bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Critical Review of White Matter Changes in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Casella Chiara , Lipp Ilona , Rosser Anne , Jones Derek K , Metzler‐Baddeley Claudia
Published: June 2020

Huntington’s disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder. White matter alterations have recently been identified as a relevant pathophysiological feature of Huntington’s disease, but their etiology and role in disease pathogenesis and progression remain unclear. Increasing evidence suggests that white matter changes in this disorder are attributed to alterations in myelin‐associated biological processes. This review first discusses evidence from neurochemical studies lending support to the demyelination hypothesis of Huntington’s disease, demonstrating aberrant myelination and changes in oligodendrocytes in the Huntington’s brain. Next, evidence from neuroimaging studies is reviewed, the limitations of the described methodologies are discussed, and suggested interpretations of findings from published studies are challenged. Although our understanding of Huntington’s associated pathological changes in the brain will increasingly rely on neuroimaging techniques, the shortcomings of these methodologies must not be forgotten. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging techniques and tissue modeling will enable a better in vivo, longitudinal characterization of the biological properties of white matter microstructure. This in turn will facilitate identification of disease‐related biomarkers and the specification of outcome measures in clinical trials. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Novel biallelic variants in COL7A1 cause recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Yang Neng , Ma Yongyi , Yao Hong , Chang Qing , Zhang Victor , Liang Zhiqing , Cai Xiongwei
Published: June 2020

Background

Autosomal recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is an incurable and severe inherited skin disorder characterized by recurrent blistering at the sublamina densa beneath the cutaneous basement membrane. It is caused by biallelic loss‐of‐function mutation in the gene encoding type VII collagen (COL7A1). This study aimed to identify the causative variants of a Chinese RDEB patient and further provide prenatal diagnosis for the ongoing risk pregnancy of the proband's mother.

Methods

Clinical exome sequencing (CES) has been performed and an in‐house pipeline was used to conduct a phenotype‐driven data analysis. A minigene assay was used to verify the pathogenicity of a novel splice site variant in the COL7A1.

Results

Here we report two compound heterozygous variants in COL7A1, c.3867delT (p.G1290Efs*35) and c.5532+4_5532+5delAG, identified in a RDEB patient by CES. The minigene assay confirmed that thec.5532+4_5532+5delAGchange was a noncanonic splice site variant leading to in an in‐frame deletion of exon 64. Prenatal diagnosis indicated that the present pregnancy of the patient's mother was not affected.

Conclusion

Our study expands the mutation spectrum of COL7A1 and demonstrated that CES and minigene assays were efficient tools for RDEB molecular diagnoses.
Combining the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap with the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap or the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for coverage of large soft tissue defects in the extremities and the trunk
Authors: Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Hayashi Akitatsu , Karakawa Ryo , Yano Tomoyuki
Published: June 2020

Background

The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap cannot be used for coverage of large defects. We introduce a novel flap design to overcome the SCIP flap's size limitation.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent coverage of defects exceeding 113 cm2 (12 × 12 cm) using combined flaps composed of an SCIP flap and either a superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap or a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap from September 2015 to September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. After elevation of the SCIP flap, the SIEA was dissected. If the diameter of the SIEA was smaller than 0.5 mm, a DIEP included in the flap design was identified. For minimal donor site morbidity, the DIEP dissection was limited to its takeoff point from the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA), and a small T‐portion of the DIEA was harvested.

Results

Six patients met inclusion criteria. The average defect size was 18.5 ± 2.3 × 15.7 ± 3.7 cm, and all defects were sufficiently covered. The mean dimensions of the SCIP flap, the SIEA flap, and the DIEP flap were 18.5 ± 2.5 × 7.5 ± 1.0 cm, 15.5 ± 2.1 × 6.6 ± 1.6 cm, and 17.5 ± 2.1 × 6.5 ± 0.7 cm, respectively. All flaps survived completely with no healing complications, and no donor site complications were observed. The SCIP flap was combined with the SIEA flap in four cases and with the DIEP flap in two cases. The average follow‐up period was 12.7 ± 6.7 months. The final outcome was satisfactory in all cases.

Conclusion

Large defects (up to 20 × 20 cm) can be covered with minimal donor site morbidity, with primary closure, by combining either the SIEA or the DIEP flap with the SCIP flap.
A robust central scheme for the shallow water flows with an abrupt topography based on modified hydrostatic reconstructions
Authors: Dong Jian
Published: June 2020

We study a second‐order central scheme for the shallow water flows with a discontinuous bottom topography based on modified hydrostatic reconstructions (HRs). The first HR scheme was proposed in Audusse et al, which may be missing the effect of the large discontinuous bottom topography. We introduce a modified HR method to cope with this numerical difficulty. The new scheme is well‐balanced for still water solutions and can guarantee the positivity of the water depth. Finally, several numerical results of classical problems of the shallow water equations confirmed these properties of the new scheme. Especially, the new scheme yields superior results for the shallow water downhill flow over a step.
Age‐dependent dose calculations for common PET radionuclides and brain radiotracers in nonhuman primate computational models
Authors: Xie Tianwu , Chen Xin , Zaidi Habib
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The combination of nonhuman primates (NHPs) with the state‐of‐the‐art molecular imaging technologies allows for within‐subject longitudinal research aiming at gaining new insights into human normal and disease conditions and provides an ideal foundation for future translational studies of new diagnostic tools, medical interventions, and therapies. However, radiation dose estimations for nonhuman primates from molecular imaging probes are lacking and are difficult to perform experimentally. The aim of this work is to construct age‐dependent NHP computational model series to estimate the absorbed dose to NHP specimens in common molecular imaging procedures.

Materials and methods

A series of NHP models from baby to adult were constructed based on nonuniform rational B‐spline surface (NURBS) representations. Particle transport was simulated using Monte Carlo calculations to estimate S‐values from nine positron‐emitting radionuclides and absorbed doses from PET radiotracers.

Results

Realistic age‐dependent NHP computational model series were developed. For most source‐target pairs in computational NHP models, differences between C‐11 S‐values were between −13.4% and −8.8%/kg difference in body weight while differences between F‐18 S‐values were between −12.9% and −8.0%/kg difference in body weight. The absorbed doses of 11C‐labeled brain receptor substances, 18F‐labeled brain receptor substances, and 18F‐FDG in the brain ranged within 0.047–0.32 mGy/MBq, 0.25–1.63 mGy/MBq, and 0.32–2.12 mGy/MBq, respectively.

Conclusion

The absorbed doses to organs are significantly higher in the baby NHP model than in the adult model. These results can be used in translational longitudinal studies to estimate the cumulated absorbed organ doses in NHPs at various ages.
Silence of the Innocents: Undocumented Immigrants’ Underreporting of Crime and their Victimization
Authors: Comino Stefano , Mastrobuoni Giovanni , Nicolò Antonio
Published: June 2020

Do undocumented migrants underreport crimes to the police in order to avoid being deported? And do criminals exploit such vulnerability? We address these questions using victimization surveys and administrative data around the 1986 U.S. immigration amnesty. The amnesty allows us to solve two major identification issues that have plagued this literature: migrants’ legal status is endogenous and unobserved.

The results show that the reporting rate of undocumented immigrants is 17 percent, which limits the immigrants’ ability to protect some of their fundamental human rights. However, right after the 1986 amnesty, which disproportionately legalized individuals of Hispanic origin, crime victims of Hispanic origin show enormous improvements in reporting behavior. The implied increase in the reporting rate by amnesty applicants is close to 20 percentage points.
Synthesis and characterization of a pH and photoresponsive copolymer of acrylamide and spiropyran
Authors: Ahmadi Sina , Nasiri Morteza , Pourrajab Miandoab Ali
Published: June 2020

In this research, the solution properties of acrylamide and spiropyran acrylate copolymers were investigated. Spiropyran acrylate was synthesized by the reaction of 1′,3′,3′‐trimethyl‐6‐hydroxyspiro(2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐indoline) and acryloyl chloride. The free radical solution polymerization was used to attain a specialty responsive polymer. Characterization was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier‐transform spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐vis). The FTIR and NMR results showed that the copolymer synthesis was successful, and the copolymer contained spiropyran monomer. UV analyses indicated that the photoresponsive behavior of the copolymer in the protic and aprotic solvents was quite the opposite, and the polymer absorption spectrum in the basic aqueous solutions was red‐shifted.
A level set method for simulating wrinkling of extruded viscoelastic sheets
Authors: Kabanemi Kalonji K. , Marcotte Jean‐Philippe
Published: June 2020

When a polymer is extruded freely from a rectangular die of large cross‐sectional aspect ratio, wrinkles are observed. While not present in extruded Newtonian materials, such wrinkles develop in extruded viscoelastic sheets and are understood as an elastic stress‐driven instability. The present study is devoted in developing a transient finite element method, which combines the matrix‐logarithm‐based formulation of the conformation tensor and the single‐phase level set method, for simulating wrinkles that form during sheet extrusion of viscoelastic fluids. Numerical analyses of sheet extrusion were conducted over a wide range of flow rate and width‐to‐thickness ratio of the die exit cross section, χ, to determine critical conditions for the onset of wrinkling of extruded sheets. For large aspect ratios, that is, χ >> 1, wrinkles develop at moderate extrusion flow rate, corresponding to a Weissenberg number of about 29. Calculations based on Rayleigh's energy method show that the critical compressive stress, σc, for the onset of wrinkling of an elastic sheet scales like σc~1/χ2, with a significant drop for χ >> 1. As next to the die exit lip, compressive normal stresses are induced in the extruded sheet, wrinkling will take place for large χ (σc being small), in accordance with numerical predictions.
Baricitinib: A Review of Pharmacology, Safety, and Emerging Clinical Experience in COVID‐19
Authors: Jorgensen Sarah C.J. , Tse Christopher L.Y. , Burry Lisa , Dresser Linda D.
Published: June 2020

A hyperinflammatory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, reminiscent of cytokine release syndrome, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome and organ damage in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Agents that inhibit components of the pro‐inflammatory cascade have garnered interest as potential treatment options with hopes that dampening the proinflammatory process may improve clinical outcomes. Baricitinib is a reversible Janus‐associated kinase (JAK)‐inhibitor that interrupts the signaling of multiple cytokines implicated in COVID‐19 immunopathology. It may also have antiviral effects by targeting host factors that viruses rely for cell entry and by suppressing type I interferon driven angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme‐2 upregulation. However, baricitinib’s immunosuppressive effects may be detrimental during acute viral infections by delaying viral clearance and increasing vulnerability to secondary opportunistic infections. The lack of reliable biomarkers to monitor patients’ immune status as illness evolves complicates deployment of immunosuppressive drugs like baricitinib. Furthermore, baricitinib carries the risk of increased thromboembolic events, which is concerning given the proclivity towards a hypercoagulable state in patients with COVID‐19. In this article, we review available data on baricitinib with an emphasis on immunosuppressive and antiviral pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and current progress in COVID‐19 clinical trials.
Thermomechanical properties of poly(1‐butene) synthesized by Ziegler–Natta catalyzed polymerization of 1‐butene in the presence of nucleating agents
Authors: Cui Xiaopeng , Li Chuang , Gu Gaosheng , Gong Yanfeng , Liu Binyuan , Kim Il
Published: June 2020

Isotactic poly(1‐butene)s (iPBs) were synthesized via bulk polymerization of 1‐butene in the presence of a series of nucleating agents (NAs). The effects of the NAs on the polymerization, crystallization and mechanical properties of the resultant iPBs were systematically investigated. Both α‐ and β‐NAs effectively improve the impact resistance of iPB. Specifically, the addition of β‐NAs increases the molecular weight, tensile strength, elastic and flexural moduli of iPB without affecting catalytic activity during polymerization, while the α‐NAs have no affirmative effect on improving the tensile strength and elastic modulus of iPB. The β‐NAs also accelerate the crystal transition rate of iPB from form II to form I. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Copper film deposition using a helium dielectric barrier discharge jet
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Chan , Mcintyre Katelyn , Burnette Matthew , Staack David
Published: June 2020

This study demonstrates that plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition of copper films can be achieved in ambient air and at low temperature. A helium dielectric barrier discharge jet with a small mixture of hydrogen and copper(II) acetylacetonate vapor is utilized as the nonthermal plasma source to deposit conductive copper films with low electrical resistivity (<1 × 10−7 Ω·m). The deposited film appears to have three distinct regions (reddish brown, dark blue, and yellowish) from center to edge. Copper nanograins (~50 nm) are observed in both the reddish‐brown and the dark‐blue regions, whereas the yellowish region exhibits a continuous structure containing copper oxide. The copper films are further deposited on various temperature‐sensitive substrates, including plastic, cardboard, agar, and pork skin.
Resveratrol inhibits the tumor migration and invasion by upregulating TET1 and reducing TIMP2/3 methylation in prostate carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Kai , Chen Zhen , Shi Jian , Feng Yuehua , Yu Miaomei , Sun Yangyang , Zhuang Qianfeng , Liang Bin , Luo Guanghua , Xu Xianlin , Fan Min
Published: June 2020

Background

Recently, resveratrol (Res) has been suggested to suppress the migration and invasion of prostate cancer (PCa). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Res on genomic DNA methylation, as well as the migration and invasion of PCa cells.

Methods

The suppression by Res of the growth of PCa cells was verified through a cytotoxicity assay. In addition, the effects of Res on 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), and ten‐eleven translocation 1 (TET1) levels were assessed, and the cell migration and invasion were also determined. The expressions of TET1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) 2, TIMP3, MMP2, and MMP9 were detected through Western blot analysis. Afterward, TET1 was silenced using lentiviral short hairpin RNA to examine the effect of TET1 on the Res‐triggered inhibition of migration and invasion of PCa cells.

Results

Our results showed that Res upregulated the 5hmC and TET1 levels and downregulated the 5mC level. Moreover, Res also inhibited the migration and invasion of PCa cells, promoted the demethylation of TIMP2 and TIMP3 to upregulate their expressions, and suppressed the expressions of MMP2 and MMP9. The silencing of TET1 in the presence of Res showed that Res could exert its effect through TET1.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that Res inhibited the migration and invasion of PCa cells via the TET1/TIMP2/TIMP3 pathway, which might potentially serve as a target for the treatment of PCa.
Inertia‐free saturated output feedback attitude stabilization for uncertain spacecraft
Authors: Liu Chuang , Shi Keke , Yue Xiaokui , Sun Zhaowei
Published: June 2020

In this article, the problem of robust output feedback attitude stabilization control for a class of uncertain spacecraft is investigated, which contains external disturbances, model parameter uncertainty, unknown and uncertain inertia, controller's gain perturbations, measurement errors, and input saturation. The aim of this work is to design a dynamic output feedback controller such that the closed‐loop attitude system is stabilized, while the H∞ norm of the transfer function from the lumped disturbance and measurement error to output is ensured to be less than a pre‐specified disturbance attenuation level, and the actual control input is confined into a certain range simultaneously. Based on the Lyapunov theory, the existence conditions of such controller are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. It is worth mentioning that the controller's additive and multiplicative perturbations are accounted for respectively. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed control design method.
Magnetic targeting increases mesenchymal stromal cell retention in lungs and enhances beneficial effects on pulmonary damage in experimental silicosis
Authors: Silva Luisa H. A. , Silva Mariana C. , Vieira Juliana B. , Lima Emilia C. D. , Silva Renata C. , Weiss Daniel J. , Morales Marcelo M. , Cruz Fernanda F. , Rocco Patricia R. M.
Published: June 2020

Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis caused by inhaled crystalline silica microparticles, which trigger inflammatory responses and granuloma formation in pulmonary parenchyma, thus affecting lung function. Although systemic administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) ameliorates lung inflammation and attenuates fibrosis in experimental silicosis, it does not reverse collagen deposition and granuloma formation. In an attempt to improve the beneficial effects of MSCs, magnetic targeting (MT) has arisen as a potential means of prolonging MSC retention in the lungs. In this study, MSCs were incubated with magnetic nanoparticles and magnets were used for in vitro guidance of these magnetized MSCs and to enhance their retention in the lungs in vivo. In vitro assays indicated that MT improved MSC transmigration and expression of chemokine receptors. In vivo, animals implanted with magnets for 48 hours had significantly more magnetized MSCs in the lungs, suggesting improved MSC retention. Seven days after magnet removal, silicotic animals treated with magnetized MSCs and magnets showed significant reductions in static lung elastance, resistive pressure, and granuloma area. In conclusion, MT is a viable technique to prolong MSC retention in the lungs, enhancing their beneficial effects on experimentally induced silicosis. MT may be a promising strategy for enhancing MSC therapies for chronic lung diseases.
Hyperbaric oxygen ameliorates cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Chen Jianwen , Zhang Feng , Zhao Li , Cheng Cheng , Zhong Rujia , Dong Chunbo , Le Weidong
Published: June 2020

Introduction

It has been reported that environmental factors such as hypoxia could contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therapeutics like hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which improves tissue oxygen supply and ameliorates hypoxic conditions in the brain, may be an alternative therapy for AD and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The present work aims to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for AD and aMCI.

Methods

We recruited 42 AD, 11 aMCI, and 30 control AD patients in this study. AD and aMCI patients were treated with 40 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen once a day for 20 days and assessed by neuropsychiatric assessments including Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale before and at 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐up after treatment. Control AD patients who were not given hyperbaric oxygen treatment had similar clinical profile as hyperbaric oxygen treated AD. We examined 10 of the AD/aMCI patients with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

Results

In self‐comparison study, one course of hyperbaric oxygen treatment significantly improved the cognitive function assessed by MMSE and MoCA in AD patients after 1‐month follow‐up; such treatment also significantly improved MMSE score at 3‐month follow‐up and MoCA score at 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up in aMCI patients. The ADL scale was significantly improved in AD patients after 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up. Compared to the control AD patients, the MMSE and MoCA in hyperbaric oxygen treated AD patients were significantly improved after 1‐month follow‐up. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment also ameliorated the reduced brain glucose metabolism in some of the AD and aMCI patients.

Conclusion

Based on previous studies and our recent findings, we propose that hyperbaric oxygen treatment may be a promising alternative therapy for AD and aMCI.
COVID‐19 response requires planning, flexibility
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2020

In mid‐March, most colleges and universities moved classes online for the rest of the semester, and when students will return to campus remains uncertain for many institutions. Members of The Successful Registrar’s Advisory Board participated in a conference call to discuss how they and their offices are managing the COVID‐19 pandemic and to share tips on what's working at their institutions.
Parallel computing with R: A brief review
Authors: Eddelbuettel Dirk
Published: June 2020

Parallel computing has established itself as another standard method for applied research and data analysis. The R system, being internally constrained to mostly singly‐threaded operations, can nevertheless be used along with different parallel computing approaches. This brief review covers OpenMP and Intel TBB at the CPU‐ and compiler level, moves to process‐parallel approaches before discussing message‐passing parallelism and big data technologies for parallel processing such as Spark, Docker and Kubernetes before concluding with a focus on the future package integrating many of these approaches.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Methods for High Performance Computing

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software

Software for Computational Statistics > High Performance Software
A Method to Correct the Raw Doppler Observations for GNSS Velocity Determination
Authors: He Kaifei , Xu Tianhe , Förste Christoph , Wang Zhenjie , Zhao Qiang , Wei Yongseng
Published: June 2020

In the application of GNSS in the velocity determination, it is often the case that some GNSS receivers give an opposite sign for the raw Doppler observations which do not correspond to the real Doppler shift. This is caused by different methods of the GNSS signal processing in different GNSS receivers. If the velocities of kinematic platforms are calculated by using raw Doppler observations from the GNSS receiver directly, the directions of the estimated velocities may be reversed, and the value of the velocity is wrong with respect to the actual movement. This would lead to incorrect results, and unacceptable for research and applications. To overcome this problem, a new method of sign correction for raw Doppler observations is proposed in this study. This algorithm constructs a correction function based on the GNSS carrier-phase-derived Doppler observations. To test this approach, GNSS data of GEOHALO airborne gravimetric missions have been used. The results show that the proposed method, which is straightforward and practical, can produce the correct velocity for a kinematic platform in any case, independent of the internal hardware structure and the specific way of the signal processing of the GNSS receivers in question.
Constraints to Farmers’ Choice of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Ondo State of Nigeria
Authors: Ige George Olanrewaju , Akinnagbe Oluwole Matthew , Odefadehan Olalekan Olamigoke , Ogunbusuyi Opeyemi Peter
Published: June 2020

Nigeria being dependent on rain-fed agriculture and with low level of socioeconomic development is highly affected and vulnerable to climate change. It is crucial for farmers to adapt to the never ending climate change. However, there are constraints to adaptation strategies used by the farmers. This study therefore identified some of the constraints to the farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies in Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and sixty respondents for the study. Data collected with a well-structured interview schedule were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and mean statistic, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test hypothesis. Crops competing for nutrient, inadequate access to climate information, inadequate finance, scarcity of labor, and inadequate farm input supplies were among the major constraints to choice of climate change adaptation strategies used by the respondents. The study recommended that weather forecast information should be published and made available to the farmers through agricultural extension agents. Training on how to improve mixed cropping technique and avoid vulnerability should be pursued.
A recurrent construction of irreducible polynomials of fixed degree over finite fields
Authors: Kyureghyan Gohar M. , Kyureghyan Melsik K.
Published: June 2020

In this paper we consider in detail the composition of an irreducible polynomial with $$X^2$$

X
2

and suggest a recurrent construction of irreducible polynomials of fixed degree over finite fields of odd characteristics. More precisely, given an irreducible polynomial of degree n and order $$2^rt$$

2
r

t

with t odd, the construction produces $$ord_t(2)$$

o
r

d
t

(
2
)

irreducible polynomials of degree n and order t. The construction can be used for example to search irreducible polynomials with specific requirements on its coefficients.
ADHS im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Update 2020
Authors: Popow Christian , Ohmann Susanne
Published: June 2020

Das Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-Hyperaktivitätssyndrom (ADHS) ist eine häufige, chronische neuropsychiatrische Störung mit genetischem Hintergrund, multiplen Komorbiditäten und einem großen Spektrum an individuellen und sozialen Beeinträchtigungen. Trotz zahlreicher positiver Eigenschaften und meist erfolgreicher medikamentöser Therapie bestehen langfristige, individuelle Auffälligkeiten und Dysfunktionen und bedingen auch im Erwachsenenalter eine deutliche Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität. Ungelöste Probleme sind vor allem transgenerationale soziale Belastungen, schwere Verlaufsformen mit komorbider Störung des Sozialverhaltens, therapeutische Versäumnisse und Non-Compliance sowie die Frage effektiver Prävention. Der Übersichtsbeitrag versucht, die Erkenntnisse der letzten 10 Jahre zusammenzufassen und einen Einblick in die Komplexität der Bedingungen, Auswirkungen, Diagnostik und Therapie zu geben.
Identification by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting of xenogeneic antigens in the N- and O-glycomes of porcine, bovine and equine heart tissues
Authors: Jin Chunsheng , Cherian Reeja Maria , Liu Jining , Playà-Albinyana Heribert , Galli Cesare , Karlsson Niclas G. , Breimer Michael E. , Holgersson Jan
Published: June 2020

Animal bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) are used to replace defective valves in patients with valvular heart disease. Especially young BHV recipients may experience a structural valve deterioration caused by an immune reaction in which α-Gal and Neu5Gc are potential target antigens. The expression of these and other carbohydrate antigens in animal tissues used for production of BHV was explored. Protein lysates of porcine aortic and pulmonary valves, and porcine, bovine and equine pericardia were analyzed by Western blotting using anti-carbohydrate antibodies and lectins.N-glycans were released by PNGase F digestion andO-glycans by β-elimination. Released oligosaccharides were analyzed by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 102N-glycans and 40O-glycans were identified in animal heart tissue lysates. TheN- andO-glycan patterns were different between species. α-Gal and Neu5Gc were identified on bothN- andO-linked glycans,N,N´-diacetyllactosamine (LacdiNAc) onN-glycans only and sulfatedO-glycans. The relative amounts of α-Gal-containingN-glycans were higher in bovine compared to equine and porcine pericardia. In contrast to the restricted number of proteins carrying α-Gal and LacdiNAc, the distribution of proteins carrying Neu5Gc-determinants varied between species and between different tissues of the same species. Porcine pericardium carried the highest level of Neu5Gc-sialylatedO-glycans, and bovine pericardium the highest level of Neu5Gc-sialylatedN-glycans. The identifiedN-andO-linked glycans, some of which may be immunogenic and remain in BHVs manufactured for clinical use, could direct future genetic engineering to prevent glycan expression rendering the donor tissues less immunogenic in humans.
Evaluation of the English Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and Its Relationship with Behavior Change and Political Beliefs
Authors: Winter Taylor , Riordan Benjamin C. , Pakpour Amir H. , Griffiths Mark D. , Mason Andre , Poulgrain John W. , Scarf Damian
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has many individuals around the world fearing for their lives. The constant news coverage, rapid transmission, and relatively high mortality rate, make fearfulness a natural response. To assess the fear of COVID-19, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) was developed. The primary aim of the present study was to conduct the first psychometric assessment and validation of the English version of the FCV-19S. Two samples were collected in New Zealand. Sample 1 comprised 1624 participants of which 1397 completed all questions and were used in the analyses. Sample 2 comprised 1111 participants of which 1023 completed all questions and were used in the analyses. Several psychometric tests were conducted to ascertain the scale’s reliability and validity. Across both samples, the FCV-19S had high internal consistency. Consistent with the earlier validation studies, the FCV-19S displayed a moderately strong relationship with the perceived infectability and germ aversion subscales of the perceived vulnerability to disease scale (PVDS). Furthermore, FCV-19S scores were negatively correlated with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) scores. With respect to the motivating role of fear, there was a significant relationship between FCV-19S scores and adherence to the lockdown rules that were implemented in New Zealand. Finally, consistent with recent reports on the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic, an exploratory question found that participants who rated themselves as more conservative tended to report lower FCV-19S scores. The English version of the COVID-19S is a sound unidimensional scale with robust psychometric properties and can be used with confidence among English-speaking populations.
Low-cost adsorbents for urban stormwater pollution control
Authors: Deng Yang
Published: June 2020

Stormwater represents a major non-point pollution source at an urban environment. To improve the treatment efficacy of stormwater infrastructure, low-cost adsorbents have increasingly gained attention over the past decades. This article aims to briefly discuss several key aspects and principles for utilization of low-cost adsorbents for urban stormwater treatment. To determine whether a low-cost adsorbent is suitable for stormwater treatment, two aspects should be carefully assessed, including: 1) its adsorption mechanisms and behaviors that can influence the binding strength, adsorption kinetics, and treatment capacity; and 2) unwanted chemical leaching patterns that can affect the extent of water quality degradation. Furthermore, the application mode of an adsorbent in the system design influences the utilization efficiency. Adsorbents, after dosed to soil media in infrastructure, would eventually become ineffective after oversaturation. In contrast, standalone filters or innovative composite adsorbents (e.g., adsorbent-coated mulch chips) can enable a long-lasting adsorption due to periodic replacement with fresh adsorbents. The aforementioned principles play a key role in the success of urban stormwater treatment with low-cost adsorbents.
Effect of different conditions of storage on seed viability and seedling growth of six European wild fruit woody plants
Authors: Wawrzyniak Mikołaj Krzysztof , Michalak Marcin , Chmielarz Paweł
Published: June 2020

Key message

Malus sylvestris(L.) Mill.,Pyrus communis(L.),Sorbus aucuparia(L.),Prunus avium(L.),Prunus padus(L.), andCornus sanguinea(L.) are related, co-occurring species producingorthodoxseeds. However, we observed differences in their response to storage conditions, such as storage at different seed moisture contents (5%, 8%, and 11%) and/or temperatures (− 3 °C, − 18 °C, and − 196 °C). Severe desiccation to ca. 5% of MC negatively affected seeds ofM. sylvestris. Seeds ofP. aviumwere sensitive to storage in LN or at − 18 °C.S. aucupariaseeds are best stored at − 3 °C, whereasC. sanguineaseeds tolerate desiccation and storage in LN. In general, species with deeper physiological dormancy (S. aucuparia,P. padus, andC. sanguinea) tended to be more tolerant to desiccation and low temperatures. For all species, storage conditions did not affect seedling growth.

Context

Wild fruit woody species face many threats such as genetic loss, population fragmentation, and alien species; thus, their genetic variability should be preserved.

Aims

To examine the effect of storage conditions on seed viability and the initial growth of seedlings of six European wild fruit species: Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill., Pyrus communis (L.), Sorbus aucuparia (L.), Prunus avium (L.), Prunus padus (L.), and Cornus sanguinea (L.).

Methods

Seeds were desiccated to three different levels of moisture content (ca. 5, 8, or 11%) and stored at three different temperatures (− 3°, − 18°, or − 196 °C; liquid nitrogen, LN) for up to 3 years. Germination and seedling emergence tests were performed as well as measurement of seedling growth.

Results

Desiccation of M. sylvestris seeds from 10.7 to 4.9% significantly lowered germination from 91 to 77% and seedling emergence from 88 to 74%. In P. avium, LN storage significantly inhibited seedling emergence, both in the laboratory and the greenhouse, but did not affect total seed germination. In P. communis, P. padus, and C. sanguinea, neither germination nor seedling emergence was affected by seed storage conditions. There were small or no differences in stem height and root collar diameter in the first year of seedling growth of stored seeds.

Conclusion

Species with deeper physiological dormancy (S. aucuparia, P. padus, C. sanguinea) tended to be more tolerant of various storage conditions. Seeds of P. padus and C. sanguinea can be stored long term at − 18 °C or in LN at 5–8% MC without losing viability. M. sylvestris and P. avium seeds are sensitive to desiccation below 6% MC or low temperature of storage at − 18 °C or − 196 °C, respectively. We observed that storage conditions had significant influence on germination and seedling emergence but had no effect on seedling growth after the first growing season.
Unsupervised Qualitative Scoring for Binary Item Features
Authors: Ichikawa Koji , Tamano Hiroshi
Published: June 2020

Binary features, such as categories, keywords, or tags, are widely used to describe product properties. However, these features are incomplete in that they do not contain several aspects of numerical information. The qualitative score of tags is widely used to describe which product is better in terms of the given property. For example, in a restaurant navigation site, properties such as mood, dishes, and location are given in the form of numerical values, representing the goodness of each aspect. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to estimate the qualitative score from the binary features of products. Based on a natural assumption that an item with a better property is more popular among users who prefer that property, in short, “experts know best,” we introduce both discriminative and generative models with which user preferences and item qualitative scores are inferred from user--item interactions. We constrain the space of the item qualitative score by item binary features so that the score of each item and tag can only have nonzero values when the item has the corresponding tag. This approach contributes to resolving the following difficulties: (1) no supervised data for the score estimation, (2) implicit user purpose, and (3) irrelevant tag contamination. We evaluate our models by using two artificial datasets and two real-world datasets of movie and book ratings. In the experiment, we evaluate the performances of our model under sparse transaction and noisy tag settings by using two artificial datasets. We also evaluate our models’ resolution for irrelevant tags using the real-world dataset of movie ratings and observe that our models outperform a baseline model. Finally, tag rankings obtained from the real-world datasets are compared with a baseline model.
The Sharing Economy: A Marketing Perspective
Authors: Lim Weng Marc
Published: June 2020

Many marketers have struggled to harmonise the disparate and fragmented underpinnings characterising the sharing economy under a single umbrella that is not only comprehensive and inclusive but also distinctive enough to account for its unique peculiarities in myriad contexts. This paper adopts an interrogative approach to answer some of the more pertinent questions about the sharing economy, specifically those related to its concepts, enablers, opportunities, challenges, current insights, and ways forward. In doing so, it clarifies the unique peculiarities characterising the sharing economy and enriches understanding of the multitude of alternatives on which consumers and organisations can embark to participate in and leverage off the sharing economy. Implications to theory, practice, and future research conclude the paper.
Democracy and Population Health
Authors: McGuire James W.
Published: June 2020

This Element explores the association between political democracy and population health. It reviews the rise of scholarly interest in the association, evaluates alternative indicators of democracy and population health, assesses how particular dimensions of democracy have affected population health, and explores how population health has affected democracy. It finds that democracy - optimally defined as free, fair, inclusive, and decisive elections plus basic rights - is usually, but not invariably, beneficial for population health, even after good governance is taken into account. It argues that research on democracy and population health should take measurement challenges seriously; recognize that many aspects of democracy, not just competitive elections, can affect population health; acknowledge that democracy's impact on population health will be large or small, and beneficial or harmful, depending on circumstances; and identify the relevant circumstances by combining the quantitative analysis of many cases with the qualitative study of a few cases.
New Challenge of Legal Studies in Twenty-First-Century Asia: Towards a Sustainable Society
Authors: KURUMISAWA Yoshiki
Published: June 2020

Since the 1990s, the Japanese social structure has been changing mainly due to economic globalization. The gap between rich and poor has been widened. The economic policy of the government that tries to introduce the market-competition principle into all sectors in order to revive economic growth is promoting such social change. It seems illusionary that either activating market competition or the reconstruction of the welfare state could revive economic growth. Instead, we should consider a transformation from an industrial to a sustainable society as an inevitable course of social development in the twenty-first century. In 2015, the Japanese Association of the Sociology of Law (JASL) held a symposium entitled “Law and Legal Science in the Transformation to Sustainable Society” during its annual meeting. The main issue was which role legal studies can/must play in such a transformation. I think there are two different approaches. One is to establish the “sustainable principle” as a legal principle like the “precautionary principle” in environmental law. The other approach is to reconsider and reconstruct fundamental legal categories of modern law, which have supported industrial society as its legal infrastructure. This approach will be the subject of the paper. I will deal with the case of property rights to agricultural land.
Cognitive performance of preschool children with different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis
Authors: Moreno-Villagómez Julieta , Yáñez-Téllez Guillermina , Prieto-Corona Belén , Seubert-Ravelo Ana N. , García Antonio
Published: June 2020

Background:

Craniosynostosis is defined as a premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. Several studies have revealed cognitive deficits in some children who had undergone surgery to treat craniosynostosis. However, no general distinction has been drawn in the cognitive abilities between the various types of craniosynostosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze if there is a difference in cognitive and motor function among the different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis in preschool children.

Methods:

Twenty-seven children with different types of non-syndromic craniosynostosis were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Third Edition, as well as the Quantitative, Memory and Motor scales of McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MSCA). The children were aged between 3 and 5 years and 11 months. The various types of craniosynostosis were compared.

Results:

The unicoronal synostosis group performed significantly worse than the multisuture synostosis group on the MSCA Motor scale. No differences in cognitive functions were found between the various types of craniosynostosis.

Conclusions:

Children with unicoronal synostosis may experience impaired motor skills and screening of their motor ability is recommended.
Family and social functioning in adults with hoarding disorder
Authors: Davidson Eliza J. , Dozier Mary E. , Mayes Tina L. , Baer Kylie A. , Ayers Catherine R.
Published: June 2020

Hoarding is associated with problems engaging in social activities,
lower social support, increased isolation and poses substantial challenges
to family functioning. The aim of this investigation was to explore the
relationship between hoarding severity and family and social functioning
variables in 60 treatment-seeking adults with hoarding disorder (HD).
Participants completed a battery of self-report measures during a baseline
assessment completed prior to treatment. Forty-seven percent of participants
reported they live alone. Forty-eight percent of participants reported that
family and friends never visit them in their home, and 33% indicated they
never had visitors to their home, not even service workers or repair people.
Twelve percent of participants indicated they never visit with family or
friends outside of their home; however, 55% of participants endorsed phoning
family or friends more than 9 times each month. Increased clutter and
hoarding severity was associated with a lower frequency of family and
friends visiting in the home. Family competence and conflict were both
positively associated with hoarding severity. Our results shed light on
family and social impairment in HD and their relationship with symptom
severity; however, additional research should examine social dysfunction
among non-treatment-seeking individuals who may be more impaired or
isolated.
Long-Term Mental Health Effects of a Devastating Wildfire Are Amplified by Sociodemographic and Clinical Antecedents in College Students
Authors: Ritchie Amanda , Sautner Brenda , Omege Joy , Denga Edward , Nwaka Bernard , Akinjise Idowu , Corbett Sandra E. , Moosavi Shahram , Greenshaw Andrew , Chue Pierre , Li Xin-Min , Agyapong Vincent I. O
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to assess prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in students of Keyano College 18 months after a wildfire and to determine the predictors of likely MDD, GAD, and PTSD in the respondents.

Methods:

A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used to collect data through self-administered, paper-based questionnaires to determine likely MDD, GAD, and PTSD using the PHQ 9, GAD-7, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM 5, Part 3, respectively. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) using univariate analysis with chi-square tests.

Results:

Eighteen months after the wildfire, the 1-month prevalence rates for MDD, GAD, and PTSD among the college students were 23.4%, 18.7%, and 11.0%, respectively. There were statistically significant associations between multiple sociodemographic variables and the likelihood respondents presented with MDD, GAD, and PTSD 18 months after the wildfire. There were also associations between the likely MDD, GAD, and PTSD and abuse/dependence on alcohol and substances in respondents at 18 months.

Conclusion:

Our study has established prevalence rates for MDD, GAD, and PTDS among college students 18 months after the Fort McMurray wildfires. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of college-based mental health interventions on the long-term mental health effects of the wildfires.
The mapping class group action on -character varieties
Authors: GOLDMAN WILLIAM M. , LAWTON SEAN , XIA EUGENE Z.
Published: June 2020

Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}$ be a compact orientable surface of genus $g=1$ with $n=1$ boundary component. The mapping class group $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}$ acts on the $\mathsf{SU}(3)$-character variety of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}$. We show that the action is ergodic with respect to the natural symplectic measure on the character variety.