. At upgrade to biventricular pacemaker, his coronary sinus was found to be occluded and a collateral branch was used to successfully position an LV lead. Marked clinical improvement was seen before representation with syncope after 2 years due to simultaneous failure of both LV and right ventricular leads. Subsequently, a right-sided de novo biventricular pacemaker was implanted. In this instance, the PLSVC was beneficial because it isolated the existing leads from the new implant, thereby reducing the risk of SVC obstruction.

Discussion 

Although implantation of pacemaker leads through a PLSVC constitutes a challenging procedure due to manoeuvring difficulties of the pacing leads into the cardiac chambers, in this particular case, the presence of PLSVC was beneficial because it meant that no leads were present in the true SVC, reducing the risk of occlusion and avoiding the need for lead extraction.
Comparing global tomography-derived and gravity-based upper mantle density models
Authors: Root B C
Published: February 2020

Current seismic tomography models show a complex environment underneath the crust, corroborated by high-precision satellite gravity observations. Both data sets are used to independently explore the density structure of the upper mantle. However, combining these two data sets proves to be challenging. The gravity-data has an inherent insensitivity in the radial direction and seismic tomography has a heterogeneous data acquisition, resulting in smoothed tomography models with de-correlation between different models for the mid-to-small wavelength features.

Therefore, this study aims to assess and quantify the effect of regularization on a seismic tomography model by exploiting the high lateral sensitivity of gravity data. Seismic tomography models, SL2013sv, SAVANI, SMEAN2 and S40RTS are compared to a gravity-based density model of the upper mantle. In order to obtain similar density solutions compared to the seismic-derived models, the gravity-based model needs to be smoothed with a Gaussian filter. Different smoothening characteristics are observed for the variety of seismic tomography models, relating to the regularization approach in the inversions. Various S40RTS models with similar seismic data but different regularization settings show that the smoothening effect is stronger with increasing regularization. The type of regularization has a dominant effect on the final tomography solution.

To reduce the effect of regularization on the tomography models, an enhancement procedure is proposed. This enhancement should be performed within the spectral domain of the actual resolution of the seismic tomography model. The enhanced seismic tomography models show improved spatial correlation with each other and with the gravity-based model. The variation of the density anomalies have similar peak-to-peak magnitudes and clear correlation to geological structures. The resolvement of the spectral misalignment between tomographic models and gravity-based solutions is the first step in the improvement of multidata inversion studies of the upper mantle and benefit from the advantages in both data sets.
Preliminary ruling to the CJEU on geographical boundaries of UCD novelty assessment
Authors: Stapel Sarah
Published: February 2020

Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company v PMS International Group Plc [2019] EWHC 2419 (IPEC), High Court of England and Wales, 17 September 2019

The High Court of Justice of England and Wales has sought guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) as regards whether the disclosure of a design outside the Community can still qualify for protection within the Community.
Sound-wave instabilities in dilute plasmas with cosmic rays: implications for cosmic ray confinement and the Perseus X-ray ripples
Authors: Kempski Philipp , Quataert Eliot , Squire Jonathan
Published: February 2020

Weakly collisional, magnetized plasmas characterized by anisotropic viscosity and conduction are ubiquitous in galaxies, haloes, and the intracluster medium (ICM). Cosmic rays (CRs) play an important role in these environments as well, by providing additional pressure and heating to the thermal plasma. We carry out a linear stability analysis of weakly collisional plasmas with CRs using Braginskii MHD for the thermal gas. We assume that the CRs stream at the Alfvén speed, which in a weakly collisional plasma depends on the pressure anisotropy (Δp) of the thermal plasma. We find that this Δp dependence introduces a phase shift between the CR-pressure and gas-density fluctuations. This drives a fast-growing acoustic instability: CRs offset the damping of acoustic waves by anisotropic viscosity and give rise to wave growth when the ratio of CR pressure to gas pressure is ≳αβ−1/2, where β is the ratio of thermal to magnetic pressure, and α, typically ≲1, depends on other dimensionless parameters. In high-β environments like the ICM, this condition is satisfied for small CR pressures. We speculate that the instability studied here may contribute to the scattering of high-energy CRs and to the excitation of sound waves in galaxy-halo, group and cluster plasmas, including the long-wavelength X-ray fluctuations in Chandra observations of the Perseus cluster. It may also be important in the vicinity of shocks in dilute plasmas (e.g. cluster virial shocks or galactic wind termination shocks), where the CR pressure is locally enhanced.
Reflections on the History of Nerve Repair – Sir Sydney Sunderland's Final Presentation to the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
Authors: Davis Gavin A
Published: February 2020

Sir Sydney Sunderland (1910-1993) was an eminent physician and anatomist who identified the fascicular structure of nerves, and developed the eponymous 5-tiered classification of nerve injuries. Not long before his death, he presented a keynote address to the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia. Recently, the videotape of his presentation was discovered. In the presentation, Sir Sydney included discussion on the history of nerve repair, commencing with Herophilus and Galen, and progressing through the Middle Ages, including Leonardo of Bertapaglia, and he further noted the discoveries during the 1800s of the microscope, the axon, and nerve histology (including Remak, Schwann, Nissl, and Golgi), Waller's findings on nerve degeneration, and nerve injury (His, Cajal, Forsmann, and Harrison). Sir Sydney discussed nerve injuries sustained during World War I, with the deleterious effects of infection, and following the many nerve injuries sustained during World War II, he discussed his own discoveries of internal topography of nerve fascicles, and the anatomical substrate of nerve fascicles that limit surgery for nerve repair, nerve grafts, and the basic science of spinal cord repair. This paper presents a transcript of Sunderland's presentation and includes many of his original images used to illustrate this tour de force of nerve repair.
Comparison of epidemiology, treatments, and outcomes in pediatric versus adult ependymoma
Authors: Elsamadicy Aladine A , Koo Andrew B , David Wyatt B , Lee Victor , Zogg Cheryl K , Kundishora Adam J , Hong Christopher S , DeSpenza Tyrone , Reeves Benjamin C , Kahle Kristopher T , DiLuna Michael
Published: February 2020

Background

Mounting evidence supports the presence of heterogeneity in the presentation of ependymoma patients with respect to location, histopathology, and behavior between pediatric and adult patients. However, the influence of age on treatment outcomes in ependymoma remains obscure.

Methods

The SEER database years 1975–2016 were queried. Patients with a diagnosis of ependymoma were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition, coding system. Patients were classified into one of 4 age groups: children (age 0–12 years), adolescents (age 13–21 years), young adults (age 22–45 years), and older adults (age >45 years). The weighed multivariate analysis assessed the impact of age on survival outcomes following surgical treatment.

Results

There were a total of 6076 patients identified with ependymoma, of which 1111 (18%) were children, 529 (9%) were adolescents, 2039 (34%) were young adults, and 2397 (40%) were older adults. There were statistically significant differences between cohorts with respect to race (P < .001), anatomical location (P < .001), extent of resection (P < .001), radiation use (P < .001), tumor grade (P < .001), histological classification (P < .001), and all-cause mortality (P < .001). There was no significant difference between cohorts with respect to gender (P = .103). On multivariate logistic regression, factors associated with all-cause mortality rates included males (vs females), supratentorial location (vs spinal cord tumors), and radiation treatment (vs no radiation).

Conclusions

Our study using the SEER database demonstrates the various demographic and treatment risk factors that are associated with increased rates of all-cause mortality between the pediatric and adult populations following a diagnosis of ependymoma.
Nighttime road traffic noise exposure at the least and most exposed façades and sleep medication prescription redemption—a Danish cohort study
Authors: Roswall Nina , Poulsen Aslak H , Thacher Jesse D , Hvidtfeldt Ulla A , Raaschou-Nielsen Ole , Jensen Steen Solvang , Overvad Kim , Tjønneland Anne , Sørensen Mette
Published: February 2020

Study Objectives

Traffic noise has been associated with poor sleep quality and short sleep duration. This study investigates the association between nighttime road traffic noise at the least and most exposed façades of the residence and redemption of sleep medication.

Methods

In a cohort of 44,438 Danes, aged 50–64 at baseline (1993–1997), we identified all addresses from 1987 to 2015 from a national registry and calculated nighttime road traffic noise at the most and least exposed façades. Using Cox Proportional Hazard Models we investigated the association between residential traffic noise over 1, 5, and 10 years before redemption of the first sleep medication prescription in the Danish National Prescription Registry. During a median follow-up time of 18.5 years, 13,114 persons redeemed a prescription.

Results

We found that 10-year average nighttime exposure to road traffic noise at the most exposed façade was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.00 to 1.10) for Ln greater than 55 as compared to not more than 45 dB, which when stratified by sex was confined to men (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.25). For the least exposed façade the HR for Ln >45 vs ≤35 dB was 1.00, 95% CI (0.95 to 1.05). For the most exposed façade, the overall association was strongest in smokers and physically inactive.

Conclusions

Long-term residential nighttime noise exposure at the most exposed façade may be associated with a higher likelihood of redeeming prescriptions for sleep medication, especially among men, smokers, and physically inactive.
Formal or Functional? Traditional or Inclusive? Bible Translations as Markers of Religious Subcultures
Authors: Perry Samuel L , Grubbs Joshua B
Published: February 2020

English Bible translations are often classified along two axes: (1) whether their translation approach pursues “formal correspondence” (prioritizing literalness) or “functional equivalence” (prioritizing meaning); and (2) whether their translation approach emphasizes “gender-traditionalism” (translating gendered language literally) or “gender-inclusivism” (minimizing unnecessarily gendered language). Leveraging insights from research on how religious subcultural capital shapes consumption patterns, we examine how indicators of conservative Protestant subcultural attachment potentially shape Christians’ choices of Bible translation along these axes. Compared with Catholics and “other Christians,” Conservative Protestants are more likely to read functional equivalence translations. Biblical literalists are more likely to read gender-traditionalist translations, but curiously no more likely than others to read formal correspondence translations. The link between conservative Protestant affiliation and reading a gender-traditionalist or inclusive Bible is heavily influenced by how we classify the New International Version. Importantly, we also find Bible reading and overall religiosity are positively associated with reading functional equivalence and gender-inclusive Bibles. Thus while conservative Bible beliefs seem to incline Christians toward translations that reflect conservative subcultural priorities (gender-traditionalism), consistent Bible practice is more prevalent among Christians who read more dynamic and inclusive translations.
To Hop or Not to Hop? The Answer Is in the Bird Trees
Authors: Provini Pauline , Höfling Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

Birds can use different types of gaits to move on the ground: they either walk, hop, or run. Although velocity can easily explain a preference for running, it remains unclear what drives a bird species to favor hopping over walking. As many hopping birds are relatively small and arboreal, we wanted to test the link between size, arboreality, and hopping ability. First, we carried out ancestral character state reconstructions of size range, hopping ability, and habitat traits on over 1000 species of birds. We found that both hopping ability and arboreality were derived and significantly correlated traits in avian evolution. Second, we tested the influence of hopping ability on the morphology of the lower appendicular skeleton by quantifying the shape differences of the pelvis and the three long bones of the hind limbs in 47 avian species with different habitats and gait preferences. We used geometric morphometrics on 3D landmarks, digitized on micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) and surface scans of the pelvis, femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus. Locomotion habits significantly influence the conformation of the pelvis, especially at the origin of hip and knee muscle extensors. Interestingly, habitat, more than locomotion habits, significantly changed tarsometatarsus conformation. The morphology of the distal part of the tarsometatarsus constrains digit orientation, which leads to a greater ability to perch, an advantageous trait in arboreality. The results of this work suggest an arboreal origin of hopping and illuminate the evolution of avian terrestrial locomotion.[Anatomy; avian; gait; leg; lifestyle; pelvis; tree-dwelling.]
Responding empathically to patients: a communication skills training module to reduce lung cancer stigma
Authors: Banerjee Smita C , Haque Noshin , Bylund Carma L , Shen Megan J , Rigney Maureen , Hamann Heidi A , Parker Patricia A , Ostroff Jamie S
Published: February 2020

Most lung cancer patients report perceiving stigma surrounding their diagnosis, and routine clinical interactions with their health care providers (HCPs) are reported as a common source. The adverse effects of lung cancer stigma are associated with several adverse psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. One potential clinician-level intervention target is empathic communication because of its association with higher rates of patients’ satisfaction, treatment adherence, and lower levels of psychological distress. This study describes the conceptual model and evaluation of clinician-targeted empathic communication skills training to reduce lung cancer patients’ experience of stigma. The goal of the training module is to enhance clinician recognition and responsiveness to lung cancer patients’ empathic opportunities by communicating understanding, reducing stigma and distress, and providing support. Thirty multidisciplinary HCPs working in thoracic oncology, thoracic surgery, or pulmonary medicine participated in 2.25 hr of didactic and experiential training on responding empathically to patients with lung cancer. Overall, participants reported highly favorable evaluations of the training, with at least 90% of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing to 11 of the 12 items assessing clinical relevance, novelty, clarity, and facilitator effectiveness. Participants’ self-efficacy to communicate empathically with lung cancer patients increased significantly from pretraining to posttraining, t(29) = −4.58, p < .001. The empathic communication skills training module was feasible and well received by thoracic and pulmonary medicine HCPs and demonstrated improvements in self-efficacy in empathic communication from pretraining to posttraining. The examination of patient outcomes is warranted.
Evaluation of acute oral toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the polar fraction of Parkinsonia aculeata aerial parts extract
Authors: Menezes Tamires Meira , Gaião Wyndly Daniel Cardoso , de Almeida Sousa Lima Larissa Caroline , da Silva Ana Katarina Bezerra , Lima Laísa Wanessa Santos , de Souza Pereira Áurea Marcela , da Silva Luciano Clemente , da Silva Valdir Luna , de Souza Franco Eryvelton , Paz Silvania Tavares , Maia Carina Scanoni , da Silva Tânia Maria Sarmento , de Sousa Maia Maria Bernadete
Published: February 2020

Ethnopharmacobotanical information reports that Parkinsonia aculeata infusion is used to control diabetes-related complications and dyslipidemia. However, few studies are reported on the safe use of this species. The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute toxicity, embryotoxicity and cytotoxicity of a polar fraction obtained from hydroethanolic extract of P. aculeata (PfrHEPA). For the acute toxicity test, we considered the Up and Down method which the guidelines are described by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD N°425). The animals were treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg) or with distilled water (10 ml/kg) by gavage and observed from Day 1 to14. For embryotoxicity assay, zebrafish embryos were exposed to PfrHEPA (100 mg/L) and toxicity parameters were observed during four consecutive days. The cytotoxicity of PfrHEPA (5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/ml, respectively) was performed on normal cell lines (mesenchymal stem cells, African green monkey renal cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3 T3-L1 using the MTT salt reduction assay. In the acute toxicity test, no mortality was observed in mice treated with PfrHEPA (2000 mg/kg), as well as behavioral changes, histopathological abnormalities and hematological and biochemical variables. In the embryotoxicity test, no abnormal changes related to the toxicological parameters were observed in the period of 96 h. Regarding the cytotoxicity assay, PfrHEPA showed no cytotoxic effect on the normal cell lines tested, with an IC50 value > 100 μg/ml. These results suggest the safe use of P. aculeata, however, more trials are needed for PfrHEPA to be presented as new safe therapeutic proposal for the control of metabolic disorders.