bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shrub persistence and increased grass mortality in response to drought in dryland systems
Authors: Winkler Daniel E. , Belnap Jayne , Hoover David , Reed Sasha C. , Duniway Michael C.
Published: April 2019

Droughts in the southwest United States have led to major forest and grassland die‐off events in recent decades, suggesting plant community and ecosystem shifts are imminent as native perennial grass populations are replaced by shrub‐ and invasive plant‐dominated systems. These patterns are similar to those observed in arid and semiarid systems around the globe, but our ability to predict which species will experience increased drought‐induced mortality in response to climate change remains limited. We investigated meteorological drought‐induced mortality of nine dominant plant species in the Colorado Plateau Desert by experimentally imposing a year‐round 35% precipitation reduction for eight continuous years. We distributed experimental plots across numerous plant, soil, and parent material types, resulting in 40 distinct sites across a 4,500 km2region of the Colorado Plateau Desert. For all 8 years, we tracked c. 400 individual plants and evaluated mortality responses to treatments within and across species, and through time. We also examined the influence of abiotic and biotic site factors in driving mortality responses. Overall, high mortality trends were driven by dominant grass species, includingAchnatherum hymenoides,Pleuraphis jamesii, andSporobolus cryptandrus. Responses varied widely from year to year and dominant shrub species were generally resistant to meteorological drought, likely due to their ability to access deeper soil water. Importantly, mortality increased in the presence of invasive species regardless of treatment, and native plant die‐off occurred even under ambient conditions, suggesting that recent climate changes are already negatively impacting dominant species in these systems. Results from this long‐term drought experiment suggest major shifts in community composition and, as a result, ecosystem function. Patterns also show that, across multiple soil and plant community types, native perennial grass species may be replaced by shrubs and invasive annuals in the Colorado Plateau Desert.
Analysis of Transient Flow to an Extended Fully Penetrating Well at Constant‐Head Pumping
Authors: Jhuang Wei‐Hao , Fen Chiu‐Shia , Shen Yu‐Te , Yeh Hund‐Der
Published: April 2019

Vertical wells with radial extension at the well bottom can improve the rate of water production. No study has yet investigated the effects of the transient state and anisotropy in directional hydraulic conductivities on the wellbore flux rate for this type of well. This study derives a semianalytical transient drawdown solution for constant‐head pumping at a fully penetrating well radially extended at the bottom of a confined, anisotropic aquifer by applying Laplace transform and separation of variables as well as conducting a Fourier analysis. The results of this new solution indicate that transient and steady‐state wellbore flux rates can be increased by a factor of two for greater radial extension of the well. Compared with an isotropic aquifer (a ratio of vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivities equal to one), an anisotropic aquifer with the ratio less than one may produce a higher transient wellbore flux rate and lower steady‐state wellbore flux rate. Moreover, the time required to achieve the steady‐state wellbore flux rate can be substantially affected by anisotropy of the aquifer.
Retreatability of two hydraulic calcium silicate‐based root canal sealers using rotary instrumentation with supplementary irrigant agitation protocols: a laboratory‐based micro‐computed tomographic analysis
Authors: Pedullà E. , Abiad R. S. , Conte G. , Khan K. , Lazaridis K. , Rapisarda E. , Neelakantan P.
Published: April 2019

Aim

To investigate the retreatability of two calcium silicate‐based materials (BioRoot RCS, Septodont, Saint–Maur‐des‐Fossés, France and GuttaFlow Bioseal, Colténe/Whaledent AG, Langenau, Germany) using rotary instrumentation combined with supplementary irrigant agitation techniques using extracted teeth in a laboratory setting.

Methodology

The root canals of extracted single‐rooted mandibular premolars were prepared to size 40, .04 taper and randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 36) depending on the root filling material. Root canals were filled with gutta‐percha and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GB, group 1) or BioRoot RCS (BR, group 2), scanned using a micro‐CT scanner and stored in phosphate‐buffered saline for 4 months. Removal of root filling was performed with rotary instruments, and specimens were randomly allocated to one of the subgroups for supplementary irrigant agitation (n = 12): subgroup A, syringe irrigation (control); subgroup B, Tornado Brush (M.I.B, Suresnes, France) and subgroup C, ultrasonically activated irrigation. Specimens were re‐scanned with micro‐CT to calculate the volume of remnant root filling material. Data were analysed statistically by two‐way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's tests (P = 0.05).

Results

Specimens filled with GuttaFlow Bioseal were associated with a significantly smaller volume of root filling remnants compared with BioRoot RCS (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the supplementary irrigant agitation subgroups in the removal of GB (P > 0.05). In group 2 (BioRoot RCS), subgroups B (Tornado Brush) and C (ultrasonically activated irrigation) were associated with a significantly smaller volume of root filling remnants compared with subgroup A (syringe irrigation) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between subgroups B and C (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Significantly smaller volumes of root filling remnants of GuttaFlow Bioseal, than BioRoot RCS, were present after their removal with rotary instruments and irrigation. Supplementary irrigant agitation techniques were associated with smaller volumes of remnants during the removal of BioRoot RCS but not that of GuttaFlow Bioseal.
Physicochemical properties and bioactive function of Japanese grape (Hovenia dulcis) pomace insoluble dietary fibre modified by ball milling and complex enzyme treatment
Authors: Yang Bing , Wu Qunjun , Song Xue , Yang Qiong , Kan Jianquan
Published: April 2019

The study investigated the effects of ball milling and enzymolysis on the structural characteristics, physicochemical properties and bioactive function of Hovenia dulcis pomace insoluble dietary fibre (HIDF). Ball milling and enzymolysis effectively decreased the particle size and zeta potential of HIDF. The swelling power (SP), water solubility index (WSI) and apparent viscosity of HIDF were effectively enhanced (P < 0.05) after ball milling and enzymolysis. Scanning electron microscopy detection showed that the surface and internal structures of HIDF were destructed by the modified treatment. Ball milling and enzymolysis treatment disrupted the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and crystalline structure of HIDF per Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Furthermore, the inhibition rate of HIDF on α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase was significantly increased by modification. All HIDF significantly improved the lipid metabolism of hyperlipidemic mice, with the modified IDF providing a stronger effect.
Light exposure and wounding: synergistic effects on steroidal glycoalkaloid accumulation in potato tubers during storage
Authors: Nie Xuheng , Li Caixia , Zhang Guanghai , Shao Zhiling , Wang Xin , Shi Han , Guo Huachun
Published: April 2019

Potato tubers contain undesirable steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs), which have evoked global concern in terms of feed and food safety due to their toxic effects in humans. The cultivar Unica was exposed to a combination of light and wounding. SGA content among different tissues was analysed. Our results showed that SGA contents of tubers subjected to light was higher than that of intact tubers stored in darkness, and SGA content in the skin varied with time; however, SGA content in the flesh remained stable at a relatively low level. SGA content in the wound was higher than that of intact tubers. Importantly, light and wounding were shown to have synergistic effects on SGA content in the tuber, which only influenced SGA content within approximately 3 mm of the wound surface. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the reasonable and safe consumption of potatoes.
Impact of increased predation risk on vigilance behaviour in a gregarious waterfowl, the Egyptian gooseAlopochen aegyptiaca
Authors: Atkins Alex , Little Rob M. , Redpath Stephen M. , Amar Arjun
Published: April 2019

Vigilance is amongst the most universal of anti‐predator strategies and commonly declines with increasing group size. We experimentally manipulated predation risk in a system with a known relationship between group size and vigilance levels to explore whether this relationship changes in response to elevated predation risk. We investigated the vigilance levels of Egyptian geeseAlopochen aegyptiacaat eight golf courses in the western Cape, South Africa, to assess the perception of and reaction to predation risk. We manipulated predation risk by introducing trained Harris's hawksParabuteo unicintuswhere avian predation was otherwise low or absent. The study confirmed the typical reduction in vigilance with group size on control sites, where the risk of predation is low. However, at experimental sites with elevated predation risk, a positive relationship between vigilance and group size was observed. We hypothesize that the mechanism for this relationship might be linked to social information transfer via copying behaviour and manipulation to induce vigilance. Thus, larger groups will have a higher probability of containing individuals with experience of elevated predation risk and their increased vigilance behaviour is copied by naïve individuals. This prediction is based on the intended outcome of introducing avian predation to make the geese feel less safe and to eventually leave the site as a management tool for controlling nuisance geese.
Investigation of round goby viral haemorrhagic septicaemia outbreak in New York
Authors: Getchell Rodman G. , First Erika J. , Bogdanowicz Steven M. , Andrés Jose A. , Schulman Adam T. , Kramer Jordan , Eckerlin Geofrey E. , Farrell John M. , Marquis Hélène
Published: April 2019

Eleven viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) genotype IVb isolates were sequenced, and their genetic variation explored to determine the source of a VHS outbreak on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. An active fish kill of round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas) was intensively sampled at King Ferry, NY and nearby Long Point State Park in May 2017. Gross lesions observed on 67 moribund round gobies and two rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris, Rafinesque) included moderately haemorrhagic internal organs and erythematous areas on the head, flank, and fins. RT‐qPCR tests for VHSV were positive for all 69 fish. Viral isolation on epithelioma papulosum cyprinid cells showed cytopathic effect characteristic of VHSV for six round goby samples from King Ferry. The complete nucleotide sequence of the VHSV IVb genomes of five Cayuga Lake round goby isolates were derived on an Illumina platform along with 2017 VHSV IVb isolates from round gobies collected from the following: Lake Erie near Dunkirk, NY; the St. Lawrence River near Clayton and Cape Vincent, NY; and Lake St. Lawrence near Massena, NY. The phylogenetic tree created from these aligned sequences and four other complete VHSV IVb genomes shows Cayuga Lake isolates are closely related to the Lake Erie isolates.
Mechanical collision simulation of potato tubers
Authors: Celik Huseyin Kursat , Cinar Recep , Yilmaz Deniz , Ulmeanu Mihaela‐Elena , Rennie Allan E. W. , Akinci Ibrahim
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the results of an investigation on internal stress progression and the explicit dynamics simulation of the bruising behavior of potato tubers under dynamic mechanical collision. Physical measurements, mechanical tests, advanced solid modeling, and engineering simulation techniques were utilized in the study. The tuber samples used in the simulation were reverse engineered and finite element analysis (FEA) was set up to simulate the collision‐based bruising behavior of the potato tubers. The total number of identical tuber models used in the simulation was 17. The numerical data of the FEA results revealed useful stress distribution and mechanical behavior visuals. These results are presented in a frame that can be used to describe bruise susceptibility value on potato‐like agricultural crops. The modulus of elasticity was calculated from compression test data as 3.12 MPa. Structural stresses of 1.40 and 3.13 MPa on the impacting (hitting) and impacted (hit) tubers (respectively) were obtained. These stress values indicate that bruising is likely to occur on the tubers. This research paper provides a useful how‐to‐do strategy to further research on complicated bruising investigations of solid‐like agricultural products through advanced engineering simulation techniques.

Practical applications

This research aims to simulate realistic dynamic deformation of potato tubers during mechanical collision, which is very hard to achieve through physical or analytical expressions. This is attractive because related food processing industries have shown their interest in determining the physical properties and bruising behavior of food/agricultural products using experimental, numerical, and engineering simulation methods so that it can be used in their food processing technology. Very limited data have been found available in the literature about the subject of FEM‐based explicit dynamics simulation of solid‐like agricultural crops such as the self‐collision case of potato tubers (which is very important for indoor or outdoor potato processing). Comparative investigations on determination of modulus of elasticity are very limited as well. Most of the research focused on single calculation theory and linear static loading assumption‐based FEM simulation solutions. Here, we report a “how‐to‐do” case study for dynamic self‐collision simulation of potato tubers.
Treatment of atherosclerotic plaque: perspectives on theranostics
Authors: Zhang Yicong , Koradia Aayushi , Kamato Danielle , Popat Amirali , Little Peter J , Ta Hang T
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Atherosclerosis, a progressive condition characterised by the build-up of plaque due to the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein and fibrous substances in the damaged arteries, is the major underlying pathology of most cardiovascular diseases. Despite the evidence of the efficacy of the present treatments for atherosclerosis, the complex and poorly understood underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis development and progression have prevented them from reaching their full potential. Novel alternative treatments like usage of nanomedicines and theranostics are gaining attention of the researchers worldwide. This review will briefly discuss the current medications for the disease and explore potential future developments based on theranostics nanomaterials that may help resolve atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Key findings

Various drugs can slow the effects of atherosclerosis. They include hyperlipidaemia medications, anti-platelet drugs, hypertension and hyperglycaemia medications. Most of the theranostic agents developed for atherosclerosis have shown the feasibility of rapid and noninvasive diagnosis, as well as effective and specific treatment in animal models. However, there are still some limitation exist in their structure design, stability, targeting efficacy, toxicity and production, which should be optimized in order to develop clinically acceptable nanoparticle based theronostics for atherosclerosis.

Current medications for atherosclerosis and potential theranostic nanomaterials developed for the disease are discussed in the current review. Further investigations remain to be carried out to achieve clinical translation of theranostic agents for atherosclerosis.
A natural diarylheptanoid protects cortical neurons against oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced autophagy and apoptosis
Authors: Shi Qiaoyun , Zhang Qinghua , Peng Yinghui , Zhang Xiaoqi , Wang Ying , Shi Lei
Published: April 2019

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of curcumin analogues, 7-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-4E-hepten-3-one (AO-2) on oxygen–glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) induced injury in cortical neurons, which is a widely accepted in-vitro model for ischaemic reperfusion.

Methods

In this study, AO-2 was added to cortical neurons for 2 h as pretreatment, and then cortical neurons were subjected to OGD/R in the presence of AO-2 for 4 h. Cell viability was tested by 2′, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry and Live & Dead cell assay. Western blot analysis detected the change in AKT/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling pathway.

Key findings

Treatment of AO-2 increased cell survival of OGD/R-treated cortical neurons. Transient AKT/mTOR inhibition, induction of the autophagy marker LC3-II (microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate), and cleavage of the apoptosis marker Caspase-3 were observed at different stages of OGD/R, and AO-2 reversed all three events. Importantly, treatment of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin blocked the neuroprotective effects of AO-2 on reducing LC3-II and cleaved Caspase-3 expression and cancelled AO-2-mediated neuronal survival.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that AO-2 increases resistance of cortical neurons to OGD/R by decreasing autophagy and cell apoptosis, which involves an mTOR-dependent mechanism.
Colonic impaction in dogs: a retrospective study of 58 cases (1996 to 2014)
Authors: Tzimtzimis E. , Papazoglou L. , Patsikas M. , Tsioli V. , Kouti V. , Konstantinidis A. , Rallis T.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To describe the clinical findings, management and outcome of colonic impaction in dogs and report the effectiveness of medical treatment.

Materials and Methods

Case records of 58 dogs with colonic impaction were reviewed. Telephone contact with the owners was used to obtain long‐term outcome.

Results

Twenty‐nine dogs (50%) were mixed‐breed, and 45 (78%) were entire males. Median age at presentation was 7 years, and median bodyweight was 22 kg. The degree of radiographic colonic distension did not appear to be related to long‐term outcome. Fifty‐five dogs (95%) received medical treatment including enemas alone, hyperosmotic and/or bulk‐forming and/or lubricant laxatives, enemas combined with laxatives or enemas and/or laxatives combined with manual evacuation of faecal material under anaesthesia. Median survival time of the 58 dogs was 2 years. Overall, 36 of 41 dogs with available long‐term follow‐up had a favourable outcome.

Clinical Significance

Medical treatment of colonic impaction in dogs with a single agent or a combination of agents has a high success rate. Marked colonic dilation is not necessarily indicative of megacolon in dogs.
Rapid eye movements are reduced in blind individuals
Authors: Christensen Julie A. E. , Aubin Sébrina , Nielsen Tore , Ptito Maurice , Kupers Ron , Jennum Poul
Published: April 2019

There is ongoing controversy regarding the role of rapid eye movements (EMs) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. One prevailing hypothesis is that EMs during REM sleep are indicative of the presence of visual imagery in dreams. We tested the validity of this hypothesis by measuring EMs in blind subjects and correlating these with visual dream content. Eleven blind subjects, of whom five were congenitally blind (CB) and six late blind (LB), and 11 matched sighted control (SC) subjects participated in this study. All participants underwent full‐night polysomnography (PSG) recordings that were staged manually following American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. Nocturnal EMs were detected automatically using a validated EM detector, and EM activity was represented as “EM coverage” computed as percentage of time with EM in each sleep stage. Frequency of sensory dream elements was measured in dream recall questionnaires over a 30‐day period. Both blind groups showed less EM coverage during wakefulness, N1, N2 and REM sleep than did controls. CB and LB subjects did not differ in EM activity. Validation of the detector applied to blind subjects revealed an overall accuracy of 95.6 ± 3.6%. Analysis of dream reports revealed that LB subjects reported significantly more visual dream elements than did CB. Although no specific mechanisms can be revealed in the current study, the quasi absence of nocturnal EMs in LB subjects despite preserved visual dream content does not support the visual scanning of dreams hypothesis. Specifically, results suggest a dissociation between EMs and visual dream content in blind individuals.
NEOSQUIRREL: a data set of ecological knowledge on Neotropical squirrels
Authors: Mendes Calebe Pereira , Koprowski John L. , Galetti Mauro
Published: April 2019

The squirrels (Sciuridae), with 292 species, make up the second most diverse family of rodents. Squirrels play important roles as seed and spore dispersers and seed predators in all regions where they occur. In Neotropical regions, around 28 species of squirrel are recognised. However, our knowledge of the ecology of the Neotropical Sciuridae is severely incomplete, lacking in the most basic ecological information for most species.

We reviewed the literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, for all squirrel species in the Neotropical biogeographic region, summarising ecological interactions between squirrels and the local biota, population density records, the number of publications, and the distribution of study sites.

We found information for 20 squirrel species (71% of the recognised species), from 15 countries, in 48 publications containing 126 population density records and 155 publications containing 649 ecological interactions. The most studied species wereGuerlinguetus brasiliensis,Notosciurus granatensis, andSciurus variegatoides, with 53% of all publications, whereas for eight species ofMicrosciurus, we found no publications. The density of Neotropical squirrels varied from 0.08 to 100 individuals per km2and was negatively correlated with forest area.

Neotropical squirrels were recorded eating 174 plant taxa, five fungus taxa, four invertebrate taxa, and one species of vertebrate. Palms were common in the diet of squirrels (30 palm species, 27% of feeding records). Squirrels cached 28 plant species, of which 15 were palms.

Sixty‐five taxa of parasites are documented to occur in Neotropical squirrels, and the most common wereEnderleinelluslice. Zoonotic parasites, including trypanosomes,Leptospiraspp.,Leishmaniaspp., and plague were also reported.

Our review reveals the main information gaps in the current knowledge about the ecology of Neotropical Sciuridae and maps the geographic distribution of the available information throughout South and Central America. Squirrels often thrive in small forest fragments and fulfil important roles as seed dispersers and prey for mesopredators.
Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis and the role of inhibitory receptors in islet tolerance
Authors: Martinov Tijana , Fife Brian T.
Published: April 2019

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects over a million Americans, and disease incidence is on the rise. Despite decades of research, there is still no cure for this disease. Exciting beta cell replacement strategies are being developed, but in order for such approaches to work, targeted immunotherapies must be designed. To selectively halt the autoimmune response, researchers must first understand how this response is regulated and which tolerance checkpoints fail during T1D development. Herein, we discuss the current understanding of T1D pathogenesis in humans, genetic and environmental risk factors, presumed roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as B cells, and implicated autoantigens. We also highlight studies in non‐obese diabetic mice that have demonstrated the requirement for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells in driving T1D pathology. We present an overview of central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms and comment on existing controversies in the field regarding central tolerance. Finally, we discuss T cell– and B cell–intrinsic tolerance mechanisms, with an emphasis on the roles of inhibitory receptors in maintaining islet tolerance in humans and in diabetes‐prone mice, and strategies employed to date to harness inhibitory receptor signaling to prevent or reverse T1D.
Cortical surface architecture endophenotype and correlates of clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yamagata Bun , Itahashi Takashi , Fujino Junya , Ohta Haruhisa , Takashio Osamu , Nakamura Motoaki , Kato Nobumasa , Mimura Masaru , Hashimoto Ryu‐ichiro , Aoki Yuta Y.
Published: April 2019

Aim

Prior structural magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated atypical gray matter characteristics in siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, they did not clarify which aspect of gray matter is related to the endophenotype (i.e., genetic vulnerability) of ASD. Further, because they did not enroll siblings of typically developing (TD) people, they may have underestimated the difference between individuals with ASD and their unaffected siblings. The current study aimed to address these gaps.

Methods

We recruited 30 pairs of adult male siblings (15 pairs with an ASD endophenotype and 15 pairs without) and focused on four gray matter parameters: cortical volume and three surface‐based parameters (cortical thickness, fractal dimension, and sulcal depth [SD]). First, we sought to identify a pattern of an ASD endophenotype, comparing the four parameters. Then, we compared individuals with ASD and their unaffected siblings in the cortical parameters to identify neural correlates for the clinical diagnosis accounting for the difference between TD siblings.

Results

A sparse logistic regression with a leave‐one‐pair‐out cross‐validation showed the SD as having the highest accuracy for the identification of an ASD endophenotype (73.3%) compared with the other three parameters. A bootstrapping analysis accounting for the difference in the SD between TD siblings showed a significantly large difference between individuals with ASD and their unaffected siblings in six out of 68 regions of interest.

Conclusion

This proof‐of‐concept study suggests that an ASD endophenotype emerges in the SD and that neural bases for ASD diagnosis can be discerned from the endophenotype when accounting for the difference between TD siblings.
Schizophrenia and motherhood
Authors: Gentile Salvatore , Fusco Maria Luigia
Published: April 2019

The primary aim of this study was to analyze the impact of schizophrenic disorders on pregnancy outcomes. The secondary aim was to briefly analyze the potential role of antipsychotic treatment on influencing pregnancy outcomes in expectant mothers with schizophrenia. We searched the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Science.gov databases for articles published in English from January 1980 to January 2019. We used the following search terms: ‘schizophrenia’, ‘motherhood’, ‘pregnancy/foetal/neonatal outcomes’, and ‘birth defects’. The reference lists of retrieved articles were also consulted to find additional pertinent studies missed in the electronic search and/or those published before 1980. Data were extracted from articles that provided primary data on the impact of maternal schizophrenia spectrum disorders on obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. After excluding duplicates, 35 articles were identified. Systematic reviews were searched on the same databases to briefly assess the effects of antipsychotics on pregnancy outcomes. The reviewed studies showed several limitations. They were published during a time range from the early 1970s to 2019. During this period, there were significant changes in the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. Moreover, such studies showed no homogeneity in the investigation of potential confounders. Most importantly, no research has differentiated the effects of maternal illness on pregnancy, fetal, and neonatal outcomes from those associated with antipsychotic treatments. Thus, it is not surprising that such studies show conflicting results. Despite such limitations, in managing pregnant women with schizophrenia clinicians should consider an integrated approach that includes: antipsychotic treatment, psychological treatment, optimal dietary approaches for prevention of excessive weight gain and gestational diabetes, meticulous gynecologic and obstetric surveillance, and social and occupational support.
Electrophysiological correlates of prediction formation in anticipation of reward‐ and punishment‐related feedback signals
Authors: Wischnewski Miles , Schutter Dennis J.L.G.
Published: April 2019

Feedback processing during decision making involves comparing anticipated and actual outcome. Although effects on ERPs of valence, magnitude, expectancy, and context during feedback processing have been extensively investigated, the electrophysiological processes underlying prediction formation in anticipation of feedback signals have received little attention. The aim of the present study was to explore these processes of prediction formation and their influence on subsequent feedback signals. Twenty healthy, right‐handed volunteers performed a forced‐choice task in which they had to indicate which of two presented objects was more expensive. After the volunteer's choice, an expert cue, which was accurate in 80% of trials, was presented to manipulate prediction formation about future reward and punishment. ERPs were recorded during presentation of the expert cue and during feedback. Results revealed that prediction formation of future rewards and punishments is accompanied by differences in the P2 component and a subsequent delay period. During feedback processing, the prediction‐related P2 was associated with the processing of valence reflected in the feedback‐related P2. Furthermore, the prediction‐related difference in the delay period was associated with error processing in feedback‐related medial frontal negativity. These findings suggest that prediction signals prior to feedback contain information about whether a prediction is correct or wrong (expectancy) and if the outcome will be a reward or punishment (valence).
A swan song for Kt/Vurea
Authors: Vanholder Raymond , Van Biesen Wim , Lameire Norbert
Published: April 2019

Dialyzer clearance of urea multiplied by dialysis time and normalized for urea distribution volume (Kt/Vurea or simply Kt/V) has been used as an index of dialysis adequacy since more than 30 years. This article reviews the flaws of Kt/V, starting with a lack of proof of concept in three randomized controlled hard outcome trials (RCTs), and continuing with a long list of conditions where the concept of Kt/V was shown to be flawed. This information leaves little room for any conclusion other than that Kt/V, as an indicator of dialysis adequacy, is obsolete. The dialysis patient might benefit more if, instead, the nephrology community concentrates in the future on pursuing the optimal dialysis dose that conforms with adequate quality of life and on factors that are likely to affect outcomes more than Kt/V. These include residual renal function, volume status, dialysis length, ultrafiltration rate, the number of intra‐dialytic hypotensive episodes, interdialytic blood pressure, serum potassium and phosphate, serum albumin, and C reactive protein.
Architecture and preservation in the fluvial to marine transition zone of a mixed‐process humid‐tropical delta: Middle Miocene Lambir Formation, Baram Delta Province, north‐west Borneo
Authors: Collins Daniel S. , Johnson Howard D. , Baldwin Christopher T.
Published: April 2019

The interaction of river and marine processes in the fluvial to marine transition zone fundamentally impacts delta plain morphology and sedimentary dynamics. This study aims to improve existing models of the facies distribution, stratigraphic architecture and preservation in the fluvial to marine transition zone of mixed‐process deltas, using a comprehensive sedimentological and stratigraphic dataset from the Middle Miocene Lambir Formation, Baram Delta Province, north‐west Borneo. Eleven facies associations are identified and interpreted to preserve the interaction of fluvial and marine processes in a mixed‐energy delta, where fluvial, wave and tidal processes display spatially and temporally variable interactions. Stratigraphic successions in axial areas associated with active distributary channels are sandstone‐rich, comprising fluvial‐dominated and wave‐dominated units. Successions in lateral areas, which lack active distributary channels, are mudstone‐rich, comprising fluvial‐dominated, tide‐dominated and wave‐dominated units, including mangrove swamps. Widespread mudstone preservation in axial and lateral areas suggests well‐developed turbidity maximum zones, a consequence of high suspended‐sediment concentrations resulting from tropical weathering of a mudstone‐rich hinterland. Within the fluvial to marine transition zone of distributary channels, interpreted proximal–distal sedimentological and stratigraphic trends suggest: (i) a proximal fluvial‐dominated, tide‐influenced subzone; (ii) a distal fluvial‐dominated to wave‐dominated subzone; and (iii) a conspicuously absent tide‐dominated subzone. Lateral areas preserve a more diverse spectrum of facies and stratigraphic elements reflecting combined storm, tidal and subordinate river processes. During coupled storm and river floods, fluvial processes dominated the fluvial to marine transition zone along major and minor distributary channels and channel mouths, causing significant overprinting of preceding interflood deposits. Despite interpreted fluvial–tidal channel units and mangrove influence implying tidal processes, there is a paucity of unequivocal tidal indicators (for example, cyclical heterolithic layering). This suggests that process preservation in the fluvial to marine transition zone preserved in the Lambir Formation primarily records episodic (flashy) river discharge, river flood and storm overprinting of tidal processes, and possible backwater dynamics.
Editors' Introduction: Computational Approaches to Social Cognition
Authors: Cushman Fiery , Gershman Samuel
Published: April 2019

What place should formal or computational methods occupy in social psychology? We consider this question in historical perspective, survey the current state of the field, introduce the several new contributions to this special issue, and reflect on the future.
Comparison of three methods for the diagnosis of otoacariasis due to Otodectes cynotis in dogs and cats
Authors: Combarros Daniel , Boncea Ana Maria , Brément Thomas , Bourdeau Patrick , Bruet Vincent
Published: April 2019

Background

The diagnosis of otoacariasis due to Otodectes cynotis is based on the visualization of the parasite, either directly by otoscopy or indirectly after microscopic examination of cerumen collected by several methods.

Objectives

To compare the sensitivity of three techniques: conventional handheld otoscopy, Volkmann's curette sampling and cotton‐tipped swabbing.

Animals

Five dogs and 12 cats (30 naturally infested ears).

Methods and materials

For each case, following otoscopy, the order of examinations (swab or curette) was chosen randomly and the samples were observed on a slide mixed with lactophenol and covered with a coverslip. Parasite detection was noted as positive or negative and parasitic stages were counted separately.

Results

The diagnostic sensitivity of otoscopy alone was 67% (positive in 20 of 30 cases), using the curette sampling it was 93% (28/30) and 57% (17/30) for the swabbing. The curette technique had a significantly higher sensitivity than classic ear‐swabbing (P = 0.001) or otoscopy alone (P = 0.02). Combining otoscopy and the curette, we obtained a sensitivity of 100% compared to 86% when otoscopy and swabbing were combined. Moreover, the parasite count in the curette samples (average 25 ± 30 SD) was significantly higher than the swab samples (4.5 ± 11) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions and clinical importance

When suspecting O. cynotis infestation, otoscopic examination should be performed. To confirm the nature of the parasites observed or whenever this examination result is negative, doubtful or cannot be performed, the curettage sampling method for microscopic cerumen examination is recommended.
Traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation in dogs: 8 cases (2009–2016)
Authors: Hansen Sonya C. , Bacek Lenore M. , Kuo Kendon W. , Taylor Amanda R.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To demonstrate the utility of advanced imaging in dogs with traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation (TAAS), and to report the presentation, treatment, and outcome for these dogs.

Design

Retrospective study (2009–2016).

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Eight dogs diagnosed with TAAS with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or both.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Eight dogs met criteria for inclusion. Of these, 6 were male, median age was 4 years (range, 1.5–11 years), and median body weight was 4.9 kg (range, 3.0–25.0 kg). On presentation, 6/8 (75%) dogs were nonambulatory tetraparetic and the most common injury was trauma inflicted by another animal 5/8 (62.5%). Diagnosis of TAAS was made using a combination of imaging modalities including vertebral column radiographs in 7/8 (87.5%) (of which 71.4% were suspicious for TAAS), CT in 7/8 (87.5%), and MRI in 7/8 (87.5%). In 7/8 (87.5%) dogs, CT and/or MRI offered additional information regarding the extent of injuries. Vertebral fractures were identified in 62.5% (5/8) of dogs. The majority of dogs underwent surgical repair (7/8 [87.5%]). The most common complication was aspiration pneumonia (3/8 [37.5%]). All 8 dogs survived to discharge. At the time of discharge, 4/8 (50%) were ambulatory tetraparetic. The 4 dogs that were nonambulatory tetraparetic at discharge progressed to being ambulatory within 2 months of surgery.

Conclusions

Although TAAS is an uncommon occurrence it should be considered a differential for any trauma patient that is presenting with signs of a cranial cervical myelopathy. CT and MRI have been shown to be useful to identify the extent of injuries and to facilitate surgical planning. With appropriate care, these dogs can have an excellent prognosis.
Adjuvant therapies in venous leg ulcer management: A scoping review
Authors: Team Victoria , Chandler Peter G. , Weller Carolina D.
Published: April 2019

Compression therapy is the current evidence‐based approach to manage venous leg ulcers (VLU); however, adherence is a major barrier to successful treatment. Combination approaches may relieve the burden of treatment by shortening the time to ulcer healing. This scoping review conducted by Australian researchers aimed to establish the evidence of effectiveness of various adjuvant methods on wound healing and recurrence. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), and Systematic Reviews (SR) and Meta‐Analyses (MA) on VLU management approaches published from January 2015 to December 2018 were included in this review. The articles included in the scoping review were grouped according to the management approaches, including (1) pharmaceutical interventions, (2) surgical interventions, (3) topical agents, (4) the use of devices, and (5) other, such as physiotherapy and psychological interventions. Results of this scoping review indicate that there is a limited high‐quality evidence of effectiveness in most adjuvant therapies on wound healing and recurrence. Given the low‐quality evidence observed in this scoping review for adjuvant treatments, the implication for practice is that current management guidelines be followed. Further rigorous studies have the potential to produce better quality evidence. Quality of evidence can be improved by ensuring large sample sizes of a single etiology wounds, standardizing reporting outcomes, and maintaining detailed and evidence‐based protocols in physiological or psychological interventions.
Exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia increases loop gain and the arousal threshold in participants with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Alex Raichel M. , Panza Gino S. , Hakim Huzaifa , Badr M. Safwan , Edwards Bradley A. , Sands Scott A. , Mateika Jason H.
Published: April 2019

Key points

Repeated daily mild intermittent hypoxia has been endorsed as a therapy to promote the recovery of respiratory and limb motor dysfunction.

One possible side‐effect of this therapy is an increase in apnoeic event number and duration, which is particularly relevant to participants with motor disorders coupled with an increased incidence of sleep apnoea.

In this study, we report that increases in apnoeic event number and duration, following exposure to daily intermittent hypoxia, are the result of an increase in respiratory loop gain and the arousal threshold, in participants with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Daily exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia also led to an increase in the ventilatory response to arousal.

Accordingly, individuals with motor disorders receiving mild intermittent hypoxia as a therapy should be screened for the presence of sleep apnoea, and if present, administration of intermittent hypoxia during hours of wakefulness should be combined with continuous positive airway pressure treatment during sleep.

We determined if exposure to mild intermittent hypoxia (MIH) causes an increase in loop gain (LG) and the arousal threshold (AT) during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Male participants with obstructive sleep apnoea (apnoea‐hypopnoea index > 5 events/h), matched for age, body mass index and race were divided into two groups (n = 13 in each group). Following a baseline sleep study, one group was exposed to twelve 4‐min episodes of hypoxia each day for 10 days and the other group to a sham protocol (SP). On Days 1 and 10, a sleep study was completed following exposure to MIH or the SP. For each sleep study, LG and the AT were measured during NREM sleep, using a model‐based approach, and expressed as a fraction of baseline measures. LG increased after exposure to MIH (Day 1: 1.11 ± 0.03, P = 0.002, Day 10: 1.17 ± 0.05, P = 0.001), but not after the SP (Day 1: 1.03 ± 0.04, P = 1.0, Day 10: 1.0 ± 0.02, P = 1.0). AT also increased after exposure to MIH (Day 1: 1.13 ± 0.05, P = 0.01, Day 10: 1.19 ± 0.08, P = 0.05) but not after the SP (Day 1: 1.04 ± 0.05, P = 0.6, Day 10: 0.96 ± 0.04, P = 1.0). Our results might account for increases in apnoea frequency and duration previously observed during NREM sleep following exposure to MIH. Our results also have implications for the use of MIH as a therapeutic modality.
Conjugate Nusselt Numbers for Simultaneously Developing Flow Through Rectangular Ducts
Authors: Karamanis Georgios , Hodes Marc
Published: April 2019

We consider conjugate forced-convection heat transfer in a rectangular duct. Heat is exchanged through the isothermal base of the duct, i.e., the area comprised of the wetted portion of its base and the roots of its two side walls, which are extended surfaces within which conduction is three-dimensional. The opposite side of the duct is covered by an adiabatic shroud, and the external faces of the side walls are adiabatic. The flow is steady, laminar, and simultaneously developing, and the fluid and extended surfaces have constant thermophysical properties. Prescribed are the width of the wetted portion of the base, the length of the duct, and the thickness of the extended surfaces, all three of them nondimensionalized by the hydraulic diameter of the duct, and, additionally, the Reynolds number of the flow, the Prandtl number of the fluid, and the fluid-to-extended surface thermal conductivity ratio. Our conjugate Nusselt number results provide the local one along the extended surfaces, the local transversely averaged one over the isothermal base of the duct, the average of the latter in the streamwise direction as a function of distance from the inlet of the domain, and the average one over the whole area of the isothermal base. The results show that for prescribed thermal conductivity ratio and Reynolds and Prandtl numbers, there exists an optimal combination of the dimensionless width of the wetted portion of the base, duct length, and extended surface thickness that maximize the heat transfer per unit area from the isothermal base.
Examination of Prestressed Coating/Substrate Systems Using Spherical Indentation—Determination of Film Prestress, Film Modulus, and Substrate Modulus
Authors: Mills James A. , Xiao Hang , Chen Xi
Published: April 2019

There have been many studies performed with respect to the indentation of thin films affixed to a corresponding substrate base. These studies have primarily focused on determining the mechanical properties of the film. It is the goal of this paper to further understand the role that the film plays and how a potential prestressing of this film has on both the film and substrate base. It is equally important to be able to understand the material properties of the substrate since during manufacturing or long-term use, the substrate properties may change. In this study, we establish through spherical indentation a framework to characterize the material properties of both the substrate and film as well as a method to determine the prestress of the film. It is proposed that through an initial forward analysis, a set of relationships are developed. A single spherical indentation test can then be performed, measuring the indentation force at two prescribed depths, and with the relationships developed from the forward analysis, the material properties of both the film and substrate can be determined. The problem is further enhanced by also developing the capability of determining any equibiaxial stress state that may exist in the film. A generalized error sensitivity analysis of this formulation is also performed systematically. This study will enhance the present knowledge of a typical prestressed film/substrate system as is commonly used in many of today’s engineering and technical applications.
Machine learning in a data-limited regime: Augmenting experiments with synthetic data uncovers order in crumpled sheets
Authors: Hoffmann Jordan , Bar-Sinai Yohai , Lee Lisa M. , Andrejevic Jovana , Mishra Shruti , Rubinstein Shmuel M. , Rycroft Chris H.
Published: April 2019

Machine learning reveals order in crumpled sheets using simulated flat-folding patterns as data surrogate in a data-limited regime.
3D strain-induced superconductivity in La
2
CuO
4+δ
using a simple vertically aligned nanocomposite approach
Authors: Choi Eun-Mi , Di Bernardo Angelo , Zhu Bonan , Lu Ping , Alpern Hen , Zhang Kelvin H. L. , Shapira Tamar , Feighan John , Sun Xing , Robinson Jason , Paltiel Yossi , Millo Oded , Wang Haiyan , Jia Quanxi , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L.
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate a new way to increase the superconducting

T
C

of cuprates using 3-D strain control in nanocomposite thin films.
Conical intersection–regulated intermediates in bimolecular reactions: Insights from C(
1
D) + HD dynamics
Authors: Wu Yanan , Cao Jianwei , Ma Haitao , Zhang Chunfang , Bian Wensheng , Nunez-Reyes Dianailys , Hickson Kevin M.
Published: April 2019

Unusual metastable-state intermediates are revealed, invoking bond-selective activation via unique reaction mechanisms.
Characterization of the Horizontal and Vertical Sexual Transmission ofChlamydiaGenital Infections in a New Mouse Model
Authors: Pal Sukumar , Tifrea Delia F. , de la Maza Luis M.
Published: April 2019

Chlamydia trachomatisis the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide, and there is a need to control this epidemic. So far there is no established animal model in which both the horizontal and the vertical transmission ofChlamydiacan be studied. To implement a horizontal sexual transmission model, male mice were inoculated in the meatus urethra withChlamydia muridarumand they were caged with naive female mice. Urine and vaginal swab specimens were collected for culture.