bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Arctic multilayer clouds using radiosonde and radar data
Authors: Vassel Maiken , Ickes Luisa , Maturilli Marion , Hoose Corinna
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Multilayer clouds (MLC) occur more often in the Arctic than globally. In this study a ground-based detection algorithm is developed using radiosoundings and radar from an one-year time period in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. The detection algorithm results in a multilayer cloud occurrence of 29 % of the investigated days. These multilayer cloud cases are further analysed regarding the possibility of ice crystal seeding. Ice crystal seeding means that an ice crystal can survive sublimation in a subsaturated layer between two cloud layers when falling through this layer. For this we analyse height profiles of relative humidity with respect to ice to identify super- and subsaturated air layers. Then the sublimation of an ice crystal of an assumed initial size of r = 100 μm on its way through the subsaturated layer is calculated. If the ice crystal still exists when reaching a lower supersaturated layer, ice crystal seeding can potentially take place. Seeding cases are found often, in 23 % of the investigated days. The identification of seeding cases is limited by the radar signal inside the subsaturated layer. Clearly separated multilayer clouds, defined by a clear interstice in the radar image, do not interact through seeding (9 % of the investigated days). Since there are various deviations between the relative humidity profiles and the radar images, for the non-seeding cases an evaluation by manual visual inspection is additionally done.
Identification of platform exhaust on the RV Investigator
Authors: Humphries Ruhi S. , McRobert Ian M. , Ponsonby Will A. , Ward Jason P. , Keywood Melita D. , Loh Zoe , Krummel Paul B. , Harnwell James
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Ship-based measurements are an important component in developing an understanding of the global atmosphere. A common problem that impacts the quality of atmospheric data collected from marine research vessels is exhaust from both diesel combustion and waste incineration from the ship itself. Described here is an algorithm, developed for the recently commissioned Australian blue-water Research Vessel (RV) Investigator, that identifies exhaust periods in sampled air. The RV Investigator, with two dedicated atmospheric laboratories, represents an unprecedented opportunity for high quality measurements of the marine atmosphere. The algorithm avoids using ancillary data such as wind speed and direction, and instead utilises components of the exhaust itself – aerosol number concentration, black carbon concentration, and carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide mixing ratios. The exhaust signal is identified within each of these parameters individually before they are combined and an additional window filter is applied. The algorithm relies heavily on statistical methods, rather than setting thresholds that are too rigid to accommodate potential temporal changes. The algorithm is more effective than traditional wind-based filters in removing exhaust data without removing exhaust-free data which commonly occurs with traditional filters. With suitable testing, the algorithm has the potential to be applied to other ship-based atmospheric measurements where suitable measurements exist.
Assessing the Impact of Clouds on UV-visible Total Column Ozone
Measurements in the High Arctic
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyi , Bognar Kristof , Fioletov Vitali , Pazmino Andrea , Goutail Florence , Millán Luis , Manney Gloria , Adams Cristen , Strong Kimberly
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Zenith-Sky scattered light Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (ZS-DOAS) has been used widely to retrieve total column ozone (TCO). ZS-DOAS measurements have the advantage of being less sensitive to clouds than direct-sun measurements. However, the presence of clouds still affects the quality of ZS-DOAS TCO. Clouds are thought to be the largest contributor to random uncertainty in ZS-DOAS TCO, but their impact on data quality still needs to be quantified. This study has two goals: (1) to study whether clouds have a significant impact on ZS-DOAS TCO, and (2) to develop a cloud-screening algorithm to improve ZS-DOAS measurements in the Arctic under cloudy conditions. To quantify the impact of weather, eight years of measured and modelled TCO have been used, along with information about weather conditions at Eureka, Canada (80.05° N, 86.41° W). Relative to direct-sun TCO measurements by Brewer spectrophotometers and modelled TCO, a positive bias is found in ZS-DOAS TCO measured in cloudy weather, and a negative bias is found for clear conditions, with differences of up to 5 % between clear and cloudy conditions. A cloud-screening algorithm is developed for high-latitudes using the colour index calculated from ZS-DOAS spectra. The quality of ZS-DOAS TCO datasets is assessed using a statistical uncertainty estimation model, which suggests a 3–4 % random uncertainty. The new cloud-screening algorithm reduces the random uncertainty by 0.6 %. If all measurements collected during cloudy conditions, as identified using the weather station observations, are removed, the random uncertainty is reduced by 1.3 %. This work demonstrates that clouds are a significant contributor to uncertainty in ZS-DOAS TCO and proposes a method that can be used to screen clouds in high-latitude spectra.
Modeling oceanic nitrite concentrations and isotopes using a 3D
inverse N cycle model
Authors: Martin Taylor S. , Primeau François , Casciotti Karen L.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Nitrite (NO2−) is a key intermediate in the marine nitrogen (N) cycle and a substrate in nitrification, which produces nitrate (NO3−), as well as water column N loss processes, denitrification and anammox. In models of the marine N cycle, NO2− is often not considered as a separate state variable, since NO3− occurs in much higher concentrations in the ocean. In oxygen deficient zones (ODZs), however, NO2− represents a substantial fraction of the bioavailable N, and modeling its production and consumption is important to understanding the N cycle processes occurring there, especially those where bioavailable N is lost from or retained within the water column. Here we present the expansion of a global 3D inverse N cycle model to include NO2− as a reactive intermediate as well as the processes that produce and consume NO2− in marine ODZs. NO2− accumulation in ODZs is accurately represented by the model involving NO3− reduction, NO2− reduction, NO2− oxidation, and anammox. We model both 14N and 15N and use a compilation of oceanographic measurements of NO3− and NO2− concentrations and isotopes to place a better constraint on the N cycle processes occurring. The model is optimized using a range of isotope effects for denitrification and NO2− oxidation, and we find that the larger (more negative) inverse isotope effects for NO2− oxidation along with relatively high rates of NO2− oxidation give a better simulation of NO3− and NO2− concentrations and isotopes in marine ODZs.
Assimilating compact phase space retrievals (CPSRs): comparison with independent observations (MOZAIC in situ and IASI retrievals) and extension to assimilation of truncated retrieval profiles
Authors: Mizzi Arthur P. , Edwards David P. , Anderson Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Assimilation of atmospheric composition retrievals presents computational challenges due to their high data volume and often sparse information density. Assimilation of compact phase space retrievals (CPSRs) meets those challenges and offers a promising alternative to assimilation of raw retrievals at reduced computational cost (Mizzi et al., 2016). This paper compares analysis and forecast results from assimilation of Terra/Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) carbon monoxide (CO) CPSRs with independent observations. We use MetOp-A/Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) CO retrievals and Measurement of OZone, water vapor, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides by in-service AIrbus airCraft (MOZAIC) in situ CO profiles for our independent observation comparisons. Generally, the results confirm that assimilation of MOPITT CPSRs improves the Weather Research and Forecasting model with chemistry coupled to the ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation from the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (WRF-Chem/DART) analysis fit and forecast skill at a reduced computational cost compared to assimilation of raw retrievals. Comparison with the independent observations shows that assimilation of MOPITT CO generally improved the analysis fit and forecast skill in the lower troposphere but degraded it in the upper troposphere. We attribute that degradation to assimilation of MOPITT CO retrievals with a possible bias of  ∼ 14 % above 300 hPa. To discard the biased retrievals, in this paper, we also extend CPSRs to assimilation of truncated retrieval profiles (as opposed to assimilation of full retrieval profiles). Those results show that not assimilating the biased retrievals (i) resolves the upper tropospheric analysis fit degradation issue and (ii) reduces the impact of assimilating the remaining unbiased retrievals because the total information content and vertical sensitivities are changed.
Assessing the impact of SSTs on a simulated medicane using
ensemble simulations
Authors: Noyelle Robin , Ulbrich Uwe , Becker Nico , Meredith Edmund P.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The sensitivity of the October 1996 medicane in the western Mediterranean basin to sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is investigated via 24-member ensembles of regional climate model simulations. Eleven ensembles are created by uniformly changing SSTs in a range of −4 K to +6 K from the observed field, with a 1 K step. By using a modified phase space diagram and a simple compositing method, it is shown that the SST state has a minor influence on the tracks of the cyclones, but a strong influence on their intensities. Increased SSTs lead to greater probabilities of tropical transitions, to stronger low- and upper-level warm cores, and to lower pressure minima. The tropical transition occurs sooner and lasts longer, which enables a greater number of transitioning cyclones to survive landfall over Sardinia and to re-intensify in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The results demonstrate that SSTs influence the intensity of fluxes from the sea, which leads to greater convective activity before the storms reach their maturity. These results suggest that the processes at steady-state for medicanes are very similar to tropical cyclones.
A comparison study on jacket substructures for offshore wind turbines based on optimization
Authors: Häfele Jan , Gebhardt Cristian G. , Rolfes Raimund
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The structural optimization problem of jacket substructures for offshore wind turbines is commonly considered as a pure tube dimensioning problem with given topology, minimizing the entire mass of the structure. However, this approach goes along with the assumption that the given topology is fixed in any case. The present work contributes to the improvement of the state of the art by utilizing more detailed models for geometry, costs, and structural design code checks. They are assembled in an optimization scheme, in order to consider the jacket optimization problem from a different point of view that is closer to practical applications. The objective function is replaced by a sum term comprising several cost terms. To address the issue of high demand of numerical capacity, a machine learning approach based on Gaussian process regression is applied to reduce numerical cost and enhance the number of considered design load cases. The proposed approach is meant to provide decision guidance in the first phase of wind farm planning. A numerical example for a NREL 5 MW turbine under FINO3 environmental conditions is computed by two effective optimization methods (sequential quadratic programming and an interior-point method), allowing for the estimation of characteristic design variables of a jacket substructure. In order to resolve the mixed-integer problem formulation, multiple subproblems with fixed integer design variables are solved. The approach shows reasonable and promising results, useful both for further research and technical applications.
Multiple Representation Meltdown: "Penn State Three" Case Illustrates Entity Representation Pitfalls for Both Criminal Defense Counsel and Prosecutors—and the Need for Systemic State Law Reforms
Authors: Cole Lance
Published: September 2018

“PENN STATE THREE” CASE ILLUSTRATES ENTITY REPRESENTATION PITFALLS FOR BOTH CRIMINAL DEFENSE COUNSEL AND PROSECUTORS – AND THE NEED FOR SYSTEMIC STATE LAW REFORMS
Management Model of Village Fund Allocation in Enhancing the Village’s Productive Economic Activities
Authors: Hambali Imran Rosman , Niode Idris Yanto
Published: September 2018

The study aims to elaborate the management and allocation of village fund from the central and local governments and to formulate management model and documents of strategic plans in the implementation of the fund in the second year as a follow-up development. The research involved village heads and officers in Regional Government of Bone Bolango regency, local public figures, and residents receiving financial support from the village fund. The descriptive qualitative study employed Milles and Huberman analysis method and conducted focus group discussions to obtain the data.The result shows that the implementation of the management model is successful to empower the community, as overviewed from achievements by the Regional Government of Bone Bolango regency. The government’s achievement inspires the central government to allocate more fund to the village in the next year. The village fund of IDR 122,344,494,000 is distributed as follows: 30% of the fund is allocated for the operational budget of the village government and the Village Consultative Body (Badan Permusyawaratan Desa, BPD); moreover, 70% of the fund is distributed for empowerment of the community and enhancement of the village government’s capacity. Henceforth, it is proven that the village fund is optimally conducted as economic leverage for the village to progress and as a helping hand to boost the community’s welfare in Bone Bolango regency.
Environmental Risks in Open Pit Mines: Representation of a Temporal Evolution Related to Water Factor
Authors: Lagnika S. B. Mondoukpe , Hausler Robert
Published: September 2018

Natural resources are sources of much ecological instability. They are subjects of many types of research and led to the strengthening of measures. However, the exposure to hazards (water-air-soil pollution, radiation, degradation, etc.) due to such industries as mining continuous. This paper intends to show the dynamic relationships between production and time as part of the synergy of the whole extraction system over time. Given to sensitives issues known in the heart of mining operations, water is, therefore, the only environmental factor considered to lighten the research methodology. So, after the hypothesis, a temporal graphic with time and mining production level as explanatory and dependent variables is developed. Then, attention is given to the hypothesis validation used to highlight the joint result of the two variables. This is done by a literature review on environmental management risks tools existing, in-depth on the open pit mines with the simple linear regression analysis. The paired T-test Student result will help to clarify the potential of this statistical approach.
An Examination of Individualism within Employee Help-Seeking Networks
Authors: Settoon Randall P. , Lee Sang H.
Published: September 2018

Prior research focusing on the impact of individualistic orientations on the performance of cooperative behaviors has produced mixed results. Researchers have concluded that the self-focused orientation of individualists will lead them to be less cooperative than others. On the other hand, some scholars have argued that helping others is core to individualists’ self-concept and that competently assuming the role of help-giver is a source of intrinsic satisfaction. In this study, we test this proposition by examining individualistic orientations within employee help-seeking networks. Results from a sample of 107 employees within a regional medical center indicate that the level of individualism in helping-seeking networks is positively associated with help-seekers’ perceptions of support. Further, the results suggest that the relationship is stronger in dense networks. Implications of this work and directions for future research are discussed.
Leadership Styles for Employee Empowerment: Malaysian Retail Industry
Authors: Islam Md Asadul , Jantan Amer Hamzah , Rahman Md Adnan , Hamid Abu Bakar A. , Mahmud Fariha Binte , Hoque Ashikul
Published: September 2018

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of the different leadership styles on employee empowerment in the Malaysian retail industry. A quantitative study was carried out to collect and analyse the data. A survey was conducted through the convenience sampling to include one hundred respondents, who are working in retail organizations in Selangor, Malaysia. The personal data of the respondents were analysed through descriptive analysis. In addition, the inferential analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. The results of the study found that two of the three hypotheses were supported by respondents while another one was rejected. The paper includes research limitations and direction for future research.
Without a World: The Rhetorical Potential and “Dark Politics” of Object-Oriented Thought
Authors: Sundvall Scott
Published: September 2018

By way of generative critique, this article considers the premises, potential, and consequences of object-oriented ontology (OOO) and object-oriented rhetoric (OOR). To do this, it moves through four progressive and accumulative sections: first, the primacy and necessity of meaning-formation (signification) in any meaningful ontology, and thus the rhetorical exigency of any ontology in the first place; second, the potential and pitfalls of any specifically object-oriented rhetoric; third, the function of doxa (and episteme / logos) as means to recalibrate OOO and bridge it to a proper OOR; and fourth, extending from such a doxical approach, the ethical and political consequences of OOO/OOR, which we mark as a “dark politics” for two reasons—(1) the appropriately withdrawn, but nonetheless actual, politics of OOO/OOR, and (2) how such an ontological politics, whether intended or not, has “dark” (destructive) potential for bodies and lives.
Designing Soundscapes for Argumentation
Authors: Eckstein Justin
Published: September 2018

This article asks if soundscapes are reasonable by inquiring if they can be designed to enhance the capacity for reasoned judgment. Using a normative pragmatic approach to argumentation theory, I demonstrate that soundscapes can be strategically designed to amplify or attenuate obligations, increase or weaken conviction, and create or mask argumentative context. I use the paradigm case of the 2012 casserole protests in Quebec to identify how arguers can use soundscapes to compel a response, increase the desire for advocacy, and create a public context. This expands the multimodal argumentation literature to incorporate sound. This article also intervenes into sound studies by supplying critical norms of reasonableness to assess soundscapes.
Choices of Research Methodologies on Climate Change Adaptation Especially Focusing on Agriculture Sector: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maharjan Shree Kumar , Maharjan Keshav Lall
Published: September 2018

A rapid increase in climate researches by applying diverse methodologies and approaches in recent decades. These researches have directly or indirectly contributed in better understanding of climate issues, risks and vulnerabilities. It has improved awareness and capacities of the public and communities to adapt to the vulnerabilities and impacts. It, further, contributes in formulation of climate policies and plans to address climate risks and vulnerabilities at the local and national levels. Appropriate methodologies lead to better results in the researches. This paper has applied systematic review of the published papers (2010 -2017) to understand the general and specific research methodologies in climate discourse especially in Web of Science (WS), Springer Link (SL) and Science Direct (SD). Altogether, 37 journal papers (10 WS, 13 SL and 14 SD) were selected for the detail analysis based on the assessment of abstracts, which was mainly concentrated on research methodologies specializing in agriculture. In the process, the authors have analyzed the contents, research methodologies, data analysis, and geographical coverages. The analysis, further, concentrated on the scope and limitations of the research methodologies used.  Wide-ranging research methodologies are found that are applied by the researchers in the climate change discourse. Some researchers have applied general research methodologies whereas others have used specific research methodologies and model analysis. Furthermore, it is comprehended that the combination of research methodologies and approaches through focus group discussion together with household survey and model analysis is the effective way for the research by using quantitative and qualitative data. 
Pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients – recommendations of the Polish Association for the Study of Pain, Polish Society of Palliative Medicine, Polish Society of Oncology, Polish Society of Family Medicine, Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy and Association of Polish Surgeons
Authors: Wordliczek Jerzy , Kotlińska-Lemieszek Aleksandra , Leppert Wojciech , Woroń Jarosław , Dobrogowski Jan , Krajnik Małgorzata , Przeklasa-Muszyńska Anna , Jassem Jacek , Drobnik Jarosław
Published: September 2018

Guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients were developed by a group of 21 experts of the Polish Association
for the Study of Pain, Polish Society of Palliative Medicine, Polish Society of Oncology, Polish Society of Family
Medicine, Polish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy and Association of Polish Surgeons. During a series of
meetings, the experts carried out an overview of the available literature on the treatment of pain in cancer patients, paying
particular attention to systematic reviews and more recent randomized studies not included in the reviews. The search was
performed in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases using such keywords as
“pain”, “cancer”, “pharmacotherapy”, “analgesics”, and similar. The overviewed articles included studies of pathomechanisms
of pain in cancer patients, methods for the assessment of pain in cancer patients, and drugs used in the pharmacotherapy
of pain in cancer patients, including non-opioid analgesics (paracetamol, metamizole, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs), opioids (strong and weak), coanalgesics (glucocorticosteroids, α2-adrenergic receptor agonists, NMDA receptor
antagonists, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical medications) as well as drugs used to reduce the adverse effects of
the analgesic treatment and symptoms other than pain in patients subjected to opioid treatment. The principles of opioid
rotation and the management of patients with opioidophobia were discussed and recommendations for the management
of opioid-induced hyperalgesia were presented. Drugs used in different types of pain experienced by cancer patients, including
neuropathic pain, visceral pain, bone pain, and breakthrough pain, were included in the overview. Most common
interactions of drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of pain in cancer patients as well as the principles for the management
of crisis situations. In the final part of the recommendations, the issues of pain and care in dying patients are discussed.
Recommendations are addressed to physicians of different specialties involved in the diagnostics and treatment of cancer
in their daily practice. It is the hope of the experts who took part in the development of these recommendations that the recommendations
would become helpful in everyday medical practice and thus contribute to the improvement in the quality
of care and the efficacy of pain treatment in this group of patients.
The role of intestinal microbiota in the pathophysiology of depression
Authors: Stefaniak Apolonia , Janion Karolina , Stanuch Beata
Published: September 2018

Depression is a mental disorder with a high prevalence. According to World Health Organization, it is a frequent cause of disability and the leading cause of suicide, with its risk increasing with age. The disorder is commonly diagnosed in patients with acute or chronic inflammatory conditions. Depression is typically accompanied by weakened T cell-mediated immunity, as well as abnormal secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the resulting imbalance between them. The current developments in the field include a link established between depression and changes in intestinal microflora, suggested by numerous trials involving animals and also a small number of studies conducted on people. This paper is a review of the publications regarding the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathophysiology of depression found in PubMed and Web of Science repositories. The results of studies published over the last decade confirm the significance of intestinal microbiota for the pathophysiology of depression. One of the ways in which intestinal microbiota may impact the development of depression is
the response of the innate immunity system to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulting
with the stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The modifications of gut microflora have
also been linked to changes in the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis, in the metabolism of
tryptophan, (which is a serotonin substrate) and in neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Even
though the results cited in this review seem promising, our current state of knowledge in this
respect remains far from satisfactory, warranting further investigation into the potential of
bacteria for supplementing the pharmacological therapy of depression.
Bioaesthetics
Authors: Strathausen Carsten
Published: September 2018

Bio-Aesthetics. A Critique examines the rising influence of evolutionary theory across academic disciplines today. Empowered by neo-Darwinian theory and recent advances in neuroscientific research, nascent academic fields have particularly challenged the Humanities’ non-empirical and largely speculative approach to modern art, culture, and aesthetic theory. In its stead, evolutionary scholars advocate a strict biological functionalism that effectively reduces mind to brain and art to science. Unfortunately, Humanities’ scholars so far have been slow to respond to this challenge. Bio-Aesthetics remedies this problem by providing the first comprehensive account of current evolutionary and neuroscientific approaches to art and human culture to demonstrate both the need for and the limits of interdisciplinary research in the Humanities. Above all, Bio-Aesthetics is A Critique in the Kantian sense of the term: it works through a critical appraisal of neo-Darwinian reductionism in order to develop a more germane and balanced methodology for future collaborative research across disciplines. Bio-Aesthetics central argument contends that Kant’s transcendentalism amounts to the “structural coupling” of organism and environment, which also applies to our knowledge of the (phenomenological) world we come to inhabit as living beings. Scientific reductionism and neo-Darwinian theory ignore the self-constructed nature of reason and culture for genetic laws and evolutionary principles that allegedly determine human behaviour. Hence the overriding goal of Bio-Aesthetics is to provide the Humanities with a self-critical, historically nuanced and epistemologically up-to-date counter-paradigm to what E. O Wilson called “sociobiology,” that is the reductionist view of human cultural evolution dominant in neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory today.
Transhumanism
Authors: Pilsch Andrew
Published: September 2018

This book argues that transhumanism should be taken more seriously as a Utopian force in the present. Combatting the widespread idea that transhumanism is a naive and dangerous reframing of the most excessive forms humanist thought, this book situates the contemporary transhumanist movement within the longer history of a rhetorical mode Pilsch calls "evolutionary futurism." Evolutionary futurism is a way of arguing about technology that suggests that global telecommunications technologies, in expanding the geographic range of human thought, radically reshape the future of the human species. Evolutionary futurist argumentation makes the case that we, as a species, are on the cusp of a radical explosion in cognitive, physical, and cultural intelligence. Transhumanism surveys the varying uses of evolutionary futurism throughout the 20th century, as it appears in a wide array of fields. This book unearths evolutionary futurist argumentation in modernist avant-garde poetry, theosophy, science fiction, post-structural philosophy, Christian mysticism, media theory, conceptual art, and online media culture. Ultimately, the book suggests that evolutionary futurism, in the age of the collapse of the state as a unit for imagining Utopia, works by highlighting the human as the limit that must be overcome if we are to imagine new futures for our culture, our planet, and ourselves.
A Decrease in Antibiotic Utilization for Urinary Tract Infections in Women in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Marra Fawziah , McCabe Mark , Mamun Abdullah , Patrick David
Published: September 2018

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Implementation of a Brain Training Pilot Study For People With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Knoefel Frank , Gaudet Caroline , López Zunini Rocio , Breau Michael , Sweet Lisa , Wallace Bruce , Goubran Rafik , Taler Vanessa
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveA pilot study to determine the feasibility of recruiting patients with MCI to test for cognitive interventions.MethodThirty patients with amnestic MCI were to be divided into two intervention arms and one control group. Participants went to local sites and completed brain training for one hour three times per week for nine weeks. Outcome measures were: recruitment, computer abilities, compliance, task performance, neuropsychological tests, and electroencephalography.ResultsAfter six months, only 20 participants had been recruited. Seventeen were allocated to one of the two intervention groups. Compliance was good and computer skills were not an obstacle. Participants improved their abilities in the modules, but there were no statistically significant changes on neuropsychological tests or EEG.ConclusionsRecruitment of MCI participants for extensive cognitive intervention is challenging, but achievable. This pilot study was not powered to detect clinical changes. Future trials should consider recruitment criteria, intervention duration, scheduling, and study location.
Interprovincial Variation of Psychotropic Prescriptions Dispensed to Older Canadian Adults
Authors: Black Cody D. , McCarthy Lisa , Gomes Tara , Mamdani Muhammad , Juurlink David , Tadrous Mina
Published: September 2018

BackgroundUtilization of psychotropic medications among the elderly has garnered attention due to concerns about safety and degree of efficacy, but may be used differently across regions.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of all antipsychotic, benzodiazepine, and trazodone prescriptions dispensed to seniors ( ≥ 65 years) leveraging IQVIA (Durham, NC) GPM data in 2013. We report the units dispensed (per 100 seniors) by province.ResultsNationally, on average, 26,210 units of antipsychotics, 24,257 of benzodiazepines, and 7,519 of trazodone were dispensed in 2013 for every 100 seniors; reports varied across Canada.The rate of antipsychotic and benzodiazepine prescribing was highest in New Brunswick (AP: 35,375 units per 100, BZD: 43,989 units per 100), and lowest in Newfoundland & Labrador for antipsychotics (20,974 per 100) and Saskatchewan for benzodiazepines (12,692 per 100). Trazodone unit dispensation rates were highest in Nova Scotia (9,164 per 100) and lowest in Newfoundland & Labrador (2,968 per 100).ConclusionsThere is considerable geographic variation in the prescribing patterns of antipsychotics, benzodiazepine, and trazodone. This study serves as the first step in understanding these differences, while future work is needed to develop region specific strategies to optimize the prescribing of psychotropic medications to older Canadian adults.
El Modelo living apart together (LAT) y el Modelo cohabitante en las Fuerzas Armadas españolas
Authors: Gómez Escarda María , Agudo Arroyo Yolanda , Pérez Redondo Rubén J.
Published: September 2018

La movilidad laboral es habitual en ciertas profesiones, entre ellas, las Fuerzas Armadas. En general, los hombres y mujeres militares han de asumir diversos cambios de destino a lo largo de sus trayectorias laborales y, en ocasiones, estos cambios llevan aparejados procesos de movilidad geográfica. Ante estas situaciones, cuando los militares tienen pareja e/o hijos pueden tomar dos alternativas. La primera es que se desplace a la nueva localidad únicamente el o la militar, dando origen a un Modelo living apart together (LAT) y, la segunda, es que la pareja o la familia al completo se trasladen también, formando parte, por tanto, de un Modelo cohabitante.El presente artículo tiene como objetivo estudiar la presencia y características del Modelo LAT y del Modelo cohabitante en las Fuerzas Armadas españolas. Con este fin se diseñó una metodología basada en la técnica de encuesta. Se elaboró un cuestionario autoadministrado estructurado a partir de tres áreas temáticas (sociodemográfica, militar y de opinión) y que fue difundido por diferentes asociaciones de militares y de familias de militares españolas. Los resultados muestran cuáles son las principales variables que influyen en la decisión de optar por uno u otro modelo (laborales, económicos y familiares) y cómo repercuten ambos modelos de convivencia en la pareja y en los hijos.Labor mobility is common in certain professions, including the Armed Forces. Military people have to assume several changes of assignment along their   carriers and, sometimes, these changes implies geographical mobility. In these situations, when the military has a partner and /or children can take two alternatives. The first is to move just the military to the new location, creating a living apart together model (LAT) and, the second, is when the couple or the whole family move together, creating a cohabiting model.This article has the objective of studying the presence and features of the LAT Model and the Cohabiting Model in the Spanish Armed Forces. To this end, a methodology was designed based on the survey technique with a self-administred questionnaire structured from three thematic areas (sociodemographic, military and opinion) and which was spread by different associations of military and families of Spanish military.The results show which are the main variables that affect the decision to choose one or other of two models (labor, economic and family) and how each model of living affect the couple and the children.
Estudios de agenda setting en Cuba: propuesta de metodología para un desarrollo posible
Authors: Muñiz Zúñiga Viviana , Castillo Salina Yánder
Published: September 2018

Los nuevos escenarios mediáticos, el contexto social, económico y político del país, y la necesidad de transformar el modelo de prensa para dar mayor participación a la audiencia, hacen que en Cuba los estudios sobre agenda setting se hayan transformado a las circunstancias particulares que rigen el sistema nacional de medios. Una de las áreas en las cuales ha sido preciso introducir modificaciones es la metodología para profundizar en este proceso. Por ello el presente estudio tiene como objetivo Proponer una metodología para desarrollar estudios de agenda setting en Cuba a partir del análisis de las relaciones entre las agendas política, mediática y pública, y los factores que en ella inciden.La metodología se desarrolla en torno a tres áreas importantes para los estudios de agenda setting: la correlación estadística entre los objetos y atributos, las influencias sobre el contenido mediático, y las condiciones contingentes. Los principales aportes de la propuesta radican en la posibilidad de implementar investigaciones contextualizadas a la realidad cubana, cuyas características y evolución la convierten en un sistema complejo con determinadas particularidades.The new media scenarios, the social, economic and political context of the country, and the need to transform the press model to give greater participation to the audience, make in Cuba the studies on agenda setting have been transformed to the particular circumstances that govern The national media system. One of the areas in which changes have been made is the methodology to deepen this process. Therefore, the present study aims to propose a methodology to develop studies of agenda setting in Cuba based on the analysis of relations between political, media and public agendas, and the factors that affect it. The methodology is developed around three important areas for the agenda setting studies: the statistical correlation between the objects and attributes, the influences on the media content, and the contingent conditions. The main contributions of the proposal lie in the possibility of implementing contextualized research to the Cuban reality, whose characteristics and evolution make it a complex system with certain particularities.
BioInstaller: a comprehensive R package to integrate bioinformatics resources
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Cui Bowen , Dai Yuting , Bai Ling , Huang Jinyan
Published: September 2018

The number of bioinformatics resources, such as tools/scripts and databases are growing exponentially. This poses a great challenge for users to access, manage, and integrate the corresponding bioinformatics resources. To facilitate the request, we proposed a comprehensive R package, BioInstaller, which includes the R functions, Shiny application, and the HTTP representational state transfer (REST) application programming interfaces (APIs). We also established a community-based configuration pool to collect, access and share bioinformatics resources. The source code of BioInstaller is freely available at our lab website http://bioinfo.rjh.com.cn/labs/jhuang/tools/bioinstaller or popular package host GitHub at: https://github.com/JhuangLab/BioInstaller. Also, a docker image can be downloaded from DockerHub (https://hub.docker.com/r/bioinstaller).
Injury-induced perivascular niche supports alternative differentiation of adult rodent CNS progenitor cells
Authors: Ulanska-Poutanen Justyna , Mieczkowski Jakub , Zhao Chao , Konarzewska Katarzyna , Kaza Beata , Pohl Hartmut BF , Bugajski Lukasz , Kaminska Bozena , Franklin Robin JM , Zawadzka Malgorzata
Published: September 2018

Following CNS demyelination, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) are able to differentiate into either remyelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) or remyelinating Schwann cells (SCs). However, the signals that determine which type of remyelinating cell is generated and the underlying mechanisms involved have not been identified. Here, we show that distinctive microenvironments created in discrete niches within demyelinated white matter determine fate decisions of adult OPCs. By comparative transcriptome profiling we demonstrate that an ectopic, injury-induced perivascular niche is enriched with secreted ligands of the BMP and Wnt signalling pathways, produced by activated OPCs and endothelium, whereas reactive astrocyte within non-vascular area express the dual BMP/Wnt antagonist Sostdc1. The balance of BMP/Wnt signalling network is instructive for OPCs to undertake fate decision shortly after their activation: disruption of the OPCs homeostasis during demyelination results in BMP4 upregulation, which, in the absence of Socstdc1, favours SCs differentiation.
Non-rhythmic head-direction cells in the parahippocampal region are not constrained by attractor network dynamics
Authors: Kornienko Olga , Latuske Patrick , Bassler Mathis , Kohler Laura , Allen Kevin
Published: September 2018

Computational models postulate that head-direction (HD) cells are part of an attractor network integrating head turns. This network requires inputs from visual landmarks to anchor the HD signal to the external world. We investigated whether information about HD and visual landmarks is integrated in the medial entorhinal cortex and parasubiculum, resulting in neurons expressing a conjunctive code for HD and visual landmarks. We found that parahippocampal HD cells could be divided into two classes based on their theta-rhythmic activity: non-rhythmic and theta-rhythmic HD cells. Manipulations of the visual landmarks caused tuning curve alterations in most HD cells, with the largest visually driven changes observed in non-rhythmic HD cells. Importantly, the tuning modifications of non-rhythmic HD cells were often non-coherent across cells, refuting the notion that attractor-like dynamics control non-rhythmic HD cells. These findings reveal a new population of non-rhythmic HD cells whose malleable organization is controlled by visual landmarks.
A novel pH-dependent membrane peptide that binds to EphA2 and inhibits cell migration
Authors: Alves Daiane S , Westerfield Justin M , Shi Xiaojun , Nguyen Vanessa P , Stefanski Katherine M , Booth Kristen R , Kim Soyeon , Morrell-Falvey Jennifer , Wang Bing-Cheng , Abel Steven M , Smith Adam W , Barrera Francisco N
Published: September 2018

Misregulation of the signaling axis formed by the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) EphA2 and its ligand, ephrinA1, causes aberrant cell-cell contacts that contribute to metastasis. Solid tumors are characterized by an acidic extracellular medium. We intend to take advantage of this tumor feature to design new molecules that specifically target tumors. We created a novel pH-dependent transmembrane peptide, TYPE7, by altering the sequence of the transmembrane domain of EphA2. TYPE7 is highly soluble and interacts with the surface of lipid membranes at neutral pH, while acidity triggers transmembrane insertion. TYPE7 binds to endogenous EphA2 and reduces Akt phosphorylation and cell migration as effectively as ephrinA1. Interestingly, we found large differences in juxtamembrane tyrosine phosphorylation and the extent of EphA2 clustering when comparing TYPE7 with activation by ephrinA1. This work shows that it is possible to design new pH-triggered membrane peptides to activate RTK and gain insights on its activation mechanism.
Competition for synaptic building blocks shapes synaptic plasticity
Authors: Triesch Jochen , Vo Anh Duong , Hafner Anne-Sophie
Published: September 2018

Changes in the efficacies of synapses are thought to be the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. The efficacy of a synapse depends on its current number of neurotransmitter receptors. Recent experiments have shown that these receptors are highly dynamic, moving back and forth between synapses on time scales of seconds and minutes. This suggests spontaneous fluctuations in synaptic efficacies and a competition of nearby synapses for available receptors. Here we propose a mathematical model of this competition of synapses for neurotransmitter receptors from a local dendritic pool. Using minimal assumptions, the model produces a fast multiplicative scaling behavior of synapses. Furthermore, the model explains a transient form of heterosynaptic plasticity and predicts that its amount is inversely related to the size of the local receptor pool. Overall, our model reveals logistical tradeoffs during the induction of synaptic plasticity due to the rapid exchange of neurotransmitter receptors between synapses.
Palovarotene reduces heterotopic ossification in juvenile FOP mice but exhibits pronounced skeletal toxicity
Authors: Lees-Shepard John B , Nicholas Sarah-Anne E , Stoessel Sean J , Devarakonda Parvathi M , Schneider Michael J , Yamamoto Masakazu , Goldhamer David J
Published: September 2018

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by debilitating heterotopic ossification (HO). The retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist, palovarotene, and antibody-mediated activin A blockade have entered human clinical trials, but how these therapeutic modalities affect the behavior of pathogenic fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) is unclear. Using live-animal luminescence imaging, we show that transplanted pathogenic FAPs undergo rapid initial expansion, with peak number strongly correlating with HO severity. Palovarotene significantly reduced expansion of pathogenic FAPs, but was less effective than activin A inhibition, which restored wild-type population growth dynamics to FAPs. Palovarotene pretreatment did not reduce FAPs’ skeletogenic potential, indicating that efficacy requires chronic administration. Although palovarotene inhibited chondrogenic differentiation in vitro and reduced HO in juvenile FOP mice, daily dosing resulted in aggressive synovial joint overgrowth and long bone growth plate ablation. These results highlight the challenge of inhibiting pathological bone formation prior to skeletal maturation.
Too much of a good thing
Authors: Sweeney H Lee
Published: September 2018

A mutation that causes heart disease in humans increases the number of active myosin heads during muscle contraction in fruit flies, leading to the progressive dysfunction of the flight muscles and heart tube.
The role of miRNAs 34a, 146a, 320a and 542 in the synergistic anticancer effects of methyl 2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H- benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylate (MBIC) with doxorubicin in breast cancer cells
Authors: Hasanpourghadi Mohadeseh , Abdul Majid Nazia , Rais Mustafa Mohd
Published: September 2018

Combination Index (CI) analysis suggested that MBIC and doxorubicin synergistically inhibited up to 97% of cell proliferation in ER+/PR+MCF-7 and triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, treatment of the breast cancer cells with the combined drugs resulted in lower IC50 values in contrast to the individual drug treatment. Small noncoding microRNAs (miRNA) may function as non-mutational gene regulators at post-transcriptional level of protein synthesis. In the present study, the effect of the combined treatment of MBIC and doxorubicin on the expression level of several miRNAs including miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-320a and miR-542 were evaluated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. These miRNAs have the potential to alter the protein level of survivin, the anti-apoptotic protein and reduce the metastatic activity in human breast cancer cell lines by interfering with the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB. Our results demonstrated the several fold changes in expression of miRNAs, which is drug and cell line dependent. This finding demonstrated a functional synergistic network between miR-34a, miR-320a and miR-542 that are negatively involved in post-transcriptional regulation of survivin in MCF-7 cells. While in MDA-MB-231 cells, changes in expression level of miR-146a was correlated with inhibition of the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The overall result suggested that alteration in protein level and location of survivin and NF-κB by miR-34a, miR-320a, miR-146a and miR-542, remarkably influenced the synergistic enhancement of combined MBIC and doxorubicin in treatment of aggressive and less aggressive human breast cancer cell lines.