bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of hospital discharge in cancer patients with pericardial effusion undergoing surgical pericardial drainage
Authors: Kazantzis Thamara , Bibas Benoit Jacques , Dela‐Vega Alberto Jorge , Nabuco Pedro , Lauricella Leticia Leone , Pêgo‐Fernandes Paulo Manuel , Terra Ricardo Mingarini
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Pericardial effusion (PE) is a complication of late‐stage cancer and some patients never leave the hospital despite drainage. The main objective of this study was to identify predictors of hospital discharge in cancer patients with (PE) who underwent pericardial drainage. We also report the occurrence of paradoxical hemodynamic instability (PHI).

Methods and Materials

A retrospective study was carried out in a cancer center. Patients included had malignancy, PE, and underwent surgical drainage. An institutional database was reviewed for preoperative variables, analyzed for hospital discharge.

Results

One‐hundred and thirteen patients were included, with a mean age of 54 years old (SD 14.3). Sixty‐three patients were discharged from hospital (55.7%). Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; P = 0.004), higher ECOG status (OR, 0.63;
P = 0.019), recent chemotherapy (OR, 3.40;
P = 0.007), and renal failure (OR, 0.14;
P = 0.002) were associated with hospital discharge. Median survival was 43 days (IQ 25%‐75%; 15‐162). Patients with pulmonary embolism or neutropenia were at greater risk of developing PHI (OR, 10.11;
P = 0.009 and OR, 12.13;
P = 0.015, respectively).

Conclusion

Almost half of the patients never left the hospital. Patients with no chemotherapy within 45 days of procedure, patients with renal failure and higher ECOG status are at greater risk of not getting discharged. PHI remains a serious condition with high mortality.
Outcome after reconstruction of proximal femoral tumors: A systematic review
Authors: Janssen Stein J. , Langerhuizen David W. G. , Schwab Joseph H. , Bramer Jos A. M.
Published: November 2018

Tumor resection followed by reconstruction with a proximal femoral endoprosthesis or an allograft‐prosthesis composite are the two main alternatives for treatment of proximal femoral malignancies. This review describes the revision rate, implant survival, limb salvage rate, and function. Overall revision rates are high and reasons for failure differ between treatment modalities. Rate and reasons for amputation are comparable between both methods. Functional outcome was reasonable to good on average for both treatment modalities. Level of evidence: IV, systematic review and meta‐analysis.
Cr(VI) oxidation using cetylpicolinium dichromate: Kinetics of oxidation of benzaldehydes with a green protocol
Authors: Priyadarshini Supriya , Dash Sukalyan
Published: November 2018

Oxidation kinetics of benzaldehyde and some of its ortho‐ and para‐monosubstituted derivatives have been studied using cetylpicolinium dichromates, a class of novel phase transfer oxidants, in dichloromethane medium. The rate of reaction is first order with respect to oxidant and fractional order with respect to the substrates. The Michaelis–Menten type oxidation was observed with respect to the substrates. Benzaldehydes are found to be oxidized to their corresponding acids. The mechanism of oxidation reaction has been suggested based on the solvent isotope effect, Hammett plot, and thermodynamic study. The solvent isotope effect (kCHCl3/kCDCl3 = 1.57) indicates the involvement of hydrogen exchange with the medium during oxidation reactions. A strong influence of specific solute–solvent interactions on the rate of the reaction is observed. Both the electron‐withdrawing and electron‐releasing substituents on the substrates accelerate the rate of reaction.
Alternating Placement of d‐ and l‐Alanine Moieties in the Polymer Side‐Chains
Authors: Goswami Krishna Gopal , Saha Biswajit , Mete Sourav , De Priyadarsi
Published: November 2018

Synthesis of a sequence‐controlled polymer via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is reported herein, using an N‐substituted maleimide monomer bearing tert‐butyl carbamate (Boc)‐protected l‐alanine (M1) and Boc‐d‐alanine appended styrenic monomer (M2). The monomer sequence distribution along the polymer chain is thoroughly studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, confirming the alternating placement of l‐alanine and d‐alanine throughout the polymer chain. Copolymers display fluorescence properties in various organic solvents. After the deprotection of Boc‐groups, the copolymers show fluorescence activity in water (and also in several organic solvents), and pH‐responsiveness in aqueous medium due to the protonation/deprotonation of the side‐chain ‐NH2 groups at varying aqueous solution pH. In addition, the presence of different enantiomeric structures of alanine in the side‐chain enables us to investigate the chiroptical properties of the polymers.
Transesterification in Alcohol‐Initiated ROPs of l‐ and meso‐Lactide Catalyzed by Sn(II) and Sn(IV) Compounds at Low Temperatures
Authors: Weidner Steffen M. , Kricheldorf Hans R.
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study is to shed more light on the transesterification processes in alcohol‐initiated and tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate (SnOct2)‐catalyzed polymerizations of lactides at low or moderate temperatures. Ethanol‐initiated polymerizations are conducted in concentrated solutions at 80 °C and a strong dependence of even/odd equilibration on the alcohol/Sn ratio. Around or above 120 °C cyclization of poly(l‐lactide) via “backbiting” occurs as a third mechanism. However, poly(m‐lactide) shows a higher cyclization tendency and yields cyclics even at 100 °C. Combinations of ethanol and certain cyclic dibutyltin(IV) catalysts also yield cyclic oligomers of l‐lactide at 80 °C. Reaction conditions allowing for a total suppression of all transesterification reactions are not found, but even‐numbered poly(m‐lactide)s with a purity >95% are obtained at 70 or 60 °C.
Effect of preheat treatment on carbon fiber surface properties and fiber/PEEK interfacial behavior
Authors: Li Na , Chen Junlin , Liu Hansong , Dong Anqi , Wang Kai , Zhao Yan
Published: November 2018

In this work, the effect of preheat treatment on surface properties of carbon fiber (CF) and interfacial properties of CF‐reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composites was investigated in detail. The sized T700SC CFs were preheated based on practical thermoplastic composites processing conditions. The obvious mass loss was obtained due to the sizing agent degradation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that the concentration of sizing agents and activated carbon atoms decreased apparently for preheated fibers. Preheat treatment had negligible effect on tensile strength. Transcrystallinity structures were observed at fiber/PEEK interfaces using polarizing microscope and they had similar transcrystallinity density before and after preheat treatment. The microbond test was performed to determine interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between fibers and PEEK matrix. The IFSS increased from 40.16 to 46.32 MPa by 15.34%, which was against the trend of activated carbon atoms. Furthermore, the mechanisms of interfacial adhesion enhancement were discussed. The sizing layer became weak interface region because of poor chemical bonding between sizing agents and PEEK. Removing sizing via preheat treatment could enhance the interfacial adhesion. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1407–E1415, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
3D Mass diffusion in ordered nanocomposite systems: Finite element simulation and phenomenological modeling
Authors: Zid Sarra , Zinet Matthieu , Espuche Eliane
Published: November 2018

The optimization of polymer barrier properties is currently of crucial importance for a wide range of applications from packaging to building or even energy applications. To meet the requirements of these applications, polymer matrices are often combined with impermeable (nano) fillers. Different nanofiller natures, shapes, and contents have been experimentally used and a large range of barrier materials has been obtained. In the meantime, several numerical approaches have been developed to model gas diffusion properties of nanocomposite materials. However, these approaches often considered bidimensional systems. The aim of this work is to develop 3D Finite Element Model which would be used to predict gas barrier properties of nanocomposites for disk‐shaped nanofillers. The model thus obtained is valid in a wide range of fillers volume fraction values as well as aspect ratios, which makes it possible to go from diluted regimes to semidiluted or even concentrated ones. Furthermore, an analytical equation which describes gas diffusion through nanocomposites films has been built and validated with our finite element modeling model. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 51–61
Cloud‐aided online EEG classification system for brain healthcare: A case study of depression evaluation with a lightweight CNN
Authors: Ke Hengjin , Chen Dan , Shah Tejal , Liu Xianzeng , Zhang Xinhua , Zhang Lei , Li Xiaoli
Published: November 2018

Brain healthcare, when supported by Internet of Things, can perform online and accurate analysis of brain big data for the classification of multivariate Electroencephalogram (EEG), which is a prerequisite for the recent boom in neurofeedback applications and clinical practices. However, it remains a grand research challenge due to (1) the embedded intensive noises and the intrinsic nonstationarity determined by the evolution of brain states; and (2) the lack of a user‐friendly computing platform to sustain the complicated analytics. This study presents the design of an online EEG classification system aided by Cloud centering on a lightweight Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The system incrementally trains the CNN on Cloud and enables hot deployment of the trained classifier without the need to restart the gateway to adapt to the users' needs. The classifier maintains a High Convolutional Layer to gain the ability of processing high‐dimensional EEG segments. The number of hidden layers is minimized to ensure the efficiency of training. The lightweight CNN adopts an “hourglass” block of fully connected layers to reduce the number of neurons quickly toward the output end. A case study of depression evaluation has been performed against raw EEG datasets to distinguish between (1) Healthy and Major Depression Disorder with an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of [98.59% ± 0.28%], [97.77% ± 0.63%], and [99.51% ± 0.19%], respectively; and (2) Effective and Noneffective treatment outcome with an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of [99.53% ± 0.002%], [99.50% ± 0.01%], and [99.58% ± 0.02%], respectively. The results show that the classification can be completed several magnitudes faster when EEG is collected on the gateway (several milliseconds vs. 4 seconds).
Probing analytical and numerical integrability: the curious case of (AdS5 × S5)η
Authors: Banerjee Aritra , Bhattacharyya Arpan
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Motivated by recent studies related to integrability of string motion in various backgrounds via analytical and numerical procedures, we discuss these procedures for a well known integrable string background (AdS5×S5)η. We start by revisiting conclusions from earlier studies on string motion in (ℝ ×S3)ηand (AdS3)ηand then move on to more complex problems of (ℝ ×S5)ηand (AdS5)η. Discussing both analytically and numerically, we deduce that while (AdS5)ηstrings do not encounter any irregular trajectories, string motion in the deformed five-sphere can indeed, quite surprisingly, run into chaotic trajectories. We discuss the implications of these results both on the procedures used and the background itself.
Occult Contralateral Lateral Lymph Node Metastases in Unilateral N1b Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Bohec Hélène , Breuskin Ingrid , Hadoux Julien , Schlumberger Martin , Leboulleux Sophie , Hartl Dana M.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Therapeutic lateral neck dissection (ND) is recommended for N1b papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), while prophylactic contralateral lateral ND is not. Given the paucity of data, we investigated the frequency of and risk factors for occult lymph node metastases (LNM) in the contralateral lateral neck for N1b patients.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective study conducted at a cancer center. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral PTC and ipsilateral lateral LNM confirmed by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy. Patients with contralateral lateral LNM or bilateral tumor on ultrasound were excluded. All patients were treated with total thyroidectomy, bilateral central ND, ipsilateral therapeutic lateral ND and prophylactic contralateral ND of levels III–IV, followed by radioactive iodine.

Results

Sixty‐three patients met the inclusion criteria. Occult contralateral lateral LNM were found in 23/63 patients (36.5%) who had more LNM in ispilateral (p = .01) and contralateral level VI (p < .0001), more frequent microscopic tumor in the contralateral lobe (p = .017) and a trend toward being at high risk (p = .06). Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, a cutoff of >4 LNM in ipsilateral level VI optimized sensitivity and specificity for predicting contralateral lateral LNM, with a sensitivity of 74%, specificity of 65%, positive predictive value of 55% and negative predictive value of 81%. Neck recurrence occurred in 14%, with only 1 patient recurring only in the contralateral lateral neck (1.5%).

Conclusion

Occult LNM in the contralateral lateral neck was found in 36.5% of patients. Five or more ipsilateral central LNM may aid in predicting contralateral lateral LNM, and high‐risk patients may be more at risk. The clinical benefit of prophylactic contralateral lateral ND remains doubtful, however.
Native Plant Recovery following Three Years of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) Control
Authors: Zimmerman Christopher L. , Shirer Rebecca R. , Corbin Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2018

Projects that aim to control invasive species often assume that a reduction of the target species will increase native species abundance. However, reports of the responses of native species following exotic species control are relatively rare. We assessed the recovery of the native community in five tidal wetland locations in which we attempted to eradicate the invasive common reed [Phragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.]. We tested whether 3 yr of treatment were able to eradicatePhragmitesand promote recovery of the native plant community. After 3 yr of treatment,Phragmitesdensity declined sharply in all treated stands, though it was not eradicated in any of them. Native plant cover increased significantly in treated areas, and community composition, particularly in smaller stands, converged toward that of uninvaded habitat. Thus, even within the relatively short timescale of the treatments and monitoring, significant progress was made toward achieving the goals of controllingPhragmitesinfestations and promoting native biodiversity. There was a trend toward greater promise for success in smaller stands than larger stands, as has been observed in other studies. A greater emphasis on monitoring whole-community responses to exotic plant control, across a range of conditions, would enhance our ability to plan and design successful management strategies.
Multi-Level State Capitalism: Chinese State-Owned Buisness Groups
Authors: Arnoldi Jakob , Villadsen Anders Ryom , Chen Xin , Na Chaohong
Published: November 2018

We argue that vertical interlocks in Chinese state-owned business groups are important mechanisms for coordination and information exchange between the apex firm and affiliated firms, and that they are also mechanisms for government owners of the business groups to exercise control. By combining resource dependence theory with elements from transaction cost economics and agency theory, we propose that the need for interlocks increases the higher the level of government ownership. The central government is therefore more likely to use vertical interlocks than the provincial governments, which again are more likely to use vertical interlocks than the municipal governments. We develop three hypotheses based on these arguments. A regression analysis of a hand-collected data set finds strong support for our hypotheses. Our results shed light on coordination and governance issues within the state-owned sector in China and on an important means for mitigating these issues used by the government owners and firms affiliated with state-owned groups.
14C release from irradiated stainless steel
Authors: de Visser-Týnová Eva , Swanton Stephen W , Williams Stephen J , Stijkel Marcel P , Walker Alison J , Otlet Robert L
Published: November 2018

Radiocarbon (14C or carbon-14, half-life 5730 yr) is a key radionuclide in the assessment of the safety of a geological disposal facility (GDF) for radioactive waste. In particular, the radiological impact of gaseous carbon-14 bearing species has been recognized as a potential issue. Irradiated steels are one of the main sources of carbon-14 in the United Kingdom’s radioactive waste inventory. However, there is considerable uncertainty about the chemical form(s) in which the carbon-14 will be released. The objective of the work was to measure the rate and speciation of carbon-14 release from irradiated 316L(N) stainless steel on leaching under high-pH anoxic conditions, representative of a cement-based near field for low-heat generating wastes. Periodic measurements of carbon-14 releases to both the gas phase and to solution were made in duplicate experiments over a period of up to 417 days. An initial fast release of carbon-14 from the surface of the steel is observed during the first week of leaching, followed by a drop in the rate of release at longer times. Carbon-14 is released primarily to the solution phase with differing fractions released to the gas phase in the two experiments: about 1% of the total release in one and 6% in the other. The predominant dissolved carbon-14 releases are in inorganic form (as 14C-carbonate) but also include organic species. The predominant gas-phase species are hydrocarbons with a smaller fraction of 14CO (which may include some volatile oxygen-containing carbon-species). The experiments are continuing, with final sampling and termination planned after leaching for a total of two years.
China English or Chinese English
Authors: Yiyang Li
Published: November 2018

In the last 20 years, the term ‘China English’ has been advanced as the most appropriate name for the variety of English that better expresses Chinese sociocultural realities and distinguishes the variety from the pejoratively perceived ‘Chinese English’ or ‘Chinglish’ (Du & Jiang, 2003; Jiang & Du, 2003; Meilin & Xiaoqiong, 2006). The demarcation between ‘China’ and ‘Chinese’, it is argued (Wang, 1991; Li, 1993; He & Li, 2009), is necessary if English as used by Chinese speakers is to gain recognition as something other than ‘bad’ English. Although no consensus regarding the definition of China English has yet formed among those who argue for the adoption of ‘China English’, characteristics of the variety can be inferred and the characteristics are used to confirm that ‘China English’ as a legitimate variety does exist, that it exhibits features of linguistic creativity rather than interference, suggesting a nativized educated variety (Berns, 2011). However, in my view, arguments in favor of a new term, ‘China English’, have more to do with renaming and rebranding and less with providing new insights into the nature of this English.
Effect of Heavy Metals Contamination from Cigarette Smoke on Sound and Caries-Like Enamel
Authors: Theobaldo Jéssica D. , Vieira-Junior Waldemir F. , Catelan Anderson , Mainardi Maria do Carmo A. , Ysnaga Orlando A. , Rodrigues-Filho Ubirajara P. , Marchi Giselle Maria , Lima Débora A. , Aguiar Flávio H. B.
Published: November 2018

In this study, we sought to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoke and pH cycling on the chemical composition and surface/cross-sectional enamel microhardness. A total of 40 dental blocks obtained from bovine incisors were divided into four groups (n=10): no treatment (control); exposure to cigarette smoke (CS); exposure to pH cycling (PC); and exposure to cigarette smoke and pH cycling (CS-PC). The samples were analyzed by synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence, bench mode X-ray fluorescence, as well as surface microhardness (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) testing. The SMH results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. The CSMH results were evaluated using split-plot ANOVA and Tukey’s test. A high amount of Cd and Pb and traces of Ni and As were observed in enamel and dentin after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS and CS-PC). The SMH and CSMH of CS were statistically higher when compared with the control. The PC and CS-PC showed lower SMH and CSMH. We conclude that exposure to cigarette smoke promoted heavy metal deposition in enamel/dentin. In addition, it increased the enamel microhardness but did not promote a protective effect on the in vitro development of caries. The clinical significance of this work is that there is significant bioaccumulation of heavy metals from cigarette smoke on the surface and in the enamel and dentin.
Potatoes and the Hispanic Enlightenment
Authors: Earle Rebecca
Published: November 2018

Among the new publications tempting Spanish readers in 1785, alongside a comedy about jealous women, a how-to manual on forensic surgery, and a 600-page translation of the rulings of the Council of Trent, was a modest pamphlet about potatoes. Its author was an expatriate Irishman, Henry (or Enrique) Doyle. Doyle had for some decades resided in Spain, pursuing an undistinguished career in textile manufacturing. He had also drafted several essays on religious themes, with no impact whatsoever on the Spanish reading public. His writings on potatoes, however, were a phenomenal success. The 1785 pamphlet was followed in 1797 by a longer treatise issued with royal approbation at the behest of several important ministers, which was into its fourth edition by 1804. Newspapers and journals hailed Doyle as a patriotic and enlightened contributor to public happiness and seconded his ambition of extending potato cultivation across the length and breadth of Spain.
Populism Revived:Donald Trump and the Latin American Leftist Populists
Authors: de la Torre Carlos
Published: November 2018

The twenty-first century could well become known as the populist century. No longer confined to Latin America or to the margins of European politics, populism has spread to Africa, Asia, and, with Donald Trump's election, to the cradle of liberal democracy. Even though it is uncertain what impact Trump's populism will have on American democracy, it is worth learning from Latin America, where populists have been in power from the 1930s and 1940s to the present. Even as Latin American populists like Juan Perón and Hugo Chávez included the poor and the nonwhite in the political community, they moved toward authoritarianism by undermining democracy from within. Are the foundations of American democracy and the institutions of civil society strong enough to resist US president Donald Trump's right-wing populism?
DSM-5 alcohol use disorder features among treatment-seeking older adults
Authors: Behrendt Silke , Braun Barbara , Bilberg Randi , Bühringer Gerhard , Bogenschutz Michael , Søgaard Nielsen Anette , Mejldal Anna , Andersen Kjeld
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Background: The number of older adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is expected to rise. Adapted treatments for this group are lacking and information on AUD features in treatment seeking older adults is scarce. The international multicenter randomized-controlled clinical trial “ELDERLY-Study” with few exclusion criteria was conducted to investigate two outpatient AUD-treatments for adults aged 60+ with DSM-5 AUD. Aims: To add to 1) basic methodological information on the ELDERLY-Study by providing information on AUD features in ELDERLY-participants taking into account country and gender, and 2) knowledge on AUD features in older adults seeking outpatient treatment. Methods: baseline data from the German and Danish ELDERLY-sites (n=544) were used. AUD diagnoses were obtained with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, alcohol use information with Form 90. Results: Lost control, desired control, mental/physical problem, and craving were the most prevalent (> 70 %) AUD-symptoms. 54.9 % reported severe DSM-5 AUD (moderate: 28.2 %, mild: 16.9 %). Mean daily alcohol use was 6.3 drinks at 12 grams ethanol each. 93.9 % reported binging. More intense alcohol use was associated with greater AUD-severity and male gender. Country effects showed for alcohol use and AUD-severity. Conclusion: European ELDERLY-participants presented typical dependence symptoms, a wide range of severity, and intense alcohol use. This may underline the clinical significance of AUD in treatment-seeking seniors.
Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, psychische Belastung und Therapieerfahrung als Prädiktoren der Abstinenz nach stationärer Behandlung – eine Replikationsstudie
Authors: Vollmer Heinz C. , Domma Julia
Published: November 2018

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Gestatten die Merkmale „Anzahl vorheriger Entgiftungen“, „Depressivität“ und „Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, SWE“ eine Prognose der Abstinenz zur Ein-Jahres Katamnese? Methode: Prospektive Replikations-Feldstudie in einer anderen Klinik, in der mittels binärer logistischer Regression und Chi Quadrat Tests Unterschiede in Patienten-Merkmalen zwischen zur Ein-Jahres-Katamnese durchgehend abstinenten (N = 285) vs. rückfällig gewordenen Alkoholabhängigen (N = 274) analysiert wurden. Ergebnisse: Ebenso wie in unserer vorherigen Studie waren Alter, Geschlecht, Schulbildung, Arbeitslosigkeit, Familienstand, Partnersituation, suchtspezifische und psychische Komorbidität prognostisch nicht relevant, Ausnahme Persönlichkeitsstörungen. Wiederum hatten Patienten mit weniger als zwei Entgiftungen und einer hohen SWE die höchste Wahrscheinlichkeit ein Jahr durchgehend abstinent zu leben (82 %). Ebenso bestätigt wurde, dass Verbesserungen in der psychischen Belastung nicht mit Abstinenz korrelieren. Depressivität und vorherige Entwöhnungsbehandlungen wurden nicht als Prädiktoren repliziert. Schlussfolgerungen: Vorherige Entgiftungen, SWE und Persönlichkeitsstörungen könnten für den hier untersuchten Kliniktyp allgemeinverbindliche Prädiktoren sein. Inwiefern der Ausschluss der beiden Prädiktoren Depressivität und vorherige Entwöhnungsbehandlungen eine Folge neu eingeführter Interventionen für Depressive und Therapieerfahrene ist, wäre zu prüfen. Wie in unserer vorherigen Studie gestattet das Regressionsmodell trotz geringer Varianzaufklärung und mittlerer Effektstärken die Ableitung kausaler Hypothesen zur klinikspezifischen Verbesserung der Behandlung. Replikationsstudien sollten ebenso wie die empirische Orientierung ein fester Bestandteil verhaltenstherapeutischer Behandlung sein.
Best Scale for Detecting the Effects of Stratospheric Sulfate Aerosol Geoengineering on Surface Temperature
Authors: Lo Y. T. E. , Charlton‐Perez Andrew J. , Highwood Eleanor J. , Lott Fraser C.
Published: November 2018

Stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection (SAI) has been proposed as a way to geoengineer climate. While swift global mean surface cooling is generally expected from tropical SAI, the regional impacts of such perturbation on near‐surface air temperature (SAT) are projected to be spatially inhomogeneous. By using existing simulations from the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project G4 scenario, where 5 Tg/year of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is injected into the tropical stratosphere to offset some of the warming in a midrange representative greenhouse gas concentration pathway (RCP4.5) between 2020 and 2070, we examine the regional detectability of the SAI surface cooling effect and attempt to find the best spatial scale for potential SAI monitoring. We use optimal fingerprint detection and attribution techniques to estimate the time horizon over which the SAI surface cooling effect would be detected after implementation in 2020 on subglobal scales, ranging from the near‐global in situ observational coverage down to subcontinental regions. We show that using the spatiotemporal SAT pattern across the Northern and Southern extratropics and the Tropics, and across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, as well as averaging SATs over the whole globe robustly result in successful SAI detection within 10 years of geoengineering implementation in a majority of the included plausible geoengineering realizations. However, detecting the SAI effect on SAT within the first decade of implementation would be more challenging on subcontinental scales.
Slug Stability in Flaring Geometries and Ramifications for Lava Lake Degassing
Authors: Qin Zhipeng , Soldati Arianna , Velazquez Santana Liannie C. , Rust Alison C. , Suckale Jenny , Cashman Katharine V.
Published: November 2018

Long‐lived, persistently active lava lakes are rare but have been studied extensively because they may provide a natural laboratory for studying magmatic convection in basaltic and other low‐viscosity volcanoes. However, lava lakes differ from other volcanic systems in various ways, particularly geometry: the presence of the lava lake requires a sudden and significant flaring of the conduit. The goal of this paper is to advance our understanding of the effect that a sudden increase in the conduit width has on the stability of large gas slugs and bubbles ascending from the plumbing system. We investigate this question by linking analog laboratory experiments to direct numerical simulations in two dimensions. We find that the rapid change in the geometry associated with the transition from the conduit to the lava lake causes large gas slugs to break up. The nondimensional regime over which we observe the breakup depends sensitively on the flare angle of the lava lake and the importance of inertial effects in the flow, implying that degassing‐related eruptive activity at open‐system volcanoes is sensitive to the upper conduit and lake geometries. Applying this idea to the likely geometries and viscosities of actual lava lakes, our study suggests that all lava lakes except Erebus fall well within the regime where large gas slugs are prone to breakup.
Assessing Ionospheric Convection Estimates From Coherent Scatter From the Radio Aurora
Authors: Rojas E. L. , Hysell D. L. , Munk J.
Published: November 2018

Coherent radar backscatter spectra from auroral E region plasma irregularities can be measured with great precision and accuracy. The Doppler spectra obtained from those measurements can be used to estimate auroral convection patterns using an empirical model. These estimates are consistent with rocket, optical, and incoherent scatter radar data, but direct comparison between the different data sets is not straightforward. In order to establish the quality of the empirical model, alternative approaches are then needed. In this work, we use the electrostatic nature of the convection electric field to assess the physical consistency of the empirical model: The model will be satisfactory to the extent that the convection patterns derived from them are incompressible. The incompressibility criteria were assessed for the estimated convection patterns obtained from the substorm of 20 December 2015. Two different approaches were used for this assessment. First, an electrostatic potential was fitted to the convection pattern produced by the empirical model. A good fit implies that there exists an incompressible convection pattern consistent with the Doppler spectra measurements. Second, the uncertainties on the Doppler spectral estimates where propagated through the empirical model to calculate the expected uncertainties on the divergence of the convection field obtained directly from the empirical model. The convection field will be incompressible if its divergence lies within the uncertainty estimates. Both approaches indicate that the evaluated convection patterns are consistently incompressible.
Genetic variation is associated with PTSD risk and aversive memory: Evidence from two trauma-Exposed African samples and one healthy European sample
Authors: Wilker Sarah , Schneider Anna , Conrad Daniela , Pfeiffer Anett , Boeck Christina , Lingenfelder Birke , Freytag Virginie , Vukojevic Vanja , Vogler Christian , Milnik Annette , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , J.-F. de Quervain Dominique , Elbert Thomas , Kolassa Stephan , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana
Published: November 2018

The probability to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized by vivid, intrusive emotional memories of the encountered traumatic events, depends - among other factors - on the number of previous traumatic experiences (traumatic load) and individual genetic vulnerability. So far, our knowledge regarding the biological underpinnings of PTSD is relatively sparse. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) followed by independent replication might help to discover novel, so far unknown biological mechanisms associated with the development of traumatic memories. Here, a GWAS was conducted in N = 924 Northern Ugandan rebel war survivors and identified seven suggestively significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; p ≤ 1 × 10−5) for lifetime PTSD risk. Of these seven SNPs, the association of rs3852144 on chromosome 5 was replicated in an independent sample of Rwandan genocide survivors (N = 370, p < .01). While PTSD risk increased with accumulating traumatic experiences, the vulnerability was reduced in carriers of the minor G-allele in an additive manner. Correspondingly, memory for aversive pictures decreased with higher number of the minor G-allele in a sample of N = 2698 healthy Swiss individuals. Finally, investigations on N = 90 PTSD patients treated with Narrative Exposure Therapy indicated an additive effect of genotype on PTSD symptom change from pre-treatment to four months after treatment, but not between pre-treatment and the 10-months follow-up. In conclusion, emotional memory formation seems to decline with increasing number of rs3852144 G-alleles, rendering individuals more resilient to PTSD development. However, the impact on therapy outcome remains preliminary and further research is needed to determine how this intronic marker may affect memory processes in detail.
Author Correction: Mechanically tunable conductive interpenetrating network hydrogels that mimic the elastic moduli of biological tissue
Authors: Feig Vivian R. , Tran Helen , Lee Minah , Bao Zhenan
Published: November 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the second sentence of the ‘Materials’ section of the Methods, which incorrectly read ‘PEDOT:PSS synthesized by Orgacon (739324 Aldrich, MDL MFCD07371079) was purchased as a surfactant-free aqueous dispersion with 1.1 wt% solid content.’ The correct version replaces this sentence with ‘PEDOT:PSS Orgacon ICP 1050 was provided by Agfa as a surfactant-free aqueous dispersion with 1.1 wt% solid content.’ This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Tradeoffs in demographic mechanisms underlie differences in species abundance and stability
Authors: Hallett Lauren M. , Farrer Emily C. , Suding Katharine N. , Mooney Harold A. , Hobbs Richard J.
Published: November 2018

Understanding why some species are common and others are rare is a central question in ecology, and is critical for developing conservation strategies under global change. Rare species are typically considered to be more prone to extinction—but the fact they are rare can impede a general understanding of rarity vs. abundance. Here we develop and empirically test a framework to predict species abundances and stability using mechanisms governing population dynamics. Our results demonstrate that coexisting species with similar abundances can be shaped by different mechanisms (specifically, higher growth rates when rare vs. weaker negative density-dependence). Further, these dynamics influence population stability: species with higher intrinsic growth rates but stronger negative density-dependence were more stable and less sensitive to climate variability, regardless of abundance. This suggests that underlying mechanisms governing population dynamics, in addition to population size, may be critical indicators of population stability in an increasingly variable world.
Giant tortoise genomes provide insights into longevity and age-related disease
Authors: Quesada Víctor , Freitas-Rodríguez Sandra , Miller Joshua , Pérez-Silva José G. , Jiang Zi-Feng , Tapia Washington , Santiago-Fernández Olaya , Campos-Iglesias Diana , Kuderna Lukas F. K. , Quinzin Maud , Álvarez Miguel G. , Carrero Dido , Beheregaray Luciano B. , Gibbs James P. , Chiari Ylenia , Glaberman Scott , Ciofi Claudio , Araujo-Voces Miguel , Mayoral Pablo , Arango Javier R. , Tamargo-Gómez Isaac , Roiz-Valle David , Pascual-Torner María , Evans Benjamin R. , Edwards Danielle L. , Garrick Ryan C. , Russello Michael A. , Poulakakis Nikos , Gaughran Stephen J. , Rueda Danny O. , Bretones Gabriel , Marquès-Bonet Tomàs , White Kevin P. , Caccone Adalgisa , López-Otín Carlos
Published: November 2018

Giant tortoises are among the longest-lived vertebrate animals and, as such, provide an excellent model to study traits like longevity and age-related diseases. However, genomic and molecular evolutionary information on giant tortoises is scarce. Here, we describe a global analysis of the genomes of Lonesome George—the iconic last member of Chelonoidis abingdonii—and the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Comparison of these genomes with those of related species, using both unsupervised and supervised analyses, led us to detect lineage-specific variants affecting DNA repair genes, inflammatory mediators and genes related to cancer development. Our study also hints at specific evolutionary strategies linked to increased lifespan, and expands our understanding of the genomic determinants of ageing. These new genome sequences also provide important resources to help the efforts for restoration of giant tortoise populations.
Micro-RNAs, their target proteins, predispositions and the memory of filial imprinting
Authors: Margvelani Giorgi , Meparishvili Maia , Kiguradze Tamar , McCabe Brian J. , Solomonia Revaz
Published: November 2018

Visual imprinting is a learning process whereby young animals come to prefer a visual stimulus after exposure to it (training). The intermediate medial mesopallium (IMM) in the domestic chick forebrain is critical for visual imprinting and contributes to molecular regulation of memory formation. We investigated the role of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in such regulation. Twenty-four hours after training, miRNA spectra in the left IMM were compared between chicks with high preference scores (strong memory for imprinting stimulus), and chicks with low preference scores (weak memory for imprinting stimulus). Using criteria of significance and expression level, we chose gga-miR-130b-3p for further study and found that down-regulation correlated with learning strength. No effect was detected in posterior nidopallium, a region not involved in imprinting. We studied two targets of gga-miR-130b-3p, cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins 1 (CPEB-1) and 3 (CPEB-3), in two subcellular fractions (P2 membrane-mitochondrial and cytoplasmic) of IMM and posterior nidopallium. Only in the left IMM was a learning-related effect observed, in membrane CPEB-3. Variances from the regression with preference score and untrained chicks suggest that, in the IMM, gga-miR-130b-3p level reflects a predisposition, i.e. capacity to learn, whereas P2 membrane-mitochondrial CPEB-3 is up-regulated in a learning-specific way.
Evidence for Cognitive Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Turi Zsolt , Bjørkedal Espen , Gunkel Luisa , Antal Andrea , Paulus Walter , Mittner Matthias
Published: November 2018

Inactive interventions can have significant effects on cognitive performance. Understanding the generation of these cognitive placebo/nocebo effects is crucial for evaluating the cognitive impacts of interventional methods, such as non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). We report both cognitive placebo and nocebo effects on reward-based learning performance induced using an active sham NIBS protocol, verbal suggestions and conditioning in 80 healthy participants. Whereas our placebo manipulation increased both expected and perceived cognitive performance, nocebo had a detrimental effect on both. Model-based analysis suggests manipulation-specific strategic adjustments in learning-rates: Participants in the placebo group showed stronger learning from losses and reduced behavioral noise, participants in the nocebo group showed stronger learning from gains and increased behavioral noise. We conclude that experimentally induced expectancy can impact cognitive functions of healthy adult participants. This has important implications for the use of double-blind study designs that can effectively maintain blinding in NIBS studies.
Stable isotopic evidence of nitrogen sources and C4 metabolism driving the world’s largest macroalgal green tides in the Yellow Sea
Authors: Valiela Ivan , Liu Dongyan , Lloret Javier , Chenoweth Kelsey , Hanacek Daniella
Published: November 2018

During recent years, rapid seasonal growth of macroalgae covered extensive areas within the Yellow Sea, developing the world’s most spatially extensive “green tide”. The remarkably fast accumulation of macroalgal biomass is the joint result of high nitrogen supplies in Yellow Sea waters, plus ability of the macroalgae to optionally use C4 photosynthetic pathways that facilitate rapid growth. Stable isotopic evidence shows that the high nitrogen supply is derived from anthropogenic sources, conveyed from watersheds via river discharges, and by direct atmospheric deposition. Wastewater and manures supply about half the nitrogen used by the macroalgae, fertiliser and atmospheric deposition each furnish about a quarter of the nitrogen in macroalgae. The massive green tides affecting the Yellow Sea are likely to increase, with significant current and future environmental and human consequences. Addressing these changing trajectories will demand concerted investment in new basic and applied research as the basis for developing management policies.
Temporal and spatial patterns of mitochondrial haplotype and species distributions in Siberian larches inferred from ancient environmental DNA and modeling
Authors: Epp Laura S. , Kruse Stefan , Kath Nadja J. , Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Tiedemann Ralph , Pestryakova Luidmila A. , Herzschuh Ulrike
Published: November 2018

Changes in species’ distributions are classically projected based on their climate envelopes. For Siberian forests, which have a tremendous significance for vegetation-climate feedbacks, this implies future shifts of each of the forest-forming larch (Larix) species to the north-east. However, in addition to abiotic factors, reliable projections must assess the role of historical biogeography and biotic interactions. Here, we use sedimentary ancient DNA and individual-based modelling to investigate the distribution of larch species and mitochondrial haplotypes through space and time across the treeline ecotone on the southern Taymyr peninsula, which at the same time presents a boundary area of two larch species. We find spatial and temporal patterns, which suggest that forest density is the most influential driver determining the precise distribution of species and mitochondrial haplotypes. This suggests a strong influence of competition on the species’ range shifts. These findings imply possible climate change outcomes that are directly opposed to projections based purely on climate envelopes. Investigations of such fine-scale processes of biodiversity change through time are possible using paleoenvironmental DNA, which is available much more readily than visible fossils and can provide information at a level of resolution that is not reached in classical palaeoecology.
Structural insight into D-xylose utilization by xylose reductase from Scheffersomyces stipitis
Authors: Son Hyeoncheol Francis , Lee Sun-Mi , Kim Kyung-Jin
Published: November 2018

Lignocellulosic biomass, of which D-xylose accounts for approximately 35% of the total sugar, has attracted attention as a future energy source for biofuel. To elucidate molecular mechanism of D-xylose utilization, we determined the crystal structure of D-xylose reductase from Schefferzomyces stipitis (SsXR) at a 1.95 Å resolution. We also determined the SsXR structure in complex with the NADPH cofactor and revealed that the protein undergoes an open/closed conformation change upon NADPH binding. The substrate binding pocket of SsXR is somewhat hydrophobic, which seems to result in low binding affinity to the substrate. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that AKR enzymes annotated with bacterial/archaeal XRs belonged to uncharacterized AKR families and might have no XR function, and yeast/fungi derived enzymes, which belong to the same group with SsXR, can be candidates for XR to increase xylose consumption.
Dynamic interaction of poly(A)-binding protein with the ribosome
Authors: Machida Kodai , Shigeta Tomoaki , Yamamoto Yuki , Ito Takuhiro , Svitkin Yuri , Sonenberg Nahum , Imataka Hiroaki
Published: November 2018

Eukaryotic mRNA has a cap structure and a poly(A) tail at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The cap structure is recognized by eIF (eukaryotic translation initiation factor) 4 F, while the poly(A) tail is bound by poly(A)-binding protein (PABP). PABP has four RNA recognition motifs (RRM1–4), and RRM1-2 binds both the poly(A) tail and eIF4G component of eIF4F, resulting in enhancement of translation. Here, we show that PABP interacts with the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits dynamically via RRM2-3 or RRM3-4. Using a reconstituted protein expression system, we demonstrate that wild-type PABP activates translation in a dose-dependent manner, while a PABP mutant that binds poly(A) RNA and eIF4G, but not the ribosome, fails to do so. From these results, functional significance of the interaction of PABP with the ribosome is discussed.
A gB/CD3 bispecific BiTE antibody construct for targeting Human Cytomegalovirus-infected cells
Authors: Brey Charlotte U. , Proff Julia , Teufert Natascha , Salzer Benjamin , Brozy Johannes , Münz Markus , Pendzialek Jochen , Ensser Armin , Holter Wolfgang , Lehner Manfred
Published: November 2018

Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) antibody constructs are successfully used as cancer therapeutics. We hypothesized that this treatment strategy could also be applicable for therapy of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, since HCMV-encoded proteins are abundantly expressed on the surface of infected cells. Here we show that a BiTE antibody construct directed against HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) and CD3 efficiently triggers T cells to secrete IFN-γ and TNF upon co-culture with fibroblasts infected with HCMV strain AD169, Towne or Toledo. Titration of gB expression levels in non-infected cells confirmed that already low levels of gB are sufficient for efficient triggering of T cells in presence of the BiTE antibody construct. Comparison of redirecting T cells with the bispecific antibody versus a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based on the same scFv showed a similar sensitivity for gB expression. Although lysis of infected target cells was absent, the BiTE antibody construct inhibited HCMV replication by triggering cytokine production. Notably, even strongly diluted supernatants of the activated T cells efficiently blocked the replication of HCMV in infected primary fibroblasts. In summary, our data prove the functionality of the first BiTE antibody construct targeting an HCMV-encoded glycoprotein for inhibiting HCMV replication in infected cells.